Top Prospects for the Minnesota Wild: Buium, Yurov, Wallstedt Poised for Impact in 2025-26

Zeev Buium © Pinterest

The Minnesota Wild are poised for an exciting 2025-26 NHL season, with a prospect pool ranked among the league’s best, thanks to savvy drafting and development. NHL.com’s in-depth analysis, part of its 32-in-32 series, highlights the Wild’s top five prospects, with defenseman Zeev Buium, forward Danila Yurov, and goaltender Jesper Wallstedt expected to play significant roles this season. Joined by forward Liam Ohgren and Riley Heidt, these young talents signal a bright future for Minnesota as they aim to push beyond their consistent first-round playoff exits. Here’s a closer look at the Wild’s top prospects and their potential impact, as outlined by NHL.com’s Wes Crosby and other sources.

1. Zeev Buium, Defenseman

Acquired with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Zeev Buium (6-foot, 183 pounds) is a dynamic defenseman ready to make waves. After a stellar sophomore season at Denver University, where he posted 13 goals and 35 assists in 41 NCAA games, Buium signed a three-year, entry-level contract on April 13, 2025. He made his NHL debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Vegas, recording an assist in a 5-2 Game 3 win. “I felt comfortable and felt [moving to the NHL] was the right decision,” Buium said, per NHL.com. His 2024-25 performance, including a historic 50-point freshman season, earned comparisons to elite defensemen like Cale Makar, per Daily Faceoff. The 19-year-old is projected to secure a spot on the opening-night roster, possibly on a top-two defense pair, bringing play-driving ability and a winning pedigree from two World Junior Championships. Projected NHL arrival: This season.

2. Danila Yurov, Forward

Selected No. 24 overall in 2022, Danila Yurov (6-1, 178 pounds) is set to transition from Russia’s KHL to the NHL. After five professional seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he recorded 13 goals and 12 assists in 46 games in 2024-25, Yurov signed a three-year, $2.855 million entry-level contract on May 16, 2025. Wild GM Bill Guerin expressed confidence, stating, “I think he could have a big impact on us,” per NHL.com. Yurov’s versatility as a center or wing, combined with his skating and puck-chasing tenacity, makes him a top-six candidate, per The Athletic. X users in 2025 praise his “relentless energy,” noting his potential to bolster Minnesota’s forward depth. He’s expected to compete for a roster spot this season, though an out clause allows a return to Metallurg if he doesn’t make the team. Projected NHL arrival: This season.

3. Liam Ohgren, Forward

Drafted No. 19 in 2022, Liam Ohgren (6-foot, 187 pounds) is another forward primed for a full-time NHL role. In 2024-25, he split time between Minnesota (24 NHL games, 2 goals, 3 assists) and Iowa (AHL, 19 goals, 18 assists in 41 games), showing speed and competitiveness. His first NHL goal came against Montreal on January 30, 2025, as highlighted by NHL.com’s video recap. “Every time he came back up with us, it was just more maturity to his game,” coach John Hynes said. Ohgren’s work ethic and offensive instincts position him for a bottom-six role, potentially elevating to top-six with development, per Daily Faceoff. X posts in 2025 call him a “hustler with scoring touch,” reflecting fan optimism. Projected NHL arrival: This season.

4. Jesper Wallstedt, Goaltender

Chosen No. 20 in 2021, Jesper Wallstedt (6-3, 214 pounds) faces a pivotal season. After a challenging 2024-25, with a 4.09 GAA and .843 SV% in two NHL starts and a 3.59 GAA and .879 SV% in Iowa, the 22-year-old is vying for the backup role behind Filip Gustavsson following Marc-Andre Fleury’s retirement. Previously a top goalie prospect, Wallstedt’s size and quickness remain assets, but he needs to regain consistency, per Daily Faceoff. X users in 2025 express cautious hope, noting his “potential to be a starter” if he rebounds. His prior AHL success (2.70 GAA, .910 SV% in 2023-24) suggests he can rise to the challenge. Projected NHL arrival: This season.

5. Riley Heidt, Forward

Selected No. 64 in 2023, Riley Heidt (5-10, 178 pounds) is a playmaking forward with a record-breaking 370 points (116 goals, 254 assists) in 281 WHL games with Prince George. In 2024-25, he tallied 31 goals and 59 assists in 60 games, ranking third in the WHL with 117 points. His 1.57 points-per-game average over three seasons highlights his offensive prowess, per NHL.com. While not expected to make the NHL roster this season, Heidt’s transition to Iowa (AHL) will test his skills at the professional level. X posts in 2025 laud his “playmaking wizardry,” anticipating a future top-nine role. Projected NHL arrival: Next season.

A Bright Future

The Minnesota Wild’s prospect pool, ranked second in the NHL by The Athletic in 2025, reflects a franchise on the cusp of contention. Buium’s play-driving defense, Yurov’s offensive versatility, Wallstedt’s goaltending potential, Ohgren’s work ethic, and Heidt’s scoring touch offer a blend of immediate impact and long-term promise. As GM Bill Guerin builds around stars like Kirill Kaprizov, these prospects could help Minnesota take the next step beyond their first-round playoff exits, with fans on X buzzing about a “new era” for the Wild. With strategic development, this group may redefine the team’s trajectory in 2025-26 and beyond.

Source: article by Wes Crosby on nhl.com, published August 13, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer