Instead, Guerin and and his front office quietly waited out Friday’s first round. On Saturday, however, the Wild got to work. Not only did Billy make five total selections on day two, but one of their three 4th rounders was acquired via trade, in exchange for Wild defenseman Declan Chisholm.

NHL Draft pundits have mixed reviews regarding Minnesota’s 2025 draft class, which isn’t a surprise given most of their picks came in the 4th and 5th rounds, with only a single selection in the first three rounds.

NHL Network crew loves Wild draft pick, Adam Benak

But there’s one pick, 4th round undersized (5’7″) centerman Adam Benak, who has drawn rave reviews from all over the hockey world, starting immediately after the pick was taken.

That’s when the NHL Network draft coverage floor was given to former Florida Panthers director of scouting, Jason Bukala (Pro Hockey Group), who happens to be a HUGE fan of the 18-year-old USHL standout, out of Youngstown.

The @NHLNetwork draft crew loves MN Wild 4th round pick (No. 102) — left shot centerman, Adam Benak — a small, feisty, highly capable scorer out of Youngstown (USHL) pic.twitter.com/F0WKUype0M

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) June 28, 2025

“This kid came to my attention…two years ago, when he was playing in the four nations tournament [in Plymouth]. Dynamic little guy. He plays on the world stage, represents his country in all the big tournaments. In Youngstown, he had to make some adjustments this year. But I believe he has NHL upside. I really truly do.

Why? Because he’s quick, he’s super competitive, he always wants the puck, he’s always around the puck. You notice him all the time, despite his stature. So great pick there…this is crafty by Minnesota…He’s a really good player.”

Jason Bakula – NHL Network

In his first season of USHL play, Benak lead the 2025 Youngstown Phantoms with 59 points, on 17 goals and 42 assists. As mentioned by Bakula, he’s been a featured member of the Czechia’s international junior teams since he was 16 years old, racking up 27 goals and 50 assists in 70 international games played.

When you look at his highlights, it’s easy to see why hockey people are excited about Adam Benak. He’s incredibly skilled and seems to have a hunger for the puck that makes his 5’7″, 165 lb frame into a weapon on ice.

Minnesota Wild got incredible value in 4th round

Still, that is extremely small for the NHL, which is why he dropped all the way to the 4th round. But at 18 years old, it’s very plausible he’s not done growing yet. And with talent like this, it’s quite the value that late. No matter the size… these wrists don’t lie.

Adam Benak, choix #102 des @mnwild

Rang LPR: 70e pic.twitter.com/EAIIAcEn9e

— La Première Ronde (@1ereronde) June 28, 2025

The real value came from selecting Adam Benak, who is one of the best skaters and smartest players in the draft class. But he’s small, so of course he fell. He was by far the most skilled player available in the fourth round, and if he grows a couple inches, he has the special talent to be a top-six player.

Rachel Doerrie – ESPN

It’s not just the NHL Network draft panel who’s intrigued by Adam Benak. Throughout the hockey world, draft pundits have pegged this kid as an uber-talented steal in the 4th round. He has a lot to prove, given his diminutive stature, but nobody doubts anything else in his game.

Adam Benak is full of speed and skill. He’s highly shifty and makes a lot of tough small-area plays. His vision is high-end, showing the creativity, instincts and quick decisions to run a power play and create offense at the highest levels.

On a pure talent level, he checks the boxes. He’s a legit 5-foot-7, though, and despite his offense, there is a major question about whether he’s special enough at that size to make it.

Cory Pronman – The Athletic

I love the swing on Adam Benak, another player I tied to them, too. Benak is one of the smartest players in this class and one of its best skaters. He’s extremely tiny, and that’s going to make it hard, but in the fourth round, I don’t think you can go wrong with that bet.

He’s fearless, too. I think he could surprise some people, and I know there were a few other teams that were pretty high on him and were prepared to pick him shortly after the Wild did at No. 102.

Scott Wheeler – The Athletic

But that doesn’t mean president of hockey operations Bill Guerin will just sit on his hands all evening, right? After all, the MN Wild are about to be loaded up with over $17 million in salary cap space come July 1, when the new league year kicks in and the majority of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s contract buyout penalties finally fall off.

Geurin still has to get Kirill Kaprizov under a new deal that is expected to be worth over $15 million per season. The Marco Rossi conundrum still looms large, too. On top of that, Guerin has reportedly shown interest in top free agents like Brock Boeser and Charlie Coyle.

