{"id":422,"date":"2016-09-04T23:12:01","date_gmt":"2016-09-05T03:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=422"},"modified":"2016-09-23T11:55:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-23T15:55:35","slug":"minnesota-wild-2016-2017-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/09\/04\/minnesota-wild-2016-2017-expectations\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Wild 2016-17 Expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"

As another season of hockey action looms, the Minnesota Wild<\/strong> remain a bubble team destined to fight for a wild card spot in April. The Central<\/strong> division is the toughest in the entire NHL, and competing with the likes of the Dallas Stars<\/strong>, St. Louis Blues<\/strong>, and Chicago Blackhawks<\/strong> is no easy feat.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Wild 2016-17 Expectations<\/h2>\n

To crack the top three\u00a0will likely require a team to reach the\u00a0100-point plateau. The Wild\u00a0had a 38-33-11 record last season for 87 points and will need to find a way to reach 45\u00a0wins and turn those overtime loses to victories in order to\u00a0see post-season play.<\/p>\n

Who to Watch Up Front<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Wild will begin the 2016-17 season with a young but potentially dynamic forward line-up. Five forwards are under 25, and each\u00a0will need to perform at a high level for the organization to succeed. Charlie Coyle<\/strong> had an impressive 42-point season last year with 21 goals and 21 assists. His point totals have consistently improved over the past three seasons and this year may be the first time he breaks\u00a050 points. Mikael Granlund<\/strong> has been an assist machine for the Wild, having recorded 30 or more in three\u00a0straight seasons. If he can find a way to hit the back of the net himself,\u00a0a 50-point campaign is possible for him, too. Erik Haula<\/strong> had a breakout season in 2015-16 with 14 goals and 20 assists\u2014a massive improvement on his 14 total points in 2014-15. His +21 rating also lead the team last season.<\/p>\n

Who to Watch on the Blue Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The defence in Minnesota is young, but is led by one of the best in the NHL, Ryan Suter<\/strong>. He is entering his twelfth season, but after a 51-point campaign last year, shows no signs of slowing down. Jared Spurgeon<\/strong> is entering his seventh NHL season and is the next\u00a0most seasoned\u00a0veteran on the blue line despite only being 26 years old. His 11 goals and 18 assists in 2015-16 were admirable, but he should become another point producer this year for the Wild. Lastly, 22-year-old Matt Dumba<\/strong> has signed a new contract and is ready to prove he deserved his payday. He should be the third member of the blue line in Minnesota to record 30 points this season. Dumba\u00a0recorded 26 points last year.<\/p>\n

Who Needs to Bounce Back\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With a new season brings a fresh start. There are three players whose dip in production in recent seasons must be corrected.<\/p>\n

Jason Pominville<\/strong> had a lacklustre season in 2015-16. He recorded 36 points, down 18 from the 54 he recorded in 2014-15. He needs to return to the 50-point player the Wild need him to be if they are\u00a0to reach the playoffs. Another player who needs to bounce back\u2014or rather to\u00a0step up\u2014is Nino Niederreiter<\/strong>. The 24-year-old had a very respectable\u00a020 goals and 23 assists\u00a0last year. As good as that was, it is time for the\u00a0former fifth overall pick to reach to new heights\u00a0as his\u00a0draft year counterparts Taylor Hall<\/strong> and Tyler<\/strong> Seguin <\/strong>have.<\/strong> Blue-liner Jonas Brodin<\/strong> also struggled in 2015-16 with only seven points compared to 17 in the 2014-15 season. His +\/- rating also took a nose dive from +21 to -5. At only 23 years old he is still young and can certainly be a reliable player for the Wild organization.<\/p>\n

The Veterans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain Mikko Koivu<\/strong> is entering his twelfth season with the Wild and is only five assists away from 400 on his career. The 33-year-old recorded 56 points last season and, despite only being 37 games away from 800 on his career, should notch another 50-point campaign in 2016-17. Zach Parise<\/strong> had another fantastic season with 25 goals and 28 assists. When the team needs the puck at the back of the net he has been\u00a0the Wilds’ go-to guy. The veteran is only one goal shy of 300 and will play in his 800th career game this season. The only major offseason acquisition Minnesota made was bringing in veteran forward Eric Staal<\/strong>. The 31-year-old is entering his thirteenth season and registered 39 points in 2015-16 between the Hurricanes and Rangers. He can certainly still produce on the score sheet, and his veteran presence will also help with the development of the young core up front. He will also join the 800-point club this season as he currently sits at 781.<\/p>\n

The Man Between the Pipes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Devan Dubnyk<\/strong> has shown he is the man for the job in Minnesota. His 2.33 GAA and .918 save percentage are more than a team can ask for. If he continues to build on these numbers, his third season as a full-time netminder should be a good one.<\/p>\n

The Wild exited the 2016 playoffs in round one after losing in six games to their division foes the Dallas Stars. The rematch of this playoff series will take place October 29th where the Wild will look to redeem themselves. The key month for this team in the 2016-17 season will be February where eight of their twelve games will take place at home. The Minnesota Wild have the combination of young and veteran talent, along with a top-notch goalie. If their defence can manage to limit the opposition’s scoring chances, this team may be able to capture a top three spot in the Central division.<\/p>\n

Main image credit:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n