I'm bummed about the trade, but I'm a MN fan. People insist on calling Charlie soft...because he doesn't fight? Because he doesn't cross check people after the whistle in scrums around the crease? Because he doesn't cheapshot?
He plays tough by shielding the puck, going fearlessly into any area, and taking on any player along the wall, or anywhere else, and often winning the puck battle. He will also take a hit in order to make a play, and he doesn't take stupid penalties. Against teams like TOR with their deadly PP, that last point is key.
He still has more to offer, IMO(wait till you see him wind up on a rush and mow over people), but I think the coaching staff has impressed upon him that his role is to be that of a defensive minded 3C, #2PP unit, and occasional 2nd liner, at need. That is the best thing for him. He was bounced all over the place with the Wild, and I think it confused him.
BTW, he almost never played PK for the Wild.
The main thing with Coyle is to keep him engaged. I think he really liked MN, but never made a secret of his love for his hometown, and I'm guessing he is pumped to be in the playoffs with the team he grew up idolizing. That's gotta get him up for games.