So, should Minnesota Wild fans be glued to their television sets on Friday night, in anticipation of Guerin busting out a big, unexpected move up the draft board and back into the first round?

Are Minnesota Wild planning to get splashy tonight in NHL Draft?

Well, Billy got on KFAN Radio on Friday morning, just hours prior to the start of the NHL Draft. There, he was asked by 92 Noon host (and voice of the Vikings) Paul Allen if there are any big deals being cooked up for tonight.

From the sounds of it, the answer to that question is “no”, though Guerin did leave a small crack in the door to let off some surprise fireworks tonight, just in case something he does not currently see coming lands in the Minnesota Wild’s lap.

PA: “Any chance you get splashy and move way, way up to get into the first round?”

Guerin: “I don’t see it. I just don’t see it. I don’t know. But you never know, you never know.”

PA: “Yeah, getting up from 52 to 4, 5, 6, 7, 8… that’s probably impossible, right?”

Guerin: “Yeah, it’s probably impossible. But like I said, you never know.”

“‘Nine to Noon” w/Paul Allen (KFAN)

What is going on with this NHL offseason?

Guerin also talked with PA about how strange the markets are this offseason. He noted the increased number of NHL teams who fancy themselves as contenders in 2025-26, something that has made acquiring talent through trades extremely difficult.

Free agency is moving slow, too. Prices are extremely high and many players are avoiding long-term contracts, given the imminent increases in the NHL salary cap, over the next few seasons.

Related: MN Wild’s Latest Lowball Offer to Marco Rossi was Borderline Disrespectful

One thing Bill Guerin has been preaching this week, at nauseum, is patience. He’s made it clear that July 1 no longer represents this landfall date for the Minnesota Wild, where they’ll suddenly start throwing money and weight all over the place.

Guerin wants to play this offseason smart, and that doesn’t appear to include a massive trade up the draft board Friday night, that lands the MN Wild back in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. But as he said, “you never know”.

In the end, they mimicked the 2024 Vikings and moved up one spot to make sure they landed a defenseman, in 18-year-old Zeev Buium (Denver), that many around the hockey world are wondering how he was still available.

Minnesota Wild getting NHL Draft steal in Zeev Buium?

Buium was the 2nd-youngest player in college hockey, as a freshman at Denver last season, where he was one of the best players on a National Championship team. He’s a natural-born blue line scorer, the type that this team and fanbase has been dreaming about for the last decade.

MINNESOTA TAKES ZEEV BUIUM AT 12TH OVERALL!

Can't believe Buium was still there!

Buium profiles incredible in the Hockey Prospecting model and in fact has the highest DY equivalency of any dman since Bobby Orr.

Very strange they traded up one pick but Minnesota getting huge… pic.twitter.com/6QSyznvYa9

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) June 29, 2024

#mnwild select Zeev Buium 12th overall. I ranked him 5th overall.

With 50 points in 42 games this year, Buium is one of the most prolific scoring college defenseman in recent years. He may be slightly undersized as a defenseman, but make no mistake; MIN got a steal here. pic.twitter.com/22u3AOlAsH

— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) June 29, 2024

In his first season at DU, Zeev Buium potted 11 goals to go with 39 assists, becoming the first freshman defenseman at the University to rack up 50 points in a season.

The California native, who played two years of high school at Shattuck St. Mary, took home NCHC Rookie of the Year and NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year in 2024, along with being named a finalist for the Tim Taylor Award (NCAA rookie of the year) and a Hobey Baker nominee.

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), Guerin had already said that if Buium somehow fell to 13, he was going to stick and pick. Instead, he moved up one slot and made sure to get him. Those who know the game of hockey understand why.

The Minnesota Wild trade up for Zeev Buium. He’s a complete defenceman with top-pair potential.

Deceptive, elusive creator. Highly skilled on retrievals and breakouts, creative from the point, and has shutdown defensive ability with his rush defence and battle level. pic.twitter.com/Cq4eHMQrI0

— Mitchell Brown (@MitchLBrown) June 29, 2024

At 18 years old, there are a few questions regarding his skating ability and his projection as a shutdown defender at the NHL level. Others, like The Athletic’s lead NHL prospect analyst, Corey Pronman, called Zeev “exactly what the Wild need” and listed him as one of the top steals in the 1st round, noting, “I don’t share that concern in any meaningful way”.

