This is the first Minnesota Wild mailbag since the day Dean Evason was fired, so it’s been a while since we checked in with you about a team that continues to look like pretenders.
The Wild won five of their final 16 games heading into their bye week and the league’s All-Star break, making this as good a time as any to take your questions and address your angst.
One order of business: Rather than trade an asset for a defenseman, the Wild claimed youngster Declan Chisholm off waivers Monday from the rival Winnipeg Jets. According to a league source, a number of teams put in a claim, but the Wild, at 27th place in the NHL, had first dibs at the lowest-standing of those teams. It’s likely the Jets tried to sneak him through with much of the league on a bye.
Chisholm, 24, has been an elite defenseman in the AHL but spent this season as a Jets extra defenseman because Winnipeg’s blue line has been so healthy. He only played two games, assisting on one goal. In November, Chisholm agreed to a 14-day conditioning stint with AHL Manitoba just to get him playing. He assisted on five goals in those six games and has 16 goals and 91 points in 146 games for the Moose.
The pending restricted free agent is a puck-moving defenseman who skates well with the puck and loves joining the attack. He has defended well at the AHL level. He is expected to play games for the Wild and assume a spot on the second power-play unit.
If Chisholm is a regular, he’ll likely play over Alex Goligoski. The bigger question is if the Wild will carry eight defensemen or place Jon Merrill or Dakota Mermis on waivers at some point soon.
Now, on to your questions. Here we go:
(Note: Some questions are edited lightly for length and clarity.)
Realistically, with the injuries this year and the salary cap issues, this team is not winning the Cup or going on a deep playoff run. Do you think ownership or the GM have debated the value of getting a top-five or -10 pick when it comes to the long-term plan? I would much rather them have a down year and get a chance to draft a top-tier prospect than barely make the playoffs and get bounced in the first round. — Austin H.
Certainly. You can see where general manager Bill Guerin is coming from by wanting to add an NHL-quality defenseman like Chisholm. He wants to take pressure off Brock Faber with Jared Spurgeon out for the season, especially because Merrill and Goligoski have struggled at times. He was willing to give up a marginal asset for a pending free agent if he thought he could recoup the asset at the trade deadline by trading that same player if the Wild turn into sellers. But the other option was to add a young defenseman the Wild could keep for future years like Chisholm.
That said, the Wild spoke volumes these past two losses going into the break. This team is flawed. It’s been 48 games, and they’ve had one good 14-game stretch. They were brutal in Dean Evason’s 19 games and have been mediocre at best these past 16 games (5-10-1) after going 11-3 following Evason’s firing. They’ve dropped six straight games inside the division.
So is getting a couple of home playoff dates worth passing up on a possible lottery pick for a change? It doesn’t seem like it.
Will we ever learn more on the sudden departures of Andrew Heydt and Chris O’Hearn? — John W.
Heydt, the Wild’s director of team operations, was an HR matter. He complained of workplace verbal abuse by Guerin, and the Wild hired independent investigators, received the findings and decided it wasn’t a fireable offense for Guerin. The NHL told The Athletic they were comfortable with that decision. Heydt decided it wasn’t tenable to remain with the organization and received a separation agreement. It’s common for those to include a non-disclosure agreement.
As for O’Hearn, we’d love to report what happened, but for now, we don’t have enough information confirmed to do so. Perhaps one day we will. The Wild aren’t talking, in large part to protect him, because it’s clear an error in judgment was made and they don’t want his career to come to an end. Neither, so far, is he commenting on why he “mutually parted ways” with the club a few days after he returned from the western Canadian/Seattle road trip, on which he conducted himself as the man in charge because Guerin couldn’t go on the trip while the other matter was investigated.
In Seattle, the final game of the trip, O’Hearn discussed lineup and roster and long-term-injured-reserve matters after Jonas Brodin’s injury the game before. He seemed at that point to have no idea that a few days later his career with the club as assistant GM would come to a halt.
Who is the next prospect that will make an impact? — Matthew J.
Smith: Jesper Wallstedt is the easy answer, as despite his shaky NHL debut in Dallas, the touted goalie prospect is expected to have a tandem role alongside Filip Gustavsson next season. Daemon Hunt has already got some games and could become more of a regular. Michael Milne would be a guy I’d look out for, too, especially if the Wild end up moving on from the likes of Brandon Duhaime and/or Connor Dewar. He’s a Swiss-Army-knife player with a ton of speed. Adam Beckman, in his next shot, needs to show he can finish.
Russo: Danila Yurov has star potential, and I’m sensing the Wild may sign Marat Khusnutdinov after his season ends Feb. 25, burn the first year of his entry-level contract and start him right away in the NHL. He has 16 points in 38 games for KHL Sochi (three points in a game Sunday), can play wing and center and has a ton of pro experience already at 21, so it would make sense for the Wild to get a head start on seeing what they have in him heading into next season. – Russo
What players are expecting a payday once the dead cap hits disappear? Any contracts that you noticed were specifically timed to end around that time? — Cameron P.
