đź“· Photos from tonight's #mnwild win over Winnipeg: http://t.co/d8MpKafoPR pic.twitter.com/Z8aBGte8bI
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 28, 2015
Before the Wild got busy scoring goals in a preseason win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, the team announced 17 roster moves to trim its preseason roster to 27 players.
Thirteen players were assigned to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League
- Christoph Bertschy
- Brady Brassart
- Matt Carey
- Maxime Fortunus
- Kurtis Gabriel
- Marc Hagel
- Leland Irving
- Michael Keranen
- Dylan Labbe
- Kevin Lalande
- Zack Mitchell
- Gustav Olofsson
- Zach Palmquist
The Wild also waived Zac Dalpe, Ruslan Fedotenko, Jared Knight and Brett Sutter. If they clear waivers they’ll be assigned to the Iowa Wild.
NHL rosters allow for 23 players, so Minnesota still has four cuts to make. Among the 27 fighting for a job is rookie ex-Gopher defenseman Mike Reilly, whom, as Pro Hockey Talk notes, lasted longer than former first-round pick Gustav Olofsson.
Mike Reilly:"Definitely think every game’s gotten better, I'm more comfortable & I feel like one of the guys in this dressing room" #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 28, 2015
The Wild destroyed Winnipeg 8-1 Sunday night and head coach Mike Yeo called Reilly’s performance his “best game” to date, according to Russo.
But based on how the roster will break down, it’s likely that Reilly is in a battle with Tyler Graovac, Brett Bulmer and Tyson Strachan for one roster spot, the Star Tribune reports. But with forward Justin Fontaine expected to miss the beginning of the season with an injury to his side, two of the four could wind up on the final roster, which is due to the NHL by Oct. 6.
#mnwild heads to Duluth. Wednesday's 10:30 a.m. practice at Amsoil Arena is free and open to the public.
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) September 28, 2015
The Wild put a close on preseason hockey Thursday against Buffalo and they open the regular season Oct. 8 at Colorado.
By the way, Matt Dumba was a ridiculous plus-6 in the win over Winnipeg.
Matt Dumba talks about playing with one of his best friends, @brodin25. WATCH: http://t.co/BbskPRxcs9 #mnwild pic.twitter.com/ZHVL6t0MSd
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 28, 2015
