The air is getting crisp, and the sound of skates on fresh ice is just around the corner. That can only mean one thing: the NHL season is upon us. For fans of the Minnesota Wild, the 2025-26 season is one of anticipation and, let’s be honest, a little bit of anxiety. The team has been a consistent playoff contender, but the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, has remained elusive. This year, two major questions will determine if this is the year the Wild finally break through.
The pre-season will give us our first glimpse of what this team is made of. Here is the full schedule:
- Sunday, Sept. 21 at Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre – 4 p.m. CT
- Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center – 7 p.m. CT
- Thursday, Sept. 25 vs. Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center – 7 p.m. CT
- Sunday, Sept. 28 vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center – 5 p.m. CT
- Tuesday, Sept. 30 vs. Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center – 7 p.m. CT
- Friday, Oct. 3 at Chicago Blackhawks at United Center – 7 p.m. CT
A Deeper Look into the Wild’s Playoff Potential
Can the Wild take the next step in the playoffs? It’s the question that has haunted the State of Hockey for years. Since their memorable run to the Western Conference Final in 2003, the Wild have made 13 playoff appearances but have only won two series. However, there’s a different feeling around the team this year. General Manager Bill Guerin has expressed his confidence, stating, “Moving forward, this is without a doubt the best position this team has been in.” The close series against the Vegas Golden Knights last season, with three one-goal losses, suggests that the Wild are on the cusp of becoming a true contender.
The second major question is where the offense will come from. Last season, the Wild ranked 25th in the NHL in goals per game, averaging a mere 2.74. Injuries played a significant role in this offensive slump. The return of a healthy Kirill Kaprizov, who was limited to just 41 games last year, will be a massive boost. With Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello also returning to full health, the top lines should be more productive. However, for the Wild to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need more scoring depth from their bottom-six forwards.
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The post Minnesota Wild Season Preview 2025-26: The Two Big Questions Facing the Wild appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
