The Minnesota Wild have called 21-year-old Luke Kunin up from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Iowa Wild, in light of Mikko Koivu’s injury.
The injury to Mikko Koivu in the Flames’ game, has proven a blessing in disguise for the young Luke Kunin. He looked to have cracked the Minnesota Wild line-up last season, only to have his year cruelly ended by an ACL tear.
Thus far this year with the Iowa Wild, Kunin has managed 8 goals and 7 assists in 21 games, rocking a plus-5 plus/minus too. He represented the Iowa Wild last season at the AHL All-Star Game and fully earned his call-up to the NHL.
Whilst a stat line of 19 games played for 2 goals and 2 assists scored doesn’t exactly sound like good returns on the Minnesota Wild’s 2016 first round (15th overall) pick, it’s his work-rate and effort that has to be commended. He shows a willingness to battle for the puck and doesn’t seem fearful of going into the corners, despite having a rather slight frame.
He, too, has shown great leadership qualities, captaining multiple U.S. national junior teams, including the gold medal-winning 2017 World Juniors team.
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It’s unclear where exactly he’ll slot into the Minnesota Wild line-up, but my hope would be to see Luke Kunin dropped in as a direct replacement for Mikko Koivu. Nothing like a baptism of fire!
Given the Minnesota Wild’s recent struggles, it wouldn’t actually be the worst thing to do, putting him into the top-six. He might give them some youthful energy and exuberance; maybe it’s the kick they need.
There is, however, a decent likelihood that experience will trump Luke Kunin when it comes to slotting in that high up the line-up. Head coach, Bruce Boudreau may be more likely to trust a veteran that high up the line-up and field Kunin on the young third-line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Jordan Greenway.
Both options sound good; a young line might benefit from the obvious leadership qualities that Kunin possesses; a top-six line, on the other hand, would be just reward for the commitment that Luke must have put into his rehabilitation from his own injury.
Whilst it isn’t great to lose Mikko Koivu for an extended period; it’s time to see more youth injected into the Wild line-up, and if his injury is the way that happens, then so be it.