Five pressing questions for Wild training camp

After a long offseason, with very few additions and notable subtractions, it’s finally over. Kevin Fiala, Cam Talbot Dmitry KulikovWild Training Camp is now open

Players reported Wednesday and the first on-ice sessions will be held Thursday.

Camp will host fifty-eight participants22 were promoted by the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, Chicago last week.

Many practice sessions are open to the public and are free. Here’s the current training camp schedule,It is always possible for things to change. Here’s the link to reserve ticketsTraining camp and season-long practices

Before we jump into training camp talk, these are some stories you might have missed this summer.

Looking forward now, let’s take a look at the biggest questions the Wild must answer in training camp:

1. Can Guerin steal a forward from a cap-strapped group?

Why not bury the leade? This is the greatest question camp has. Kulikov was traded by the Wild, which resulted in $2.25 million of cap space being freed up. The Wild now technically have $5.7million with which to spend.

In the team’s mind, that number is really lower, because with Jordan Greenway Jon Merrill not expected to start the season, there’s theoretically room for four roster hopefuls to make the team: a sixth and seventh defensemen (one perhaps being Calen Addison), a 13th forward and, if he earns a spot, center Marco Rossi.

However, with the season opening with a four-game homestand and AHL Iowa so close, the Wild don’t necessarily have to put a seventh defenseman and 13th forward on the roster (barring injury) until they head out for a five-game road trip in late October.

To be able afford call-ups, the Wild will need at least $1,000,000 in cushion.

General manager Bill Guerin’s plan is transparent.

NHL teams must be cap compliant — below the $82.5 million ceiling — by opening night Oct. 11. There are many teams that fall within the cap or higher. There are also teams who have too many forwards.

Guerin’s hope is that as the season creeps closer and these teams become more desperate, he’ll be able to snag a quality forward, preferably a scorer who can help replace the 85 points lost by dealing Fiala to the Los Angeles KingsYou can either pay very little or get the entire package for free.

These teams could be at risk Florida, Edmonton, Dallas, Montreal, Boston, Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington, Toronto, Columbus Vancouver.

Also, there could be some very interesting players on waivers next month.

2. How does the line work?

Unless, of course, something has changed. The AthleticEvason and I sat down last week, the Wild’s prolific top line from 2021-22 of Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman Mats ZuccarelloIt will remain intact.

Greenway is on the shelf so who takes his place on the left? Joel Eriksson Ek Marcus Foligno?

There will be a lot of experimentation in camp, but Evason said Tyson Jostwill receive the first look. Jost was traded from Colorado. Nico SturmLast season, he didn’t get much time beyond the fourth line. He will have a chance to get more minutes and also play offensively, while the line keeps its identity as a shut-down trio.

We all know Evason’s affinity for Freddy Gaudreau. He believes he is able to play anywhere. After Matt Boldy’s arrival last January, Gaudreau centered a potent line with Fiala and Boldy.

To show Rossi how big of an opportunity they are offering, Gaudreau will likely start training camp on the left wing. Sam SteelBoldy can be found in the middle spot.

Connor Dewar Brandon DuhaimeThe fourth line will be manned by Steel. Steel could fill the spot in the middle of the fourth-line if Rossi makes it. But don’t be surprised if we hear a lot about Nic PetanIn camp, also. The 27-year old center has 154 NHL games experience and could be a candidate to join the team as a 12th, or 13th forward.

Remember, many of the plans could be altered if Guerin’s able to add that forward before the opener.

Wild coach Dean Evason Q&A: On fixing the power play, Marco Rossi, line projections, more #mnwildTraining camp preview. If you’re a Wild fan and ⁦@TheAthletic⁩ subscriber, here’s what ya need to know. Please read!😀 https://t.co/wqTtUywdMP

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 18, 2022

3. How about the defense pairings?

Evason dropped a bit of news in last week’s Q&A when he said the Wild plan to open camp by breaking up the top two defense pairs.

Staples for long-term and off-ice friends Jonas Brodin Matt Dumba won’t open camp together.

