23. Mikael Granlund – C 4 Seasons, 240 Games, 31 Goals, 101 Assists, 132 Points Mikael Granlund was the Wild’s first pick, 9th overall, in the 2010 Draft. He established himself as a top player in the Finnish League, earning Rookie of the Year and the Finnish version of the Lady Byng Trophy. In international play, he helped team Finland win Bronze at the 2010 U18 Championship, and Gold for the big team at the 2011 IIHF World Championship (the tournament where he scored the phenomenal LaCrosse-style goal against Russia). Granlund made his Wild debut in the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Despite hisMore
Month: September 2016
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #24
24. Filip Kuba – D 5 Seasons, 357 Games, 33 Goals, 99 Assists, 132 Points Filip Kuba came to the Wild from the Calgary Flames in the 2000 expansion draft. With the Wild, Kuba was named captain twice under Lemaire’s rotating captaincy and also joined Dwayne Roloson in the 2004 All-Star Game. As a Wild staple in the first 5 seasons, Kuba averaged just over a point every three games as a defenseman. Even though he never won a cup, he got a Gold in the 2001 World Championships and a Bronze in the 2006 Olympics. Previously on our list: 25. WillieMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #25
25. Willie Mitchell – D 5 Seasons, 288 Games, 9 Goals, 48 Assists, 57 Points One of the original tough guys for the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Willie Mitchell was definitely a crowd favorite while in Minnesota. Not known for his offense, he was a defensive force on the ice. He came to the Wild via a trade for Sean O’Donnell late in their inaugural season on March 4, 2001. Mitchell was also part of the magical 2003 playoff run playing through torn ligaments in his hand and only missing a few shifts after fracturing his cheekbone. His role with theMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #26
26. Marek Židlický – D 4 Seasons, 241 Games, 25 Goals, 98 Assists, 123 Points Marek Židlický started his professional career in Finland, and due to a contract dispute with the Rangers, held out there until he was 26, when the Rangers traded him to the Nashville Predators. In 2008, after 4 solid seasons with the Perds, the Wild made a deal for 31 year-old Marek Židlický, sending Ryan Jones and a 2nd Round draft pick to Nashville in return. Židlický, primarily an offensive-defenseman, led all Wild defensemen in scoring during his first two seasons in Minnesota. In his third year, he wasMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #27
27. Devan Dubnyk – G 2 Seasons, 106 Games, 0.925 Save Pct, 2.13 Goals Against Avg, 10 Shutouts In the more recent history of the Wild there may not have been a bigger impact than current Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk. Remembering back to ringing in the new year of 2015, any hope that the Wild had of making the playoffs was quickly fading as they fell into a deep slump. This was not just a little funk as the Wild had only been able to muster 5 wins during a long 20 game stretch, through their annual December strive toMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #28
28. Pavol Demitra – LW 2 Seasons, 139 Games, 40 Goals, 78 Assists, 118 Points Pavol Demitra came to Minnesota in 2006 via trade and immediately shined. In his first game he tallied 2 assists and in his second game he scored his first goal in a Wild sweater. Playing with fellow Slovak, Marian Gaborik, Demitra averaged .85 points per game, which is the second highest in Wild history, behind only Gaborik. Unfortunately, he is the second player on our list to meet his end too early. On September 7, 2011, he along with the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team, perished in an unfortunate planeMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #29
29. Nino Niederreiter – RW 3 Seasons, 243 Games, 58 Goals, 58 Assists, 116 Points “El Nino” came to the Wild from the Islanders in a trade that sent fan-favorite Cal Clutterbuck packing (with a 3rd round draft pick). Niederreiter, a former #5 overall draft pick, had struggled in his two first forays in the NHL, collecting just 3 points in 64 games with the Islanders. Relegated to the AHL for the entire lockout shortened 2012-2013 season, the trade gave him a chance for a fresh start with a team that needed offensive help. Within 5 games of his Minnesota Wild career,More
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #30
30. Sergei Zholtok – C 3 Seasons, 210 Games, 48 Goals, 62 Assists, 110 Points Coming in at number 30 on the list is forward Sergei Zholtok. Zholtok spent 3 productive years with the Minnesota Wild from 2001-2004. After spending his early career bouncing around between the AHL, IHL and NHL, Zholtok found a home in Minnesota. His Wild career was highlighted in the 2002-2003 season playing a major role in the team’s success and the franchise’s first trip to the playoffs. That year the Wild went deep into the playoffs under Coach Lemaire, eventually losing out to the Mighty Ducks ofMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #31
31. Matt Cullen – C 3 Seasons, 193 Games, 33 Goals, 68 Assists, 101 Points After bouncing around the league for eleven seasons, the Virginia, MN native returned home in 2010, signing a 3 year deal with the Wild in as a free agent. The then 34 year old came with grit and playoff experience, including a Stanley Cup Championship. Due to salary cap issues after a lock out and shortened season, Cullen’s contract was not extended after the 2012-13 season and he went on to Nashville as a free agent. While with the Wild, Cullen, in his mid 30s, neverMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #32
32. Kyle Brodziak – C 6 Seasons, 446 Games, 72 Goals, 97 Assists, 169 Points Kyle Brodziak had an interesting career with the Wild. As an RFA, he was traded on draft day from the Oilers to the Wild, and was coming to a team that was so uninspiring that it had fired it’s only head coach and lost it’s oft-injured top star to free agency. He signed a 3 year extension with the Wild, and his career in the State of Hockey was on the move. While playing 3rd and 4th line minutes in Edmonton, he began to blossom inMore