Sarah McLellan
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Covering the Wild and NHL for @StribSports.
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Articles by Sarah McLellan
Wild let two-goal lead slip away, suffer first loss of season in OT vs. Sabres
The Minnesota Wild were headed toward a 3-0 start before a two-goal third-period lead disappeared Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Owen Power scored with 38 seconds left in overtime to give Buffalo a 3-2 victory at KeyBank Center and hand the Wild their first loss of the season. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the Sabres got a fluke goal from Noah Ostlund before Tage Thompson tied the score and forced overtime.
Wild blow late lead, lose 3-2 to Sabres in overtime
The Wild fell apart late, and it led to their first loss of the season. Owen Power capped off the Sabres' 3-2 comeback in overtime on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center and snapped the Wild's season-opening two-game win streak at the outset of a three-game road trip. With 38 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime, a wide-open Power skated in for the game-winning wrister.
Minnesota is still home for Matt Dumba — even as his NHL career comes to an end
Minnesota is still home for Matt Dumba — even as his NHL career comes to an end After 13 NHL seasons, including 10 with the Wild, Dumba is retiring at 32 and embracing a new chapter in the place where he says he “grew up.” Matt Dumba, in this 2018 photo, played 10 seasons with the Wild after the team drafted him in 2012. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Matt Dumba wore other jerseys.
Live: Unbeaten Wild, still without Brock Faber, start East Coast swing in Buffalo
Live: Unbeaten Wild, still without Brock Faber, start East Coast swing in Buffalo Quinn Hughes and the Wild enter tonight's game in Buffalo with two victories to open the NHL season. (Johnnie Izquierdo) Jesper Wallstedt backstopped the Wild’s first two victories and gets the start in goal tonight against the Sabres. Follow along for updates and highlights from the action. The Minnesota Wild have been like the Minnesota Vikings so far ... unbeaten, but not overly impressive.
How the Wild are off to a winning start despite ‘big hole’ left by Brock Faber
How the Wild are off to a winning start despite ‘big hole’ left by Brock Faber Lineup adjustments, stingy defense and timely offense have the Wild 2-0 with their star defenseman sidelined by a skull fracture. A challenging three-game road trip comes next. Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) has helped his team start 2-0 despite the absence of defenseman Brock Faber.
Wild run away from Bruins for 4-1 win in home opener
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Wild recovered from a sleepy start because the power play jolted them awake. A pair of second-period goals against the short-handed Bruins galvanized the Wild to a 4-1 win on Saturday night in their home opener at Grand Casino Arena that kept them undefeated two games into the season. On the power play, Kirill Kaprizov buried a one-timer set up by new linemate Max Shabanov before Quinn Hughes capped off the comeback with a seeing-eye shot through traffic for his first goal.
Live: Wild stars, power play spur a 4-1 win over the Bruins in home opener
The Minnesota Wild are 2-0 to start the 2026-27 NHL season after a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in their home opener at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday night. The Wild, who won their season opener 3-1 in Nashville on Thursday, didn't get a shot on goal against Boston until 8:29 remained in the first period and fell behind 1-0. But Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes scored on the power play in the second period, and Jared Spurgeon added his first goal of the season early in the third.
Wild run away from Bruins for 4-1 win in home opener
By Sarah McLellan, The Minnesota Star Tribune ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Wild recovered from a sleepy start because the power play jolted them awake. A pair of second-period goals against the short-handed Bruins galvanized the Wild to a 4-1 win on Saturday night in their home opener at Grand Casino Arena that kept them undefeated two games into the season.
Wild run away from Bruins for 4-1 win in home opener
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Wild recovered from a sleepy start because the power play jolted them awake. A pair of second-period goals against the short-handed Bruins galvanized the Wild to a 4-1 win on Saturday night in their home opener at Grand Casino Arena that kept them undefeated two games into the season. On the power play, Kirill Kaprizov buried a one-timer set up by new linemate Max Shabanov before Quinn Hughes capped off the comeback with a seeing-eye shot through traffic for his first goal.
