Two seasons in, it looks like the Minnesota Wild's decision to sign prized free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to massive 12-year free agent contracts is paying dividends.
The team's regular-season and playoff performances are on the upswing, more free agents are choosing Minnesota as a desired destination and the Wild look poised for further improvement.
What We Learned in 2013-14
The big news out of Minnesota in 2013-14 was the team's first-round playoff victory over the favored Colorado Avalanche—the first time in 11 years and just the second time in franchise history that the Wild have advanced past the first round.
The route to the top eight was circuitous, especially in net. Despite a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis late in 2012, per Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, Josh Harding led all goalies with a 1.65 goals-against average and .933 save percentage as he built an 18-7-3 record during the early part of the season.
After Harding's symptoms forced him to the sidelines at the end of 2013, nominal No. 1 Niklas B ...
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Article written by Carol Schram