Problems Up the Middle Could Cause Wild to Break Up Superstars

The Minnesota Wild are just two games into their regular season, but there are already some interesting takeaways. John Hynes watched his team play a drastically different pair of games, but some things have already made themselves abundantly clear.

Minnesota signed Stanley Cup-winning center Nico Sturm in a homecoming move because of his prowess in the faceoff circle. Unfortunately he’s already hurt and that is expected to linger for more than a month.

The Wild have struggled with faceoffs for a while now, and it could cost top superstars Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.

Center play may cost Minnesota Wild their top line

Two games isn’t enough of a sample size to suggest that the wild have a problem at center. It has been evident going back to last year too though, and that’s specifically why Sturm was acquired. The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith have highlighted a lack of draw power being something that could break up the top line.

Coach John Hynes acknowledged that the coaches are already discussing how to handle the situation, but it’s a good bet he’ll shuffle things up at Monday’s morning skate before playing the Kings.

But on the road, this could become an issue, so while Hynes probably doesn’t want to separate Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy after they combined for six points in two games, he may have to spread things around.
“That’s something that we talked a little bit about and felt that a little bit in the game tonight,” Hynes said. “Whether that’s splitting that (second) line up or trying some different combinations there, it’s something we’ll look at.”

The Athletic

The Minnesota Wild’s second line, featuring Marcus Foligno, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Vladimir Tarasenko, has no points. Despite Tarasenko shining during the preseason, he has been non-existent. Splitting up Kaprizov and Boldy could be a way to help the two different centers create.

“I couldn’t really get any rhythm going today,” said Ek, who won 7 of 21 (33 percent). “So look at it and see what I can do better, (like) just timing with the ref and all that stuff.”

Hynes said Ek and Rossi “have to be better,” but added that “faceoffs are a big part of the centermen, yes, but I also think there’s a lot of 50-50 pucks, too, in the faceoff circle that your wings and your D also have to help and touch the puck first.

The Athletic

Winning faceoffs controls the ice and puts an offense immediately in motion. Eriksson Ek and Marco Rossi have not been good enough there. They also may need more of a star power focus split between them in order to find success in space.

MN Wild stars making it look too easy

Through just two games, both Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy have six points with two goals. To say they have gotten out of the gate quickly would be putting it lightly, and that’s great news for Karpizov after signing his massive extension. It’s looked so easy, in fact, that they may have left some production on the table.

They’ve been so good, you still feel they’ve left some offense on the ice with their 17 combined shots.

Buium is enjoying the view from his spot on the No. 1 power play.

“It’s incredible,” Buium said. “I mean, I think you never are confused if they don’t pass to you. Like Bolds was holding it on that five-on-three, but you know he’s holding it for a reason, and you know he’s gonna do something. We don’t know exactly what, but you know something is gonna happen.

“So I think for me, it’s like, I trust those guys more than I trust myself. So trying to put them in good spots.”

The Athletic

If this is the level to which Boldy and Kaprizov are feeling it, you’d probably welcome them putting more pucks towards the net. It’s great that they are working in such tandem with one another, and that makes any idea of splitting them up that much more difficult.

KAPRIZOV 2-2 pic.twitter.com/Axsr8basqN

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 12, 2025

Ultimately general manager Bill Guerin may need to address his lack of depth and faceoff winning prowess outside of the organization. Sturm missing more than a month isn’t something you can just shy away from. Accepting less than the best you can get from your stars isn’t a strategy either.