2013-14 Season In Review: Mikko Koivu

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today

Looking back at the Captain's season.

Stats

Minnesota (NHL): Regular Season-65 GP, 11 G, 43 A, 54 P, 24 PIM, 147 SOG
                             Playoffs-13 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P, 10 PIM, 30 SOG

Review

Mikko had a slow start to his season. In October he only registered eight points in 13 games, but quickly turned that around in November when he scored 14 points. Koivu continued scoring at nearly a point per game pace to close out the season. However during that stretch, he sustained a ankle injury that kept him out for 17 games, and the Olympics (the team he was slated to captain). Towards the end of the season, Koivu was moved down to the second line alongside Matt Moulson and Charlie Coyle to spark the team's offense. In mid March, he surpassed Marian Gaborik as the franchise's all time points leader when he assisted on a Justin Fontaine goal. During the postseason, Koivu scored six points in the Colorado series before falling victim to the mighty Blackhawks in round two, only scoring one point during that series.

Highlights

Status for 2014-15

Koivu is under contract for four more seasons, with an annual cap hit of $6.75 million. He does have a no movement clause in his deal, so for those of you hoping he will be moved, good luck with that. To open next year, Mikko projects to be on the second line, but that could very well change due to the line juggling Mike Yeo likes to do.


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