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Minnesota Wild Blogger •
First of all, my apologies for having taken so long to put anything of substance regarding the Wild. Between my business growing, my wife “going across the pond” to visit our oldest and his new bride and taking care of our 3 younger boys, not to mention sleep deprivation due to the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s been a little exhausting. Not to mention that after covering the Wild all year long from the press box when our boys’ hockey schedule allowed. Let’s just say a little decompression was in order.
During that time, the Wild “fought to the end” by beating the Blue Jackets, followed by coach Lemaire’s retirement announcement, followed by the firing of GM Doug Risebrough. All of which was well covered by the local media. We will come back to a few of these gems a bit later.
Given my time gone, let’s take a look at a few things: the season in review, the upcoming off season for both the players, as well as coaching/management of the Wild, a look so far at the first round of the NHL playoffs and the Houston Aeros, the Wild’s minor league AHL team.
Looking back over my notes, I predicted that the Wild would come away with 88 points. They actually got 89 points and were a mere 2 points from a playoff berth. In any event, I thought it would not be enough and it was not. Not a bad prediction. However, in fairness, my prediction did not take into consideration injuries. I think it’s fair to say that had the Wild not experienced the glut of injuries that they did this year and/or if Gaborik had played more than 16 games of an 82 game season, the Wild would have certainly made the playoffs. However, I could not think of a better thing to happen to this team at this time as not making the playoffs was likely the catalyst for Lemaire’s retirement and Risebrough’s firing, both of which were probably overdue and a necessity for this franchise to remain competitive into the future.
As the players’ performances are concerned, in looking over my “Game Notes” provided to the media prior to every game, a couple of things jump off the page at me. The Wild were absolutely horrible as the +/- stats were concerned. But, you need to score to do well in the “+” column. Positive for the year were Gaborik, Nolan, Boogaard, Foster and Bergeron. Those 5 players combined for a total of 208 games missed. Bergeron was, perhaps, the most impressive having missed only 12 games and being a +2 prior to the last 2 games of the year. In the “-” column, Zidlicky, Veilleux, Skoula and Sheppard were atrocious.
As the off-season goes, here’s what I stated in my blog after the last home game of the season in a “wild” victory over the Preds:
“The other unrestricted free agents for the Wild include Gaborik, Foster, Scott, Skoula and Bergeron. The Wild need to resign Gaborik or replace his goal production. They also need another center. On defense, the Wild need a big shut down defenseman who can clear the front of the net for Backstrom and another puck moving defenseman like Johnsson. Given all that, I would guess that Gaborik and Veilleux are both gone, as are Foster and Skoula. My guess is that Bergeron will be re-signed, especially after his two goal game against the Preds and his bomb of a shot from the blue line ala Brian Rolston. I would also expect Harding to either be traded or tendered an offer sheet as a restricted free agent. In Houston, on the minor league farm club, Kolanos and Mojzis are both unrestricted free agents. I say they re-sign Kolanos, but let Mojzis go, unless they cannot find suitable replacements for Foster or Skoula.”
Beyond the UFA movement, I could see some Wild players being traded when the new GM and/or coach hit the ground including, but not limited to, Zidlicky, Weller, Gillies, Boogaard, Sheppard and Bouchard. Of those names, Bouchard would be hard to move given his contract and Gillies would not be likely to move, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it either.
As the new GM is concerned, after much thought, I wonder whether Wild owner, Craig Leipold, will hire the best person available or someone that is “the right fit”. I believe outgoing GM, Doug Risebrough, talked about not being a good fit with Mr. Leipold and that, perhaps, was a major reason for his termination. Hopefully Mr. Leipold gets the best people available and not just old cronies from Nashville. No doubt, the Nashville people under consideration are probably very well qualified. The question, if hired, is were they the best available. My preliminary investigation suggests that if the names from Nashville are ultimately hired, short of hiring David Poile, there are better GM candidates available.
