The Minnesota Wild's Meteoric Rise to Prominence: Can They Sustain It?

It wasn’t supposed to be this way for the Minnesota Wild this season. After signing some veterans to questionable contracts before last season and the albatross of Zack Parise and Ryan Suter still around their neck for another year, this appeared to be another season of struggles. The weight of those contracts had seemingly anchored the team to the bottom of the NHL standings, leaving many to wonder if they would ever become a legitimate playoff contender.

However, the Wild have other plans. Despite being written off by many, they have come out of the gates strong, defying expectations and putting the rest of the league on notice. Their impressive start has been thanks in large part to a newfound sense of chemistry and cohesion that has been lacking in previous seasons.

So, what's behind the Wild's sudden resurgence? A combination of factors has contributed to their success, including a reinvigorated offense and a stifling defense. The team's top line, led by Kirill Kaprizov, has been nearly unstoppable, with Kaprizov himself leading the team in points. Meanwhile, the Wild's blue line has been bolstered by the emergence of young defenders, who have provided a much-needed injection of speed and agility.

Of course, the elephant in the room is still the contracts of Parise and Suter. While the duo's play has been far from spectacular, they have at least been serviceable, providing veteran leadership and stability to a team that desperately needs it. The fact that they have been able to stay healthy has also been a major factor, allowing them to contribute in meaningful ways.

As the season wears on, it will be interesting to see if the Wild can sustain their current level of play. While it's unlikely that they will be able to maintain their current pace, a playoff berth is certainly within reach. If they can continue to get contributions from their top line and defense, while also finding ways to mitigate the impact of Parise and Suter's contracts, they may be able to make some noise in the postseason.

One thing is for sure: the Minnesota Wild are a team on the rise, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL for years to come. Their wondrous season may have been unexpected, but it has been a welcome surprise for fans who have been waiting for years for their team to turn the corner.