Wild Announce 2025-26 Preseason Schedule

Hockey is almost here. Well, over two months from now hockey will return in some form to St. Paul as the Minnesota Wild are slated to start preseason in late September.

The Wild unveiled their full, six-game slate of preseason hockey on Tuesday and it's the typical matchups we've grown to groan over by the time we just want the real thing to happen already.

Starting with a visit to the Winnipeg Jets on September 21 and ending with a game in Chicago on October 3, the Wild will have plenty of opportunity to warm up and test out some of their young players and get their veterans warmed up before the real games start.

Luckily, this is the last time there will be six preseason games. With the new CBA starting for the 2026-27 season, the regular season will be expanded from 82 to 84 games, while shrinking the preseason to fewer games than we currently have. That's some good news.

• The rumors are that Marco Rossi wants a seven-year, $49-million contract like his teammate Matt Boldy. Just looking at what one certain free agent received last week, should end the debate whether or whether not Rossi deserves that much. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Jesper Wallstedt is looking to put difficult season behind him now that he is projected to be the Wild's backup. [Daily Faceoff]

Off the trail...

• The projected first-overall pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna, has officially committed to play for Penn State next season. A landmark announcement as we enter into a new world for prospect development and where they can play. [Sportsnet]
• After Isaac Howard and the Tampa Bay Lightning had a disagreement about when he should sign his contract and if they wanted him, the Michigan State star has been traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a fairly decent center prospect. [Daily Faceoff]