Central Notes: Wild, Loponen, Marques

The Wild are closing in on hiring Greg Cronin as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Iowa, reports Michael Russo of The Athletic (Twitter link).  Cronin was the bench boss in Anaheim for the last two seasons before being let go after the season with Joel Quenneville taking over behind the bench for the Ducks.  Cronin has been a coach for more than 35 years and has lots of experience running the show in the minors.  Before joining Anaheim, Cronin used to coach Colorado’s affiliate, leading the Eagles to a 164-104-30 record over five years.  Iowa hasn’t won a playoff round since 2019 and has only made the playoffs once in that span so a proven developmental coach like Cronin would be a nice pickup for Minnesota to help try and turn things around on the farm.

More from the Central:

• After spending a year in North America, Jets prospect Markus Loponen is heading back home. HPK in Finland announced that they’ve signed the center to a two-year contract.  The 19-year-old was a fifth-round pick out of Karpat’s junior system, meaning the two-year signing rights rule for CHL prospects doesn’t apply; Winnipeg will have until June 1, 2028 to sign him.  Loponen played with WHL Victoria this season, collecting 19 goals and 25 assists in 65 games.
• Predators prospect Miguel Marques is the latest player to make the move from the CHL to college hockey. Larry Mahoney of the Bangor Daily News relays that the forward has made a verbal commitment to join the University of Maine next season.  The 19-year-old was a third-round pick by Nashville last year, going 87th overall after recording 74 points in 67 games with WHL Lethbridge.  Marques missed a good chunk of this season due to a broken arm and dislocated elbow but was quite productive upon his return, tallying 38 points in 29 regular season games plus 17 more in 16 playoff outings.