Minnesota Wild fans can finally plan their winter getaways as the team released its 2026-27 schedule on Thursday. But while some may be looking at destinations to go see their team in action, the schedule isn’t treating the actual team as well as a trip to Vegas or Florida.
That’s because the Wild’s schedule is littered with a pair of challenges. According to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, the Wild will begin their new 84-game schedule with 10 of their first 14 games and 20 of their first 30 games on the road.
In addition, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 AM in Edmonton noted that the Wild’s opponents will be well rested with just seven games featuring a team that is playing on the second end of a back-to-back.
As a Stanley Cup contender, the Wild should have the firepower needed to get through the difficult parts of their schedule. But with most of the first half of the year on the road and their opponents ready to go, the Wild’s internal challenges will become more difficult due to the schedule.
Wild must overcome two scheduling obstacles early
The first thing Wild fans should be thinking about when looking at the schedule is their goaltending situation. Jesper Wallstedt seems like he’ll be returning to Minnesota after entering the offseason with uncertainty, but the Wild’s depth will be tested as Filip Gustavsson is expected to miss the start of the year after undergoing hip surgery at the end of last season.
The Wild signed journeyman Calvin Pickard to be Wallstedt’s backup, but he’s appeared in just 75 games over the past three seasons, posting a record of 39-23-4 but also a 2.84 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage.
Navigating Gustavsson’s absence should be manageable if Wallstedt plays as he did toward the end of last season. But it will be much more difficult playing these games on the road, including stops in Buffalo, Tampa, Florida, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Utah.
Even a trip to face the Vancouver Canucks is more difficult than normal with Quinn Hughes returning for the first time since December’s blockbuster trade, and we haven’t even gotten to the other challenge lurking in their schedule.
The Wild faced nine opponents in the second half of a back-to-back last season, posting a 6-2-1 record in those games. While the nine games aren't far off from Minnesota’s seven games this season, it’s a big difference compared to the rest of the league, as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are the only teams with fewer games against an opponent on the second end of a back-to-back.
While Montreal leads the NHL with 19 games next season, 20 of the 32 teams are between 10 and 15 games, including divisional rivals such as the Dallas Stars (15), Chicago Blackhawks (15), Colorado Avalanche (12), and Nashville Predators (12).
This could make it difficult for the Wild to gain separation or make up ground in an improved Central Division. It also makes Wallstedt getting off to a fast start imperative, assuming he isn’t traded to another team at the 11th hour.
All teams have pros and cons to their schedule, and the Wild will be rewarded for their early travel with nine games in St. Paul during the month of December. But these two factors could play a key role in how Minnesota will get out of the gate and continue its momentum into the season.
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