With the 12th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Minnesota Wild selected left wing Matt Boldy on Friday night.
Minnesota had a bunch of forwards to choose from when they went on the clock, and going with Boldy is a GM Paul Fenton’s first pick as Wild boss, as he’s charged with the task of finding the Wild a pure goal scorer for the first time in a long time.
Once he gets to the NHL, he could be a legit goal-scorer, as noted by an anonymous scout in a recent interview with The Athletic (paywall).
“Goal scorer, great offensive stick. He’s dangerous down low. I don’t see a ton off the rush in the NHL, but I think he’ll be around the net a lot and he’ll score a lot,” the scout is quoted as saying.
As is the case with most first-round picks in the NHL, …. shouldn’t be counted on to play at all for the Wild in 2019-20. It usually takes prospects at least a couple of seasons of grooming in lower leagues before they’re ready for the bright lights of Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild tweeted a photo of Boldy looking more like a front office member than a hockey player, but we’ll trust that he knows what to do when the skates and pads are on.
Welcome to the #StateOfHockey Matt Boldy! #NHLDraft | #mnwild pic.twitter.com/j8OfGZjqKg
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 22, 2019
