Editing Minnesota Wild (section)

==History==

===Preparations of a new franchise===
Following the departure of the [[Minnesota North Stars]] after the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Minnesota North Stars (1967-1993) |url=https://history.vintagemnhockey.com/page/show/815245-minnesota-north-stars-1967-1993- |website=history.vintagemnhockey.com |access-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514073317/https://history.vintagemnhockey.com/page/show/815245-minnesota-north-stars-1967-1993- |url-status=live}}</ref> the state of [[Minnesota]] was without an NHL team for seven seasons. [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] mayor (and future U.S. Senator) [[Norm Coleman]] began a campaign to either recruit an existing franchise to the city or an expansion franchise to a Minnesota-based ownership group. These efforts came close to success in the mid-1990s when Minnesota interests purchased the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|original Winnipeg Jets]] intending to relocate the franchise to Minnesota; however, arena negotiations at the [[Target Center]] fell through, and the Jets instead [[Phoenix Coyotes|relocated to Phoenix, Arizona]].

Following the failed attempt to relocate the Jets, the NHL announced its intention to expand from 26 to 30 teams. Businessman and [[Minnetonka, Minnesota|Minnetonka]] native [[Bob Naegele, Jr.]] became the lead investor for an application to the NHL for an expansion franchise and, ultimately, the first majority owner. On June 25, 1997, the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) announced that [[Minnesota]] had been awarded an expansion franchise, to begin play in the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]]. The six finalist team names for the new NHL franchise (Blue Ox, Freeze, Northern Lights, Voyageurs, White Bears, and Wild), were announced on November 20, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fans.nhl.com/members/Ninh/blogs/3925|title=Origins of the 30 NHL Teams|website=National Hockey League|access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408030257/http://fans.nhl.com/members/Ninh/blogs/3925 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date =April 8, 2008}}</ref> Jac Sperling was named [[chief executive officer]] of the Minnesota team,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_Sperling|title=Jack Sperling Bio|website=National Hockey League|access-date=April 26, 2008|year=2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108111626/http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_Sperling|archive-date=January 8, 2008}}</ref> [[Doug Risebrough]] was named general manager, [[Tod Leiweke]] was named president, and Martha Fuller was named [[chief financial officer]].

The team was officially named the Wild at an unveiling at the Aldrich Arena on January 22, 1998, with the song "[[Born to Be Wild]]" by [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] playing over the arena's speaker system. The Minnesota Wild announced its first major sponsorship agreement with [[MasterCard]] from [[First USA]]. It was the earliest that First USA had ever signed an agreement before a team began play (31 months). The State of Minnesota adopted legislation in April 1998 to loan $65&nbsp;million to the City of Saint Paul to fund 50% of the estimated $130&nbsp;million project costs for the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. The legislation also provided that only $48&nbsp;million of the loan needed to be repaid if the team met the requirements to have an agreement in place during the lease term with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The City of Saint Paul issued an additional $65&nbsp;million in bonds, with roughly 90% of the debt service on the bonds and the repayment of the state loan coming from scheduled rent and payment instead of taxes from the Minnesota Wild. Deconstruction of the [[Saint Paul Civic Center]] began soon after. Designs were announced for the [[Xcel Energy Center]] and a groundbreaking ceremony for the Xcel Energy Center was hosted in Saint Paul.

The Minnesota Wild announced a 26-year partnership agreement with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC). The Minnesota Wild-MASC partnership is the first partnership of its kind between a private professional sports team and a public amateur sports organization. Doug Risebrough was named executive vice president/general manager of Minnesota Wild<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_Risebrough |title=Risebrough's Bio |website=National Hockey League |access-date=April 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006195537/http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_Risebrough |archive-date=October 6, 2008}}</ref> and the [[Xcel Energy Center]] was completed and ready for use.