Live: After season-opening win, Wild take on Bruins in front of home fans
Live: After season-opening win, Wild take on Bruins in front of home fans Kirill Kaprizov, left, and Quinn Hughes lead the Minnesota Wild in their home opener on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Newer Wild players played a big role in Thursday’s win over Nashville. Follow along throughout Minnesota’s home opener vs. Boston tonight at Grand Casino Arena.
Wild beat Predators on goals from Kirill Kaprizov, Blake Coleman and Nick Foligno
Welcome to the new Wild. Led by a perfect penalty kill, Kirill Kaprizov deflection and veterans stepping up on offense, the Wild dismissed the Predators at Bridgestone Arena in a 3-1 season-opening victory. Their home opener is Saturday versus Boston at Grand Casino Arena. Nick Foligno scored the first goal of the season, burying a Michael McCarron rebound in the first period, and newcomer Blake Coleman widened the Wild's lead to 2-0 on the power play 4 minutes later.
Wild open highly anticipated season with business-like road win over Predators
NASHVILLE − One of the most anticipated seasons in Minnesota Wild history is finally here. After winning their first playoff series in 11 years , the Wild have elevated expectations to Stanley Cup or bust. Their stars are in their prime, they brought in players with championship experience , and an accelerated training camp had a business-like focus leading to the season opener.
Wild beat Predators on goals from Kirill Kaprizov, Blake Coleman and Nick Foligno
Welcome to the new Wild. Led by a perfect penalty kill, Kirill Kaprizov deflection and veterans stepping up on offense, the Wild dismissed the Predators at Bridgestone Arena in a 3-1 season-opening victory. Their home opener is Saturday versus Boston at Grand Casino Arena. Nick Foligno scored the first goal of the season, burying a Michael McCarron rebound in the first period, and newcomer Blake Coleman widened the Wild's lead to 2-0 on the power play 4 minutes later.
Live: Wild open season with Stanley Cup expectations, Quinn Hughes uncertainty
NASHVILLE − One of the most anticipated seasons in Minnesota Wild history is finally here. But there is a loose end dangling over the Wild. The Wild knew when they traded for Hughes in December that he couldn’t guarantee he’d stay after his six-year, $47.1 million contract expired in 2027, but re-signing him was their top priority of the offseason.
As the Wild season begins, here’s what to know to watch each game
As the Wild season begins, here’s what to know to watch each game The Wild’s new TV network, Wild+, will carry 67 games on Prime Video, Fubo and Spectrum, while 17 games will be nationally televised. The Wild's new TV network, Wild+, will carry 67 of the team's games, and the other 17 games will be nationally televised. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share How Wild games look on TV will be familiar, but where fans can catch the action is changing.
Who is Kirill Kaprizov without Mats Zuccarello? Wild are about to find out.
Who is Kirill Kaprizov without Mats Zuccarello? Wild are about to find out. After seven seasons with Zuccarello at his side, Kaprizov enters a new era with a $136 million contract and the expectation that he’ll elevate those around him. Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild is going into his seventh season with the Wild but his first without Mats Zuccarello. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Kirill Kaprizov had an open invitation to Mats Zuccarello’s house.
Wild unsure when Brock Faber will return after surgery for skull fracture
Wild unsure when Brock Faber will return after surgery for skull fracture The Wild placed their star defenseman on injured reserve and added rookie David Spacek to their opening-night roster. Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber practices at training camp at Tria Rink in St. Paul on Sept. 21.
Jesper Wallstedt is the Wild’s No. 1 goalie. And he plans to keep it that way.
Jesper Wallstedt is the Wild’s No. 1 goalie. And he plans to keep it that way. With Filip Gustavsson recovering from hip surgery, Wallstedt will open the season atop the Wild’s depth chart. Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt enters the season as the team's primary starter. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Jesper Wallstedt didn’t have to say a word.
