The Minnesota Wild have recalled defenseman Daemon Hunt from AHL Iowa, per a team announcement. The transaction comes after head coach Dean Evason told reporters Monday, including The Athletic’s Michael Russo, that the team would recall a player from the minors in advance of their three-game Eastern swing that begins Thursday. It was likely to be a defender, with Jonathon Merrill banged up and taking a maintenance day today, although Evason believes the veteran will be able to play in tomorrow’s home game against Edmonton.
Hunt, 21, would make his NHL debut if he draws into the lineup in the coming days. Drafted as a physically inclined two-way defender, Hunt has yet to record a point in four games with Iowa this season and notched two goals and 11 points in 59 games with them last season, his first campaign in the pros. Selected in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Hunt served as the captain for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons before turning pro with the Wild.
It’s unlikely to be a lengthy stay on the active roster for Hunt, although roster flexibility is something the Wild desperately need right now, with no healthy extras available to them prior to the recall. Defenseman Alex Goligoski was moved to LTIR last week to create cap space. For now, Minnesota will carry 12 healthy forwards and seven defensemen, the former of which will increase to 13 once winger Matt Boldy is ready to return. Listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained on October 15, Boldy will travel with the Wild on the road trip but will not play Tuesday against the Oilers.