Top prospects for Minnesota Wild

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, the top five prospects for the Minnesota Wild, according to NHL.com.

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1. Kirill Kaprizov, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 135 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
2019-20 season:CSKA Moscow (KHL): 57 GP, 33-29-62
The Wild are excited about Kaprizov's long-awaited arrival after the 23-year-old led the Kontinental Hockey League in goals last season. The left wing, who signed a two-year, entry-level contract on July 13 but was ineligible to play in the NHL postseason, excelled in the KHL despite his size (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) by using his speed, intelligence and offensive skill.
He might need some time to adapt to the NHL.
"This is the best league in the world. It's going to be a step up from wherever he's played," general manager Bill Guerin said. "But just looking to help him adjust and jump right into things. He's a great kid. He's going to bring a lot of life to our team, a lot of personality."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Marco Rossi, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 9 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Ottawa (OHL): 56 GP, 39-81-120
Although Rossi (5-9, 183) isn't big, the Wild envision him as their potential No. 1 center. Last season, he led the Canadian Hockey League in points with Ottawa in the Ontario Hockey League.
Loaned to Zurich in the Swiss National League, the 19-year-old is expected to join the Wild after playing for Austria at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"It's a great opportunity for Marco Rossi to represent his country at the World Junior tournament," Guerin said. "Playing in the tournament will be great for his development, and we look forward to Marco reporting to the Minnesota Wild at the conclusion of the tournament."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Matthew Boldy, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 12 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2019-20 season:Boston College (NCAA): 34 GP, 9-17-26
Boldy finished his freshman season strong, scoring 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in his final 17 games after scoring four (one goal, three assists) in his first 17.
"Sometimes I think everybody feels a young kid is going to go right in and tear it up in college hockey and it's a big adjustment," Guerin said. "But the most important thing is that he progressed and had a great second half and is going to just build off of that."
The 19-year-old has NHL size (6-2, 196) and was expected to play for the United States at the 2021 WJC after being passed over last year.
Projected NHL arrival:2022-23

4. Kaapo Kahkonen, G

How acquired:Selected with No. 109 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
2019-20 season:Minnesota: 5 GP, 3-1-1, 2.96 GAA, .913 SV%; Iowa (AHL) 34 GP, 25-6-3, 2.07 GAA, .927 SV%
Kahkonen will battle Alex Stalock for playing time behind Cam Talbot after playing well during five games with the Wild last season. The 24-year-old is built like an NHL goalie (6-2, 215) and appears to have proven all he can with Iowa after leading the American Hockey League in shutouts (seven) and ranking fourth in goals-against average and save percentage last season.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Calen Addison, D

How acquired:Trade from Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 10, 2020
2019-20 season:Lethbridge (WHL) 50 GP, 10-42-52
The 20-year-old was the key player Minnesota received for trading forward Jason Zucker to Pittsburgh, which also gave up forward Alex Galchenyuk (signed with Ottawa Senators as an unrestricted free agent on Oct. 28) and a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Guerin was assistant GM with the Penguins when they selected Addison (5-11, 180) in the second round (No. 53) in the 2018 NHL Draft.
The skilled, puck-moving defenseman helped Canada win the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship with nine points (one goals, eight assists) in seven games. He is projected to begin this season with Iowa.
Projected NHL arrival:Next season