Jonas Brodin Signs Six Year Extension

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA Today

This morning the Wild announced that Jonas Brodin signed a six year contract extension. The deal will expire following the 2020-21 season and will eat up two of Brodin's unrestricted free agency years.

The Fight For Home Ice Begins

Photo: Wild.com

At long last, opening night is here.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Mike Yeo

Photo: Chris Humphreys/USA Today

If Mike Yeo had any hair at the beginning of last season, it probably would all be gone by the time the season ended. Thankfully, he did not have any to begin with.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Forwards

Photo: Wild.com

If there is one great strength for the Wild in 2014-15, its going to come from their forward position.

The 2014-14 Minnesota Wild: Special Teams

Photo: Jim Mone/AP

If Minnesota wants to take a bigger step towards the ultimate prize in 2014-15, their special teams will need to see some major improvement.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Defense

Photo: Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune

The Wild were expected to take a step forward on the defensive side of things in 2013-14. They signed Keith Ballard and youngsters Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, and Marco Scandella were expected to progress and be big factors for the Wild.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: X-Factors

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today

Here's a little rundown of the five players who the Wild need to be impactful for them to have success in 2014-15. They are in no particular order.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: The Schedule

Photo: Getty Images

The new season is just three days away, so lets take a look at some notable dates on the calendar for the Wild.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Goaltenders

Photo: Andy King/Reuters

Last year, the line for Minnesota's goaltenders was "just good enough is no longer acceptable". Well, they were just that. They were beyond good enough. They were great. Minnesota used five goalies in the 2013-14 season and all five played a role in helping the Wild reach the postseason for a consecutive season.

2014-15 Outlook: Central Division

Now that we have gone through each team in this division, lets predict where they will finish!

Good & Bad: The Remaining Roster Hopefuls

Photo: Wild.com

With the end of training camp/preseason on the horizon, lets take a look at the good and bad in each of the remaining players who are still in contention for a roster spot.

Preseason Game Four & Lineup Thoughts

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today

In last night's fourth preseason game, Minnesota edged Pittsburgh 4-1. Jason Pominville netted a hat trick, Darcy Kuemper made 32 saves, and Ilya Bryzgalov was killing time by taking selfies with fans on the bench. Onto the notes...

Preseason Game Three Thoughts

Photo: Brad Rempel-USA Today

In last night's preseason game, it was the Wild edging the Jets 4-3 thanks to a late Jared Spurgeon goal. Here are some thoughts from last night's game:

Is Stu Bickel Worth The Risk?

Photo: Bruce Fedyck-USA Today

During Monday night's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, all eyes were on Stu Bickell who was making his debut in a Wild jersey. Bickel played 12:17 and had 10 penalty minutes after a pair of fights he was involved in. After the game, Coach Mike Yeo noted Bickel as one of a couple of players who stood out to him.

Josh Harding Out Indefinitely After Off-Ice Incident

Photo: NHL.com

Today the Wild officially announced that goaltender Josh Harding will be out indefinitely after suffering a fractured right foot. The injury occurred on Sunday September 14th during an off ice incident. The release also indicated that Harding will not need surgery.

Five Questions Going Into Training Camp

Photo: Wild.com

With training camp set to begin on Thursday, lets try and answer the top five questions surrounding the Wild:

Top 10 Prospects: #1 Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba

Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Height: 6'0". Weight: 183 lbs.

Born: July 25, 1994

2013-14 Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 1st round pick (7th overall) in 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 4

Last season, Wild fans were given a very small glimpse of the talents of Matt Dumba.

Thoughts on Kuemper & Niederreiter

Nino Niederreiter (top middle) and Darcy Kuemper (Bottom middle) are still without contracts.
Photo: Duane Burleson/AP

This week reports surfaced that Darcy Kuemper could go play in the KHL if his contract dispute with the Wild is not settled. As Mike Russo has said on multiple occasions the Wild and Kuemper's agent, Jeff Helperl, have not had a great history as they went toe to toe in negotiations on Kuemper's entry level contract.

Top 10 Prospects: #2 Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper

Goaltender

Catches: Left

Height: 6'5". Weight: 205 lbs.

Born: May 5, 1990

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 6th round pick (161st overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 5

As noted back in June, no one player had more to do with turning the Wild's season around in January than Darcy Kuemper did. His 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage in January was just what the Wild needed as they battled injuries to key players, and helped the team earn some much needed victories.

Top 10 Prospects: #3 Erik Haula

Erik Haula

Center

Shoots: Left

Height: 5'11". Weight: 192 lbs

Born: March 23, 1991

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 7th round pick (182nd overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 6

"Haula does not seem like a fit to make the Wild roster this year". Those were the words written about Erik Haula on this site last year. Not only did he get a call-up to the Wild roster, he was one of their most important players down the stretch and in the postseason (this is the part where I eat my words from last year).