Mario Lucia has a plan in place.
Although he could potentially sign with any NHL team if he waits to become a free agent next summer, Lucia's focus is solely on playing for the Wild, who selected him in the second round of the 2011 draft.
"I don't see it any other way," he said. "This is where I want to play. I kind of put in a lot of work, and the coaching staff has put in a lot of work with me, and I don't want to screw them over when the time comes."
Lucia, a Notre Dame forward and son of Gophers men's hockey coach Don Lucia, faced a crossroads this spring: sign with the Wild or return to South Bend, Ind.