PITTSBURGH — Following the release of Part 1 of our Ask Russo last Thursday, the Minnesota Wild secured a victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning and nearly came back to beat the Philadelphia Flyers. However, chaos ensued in the third period, allowing the Flyers to snatch a come-from-behind win.
The Wild’s record stands at 5-1-2, and they now have the opportunity to rectify their shortcomings observed in Philadelphia during practice on Monday in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. Should the Wild deliver a strong performance on Tuesday night in a Pennsylvania arena that has not been favorable to them, they can return to Minnesota with an impressive 5-1-1 record from their road trip, just in time for a three-game homestand.
Stay tuned for Tuesday’s story, where Rob Rossi and I will collaborate on a preview of Marc-Andre Fleury’s final NHL game in Pittsburgh … until, of course, the Wild-Pens Stanley Cup Final. 😊
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Wild talking contract with Rossi? Trade to replace Spurgeon? Boldy for 4 Nations? Ask Russo, part 1
Without further delay, here’s Part Deux:
Does Jakub Lauko wear a neck protector? Is he discussing wearing one with other teammates? — Matt S.
Your observation is spot on, especially on the anniversary of Hibbing native Adam Johnson’s tragic passing while playing hockey in England.
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In Hibbing, Minn., he was just ‘Adam’: Memories of Adam Johnson, a local hockey hero gone too soon
I spoke with Lauko about the neck guard he wears during training camp. On October 24 of last year, Lauko experienced a close call while playing for the Boston Bruins in Chicago when a skate cut him near his left eye. In a panic, thinking he had lost his eye, he exited the ice covered in blood. Upon his return to the lineup on November 11, he decided to wear neck protection.
“Adam’s incident took place just four days after my accident, which was a significant factor in my decision to wear one,” Lauko explained. “I hardly even notice it now; it’s simply part of my gear.”
According to a player poll conducted by The Athletic last season, 78 percent of NHL players opposed the mandatory use of neck guards. Lauko remains the sole player on the Wild to wear one. He expressed confusion regarding why more NHL players have not adopted neck guards in the aftermath of Johnson’s death, stating, “Players often claim they are uncomfortable, but it only took me two or three practices to get used to it. I believe the risks far outweigh any discomfort. If you can manage through two or three practices, you gain an extra layer of protection for the most vulnerable area of your body, which has proven to be fatal in the past.”
“I truly wish to encourage more players to adopt it.”
In your honest opinion, what are the chances that Kirill Kaprizov will sign an extension with the Wild? It seems to me that if he aims to pursue a Cup, he will become a UFA, seriously consider offers from other teams, and make his decision then, which puts the Wild in a challenging position. — Larry R.
My honest opinion is … I don’t know.
The one thing I can ascertain is that he is focused on winning, he has a strong affection for Minnesota, and as he mentioned to me prior to the season, he perceives that he has two years remaining on his contract and is not inclined to dwell on this matter right now. As a beat writer, you often get a feel for players through informal conversations with them, their agents, and people within the organization, as well as friends of the players. However, despite Kaprizov’s kindness towards us, he is unlikely to share his thoughts—or his agent, who is notoriously private. Owner Craig Leipold himself conveyed to Joe Smith and me that he cannot guarantee that the Wild will convince Kaprizov to remain, but he believes no one else will match their offer in terms of duration and salary.
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The Wild’s bold moves never made them ‘serious contenders.’ What now?
Paul Theofanous, Kaprizov’s agent, was present in Minnesota for opening night and visited the Wild office the day prior to meet with Bill Guerin and assistant GM Mat Sells. Clearly, discussions about his next contract and the Wild’s interest in securing him as early as July 1 were on the agenda. We remember how challenging it was for the Wild to initially sign Kaprizov from the KHL and how lengthy the negotiations for his current five-year, $45 million deal were, which expires on June 30, 2026. Thus, the fact that communication is taking place this early is encouraging. Furthermore, it’s promising that Theofanous is collaborating with CAA’s Pat Brisson and J.P. Barry, both of whom are adept deal-makers. Although Theofanous has a long history as an agent, it sometimes seems that his clients end up becoming free agents and departing.
One complication in this situation is the assumption that the Wild intends to offer him upwards of $12 or $13 million. The NHL is planning to initiate CBA extension discussions with the NHLPA around the New Year. Should part of that agreement involve terminating the current CBA and launching a new one earlier—potentially concluding before July 1—it’s conceivable that the salary cap might significantly exceed the projected figures of $93 million next year and $98 million in 2026-27.
Kirill Kaprizov’s contract expires at the end of next season. (Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images)
If you were the GM and Kaprizov said he wouldn’t sign, would you trade him immediately, or would you spend the year trying to convince him to stay, only to lose him for nothing? — Steve H.