Buium is exactly what the Wild need. He’s a dynamic defenseman who is one of the smartest players in the draft and carried Denver to a title. He has the potential to be a top pair/PP1 defender for the Wild and provides star upside they don’t have a ton of in their organization. He slipped a bit in the draft as teams didn’t think he had truly elite skating for a 6-foot D-man and questioned his defense in the NHL. I don’t share those concerns in a meaningful way.

Corey Pronman – The Athletic

And Pronman isn’t the only one. Even Russo tweeted that he has never seen a Wild draft pick so universally loved, in his 20 years of covering the team. Here are some of the other reactions and takes, regarding Minnesota’s No. 12 overall pick, who will return to Denver for his sophomore season, before making any decisions on when he will turn pro.

Am I missing something with Zeev Buium? Steal of the draft wherever he goes.

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) June 28, 2024

Over the last 15 months, all Buium has done is win. He won at the U-18s, world juniors and NCAA national championship. Buium’s game is built on his intellect and ability to make the right play in any given situation continually. His offensive game is impressive because of his reads, knowing exactly when to attack off the blueline and when to defer to teammates. In transition, he is an excellent passer who hits teammates in stride but won’t force a pass. In his own end, Buium plays a tactical, positional game.

The Hockey News

University of Denver coach David Carlie on #mnwild taking Zeev Buium: "I think the Wild got an absolute steal at 12. I think five years from now you'll see that proves out even more in all the re-drafts that everybody likes to do."

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 29, 2024

Trading up to get Zeev Buium was a major win for the Wild’s prospect system. I think he has the chance to be a star in the NHL and him lasting to 12 was one of the biggest first-round surprises. Ryder Ritchie, Aron Kiviharju and Sebastian Soini were all on FloHockey’s Top 100 as well. Ritchie has some electric hand skills and Kiviharju came into this year as a first-round candidate before injury cost him his season. There’s still upside to get from there. I think the Wild made some impact additions to their prospect pool with their earlier picks.

Flo Hockey

Well, that was the same way we felt about the Timberwolves, entering the NBA draft on Wednesday night. But then we found out that, where there is a will, there is a way. And just like that, a trade for No. 8 overall had the entire Wolves fanbase feeling like next season has championship implications.

Minnesota Wild trying to trade for Patrik Laine?

Hopefully, Bill Guerin was taking notes because this is the Wild’s best opportunity to pull out something unexpectedly creative that can rejuvenate a dormant fanbase. Like… a trade for high volume 26-year-old goal getter, Patrik Laine?

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), the Wild are trying to convince the Columbus Blue Jackets to eat half of his salary for the next two seasons, in order to land exactly what this team needs, a legitimate top-6 scoring threat that can alleviate some of the pressure on Kirill Kaprizov.

While there will be free agents they’d pursue, they could also dive into the trade market and pursue wingers that way. One player who may make sense is Patrik Laine, the Columbus Blue Jackets 26-year-old scorer who is looking for a fresh start. The only way it could work, though, with the Wild’s cap situation, is if the Blue Jackets ate nearly half of his $8.7 million cap hit for the next two years. The Wild could afford him at $4.35 million, especially if Columbus took a rostered player back.

Patrik Laine turns on the jets and buries his fourth of the season. 👊 pic.twitter.com/St2ChkDcI1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 30, 2023

Laine is forcing his way out of Columbus. After a promising 2023 summer, Patrik suffered a concussion early in the season that caused him to miss three weeks. Upon his return, he was a shell of himself, which eventually led to him being a healthy scratch.

When he was let back on the ice, he looked better and more focused, until he broke his clavicle. Then, when he was due to return from that injury, he entered NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, citing mental health reasons. He remains in that program, which means he is not allowed communication with the team directly.

Related: Marco Rossi, Brock Faber Both Get NHL All-Rookie Honors

Nonetheless, his agent has made it clear that Laine wants to be traded and will not play in Columbus anymore. That is why a lot of teams have been in contact with the Blue Jackets, regarding their young, but veteran, winger. In 2023, Laine played just 18 games, scoring 6 goals and assisting on three others.

Patrik Laine hasn’t played more than 56 games in a season, since 2019-20. After entering the league at just 18 years old, with some of the highest expectations of any youngster in the league, he’s struggled to become that guy at two different stops, for one reason or another.

