Well hello, hockey fans! Welcome to the inaugural installment of our Your Name Is Wild, our new weekly column on the Minnesota Wild! Regular contributor TCDroogsma has been a diehard fan of the Wild since their inception back in the 2000-2001 season. He's been there for the highs, lows, and years & years of mind-numbing ordinariness. He's also the author of the Wild blog Wildly Biased (which existed the previous two seasons here). This year he'll be stopping by every Monday to recap the previous week & give us a preview of the upcoming week. He'll also be throwing in some goodies here and there.
The NHL kicked off its season last night, but for those of us in Minnesota our beloved home team doesn't drop the puck until tomorrow night in St. Paul. That means it's pretty much the last possible day for Droogsy to give us something resembling a season preview.
Droogsy, take it away!
Hello everybody! I can't tell you how excited I am to be writing a weekly column on the Wild for Newest Industry. As mentioned above, you can swing by my Wildly Biased blog for more in-depth coverage off the Wild. Here at Newest Industry I'll be focusing on the broad strokes of the season. I'll recap the week that was, break down the upcoming games, hand out some awards, and, like any good hockey fans, curse at pretty much everybody who's not a fan of my favorite team.
Seems appropriate that we kick off this season by hammering out a quick recap of the last season.
WHEN LAST WE SPOKE:
The last memory most people have of the 2012-2013 edition of the Wild is of a team skating off the United Center ice with their tail between their legs. The Wild limped into the playoffs (needing a win on the last day of the season to even get in) and were then soundly beaten by a Blackhawks team that would go on to win the Cup.
(Quick "I'm Still Bitter" Aside: Once the Wild lost to the Hawks I found a lot of Wild fans were cheering for the Hawks under the always reprehensible, "Well, if they win the Cup it'll make my team's loss seem better" line of thinking.
First of all, if you're a Minnesota sports fans you do no cheer for a team from Chicago. Let me repeat, you do not cheer for a sports team from Chicago. The Vikings, North Stars, & Twins didn't fight all their battles just to watch you cheer for Patrick Kane.
Second, even though the Hawks did go on to win the Cup, it didn't validate the Wild's loss in any way. The Wild played sloppy, ugly hockey. They were outmuscled at every turn by the Hawks Bottom Six forwards. Josh Harding, despite a valiant effort, was outplayed by Corey Crawford. Hell, the Wild didn't score a single power play goal. This wasn't a "Good Team Runs Into A Buzzsaw" narrative that people hoped rose-tinted hindsight would provide, it was a "Deeply Flawed Team Stumbles Into The Playoffs And Gets Thrashed Because They Just Weren't That Good" narrative.
Third, Wild fans have actually been down this road before! When the 2007 Ducks physically destroyed the Wild in the first round (with iconic cheap shots from Brad May & Chris Pronger), people took the same, "Well, I hope they win The Cup..." approach. Well, when the Ducks won The Cup later that spring my first thought was, "I have to watch these d-bags hold The Cup?" It didn't validate the first round loss at all.)
Sorry, lost the plot for a second. Anyway, reasonable fans were able to look back at the 2012-2013 season as a success. The Wild bowed out meekly, but they made it back to the land of the relevant. On their way back to the playoffs they were able to get rookies Jonas Brodin, Charlie Coyle, & Jason Zucker some valuable experience in high-leverage games. Those guys will be counted on to play major roles this season and a trip to the playoffs last year counts as a major silver lining to the loss.
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| (Wild GM Chuck Fletcher) |
-Traded fan favorite Cal Clutterbuck & a 3rd round pick to the New York Islanders for 21 year old former 1st round pick Nino Niederreiter.
(A necessary move as Clutterbuck was due a raise that the Wild couldn't afford. Clutterbuck's grit and mustache will be missed, but he was a known quantity. Niederreiter represents a cheap, young, talented player who has yet to realize his full potential. Final Grade: B+)
-Re-signed goaltender Niklas Backstrom to a three-year deal.
