Recent content from Sarah McLellan
Wild roster 2024-25: Who stays, who goes after playoff failure?
The Wild's salary cap problems will have an impact of how quickly the team can recover from their failure to make the playoffs. Hockey writer Sarah McLellan looks at who could be gone and why.
Wild reflect on disappointing season: 'I don't want to be in this spot'
Injuries and inconsistent play, not to mention salary cap woes, kept the Wild out of the playoffs as they ponder what needs to change.
Wild rumblings: Gustavsson wants to return, Faber played despite broken ribs
Coach John Hynes will lead the U.S. world championship team in May, which could include Matt Boldy.
Wild fall to Kraken in final game: 'Disappointing. Just like our season.'
Kirill Kaprizov scored his 46th goal of the season, but it was another loss in a wave of many that ultimately ended without a trip to the playoffs. The focus now shifts to the NHL draft.
Kirill Kaprizov has a shot at career high in goals in season finale
Kirill Kaprizov is three goals shy of his career high, among other individual milestones in play for the regular-season finale.
Who'll be back? Wild's goalie situation taking shape for next year.
Will the netminder of the future be ready? And what about the two veterans? One of those questions was answered Wednesday morning.
Wild sign goalie Fleury to contract extension for 2024-25 season
The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer joined the Wild during the 2022 season in a trade-deadline deal with Chicago and played his 1,000th game this season.
Wild's defense had all kinds of problems — and one breakout star
Brock Faber's emergence as an all-purpose specialist should make the former Gophers standout a Rookie of the Year finalist and a big part of the Wild's future.
Gaudreau returns as a new parent for Wild, who top Kings
"Our hearts have been exploded in the best way possible," Frederick Gaudreau said after leaving the team to be with his wife, Kjersten, for the birth of their son.
Wild visit Kings for their season's penultimate game
The Wild finish their road trip with a shot at revenge against Los Angeles.
Wild's scoring was top heavy, but balance wasn't there
Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy did most of the heavy lifting among the forwards.
Wild rout Sharks 6-2 behind mish-mash lineup of veterans and prospects
Liam Ohgren scored his first goal, Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves and Kirill Kaprizov scored twice to give him 44 goals on the season.
What went wrong for the Wild this season? A little bit of everything.
The Wild's chief Central Division foes were faster, stronger and more skilled. As a result, the season comes to an end without a trip to the playoffs.
Despite loss in Vegas, 'Dream come true' for Wild's Ohgren
The rookie from Sweden made his NHL debut Friday night as a disappointing Wild season draws to a close.
Wallstedt to make third NHL start as Wild visit Sharks
Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt will make his third NHL start looking to follow his 24-save shutout of Chicago last weekend.
Liam Ohgren will make NHL debut for Wild tonight vs. Vegas
The Golden Knights are still fighting for a playoff spot but have been playing poorly in recent games.
Being a spoiler is best Wild can do in season's final games
A steep tumble over the last few weeks has left the Wild out of the NHL postseason for only the second time in the last 12 years.
Wild eliminated from playoff chase after thrashing by Avalanche
The Wild finally ran out of chances to salvage their season by losing again to Colorado. Kirill Kaprizov kept scoring, but little else went well for Minnesota.
Prank war between Fleury, ex-Wild teammate Duhaime reaches truce
It started with quips about Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury being advanced in age and ended with former teammate and current Avalanche forward Brandon Duhaime's car missing tires and buried in dirt.
With Kaprizov on a role, Wild try to find any success against Avs
The Wild's record against Central Division teams is a major reason why they likely won't make the playoffs.
Russian rookie learns Wild's rules — including an odd one about Kaprizov
What to wear, soccer contests, who eats first, what happens after games. It's been an education in the rules, both written and unwritten, for Marat Khusnutdinov
Wallstedt makes Wild history in shutout victory over Chicago
Rookie Jesper Wallstedt had a rough NHL debut a few months ago and was motivated by it. He set two new Wild standards in Sunday's 4-0 win.
Wild lose to Jets again 4-2 despite Kaprizov's two goals
Winnipeg finished off a four-game sweep for the season series vs. the Wild, who are 10 points back of a playoff spot.
Wild call up Jesper Wallstedt to start Sunday in Chicago
The Wild begin a five-game road trip with six games to go in the regular season. Wallstedt, 21, will get another shot in net after a lopsided debut.
Wild at Blackhawks preview: Five-game road trip kicks off with Bedard rematch
The Bedard-led Chicago offense will test a Wild team on the second half of a back-to-back.
