Expectations for the Minnesota Wild in 2015-16

[Lapa]

So, as we all know, summer has been long. There likely won't be many changes to the team before the puck drops in October, so what are your expectations for the team next season?

1. I expect Suter to have a great year and be at least close to winning the Norris Trophy.
2. Solid goaltending
3. Make the Western Conference Finals, at least.

Click to read more...

 

[BigT2002]

1. Granlund will hit 70 points, 15 Goals and 55 assists (lofty)
2. Haula will score 10 SHG's
3. Dumba will score 20 goals

 

[Hall of Faber]

That Granlund point total is bold! I predict no player will reach 70 points.

I'm just hoping they find a way to not have a mid season collapse. And no mumps.... Fingers crossed!

 

[kfan22]

That Granlund point total is bold! I predict no player will reach 70 points.

I'm just hoping they find a way to not have a mid season collapse. And no mumps.... Fingers crossed!

More bold than Haula 10 SHG's?

 

[Generic User]

Someone scores a hat trick this year.

Vanek pots at least 25 goals.

Dubnyk gets at least 8 shutouts.

The annual November-January slump continues.

Granlund gets moved the the #1 PP unit.

Granlund scores on the Forsberg move during a game (same move Tarasenko did during the playoffs).

Parise gets close to 40 goals if he plays at least 75 games.

Zucker is on pace to score 40+ goals before he goes down with a lengthy injury.

We get knocked out of the playoffs by Chicago, no matter the round.

 

[123TripleDoge]

Just make the playoffs healthy and rested. I'm so sick of clawing our way in and being dead after one round

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Playoff team
Good showing in the playoffs
Five 20 goal scorers (two 30's)
Top 10 defensive team
Middle of the road power play

 

[BigT2002]

That Granlund point total is bold! I predict no player will reach 70 points.

I'm just hoping they find a way to not have a mid season collapse. And no mumps.... Fingers crossed!

More bold than Haula 10 SHG's?

Go big or go home both are very probable, although extremely unlikely. However, I like to hold onto hope that both could do it.

 

[bear1]

Miss playoffs
Pominville will keep going downhill
Vanek gets worse
Power play continues to struggle because of personal on 1st unit
Nino Zucker and Dumba continue to get better even with the limited ice time due to the vets
Dubes returns to average

 

[Marlowe Syn]

I expect the Wild to be competing for the division with possibly Nashville and Chicago. Meet Anaheim(SC champs) in the WCF. Unfortunately we'll lose to them in 6

Vanek to rebound and pot 24 goals, but play better all around now that he should be healthy.

Suter will become the Suter we remember. Not expecting Norris finalist, as I think Brodin will take a bit more of the offensive duties.

Dubnyk will be solid, but not spectacular like last season.

More goal output from Granlund. This will be the year it all comes together and become regarded as our #1C. Probably be a 15G 50+A player.

At the Stadium Series Alumni game the crowd will chant "Secord Sucks" even though Secord will not be playing. Dino comes out of the locker room forgetting to wear his breezers. North Stars win 6-5 and the Wild beat Chicago 4-2.

 

[Dee Oh Cee]

Miss playoffs
Pominville will keep going downhill
Vanek gets worse
Power play continues to struggle because of personal on 1st unit
Nino Zucker and Dumba continue to get better even with the limited ice time due to the vets
Dubes returns to average

Somebody has a case of the Monday's!

 

[gphr513]

I'd love to see one of the young kids go on a real hot streak this year that makes everyone go "WHOA..." Looking at Granlund, Zucker, or Nino.

PP has to be better.

Dubnyk is at least top-15 in GAA and SV%

Win at least 2 playoff series. They've got 3 years worth of playoff experience, they should know what it takes now. If you do lose in the 2nd or 3rd round, do it competitively.

 

[kfan22]

Go big or go home both are very probable, although extremely unlikely. However, I like to hold onto hope that both could do it.

You do know not many teams score 10 SHG's in a year so a player doing it is very very very unlikely

 

[BigT2002]

[/B]

You do know not many teams score 10 SHG's in a year so a player doing it is very very very unlikely

Yep. But look at that company he would be

1 23 CA Mario Lemieux F 1988‑89 76 85 114 199 100 41 31
13
2 22 CA Wayne Gretzky F 1983‑84 74 87 118 205 39 76 20
12
3 23 CA Wayne Gretzky F 1984‑85 80 73 135 208 52 98 8
11
4 22 CA Mario Lemieux F 1987‑88 77 70 98 168 92 23 22
10
5 23 CA Marcel Dionne F 1974‑75 80 47 74 121 14 -15 15
10
6 29 CA Dirk Graham F 1988‑89 80 33 45 78 89 8 5
10

If Dirk Graham can do it, so can Haula55!

