ST. PAUL, Minn. — On locker room cleanout day last week, General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin did not exactly hide what the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] need. “The preference would be to get a natural center,” Guerin said Monday during the team’s end-of-season media availability. A lot of things went right for Minnesota. The Wild got our of the first round for the first time in 11 years and they acquired the best defenseman in the NHL. But, most importantly, Guerin openly admitted Minnesota believes its Stanley Cup window is officially open. “We’re in a window now,” Guerin said. The obvious offseason target is a center. If the Wild can't get a high-end center from a trade, there are a few good centers in free agency. The top one with the most offensive was Evgeni Malkin. Malkin, 39, would have been a fascinating short-term swing if he ever reached the open market. BREAKING: Penguins Ink Evgeni Malkin To One-Year Extension [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3b155799-9397-479e-9989-7cf7174143d6.jpeg] BREAKING: Penguins Ink Evgeni Malkin To One-Year Extension After a long period of anticipation, Pittsburgh finally signed the 39-year-old franchise legend for another NHL season. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/breaking-penguins-ink-evgeni-malkin-to-one-year-extension] The Russian connection with Kaprizov and Danila Yurov would only add to the intrigue. Malkin also trains with Kaprizov in the off-season. He finished with 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games before recording three points in six playoff games. Unfortunately, the Wild center target is officially off the board. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*100me45*_ga*MTA5MzI2ODIxLjE3NjUzMjk0MDY.*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjkwMDM1NTMkbzE2MiRnMSR0MTc2OTAwNjQyNiRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com. OTHER WILD NEWS ‘It Feels Like Home’: Mats Zuccarello Hopes His Wild Career Isn’t Over [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bcd9d284-8ea4-45dc-abd9-36d8a99129e2.jpeg] ‘It Feels Like Home’: Mats Zuccarello Hopes His Wild Career Isn’t Over As the veteran winger enters a crucial offseason, he opens up about his undeniable chemistry with Kirill Kaprizov and a deep-rooted desire to finish his career in Minnesota. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/it-feels-like-home-mats-zuccarello-hopes-his-wild-career-isn-t-over] - 'I'm A Big Believer In John': Bill Guerin Commits To John Hynes. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/i-m-a-big-believer-in-john-bill-guerin-commits-to-john-hynes] - Wild's Filip Gustavsson To Undergo Offseason Hip Surgery. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wilds-filip-gustavsson-to-undergo-offseason-hip-surgery] - 'I Love The City And The Fans': Quinn Hughes Already Feels At Home In Minnesota. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/i-love-the-city-and-the-fans-quinn-hughes-already-feels-at-home-in-minnesota] - Wild Rookie Goaltender Finishes Sixth In Calder Trophy Voting. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-rookie-goaltender-finishes-sixth-in-calder-voting] - Bill Guerin Named Finalist For Jim Gregory General Manager Of The Year Award. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wilds-bill-guerin-named-finalist-for-jim-gregory-general-manager-of-the-year-award]
