Toronto Maple Leafs: Livin’ On The Bode Wilde Side
By Josh Tessler
As the NHL Entry Draft approaches, there is one prospect that the Toronto Maple Leafs should consider grabbing.
Over the past couple of years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have selected a few prospects from the US National Development Team (USNTDP). They’ve selected Joseph Woll, J.D. Greenway and Jeremy Bracco. Perhaps, Kyle Dubas, the general manager of the Maple Leafs will look yet again for a prospect from the US National Team.
His name is Bode Wilde. He’s a 6’3″, 197 pound right handed defenseman from Birmingham, Michigan. He’s currently been playing with the USNTDP.
This past season, he played in 53 games for Team USA and registered 11 goals and 25 assists. He’s more effective 5v5 than on the power-play.
Throughout last season, he only totaled 4 points. Perhaps, his special teams development will emerge in the future. It’s still really early to tell exactly how Wilde will play in the AHL or NHL.
University of Michigan
Additionally, he was committed to attending the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan has been notorious in developing elite NHL players. There are many former Michigan Wolverines in the NHL including Mike Cammalleri, Andrew Cogliano, Zach Hyman, Dylan Larkin, Max Pacioretty and Jacob Trouba.
Bob McKenzie of TSN reported a few days ago in the below tweet that Wilde will not play for Michigan.
2018 draft eligible U.S. defenceman Bode Wilde is not going to the University of Michigan next season. He will get drafted and see what his non-school options are. Saginaw owns his OHL rights.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 18, 2018
It’s surprising that he chose to decommit. With the Wolverines, he had the opportunity to play for a strong collegiate program. Oddly enough, he wasn’t the only NHL Draft prospect to decommit. Fellow USNTDP defenseman, Mattias Samuelsson also decommitted from the Wolverines.
Instead of playing collegiate hockey, he could potentially play in the OHL. Per McKenzie’s tweet, Wilde’s OHL rights are owned by the Saginaw Spirit. Saginaw is only a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from his hometown. So if he opted to play in the OHL, he would be able to play in front of his family consistently.
Wilde’s Scouting Report
Below, you can find a highlight video of Wilde’s play in his 2017-18 campaign.
From the above video, you can see the Wilde is a stellar two-way defenseman. He’s got excellent puck handling, superb skating and a lethal shot. Additionally, he’s a great play-maker and has great vision. With proper development, he could be a rock star in the NHL some day.
Now, let’s look at the how the top NHL insiders are liking Wilde.
TSN Hockey Insider, Bob McKenzie has Wilde ranked 25th on his draft rankings. McKenzie has him as the eighth best defensive prospect in the NHL Draft.
Fellow TSN Insider, Craig Button also very much likes Wilde. In his analysis, Button compared him to Brent Seabrook of the Chicago Blackhawks. If the Toronto Maple Leafs were to select Wilde and he turns out anything like Seabrook, it’d be a win for Dubas and the front office.
Next: Connor Carrick: Much Better than You Think
It’ll be interesting to see what the Toronto Maple Leafs do with their first round pick. If they decide not to move their pick, Wilde should definitely be someone that Dubas should drool over selecting.
stats from teamusa.usahockey.com