Fansided

Is time running out for the Minnesota Wild core group?

By ToHelgeson |
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 27: (L-R) Mikko Koivu #9, Ryan Suter #20, and Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild talk during a break in the game against the Phoenix Coyotes on March 27, 2013 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 27: (L-R) Mikko Koivu #9, Ryan Suter #20, and Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild talk during a break in the game against the Phoenix Coyotes on March 27, 2013 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

Every year it seems to be the same story for the Minnesota Wild, make the playoffs, and leave just as quickly as they showed up. With the core group we have now, time is running out to get the ‘State of Hockey’ what they so rightly deserve, Lord Stanley.

Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, who it is debatable are the three key players for the Minnesota Wild, and aren’t getting any younger.

Koivu (35), Parise (34), and Suter (33) have definitely started to show their age. That begs the question, can the Minnesota Wild make a playoff push this year?

Not just a push to the playoffs, but a push for the cup.

In my opinion, no.

I believe it is time the team starts a rebuild; I know we’re early in the year, and all of you reading this right now are going to say the same thing; give it some time, things will turn around – but will it?

Will this team, with these players, really win Minnesota a Stanley Cup?

Let’s take a look back at how this team has fared since the ill-fated Parise and Suter contract signings.

There is no other team in the Western Conference that has reached the playoffs more than the Minnesota Wild.

Six times in a row to be exact, and what does this team have to show for it?

Nothing.

Now don’t get me wrong, we have a talented group of young players playing on this team. Jason Zucker, Jonas Brodin, Charlie Coyle, Jordan Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and the recent contract extension of Matt Dumba make me excited for what this team could be.

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Dumba is showing that he can be a standout offensive defenseman in the league.

Zucker’s scoring prowess is one of the most impressive in the NHL and Jordan Greenway is starting to show that with some more experience in the league, will be a big net front presence with skilled hands and a high hockey IQ.

This group of key young guys on this team is something Minnesota Wild fans can be excited about, not only this year, but in many years to come.

We’re missing that one key piece though, that one piece that can push this team past the first round, past the second round, and hopefully into a parade down the streets of St. Paul in June.

I truly believe this team is one superstar away from a Stanley Cup. A guy that can consistently score 30-40 goals a year, a guy that can change the game with one flick of the wrist.

Could that mean moving some of our young guys for a player that will help us win right now? Maybe.

Next. Does the Wild fourth line deserve more ice time?. dark

Or is it time to move some of our more notable names for younger talent that will grow into that superstar with time.

Only time will tell, and with a rough start to the season, time is starting to run out for this group to win the ‘State of Hockey’ the Stanley Cup it’s been dreaming of for so long.

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