2009-2010 record: 38-36-8 (84 points)
Did not qualify for the playoffs
Captain: Mikko Koivu
Alternate Captains: Andrew Brunette, Martin Havlat, Greg Zanon
3 players to watch: For all of the problems that the Wild experienced last year, they found their face of the franchise in Mikko Koivu. Recently signed to a 7-year deal, he led the team in scoring and was named the team's first permanent captain. He will be counted on to improve on his numbers. Improvement is imperative for the Wild's big free agent signing last year Martin Havlat. The Wild look foolish for letting Marian Gaborik walk and signing Havlat last offseason, as Gaborik managed to stay healthy and rank tenth in the league in scoring. Havlat? He managed to play 73 games, but only managed 54 points. Unacceptable numbers for a guy that is capable of a 90 point season. Last year brought a pleasant surprise in mid-season acquisition Guillaume Latendresse. Floundering on the fourth line in Montreal, he was picked up by Minnesota and scored 25 goals in a Wild uniform. With a full season, 40 goals is the potential ceiling for him this year.
Things to look for: Year one of the post-Jacques Lemaire era was a total disaster. Offensively, they were about the same as they ever were and defensively was the team's worst in franchise history. How the team adapts from this setback will go a long way in determining where they end up. This also affected the goaltending, as both Nicklas Backstrom and Josh Harding put up career worst numbers. Both will have to prove that their best years were not a product of the previous system. Mental toughness was also an issue, so the Wild went out to pick up Matt Cullen and Eric Nystrom. Neither are superstars, but they should add the toughness missing from a year ago. And Derek Boogaard is gone for the "greener" pastures of Broadway, so the Wild will count on new guy Brad Staubitz to fill the enforcer role.
Prediction: 12th in the West
Song: Hammerfall-Any Means Necessary
The Wild will need to do what it can to get back into the playoffs, and with the acquisitions of Staubitz and Nystrom, the Wild are willing to get their hands dirty. The band is also good for drunken group karaoke.
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