MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
C Mikko Koivu. They say you don't know how important someone is until he's gone. Koivu finished second on the team in points, but that doesn't start to explain his importance. He plays in every situation, was strong on faceoffs and was one of just two players who played in at least 50 games to finish as a plus player. Plus, when Koivu was lost with a broken finger the Wild -- in the playoff mix at that point -- won four of the 11 games Koivu missed.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
LW Guillaume Latendresse. Much was expected of the big left winger after he totaled 25 goals and 37 points in 55 games with the Wild after he was acquired in a trade with Montreal. Problem is, he didn't play much. Latendresse came into camp too heavy, was injured early and had surgeries correct multiple problems: two sports hernias, two groin tears and a torn labrum. He played in 11 games.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
The Wild signed 2010 second-round pick Johan Larsson to an entry-level deal. The skilled Swedish forward is expected to play next season for Brynas in the Swedish Elite League. If the Wild doesn't sign 2009 draft picks Darcy Kuemper or Kris Focault by June 1, they can re-enter the 2011 draft.

PLAYER NOTES

--The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Wild's top prospect, Finnish forward Mikael Granlund, will play next season in Finland instead of signing with the Wild.

"The game plan is he's going to be entering the army and fulfilling his service and finishing high school, and we'd come over a year from now," agent Todd Diamond said. "Mikael prefers when he comes over to Minnesota, hockey is the only thing he needs to focus on in his life. He wants to get all these so-called housekeeping things out of the way and, a year from now, get ready to hopefully crack the lineup."

Granlund, the Wild's first-round draft pick in 2010, helped lead HIFK to an SM-Liiga championship, then Finland to a world championship.

Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher was not surprised by Granlund's decision.

"Mikael has consistently said he wanted to fulfill all of his commitments in Finland before he comes over to play in the NHL," Fletcher said.

--LW Colton Gillies was leading the Western Conference champion Houston Aeros with seven goals going into the Calder Cup final. The former first-round pick will have ample opportunity to make the Wild next season after spending the last two seasons in Houston.

"At the beginning of the year, he had no idea what kind of player he was and what he could become," Aeros coach Mike Yeo said. "Was he a skilled guy, a physical guy, a defensive guy? Now he knows exactly who he is. ... He gets eight, nine hits a game, some of them really big, he goes north with pucks, gets in the offensive zone and battles. That's what he is."

--G Darcy Kuemper was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract. Kuemper, who just turned 21, was named the Western Hockey League Player of the Year and the WHL Goaltender of the Year this season. The 6-foot-5, 203-poound native of Saskatoon, Sask., appeared in 62 games for Red Deer and went 45-12-5 with a 1.86 goals-against average (GAA), a .933 save percentage and 13 shutouts. He led all WHL goaltenders in wins, GAA, save percentage and shutouts during the regular season, helping the Rebels to the WHL's best defensive record. In addition, Kuemper tied a WHL single-season record by posting 13 shutouts.

MEDICAL WATCH

--D Nick Schultz (post-concussion syndrome) missed the final five games of the season and will need to make significant improvement before he's ready to play again. The Wild sill monitor his progress through the offseason. It could be a while before he is training at full-speed.

--C James Sheppard missed the entire season after breaking his kneecap in an ATV accident before training camp. He was officially suspended by the team for the season. But, because he played less than 180 games the last three seasons AND less than 60 this year he is eligible for a two-way contract from the Wild, which is something the team will likely do. Sheppard might have been hampered by having been brought up too early by the previous administration. He's still young, and might still have potential.

--LW Guillaume Latendresse, a huge cog in the Wild's offense, came to camp overweight and was quickly injured. After having surgery to correct multiple problems, he played in only 11 games. He should be ready to go, full-speed, by next season.

--G Josh Harding missed the entire season after tearing knee ligaments in a preseason game in St. Louis. It is unlikely the Wild, which is deep at the position organizationally speaking, will re-sign Harding.

--D Marek Zidlicky, who had a shoulder surgery earlier in the season, missed the final five games of the season with a hamstring pull.

--C John Madden, who is contemplating retirement, missed the final four games of the season with a foot injury.

--D Marco Scandella, impressive in limited action this season, missed the final 10 games of the season with a broken finger.

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