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Wild on the Bubble: Can Minnesota Break into Playoffs?
The 2023-2024 season was a disappointing one for the Minnesota Wild, as they missed the playoffs, finishing with 87 points and a 6th place position in the Central Division. While the team showed some improvement in the second half of the season under the guidance of head coach John Hynes, who replaced Dean Evason mid-season, it wasn't enough to secure a postseason berth. Minnesota fell short of the 98 points required to qualify for the playoffs, despite an upward trend in their play according to ESBC Power AI metrics.
The Wild’s offensive output wasn’t the issue last season, as they managed to score 251 goals. However, the real Achilles' heel was goaltending. Both Filip Gustavsson and veteran Marc-Andre Fleury struggled between the pipes, with both finishing the season under a .900 save percentage. Goaltending inconsistency made it difficult for the team to build momentum and win close games, ultimately costing them a playoff spot.
Offseason Moves:
The 2024 offseason was relatively quiet for the Wild, largely because of the ongoing salary cap burden caused by the buyout penalties for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s contracts. These dead cap hits significantly limited Minnesota's ability to make impactful offseason acquisitions.
Minnesota did add a few players, but these additions were primarily for bottom-six forward roles and depth defenseman spots. There were no significant departures in the offseason, which means the Wild will essentially be rolling back the same core roster as last year.
One notable "addition" for the upcoming season is the return of defenseman Jared Spurgeon. The Wild’s captain was limited to just 10 games last season due to injury, and his absence was a major factor in the team’s struggles on defense. A healthy Spurgeon should provide a big boost to Minnesota’s blue line, adding stability and leadership.
2024-2025 Season Outlook:
Heading into the 2024-2025 season, the Wild find themselves in a familiar position: a team on the playoff bubble. With very few changes to the roster, Minnesota will rely heavily on internal improvements and better health to try and make a push for the postseason. The return of Jared Spurgeon will be a critical factor, especially given the team’s defensive struggles last season. If Spurgeon can stay healthy and lead the defense, it will go a long way toward stabilizing the back end.
Offensively, the Wild should be able to replicate their goal-scoring production from last season. Key players like Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and Joel Eriksson Ek will once again be relied upon to carry the offense. The question will be whether they can get more consistent contributions from their depth players.
However, the biggest concern remains goaltending. Both Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury will need to improve on last season’s performances if the Wild are to have any chance of competing for a playoff spot. Goaltending consistency will be the key to their success in a highly competitive Central Division.
With a largely unchanged roster, the Wild will need everything to break right to make a serious playoff push. Health, goaltending, and improvement under head coach John Hynes will all be critical factors in determining how far they can go.
Conclusion:
The Minnesota Wild enter the 2024-2025 season with more questions than answers. A quiet offseason, lingering salary cap issues, and inconsistent goaltending leave them on the playoff bubble. While they have the talent to contend for a spot, especially with the return of Jared Spurgeon on defense, it’s clear that the Wild will need a few things to go their way if they are to avoid another disappointing finish. At best, the Wild will compete for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, but any slip in performance could leave them on the outside looking in once again.
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