Where Do Minnesota Wild Players Rank in ESPN Top 100?

The Minnesota Wild are just days into their 2024-25 regular season. General manager Bill Guerin feels the pressure to get his club back in the playoffs, and he’s hoping that John Hynes is the coach to do it. If they are going to accomplish that goal, then a few of their stars will need to have big seasons.

ESPN recently put out their top 100 rankings for the entire league. It shouldn’t be a shock that Connor McDavid took the top spot, just as he has done the past three seasons. Although Minnesota doesn’t have that sort of talent, they do have a few notable names as decided by a panel of more than 50 respondents. So, who shows up, and where?

53. Brock Faber, Defenseman

Last season the Wild broke rookie Brock Faber in by playing him in all 82 of their games. He responded by finishing as runner up for the Calder Memorial Trophy, and he earned down-ballot votes for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. To put it simply, he was exceptional.

“Faber played like he was a 10-year veteran during his rookie NHL season, posting 47 points and acting as a steadying presence for the Wild defense corps.”

Greg Wyshynski on Brock Faber (ESPN)

Greg Wyshnski nails it when suggesting that the game looked easy for Faber. Jared Spurgeon missed substantial time last season, and early concerns this year are present. Hynes will lean on his youngster plenty.

Related: Minnesota Wild Insider Ringing Alarm on Jared Spurgeon Injury

17. Kirill Kaprizov, Left Wing

Kaprizov is always a lock for any top 100 players list. It is always just a matter of how high he ranked. At 17th overall, he is the third-best left-wing behind only Matthew Tkachuk (5 – Florida Panthers) and Artemi Panarin (7 – New York Rangers). Just two defensemen in the game are seen as better players than the Wild scorer.

“‘Kirill the Thrill’ has the sixth-most goals in the NHL since 2021-22 (133), topping the 40-goal mark in three straight seasons for the Wild.”

Greg Wyshynski on Kirill Kaprizov (ESPN)

This is a big season for the Wild star. Karpizov has been rumored to be eyeing other destinations, and he certainly doesn’t want to put up with much more losing. He can be part of the solution, and the quality of his play will be reflected in the paycheck that owner Craig Leipold ultimately signs.

Related: Craig Leipold Will Pay Kirill Kaprizov Whatever it Takes… But Money is Not the Problem

Minnesota struggled to stay healthy last year, and they couldn’t overcome the lackluster performance. This season represents a new opportunity to get it right.