Minnesota Wild at the Half

What are the surprises? Let downs? Expectations for the second half? Let's take a look.

Surprises

Bad News

The dismal start to the career of the savior Mikael Granlund has to be the biggest surprise. This could, of course, be more a case of bloated expectations, but the organization touted this kid as the golden boy, ready to take us all to hockey heaven. Instead, he has floundered and there are questions about how to get him into games or if he should head to Houston to get the top minutes he should be playing.

Good News

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have proven to be the players they were billed to be. Both are contributing, and both have made fans of nearly everyone in the State of hockey. Suter struggled for the first ten games, and both have been subject to very poorly researched posts on other sites, but both players are now kicking ass and not even bothering to take names. $196 million well spent so far, Mr. Leipold.

Second Half Expectations

Twenty-four games in, they are making it work one way or another, and are earning points on a regular basis. There are going to be good nights and bad, winning streaks and losing streaks, but in the end, they are going to be exactly who they are. A dump and chase team that still needs help on the blue line, and needs secondary scoring to win.

They also remain a six to eight kind of team, and unless the Canucks continue to fall apart (which is unlikely), the Wild will still make the playoffs, but likely not with home ice advantage.

It is all very simple when you take a step back and look at the whole picture. The team isn't elite, yet, but they are good enough for where they are. It's going to be an exciting finish to the season, which is something that has not been the case for the Wild in a long time.

Sixth to eighth. It's where we were before the season started, and it is where we remain now. This is a playoff team;, but not yet a Stanley Cup contender. A couple more years under the belt of the kids, and the Hawks and Pens are going to want to check their rear view mirrors.

Your Turn

What are your thoughts, Wilderness? Biggest surprises good and bad. Expectations for the close out? Let's hear it.