Well, Faber will be the big one, and that extension could happen this summer. It seems certain the Wild will look to sign him to a max eight-year deal, and he’s almost certainly looking at an average annual value above $8 million per. Jake Sanderson signed an eight-year, $64.4 million deal with Ottawa. They’re both 21. That’s the comparable. Marco Rossi seems tailor-made for a bridge deal.
What’s your take on Kirill Kaprizov at the halfway point? Do you think the Wild will deviate from their long-term plan of building around him? He’s regressed from potential superstar status to something less. He doesn’t seem recovered from his Logan Stanley injury (yes, he was medically cleared, but he is clearly not the same), and he’s constantly choosing pass over shot it seems. — AJD
The Wild still have time to make that decision, and perhaps we’ll see Kaprizov return to his consistent superstar self in the final two years of his deal. Remember, Kaprizov has a say, too. If he wants to look for greener pastures, he’ll have that right. He has a ton of Russian friends in the league, and you know they’re constantly telling him, “Come here, come here, come here.” So the Wild will have to ante up when the time comes as early as next summer.
To your point, he definitely wasn’t the same player we’ve grown accustomed to seeing at the start of the season and clearly wasn’t comfortable, finally coming out and saying so. In mid-December, he looked like a star again and began to carry this team. Unfortunately, his injury derailed the team during his seven-game absence (which was accompanied by a half-dozen other injuries). He has 11 goals in his past 13 games and has been largely good since mid-December.
Are the Wild gonna get involved in the Trevor Zegras sweepstakes? — Joe D.
Highly doubtful. There hasn’t been a sense that the Wild have any interest in Zegras, and regardless, how are they supposed to afford his $5.75 million AAV for the next two years?
If the Wild were to win the lottery, would they pick first in every round? – Johnny K.
No. Only the first.
What is the word around the league regarding the contract extensions for Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman? — Kevin S.
It’s fair to say we’re asked about this often by people in the game and in the media. And the general opinion, even before this season turned pear-shaped, was: What was the rush? It’s not like either took a hometown discount. If they performed well, Guerin would have been able to sign both at a later juncture. By not waiting to see how they played and the team played, Guerin handcuffed himself, both at this year’s trade deadline and in future years.
What is Marcus Johansson’s no-trade clause? He seems like an ideal guy to replace with youth. And if he’s not willing to waive his NTC, can he be buried in the minors? — Christopher L.
Johansson will be replaced with youth — in another year. The veteran winger carries just a $2 million cap hit through the 2024-25 season and is a middle-six contributor on this team. This is not a guy that Guerin is going to bury in the minors, nor should he. Eventually, you may see the likes of Yurov or Liam Ohgren take his spot in the lineup, so that timing works out as those prospects will start their pro careers in North America next season (or maybe in the case of Yurov two years from now). As of right now, nobody is knocking down the door in Iowa to take a top-six spot anyway.
Is there any way that GMBG asks a few of his guys to waive their no-movement clauses this trade deadline? — Joe D.
It’s unlikely, especially when it comes to Foligno, Hartman and Mats Zuccarello, who signed multi-year extensions only months ago.
The only player who is a good possibility is Marc-Andre Fleury, 39, who is a pending unrestricted free agent with a full no-move clause. Several contenders need goalies, and while Fleury may not be atop the list of available ones, the future Hall of Famer could draw interest from teams like Colorado, New Jersey, Carolina and Toronto.
We don’t get the sense that Guerin has approached Fleury yet regarding his no-move, especially with the Wild still trying to make the playoffs. But that’s a conversation that could come if Minnesota falls out. Fleury has been to the postseason for 17 consecutive years. He deserves another chance if any interested teams intrigue him.
How realistic is the Faber-for-Calder campaign? — Flynn S.
Faber has a good shot, especially if Connor Bedard’s injury keeps him out much longer. He is among the top rookies in scoring, plays in the top pair and, without Spurgeon, he’s led the team in minutes.
GO DEEPER
As Brock Faber’s stellar play continues for Wild, the Calder Trophy door opens — ‘if not the Norris’
Joe, now that you’ve been in the Twin Cities for a while, I’m sure you’ve found that each city has its own personality and vibe. Which do you prefer and why is it St. Paul? — Rich S.
Smith: I laughed at this question because my wife and I have a couple of St. Paul friends who have explained the “rivalry.” I’ve enjoyed parts of both. We live in Minneapolis near the riverfront and like the energy in the North Loop, the character of Northeast, plus areas like St. Louis Park. People are very active here even in the winter, which fits us. And we spend our share of time in St. Paul. There are some cool neighborhoods there — some restaurants that are go-to’s (Cossetta is a top spot for lunch, and DeGidio’s) and some quality dive bars. Why make me choose?
