Wild general manager Bill Guerin has his work cut out for him this offseason. He decided to be a buyer at the trade deadline this season, and appeared to build a Stanley Cup contender, until this version of the Wild proved to be no different than the rest.
After going up 2-1 in the first-round playoff series, the Wild lost back-to-back-to-back games to the Dallas Stars en route to yet another early playoff exit.
This is a far too familiar happening in Minnesota. The franchise hasn’t advanced past the first round since 2015.
It will be interesting to see how Guerin chooses to navigate the coming months. Will he run it back with the same core and simply hope for a different result next season? Will he opt for wholesale changes to the latest group that can’t seem to get over the hump?
Here are five questions the Wild must answer this offseason:
Will there be any coaching changes?
Though it seems like head coach Dean Evason is probably safe this offseason, some of his assistant coaches might not be as fortunate.
It’s no secret that the power play led by assistant coach Brett McLean and the penalty kill led by assistant coach Bob Woods let the Wild down against the Stars in the playoffs. That’s been a recurring theme over the past couple of seasons, plaguing them against the St. Louis Blues, as well.
Someone might have to be held accountable this time around.
How much will Filip Gustavsson cost?
The emergence of Filip Gustavsson between the pipes might be the biggest thing to come out of this season. He was the starter in the playoffs and is in position to be the No. 1 goaltender next season even if Marc-Andre Fleury decides against retirement.
Now, as a restricted free agent, Gustavsson is set for a pay raise this offseason. It’s a good bet the Wild will do everything in their power to bring him back regardless of the price tag. Nonetheless, the negotiations are something to follow as the Wild try to figure out a good deal for both sides.
Is this the end of the road for Matt Dumba?
It’s a shame that Matt Dumba missed the final 20 minutes of what could end up being his last game with the Wild. Since being selected in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Dumba has become a face of the franchise in Minnesota.
To say Dumba has been the ultimate hype man in the locker room would be putting it lightly. There’s a reason the Wild made Dumba an alternate captain alongside Marcus Foligno.
Though it’s clear Dumba wants to stay in Minnesota, the money likely isn’t going to work out this offseason. If these are indeed Dumba’s final days in Minnesota, what a ride it has been over the past decade.
What can they expect from Marco Rossi?
The fact the Wild didn’t turn to Marco Rossi after Joel Eriksson Ek went down speaks to how they felt about his development this season. Though it’s still too soon to call Rossi a bust, it’s past time for him to show the type of progress expected from a top prospect.
With the salary expected to be an obstacle thanks in part to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, the Wild would benefit from Rossi being an impact player next season. If he can’t be that, Guerin might have to start thinking about some contingency plans.
Who is going to lead the Iowa Wild?
As much as it’s not a top priority for Guerin at the moment, finding the right person to lead the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League will be important.
Whoever it is will be tasked with developing the next generation of players expected to contribute in the NHL someday. That can’t be taken lightly.
The work former head coach Tim Army did in Des Moines was admirable. With him gone, now it’s time to a find a successor who can take things to the next level.
