Recent content from Sarah McLellan
Jiricek, Wallstedt figure into Wild plans for next season
Jiriceck is recovering from lacerated spleen, Wallstedt could slide into spot vacated by retiring Fleury.
Wild boss Bill Guerin has money to use to give team a bump
Top prospect Danila Yurov is expected to come over from Russia; a scoring winger is on Guerin's wish list.
Fleury says his retirement is still sinking in after Wild's playoff exit
Marc-Andre Fleury, one of the most decorated goalies in NHL history, said Monday that it's "still a little unbelievable that it's over."
Gustavsson appreciated Fleury's support, knows next backup will be in rivalry situation
The Wild's starting goaltender had a strong year, but will be competing again for playing time in 2025-26.
All eyes are on Kaprizov's contract situation with Wild offseason underway
The Russian star can become a free agent after next season, but he says he wants to stay and the team finally has salary cap flexibility.
Wild's Rossi admittedly uncertain over future after up-and-down season
Marco Rossi had a career-high 60 points but ended the season centering the fourth line and is a restricted free agent this summer.
A breakdown of the Wild season: In the end, another first-round playoff exit
The Wild piled up enough early points to bank a playoff berth. Then ... history repeated itself.
Wild's season ends with 3-2 Game 6 loss to Golden Knights
Vegas held on for a victory, its third straight one-goal win after falling behind 2-1 in the series.
Live Blog replay: Wild season ends with 3-2 loss to Vegas in Game 6
Ryan Hartman scored twice for the Wild, who lost the best-of-seven series 4-2
A season on the line: Wild face Golden Knights in elimination game
Vegas has a 3-2 lead in the playoff series after Wild's apparent game-winner was wiped away Tuesday. Crushing? No. "It's meant to be," Marcus Foligno said.
Thrill of apparent victory gives way to agony of defeat as Wild lose to Vegas
The Golden Knights won 3-2 in overtime after Ryan Hartman's late goal was waved off because of offside.
Live blog replay: Wild have potential game-winner waved off, lose to Vegas in OT
Brett Howden scored four minutes into the extra period after Ryan Hartman's late third period goal was nullified because of offside.
Wild, Golden Knights head into Game 5 with lots of similarities
One lineup change is possible: Jon Merrill could dress instead of rookie Zeev Buium
'Moose' sightings at Wild games aren't good news for Vegas Golden Knights
Marcus Foligno is setting hits records and scoring goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series.
Wild miss golden opportunity, fall to Vegas 4-3 in overtime in Game 4
Ivan Barbashev got the game-winner as the Golden Knights evened the playoff series 2-2.
Read the replay: Our live blog from Vegas' 4-3 victory over the Wild in Game 4
The Western Conference first-round playoff series is now tied 2-2 with Game 5 set for Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson feels the love from Xcel Energy Center crowd
A spectacular end to Thursday's victory over Vegas has the netminder continuing a streak of solid play.
Kaprizov scores twice, Boldy stays hot as Wild skate past Vegas in Game 3
Filip Gustavsson had 30 saves as the home team took a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff series.
Live Blog Replay: Highlights and key moments in the Wild's Game 3 victory over Vegas
The Wild now lead the Stanley Cup playoffs two games to one, with Game 4 on Saturday in St. Paul.
Matt Boldy's scoring has Wild even in playoff series with Vegas
'Best pass I've ever seen' puts linemate Kirill Kaprizov in the highlight reels.
Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy spark Wild to victory in Vegas
The series heads back to St. Paul after the Wild stole Game 2 from the Golden Knights.
Live from Vegas: Wild beat Golden Knights 5-2
The first-round Stanley Cup playoff series is tied at one with Game 3 Thursday in St. Paul.
Power plays were at a premium in Wild's Game 1 loss to Golden Knights
Vegas was the least-penalized team in NHL history during the regular season, and that trend continued Sunday night in a 4-2 victory over Minnesota.
Wild fall to Vegas 4-2 in playoff series opener
Matt Boldy had two goals for the Wild, but it wasn't enough in a Game 1 loss to the Golden Knights.
Live Blog Replay: Wild fall 4-2 to Vegas in series opener
Brett Howden scored two goals for Vegas, while Matt Boldy had both Wild tallies.
