Conference: Western
Division: Central
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Offseason
Additions: Sam Steel, Filip Gustavsson, Andrej Sustr
Subtractions: Kevin Fiala, Dmitry Kulikov, Nick Bjugstad, Cam Talbot, Jordie Benn
The Wild had to make some sacrifices this offseason due to cap constraints, and will be hard-pressed to find the offensive production to replace Fiala. The likely candidate to fill his role is former first-round pick Marco Rossi, who should step into a full-time top-six role this season.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: Mats Zuccarello (Abdomen), Jordan Greenway (Upper Body), Jared Spurgeon (Abdomen)
Questionable For Opener: -None-
Out To Begin Season: -None-
Out For Season: -None-
Minnesota has a few players recovering from offseason injuries, but expect to be fully healthy come the start of the season.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (11th)
Kirill Kaprizov - Ryan Hartman - Mats Zuccarello
Matt Boldy - Marco Rossi - Frederick Gaudreau
Jordan Greenway - Joel Eriksson Ek - Marcus Foligno
Brandon Duhaime - Tyson Jost - Sam Steel
Defense (18th)
Jonas Brodin - Matt Dumba
Jacob Middleton - Jared Spurgeon
Alex Goligoski - Jon Merrill
Goalies (11th)
Marc-Andre Fleury
Filip Gustavsson
Besides Rossi in for Fiala, the forward group essentially remains intact. Same goes for the defense, as Spurgeon is expected to again lead the backend. The only real difference is Fleury's new tandem partner in net, with Cam Talbot shipped off to Ottawa.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: Kirill Kaprizov | Matt Boldy
Playmakers: Kirill Kaprizov | Mats Zuccarello | Matt Boldy
Volume Shooters: Kirill Kaprizov | Ryan Hartman | Joel Eriksson Ek
Play-Drivers: -None-
Shutdown Defenders: -None-
Shot Blockers: Jacob Middleton
Hitters: Marcus Foligno | Brandon Duhaime
Enforcers: Marcus Foligno | Jordan Greenway | Jacob Middleton | Brandon Duhaime
Penalty Drawers: Kirill Kaprizov | Ryan Hartman | Tyson Jost
PP Specialists: -None-
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: -None-
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Kirill Kaprizov
Duds: -None-
Sleepers: Ryan Hartman
Other Roster Worthy: Marc-Andre Fleury, Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jared Spurgeon
Kaprizov is going in the first round of fantasy drafts this season, and his linemates are likely to reap in the benefits. That company includes, of course, Hartman and Zuccarello. Also, Spurgeon is likely to get first crack at running the point on the powerplay, but Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin also project to get some time in the role.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Kirill Kaprizov | F | 45 | 61 | 106 | | | | |
Ryan Hartman | F | 32 | 43 | 75 | | | | |
Marc-Andre Fleury | G | | | | 34 | 158 | 1604 | 4 |
Mats Zuccarello | F | 25 | 67 | 92 | | | | |
Joel Eriksson Ek | F | 23 | 26 | 48 | | | | |
Jared Spurgeon | D | 9 39 | 48 | 50 | | | | |
Matt Dumba | D | 9 | 22 | 31 | | | | |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 98 points
Floor: 81 points Ceiling: 109 points
Projection Data Confidence: 69%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +700
President's Trophy: +900
Conference: +350
Division: +350
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +1900
President's Trophy: +1800
Conference: +850
Division: +400
The Minnesota Wild are a solid choice to win the Central Division this season with a ceiling of 109 points. Of course, they're in the same division as the defending Cup champs, so any futures wager is risky.
Betting on the Wild daily has all the makings of an unders-fest, so long as Fleury has a strong season at age 38. There's really not a strong scoring supporting cast outside of Kaprizov, and the forward group has some strong defensive-minded players.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 3rd
Conference Projection: 8th
League Projection: 15th
Playoffs? Likely
Minnesota projects as a playoff team, although their projection is much closer to their ceiling than their floor. They're not a very deep team, so injuries to any of their top forwards could prove costly. They fit the same profile as a lot of the teams in the Western Conference, so there could not only be jockeying for playoff seeding, but also an extended winning or losing streak could mean postseason or no postseason for the Wild.
Will the Minnesota Wild make the playoffs?
Yes
No