Brock Nelson to the Wild? Danila Yurov's arrival? Marco Rossi's future? Ask Russo and Smith

It has been two months since we did a Wild mailbag and several months since we did an ‘Ask Russo and Smith’ mailbag, but with Joe back on the clock, there’s no better time to answer many of your questions.

The Wild have been going through a tough stretch with two months’ worth of significant injuries catching up to them, but Monday afternoon in Denver, the Wild pulled out one of their best road wins of the season by avoiding falling into a wild-card spot by beating the Avalanche without Kirill Kaprizov, Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin and in spite of getting no points from Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi, Mats Zuccarello or Joel Eriksson Ek.

It was sure impressive.

Now the hope is there’s a light at the end of the tunnel on the injury front.

Asked Monday if we could see Kaprizov, Spurgeon and Brodin return to the lineup Thursday against Utah, coach John Hynes said, “Possibly. It’s tough to say now. They’re continuing to progress. Probably have more of an answer on Wednesday when we get back to practice. There’s no one that I’ve been told is definitely in, but they’re all progressing. We’ll have a full team practice Wednesday so that’ll probably tell quite a bit of who might be ready, who might not be.”

Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.

Is it within the realm of possibility for the Wild to sign Danila Yurov toward the end of the regular season like they did with Marat Khusnutdinov last year?

It’s really hard to say. The KHL moved its end date back a month, so Khusnutdinov’s regular season ended Feb. 24, 2024 with Sochi, while Yurov’s ends March 22 with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Then he’ll have the playoffs with a team that has won nine of its last 11 games. The other wrinkle is KHL contracts end May 31 now as opposed to April 30. So if Yurov’s season ended while the Wild’s was still going, the Wild and Yurov’s agent would need to negotiate a release like what was done with Khusnutdinov, which was a rarity. While one would hope Magnitogorsk wouldn’t stand in his way if he asked to be released early, it’s their right to keep him through the end of his contract.

Remember, too, the Wild are in cap hell, so if the regular season is still going on, they’ll need to have enough cap space to sign him. And we’re assuming they already plan to sign Zeev Buium when his sophomore season ends at University of Denver. So it’s just too early to predict.

Yurov, by the way, would be a three-year deal with the first year burned if he signs for this season and a two-year deal if he signs starting next season. And for the record, despite a report saying he’s not willing to sign an extension in the KHL, nothing has been decided from Yurov’s camp regarding next season, a source close to Yurov says. — Russo

GO DEEPER

Q&A with Wild prospect Danila Yurov: Why he’s staying in Russia and when he plans jump to the NHL

Do the Wild need to bring in a goalie to back up Filip Gustavsson next year? How concerned are the Wild regarding Jesper Wallstedt?

As much as this has been a down year for Wallstedt, long considered the team’s goalie of the future, we still think the ideal scenario is he finds his game during the second half and opens next year in a tandem with Gustavsson. The Wild signed Wallstedt to a two-year extension with a $2.2 million cap hit this past summer, perhaps thinking he’d be part of a three-goalie rotation this season (or perhaps worried about a potential offer sheet this summer). There’s no sugarcoating the fact this has been a rough year for Wallstedt, who has a 3.89 goals-against average and .868 save percentage in AHL Iowa and is currently rehabbing from a lower-body injury. He is progressing, by the way, is expected to return somewhat soon, although there’s no specific timetable. He’s talked about struggling mentally after the disappointment of getting sent down and how he’s seen sports psychologists.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

‘I was so lost in my own mind’: Wild’s Jesper Wallstedt opens up about his trying season

While it seems premature to give up on Wallstedt, 22, it’d be prudent for the Wild to pursue some backup plans in case they feel Wallstedt needs more time in Iowa. The problem is there are not many great options in the upcoming free-agent class, which includes Adin Hill, Frederik Andersen and Jake Allen. Hometown kid Charlie Lindgren seems to have found a solid spot in Washington. The Wild would probably try a stopgap for a year, as the Tampa Bay Lightning did in Jonas Johansson, who has been great at a $775K cap hit as backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy. — Smith

Realistically will there be any available cap space left to sign some free agents after a potential Kirill Kaprizov re-signing and a Marco Rossi deal?

They should because Kaprizov’s extension wouldn’t kick in until 2026-27 when the cap should really rise. And I’m hearing in the next few months that all teams will not only know next year’s cap limit but also the year after. Technically, the cap for next season is supposed to be $92.5 million. But it should be more than that.

So let’s just say the cap bumps up to, say, $95-97 million; the Wild will enter this offseason with between roughly $18-20 million in cap space before re-signing Rossi, Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko. Plus, we’ll see if Declan Chisholm is re-upped as an RFA. In my cap guesstimate, I’m assuming $1.1 million in bonus overages for Rossi and Brock Faber, plus Wallstedt, Liam Ohgren and David Jiricek being on the team. I’m not accounting for whether Yurov or Buium make it.