Minnesota Wild also interested in Rutger McGroarty

Laine isn’t the only top-6 winger that the Wild reportedly have their eyes on. Minnesota is one of the teams that is trying to catch the Winnipeg Jets’ attention for their 20-year-old University of Michigan prospect, Rutger McGroarty, who has informed the Jets that he will not be going pro with their organization.

According to reports, McGroarty is expected to be traded at some point this afternoon/evening, either before or during the NHL Draft. It sounds like the Wild have all but promised him a spot on the NHL roster, should they be the winning bidder for his services.

Minnesota would likely be willing to trade the 13th pick outright, especially if it was to the Winnipeg Jets for the University of Michigan standout Rutger McGroarty. There’s no doubt the Wild, like many teams, have been talking to the Jets about the 2022 14th pick, who reportedly doesn’t want to sign with Winnipeg.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

With Boston rumored to be in on Michigan/WPG forward Rutger McGroarty, here’s a little analysis of his game.

Physical, 2-way Center/LW
6’1”
201 Pounds

He’s a shifty skater who excels in playmaking but can also put the puck in the back of the net

His highlights ⬇️#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/4ADxIf2Qov

— Michael Sullivan (@_MikeSullivan) June 28, 2024

You can’t help but wonder if Bill Guerin is feeling a little pressure to light off some fireworks, in order to put the Wild back in the headlines this weekend, after the Vikings and Timberwolves did exactly that with their recent drafts.

By now, most hockey fans in town have all but given up on this offseason… and possibly on the 2024-25 regular season too. If there is any way to ignite that spark of interest, it’s tonight. Just like other teams in town have recently.

The options for general manager Bill Guerin and his staff are plentiful, whether it is on the trade front or when they step to the lectern in Las Vegas and make their selection. This year’s draft has plenty of intrigue with its uncertainty.

6 ideal NHL Draft prospects for the Minnesota Wild at Pick 13

Macklin Celebrini is the clear-cut choice for top pick, but the order of selection from there would be more difficult to pin down than stopping Kirill Kaprizov on a one-on-one. Good luck! By the time the Wild receive their turn, who remains available could be a wide-ranging group.

Carter Yakemchuk, defense, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

The Wild’s prospects pool has a highly rated goaltender in Jesper Wallstedt and a bevy or forwards. Things are more thin at defense. Lucky for them (keeping with the theme), there are a couple of defensive prospects in this draft who should be able to help fix their depth problem at that position.

Let’s start with Carter Yakemchuk, the 6-foot-3, 195-lb., blueliner who has a blend of size, skill (30 goals and 71 points) and snark (120 penalty minutes) that could eventually add a nice touch to Minnesota’s always strong blueline brigade. If Bill Guerin wants to add talent to the blue line, Yakemchuk will do just that.

Carter Yakemchuk had two more goals last night, giving him ten in the past 16 games. Somebody will be getting a heckuva defence prospect early in the 2024 NHL draft. pic.twitter.com/aJslFQYSW3

— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) February 22, 2024

Adam Jiricek, defense, HC Plzen (Czechia)

Jiricek played only 19 games this season in the Czech Extraliga before suffering a season-ending knee injury iat the world junior tournament. Adam is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek.

Little brother is a mobile 2-way defender who would probably be a top-10 selection, had it not been for his injury, but that could end up working out in Minnesota’s favor, if Jiricek were to drop to lucky No. 13 and, after a full recovery, would up as a steal that far down the board.

Yeah, Adam Jiricek (2024) is going to be some fun pic.twitter.com/VxtQEhihJJ

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) July 30, 2023

A couple of other defensemen names to watch at No 13 are Zayne Parekh and Zeev Buium, who could potentially slide into Minnesota’s hands as well.

Tij Iginla, left wing, Kelowna (WHL)

Speaking of players whose ranking has gone all over the map, the son of hall of famer Jarome Iginla has race up the charts over a breakout season in which he racked up 47 goals and 84 points and added nine goals and 15 points in 11 playoff games.

Related: Out of Shape Filip Gustavsson on Wild Trade Block

He does not play with the same physical power of his father, but has a better amount of finesse. Wild fans should remember how much Jarome feasted on their club back in the day. It would be kismet for Tij to star in Minnesota.

Cole Eiserman, left wing, US Development team

On the other end of the scale of players moving around the board, is Cole Eiserman who was touted as the likely second overall pick in 2024 around this time last year. Is his fall down the draft board more due to how other players have developed, or is his game going stagnate. That’s something Billy G will and his staff will have to decide.