(I'm not a fan of giving three year deals to injury-prone goalies in their mid-30's even if they are franchise cornerstones. It's not coincidence that this signing came just a day after young Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Maple Leafs as Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was definitely in on those trade talks. Regardless, once Bernier was off the market their weren't better options out there. Grade: B-)
-The Wild trade Devin Setoguchi to Winnipeg for a 2nd round pick, use the new cap space to sign longtime Wild villain Matt Cooke
(Man oh man! I haven't seen the Wild fanbase this riled up in years! I'll admit, like many Wild fans I've been anti-Matt Cooke since 2003 when he was somehow the dirtiest player on that reprehensible Canucks squad. Unlike most Wild fans, I'm willing to welcome Cooke with open arms. Every team the guy has played for won games. Frankly, the Wild's sandpaper guys from 2012-13 (Clutterbuck, Rupp, Konopka) just weren't getting the job done. Cooke is a huge upgrade to the 3rd line/PK unit. Exiling Guchi Mane to Winnipeg seems like reasonable punishment for him showing up to camp looking & playing like a cheeseburger last season. Grade: A-)
-The Wild buy out defenseman Tom Gilbert & sign defenseman Keith Ballard
(No more Tom Gilbert! Grade: A+)
And with that, here we are.
Before I get into breaking down this squad, let me remind you that the NHL realigned its divisions this season, dropping the old Six Division format for a new Four Division format. That means no more of the old Northeast Division battles against Vancouver, Edmonton, & Calgary. The Wild now call the Central Division home. They share the Central with Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, Nashville, Winnipeg, & Colorado. It should be phenomenal.
For a breakdown of a look at my picks for the Eastern Conference & Western Conference have a look at the Wildly Biased blog. I pick the Wild to finish 2nd in the Central.
Alright, let's break this thing down. Don't have me break this thing down for nothin'!
Forwards
It's been twelve years since the Wild began playing the NHL and if they've established one trait that's held true all these years it's that they will struggle to score goals. Through different coaches, different players, & different styles the Wild has never been a high flying offensive team. This year doesn't appear to be any different (at least as the far as the forwards go).
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| (Parise & Koivu) |
The Wild's first line is made up of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, & Jason Pominville. All three players are hard nosed, talented, two-way players. While those traits will make them favorites to "knowledgeable" fans, it won't result in a lot of high-flying offense. These three guys will match up against other skill lines and, theoretically, be able to defend well enough to turn the puck the other day. This style of play (and by extension, these three players) are the franchise personified.
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| (Charlie Coyle) |
The second line, however, provides quite a bit of intrigue. Young Charlie Coyle has been switched back to his natural center position and, by all accounts, has been a revelation. Head Coach Mike Yeo has put together a line that is high on size & low on subtlety. Coyle's wins will be Dany Heatley (hoping to revive his career in a contract year) and the newcomer Niederreiter. All three players are big with soft hands. If any line is going to provide an offensive jolt this season it'll be these guys.
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| (Matt Cooke) |
The Wild's third line sports more skill than in years past. Kyle Brodziak will be looking to rebound from his worst season in a Wild sweater. Fortunately, the Wild have provided some interesting wings for him to center. The aforementioned Cooke brings the type of skill, speed, & grit that we always wanted to see out of Clutterbuck. They'll be joined by either Mikael Granlund, Justin Fontaine, or Torrey Mitchell on the other wing depending on the opponent. Granlund brings skill but lacks size, Mitchell brings speed but little skill, and Justin Fontaine is average in every possible way.
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| (Hoppy & Zenon Konopka) |
The fourth line will center around Zenon Konopka. Konopka's ability to win faceoffs & fights makes him a useful piece of the puzzle (and his rabbit Hoppy makes him a cult hero). He'll be joined by a rotating cast of Mitchell, Fontaine, & Mike Rupp once Rupp's healthy.
While it's hard to write this without sounding like I'm covered in Iron Range Red Kool-Aid, the truth is that this is arguably the most talented group of forwards the Wild has ever assembled. We pretty much know what to expect from Koivu, Parise, & Pominville, but if young guns like Coyle, Granlund, & Neiderreiter are ready to contribute this could be a very formidable group.
Defensemen
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| (Ryan Suter & Jonas Brodin) |
Once again the defense will be led by Norris Trophy Finalist Ryan Suter. When the Wild signed Suter to that 13 year deal last offeason there were a lot of questions about how Suter would handle the load of being an undisputed, #1 d-man. All Suter did was put together the best offensive & defensive season every by a Wild defenseman. And he did it in 48 games. Watching him dominate the game from the back end made me feel like a fool for talking myself into players like Nick Schultz & Brent Burns as #1 d-men in the past (and let's not get into the days of Keith Carney, Filip Kuba, or Willie Mitchell).
