Back to the Minnesota Wild Newsfeed

How much do teams in the Central Division benefit from having high draft picks?

A common thought for the last year is that it is time for the Minnesota Wild to enter a rebuild and embrace getting a couple high selections for the NHL Entry Draft. It’s sparked a debate for many middling teams’ fans in the NHL universe. Do you need high draft picks in order to succeed in the NHL today?

Some point out the obvious teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres. The Oilers have bottomed out for the better of the past decade — with four first overall selections and drafting in the top ten selections in ten of the past twelve years — and have nothing more than a second round appearance to show for it.