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Minnesota Wild are running out of time to save their season

By Dave Stevenson

ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24), center, smiles after scoring his 2nd goal in the 2nd period during the game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 21: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24), center, smiles after scoring his 2nd goal in the 2nd period during the game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Unless the Minnesota Wild reverse an ugly trend soon, their season could be in jeopardy. 

The Minnesota Wild recently fired Chuck Fletcher as their general manager. New general manager Paul Fenton hasn’t made his mark on the team yet. But, to be fair, Fletcher didn’t exactly leave him with an ideal salary cap situation. If the Wild can’t reverse an ugly stretch of losing, those changes could be coming and it’s not going to be pretty.

Entering Black Friday, Minnesota was a huge surprise. They were sitting towards the top of the Central Division with an impressive 14-7-2 record. The Wild were scoring over three goals a game and their stingy defense was among the best in the league. On Black Friday, they made a huge statement win over the Winnipeg Jets, besting them 4-2.

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Black Friday might have a whole different meaning in Minnesota if things don’t change quick. Since then, the Wild have won just three of their 11 games. They have scored just 2.45 goals per game since then and are allowing over three goals per game. In five of their 11 games following Black Friday, the Wild have allowed at least four goals against.

Head coach Bruce Boudreau entered this season on the hot seat and it’s hard to imagine it’s not scorching right now. It’s worth noting Fenton didn’t hire Boudreau either. He still has that trump card to play before beginning what might be a very painful rebuild.

The Wild can also point to injuries for the cause of this recent abysmal stretch. Mikko Koivu hasn’t been 100 percent ever since he took a nasty hit in a 2-0 loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 3. Star defenseman Mathew Dumba, who has emerged as one of their best offensive threats, will miss an extended period of time after suffering an injury on Dec. 15 in a 2-1 loss to the Flames.

Usually, the Wild can rely on Devan Dubnyk to steer them through their rough days when they can’t score. But that hasn’t been the case this season. After stopping over 92 percent of the shots he saw through Black Friday, his save percentage since then has been .896. Alex Stalock hasn’t been much better in relief with a .870 mark in two games (one start).

If the Wild don’t turn things around, they’ll have to make a difficult decision regarding Eric Staal. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. And, seeing as how he has scored 82 goals since signing with the Wild in 2016, he’s going to want a raise from his current $3.5 million salary cap hit. However, at the age of 34, committing to Staal could be risky for the Wild.

At some point, they’re going to reach a point of no return. It’s quickly arriving. Trading Staal would mean the Wild are effectively punting on this season. And it could mean even more changes coming for Fenton, who would likely want to put his stamp on the roster.

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The Wild’s run of consistency started in 2013 after they signed Ryan Suter and Zach Parise to long-term deals. They’ve made the postseason in every season since then, but only have two second round appearances to show for it. This was always going to be the Wild’s last chance with this core. It could be over very soon unless the Wild can find some magic.

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