Saturday Notebook: Minnesota Matters tour stop, Wild, Vikings in the news

The Future of Downtown Duluth will be the panel discussion topic and Q&A during a The Minnesota Star Tribune Minnesota Matters tour stop in Duluth on Thursday at Clyde Iron Works upstairs bar.

Panelists include Roger Reinert (Mayor of Duluth), Sara Rolfson (Zeitgeist Business Director), Joel Kilgour (Project Coordinator, Stepping on Up) and Sgt. Ethan Roe (Duluth Police Department).

Panel moderators are Jana Hollingsworth and Christa Lawler of The Minnesota Star Tribune.

The free event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP now because space is limited.

Quote Me: On the Wild bowing out in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Kelly Grgas Wheeler – “I read a stat today that said the Wild were the first MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL team to make the playoffs eight times in a 10-year span and lose in the opening round every year. And I can tell you I probably would have been more surprised had they actually won, given we’ve all lived through the last 10 years!"

Brian Prudhomme – “If people choose to complain and say ‘Oh, typical Wild lost in the first round again,’ the facts support that. Yet that’s way too simple. This team really fought all season. They were finally at their healthiest near the end and looked like a very good hockey team. However, even then, the margin for error is small. Vegas is good. Eichel and Stone came to life. While it’s disappointing the Wild season has ended, the new financial situation should make for exciting times ahead.”

Michael Zagelmeyer – “Nyquist being offside absolutely drove me bonkers in game 5. That being said, we got more out of this team than most expected. Now that the Parise/Suter nightmare contracts are done, hopefully we can move forward. The Wild must sign Kaprisov, which I absolutely expect they will. Seems to be more positives than negatives with this franchise when thinking about the future. Overall, I don’t lose sleep over a hockey team losing – I'm more focused on when the football season starts.”

Vikings announce jersey numbers for 2025 NFL draft class, new players and veteran changes

Vikings newcomers — free agents and rookies — have been assigned their jersey numbers for 2025, and the team on Friday announced multiple changes for returning players.

Here's a rundown that includes veteran free agents, Minnesota's five-player draft class, rookies who signed with the Vikings after the draft and six players who are participating in personal jersey swaps.

2025 Veteran Free Agents

2 — Isaiah Rodgers

4 — Rondale Moore

8 — Sam Howell (acquired via trade)

14 — Tim Jones

20 — Reddy Steward

21 — Jeff Okudah

25 — Kahlef Hailassie

27 — Jordan Mason (acquired via trade)

39 — Bubba Bolden

55 — Eric Wilson

67 — Justin Skule

72 — Leroy Watson IV (joined practice squad late last season)

76 — Will Fries

78 — Ryan Kelly

79 — Marcellus Johnson (joined practice squad late last season)

93 — Jonathan Allen

98 — Javon Hargrave

2025 Draft Class

13 — Tai Felton

41 — Kobe King

74 — Donovan Jackson

86 — Gavin Bartholomew

90 — Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

2024 Undrafted Free Agents

12 — Max Brosmer

19 — Dontae Fleming

31 — Myles Price

34 — Zemaiah Vaughn

35 — Keenan Garber

38 — Tre Stewart

40 — Mishael Powell

46 — Bryson Nesbit

48 — Ben Yurosek

52 — Dorian Mausi

56 — Austin Keys

57 — Chaz Chambliss

60 — Joe Huber

62 — Logan Brown

63 — Zeke Correll

83 — Silas Bolden

85 — Robert Lewis

91 — Oscar Chapman

96 — Tyler Batty

99 — Alexander Williams

Vikings who have changed jerseys for 2025

1 — Jalen Nailor (old No. 83)

11 — Brett Rypien (old No. 19)

23 — Ambry Thomas (old No. 38)

24 — Jay Ward (old No. 20)

54 — Bo Richter (old No. 98)

73 — Walter Rouse (old No. 78)

Press release