Potential Roster Turnover

The 2007-2008 Wild campaign came to an unceremonious end on Saturday night, as the Avalanched closed out the series in six games with a 2-1 victory. The Wild were ultimately done in by untimely mistakes, a hot Avs goaltender, and a rash of injuries that exposed the team's lack of depth. After entering the postseason appearing as poised as ever for a deep playoff run, the team bowed out in the first round for a second consecutive year and now faces an offseason of uncertainty. The Wild have numerous key free agents and superstar Marian Gaborik could be at the heart of trade talks as he enters the last year of his contract. The roster could be in store for an overhaul and the personnel turnover may start at the top.



Doug Risebrough
-The organization has already seen an ownership change this year and a new General Manager may be next. Risebrough is a rumored candidate for the vacant Maple Leafs GM position and the Leafs are pushing hard to make some changes this offseason. Risebrough has played a large role in building the current squad and he does deserve a good amount of credit for getting the organization to where it is. When compared to their expansion partner, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild have been a model franchise, appearing in the postseason three times including a Western Conference finals run in 2003. The Wild have had a solid core for several years and should maintain that for the foreseeable future, but building around that core has been an issue. The team has often taken on bargain projects to fill holes and given huge contracts to players such as Kim Jonsson and Mark Parrish, both of whom have failed to live up to their price tags. Risebrough has failed to put the right pieces around the team's stars, specifically in getting a center who can get Gaborik the puck. While Risebrough has done some good things for the organization, I do not think people would be too broken up about it if he took the Leafs job, as his conservative nature and questionable draft record have seemingly stagnated the Wild when compared to much of the Western Conference.

Pavol Demitra
-Acquired in 2006 for a first round pick and star prospect Patrick O'Sullivan, Demitra was believed to be one of the final pieces in pushing the Wild amongst the West's elite. He came with a lengthy injury history, but when he was on the ice he was a steady point producer, and his friendship with fellow countryman Marian Gaborik was supposed to make the Wild star happy in the locker room. Two years later, Demitra becomes an unrestricted free agent, and despite the relatively low price tag he had for his first two years, the Wild are unlikely to throw big dollars Pavol's way. Demitra still showed up on the scoresheet but often disappeared for long stretches while playing center as opposed to his natural position of wing. He also missed his share of games, including missing a tilt in 2006 due to soreness of all things. If the sides part ways it may be a mutual decision as rumors of Demitra being unhappy in Jacque Lemaire's system have floated around for awhile now. Pavol helped take the team to a new level but it is clear at this point he probably won't help them go much farther.

Brian Rolston
-Signed before the lockout, Rolston has proved to be a bargain at only 2.5 million a year. The veteran winger has scored 30+ goals in all three of his seasons with the Wild and has become a team leader as well as a fan favorite. Rolston is sure to be looking for a raise this time around, and despite being 35, he has shown no signs of declining and the team has nobody ready to step in and match his production. With a roster that could be fairly young next season, the Wild could use a reliable veteran like Rolston, if he wants to stay in Minnesota. It is believed the Wild will only be able to keep one of the Rolston/Demitra duo and despite being two years older, Rolston would be my choice for the team to re-sign.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard
-PMB has been an assist machine since cracking the Wild lineup and has cemented himself as one of the league's most gifted and creative playmakers. Bouchard enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning any team can step in and sign him to an offer sheet if he does not agree to a new deal with the Wild. The Wild can match any offer, or, if they decide they do not want to meet those numbers, they will receive future draft picks from the team who signs him. A similar scenario played out last year when Edmonton signed Anaheim's Dustin Penner, a contract which the Ducks refused to match, forcing the Oilers to send their 2008 1st and 2nd round picks to Anaheim. Hopefully the Wild work out an extension with Bouchard as he is one of the young players they can build around.

Marian Gaborik
-Gaborik is coming off the heals of his best season. He poured in 42 goals and 83 points along with playing in a career-high 77 games. The big year could not have come at a better time for Gaborik personally, as he heads into a summer where the Wild are likely to approach him about a long-term deal. Minnesota now has to ask themselves if Gaborik is worth a max deal, and it is unclear if Gaborik wants to stay with the team when he could go out east and post monster offensive numbers. His glass groin may make things tricky but he is a dynamic talent whose production and gamebreaking ability would be nearly impossible to replace. Gaborik will be a top priority for the Wild this summer, but if they are unable to work out an extension, the Wild's first ever draft pick may be in a different sweater come October.