Wild vs. Jets preview: Winnipeg's forward depth will test Wild
Winnipeg has won all three meetings this season heading into Saturday's matinee.
Wild nominate Rossi for NHL's Masterton Award
Rossi is having a strong rookie season after recovering from myocarditis.
Playoff dream takes another hit in Wild's loss to Avalanche
The 5-2 defeat dropped the Wild two more points from the final playoff spot on a night with a lot of shots but little success to show for them.
Shaw caps latest comeback by finally scoring for Wild
Young forward Mason Shaw has battled back from four major knee operations — and showing off his scoring touch came at just the right time for the Wild.
Wild-Avs game preview: Colorado has high-scoring MacKinnon
The Wild's playoff hopes are rapidly dwindling, but two more points are up for grabs.
Foligno will miss rest of season after surgery for groin injury
Marcus Foligno is the second Wild player to have season-ending surgery: Captain Jared Spurgeon hasn't played since January.
Wild escape Senators' surge for 3-2 win, make headway in wild-card race
Ottawa capitalized on the power play to rally from a 2-0 deficit before Vinni Lettieri scored late to end the Senators' five-game win streak.
Wild first round pick from 2022 arrives, will play in Iowa
Liam Ohgren was the 19th overall pick two years ago and has been skating in Sweden.
Hartman gets 3-game ban for hurling stick near refs after Wild loss
League officials noted that Ryan Hartman returned to the bench after Saturday's loss and threw his stick on the ice while berating the referees.
Wild face another must-win game vs. suddenly hot Senators
Ottawa has won five in a row while the Wild face another must-win game.
Wild lose 2-1 in overtime to Golden Knights, get zero points with goalie pulled
Desperate for two points in the playoff chase, they instead got zero because Jonathan Marchessault scored into an empty net in OT.
Wild vs. Golden Knights preview: Defending champs pose tough challenge
Vegas is on a five-game point streak with wins in its last seven, and the Wild looked uninspired on Thursday despite picking up a victory.
Wild score twice in third period to polish off pesky Sharks 3-1
Goals by Matt Boldy 18 seconds into the third and Ryan Hartman's empty-net goal in the final minute finally earns the victory over last-place San Jose.
Wild get healthy and get a win, but playoff chances are still day-to-day
Eriksson Ek and Brodin returned from injury Thursday, giving the Wild back their best center and top defenseman — but eight points separate the team from the playoffs.
Wild-Sharks game preview: Eriksson Ek, Brodin back in lineup
The Wild are coming off their longest hiatus since the All-Star break, but Thursday's game vs. San Jose offers a great chance to get back up to speed, Sarah McLellan writes.
Math is not Wild's favorite subject right now
Minnesota is a long shot in the NHL playoff race and needs to add up a few victories down the stretch.
Wild sign St. Cloud State defenseman and 2021 Mr. Hockey winner
The Wild signed St. Cloud State defenseman Jack Peart to a three-year, entry-level contract that begins next season.
Wild fall to Blues 5-4 in overtime to lose more ground in playoff hunt
They blew two leads and have the potential to fall further behind with a four-day break coming up.
With four-day break looming, Wild need a win to keep pace
Getting past the Blues on Saturday will be vital for the Wild, who are guaranteed to lose ground in the playoff race next week.
Wild vs. Blues preview: Season series finale is a must-win
The teams are battling for playoff seeding in the Western Conference with time quickly running out.
Big chance, big fail. Wild lose 6-0, miss opportunity in playoff chase.
Beating the Kings would have moved the Wild within one point of the final playoff spot. Instead, they fell behind quickly, yielded two own goals and replaced Marc-Andre Fleury midgame.
Wild defenseman Brodin undergoes MRI, misses Kings game
The extent of Jonas Brodin's absence on a depleted blue line is unclear; Dakota Mermis filled Brodin's lineup spot.
Wild blank Ducks in Gustavsson's return; Brodin injured on hit
A nearly wholesale lineup shuffle occurred after a ho-hum first period and the Wild responded by running away from the lowly Ducks. Victory came at a price, however.
Wild at Kings preview: A pair of unexpected kindred spirits
With both teams on the second night of a back-to-back and harboring a vested interest in the West wild-card race, the Wild should prioritize a structured effort.
Goalie Gustavsson will get off the bench for Wild soon
After watching Marc-Andre Fleury for four straight games, an unusual pattern from what the Wild had done previously, Filip Gustavsson will be back in action.
Wild look to start back-to-back with win at Anaheim
Sarah McLellan's take: The Wild have a chance to answer St. Louis and Vegas after both gained ground in the Western Conference playoff race over the past two days.
