Recent content from Sarah McLellan
Wild assistant McLean named coach of team's minor-league Iowa affiliate
Assistant Brett McLean is taking over as head coach of the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate in Iowa, meaning Wild coach Dean Evason will be adding to his NHL staff
Wild's offseason moves will be vital, but limited by financial issues
Management is focusing on the future instead of the past as the Wild wade deeper into an offseason that's low on salary cap space yet ripe with significance.
Will they still be Wild? A player-by-player look at the roster
The Wild have little flexibility in their budget but plenty of decisions to make when it comes to their roster. Hockey writer Sarah McLellan's outlook for each player on the team as it relates to the 2023-24 season.
Wild GM unconcerned with the past, says season was not a failure
Bill Guerin cited salary cap issues and said the latest first-round playoff exit was "not the narrative for this team" as they build toward bigger goals.
Wild look for more from young players Addison, Rossi
The team needs growth from defenseman Calen Addison and center Marco Rossi in their second seasons to help deal with a tight budget.
Gustavsson, Fleury ready to see how Wild handle goalie situation
"Call me when the contract is done," said Filip Gustavsson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. "Not going anywhere," said Marc-Andre Fleury.
After another early playoff exit, Wild left to ponder the what-ifs
From Joel Eriksson Ek's broken leg to Kirill Kaprizov's scoring slump, players were left with more questions than answers.
After a season spent honing a playoff edge, Wild reach a dull conclusion
A 2022 postseason flop caused the team to change its approach, but the fix failed vs. the Dallas Stars.
Missing offense, lapses on defense end Wild's season in 4-1 loss to Dallas
The same issues that pushed the Wild to the brink of elimination also ended their season: A meek offense thwarted by Stars goalie Jake Oettinger and and defensive lapses that led to Dallas goals.
Kaprizov-Zuccarello split among line changes for Wild
The adjustments, designed to revive a sluggish offense, separated Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, and also included Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson being split up.
Wild won't set Game 6 lineup vs. Dallas until after warm-ups tonight
Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello didn't practice Thursday; Hartman skated Friday morning, but Zuccarello did not. "We think everyone's available," coach Dean Evason said. "But you never know, right?"
Game 6 preview: Wild need to cool Stars' Hintz
Dallas forward Roope Hintz has scored or assisted on six of the past seven Dallas goals.
For Game 6, Wild's Kaprizov aims to end longest scoring outage of career
Of his mental game, the forward said he's frustrated. The physical part? "I feel great; 100 percent."
Wild roster packed with players who have forced a Game 7
The team won Game 6 against Vegas in 2021 and aims to "play with urgency" against Dallas on Friday.
Penalties, missed chances make Wild a desperate team
The team's physical style has worked against it as Dallas enters Game 6 needing only one win to end the Wild's season.
Wild should feel right at home with two November games overseas
The games in Stockholm vs. Ottawa and Toronto, part of the NHL's Global Series, will feature a Wild team that currently has eight native Swedes.
Foligno ejected early, Wild on edge of elimination after 4-0 loss to Stars
Marcus Foligno was an onlooker less than 2 1⁄2 minutes into the game. If the Wild don't win their next two games, all of them will be onlookers as the playoffs continue.
Wild's Foligno given game misconduct in first period of Game 5
After having two controversial penalty calls go against him that turned into power-play goals for Dallas in Game 4, Marcus Foligno lasted just over two minutes into Game 5 before receiving a game misconduct.
Tuesday's Wild-Dallas Game 5 recap
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger earned his second career playoff shutout after making 27 saves.
Evason on Game 5 in Dallas: 'Our game translates home or away'
After losing home-ice advantage to the Stars, the Wild will need a win on the road to keep their season going. Where they play doesn't appear to concern coach Dean Evason.
Wild won't change style: 'That's the way hockey is supposed to be played'
Marcus Foligno had a couple of questionable penalties in Sunday's loss to Dallas, and both were costly as the Stars scored power-play goals.
Solving Oettinger is key to Wild's hopes of advancing past Stars
The former Lakeville North athlete frustrated the home team on Sunday, when the Wild had lots of good chances that went for naught.
Two Foligno penalties become two Dallas goals in Wild's 3-2 loss to Stars
Dallas evened the series at two gales each, scoring power plays goals after two controversial penalties on Marcus Foligno. "It's a joke," he said afterward.
