Mikko Koivu News

Granlund and Brodin are among the young players the Wild recently drafted and expect to produce right away.

This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel.

The Minnesota Wild made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, but were quickly sent packing by the Chicago Blackhawks in Round One.

July 9, 2012; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, forward Zach Parise, defenseman Ryan Suter, general manager Chuck Fletcher and head coach Mike Yeo pose for a photo during a press conference at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Minnesota Wild currently owe $55.8 million to 17 players in 2013-14. With the salary cap reducing to $64.3 million next season, they are going to have to be economically efficient in their spending.

Minnesota Wild prospect Tyler Graovac was selected at the Canadian Hockey League Awards ceremony as the FRAM Sportsman of the Year .

The last month of exhilarating hockey has been a perfect example to why the theater and drama of the NHL playoffs is far superior to any postseason action in all other sports.

Mar 23, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks at the Xcel Energy Center.