Wild General Manager Bill Guerin was proud of the team for advancing to the playoffs during a shortened season challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We made some really good steps this year," Guerin said Thursday. Now it's his chance to shape the roster to continue that climb. Here's a look at current Wild players and their status going into the offseason:
CALEN ADDISON
Defense (age 21)
Addison played most of the season in the minors but was impressive when he suited up for the Wild, making his NHL debut early in the year and then returning in the playoffs as an injury replacement.
Contract: Entry level.
2021-22 outlook: If he doesn't win a spot with the Wild in training camp, Addison can return to Iowa in the American Hockey League.
DERECK BARIBEAU
Goalie (age 22)
Shuffled between Iowa and the Wild's taxi squad.
Contract: Entry level.
2021-22 outlook: Facing more time in the minors.
MATT BARKOWSKI
Defense (age 33)
Logged just one game with the Wild when the team was shorthanded because of a COVID-19 outbreak; otherwise, Bartkowski was with Iowa.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: After three years with the Wild, the journeyman could re-sign to stay in the system or move on to a different opportunity.
LOUIE BELPEDIO
Defense (age 25)
Like Matt Bartkowski, Belpedio was called up from Iowa to appear in the Wild's first game back after getting shut down by the virus.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Also at the crossroads of remaining a depth option or pursuing a fresh start elsewhere.
NICK BJUGSTAD
Right wing (age 28)
The Blaine native roved all over the Wild's lineup during his homecoming after an offseason trade from Pittsburgh, a versatility that the team relied on to give it a balanced attack.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: A return might depend on how much money the Wild has left after signing its other free agents.
MATT BOLDY
Left wing (age 20)
Left Boston College in March to sign with the Wild after getting drafted 12th overall in 2019. Boldy's still waiting to make his NHL debut.
Contract: Entry level.
2021-22 outlook: Either Boldy will prove he's ready to play with the Wild or he'll be back in Iowa, where he had six goals and 12 assists in 14 games after turning pro.
NICK BONINO
Center/wing (age 33)
The veteran brought Stanley Cup experience to the Wild while also winning faceoffs, working both sides of special teams and lining up at every forward position.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: The Wild will explore keeping Bonino, but he may merit interest from other teams around the NHL.
JONAS BRODIN
Defense (age 27)
Another quality season by Brodin, who averaged the most minutes and flexed more of his offensive skills by scoring a career-high nine goals.
Contract: Signed through 2027-28.
2021-22 outlook: This is the start of a seven-year, $42 million contract Brodin signed last offseason, the longest deal on the Wild's books.
IAN COLE
Defense (age 32)
Acquired in an early-season trade from Colorado, Cole fit in seamlessly — adding a rugged but steady demeanor to the third pairing and a winning pedigree as a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Cole is open to re-signing with the Wild.
JOSEPH CRAMAROSSA
Center (age 28)
A fixture on the taxi squad, Cramarossa had an assist in four games with the Wild.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: A possibility for Iowa should the Wild extend Cramarossa a contract.
MATT DUMBA
Defense (age 26)
Dumba looked more like himself in his second season back from a torn pectoral muscle, skating heavy minutes alongside Jonas Brodin and chipping in offense from the back end.
Contract: Signed through 2022-23.
2021-22 outlook: The Wild might have to do some maneuvering to protect him from Seattle in the expansion draft.
JOEL ERIKSSON EK
Center (age 24)
Finished with the third-most goals on the Wild after racking up a career-high 19 while emerging as a bona fide two-way center.
Contract: Restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
2021-22 outlook: Eriksson Ek needs to be re-signed.
KEVIN FIALA
Left wing (age 24)
With 20 goals and 20 assists, Fiala remained one of the Wild's most dynamic playmakers in the offensive zone.
Contract: Restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
2021-22 outlook: Up for a new contract, Fiala is primed to make more strides in his all-around game.
MARCUS FOLIGNO
Right wing (age 29)
Aside from being a leader, Foligno was a shutdown specialist, consistent checker and sparkplug for the offense, as evidenced by his career-high 26 points in 39 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24.
2021-22 outlook: The three-year, $9.3 million contract extension Foligno signed before the season signaled how valuable he's become to the Wild.
JORDAN GREENWAY
Left wing (age 24)
Cut back on the inconsistency that previously plagued his play and set career highs in assists (a team-high 26) and points (32).
Contract: Signed through 2021-22.
2021-22 outlook: Might be in line for a more lucrative contract if he keeps improving.
ANDREW HAMMOND
Goalie (age 33)
Brought in before the season as the Wild's third goaltender, Hammond was a mainstay on the taxi squad and never saw game action with the Wild or Iowa.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Hammond and the Wild could part ways since the organization has enough goalies already under contract.
