The Wild likely acquired Johansson with the idea of him playing centre but he hasn't been very good in the middle throughout his career, including last year in Buffalo. Johansson had just nine goals and 30 points in 60 games with the Sabres in 2019-20 and now joins a Minnesota team devoid of a No.1 centre.
Brodin is entering the final year of a six-year deal that he signed in 2014. Starting in the 2021-22 season, Brodin's AAV will go up from $4.167M to $6.0M, tying him for the 26th highest-paid blueliner in the NHL. Brodin is a terrific defensive-defenseman but is also coming off of a career-high 28 points (2G / 26A) in 69 games.
Kaprizov was drafted in the fifth-round back in 2015 but has been regarded as one the best NHL affiliated prospects in the world over the last few years. The 23-year-old Russian took his game to new heights in 2020, setting KHL career-bests in goals (33) and points (62) in 57 games. With the KHL playoffs cancelled due to Covid-19, Kaprizov became eligible to sign with the Wild and come to the NHL.
Petersen allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Kings win over the Wild last Saturday. Petersen is riding a three-game winning streak, posting a 1.67 GAA and .953 SV% in the process. Tonight he'll face a Senators team that played in Anaheim last night and have lost seven of their last eight road games (1-5-2) while scoring just 1.88 goals per game.
Petersen stopped 42 of the 43 shots that he faced in the Kings win in Vegas last Sunday. Petersen has been terrific in his last two starts, stopping 77 of the 79 shots (.975 SV%) that he's faced. Today he faces a Wild team that is 5-1-0 with 4.33 goals per game in their last six games.
Hughes missed Tuesday's practice and Wednesday's morning skate but head coach Travis Green still thinks there's a chance that he plays tonight vs. the Coyotes. Hughes is officially a game-time decision, so monitor his status as they hit the ice for warmups at 10:00 PM ET.
Petry missed Monday's practice but travelled to New York and head coach Claude Julien expects him to play vs. the Islanders. Petry has played well recently, scoring two goals with two assists (four points) in his last six games.
Middleton suffered a lower-body injury vs. the Penguins on Saturday and will miss at least a couple of weeks. Head coach Bob Boughner said that Middleton might be able to return before the end of the regular season.
Marcus Hogberg was not on the ice for Monday's practice, so you have to think Gustavsson's call-up is related to a Hogberg injury. Gustavsson has gone 15-5-3 with a 3.28 GAA and .885 SV% in 23 AHL games this season.
