What's Next? Big Decisions Loom for the Minnesota Wild's Free Agents and New Head Coach

With Minnesota failing to make the postseason for the first time in two years, the team finished off the regular season with three-straight wins for now former head coach Jacques Lemaire.

Lemaire, the team's only coach since the franchise came in the league in 2000 told Tom Reid, Wild radio analyst on WCCO 830 radio "I think it's time."

He will officially step down as Wild head coach Monday morning in a news conference.

Meanwhile, the front office will now be looking for a new coach to fill his spot and will also be deciding on a few free agents.

Who Will Be the Next Head Coach?

With Lemaire stepping down, the next step for Minnesota is to find a replacement, but who will it be?

With all the coaching changes this season, there are some big names on the block including former Penguins coach Michelle Therrien.

Whoever becomes the new coach will inherit some great young talent and one of the most sound defensive cores in the league.

The big question is however, can the new coach bring out the offensive talents and abilities this team has always had and make the Wild a balanced team?

For team owner Craig Leopold, he has got some thinking to do.

Free Agents: Marian Gaborik

Marian Gaborik, the 27 year-old Trenchin Slovakia native will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st this summer.

Playing in a career-low 17 games, Gaborik still picked up 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points this season.

The highest paid winger in the league at $7.5 million this season according to sportscity.com, Gaborik rejected numerous offers to re-sign him from the Wild earlier this season.

However, new rumors have surfaced that Minnesota may try again to re-sign Gaborik this time to a short-term deal.

Although many reports have indicated that Saturday's win against the Blue Jackets was Gaborik's last game in a Wild uniform.

Kurtis Foster

One of the greatest stories from the NHL this season was the return of defenseman Kurtis Foster from breaking his femur last spring against San Jose.

Playing in only 10 games this season, he registered 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points and lead the team with a plus 7 this season.

Foster, 27, will be a un-restricted free agent this summer. He has great size and a powerful shot which Minnesota should be looking to hang onto for next season.

Foster's salary this season was $1.025 million.

Marc-Andre Bergeron

Marc-Andre Bergeron was a force for the Wild on the blue-line this season. Bergeron scored 14 goals and had 18 assists this season with a plus 5. Paired with other Wild Sniper Marek Zidlicky,

The two could have been the most offensively skilled pair of defenseman in the league. His powerful shot and great movement on the powerplay is something Minnesota should keep around.

They wanted more offense from the blue-line this season, and they got it, now they have to keep it. Bergeron, 28, is an un-restricted free agent and his salary this season was $1.691 million.

Martin Skoula

Martin Skoula may possibly be one of the best positional defensive players on the Wild roster. He is big and physical, and is one of the best penalty-killing defenseman in the league.

Skoula won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2001, and although he does not chip in much offensively, he makes sure the other team doesn't either.

Skoula only tallied four times this season but his other skills around his own net and breaking out of the zone make him a good positional player you want on your roster.

Skoula, 29, is an un-restricted free agent this summer and his salary this season was $1.9 million.

Stephane Veilleux

Stephane Veilleux may not be the most offensive forward in the league, but he can make you pay in so many other ways.

He without a doubt before the addition of Cal Clutterbuck was the most predominant on the forecheck for the Wild.

He is physical and he always skates hard. He is also one of the main penalty killers for the Wild. He has got a great stick and its always in the passing lanes, and always is blocking shots.

Veilleux along with Clutterbuck and Olvecky really created a strong checking line this season which seemed to help Minnesota's offense.

Veilleux, 27 is also an un-restricted free agent and his salary this year was $862,500.

Krystofer Kolanos

Appearing in 21 NHL games this season, Krystofer Kolanos was the "go to" guy when Minnesota needed an extra man.

The most consistent scorer for the Houston Aeros, Kolanos took over the job from Benoit Pouliot who seemed to be the favorite youngster coming out of training camp.

Kolanos tallied three times with three helpers this season with his time with Minnesota but racked up 28 goals and 20 assists in 44 games with the Houston Aeros.

He could be a growing young star in the Minnesota system. Kolanos, 27, is an un-restricted free agent this summer and his salary this year was $500,000.