Next year's rookies

Lost in the shuffle of the goalie drama was a little blurb from Russo about the Wild being in contract negotiations with two of the prospects I mentioned here. I figure with a three-game-loss weekend, looking down the road to potentially happier days might be a nice diversion.

Carson McMillan's Calgary Hitmen swept the first round of their playoffs, though their opponent for the next round starting Friday has yet to be decided. Still looking like they'll go deep and we won't see him this season, but in Russo's feature on him today, he is projected to play in Houston next season.

Apparently he's a bit of a Clutterbuck clone, which is mighty appealing, isn't it? Gritty winger who likes to hit and will go to the net, contributes a bit of offense, fearless. The trick is to still do all that stuff in a smart, controlled way even at professional speeds. Here's hoping...

Today, they are also in the process of signing signed Cody Almond, whose Kelowna Rockets are squaring off in round 2 of their playoffs against the Tri-City Americans on Friday. I've gotten to be friends with one of their photographers, so I've asked for a bit of a scouting report and maybe a photo, which I'll put here if I can get one.

Justin Falk is from this same 2007 draft class as these two guys, so there will be quite the youth movement between those three.