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Consistently Inconsistent |
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Wild Game Day number 23
Wild Record (11-8-3 25 pts)
Road Record (4-5-3)
Opponent: Calgary Flames (11-13-2 20 pts)
Home Record (4-7-0)
Site: Scotia Bank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Time: 8:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results:
2/17 Wild 5 @ Flames 3
3/24 Flames 2 @ Wild 6
4/9 Flames 2 @ Wild 1
Last result:
11/15 Flames 1 @ Wild 0
The Wild continue their road trip tonight in Calgary against the Flames. Calgary took the first meeting in St. Paul just over two weeks ago by a 1-0 score, backed by the 27 save performance of Chad Johnson.
The Wild have played some very good hockey at times, but they have also come out and laid the proverbial egg almost as often. They have proven that they are consistent after all, but their consistency is in the fact that they are inconsistent. The beat the good teams and lose to the lesser talented teams. It is mind boggling, and downright frustrating to all of us that follow the team.
It is time for a shakeup and it needs to be done soon. The salary cap is an issue but there are other teams with cap issues as well. The Wild have tremendous depth on the blueline and they need to cash in one or two of those chips to infuse some life into the club.
The team has become stale and the product too up and down to be a true competitor in this league. Chuck Fletcher needs to show his worth now more than ever. He needs to find a player or two that can come in here and shake this group up.
The leaders need to be called on the carpet to step up the leadership game. Minnesota nice, doesn't work in pro sports. There is no room for complacency. There is far too much talent assembled with the Wild, but that is all it is. There are also significant holes as well. They lack a true goal scoring threat which is evident on the powerplay. Their players get very little respect from opposing defenses.
The best hockey trades are the ones that fly under the radar, much like the Devan Dubnyk deal from two years ago. Getting a good player that is just in the wrong situation with his current team. There are players out there that fit this bill on nearly every team. The funny thing about these kinds of deals though, is that when they are made they won't look like a big deal. But when all is said and done they will be looked back on as integral to the teams growth.
The Wild scouting staff needs to be called out as well. What are they doing to make this team better?
December is historically a terrible month for Minnesota, that needs to change in 2016. The only way that I see this team making any kind of significant move in the standings is a shake up of the current roster.
Chuck Fletcher it is time, the pressure is on, all eyes are on you now. Step up Chuck!
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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