Guerin Says Wild Aren’t Trading Their Way Out of Slow Team Start

The Minnesota Wild are expected to be a competitive team this season but are also off to a 2-3-1 start to the 2022-23 season. It’s not where they want to be and allowing 28 goals against in six games — Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 18 goals in his first four starts — is problematic if the team doesn’t figure out a way to limit goals against.

During a recent interview with The Athletic’s Michael Russo, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin commented on his team’s inability to hold a lead and his disappointment in the club’s performances out of the gate. He noted, “We have some skill — maybe not as much as some other teams — so when we don’t play hard, heavy, physical, when our competitive level isn’t where it needs to be, we struggle.” He did add, “And when we are, we’re good”, suggesting the team has it in them to play better.

He noted, “We do have individuals that can play better. Everybody wants to play better, but you just need to play harder, a little smarter. There are some positive things, like our power play’s been really good.” He isn’t worried about the team’s ability to score goals, but the problem of shutting others down and holding leads is apparent.

He noted, “That’s how we became good. We’re not doing that right now. I don’t see it. And I want to start seeing it.” TSN’s Pierre LeBrun added during a recent Insider Trading segment that when he spoke to Guerin after the Russo interview, the GM added, “We’re not going to trade our way out of this.” He’s not letting the players off the hook and has placed the onus on the team to improve.

For now, the team will make roster changes by shaking up the lines and trying to find chemistry. If things continue to go south and, as Guerin notes, the Wild can’t find their identity, it might be time to make a change if the club digs a hole it can’t get itself out of. Guerin noted, “It’s important for us to start playing our best hockey now.”

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