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Minnesota Wild: Three UFA Defenseman Targets

By Brandon Quast

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Jake McCabe #19 of the Buffalo Sabres during the game against the Minnesota Wild at the KeyBank Center on November 22, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Jake McCabe #19 of the Buffalo Sabres during the game against the Minnesota Wild at the KeyBank Center on November 22, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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Ian Cole

ST. PAUL, MN – MAY 22: Ian Cole #28 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck past Nicolas Roy #10 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 22, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Golden Knights defeated the Wild 4-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – MAY 22: Ian Cole #28 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck past Nicolas Roy #10 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 22, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Golden Knights defeated the Wild 4-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Ian Cole is an internal option to return to the team next season. A lot of the fanbase enjoyed watching the play of Cole since he was traded to Minnesota at the beginning of the season. Even with Cole wanting to return to the Wild, it is still possible the Wild may still seek to sign a UFA when free agency opens.

Calen Addison

Feb 20, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Calen Addison (59) shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Calen Addison (59) shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Calen Addison is Minnesota’s top defensive prospect. He got a good look mid-season due to a plethora of injuries on the blueline and didn’t disappoint. Bill Guerin said that roster spots will have to be earned this coming season and Calen Addison is one that will be vying for one of the open defense spots.

Brad Hunt 

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Brad Hunt #77 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates scoring a power play goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Brad Hunt #77 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates scoring a power play goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Brad Hunt could be a candidate to return to Minnesota but I feel as if this could be more of an unlikely situation due to the fact that Hunt found himself in the press box more often than not last season than actually playing. When Hunt did play, he only played 12 games scoring exactly one goal and not really doing anything impressive defensively.

*All Stats/info used can be found at NHL.com

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