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Core in place, Wild look for a playoff run
Core in place, Wild look for a playoff run
30 in 30: Coyle, at center or wing, Wild X-factorAfter failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fourth straight season in 2011-12, the Minnesota Wild were willing to do whatever it took to end the frustrating drought.
Owner Craig Leipold spent nearly $200 million to land the two biggest prizes on the free-agent market that summer: left wing Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter.
Suter averaged 27:16 of ice time per game (tops in the League) and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2012-13. Parise led the Wild with 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games. Each played a pivotal role in helping the Wild clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2008.
"We were fortunate to sign both Zach and Ryan," Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "Looking back now, in hindsight with a year removed, I can't even say how lucky we are that we did sign them. You hear horror stories of all these big free-agent signings that don't pan out, and we signed arguably the best defenseman in the League and one of the best goal scorers in the League. Both players lived up to expectations. They're great people."
The Wild's return to the postseason was short-lived. Minnesota was ousted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in five games, scoring seven goals. The team obviously was frustrated, but the emergence of defenseman Jonas Brodin and forwards Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker has everyone within the organization excited about what lies ahead.
Dumba tops list of Wild prospectsIt's all but a certainty Charlie Coyle will start this season with the Minnesota Wild. Where he'll play is still to be determined.
Coyle was selected in the first round (No. 28) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks, but he was traded a year later, along with right wing Devin Setoguchi and a first-round pick in 2011 (center Zack Phillips), to the Wild in exchange for defenseman-turned-forward Brent Burns.
Coyle made a huge impression with Wild brass last season after being promoted from the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. The 21-year-old was so impressive he found himself playing right wing on Minnesota's top line alongside center Mikko Koivu and left wing Zach Parise. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of East Weymouth, Mass., had eight goals and six assists in 37 games in his first taste of NHL hockey.
"Obviously, it's every little kid's dream to make the NHL," Coyle told NHL.com. "But to finally get out there and play and reach that level … it was only half of a season, but it was still the real deal. I learned a lot. I'm with a good organization, a good group of guys, so it was a great experience overall."
He's unlikely to start this season on Minnesota's top line -- veteran Jason Pominville is expected to play right wing with Koivu and Parise -- but Coyle could remain a top-six forward. The question of where he'll play is likely to depend on center Mikael Granlund, another 21-year-old who's vying for a job. Should Granlund make the team, it is conceivable Coyle could be his right wing, with veteran Dany Heatley on the left side.
30 in 30: Wild questions include Backstrom, GranlundIt's difficult to search for positives when a team misses the Stanley Cup Playoffs four years in a row, but the Minnesota Wild were at least able to stock their prospect pool during those frustrating times.
Led by general manager Chuck Fletcher, the Wild, who ended their postseason drought in April, have collected a group of talented, young players who will be expected to have an impact in the NHL in the near future.
Some of Minnesota's young talent already enjoys life in the NHL. Defenseman Jonas Brodin, the Wild's first-round pick (No. 10) at the 2011 NHL Draft, had 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 45 games last season and led NHL rookies by averaging 23:12 of ice time per game. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
Forward Charlie Coyle, who was acquired at that same draft in the trade that sent Brent Burns to the San Jose Sharks, made the jump to the NHL from the collegiate and junior levels and had eight goals and six assists in 37 games. The 21-year-old is aiming to be a top-six forward again.
Mikael Granlund, the Wild's first-round selection (No. 9) in 2010, also broke into the League and had two goals and six assists in 27 games. Brodin, Coyle and Granlund are expected to have even bigger impacts in Minnesota this season. With a strong training camp, Granlund, 21, could be the No. 2 center.
{Includes NHL.com's prospect rankings}
30 in 30: Wild youth becoming factor in lineup1. How will Minnesota fare in the new Central Division?
2. Can Jonas Brodin actually improve off last season?
3. How durable is Niklas Backstrom?
4. Will Mikael Granlund make an impact?
5. Who will be the physical force on defense?
6. Will Nino Niederreiter thrive in his new home?
The rebuild by the Edmonton Oilers has earned more attention because of that franchise's luck in the NHL Draft lottery, but the Minnesota Wild also have amassed one of the best collections of young talent in the past few seasons.
Despite not picking higher than seventh in the NHL Draft since 2005, the Wild have one of the deepest groups of young, potential impact players in the League.
Minnesota's crew was aided by a huge splash in free agency before last season, and the Wild are coming off a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A couple of those prospects were traded to the Buffalo Sabres to add Jason Pominville before the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, and a few more could join Charlie Coyle and Jonas Brodin as full-time members of the Wild this season.
{includes NHL.com's projected lineup.}
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