Realistically, does anyone think Spurgeon will come back at a high level from those injuries at his age? — Christopher L
Well, both Spurgeon and the Wild believe so. So, that would be “anyone.” It’s fair to be concerned when a 34-year-old defenseman has to go through back and hip procedures, especially considering Spurgeon’s injury history. But the team says he should make a full recovery by September and be ready for the start of next season. It’ll be interesting as this plays out the next few years, though, with Spurgeon’s contract moving to a modified no-trade, how Guerin looks to tweak his blue line.
Is it possible to get transcripts of Ryan Hartman’s chirps to opposing teams’ benches and penalty boxes? He is certainly the Shoresy of the Wild. — Matt V.
Smith: One of the best jobs in hockey is the penalty box attendant, and, yes, those transcripts and audio would be a hot seller all over the league (just ask the Winnipeg Jets).
Russo: Pat Maroon’s would be gold, too. One of my favorite articles I wrote at the Strib was Cal Clutterbuck giving me play-by-play of his top chirps. My favorite was when Stephane Robidas was wearing a full bubble and kept screaming at Clutterbuck from the opposite penalty box in Dallas. Clutterbuck yelled at him to, “Roll down the window. I can’t hear ya.” I’d link the story, but the Strib’s website changed systems over the years and I can’t find my archived articles. Or I’ve been expunged from the site.
Zach Bogosian was a great acquisition in my opinion. Do you see the Wild trying to sign him to Merrill-type money to keep as a third-pair D? — John W.
Bogosian has fit in well and has been solid, especially for the price (seventh-round pick). With the injury to Spurgeon, how many minutes would Faber have played had Bogosian not been picked up? He has brought size, snarl and, for his age, is still a good skater. The Wild still do have Merrill under contract for next year at $1.2 million AAV, even with Alex Goligoski’s contract coming off. We’d be wary of giving Bogosian, 33, a multi-year deal at this point. But a short-term, low-AAV deal for a guy who is comfortable here isn’t a bad option, though a lot of that depends on what Wild prospects are ready and what moves Guerin might make. If the Wild can get rid of Merrill this summer via trade or buyout ($400,000 cap hit the next two years), they probably do it.
Is there any appetite to trade Gus? Have Jesper with Fleury as a backup (if he’ll re-sign). Jesper will take some lumps but could get some good experience. Some playoff teams (like Toronto or Edmonton maybe?) could use a goalie, and the Wild may be able to get some value for a goalie with term at a decent cost. — Jacob M.
If they trade Gustavsson, we sure hope it isn’t to let Wallstedt take his lumps. Do you want Devon Levi or Spencer Knight situations? If the Wild struggle again next season, this would be goalie-development malpractice. Not saying they shouldn’t explore trading Gustavsson, but they would need to bring in another goalie.
Is John Hynes the long-term answer Guerin was seeking? Or is he a stopgap between Evason and the next coach? I always kind of thought he would bring someone new in after the Wild were out of cap trouble. Seems this season forced his hand into that play earlier than expected. — Spencer K.
Well, Guerin hired him without conducting a coaching search and gave him a multi-year contract, so he’d better be the long-term answer Guerin was seeking. GMs only get so many coaching hires.
Whose contract is most problematic for Wild? — Magdalena V.
Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The gifts that keep on giving. The no-move for Goligoski hasn’t helped, though the veteran has every right to use it and sure has. You have to wonder how the Freddy Gaudreau five-year deal, though at a smaller number, will age, too. He’s been invisible, one of the team’s most disappointing players, committed to because of a lack of faith in Rossi.
Joe, how does the Wild fan base compare to the Bolts fan base? Are you regretting taking the gig? — Josiah M.
Smith: I’ll tell you a story about that. My wife and I were just outside Duluth at a brewery last summer, planning to get away after a whirlwind first year on the beat. A couple of fans came up to me and started asking about the Wild. This truly is the State of Hockey, and it’s that widespread passion that enabled The Athletic to commit to having two writers here. The Lightning are a very strong and appreciative fan base (11 years straight of sellouts is no joke). I loved my 15 years in the Tampa area. But the comments section of our stories in Minnesota is just crazy. You are a unique breed. It is always fun when someone approaches me while out and thanks us for moving here (thanks to Marco for his annual gift of Starbucks gift cards!). We miss our friends, the people (and, yes, the winter weather) but don’t regret this decision. Minnesota is starting to feel more like home. And we’re Midwesterners, so we can handle the winters.
Russo here: Yes, thanks to Marco for all the Starbucks cards over the years. But since Joe’s weird and doesn’t drink coffee, you should give me Joe’s as well.
(Top photo of Brock Faber: David Berding / Getty Images)
