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Wild’s Reilly could make NHL debut Saturday

Connor McDavid, Mike Reilly

Connor McDavid, Mike Reilly

AP

Mike Reilly seems likely to make his NHL debut Saturday for the Minnesota Wild.

Wild coach Mike Yeo didn’t completely commit to playing the 22-year-old defenseman tomorrow in Dallas, but he made some pretty strong hints that that was the plan.

“I want to see him show us what he’s got … if he plays,” Yeo told the Star Tribune. “At this point, he should be pretty familiar with the type of game we want to play structure-wise, system-wise, our philosophy in what we’re looking for from our defensemen. With young players coming up, you get one chance to play your first NHL game and if [Saturday] is his opportunity, then I want him to take advantage of it and play to make a difference.”

Reilly was originally drafted 98th overall in 2011 by the Blue Jackets. However, the ex-Gopher opted not to sign with Columbus. He chose the Wild instead.

An offensive defenseman, Reilly has five goals and 13 assists in 32 games for AHL Iowa this season.

It’s his defensive play that many still wonder about. As noted by the Star Tribune, Reilly is last in the AHL with a minus-26 rating.