Despite striking gold in late-round pick Kirill Kaprizov, the Minnesota Wild are still looking for more high-end talent. Particularly, they are hoping to find the kind of high-end top-line center that can slot in next to Kaprizov.
Sometimes, that talent comes from unexpected places. Wild head coach Dean Evason believes that the team may have found a steal in the recently acquired Sam Steel.
Will he contribute to increasing Minnesota Wild NHL odds 2022 of reaching a Stanley Cup final?
Who is Sam Steel?
Steel was the 30th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks. He became a standout the previous year, registering 70 points in 72 games during his second full season in the AHL.
Steel was considered to be an undersized center even at the time. At 5’11”, 176lbs, there were obvious concerns about whether he’d be able to hold up to the rigors of the NHL game on a night-to-night basis.
That said, he has the kind of elite finesse game that scouts love. He has high-end scoring ability buoyed by a strong skating ability. He has good first-step quickness, allowing him to gain a step on defenders before they know what has happened.
His shot is deceptive, one that he doesn’t use enough. Then again, he has great on-ice vision and shows a deft passing ability. His two-way game has been coming along as well, making him a solid potential option.
It is unlikely he becomes one of the 10 best Minnesota Wild players of all time, but he is sure to be useful when the time comes.
Don't mean to 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙡 anyones thunder but, @ssteel23 is coming to the #StateOfHockey! 🤩#mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) August 30, 2022
Why Steel Was Available
Given his scouting report and talent, the question becomes why he didn’t make a bigger impact in Anaheim. He has been a regular since the 2019-20 season, registering 54 points over 175 games in that span. Those stats certainly don’t illustrate the kind of talent he was thought to be.
But a closer look at the Anaheim roster shows more. Longtime stalwart Ryan Getzlaf occupied a role in the top six of the Ducks for nearly his entire career. Displacing him was going to be impossible. The rise of Trevor Zegras certainly didn’t help matters of playing time.
The real reason that Steel became available is because of the depth of the position in Anaheim. Zegras is set to take on a top-line role and become the face of the franchise. High draft pick Mason McTavish is set to be a full-time player as well, possibly challenging for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Veteran Adam Henrique remains due to his two-way game. There is also the signing of Ryan Strome, coming off of three very good years for the Rangers. He will most certainly fill the role after Zegras, giving the Ducks a solid one-two punch.
With so many spots taken up by established or more promising talent, it only stands to reason that Steel would be the odd man out.
F Sam Steel will wear jersey number 13 for the Minnesota Wild. Number last worn by Nick Bonino in 2020-21. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/n4UJjoFMbj
— NHL Jersey Numbers (@NHLNewNumbers) September 2, 2022
Steel Will Get Opportunity
Part of the reason for potential excitement is the comments made by Evason. He is a big believer that Steel has not yet had the appropriate opportunity to live up to his first-round draft pick status. Remember that Steel is just 24 years old and chose to come to Minnesota.
Given that he was a depth contributor, Steel’s numbers aren’t bad when you look at him. He has already been given a chance in the preseason to step into a greater role. He begins with potential sophomore breakout Matt Boldy as well as a solid two-way player in Freddy Gaudreau.
Evason has made it clear that he loves Steel’s speed. Putting him on the third line shows that he will be given a chance to shine and not simply be stashed away in a bit role. Mostly, the organization is of the belief that Steel never got a fair shake during his time in Anaheim.
First NHL goal alert 🚨 Sam Steel! pic.twitter.com/bYLdeQcvYT
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) October 22, 2018
Will it Work Out?
The good news for the Wild is that it is a low-risk, high-reward contract. At just a one-year term, Steel can prove himself or wash out and never be seen again without missing a beat. On paper, it looks like it will be a case of the former.
Steel has already acquitted himself well. In four preseason games, the center has a pair of goals and five points. Yes, the preseason is the preseason, but it is still worth noting. He won’t be asked to drive the play in his current role, giving him the opportunity to put up points.
There has already been proof that former first-round centers are worth another look. Ryan Hartman deemed a reclamation project after flaming out with the Chicago Blackhawks, had a fantastic season with the Wild last year.
The hope is that Steel can follow in those footsteps. Giving him better linemates – something that was lacking during his time in Anaheim – can certainly be the first step. It could also be a matter of maturity and opportunity, something he did not have at his previous stop.
Sam Steel (@ssteel23).
Get to know this name, folks. pic.twitter.com/IoprCqt26h
— NHL (@NHL) March 27, 2019
Credits on Featured Image: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
