The Minnesota Wild are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season, finishing with a record of 39-34-9. Under new head coach John Hynes, who took over mid-season, the team aims to leverage its core of talented players, including Kirill Kaprizov, who is coming off an impressive season.

Despite limited roster changes due to salary cap constraints, the Wild's management remains optimistic about their chances for a playoff return. Key players like Joel Eriksson Ek and rookie standout Brock Faber are expected to contribute significantly, while the team addresses weaknesses such as a poor penalty kill.