RYAN HARTMAN
Right wing (age 26)
Started the season on the wing, then became a useful center and was signed to a three-year, $5.1 million contract extension.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24.
2021-22 outlook: A repeat of this season's performance, when Hartman handled multiple positions, killed penalties and supplied secondary scoring, would benefit the Wild.
BRAD HUNT
Defense (age 32)
The Wild's seventh defenseman, Hunt cracked the lineup every now and then.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Maybe Hunt sticks around as a fringe defenseman.
MARCUS JOHANSSON
Right wing (age 30)
Injury interrupted Johansson's first season with the Wild and wrapped it early, as he suffered a broken left arm in the playoffs.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: The Wild might not have enough room in its budget to re-up Johansson.
LUKE JOHNSON
Center (age 26)
Practiced with the taxi squad most of the year but appeared in 14 games with the Wild.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Would provide depth at center if the Wild kept him.
KAAPO KAHKONEN
Goalie (age 24)
Won nine straight starts at one point and established a Wild rookie record for most wins in a season (16).
Contract: Signed through 2021-22.
2021-22 outlook: More NHL reps as the backup.
KIRILL KAPRIZOV
Left wing (age 24)
The rookie revitalized the Wild's offense with his creativity while leading the team and all first-year players in goals (27) and points (51).
Contract: 10.2(c) player.
2021-22 outlook: Kaprizov is in the unique category of not meeting any free-agency requirements ahead of his next deal and can sign only with the Wild. The team's top priority this offseason is locking him — and Eriksson Ek and Fiala — into long-term contracts.
GERALD MAYHEW
Left/right wing (age 28)
Called up from Iowa to skate in four games with the Wild.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: An experienced presence for Iowa if the organization signs him.
DAKOTA MERMIS
Defense (age 27)
Assigned to the taxi squad as the eighth defenseman, Mermis played three games with the Wild.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Might end up in a similar support role for the Wild or leave for another team.
ZACH PARISE
Left wing (age 36)
Dropped to the fourth line, Parise was a healthy scratch for the first time in his Wild tenure — including in the playoffs.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25.
2021-22 outlook: Parise plans to be at training camp, and the Wild said he's still a fit with the team even though his demotion caused speculation about whether the two sides could continue to coexist.
VICTOR RASK
Center (age 28)
Took advantage of an opportunity to play after being the extra forward the previous season.
Contract: Signed through 2021-22.
2021-22 outlook: Rask would help the Wild's by-committee approach to center if the team doesn't make any changes up the middle.
KYLE RAU
Left/right wing (age 28)
Rau roamed between the taxi squad and Wild, getting 14 games and one in the playoffs.
Contract: Free agent.
2021-22 outlook: Probably more of the same for Rau should the Wild work out a deal.
MARCO ROSSI
Center (age 19)
His training-camp audition with the Wild never happened because of complications from COVID-19.
Contract: Entry level.
2021-22 outlook: The 2020 first-round pick has begun working out and will have to vie for a spot on the roster.
CARSON SOUCY
Defense (age 26)
Filled out a dependable unit with Ian Cole while boasting a team-high plus-22.
Contract: Signed through 2022-23.
2021-22 outlook: Soucy's reliability and manageable contract might make him appealing in the expansion draft if he's available for Seattle to select.
JARED SPURGEON
Defense (age 31)
In his first season as captain, Spurgeon continued to deliver defensively while leading the blue line in points with 25.
Contract: Signed through 2026-27.
2021-22 outlook: Expectations won't change for Spurgeon in his 12th NHL season.
NICO STURM
Center (age 26)
An energetic skater on the fourth line in first full season with the Wild.
Contract: Signed through 2021-22.
2021-22 outlook: Will Sturm's speed earn him a promotion in the lineup?
RYAN SUTER
Defense (age 36)
Suter's average ice time declined, but he remained a key defender in all situations.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25.
2021-22 outlook: A Suter-Spurgeon duo still makes sense.
CAM TALBOT
Goalie (age 33)
Stabilized the Wild's crease as the team's newest starter by going 19-8-5 in the regular season before pitching two shutouts in the playoffs.
Contract: Signed through 2022-23.
2021-22 outlook: There's no reason to believe Talbot's poise between the pipes won't continue to click with the Wild's structure.
MATS ZUCCARELLO
Right wing (age 33)
Zuccarello's passing skills complemented Kirill Kaprizov's scoring instincts, and the two created plenty of offense for the Wild.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24.
2021-22 outlook: Considering their chemistry, Zuccarello and Kaprizov could stay on the same line.
