The Minnesota Wild have been out of the playoffs for a while.
But the sting seems to be lingering for forward Matt Cullen, even if the Wild were dispatched in five games in the opening round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
“It was about as disappointed as I think I’ve ever been. I really felt we missed an opportunity this year probably more than maybe any other time in my career,” Cullen told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“Maybe it’s because of where I’m at in my career and being from Minnesota and not knowing if this was my last season in Minnesota. It was really a tough one to handle.”
Cullen, 36, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
He scored seven goals and had 27 points in 42 regular season games coming out of the lockout and had three helpers in the five-game series loss to Chicago earlier this spring.
“I feel good about where my game and body is at,” Cullen told the Star Tribune.
“I know I’m getting older and later in my career, but I feel better than I’ve ever felt on the ice. It helps keep you feeling young and excited get work this summer.”