2026-27 Minnesota Wild Top Prospects

** Different sites can use different criteria for determining who is still a prospect. Also, for Dobber Prospect lists they take a fantasy hockey approach – prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL.

Charlie Stramel – Stramel’s game is built around size, strength, and versatility. At 6-foot-3 and over 215 pounds, he plays a heavy north-south style, wins puck battles, and can contribute in all situations. While he will probably never be a high-end offensive producer, his skating has improved and he has become more effective at using his frame to create space. Scouts increasingly see him as a future middle-six NHL center who can kill penalties, play physically, and chip in secondary scoring.

David Spacek – Spacek is one of the most NHL-ready defensemen in the Wild pipeline. The son of former NHL defenseman Jaroslav Spacek, he has steadily developed into a reliable puck-moving defender with strong hockey sense. After several productive seasons in the AHL with Iowa, he has demonstrated the ability to handle professional competition and consistently move the puck efficiently out of his own zone. Spacek’s greatest strengths are his vision, passing, and decision-making.

Adam Benek – Despite being undersized, the Czech forward has continued to produce at every level thanks to exceptional hockey sense, creativity, and puck skills. Benak is a dynamic playmaker who sees passing lanes that many players simply miss, and his ability to create offense in tight spaces is outstanding. The primary concern remains his size and whether he can withstand the physical demands of professional hockey.

Riley Heidt – He consistently produces at an elite rate thanks to exceptional vision, puck control, and offensive creativity. Heidt is the type of player who can slow the game down and make difficult plays look easy. His playmaking ability is his greatest asset, but he also possesses an underrated shot and a relentless competitive streak. Defensively, there are still areas that need refinement, and some scouts would like to see him add strength before turning professional full-time.

Ryder Ritchie – Ritchie is a skilled, intelligent right winger whose offensive game is built around deception, strong puck skills, vision, and an accurate release. He is effective at changing angles with the puck, using give-and-go plays and east-west movement to manipulate defenders, while his offensive instincts help him consistently find scoring lanes. Ritchie has also grown into a 6-foot-2 frame and has become more effective using his size, while showing improved attention to detail away from the puck.

2026 Minnesota Wild Draft Picks

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