WildHBcommunity: MNWild’s Season Ends but Future is Bright
The Minnesota Wild Eliminated Again by Chicago Blackhawks
As I drove home from work listening the Wild’s radio broadcast team describe the overtime session of Game 6, I was thinking that our squad is world beaters and they deserve to win this one. They lost on a bad bounce junky goal to end their season. The Blackhawks have ended the Wild’s playoffs in two consecutive seasons but I could not be more proud of what this group accomplished this year and although they have been eliminated the result is so different from last season.
I can’t express how thankful I am for having this platform and fellowship with Minnesota Wild fans here at Hockeybuzz.com and for that I have Eklund and Eric to thank. I have received so much support during this past season of coverage by the core group of HB MNWild faithful Gump, Sota, Chinaski, and of course my colleague Brad Ratgen I truly am so appreciative.
This is honestly the ground floor of a tremendous Era of Minnesota Wild hockey that is about to take place. Chuck Fletcher’s arrival has meant an eye towards improving season to season but building a brand that will be regarded among the NHL’s elite. No matter how many quick fixes that have presented themselves to Fletcher, he has held firm to not giving away his core young players and after the outstanding post season we just witnessed from that group it is clear he was right.
I think one of the most important things to realize about the build of this current Wild roster is despite feeling pressure from Owner Craig Leipold to win and win now as part of an overall initiative to change the brand of this franchise, Fletcher did not waiver in his value system. I have zero doubt that more phone calls than any of us can fathom ended when general managers from both conferences mentions Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, Mathew Dumba, Gustav Olofsson, and Darcy Kuemper. Add to that group the unbelievable rise of Erik Haula, the finally fulfilling his potential Marco Scandella, sky is the limit Nino Niederreiter, and ultra skilled undersized all heart Jared Spurgeon.
The Usual Line About the Wild from Outside the State of Hockey
So much has been made of the 13 year $98 Million Dollar Matching Deals of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter and honestly it will be pointed to as a turning point in this franchises history but not for the reasons the critics and trolls will try to sell it. In breaking the bank for these two players, Leipold and Fletcher made a clear statement about who they would have to lead their talented core of young players and shape the identity of NHL hockey in Minnesota.
Those contracts will always be the easy flashpoint whenever a headline is needed to generate attention but those of us that are truly invested in the Wild realize without a lifetime commitment to both of these players this franchise would have been destined to continue to be flyover territory in Gary Bettman’s present day NHL.
When it is all said and done the Wild’s history and brand will be about how two of the hardest working American born players with ties to Minnesota returned to the State of Hockey when they had the opportunity and ignited the hockey community and returned the prestige.
The depth and talent Fletcher has brought to this organization was on full display as each of their young forwards elevated their play during the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs while the hockey world was watching. The moment shared between Blackhawks Sniper Patrick Kane and Wild Rookie Erik Haula during the handshake last night is just the type of signature moment Fletcher and his staff deserve. That Granlund goal in Game 6 of the Avalanche series is such a break through genius moment for a kid that had the hopes of this franchise pinned to him before his North America arrival only to struggle in his transition.
That Niederreiter Game 7 performance in general but specifically to pot the winner after so much scrutiny and hype so early in his NHL career before arriving in Minnesota had to be so satisfying for him and the people that have believed in him here in the Wild organization.
The way Kuemper played during the stretch run and then re-entering the Wild’s cage during the Avalanche series flashed very brightly his NHL potential and future as this franchise’s #1 goalie going forward. When Kuemper was between the pipes and playing with confidence at the top of his crease it empowered his teammates.
The deadline arrival of Ilya Bryzgalov was widely mocked and ridiculed by the hockey world but the presence and personality of the Russian netminder was surely a driving force for this team this year. The Bryz played well beyond even the most optimistic expectations and even more he proved to be a leader to this group.
Yeo has EARNED Extension Grown as Bench Boss
I never thought I would say this but Wild head coach Mike Yeo has earned a contract extension and this team clearly belongs to him. Yeo is not without his flaws but he has proven that this team has bought into his system and they rallied around him during the darkest times this season. I think it is clear to everyone that Yeo has grown and learned during his first 3 seasons as an NHL bench boss but he truly came into his own during the playoffs this year refusing to even acknowledge atrocious officiating that had cost his team.
Yeo also should get credit for the crucial production out of nearly every player at his disposal especially that of bottom of the roster forwards Kyle Brodziak and Dany Heatley with the season on the line. Lastly Yeo never takes the easy way out, he stands and takes all the bullets no matter the circumstances. Yeo could have easily crumbled under the terrible collapses this team experienced during the regular season or the unheard of string of injuries that savaged their goaltending depth.
I have so much appreciation for what this Wild team accomplished this season. I don’t have a bad word to say about it even though they had their season ended under disappointing circumstances given I believe them to have outplayed and outworked the Blackhawks. I look forward to seeing how Fletcher moves to make this team better. I look forward to the draft and free agency which is just around the corner and you will surely get some in depth content from me in the days and weeks leading up to both.
Here is Patrick Kane Mic'd Up Handshake Conversation with Erik Haula
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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