The Minnesota Wild are set to commence their 25th season on October 9, 2025, facing off against the St. Louis Blues. Their home opener follows on October 11 against Columbus. The season wraps up on April 14, with a total of 82 games scheduled, including a break for the Winter Olympics in February 2026. The Wild will have their longest homestand of six games from October 25 to November 4 and will embark on a challenging stretch with seven consecutive road games from December 27 to January 8 due to the World Junior Championship being hosted in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Fans should note that the upcoming season will feature 14 back-to-back games, which is two more than last season. The Wild will also see 12 games starting before 5 p.m. Central Time, creating unique opportunities for early game-day excitement. This structured and competitive schedule puts the team in a prime position to build off previous seasons as they navigate the challenges of their inaugural quarter-century in the NHL.

The Dallas Stars will kick off the 2025-26 NHL season on October 14th, hosting the Minnesota Wild at 8:30 p.m. This matchup marks Glen Gulutzan's return as head coach following his hiring to replace Pete DeBoer during the offseason. This is significant as it is his second tenure with the franchise, having previously coached the Stars from 2011 to 2013.

Last season, the Stars reached the Western Conference finals for the third consecutive year but faced elimination by the Edmonton Oilers for the second straight time. With Gulutzan at the helm, the team aims to overcome their playoff shortcomings and strive for greater success in the upcoming season.

Ilya Sorokin has firmly dismissed trade rumors circulating around him, emphasizing the importance of his no-trade clause and highlighting the noise that comes with being a high-profile athlete. With an $8.25 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause, he insists that he has never been part of any trade discussions, as confirmed by his agent. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild are navigating their own negotiations, particularly concerning Kirill Kaprizov's extension and Marco Rossi's contract, indicating they are prepared to match any potential offer sheets. The ongoing RFA landscape raises questions about teams' strategies in contract negotiations.

The Minnesota Wild are evaluating their defensive depth as they aim to develop young prospects Zeev Buium and David Jiricek. With Declan Chisholm needing a raise that surpassed what the team is willing to pay for a seventh defenseman, he has signed a two-year deal with the Capitals. This decision leaves the Wild with the flexibility to seek additional blue line depth through the waiver wire at the end of training camp, should the need arise.

As the 2026 NHL free agency market approaches, excitement is building among fans. High-profile players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Artemi Panarin are poised to hit the market, while veterans such as Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin may seek new opportunities. The Buffalo Sabres face a dilemma with Bowen Byram, while teams eye players like Rasmus Andersson and Martin Necas for potential trades. Notably, Filip Gustavsson's future with the Wild remains uncertain as he approaches free agency.

The Dallas Stars have announced their preseason schedule for the 2025-26 NHL season, featuring six exhibitions. They will kick off the preseason at American Airlines Center, facing off against the St. Louis Blues on September 20. Other notable games include a rematch against the Minnesota Wild and a visit to Colorado to square off with the Avalanche.

Training camp will be held from September 17-20 at the Comerica Center, with full details to be revealed later. The anticipation for the upcoming season is already building as fans look forward to seeing how the roster takes shape during these early matchups.