Wild's opening night roster is set for Thursday's opener
The Wild set their initial 23-man roster on Monday ahead of their season opener on Thursday against the Predators in Nashville. After advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, the Wild made a few significant changes to their team after trading for superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes last season as they try to build a Stanley Cup contender.
The Wild’s opening-night roster is set. Here’s how they built it to contend for the Stanley Cup.
The Wild’s opening-night roster is set. Here’s how they built it to contend for the Stanley Cup. As the Wild prepare to open their season Thursday in Nashville, new faces surround Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, while Jesper Wallstedt takes over as the No. 1 goalie. Head coach John Hynes and the Wild started training camp with 48 players before cutting down their roster to 23 for the season opener.
Live: Wild roster takes shape ahead of today’s preseason game against Dallas
The Minnesota Wild are closing in on their Opening Night roster, with 27 players remaining in camp and the 23-player regular-season roster due Monday. Stramel, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2023, finished his college career at Michigan State earlier this year. Spacek, who made his NHL debut last season as a call-up, is having a strong camp. Minor league goalies Filip Ruzicka and Riley Mercer are still in camp to take shots so Jesper Wallstedt and Calvin Pickard don’t have to.
Wild GM Bill Guerin gets multiyear contract extension with Quinn Hughes' future still in limbo
The Minnesota Wild continue their quick countdown to their Oct. 1 NHL season opener in Nashville as training camp continues. The biggest update Tuesday came after practice, when Bill Guerin's multiyear contract extension as Wild president of hockey operations and general manager was confirmed. He enters his eighth season with the organization. Guerin won the Jim Gregory Award as the NHL's general manager of the year after last season, highlighted by his execution of the Quinn Hughes trade.
Wild newcomer Blake Coleman comes full circle, with a third Stanley Cup in his sights
Wild newcomer Blake Coleman comes full circle, with a third Stanley Cup in his sights The Texas native brings a reputation for delivering in big moments — and believes the Wild have the pieces to make a deeper playoff run. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Blake Coleman is going into his first season with the Wild. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share No one else wanted to go.
Live: Quinn Hughes contract question lingers as Wild camp continues with opener nine days away
Live: Quinn Hughes contract question lingers as Wild camp continues with opener nine days away The Wild are back at Tria Rink after splitting two overtime games with Chicago. Follow updates from practice as players prepare for a home-and-home preseason set with Dallas. Quinn Hughes during Wild training camp last week at Tria. (Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share The Minnesota Wild continue their quick countdown to their Oct.
Nick Foligno not ready to retire, signs on for another Wild season with brother Marcus
Nick Foligno not ready to retire, signs on for another Wild season with brother Marcus The Wild face Blackhawks in Chicago on Monday night as the shortened NHL preseason continues. Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Foligno (17) and his older brother Nick (71) are going into their second season together. (Paul Sancya/The Associated Press) Comment Gift Share Edmonton superstar Leon Draisaitl, who married a local, drops in briefly, but the group is otherwise comprised of junior and college players.
Live: Busy practice day, then Wild open preseason against Blackhawks at Grand Casino Arena
And just like that, it’s game time for the Minnesota Wild. Training camp for the 2026-27 season began Thursday, and after just two days of practice, the Wild play their first preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 p.m. tonight at Grand Casino Arena. Under the new collective bargaining agreement that took effect Wednesday ahead of an 84-game regular season, training camp was reduced to two weeks with only four preseason games. Veteran players can’t play more than two of those games.
Wild enter training camp with Stanley Cup expectations — and one huge Quinn Hughes question
A Bismarck woman is charged with a felony following a reported fight with her teenage son over a cellphone that left the boy with bite marks a…
Live: How are the Wild’s newcomers fitting into the lineup early in training camp?
The Minnesota Wild’s preparations for the 2026-27 NHL season got underway Thursday with the opening of training camp at Tria Rink in St. Paul. Russian winger Maxim Shabanov, signed in the summer after his first NHL season with the New York Islanders, skated alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman during the first scrimmage, giving Shabanov an early opportunity alongside Kaprizov. Another newbie, defenseman Olli Maatta, was paired with Zach Bogosian.
