Guerin: MN Wild Have Big Plans and Nobody is Untouchable

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The Minnesota Wild are venturing into one of the most important offseasons in franchise history. Sure, that’s one of the more overused cliches in today’s sports world, but in the 2026-27 Wild’s case, it couldn’t be more true.

Right now, this organization — with president of hockey operations Bill Guerin at the helm — is one of the fastest-rising in the NHL. However, Billy’s aura in the hockey world went to another level this winter, and he wants to use it to add more talent to the MN Wild roster this offseason.

After he pulled off the shocker of NHL trade season, dealing most of Minnesota’s best youngsters and top prospects + picks to the Vancouver Canucks, in exchange for one of the best two defensemen in the world, Quinn Hughes, the Wild expectations shot through the roof.

Bill Guerin - Minnesota Wild
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When Guerin made that trade, he told those asking that the MN Wild were not done. However, it turned out that they were, at least when it came to mid-season blockbusters. Outside of some moves around the edges, Billy stood pat at the trade deadline, when the market turned in the seller’s favor.

That brings us to the upcoming NHL offseason, where rumors have already been going around that Minnesota plans to again be active on the trade and free agency markets.

Bill Guerin ready to wheel and deal

As a young Stefon Diggs once said, “There’s truth to all rumors, Chris.” And indeed, the Wild president of hockey operations confirmed during this week’s season-ending press conference that he is looking to swing big again this offseason.

In fact, Guerin took Monday’s presser as an opportunity to let his front office colleagues around the league know that, not only are the Minnesota Wild open for business this offseason, but NOBODY on their roster is untouchable.

If you don’t believe him, to make his point clear, Guerin ended his presser yesterday with a mic drop that shook the entire State of Hockey. It was especially felt, I’m sure, for Wild players.

“Nobody in this game is untouchable. Wayne Gretzky got traded. Anybody can get traded.”

Bill Guerin

If you are Quinn Hughes about to enter contract talks, or Jesper Wallstedt, who’s already been mentioned in rumors surrounding Minnesota’s plans this offseason, this moment might live in your brain every day for the rest of the offseason.

Even if you are Kirill Kaprizov or Matt Boldy, you might wake up in a cold sweat a few times over the next handful of months, until you can put a MN Wild sweater on again. Because when you combine what Billy G. said in the clip above, with everything else he told reporters on Monday, the future becomes rather clear.

This roster is about to get a major shakeup, and depending on who calls and what the offer is, the Wild are open to a lot of different avenues to improve their roster so it can, not just compete with the Colorado Avalanche of the world, but tower over them.

Minnesota Wild roster in for major shake-up?

Throughout his press conference, Guerin was asked in different ways if/how he plans to make his team better. His answer over and over again was, essentially, ‘whatever it takes’. We added captions to the clipped video below, but I also included some of the better quotes underneath the video.

“We are going to continue to improve this hockey team, and get better and keep moving forward. We have cap space, we have assets. We’ll do whatever we can to continue to make this team better and better.”

“I think I’ve shown you, our fans and everybody involved that, if there’s something out there that can make [the MN Wild] better, I am willing to do it and I won’t sit on my hands.”

“I’m always confident in my ability to get a deal. I’m always willing. If it’s there, I’ll be involved.”

“We’re in a window now. We’re in a window. We have a very good team. So we want to make sure we don’t just open the window three-quarters of the way. If there’s a chance for us to get better, we will.”

Bill Guerin

Not only was Guerin named a finalist for GM of the Year last week, but his fellow league executives recently voted Billy and the Wild front office among the two or three best and most respected in the entire league (via a The Athletic poll) for a reason.

When you are an NHL general manager or decision-maker and not just the president of hockey ops for the Minnesota Wild — but the general manager of Team USA calls, you’re going to pick up the phone. But with Billy right now, his bravado inside league circles carries even more weight than that.

Bill Guerin gaining reputation around NHL

If you are a serious general manager, you pick up the phone in haste when Billy G’s name is pops up because you know that, as long as your thought processes and views on certain players align with his, there’s probably a deal had at the end of the conversation.

Other teams [beyond Tampa Bay] received similar praise, including the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers and the on-the-rise Minnesota Wild.

[One league executive] on Minnesota and GM Bill Guerin: “I know every team has to make the hard decisions, but you can’t question Billy’s track record now and what he’s been able to accomplish and get things done. I think now it really comes down to whether or not this group can win.”

The Athletic

Related: MN Wild Goalie Needs Surgery and Could Miss Games Next Season

And when you take calls and trade pitches on a daily basis, like these people do, you appreciate doing business with a guy you know isn’t around to waste anyone’s time. Which is why, for all the above reasons and more, I fully take Billy G. at his word.

Not only do I expect major moves from Guerin this summer, but I would bet on those future transactions working out in the Minnesota Wild’s favor — and for them to help this team compete for a Stanley Cup in 2026-27 and beyond.

FWIW: I do not see any offer coming along that entices Guerin to deal Kaprizov, Hughes or Boldy… unless (let’s just say) the New Jersey Devils call and offer both Hughes brothers for Kaprizov. Then, he might listen.

Also, it’s worth reminding everyone that all the guys we are discussing, like most players on the MN Wild, have some sort of movement clause in their contract that would have to be worked out, in order to allow a trade to take place.

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