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Norris Trophy, Breakout Seasons And A Deep Playoff Run: 5 Bold Wild Predictions

The Minnesota Wild are gearing up for the 2026-27 NHL regular season, opening their campaign Thursday evening against the Nashville Predators following a previous year that featured a first-round playoff series win over the Dallas Stars before a second-round exit against the Colorado Avalanche. Entering this new campaign with heightened expectations, the club benefits from Quinn Hughes playing his first full season in Minnesota alongside offensive leaders Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, while young players push for expanded roles.

Five bold predictions highlight the upcoming schedule, beginning with the expectation that Hughes will capture his second Norris Trophy to become the first player in franchise history to win the accolade, building on the 53 regular-season points and 15 playoff points he recorded after arriving via trade last December. Additionally, twenty-three-year-old goaltender Jesper Wallstedt is projected to claim the starting role while Filip Gustavsson begins the season on injured reserve following offseason hip surgery, and forward Maxim Shabanov is projected to net 25 goals.

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