 

[57special]

1. Granlund will hit 70 points, 15 Goals and 55 assists (lofty)
2. Haula will score 10 SHG's
3. Dumba will score 20 goals

Only Lemieux and Gretzky have ever scored more than 10 SHG/yr.

OOPs, others beat me to it.

I expect Yeo to get fired.

 

[BigT2002]

Only Lemieux and Gretzky have ever scored more than 10 SHG/yr.

OOPs, others beat me to it.

I expect Yeo to get fired.

lol considering I already put up who has done it, ya I would say we hit that already

And I don't expect him to get fired. If Hitchcock is still in STL after how many 1st round exits they've had (along with being favorites to go very deep) I'd say this team would need the epic collapse they always do only they don't pick up and steamroll over everything for the remaining 40 games of the season.

 

[BusQuets]

Steady cruise to the playoffs.
relatively healthy roster all season.
young players continue to progress.
veteran players do not digress.

that's all i ask.

 

[saywut]

Fletcher will deal more 2nd/3rd round picks for player(s) who have 0 impact when it matters.
Darcy Kuemper will make consecutive starts multiple times not due to injury.
We will make the playoffs.

Everything else comes down to health and execution.

 

[TZM]

Individual:

+ Pommer 20+ goals
+ Nino and Zucker 25+ goals
+ More consistent Granlund and Vanek (to a lesser extent)
+ Kuemper gets back on track
+ Dumba progresses

- Dubnyk cools off
- Another down year for Suter
- Koivu still doesn't unlearn the dump&chace

Team:

+ Experience starts to show in the youngsters
+ Consistency in offense and puck possession
+ Defensive play (will stay elite)
+ No major personnel changes

- No major personnel changes
- PP is frustratiiiing
- Vets get favored (although a bit less than before)

 

[BagHead]

1. Granlund will hit 70 points, 15 Goals and 55 assists (lofty)
2. Haula will score 10 SHG's
3. Dumba will score 20 goals

Whoa-haha! Who do you think Haula is, Wes Walz? Actually, that may not be the worst comparable. Both fast, good defensive PK guys with a little bit of skill. It won't happen, but it could. Still... 10 shorties. If he were to do that, he'd probably be our leading goal scorer this season, because no way will the majority of his goals be shorthanded.


Anyway, my expectations are the Wild making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs and actually putting up a fight. After being swept this last season, they need to make people respect them.

I also think we'll go through a slump, because all teams do, but I am at least hopeful it won't be such a huge slump this time around.

 

[DANOZ28]

106 points or better. anything short of western conf finals will be disappointment. granlund 15G or bust (aka trade), haula 12G or bust; coyle 15G or bust aka trade. i have high expectations for this club this year. i bumped into scandella one time and said i hope you guys win a cup before i die and he said i think we've got the right group. i'd still rank us 10th outta 30. miracles can happen!

 

[Wild11MN]

Struggle in December
Come up a few points short of the playoffs
Yeo fired

Nino and Granlund don't improve
Pominville has a much better year
Dubs is still very solid, top 10 starter (before injury)

Better to keep expectations low at this point.

 

[Paul Bunyan]

Just make the playoffs healthy and rested. I'm so sick of clawing our way in and being dead after one round

This please.

Oh, and that the outdoor game won't be completely underwhelming.

 

[MNRube]

Granlund hits 60 pts
Pominville makes us wish we get rid of his contract earlier
Vanek and Koivu play better
Suter and Brodin play better
Dumba is awesome
Reilly makes his mark
Dubynk starts slow but ends up with solid numbers
Coyle flirts with 45-50 pts
Make SCF

 

[gphr513]

Struggle in December
Come up a few points short of the playoffs
Yeo fired

Nino and Granlund don't improve
Pominville has a much better year
Dubs is still very solid, top 10 starter (before injury)

Better to keep expectations low at this point.

High Aspirations, Low Expectations.

You'll rarely be disappointed.