Minnesota Wild: How Can Brodin Tally More Points?

Jonas Brodin saw his lowest point total in four NHL seasons in 2015-16, only tallying 7 points on the season scoresheet. Moving on into this season the question seems to be, can Brodin get back closer to 20 points and could he possibly put up more for his year end total?

Jonas Brodin has never been known as much of a scorer. Since his days playing days in Sweden with Farjestads BK Karlstad, the Minnesota Wild defenseman has been close but never eclipsed the 20 point mark in a season at any level. He’s in the NHL not to score but to lay shutdown defense, which he plays very well. Still after a season that saw him only tally 7 points in 68 games, the question on the minds of many is how can Brodin produce more points and get back up to at least where he was?

The first possibility to boost his point output would be to examine who he’s taking the ice with. Right now Brodin is typically paired up with Marco Scandella, and while that makes a shutdown group on defense the two Wild defenders play pretty much the same game with about the same skill set. Scandella did have more point output than Brodin last season but not much more.

The Wild should look to shake things up by letting Brodin play with Matt Dumba as a regular defensive pairing. Dumba is a right-handed shot and Brodin is a lefty, which could complement Brodin a lot better than playing with Scandella who is also a lefty. Also Dumba is more of an offensive minded player who could help raise Brodin’s offensive game/IQ.

Apr 16, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) skates against the Dallas Stars in game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Wild 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Like most of the Wild players as well a simple change of system might spark something as well. Bruce Boudreau has already expressed the willingness to open up the Wild’s offensive game. A scoring increase may very well come for Brodin by virtue of being in a new system that could seem him possess the puck more in places other than the defensive zone.

Speaking of possession, that will be another area where Brodin can improve to up his point totals. Last season his Corsi and Fenwick numbers were the lowest they’ve been in his four NHL seasons (44.5% Corsi and 45.3% Fenwick), which is hard to believe considering that he’s such a strong fundamentals type player being a great skater and stickhandler. The drop in possession numbers might largely be a reflection on the team, but you still like to see those numbers closer to 50% regardless.