Cole Eiserman w/ the apple! #USNTDP #draftprospects pic.twitter.com/58qa9hXMRn

— KMTSportsPhotography 🥅🏒📷 (@KyleThomas44095) May 7, 2024

Curiously, Eiserman’s has delivered the offensive play he’s known for, although the knocks are his skating, playmaking and defensive awareness. His offensive touch will be difficult to overlook.

Berkly Catton, center, Spokane (WHL)

Size is the only question mark about Catton as he heads to the draft. He is 5-foot-10, considered on the small side of being a top-two center, even in today’s NHL. That said, he is a legitimate play driver and leader, who has an excellent all-around game, capped by the 54-goal, 116-point campaign that pushed his team into the playoffs.

Berkly Catton is insane. Wow. pic.twitter.com/nfQumR0tqp

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) March 6, 2024

A similar player who could also be available is Konsta Helenius of Finland, who spent the season in his country’s top league and is currently skating at the world championships. 

Beckett Sennecke, right wing, Oshawa (OHL)

Another forward who has climbed the ranks thanks to a strong season, Sennecke is a 6-foot-2 power forward with a strong offensive game and playmaking skills, as displayed by the 29 goals and 68 points he collected in the regular season. Playing a huge part in his team’s trip to the league final — 10 goals and 22 points thus far — will help Sennecke’s stock.

Related: Brock Faber Could be in Line for Biggest Contract in Minnesota Wild History

Randy Sportak covers the NHL for Field Level Media. It wasn’t long after learning to walk that he was wearing skates in northern British Columbia. Since then, hockey has been a huge part of his world, including 15 years on the NHL beat with the Calgary Sun.

Oh, speaking of the 2022 draft, it takes place tonight. Like I said, there’s a lot happening. But freshest off the press, is an update on Jordan Greenway and Jon Merrill, who both underwent offseason “upper-body” surgery.

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), Wild general manager, Bill Guerin, isn’t sure if either player will be available for the start of next season.

Guerin has confirmed both players could miss the start of the season https://t.co/lIVCWY0boz

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 7, 2022

Remember, the Minnesota Wild are short on money and short on depth. One also has to wonder if the Merrill injury could affect any ideas Guerin has to trade Matt Dumba. This could give Calen Addison a shot to start in St. Paul next season, too.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Welcome to a new and refreshing world for the Minnesota Wild. Yesterday, Bill Guerin and Co waited patiently at pick #9 of the 2020 NHL Draft and it paid off when the drafted Austrian (C) Marco Rossi, who many see as the steal of the first round.

Day 2 brought fireworks before it even got started. Billy wanted an old confidant to come help lead a young team and the Nashville Predators wanted Luke Kunin. So, the Wild traded the latter and brought back (32 yr-old) Nick Bonino and an extra 2nd round pick in return (which they’ve already used wisely — keep reading).

Trade alert ?#mnwild has acquired forward Nick Bonino and the 37th and 70th draft picks in the 2020 #NHLDraft from the @PredsNHL in exchange for forward Luke Kunin and the 101st selection in this year’s draft. pic.twitter.com/QvXrK1Ag5F

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 7, 2020

Nick Bonino is a proven commodity around the NHL and someone who Billy Guerin trusts, from their time together in Pittsburgh. Kunin had been a bit of a disappointment but clearly still held some value. If the Wild didn’t see him as a good fit for what they are trying to build, now was the perfect time to make a deal. If you care about “Z-Score”, then this trade will make sense to you.

The Wild used that extra second round pick on another Russian (and center), Marat Khusnutdinov, who currently plays center in the KHL. Jake Jansen has him as his 20th overall prospect in the entire draft. There’s no other league I feel more confident in picking players from, than the KHL. If youngsters can play there, then there’s a good chance they’ll transition to the NHL successfully too, especially on a team that is already laced with others Russians to help them feel comfortable.

Marek has the rest of this season, and then one more, under KHL contract. According to Russo, he’s excited to come over.

Welcome to the squad, Marat!#mnwild | #NHLDraft | @XcelEnergyMN pic.twitter.com/Cvv06No8HX

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 7, 2020

Bill Guerin and his newly acquired right-hand draft guru, Judd Bracket, used their 3rd pick of the 2020 draft (#39 overall) on yet another prospect who many are labeling, ‘a steal’. This time, it was defenseman, Ryan O’Rourke, who Michael Russo pins as a future captain-type player with a major mean streak. That’s a side of the game the Minnesota Wild have noticeably lacked for a long time. I love the piece HockeyWriters.com did on O’Rourke being the steal of the draft (see excerpt below).