Suter will be paired with 21 year old wunderkind Jonas Brodin. Brodin joined the Wild last season with the reputation as a smooth-skating d-man with a lot of potential. I don't think any of us, however, were prepared for just how good this kid is. He spent last season paired with Suter and focusing on the defensive/breakout aspect of his position and looked better than 85% of the defensemen in the NHL while doing so. As the season progresses here's hoping that he continues tapping into his immense talent and becomes more comfortable on the offensive side of the puck. He should see significant PP time with the second unit this season.
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| (Jared Spurgeon) |
The Wild's second pair defense will likely be Jared Spurgeon & Marco Scandella, two guys who have played with each other off and on for 4 years now.
Despite his diminutive frame Spurgeon has established himself as a bona-finde NHLer. His play with the puck makes him a key cog in the Wild's power play, where he'll likely quarterback the second unit. The emergence of Brodin has pushed Spurgeon to the second pairing, but that may be a blessing as it will allow him more freedom to be creative than he was allowed as a number one pairing player.
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| (Marco Scandella) |
Superstorm Scandy has been an enigma in the Wild organization forever. Each season he comes into camp and seems to play well enough to earn a spot with the big squad. Sooner or later, however, his play falls off and he finds himself back in the minors. For those of us who are fans of his game it's been incredibly frustrating. GM Chuck Fletcher threw him into the first last season by calling him up just before the Wild's playoff series. Scandy played well during the loss so hopefully that confidence carries over.
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| (Clayton Stoner) |
Four player round out the rest of the Wild's defensive corps. Longtime d-man Clayton Stoner spent his offseason shooting bears in British Columbia. He's remains the prototypical big, strong, slow defender that will always have a place on an NHL team.
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| (Keith Ballard) |
Newcomer Keith Ballard is essentially Clayton Stoner Version 1.5. Though not as large he's slightly faster, better with the puck, and plays with a nastier edge.
Young pup Mathew "Odd Future" Dumba made the team after an impressive training camp. He hits hard, has a good shot, & is filled with untapped potential. The Wild retain the right to send him back to the Western Hockey League after 9 games if they aren't going to keep him with the big squad all season. How Dumba plays (and how Stoner & Scandella play) will dictate how that battle plays out.
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| (Prosser & Stifler) |
Nate Prosser is still on the team. He still looks like Stifler.
Goalies
I'll be honest, it's really difficult for me to discuss the Wild's goaltending situation without ending up with a 15,000 word diatribe that goes back through two years of contracts, trades, health issues, declining performance, & long-term planning (or lack there of). Let's just say that if I was Chuck Fletcher the Wild's goaltending situation would look dramatically different. That post if for another day.
Here's where we're at this year. Niklas Backstrom is the starter and Josh Harding is the backup. To quote the great Morrissey, "Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before..."
Let the record state that I think both Hards & The Scientist are exceedingly good dudes. They're both very professional (never a given with goaltenders), they've both overcome myriad physical obstacles, & they both seem very dedicated to the Wild organization.
Frankly though, they're just not that good.
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| (Niklas Backstrom) |
Niklas Backstrom's pushing into his upper 30's and is essentially the definition of "average." He rarely plays poorly, but his days of stealing games have long passed. His poor games are usually extremely poor, though he follows up those poor outings with stellar performances so consistently that it's almost frustrating. Fletch gave Backstrom a three-year deal this offseason, so for better or worse, he's the man.
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| (Josh Harding) |
Basically assuring Backstrom remains the man is Josh Harding. Even though Harding has said repeatedly over the years that his goal is the to be the #1 goalie for the Wild and lead the team through the playoffs, his health pretty much assures that it'll never come to that. While MS has pretty much shut down his chance of being a #1, his health in the years prior thwarted any shot he may have had. The Wild has a rich history of goalie usurping (Manny Fernandez stole Jamie McLennan's job, Dwayne Roloson stole Fernandez's job, Backstrom stole Fernandez's job... maybe the Wild just has a history of screwing Fernandez). The fact that Harding couldn't steal the job from either Fernandez or Backstrom at some point over the years tells you all you need to know. He's a fine backup, but that's where it ends.
(Quick Harding Sidenote: The job that Harding did in the playoffs last year when taking over for an injured Nicklas Backstrom despite having sat out nearly the whole season with MS complications was nothing short of incredible. It was one of the truly special moments for a franchise sorely lacking them. Despite any criticism I may level at Harding over the course of the year, know that I do hold him in high respect.)
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| (Darcy Kuemper) |
The third man in the crease is the boyish Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper played fine as a warm body last season, but he's down in Houston for a reason (and no, that reason is not Harding's contract, he needs to play in the AHL). I promise we'll see Kuemper with the Wild at some point this season. I can promise you it won't be because he earned the call-up either.
