From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
The Wild has a history of trades at the draft — setting up the Manny Fernandez trade to Boston last June, acquiring Pavol Demitra in 2006, Todd White in ’05 and Cliff Ronning in ’02.
Will this year’s draft, which begins next Friday in Ottawa, be any different?
Risebrough won’t tip his hand other than to say he doesn’t believe the Wild will trade up from the 24th pick in the first round.
“Talking to GMs, to move significantly is a significant price, and that usually creates volatility in your lineup,” Risebrough said. “We have enough holes we have to cover without trying to create more holes.”
Read more about the Wild’s possible off-season plans here.
Risebrough knows what he’s doing. The experienced GM is exactly right when he states that the team has enough holes to address this summer. A move up the draft board is not something the Wild is likely to push for.