This is how I describe the Minnesota Wild: A team with an above average centre with a former star winger, NHL's biggest and toughest goons, and a goaltender that is the only reason why they don't compete with the other bottom feeders of the league. Might I add they have the worst prospects in the NHL (well according to Hockeys future,). I think their farm system is one of the worst in the league, but I think the Flyers are the worst. The fans in Minnesota will go and watch their Wild no matter what the team looks like or how it performs (They are one of the league leaders in attendance, and have been since their arrival to the NHL ). If Bettman put teams in cities just to satisfy the community around it, we would see a bunch more of Canadian teams. Personally I would rather see the Devils play than the Wild, because they have Marty in net. So Chuck Fletcher needs to change the look of the Wild.
In the end there is nothing for Wild fans to get excited about other than hoping for Backstrom to be like Ryan Miller and carry your team to the playoffs. Even then, you might be able to get throught the regular season with out a great offense, but you wont get the through the playoffs. It may not be a total rebuild because they got some pieces (very, very few) that Chuck Fletcher can try to work with. The Wild and Wild fans should have to settle for just making the 1st round or not making the playoffs (Backstrom will always win enough games to keep the Wild from top 5 pick contention for the Draft too, so that sucks aswell). So here's my ideas for Chuck Fletcher to ponder about.
-Gather Some Picks and Prospects
The next NHL Entry Draft will take place, which Fletcher said it is a great step to help make the Wild a "world class organization". As I said earlier the Wild have the worst prospects in the league. Now you can make a case for Marco Scandella, Tyler Cuma and maybe Colton Gillies but that is about it. The Wild recently selected a promising forward in Mikael Granlund from Finland. Granlund was the highest rated European in the 2010 Draft. So for the first time in a long time the Wild made an excellent pick in Mikael Granlund and have something to look forward too. So finally the Wild have a potential NHL playmaking stud, maybe similar to Nicklas Backstrom. So what I am getting to is Fletcher needs to trade Mikko Koivu. I don't like the sound of him not being in a Wild uniform, but it has to be done in order for the Wild to progress as an orginization. I think they desperatley need to to get some assests in return. Here is a possible trade the Wild could make
Wild Trade Koivu and prospect Tyler Cuma to Florida for Stephen Weiss and a 1st Round Selection in 2011. This gives the Wild a centre to replace Koivu with the same amount of skill and possibly more because of his illrelationship with the Florida orginization. It could work out the same way the Latendresse and Pouliot trade worked out earlier. Both players went on to have a more success with their new franchises. This also gives the Minnesota a first round selection, and since Florida is still an a rebuilding situation, the Wild could probably receive a 1-15 selection. When you are hosting a draft, the more the 1st round picks the merrier.
A second option that comes to mind only if the Wild are willing to risk missing the playoffs (but could still receive a great pick) would be trading for Kyle Turris. Originally drafted 3rd overall, after two season he finally made the jump to the NHL. Turris played 60 games scoring 20 pts. It means Dave Tippet didn't want to tank the season by filling his roster with rookies. But Turris perfomed well in the AHL scoring 63pts in 76 games and could easily step in the NHL next year. Pheonix can afford to give up Turris because of their abundance of great rookies with high potential (Boedker, Ekman-Larsson, Brett MacLean, Tikhonov and Goncharov). Turris could turn into a franchise player, and Koivu and maybe a little extra would be a great fit. The Wild would have a one-two punch at centre with Granlund and Turris down the middle.
And as for prospects, the Wild need forwards. Players that come to mind with great potential that the Wild could pursue for an affordable price: Zach Hamill (Drafted 8th overall in 2007), Jack Skille (Drafted 7th overall 2005) and if they can find a way to do it Nakita Filatov (Drafted 6th overall 2008).
- Trade Brent Burns
Brent Burns being traded have been rumoured since midway through the season. Brent Burns put up 47 pts through the last two seasons but was plague by injury and played only 106 games. But Burns has great potential, since he posted 43pts. I thought about the possible trade for Brian Campbell, but then I realized his contract is 7mil a year instead of 5mil. I also looked for other players in the same pts range, and they are all either a key part of a teams defense or it just wouldn't upgrade the Wild.
So this is why I think they should trade for a prospect. Marco Scandella is a solid D-man that should get a chance to take Burns place . Some prospects I think the Wild could get for Burns: Ryan Ellis or John Carlson. I think Ellis is more probable. Carlson has played a season in the AHL and performed well; along with a solid stint with Caps scoring 6pts in 22 games. They both have the same type of style, but since Ellis is younger, and hasn't played in pros; he is more likely.
Finally Keep Your 1st Round pick
If Fletcher does some or all of the suggestion I've made, I still believe they won't make the playoffs and finish in the bottom 10. But a season where they could get a possibly a top 5 pick will do well for the Wild. I expect in 2 years, a rather quick rebuild if you will; the Wild will compete in the playoffs. I think there we will see a lackluster Minnesota Wild we could possibly see a 1st overall player picked in the same arena he will playing the following year.
But This is just what I think.... What do you think?
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