===Early years (2000–2009)===

====Marian Gaborik era====
[[File:Jacques Lemaire.jpg|thumb|left|upright|On June 19, 2000, the Minnesota Wild named [[Jacques Lemaire]] as their first head coach.]]
The Wild named [[Jacques Lemaire]] their first head coach and the team picked [[Marián Gáborík|Marian Gaborik]] third overall in the first round of the [[2000 NHL entry draft]]. Gaborik scored the first-ever goal for the Wild in their franchise debut on October 6 at Anaheim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ducks-tame-wild-1.207952|title=Ducks tame Wild|date=October 7, 2000|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827041604/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ducks-tame-wild-1.207952|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wild played their first-ever home game on October 11 against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] and skated to a 3–3 tie.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wild-ties-flyers-in-home-debut/ | title=Wild Ties Flyers in Home Debut | website=[[CBS News]] | date=October 12, 2000 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827041604/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wild-ties-flyers-in-home-debut/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Minnesota native [[Darby Hendrickson]] scored the first-ever home goal for the Wild. Before the game, it was announced the team would retire the number 1 jersey, their first number retirement, with no Wild player ever wearing it, to honor all Minnesota fans, who the team claimed were the ''true'' "number one" to them. The most notable game of the year was the first visit of the [[Dallas Stars]], who had formerly played in Minnesota as the [[Minnesota North Stars]]. The Wild rode an emotional sellout crowd of over 18,000 to a 6–0 shutout in Dallas' first regular season game in Minnesota since a neutral-site game in 1993.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-cant-go-home-again/ | title=Stars Can't Go Home Again | website=[[CBS News]] | date=December 17, 2000 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827051524/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-cant-go-home-again/ | url-status=live}}</ref> The season ended with [[Scott Pellerin]] as the leading scorer with 39 points while [[Wes Walz]], Darby Hendrickson and Gaborik paced the team with 18 goals each.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20002001&seasonTo=20002001&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.37&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=goals&page=0&pageSize=50|title=NHL Stats|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827051529/https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20002001&seasonTo=20002001&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.37&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=goals&page=0&pageSize=50|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GaborikCareerStats">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/player/marian-gaborik-8468483#stats|title=Marian Gaborik Stats and News|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827051526/https://www.nhl.com/player/marian-gaborik-8468483#stats|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Wild got off to a strong start in the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]] by earning at least one point in its first seven games. However, the Wild finished in last place again with a record of 26–35–12–6. En route, there were signs the Wild were improving, as second-year speedster Gaborik had a solid sophomore season with 30 goals, including an invite to the [[NHL YoungStars Game]], and [[Andrew Brunette]] led the team in scoring with 69 points.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20012002&seasonTo=20012002&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.37&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50 | title=NHL Stats | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063438/https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20012002&seasonTo=20012002&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.37&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50 | url-status=live}}</ref>

Gaborik spent much of the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]] vying for the league scoring crown before slumping in the second half, and the Wild, in their first-ever playoff appearance, made it to the conference finals before being swept 4–0 by the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]]. Previously, the Wild had beaten the favored and third-seeded [[Colorado Avalanche]] in the first round in seven games, coming back from a 3–1 series deficit and winning both game 6 and 7 in overtime. Brunette scored the series-clinching goal, the last on [[Patrick Roy]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/a-goal-to-remember/c-669215 | title=A Goal to Remember | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063438/https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/a-goal-to-remember/c-669215 | url-status=live}}</ref> In the conference semifinals, the Wild beat the fourth-seeded [[Vancouver Canucks]], again in seven games, and again after being down 3–1 in a series. In the process, the Wild became the first team in playoff history to capture a seven-game series twice after facing elimination during game 5.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/2003-bertuzzi-trash-talk-073120/c-317746278 | title=Once upon a time, Canuck's trash talk helped Wild turn tide, make history | date=July 31, 2020 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063439/https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/2003-bertuzzi-trash-talk-073120/c-317746278 | url-status=live}}</ref>

When the 2003–04 season started, the Wild were short-handed with both [[Pascal Dupuis]] and Gaborik holding out. After struggling in the first month, the Wild finally got their two young star left-wingers signed, but both struggled to get back into game shape as the Wild struggled through much of November. In a deep hole, the Wild did not make it to the playoffs, despite finishing the season strong, with wins in five of their last six games as they finished last in the competitive [[Northwest Division (NHL)|Northwest Division]] with a record of 30–29–20–3.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MIN/2004.html | title=2003-04 Minnesota Wild Roster and Statistics | access-date=January 26, 2018 | archive-date=February 22, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222165359/https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MIN/2004.html | url-status=live}}</ref> Along the way, the Wild began to gear up for the future, trading away several of their older players who were a part of the franchise from the beginning, including [[Brad Bombardir]] and [[Jim Dowd (hockey player)|Jim Dowd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72894536/brad-bombardir-traded-to-predators/|title=From prey to Predators|newspaper=The Province|date=March 7, 2004|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1750850|title=Wild get fourth-round pick from Habs|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=March 4, 2004|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref>

