ST PAUL, Minn. — The NHL draft is a sore spot with many Minnesota Wild fans.
Picks that didn't pan out or were traded away for late-season rentals have left the hockey club's cupboard of prospects all but bare. General Manager Paul Fenton and his staff intend to rectify that situation this weekend as the NHL holds its annual draft weekend in Vancouver.
The Wild hold eight picks in the seven-round draft, including a first-round, #12 overall selection. Among the club's most pressing needs are centers, right-shot forwards, and basically anyone who can score goals.
For a complete list of prospects and their rankings, visit the NHL Central Scouting website. StateOfHockey.com counts 22 Minnesotans on the prospect list, including 11 who played in the high school ranks last winter.
MINNESOTA WILD 2019 NHL ENTRY DRAFT PICKS
- Round 1 - 12th overall
- Round 2 - 42nd overall
- Round 3 - 73rd overall
- Round 4 - 99th overall (acquired from Boston in Charlie Coyle trade)
- Round 5 - 149th overall (acquired from Montreal in Mike Reilly trade)
- Round 6 - 166th
- Round 6 - 172nd overall (acquired from Vegas in Brad Hunt trade)
- Round 7 - 197th overall
NBC Sports Network will televise the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. Rounds 2 through 7 will be broadcast beginning Saturday at noon on NHL Network. If you'd like to view the proceedings with fellow fans, Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub is holding the Wild's official watch party Friday, June 21 starting at 7 p.m. There will be drink specials and Wild merchandise giveaways.
As part of the run-up to the draft, the NHL will hold the 2019 awards show on Wednesday. Forward Jason Zucker will be there as a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on-and-off the ice, and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.
