Minnesota Wild News

Hartman was moved to IR retroactively to September 21, so he is eligible to come off of IR for tonight’s season opener. Hartman had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 78 games between the Blackhawks and Predators last year and will start the season on Nashville’s fourth line.

Pickard found himself fourth on the goaltending depth chart in Toronto and needed to go through waivers to head back to the Marlies (AHL). With Michal Neuvirth battling injury to start the season, Pickard will likely start the year as Brian Elliott’s backup.

Bogosian will be evaluated later today, but head coach Phil Housley called him day-to-day for now. Bogosian has had terrible luck with injuries during his career, so this comes as no surprise. Bogosian could miss the start of the season, which starts next Thursday.

Hughes was the youngest player in NCAA Division-I in 2018 and the freshman played exceptionally well, finishing third in Michigan Wolverines scoring with 29 points (5G / 24A) in 37 games. Hughes also picked up three assists in seven games while representing the United States at the World Juniors. Hughes is considered one of the best skaters in this draft class and brings with him a great first-pass and offensive game despite his somewhat diminutive stature—5-foot-10, 178 lbs

Pickard, 26, was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in early-October and spent the majority of the season in the AHL. Pickard, who is currently No.4 on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth chart, was 21-9-1 with a 2.31 GAA, .918 SV% and one shutout in 33 games with the Marlies. He gave up four goals on 27 shots in his only NHL appearance with the Maple Leafs.

Spurgeon has been sidelined since March 13th with a hamstring tear, but it looks like he will be ready to go for Game 1 in Winnipeg. Spuregon skated next to Carson Soucy on the second pairing and it looks like he’ll play despite maybe not being 100 percent. Spurgeon’s return is huge with Ryan Suter (ankle) on the shelf and comes in with 37 points (9G / 28A) in 61 games this season.

Foligno missed the final six games of the regular season, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to be in for Game 1 against the Capitals. Foligno, who finished the season with 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 72 games, will centre a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings.

Foligno finished Saturday’s game against the Blues, so there’s no word on when the Blue Jackets’ captain sustained the injury. The timing could not be worse for Foligno, as Columbus has been red-hot and this injury could force him to miss the start of the playoffs. He has picked up one goal and five assists (six points) in his last seven games.

Hartman was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday and will immediately step into the Predators lineup on Tuesday. Hartman, who has collected eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 57 games this season, will start on the fourth line but there’s a strong chance he moves up to at least the third line in the near future.

Brodin has been sidelined since February 6th but will replace Mike Reilly, who was traded to Montreal on Monday. Brodin has played on the power-play this season, but won’t return on the PP tonight. Brodin has five goals, 10 assists and a plus-19 rating in 53 games this season.

Hartman was a first round pick in 2012 and has built on a solid 2016-17 season, picking up 25 points (8G / 17A) in 57 games with the Blackhawks this season. With Chicago falling out of favour in the Western Conference and the Predators taking an all-in approach, Hartman brings a ton of versatility to the Nashville bottom-6.