Post by Minnesota Wild on Nov 21, 2024 11:12:20 GMT -6
Welcome to the twelfth edition of Wild Times
Well it is no secret, the Minnesota Wild are in a full fledged rebuild, and it is evident by their current place of bottom 5 in the league. After back to back disappointing seasons in the past two years, where management and ownership held high expectations to compete, the results just were never there. "At some point you have to accept that we can't keep sending the same team out and expecting different results." Wolf said.
The Wild tore down their team and re-designed their long term strategy. Shipping out as many complimentary players for picks, building through the draft and utilizing their finances. Going from one of the worst teams in terms of money to one of the best - a reason they were able to add yet another 1st round draft pick in the upcoming draft for cash considerations. "It helps when you have the lowest payroll in the league, it helps you accumulate money a lot quicker."
Minnesota now boasts 5 1st round draft picks, which currently leads the league, as they will look to add even more young talent on top of their already impressive draft haul in 2024 led by top prospects Catton, Parascak, and Luchanko. The on ice product may be floundering, but it's clear to see that the Wild are slowly building a strong foundational base to be competitive again in 3-4 years. They will continue to ride out the tides and stay on course to what they ultimately want to achieve.
Many teams have called asking for the availability of Mackinnon, Seider, Oettinger all core pieces with the team, but GM Eric Wolf reiterates none of his core players are for sell. "We aren't selling our core guys - yes this is a rebuild, but I don't believe in stripping it down to the very core. When we start to compete again you want your leaders here who have gone through the rebuild with you. If we dealt our core, in 3-4 years you're back trying to find players of this caliber again. So we'd prefer not to put ourselves in that position. We have the star talent now, let's keep it and build around them instead of completely stripping everything down." Wolf admitted.
It'll continue to be a long season for the Wild as they struggle to get wins, but one thing is for sure it is easier to accept the tough times when it's by design of a rebuild, at least Wolf has an excuse this time for the losing record!
Well it is no secret, the Minnesota Wild are in a full fledged rebuild, and it is evident by their current place of bottom 5 in the league. After back to back disappointing seasons in the past two years, where management and ownership held high expectations to compete, the results just were never there. "At some point you have to accept that we can't keep sending the same team out and expecting different results." Wolf said.
The Wild tore down their team and re-designed their long term strategy. Shipping out as many complimentary players for picks, building through the draft and utilizing their finances. Going from one of the worst teams in terms of money to one of the best - a reason they were able to add yet another 1st round draft pick in the upcoming draft for cash considerations. "It helps when you have the lowest payroll in the league, it helps you accumulate money a lot quicker."
Minnesota now boasts 5 1st round draft picks, which currently leads the league, as they will look to add even more young talent on top of their already impressive draft haul in 2024 led by top prospects Catton, Parascak, and Luchanko. The on ice product may be floundering, but it's clear to see that the Wild are slowly building a strong foundational base to be competitive again in 3-4 years. They will continue to ride out the tides and stay on course to what they ultimately want to achieve.
Many teams have called asking for the availability of Mackinnon, Seider, Oettinger all core pieces with the team, but GM Eric Wolf reiterates none of his core players are for sell. "We aren't selling our core guys - yes this is a rebuild, but I don't believe in stripping it down to the very core. When we start to compete again you want your leaders here who have gone through the rebuild with you. If we dealt our core, in 3-4 years you're back trying to find players of this caliber again. So we'd prefer not to put ourselves in that position. We have the star talent now, let's keep it and build around them instead of completely stripping everything down." Wolf admitted.
It'll continue to be a long season for the Wild as they struggle to get wins, but one thing is for sure it is easier to accept the tough times when it's by design of a rebuild, at least Wolf has an excuse this time for the losing record!
