Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher will meet with Wild head coach Mike Yeo soon to discuss his contract.
Those comments were made by Fletcher as he addressed the media on Friday afternoon.
“Mike and I will sit down in the next few days and meet,” Fletcher said. “He’s a very good coach, I think, has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. He’s somebody I’ve worked with for a very long time and we have a very good working relationship with, and look forward to continue that relationship going forward.”
The 40-year-old Yeo is the youngest head coach in the NHL. He just completed a three-year contract with the team.
Fletcher said the team had improved by leaps and bounds throughout the season. He said the team was averaging 2.1 goals per game in December, but by the end of the season had improved to around 2.7.
Fletcher indicated the team is in a much better situation than it was a year ago.
Fletcher: "Compared to last offseason, we have a lot more holes filled…We have plenty of salary cap space, and good 'kids' too." #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 16, 2014
The season saw the emergence of some of the Wild’s younger stars, particularly the trio of Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Nino Neiderreiter. All three played key roles in the playoffs.
Coyle scored three goals and had four assists during the Wild’s playoff run, and played the final few games with separated shoulders. Coyle had 30 points in 70 games this season.
Granlund scored the game-winning goal in Game 3 of the first round playoff series against Colorado. The goal changed the momentum of the series as the Wild rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win the series.
Neiderreiter made his biggest playoff statement in Game 7 of the first round, when he made this game-winner.
All three met with the media today as well.
Granlund, who compiled 41 points in 63 games, said he needs to find a way to get better.
Granlund: I need to be a better player. It's going to be a big summer for me…be even more ready for battle. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/T1MN3KtReD
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 16, 2014
Coyle: “Wherever they need me is where I’m going to play & do what’s best for the team.” WATCH http://t.co/ObSNej6KBu pic.twitter.com/8nvhLCBhgu
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 16, 2014
WATCH @thelnino25 talk about what the season meant for him: http://t.co/MDZnusbKT1 pic.twitter.com/WfkelANUHD
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 16, 2014
According to I Sports Web, the Wild is on the verge of becoming a contender year in and year out.
The report says the upcoming season offers them a great opportunity to improve further with the NHL salary cap increasing.