The 2004–05 season was canceled due to an [[2004–05 NHL lockout|NHL lockout]]. Former Wild player [[Sergejs Žoltoks|Sergei Zholtok]] died from a heart condition during a game in Europe. Zholtok died in the arms of Minnesotan and former Wild player [[Darby Hendrickson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/features/zholtok110404_cms.html|title=NHL mourns passing of Zholtok|access-date=April 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514031140/http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/features/zholtok110404_cms.html|archive-date=May 14, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====After the lockout====
In the 2005–06 season, the first season after the lockout, Minnesota finished in fifth and last place in the Northwest Division, eight points behind fourth-placed [[Vancouver Canucks]]. En route, Marian Gaborik set a new franchise record for goals in a season at 38, and [[Brian Rolston]] set a new highest point total by a Wild player in a season at 79. The goaltender controversy between [[Manny Fernandez (ice hockey)|Manny Fernandez]] and [[Dwayne Roloson]] ended when Roloson was traded to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] for a first-round pick in the [[2006 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/oilers-obtain-roloson-from-wild-1.614354|title=Oilers obtain Roloson from Wild|date=March 8, 2006|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063438/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/oilers-obtain-roloson-from-wild-1.614354|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Wild signed veteran free agents [[Kim Johnsson]], [[Mark Parrish]], [[Branko Radivojevič|Branko Radivojevic]] and [[Keith Carney]]. On the day of the [[NHL entry draft]], it traded the 17th overall pick and prospect [[Patrick O'Sullivan (ice hockey)|Patrick O'Sullivan]] to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] for veteran Slovak [[Pavol Demitra]]. [[Niklas Bäckström|Niklas Backstrom]] was the starting goalie for the Wild after previous starter Manny Fernandez sprained his knee on January 20. Fernandez played for the first time since the sprain on March 6 and was removed after allowing three goals in two periods in the Wild's 3–0 loss to the [[San Jose Sharks]]. [[Josh Harding]] was brought up from the Wild's [[American Hockey League|AHL]] affiliate, the [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]], when Fernandez was hurt and remained on Minnesota's roster for the rest of the season as the backup goalie. All-Star winger Marian Gaborik returned from a groin injury in January 2007 and made an immediate impact, bringing a new spark to a lacking offense.<ref name="GaborikCareerStats" /> The Wild made the playoffs in [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007]] for the second time in team history,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-wild-open-playoff-series-in-anaheim/c-105194 | title=Ducks, Wild open playoff series in Anaheim | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063438/https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-wild-open-playoff-series-in-anaheim/c-105194 | url-status=live}}</ref> but were eliminated by the eventual [[Stanley Cup]] champions Anaheim Ducks in the conference quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ducks-knock-out-wild-1.692740|title=Ducks knock out Wild|date=April 20, 2007|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063440/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ducks-knock-out-wild-1.692740|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/ducks/fans/2007-cup-team|title=2007 Ducks Stanley Cup Team|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827063438/https://www.nhl.com/ducks/fans/2007-cup-team|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:122007-WildXcel-Gaborik5goalperformance.jpg|thumb|[[Marián Gáborík|Marian Gaborik]] waves to the crowd after a five-goal performance against the [[New York Rangers]] in the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]].]]
The Wild broke numerous franchise records during the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], including most goals and points (Marian Gaborik – 42 goals and 83 points).<ref name="GaborikCareerStats" /> Also, [[Jacques Lemaire]] recorded his 500th career coaching win<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twincities.com/2008/04/03/minnesota-wild-lock-up-northwest-division-title-and-coach-jacques-lemaires-500th-victory-with-win-over-calgary/ | title=Minnesota Wild lock up Northwest Division title and coach Jacques Lemaire's 500th victory with win over Calgary | date=April 3, 2008 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.twincities.com/2008/04/03/minnesota-wild-lock-up-northwest-division-title-and-coach-jacques-lemaires-500th-victory-with-win-over-calgary/ | url-status=live}}</ref> as the Wild clinched their first-ever Northwest Division title in a 3–1 victory over the [[Calgary Flames]] on April 3, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/jacques-lemaire-steps-down/c-485908 | title=Jacques Lemaire steps down | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153127/https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/jacques-lemaire-steps-down/c-485908 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/wild-trim-flames-to-clinch-division-crown-1.725808|title=Wild trim Flames to clinch division crown|date=April 3, 2008|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/wild-trim-flames-to-clinch-division-crown-1.725808|url-status=live}}</ref> They again faced the Colorado Avalanche in the conference quarterfinals, and the Wild held home-ice advantage. However, Minnesota came up short, being eliminated in six games by the Avalanche.

