The Minnesota Wild experienced another roller-coaster season in 2015-16, one that included a six-game winning streak and an eight-game losing streak in the span of two months. After the eight-game skid, the Wild fired coach Mike Yeo on Feb. 13. Under interim coach John Torchetti, they made a late-season run into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The Wild hired coach Bruce Boudreau on May 7, and added assistants Scott Stevens and John Anderson in June. Boudreau is 409-192-80 in nine NHL seasons with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks, and has won eight division titles.
There will be a huge change in offensive presence and speed under Boudreau. Minnesota finished 18th in scoring last season. The Ducks scored 215 goals and finished 17th in the League under Boudreau. Anaheim scored 1,066 goals in the five seasons he was coach.
As for the roster, the Wild bought out the final year of Thomas Vanek's three-year, $19.5 million contract after an NHL career-low 18 goals, and 23 assists. The buyout made room to add longtime Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal, who agreed to terms on a three-year, $10.5 million contract July 1. Forwards Pat Cannone and Chris Stewart were also added as free agents.
Staal, 31, is expected to have an immediate impact, but it comes with caution. He has 781 points (325 goals, 456 assists) in 929 NHL games, but is coming off one of his worst seasons since his rookie year in 2003-04. After being traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28, Staal finished the regular season with a combined 13 goals and 39 points; he had 54 points in 2014-15 with Carolina. Minnesota hopes Staal centering left wing Zach Parise, and moving Charlie Coyle from center to right wing, will increase point production for all three players.
Boudreau has made it clear that things will be different in the defensive zone too. He does not expect defenseman Ryan Suter to be playing as many minutes; he has averaged 28:44 the past four seasons with Minnesota. That leaves room for players like Matt Dumba and Mike Reilly to step up and get more ice time.
It's a new season, new coach and new system in Minnesota, and combined it might be a recipe for success in 2016-17.