NHL Draft

The Minnesota Wild have the 7th overall pick in the NHL draft Friday night. Wild assistant General Manager Brent Flahr says the Wild will draft the best talent available and not for need. The first overall pick is expected to be Russian right wing Nail Yakupov. Edmonton will pick first. The first round of the draft will take place Friday night with rounds 2-7 to take place on Saturday. Minnesota has one pick in each round.

The Minnesota Wild did not win the NHL draft lottery Tuesday night. Edmonton won the lottery for a 3rd straight season. The Wild had a 4.7% chance of moving up to as high as #3 in the NHL draft. The draft is considered defenseman heavy in the top ten of the first round.