During the Minnesota Wilds first five seasons, the team wouldn't see much success on the ice. This was not uncommon though for start-up teams and while they were currently weak, they did show much promise on the ice for the future. This promise was shown in the season’s most notable game where the Minnesota Wild ticket holders watched as their team shut-out Dallas 6-0.
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The Minnesota Wild got off to a strong start the next season and scored at least 1 point in each of their first seven games. Unfortunately though, the Minnesota Wild would finish last in the league with a 26-35-12-9 record. During the 2002-2003 season, the Minnesota Wild ticket holding fans saw their team finally make it to their first playoffs, then make it to the Western Conference Finals. They would however be swept by the Mighty Ducks 4-0.
When the Minnesota Wild started play in 2003-2004 they were short-handed. Pascal Dupuis and Marian Gaborik were both having contract issues. When the two young left-wingers contracts were finally settled and signed, both players struggled just as the team struggled though the early season. By the end of the season the Minnesota Wild ticket holders were ready to say goodbye to some of their older players while the team went on the search of new strong talent.
To date, the team has only won one Division Championship. There have yet to be any Conference Championships or Stanley Cup wins for the young Minnesota Wild team. But the team is still relatively new and as they struggle to find their footing, the Minnesota Wild is still filling seats and selling out their home arena.
When some of the team’s younger forwards are finally ready, the Minnesota Wild will finally be able to benefit from their implemented open system. Currently there isn't much to work with on the team. It will take the hard work of the veteran players to show the kids the ropes and to push them to their limit. If Brent Burned is able to return from his injury healthy enough for hard play, the team will be lucky to have their star defenseman again. He may be one of the players that a strong team can be built around.