New Additions: F Vladimir Tarasenko (from DET), F Nico Sturm (2yr x $2M AAV), D Ben Gleason (1yr x $800k), F Tyler Pitlick (2yr x $775k AAV), G Cal Petersen (1yr x $775k), F Nicolas Aube-Kubel (1yr x $775k), D Matt Kiersted (1yr x $775k), D Jack Johnson (PTO), F Brett Leason (PTO)

Subtractions: G Marc-Andre Fleury (Retired), F Frederick Gaudreau (to SJS), F Brendan Gaunce (to CBJ), D Declan Chisholm (to WSH), F Gustav Nyquist (to WPG), D Jon Merrill (FA), F Devin Shore (FA), F Travis Boyd (to TOR)

Retentions/Extensions: F Marcus Johansson (1yr x $800k), F Marco Rossi (3yr x $5M AAV)

Kirill Kaprizov is a superstar. Sorry, I feel like I was not being clear enough, KIRILL KAPRIZOV IS A SUPERSTAR. He is a top ten player in the NHL, dare I say top five. The 2015 draft class is widely regarded as one of the best draft classes of all time, certainly in the last fifteen years. To no surprise, first overall pick Connor McDavid ranks first in points per game, but ranked second is Kaprizov, who was not taken until round 5, going 135th overall. Since coming over to the league from Russia, Kaprizov has 185 goals and 386 points in only 319 games (1.21 points per game). He was on pace to set new career highs last season but unfortunately suffered a lower-body injury that limited him to 41 games. I expect a big season from the superstar should he stay healthy. He is in a contract year and is reportedly looking to break the bank on his next deal.

It is not just Kaprizov putting up points at a high level for the Wild, Matt Boldy, 24, is a great hockey player, and one of the more underrated young forwards in the league. Boldy has produced at a 70 point pace throughout his career, with a career high of 73 this past season. He was exceptional in the playoffs, scoring 5 goals along with 2 assists in the six game series against the Vegas Golden Knights. That series was expected to be one of the more predictable of the first round, as Vegas has been a team that rises in the playoffs, while the Wild have not won a series since 2015, despite seven appearances in the postseason. The Wild put up a really good fight, in fact, they were on the verge of taking a 3-2 series lead when the team thought they had taken the lead with just over a minute to go in the third period of game five. But the goal was challenged for offside, taking away their lead, and the team eventually lost the game in overtime, and lost the next game to end their season. Disappointed with how the season ended, I think Minnesota will be playing with something to prove this year, and Kaprizov and Boldy could both record triple digit points.

The supporting cast on offense is deep, and loaded with both proven veterans, and solid young talent. Austrian centerman Marco Rossi was involved in some trade rumours this offseason, as he was an RFA, seeking to get paid. The Wild stayed patient and the two sides worked out a short team deal, a 3 year with a $5M cap hit. Rossi had 60 points last season, and played on the first line, with that production and deployment, $5M is a fantastic deal. Joel Eriksson Ek centers the second line, and is a solid two-way forward, playing on both the first powerplay, and penalty kill unit. Veterans like Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Hartman, and Marcus Johansson/Foligno add leadership and experience to the group. Two 2022 first round picks are expected to join the lineup full time this season, and add to the team’s scoring depth, Swedish winger Liam Ohgren (19th overall), and Russian forward Danila Yurov (24th overall). The team also acquired Vladimir Tarasenko for future considerations, and they are hoping he can semi return to form, and be a solid scoring forward.

Offense is a strength of this team, but it does not compromise the back end. For a long time, the defensive corps was the team’s best position group, and it remains one of the better units in the league. Captain Jared Spurgeon has been there the longest, as he enters his sixteenth year in Minnesota. Brock Faber is quietly becoming one of the league’s better right handed defencemen, and although his point production dropped off last season, the Minnesota native still plays a large role for his home state team. Jacob Middleton has been solid in the team’s top two pairings, and Zach Bogosian is alright on the third pair. Jonas Brodin will miss the start to the season but that will open up opportunity for Zeev Buium and Carson Lambos, two former first round picks hoping to become full time players in the NHL this season. One of them likely gets sent down to the AHL when Brodin returns to play heavy minutes for the Iowa Wild, but will be right on deck should anything happen, or if they are too good to keep in the minors.

Marc-Andre Fleury (other than a preseason game with the Penguins), finished out his legendary career in Minnesota. Even in his late thirties and after turning forty last November he was a reliable option in net. He helped the development of Filip Gustavsson (another Penguins draft pick coincidentally), as the team never felt the need to force him into the starting role with Fleury in their back pocket. Last season, Gustavsson was exceptional, with a 31-19-6 record, a .914 SV%, 2.56 GAA, and 5 shutouts. He is primed to be the team’s most trusted option in net, and play the majority of the team’s games now with Fleury gone. Jesper Wallstedt (taken 20th overall in 2021), is set to be the team’s backup, but they also signed veteran Cal Petersen if Wallstedt still needs some time to develop.

Because of who they are, and being in a division with four other playoff teams last season (Winnipeg, Dallas, Colorado, St. Louis), some people view the Wild as a candidate to miss the playoffs to make way for any team that was not in them last season improves. But for any team looking to get back to the postseason, they are not going to get there by taking Minnesota’s spot. I will even go as far as to say I think they have a legitimate chance to win their division. Barring another injury that keeps Kaprizov off the ice for half the season, I think the Wild will be one of the best teams in the NHL this year. Watch out for the Minnesota Wild.