The Milan-Cortina Olympics mark a long-awaited return of NHL players, with Minnesota Wild stars eyeing a Team USA, Germany and Sweden presence. Brock Faber, Matt Boldy, Nico Sturm, Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek have Olympic potential, with Boldy prioritizing Wild form over looming gold. The league pause runs Feb. 11–22, elevating the season's drama as rosters tighten and injuries ripple through the lineup.

The piece also tracks Wild developments—cuts, injuries, and lineup logistics—while framing Russia’s absence and Tarasenko’s remarks within a broader Olympic context. Guerin and Hynes’ USA roles tighten the connection between club and country as the 4 Nations backdrop foreshadows Milan-Cortina. Fantasy angles hinge on who lands Olympic spots and how the break reshapes Wild momentum.

Gustavsson's five-year, $34 million extension locks Minnesota's goalie future as Kirill Kaprizov's historic deal signals a capital-heavy core. Gustavsson started 58 games last season, posted a 31-19-6 record with five shutouts and a 2.56 GAA, proving he can shoulder a heavy workload and carry fantasy value into the next era.

The extension follows a breakout season and the 2022 Ottawa trade that began his rise in Minnesota, signaling trust in him as a true No.1. With Kaprizov providing elite offense, Gustavsson's durability gives fantasy managers a stable, high-volume starter in a franchise-building period.

Gustavsson is nearing an extension with the Minnesota Wild, continuing a plan to lock in a core under 30 after Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year, $136 million deal. The Swede posted a career-best season (58 games, 2.56 GAA, .914 SV%) and finished pick sixth in Vezina voting, underscoring why Minnesota wants stability in net.

The move signals a multi-year commitment to a young core (Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Faber) with Wallstedt waiting in the wings. Minnesota’s goaltending market is thin, and the Wild aim to rebound in a stacked Central after last year’s first-round exit to Vegas, while developing Ohgren, Jiricek, and Buium on entry deals.