The Wild finally had clarity.
These players, most of whom had been here the entire season, would be the ones to close out the season for the Wild.
No one was leaving to a different organization, and external help wasn't on the way.
Whether the team would make the playoffs or fall short would depend on this group.

And the Wild responded to that message delivered Monday by General Manager Bill Guerin by inching closer to a playoff spot, holding on for a 5-4 win Tuesday over the Blue Jackets at Xcel Energy Center that moved the team within three points of the second wildcard berth in the Western Conference.
"Right now, we're in a pretty good spot, so we know what we have to do," winger Kevin Fiala said. "We believe. We know it's going to be us, especially now with the deadline [over]. We're happy to stay with this group and just to continue with this group moving forward."
As the Wild reconvened Tuesday, interim coach Dean Evason didn't feel a stressful or anxious vibe from the players.
He did notice that they went about their business, which was the natural approach to take after Guerin had a quiet deadline – not making any moves despite being in talks to trade winger Zach Parise.