Wild 2014-15: An Oasis of Stability

Minnesota Wild (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Minnesota Wild are in a unique position among the local men's professional sports teams.  They are the only ones that have made the playoffs in the past year.  They have the longest-serving coach in Mike Yeo, who's just signed a contract extension.  They don't have a player who demanded to be traded, or is in trouble with the law.  And the future is, at least on paper, better than it used to be.

The Wild, who made it as far as the second round of the NHL playoffs last spring, have added Thomas Vanek to their collection of blockbuster free agent signings.  Unlike the signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, this one has considerably less impact because everyone knew the Wild coveted the former Gopher Vanek.  They should compliment Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund rather nicely on offense.  Now if they could only get through a season without forgetting how to put the puck in the net.

Because of injuries, infirmities and other shortcomings, the Wild had to use every Tom, Dick and Harry they could get to play goal.  That is still a problem, because the Wild have somehow decided to stick with Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding and Darcy Kuemper in the nets.  If those three can stay healthy and effective, the Wild can become real contenders.  If not, then you can start up the merry-go-round.

The Wild will make the playoffs again, but the issues with goaltending and offense must be resolved if they want to compete with the big boys in their own division (Chicago, St. Louis, Colorado, Dallas).  If not, then there won't be a dime's worth of difference between themselves and the other Minnesota pro sports teams in terms of mediocrity.

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As for the rest of the NHL, we find that the defending Stanley Cup champions are royally ensconced on the West Coast for the second time in three years. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs are generally considered to be the worst-run franchise in pro sports.  And this is supposed to be the league's flagship franchise.

The NHL can't shake rumors of a pending expansion.

In related news, it's the Arizona Coyotes now.  Which makes sense because the team has been playing in an empty building in Glendale instead of Phoenix for several years.

There are just two outdoor games this season:  The Winter Classic in Washington, and another game in the new San Francisco 49ers stadium in Santa Clara.  Maybe the novelty has worn off?

Our choices for who will be in the playoffs come April 2015 are as follows:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:  Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings.

WESTERN CONFERENCE;  Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild.