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Minnesota Wild: Four things they can be thankful for

By Luke Ryan

ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24), center, smiles after scoring his 2nd goal in the 2nd period during the game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24), center, smiles after scoring his 2nd goal in the 2nd period during the game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save during a game with the Ottawa Senators at Xcel Energy Center on November 21, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – NOVEMBER 21: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save during a game with the Ottawa Senators at Xcel Energy Center on November 21, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Devan Dubnyk is elite for the Minnesota Wild

There have been plenty of occasions where Devan Dubnyk has proved the difference-maker for the Minnesota Wild. That is the difference between good goaltending and elite goaltending.

When you look at Dubnyk, you have to view his performances with the Wild as elite. Time and again, he bails the team out – his save percentage and goals against average may fluctuate year-on-year and he may have his average years versus his better years, but the Wild should be thankful for him.

Just look at the struggles the St. Louis Blues have with Jake Allen not able to put up strong performances. Or the Calgary Flames with Mike Smith failing on them. Or even the Pittsburgh Penguins since Marc-Andre Fleury went to Vegas.

If you can find a goaltender that you’re a) willing to entrust 60+ starts a year to and b) he performs in those starts, you’re wise to keep them.

What’s even better is that you’re getting a player at a skill level that is near elite but at a cost of just $4.3 million a year. That is highway robbery when you look at what someone like Carey Price is taking home, despite numbers that look very much average this year.

Of the starters with better goals against averages and save percentages above him currently, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal.

Not only this; if you keep Devan around a few more years, he’s the perfect teacher for Kaapo Kahkonen when he no doubts finds himself promoted to the NHL in a year or two.

Next. Defensive shuffle has pay-off. dark

So as you celebrate Thanksgiving, be sure to be thankful for all the good things the Minnesota Wild have going!

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