Minnesota Wild: Iowa Wild players in line for a call-up
By Cody Defoe
The Minnesota Wild have got off to a solid start, but they are not the only ones. Their affiliate down in Des Moines, the Iowa Wild, have also got off to a franchise best start.
The Minnesota Wild finished October with a strong month, and exceeding many expectations. The Iowa Wild had a similarly strong month, and currently have 8 wins through 11 games.
The Minnesota Wild are currently only carrying 22 players on the NHL roster, so there is definitely room for a call-up. With recent illness striking Eric Staal, and the possibility that the Wild may be on the brink of a locker room virus spreading, a minor league call-up could be coming as soon as today.
Should the Wild be looking to fill the 23rd spot on the roster, or need an immediate player to fill any holes if the sickness spreads from Staal to other players, there are plenty of NHL ready options down the highway waiting for an opportunity.
Matt Read is clearly among the top players in terms of NHL depth, as a player with past experience and success. He got the call-up during the injury to Joel Eriksson Ek, and would clearly be in line to fill a hole again if the need were to arise.
Aside from Read, there are plenty of other players in Iowa with experience at the NHL Level. Luke Kunin, Mike Liambas, Kyle Rau, Andrew Hammond, Matt Bartkowski, and Carson Soucy have all spent time in the NHL and could find their way to Minnesota this year.
So, of those players, who would be the most likely to see a call-up? Who is playing well enough at the AHL level this year to be at the top of the list and most deserving to get a chance with the Minnesota Wild?