During the 2008 off-season, the Wild re-acquired Andrew Brunette from Colorado and traded for defenseman [[Marek Židlický|Marek Zidlicky]]. The Wild also signed free agents [[Antti Miettinen]] and [[Owen Nolan]] to multi-year deals. There seemed to be a stigma about Jacques Lemaire's defensive system that caused a number of top free agents to avoid the Wild.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/wild-about-minnesota-despite-leaving-for-new-jersey-rolston-raves-about-playing-in-minneapolis/article_a350b13a-c3ee-5e5c-8970-2aa52256a81c.html | title=Wild about Minnesota Despite leaving for New Jersey, Rolston raves about playing in Minneapolis | date=March 20, 2009 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153127/https://www.stltoday.com/sports/wild-about-minnesota-despite-leaving-for-new-jersey-rolston-raves-about-playing-in-minneapolis/article_a350b13a-c3ee-5e5c-8970-2aa52256a81c.html | url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite winning the Northwest Division the previous season, the Wild fell to ninth place in the Western Conference in 2008–09, missing the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wild-beat-preds/ | title=Wild beat Preds, both eliminated - Sportsnet.ca | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827160130/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/wild-beat-preds/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Much of this was in part due to a lack of scoring and overall team offense, and the injuries to star forward Marian Gaborik, who only played 17 games. Jacques Lemaire, head coach of the Wild since the team's inception in the 2000–01 season, resigned at season's end. General manager [[Doug Risebrough]] was later fired, leading to a nearly complete turnover in the Wild's coaching and hockey management staff.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/doug-risebrough-says-he-was-shocked-by-minnesota-wild-firing/c-419413 | title=Doug Risebrough says he was 'shocked' by Minnesota Wild firing | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.nhl.com/news/doug-risebrough-says-he-was-shocked-by-minnesota-wild-firing/c-419413 | url-status=live}}</ref>

