As we are now in the week in which training camps begin, we continue previewing the Blackhawks’ opponents in the Central Division. We’re nearing the top of the division, and the end of our preview series. There have been a lot of players coming and going in the division, and there will likely be more before the start of the regular season in a few short weeks.
So far, we’ve previewed:
Arizona Coyotes
St. Louis Blues
Nashville Predators
Winnipeg Jets
We’re heading back closer to home today in Minnesota, where the Blackhawks’ prospects faced the Wild’s prospects yesterday afternoon. Over this past weekend we got a look at some of the players who might be a factor in our next team’s coming season. Let’s take a look at their NHL roster changes.
Head Coach: Dean Evason
2022-23 Record: 46-25-11 (103 points — 3rd in the Central)
2023 Playoffs: Lost 4-2 to Dallas in the first round
2022-23 Offensive Leaders
Goals: Kirill Kaprizov (40)
Assists: Mats Zuccarello (45)
Points: Kaprizov (75)
Current Cap Hit: ($1,643,079 available cap space)
Roster Additions: Pat Maroon, Vinni Lettieri, Jujhar Khaira
Roster Losses: Gustav Nyquist, Oskar Sundqvist, Ryan Reaves, Matt Du💫mba, Sam Steel, John Klingberg
Prospect Pool Rank (The Athletic):
Key Rookies/Prospects: Ma🌱tt Boldy, Marco Rossi, 🤪Jesper Wallstedt, Charlie Stramel
Outlook
The Wild are in a tough spot financially right now; they’re eating $14,743,588 this season and next season against the cap because of the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. That led to some of the defections being painful ones this summer, and some more tough decisions coming. They don’t have a lot of cap space to work with this season, so it’s going to be important for some of their young players to step into the lineup and contribute.
Minnesota’s first-round playoff exit was a disappointment to end last season. They look to bounce back and compete for a playoff berth at/near the top of the division again this season, but their limited wiggle room means they’ll be banking on internal help.
