Wild have only four picks in NHL draft

They have only four chances to draft prospects, because the three others were given away in previous trades. The Wild also will pick 24th in the first round, which is the latest they've ever made their first draft pick.

Assistant General Manager Tom Thompson said he doesn't know whether the team will make deals to change its draft order.

"When you move up or move back, you're not doing it to get picks - you're doing it because of the players available at that particular time," said Thompson, in an interview. "And that obviously can't be predicted in advance, when you're picking 24th."

Thompson saof the team might try to draft a defenseman first, but that doesn't mean they'll automatically take that position. It all depends on who's still available when their turn comes up.

"You're not going to take a medium-level defenseman ahead of a top-ranked forward or goalie, if that happens," Thompson said.

Thompson said this year's field of prospects is deep, which makes him hopeful they'll still get a good first pick, even with their low draft position.

The Wild won their division this year but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

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