===Chuck Fletcher era (2009–2018)===

====Mikko Koivu years====
In the 2009 off-season, Marian Gaborik signed with the [[New York Rangers]] during the summer as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/star-forward-marian-gaborik-signs-with-rangers-leaving-wild/c-433207 | title=Star forward Marian Gaborik signs with Rangers, leaving Wild | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827041231/https://www.nhl.com/news/star-forward-marian-gaborik-signs-with-rangers-leaving-wild/c-433207 | url-status=live}}</ref> Team owner [[Craig Leipold]] hired former [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] assistant general manager [[Chuck Fletcher]] as general manager. Later that summer, Fletcher selected [[Todd Richards (ice hockey)|Todd Richards]] as head coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6363681 | title=Wild owner disappointed, says team lost money | date=April 15, 2011 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=October 3, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003060458/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6363681 | url-status=live}}</ref> [[Martin Havlát|Martin Havlat]] was signed via free agency after playing the previous three seasons for the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in order to lessen the blow of Gaborik's departure. During the first month of the 2009–10 season, the team announced their first-ever full-time captain, [[Mikko Koivu]].<ref name="CaptainKoivu">{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/wild-names-mikko-koivu-captain/c-502812 | title=Wild names Mikko Koivu captain | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/wild-names-mikko-koivu-captain/c-502812 | url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Leipold named Matt Majka as chief operating officer of the team.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/matt-majka-qa/c-289724390 | title=Majka Reflects on New Title, Raising Expectations | date=June 2017 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/matt-majka-qa/c-289724390 | url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:NHL 2010 Face Off Hurricanes @ Wild in Helsinki.jpg|thumb|left|The Wild faced the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] at [[Hartwall Areena]] in [[Helsinki]] to open the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]].]]
The 2009–10 and the 2010–11 seasons ended in disappointment for the Wild as they missed the playoffs in both seasons. In the [[2010 NHL entry draft]], the Wild held the ninth overall pick and used it to select Finnish forward [[Mikael Granlund]]. The Wild opened the 2010–11 season with two games at the [[Hartwall Areena]] in [[Helsinki]] against the [[2010–11 Carolina Hurricanes season|Carolina Hurricanes]]. Following the 2010–11 season, the team fired head coach Todd Richards due to the team failing to reach the playoffs in his two seasons as head coach with a 77–71–16 record.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-fire-coach-todd-richards/c-559180 | title=Minnesota Wild fire coach Todd Richards | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153127/https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-fire-coach-todd-richards/c-559180 | url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mike Yeo]], who coached the Wild's AHL affiliate Houston Aeros to a Western Conference title in 2011, was named the new head coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-reportedly-hire-mike-yeo-as-teams-new-head-coach/c-566166 | title=Minnesota Wild reportedly hire Mike Yeo as team's new head coach | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153127/https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-reportedly-hire-mike-yeo-as-teams-new-head-coach/c-566166 | url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2011 NHL entry draft]] (which the team hosted), the Wild used their tenth overall pick to select [[Jonas Brodin]]. The club also created a stir when they traded star defenseman [[Brent Burns]] and a second-round pick in [[2012 NHL entry draft|2012]] to the [[San Jose Sharks]] in exchange for [[Devin Setoguchi]], [[Charlie Coyle]] and the 28th overall pick in the 2011 draft, which they used to select [[Zack Phillips]]. Later in the off-season, the Wild traded Martin Havlat for [[Dany Heatley]] in another blockbuster trade with the Sharks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=585627 | title=Will Wild's summer makeover spring success? | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153126/https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=585627 | url-status=live}}</ref> In November, the team set a franchise record for most wins in one month with 11.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thesportsdaily.com/news/wild-vs-oilchange/ | title=Brodziak delivers in the clutch to give Wild 11-wins for November in 3-2 shootout victory over Edmonton | date=November 29, 2011 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827153127/https://thesportsdaily.com/news/wild-vs-oilchange/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a hot start to the season that saw them sitting atop the NHL standings in early December, multiple injuries to key players for extended periods effectively eliminated the team from playoff contention for the fourth consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/135560473.html | title=Wild's 7-game win streak ends in Winnipeg; Bouchard injured | website=[[Star Tribune]] | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=January 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116141548/http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/135560473.html | url-status=live}}</ref>

====Parise–Suter era====
During the 2012 off-season, the team was able to sign top prospect Mikael Granlund to a three-year, entry-level contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wild-sign-former-first-round-pick-finnish-star-mikael-granlund-to-entry-level-deal/ | title=Wild sign former first-round pick, Finnish star Mikael Granlund to entry-level deal | date=May 23, 2012 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827155902/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/wild-sign-former-first-round-pick-finnish-star-mikael-granlund-to-entry-level-deal/ | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/152273445.html | title=Mikael Granlund officially joins the fold | website=[[Star Tribune]] | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=June 6, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606060357/http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/152273445.html | url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2012 NHL entry draft]], the team selected [[Matt Dumba]] with the seventh overall pick.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.twincities.com/2012/06/22/nhl-draft-wild-select-defenseman-mathew-dumba-at-no-7/ | title=NHL draft: Wild select defenseman Mathew Dumba at No. 7 | date=June 22, 2012 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827155902/https://www.twincities.com/2012/06/22/nhl-draft-wild-select-defenseman-mathew-dumba-at-no-7/ | url-status=live}}</ref> In the same off-season, the Wild also signed unrestricted free agent winger [[Zach Parise]], a Twin Cities native, and defenseman [[Ryan Suter]] to identical 13-year, US$98&nbsp;million contracts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/zach-parise-ryan-suter-signings-wild-huge-marketing-164312935--nhl.html | title=Zach Parise, Ryan Suter signings give Wild huge marketing momentum | date=July 7, 2012 | access-date=November 22, 2015 | archive-date=March 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305150004/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/zach-parise-ryan-suter-signings-wild-huge-marketing-164312935--nhl.html | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/161468285.html | title=OPINION EXCHANGE &#124; Short Takes: Wild makes a big score with Parise, Suter | website=[[Star Tribune]] | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=July 8, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708113826/http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/161468285.html | url-status=live}}</ref> However, the team's busy off-season was overshadowed by the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]], which ended in January 2013.

