Did the Minnesota Wild ever have a chance at the NHL Playoffs?

I know that looking backwards is not helpful, and that when you do take a moment to reflect your hindsight is always 20/20... however, with the NHL Playoffs taking place sans The MN Wild, it has been hard to keep looking to the future.

There has been a lot of speculation as to why the Minnesota Wild even with a new coach and game plan were not more competitive this season. Some Wild Analysts have even gone as far to say that Richards should get the boot, after promising things he didn't deliver. I am of the opinion, however, that Minnesota Wild fans may have set their expectations too high this season.

In any sport, if the term "re-building" is thrown around, fans should immediately expect a 2 to 3 season change. A franchise is a big thing to change overnight. When Todd Richards stepped up to coach the Minnesota Wild, I don't think he had any intention of having an overwhelmingly successful season. In fact, my guess is that he is pretty happy with how the season went... the Wild won some, they lost some but most importantly they got the feel of the new style of skating and playing that Coach Richards wants to implement.

So to the Minnesota Wild fans how are disappointed the Wild is not playing in the playoffs, I would like you to take a moment and re-evaluate what you expected out of the season... and perhaps think about what it would have taken to get there.