The 2023 24 NHL season starts Oct. 10. With training camps underway, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, inside scoop on roster questions, and projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Minnesota Wild.Coach: Dean Evason fifth season Last season: 46 25 11; third in Central Division, lost to Dallas Stars in Western Conference First Round3 KEYS1. Goaltending splitLast season, Marc Andre Fleury started 45 regular season games for the Wild, and Filip Gustavssonstarted 37. Fleury, who will turn 39 in November, went 24 16 4 with a 2.85 goals against average Kalem Parker Jersey, .908 save percentage and two shutouts. Gustavsson, 25, went 22 9 7 with a 2.10 GAA, .931 save percentage and three shutouts and was rewarded with a three year, $11.25 million contract $3.75 million average annual value on July 31. Although Gustavsson has never played 40 games in an NHL season before, he should this season with Fleury, a future Hall of Famer, entering the final year of his contract.2. Replacing Dumba, othersThe Wild lost defensemen Matt Dumba Arizona Coyotes and John Klingberg Toronto Maple Leafs , centers Gustav Nyquist Nashville Predators , Sam Steel Dallas Stars and Oskar Sundqvist St. Louis Blues , and forward Ryan Reaves Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency. The only player acquired this offseason who is expected to be in the opening night lineup is forward Pat Maroon, who likely will take over the bottom six role previously held by Reaves. As a result, some forwards from last season will need to step up, and defenseman Brock Fabershould get a shot after playing eight NHL games six in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.3. Ending playoff woesQualifying for the postseason hasn't been a problem for Minnesota, which has done so in four straight seasons and 10 of the past 11. However, the Wild haven't advanced to the second round since 2015, so just making the playoffs this season won't be enough. Minnesota Wild 2023 24 Season Preview ROSTER RUNDOWNMaking the cutOf the 12 forwards who will likely be in the opening night lineup, 11 played with Minnesota last season other than Maroon, who was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2 , and nine of those 11 played at least 50 games Marcus Johansson played in 20 after being acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Feb. 28; Marco Rossiplayed in 19. However, Jujhar Khaira, who signed a one year, two way contract with the Wild on Sept. 17, could be a depth forward after he had 14 points six goals, eight assists in 51 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. On defense, Alex Goligoskiappears the odd man out barring injury. The 38 year old played in 46 games with Minnesota last season after playing in 72 in 2021 22.Most intriguing additionThe Wild only added one player of note in free agency https://www.wildprostore.com/joseph-cramarossa-jersey, and that was Maroon. Acquired for a seventh round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Maroon 6 foot 3, 234 pounds is a three time Stanley Cup champion and led the NHL with 150 penalty minutes last season. He could play on a line with Marcus Foligno, Minnesota's other big, physical forward 6 3, 226 , or he could play on the fourth line and provide protection for a young player like Rossi.Biggest potential surpriseFrederick Gaudreau had 38 points, including an NHL career high 19 goals, in 82 games last season, but he could be in line for an even bigger season in 2023 24. The 30 year old's NHL career high in points is 44, which he set in 2021 22, but Gaudreau plays in all situations he had three power play goals and four short handed goals last season and could be used in a top six role this season, giving him the opportunity to surpass 50 points.Ready to contributeIt's hard to believe that Rossi is still looking for his first NHL goal. Selected by Minnesota with the No. 9 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the 22 year old has dealt with health issues, which delayed his NHL debut until January 2022. Last season Jonas Brodin Jersey, Rossi had one assist in 19 games, but the offensive potential is there. He had 120 points 39 goals, 81 assists in 56 games with Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League in 2019 20, and 104 points 34 goals, 70 assists in 116 games with Iowa of the American Hockey League over the past two seasons.Fantasy sleeperRossi, C undrafted on average in fantasy He averaged nearly a point per game in the AHL last season 51 points; 16 goals, 35 assists in 53 games and will be a rookie to monitor, especially if he works his way into the top six and sees time on the power play, where he could gain exposure from forwards Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello and or Matt Boldy. Anna Dua Discussing the performance of the Wild PROJECTED LINEUPKirill Kaprizov Ryan Hartman Mats ZuccarelloMarcus Johansson Joel Eriksson EkMatt BoldyConnor Dewar Frederick Gaudreau Marcus FolignoPat Maroon Marco Rossi Brandon DuhaimeJake Middleton Jared SpurgeonJonas Brodin Brock FaberJon Merrill Calen AddisonFilip GustavssonMarc Andre Fleury Related Content Wild unveil new 'The 78's' alternate uniforms for this seasonSep 23, 2023Inside look at Minnesota WildAug 15, 2023

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