BETTER or DIFFERENT: Did the Wild IMPROVE with Blake Coleman, Olli Maata, Maxim Shabanov Additions?

Minnesota Wild shake up their roster with the additions of Blake Coleman, Olli Maata, and Maxim Shabanov, raising the question: Are the Wild trending upward or simply treading water? Seth Toupal takes stock of the offseason moves, breaking down whether these new faces can help Minnesota surpass last season’s playoff ceiling or if key departures—like Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Johansson—leave gaps the Wild aren’t ready to fill. Main topics include a head-to-head comparison of Coleman, Maata, and Shabanov to their predecessors, the ongoing Dylan Larkin trade saga, and the looming uncertainty around Quinn Hughes’ contract. Seth spotlights the team’s defensive structure, concerns at center, and how injuries—like Filip Gustavsson’s—could impact the start of the season. As the Wild gear up for a challenging early schedule, will this retooled lineup transform them into genuine Stanley Cup contenders, or does another pivotal move await? Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Everydayer Club: If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.   Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonwild.supercast.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Locked On Wild Follow/Subscribe Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnWild Follow Locked On NHL: linktr.ee/lockedonNHL Have a Question for the Show or a Topic you want Covered? Email [email protected]  For your next listen, check out the Locked On NHL podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo - Today's episode is brought to you by Odoo ( OH - DO ). Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at Odoo Dot Com Slash lockedon. That’s O D O O dot com slash lockedon.  FanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The biggest stage in world soccer is here, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit FANDUEL DOT COM to get started now. Gametime - Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.