Looking ahead for the Minnesota Wild: Big changes on the way?

As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

The Minnesota Wild were a decent team that couldn't score enough goals, especially when it mattered most. Minnesota was sixth-worst in the league, averaging 2.63 goals per game, and seemed particularly to sputter in important games.

All season, the Wild boasted one of the league's best expected-goals figures, suggesting that missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012 had some element of bad luck. But there always felt like something amiss with this team. The chances were there, but the personnel was never able to convert.

Sure, they were hampered by injuries. Mikko Koivu's season-ending ACL surgery was a dagger, as was losing offensively gifted defenseman Matt Dumba in December, especially as the 24-year-old was on the cusp of a breakout season.

But injuries cannot be the excuse yet again for this team. The defensive structure was strong, but an aging core and subpar production across the lineup led to this disappointing finish.

New general manager Paul Fenton was patient before he began putting his stamp on the roster. His first tweak -- shipping Nino Niederreiter to Carolina for Victor Rask -- did not pan out favorably. The trade-deadline acquisition of Ryan Donato for Charlie Coyle looks like a better swap, and the Kevin Fiala addition could be a fine long-term play.

However, it was too little, too late for a team that probably is in need of a bigger shakeup to push it past mediocrity.

Keys to the offseason

Determine Bruce Boudreau's future: This is the first time in Boudreau's career that he coached a team for a full season and did not reach 100 points. He's a very good coach, but he has not totally produced the expected postseason results. And at age 64, there might be questions about whether he's nearing the end of his reign.

What's more, Fenton want to bring in his own guy (Boudreau was hired by ex-GM Chuck Fletcher). The leading internal candidate would be Dean Evason, who spent six years as the coach of the AHL Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville Predators' affiliate. That led to a close relationship with Fenton, the longtime Preds assistant GM.

Get faster, get younger: Easier said than done. We know this is a group that, frankly, is defined by an old and slow core. Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, both 34, aren't going away anytime soon; they have no-movement clauses on matching contracts that expire after the 2024-25 season.

Koivu, 36, is on the books for next season and the team just committed to 34-year-old center Eric Staal through 2020-21 (at a decent price). Even though his early trade history has been shaky, Fenton should continue to look for deals like the Mikael Granlund-for-Fiala one; figure out what players he doesn't want to extend or be part of the long-term future, and use them as leverage for younger players or draft assets.

Add scoring: The Wild probably aren't adding any of the marquee names in free agency, but a top-nine forward, especially one with a right-handed shot, is on the radar. (The roster, as currently constructed, has a significant imbalance of left-handed shots). A player like Jordan Eberle could be a good fit. However it is done, the Wild need to find a way to get more pucks in net next season.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

The Wild don't have a terribly deep pool when it comes to players who provide immediate help. Their best prospect, Kirill Kaprizov, remains tied up with a KHL contract, and his NHL future is murky. Here are a few players I think could help as potential call-ups and part-timers.

Mason Shaw, C, age 20: I've had a chance to see Shaw a few times in person this season, as he skated in his first pro season with the Iowa Wild in the AHL in 2018-19. He's a tenacious, quick player who plays without fear despite being below average in terms of size, listed at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds. He has some good skill and has put up respectable numbers. I think he's going to eventually push for a depth role, but he'd be a solid call-up option next season.

Kaapo Kahkonen, G, age 22: Kahkonen's first season of professional hockey in North America has gone very well. He managed the adjustment very quickly, and for stretches of the season has shown an ability to dominate. He's not huge between the pipes, but he reads plays well and keeps everything under control.

Kahkonen is a very steady presence. If he plays for the Wild next season, it would be in emergency spot starts and backup situations. Minnesota's current goaltending tandem of Devan Dubnyk and Alex Stalock have multiple years remaining on their contracts. Kahkonen is going to have to stay patient and make the most of the opportunities when they come.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

Unless there are other changes, it's hard not to envision a similar Minnesota Wild team in 2019-20: one that is competent, if at times frustrating, and once again on the playoff bubble.