Kirill Kaprizov went ahead and won the Calder Trophy a couple years ago. Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi had respectable rookie campaigns. Brock Faber was a Calder finalist last season. So, do the Minnesota Wild have yet another player that could battle for the top rookie award?

While the 2024-25 season is going to be full of star rookies like Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini, the Wild could surprise with their very own, perhaps underrated first-year players. But who is eligible?

Marat Khusnutdinov is the player that does still have his rookie status and is most certainly going to be in the Wild’s lineup. If he hits a ceiling that we somewhat expect him to, and gets the two-way opportunity that he certainly could earn, maybe we really see him rocket up the lineup and maybe even shove someone like Marco Rossi to the wing or down to the third line (that would be a little crazy).

Liam Ohgren is a winger whose spot in this lineup is not cemented but he could be just perfectly fine and fit the Wild’s style in a great way, earning some power play minutes and more responsibility, he could climb some power rankings.

And just one more, who is the true wild card, is Riley Heidt. After scoring a million points in the WHL last season, he is reportedly going to get every chance to make the Wild out of camp this fall. We know he has the offensive ability and plays with a certain drive that most NHL teams love — so, could Heidt suddenly find himself in the Wild’s top six? Probably not, but it wouldn’t be crazy.

The Wild could battle for some Calder glory. Maybe not win the whole thing, that would be hard, but could have some names out there.

That’s Wild

• Has Bill Guerin’s whole thing, gotten a little stale for us? [Hockey Wilderness]
• Marco Rossi is continuing to bet on himself. [Yardbarker]

Off the trail…

• Trades that should have happened during this offseason. [Bleacher Report]
• With free agency pending, the Edmonton Oilers and star Leon Draisaitl have started discussing a new contract. [NHL.com]