RALEIGH, N.C. — In retrospect, Minnesota Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt doesn’t necessarily think the last 12 months have been all that strange. But a closer look at his career path shows the arc of a boomerang, sent away but finding its way back to where it started.
On Thursday night at Carolina, Hunt was back in the Wild lineup for his 14th career game in the organization, but not before spending roughly 10 months in Cleveland as property of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Around this time last season, Hunt, 23, was part of the package of picks and players sent to Columbus by Wild general manager Bill Guerin to get defenseman David Jiricek. Then, in September, when the Blue Jackets placed Hunt on waivers with the intention of sending him back to their Cleveland AHL team — where Hunt played 48 games last season — the Wild grabbed him.
“It was easy coming back, knowing everybody and the organization. It’s already like a family here,” Hunt said on Thursday afternoon after the morning skate at the Lenovo Center. “It’s really good to be back, and I haven’t played in a while, so it’s exciting. I never take it for granted, to be in the NHL.”
In 10 games this season, Jiricek has shown off his physical skills but has been mistake-prone and displayed some of the inconsistency that has been an overall weak spot in the Wild’s disappointing start to the season. So, on Thursday, coach John Hynes gave Jiricek a night off and replaced him with one of those traded away to get Jiricek a year ago.
“I think Daemon’s a good skating defenseman,” Hynes said. “I think he has some physical elements to his game. He can move the puck. I’m excited for him to be able to get an opportunity. I think it’s well-deserved.”
For Hunt, the past month has represented a kind of career limbo. The Wild haven’t played him, but also can’t send him down to Iowa because if they place him on waivers, Columbus or another team could claim Hunt. So, the chance to put on a jersey and play, paired with Zeev Buium, was exciting for the young defenseman.
“It’s been a little bit tough, for sure,” Hunt admitted. “I’m in kind of a weird spot in my career, where it’s like I feel I’m good enough to be in the NHL, and then I got picked up on waivers and I’m not playing. So, mentally it’s been a little bit challenging trying to stick with it and look for the positives and have ‘glass half full’ type of vibes. I’m happy to be here.”
Milestone game for Boldy
If you needed further proof of Wild forward Matt Boldy’s transition from young star to veteran cornerstone of the Minnesota offense, look no further than his career games played number, which read 300 following his opening shift on Thursday.
“His game continues to grow. I think he really understands how good a player he can be when he plays a certain way, with a certain mindset,” Hynes said. “I think he’s been consistent with that off the ice. He’s gained confidence through his play, through different experiences — 4 Nations, World Championships — more time in the league, more time in here. He’s more vocal and he brings a lot of energy.”
For Boldy’s part, he’s still just 24 and seemed a little amazed to be passing the 300 games milestone already.
“It’s crazy. It’s pretty cool. It seems quick, for sure,” he said. “I guess that’s a good thing.”
Boldly was also hoping games 300 would be a kind of slump-buster. He scored a goal in each of the Wild’s first four games this season but came to Carolina with just one in his previous 10 outings.
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