We've finally reached the end of the old season, or the beginning of the new one. However you decide to divide time when it comes to hockey, the NHL Draft starts on Friday and with it a new generation of players are about to join the fraternity.
Unfortunately the Wild won't have much to do, unless they decide to trade into the first round -- which is unlikely. Billy G has been bold but that sort of move goes against the entire vibe of what he's trying to do which is win now.
That's why we might see the Wild get active but it wouldn't be making picks. Rumors are still swirling about a potential Dylan Larkin trade, especially in the aftermath of Minnesota reportedly making a massive offer to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk only to strike out.
Minnesota Wild draft picks in 2026
Minnesota traded a haul to acquire Quinn Hughes back in November, and as a result, the team won't be picking until Saturday afternoon. Here's a look at all of the draft picks the Wild have this year:
Round | Pick | Selection |
|---|---|---|
3 | No. 89 | |
4 | No. 121 | |
5 | No. 137 (From San Jose) | |
5 | No. 153 | |
6 | No. 185 |
Wait, so where did all of those picks go?
Picks the Minnesota Wild traded away in the 2026 NHL Draft, and what for
The Hughes trade sent Minnesota's first-round pick this year to the Canucks, but a different trade knocked the second-rounder off the board. That was the deal the Wild made with Nashville to acquire Michael McCarron at the trade deadline.
Both of those deals had a pretty significant impact this season. Hughes changed the entire perception of the team and sped up its championship timeline. McCarron added some menace to a heavy line and also ended up scoring some clutch goals in the postseason to help the Wild beat Dallas in the first round.
That seventh round pick is less intriguing. Minnesota traded that to Florida for Jeff Petry, which ended up being a bust of a deal, but it was a swing worth taking to get the team some veteran bench depth for a playoff run.
While not having a pick in the first two rounds is a bit tough, it's hard to argue against the Wild flipping them. Hughes is set to sign an extension when July arrives to remain in Minnesota for at least three years, and McCarron already re-signed on long-term deal.
Plus, the Wild aren't in a position where young players are going to be counted on in ways they were before. Minnesota is a Stanley Cup contender and any young asset the team has is better served as a trade chip to acquire an established star than remaining as a homegrown talent.
It's a brand new era for the Wild -- one that fans aren't used to but can't help but love. A quiet draft that leads to a loud offseason is a trade everyone in the State of Hockey would make ten times out of ten.
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