With the 2025 NHL Draft just over a week away, the Minnesota Wild's director of amateur scouting, Judd Brackett, was able to sit down and have a chat over at The Athletic. One of the more interesting things he touched on wasn't about the Wild's plans for the upcoming draft, but it was about an existing player.
Ever since coming over from the Columbus Blue Jackets mid-season, Jiricek has had a tumultuous time in Minnesota. Injuries, scratches, up and down between Iowa and St. Paul -- just things that do not help a 21-year-old defenseman feel comfortable. Good to know that he is very much still considered a priority.
- How much are the Wild affected by not being in a no-income tax state. It's the hot button topic after the teams in Florida have been to several Cup Finals in the last decade, teams like the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights are finding success as well. Well, what about Minnesota? [Hockey Wilderness]
- The son of GM Bill Guerin, Liam, reflects on his Dream Nations Cup experience. [NHL.com]
Off the trail...
- How the Florida Panthers' team-first mentality led them to back-to-back Stanley Cups. [StarTribune]
- A summary of free agency and offseason plans for all 32 NHL teams. [ESPN]
- The top 10 moments of a monumental Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Panthers. [NHL.com]
- Just hours after coming second place yet again, the Oilers are reportedly re-signing one of their trade deadline acquisitions to an insane contract. Trent Frederic for eight years and close to $4 million per season. [Daily Faceoff]
