The Minnesota Wild almost have their roster set. We can look forward to what the season may hold by December. This summer, general manager Bill Guerin and the fanbase didn’t get their Christmas. Everyone was looking forward to free agency and even expected the team to make a big trade. That didn’t happen as fans feel unfulfilled.
The Wild can bring Christmas to fans, who need a miracle on West 7th Street. That will be a welcome recovery from a lackluster free agency. They need to establish a wishlist that will help them become a better team by April.
Here’s the wishlist that Guerin and fans should want for Christmas.
Key players stay healthy
The Wild must stay healthy to contend. In December last year, they were one of the league’s best teams. However, injuries took a toll on them. The Wild must monitor Joel Eriksson Ek’s usage against elite competition. Kirill Kaprizov will need more scoring support. Jonas Brodin is projected to miss the start of the regular season due to surgery. Jared Spurgeon must be protected.
The Wild need Kaprizov to be back at a 100-point pace. Eriksson Ek will need to rebound offensively, and Brodin and Spurgeon need to stay durable to be effective.
Matt Boldy becomes a point-per-game producer
Boldy was exceptionally productive in the playoffs. Boldy scored 7 points in 6 games for the Wild against the Vegas Golden Knights. In his previous 12 playoff games, he only registered 4 points. Has Boldy finally hit his next stride?
Boldy reached 70 points (73) for the first time in his career this season. He’s already a two-time 40-assist scorer and is also an established 30-goal scorer.
Can Boldy reach 50 assists? He finished this season with 46, so he’s close. If Boldy has a 30-goal season with 50 assists, then he’ll reach his next goal in his young career!
Filip Gustavsson must be consistent
Gustavsson averaged 2.57 goals against (GAA) in 142 regular-season games. He has a 91.4% save percentage (SV%) and 4 shutouts (SO). In 11 playoff games, he’s averaged a 2.52 GAA and a 91.8 SV%.
His GAA was 2.56 last year, which ranked him 13th among goalies. His expected GAA (xGAA) was 2.83, which ranked him 25th. That means that Gustavsson’s GAA was 27% better than expected, which ranked him 21st. It’s good that Gustavsson is performing better than expected. However, Gustavsson is capable of hitting another level.
Gustavsson’s unblocked SV% was 5th with 96%. He was tied for 4th with an expected SV% (xSV%) on unblocked shots with 95.5%. Unblocked shots are attempts that either hit or miss the net.
Gustavsson has been exceptional.
Zeev Buium finding a rhythm
Buium gets the opportunity to make a name for himself in the NHL. He’s headlining the Wild’s prospect pool. The Wild traded Declan Chisholm, allowing them to give Buium an extended look. With Brodin out at the beginning of the season, Buium gets to prove himself. He should find his rhythm next to Spurgeon.
Marco Rossi must have a true breakout season
Rossi deserves to receive $7 million in his next contract. Rossi was tied for 74th in the NHL in 5-on-5 points with 35 this season. Here are notable forwards he finished ahead of:
Rossi was tied for 44th in primary 5-on-5 assists with 14. Here’s who he finished ahead of:
We’ve seen what Rossi is capable of at his worst. Now Rossi will be able to have a real breakout season. Will he become a point-per-game center?
Ryan Hartman must stay disciplined
Hartman has seen what he’s capable of doing when it comes to producing depth scoring.
The more he stays in the penalty box and gets suspended, the more the Wild suffer. However, it’s one reason why Hartman is a streaky player. He was never a headlining player in his career. However, when he’s at his best, he’s capable of providing valuable secondary scoring.
Vladimir Tarasenko must be a good fit
Tarasenko is going to be a good fit on this team, but only if he can demonstrate good chemistry both on and off the ice.
He’s expected to start on the second line. Can he eventually find himself next to Kaprizov, who convinced him to waive his NTC? Tarasenko is open to mentoring Danila Yurov, who broke his KHL record.
Jesper Wallstedt has to find another gear
Guerin has signed Samuel Hlavaj and Riley Mercer in the last 2 years. He’s also signed Cal Petersen, veteran insurance who can start in the minors.
Still, none of these goaltenders has Wallstedt’s potential. However, Wallstedt’s future could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t improve. Gustavsson is in a contract year, and Wallstedt has yet to become an NHL-caliber goalie.
Liam Ohgren must establish a role
It’s time for the Wild to create a role for Ohgren. Ohgren has the potential to become the team’s new Mr. September, currently held by Joel Eriksson Ek. Ohgren will be eager to make his case for a spot in the middle-six. The question is, who would be the best linemates for him to play that role?
Danila Yurov’s game must translate to the NHL
Guerin and head coach John Hynes can see what they have in Yurov once training camp starts. He’s expected to start at center. However, don’t be surprised to see Yurov as a winger if he struggles early.
The Wild hope to continue building center depth from within. It’s been challenging for Guerin to make a splash via trade. Yurov will be given the chance to start in the middle-six. Kaprizov and Tarasenko can help him adapt.
David Jiricek must become an NHL regular
Jiricek is going to start on the third pairing, which is fine at this point for the Wild. Jiricek can establish himself as a great relief pitcher for the Wild. He’ll be watching both Brock Faber and Spurgeon be great starters. Jiricek can be Brandon Carlo or Erik Cernak, but with the power play presence they don’t possess.
The Wild are heading into the 2025-26 season with a better roster on paper despite Brodin being injured. Buium gets the opportunity to show fans what’s in store for the near future. Could Carson Lambos be ready to play the third pair until Brodin returns? Does Guerin get his Kellogg Boulevard Christmas miracle by standing pat?
His goal is to have a fully healthy championship-caliber team by April. However, by December, we’d love to see this team on top of the standings.
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