TEAM PREVIEWS: THE MINNESOTA WILD

Introduction:
This is another team that was making me do backflips of frustration this offseason as I tried to prepare team previews. There was much talk that Marian Gaborik, who is coming up on the final year of his contract, would be traded before the season started. Rumors include talk that Gaborik has turned down a 10 year deal estimated to pay at 8 million per and thus the Wild have no choice but to seek a willing trade partner.

Gaborik IS the best player on this team. He makes everyone who plays with him better. His presence or abscence could make or break the team. Keep that in mind as you read what follows.

Key Departures:
Pavol Demitra
Brian Rolston
and... apparently Aaron Voros

The fact that the Wild let Demitra walk speaks volumes as to their intentions with Marian Gaborik. In Demitra, Gaborik found not only a linemate but a countryman and a friend. Expect the two to try to end up somewhere together at season's end.

Rolston was a bigger loss to this team then I think they realize. His shot from the point on the powerplay will be missed and I'm not sure that Zidlicky is the answer.

New Faces:
Andrew Brunette
Marek Zidlicky
Marc-Andre Bergeron
and... apparently Antti Miettinen

At 35, Brunette's best days are behind him but he is an intriguing addition to this squad. In his second run with Minnesota expect Brunette to be more of a role player then anything else as the kids will be expected to take a bigger role.

Zids is expected to be the point man on this powerplay. He now joins Kim Johnsson, Kurtis Foster and Brent Burns as defensemen that were supposed to be the pointmen on this powerplay.

Bergeron could also join that list as his offense is significantly better then his defense. When deciding whether to be excited about Bergron consider this: He was benched by The Ducks last season, sure, but also the Islanders!

Antti Miettinen, who was a wallflower in Dallas last year, has thus far been the offensive catalyst for Minnesota. I expect him to cool down, which is why you won't find his name anywhere below, but he has already earned his place as a key addition.

The Offense:
At the moment it all begins and ends with Marian Gaborik. The supporting cast has improved over the last few years until this year when I feel it took a step backwards as I can't say that Nolan and Brunette are an improvement over Rolston and Demitra.

You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Marian Gaborik

Yea its a short list, largely due to injuries and uncertainty. Gaborik played nearly a full season last year. Thats nothing short of a miracle and one he isn't likely to repeat. On the plus side, Gaborik's boundless offensive potential, already warranting him to go as high as number 3 amonst RW's despite the injury problems, could be let loose in the very near future. Can you imagine Gaborik playing in a free flowing offensive system. Thats reason enough to buy the center ice package.
FACT: Want me to define boundless for you. Boundless; adj.; In 2005-2006 he was limited to 65 games... he still scored 38 goals. Also Without Bounds

You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette

PMB is a good hockey player with injury problems out the yin-yang. Bouchard was limited in the preseason due to a sore back and now has already missed his first game of the season due to back problems. He has plenty of potential and would be a worthy addition to most teams if healthy despite his low shot total.
FACT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a94J5apTJn0 Cool huh?

Koivu was on his way to a career year last year before beaking his leg. He finished the season with 42 points in 57 games and will have to improve on that number if he is to break through the depth at center to make himself fantasy worthy, agains considering his low shot total, lack of PIM's and Lemaire-system discipline. He will be Gaborik's center for as long as Gaborik is on the team so he is worth at least a look every now and again.
FACT: Yes, he is Saku's younger brother... making him, I suppose, Koivu the lesser.

Why Brunette? Because two years ago he 83 points and thats something we shouldn't lose sight of. Watch his line combinations and powerplay time. If the numbers start piling up the grab him.
FACT: He's got a goal and two assists so far but check out these numbers 69, 49, 63, 83, 59. Those are his point totals over the last 5 seasons. 2 of those are worth having despite his low SOG and PIM totals. The rest are not. Add accordingly.

The Defense:
This is a strong defensive team with multiple options on the point for the powerplay... however this team has a habit of swallowing talented pointmen.

You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky

If Burns keeps up his PIM total of a year ago and even comes close to delivering the same number of points then he was worth whatever pick you used on him. A speedy, hard hitting, gritty defensemen that gets powerplay time. What more could you want.
FACT: Burns used to play forward, but had more points as a defensemen in one season then he did in two seasons playing forward for the Wild.

Zidlicky is an interesting acquisition. Marek had some great years with Nashville and some terrible ones. What can you expect this year? I'd say about 40 points and 70 PIM with some powerplay time. That makes him fairly valuable in most leagues.
FACT: Kim Johnsson had less points in 76 games with the Wild then he did the season before that in 47 games with Philly. I'm just saying...

The Powerplay:
Marian Gaborik
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky

This is not a particularly inspiring unit. Brunett played well on the powerplay in Colorado, grinding it out in front of the net so I suppose he adds another dimension to this powerplay (one that was apparently already there in Aaron Voros) and Gaborik is always capable of doing something spectacular and impressive. Zidlicky should adequately replace Rolston on the point as well. It isn't going to be a team-changing unit, but it will probably get the job done.

The Goalie(s):

Niklas Backstrom is probably one of the more criminally underrated goalies in the league. For the last two seasons he has put up stellar GAA and Sv% numbers. Injuries are his problem but if he goes dow Harding has proven himself a capable, though not yet spectacular backup. To be safe if you draft Bakstrom you should probaby also have Harding on your roster.
FACT: Backstrom led the league in GAA and SV% in 06-07. Those numbers dipped slightly when he became the full time starter in 07-08... but only slightly.

The Verdict:
It is hard to say what this team will be until the Gaborik situation resolves itself. On paper they are a contender in the Northwest division, though still too weak for the Cup I feel. How will that paper look after Gaborik is gone? No one can know.