Minnesota Wild management and coaches holding their season-ending press conference after the team was knocked out of the playoffs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Avalanche in Denver last week.
It's the first time in 11 years the Wild made it past the first round, a sign of success and improvement for the franchise - but not enough for Wild GM Bill Guerin who thought this team had what it takes to make a real run at a Stanley Cup.
"This one, for me personally, and I know in talking to (head coach) John (Hynes) and talking to some of the players, this is the worst one." Guerin explains. "This one hurts the most because I think there was the reality of, I mean, reality of doing something special."
Guerin spent several minutes thanking Wild fans, who he says are second to none in the NHL and played a big role in keeping the players motivated and energized.
"I just don't think you can put into words what the support, what the energy inside Grand Casino Arena means to the players as the game's going on to us, as management and coaches, because you can feel that you're doing something right," adds Guerin.
He also says they're moving in the right direction and have the talent and cap space to come back even stronger next season.
Still, there are some big decisions that need to be made in the offseason.
Perhaps number one on that list is extending defenseman Quinn Hughes, whom they acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster trade during the season. Hughes was vital for the Wild, and perhaps their most important player during the stretch run of the regular season and in the playoffs.
He’s under contract through the 2026-27 season, but Hughes said he wants to stay long term in Minnesota, and the Wild should try to secure him before he becomes even more expensive or harder to keep as a free agent.
The team could also look at their goaltending situation with both rookie Jesper Wallstedt, and veteran Filip Gustavsson, who signed a five-year, $34 million extension before the season. They split time during the season, but it was Wallstedt who got the playoff reps, starting all but one game.
Guerin could try to move Gustavsson in a trade, and might need to if they want to shore up another important position in the offseason, a top line center. Guerin did disclose in his press conference Monday that Gustavsson does need hip surgery, which might make trading him for valuable assets or a center much more difficult.
