Wild calls up first-round picks Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi from minors

Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi never got the word at training camp they'd be joining the Wild.

Not until three months later, while in the minors, did that news finally arrive.

"You're dreaming of that call-up," Rossi said.

The two prized prospects are set to make their NHL debuts when the Wild plays next on Thursday at Boston, an opportunity that points to their readiness after starting the season in the American Hockey League but also the state of the Wild.

The team is sputtering, having lost a season-high five in a row, and the lineup is missing a handful of key players. If ever the team could use a spark, the time is now.

"We're not expecting them to lead our hockey club into the promised land," coach Dean Evason said. "But we do want them to come in and do exactly how the Minnesota Wild play: With grit, determination, heart and a skill set."

These promotions aren't the only changes the Wild has made since slipping up in the Winter Classic last Saturday.

Defenseman Jonas Brodin is back, rejoining the team after testing positive for COVID-19 and sitting out that 6-4 loss to the Blues at Target Field. He and forward Connor Dewar are also in line to suit up against the Bruins.

Goaltender Cam Talbot remains sidelined because of a lower-body injury suffered vs. St. Louis, and winger Jordan Greenway is in the COVID protocols. Captain Jared Spurgeon (lower-body injury) and center Joel Eriksson Ek (upper-body injury) are also still out, and winger Nick Bjugstad left practice early on Tuesday because of injury.

Andrew Hammond is available to back up Kaapo Kahkonen while Talbot recovers, and the Wild signed goaltender Zane McIntyre on Tuesday to a two-way contract for the rest of the season. McIntyre, a former University of North Dakota standout and native of Thief River Falls, Minn., who played three games for Tucson earlier this season in the AHL, is an option for the taxi squad or Iowa once he clears waivers.

The same can be said for center Victor Rask, whom the Wild also placed on waivers. In 21 games, Rask has four goals and six assists. He's in the last season of a six-year, $24 million contract.

Still, the spotlight will be on Boldy and Rossi and what impact they make during their first appearance with the Wild.

"They know how I play and know how I want to play," Boldy said. "Obviously, they have some faith in me putting me in the lineup. Just going in and playing my game and hopefully it benefits everyone. That's the biggest thing. Try to help out in any way that I can."

Drafted a year apart in the first round, the 20-year-old forwards both overcame obstacles before reaching the NHL.

After getting drafted 12th overall in 2019, Boldy left Boston College to turn pro last spring but his audition for the Wild at training camp was cut short when he broke his left ankle in an exhibition game. Another injury in the AHL cost him a month of the season but when he's been on the ice, the winger has been effective: Four goals and six assists in 10 games.

"Just maturing as a player and finding new ways to produce at the next level was the biggest thing for me," Boldy said.

As for Rossi, the center didn't play last season after developing myocarditis.

With Iowa, though, he's reemerged as the playmaker the Wild selected ninth overall in 2020 when Rossi was coming off a 120-point season in the Ontario Hockey League.

"I trust the process 100 percent," Rossi said. "I wasn't waiting for [a call-up] because if I was always waiting and looking at my phone, then it would take a long time. So I wasn't really thinking about Minnesota. I was just thinking Iowa."

Although the Wild isn't anticipating Boldy and Rossi to swoop in as saviors, a message already relayed to both players, they will be slotted in roles to affect the game.

While Rossi centered wingers Kevin Fiala and Marcus Foligno during a scrimmage on Tuesday, Boldy skated with a combination of Brandon Duhaime, Frederick Gaudreau and Rem Pitlick. The two also took reps on the beleaguered power play.

"They should be put in that position to have success, clearly for them, but most and more importantly for us," Evason said. "We're not putting them there just to see if they can play. We're putting them there to score goals."

Both players planned on having their families in attendance Thursday, with Boldy returning to familiar territory.

A native of Milford, Mass., Boldy grew up a Bruins fan and said he feels the chance to have more family members and friends at the game will enrich the experience.

But that will be only the beginning.

"Whenever you get called up, you want to be here forever," Boldy said. "That's the goal. But I'm approaching it one game at a time."