Top prospects for Minnesota Wild

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Minnesota Wild, according to NHL.com.

1. Jesper Wallstedt, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Iowa (AHL): 38 GP, 18-15-5, 2.68 GAA, .908 save percentage

After signing his three-year, entry-level contract May 17, 2022, the 20-year-old (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), highly-touted goalie played his first full season in North America with Iowa of the American Hockey League. Despite a rough start to the season, Wallstedt rebounded and was named to the AHL's top prospect team.

Still, the Wild remain adamant on not being in a hurry to bring Wallstedt to St. Paul.

"I think just having [Filip Gustavsson] and [Marc-Andre Fleury] right now does give Jesper time," Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin said. "We have the luxury of not having to rush him. That being said, if Jesper's playing great and he's ready to make the jump, hey look, having good goalies is a luxury and we've got three of them, so we're very happy about that."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

2. Danila Yurov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 24 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL): 59 GP, 6-6-12; Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL): 12 GP, 4-11-15

The 19-year-old (6-1, 178) played his professional hockey with Metallurg Magnitogorsk this season. A dynamic wing with potential to move to center, he is under contract with the KHL for one more year with hopes to be in North America the following season.

"There's great expectation for him," Yurov's translator said at Wild development camp in July. "It's very important he'll spend next season in Russia, and he hopes to come forward and come here next season."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Marat Khusnutdinov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 37 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23: SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL): 63 GP, 11-30-41

Khusnutdinov enjoyed a breakout season of sorts in his first full year in the KHL. The 21-year-old left-shot (5-11, 176) not only performed well offensively, but won 350 of 671 face-offs (52.2 percent) -- an area Minnesota is desperate for improvement.

Like Yurov, Khusnutdinov has one year remaining on his KHL contract before he is likely to come to the United States.

"We are never trying to rush these guys to get here," Wild director of player development Brad Bombardir said. "Of course, we want them to get acclimated to North America as soon as we can, but he's over there playing competitive, competitive hockey. And we are excited to see that continue to develop there this year."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Carson Lambos, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 26 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Winnipeg (WHL): 61 GP, 12-36-48

Lambos (6-1, 197) signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Minnesota on Aug. 25, 2021. Since then, the 20-year-old defenseman has been honing his skills in the Western Hockey League with Winnipeg, helping it to a second straight No. 1 regular-season finish in the Canadian Hockey League. As captain, Lambos led Winnipeg to the WHL finals, where it lost to Seattle in five games.

Lambos is regarded as one of the best two-way defensemen in the prospect pool. With Winnipeg being sold, he and the team will relocate to Wenatchee, Washington this season.

"Physically, he's strong enough, skates very well," Bombardir said. "For him, it's learning at this level that sometimes less is more. Go back and retrieve pucks -- clearly go north and support that way. That's the foundation we're working with him (on). On his junior team, he was playing over 30 minutes a night. It's a matter of having his confidence as a player to use his assets, but also understand the type of player he needs to be to build that foundation. Let some things grow in his game."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

5. Liam Ohgren, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 19 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Djurgardens IF (SHL): 36 GP, 11-9-20

Ohgren's season was delayed by injuries, but his first full season with Sweden's second-tier professional league was a continuation of his development. The 19-year-old (6-0, 187) impressed with 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 36 games and had 13 points (eight goals, five assists) for Djurgardens in 17 playoff games.

Ohgren will continue to refine his 200-foot game this season with Farjestad BK of the SHL.

"We can see his progression, how smart he is and how quickly he learns," Bombardir said. "We would expect him to have a very good, solid year in the SHL."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season