The playoffs are nothing new for the Minnesota Wild. They have played in the postseason 11 out of the past 14 seasons. The problem? Getting to the second round, which they have not done since the 2014-15 season. Wild GM Bill Guerin did nothing to increase those odds, rolling the dice on bringing back the same squad for the 2025-26 season. Minimal changes to the roster may have the Wild searching for the second round until the 2026-27 season.
Wild, Guerin hoping additions break out
Guerin did add some depth to the Wild roster this offseason. Added to the team on one-year deals were right winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel and goaltender Cal Petersen, while centers Nico Sturm and Tyler Pitlick were added on two-year deals. Also brought to the roster for the upcoming season was right winger Vladimir Tarasenko as he was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations.
The Wild did themselves no favors this offseason to get better. They were already behind as they are in a tough division with the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, and Dallas Stars. With these three near the top of the division, this already makes the Wild the fourth-best team in the Central Division. Anything can happen during any season but Minnesota would need a lot of breaks to go their way to leap over any of the teams mentioned above.
The Wild are once again going to rely heavily on star forward Kirill Kaprizov and young defenseman Brock Faber. Minnesota plays a defensive style that has won them many games over the past few seasons. However, they do have a lack of offensive weapons up front.
Aside from Kaprizov, the offense will come from Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello. Kaprizov needs to stay healthy, Boldy needs a breakout season, and Zuccarello needs to be close to a point per game. The defense and goaltending is solid but the division creates a problem for both.
Unless Guerin makes a big move before the season's end, Minnesota might find the same fate as last season. They do not have the bodies or scoring punch needed in the playoffs. Could they be a wild card team? Yes, but they do not have the formula to be a team that has a lengthy playoff run. Guerin knows the chances of them they have now is small. They are a good team that can contend. However, they are not the team that can win a Stanley Cup this season.