So, yeah, the cap space isn’t infinite, but it would allow for a potential Brock Nelson signing and, truly depending on what happens with Rossi, maybe even somebody like Brock Boeser. It really depends on how negotiations with Rossi go. Frankly, if it goes sideways, a trade isn’t off the table. He’s obviously earned a sizeable AAV whether on a bridge or long-term deal, so it’ll depend on Bill Guerin’s appetite to invest in him as to whether he gets traded or not. There are other ways to free up cap space too, such as investigating the trade market for players like Ryan Hartman and Freddy Gaudreau. — Russo. 

I know you have mentioned the Wild have interest in Brock Nelson. Would there be any chance of a trade sooner rather than later? Or would this likely be a deadline type of deal?

Right now, unless there’s a third-party conduit and/or the Islanders eat a significant portion of his $6 million AAV, we can’t even fathom how a trade gets done. The Wild have no cap space assuming they don’t have a player on season-ending LTIR at some point. There’s also no guarantee the Islanders trade him. Lou Lamoriello has a history of letting guys walk for nothing. (See: Zach Parise.) So, we have to see what the cap space is as we get closer to the deadline. Also, I really think the Wild are signing him this offseason, so how much do you really want to give up for somebody you can get this summer without getting rid of assets? Plus, remember, the Wild traded their 2025 first-round pick already in the Jiricek deal. — Russo

Who are the 3-5 most likely players, current roster players or prospects, that are likely to be moved should Guerin make a trade for Nelson or someone else?

The Wild have so many players with some level of no-trade protection that it’s not like they have a ton of flexibility here. But since they don’t have this year’s first-round pick, they’d have to deal roster players, prospects or a future first-round pick. Any Nelson deadline deal would require some creativity and the Islanders taking on a chunk of his $6 million AAV. We’ve already talked about how Rossi is a trade candidate if he isn’t signed, though that move would likely not happen until the offseason. They could dangle, let’s say, a Riley Heidt in a deal or an Ohgren or Carson Lambos. — Smith.

I know money doesn’t work out this season. But would the Wild be interested in J.T. Miller or Elias Pettersson after this season? What would it take if so?

Honestly, we’d be shocked if the Wild weren’t interested in Miller. Discount all the baggage and perception that he’s a bad locker room guy in Vancouver — Guerin clearly doesn’t buy it because he put him on USA Hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster even while he was on leave for personal reasons and after talking to Miller directly. He’s fiery, he’s an engine, he can score, he can play in the dirty areas and he’s a 58 percent faceoff guy. He’s also cost-controlled for five more seasons at $8 million. The Wild also have an incredible relationship with his agents (who represent Boldy and Faber), he’s pals with Zuccarello and the Wild probably feel like they have the locker room culture to insulate him.

But, as you mentioned, the money doesn’t work in-season. And it sure sounds like a trade is in the works fairly imminently with Elliotte Friedman reporting a possible trade last week with the New York Rangers was suddenly off the table. Now, if Miller isn’t traded by this offseason, I could absolutely see the Wild thinking long and hard about dangling Rossi in a deal for him, especially if Rossi’s looking at an $8 million payday on a long-term deal. — Russo

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Marco Rossi keeps proving himself to Wild brass: ‘I’m not looking to trade him’

Is there any concern from the Wild that Rossi could potentially be offer-sheeted this summer? 

With the cap going up, that makes it more likely. And I never thought Dylan Holloway or Philip Broberg would be offer-sheeted, but that was St. Louis identifying that Edmonton was vulnerable. I don’t see the Wild being nearly that tight, so if Rossi signed an offer sheet elsewhere (which wouldn’t be his style) that team could simply be doing the Wild a favor and negotiating the contract for them. But I do agree re-signing him before July 1 makes the most sense so that doesn’t become an issue. And that’s the wrinkle because Priority No. 1 is Kaprizov and he can’t be extended until after July 1. — Russo

What do you think our defense looks like next year?

The blue line shouldn’t undergo too many changes, assuming Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin are in good health. Jake Middleton has been great, for the most part, after signing his extension last summer. Faber is a cornerstone, and Buium will more than likely join the Wild after DU’s expected playoff run and be a regular next fall (like Faber two years ago). Zach Bogosian, with one year left at $1.25 million, probably stays as a sixth/seventh defenseman — you need depth, especially with how many injuries the Wild have had on the back end. They’ve invested a lot in the trade for Jiricek. So the top six will be Brodin, Faber, Middleton, Spurgeon, Buium and either Bogosian or Jiricek. There’s a chance Chisholm comes back, but with Buium in the mix, we could see him not tendered a qualifying offer. — Smith

Has the way the injuries have been handled with the major players been heavily influenced by two factors: the perceived banked points and also their ability to continue to stay competitive with the major players out?

Sorta yes and no. Guerin has said that if this were the playoffs, Kaprizov could probably play through what he’s got. But right now, they’re clearly on a medical timetable.

