Every year Minnesota churns out more NHLers than any other state. This year is no exception as 32 Minnesotans were on an NHL opening night roster. And there will certainly be more to come this season. Here are the Minnesota boys to keep tabs on this year, and in the future.
Anaheim Ducks – None
Boston Bruins – None
Buffalo Sabres – Jamie McBain (Faribault)
Calgary Flames – Tim Jackman (Brooklyn Park)
Carolina Hurricanes – Justin Faulk (South St. Paul)
Chicago Blackhawks – Nick Leddy (Eden Prairie)
Colorado Avalanche – Erik Johnson (Bloomington)
Columbus Blue Jackets – None
Dallas Stars – Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids)
Detroit Red Wings – None
Edmonton Oilers – None
Florida Panthers – Nick Bjugstad* (Blaine) and Tom Gilbert (Bloomington Jefferson)
Los Angeles Kings – None
Minnesota Wild – Zach Parise (Bloomington Jefferson), Keith Ballard (Lake of the Woods) and Nate Prosser (Elk River)
Montreal Canadiens – None
Nashville Predators – Matt Cullen (Moorhead) and Matt Hendricks (Blaine)
New Jersey Devils – Ryan Carter (White Bear Lake)
New York Islanders – Kyle Okposo (St. Paul) and Brock Nelson (Warroad)
New York Rangers – Derek Stepan (Hastings) and Ryan McDonagh (Mounds View)
Ottawa Senators – None
Philadelphia Flyers – None
Phoenix Coyotes – None
Pittsburgh Penguins – Matt Niskanen (Virginia) and Paul Martin (Elk River)
San Jose Sharks – Justin Braun (White Bear Lake) and Alex Stalock (South St. Paul)
St. Louis Blues – Jordan Leopold (Plymouth), David Backes (Spring Lake Park) and TJ Oshie (Warroad)
Tampa Bay Lightning – None
Toronto Maple Leafs – Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka)
Vancouver Canucks – Andrew Alberts (Eden Prairie) and Jordan Schroeder* (Prior Lake)
Washington Capitals – Jack Hillen (Minnetonka)
Winnipeg Jets – Mark Stuart (Rochester), Blake Wheeler (Wayzata) and Dustin Byfuglien (Roseau)
*Injured Reserve