From wedding invites to playoff foes, Wild's Klingberg knows Stars
The former Dallas defenseman was an offensive catalyst in Friday's Game 3 victory. "We'll chat in two weeks," he said of his friends and former teammates.
'Yeah, I like skating': Johansson's dazzling speed fueling Wild
Marcus Johansson has fresher legs in his second stint in Minnesota and has clicked on a line with Matt Boldy.
Eriksson Ek's status? Wild expect to know more Sunday
Coach Dean Evason said the team didn't know if Eriksson Ek reinjured himself in Game 3.
Wild vs. Dallas, Game 4 preview: Lead after three games is a rarity
The Wild held the Stars to a lower-than-normal 24 shots in winning Game 3.
Wild return serve, blow out Stars at Xcel to take 2-1 series lead
Mats Zuccarello scored twice and goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves in his return to the crease as the Wild dominated at home.
Eriksson Ek returns for Game 3 but exits on first shift
Joel Eriksson Ek, who had been out with an injury since April 6, lasted only 19 seconds against Dallas before leaving down the tunnel toward the dressing room.
Evason: Getting top two centers back for Game 3 would be big
Wild coach Dean Evason on having Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman ready to play Dallas tonight: "All positions are important, clearly. But when you have your arguably 1-2 center icemen out, it's difficult, right?"
Which Wild team will show up: Game 1 sizzlers or Game 2 fizzlers?
Game 2's lopsided loss in Dallas wasn't the first time the Wild haven't played like they're supposed to play. But the more identity crises they have, the costlier they get.
Wild didn't surprise Dallas coach by starting Fleury in goal
The move was a surprise to many after Filip Gustavsson played well in Game 1's double-overtime victory.
Wild return to St. Paul with Dallas series tied 1-1
The next two games will be played at Xcel Energy Center before shifting back to Dallas for Game 5.
Gustavsson sits after record-setting opener, Sundqvist returns to action
Marc-Andre Fleury gave up seven goals on 31 shots in a 7-3 defeat, for a .773 save percentage after Filip Gustavsson set a team postseason record with 51 saves in Game 1.
Fleury starts in goal, calls play 'embarrassing' in 7-3 Game 2 loss
The Wild switched goalies and it didn't go well against Dallas. But Marc-Andre Fleury's play wasn't the only thing that went wrong for Minnesota the loss to Dallas that evened the series.
Wild-Dallas Game 2 recap
The Wild gave up seven goals, a franchise record for the most allowed in a playoff game.
Stars' Pavelski out for Game 2 after Dumba hit; Wild call up Walker
Sammy Walker is being recalled from Iowa because of uncertainty surrounding the status of several players. Ryan Reaves said the Wild needs to outmatch Dallas' intensity: "They're going to come out swinging,"
'Built for this.' Wild comfortable with chaos, rough stuff in playoff opener
From the get-go, the urgency of the postseason was palpable, but the Wild skated as they did in February and March during the double-overtime victory over Dallas in Game 1.
After big hit, Dumba ready to be bad guy when Wild, Stars play tonight
After delivering a hard hit to Dallas' Joe Pavelski in Game 1, Wild defenseman Matt Dumba embraced the crowd's reaction and stood up to physical play by the Stars.
Hartman's double-OT goal wins for Wild, ending team's longest game
It was 1 a.m. this morning when Ryan Hartman flipped the puck past Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger to end a battle of superb goaltending. For the Wild, Filip Gustavsson set a franchise playoff record with 51 saves.
Gustavsson gets first playoff start — and sets Wild franchise record
The choice between Filip Gustavsson and veteran Marc-Andre Fleury didn't become official until Gustavsson led the Wild onto the ice for pregame warmups.
Wild vs. Dallas, Game 1 recap
Ryan Hartman, Filip Gustavsson and Jake Oettinger all earned stars in a lengthy playoff opener.
Evason keeps Wild's Game 1 lineup vs. Dallas tinged with mystery
The Wild are keeping their Game 1 lineup vs. the Stars under wraps. But there was a hint in practice about who would be the starting goalie.
After season of struggles, can Foligno give Wild needed playoff boost?
There was a string of nagging injuries and of the demise of his longtime line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Jordan Greenway. But Marcus Foligno is the prototypical playoff performer whose play can shape a series.
Wild's Nyquist takes little time to get up to playoff speed
A shoulder injury limited Gustav Nyquist to three games after his Feb. 28 trade to the team, but he was productive as soon as he hit the ice.
