Keys to the Minnesota Wild’s 2025-26 season

The Wild also expect Nico Sturm to be out for an extended period of time after the center dealt with a back issue in camp that remained unresolved.

Sturm was one of only two veteran additions the Wild made to their roster this offseason (former Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko is the other), and Sturm’s absence will affect penalty kills and faceoffs.

Jonas Brodin was also limited in camp after undergoing offseason surgery, but the defenseman has been practicing. He won’t play tonight, although coach John Hynes said Brodin’s return “is imminent.”

This roster change means the Wild are ripe for a breakout performance.

Luckily for them, they have plenty of candidates.

Kaprizov dazzled in the playoffs after returning after missing half the season with injury and surgery, and the spotlight has never been brighter after signing a record eight-year contract extension worth $136 million, making it the richest deal in NHL history, even after fellow superstars Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor re-signed with their respective teams.