Soucy s selection ensures Wild blueline will look very different
Minnesota expected to dive head first into defenseman market in the coming days by Dan Myers @mnwildscribe / Wild.com
The Wild s defensive core was already going to have a much different look next season without Ryan Suter in the mix.
Now it ll be even more distinctive after the Seattle Kraken selected defenseman Carson Soucy in the Expansion Draft on Wednesday night.
Between Suter s buyout last week, Soucy s selection on Wednesday and the pending unrestricted free agent status of both Ian Cole and Brad Hunt, Minnesota will head into the NHL Draft this weekend and next week s start of free agency with just three NHL defensemen on its roster: Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon.
Wild defensemen get green light to spark offense The blue liners have four game-winning goals this season, and Matt Dumba has been leading the way. March 8, 2021 5:06pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Matt Dumba isn t just protecting the blue paint. He s also crashing it.
The Wild defenseman was all the way in the Coyotes crease when he scored his fifth goal of the season Saturday in the team s road-trip finale, an example of the green light the Wild s blue line has to get involved in the offensive zone. We want their legs to get going and join the rush, coach Dean Evason said, and honestly if they can lead the rush, go ahead.
Wild players happy to trade COVID isolation for getting back on the ice startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Three more Wild players set to return Thursday Ian Cole, Nick Bonino and Nico Sturm were on the team s COVID list. February 17, 2021 1:35am Text size Copy shortlink:
LOS ANGELES – The Wild is still dealing with the fallout from a COVID-19 outbreak, with key regulars missing from the team s return to action Tuesday nearly two weeks after the NHL suspended the Wild s season at the beginning of the spread.
But reinforcements are on the way.
Defenseman Ian Cole and forwards Nick Bonino and Nico Sturm accompanied the team to California on Monday and although they didn t play against the Kings at Staples Center, they are expected to be back Thursday when the team s road trip continues in Anaheim.
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LOS ANGELES – Nearly two weeks after a COVID-19 outbreak stalled the Wild s season, the team will be back in action tonight against the Kings – its first game since Feb.2. We re not that far removed from playing hockey games that our legs are going to be an issue, coach Dean Evason said. It ll be more hands and get your head into the game quickly when the puck s dropped.
With five players still in the NHL s COVID protocols, and another three recently released but not ready to play, the Wild will rely on its taxi squad and minor-league call-ups in its return.