As a rookie forward two years removed from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Justin Fontaine recorded 21 points in 66 games for the Wild in 2013-14.
Last season, Fontaine recorded 31 points in 71 games.
As Fontaine preps for his season debut Thursday in Arizona, coach Mike Yeo hopes it's the start of another season of improvement.
"I think he's capable of taking another step this year and becoming not just a full-time guy, but a guy that's a threat every night and a guy that has an important role on the team," Yeo said.
Had the Wild escaped their first two games of the regular season healthy, Fontaine would be returning from an oblique injury to play on the fourth line.