Tuesday night, not only did the Wild qualify for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they also locked up the 7th seed in the Western Conference as the top "WILD" card team in the West.
As I was preparing my thoughts, my younger brother was chirping me via text telling me that I had no faith (in the Wild this season), to quit being a "Debbie downer" and to become a homer and get on the Wild bandwagon.
Truth be told, I have always held out hope and expectation that this team could and should qualify for the playoffs.
August 20, 2013:-This season may prove to be a trying one for Wild fans as managmeent once again preaches patience and the riches that the upcoming offseason will hold for an almost out of patience fan base.
-I think they probably do well enough to nab third place in the new Central Division and make the playoffs.
That was me in a pre-season blog picking the Wild to finish 3rd in the Central Division and make the playoffs! So they finished 4th. Who saw Colorado bursting on to the scene like they did?
September 11, 2013:-Most people I talk to whom I deem to be quite knowledgeable about hockey and the Wild look at this coming season much the same as I do. We think they will probably make the playoffs and lose in the first round. Those expecting more are dreamers in my opinoin. Those expecting less may well be realists. Next season is when I expect them to make a jump past the first round of the playoffs, after they have had a chance to bring in more talent with more money available next offseason.
-As for this season, I would like to see the Wild finish third in the Central Division, but I see (other Central Division teams) all nipping at the heels fo the Wild for that 3rd spot.
-the Wild will face-off against the Blues in the first round of the playoffs.
That was me saying that they would probably face the Blues and lose another first round playoff series, again prior to this season.
October 1, 2013:-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.
-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 recognzies 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.
Again, me saying that the bar should be to qualify for the playoffs. And, again, prior to the regular season starting.
December 29, 2013:-Frankly, I say just let him reide as head coach until next season when he has better player personnel and then, if he can’t get this team winning, then think about changing horses. However, fans and the owner may not be as level headed as yours truly.
What? Me advocating for the Wild to keep Yeo on and not fire him when his back was against the wall for the second time in his tenure? You betcha! I'm a big Yeo fan.
March 20, 2014:-Perhaps it’s my overly negative disposition as it concerns the team I cheer for and have held season tickets for since the beginning…., but I just can’t shake the feeling that this team is about to implode again down the stretch. Sure the Wild are a better team. But, are they good enough to compete with and beat the teams that in the upper half of the standings? They should be. But whether they can pull it off is the real question. And I for one will not be holding my breath.
-So, while I will be rooting for the home team, my team. I am very nervous about whether or not they make the playoffs which may well be the bench mark of success or failure for team owner Craig Leipold.
Uh-oh! A crack in the armor of yours truly as the Wild turn the corner of the regular season and look down the final stretch.
March 23, 2014:-Hopefully the Wild right the sinking ship that they are currently on and not only make the playoffs, but strike gold by winning a series. Should they do so, full credit should go to coach Yeo. However, as things stand, the fans in the stands that I have talked to are either resinged to the fact that either the Wild will not make the plaoyffs or that even if they do, they will be an early first round exit. Frankly, there is too much talent on the Wild currently for fans not to expect at least making the playoffs and a highly competitive first round battle. Anything short of that falls on the coaching of this team, in my opinion. That is the unfortunate part of being a head coach of an NHL franchise. Their futures rise and fall with the success or failure of their team.
Make the plaoyffs? Win a first round series? Not in here in Minnesota. Or can they?
March 30, 2014:-However, all in all, I think the Wild have it in them to pull this thing off and make the playoffs, notwithstanding my extremely negative attitude up to this point. Saturday night’s win, for me, makes it go from plausible to possible. Now the coaches and the team have to get the job done on the ice.
Never a doubt in this blogger's mind that the Minnesota Wild are a playoff team.
Full credit to Coach Mike Yeo, GM Chuck Fletcher, the front office and, most importantly, the players. What a crazy ride. For a second there, I felt like a Toronto fan, spinning out of control into the black abyss of the off-season. Crazy that the Wild won in L.A., forced O.T. in Chicago, shut down Pittsburgh and beat Boston, thereby garnering 7 out of 8 points against the big boys of the NHL. I was hoping they'd get 3 points in that stretch which includes St. Louis on Thursday night.
Hope you had as much fun walking down memory lane and reviewing parts of this past season as much as I did. Now the real question: Is making the playoffs "mission accomplished" or can the Wild actually do some damage and get out of the first round?
Let's hear your thoughts, reactions and/or criticisms.