How Will The Minnesota Wild Spend Their $20 Million+ Cap Space This Summer?

The Minnesota Wild are finally coming out of the cap hell that they have been dealing with since buying out both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The buyouts cost the team over $14 million in cap space per season and will drop to under $2 million after this season. Along with the cap ceiling rising for next season to over $95 million, that is a huge change and opportunity that the Wild have in front of them.

What has been great to see is this team battle through not only having that much cap space unavailable to use on their roster, but battle through so many key injuries. They had a stellar start to the season before health started to become a concern, and gave themselves a big enough cushion that they have a good chance of making the playoffs this season.

Taking contract extensions and free agents into account, the Wild should have over $20 million to spend on upgrading their roster. This takes into account the 10 forwards, five defensemen, and two goalies. I expect Brendan Gaunce and potentially Vinnie Hinostroza to be pushed out of the lineup next season, so give or take two forwards.

The biggest concern is signing Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old has earned top-6 money and centers are important. Around $7 million would be fair. That still gives the Wild over 2/3 of their remaining cap, and I expect GM Bill Guerin to use as much as possible if the players are available.

Declan Chisholm should also get signed, but not to a huge amount. David Jiricek, Carson Lamobs, and David Spacek should also get attention in training camp along with Zeev Buium if he turns pro.

With the futures of veterans Marcus Johansson and Gustav Nyquist in question, it's fair to say that if the Wild can target free agents like Brock Boeser or Nikolaj Ehlers, they should and likely will do so. Those two are two of the top UFA options and with the Wild being contenders almost every year, it makes the team a more attractive option for players looking to get paid and have a chance to win.

It wouldn't be the worst idea for the Wild to have a little cap space left over for mid-season trades or a bigger deadline move, but they have to make sure they remain in contention all the way through. This team is on the rise and I even expect Minnesota to have some conversations with Kirill Kaprizov about a long-term massive extension this summer when he's eligible to re-sign.

I don't expect the Wild to target any RFAs with offer sheets, but nothing is off the table. The Wild are going to be a team to watch at all points this offseason as they are gearing up for some big seasons to come and have the space to make it happen.