GOLDEN CASE: Wild's Bill Guerin DESERVES GM of the Year After Quinn Hughes Trade and Gold Medal Win

Minnesota Wild’s playoff ambitions face a critical test as Bill Guerin emerges as a finalist for NHL GM of the Year, thanks in part to acquiring Quinn Hughes and leading Team USA to Olympic gold for the first time since the 1980s. Can Guerin’s off-ice legacy push him past fellow nominees Pat Verbeek and Chris McFarland? Seth Toupal breaks down why Guerin’s bold moves—including the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko and key trade acquisitions—might secure him the league’s top front office honor. On the ice, the Wild’s depth is under the microscope with center injuries exposing glaring roster gaps against powerhouse opponents like the Colorado Avalanche. With Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin sidelined, Minnesota’s deficiencies up the middle threaten their postseason hopes. Toupal examines the faceoff mismatch featuring Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri, questions Bill Guerin’s long-term solutions at center, and sets the stage for a must-win showdown. Will Minnesota finally land a true top-line center and close the gap with NHL contenders? 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! Indeed - Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Gametime - Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Rugiet - Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. Rocket Money - Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON 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.