Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Stevie Leskovar just signed his ELC with the Wild. He’s a big, physical, stay-at-home defenseman with limited offensive upside. Is this type of player becoming a dying breed in today’s NHL? With the league trending towards speed and skill, can a player like Leskovar carve out a successful NHL career? What does his development path look like? Does he project as a career AHLer, a fringe NHL player, or something more? Where do you see him fitting in with the Wild’s deep prospect pool?

The Wild already have Jiříček and Buium in their system. Is there even room for Leskovar down the line? Considering he was a late-round pick and passed over in previous drafts, this signing could be seen as a depth move. However, could this be a steal for the Wild? Could his physicality and defensive focus be an asset in the playoffs? Let's discuss the value of defensive specialists in today's NHL and whether Leskovar can defy expectations.