A source knowledgeable about the NHL told Sports Headliners that the Minnesota Wild could be a Stanley Cup contender next season. The source, who is close to the Wild and spoke on condition of anonymity, predicted the team will be favored to repeat as Northwest Division champions and while “not as strong on paper as Detroit,” Minnesota will be an elite team in the Western Conference.
He said the Wild need to add a couple of younger defensemen who can score. One contributor could be 25-year-old Erik Reitz. He joined the Wild during the playoffs after finishing fourth on the Houston farm team in scoring, despite playing in only 49 games. The source believes veteran defensemen Keith Carney and Sean Hill, both 38, will not return because of their age.
Coach Jacques Lemaire’s announcement last weekend to return for next season wasn’t a major surprise. “Once he was able to reflect, he realized they have the kind of team that with minor tweaks can go as far as they want in the playoffs,” the source said.
Lemaire, 62, has been the only coach in the franchise’s history. He is recognized as a “tremendous asset” by everyone in the organization, according to the source.
The NHL insider’s reasons for optimism about the Wild include the outstanding 2007-2008 seasons by young players Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Marian Gaborik. Koivu, a 25-year-old center, was impressive during the season and then finished second only to Brian Rolston in total points during the playoffs with five. Burns, 23, led the Wild’s defensemen in goals, assists and points.
Bouchard, a 24-year-old center, led the Wild in assists with 50 and was second only to Gaborik in points with 63. Gaborik, the 26-year-old all-star wing, had regular season career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83).
Gaborik was free from the groin problems that have bothered him in the past. “He’s still reaching his peak” the source said. “Ninety points (in a future season) are possible.”