Five offseason questions for the Wild

April 22, 2018 at 1:27AM
Jason Zucker
Zucker (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Five questions as the Wild embarks on the offseason

1 How will the offense improve? Ending the season mired in a goal drought of 141:37 puts the team's scoring ability under the microscope.

2 What kind of contracts can be expected for restricted free agents Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba? Both are coming off strong regular seasons, but their negotiations could hint at how involved they'll be in the Wild's future.

3 Does the team make a significant trade? After another early exit, perhaps someone is subtracted to try to shake up the core.

4 Will the Jets' template influence the Wild's roster? Winnipeg successfully combines size, strength and speed, areas the Wild could target this summer.

5 Can the rookies transition into NHL regulars? Newcomers such as defenseman Nick Seeler and winger Jordan Greenway flashed their potential late in the season and would boost the Wild if they pick up where they left off.

Matt Dumba
Dumba (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Seeler #72 of the Minnesota Wild poses for his official headshot for the 2016-2017 season on September 22, 2016 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Andy King/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nick Seeler ORG XMIT: 670947917
Seeler (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Jordan Greenway USA Hockey.
Greenway (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

More from Wild

card image

Problems that might have led to a loss in the past are merely complications that the team is overcoming this season, as was true again Friday against Tampa Bay.

card image
card image