Explaining the latest Wild roster cuts, and where they leave Haight, Yurov, Buium, other hopefuls

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Another round of cuts, another day of survival for Minnesota Wild roster hopefuls like forwards Hunter Haight, Danila Yurov, Vinnie Hinostroza and Tyler Pitlick and defensemen David Jiricek, Zeev Buium and Jack Johnson.

Haight, as coach John Hynes indicated he would after he scored his second preseason goal Sunday, has earned the chance to continue competing for a spot this week. And Yurov showed further evidence of growth. Hynes wanted him to improve in battles in high-traffic areas, and Yurov showed that in the corners and the net front.

The question is where it goes from here.

If center Nico Sturm isn’t ready to start the year, that could really swing the door open for both young forwards. Faceoffs continue to be an issue for Yurov — he’s won 36.5 percent of his draws — so perhaps we see him get a chance at wing in one of the final two preseason games.

The roster was trimmed to 31 players Monday, but that includes injured Mats Zuccarello (expected to miss several weeks), Michael Milne, Stevie Leskovar and Cameron Butler.

That means the roster is actually down to 27 players — four more than the maximum for the opening night roster.

The Wild assigned forwards Caedan Bankier and Rasmus Kumpulainen, defensemen Carson Lambos and David Spacek and goalies Samuel Hlavaj and Riley Mercer to AHL Iowa. They also placed forwards Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Ben Jones and defensemen Ben Gleason and Matt Kiersted on waivers for purposes of being assigned to Iowa. They’ll be assigned there Tuesday at 1 p.m., provided they clear.

This doesn’t mean any of these players can’t be recalled, even for the season opener on Oct. 9.

A lot will depend on defenseman Jonas Brodin’s health. The Wild veteran was cleared for contact and practiced fully Sunday following surgery in June for an upper-body injury. That could mean Brodin is ahead of schedule and will be ready to start the season or will be back soon thereafter.

Hynes said it’s a “moving target,” depending on any setbacks.

Brodin’s timetable could directly determine whether Johnson earns a contract out of camp. If Brodin is healthy and the Wild sign Johnson, they’d need to be comfortable carrying eight defensemen — unless Buium or Jiricek is going to see time in Iowa.

If Brodin is ready for opening night or won’t be out long, the Wild could just recall a left-shot defenseman like Kiersted or Lambos until he returns.

Sturm’s health, meanwhile, will determine whether the Wild keep one or two more forwards in addition to Liam Ohgren (if he’s a lock): Yurov, Haight, Hinostroza and Pitlick. Brett Leason is also still on a pro tryout, but the former Anaheim Ducks winger hasn’t distinguished himself. If he is offered a contract, it would likely need to be a two-way contract so they can assign him to Iowa for depth. It doesn’t feel like he’s outplayed any of the forwards still vying for a roster spot.

The Wild also still have Cal Petersen on the roster. The veteran goalie has had a quality camp, but Jesper Wallstedt has played well and will likely earn the backup spot. With a number of teams out there looking for goalies, the Wild could simply be strategic as to when to place Petersen on waivers.

(Top photo of Hunter Haight and Vinnie Hinostroza: Nick Wosika / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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