Article: Will More Money Create More Problems For Bill Guerin's Wild?

[Tony Abbott]

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[Outskated]

The problem with paying 97 all that money is it leaves scraps for the rest.  I am not saying I am opposed to it, but it's a big problem.  Some good things as mentioned are the ELC's for the young guys, including Ohgren.  Spurgeon comes off the books after next season and I am guessing if he's healthy we'll be able to get him back as a 6th or 7th D for lots cheaper.  The Christmas in July comment by the owner was stupid when there was no chance of that happening!  BG is being very smart saving cap space if we have issues during the season like poor goaltender play or injuries.  

[Burnt Toast]

2 hours ago, Outskated said:

BG

Now we get to see what the rest of the “plan” looks like. What I’d like to see is management/coaches giving the younger players coming in time to develop. If things develop nicely bring in the best player available at the appropriate trade deadline. The key is getting the right fit for the team at the right time. Jack E, Mathew T, this year a very affordable Brad M. Dallas tried with M Rant but their team kinda fizzled. Now that the LTIR shenanigans have been canceled the Wild should have a better chance at getting a big add. I think the Wild are showing signs of positioning themselves in this regard. 

[Sam]

Mo’ money, mo’ problems - Biggie.

[Will D. Ness]

 I think BG is going to cross the Rubicon in March 2026.  

I'm kinda hoping for Panarin.

[MNCountryLife]

BG will be judged for his cap management by the playoffs.  A first round exit is no longer acceptable. 

[joebou15]

This team should only be judged by playoff performance. I don't care if he's saving money and making a run, or if they're a cap ceiling team every year and can do what the Timberwolves have done these last 2 years.

[mnfaninnc]

I like that Shooter kept his cash and upgraded with Sturm and the rookies. These rookies were going to have to eventually come into the league. 

I believe Shooter is a better judge of team chemistry than Fletcher ever is/was. Fletcher tried to bring in help, but typically whiffed in that effort because the guys didn't really fit in. 

With the cap space still there, we can weather any storm of injuries that happen, and we can make targeted solutions starting in January before the TDL to fill in the holes which we don't know how deep they are yet. We can take on guys with term, or resign free agents. 

I do think, which has been pointed out, that the draw for MN is that it is a good place to raise a family. Politics aside, you still have a pretty rural setting not far out from the city. You can have a decent property with acreage and pretty good schools. This would appeal to guys maybe in their late 20s, and especially guys who have a wife and kids. Free agency usually starts when they are 27 and a couple of years might have been bought out. So, our target may be in the Kaprizov/Ek age group. 

There's plenty of good hockey still left in those guys. 

[mnfaninnc]

And here's a nice rumor mill piece:

Quote

Voronkov has already been linked to the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders by The Fourth Period, but what about the Minnesota Wild? This is a team that has overcome a lot and the roster has had to outplay their contract quite a bit. The massive dead cap hits burdening their team year after year is no more and they can spend and upgrade.

 

The Wild have to think about extensions for Kirill Kaprizov and Filip Gustavsson before next summer, but there will be plenty of space to upgrade with other contracts expiring too. Signing Marco Rossi is the team's current concern, but it hasn't been smooth sailing at all.

 

There are some much older pieces on the wings after the first line with Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Marcus Foligno, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Vinnie Hinostroza, so a fresh face like Voronkov, who is only 24 and just scored 23 goals and 47 points, would be a great upgrade. He signed for two years at $4.175 million AAV, but is also still a RFA afterwards. The Columbus Blue Jackets are not going to set the price cheap if they are going to trade him.

 

Voronkov would fit well on the second line with Rossi and Zuccarello next season if something happens. The Wild need the scoring depth and more offense as their team ran on winning low scoring games before it caught up to them in the playoffs again. This is definitely an interesting destination Voronkov could land if his name does start to get hot again this offseason.

Count me as in on this trade. I think Ohgren-Rossi-Voronkov makes a better line, though.

