The Red Wings signed Tarasenko last season to play alongside Patrick Kane, but the experiment didn't last long, with Tarasenko spending portions of the season on the third and fourth lines. The former 40-goal scorer was limited to only 33 points (11G / 22A) in 80 games with the Red Wings. The 33-year-old will hope to re-establish his scoring prowess by playing alongside countryman Kirill Kaprizov.
Bill Guerin announced Saturday that Jonas Brodin is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season after undergoing successful upper-body surgery. The 31-year-old defender missed 32 games in 2024-25 due to injury but still managed to put up an impressive four goals, 20 points, and +10 plus/minus in his 50 games played. His return date remains up in the air until we get closer to the 2025-26 regular season.
Minnesota made a minor trade on Thursday after acquiring winger Cameron Butler from Columbus for forward Brendan Gaunce. Butler is a 23-year-old undrafted right-winger who made his only NHL appearance in 2023-24 with the Blue Jackets. He struggled to produce offensively in 2024-25, only scoring two goals and three points in 37 games played.
Amongst a flurry of different trade rumours, Minnesota has strengthened up their offensive depth on Monday by signing 34-year-old Marcus Johansson to a one-year, $800,000 contract extension. The Swedish winger is entering his 16th NHL season after putting up 11 goals and 34 points in 72 games with the Wild in 2024-25.
Yurov is Minnesota's 2022 1st round pick (24th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. The 21-year-old Russian forward spent 2024-25 with Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) and had 13 goals and 25 points in 46 games played.
Gustavsson exited Game 5 in the 2nd intermission on Tuesday, with Minnesota trailing Vegas 2-1 due to an illness. Minnesota lost the contest 3-2 in overtime, falling behind 3-2 in the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has seemingly recovered from his ailment and will be between the pipes for a must-win Game 6. He has a 2.63 GAA and .919 SV% through five appearances this postseason. Minnesota enters Game 6 as +143 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Gustavsson exited Game 5 in the 2nd intermission on Tuesday, with Minnesota trailing Vegas 2-1 due to an illness. Minnesota lost the contest 3-2 in overtime, falling behind 3-2 in the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has seemingly recovered from his ailment and will likely be between the pipes for a must-win Game 6. He has a 2.63 GAA and .919 SV% through five appearances this postseason. Minnesota enters Game 6 as +143 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Gustavsson exited Game 5 on Tuesday in the second intermission due to an illness with his team trailing 2-1. Marc-Andre Fleury entered the contest in relief and helped his team get to overtime before ultimately losing 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights. Minnesota returns to action for Game 6 on Thursday.
The Wild will unsurprisingly stick with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 5 as they look to take control of their series against the Golden Knights. Gustavsson was unfortunate not to come away with the victory in Game 4, stopping 42 of the 46 shots he faced in the 4-3 overtime loss. The 26-year-old netminder is off to a great start this post-season, posting a .919 SV% across the opening four games. Minnesota enters action on Tuesday at +185 on the money line.
Marcus Johansson (lower body) did not play Minnesota's previous game but will re-enter the lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday, sending Hinostroza to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Hinostroza played 11:57 and was held off the scoresheet in Game 4, his first playoff action in five years.
Johansson suffered an injury late in Game 3 and did not play in Game 4, but was back at practice on Monday and will return to the lineup for Game 5. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games. Vinnie Hinostroza will exit the lineup to accommodate Johansson's return.
Buium was Minnesota's 12th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in this postseason, often quarterbacking the top powerplay unit, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in 4 games. He will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch, being replaced by Jon Merrill.
Johansson suffered an injury late in Game 3 and did not play in Game 4, but was back at practice on Monday, indicating he could return to the lineup for Game 5. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games.
Johansson only played 11:09 time-on-ice in Thursday's 5-2 win, giving Minnesota a 2-1 series lead, and is uncertain for Game 4. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games.
Mercer is an undrafted goalie out that has spent the previous five seasons playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL. The 21-year-old had an excellent 2024-25 season, posting a 2.53 GAA and .925 SV% in 46 games (27-15-4) with Drummondville.
Minnesota enters Game 3 with their first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights tied 1-1, courtesy of an excellent performance from Gustavsson in Game 2, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in the 5-2 victory. The 26-year-old Gustavsson will return to the crease in Game 3, looking to build on his 2.38 GAA and .919 SV% through seven career playoff games (3-4-0). Minnesota enters Game 3 on Thursday as +140 home underdogs against Vegas.
