Best Minnesota Wild Players of All Time

As the Minnesota Wild continue to carve out their legacy in the NHL, certain names stand out for their contributions on the ice. From dynamic goal scorers to stalwart defencemen, these players have made their mark in the team’s history and have been pivotal in shaping the Wild’s growth in the NHL. 

Fans and bettors alike watched as the performances of these legends often made the team NHL odds-betting favourites before critical matchups.

These are the best Minnesota Wild players of all time. 

Best Minnesota Wild Players of All Time

1. Mikko Koivu

Mikko Koivu was the essence of the Minnesota Wild for over a decade. As the Wild’s first full-time captain from 2009 until his departure in 2020, he was an influential part of Minnesota hockey history both on and off the ice. 

It might get teary in Minnesota on Sunday as Mikko Koivu will be the first player in franchise history to have his number retired. 🥺

(🎥: IG/nhleurope) pic.twitter.com/A6RhaW4Bfo

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2022

Koivu still leads the franchise with 1,028 games played and tops the charts with the most assists (504) and points (709) in Wild history. He was a Selke Trophy finalist in 2017 and was widely regarded as one of the finest defensive forwards in the NHL throughout his career. Koivu’s consistency, dedication and leadership set the standard for future generations of Wild players.  

2. Marian Gaborik

Marián Gáborík’s tenure with the Minnesota Wild was branded by breathtaking speed and an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. Drafted third overall by the Wild in 2000, the Slovakian quickly became the franchise’s offensive dynamo. 

He still holds the franchise record for most goals scored in a Wild uniform (219). Gáborík’s explosive talents were on full display during the 2007-08 season when he set a personal and then franchise record with 42 goals. That particular mark was eventually broken by modern Wild sensation Kirill Kaprizov in 2022.

Throwback to Marian Gaborik's five-goal game on this day in 2007. 😲

(🎥 IG/NHLEurope) pic.twitter.com/avgRuUMTi2

— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2021

His legendary five-goal game against the New York Rangers in 2007 will forever be remembered in Wild lore. 

3. Zach Parise 

Zach Parise’s arrival in Minnesota as a free agent in 2012 heralded a new era for the franchise, bringing excitement to the fan base. Over eight seasons in Minnesota, Parise tallied 199 goals, good for third in Wild history. 

He was instrumental in getting the team back into the playoffs and scored 37 playoff points in just 44 games during his time in Minnesota. Parise also sits in the top 10 in all-time Wild history in games played (558), assists (201), and points (400).  

4. Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter was signed alongside Parise in 2012, signalling the team’s ambitions to become a perennial playoff contender. Suter quickly made his mark, finishing second in the Norris Trophy rankings in his first year in Minnesota. 

He became one of the NHL’s premier defensemen as a member of the Wild, often playing against the opposition’s top line. Yet, Suter still managed to rack up 314 assists and 369 points as a member of the Wild. 

5. Devan Dubnyk 

Devan Dubnyk’s arrival transformed the fortunes of the 2014-2015 Minnesota Wild. He won an incredible 27 games in 39 appearances that season, leading the team back to the playoffs. His incredible .936 save percentage and 1.78 goals against average earned him third place in the Vezina Trophy rankings. 

Dubnyk brought stability to the Wild’s revolving door of goaltending problems, winning 177 games in only six seasons in Minnesota.