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A Date That Could Change Wild Course |
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Phase 2 of the unprecedented NHL draft lottery is upon us and the Wild own a 12.5% chance of winning the prized #1 pick. However that also means that the other 7 qualifying round losers do as well which unfortunately includes some high caliber offenses that have previously won the lottery and possess generational talent.
The Penguins, Oilers, and Leafs all have former #1 picks highlighting their rosters in Crosby, McDavid/Nugent-Hopkins, and Matthews (not to mention Tavares as he was drafted by the Islanders). Those teams also possess additional top tier talent that were drafted in the top four as well Malkin PIT #2 2004, Draisaitl, EDM #3 2014, Marner TOR #4 2015.
Meanwhile the Wild have never drafted higher than #3, 2000 their inaugural draft where they selected Marian Gaborik. Only one other year did they select in the top five and that was 2005 when they selected Benoit Pouliot at number 4. They have not selected in the top 10 since the 2012 draft where they used the #7 pick to select Matt Dumba.
We know how difficult it is to compete in today's NHL without marquee talent. The Wild are in a transition and adding a talent like Alexis Lafreniere would be huge. Combine that with the arrival of Karill Kaprizov and the emergence of Kevin Fiala and the Wild will have an entirely new and dynamic look.
Imagine the Winter Classic with that talent in Wild sweaters....
The countdown is on and here is hoping that the Wild come out victorious tonight.
In other Kaprizov news, according to the Atheltic's. Michael Russo, Kaprizov is set to make his first visit to the State of Hockey today. He will meet with Wild brass and tour the Wild facilities as he gets himself acclimated to his new surroundings.
No update on the injury to Ryan Suter, according to Michael Russo, the MRI was incomplete due to the irritation of his right foot.
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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