Can Ryan Hartman Continue This Level Of Play?

Last season, everything appeared to be fine with Ryan Hartman. While we were sort of worried that the gutsy forward was starting to age and maybe dip in production unless he was attached at the hip to Kirill Kaprizov, Hartman started the 2023-24 campaign with seven goals in his first 11 games.

And this season, the pattern is happening again. Hartman has two goals in the Wild's first four games. But that might not even be the best thing about his start this time around.

Now, Hartman has taken zero penalties and is appearing to not be costing the team with untimely infractions that cause the game to come to a screeching halt because he decided to hold a guy's jersey or hit someone in the face with his stick.

Scoring goals is one thing for Hartman, but staying out of the box seems like a huge accomplishment. Maybe that's why the Wild are undefeated in regulation to start the year.

That's Wild

• Are the Wild even better than their 2-0-2 record indicates? [Hockey Wilderness]
• Kirill Kaprizov is the Wild's new Ironman. He has shown no sign of slowing down or missing any time whatsoever. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Wild are getting attention from national media. It's crazy. They are off to a great start to their season, but they ask the question: Is it sustainable? [Daily Faceoff]

Off the trail...

• It was a night of milestones in Pittsburgh last night as Evgeni Malkin scored his 500th career goal joined by his career-long friends. [NHL.com]
• Goaltender tandem rankings in the NHL. Where do the Wild place? Sort of right smack dab in the middle. [ESPN]