2011-12 record: 35-36-11 (81 points)
missed the playoffs
Captain: Mikko Koivu
The Wild were strong out of the gate last season, but had a falling off the cliff moment that only the Boston Red Sox would know about. It looked like more of the same in the offseason, but all of that changed on America's birthday. Yes, they added toughness when they signed Zenon Konopka, Jake Dowell, and Torrey Mitchell. However, all of that toughness will be protecting the newest stars in Minnesota in Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Parise adds offense to a team that should not be having Kyle Brodziak as their second leading scorer (no offense to Mr. Brodziak). Yes, Mikko Koivu missed time to injury, but Dany Heatley does need to register more than 24 goals if he hopes to revive his career. Suter gives the Wild an instant number one defenseman, and given the relative inexperience of the blue line, Suter will be leaned on heavily to be the rock on that line. Goaltending has suffered, but the bet here is that Nicklas Backstrom and Josh Harding will return to some semblance of their career years.
Prediction: 4th in the West
Band: Primal Fear
One thought of as a mere Judas Priest ripoff, Primal Fear would eventually find their own identity. The Wild have been searching for their identity since the Jacques Lemaire days, and they're hoping the Parise/Suter signings will help in that regard.
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