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Open window: Wild’s Leipold can ‘see a Stanley Cup’

Minnesota Wild Introduce Zach Parise and Ryan Suter - Press Conference

ST PAUL, MN - JULY 9: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild speak during press conference on July 9, 2012 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Parise;Ryan Suter

Hannah Foslien

The Minnesota Wild haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2008.

Yet after signing forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter to identical 13-year $98 million contracts during the summer free agency period, and now challenging the Vancouver Canucks for the Northwest Division lead, there appears to be a growing confidence in the Wild organization.

“I see a Stanley Cup championship. My hope is that it happens soon,” Wild owner Craig Leipold told the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, according to TwinCities.com.

“It may not be this year. It may not be next year. But the beautiful thing is we have a window now that’s not going to close in two or three years. We’ve got a window that’s going to be opened up for five, six or seven years.”

The Wild are coming to an interesting juncture in their schedule.

They have a home-and-home with the Colorado Avalanche, going Thursday and Saturday.

They also play the Canucks in what could be a pivotal Northwest showdown next Monday.