The Minnesota Wild experienced a disappointing season, missing the playoffs for only the second time since 2012. As a result, they now face another year of cap pain. The pressure is mounting for the Wild to prove to their fans that enduring this cap pain will be worth it in the long run. Fortunately, relief is on the horizon as the majority of their cap space will be freed up in 2025-26.
However, before they can fully reap the benefits of a reduced cap, the Wild have some hurdles to overcome. In the upcoming season, they will have $14.7 million of dead money, as well as a cap overage of $425,000 for Marco Rossi’s performance bonuses. There is also the possibility of an additional $212,500 if Rossi is named to the NHL’s all-rookie team.
Looking at their current roster, the Wild have 11 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goalies locked in. With $6,499,746 in cap space (minus a potential $212,500), they have limited room to make additions. However, assuming Liam Ohgren and Marat Khusnutdinov make the team out of camp, they will have some flexibility.
In terms of their forward depth chart, standout players like Kirill Kaprizov ($9M), Joel Eriksson Ek ($5.25M), and Matt Boldy ($7M) headline the lineup. The Wild will also be vying for spots for promising prospects like Khusnutdinov and Ohgren. The pending restricted and unrestricted free agents add further uncertainty to the roster.
On the defensive end, the Wild boast strong players such as Jonas Brodin ($6M) and Jared Spurgeon ($7.575M). However, they also have several pending free agents in need of re-signing. This adds another layer of complexity to their cap situation.
In goal, the Wild have Gustavsson ($3.75M) and Fleury ($2.5M) as their primary options. However, there is competition from Wallstedt, who is not included in the current cap calculations. The Wild have some decisions to make regarding their goaltending situation.
With a current salary cap hit of $81,000,254, the Wild have limited cap space available. Their projected salary cap for next season is $87.5 million, leaving them with around $6,499,746 in cap space before considering re-signings and possible additions. If Rossi makes the all-rookie team, their cap space will decrease even further to $6,287,246.
Looking ahead to the offseason, General Manager Bill Guerin may explore trading Gustavsson and potentially Rossi. He may also seek to sign Brock Faber to a contract extension. Additionally, the Wild may be in the market for a veteran top-six winger on a short-term deal.
It will be an interesting summer for the Wild as they navigate their cap challenges and make crucial decisions about their roster. Fans are eager to see if the team can bounce back from their playoff miss and what their expectations should be for the upcoming season.
To gather fan opinions and insights, The Athletic has launched a survey for Wild fans to share their thoughts on the team’s offseason. This feedback will help provide valuable perspectives on the team’s direction and potential moves.