{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = 130223 Zach Parise Wild.png
| width1 = 110
|footer= [[Zach Parise]] (left) and [[Ryan Suter]] (right) during the [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]]. Both players signed identical 13-year contracts as free agents during the 2012 off-season.
| image2 = 130223 Ryan Suter Wild.png
| width2 = 135
}}
Prior to the 2013 [[NHL trade deadline|trade deadline]], the Wild acquired [[Jason Pominville]] from the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for prospects [[Johan Larsson (ice hockey, born 1992)|Johan Larsson]] and [[Matt Hackett]], as well as draft picks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jason-pominville-wild-club-continues-add-star-power-191339965--nhl.html | title=Jason Pominville to Wild, as club continues to add star power | date=April 3, 2013 | access-date=November 22, 2015 | archive-date=March 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305160728/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jason-pominville-wild-club-continues-add-star-power-191339965--nhl.html | url-status=live}}</ref> The team reached the postseason for the fourth time in franchise history after a 3–1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on April 27, 2013. After finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference, the Wild lost in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs|2013 playoffs]].

The relocation and rebranding of the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] as the "new" [[Winnipeg Jets]] in 2011 meant Winnipeg was once again Minnesota's second-closest geographical rival after Chicago, and led the NHL to reconsider its divisional alignment. Even before the NHL's return to Winnipeg, Wild management had lobbied repeatedly for a move out of the Northwest Division, where they were the only Central Time Zone team. Among the alignments considered was having the Jets replace the Avalanche in the Northwest, but Wild management strongly objected to this alignment as it would have left them as the only American team in their division. Following protracted negotiations both amongst the owners and with the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]], in 2013, the NHL collapsed its six divisions into four and dissolved the Northwest Division. Consequently, the Wild moved into the Central Division along with the Jets and Avalanche; the Canadian teams from the Northwest moved back to the [[Pacific Division (NHL)|Pacific Division]]. The Wild now share their division with not only the Blackhawks but also the [[Dallas Stars]], the Wild's predecessors in Minnesota, and the [[St. Louis Blues]], another major rival of the North Stars during the [[Norris Division]] era. Thus, the 2013 Blackhawks–Wild playoff series was seen as the rebirth of the old Chicago–Minnesota rivalry in the NHL.

[[File:Josh Harding 2011-3.jpg|thumb|left|[[Josh Harding]] led the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average before succumbing to injuries during the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 regular season]].]]
The [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 regular season]] for the Wild was the best the team had since the 2007–08 season, good enough to claim the first Wild Card position. Jason Pominville became the Wild's third player in franchise history to reach the 30-goal mark, with Mikko Koivu surpassing Marian Gaborik in all-time points for the club. The Wild battled goaltender problems throughout the entire season. It began with [[Josh Harding]] leading the NHL in save percentage, and goals-against average, before being placed on injured reserve for complications with his [[multiple sclerosis]] (MS). Backstrom also suffered a season-ending injury with abdominal issues. The Wild started five different goalies during the year and dressed seven. At the trade deadline, general manager Chuck Fletcher acquired [[Ilya Bryzgalov]] from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round pick, as well as [[Matt Moulson]] and [[Cody McCormick]] from Buffalo in exchange for [[Torrey Mitchell]] and two second-round picks in [[2014 NHL entry draft|2014]] and [[2016 NHL entry draft|2016]]. In the playoffs, the team would face Colorado, who won the Central Division. The Wild won the series four games to three with an overtime goal in game 7 by [[Nino Niederreiter]]. The team would then face the defending [[2013 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup]] champions Chicago, where they were eliminated in six games.

