In all seriousness, the Gaborik situation is weighing heavier on the predictions of what will happen with the Wild this season than any of the moves the team made since last season ended. It is cliché to say that an extended contract negotiation that lasts into the season would be a distraction to the team. However, being the only topic any reporter chooses ask about, it is obvious it already dominates the conversation.
Given multiple meetings between Gaborik’s agent and wild brass, it is obvious the team is trying. Though, news has been sparse as of late, which has only sent Wild fans into a nervous fit. Everyone from the beat writers to ESPN have been asking GM Doug Risebrough for an update, but as of right now, there is nothing new to report.
The last comment form Gaborik’s agent was that his client had told him to try to work out a deal with
To sum it up, he has not signed, and neither side is willing to give up the information so many people want, so we will move on.
Setting the Gaborik issue aside,
Other departures include Aaron Voros to the New York Rangers, Todd Fedoruk to the Phoenix Coyotes, Chris Simon and Petteri Nummelin to the KHL, and Keith Carney and Sean Hill looking retirement in the face. Carney is in currently in
For all of the movement out of
Set-up man Pierre-Marc Bouchard also inked a long term extension this offseason, giving the Wild a solid core to build on for the next few seasons. This core includes Bouchard, fast rising defensemen Brent Burns and Nick Schultz, and center Mikko Koivu. Many blogs and reports have listed Koivu as a better player than his brother Saku up in
The Young Guns
It looks very good for the chances of Colton Gilles to be on the big team this season. When asked about what Gilles could learn in another season in juniors, coach Jacques Lemaire said, “not much.” Gilles is listed as a center, and was likely drafted for help at that position. However, with the move of Benoit Pouliot, the Wild are looking better in the middle, and Gilles could end up on a wing. Gilles needs to grow into his frame a bit, at 6’ 4”, 189 pounds, but he still plays a tough game, and has the skill to excel in the NHL.
As for aforementioned Pouliot, Risebrough made it clear during the offseason that the spot was his, and it was time for him to make his presence felt. During a late season call-up, Pouliot performed very well, and scored two goals in a critical game against
James Sheppard has moved from quiet rookie, to savvy veteran. OK, so maybe he’s not Owen Nolan, but he is no longer a rookie, and he has become more vocal in the locker room according to Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He has also become very solid on face-offs, which is something the wild desperately needed after several seasons on the losing end of the percentages.
The Goalies
Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding are both in contract years, with Backstrom becoming a
As for play on the ice, Backstrom was solid last season (33-13 2.31 GAA), despite Wild fans calls for his head. Most of the anger came from his performance in shootouts, and Backstrom spent a great deal of time working on this aspect of his game during the offseason with fellow Finnish goalie Vesa Toskala.
Harding was less than stellar in his games last season (11-15 2.94 GAA), but with more opportunities, he should improve his game. He was drafted and developed in the Wild system to be the goalie of the future, so now is the prime opportunity to take the job. To do so, he will need to step in a role, and find a way to keep the job.
The Upcoming Season
How the Wild perform this season will depend not as much on what happens with Gaborik, as much as how fast the situation is resolved. If he is re-signed early, the Wild have the pieces to be a division contender again. If he is traded early, the Wild will have the time to regroup, rediscover the chemistry and move forward. However, if the situation drags on, the distraction will eat at the team, and the play on the ice will suffer. If he is signed late, the distraction will already have done its damage, and if he is traded late, the team will not have the time to redefine itself, and will slip in the standings.
With or without Gaborik, this team is better than most experts and fans will admit. Mikko Koivu has the ability to score, plain and simple. Is he the sniper that Gaborik is? That is an unknown, since the offense of the Wild has always gone through Gaborik. Koivu certainly has the puck handling ability, the pure shot, and while he is not as fast as Gaborik, he is by no means slow either. He has also showed a true ability to lead on and off the ice.
The core of the team, Burns, Schultz, Koivu, and Bouchard will need to step up and claim this team as their own. Gone on the veterans Rolston and Carney, and it is now up to these four players to define the make up of this team. With the new additions, and the up and coming stars in Sheppard, Pouliot, and Gilles, the Wild are still a dangerous team, and overlooking them would be a mistake for any opponent.
The Predictions
Here it comes; my chance to put my reputation (what little I have) on the line and tell you all what I think is going to happen. Who knows, maybe I can pull another rabbit out of my hat, like I did with picking Tyler Cuma to the Wild in the first round.
The predictions start with Gaborik being traded. He has shown little or no desire to stay in
With Gaborik gone, other players will step up. I see Koivu as the new center of attention (no pun intended). He has the pure talent it takes to be a superstar, and with #10 out of the picture, look for Lemaire to give Koivu the chance to shine. I see him scoring 35 goals this season, and playing on a line with one of the best setup guys in the league in Andrew Brunette.
James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot will also step up and surprise a lot of people. Look for both to score 20 goals or better, and fight for the second line center position behind Koivu. Harding will win more than he loses, and Backstrom will improve greatly in the shootouts, earning some extra points that were lost last year. The new additions will take a bit to grow into the system, but leave it to Lemaire to find a way to make this team gel, and find a way to make them competitive. Miettinen, Brunette, Nolan, Zidlicky, and Bergeron add enough talent to compensate for the losses on the offseason. While none of them are Brian Rolston, the combination of players this season more than compares with the make up from last season. No, there isn’t a one to one comparison, but when you step back and look at the big picture, everything looks just fine in
As for where the team finishes up, they still are not Cup contenders. The pieces just aren’t there, and they are further away than one significant addition away from making a run. Look for the Wild to finish second in the North West Division, behind
While they have the talent and tenacity to make the playoffs, they do not have the pieces to make a run, and will make a quick first round exit again. Even though they are still a young franchise, the Wild are going into season eight, and they have only one deep playoff push to their credit. Without Gaborik, or another big name acquisition, the near future doesn’t hold any June meetings with the commissioner either.
The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com
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