[mnfaninnc]

Also, since we now do have money, what would be your budget? How would you spread it out?

How much for the forward group?

How much for the defense group?

How much for the goalie group? 

This would be a decent discipline to walk through just to see how we should spend the money. 

For instance, we're at $30m for our defense. I don't think going over that mark is really necessary which may mean Brodin needs to go in a couple of years. I do not see Jiricek getting a large raise next season, nor Lambos. When Spurgy falls off, we have money to pay for Buium. 

$47m for the forward group I think is a little low. So, the target would be getting help in this area.

Goaltending is $6m and that looks like a real bargain. I wouldn't go over $7.5m for both 'tenders, though, I'd probably rather invest in the defense than goaltending. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

45 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Also, since we now do have money, what would be your budget? How would you spread it out?

How much for the forward group?

How much for the defense group?

How much for the goalie group? 

This would be a decent discipline to walk through just to see how we should spend the money. 

For instance, we're at $30m for our defense. I don't think going over that mark is really necessary which may mean Brodin needs to go in a couple of years. I do not see Jiricek getting a large raise next season, nor Lambos. When Spurgy falls off, we have money to pay for Buium. 

$47m for the forward group I think is a little low. So, the target would be getting help in this area.

Goaltending is $6m and that looks like a real bargain. I wouldn't go over $7.5m for both 'tenders, though, I'd probably rather invest in the defense than goaltending. 

Our D group shouldn’t be over $25mm.  We need stabilizing guys back there that are big.  I honestly think we are going to regret Faber at $8.5mm and he could be a great trade chip to get the 1C we need.  Also Spurgeon and Brodin have to go soon.  More Spurg than Brodin.  This league is changing to a forward powerhouse with D being able to clear the net and get them the puck.  We have to much money in our D right now.  To many decent guys can be had for $3-4mm and that’s all we need.  if we can trade Faber for Tage Thompson or Dylan Larkin or Necas or Barzal I do it.  We need FORWARDS badely!

 

no more than. $7mm on goalies.  If Gus wants more than $4mm on a new deal trade him
 

 

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Count me as in on this trade

What will the Wild need to give up? I’m not sure that CBJs will be fishing for another late first round pick. 

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Goaltending

Probably going up to near 10$M pretty soon. I’m ok with going as high as that if we stay in the top 10 as a tandem. 

[WildNotMild]

If the Wild want to keep Gus, that could be a brutal contract negotiation.  Will the Wild get the motivated Gus year after year or the out of shape Gus to start some seasons.  Plus, is Gus or any Wild goalie the product of the team structure and its commitment to defense?  Goalie contracts have really risen in recent years.  Will the Wall step up to make the Wild feel comfortable playing hardball with Gus and/or let him walk or will Gus have all the leverage?  If the Wall falters, the Wild might be looking for two goalies.

[Burnt Toast]

57 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

no more than. $7mm on goalies

Florida won the SC with BOB finishing #1 in Save % for the playoffs. Meanwhile Edmonton is desperate for a goalie upgrade. Dallas just fired their coach partly due to his mishandling of the goalie position in the playoffs. You have to pay whatever it takes to stay solid in the net. 

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, WildNotMild said:

Plus, is Gus or any Wild goalie the product of the team structure and its commitment to defense?

I wholeheartedly believe that the Wild goalie success is a product of team structure and the defense. The Wall might be special, we will have to see how that plays out, but Goose is pretty much a $5m goalie, middle of the pack, who can put up good numbers in this system. He's also like any other goalie, where he can have scorching hot streaks. 

In the Wild system, we don't need goalies to do too much. The quieter the better. The Wall is a larger goalie who can cut down the same angles a 1/2 step closer to the net. He cuts down more when he goes out. In his draft profile, they raved about his ability to track pucks and anticipate the play. After 1/2 a season in Iowa, we saw this. 

I believe Goose is best used in a 1a, 1b situation where both goalies are in the 40s in games (barring injuries). I think The Wall has a possibility of being a true #1 and if we're investing in a goalie, he ought to be that guy. 

