Wild GM Bill Guerin demands urgency as team stumbles against non-playoff teams

Minnesota has lost three straight games to non-playoff opponents, raising concerns ahead of the playoffs.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:52pm

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The Minnesota Wild have lost three consecutive games to non-playoff teams - the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs - all at home. Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin expressed concern over the team's recent play, saying 'it's not acceptable' and that he needs to see more urgency from the players. Guerin acknowledged the Wild have proven they can play with and beat the best teams, but they need to 'tighten things up' against non-playoff opponents as the playoffs approach.

Why it matters

The Wild have struggled against non-playoff teams this season, going 18-11-6 in those games, compared to a 20-8-4 record against playoff teams. Guerin wants to see the team play with more urgency and consistency ahead of the postseason, rather than 'limping into the playoffs' like last year when they lost 10 of 15 games after the trade deadline.

The details

The Wild's recent losses have come against teams playing on the second night of back-to-backs, including the Flyers who arrived late in the morning due to travel delays. Coach John Hynes and Guerin are looking internally at the team's routines, as the Wild practice less frequently than most teams and have even held optional morning skates after days off. Guerin says the team needs to take ownership of the poor performances and realize the outcomes are 'not acceptable and up to our standards'.

  • The Wild lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs in their last three games.
  • The Wild are 1-2-2 in their past five games and 4-4-2 since the Olympic break.

The players

Bill Guerin

The president of hockey operations and general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

John Hynes

The head coach of the Minnesota Wild.

Kirill Kaprizov

A star forward for the Minnesota Wild.

Matt Boldy

A forward for the Minnesota Wild.

Quinn Hughes

A defenseman for the Minnesota Wild.

Brock Faber

A defenseman for the Minnesota Wild.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime it's this late in the year and you're losing three in a row, you have concerns. I think there's a solution to it. We're trying to figure out what that is, but it's time for our players to reset.”

— Bill Guerin, President of hockey operations and general manager, Minnesota Wild

“I need to see more urgency from everybody. Like, it's not acceptable the way we've played the last three games. We've continually year after year after year raised the standard of play, raised the standard of expectations, and we're not meeting it right now.”

— Bill Guerin, President of hockey operations and general manager, Minnesota Wild

“As a group, we need to tighten things up. We're too loose right now, and that's everybody.”

— Bill Guerin, President of hockey operations and general manager, Minnesota Wild

What’s next

The Wild will travel to begin a home-and-home series with the Chicago Blackhawks as they look to get back on track ahead of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Wild's struggles against non-playoff teams are concerning for a team with high expectations, especially as the playoffs approach. Guerin's demand for more urgency and accountability from the players suggests the team needs to refocus and tighten up their game if they want to make a deep postseason run.