With Marco Rossi sidelined week-to-week on injured reserve, the Minnesota Wild face critical decisions about their roster construction and young talent evaluation. GM Bill Guerin admits the organization doesn't truly know what they have in their prospects—yet continues burying players like Danila Yurov and Liam Ohgren in limited fourth-line roles. 

Jessi Pierce of NHL.com joins host Seth Toupal to dissect the Wild's mediocre 7-7-4 start, examining whether Guerin will finally make the "big splash" trade he claims he's not afraid to execute.

The conversation challenges Minnesota's cautious development approach, contrasting how defenseman Zeev Buium receives top-pairing opportunities to make mistakes while offensive prospects get eight-minute nights with Ben Jones. With $16.7 million projected in trade deadline cap space—the most flexibility in years—could Guerin actually move core pieces like Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, or Joel Eriksson Ek? Pierce and Toupal dare the Wild GM to prove his words with action, arguing that roster safety has bred complacency while special teams inconsistency and anemic 5-on-5 scoring plague Kirill Kaprizov's supporting cast.

Discover why Rossi's absence creates the perfect opportunity to finally answer questions about Minnesota's prospect pool—if coaching will allow it.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Locked On Wild

Follow/Subscribe Anywhere: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnWild

Follow Locked On NHL: linktr.ee/lockedonNHL

Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/ZAB6yyck

Have a Question for the Show or a Topic you want Covered? Email lockedonwild@gmail.com

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!

DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL.

Indeed - Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon 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 LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

Monarch - Take control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!

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.