The way the cap is structured this season. I think you lose out on anything higher than $7.5m, and that we will get very good value out of our $6m goalie tandem. 

Now comes the big question, will Goose be wanting Boldy money? If he's looking for something in the $8m range, I think we need to trade him. We still don't even know if he's an every other year 'tender? He has as many questions about him as Rossi has. For me, I'm looking at 3 x $5m on his next deal if he performs well this season. If he doesn't that 5 goes to a lower 4. 

Looking back on his stats from memory, there is a case to be made that he performs well one year and the next isn't good. That should be broken this season. I wonder what Edmonton would pay for a goalie like Goose?

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

Florida won the SC with BOB finishing #1 in Save % for the playoffs. Meanwhile Edmonton is desperate for a goalie upgrade. Dallas just fired their coach partly due to his mishandling of the goalie position in the playoffs. You have to pay whatever it takes to stay solid in the net.

I think you're right about this, but I don't think Goose is that goalie. I think The Wall can be that goalie. With our system and our defense, our goalies should be producing a sv% approaching .920 and it isn't out of the question for a .930. So, a goalie like Oettinger or Vassy would have elite numbers in our system. Bottom line is the players in front of Goose make him look better than he is. 

Here's the other thing too, I think he knows it. Goose played in front of a group of guys that didn't care too much about playing defense in Ottawa. His numbers and confidence were very low. Since he's lived it, I think he will be reasonable to stay here.

[TCMooch]

All I care about is winning in the playoffs and looking like a competent playoff team.

I don’t think BG can build that team so I’m happy we are one year closer to firing him.

Edited August 10 by TCMooch

[WildNotMild]

18 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I wholeheartedly believe that the Wild goalie success is a product of team structure and the defense. The Wall might be special, we will have to see how that plays out, but Goose is pretty much a $5m goalie, middle of the pack, who can put up good numbers in this system. He's also like any other goalie, where he can have scorching hot streaks. 

In the Wild system, we don't need goalies to do too much. The quieter the better. The Wall is a larger goalie who can cut down the same angles a 1/2 step closer to the net. He cuts down more when he goes out. In his draft profile, they raved about his ability to track pucks and anticipate the play. After 1/2 a season in Iowa, we saw this. 

I believe Goose is best used in a 1a, 1b situation where both goalies are in the 40s in games (barring injuries). I think The Wall has a possibility of being a true #1 and if we're investing in a goalie, he ought to be that guy. 

The way the cap is structured this season. I think you lose out on anything higher than $7.5m, and that we will get very good value out of our $6m goalie tandem. 

Now comes the big question, will Goose be wanting Boldy money? If he's looking for something in the $8m range, I think we need to trade him. We still don't even know if he's an every other year 'tender? He has as many questions about him as Rossi has. For me, I'm looking at 3 x $5m on his next deal if he performs well this season. If he doesn't that 5 goes to a lower 4. 

Looking back on his stats from memory, there is a case to be made that he performs well one year and the next isn't good. That should be broken this season. I wonder what Edmonton would pay for a goalie like Goose?

Don’t disagree, but I really think Gus and his agent are going to be looking for 8M+, especially if he plays well this year.  I hope the Wild don’t go that high, but finding good, consistent goalies isn’t always so easy.  This is why I am hoping that the Wall really steps up making it easier for the Wild to have a firm line on how much they are willing to offer Gus.

[Burnt Toast]

5 hours ago, WildNotMild said:

Gus and his agent are going to be looking for 8M+

It’s going to be interesting. I felt Gus’s contract last time was reasonable and that’s what I’m hoping for. Say $6.5M to $7 at most. If not, rolling the dice and getting something back in trade isn’t a bad play either. Trading players who are nearing the end of their contracts and siphoning some value back is my preferred way to say goodbye. I still follow them around the NHL. Brodin has value and could get a fair return in a couple of years as well. Just think what Sid could do for his team’s rebuild by moving on. 

