Yesterday the NHL released it’s preseason schedule for the 2016-17 season. The Minnesota Wild will be playing six games that will be very important to laying the foundations of next season.
The Minnesota Wild released their pre-season schedule of games yesterday. Just like last season the schedule will include six games, three home games and three road games. The preseason games may not count against the Wild in the standings, but they will be very important as it is the best way to showcase and evaluate talent. For players looking to make the team this is the best way to get game action at the NHL level.
2016-17 Minnesota Wild Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CDT) |
| Monday, Sept 26 | At Buffalo Sabers | TDB | TBD |
| Tuesday, Sept 27 | Colorado Avs | Xcel Center | 7 P.M. |
| Thursday, Sept 29 | At Winnipeg Jets | MTS Center | 7 P.M. |
| Sunday, Oct 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | Xcel Center | 5 P.M. |
| Tuesday, Oct 4 | At Colorado Avs | Pepsi Center | 8 P.M. |
| Saturday, Oct 8 | Winnipeg Jets | Xcel Center | 7 P.M. |
The schedule looks much like it did last year with the Wild playing six games in their preseason. Also like last year they will be taking on the Sabers and the Jets, but with one less match-up with the Sabers. The two games with the rival Avalanche are new, and should give a good preview of if the Avs are going to be contending for a playoff spot right away out of the Central Division. The Hurricanes will roll into town and bring former UMD standout and St. Paul native Justin Faulk with them for a Sunday late afternoon start.
Of note though is that the Wild play their last preseason tilt on Oct 8th, and then start the regular season on Oct 12th. This four day break will be important as the Wild will need to go through at least one more roster cut down before the season starts. Last season they had an eight day break which allowed the team more time to make that hard choice, so this season the Wild will need to have most if not all of their roster plans semi-solid before that last game against the Jets.
If there was any expectations for these games at such an early juncture, it’s that as in preseasons past do not expect a full lineup of NHLers every night. The main focus will be getting the fringe players some playing time to see if they are indeed ready for NHL action. Not everyone is being evaluated for an immediate roster spot, but everyone’s potential for a call-up for the next season is being looked at.
Next: Should the Wild Draft a Defenseman in the First Round?
The NHL will announce the 2016-17 regular season schedule later this month, but for now the State of Hockey has something to look forward to on Sept 26th as Wild hockey is officially back.