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Wild News & Notes: Wild drop first game in Traverse City

By Brennen Rupp |
SAINT PAUL, MN - JUNE 28: Minnesota Wild Development Camp attendee Nico Sturm (7) makes a pass during the Minnesota Wild Development Camp 3-on-3 Tournament on June 28, 2019 at TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center in St. Paul, MN (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, MN - JUNE 28: Minnesota Wild Development Camp attendee Nico Sturm (7) makes a pass during the Minnesota Wild Development Camp 3-on-3 Tournament on June 28, 2019 at TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center in St. Paul, MN (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Minnesota Wild opened up play today at the 2019 NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan and started the weekend with a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Nico Sturm scored the team’s lone goal in the second period and Mat Robson recorded 35 saves. Robson was a standout for the Minnesota Gophers and could be the future at goalie for the Wild and could be called upon this season if Alex Stalock struggles.

The Wild will be back in action tomorrow for game number two against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. central time.

Keeping up with Kaprizov 

Kirill Kaprizov notched an assist during CSKA Moskva’s 3-2 victory today. It’s Kaprizov’s third assist in two games. The talented winger has yet to score a goal through three games, but his playmaking ability has been on full display. Last season Kaprizov scored 30 goals and recorded 21 assists. The year prior he scored 15 goals and had 25 assists.

Wild Sign Drew Stafford to a PTO

The Wild added another body to their training camp roster the other day by signing the veteran to a professional tryout agreement. The 33-year old right winger will be a long shot to make the roster, but the signing comes at no risk and Stafford could provide value to the bottom six if he does make the roster.

The Buffalo Sabres selected him with the 13th overall pick back in the 2004 draft. He had his best season back in 2010-2011, when he scored a career-high 31 goals. He was traded to Winnipeg during the 2014-2015 season and has since played for the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils.

This past season he appeared in 57 games for the Devils. He scored five goals and recorded eight assists. Stafford faces an uphill climb to make the roster, but anything is possible.

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