Now that the first day of the NHL Draft is in the books, it's time for the Minnesota Wild to start getting involved.
Minnesota didn't own a first-round pick this year thanks to trading for David Jiříček last November, a deal that required them to send what ended up being the No. 20 pick to Columbus. The Blue Jackets ended up taking the first goalie of this year's draft in Pyotr Andreyanov.
It was a win-win trade, as the Wild got an NHL-ready player and essentially used this year's 20th pick to land the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, which feels like a net-positive. Speaking of nets, the Blue Jackets got a top goaltending prospect to add to their farm system.
All of that is to say, the Wild didn't get in on any of the action on Friday night but head into the final day of the draft armed with five picks that could help fill out some key needs with more young talent.
Top 50 players still available for Wild to target on Day 2 of 2025 NHL Draft
It's hard to determine which direction the Wild will go with the No. 52, but a sage bet might be the team getting in on a center to add to some important depth. It's been speculated that Minnesota might look at a goalie at some point but that's not a particularly deep pool of talent in this year's class.
Here are 50 of the best remaining players the Wild could -- and should -- target on the second day of the NHL Draft.
- Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo U20
- Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters
- Blake Fiddler, RHD, Edmonton Oil Kings
- Jacob Ihs-Wozniak, C, Luleå U20
- Cole McKinney, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Jack Murtagh, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State University
- Eric Nilson, C, Djugården J20
- Simon Wang, LHD, Oshawa Generals/King Rebellion
- Will Moore, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Daniil Prokhorov, RW, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
- Eddie Genborg, RW, Linköping
- Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak Moscow
- Theo Stockselius, C, Djugården U20
- Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Tolpar Ufa
- Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads
- Kurban Limatov, LHD, Dynamo Moskva
- Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kalovy Vary
- Carter Amico, RHD, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers
- Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Ethan Czata, C, Niagara Ice Dogs
- Max Psenicka, RHD, Portland Winterhawks
- Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City Storm
- Maxim Schäfer, RW, Eisbaren Berlin
- Alex Huang, RHD, Chicoutimi Sangueneens
- Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants
- Jacob Rombach, LHD, Lincoln Stars
- Matthew Gard, C, Red Deer Rebels
- Petteri Rimpinen, G, Tappara
- Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers
- Nathan Behm, RW, Kamloops Blazers
- Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston Frontenacs
- Drew Schock, LHD, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna Rockets
- Charlie Trethewey, RHD, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- David Lewandowski, LW, Saskatoon Blades
- Jan Chovan, C, Tappara U20
- Brady Peddle, LHD, Waterloo Black Hawks
- Kristian Epperson, LW, Saginaw Spirit
- Mason Moe, C, Madison Capitols
- Sam Laurila, LHD, Fargo Force
- Theodor Hallquisth, RHD, Orebro U20
- Lasse Boelius, LHD, Assat U20
- L.J. Mooney, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
- Peyton Kettles, RHD, Swift Current Broncos
- Luke Mistelbacher, RW, Swift Current Broncos
- Tomas Poletin, LW, Lahti Pelicans
- Adam Benák, C, Youngstown Phantoms
Minnesota has a slightly staggered second day of picks. Barring a trade, the Wild won't go back on the clock until pick No. 102 in the fourth round. They also own the No. 121 pick -- meaning the Wild will pick twice in Round 4 -- and then aren't on the clock again until No. 141.
This year is the first time since 2017 that the Wild didn't own a first-round pick, but it's hard to be upset about the reason why. Using all five picks the team has left is certainly on the board, but this isn't being seen as a particularly deep draft class which means Minnesota trading out to acquire picks next year isn't out of the question either.
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