Minnesota Wild: Most Likely Award Candidates

Do The Minnesota Wild Have One Norris Candidate Or Two?

I’ve spoken before about whether Minnesota Wild defenseman, Matt Dumba has reached a truly elite level.

Then there’s also Ryan Suter – he has put up enough campaigns amounting to fifty or more points that surely he deserves a mention as a Norris Trophy candidate.

Both men offer a lot offensively, but aren’t exactly unreliable on the other side of the puck either.

If Brent Burns has some early season struggles, likewise Victor Hedman and maybe Erik Karlsson takes some time to get going with the San Jose Sharks; maybe, just maybe a Minnesota Wild player can put themselves into the conversation.

However, much like the question mark surrounding whether there’s a Hart Trophy candidate in the team, I think the same applies to the Norris.

This is a team built on being exactly that; a team.

There aren’t necessarily stand-out individuals that will scoop the individual trophy and frankly, I doubt they care too much if there is a shot at a certain Stanley Cup instead.

Realistically, every Minnesota Wild player could win some sort of individual award and none of them would be all that bothered if the team doesn’t win the Cup.

Matt Dumba, I think, can reach a new level this year especially if he ends up on the second pairing and is given some chance at quarter-backing one of the power-play units.

Ryan Suter, I thought could be counted out after his injury last year, but he seems fighting fit and somehow always manages consistently good numbers despite his age and the fact he generally faces the toughest opposition.

If, come the end of the season, any of these players are in individual award consideration – I’d say job well done for the Minnesota Wild!