Kaprizov looking for wins vs. scoring goals in playoffs
Typically the Wild and Kirill Kaprizov's offensive output go hand-in-hand but the star winger says team victories are better than individual accolades.
Boldy becomes a scoring leader as Wild enter the NHL playoffs
The 22-year-old got a big contract in January, and was one of the league's hottest players in March in the absence of Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov.
After not winning playoff series since '15, these Wild built differently
Last year's run-and-gun team fizzled in the playoffs, so this year's team learned how to win the close games. Game 1 of the playoffs is Monday at Dallas.
Dumba and the Wild. Is their time together close to an end?
On an expiring contract and with the Wild facing an offseason budget crunch, Matt Dumba could be beginning the last leg of his career with the team. He's trying not to think about it.
Gaudreau gets five-year deal as Wild end regular season with loss
Because the Wild were locked in third place earlier in the week, their last game before the playoffs had no bearing on the standings. But that's not how Frederick Gaudreau played.
Wild leave seven behind for final regular-season game in Nashville
Seven veterans didn't make the trip and two players, including former UMD star Nick Swaney, will make their NHL debut after being called up from Iowa.
Hartman suspended for Wild's final regular-season game after illegal hit
While Ryan Hartman can return for Game 1 of the playoffs, the Wild have injury issues with a couple other key players on their roster.
Wild's shot at Central title disappears in 3-1 loss to Jets
Winnipeg locked up the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Wild lost their fourth game in their past six to finish third in the Central Division.
Wild face Predators to conclude productive season on the road
A victory in Nashville could tie the 2006-07 season for third-most points in franchise history and tie the team mark for road points.
After uneven season, Wild's Hartman enters playoffs with confidence
The winger has had ups and downs but looks to shine again on a line with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello.
Foligno looks for fight, Johansson finds late goals rallying Wild to win
The Wild trailed Chicago, which is tied for fewest points in the NHL, late in the third period when Marcus Foligno responded to an opponent with fists and Marcus Johansson scored two quick goals in the 4-2 victory.
Monday's Wild-Chicago game recap
Former Gopher Brock Faber had a team-high 21 minutes, 49 seconds of ice time in his NHL debut.
Gameday preview: Wild wrap home regular season slate vs. Jets
The Wild return home to face a Winnipeg team that has yet to beat them this season.
Streaking from the U to the NHL, Faber debuts for 'banged up' Wild
About 48 hours after playing in the men's Frozen Four title game, Brock Faber debuted for the Wild, who were missing four key players.
Fighting through setbacks, Shaw named Wild's Masterton nominee
The 24-year-old winger suffered his fourth ACL tear on April 1 after sticking in the NHL for good this season. Mason Shaw's resiliency is what led to being nominated for the award.
Wild sign Gophers captain Faber; he'll be in Chicago for Monday's game
Hours after the gut-wrenching loss in the championship game at the NCAA men's Frozen Four, the former Gophers captain signed a three-year, entry-level contract.
Pair of Iowa callups joining the Wild in Chicago
Forwards Marco Rossi and Nic Petan got promoted against one of the NHL's worst teams.
Gustav Nyquist returns from injury, makes Wild debut
It's his first action since being acquired in a trade with Columbus, but he's worked hard to acclimate himself with his new teammates.
Wild reach 100 points with 5-3 victory over Blues
The Wild had been 0-2-1 in their past three games before Saturday night's victory, which included a pair of shorthanded goals.
Saturday's Wild-St. Louis game recap
With the victory, the Wild reached 100 points on the season for the sixth time in franchise history.
Kaprizov will return to Wild lineup, but Eriksson Ek is week-to-week
Kirill Kaprizov has missed the past month because of a lower body injury. Joel Eriksson Ek was hurt blocking a shot in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Blues on a hot streak despite playoffs elimination
St. Louis will miss the playoffs this season for the first time since 2017-2018.
Eriksson Ek, Sundqvist hurt as Wild drop 3rd straight in loss to Penguins
This is the Wild's longest losing skid since they went 0-3 coming out of the All-Star break two months ago, and they held a team meeting after the 4-1 defeat.
Gaudreau staring down Wild shootout goal record with career year
Center Frederick Gaudreau tied the franchise record of eight, set by Mikko Koivu in 2006-07, on Monday against Vegas.
Wild plays at Pittsburgh as three-team race atop Central resumes
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in goal for the Wild against his former teammates as the team seems to return to sole possession of first place in the division.
