Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Minnesota Wild

The Arizona Coyotes hope to drive the Wild wild… so to speak, this new season. Nothing like beating your former goalie who went on to become as popular as a rock star.

Today we look at: Minnesota Wild

2014-15 record: 46-28-8, 4th in the Central. Lost in 4 games to Chicago in the Western Conference Semifinals

How the Arizona Coyotes did: 3 games, 0-2-1

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes: Thur 10/15 Home, Fri 12/11 Home, Mon 1/26 at Minnesota

More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Who Will Lead Team In Scoring

More from Coyotes News

Team Newcomers: None

Now Ex-Players: C Kyle Brodziak

Coached by: Mike Yeo (5th year)

Who’s in Net:

Goaltending is an issue with the Wild, in that they have three vying for two spots. Devan Dubnyk has the starting job in his back pocket, and Darcy Kuemper who was a starter before Dubnyk appeared, looks to be second fiddle. Niklas Backstrom will more than likely be the third man out. We’ll see for sure after camp ends.

Quick thoughts about the Wild:

They went after Dubnyk in the off-season in a big way, and absolutely had to resign the star goalie. His five-year $23.5 million contract proves they were serious about keeping him. Why wouldn’t they, since he took them to the playoffs with his stellar play?
They are relying on their young defense headed by Ryan Suter, whose ice time totals show they want him out there as much as possible. They threw in the towel signing him for an average of $9 million a year for five years. We think we have a much better defenseman named Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who only cost us $6.375 million. Their defense is young, with five of them under 26 years of age. Will the young defense keep Dubnyk protected enough to repeat their success of last season? We’ll see.
They must think their team is set, without bringing in a single new face. Oh yeah, they’re just under $2 million under the salary cap. They overpaid their players, now they must ride the horse they came into town on.

Why the Wild will win the Stanley Cup:

If a successful team is built around goaltending, then the Wild have as good a chance as any other team with a solid defense headed up by the kind of goaltending Dubnyk has displayed.

Why the Wild won’t win the Stanley Cup:

Their young defense will not perform well enough to help them to this goal. As we in the desert learned very quickly, when you leave your goalie out to dry numerous times, he will eventually falter… just ask Mike Smith. Dubnyk is a talented goalie, but he can’t perform miracles in the crease. Once their defense matures (sound familiar?), then let’s talk about the possibilities of a Cup.

Three Things We Like About You:

Going to Minnesota is like going to hockey heaven. You eat, breathe, and subside on hockey. You can’t get enough of it.
How you turned around a below average season (with Dubnyk’s help) into a chance to play in the playoffs. You just didn’t know you would run into the Chicago steam engine, and be swept away as if you didn’t matter.
Your fans… see #1.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

We hate that after we sent Dubnyk to you for a loaf of bread, with the jam, he exceeded all expectations and pretty much dominated the goaltending stats the rest of the year. Color us stupid.
Your team name. I mean what is a Wild? You might have just as well called yourself the Minnesota Tundra.
Your weather, and the schedule makers for sending us to the tundra in the end of January when it’s so cold you’re not sure if you’ll survive. Our blood is thinned out from living in the tepid desert. Give us a break!

Prediction:

With the Western Conference getting more and more competitive every year, Minnesota may sneak in, but won’t last past the semi-finals. Remember they must get by the mighty Blackhawks, and that’s not an easy task. Dubnyk can’t play as insanely off the chart again this year, can he? We’re not wild about the Wild’s chances.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Pontificating Brendan Perlini’s Potential

More from Howlin' Hockey

Home/Coyotes News