Welcome to the team, Ryan!#mnwild | #NHLDraft | @XcelEnergyMN pic.twitter.com/NGfIwtnV5H

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 7, 2020

Now a little perspective. That smile was a noteworthy thing. Up to that point in the interview, his answers were short and straight to the point. But as soon as we started talking about NHL defensemen and who he models himself after, the mood changed. It was something he takes a lot of pride in.

His answer? Duncan Keith.

I then made an observation to O’Rourke after he mentioned Keith. I said to him you really seem to thrive when you play that in your face style. It was at that point his smile got even bigger. It was then that I knew this player was going to be a pain at the next level in the best way possible.

Whoever drafts O’Rourke is going to get a dependable defenseman who will have no trouble causing headaches for the opposition. But then if his team has the puck, there’s a good chance he’s involved in the scoring. He’s a two-way defenseman that in my mind is not getting nearly enough attention.

Mark Scheig – HockeyWriters.com

There’s no guarantee that any of these moves or draft picks will work out but, in reality, there never is. The Minnesota Wild hired Bill Guerin as general manager, who then surrounded himself with hockey people that are well-respected around the NHL, including someone like Judd Bracket.

When you make highly-coveted (Guerin was) front office hires, you have to trust them to make the right decisions and, from all early signs, Billy has been very smart and strategic about his 2020 bold offseason maneuvers.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Wild have needed something to feel good about since August, when they lost three of four to the Vancouver Canucks and fell out of the 2020 playoff bubble in the first round. They got just that on Tuesday night when they selected Marco Rossi with the 9th overall pick in the NHL Draft.

After they lost out of the playoffs and the league rigged the NHL Draft Lottery for New York, the Wild needed this. Rossi is better than a consolation prize and he walks into an organization already budding with promising young talent.

Rossi, a 5’9″, 185 pound center from Austria, looks to fill a hole left by departing captain Mikko Koivu. Center is a position of contention for the Wild and fans alike, so everyone is hoping 2019 OHL leading scorer can help us all breath easier.

Welcome to the #StateOfHockey, Marco!#mnwild | @XcelEnergyMN pic.twitter.com/RtwuV6CnIt

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 7, 2020

The Kid Can Play

The hope is Rossi can replace Koivu when his inevitable call-up to the Wild arises. Rossi’s agent believes his time will come on game 1 of 2021. It’s possible… He’s a naturally gifted center with an ability to win faceoffs and maintain puck possession. Throw in his filthy stick-handling and hockey IQ and you can’t help but believe this is an elite pick by general manager Bill Guerin.

Just look at smooth he is on the ice. His ability to, not only assist on goals but also slot them on his own, is just what the doctor ordered.

Just talked to Marco Rossi's agent, Serge Payer, the former player who actually ended his North American pro career with the #mnwild organization.

He truly believes Rossi can and will be in Minnesota's lineup next season.

We'll see what Bill Guerin and Judd Brackett has to say

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 7, 2020

My one big draft take this year is that I don't give a crap how tall Marco Rossi is because if you can do this then you're pretty good at hockey pic.twitter.com/wAB8ReGQwt

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) October 6, 2020

Marco Rossi’s been a rising talent over the last few years. He played well during his time in Switzerland and with the Austrian U18 and U20 teams (13 G/7 A/20 P in three stints). He truly blossomed, however, when he landed in Canada’s OHL, where he went on to play two dominant seasons with the Ottawa 67’s.

During his time up north, Rossi absolutely dominated the competition, eventually leading the league in assists and points during the 2019-20 season.

Are the Wild about to be…Contenders?

Clearly, this kid has the talent to make the Wild great. With the likes of Kirill Kaprizov, Kevin Fiala, and a slew of other young talent, the Wild are poised to become a dangerous team if everything begins to click.

With Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Rossi all playing on the cheap…well affordable at least… Guerin is setting the team up for future success this franchise hopefully hasn’t seen.

Although some have questioned Guerin’s moves, like moving Donato and Dubnyk to the Sharks and sending Eric Staal to the Sabres, his savvy is hard to argue with. At the moment, it appears as though Guerin is playing 4-D chess while all of us fans and some reporters are playing checkers and he agrees with Rossi’s agent. Stanley Cup here we come.

