The Minnesota Wild made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025. And they put in a decent account of themselves, pushing the Vegas Golden Knights to six games in round one. General manager Bill Guerin will look to build on this in NHL Free Agency this summer.
Some teams have many areas they could improve upon once the market opens. However, the Wild are a bit different. While they can address multiple areas, their major roster flaw is crystal clear. Minnesota is in desperate need of top-six forward depth. Specifically, they could use a center.
Marco Rossi has emerged as one of the brightest young centers in the NHL. However, he is a restricted free agent this summer. Minnesota needs to sign him to a new contract, but Rossi’s future with the Wild is in doubt for a myriad of reasons.
Even if Rossi re-signs, a center is needed this summer. There are a number of trade options, to be fair. Minnesota has $15 million of dead salary cap space coming off the books. And this could be used to take on a star center through trade.
However, there is one name in NHL Free Agency that makes sense for the Wild. Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene has proven to be one of the best value signings in the league over the last two seasons. This summer, he is seeking stability, and Minnesota should give it to him.
What Matt Duchene Could Give Wild
Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesMatt Duchene could solve one of the Minnesota Wild’s major roster flaws this summer.
Duchene was bought out by the Nashville Predators at the end of the 2022-23 season. This move coincided with new general manager Barry Trotz overhauling Nashville’s roster. He hit NHL Free Agency that summer, where he signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars.
He signed another one-year deal with the Stars last summer. In total, he has made $6 million during his time with Dallas. And it has turned into amazing value for the Stars. Duchene has scored 55 goals and 147 games across 162 games.
Duchene can work with the supporting cast in Minnesota. If he anchors the second line, he has the chance to feed the likes of Matt Boldy. If he receives top line minutes, he can feed superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov.
Duchene gives Minnesota quality depth in case of injuries in the top-six. He may not become a point-per-game player in the latter stages of his career. Still, there is a lot of quality hockey left for Duchene in these next few seasons.
What Duchene Will Prioritize in NHL Free Agency
As mentioned, Duchene has signed one-year contracts in each of the last two seasons. This has worked for the veteran forward, as he found a great situation in Dallas. However, it’s unlikely he will settle for a one-year deal in 2025 NHL Free Agency.
“If I end up somewhere else, it would be hard,” he said after the Stars were eliminated from the playoffs, via NHL.com’s Taylor Baird. “I’m a relationship person. That’s who I am. I’ve made a lot of great relationships here with the guys. … I think at this point as a family, my kids are getting to the point where you’re looking for some stability, so one-year deals are tough.
“I don’t know what’s going to transpire. I’ll have to wait and see what’s out there. I feel like hopefully I’ve put myself in a good position. I’ve really enjoyed being here and I think I’ve gotten great feedback about things, so hopefully we can continue to move forward.”
Duchene is a good fit for what the Wild are looking to add this summer. However, he is going to need stability for his family. Minnesota would be wise to sign the veteran forward no matter the cost in 2025 NHL Free Agency.
1 Player Wild Must Sign in 2025 NHL Free Agency