ST. PAUL, Minn. — There wasn’t a player in the NHL who threw the body around more than Yakov Trenin last season.
The Minnesota Wild forward finished the 2025-26 regular season with an NHL-leading 413 hits, 74 more than Kiefer Sherwood, who finished second with 339.
Advertisement
Trenin doesn’t plan on abandoning the physical style that has become a defining part of his game.
Entering his third season with the Wild, he would like to bring something else to the table, too.
More offense.
“I always want to improve in every aspect and also keep the hits on the same high level,” Trenin said.
The idea of Trenin contributing more offensively isn’t unprecedented.
The 29-year-old scored a career-high 17 goals in 80 games with the Nashville Predators during the 2021-22 season, under current head coach and former Predators head coach John Hynes. He followed that with 12 goals and 24 points the next season.
Advertisement
His goal totals haven’t reached double digits in either of his first two seasons in Minnesota. Trenin recorded seven goals and 15 points in 76 games in 2024-25 before finishing last season with six goals and a career-high 17 assists for 23 points while playing all 82 games.
The offense also showed up in the postseason.
Trenin recorded 51 hits in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after registering 34 during Minnesota’s playoff run the year before.
Now, there could be an opportunity for him to provide more than physicality.
Trenin has spent time playing alongside skilled forwards such as Danila Yurov and Bobby Brink, something that could give the Wild a different look from a line that will still be expected to play hard and defend.
Advertisement
“Obviously, you always want to help the team to win,” Trenin said. “It’s either defense or hit, but nothing more exciting than scoring and jumping into the glass.”
Jan 27, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Yakov Trenin (13) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Trenin knows firsthand what Yurov went through during his first full NHL season and believes the young Russian forward could be ready to add another offensive dimension to his game.
“During the last season, he learned a lot, he improved a lot, and just getting the confidence, staying always here, helps you,” Trenin said. “I think his defensive game was always great. He worked hard, and I think he can put his offensive game on too.”
Advertisement
Trenin has noticed Yurov becoming more comfortable away from the ice as well.
“His English got better too, and just confidence in the room, small jokes, all that stuff,” he said.
Who ultimately ends up alongside Trenin remains to be seen, but the veteran winger knows what he wants his own game to look like.
The physicality isn’t going anywhere. After 654 regular-season hits over his first two years with Minnesota, including a league-leading 413 last season, that part of his identity is well established.
But Trenin has scored 17 goals in an NHL season before.
This year, he’d like to show there’s still more offense there, too.
Advertisement
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Read the full article here