At 122nd overall (brought in on the Lettieri trade), the Wild draft HIFK’s Aron Kiviharju. Very highly toughed a few years ago. Smart, skilled, undersized defenseman.

10 comments

1. I can dig it!

2. Highly touted?

3. is 5’11 really undersized these days? Cale Makar, Hughes? all by definition undersized

4. What an amazing pick. I would have been fine with him in round 2. A few years ago he was projected to go top 5. I love how Judd is targeting the smartest defensemen. He is “undersized” but is still 2 or 3 inches taller than Spurgeon and 20 pounds heavier. 

5. What made him drop so much, he was on the ‘best available remaining players board’ on espn just about all of last night.

6. Whatever Judd is cooking, I want a plate.

7. From MTL, was curious to see your reactions about this pick. I’m astounded he dropped so low. Played very well in the U18 championships.

8. So, Wild bullish on defensemen I take it

9. Rachel Doerrie had him as the 27th overall prospect and 5th best available after the first round. Ritchie was her 20th overall and best available after the first as well.

10. I still don’t understand why Boston traded up 10 spots in a late round pick.

    Just seems like a “Hey Bill, do me a favor” and they swapped 4th liners and picks.