ST. PAUL, Minn. — The busiest stretch of the Minnesota Wild’s offseason has finally arrived.Between the NHL draft and the opening days of free agency, Bill Guerin must tackle one of the longest to-do lists he’s faced as the Wild’s head of hockey ops.The Wild have only five draft picks and none in the first two rounds. They must determine Mats Zuccarello’s future, evaluate the winger market and decide how aggressive to be in pursuing trade targets. Contract extensions for Quinn Hughes and John Hynes remain on the horizon. They need a new coach for AHL Iowa, a new director of amateur scouting and several scouts need new contracts.And hanging over everything is the organization’s eternal pursuit of a true top-line center.Now that Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has been traded to Florida, the Wild’s focus can shift solely back to Dylan Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings center who has requested a trade from the organization he captains.Minnesota made a big offer for Tkachuk after he included the Wild on his list of four teams he’d waive his no-move clause to join, per league sources. Like the Hughes trade, it was the equivalent of four first-round picks. But in the end, even though you can make the argument that the Wild’s offer was better because their package wasn’t all draft picks, the Senators had no choice but to accept the Panthers’ offer because Tkachuk, who had a no-move clause, had become intent on joining forces with his brother, Matthew, in Florida.Why the Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers in an NHL blockbusterJulian McKenzieBut also, this could end up better for the Wild if they land Larkin.As much as they would have loved Tkachuk — a high-scoring, physical winger who takes a lot of faceoffs — in their top six, center continues to be their biggest need. Plus, in two years, Tkachuk would command huge money when his $8.2 million a year contract expires. Larkin is cost-controlled for five more years at $8.7 million.And Guerin and Hynes absolutely love Larkin, the fast, high-scoring center who can play the bumper on the power play, kill penalties with the best of ’em and win draws.Had they traded for Tkachuk, it would have taken them out of the competition for Larkin or any other center they’re pursuing this summer or plan to pursue into next season.Now? They continue their pursuit of Larkin, though it’s not clear how fast Steve Yzerman wants to accommodate Larkin’s wishes.Larkin originally provided the Red Wings with a list of three teams, including Florida, per league sources. Panthers GM Bill Zito always seems to get things done, but his team is also missing a goalie at the moment. Vegas was the other on Larkin’s list, and Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon also always finds a way if he wants his guy, so if he’s intrigued by Larkin, you can bet he’ll try to figure out a way.Larkin was also open to expanding his list to include other teams, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. As we just learned with Tkachuk, though, the list itself only means so much. Until a player has waived to go to a team, he holds the cards on a deal being completed.So if Larkin really wants to join forces with Olympic gold-medal teammates Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, plus superstar Kirill Kaprizov, in Minnesota, he can be unyielding if he chooses. The Wild sure hope he is.Beyond the Larkin front, what’s on the slate for Guerin and company in the next few weeks? Here’s a rundown.NHL DraftFriday: First round (Wild don’t have a first), 6 p.m. CT, ESPN or ESPN+Saturday: Rounds 2-7 (Wild choose Nos. 89, 121, 137, 153 and 185), 10 a.m. CT, NHL Network or ESPN+TradesIf the Wild can’t land Larkin, one name that could resurface is Vincent Trocheck.The New York Rangers center turns 33 this summer but remains one of the league’s most complete two-way centermen. Trocheck has three years remaining on a contract carrying a $5.625 million cap hit, kills penalties, wins faceoffs and produces offensively. He also built strong relationships with both Guerin and Hynes during the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Olympics. Like Larkin, Trocheck is represented by Pat Brisson.Whether the Rangers would seriously entertain moving him is another question. Unlike Detroit with Larkin, the Rangers don’t necessarily need to make a trade.The challenge for Minnesota is that the center market thins out considerably after those two names.The New Jersey Devils’ Nico Hischier is reportedly expected to sign an extension. The Boston Bruins have fielded calls on Pavel Zacha, but they would likely set a high asking price for a player coming off a 30-goal season. The Golden Knights could conceivably explore options involving Tomas Hertl, but his declining mobility and three-team trade list complicate matters. The Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi is coming off a disappointing season, and the Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson is a polarizing player given his $11.6 million-per-year contract (until 2032) and recent struggles.Younger options like the Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Seattle Kraken’s Shane Wright would be attractive on paper, but neither appears to be a natural fit for a Minnesota team operating in win-now mode.That’s why so much attention continues to circle back to Larkin and Trocheck. If the Wild are determined to upgrade down the middle this summer, there simply aren’t many proven top-six centers available.Basically, they need Larkin to do what Tkachuk did and declare he only wants to go to one team: Minnesota.Qualifying offersThe Wild have until Monday to tender qualifying offers to retain the rights of their restricted free agents.That includes Brink, Hunt, Carson Lambos, David