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Minnesota Wild: Mikko Koivu Should Be Top Line Center

By Turner Olson

Apr 24, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu (9) passes the puck behind the Stars net during the third period Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Stars win 5-4 over the Wild. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu (9) passes the puck behind the Stars net during the third period Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Stars win 5-4 over the Wild. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a resurgent 2015-16 season for the Minnesota Wild, Mikko Koivu has earned the right to be the team’s top line center to start the 2016-17 season.

The 2014-15 season saw Mikko Koivu score just 48 points, the lowest amount he had ever scored in a full season. Although he is more of a playmaker, his shooting percentage was a meager 7.8, which won’t cut it if you’re a player who is expected to play in a top line role. In addition, despite playing 15 more games than the season before, Koivu’s assists total dropped from 43 to 34. To put that in perspective, he went from an average of .66 assists per game to just .43.

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To put it mildly, Koivu was in need of a bounce back year, another season like that and he would likely have been moved into a third line role. But he gave the team exactly what they needed last season. He led the team with 56 points (17 + 39 = 56) which represents the most points the captain had scored in a season since 2010-11. Koivu was especially prolific on the power play, leading the team with 10 power play goals, giving them some punch in an area  the team has struggled at in the past.

While the point totals might not wow you, consider that as a team, the Wild struggled to score last year. It was one of the main reasons they were unable to get out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Koivu is also not a player that you can judge solely on his production, in addition to leading the team in scoring he is considered the best defensive forward on the team and is among the best in the NHL in the faceoff circle, finishing with a 56.2% win percentage.

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This offseason, the Wild felt they needed to upgrade their depth at the center position. And few can blame them for doing so, especially when you consider that Mikael Granlund looked more comfortable on the wing during the stretch run last year. Enter Eric Staal, the newly signed former Carolina Hurricane who has enjoyed a stellar career in his own right.

Many, including Zach Parise, have speculated that he will be the top line center when the preseason starts in October. But that would be a mistake for the team. And the reasons are simple, not only does Koivu have experience playing on a line with the two wingers projected to play on the top line, Coyle and Parise, but he is also a better at the little things (ie. defensive responsibility, faceoffs) than Staal. Those factors, along with better production in the recent past (56 points for Koivu last season compared to 39 for Staal) suggest that Koivu is better suited to play on the top line than Staal.

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While Staal is a fine addition to the team, he should not be centering the top line that has the potential to produce big time offensive numbers next season.  At this point in his career, he is more suited to play on either the second or third line.  Koivu if paired with Parise and Coyle will have a greater effect and offer more scoring which the Wild will need this upcoming season.

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