1 move Minnesota Wild should’ve made in 2025 NHL offseason

The Wild do have to make sure they save space for their goaltenders and defensemen, David Jiricek and Zeev Buium. But with the salary cap exploding over the next three seasons, that should not be a problem. The buyout charges for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are finally expiring, and the cap will be over $100 million next season.

Next offseason could be one of the greatest free-agency groups of all time. The likelihood of that happening is slim, especially considering the exploding salary cap. In 2025, many of the best players available stayed with their previous team instead of making it to July 1. Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Brock Boeser all stayed with their previous teams.

The Wild should not be the team that defies that trend. They have not had a lot of team success in their brief history, and they have never had a player with the high-end skill of Kaprizov stay for their entire career. Marian Gaborik left many years ago, and they cannot let Kaprizov walk as well.

The Wild also have to figure out their goaltending situation next offseason. Filip Gustavsson is entering the final year of his deal that pays him $3 million. One of the best deals in the league is expiring, and it could be the end of his time in Minnesota. Jesper Wallstedt is a former first-round pick and is waiting in the wings for his chance at the net. Will they keep Gustavsson on an expensive contract or put playoff aspirations in the youngsters’ hands?

The Wild need to keep Kirill Kaprizov on the longest possible contract. He scored 100 points in 2023-24 and was on a Hart Trophy pace before an injury cut his 2024-25 season short. If he keeps that up for multiple years of his new contract, it will be a worthwhile investment. And he could be the greatest Wild player of all time by the time it ends.