Brodin will instead be paired up with a captain Jared SpurgeonDumba will be the first to start. Jake MiddletonLast season, he arrived from San Jose as part of the Kaapo Kahkonen Trade.

“We think that it might give us the opportunity to play Spurge and Brodes against the high-, high-, high-end guys, speed-wise, and then those other two against a little bit more, the grittier, heavier groups,” Evason said.

So we’ll see how that looks.

Merrill hurts Alex GoligoskiIt is possible that Addison will open camp on the right side. It’ll be interesting to see how Addison versus Andrej SustrThe 6-foot-8, right-shot, defenseman with 361 NHL games experience plays in camp

Guerin says that Sustr is the goal. He’s a quality penalty killer, which was a major downfall for the Wild last season. But Addison is a power-play guy, and the Wild’s power play was a disappointment last season, too.

This could prove to be a real camp battle.

4. What PP or PK adjustments can we expect to see?

Evason indicated that we’ll see personnel changes on the power play but not so many schematic changes. Obviously, it’ll be interesting to see how the Wild work in Boldy and newbies like Rossi and Addison. Boldy, Rossi and Addison had good chemistry in Iowa when they played together. They both played the half-wall and the power play. Addison quarterbacked that power play.

These are power-play guys, and they should be seen in camp.

On the penalty kill, Evason indicated that the Wild — passive way too often last season — will be a lot more aggressive. But he also wants his players to stop with desperation clears that don’t get out of the zone and often end up in the back of the net. Part of the design of the Wild’s tweaked penalty kill system will be to give players more passing options inside the defensive zone.

5. Will Rossi be a part of the team?

Rossi was able to have a fairly nondescript training camp last September, which was no surprise. Rossi had to be off the ice for several months because of his previous health scare.

It also led to a very brief offseason for training.

Rossi was able to work hard in the offseason, preparing for camp after scoring nearly a point per match last season in Iowa. He’s so motivated. So motivated, he asked his family to not visit until the end of the season in order to focus on the team.

The Wild want Rossi’s performance in practice and exhibition games to be a highlight of the next few week.

He was given a spot. The door is open. Now it’s on him to take advantage.

Marco Rossi’s NHL dreams await him far away from the serenity and peace of his Austrian basilica.@RussoHockeyThe Wild prospect spoke to me about Kevin Fiala’s replacement, and how it would affect the pride and joy of the entire country.⤵️ https://t.co/eBKPcawNH6

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 16, 2022

To open camp, expect lines and defense pairs

Forward

There are many people vying for these spots Rossi ($863,333), Nic Petean ($762,500), Adam Beckman ($894,167), Mitchell Chaffee ($750,000), Mason Shaw ($750,000), Nick Swaney ($750,000), Joseph Cramarossa ($750,000), Sammy Walker ($855,000), Brandon Baddock ($750,000), Steven Fogarty ($750,000), Damien Giroux ($818,833), Sam Hentges ($855,000), Vladislav Firstov ($925,000), Pavel Novak ($846,667)**.

* Greenway is coming off two offseason surgeries and is expected to miss the start of the season.

** Novak Has been diagnosed with cancerShe has now completed her chemotherapy and is ready to be told. The AthleticOn Sunday, he will be examined in two weeks by doctors.

Guardsmen

There are many people vying for these spotsAddison ($795,000), Sustr ($750,000), Dakota Mermis ($750,000), Joe Hicketts ($750,000), Daemon Hunt ($850,833), Ryan O’Rourke ($866,667), Simon Johansson ($855,000).

* Merrill is coming off offseason surgery and is expected to miss the start of the season.

Goalies

There are many people vying for these spots Zane McIntyre ($750,000), Jesper Wallstedt ($925,000), Hunter Jones ($825,833).

Capacity

Salary-cap hit: $64,018,333

Dead-cap charges (Zach Parise/Ryan Suter): $12,743,588

The 2022-23 Season Salary Cap: $82.5 million

Wild’s cap ceiling: $69,756,412

Salary-cap space:$5,738,079 (excludes roster hopefuls like Rossi and Addison or Sustr)

(Top photo by Jared Spurgeon & Kirill Kaprizov: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today)