During the 2014 off-season, the Wild signed forward [[Thomas Vanek]] as a free agent. In [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]], the Wild clinched the first wild card spot in the West by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks. It then defeated the Central Division champions, the St. Louis Blues, in the first round of the playoffs in six games. In the second round, the Wild were eliminated in a four-game series sweep by Chicago. Following the loss, forward Matt Cooke said, "Our expectations inside this room were a lot higher than [a] second-round series."<ref>{{cite news|last1=McCoy|first1=David|title=After Playoff Exit, Wild GM Says Improvement Must Come From Within|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/11/after-playoff-exit-wild-gm-says-improvement-must-come-from-within/|access-date=May 13, 2015|publisher=CBS Minnesota|date=May 11, 2015|archive-date=May 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515192841/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/11/after-playoff-exit-wild-gm-says-improvement-must-come-from-within/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, the Wild set a franchise record with the best win record in the first 41 games of the season. Immediately afterward, they went into a skid, losing the next 13 of 14 games, culminating in the firing of head coach Mike Yeo. Under new interim head coach [[John Torchetti]], the team snapped the losing streak but remained streaky throughout the rest of the season, managing to barely make the playoffs with a total of 87 points, the worst record of any playoff team in the shootout era (since 2005–06).<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2016 |title=Playoff-bound Wild can't hide recent slide or weak record |url=https://apnews.com/playoff-bound-wild-cant-hide-recent-slide-or-weak-record-f7613ef7290d48d2b6daa0ba7842dd3f |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=April 8, 2016 |title=Minnesota makes a Wild run to NHL playoffs |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/minnesota-makes-a-wild-run-to-nhl-playoffs/article_6595dea8-c2a1-5956-811f-150bb6e895e3.html |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=STLtoday.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Jason |title=Wild postseason bound with fewest points for Western playoff team in 17 years |url=https://www.startribune.com/wild-postseason-bound-with-fewest-points-for-western-playoff-team-in-17-years/374772631/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Star Tribune|date=April 6, 2016}}</ref> In the first round, the Wild fell to the Central Division champion Dallas Stars in six games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/24/live-stars-try-close-playoff-series-first-time-since-2008-face-wild-minnesota|title=Recap: Stars nearly blow 4-goal lead, but escape with 5-4 win to advance to second round {{!}} SportsDay|date=April 24, 2016|website=SportsDay|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427133013/http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/24/live-stars-try-close-playoff-series-first-time-since-2008-face-wild-minnesota|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2016 off-season, the Wild signed free agent [[Eric Staal]] to a three-year contract. The Wild also hired [[Bruce Boudreau]] as their new head coach, replacing interim head coach John Torchetti.

In 2017, the Wild set their new franchise record for points (106), wins (49) and goals for (266). The Wild set a franchise-record 12-game win streak that was snapped on New Year's Eve 2016 by the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]], a team also on a franchise-record win streak at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/blue-jackets-victorious-in-unsustainabowl-extend-win-streak-to-15-games-022729202.html|title=Blue Jackets Victorious in Unsustainabowl|last=Daddy|first=Puck|date=January 2017 |publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230142/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/blue-jackets-victorious-in-unsustainabowl-extend-win-streak-to-15-games-022729202.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, Minnesota failed to win more than a game in the playoffs, losing in five games to St. Louis. Mikael Granlund led the team in points with 69, while new addition Eric Staal led the team in goals with 28. Mikko Koivu was a finalist for the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] for best defensive forward, while Granlund was a finalist for the [[Lady Byng Trophy]].

In the 2017 off-season, the Wild experienced significant roster turnover. [[Erik Haula]] was lost to the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] in the expansion draft (along with prospect [[Alex Tuch]]). Winger Jason Pominville and defenseman [[Marco Scandella]] were traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forwards [[Tyler Ennis (ice hockey)|Tyler Ennis]] and [[Marcus Foligno]]. Minnesota native [[Matt Cullen]] was signed as a free agent and returned to the Wild to shore up the fourth line (Cullen had previously played in Minnesota from 2010 to 2013). Captain Mikko Koivu signed a two-year extension, ensuring he would remain with the Wild through the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]].

Following another [[2017–18 NHL season|100-point regular season]], the Wild matched up with Central Division rival, the Winnipeg Jets, in the first round of the [[2018 Stanley Cup playoffs|2018 playoffs]]. The Jets defeated the Wild in five games, making it three straight seasons in which the Wild failed to advance past the first round. On April 23, 2018, shortly following the Wild's exit from the playoffs, owner Leipold announced he had fired general manager Fletcher after nine seasons with the team.<ref name="Fletcher fired">{{cite web|title=Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher is fired|url=http://www.startribune.com/wild-general-manager-chuck-fletcher-is-fired/480567771/|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|date=April 23, 2018|access-date=April 23, 2018|archive-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424072408/http://www.startribune.com/wild-general-manager-chuck-fletcher-is-fired/480567771/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Fletcher's leadership, the Wild qualified for the playoffs six consecutive years, but failed to advance beyond the second round.

