NHL Training Camps officially opened on Wednesday, with the Wild’s opening today. Here are some storylines to watch heading into the season.
Goaltending Battle
Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Wild head coach John Hynes indicated on Tuesday he is looking for the goalies to decide who will be the starter and who will be the backup.
The Wild also have Jesper Wallstedt in the wings, their prized top prospect and goalie of the future who already has two full seasons on AHL hockey under his belt. Wallstedt could be in the rotation to get regular games in the NHL.
A three goalie rotation could be in the mix for the Wild.
“We are prepared if that is the case. I don’t know if that will be the case, I think the players will tell us if it is,” Hynes said about having a three goalie rotation. “I don’t even want to say Jesper, I think Flower’s performance and Gus’s performance in camp and training camp games will ultimately determine whether we start with three.”
Related: ‘There’s no rush’: State of the Wild’s goaltending next year
If Gustavsson can get back to 2022-23 form then the Wild may opt for Wallstedt to start in Iowa until they need him.
“If it doesn’t make sense to do it then we are not going to do it,” Hynes said. “We’re not going to force it. We feel that we have three capable goalies that can help us win games, it will come down to performance.”
But even if both Fleury and Gustavsson look great in camp and in training camp games, Hynes still feels that if Wallstedt looks good, he will get a shot.
“The big question is if Jesper proves himself, looks ready, and he’s having a really good camp then he is going to earn some NHL games.”
Spurgeon/Foligno’s Health and Role
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Both Jared Spurgeon and Marcus Foligno had season ending surgeries last year. Spurgeon played in only 16 regular season games and Foligno played in 55.
They both are healthy heading into training camp after some captain’s practices with the team but the question becomes how well will they perform and will they be back at the elite level they have been before?
Spurgeon, 34, had one offseason surgery on his back and another on his hips. After getting hurt in a preseason game last year the Wild’s captain was already battling some injuries. He went in and out of the lineup but decided to step away from the game and start recovering.
With the arrival of Brock Faber and how well he…