The issues I see are the following:
-The Wild offense is PP reliant (including Kaprizov), but the team is really dangerous in situations where they have that extra open ice (maybe the best I've ever seen). The Kaprizov line looks more like year 1 Kaprizov where they will still likely score, but can be shut down 5:5 for stretches and Kaprizov has been looking somewhat slow through the neutral zone. The Ek line, which has been one of the best 5:5 lines the league for suppressing opposing teams best lines, and even driving play hasn't been a thing at all for a variety of reasons and while the Duhaime/Ek/Hartman line has been okay it's not nearly as effective as that line has been. Boldy is like Fiala 2 years ago where unless he has some amazing individual effort he doesn't yet have linemates that can do anything and so his scoring and play will be inconsistent.
-On Defense, both Dumba/Brodin have regressed on both sides of the ice. They are turning pucks over and not nearly as effective offensively (Brodin was actually a great puck handler last year and great at starting the transition). This has led to much worse defensive play overall even though Addison has been really solid (especially on the PP).
I'm not sure there is an easy fix here as I don't think Dumba is going to turn it around (this has been creeping up for awhile now), but I think it should be fine as long as Brodin finds a way to get back to form and Addison continues to come on. The Wild desperately need to get Greenway back and hope that the GREEF line can return to form so that they can win against other teams top lines and have a line that can change momentum and physically impose themselves and build some possession in opposing teams offensive zones.
They also need to find someone that can really maximize the Kaprizov line. Honestly, I'm not sure Rossi's ready but I think I would keep trying guys there until we find what the best option is. I actually think that Hartman should get more cracks at it as well given what he did show last season. Gaudreau isn't aggressive enough or a good enough finisher to work well on the Kaprizov line.
I think this means that Boldy is pretty much going to be on an island for most of this year, but I think I would rather try to get the Ek line going and make sure Kaprizov has what he needs to produce consistently 5:5 and hope that Boldy can do enough to make plays at times.
I think the other thing that they need to do more of which I've seen for the first time this season is really try to stack lines and double shift Boldy/Kaprizov or even play them together for stretches in games to try to get the most out of their lines and lack of elite offensive talent.
Ultimately, what I think that I see is a team that is probably one or two notches below what they were last season. I think they were likely due for some regression even if they didn't trade Fiala due to all of the career years last year and the record setting empty net goals and something like 11-3 OT record. Regression of puck luck, some bad injury luck that makes the GREEF line less effective, losing Fiala, career year regression from Hartman and others, and Dumba regression likely means this is a team battling for the last playoff spots rather than a division title.
