WildHBcommunity: Something Special Going on in The State of Hockey
Remarkable Stretch of Success for Minnesota Wild Saves Season
This will feel like an out of body experience for me as I give credit where it is due to Mikko Koivu for elevating his play and being the pillar of this squad's ability to dig themselves out of the deep hole they were in after another terrible December.
In the month of February Kaptain Koivu has amassed 3 goals and 12 points but beyond the scoring production, we have seen him playing so strong in both ends and fostering chemistry with both Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter which will be so important come playoff time. Losing Zucker is a big loss for this squad but the way he was able to succeed this year playing on the left side as the veteran Finn pivot has to be viewed as huge step forward in his development.
I have come full circle on Koivu because of how much he does to limit opponents and what that truly means to the success of the Wild on a consistent basis. Koivu is playing so well right now at the time his presence and performance was most needed.
Although I stand by my argument that Koivu does not match up favorably in hypothetical comparisons to other "Franchise" type players, in the grand scheme of things that matters very little to how important he has been for the Wild in during this 13 game stretch after the All Star break in which they have transformed their season.
Last year after a brutal December collapse the young core stepped up to the challenge and powered this team back into the playoff picture. This year it has been the veterans who elevated their play with the season in doubt. Oh yeah and a Chuck Fletcher acquired Devan Dubnyk, the former first round top prospect netminder who had bounced around on 5 teams in 2 years.
I have a feeling the rest of the NHL is viewing the resurrection of the Minnesota Wild as a cute story by a team that is destined to fall victim to one of the top three teams in the Central Division. I think the assumption is that Dubnyk will come back to earth and the Wild will crash back to reality when facing Nashville, St. Louis, or Chicago when it comes time for a playoff series.
Depth of Talent for the Wild a Reason to Believe
The young talent and depth of talent acquired by Fletcher has provided the opportunity this season for individualized roles and specialized deployments of certain kids. I really like the advantage Yeo has been able to create for his team by having Mathew Dumba be the focal point of the 2nd PP unit. I really like the ability to use the speed of Zucker on the penalty kill because it forced opponents to protect themselves from the shorthanded breakaway.
Hopefully Erik Haula will be able to use his speed to keep opponents honest like was the case during the playoffs last season. Haula has been bitten by the Sophomore Slump this year which has caused him to bounce up and down the line combinations.
At current Haula is playing 4th line minutes with Kyle Brodziak as his partner on the penalty kill. If Haula can continue his recent trend of confidence and aggressiveness it would be a major strength for Yeo matchup wise come playoff time.
I have really been waiting for Dumba to show the dynamic abilities that have made him such a high profile prospect. Dumba seems to be playing very confident right now which is something that had been an adversity to his talents translating to the NHL game.
Dumba scored on a fast rising wrister last night that was beautifully facilitated by Mikael Granlund. Dumba will get an opportunity to gain some Yeo trust in an elevated role along side of Marco Scandella after Jared Spurgeon took a deflected slapper to the head two games ago.
There is no better example of taking full advantage of an opportunity to fill in than Jordan Schroeder right now. The former Gopher was called upon to fill a spot in the lineup when the Wild lost Zucker to a broken collar bone. Schroeder has played fast and furious since his promotion battling in both ends and creating opportunities with his speed and aggressive nature.
Schroeder has been rewarded with an elevated role, the former first round pick has been labeled too small or too injury prone which certainly factored into the Vancouver Canucks decision to let him walk away last summer.
Schroeder has shown the ability to carry the puck and gain separation with his speed which was truly the greatest asset lost when Zucker went down to injury. If Schroeder can continue to play fast and tenacious in both ends, his role should be secure as he has been a great compliment to the bigger body possession monsters in Yeo's lineup.
The other kid that has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to contribute is Christian Folin who almost by default found himself on the outside looking in with regard to the defensive pairings for Yeo. Folin is a right handed right defensemen with the least NHL experience and as result he found himself scratched for 8 straight games before being sent back to Des Moines to get some playing time in.
Folin in my opinion is more skilled then he gets credit for and is more capable of banging bodies and being a true physical presence without harming the team skill wise than Nate Prosser, Stu Bickel, or even Keith Ballard. Prosser went through a pretty brutal stretch of games December into January but he is the veteran of the rotation so Yeo stuck with him after Ballard's terrible injury.
Prosser is playing the 3rd pairing left defenseman role which has sheltered him from being a healthy scratch. Prosser has played better recently but going forward I certainly believe Fletcher could be looking to add an upgrade on the left side of the 3rd pair via trade. When and if that occurs I really hope Folin and Dumba are the rotation to pair with an addition on that 3rd pair.
With Spurgeon out of the lineup right now it is giving both young defensemen an opportunity to prove their metal in games that matter. Dumba and Folin began the season paired with each other and stumbled a bit out of the gates. Having both of them available should allow Yeo the opportunity to adjust to an opponents strengths and weaknesses according in a playoff series.
Fletcher's decision on whether to add a left defenseman via trade will speak volumes about where the organization views Prosser, Dumba, and Folin being role now performance and role wise. The NHL trade deadline is March 2nd so the decision is coming very soon.
So Much More Needed from Mikael Granlund
Last night we saw the type of elite talent out of Mikael Granlund that caused him to be viewed as the best player not playing in North America as a prospect and even more recently a breakout performance in Sochi playing with Finnish Legend Teemu Selanne. Granlund is not having a particularly productive season especially given his role and linemates.
Add to that he has struggled to stand up to physical play from marginally talented opponents and has lost games due to injury. Granlund has improved aspects of his game and is definitely capable of creating dynamic opportunities for team mates with his world class puck handle and passing abilities.
I think what we have not seen from Granlund yet at the NHL level is the killer instinct to be capable of becoming a threat to score goals and be a primary distributor. Granlund gets the benefit of some premium scoring opportunities because of his playmaking and passing abilities so his decision making with the puck and aggressiveness is truly a determining factor is passing up some chances that could be difference making for his game and the Wild's success.
Granlund currently sits at a paltry 6 goals and 24 points in 45 games this season, which is only compounded by the fact that the lines he has centered this year have been possession monsters. Granlund is certainly capable of lighting the lamp which is frustrating because it seems to be a mentality thing for the young Finn.
Going forward this squad must get Granlund and fellow Finn Haula back on track with regard to consistently contributing in the offensive zone because both players have the speed and puck handling abilities to get to areas with the puck on their stick that others in the lineup for the Wild can not.
I am not saying that playing complimentary hockey needs to be abandoned by either but they must be able to identify when making that extra pass is costing their team valuable chances.
**If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Twin Cities Metro area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.**
Just My Take,
Tony Dean
Follow Me on Twitter
@TonyDeanHB
Follow WildHBcommunity on Twitter
@WildHBcommunity
Also Like the WildHBcommunity of FaceBook here: WildHBCommunity on FaceBook
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»