===Rebuilding and the Kirill Kaprizov era (2018–present)===
On May 21, 2018, [[Paul Fenton (ice hockey)|Paul Fenton]] was hired as the third general manager in franchise history. During the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]], the Wild struggled to keep up in the ultra-competitive [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]] as they had in previous seasons. Despite a renaissance year from Parise, many key players like [[Eric Staal]] and [[Jason Zucker]] regressed offensively from the season prior. Many reported that there was dysfunction in the organization, caused by a rift between Fenton, Boudreau and various players, ultimately leading the trading of several core players, such as [[Mikael Granlund]], [[Charlie Coyle]] and [[Nino Niederreiter]]. The Wild finished the season with 83-points, finishing last in the division and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

In the 2019 off-season, the Wild signed free agent [[Mats Zuccarello]] to a five-year contract. On July 30, 2019, Fenton was fired as general manager, just 14 months after being hired to that position. On August 21, 2019, the Wild hired [[Bill Guerin]] as the fourth general manager in franchise history. On February 14, 2020, the Wild fired head coach [[Bruce Boudreau]] and named [[Dean Evason]] as interim head coach.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schram |first1=Carol |title=Minnesota Wild Fire Coach Bruce Boudreau, Name Dean Evason Interim Replacement |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2020/02/14/minnesota-wild-fire-coach-bruce-boudreau-name-dean-evason-interim-replacement/ |website=Forbes |access-date=February 18, 2020 |date=February 14, 2020 |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218170453/https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2020/02/14/minnesota-wild-fire-coach-bruce-boudreau-name-dean-evason-interim-replacement/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Wild participated in the best-of-five qualifying round of the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs]], but were eliminated in four games at the hands of the [[Vancouver Canucks]].

[[Kirill Kaprizov]] played his first NHL game with the Wild in January 2021, scoring the overtime winner against the [[Los Angeles Kings]] during his debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/kaprizov-scores-ot-nhl-debut-lift-wild-kings/|title=Kaprizov scores in OT of NHL debut to lift Wild over Kings|publisher=Rogers Digital Media|work=Sportsnet|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=April 27, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427164945/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/kaprizov-scores-ot-nhl-debut-lift-wild-kings/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 21, 2021, Kirill Kaprizov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild. As a result of the contract, Kaprizov became the highest-paid sophomore player in NHL history.

In [[2021–22 NHL season|2022]], the team set franchise season highs in points (113) and wins (53). Kirill Kaprizov set franchise records in points (108), goals (47), and assists (61). They faced the division rival [[St. Louis Blues]] in the first round, but despite having home ice advantage and the services of recently acquired goaltender [[Marc-Andre Fleury]], were eliminated in six games. In the following off-season, forward [[Kevin Fiala]] was traded to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in exchange for the draft rights to defenseman [[Brock Faber]], while other notable players such as [[Nick Bjugstad]] and [[Nicolas Deslauriers]] were lost in free agency.

On July 7, 2022, the Wild traded goaltender [[Cam Talbot]] to the [[Ottawa Senators]] in exchange for [[Filip Gustavsson]], five days after signing Fleury to a new two-year contract. Despite a second consecutive 40-goal season from Kaprizov, the Wild struggled defensively in the early parts of the season before shifting entirely to lackluster offense and low-scoring games at the end. However, thanks to a stellar season from Gustavsson, the team finished with 103 points, earning third place in the Central Division and setting them up for a playoff matchup against the division rival [[Dallas Stars]]. The Wild signed [[Brock Faber]] to his entry-level contract shortly before the playoffs began and immediately following the loss of the [[Minnesota Golden Gophers|University of Minnesota Golden Gophers]] to the [[University of Michigan Wolverines]] in the Big Ten men's ice hockey championship. The Wild were eliminated in six games, marking their eighth consecutive playoff series loss.

The Wild re-signed Gustavsson in the 2023 off-season but did not make any notable trades or acquisitions, opting instead to "run it back" with the previous year's squad. However, despite breakout performances from Faber and the [[2020 NHL entry draft|2020]] ninth overall pick [[Marco Rossi (ice hockey)|Marco Rossi]], as well as Kaprizov's third consecutive 40-goal season, injuries to nearly every player in the starting lineup hindered the team, with key players such as Kaprizov, [[Joel Eriksson Ek]], captain [[Jared Spurgeon]], [[Marcus Foligno]], [[Mats Zuccarello]], and [[Jonas Brodin]] all missing substantial time. The Wild finished the season with 87 points, their lowest total since the 2018–19 season, and missed the playoffs for the first time since that year.