With a handful of notable injuries, the depth of the Minnesota Wild organization is being tested early in the season.
Missing critical forwards from the middle-six —Marcus Foligno, Jordan Greenway and Ryan Hartman all missing time— players are being given opportunities that generally aren't there. It means the coaching staff and management alike get to see what players do with those opportunities. For some, it means the chance to play with better linemates and maybe even notch your first career NHL point.
For Mason Shaw, the 24-year-old go-hard rookie from Lloydminster, Alberta, it means making the most of the ice time he's worked hard for.