Guerin explained the team's inaction compared to the Avalanche and Stars: "We’re just at a different stage than those teams."

How did the Wild do on deadline week? A look at their moves and how they set up the lineup, with Russo and Smith's early analysis.

The Wild have to weigh Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek's injury status before taking any big swings at the trade deadline.

Coming off one of their most exciting wins of the season Saturday afternoon in Detroit, the Minnesota Wild are officially in the stretch drive with the March 7 trade deadline right around the corner and 25 games left in their season — 15 of which come at home.

A first-line scoring winger who already clicks with the team is the player the Wild targeted to help with their playoff preparation. That’s why they didn’t make any other additions before the NHL trade deadline expired Friday afternoon,

The Minnesota Wild expect star winger Kirill Kaprizov and top center Joel Eriksson Ek to return before the end of the regular season, general manager Bill Guerin told reporters before Sunday's game against the Boston Bruins at the X in St. Paul, Minn.

Heading into the March 7 NHL trade deadline, The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith will have updates on all of the Wild rumblings.

Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, center, has been out for more than a month with no confirmed return in sight. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

The injury-thinned Minnesota Wild could use a boost in their push to return to the playoffs, with their margin for making it slimmed down following a strong start. With the NHL trade deadline approaching this Friday, the Wild more than likely will have to find that spark from within.

The Minnesota Wild enter the NHL trade deadline with significant needs due to injuries. Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Karpizov are both out but are expected to return before the playoffs. That makes the cap management part of Friday more difficult for GM Bill Guerin but does not mean a deal cannot be reached.

Guerin has traded away five picks so far this season and the Wild are tight to the cap. Is anything else in store?

We’re gonna be fine. We’re gonna acquire Hartman for the next game and then we got (Brodin) hopefully coming back with Ekky and Kirill, so our deadline looks fine,” said Filip