Guerin said he likes Rossi’s confidence and swagger. Believes he does project to be top center. If he can come in and play well, Guerin said he can make the team.

— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) October 7, 2020

If Guerin can make a few more solid moves and an unfamiliar team can gel quickly, we might have a young and exciting hockey team on our hands… Maybe even a playoff win…?

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

Move over MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred. Another challenger has regained his positioning as worst commissioner in major league sports. His name? NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman.

After the lottery for the first overall pick in the NHL Draft occured Monday, Bettman overtook Manfred for the top (bottom?) spot. The New York Rangers “won” the first pick in the draft, likely landing consensus-number one pick, Alexis Lafreniere, and changing the entire outlook of their franchise..

Fuck New York.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 10, 2020

KEEPING THE BIG BOYS HAPPY

While the NBA’s 1985 “frozen envelope” and 2005’s Sidney Crosby debacle are legendary rigged drafts, this one is in a league of its own. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the NHL to move towards a strange way of determining their draft, incorporating multiple phases and including the qualifying round losers, this lottery took the strangeness to a whole new level.

Jokes aside, this is now NHL lore. Like, the Crosby thing was always innuendo, because it happened behind closed doors. This was on live TV. I both love and hate this, but mostly love it. https://t.co/AyaiUzYatg

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 10, 2020

Eight teams were eligible for the first overall selection. Yet the favorites to win it amongst conspiracy theorists, like myself, were the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Due to the NHL loving their big market teams, the Rangers needed some help and the Penguins need to maintain their winning ways with Golden Boy, Sidney Crosby.

Although optimism for the Wild to receive the pick were high, there was still skepticism among fans. Ranging from the sports gods never allowing a Minnesota team to get a first pick to the draft being rigged. While that is a lot of superstition, there may be some truth behind this one.

THE WEIGHTED BALL

This lottery was just like your favorite government-run one. Each team’s ball was dropped into the cylindrical contraption after Bettman verified each logo. Yet when it came to the Ranger’s ball, the individual dropping the balls let it go early. Was it a slip or was the ball weighted?

Clearly, it was the latter. The Ranger’s ball created a slightly lower pitched noise. Emphasizing its weight difference from the other contender’s balls. What only made it worse was the Ranger’s ball actually coming out on top.

Seems legit… ? #nhldraftlottery pic.twitter.com/JcR6w782mz

— ???? ??????? (@realmikeystew) August 10, 2020

listening to the sound of the ping pong balls clacking together to determine that the rangers ball made a slightly lower pitched clack, therefore was heavier, proving the nhl draft lottery was in fact rigged pic.twitter.com/ymlqe9G7SA

— James Duffy (@TwoTurtleDuffs) August 10, 2020

There is no verifiable truth to this…yet. However, I am absolutely buying into this draft being rigged for New York. Now, the Rangers can become a powerhouse team in the coming decade. Bettman, already an atrocious commissioner, is set to face even harsher criticism after this debacle. Hopefully this ends in his resignation and the Rangers getting a dud of a player in Lafreniere. Or at least he doesn’t live up to his potential until signing with Minnesota in free agency.

I guess the silver lining is the Wild receive the ninth pick in a ridiculously deep draft and have Kaprizov coming in next year. This builds hope for future success. But still, imagine what life as a Wild fan would have been like with both of them demoralizing the entirety of the league. It would be the State of Hockey’s wet dream.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Wild saw their season end on Friday against Vancouver in the qualifying round of the NHL Playoffs. Tonight they found out their slot in the NHL draft. The Wild entered the night with a 12.5% chance of landing the top pick and a chance to draft consensus top pick Alexis Lafreniere. But as things typically work out for Minnesota teams they ended up picking ninth. The New York Rangers ended up winning the draft lottery.

NY Rangers win the radically modified NHL Draft lottery.

They now have the #1 overall pick in 2020 Draft.

The Wild will pick 9th.

Of course.

— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) August 10, 2020

At ninth the Wild get into the top 10 for the first time since 2012 when they selected Matt Dumba. They are looking for a second impact player this offseason after finally being able to get Kirill Kaprizov over from Russia. With Kaprozov and emerging superstar Kevin Fiala, the Wild look to have a bright future ahead of them. The job now falls to general manager Bill Guerin to further mold the roster.

Fuck New York.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 10, 2020

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan