We Could See Matt Boldy in Wild Playoff Lineup Before Zach Parise

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The Vegas Golden Knights came back to tie the best of seven game playoff series vs the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. The Wild have out-chanced the Knights all series long so nobody in the Wild locker room is panicking. Still, there’s been one obvious weak spot in the top-6 through two games and his name is Marcus Johannson.

Head Coach Dean Evason’s has Johannson on Kevin Fiala’s 2nd line unit because of his speed. Unfortunately, speed only takes you so far when you can’t protect the puck and Marcus is a turnover machine right now. So, what’s the fix?

Do you slot Zach Parise back into the top-6? Maybe…





Parise certainly deserves a chance to get back into the lineup. But, that’s been the case for weeks now. These aren’t the first two games in which Marcus Johansson has struggled.

But, Minnesota Wild 2019 1st round pick, Matt Boldy could be an even better option, if skating and playmaking ability is what Evason and Guerin are looking for on that 2nd line, opposite Fiala. Michael Russo (The Athletic) asked Evason about a Boldy call-up this morning and whether or not it’s something the front office is thinking about. They have.

Conveniently, Boldy is scheduled to arrive at TRIA Rink today as part of a new taxi squad of players coming up from the Iowa Wild, whose season ended earlier this week. He, along with Calen Addison, Louie Belpedio and a few others have been dubbed the “Black Aces” and will be eligible to play through the rest of the Minnesota Wild playoff run, should Evason and Co. need them.




In other words, Matthew Boldy is now just feet away from skating next to Fiala on the TRIA practice ice as early as today. From everything I’ve seen and the smart people I’ve heard/read, Matt Boldy can’t be any worse than Marcus Johansson. That should give Evason the opportunity to replace his struggling second-line wing without having to choose Zach Parise as his replacement.

For Guerin and Evason, who clearly have something out for Parise, that feels like a win/win. Here’s what EliteProspects.com says about Matt Boldy.


Boldy is a highly skilled winger. A finesse player with impressive creativity, a quick release and fine playmaking ability. Not the fastest of skaters, Boldy’s hockey sense and overall skill level still allows him to be reliable offensive threat.



Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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