Blown chances against rivals keep Wild on shaky playoff ground
A shootout loss to the Blues over the weekend is part of a pattern: Win against the NHL's bottom-feeders without having similar success against better teams.
Wild fall in shootout, squander chance to improve playoff hopes
Instead of climbing to within two points of a playoff spot and building a buffer between them and their closest competition, the Wild now have only a one-point lead over the Blues.
A reason for hope: Khusnutdinov joins Wild lineup in dominant victory
The Wild need every point they can get in the playoff race, and their Russian prospect's debut against Anaheim offered plenty of hope.
Wild at Blues preview: Central showdown pivotal for both team's playoff hunt
After losing to St. Louis earlier this month, the Wild get a chance at a do-over to keep pace in the wild-card chase.
Wild, Kaprizov stay on a roll with 2-0 shutout over Ducks
Marc-Andre Fleury turned in a 16-save shutout as the Wild won for the third game in a row and are 5-0-1 in the last six.
Marat Khusnutdinov will make his Wild debut tonight
The Wild are still chasing Vegas for a wild-card berth, and Anaheim presents an opportunity to make up more ground.
Fleury's surge gives Wild hope as season winds down
The veteran goalie is on a hot streak as his team keeps playoff hopes alive. And he's ready for a heavier workload, if that's what the Wild want.
Kaprizov scores twice as Wild skate past Coyotes 4-1
The Wild improved to 4-0-1 over their past five games and took a third consecutive victory vs. Arizona to boost their chances at a playoff spot.
Marcus Johansson returns as Wild urgently chasing points
The Arizona is reeling entering Tuesday's game at Xcel Energy Center, but they have been surprisingly pesky against the Wild.
Khusnutdinov eager to hop into lineup, learn ways of the Wild
A standout in the Russia's KHL, Marat Khusnutdinov arrived in Minnesota over the weekend as the team tries to salvage a playoff berth.
Wild take huge risk, earn needed reward in OT win over Nashville
Key players involved didn't know an NHL rule that would have had big consequences in the standings if things had backfired when coach John Hynes pulled the goalie with the score tied in overtime.
After trade deadline, Wild reflect on up-and-down season
With three players now on different teams, players and executives examine how Wild got here.
Wild vs. Predators preview: Central rivals set for final clash
Sarah McLellan's breakdown: Nashville is on an 11-game point streak, the third-longest in franchise history.
Wild catch a break late, but lose in overtime to Avalanche
Valeri Nichushkin broke a 1-1 tie on a 4-on-3 power play midway through overtime after an unsuccessful penalty shot by Mats Zuccarello late in the third but successful challenge by the Wild to overturn an Avalanche goal.
Wild use trade deadline to build for future
In shipping away Pat Maroon and Connor Dewar, the Wild made future-focused decisions indicative of the present: They are chasing a playoff spot they may never catch.
Undeterred by 7-second blip, 'Flower kept us in it' for two key points
After allowing the fastest two goals in franchise history, Zach Bogosian and Joel Eriksson Ek scored to ignite a Wild rally before Brock Faber and Connor Dewar applied the finishing touches.
Wild at Avalanche preview: Colorado will be a handful, with trade deadline playing in background
The Wild will have a tough task against an Avalanche team - and captain - that are dominant on home ice.
Wild make first move ahead of trade deadline, deal Duhaime to Avs
Brandon Duhaime, who spent his entire career in Minnesota, was set for free agency at the end of this season.
Wild at Coyotes preview: Rest should help Wild start banking points again
The Wild face Arizona, with Kirill Kaprizov a goal shy of his third consecutive 30-goal season.
Five questions loom as the Wild approach the NHL's trade deadline
The team doesn't have to go on a fire sale, but there are questions. Such as, what about Marc-Andre Fleury? Who else could be gone?
Wild re-sign defenseman Bogosian with two-year deal
Tough and steady, veteran Zach Bogosian has become important on the Wild blue line.
Wild's playoff hopes take big hit. They'll need wins, help to recover
Welcome to the Western Conference wild-card race where climbing is like crawling and a slip is practically a spiral.
Kaprizov hat trick sends Wild to 4-3 victory over Sharks
Despite dressing 11 forwards, Kaprizov's hat trick helped stop a three-game losing streak and bank some valuable points.
Playoff hopes take another hit as Wild lose in St. Louis
The 3-1 loss spoiled the return of Mason Shaw, who'd been sidelined for 11 months, and again kept the Wild from moving up in the battle for a Wild Card spot.