The approach would depend on the status of negotiations. If the Wild were to offer him a substantial deal, and he’s not showing interest, Guerin would likely have a strong sense of Kaprizov’s intentions. It’s critical for the Wild to avoid losing Kaprizov without any compensation. Marián Gáborík, for instance, declined an $80 million contract in the summer of 2008, sustained an injury early in the season, had hip surgery in December, and became untradeable by the 2009 trade deadline.
For a franchise that experienced the pain of numerous first-round draft busts from 2004-2008, losing a star player without gaining assets in return was particularly harsh. However, Kaprizov possesses a full no-move clause, which gives him control over his destination if a trade becomes necessary. This adds another layer of complexity, as he would likely prefer to join a team he intends to sign with, making it unlikely that such a team would part with assets when they can wait a year.
The Wild must focus on demonstrating that they can provide a winning environment for Kaprizov long-term. They must hope that when they make a $100 million offer on July 1, it will incentivize him to sign. It’s worth noting that if he declines that offer and subsequently suffers a significant injury during the 2025-26 season, the opportunity for that money may not be available either from the Wild or another team when he becomes a free agent on July 1, 2026. This reality represents a constant risk for a player contemplating waiting.
Who do you anticipate will be the odd man out when Ryan Hartman reenters the lineup? — Nate A.
If all goes well with health, I would expect rookie Liam Öhgren to be the one affected. In fact, if I were managing the Wild, I would contemplate sending him to Iowa. For one, he could be a significant asset for Iowa, which currently holds a record of 0-6-1 and has been outscored 34-15. Secondly, he hasn’t tallied any points while playing on the fourth line and the second power-play unit. A stint in Iowa might be beneficial for him to regain his confidence.
Is there a need for the Wild to tank (either heavily or moderately) to escape the cycle of mediocrity? — Jesse M.
I no longer support the idea of tanking in a 32-team league. It would require years, and there’s no guarantee it leads anywhere productive. Edmonton, for example, has had multiple No. 1 picks yet hasn’t secured a Stanley Cup. Teams like Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit have faced similar fates, failing to achieve success after extended periods of poor performance. While I appreciate how teams like Anaheim, San Jose, and Chicago are accumulating prospects, there are no assurances that such strategies will yield results, and they are far from being contenders.
Can you shed light on how the power-play unit transitioned from being ineffective last year to a driving force in recent victories against Columbus and Florida? — Ameer
I take issue with your description. They indeed gained momentum toward the end of last season, which assisted their cause, but they ranked 10th in the NHL overall and their top unit led the league in puck possession within the offensive zone. When fully healthy, they possess an abundance of offensive weapons and various strategies, whether utilizing Mats Zuccarello, rotating Kaprizov and Matt Boldy between the right circle and the bumper position, or featuring Joel Eriksson Ek in front of the net. I admire Brock Faber’s contributions from the point, though during breakouts, he seems uncomfortable with the neutral zone drop pass. I appreciate this tactic since it typically sets Kaprizov and Boldy in motion for a full-speed attack. However, teams have recognized Faber’s unease with it, as they have started applying increased pressure on him.
How underrated has Zach Bogosian been as a signing? — Nighthawk
Such an
The update regarding Calen Addison is almost amusing. It’s a fantastic trade executed by Guerin, along with an excellent extension. His skating skills are significantly underrated, and he has a remarkable knack for navigating the blue line. Additionally, he is a strong leader within the locker room.
Zach Bogosian has demonstrated impressive skating abilities for the Wild at the start of the season. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
As the trade deadline approaches and the Wild compete for the top seed in the Western Conference, if you were the GM, what move would you consider to enhance the roster? — Dustin J.
Despite all the praise for Bogosian, I still believe the Wild could greatly benefit from acquiring a large defenseman. In every playoff loss I’ve witnessed, it seems the Wild’s defense lacks the size and physicality necessary around their net to effectively clear opposing players and neutralize premier forwards.
Is this team genuinely more disciplined, or have they simply managed to avoid taking penalties by often playing with a lead? — Zach R.
While the sample size is small, they certainly appear more disciplined. On the road, the Wild have only been penalized three times in their last three games, which is quite remarkable. Across eight games, they’ve accumulated just 15 penalties (without any majors), tying them with the New York Islanders for the fewest in the NHL. They have been shorthanded 15 times, ranking second-fewest in the league behind the Isles’ 13. With only 32 penalty minutes, they sit at the bottom of the NHL rankings. This impressive statistic can likely be attributed to their continual movement, along with their fast, intelligent style of play, which has helped them maintain composure and steer clear of infractions.
