Parise and Suter Transform Minnesota Wild Into Contenders

Zach Parise (left) and Ryan Suter (right) both signed 13-year, $98 million deals to play for the Minnesota Wild. (U.S. Presswire Photos)

On December 10, 2011, the Minnesota Wild defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1. The Wild were playing great hockey. They had the best record in the NHL at 20-7-3. However, things quickly went downhill from there. They suffered injuries, their offensive inefficiencies were exposed, and their defense tired from being under constant duress. Over the next month, the Wild won only one game. They never recovered from there.

The Wild clearly had talent. Everyone could see that during their first thirty games. Dany Heatley, Kyle Brodziak, Mikko Koivu, and Devin Setoguchi are all quite talented, but suffered from the pressure mounted on them offensively without clear direction. The Wild defense had talent as well, but has struggled to find an identity since the Brent Burns trade. In the net, all three of the Wild's goaltenders, Nicklas Backstrom, Josh Harding, and Matt Hackett, all had a GAA of 2.62 and a save percentage of .917 or better last season. What seemed to be lacking from this equation was leadership and motivation.

Last season, Zach Parise became a name many hockey fans learned to know and respect. His Devils team came into the playoffs as a quiet afterthought. When the Devils were backed up against the wall time and time again, their captain, Parise, convinced them to believe in themselves. Even when they were down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals, they battled back to take two games. It was clear Parise and his boys left all they had on the ice.

Ryan Suter has spent all seven seasons of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators. He has been there through the ups and downs of the franchise during that time. While defensive partner Shea Weber has received all the deserved accolades, many believe Suter has developed into much the equal of Weber. Suter's understanding of instinctual play and proper positioning have even drawn comparisons to recently retired Detroit Red Wing Nicklas Lidstrom. He has grown into one of the NHL's best defenseman.

This summer both Parise and Suter became free agents. Since they are good friends, both kept in contact as they explored their options. Of course, both the Devils and Predators wanted their respective men to return home to their teams. There were also the big time pushes from Stanley Cup contenders, such as the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. But Parise kept thinking about home, Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He talked with the Wild and liked the comfort and familiarity. Suter then decided to talk with them as well. After all, he was from nearby Wisconsin and his wife is a Minnesotan.

After careful thought and consideration, Parise and Suter decided they liked they idea of playing together and somewhere that felt natural to both. They decided to sign identical 13-year, $98 million deals to play for the Wild. The Wild instantly got the marquee leaders that they needed and awakened a long dormant fan base hungry for a return to the playoffs. The front office has stated that they will explore more options. This could be just the beginning. July 4, 2012 will be a day remembered by the Wild and their fans for many years to come.