The Wild is likely still a ways away from hiring the third head coach in franchise history.

A mid-June hire is anticipated because the Houston Aeros, the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate, advanced to the Calder Cup final. There is no doubt that Aeros rookie coach Mike Yeo has earned at least an interview.

Yeo, who won a Stanley Cup during his five-year stint as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is reportedly up against veteran coaches Michel Therrien, Ken Hitchcock and Craig MacTavish, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Unless the Aeros win it all, it could be a tough sell for general manager Chuck Fletcher, who went with young, inexperienced Todd Richards the first time around over more established candidates such as Dave Tippett and Peter Laviolette.

Richards was fired the day after the regular season after only two years at the helm.

The Star Tribune reports Therrien is the frontrunner.

Therrien, a former Canadiens and Penguins coach who scouted for the Wild last season, is considered a no-nonsense coach and Jacques Lemaire disciple.

"His teams always have good structure, and he loves discipline," Lemaire told the Star Tribune. "He demands a lot from his players, there's no doubt about that. He knows what it takes to win games."

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Between Jan. 16 and Feb. 12 the Wild went 9-2-0. In that stretch were three separate three-game winning streaks. Cal Clutterbuck was on fire. Center Kyle Brodziak and winger Martin Havlat each were a plus-8 and had 10 points in that stretch and goaltender Niklas Backstrom had his best stretch of the season, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of eight starts.

TURNING POINT
On March 8 the Wild, having just defeated Colorado, were on pace for 95 points. But, finally, the loss of Mikko Koivu caught up with the team. Returning home to play Chicago, the Wild lost two straight. After that win over Colorado, the Wild won just four of its next 18 games. In there was an eight-game winless streak.

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