Max Gaede Profiled on Western College Hockey Blog

Chris Dilks, author of the Western College Hockey Blog, profiled Minnesota State recruit Max Gaede as a potential NHL draft pick.

I haven't had the opportunity to watch Gaede play, so WCH is a truly great resource. Dilks wraps up his article with a nice final analysis of Gaede.

Gaede really rose up draft boards all year long. He made it all the way up to 104th on the final Central Scouting rankings, and now looks like a lock to be selected somewhere on the second day of the draft.

He's a bit of a raw talent. Playing high school hockey at Woodbury, he wasn't always playing with or against equal or better talent, and his skating could still probably use some work. But he's got some intriguing potential as a power forward once he fills out a little more that can make plays offensively.

Unless a team really likes him, the fourth round is probably about as high as he'll go. If he lasts any later than that, I wouldn't necessarily call it a steal for the team that picks him, but they would be getting some pretty nice value on a late round pick.

Gaede will likely join the Sioux City Musketeers, of the United States Hockey League, next season before heading to Minnesota State, Mankato. He played a few games with the Musketeers earlier this spring after concluding his senior year with the Woodbury Royals (28GP - 22 goals, 17 assists - 39 points).