The Minnesota Wild are finally getting healthy-and just in time for a big matchup against the Florida Panthers. With their forward group nearing full strength, the team has reassigned Hunter Haight and Ben Jones to the AHL’s Iowa Wild, signaling the likely return of Matt Boldy to the NHL lineup.
Boldy, who was a full participant in practice yesterday, wasn’t eligible to play in the Wild’s most recent game against the Red Wings. But that’s expected to change tomorrow. His return would add another scoring threat to a lineup that just welcomed back Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson-two key pieces who rejoined the fold against Detroit.
This is the kind of depth Minnesota’s been waiting for. Injuries have forced the team to shuffle their bottom six for much of the season, and both Haight and Jones have been part of that revolving door. With the forward core now healthy, Minnesota can finally start to roll out the lineup they envisioned at the start of the year.
Haight, just 21, is still developing at the pro level. The former second-round pick showed real promise last season in Iowa, putting up 20 goals and 34 points in 67 games-a solid rookie campaign in the AHL.
He’s spent most of this season back in Iowa, where he’s notched seven goals and 12 points in 26 games. Despite being recalled five times this season, he’s yet to break through at the NHL level, logging five appearances and averaging just under 10 minutes a night without registering a point.
Jones, on the other hand, has seen more consistent NHL ice time this season. The 26-year-old has played in 26 games for the Wild, contributing a goal and an assist while averaging 8:36 per game.
While his -10 rating isn’t ideal, he’s been a reliable depth piece when called upon. In limited AHL action, Jones has chipped in three goals and six points in just eight games with Iowa.
With Boldy likely back in the mix and Eriksson Ek and Johansson already reinserted, the Wild are finally in a position to ice a complete forward group. That’s a welcome change for a team that’s had to rely heavily on call-ups to patch holes in the lineup. Now, with their top talent healthy and ready to go, Minnesota has a chance to build some momentum-and maybe start climbing the standings in a tightly contested Western Conference.