Kaprizov savors the relief of making it back just in time for the playoffs
Injuries cost Wild star Kirill Kaprizov the chance to compete for the MVP award, but he's happy the postseason — "always fun time," as he said — didn't get away.
For Wild's leader, playoff time and payoff time arrive together
Coach John Hynes started teaching what "separates winners from losers" in the preseason, and those lessons and his steady demeanor helped his team persevere.
![Joel Eriksson Ek celebrates his game-tying goal on Tuesday night at Xcel Energy Center.
] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.gonzalez@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4EZUA5C4T5BUJENUDQVI2ONJSE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Returning hero Joel Eriksson Ek leads Wild into NHL playoffs
Joel Eriksson Ek came back from an injury to notch a four-goal game, then a crucial tally in the season finale.
Rookie defenseman seems on track to crack Wild's postseason lineup
Zeev Buium quarterbacked the top power-play unit at the first practice for the Vegas series.
Wild seem completely healthy headed into playoff series against Vegas
A dramatic victory on Tuesday night clinched a playoff berth for a team that has battled injury issues.
Wild rally past Ducks 3-2 in overtime, clinch playoff spot
The Wild will face Vegas in the first round, after a goal by Joel Eriksson Ek with 22 seconds left in regulation guaranteed the team's return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.
Buium is the new kid in school as he has his first practice with Wild
Defenseman Zeev Buium, 19, was in first-day-of-school mode as he settled in with a Wild team cramming for the playoffs.
Wild sign 19-year-old defenseman, and he's expected to make his debut Tuesday in regular-season finale
Zeev Buium, on a three-year contract, arrives as the team needs healthy help.
Wild win in overtime at Vancouver, keep their playoff hopes percolating
Thanks to Mats Zuccarello's game-winner, they could land a playoff spot Sunday if Calgary loses, or they could secure it themselves Tuesday by getting a point against Anaheim.
Wild crash against Flames, shunt their playoff prospects into shaky territory
Minnesota blew Friday's chance to clinch a spot but can secure one Saturday with a win at Vancouver and a regulation loss by the Blues.
Zeev Buium's arrival is eagerly anticipated by Wild fans
After two seasons as a college star, Zeev Buium is set to turn pro, and soon.
As Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury nears retirement, he's soaking in every moment
Wednesday's victory was marked by family moments as Fleury got the start in a home victory.
Eriksson Ek, Kaprizov return from injuries to combine for six goals in Wild's 8-7 OT victory over Sharks
Joel Eriksson Ek scored four goals and Kirill Kaprizov added two more, including the game-winner in overtime, as Minnesota moved closer to locking up a playoff berth.
Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek should return to Wild lineup Wednesday night
The two injured stars were activated before the game against the San Jose Sharks.
Get a clue: Trapped Wild players find off-ice challenge in trying to solve escape rooms
Defensemen Jake Middleton and Jared Spurgeon spearhead the group, which sometimes includes the players' families, and they enjoy the competition against the clock and the camaraderie of working together to get out.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is Wild's nominee for Masterton Trophy
In his final season, the future Hall of Famer is a finalist for a coveted NHL honor.
Wild end four-game skid, strengthen hold on playoff spot with rally for OT win over Stars
Minnesota didn't score until the third period against Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger.
Wild arrive at a desperate time with loss to Islanders
Minnesota has won only once in its past seven games, and its playoff position is threatened.
Return of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek to Wild still uncertain
Two of the team's best players are sidelined as their teammates struggle to get back on track.
Wild drop game to Rangers in overtime, mistakes turning costly over and over
Two turnovers led to goals against the Wild, and a goal they scored was taken down because of a penalty.
Veteran Foligno brings intensity to Wild's revamped first line
The winger uses his physical style to complement linemates as the team hits the stretch run.
Wild salvage a point but fall to Devils in shootout
Matt Boldy scored late in the third period to force overtime, but New Jersey still won both games in the home-and-home series.
Wild sink against Devils, leaving their coach entirely dissatisfied with their effort
The Wild trailed 2-0 early in the first period, and John Hynes was not fooled when they made it a game for a bit.
Where does the Wild stand in the NHL playoff picture?
