Offseason Roundup: Minnesota Wild
Over the next month, theScore's NHL editors will review all the offseason moves for each team around the league.
The Minnesota Wild appear to be on the right track after ending their postseason drought in 2013 and winning their first playoff series in 11 years last season, and general manager Chuck Fletcher is well aware those improvements are heightening expectations surrounding the team.
"I think everyone believes we're a competitive team and we can compete with the best teams in the league," Fletcher told NHL.com. "We were certainly happy that we won a round, but everyone's expectations are a little higher going forward."
Minnesota's offseason reflected their position as a developing contender, focusing on internal development and minimal movement while still adding a key piece to its offense.
Offseason Overview
Thomas Vanek was rumored to be heading to the Wild before the Montreal Canadiens were eliminated from the playoffs. The forward failed to endear himself to the Canadiens or their fans after arriving at the trade deadline and speculation suggested he wanted to return to the state where he made his name in the NCAA.
It made sense to assume Vanek was looking for something familiar after playing for three different teams in one season, so it came as no surprise when he signed a three-year, $19.5-million contract with Minnesota on July 1.
In Vanek, the Wild added another dynamic scoring winger to a roster that already includes Zach Parise, as well as a host of budding offensive talent. Young forwards Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula are all entering the final years of their entry-level deals, which is likely the reason Vanek was Minnesota's only big splash in the free-agent market.
The Wild re-signed Nino Niederreiter to a three-year deal worth $8 million following an impressive debut with the team after he was traded from the New York Islanders. Niederreiter was happy to finally get a full season in the NHL and believes he can be even better, especially if he gets a chance to be one of the team's top six forwards, as he explained to NHL.com:
I want to be a power forward who can score goals and play in different situations. I feel like I'm at my best when it counts the most and that I can take my game to another level when the really important games come up, like the playoffs. Last year, most of the time I played on the third line. This year I want to get a spot on the first two lines. It's going to be really tough, very challenging, but I'm ready to take that challenge and try to be in the top six forwards.
The generally smooth sailing of Minnesota's offseason was disrupted by presumed starting goaltender Josh Harding, who fractured his foot kicking a wall in an off-ice incident. The incident forced the Wild to invite Ilya Bryzgalov to training camp and sign Darcy Kuemper to a two-year, $2.5-million deal to battle with veteran Niklas Backstrom for the vacancy left by Harding, who was suspended indefinitely.
Key Additions
F Thomas Vanek
D Justin Falk
Key Departures
F Matt Moulson
D Clayton Stoner
F Dany Heatley
2014-15 Outlook
Minnesota's biggest concern is its defense, which is surprisingly young beyond Ryan Suter and could have issues handling the deep offenses of the Central Division. The Wild are likely to be looking up at the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues in the standings, but it's reasonable to assume they can compete with other playoff-contending foes in the division like the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.