NHL players are returning to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, and the Minnesota Wild will be well represented. The United States released its men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina and Minnesota Wild forwards and defensemen are among those chosen to compete for Olympic gold.

Yakov Trenin and Marcus Foligno have brought back an edge to the Minnesota Wild, and they have made life much easier for their linemates. Their physicality doesn’t just fire up the crowd or pad the hit totals.

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

The Minnesota Wild are getting ready for another blockbuster swing before the NHL trade deadline... but the asset they move could surprise some.

Moving Matt Boldy to first-line center would be a swing for upside that fits both his evolving game and the Wild’s roster realities. It would also create an opportunity to exploit a trade market where impact wingers are far more prevalent and simply easier to find than true top-six centers.

Quinn Hughes scored in his Minnesota debut and the Wild beat the Boston Bruins 6-2 for their fourth straight win. Bill Guerin was wrist deep in a bowl of meatballs when he completed one of the biggest trades in Minnesota Wild history.

Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists, Jonathan Toews scored for the fourth consecutive game and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 6-2.

With the blue line looking thin, the Wild recalled defensemen David Spacek and Carson Lambos from Iowa on Thursday. Spacek, who was expected to make his NHL debut versus the Jets, said he was on the way to Costco in Des Moines, Iowa, when he got the call-up.

The Minnesota Wild made a major move earlier this season when they acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. Who could they target next?

There are eight players with Minnesota ties on the women's team, including Gophers forward Abbey Murphy, Frost stars Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, Lee Stecklein, and Britta Curl-Salemme, and Ottawa Charge standout Rory Guilday.

In an unfortunate incident, Minnesota Wild defenseman Jodin Brodin will remain away from the club due to a lower-body injury, as reported by head coac.