The hiring of the eventual GM will most likely dictate the choice of coach and coaching philosophy. I wonder, with the base established by Risebrough and Lemaire, how much emphasis the new guys will put on the defensive aspect of the game versus the attack part of the game. Too bad Vancouver is doing so well this year. Their coach would be the perfect coach for the Wild, assuming they are able to keep Gaborik. As Pavol Demitra told me after one of the many Wild losses to the Canucks, the difference between the Wild and the Canucks is that not only do the Canucks emphasize team defense, but also team offense, a concept lost on the Wild much of the year.
Notwithstanding, I believe this regime change has everything to do with enticing Gaborik to remain with the Wild. Ultimately, I think the Wild will put the same or similar offer on the table as they had in the pre-season. Saying that, keep in mind I have not investigate the salary cap consequences of that move after the signing of Niklas Backstrom and the money paid to him. If the Wild lose out on the Gaborik sweepstakes, it could be housecleaning time via trading players for draft picks to re-stock the shelves in Houston. Also, I wonder what impact the management changes will have on scouting. Needless to say, the next few weeks/months should be very interesting. In the end, this off-season seems more hope-filled than in off-season’s past. Hopefully, our hopeful expectations will be met and/or exceeded this off-season.
As the first round of the playoffs go, we have seen everything from multiple series sweeps to at least a couple of game 7’s. All in all, with a few exceptions, each series has revolved around a goaltending story or two. From Carey Price’s reaction to his fans’ Bronx cheer, to Luongo’s typical post season performance, to Steve Mason not living up to his regular season hype, to Simeon Varlamov spelling Jose Theodore after one game, to the battle of Conn Smythe worthy goaltenders Brodeur and Ward, to Marc Andre Fleury’s performances to assist Malkin and Crosby, to Kipper being yanked by Keenan last game and then storming off the bench into the locker room, to upstart Jonas Hiller who is reminiscent of Giguere and his performances in the past few years. Needless to say, goaltending is key. But, I don’t remember it ever being the big story in almost every series.
As playoffs and goaltenders go, the Houston Aeros are playing in a game 7 on Monday in the AHL playoffs after Manny Legace came up huge for the Peroria Rivermen in game 6. Side note: Legace should not be in the AHL and will be back in either a starting or backup role next year.
So that’s it for now. Thanks for your patience as these posts are concerned. Enjoy the postseason and keep faith Wild fans. The Wild are selling hope and I for one have bought into this year’s version in the off-season. As always, Go Wild!!!!!
During that time, the Wild “fought to the end” by beating the Blue Jackets, followed by coach Lemaire’s retirement announcement, followed by the firing of GM Doug Risebrough. All of which was well covered by the local media. We will come back to a few of these gems a bit later.
Given my time gone, let’s take a look at a few things: the season in review, the upcoming off season for both the players, as well as coaching/management of the Wild, a look so far at the first round of the NHL playoffs and the Houston Aeros, the Wild’s minor league AHL team.
Looking back over my notes, I predicted that the Wild would come away with 88 points. They actually got 89 points and were a mere 2 points from a playoff berth. In any event, I thought it would not be enough and it was not. Not a bad prediction. However, in fairness, my prediction did not take into consideration injuries. I think it’s fair to say that had the Wild not experienced the glut of injuries that they did this year and/or if Gaborik had played more than 16 games of an 82 game season, the Wild would have certainly made the playoffs. However, I could not think of a better thing to happen to this team at this time as not making the playoffs was likely the catalyst for Lemaire’s retirement and Risebrough’s firing, both of which were probably overdue and a necessity for this franchise to remain competitive into the future.
As the players’ performances are concerned, in looking over my “Game Notes” provided to the media prior to every game, a couple of things jump off the page at me. The Wild were absolutely horrible as the +/- stats were concerned. But, you need to score to do well in the “+” column. Positive for the year were Gaborik, Nolan, Boogaard, Foster and Bergeron. Those 5 players combined for a total of 208 games missed. Bergeron was, perhaps, the most impressive having missed only 12 games and being a +2 prior to the last 2 games of the year. In the “-” column, Zidlicky, Veilleux, Skoula and Sheppard were atrocious.
