All Things 2025-26 Minnesota Wild Season Thread

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NHL hockey cranking back up after the Christmas break. Not a ton of betting love for the Wild even after the Hughes acquisition. The current betting odds to win the Western Conference (per BetMGM):

Colorado +175
Vegas +425
Edmonton +475
Dallas +625
Minnesota +1200
LA Kings. +1400

I don't get the Vegas love, considering all the injuries right now (although most are expected to be back by the Olympics break). I don't get the Edmonton love either, I think their Goalie situation is still a mess.
 


That how you win a hockey game. tied it with a PPG and then the OT winner by Boldy.
 





Should be an entertaining game tomorrow night in Vegas as the Wild make their way to the desert.

The Wild get the win last night in Winnipeg while Colorado managed to push Vegas to overtime on the back of 3 goals that ricocheted off Vegas skaters and a 6-on-5 goal with 2 mins left; Colorado wins in the shootout.


I'm interested to see who is in goal for both teams tomorrow night. Judging by the starts, it looks like Gus is definitely Goalie #1 for the Wild (despite Wallstedt having the better numbers?), and Wallstedt played last night. For Vegas, with #1 Goalie Adin Hill out at least another month, they have been rolling with Carter Hart and Akira Schmid; Schmid was basically the backup in AHL Henderson last season, and not good. For Vegas this year, he's been decent.

Hart played last night against the onslaught from Colorado. Who starts in goal tomorrow night for Vegas would say a lot about where they think the situation in Goal is behind Hill when he returns from injury.

With Vegas still missing Hill, Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, and William Karlsson, I would have to favor the Wild tomorrow night. If Schmid is in Goal for Vegas, I'd have a hard time not betting decent money on the Wild on the ML.
 




Carter Hart will be in Goal for the VGK tonight; haven't seen yet who will be between the pipes for the Wild. I would have to believe Gus since Wallstedt played 2 days ago? Still no Eichel, Theodore or Will Karlsson for Vegas, although I guess Eichel could return for the game on NY Eve, so a glimmer of hope for Vegas fans

The betting line for the game couldn't be more of a straight-up Pick 'em; -110 MIN, -110 VGK
 





Wowzers. Two points for the Wild, and 2 points is always a damn good thing.

Once the refs ejected Tomas Hertl 2 mins into the 1st period, the game was pretty much over and became a preseason exhibition game at that point. I changed the channel and watched the MNF game, thankful that I didn't make the trek to the arena. Vegas played the last 58 mins with two guys on the ice who had ever played Center in real NHL games. I had this vision of Cassidy being like the flight attendant asking some of the passengers if they had ever flown a plane before. "Have you played Center before? Get your ass in there!"

The hit that bounced Hertl out of the game.... meh... It was a LITTLE bit of an odd call? I think Hartman knew exactly what he was doing, considering his history. I didn't have the volume on so I didn't hear what the guys on the telecast were saying

 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
Wowzers. Two points for the Wild, and 2 points is always a damn good thing.

Once the refs ejected Tomas Hertl 2 mins into the 1st period, the game was pretty much over and became a preseason exhibition game at that point. I changed the channel and watched the MNF game, thankful that I didn't make the trek to the arena. Vegas played the last 58 mins with two guys on the ice who had ever played Center in real NHL games. I had this vision of Cassidy being like the flight attendant asking some of the passengers if they had ever flown a plane before. "Have you played Center before? Get your ass in there!"

The hit that bounced Hertl out of the game.... meh... It was a LITTLE bit of an odd call? I think Hartman knew exactly what he was doing, considering his history. I didn't have the volume on so I didn't hear what the guys on the telecast were saying

Click to expand...
hartman doesn't even look at him. guys on the telecast (vegas call I think?) didn't complain. Hertl didn't complain. It's a dangerous (non-malicious) hit. Right call. Get he's trying to lay a hit but you can make that hit safely wrapping a guy up and rubbing him out. Happens fast of course and again I don't think he's trying to hurt him, but that should be a minimum 5 every day of the week.

I get what above is saying and it's very different if a guy has the puck and does this (like we see with defensemen or forwards looking over their shoulder for a forechecker). Hartman doesn't have it and is turning back to try get it on a bouncing puck. That's just a bad hit. Hertl knew it. Cassidy knew it. There's a reason they didn't say anything when the call was made. Video link below

Hertl handed five-minute major, game misconduct for boarding Hartman

www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca
 

upnorthkid said:
hartman doesn't even look at him. guys on the telecast (vegas call I think?) didn't complain. Hertl didn't complain. It's a dangerous (non-malicious) hit. Right call. Get he's trying to lay a hit but you can make that hit safely wrapping a guy up and rubbing him out. Happens fast of course and again I don't think he's trying to hurt him, but that should be a minimum 5 every day of the week.

