Team Preview: Minnesota Wild

2010-2011: 86 points, 12th in Western Conference
Key additions: RW Devin Setoguchi, LW Dany Heatley, C Darroll Powe, D Mike Lundin
Key departures: RW Martin Havlat, D Brent Burns, G Jose Theodore, LW Andrew Brunette

Backstrom must have a huge season in Minnesota.

Why they'll contend: The Wild completed a revamping over the summer after finishing 26th in team scoring in 2010-2011. In two separate trades with San Jose, Minnesota brought in top-line talents in Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley, who six times in his nine year career has eclipsed 39 goals, including hitting 50 twice. Setoguchi is coming off his third consecutive 20+ goal season and figures to chip in prominently in Minnesota. New head coach Mike Yeo is coming off just one season in the AHL, where he lead Houston to the Calder Cup Final. The Wild figure to have a balanced attack under Yeo after an attempt at stingy defense under Todd Richards. The Wild have re-branded themselves this off-season to a more offense-first attack. It should prove successful for a team that has been more concerned with trapping and playing safe hockey in the past in a league where "safe" is death. An up-tempo attack could pay huge dividends in Minnesota as a change of thinking has finally been brought about.

Why they'll falter: The Wild will need improved play from Niklas Backstrom between the pipes this year after finishing 18th in save percentage (.916) and 29th in GAA (2.66) in 2011. The Wild lost a quality defenseman in Brent Burns and management is hoping that by scoring more goals it can overcome that loss. It's quite feasible that by adding Heatley and Setoguchi the Wild could have added 60-70 goals, while losing Havlat will subtract 22 goals from last season's offense. The Wild will need big minutes from Marek Zidlicky and Greg Zanon on defense and will need Mike Lundin and Clayton Stoner to step up and produce in huge ways; maybe more than they're capable of. Heatley will have to prove he is indeed a team player, something that has escaped him in the past as he's wiggled his way out of Atlanta and Ottawa and refused to be dealt to Edmonton. Heatley is an all-world talent, but his sway in the locker room is yet to be seen in Minnesota. Without a big year from Backstrom, quality contributions from their youth, and improved play defensively, the Wild could find themselves on the outside looking in again.

2012 PREDICTION: 8th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Dany Heatley, 35 G & 82 points
Bold prediction: Darroll Powe hits 10 goals for the first time in his career.

NEXT PREVIEW: MONTREAL CANADIENS