Among our top prospects in Iowa, who has started the season on a strong note? — Greg
It’s challenging to find many positives with the Baby Wild’s record of 0-6-1, but Michael Milne is healthy and currently ranks second on the team, tallying five points. Meanwhile, Hunter Haight recently scored a hat trick in San Jose, and both players maintain an even plus-minus rating.
Do the Baby Wild possess a squad capable of contending in the AHL this year? — Jorj L.
I’m going to say no. I realize you posed this question prior to their seven-game winless streak. This situation is concerning, and it’s certainly not promising that many veterans, whom the Wild invested considerably in over the summer, have performed poorly statistically. For instance, Devin Shore has recorded three assists and has a minus-11 rating; Ben Jones has one goal and one assist with a minus-6; Brendan Gaunce has two goals and three assists with a minus-10; and Travis Boyd has one goal and three assists along with a minus-7 rating.
Besides Marco Rossi, Brandon Duhaime, and Connor Dewar—who Guerin clearly deemed expendable by trading both instead of re-signing them—it appears that the KHL, SHL, and NCAA are developing more NHL-ready prospects for the Wild compared to their AHL affiliate. Marat Khusnutdinov and Öhgren remained in Europe and progressed directly to the NHL. Danila Yurov is likely to be next, along with Zeev Buium. Excluding Daemon Hunt, their once-promising blue-line prospects seem far from being NHL-ready.
Do you still believe Yurov plans to come to North America next summer? — Libby B.
I think he has a strong desire to play in the NHL, and he would need to relocate since the Wild hold his rights. Nonetheless, he has to be realistic. His camp sought “B” bonuses last year, which are generally difficult to achieve. The Wild would have needed to consider those bonuses in their salary cap, which they couldn’t accommodate due to budget constraints. In fact, right now on this road trip, if a forward were suddenly unable to play on Tuesday, they would either go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen or send Hunt back down to make space for a $775,000 call-up.
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Q&A with Wild prospect Danila Yurov: Why he’s staying in Russia and when he plans to jump to the NHL
After Hunt, who is the next defenseman likely to contribute in St. Paul? — James P.
I expect Buium to sign after the Frozen Four, assuming the University of Denver advances. Therefore, I believe he’ll get a chance to experience the NHL right away. This doesn’t guarantee he will start the next season with the Wild, but he’ll definitely receive a solid opportunity.
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Steal of the first round? Wild trade up, snag NCAA champ Zeev Buium at 12
Why don’t refs impose quick penalties in the following game on a player who has deceived a ref by faking a penalty? This seems like a good “code” to maintain and could discourage players from embellishing. Without replay, what alternatives exist? — Brad B.
I don’t believe refs should arbitrarily create penalties, but I have consistently suggested that the NHL should provide referees with a video each morning showcasing players who have exaggerated to draw a call. Those players should lose the benefit of the doubt. If they fall to the ice without drawing a penalty, well, perhaps they should stop diving, and maybe the refs will trust them again. This could potentially minimize this issue among habitual offenders.
How enjoyable was it last spring to watch the Panthers win the Stanley Cup? Do you regret coming to the professional sports desert of Minnesota? — One Hundred Watt
It was an incredible experience, especially seeing people I’ve covered, such as Roberto Luongo, Bill Lindsay, Ed Jovanovski, and Rick Dudley, lift the Cup. However, no, I don’t regret my decision to move. Had I stayed down there, I likely would have faced layoffs.
by my old paper years ago. The Panthers have not been covered by the paper in years, despite its location in Broward County, where the team is based!
Roberto Luongo mentioned that the Cup felt as “light as a feather.” pic.twitter.com/q6dBvcTWQz
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 25, 2024
Which airport boasts the best Sky Club? — Rusty
The one located in Minneapolis at G20 is exceptional. I also enjoy the clubs at Chicago O’Hare and LAX. Although JFK tends to be overly crowded, I have yet to visit their new Delta One club, which looks fantastic. The best club I have ever experienced is KLM’s in Amsterdam. I had a layover there while covering the NHL Media Tour in Prague two months ago, and it was so impressive that I was actually disappointed when my flight wasn’t delayed.
I read your article about Dean Evason visiting Red Rocks. I did a little research. Did he see Lamb of God and Mastodon while at Red Rocks? Is he a fan of metal? — Andy K.
He actually attended a Dierks Bentley concert, but he does enjoy some metal, as well as nearly every genre of music, according to him.
As the beat writer on a lengthy road trip, what do you enjoy the most and least? Do you have any exciting plans during your days off in Pennsylvania? — Dustin J.
