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Boudreau still thinks Wild will make a trade

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

NHL draft weekend came and went without the Minnesota Wild making a deal for one of their five defensemen.

It was a big surprise to much of the league, including head coach Bruce Boudreau, who texted someone from the draft floor on Friday night saying: "Is no one making any moves?" according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.

Many had defenseman Marco Scandella pegged as the most likely candidate to be moved, but as we speak, he remains with the club. All that aside, Boudreau is still under the impression general manager Chuck Fletcher will pull something off by the time the 2017-18 season kicks off.

"Something's going to happen. I just don't know what it is," Boudreau said. "Chuck's playing his cards close to his vest. But I've got to believe something will happen. Whether it happens today or in a month from now, I don't think he's in a hurry unless he gets what he wants to get."

Until then, Boudreau and Wild fans will have to wait. However, July 1 is quickly approaching and while the Wild aren't expected to be in on many of the top fish in free agency, the club is looking to fill out its fourth line and are hoping to acquire a backup goaltender.

"(Alex Stalock's) going to have to earn it," Fletcher said. "He put himself on the radar last year, but by the same token, we want to foster competition."

Luckily for the Wild, the team finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference and their lone losses in the expansion draft were Erik Haula and Alex Tuch, meaning much of the same roster should be in tact to compete for a better playoff result next season.

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