Can the Minnesota Wild get their offence going?
In the 2007-08 season the Minnesota Wild won the Northwest division and looked like one of the National Hockey League’s most promising young teams. However, the following season the team dropped to ninth in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs just a season removed from their division title.
At the end of the 2008-09 season, long-time head coach Jacques Lemaire stepped down. Lemaire is a staunchly defensive coach, and had the Wild playing the most tight-checking game in the NHL. After he stepped down the club hired Chuck Fletcher to become the team’s General Manager. Fletcher quickly hired Todd Richards as head coach, and a new era began in Minnesota.
Richards immediately scrapped the defence-first game plan of Lemaire and set out to make the Wild a more offensive squad.
The new game plan did not seem to take, as the Wild finished fourth in the Northwest and 13th in the Western Conference, a full nine points back from the eighth place Colorado Avalanche.
It remains to be seen as to whether or not the Wild will be able to compete in the offensively potent Western Conference with their current roster and game plan.
Departures
The Wild chose not to sign veteran forwards Owen Nolan and Petr Sykora. Fletcher also let defenceman Shane Hnidy join the free agent pool.
Arrivals
For the most part Fletcher has decided to stand pat with his line-up from last season. He got his hands on defensive forward Matt Cullen, and resigned trade acquisition Guillaume Latendresse to a two-year deal.
Fletcher also signed team captain Mikko Koivu to a seven-year contract that sees the Centre make over $7 million next season.
Forwards
The Wild have a ton of forwards signed through to the end of the 2010-11 season.
Their first line will consist of Koivu, Martin Havlat, either Pierre-Marc Bouchard or Antti Miettinen. The second line should house Matt Cullen, Andrew Brunette and one of Miettinen or Bouchard.
The third line shut down unit will feature newly acquired John Madden, surrounded by Cal Clutterbuck and Chuck Kobasew. The only clear member of next years fourth line is Eric Nystrom.
The Wild also have a number of forward prospects that could find themselves in the line-up after camp in September. Kyle Brodziak and James Sheppard are favourites to make the team, and should log third line minutes.
Defence
Defence continues to be the strongest part of the Wild’s roster. Marek Zidlicky will start in the first pairing with Brent Burns, while Cam Barker and Greg Zanon are likely to appear as the second pairing. The third unit will house Nick Shultz, and one of Nate Prosser or Clayton Stoner. Of course the final spot on defence could also be filled by a youngster such as Tyler Cuma, if he is able to impress at camp.
Goaltending
As one of the best goaltenders in the league Niklas Backstrom will be backstopping the Wild for the majority of the season. However, Josh Harding is a very competent back-up and should expect to get close to 20 starts next year.
Can the Wild adapt on offence
If Coach Richards wants to play an offensive game he will have to rely on most of his forwards having career years.
Last season the team’s top scorer was Koivu, with only 71 points. The squad’s top goal scorer was Brunette with 25, a far cry from former Wild member Marion Gaborik, who scored 42 in his last full campaign with the club.
Fletcher is counting on Havlat having a better season. The often injured winger scored only 54 points last year, and is meant to be the team’s main offensive threat. There is no question that Havlat will have to be more productive if the Wild plan on getting back to the post-season in 2011.
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