By Kalisha Turnipseed -
The Minnesota Wild are the best team in the NHL, and Kirill Kaprizov is the best player in the league right now. After years of suffering, the Wild are pleasing the fan base by entertaining them with dominance.
The Florida Panthers ended their suffering by becoming Stanley Cup champions last year. The Wild recently traded for David Jiricek, who I suggested in the Wild getting before the season started. Still, thank goodness they didn't give up Marco Rossi, who was in trade rumors.
However, the Wild still need to make some moves to round out their roster. Joel Eriksson Ek, 27, has become injury-prone and is their most important center. Minnesota can’t survive without Eriksson Ek long-term. They need him healthy once the playoffs start.
What if Eriksson Ek had a more experienced, healthier backup to take the weight off him for those tough matchups? The Wild can use another big center who can play a similar style to Eriksson Ek, making them deeper. The 9-10-7 New York Islanders aren’t playing consistently and are dead last in the Metropolitan Division. Brock Nelson is second in points with 17.
Wild fans are familiar with the Warroad native. While Nelson played with rival North Dakota for two years, he still considers Minnesota home. However, Nelson is 33 years old, so he’s likely toward the end of his prime. He would love to end his career on a high note, and the Wild are emerging as Cup contenders. Wouldn't this be a wonderful reunion for Nelson and the Wild to show the NHL they're going for it? Kaprizov’s ready to win!
Adding Nelson makes the Wild better against Winnipeg and Dallas
The Wild have another big-bodied center who can cause chaos in front of the net. Eriksson Ek is no longer alone in getting the tough matchups. While Eriksson Ek pursues a scoring role, Nelson can take on that shutdown role. Freddy Gaudreau has been doing excellent as a shutdown bottom-six center who can add some offense. He's been the bright spot of the Gaudreau, Marcus Foligno, and Yakov Trenin line.
The Stars recently lost Tyler Seguin for 4-6 months, creating an opportunity for the Wild to separate themselves in the Central. The Wild are without Mats Zuccarello, who they placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). By doing so, Minnesota created more cap space to fill out its roster. The Wild can shock the NHL by pursuing Nelson to help maintain their lead in the Central, only for the team to be more competitive once Zuccarello returns.
Minnesota can extend Nelson for the rest of Eriksson Ek's contract
The Wild have Eriksson Ek signed until the 2028-29 season, which is four years from now. Nelson can provide middle-six production and contribute on the second power play. By signing Nelson, Minnesota can ensure that prospects like Charlie Stramel, Rasmus Kumpulainen, and Rieger Lorenz develop into better contributors. These three have Eriksson Ek and Nelson to learn from to be successful power forwards.
Minnesota’s contention window is open, and Nelson can make his dreams a reality by lifting the Stanley Cup in front of his friends and family, where his love for the sport started! Eriksson Ek would also get some reduced ice time so the Wild can have him available for 82 games.
Nelson can make Danila Yurov’s transition to the NHL easier
By trading for Nelson, Minnesota wouldn’t have to worry about putting Yurov in a top-six role immediately when he arrives. Marcus Johansson’s here to stay for the rest of 2024-25, and his speed helps the second line. The Wild want to bring more balance to their top-nine. Yurov gets to break out as a winger as Zuccarello's successor.
Yurov is a playmaker who thrives when playing with a big-bodied center like Nelson, who can be a sniper and park in front of the net. Add in Ryan Hartman, who's become a successful complementary offensive player and agitator, and the Wild will have a complete top-nine once Zuccarello returns from injury.
Nelson is a playoff performer
In his last five playoff runs, Nelson has produced 43 points in 60 games (0.72 points per game). Nelson's ready to help the Wild make it through the Jets and Stars in the West. If Eriksson Ek gets injured and misses significant time, they can rely on Nelson to help them until he returns.
The Wild are on pace for a 56-13-13 record, which would put them at 125 points. Are they 125 points good? Probably not, but there's no doubt they can finish between 100 and 115 points. The addition of Nelson can help them produce a 56-13-13 record and make history in the playoffs by shocking the NHL by winning the Cup and ending their curse like the Panthers did last year.
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