Last spring, the Minnesota Wild had a prime opportunity to break their playoff drought, having not advanced past the first round since the 2014-15 season. They grabbed an early series lead against the Golden Knights, going up 2-1. However, the Wild ultimately faltered, losing three consecutive games and ending their season earlier than hoped. Despite the disappointing outcome, a standout was Marcus Foligno, who was instrumental during the series with three goals and an assist, showcasing a physical style that seemed to unsettle Las Vegas.
As the 34-year-old entered the current season, expectations were mixed. Foligno’s year-to-year performance made him a focal point for the Wild, yet this season has been a stark contrast. Ahead of Thursday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, he had netted only two goals and accumulated six points in his first 37 games, alongside a troubling minus-9 rating, which is among the worst on the team. With a $4 million annual salary, the Wild aren’t getting the anticipated return on their investment.
Foligno signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension prior to the 2023-24 season, prompting skepticism due to his past performance. Though he enjoyed a career year in the 2021-22 season with 23 goals and 42 points, that performance was buoyed by a league-leading shooting percentage of 23.5%. The following year, he saw a drop in his output to seven goals and 21 points, with a significantly lower shooting percentage of 8.4%. Still, General Manager Bill Guerin made the decision to extend Foligno’s contract, valuing his intangibles, leadership, and defensive prowess. While he may be better suited for a bottom-six role, Foligno’s defensive stronghold remains evident, as he ranks in the 89th percentile defensively, despite ranking low in offensive contributions.
Currently, the Wild are facing performance challenges in their bottom six forwards. If top players like Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov aren’t scoring, the team struggles to keep pace with other highly competitive teams, particularly in the postseason. Injuries could also be weighing on Foligno, who led the Wild with 253 hits last season, or he might be experiencing the effects of aging.
With playoffs appearing to be within reach for Minnesota this season, there’s speculation that Foligno may be conserving energy for the crucial final stretch. However, with production from the bottom six lacking, the urgency for improvement has intensified. Although Ryan Hartman has managed to contribute 12 goals and 19 points over 43 games, Foligno’s performance remains critical.
The trade deadline could provide an opportunity for the Wild; while a move involving Foligno seems unlikely, bringing in a talented bottom-six forward could reinvigorate the lineup. If Foligno can regain his form, his physical play combined with some offensive contributions could be just what Minnesota needs to make a deeper playoff run. Conversely, ongoing struggles could raise concerns about the latter years of his contract and potentially lead to another early playoff exit for the team.