As the off-season goes, here’s what I stated in my blog after the last home game of the season in a “wild” victory over the Preds:
“The other unrestricted free agents for the Wild include Gaborik, Foster, Scott, Skoula and Bergeron. The Wild need to resign Gaborik or replace his goal production. They also need another center. On defense, the Wild need a big shut down defenseman who can clear the front of the net for Backstrom and another puck moving defenseman like Johnsson. Given all that, I would guess that Gaborik and Veilleux are both gone, as are Foster and Skoula. My guess is that Bergeron will be re-signed, especially after his two goal game against the Preds and his bomb of a shot from the blue line ala Brian Rolston. I would also expect Harding to either be traded or tendered an offer sheet as a restricted free agent. In Houston, on the minor league farm club, Kolanos and Mojzis are both unrestricted free agents. I say they re-sign Kolanos, but let Mojzis go, unless they cannot find suitable replacements for Foster or Skoula.”
Beyond the UFA movement, I could see some Wild players being traded when the new GM and/or coach hit the ground including, but not limited to, Zidlicky, Weller, Gillies, Boogaard, Sheppard and Bouchard. Of those names, Bouchard would be hard to move given his contract and Gillies would not be likely to move, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it either.
As the new GM is concerned, after much thought, I wonder whether Wild owner, Craig Leipold, will hire the best person available or someone that is “the right fit”. I believe outgoing GM, Doug Risebrough, talked about not being a good fit with Mr. Leipold and that, perhaps, was a major reason for his termination. Hopefully Mr. Leipold gets the best people available and not just old cronies from Nashville. No doubt, the Nashville people under consideration are probably very well qualified. The question, if hired, is were they the best available. My preliminary investigation suggests that if the names from Nashville are ultimately hired, short of hiring David Poile, there are better GM candidates available.
The hiring of the eventual GM will most likely dictate the choice of coach and coaching philosophy. I wonder, with the base established by Risebrough and Lemaire, how much emphasis the new guys will put on the defensive aspect of the game versus the attack part of the game. Too bad Vancouver is doing so well this year. Their coach would be the perfect coach for the Wild, assuming they are able to keep Gaborik. As Pavol Demitra told me after one of the many Wild losses to the Canucks, the difference between the Wild and the Canucks is that not only do the Canucks emphasize team defense, but also team offense, a concept lost on the Wild much of the year.
Notwithstanding, I believe this regime change has everything to do with enticing Gaborik to remain with the Wild. Ultimately, I think the Wild will put the same or similar offer on the table as they had in the pre-season. Saying that, keep in mind I have not investigate the salary cap consequences of that move after the signing of Niklas Backstrom and the money paid to him. If the Wild lose out on the Gaborik sweepstakes, it could be housecleaning time via trading players for draft picks to re-stock the shelves in Houston. Also, I wonder what impact the management changes will have on scouting. Needless to say, the next few weeks/months should be very interesting. In the end, this off-season seems more hope-filled than in off-season’s past. Hopefully, our hopeful expectations will be met and/or exceeded this off-season.
As the first round of the playoffs go, we have seen everything from multiple series sweeps to at least a couple of game 7’s. All in all, with a few exceptions, each series has revolved around a goaltending story or two. From Carey Price’s reaction to his fans’ Bronx cheer, to Luongo’s typical post season performance, to Steve Mason not living up to his regular season hype, to Simeon Varlamov spelling Jose Theodore after one game, to the battle of Conn Smythe worthy goaltenders Brodeur and Ward, to Marc Andre Fleury’s performances to assist Malkin and Crosby, to Kipper being yanked by Keenan last game and then storming off the bench into the locker room, to upstart Jonas Hiller who is reminiscent of Giguere and his performances in the past few years. Needless to say, goaltending is key. But, I don’t remember it ever being the big story in almost every series.
As playoffs and goaltenders go, the Houston Aeros are playing in a game 7 on Monday in the AHL playoffs after Manny Legace came up huge for the Peroria Rivermen in game 6. Side note: Legace should not be in the AHL and will be back in either a starting or backup role next year.
So that’s it for now. Thanks for your patience as these posts are concerned. Enjoy the postseason and keep faith Wild fans. The Wild are selling hope and I for one have bought into this year’s version in the off-season. As always, Go Wild!!!!!
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