Wild Cut Roster to 27, Put Eight on Waivers

The Minnesota Wild have cut their camp roster to 27, with 15 players headed toward the AHL's Iowa Wild, according to The Hockey News. Seven did not require waivers; the other eight were placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment.

Those eight: defencemen Matt Kiersted, Carson Lambos and Roman Schmidt, and forwards Caedan Bankier, Dylan Gambrell, Justin Kirkland, Tyler Pitlick and Mason Shaw. They sit exposed for 24 hours, meaning any of the other 31 NHL clubs can put in a claim.

Lambos is the name worth watching. Taken 26th overall in the 2021 draft, he is 23 and still developing, but his entry-level contract has expired and with it went his waiver exemption. Minnesota is betting he clears.

The other seven assignments did not require waivers: Ben Dexheimer, Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Jagger Joshua, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt, Rasmus Kumpulainen and Rieger Lorenz. Lorenz, Haight and Gustafsson Nyberg were among the better performers in Minnesota's pre-season games and are candidates for recalls once the NHL season is underway.

Minnesota also returned Kayden Lemire to the Prince George Cougars of the WHL.

Charlie Stramel and David Spacek both survived this round and look set to stay with the NHL group until final cuts on Monday. Stramel has pushed hard for a job through the pre-season, though he is not expected to play in the final exhibition game. Practice reps with the big club are the consolation.

Four more moves are still needed to get Minnesota to the 23-man limit, whether that comes through more assignments to Iowa, injured reserve placements, or a trade.

For Iowa, the seven direct assignments begin to shape its AHL roster. The eight players on waivers would join them only if they clear and Minnesota completes their assignments.