Wild Add Grit, Depth in Bid to Build on 104-Point Season

The Wild earned 104 points and finished third in the Central Division in 2025-26, but their offseason was about plugging specific holes rather than swinging for stars. They added proven veterans Blake Coleman and Nick Foligno to bring experience and two-way play, addressing depth concerns without disrupting a core that already produces. It is a measured approach for a team that knows what it has but needs to prove it can go deeper in the postseason.

Last season in review

Minnesota's 46-24-12 record reflected a team that could score and defend at a respectable clip. The Wild put up 272 goals, fueled by a dynamic top end: Kirill Kaprizov posted 45 goals and 89 points, Matt Boldy added 42 goals and 85 points, and Quinn Hughes contributed 76 points from the blue line. They allowed 240 goals, a solid defensive total, though goaltender Filip Gustavsson's .904 save percentage in 28 wins left room for improvement in net. The numbers point to a team with star power and balance, but one that will need more from its depth and goaltending to take the next step.

Ins and outs

• In: Blake Coleman (acquired in trade from Calgary)
• In: Olli Määttä (acquired in trade from Calgary)
• In: Nick Foligno (signed as a free agent)
• In: Bobby Brink (signed as a free agent)
• In: Maxim Shabanov (signed to a one-year contract)
• In: Daemon Hunt (signed to a one-year contract)
• In: Roman Schmidt (signed to a one-year, two-way contract)
• Re-signed: Caedan Bankier, Carson Lambos, David Špaček (one-year, two-way contracts)

No major departures have been confirmed through verified reporting. The Wild's offseason has centered on adding depth pieces and locking in organizational players rather than making splashy subtractions.

The big question

Can Filip Gustavsson elevate his game to match the team's offensive firepower? A .904 save percentage is workable in the regular season, but playoff success demands more. If Gustavsson or the Wild's goaltending tandem cannot deliver timely stops, even a roster this talented will struggle to advance.

X-factor

Blake Coleman. The 33-year-old forward arrived from Calgary with a reputation as a playoff performer and a two-way catalyst. According to nhl.com, Coleman brings the kind of grit and experience Minnesota lacked in key moments last spring. If he can anchor a checking line and contribute timely offense, he could be the piece that pushes the Wild from a solid regular-season club to a legitimate postseason threat.

Bold prediction

The Wild will finish second in the Central Division and win a playoff round. Kaprizov and Boldy will keep the offense humming, and the veteran additions will give Minnesota the depth to outlast a first-round opponent.

The outlook

Minnesota enters 2026-27 with a roster built to compete now. The core is locked in, the depth has been fortified, and the blueprint is clear: lean on elite offensive talent, shore up the middle of the lineup, and hope the goaltending holds. It is not a flashy offseason, but it is a practical one. The Wild have the pieces to be dangerous. Whether they can put it all together when it matters most remains the question.