I get what above is saying and it's very different if a guy has the puck and does this (like we see with defensemen or forwards looking over their shoulder for a forechecker). Hartman doesn't have it and is turning back to try get it on a bouncing puck. That's just a bad hit. Hertl knew it. Cassidy knew it. There's a reason they didn't say anything when the call was made. Video link below

Hertl handed five-minute major, game misconduct for boarding Hartman

www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca
Click to expand...

5-min major is one thing, that much one could buy. Game misconduct and ejection? For that hit? I don't see it, not close.

Not a huge deal, it's a game in late December and one of 82. Cassidy is clearly just trying to tread water until they get some bodies back.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
5-min major is one thing, that much one could buy. Game misconduct and ejection? For that hit? I don't see it, not close.

Not a huge deal, it's a game in late December and one of 82. Cassidy is clearly just trying to tread water until they get some bodies back.
Click to expand...
Per NHL Rule 41.5, when a major penalty for boarding is called, a game misconduct is automatic. A major penalty for boarding is determined by "the degree of violence of the impact with the boards."

If its a major, its a misconduct. Same thing Luostarinen got ejected for in last years playoffs. Generally if there's facial injury from the dasher, they're going to call it a major (hence Hartman staying on the bench until they looked at his face then going back to the dressing room to get fixed up)

He may get an extra game for it as well, which can happen if they give him the gate for it
 

Well, the rumors are that Guerin is continuing to explore upgrades. I'm interested in who folks think might be on the block. We currently do not have a 1st or 2nd round pick in the 2026 draft. I'm not an expert on Iowa, but at least a few of the previous top prospects have been traded or are on the Wild NHL roster already, so I don't know what assets remain.

Specifically - who on the NHL roster is on the block? Just spitballing, here's what I have, without a ton of analysis - wonder if anyone disagrees, or I'm missing someone or what not:

Untouchable:
---------------
Kaprizov
Hughes
Boldy
E-Ek
Faber
Zucci
Wallstedt
Gus Bus

Can't See them trading:
---------------
Foligino
Spurgeon
Brodin
JoJo
Yurov

Tradeable:
---------------
Hartman
Hinistroza
Sturm
Tarasenko
Trenin
Bogo
Middleton

Pitlick
Kierstad
Jiricek
Hunt
Ben Jones
 

GopherJake said:
Well, the rumors are that Guerin is continuing to explore upgrades. I'm interested in who folks think might be on the block. We currently do not have a 1st or 2nd round pick in the 2026 draft. I'm not an expert on Iowa, but at least a few of the previous top prospects have been traded or are on the Wild NHL roster already, so I don't know what assets remain.

Specifically - who on the NHL roster is on the block? Just spitballing, here's what I have, without a ton of analysis - wonder if anyone disagrees, or I'm missing someone or what not:

Untouchable:
---------------
Kaprizov
Hughes
Boldy
E-Ek
Faber
Zucci
Wallstedt
Gus Bus

Can't See them trading:
---------------
Foligino
Spurgeon
Brodin
JoJo
Yurov

Tradeable:
---------------
Hartman
Hinistroza
Sturm
Tarasenko
Trenin
Bogo
Middleton

Pitlick
Kierstad
Jiricek
Hunt
Ben Jones
Click to expand...
They would trade anyone other than KK, Hughes, Boldy, Ek, Faber or Wallstedt if the right deal came up.

They have minimal assets. Stramel, Heidt, and Ritchie all could be an interesting trade pieces. Jiricek and Yurov would have some value. None of these guys alone will be worth the type of high end guy. None of the old guys on contracts will be worth guys to move the needle so they're not going anywhere. The "tradeable" guys you list could be moved purely for cap purposes but the ones teams would want would be on expiring contracts to free their own cap for next year.

right now the assets are really only set to get a middling add, or pick someone a team wants to move out of desperation because they know they're walking next year.

Given all the above, it's either going to be a somewhat like for like caliber swap or you push all the prospects and future picks in on an expiring contract higher end guy.

I think the team is likely to be close to the team we get, with us adding someone who's a middle 6 playmaker (Bobby Brink rumors once again; iykyk).
 

Tarasenko with the only goal in the first. Wild up on the Sharks 1-0 after 20
 

Wild come back down from 2 in the third to tie it at 3 but lose in a shootout. Hughes had a breakaway in overtime but no dice
 

TRF Guy said:
Wild come back down from 2 in the third to tie it at 3 but lose in a shootout. Hughes had a breakaway in overtime but no dice
Click to expand...
Since we acquired him, Hughes has a had a TON of point-blank opportunities going unabated toward the net after spinning out and freeing himself. I have to believe he's going to start putting a few of those in the back of the net. Guy is definitely next level. Good comeback after a very lackluster first half of the game yesterday.

We have GOT to re-sign Hughes. If we do, the core of Kaprizov, Boldy, Hughes and Faber - and Wallstedt - will win a LOT of games.
 

GopherJake said:
Since we acquired him, Hughes has a had a TON of point-blank opportunities going unabated toward the net after spinning out and freeing himself. I have to believe he's going to start putting a few of those in the back of the net. Guy is definitely next level. Good comeback after a very lackluster first half of the game yesterday.

