Matt Boldy Has Been Assigned a Real Number and is Probably Making His NHL Debut Tonight

By Eric Strack |

Updated: May 26, 2021

The Minnesota Wild will play for their 2021 lives again tonight at 8 PM vs the Vegas Golden Knights. Trailing 3-2, it looks like head coach Dean Evason is reaching deep into his bag of tricks for game six. Matt Boldy was drafted by the Wild in the 1st round (#12 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft but was playing hockey for Boston College just a couple of months ago.

Tonight, he’s expected to make his National Hockey League debut. Boldy, who didn’t even have a “real” number as of yesterday, took to the ice wearing #12 for the Wild’s morning skate today. That’s the number he was expected to eventually be assigned once up with the NHL club for good. Evason and the Wild are playing coy with media members on Boldy’s status for tonight but questions might revolve more around who he will replace, rather than whether he’ll be in the lineup at all.

Chatting w/ #mnwild HC Dean Evason #92Noon getting the feeling winger Matt Boldy in the lineup tonight, game six v The 702 around 8 @KFAN1003.
— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) May 26, 2021

Told he “might” make his NHL debut https://t.co/0GFlxfc9LK
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 26, 2021

Optional morning skate for the #mnwild ahead of Game 6.

Matt Boldy, wearing No.12, has joined the group and is on the ice. pic.twitter.com/pDvkZUpDPG
— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) May 26, 2021

Dean Evason says he has some game-time decisions (would not elaborate whether that’s injuries etc.) and, true to form, no confirmation on if Boldy slots in: “by the sounds of everything, he’s gotten better and better. …he’s here and available to us if we see to fit.” #mnwild
— ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@jessi_pierce) May 26, 2021

Who will would Boldy replace?

I was listening to Michael Russo (The Athletic) with Paul Allen (KFAN) who broadcasted from the Xcel Energy Center while the team skated this morning. Most Wild players were on the ice and the couple that weren’t are regular no-shows for optional skates like these. That means Boldy’s expected appearance would be a healthy scratch for someone else.

Matt Boldy started playing games for the Iowa Wild when his college season ended and was a gamechanger in the lineup immediately. The Minnesota Wild need him to have the same effect. We’ll find out the official word on tonight’s lineup soon enough. But if you can find a website that’ll give odds on Boldy’s status for game 6, bet the max.

Matt Boldy has the highest points per game of *anyone* with 10+ AHL games in their Draft+2 season since 2010-11.

The #mnwild may go the whole series without using him. Here’s why that matters, and how it’s hurt the Wild power play: https://t.co/Lp0kK5vDXn pic.twitter.com/GTVNhdxoRY
— Tony of the USS 10KRinks.com (@OhHiTony) May 25, 2021

UPDATE (7PM – 1 hour to puck drop)

We still do not know whether or not Matt Boldy will play or who he would replace if he does. Even Michael Russo is left to guessing games at this point. Here’s his latest tweet.

Matt Boldy will definitely skate warmup and is gametime decision for #mnwild.

Marcus Foligno didn't play the final 7:48 last game, so I'd think he's the question mark
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 26, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan