Post Mortem: Minnesota Wild

Via:gonepuckwild.com

The list of deceased in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs is growing larger, as the Wild were also added to the morgue last night. Let's take a look at what went wrong.

The Wild made a huge splash before the season even started, signing prized free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to massive contracts in the hope they could significantly upgrade their team. The moves worked, as the Wild moved up four places in the standings to take the number eight seed and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Parise led the team in scoring with 18 goals and 38 points, while Suter was a stud on defense, playing more minutes than any skater in the NHL and picking up a Norris trophy nomination as a result. However in the playoffs, the duo combined for only one point (a goal by Parise) and a -12 rating in the five games against Chicago.


The blame for the Wild's defeat in the first round can't be put solely upon them. Captain Mikko Koivu was held pointless and no Minnesota player finished with more than one goal in the series. In fact, they scored a league low (so far) 1.40 goals per game in the first round and couldn't break through a strong Chicago defense. Minnesota was the only team that did not score a power play goal in the first round and finished with only 7 goals in 5 games overall.

Of course, the goaltending has to be considered as well. Starting netminder Nicklas Backstrom, who many thought would be essential for the Wild to compete in these playoffs, didn't play a single minute after suffering an injury before game one. Josh Harding, who we all know is fighting with MS at the moment, did his best in relief, but could only post one win, was pulled twice, and finished with a 2.94 goals against and .911 save percentage.

So what now? The first thing that GM Chuck Fletcher is going to need to address is his goaltending. Backstrom is a 35 year old free agent this summer, and many aren't sure if he is to return. Harding is still young, but his effectiveness as a starting goaltender is in doubt as he struggles with his disease. Beyond those two, there isn't anyone in the pipeline who looks poised to take the reigns in Minny just yet. The Wild are in a very fortuitous situation with their prospects, as they have blue-chippers such as Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Matthew Dumba and Jonas Brodin who all look ready to take the next step. The team does have a little bit of cap space to work with next season, but may considering holding onto that because they're going to need to sign all these RFA's soon. The team may look to stay the course and simply take another hit next year in order to get sustained success beyond that.

In all honesty, this year's playoff appearance was a nice surprise for a team that is considered still a few years a way from regaining contender's status. But if Parise, Suter and Koivu can hold down the fort for a couple seasons to allow the young guys to transition, this is a team to watch out for in the near future.