We have GOT to re-sign Hughes. If we do, the core of Kaprizov, Boldy, Hughes and Faber - and Wallstedt - will win a LOT of games.
Click to expand...
Question for ya Jake and this may be completely asinine. But if Wallstedt continues to play like he has do the Wild trade Gus for a number one center? I know we have probably the second best duo in net behind Colorado but am I completely insane for even thinking that?
 

TRF Guy said:
Question for ya Jake and this may be completely asinine. But if Wallstedt continues to play like he has do the Wild trade Gus for a number one center? I know we have probably the second best duo in net behind Colorado but am I completely insane for even thinking that?
Click to expand...
No - I am guessing it's on the list of possibilities - and you can be sure other teams are beating down Guerin's door with inquiries.

Gus will turn 28 in June and signed through 2030-31 at $6.7 per. Wally just turned 23 and is signed through next year at $2.2 per (!!), RFA after next season.

Here's one problem. We would need a viable backup goalie in return - my understanding is there's not one sitting in Iowa (correct me if I'm wrong). Plus - as we all know - goalies are weird. They can be fantastic one year and horrible the next. See Wallstedt, Jesper.

If I were Guerin, I would wait until some team offers a Hughes-like bounty of a top 6 C, viable backup goalie and next year's first round pick - if not more. Would probably be maybe an Edmonton-type team with a bad goalie situation or some team just inside the playoff picture whose goalie goes down. But it would have to be a huge offer, because we are in a very strong position, with two very interesting possibilities. One guy is very young. The other guy is locked up through 2031.

I am guessing they will stay pat. I ain't no NHL GM, so someone can correct me, if I have something wrong.
 

GopherJake said:
No - I am guessing it's on the list of possibilities - and you can be sure other teams are beating down Guerin's door with inquiries.

Gus will turn 28 in June and signed through 2030-31 at $6.7 per. Wally just turned 23 and is signed through next year at $2.2 per (!!), RFA after next season.

Here's one problem. We would need a viable backup goalie in return - my understanding is there's not one sitting in Iowa (correct me if I'm wrong). Plus - as we all know - goalies are weird. They can be fantastic one year and horrible the next. See Wallstedt, Jesper.

If I were Guerin, I would wait until some team offers a Hughes-like bounty of a top 6 C, viable backup goalie and next year's first round pick - if not more. Would probably be maybe an Edmonton-type team with a bad goalie situation or some team just inside the playoff picture whose goalie goes down. But it would have to be a huge offer, because we are in a very strong position, with two very interesting possibilities. One guy is very young. The other guy is locked up through 2031.

I am guessing they will stay pat. I ain't no NHL GM, so someone can correct me, if I have something wrong.
Click to expand...

I was actually just thinking about this an hour or two ago when I was looking at the Wild contract situations over the next couple years. Moving Wallstedt would be an extreme move, but they are looking at the reality of paying both Gus and Wallstedt in two years. If he keeps playing at this high of a level, I could see the number for Wallstedt being $8M AAV, easily. The return for him in a trade would have to be a pretty damn high-level top-6 guy

They have decisions to make on a lot of guys in the next 18 months in regards to contracts. Paying Boldy only $7M for a number of years (and even EEK $5.25M) is the only thing saving their ass for the next several years. They are going to have a lot of payroll tied up on Defense for a while

I think the trade deadline is going to be expensive this year, even for rental players because the cap is going up so much, teams know they could probably keep the rentals if they want
 

GopherJake said:
No - I am guessing it's on the list of possibilities - and you can be sure other teams are beating down Guerin's door with inquiries.

Gus will turn 28 in June and signed through 2030-31 at $6.7 per. Wally just turned 23 and is signed through next year at $2.2 per (!!), RFA after next season.

Here's one problem. We would need a viable backup goalie in return - my understanding is there's not one sitting in Iowa (correct me if I'm wrong). Plus - as we all know - goalies are weird. They can be fantastic one year and horrible the next. See Wallstedt, Jesper.

If I were Guerin, I would wait until some team offers a Hughes-like bounty of a top 6 C, viable backup goalie and next year's first round pick - if not more. Would probably be maybe an Edmonton-type team with a bad goalie situation or some team just inside the playoff picture whose goalie goes down. But it would have to be a huge offer, because we are in a very strong position, with two very interesting possibilities. One guy is very young. The other guy is locked up through 2031.

I am guessing they will stay pat. I ain't no NHL GM, so someone can correct me, if I have something wrong.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response. I’m not familiar with the goalies in Iowa so I’ll take your word for it. Oilers were the first team I thought of. Crazy to think they could have drafted Wallstedt. Wild need a number one center to compete for a Cup. Love Erickson-Ek but he’s a number 2 guy. Will be interesting to see what Guerin does before the trade deadline if he does anything at all
 

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