The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota was buzzing with excitement as the Minnesota Wild owner, Craig Leipold, settled into his center-ice suite to watch a preseason match-up against the Chicago Blackhawks. Leipold had just returned from the NHL‘s Board of Governors meeting in New York, where commissioner Gary Bettman had shared the news that many of the league’s franchises were now valued at around $2 billion.
Speaking with a grin on his face, Leipold exclaimed, “The franchises are just golden.” It was clear that the Wild owner was pleased with the state of his team. Season-ticket renewals were well over 90 percent, corporate sponsorships were at an all-time high, and club seats had been sold out since Leipold took over ownership 18 years ago.
But despite the outward appearance of stability, Leipold revealed in an exclusive interview with The Athletic that the Wild were in the midst of a five-year plan aimed at securing a championship. This strategy had been developed during a meeting with president and general manager Bill Guerin and his team the previous year.
Leipold expressed full confidence in Guerin, stating that there was “zero heat” on the general manager. He believed that Guerin and his staff had what it takes to lead the Wild to success. So, what were the key elements needed to make this plan a reality?
The road to a championship had been paved once before, back in 2012 when Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signed landmark contracts with the Wild. However, despite high expectations, the team failed to reach the promised heights. Three years ago, the decision was made to reset and start anew.
Guerin, who had been brought on board in 2019, advocated for a change. He convinced Leipold that cutting ties with Parise and Suter was necessary for the team’s future success. This meant facing dead cap hits of up to $14.7 million in the last season and the upcoming one, as Guerin acknowledged they would be competing with “one hand tied behind our backs.”
The Wild may have been operating in the NHL’s “mushy middle” from an outsider’s perspective, but internally, Leipold was optimistic about the future. With their five-year plan in place and a dedicated team led by Guerin, the Minnesota Wild were poised for a resurgence. And with Leipold’s unwavering support and the fans’ understanding of the necessary sacrifices, the team was eager to make a push for the ultimate prize – a championship.