5 Things To Watch This Season
01. Are the kids ready?
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| (Mikael Granlund) |
A big factor in landing Parise & Suter two years ago was selling them on the development of the prospect's in the Wild's system. Jonas Brodin stepped onto the blue line & exceeded expectations. He'll have to continue to play at a high level. The Wild let Matt Cullen walk because they think Charlie Coyle is ready to be the #2 center, no small task. Wingers Mikael Granlund & Jason Zucker ran hot & cold last season. Granlund will start the season with the Wild while Zucker finds his game in Iowa. Just what do the Wild have in Nino Niederreiter? Is he a legit Top 6 forward? The Wild know what they're getting from the Koivu's & Parise's. The success of this season hinges on the kids.
02. Can Dany Heatley return to form?
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| (Dany Heatley) |
Power forward Dany Heatley finds his stock awfully low at the start of this season. The former 50 goal scorer has been in steady decline for years and his two Wild campaigns have been mostly average. Heatley has an extra long offseason after suffering a shoulder injury late last season and has supposedly showed up to St. Paul in great shape. Heatley's in a contract year and a big year would be beneficial for both Heater & the Wild.
03. Can Andrew Brunette fix the power play?
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| (Andrew Brunette) |
Wild coach Mike Yeo has never been known as a great power play mind. Dating back to his days as an assistant in Pittsburgh his PP units have struggled (and those units had Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin). Despite adding Suter & Parise the Wild's PP continued to spin its wheels last season before finally crumbling during an 0-for-the-playoffs showing. Former Wild forward Andrew Brunette was brought in as a power play consultant. If he can get this group going the Wild could make some noise.
04. Can the Wild play with the lead?
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| (Head Coach Mike Yeo) |
Maybe I was spoiled by years of Jacques Lemaire-led Wild teams putting the clamps on squads once they got the lead, but Mike Yeo's Wild is comically terrible when trying to close out games. Over the last two years I've spent more words on this subject than just about anything else Wild related, but if I have to watch another season of the Wild trying to dump-and-trap their way to a win with 10 minutes left in a game I might storm the ice.
05. Can the goalies stay health?
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| (Backstrom & Harding) |
Or, more accurately, how will Darcy Kuemper respond when he has to play in St. Paul. If every one of the Wild's game is started by either Backstrom or Harding I'll personally go to every Wild fans house & program their TV to find FSN+.
All right, that's about enough. Let's have a quick look at what's on tap for the Wild this week and the I'll be on my way.
The Week Ahead:
Thursday 10/3: Los Angeles at Wild
The season kicks off tomorrow night and brings with it the kind of bloodlust that makes hockey the greatest sport on Earth. For those who don't recall: Kings captain (and notorious cheap shot artist) Dustin Brown essentially ended Jason Pominville's season last year with a vicious, concussion-inducing elbow. The hit got Brown suspended for two games and robbed the already thin Wild of one of their offensive weapons as they staggered toward the finish line.
Well, the Kings return to the scene of the crime to face a Wild franchise that has never lost a home opener. The Kings are bound to be one of the better teams in the West this season, so it'll be no small task for the Wild to keep that unbeaten streak alive.
Saturday 10/5: Anaheim at Wild
While the Wild's rivalry with the Kings is just budding, their rivalry with the Ducks is waning. Those of us who are longtime fans of the Wild will always have a special type of loathing for the formerly "Mighty" Ducks dating back to '03 & '07.
This edition of the Ducks (like all edition's since 2007) is led by Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, & Teemu Selanne. There will likely be a hint of melancholy in the air as the universally beloved Selanne has announced that he'll retire at the end of this season. This could also be one of the last times that Wild Captain Mikko Koivu's brother Saku visits St. Paul to square off against his brother.
While these sort of things are the type of little moments that remind us all why we're hockey fans let's not forget what makes hockey fun: Complete and utter disdain for every other team in the league. Go fuck yourself, Getzlaf.
Well there you have it, hockey fans! The Season Preview is in the books1
Be sure to stop back here at Newest Industry each Monday as TCDroogsma stops by with a new Your Name Is Wild column!
For more of TCDroogsma's hockey ramblings be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@WildlyBiased). He can also be found writing about the Wild in greater detail on his hockey blog Wildly Biased.
For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors. More importantly, we have a Facebook page here. Trivial as it seems stopping by & giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.
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