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Analysis: High-end additions infuse jolts of energy and credibility

  • Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune
  • Updated: July 4, 2012 - 11:45 PM

In one swoop, the Wild reinvented the franchise and reinvigorated its fan base.

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  • 1 - 6 of 6
holdsteady76Jul. 5, 12 8:19 AM

Strong prospect pool, a wealth of goal tending talent, solid veteran talent ... the Wild are well positioned to compete for a decade. MN deserves a great hockey team and we have one now. This should be a fun ride. Well done Wild, and congrats.

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uffda57Jul. 5, 12 9:17 AM

This should silence the critics of Leipold and Fletcher. Leipold isn't willing to spend money to bring in the best players? Tough to say that now. Fletcher hasn't improved the team and is out of his depth? Parise and Suter apparently looked at the prospect pool in the pipeline and agreed with the assessment of NHL insiders, that the Wild has a tremendous future. It was one of the factors for why they chose the Wild instead of a team like Detroit, even though they accepted a lower contract. Like Koivu said, these additions give the existing players confidence on and off the ice, and the prospects can take their time and develop at their own pace, so we don't end up with more Sheppards. Yeo now has the most talented team in Wild history, and there is no excuse not to make the playoffs this year. If he doesn't, he is definitely out of here. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Cullen and PMB gone by the end of the year if some of the prospects look good.

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gowildcatsJul. 5, 12 9:35 AM

Now if the Wild hire Minnesota summer resident and former Sioux,Dave Tippett as head coach (Coyotes are moving to Quebec anyway), Im moving back to Minnesota because the Stanley Cup will be there!

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stonedonthebJul. 5, 12 9:56 AM

All of a sudden, it doesn't bother me one bit we lost Gabby. Yes, they are only 2 players, but they will allow everyone else to play at their peak efficiency rather than overextending. And give credit where credit is due. Russo busted a hump on this story. And not one Florida reference that I recall :-) He is going to have a tough time not becoming a homer with a team like this.

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jakemanoJul. 5, 1210:03 AM

The contracts are front end loaded, but apparently they only count as $7.5M on the cap. That number doesn't seem all that bad. It might be tight this year, but one would think next year we'll be able to lower about $10M of contracts in Backy and Cullen. This team is positioned to slowly bring in the kids and not rush them now. Great work, GO WILD!

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uffda57Jul. 5, 1210:09 AM

I'm really excited for the kids on the team, as they will get the benefits of learning the game from a couple of guys that excel in their positions, and have some leadership skills too. This is a deal that really sets this team up for a brilliant future, and NHL.com seems to agree!

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