They haven’t been transparent about exactly what’s going on with Kaprizov, but at the start, he was indeed day to day with soft tissue soreness. He left town a few times to see specialists and have some stuff done, and he’s been put on a specific timetable by the docs. If you know the way the Wild work injured players back into their lineup, it’s very abnormal that Kaprizov would be skating hard for nearly two weeks without being allowed to return. We’ll see when he practices Wednesday if he’s able to return Thursday.

As for others, like Brodin and Spurgeon’s latest injuries, they just have not been ready to return. Spurgeon is close (maybe Thursday?), while the hope, we believe, is that Brodin can practice Wednesday. We’ll see. — Russo

Who has taken a step forward in Iowa recently and may be an under-the-radar prospect to get games next year?

Assuming Ohgren and Wallstedt aren’t part of this conversation, since they’re not really under the radar. Lambos got a few recalls this year and the first-round pick should get a shot, though not sure he’s ready for full-time yet. Same with David Spacek if they need a right-shot D. Another couple prospects who have made strides are Michael Milne and Caeden Bankier. For as much as the Wild have struggled with their bottom six this past year, it’d make sense at some point to give them a look once they’re ready. Milne brings some speed, versatility and tenaciousness. Bankier has a high hockey IQ, has a strong shot and can play up and down the lineup, at least at the AHL level. Heidt will also turn pro next season and should get games. — Smith

Should Khusnutdinov get a bigger role?

Maybe in Iowa. He has not played a single second of minor-league hockey and maybe spending a few weeks or a month in Iowa would benefit him, especially offensively. He has one goal, three assists and 21 shots in 44 games. Heading into Monday’s NHL action, his expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five of 1.44 was second-worst among all NHL forwards. And blaming this lack of production on being on the fourth line or his linemates is absurd. His faceoff winning percentage was 46.3 — 36.4 on the penalty kill. On the penalty kill, heading into Monday, his on-ice high-danger shot attempts against per 60 minutes (15.03) was by far the worst on the team. His speed is impressive, but he was signed and anointed an NHLer, and we think it would make sense to give him some minor-league time before he requires waivers (20 more games). — Russo

How concerned are you with the injury history of pillar players like Brodin, Spurgeon and Joel Eriksson Ek?

This is a quandary because the reality is they are critical pieces of the team, and we’re seeing just how critical Brodin and Spurgeon are when out of the lineup. It’s just not sustainable to play Chisholm and Bogosian, who has struggled mightily lately, on the second pair or overplay guys like Jiricek, Jon Merrill and Travis Dermott. Heck, Merrill was top pair at one point last week, so this explains why the Wild’s season has taken a turn of late.

Yet since the 2020-21 season, Spurgeon has played 70.49 percent of the Wild’s games. So, on average, he misses 24.2 games per season if you take those two pandemic-shortened seasons and base this on 82-game seasons. In the same period, Brodin has played 79.94 percent of the Wild’s games, meaning an average of 16.45 games missed per season. That means you can bank annually on having to scramble to replace them.

As for Eriksson Ek, there’s no doubt the brand of hockey he plays puts a heavy burden on his body. It’s clear right now with the way he’s playing that he’s not 100 percent. I don’t have the answers because each player is so critical to the Wild’s success. With his age and injury history, I don’t see Spurgeon being easily tradeable, and I still don’t think the Wild would want to trade Brodin. So, they just have to deal with it and cross their fingers. — Russo

How do the Wild like Charlie Stramel’s development? Do you see Stramel staying one more year in college? 

The Wild have been happy with the progress of Stramel’s development this year, as the 2023 first-rounder’s been rejuvenated after a transfer to Michigan State. After a couple tough seasons in Wisconsin, Stramel reconnected with his former USNDTP coach Adam Nightingale and you could tell there was a big difference in his play. Stramel, who scored two goals and an assist three nights ago against Michigan, has already outproduced last season’s total with eight goals and 21 points in 24 games. He’s playing a top-six role in all situations. But it does seem both the Wild and Stramel feel another year in school would be beneficial for the Rosemount native. So it’s expected he’s staying. — Smith

Pipe dream with free agents is Mitch Marner. But who else is a strong FA target?

While Russo saw Mitch Marner at the Minnesota State Fair over the summer hanging with Justin Holl, we don’t think he’s a realistic option for the Wild next summer. Mikko Rantanen would be worth taking a big swing on, though it’s more likely the Colorado Avalanche lock him up. The more realistic scenarios for the Wild are the likes of Nelson and Boeser, with the latter more of an option if Rossi isn’t re-signed or is traded. — Smith

At the halfway mark of the NHL season, what letter grade do you give the Wild for their efforts and record? 

I guess my B-plus midseason grade doesn’t look as controversial now with their recent skid. All kidding aside, the Wild have surpassed the expectations of many, including The Athletic staff. To even be top three in the Central Division position — with all their injuries — is very impressive. But the team’s poor home record (11-10-1) and problems against Western Conference playoff teams (4-10-1) are good reasons to give some pause here. As I’ve told a bunch of people, the most important (and telling) grade will be at the end of the season. — Smith

(Photo of Brock Nelson and Brock Faber: Brace Hemmelgarn / Imagn Images)



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