Wild Announce Lineup For Preseason Opener Against Chicago
· Yahoo Sports
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild will turn to Calvin Pickard in goal Saturday as they open their preseason schedule with a young lineup.
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Wild head coach John Hynes said Friday that Pickard will get the start and Minnesota would dress a younger group. The Wild later released their roster for the game, which features several prospects alongside a handful of NHL veterans.
Pickard, 34, signed with Minnesota during the offseason and is expected to share the crease with Jesper Wallstedt while Filip Gustavsson remains sidelined.
Hynes previously said Pickard and Wallstedt will split Minnesota's four preseason starts, with each goaltender scheduled to start twice.
Saturday will be Pickard's first game action in a Wild sweater.
Among the younger players dressing are Charlie Stramel, Riley Heidt, Hunter Haight, Rieger Lorenz, Caeden Bankier and Jagger Joshua.
On defense, Carson Lambos, Roman Schmidt, Mike Koster, David Spacek and Viking Gustafsson Nyberg are among the players scheduled to dress. Daemon Hunt will also be in the lineup.
Minnesota will still have some NHL experience surrounding that group. Nick Foligno, Nico Sturm, Mason Shaw, Justin Kirkland, Olli Määttä and Hunt are among the more experienced players dressing.
William Rousseau and Filip Ruzicka will join Pickard as the three goaltenders on the roster.
The Wild's roster for Saturday's preseason game is:
Forwards: Nick Foligno, Nico Sturm, Mason Shaw, Tyler Pitlick, Dylan Gambrell, Jagger Joshua, Justin Kirkland, Charlie Stramel, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt, Rieger Lorenz, Kayden Lemire and Caeden Bankier.
Defensemen: Olli Määttä, Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Matt Kiersted, Daemon Hunt, Carson Lambos, Roman Schmidt, David Spacek and Mike Koster.
Goaltenders: Calvin Pickard, William Rousseau and Filip Ruzicka.
The exact forward lines and defensive pairings will be announced during warmups.
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