Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 21st-ranked prospect, defenseman Bode Wilde.
Bode Wilde
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: January 24, 2000
Place of Birth: Montreal, QC
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: D
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 17
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 22
NHL Comparable: P.K. Subban
Bode Wilde is this draft’s class “wild pony.” The smooth-skating, two-way defenseman possesses loads of confidence, which gives him a high risk, high reward feel. He has all of the tools needed to be a high-end defenseman in the NHL, but will need to reel in his play to realize that potential.
Wilde’s skating ability is among his biggest strengths. He is very strong on his skates, giving him excellent balance and power. This allows Wilde to clear the front of the net well in addition to leading the offensive rush. He has very good acceleration and footwork, which allows him to keep opponents in front of him and shut down their attack. Wilde uses his edges well, giving him a strong ability to transition in the play. Wilde also enjoys driving to the net on offense, which he is able to do because of his speed.
Wilde possesses a booming shot from the point, which allows him to be a dangerous threat on the power play. While he enjoys using his slap shot, his wrist shots and snapshots are also highly effective because of his accuracy and ability to get them off in a hurry. He is regularly able to get pucks through to the net, making him highly effective in the offensive zone.
Passing is another strength of Wilde’s due to his high-end vision and recognition. This, in combination with the arsenal of shots he owns, allows Wilde to be very comfortable quarterbacking the power play.
Defensively, Wilde is an effective shutdown defenseman because of his ability to use his size and strength to keep the opposition to the outside. Wilde enjoys being physical, though his “wild pony” style can sometimes get him into trouble, sometimes leading to defensive breakdowns or taking a penalty. With this, he needs to learn to recognize appropriate times to make a big hit and when to stay in a sound defensive position and live to fight another day. Wilde can be a liability in the defensive zone because of his inconsistent positioning, which is something he needs to improve on before making the jump to the NHL.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Wilde does not have quite the same level of potential as some of the other top defensemen available in the draft, so taking him at pick eight would be a big reach. Chances are very good he would be off the board when the Hawks pick again at 27, as many expect him to go in the early or mid-teens because of his potential, but if he slides that far because of his aggressiveness, he would be a great pick, especially if the Blackhawks select a “safe” defenseman with the eighth selection. Though still a few years away, Wilde would be a nice addition to the Hawks’ defensive prospect cupboard with a playing style the team’s other prospects do not really have.
Timeline
Wilde has a few areas of his game to work on. He will be attending the University of Michigan beginning in the fall, where he will likely spend at least two or three years. Do not expect to see Wilde on NHL ice until 2020–21 at the earliest.
Projection
He has the tools needed to be a top-pairing defenseman. However, if he is not able to tone down his risk-taking, teams may want to slot him on the second pair. His skill set should see him serve both on the power play and penalty kill at the next level. He needs to clean up his game in the defensive end, but with proper coaching at Michigan and at the beginning of his professional career, Wilde should develop into a good two-way defenseman.
What others are saying
“Big, thick defensemen that look graceful while carrying the puck simply don’t grow on trees, and you’d probably hear more about him if his draft year wasn’t loaded with cornerstone-type defenders. Wilde is one confident teenager, maybe sometimes to a fault, as doing “too much” with the puck is something he’ll have to limit. Especially considering how talented the NTDP forwards are. Still, he is perfectly capable of playing a variety of roles with aplomb — power play quarterback, crease-clearer on the penalty kill, and even neutralizing top opponents. Wilde loves to hammer the disc thanks to a heavy shot, and he has the ability to either create his own shot from up high or finish in a speed rush to the net. Once he crosses center, he is as close to the complete package as they come, and his size and right-handed shot make him an extremely tantalizing prospect with star potential. Wilde’s risk taking can put his mates in jeopardy, so you’d like to see him go through stretches when he puts a premium on sound positioning, and is willing to refrain from deep attacks every single shift.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
“Wilde has an absolute bomb of a point shot and understands how to keep it low and on the net to give teammates an opportunity for a deflection or rebound. Wilde can really fire the puck. He can also get it done in a variety of ways with an excellent wrist shot, and strong snapshot. His shots all feature a quick release as well. This makes him a real threat from the point. Wilde is able to get his shot off, and on net despite traffic. He is also a very good passer, starting breakouts and making plays at the point as well. Wilde can start the transition game with his passing skill. He also has the skating and stickhandling skill to rush the puck up the ice. At the blue line, he shows poise with the puck and the patience to set up teammates. He also has the vision and passing ability to run the powerplay.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey