Minnesota Wild 24-25 Season Preview

Minnesota Wild
Central Division

2023-24 Recap
Record (W-L-OTL): 39-34-9
Over/Under: 39-39-4
Home Favorite: 15-7
Home Dog: 3-12
Road Favorite: 10-5
Road Dog: 8-17
Win Score 4 or more: 26 of 39
Lose Give Up 4 or more: 29 of 43
Puck Line Wins: 26 of 39
Puck Line Losses: 22 of 43
Front End Back-to-Back: 4-10
Back End Back-to-Back: 5-9
Goals Scored Per Game/Rank: 3.02 (21st)
Goals Against Per Game/Rank: 3.17 (20th)

Additions: Yakov Trenin, Jakub Lauko, Devin Shore
Subtractions: Alex Goligoski, Vinni Letteri, Mason Shaw

The Wild’s 16 point drop off from the previous season was the largest fall off outside of the Seattle Kraken. Minnesota missed the playoffs for just the second time since 2013. With the Wild tight to the Salary Cap their additions were limited to Yakov Trenin and Jakub Lauko. The two are by no means needle movers, but both play with an edge that Head Coach John Hynes felt was missing last season’s group. Minnesota has elite talent sprinkled throughout the line-up headlined by Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson-Ek and Brock Faber.

Offense
In Kirill Kaprizov the Wild have one of the top players in the NHL. Kaprizov finished top 10 goals in goals and 11th overall in points. Marco Rossi and Joel Eriksson-Ek provided Minnesota with a dynamic, one-two punch down the middle. After scoring just one goal in his first 13 games under head coach, Dean Evason, Matt Boldy flourished under new head coach, John Hynes scoring 28 goals in his final 62 games. His 29 goals, just two shy of his career high 31 the previous season. Hynes emphasized in the off season that for the team to get themselves back to the playoffs, more is needed from his bottom six forwards.

Defense

Minnesota fell from 6th to 20th in team defense and a lot of that can be attributed to health. Captain Jared Spurgeon was limited to 16 games and Jonas Brodin missed 20 games. Brock Faber was everything and more in his rookie season. He led all rookies in time on ice (6 th overall among all NHL players), first in assists and blocked shots and finished second to Connor Bedard in Rookie of the Year voting. The Wild eased any of his pain of not winning rookie of the year by signing the Minnesota native to an 8 year, 68-million-dollar deal those kicks in next season. Jacob Middleton and Zach Bogosian provide the sandpaper on the back end. Declan Chisholm who appeared in 29 games last season for the Wild rounds out the top six.

Goaltending
The Wild will likely start the season once again with the tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury returns for what be his final season as he turns 40 at the end of November. Both goalies are coming off seasons with a save percentage below .900. Gustavsson’s goals against average ballooned from 2.10 in the 2022-23 to 3.06 last season. Expect 2021 first round draft pick, Jesper Wallstedt to shuttle his way from Iowa (AHL farm team) to Minnesota and get a smattering of starts throughout the season.

Player to Watch – Brock Faber
Brock Faber is coming off an outstanding rookie campaign. With the injuries to both Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, Faber was thrust into all situations. His 16 power play points was more than the 14 combined points from the other 10 defenseman. His 8 goals for the Wild last season were one more than he had in three seasons (97 games) at the University of Minnesota. With a season under his belt, 15 goals and 50 points aren’t out of the realm of possibility.

Outlook
If the Wild are going to get back to the playoffs, they are going to have to improve on their 0-10-1 record that they put together last season against the Stars, Jets and Avalanche who occupied the top three spots in the Central Division.
With the Predators, Blues and Utah Hockey Club having made significant upgrades to their rosters, the Wild are going to be hard pressed to be in the final 8 of the Western Conference. Minnesota at +105 (DraftKings Sportsbook) to miss the playoffs is a good bet.

Regular Season Point Total: 93.5 (Over/Under -115)
Make the Playoffs: -135
To Miss the Playoffs: +105
To Win the Central Division: +1200
To Win the Western Conference: +1800
To Win the Stanley Cup: +3500