Live: Wild open training camp today with Quinn Hughes’ contract extension up in the air
The Minnesota Wild open training camp today at Tria Rink in St. Paul after a shorter-than-usual offseason that followed their first trip to the second round of the NHL playoffs in 11 years. The Wild will have an expedited two-week training camp under the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement ahead of an 84-game regular season. There will be no fitness testing and only four preseason games, with veterans limited to playing in two.
Wild enter training camp with Stanley Cup expectations — and one huge Quinn Hughes question
Hockey is back and in a hurry. After a shorter-than-usual offseason for the Wild, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, they will begin an expedited, two-week training camp Thursday at Tria Rink in St. Paul brought on by the new collective bargaining agreement ahead of a longer 84-game season. No fitness testing. Only four preseason games, veterans can't play in more than two, and the first is already Saturday at Grand Casino Arena.
Wild enter training camp with Stanley Cup expectations — and one huge Quinn Hughes question
Wild enter training camp with Stanley Cup expectations — and one huge Quinn Hughes question The Wild’s roster has changed after its breakthrough playoff run, and a shortened camp leaves little time to sort out new lines and roles. But Hughes’ future looms over everything. Quinn Hughes, right, is in the same situation Kirill Kaprizov, left, was in a year ago, reporting to Wild training camp without a contract extension.
Wild sign head coach John Hynes to new contract after first playoff series win in 11 years
Wild sign head coach John Hynes to new contract after first playoff series win in 11 years The 51-year-old Hynes is entering his fourth season with the franchise. The Wild are 125-78-24 since he took over in November 2023, collecting the eighth-most points in the NHL during that span. John Hynes has earned a new deal with the Wild. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share John Hynes will go into the season with a new contract.
From grocery store to Minnesota: What you don’t see when an NHL trade comes together
Olli Maatta wasn’t sure what number would be on the back of his jersey. Sarah McLellan, Star Tribune (TNS) Olli Maatta wasn’t sure what number would be on the back of his jersey. On July 2, he found out he was getting traded from Calgary to the Wild … while at the grocery store.
From grocery store to Minnesota: What you don’t see when an NHL trade comes together
From grocery store to Minnesota: What you don’t see when an NHL trade comes together Olli Maatta’s arrival gave the Wild a chance to explain the behind-the-scenes process that starts the moment a deal is done. Defenseman Olli Maatta was part of the trade on July 2 that sent him and forward Blake Coleman to the Wild from Calgary for defenseman Jake Middleton and three draft picks. (David Zalubowski) Comment Gift Share Olli Maatta wasn’t sure what number would be on the back of his jersey.
From grocery store to Minnesota: What you don’t see when an NHL trade comes together
Olli Maatta wasn’t sure what number would be on the back of his jersey. On July 2, he found out he was getting traded from Calgary to the Wild … while at the grocery store. The next day, he was playing in a charity golf tournament, part of what the defenseman described as a “whirlwind” after he and forward Blake Coleman were traded by the Flames for defenseman Jake Middleton and three draft picks.
Wild are built to win now. Will any of their top prospects make a mark?
Wild are built to win now. Will any of their top prospects make a mark? A few of the Wild’s top prospects have a chance to play in the NHL next season while others are worth watching in college. Charlie Stramel, the Minnesota Wild's first-round pick in 2023, will try to make the team at training camp. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share The Wild are a veteran team with Stanley Cup aspirations because of the talent and experience already on the roster.
Wild unveil new TV home with familiar broadcast team after regional sports network collapse
The Wild are teaming up with the NHL to broadcast their games next season on a multimedia television network after FanDuel regional sports networks ceased operations earlier this year, but watching the action should be a similar experience for fans. Games will be on a Wild channel that is in the same tier of cable and satellite TV packages as FanDuel Sports North was. A select number of games will be over-the-air on a local channel like four games were last season.
Wild unveil new TV home with familiar broadcast team
Sarah McLellan, Star Tribune (TNS)
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