2021-2022 Season Projections
For all my season previews, we’ll be utilizing my 2021-2022 team and player projections. You can find much more background on these models here, along with more on assessing value of contracts here. In this post, we’ll look at the Minnesota Wild.
2021 Offseason
The Wild created a stir this offseason by buying out the remaining four years on each of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise’s contracts. They signed a handful of free agent defensemen to fill out their defense corps after also losing Carson Soucy in the expansion draft. With Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprisov still and unsigned RFA, there is still work to do. For our analysis, we’ll assume the Kaprisov does sign in time for the regular season.
2021-2022 Season Preview
Roster Strength
The Wild head into the 2021-2022 season with a reasonably well-rounded roster. There aren’t any big weaknesses, although there aren’t many big strengths showing either. Only goaltending stands out as a significant strength.
Forwards
The Wild have generally strong forward depth, particularly in the bottom six where most of the skaters project as third line forwards or better. Both Kevin Fiala and Joel Erikson Ek signed new deals this summer and it appears the Wild will get good value from both this season. Frederik Gaudreau was a solid depth addition, signing in free agency with a high value contract.
Defensemen
The Wild’s top three defensemen return from last season and will be part of the backbone of the team. All three project as top pair defensemen. Newcomers Jon Merrill, Jordie Benn, and Alex Goligoski will round out the defense corps after signing as free agents. Benn and Merrill look like high value additions, while Goligoski’s cap hit is quite high for his projected impact.
Goaltending
The Wild appear to be in good shape in net, with Cam Talbot and Kappo Kahkonen returning. Both project as starting goaltenders and should provide stability in net for the Wild.
Team Performance
The model projects the Wild as one of the teams to beat in the Central Division this season, with solid goaltending backstopping them up the standings.
2021-2022 In Season Updates
Make sure to subscribe and check back for updates to the 2021-2022 season projections throughout the season. Watch for updates and enhancements to the models, updated player projections using 2021-2022 season data, analysis of trades and injuries, and more.
