is immensely likable. Just ask this kid:
While nearly 3 million people have watched that video on YouTube alone (that doesn’t count plays on NHL.com), most Wild fans didn’t need Coyle to say high to a kid in order like him. Coyle had an up and down season but was an effective player throughout spending a lot of time paired on the top line with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu — at least in the short time that everyone was healthy.
After the much talked about late-season discussion with coach Mike Yeo, Coyle upped his physical game and we got a better glimpse of what his ceiling is. It may be higher than many expected.
Coyle was an exciting payer to watch all season. He has a knack for elbowing out some space for himself in front of the net and banging in the garbage goal — there’s a bit of Parise’s style in Coyle when they’re in the attacking zone. He ended the season playing the best hockey of the year and started the postseason by potting three goals in the first four games. He didn’t score again unfortunately, but that may be attributed to the fact that he played most of the postseason with a separated shoulder and by the end of the playoffs he was playing with two separated shoulders. (That’s both of them, for folks keeping score at home.)
Without further digression, every goal Charlie Coyle scored in the 2013-14 season.
#1
11/07/13 vs. Washington Capitals
MIN 2 – WSH 3 (SO)
This goal was a metaphor for Coyle’s season: he kind of took a stick to the mouth any time anything good happened. Whether that was fan reaction, taking actual sticks and pucks to the face like he did here, two separated shoulders, getting a faceful of stitches, or just having a tough time finding his groove.
#2
11/15/13 vs. Florida Panthers
FLA 2 – MIN 3
Coyle scores a goal based on tricks he learned from the University of Zach Parise, St. Paul campus. Rule #1: never leave the front of the net. This is one of the great early season examples of how big of an impact Coyle can have when he uses his body and plays physical.
#3
12/02/13 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
PHI 0 – MIN 2
#4
12/17/13 vs. Vancouver Canucks
VAN 2 – MIN 3 (SO)
Coyle finds the five-hole on
, is prepared for Luongo to make
about it.
#5
01/11/14 vs. Colorado Avalanche
COL 4 – MIN 2
Coyle with what was probably his prettiest goal of the year. His first of two on the night.
#6
01/11/14 vs. Colorado Avalanche
COL 4 – MIN 2
Just moments later.
#7
03/08/14 vs. Dallas Stars
MIN 3 – DAL 4
#8
03/22/14 vs. Detroit Red Wings
DET 3 – MIN 2
Coyle with a great move on the season’s only penalty shot goal for Minnesota.
#9
03/23/14 vs. Detroit Red Wings
MIN 4 – DET 3 (OT)
Coyle had about eight chances there.
should be mad about how they let the Wild walk all over them there rather than his stick.
#10
03/26/14 vs. Vancouver Canucks
VAN 5 – MIN 2
That shot.
#11
04/01/14 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
MIN 2 – CHI 3 (SO)
#12
04/07/14 vs. Wininpeg Jets
MIN 1 – WPG 0
#13
04/17/14 vs. Colorado Avalanche
MIN 4 – COL 5 (OT)
Coyle grabs the first goal of the Wild postseason on this rebound in a heartbreaking game where
grabbed the late third period game-tying goal and the OT game-winner.
#14
04/19/14 vs. Colorado Avalanche
MIN 2 – COL 4
Two postseason games, two goals.
#15
04/24/14 vs. Colorado Avalanche
COL 1 – MIN 2
At this point, Coyle has three goals in four games. All the goals are down on top of the net. Almost Parise style goals. That’s the style of physical game where Coyle is dangerous.