There’s a point in every team or franchise history where morale winnings aren’t good enough anymore. It’s not about being better than last season; it’s not about making the playoffs and being happy about that. It’s about going the distance, getting the job done, or in Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerrin’s words: “It’s about winning.” Of course, this isn’t just about winning games. It is about winning the ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup.
“I know everybody’s determined this year to do better,” Guerin said before the start of the season. “For me, I want to see the determination of the guys that were here last year and the focus and the drive to get better. We need to take another step.”
Naturally, the Wild haven’t exactly been a powerhouse in the National Hockey League throughout its history.
They’ve been around since 2000 and have only one division trophy to show for, and that came during the 2007-08 season. Nonetheless, they have produced some fine talents, like the ones in this list from ClutchBet.
Still, the front office and the fans believe enough it’s enough already. They want to sit at the winners’ table and prove that they can also compete at the highest level by taking home their very first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Needless to say, that’ll be easier said than done.
Putting Their Woes Behind
The Wild have exceeded all expectations in back-to-back seasons. But, just like it happens with the Timberwolves and the Twins, they failed to deliver when it mattered the most, going back home in the first round in both of those campaigns.
Of course, the Wild didn’t enter those seasons with high hopes and expectations. Even if some believe they overachieved. They seemed to have no one to blame but themselves for their shortcomings. They shocked the world, but then it seemed like even they didn’t believe they had what it takes to go the distance.
Things are different now. People expect the Wild to be good, not just kind of good; not good for the Wild. And they might as well be right if budding star Kirill Kaprizov takes another leap forward and leads the franchise as most analysts predict him to.
Wild Want To Win It All
So, the Minnesota Wild enter this season with one premise and one premise only, and that’s to win the whole thing. A winning regular season record will not be the goal. They’re striving for the ultimate prize and believe they have what it takes to achieve that goal.
“There are no expectations on individual players,” coach Dean Evason said. “We don’t put numbers on goals or points. We put all emphasis on wins. We didn’t win in the crucial time, and that’s the playoffs. That’s raised the bar. That’s our bar. Our bar is to get to the Stanley Cup, and as far as individuals, it’ll shake out, right? Some guys are going to have career years; some guys aren’t. We’re just expecting everyone to compete hard and give ourselves a chance to win.”
That’s definitely the kind of message you want to hear and send when you’re a franchise trying to make its way into the powerhouses in the league. Nonetheless, the Wild have the eighth-highest odds of winning the Stanley Cup (+1700). They should be a lock to make the playoffs (-500). The Wild have the second-best odds of winning the Central Division (+330).
Are They Stacked Enough?
A 100+ point season is the current projection for the Minnesota Wild. Analysts are saying they will give the Colorado Avalanche a run for their money in their division. But then again, their depth will be a huge question mark as we enter a long, physical season that will tolerate no breaks, especially when you have the biggest Stanley Cup candidate in your division.
Minnesota may not reek of superstar power like their counterparts, but they have something most teams in the league lack, balance. They have plenty of depth up front and in the blue line. While you may not have the flashy players or the biggest stars in the league, these guys have bought into their system and are hard-working, team-first kinds of players. There’s no ego in that locker room, and that can always take you to great lengths.
All things considered, the Wild won’t be a flashy team by any means. They haven’t needed that to be exciting and make people root for them over the past couple of years. They still need to prove that they can hang on and hold their own vs. actual contenders. They’ve been strong at home and steadily improving every season.
So, winning the Stanley Cup could be a bit out of reach unless Kirill Kaprizov goes berserk or they land more star power via trade. Wild fans should still look forward to another exciting season and a deeper playoff run this time around.
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