[1Brotherbill]

Hopefully management realizes form what happened this last summer that it will happen next summer as well and the one after that and so on.  As long as the cap keeps going up the elite free agents are probably going to sign with their parent clubs.  

Also, the fans have to realize that what will be available next summer will be pretty much what was available this past summer.  Of the Free Agents available over 5 million currently, 10 are under the age of 30, names like Kirill, McDavid, Makar, Eichel, etc.  It is doubtful anything big will be available in the Free Agent market next summer as well.  Robertson and Necas are RFA's next summer so that is probably out because will make 9 million at least.  Unless the compensation numbers go up, which they might, the compensation picks would be two first round picks for either one of them.  

About the only thing the Wild could do is make a trade deadline move for someone on the high end of talent.  If the Wild decide to not play the young kids this team will get old in a very short period of time.  Old literally and figuratively.  

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

Hopefully management realizes form what happened this last summer that it will happen next summer as well and the one after that and so on.  As long as the cap keeps going up the elite free agents are probably going to sign with their parent clubs.  

 

Also, the fans have to realize that what will be available next summer will be pretty much what was available this past summer.  Of the Free Agents available over 5 million currently, 10 are under the age of 30, names like Kirill, McDavid, Makar, Eichel, etc.  It is doubtful anything big will be available in the Free Agent market next summer as well.  Robertson and Necas are RFA's next summer so that is probably out because will make 9 million at least.  Unless the compensation numbers go up, which they might, the compensation picks would be two first round picks for either one of them.  

About the only thing the Wild could do is make a trade deadline move for someone on the high end of talent.  If the Wild decide to not play the young kids this team will get old in a very short period of time.  Old literally and figuratively.  

Necas will actually be a UFA next year, but if Colorado can’t sign him, I would expect them to trade him before the deadline like they did Rantanen and doubt that would be to us.  Could be the same with Robertson as Dallas might have to choose between him and Harley.

[ArizonaWildFan]

Good article, Tony, and great posts for the dog days of August.

I am not a fan of GMBG but I hope he proves me wrong. I don't think his offseason has been wise choices but rather forced decisions. He can't make any long term moves until the Kaprizov and Rossi situations are resolved. He probably could have locked Rossi in a year ago for less money than he will pay now and I feel that was a mistake.

It looks like Marco may be coming back in pissed off beast mode. Reports are that he is up to 195 lbs and that he has worked with Joe Thornton in Switzerland this summer. The Wild may end up accidentally motivating Rossi with last year's playoff usage and contract negotiations but that wouldn't be the product of the genius of Bill Guerin and John Haynes.

[raithis]

On 8/9/2025 at 8:38 PM, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Our D group shouldn’t be over $25mm.  We need stabilizing guys back there that are big.  I honestly think we are going to regret Faber at $8.5mm and he could be a great trade chip to get the 1C we need.  Also Spurgeon and Brodin have to go soon.  More Spurg than Brodin.  This league is changing to a forward powerhouse with D being able to clear the net and get them the puck.  We have to much money in our D right now.  To many decent guys can be had for $3-4mm and that’s all we need.  if we can trade Faber for Tage Thompson or Dylan Larkin or Necas or Barzal I do it.  We need FORWARDS badely!

 

no more than. $7mm on goalies.  If Gus wants more than $4mm on a new deal trade him
 

 

$25M on defense?  Fewer than 1/3 of the league has a team with $25M or less on defense, and only two of those teams made the playoffs, meaning they were exceptions rather than the rule.

The Wild are fairly average on defensive roster spending actually.  Even on the allocation of dollars spent on the whole roster, it's pretty average with most of the league.  If anything, we spend less on goaltending than average.

Plus, with the cap set to go up, all teams will be over $25M on defense pretty soon.

 

[Pewterschmidt]

Re: Jack Johnson - insert my standard rant about Judd & bill spending draft capital on defensemen repeatedly since they arrived.  At some point one has to determine that this regime is not competent when it comes to assessing NHL potential.