The Wild will open the season on January 14th at Los Angeles to face the Kings. Wild GM, Bill Guerin, said that the roster as it sits today is how they will enter training camp with no additions via signings or tryouts expected.
It is going to be a much different season for obvious reasons as every game played will be a division battle and rivalries are going to be extended and in some cases created during this 56 game race to finish in the top 4 in the division.
For the Wild the roster is dramatically different with many new faces with the most notable being Kirill Kaprizov, the highly talented Russian winger who's arrival has been long awaited by Wild faithful. The roster is in transition for certain, however, the goal is to be competitive and ultimately scratch their way into playoffs.
It will not be easy by any stretch given the question marks surrounding the center position with Marcus Johansson penciled in as the team's top pivot and Joel Eriksson Ek slotted in the number 2 role. Marco Rossi could obviously alter that if he is able to make the team and stick for the duration of the season.
Rossi does have the advantage of the Wild roster and their lack of center depth. He will be given every opportunity to show that he can make it and if he does it would be foolish to think he is going to be relegated to the fourth line.
Of course having Rossi make the team and have success would have an immediate impact on the aforementioned Kirill Kaprizov and or Kevin Fiala, whichever winger he were to be teamed with. Now that is totally putting the cart in front of the horse but food for thought.
Joel Eriksson Ek is one of the NHLs best shut down centers while his offense has only come in small doses so far to date. JEE will be given a larger offensive role for the first time in his Wild career, and the first thought is Eriksson Ek capable of delivering?
JEE does have offensive talent and given the opportunity to take on top 6 minutes as well as the advantage of playing with a skilled winger like Kaprizov or Fiala hopefully will untapped that scoring potential from the former first round pick.
A little over a week to go before the team reports on January 3rd and then only 11 days to prepare for the first game. No preseason games to assess a team with so many new faces makes Dean Evason's job along with his staff all that much more crucial. Lots of scrimmages can only go so far in determining your own talent, while not being able to assess how they may stack up to at least some of the opposition, that preseason games would permit.
Wishing you all the very best during the Holidays and peace on earth.
Looking forward to the World Juniors and right around the corner the Wild NHL 56-game sprint.