The Minnesota Wild have a franchise-deciding season ahead of them. There is no denying that. They suffered through one of the worst seasons in franchise history, in 2023-24, posting a dismal 87 points.
Owner Craig Leipold doesn’t like losing or missing the playoffs, and neither do the fans. That’s why this version of the Minnesota Wild must win more games. Otherwise, next year’s version could look a lot different… from the front office on down.
Turning a sinking ship around is easier said than done, though, especially on ice. So how does president of hockey operations Bill Guerin expect his team to improve results, with essentially the same cast of players? Well, it started this week at TRIA Rink, when they dropped the puck on their 2024-25 training camp.
Minnesota Wild feeling the pressure
It was there that reporters could feel a much deeper sense of urgency from Billy G, than what he had last year, around this time. On KFAN Radio, Michael Russo (The Athletic) described Guerin as “loquacious” and “testy” during his appearance, this week. More so than normal, especially for an opening day training camp media scrum. The longtime Minnesota Wild scribe compared 2023 training camp Guerin vs 2024.
“He was not only loquacious, he was a bit testy. Actually, at one point during the interview, I asked him what was in the water that he was drinking, because he a little intense for day one of camp. I would have thought this was mid-season or something.”
“I think what it did show me though, is what a stark contrast it was to last year. You know, coming into camp after one hundred point season, their second straight hundred point season. Obviously, they were disappointed they went out in the first round. But [last year], first day of camp, he met with Hartman, Zuccarello and Foligno tried to set the table for what were eventual extensions, [later] in camp. He was just wide-eyed and bushy-tailed for the season. And today, you just know how big this season is. They’ve got to get off to a great start.”
Michael Russo – KFAN Radio
Angry Bill Guerin back?
Ah yes, I remember that Bill Guerin, the guy who was handing out no-trade clauses to washed-up veteran players like they were candy at a playground. Who could have ever foreseen that ending poorly? Any Minnesota Wild fan with a brain, that’s who.
But we’ll save that for another time, because it appears Guerin has realized his mistake. That even professional athletes cannot be expected to perform at their peak, when there is no sense of urgency. And that’s what his no-trade clauses did for Wild veterans, last season.
Those days are gone, though, and Guerin has clearly learned from his mistakes. Don’t just take Russo’s word for it. Listen for yourself. Whether it’s due to his own job security, or just a will to win, Bill G means business in 2024. And thank goodness, because I like this version of Billy way more.