Wild enter home stretch still hanging in on NHL playoff picture
Wild give nothing to Ovechkin, grab victory over Capitals for themselves
The pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's record went nowhere, and Minnesota added key points in the standings.
Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky's NHL goal record has a stop at the X
The Washington Capitals play the Wild on Thursday in St. Paul.
Wild fall to Golden Knights 5-1 as playoff cushion thins
Jack Eichel scored a hat trick in Vegas' fourth straight victory, and the Golden Knights swept the season series vs. the Wild.
Wild's three-game winning streak ends with shutout loss to Stars
The Wild gave up goals 58 seconds apart late in the second period and couldn't get any of their 32 shots on goal past Jake Oettinger.
Wild's Gaudreau gives, and this is what he gets: 'Hugs when you don't expect hugs — as life should be'
He's at the same time a team mainstay and a supporter of those affected by Down syndrome, including his godson.
Wild defeat Sabres for third win in a row, each tied to Gustavsson's goaltending
The goalie ran his shutout streak to 161 minutes, 49 seconds before Buffalo scored in the third period.
Wild's Gustavsson re-asserts himself as one of NHL's top goalies
In the midst of an excellent streak, he finds the mental challenge more daunting than the physical exertion
Wild prospect finds his way to St. Paul, with Denver for the NCHC Frozen Faceoff
Zeev Buium will have a decision to make when the Pioneers' season ends: Go pro or go back to school?
Wild's revival builds with 4-0 victory over Kraken
Minnesota scored three goals in the first 4:29 and then leaned on a stern performance from goalie Filip Gustavsson.
The Wild take a look around and realize: Not much has been lost amid the losses
After Monday's win over Los Angeles eased some pain, Minnesota still resides in playoff position.
Zuccarello's power-play goal sends Wild past Kings for much-needed victory
The Wild's second power-play goal of the game broke a tie with 4:38 to play.
Wild's scoring issues build, and St. Louis reveals leaks in their defense, too
Minnesota lost for the fourth time in five games and has been held to two goals or fewer in all five.
Wild adopt defensive posture after offense struggles without Kaprizov
With the playoffs a month away, the Wild is starting to play in tight contests because goals are hard to come by.
Wild again find goals hard to come by, fall in overtime to Rangers
Minnesota maintained a recent trend of producing two goals or fewer, and that wasn't enough against New York.
Hartman's sandpaper style is often a bonus for Wild
Gritty center Ryan Hartman is adept at drawing penalties and putting his team on the power play.
Wild make a mark in the shootout after lead escapes late against Avalanche
Minnesota protected its playoff position and moved closer to the third-place spot in the Central that Colorado swiped last week.
Wild begin seven-game homestand with 3-1 loss to last-place Penguins
It was the fourth time in six games that the Wild were held to one goal.
Justin Brazeau had a long day, but made it to Vancouver in time for Wild game
The 27-year-old winger was acquired in a trade from Boston on Thursday night, and made his debut in the Wild's 3-1 loss.
Wild slip late against Canucks, take a hit in the Western Conference standings
Minnesota fell to a wild-card spot and now must chase teams that improved their rosters at the trade deadline.
Wild trade deadline move: Hope Kaprizov returns during regular season
Guerin added physical winger Thursday, but his hands were tied because of salary cap issues.
Wild trade Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko to Boston for Justin Brazeau
Brazeau is a rugged winger in his first full season in the NHL. The Wild also gave up a sixth-round pick.
Wild find a potent mix in second line of Gaudreau, Johansson and Zuccarello
The three scored on their second shift together, and they are now a successful week into the change.
Old friends Hartman, Hinostroza reunited with Wild
The childhood buddies are playing together after Ryan Hartman returned from a suspension and Vinnie Hinostroza came over in a trade.
Wild turn stern and overcome Kraken when penalties cause a crisis
Goalie Filip Gustavsson stood strong against a penalty shot and joined his teammates in killing a penalty in the second period.
Wild ponder options with NHL trade deadline on Friday
The Wild picked up Gustav Nyquist from Nashville, but still needs help for an injury-plagued roster.
Gustav Nyquist happy to be back with Wild for a second stint
The Wild had to adjust their roster to make room for the veteran forward's arrival via a trade with the Predators.
