One of the takeaways from the Wild's most recent general manager search — and the one before that — was that the team requires revisions rather than a rebuild to unlock its potential.
And although that mind-set will accompany the Wild into its first game Thursday against the Predators after it wrapped up the preseason Sunday with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Jets, owner Craig Leipold is open to pivoting to a more patient strategy if the payoff is worth it.
"I want to win a Stanley Cup," Leipold said. "And if somebody came down and said, 'OK, here's a guaranteed five-year plan. You're absolutely going to win it, but you're going to have to go through a little pain and suffering.' You show me that plan that gets me there, I'm good."
Leipold took in the exhibition finale from his suite inside Xcel Energy Center. Despite an effort riddled with penalties and blown leads, which dropped the Wild to 2-1-3 in the preseason, Leipold is optimistic for 2019-20 based on the reports he's received from new GM Bill Guerin and coach Bruce Boudreau and the team-first philosophy that's been emphasized since Guerin's arrival.
"There is such a fine line between the 12th team and the first team, a fine line," Leipold said. "It's injuries. It's goaltending. It's the little things. So how far can we go? I don't know. But I do know if we play together and give 100 percent effort and have just normal injuries, I like our chances."
Decisions looming
After a day off Monday, the Wild will reconvene Tuesday when opening-day rosters are due.
If the team decides to carry the maximum 23 players, it will have to make only one cut once it designates Mason Shaw (knee) as an injured nonroster player and if it shifts Greg Pateryn (lower-body injury) to injured reserve, which seems likely.
The debate about whether to keep Louie Belpedio or Carson Soucy on the blue line is set to revolve around need or style.