The Minnesota Wild’s top prospect is getting close to full strength, and Charlie Stramel says he’s nearly there after the broken ankle that ended his season at Michigan State in late March.
Stramel told reporters on Monday, as Minnesota opened development camp, that he’s already back on the ice and expects to be at 100 percent within the next couple weeks. He also said he isn’t paying attention to the trade chatter surrounding him, with his attention fixed on trying to earn a spot with the Wild in camp.
The 21-year-old’s stock rose sharply after a huge senior season in East Lansing. He scored 19 goals and finished with 44 points for the Spartans, a dramatic jump from the 17 goals and 47 points he had combined over his previous three collegiate seasons between Wisconsin and Michigan State.
That breakout year had him on the radar as a possible postseason addition at the end of last season, but the ankle injury wiped out that idea and pushed Minnesota to sign him to a futures deal while his rehab got underway.
Stramel’s climb has been reflected in the prospect rankings, too. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic had him at No. 37 last spring, and he’s now listed as the league’s No. 21 prospect. That leap came after a season that made him look like one of the Wild’s most intriguing young players.
For now, though, his name still keeps surfacing in trade conversations, with Stramel often mentioned as the key piece heading out in any deal Bill Guerin might make for another star, including Dylan Larkin. Even with that noise around him, Stramel’s recovery appears to be moving in the right direction, and he’s close to being fully ready again.
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