Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo was thrilled with his team's feverish finish last season before it was swept aside by the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the playoffs.
While Yeo enjoyed the ride during the Wild's 28-9-3 record to finish out the campaign, he knows that the team needs to remain hungry if it is going to continue to ascend in the Western Conference.
"We think we're competitive, we think we're a contender," Yeo told the team's website. "But our league is so tough that I think it would be complete ignorance on our part if we thought that we weren't going to have to work and compete extremely hard and face some tough times next season just to make the playoffs again.
"That's the reality of our league and playing in the Western Conference, and playing in (the Central) Division. We know we're going to have to be at our best and we won't be able to get away with anything less than that."
Signed to a six-year, $26 million contract on July 4, Vezina Trophy finalist Devan Dubnyk returns after a brilliant 27-9-2 mark with five shutouts, 1.78 goals-against average and .936 save percentage since being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 15.
Minnesota (46-28-8) finished the season with 100 points, its second highest total in team history. The Wild upended Central Division-champion St. Louis in the first round before getting swept by Chicago.
(h/t Minnesota Wild)
