The Minnesota Wild have emerged as a surprise contender this NHL season, currently holding a record of 27-13-4 and pacing towards 108 points. Kirill Kaprizov has been standout, on track for a 50-goal and 100-point season, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Despite the Wild's challenges with salary cap management, including the effects of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter's buyouts, the team remains competitive. The report card assigns the Wild an A+, highlighting their strong performance and potential playoff success.
In contrast, Yakov Trenin finds himself under scrutiny due to his disappointing scoring, netting only three goals in 37 games after expectations of him being a secondary scorer. The report details the Wild's current status as one of the league's top teams, emphasizing the importance of Kaprizov and other emerging talents like Filip Gustavsson, who may contend for the Vezina Trophy. With playoff aspirations on the horizon, the Wild's season continues to unfold with great anticipation.