Wild Select Tyler Cuma With 21st Pick

The Minnesota Wild selected Tyler Cuma with the 21st selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Cuma, a Bowmanville, Ontario native, was the 19th rated North American skater in the draft and many had him going sooner than he did at 21. He will bring a physical game to the Wild blue line and will most likely get an opportunity to see ice time immediately with the departures of Keith Carney, Sean Hill, and Petteri Nummelin. Cuma isn't exactly what the Wild were looking for, but he will be a nice fit in head coach Jacques Lemaire's system. Cuma can eat minutes and he is a defensive minded defensemen who isn't afraid to get his nose dirty. But, with hometown favorite Aaron Ness still on the board an array of big scorers, some people may question the pick, even though it was solid in every aspect other than offense. The Wild are still have a great need of an offensive defensemen and a big time scoring threat. But with the rest of the draft ahead of them and free agency looming in the horizon, there is no need to hit the panic button. Have faith in the management and assume they have a plan. It goes a long way in maintaining one's sanity.