Central Division Preview
By Kyle Roberts
Sep 21, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund (64) looks to pass during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Wild:
2012-2013 Record: 26-19-3 – 55 Points
Coach: Mike Yeo
Standings: 2nd in Northwest Division, 8th in Western Conference
Forwards:
Zach Parise – Mikko Koivu – Jason Pominville
Jason Zucker – Mikael Granlund – Charlie Coyle
Matt Cooke – Kyle Brodziak – Nino Niederreiter
Mike Rupp – Zenon Konopka – Torrey Mittchell
Dany Heatley
Defense:
Ryan Suter – Jonas Brodin
Jared Spurgeon – Clayton Stoner
Keith Ballard – Marco Scandella
Goaltending:
Niklas Backstrom
Josh Harding
The Minnesota Wild are forever making moves. They acquired Mike Rupp, Matt Cooke, Zenon Konopka, Nino Niederreiter, and are calling upon young studs like Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund and Charlie Coyle. While they were heavily injured last year entering the playoffs, this team has the will to make another splash, but that’s if players like Dany Heatley can stay healthy as well as their goaltending. What will come this year for Minnesota? Can the young players arise to make this team a contender in the coming years?