Team: 2023-24 Minnesota Wild

Initial Creation Date: May 2, 2023

Published: May 2, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Suter & Parise buyouts are at the harshest $14.7 Mil of dead cap. If the cap is $83.5mil the Wild lose net $1mil in space from 2022-23. This means the Wild will need to rely on entry level contracts in order to survive.

First thing hurdle is how to handle Gustavsson. The Wild need to make a choice between resigning Gustavsson or Addison and Steel. (The only way they don't resign Gus is if they believe after one year in the AHL Wallstedt is ready to be a NHL no. 1.) The most likely path is resigning Gus and a 3x3.5 is probably the most we can afford to spend. Addison needs a change of scenery its clear he and Evason don't get along but he was strong on the power play and is young so I think a 2nd round pick from a team that has a few isn't too much of an ask. Steel could be retained at a similar Cap hit but his one way contract will make it very difficult cap wise to make roster moves. He proved he has a 3rd/ 4th line center role on a team w/ cap issues.

Second task will be addressing the hole left by Dumba in the top 4. After his play in the playoffs I think its safe to pencil in Faber in his spot, which leaves Merrill and Goligoski as 3rd pair w/ the potential of another entry level D. I think S. Johansson has some Offensive upside that makes him an intriguing option, but any two way under a mil contract will do. Now if Evason is willing to playing Goligoski I like him w/ Faber and S. Johansson w/ Brodin giving a fairly balanced 6 w/ the option to add Merrill against bigger teams but if they aren't going to play him, move him w/ our cap situation $2mil in the press box is unacceptable, bring in someone they will play. Ian Cole was liked when he was here he adds physicality and his ask price will most likely be silimar to Goligoski's current cap hit.

Third is to fill out the forwards, its time to give Rossi the sink or swim he starts 1c between Zucc's and Kaprivoz, Hartman moves to wing on the third line w/ Gaudreau and Foligno. Ek centers Boldy and M. Johansson on second line, and Dewar centers Duhaime and ??? Fogarty is interesting he gives the line more of a scoring touch and has a two way contract but if Reaves is willing to come back at a million a year he could work here as well.

The 2023-24 roster looks like a bubble wild card team that will get bounced in the first round....

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