Minnesota Wild

Last season: 45-30-7, lost to Vegas in first round of playoffs.

COACH: John Hynes (third year with Wild, 363-309-75 over 10 seasons with three teams).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 9 at St. Louis.

DEPARTURES: C Frederick Gaudreau, G Marc-Andre Fleury, D Jon Merrill, D Declan Chisholm, RW Gustav Nyquist, C Devin Shore.

ADDITIONS: RW Vladimir Tarasenko, C Danila Yurov, C Nico Sturm.

BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 35-1.

What to expect

The Wild proved their commitment to contending for its first Stanley Cup by signing star LW Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract extension that is the richest deal in NHL history . Despite another first-round exit from the playoffs last spring — they have not won a series since 2015 — the Wild were emboldened by the way they outscored

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