MNWild: Why Not Us?
I think it is very hard to break from the lingering doubts that so severely plagues fan confidence in our Minnesota franchises. It seems with any glimmer of hope, the overwhelming feeling is to prepare for the big disappointment. I just have to say it now and will stand by this take hell or high water, I am truly bought into this 2013-14 Minnesota Wild team. I have been convinced not based upon the record or my fan bias as I will always be loyal in my fandom to the Wild and North Stars for that matter, the difference this season is that after 11 games this team definitely has flaws and shortcomings but they are completely committed to each other and their system. In each of the last 11 games the effort and aggressiveness has been a carbon copy of what Head Coach Mike Yeo explained that he wanted to create this season.
I am very honest about why there exist more talented better equipped teams in the NHL and for that matter the Wild’s own division but my thinking is why not us? Sure the next opponent on the schedule the Blackhawks are basically the blueprint for what many Wild fans have wanted their own franchise to evolve into given the brutal state of the franchise at Doug Reisbrough’s ouster. Also a team very similar to the current Wild squad was put to sleep by Chicago in the first round of the playoffs on their way to winning the Cup. I still contend that playing as they have this season the Wild currently can beat any NHL team on any given night and I could not have said that confidently of any Wild team in the franchise’s existence to include last year’s playoff team or the squad that shocked the world making the Western Conference finals.
Taking a step back I realize we are not out of the first month of the 2013-14 NHL season and we are on the verge on back to backs with the defending Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks which will serve as the Wild’s greatest measure stick of their current team. I also realize Wild fans, myself included have participated in savagery and calling for the head of Yeo at multiple different points in the last year. I can even concede that smart hockey people my colleague Brad Ratgen included believe this to be a bridge year for the Wild deducing that next year’s team will be better equipped to be consider cup contenders. I am not going to commit myself to Wild win the cup this season but it is time to get past the lingering doubts that just around the corner a complete collapse let down is just waiting to happen.
I think the timing of this home and home series of games with the Chicago Blackhawks could not come at a better time for this Wild team. The cause and effect that could come from enjoying success against the Blackhawks to close out the first month of this NHL season would push the confidence and momentum past the point of no return. Sure having Charlie Coyle and Jonas Brodin currently out of the lineup puts this current team in a spot where they are definitely not their most capable but it creates such a great opportunity for evolution of the potential in the young players tasked as the next man up!
Josh Harding suffering from a lower body injury puts a damper on what he has done for himself and this Wild squad during Backstrom’s absence. Although his prognosis has yet to be announced, I don’t think the Wild believe it will be a significant absence which is a relief. The Wild is now squarely on the back of Backstrom and that is a very good opportunity for him to get his game together after a brutal start this year. Backstrom can best be described as a streaky goaltender that has experienced extended periods of dominance in his career despite the level of play by the team around him. Backstrom looking to reestablish himself as the Wild’s top netminder with the team around him playing end to end some of their best hockey maybe ever should get fans excited.
Life in general is about show and prove in my opinion, for something to have substance it must first exist in theory and then become reality to hold itself to be true. No different than what is occurring for this Wild team and their new style of play. There have been lapses and shortcomings but this team has been undeterred in the willingness to put in the effort and expelling the energy it requires to dictate to their opponents the pace and style of play Mike Yeo has looked for them to create. The next opponents that will have the pleasure of having the Wild show and prove to them that the brand of hockey has evolved in Minnesota for the Wild will be the Blackhawks in the United Center on Saturday night.
Just My Take,
Tony Dean
@AWKD
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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