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Gone Wild: Which player is primed for a breakout season?

By Brennen Rupp

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 25: Ryan Donato #6 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck during a game with the Nashville Predators at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 25: Ryan Donato #6 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck during a game with the Nashville Predators at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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It’s time for this week’s “Gone Wild” our weekly mailbag here on Gone Puck Wild. Lets get down to business and thanks for those questions!

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If the Minnesota Wild are going to get back to the postseason in 2019-2020, they’ll need to have one or two of their young players enjoy breakout seasons. No player is more primed for a breakout season than Ryan Donato. In 22 games with the Wild last season, the former second-round pick notched 16 points, scoring four goals and notching 12 assists. This season it wouldn’t be surprising to see Donato enjoy his first 20-goal season of his young career.

For those that don’t know (which I’m sure you do) the Norris Trophy is handed out to the best defenseman in the league. Our very own Lake Martin believes that Dumba would have been a candidate for the award last season if it weren’t for his season-ending injury.

"“I’d go as far to say that if Dumba doesn’t get hurt, he would have won the Norris last year,” Martin said."

Will he win the award this season? I’m going to say no. But, I think he’ll win the award before his career comes to an end.

The 2019 NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City will start on Sept. 6 and end on the 10th. The Wild’s roster includes a lot of intriguing names to, but I’ll be keeping tabs on Connor Dewar. The former third-round pick finished with 81 points in the WHL last season, scoring 36 goals and 45 assists.

Not sure why they wouldn’t be? Everything new general manager, Bill Guerin has said publicly has been positive. According to The Athletic’s, Michael Russo, Guerin had a lengthy chat with coach, Bruce Boudreau and he met with Zach Parise at a Starbucks. By all indications Guerin has been a breath of fresh air for this organization.

As for Mikko Koivu, Guerin reportedly has met with the Captain as well. What they discussed during that meeting is up for speculation. It’s reasonable to assume that they discussed how his knee feels after suffering a torn ACL last season. All signs are pointing to Koivu being the center on the third line for the Wild this season. Will Koivu accept that role? My guess is yes. However, who is to say that Koivu doesn’t look great during training camp and the preseason and opens the season as the second line center? Time will tell, but I don’t see Koivu having an issue with his role this season, simply because even if he is the third line center is role will still be vital to the team’s success. Now, if he’s the fourth line center that could be a different discussion.

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