Last season, the Minnesota Wild limped into the post-season. With all the excitement of actually finally making the playoffs again last season, it’s hard to remember the mood that existed in the last month of the regular season last year.
The Wild had just laid eggs at home against Calgary and Edmonton, would eventually go on to record their worst month of hockey going 5-8-1, overall, in April and had their backs against the wall needing a win against Colorado to tie Columbus in the standings and back into the playoffs as the 8th seed. This was all on the back of a 4-2-1 January, a 6-5-1 February and an 11-4 record in March. They were dominant at home during the first 3 months, losing only 1 game in regulation each month. On the road, as the season progressed, the Wild improved from an 0-1-1 January to 3-4-0 February to 5-3-0 in March and 4-3-0 in April.
I will never forget the picture that Michael Russo tweeted of Chuck Fletcher sitting in the stands in Colorado all alone before that last game of the season, seemingly deep in thought. It was assumed that had the Wild not made the playoffs that major changes would have occurred during the off-season. But the Wild won, made the playoffs and eventually bowed out in the first round after losing to the eventual league champions 4 games to 1. Owner Craig Leipold retained both the coach and the GM and it was business as usual during the off-season.
I thought it important to remind my readers on how close the Wild came to experiencing, perhaps, a major overhaul in management and/or coaching. At the time, Brian Burke was still available, as were multiple coaches who were relieved of their duties for underperforming expectations. Why would that be important going in to a new season? Because I believe there is serious pressure on the front office and the coaching staff this season. One cannot help but wonder what the owner will do if the Wild start slow, finish poorly and/or don’t qualify for the playoffs at the end of this season?
As the Wild are concerned this season, the pundits seem to have mixed reviews. Some pick the Wild to be the 2nd worst team in the entire NHL. Others, like me, pick them to finish 3rd in the Central and qualify for the playoffs. In my opinion, qualifying for the playoffs should be the realistic expectation for this team this season. Those that pick them lower than 3rd in the Central or not to make the playoffs may be out of the loop to one extent or another or not giving the Wild their due.
As the new season is upon us, the Wild need to come out of the chute fast and hard. October is usually the month where the better teams are more beatable and, by Thanksgiving, are hitting on all cylinders. The Wild take on the L.A. Kings in their season/home opener. If you will recall, that was the last Wild home win last season when they beat the Kings 2-1. The Wild then play the Anaheim Ducks two nights later at home. The Ducks had the Wild’s number last year, sweeping the Wild in all 3 games that they faced oneanother. Then the Wild get to take on new divisional opponents, Nashville (away), Winnipeg (home) and Dallas (home) before going on their first extended road trip of the season out east to play Buffalo, Toronto, Tampa and Florida. They then return home to face Nashville and Carolina before ending October with a home and home series against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, with the first game on the road and the next game at home with a day off in between.
For the month of October, I look for the Wild to beat both L.A. and Anaheim at home given they are getting both teams as early in the season as the can. I think they probably lose in Nashville for what I believe is the Preds home opener. I then think the Wild beat Winnipeg and Dallas at home and expect them to win 3 of 4 on the extended road trip before returning home to wins against Nashville and Carolina. I expect the Wild then to lose both to Chicago, but posting a respectable, if not impressive 9-4 record or better. If it goes as I expect, the Wild will have gone 6-1 at home and 3-3 on the road for the month of October.
Those of you who think these expectations are unrealistic, please explain why to all season ticket holders like myself who have shelled out in excess of $60,000 so far since the Wild began in just tickets, not to mention concessions, merchandise, parking, etc. As for me, the time for excuses is over. Yes, I realize they will have more money next off-season and will be able to do more. However, when will they finally stop looking to next season as a way to placate the fans? Why can’t this season be the season that everyone recognizes as the season the Wild’s realistic expectation is to no longer be a bubble team, but to be a team that starts fast, finishes the regular season well and qualifies for the playoffs before the last day of the regular season? I say this is that season and anything less will be a disappointment and may well result in significant changes for the Wild.
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»