Lineup construction kicked Pitlick out of Minnesota

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesThe Minnesota Wild have a clear identity. It might have shifted slightly with the emergence of star Kirill Kaprizov and some other, more fresh and exciting young offensive talent, but the root of the roster is still identical to previous renditions: Hard-working, grindy, gritty, stable teams.

At times it’s been the major reason of their demise — opting for the less-talented-but-strong forwards instead of the ones that can simply will their way into scoring goals from anywhere in the zone. But under the tutelage of head coach Dean Evason and the current success that they have found themselves in, it’s really become a benefit and a way that they can overcome…