It always varies by city; there are some places I prefer over others. I love reconnecting with friends in New York and enjoying great meals everywhere. However, you might be surprised to learn that a significant portion of travel involves just being in your hotel room. In Pennsylvania, I explored a fantastic cigar bar in Philly and dined with my colleague Kevin Kurz. On Monday night, I have plans either to have dinner with Rob Rossi or to attend the Giants-Steelers Monday Night Football game. I’ve visited the stadium before for both a Steelers game and a U2/Lumineers concert during the 2016 or 2017 Final, and I absolutely love being inside it.
(Top photo of Jakub Lauko: Bruce Kluckhohn / NHLI via Getty Images)
Wild News: Analyzing Recent Performances, Player Contracts, and Upcoming Challenges
Recent Performances: A Closer Look
The Minnesota Wild have showcased a mix of resilience and challenges in their recent performances, providing fans with thrilling highlights and frustrating moments. Here’s an overview of their latest games:
- Strong Start to the Season: The Wild kicked off the season with impressive back-to-back wins, displaying strong offensive strategies and solid defensive play.
- Key Matches: Notable victories against division rivals have kept them competitive in the Central Division standings.
- Injury Impact: Injuries to key players have hindered their performance, causing shifts in lineups and strategies.
Top Performers of the Season
Highlighting individual contributions, several players have stepped up significantly:
- Kirill Kaprizov: The young star continues to lead the team in points, showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking skills.
- Marc-André Fleury: As the veteran goaltender, he has made crucial saves that have kept the Wild competitive in tight games.
- Mats Zuccarello: Zuccarello’s experience and vision have proven invaluable, especially during power plays.
Player Contracts: What’s on the Horizon?
The Minnesota Wild are navigating a critical juncture regarding player contracts as they aim to balance immediate performance with long-term strategy. Below are key contracts to consider:
| Player | Contract Status | Contract Value | Expiration Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | Signed | $9 million/year | 2026 |
| Marc-André Fleury | Negotiating | Estimated $3 million/year | 2024 |
| Mats Zuccarello | Signed | $6 million/year | 2024 |
| Jordan Greenway | Pending | $2 million/year | 2023 |
Implications of Contract Decisions
Understanding these contracts is crucial for both the team’s salary cap management and future performance:
- Key Extensions: The Wild must prioritize extensions for emerging talents like Kaprizov and Greenway to maintain competitive edge.
- Veteran Negotiations: Decisions regarding veteran players such as Fleury could significantly impact the locker room dynamics and mentorship for younger players.
- Cap Space Awareness: With a tight salary cap, strategic signings and extensions will be essential for building a sustainable roster.
Upcoming Challenges: What Lies Ahead?
The schedule ahead poses significant challenges for the Minnesota Wild, including tough matchups against some of the league’s best teams:
- Back-to-Back Games: The Wild face a grueling stretch with back-to-back games against rivals like the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks, requiring depth and stamina.
- Injury Management: Continuing to manage injuries effectively will be crucial as the season progresses. The training staff must focus on rehabilitation and player fitness.
- Playoff Push: As the season nears its halfway point, the Wild will need to secure wins to ensure a playoff spot. Strategy adjustments may be necessary to enhance performance in crucial games.
Benefits of Staying Updated on Player Performance
For fans and analysts alike, understanding player performances and contract statuses offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Fan Engagement: Engaging with player statistics and performances deepens fans’ understanding and connection to the team.
- Informed Predictions: Knowledge of contract situations helps fans anticipate trades, extensions, and potential player movements.
- Strategy Insights: Analyzing player performances can provide insights into the team’s strategic direction, enhancing discussions among fans and analysts.
Case Study: The Impact of Player Trades
Examining past trade decisions can provide valuable insights into current strategies. One notable case was the acquisition of Kevin Fiala, whose time with the Wild illustrated both potential and pitfalls:
- Initial Impact: Fiala brought immediate scoring depth, contributing significantly in key games during his tenure.
- Trade Decisions: The eventual trade for future assets allowed the Wild to reallocate resources, demonstrating a shift towards building for the future.
- Lessons Learned: This case highlights the importance of strategic planning in trades and the balance between short-term success and long-term sustainability.
First-Hand Experience: What Fans are Saying
Fans have been vocal about their thoughts on the team’s recent performances and contract situations:
- Social Media Buzz: Platforms like Twitter and Reddit have seen heated discussions, with fans expressing both optimism and concerns about team direction.
- Game Day Atmosphere: In-person attendees report an electric atmosphere at games, with passionate support despite recent challenges.
- Merchandise Trends: Increased sales in player jerseys, especially for stars like Kaprizov, indicate strong fan investment in the team’s future.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for the Minnesota Wild
As the Minnesota Wild continue their campaign this season, closely monitoring player performances, contract negotiations, and upcoming challenges will be vital for fans and analysts alike. Engaging with the team’s journey offers not only entertainment but also a deeper understanding of the complexities of professional hockey.
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