The Olympic break is just a few days away, and the Minnesota Wild have just two games left before they’re off for nearly a month. They’re looking to keep the winning going after taking down the Edmonton Oilers 7-3 on Saturday, Jan. 31. Here are a few storylines to follow for the week of Feb. 2- Feb. 9, 2026.
Jesper Wallstedt Still in Trade Rumors
By now, most have seen Jesper Wallstedt’s name in one trade rumor or another. Ever since the blockbuster trade that brought Quinn Hughes to the Wild, it’s been said that general manager Bill Guerin still has another move he wants to make to get this team where he wants them to be. They’ve proven they are willing to go all in, as they gave up a lot to get Hughes, but they are still missing one piece.
That’s where Wallstedt comes in; he’s the one piece the Wild may be able to give up and get the high-level player they need. They’ve given up a lot of picks and prospects already, and they only have a couple of options left if they want to make another big move. It’ll be interesting to see what trade rumors Wallstedt’s name appears in next and if there is a move coming this week or after the break.
Will Wild’s Secondary Scoring Continue?
The Wild found ways to get past the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, and the Edmonton Oilers, this week, all with secondary scoring. While their top scorers did contribute, they also had goals from players like Yakov Trenin, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tyler Pitlick, and Jared Spurgeon, all of whom scored throughout the week to help get the wins.
Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy are the Wild’s top scorers, and they produced as well, but it was the secondary scoring that helped make a difference. The Wild will need that type of contribution to continue in these final couple of games to keep their winning going into the break. It’s always better to go in on a winning note than a losing one.
Wild’s Johansson Due Again
Marcus Johansson has been producing points on and off all season. He goes in spurts, and it’s time for another spurt to go his way. He tallied an assist in the past week, and he had a number of other chances that didn’t go his way. He’s been playing all season strongly, and he’s made a difference in the Wild’s lineup.
Related: Wild Trading Wallstedt for O’Reilly or Wright Could Make Sense
He’s registered 35 points in 51 games played this season, and he’ll be heading to the Olympics as his teammate, Jonas Brodin, had surgery and had to give up his spot on Team Sweden. Johansson is due for a goal or an assist, and just in time for him to head to the Olympics with the momentum boost of having recently contributed points.
Wild Schedule Feb. 2 – Feb. 9
| Date | Opponent | Time (CT) | Location | Notes |
Mon, Feb. 2 | vs. Montréal Canadiens | 6:30 PM | Grand Casino Arena | Zach Bogosian could return from injury |
Wed, Feb. 4 | @ Nashville Predators | 7:00 PM | Bridgestone Arena | Final game before the Olympic break |
