The Minnesota Wild only have roughly $9.1 million to spend this summer for their restricted free agents in Filip Gustavsson, Calen Addison, Brandon Duhaime, Sam Steel and Mason Shaw, all of whom have arbitration rights with the exception of Addison.

So, the prospect of extending any UFA’s is not at the top of the agenda right now for the Wild. Re-signing Gustavsson, 25, is the top priority. After all, he’s coming off a breakout year where he saved 24.54 goals above expected (seventh best in the league) along with a .931 save percentage and 22 wins. And top goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt isn’t expected between the pipes until 2024-25 at the earliest.

Once Gustavsson is signed, the Wild will have a better picture of how much they can spend elsewhere. With the Wild unlikely to trade a core player this offseason for cap purposes, it leaves little wiggle room for any UFA extensions once they sign their RFA’s. What’s more is the organization already extended Marcus Johansson for two more years, so the Wild don't need to re-sign any more UFA's.

But do any of the Wild’s UFA’s have a chance of staying put in Minnesota?

John Klingberg | 30 years old | RD

Although Klingberg proved to be an asset offensively at times, he didn’t bring the expected pop to the blue line after the Wild acquired him for a low-risk package of a fourth-round pick, Iowa defenseman Andrej Sustr and the rights to prospect Nikita Nesterenko. His puck moving ability and offensive instincts were welcomed, but his penchant for ill-advised turnovers became an issue. And his nine points in 17 games didn’t offset him being a liability defensively. He does deserve credit though for playing better in the playoffs. But even if the Wild want to re-sign him, there’s no money to do so even if he would take a pay cut. | Verdict: Heads to free agency

Gustav Nyquist | 33 years old | RW

Nyquist will be an interesting name in the free agent market this summer. Johansson’s extension almost certainly closed the door to a future for Nyquist in Minnesota. Nyquist proved he can still be an asset as a playmaker with a combined nine assists and 10 points in nine games for the Wild between the regular season and playoffs. The Wild not only don’t have the cap space to keep him, but there’s no top-six lineup spot available for him. | Verdict: Heads to free agency

Matt Dumba | 28 years old | RD

Dumba, a longtime mainstay on the Wild’s second pair with Jonas Brodin, has most likely played his final game in Minnesota after recording 236 points over 598 games in parts of 10 seasons with the organization. With two young defensemen in Brock Faber and Calen Addison behind Jared Spurgeon on the right side, there’s no spot left for him on the backend. The only chance Dumba would have of returning is if Addison is traded (Wild would reportedly listen to offers), and Dumba is willing to take a significant discount. He finished the 2022-23 season with four goals and 14 points in 79 games. | Verdict: Heads to free agency

Oskar Sundqvist | 29 years old | C/W

Sundqvist, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound forward, didn’t make the cut for the Wild's playoff roster. But the 29-year-old replaced an injured Ryan Hartman in game 2 and found twine in his only postseason appearance. He scored three goals and seven points in 15 regular season games after the Wild acquired him from Detroit for a fourth-round pick at the NHL Trade Deadline.

While Sundqvist may be a cheap depth option, his play likely didn’t move the needle to justify an extension this summer. The Wild’s tough cap situation coupled with available reinforcements in Iowa if needed likely leads to his departure. | Verdict: Heads to free agency

Ryan Reaves | 36 years old | RW

The Wild sent a fifth-round pick to the New York Rangers for Reaves last November, and Reaves notched 15 points after his arrival. The Wild reportedly are interested in bringing Reaves back next year. He played better than some expected, but the question is whether the money and term will be right, and if there's a spot for him in the lineup. | Verdict: 50/50 chance of re-signing

Final Thoughts

There’s a good chance that the Wild don’t re-sign any of their UFA’s due to the lack of cap space, but everything points to Reaves having the highest chance. This could be one of the quietest summers for the Wild in recent history. But there’s also quite a few moving parts this offseason between Addison and if any negotiations go haywire that could lead to the team circling back.

All Data Via Evolving-Hockey, Hockey-Reference and CapFriendly