Spacek, Caedan Bankier and a handful of other minor leagues. Brink and Hunt have arbitration rights.It’s likely the Wild won’t qualify Samuel Hlavaj, Bradley Marek, Cameron Butler and Oskar Olausson. That would make them unrestricted free agents, although Marek may sign an AHL deal with Iowa.Free agencyWith Tkachuk no longer in the cards, the Wild could circle back to Zuccarello. But there’s a reason the veteran winger remains unsigned just eight days before free agency.The Wild first need to determine whether they’re able to acquire Larkin and then count dollars and cents after seeing what such a move would consume.Minnesota currently has roughly $12 million in cap space with nine forwards, five defensemen and two goaltenders under contract. In other words, the roster is still at least six players short. Restricted free agents Bobby Brink and Daemon Hunt will likely be re-signed, and the Wild could bring back Zach Bogosian or add a similar depth defenseman. But even after those moves, significant holes would remain.That’s because three members of last season’s top nine could be gone.Marcus Johansson has already returned to Sweden. Vladimir Tarasenko, who left Paul Theofanous and Brisson to be represented by Dan Milstein, appears headed to market. And Zuccarello remains unsigned despite mutual interest in continuing the relationship.The Wild believe Brink can step into Tarasenko’s role. The bigger question is who would fill the void if Zuccarello departs.The fact that a deal hasn’t materialized yet is notable. It could indicate that Zuccarello’s asking price is higher than Minnesota is willing to commit. It could also signal that the Wild want to fully explore the trade and free-agent markets before making a final decision.If they do reach July 1 without Zuccarello under contract, several alternatives could come into play.Patrick Kane and Anders Lee are among the veteran wingers the Wild could explore on 35-plus contracts that allow performance bonuses to be included. Such deals would provide flexibility by allowing bonus overages to be pushed into the 2027-28 cap year if necessary. Patrik Laine technically fits that category, as well, because he spent more than 100 days on injured reserve last season with Montreal, though a reunion seems unlikely after he declined to waive his no-trade clause to join Minnesota in 2024.The Wild could also pursue a more traditional free-agent target such as Jaden Schwartz, a proven scorer with six 20-goal seasons on his resume.The center market, however, is far less appealing. If Minnesota can’t land Larkin or Trocheck through a trade, the free-agent alternatives are Boone Jenner, Scott Laughton, Alex Kerfoot and Erik Haula. That’s a list unlikely to excite a team looking for a legitimate top-six upgrade down the middle.If Nick Foligno wants to play next season, the Wild would also be interested in re-signing him. But to do that, they may need to first see if they can trade Yakov Trenin or Nico Sturm, especially after recently re-signing Michael McCarron.The Wild also plan to sign about a half-dozen depth players to two-way contracts, including a dependable No. 2 or 3 goaltender capable of covering for Filip Gustavsson (hip surgery) during the opening month of the season.So every decision remains interconnected. Before the Wild can determine whether Zuccarello returns, they need to know what their roster — and cap situation — looks like after the trade market plays out.Hughes extensionBesides free agency, Hughes is extension-eligible as of July 1.The Wild have made it clear that they plan to attempt to extend his contract this summer — one year in advance of it expiring June 30, 2027 — but they haven’t gotten down to the nitty gritty just yet with Brisson, who, yes, besides being Larkin, Trocheck and Kane’s agent, also represents Hughes.Hughes said all the right things at season’s end, expressing his love for Minnesota and desire to remain with the organization beyond next season. The challenge, of course, is determining what that deal looks like.Fresh off signing Kaprizov to a $17 million annual average value that set a new bar for forward contracts, the Wild find themselves navigating a blue-line market that Hughes is poised to redefine. So is Cale Makar, who is also extension-eligible this summer. Whichever superstar signs first could establish the benchmark for the other, creating a high-stakes waiting game between two camps.It’s reminiscent of last summer, when teams and agents around the league were waiting for Kaprizov’s extension talks as a first domino. Players such as Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Adrian Kempe and Martin Necas all had one eye on Minnesota, knowing Kaprizov’s deal would influence their own negotiations.The same dynamic could be in play this summer, only this time Hughes and Makar are the players setting the market.Other businessMatt Hendricks, Iowa’s GM, has been combing through candidates for Iowa’s coaching vacancy after Greg Cronin left after one season to become an assistant with the St. Louis Blues.Hendricks planned to provide an update this week for the rest of the front office before formal interviews begin. Candidates include veteran coaches with head coaching experience, current NHL assistant coaches, current AHL assistant coaches and USHL coaches.After July 1, the Wild will also begin the process of replacing director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett, just hired as an assistant GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is at the early stages with scores of names being thrown at the Wild as potential candidates.Also, later this summer, the Wild are expected to negotiate an extension for Hynes, who is entering the final year of his contract. They have had early conversations about a new deal, team sources say.