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And then there were six: Wild eliminated

Ilya Bryzgalov,

Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, left, looks down during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, May 11, 2014. The Blackhawks won 2-1. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

For more entries in this series, click here.

While the Pittsburgh Penguins see their season ended on Game 7 with feelings of opportunities slipping through their fingers, some would probably argue that the Minnesota Wild can keep their heads high after the Chicago Blackhawks dispatched them in six after a shocking 2-1 OT goal by Patrick Kane.

How about we take a look back at the Wild’s 2013-14 season, then?


  • The Wild dealt with a dizzying array of injuries and bad luck with their goalies, at least health-wise. Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding and Darcy Kuemper dealt with maladies at different points in the season while Ilya Bryzgalov endured a turbulent season of his own. Maybe it wasn’t always spotless, but considering the circumstances, Minnesota survived netminding headaches that would submarine more fragile franchises.
  • Speaking of goalies, answering that question for next season is key ... and isn’t exactly easy.
  • Ryan Suter may just be primed for his long-awaited Norris Trophy win. If nothing else, there is little doubt that he’s recognized as a top NHL defenseman logging huge minutes. In general, the Wild’s top guys continue to produce, even the likes of Zach Parise seem to cringe at charges of boredom.
  • GM Chuck Fletcher keeps making big moves to bolster this team. While the occasional transaction backfires (Matt Moulson didn’t fit in too well), he has a strong batting average, including the proactive trade for Bryzgalov. With rampant rumors that Thomas Vanek might come to town, this team could make yet another step with the right tweaks.
  • Then again, maybe it’s just a matter of developing some of the team’s promising young players. Wild fans should be excited about the thought of Mikael Granlund’s continued growth, alone.
  • Minnesota fought to make the playoffs and fell to the Blackhawks again, yet they tested Chicago this time around after slinking against them in five games in the second round last year. It won’t be easy in a stacked Central Division, but the question is whether the Wild can be deeper in the mix for a higher playoff seed in 2014-15.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins