The 26^th team in our installment in 32 thots is the Minnesota Wild. Ran by Big Alex, he treats his team like a BRBL team; thinks he cannot trade draft picks to get better immediately. Al finds his team at a stalemate, sitting at 7th in the Central Division with a 23-29-5 record. Their offense has been a major issue, ranking 26th in goals for (2.42 GF per game), while their defense hasn't been much better, allowing 3.18 goals against per game (23rd overall). Special teams haven't been a strong point either—the power play (17.95%) is ranked 21st, and their penalty kill (79.51%) is 24th, showing inconsistency on both sides of special teams.

Forwards:

• Key Players: Kirill Kaprizov, Kevin Fiala, Joel Farabee, David Perron, Kevin Hayes
• Depth Players: Tyler Johnson, Dominic Toninato, Brett Seney, Jujhar Khaira, Jakub Lauko, Samuel Walker
• Scratched Players: Ryan Dzingel

Grade: C

Your forward group is carried by Kirill Kaprizov, who is an elite offensive threat and one of the best players in the league. Kevin Fiala and Joel Farabee are strong complementary wingers who can produce at a high level. David Perron and Kevin Hayes provide valuable veteran experience and secondary scoring.

However, depth is a concern. Tyler Johnson and Dominic Toninato are decent role players, but they aren’t high-impact forwards. Jakub Lauko and Samuel Walker are unproven, and your scratched forward, Ryan Dzingel, is past his prime.

Defense:

• Key Players: Seth Jones, Adam Pelech, Erik Brannstrom, Alexandre Carrier
• Depth Players: Jackson LaCombe, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Haydn Fleury
• Scratched Players: Dan Renouf

Grade: C

Your defensive core is solid but not elite. Seth Jones and Adam Pelech are a strong top pair, but Jones’ contract and inconsistent play are concerns. Pelech is a reliable shutdown defender but doesn’t provide much offensive upside.

Erik Brannstrom and Alexandre Carrier are young, puck-moving defensemen, but neither has proven they can be true top-pairing guys. Trevor van Riemsdyk and Haydn Fleury are decent depth options, but neither will significantly impact games.

Goaltending:

• Goalies: Joonas Korpisalo, Spencer Martin
• Scratched Goalies: None

Grade: C+

Joonas Korpisalo is an average starter—he’s inconsistent and not a true No. 1 goalie. Spencer Martin is a backup at best and not a long-term solution. You lack a franchise goaltender, which hurts your chances in a deep playoff run.

Prospect Pool:

• Top Prospects: Danila Yurov, Aleksi Heimosalmi, Jack Peart, Vadim Moroz, Tristan Lennox
• Other Notable Prospects: Jordan Gustafson, Patrik Hamrla, Semyon Chistyakov, Daniil Sobolev, Jack Devine

Grade: C+

Danila Yurov is your best forward prospect, and he has top-six potential. Aleksi Heimosalmi and Jack Peart are strong defensive prospects who could develop into NHL regulars. Tristan Lennox is a potential future goalie, but he isn’t a surefire No. 1 yet.

Your depth prospects are solid, but you don’t have any generational talents in the pipeline.

Draft Capital & Future Outlook:

• Notable Picks:
• 2025 1st (MIN, NYI), 2026 1st (MIN)
• Multiple second-round and later-round picks

Grade: C+

You have multiple first-round picks in 2025 and 2026, which gives you flexibility to draft or trade for immediate upgrades. Your draft capital is one of your biggest strengths.

Verdict: Your future is in good shape with multiple first-round picks.

Your team is competitive but not elite. Kaprizov, Fiala, and Farabee give you a strong offensive foundation, and your defense is solid. However, goaltending is a major concern, and your depth forwards aren’t strong enough for a deep playoff run.

How to Improve:

1.     Find a franchise goalie—you won’t win long-term with Korpisalo and Martin.

2.     Consider trading a first-round pick for a proven elite defenseman.

3.     Use your draft picks wisely to add high-end talent to your roster.

Final Verdict: C+

Your team is a few pieces away from being a serious contender. If you fix goaltending and improve your depth, you could become competitive next season. Without being active or engaging in trade talks, the value of your franchise will continue to dip.