Heading into the 2007-08 National Hockey League (NHL) season, the expectations for the Minnesota Wild franchise were fairly high.

Having gone deep into the playoffs in season 2006-07, and with a team boasting such talent as center Mikko Koivu, wingers Marian Gaborik, Brian Rolston and Matt Foy and defenseman Kim Johnsson, the cattle was definitely there on the ice for the Wild to figure prominently in playoff calculations this season.

With this in mind, it was no surprise that the Wild ended up with only one pick at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, pick 16 overall, which they used on Canadian Colton Gillies.

The Wild weren't great participants in the off-season trading and free agency markets, though did so some work.

Minnesota's faith in their current line-up seemed well justified, as they began the season in a blaze of glory, going undefeated in the first eight games, and with a 7-0-1 record and 15 points by mid-October, the public in St. Paul's were already talking Stanley Cups.

However, the Wild came crashing back to earth late in the month, dropping three of their final four games, and remaining rooted to 16 points by the end of October.

November was a somewhat indifferent month for Minnesota, with the franchise unable to get any real formline happening.

It wasn't until right at the end of the month that the Wild were able to break loose, winning their final three games, to finish November with a 14-9-2 and 30 points in all, and the Minnesota public's early optimism had now tempered somewhat.

Overall, with the talent in the Wild squad, December was again a fairly inconsistent month.

The only time Minnesota could get any real rhythm going was mid-month, when they posted four victories on the trot.

The Wild were going along steadily, without really setting the world on fire, finishing 2007 with a 22-15-2 season win-loss record, and 46 points in all.

Finally, the new year saw a turning of the metaphorical tables for Minnesota.

So long inconsistent, the Wild finally got their groove back again, going 7-4-1 for the month, and finishing January with a 29-19-3 record and 61 points, and now the Wild were clearly back at the top of the Western Conference tree.

February was solid, without being spectacular, the Wild winning regularly, interspersed with a few losses, before a late-month lapse saw them drop three games in a row.

The Wild still finished February with a 36-24-5 win-loss record, and 77 points in total, and were well

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about NHL team profile: 2007-2008 Minnesota Wild?
We want to hear your view. Write now!