Brad Ratgen: Parise Paying Dividends and Harding-Backstrom: Tandem or Transition? A look at the Wild's win over the Dallas Stars and some thoughts on Parise and the Wild's goalies.

Is Scandella injured or sent to the AHL?

Is Scandella injured or sent to the AHL?
- glove_was_stuck

Groin injury.

If you guys are done with Backstrom can we borrow him for the rest of the season and next year?

That'd be cool and stuff.

If you guys are done with Backstrom can we borrow him for the rest of the season and next year?

That'd be cool and stuff.
- Scruffton

Actually I think it would be a smart move for Fletcher to try moving him. Unless they can re-sign him for about half or less of what he's making now. He's a 35 year old goalie making $6 million. Backstrom is still good, but the Wild need to get rid of that cap money. Not sure how many teams would be willing to take on Backstroms salary for the rest of this season unless they know they can lock him up for another 3 or 4 years again at a reduced salary. I like Backs but he's not worth $6 million. More like $3 - 4 million.

It's already extremely evident that Parise and Suter are making a huge impact on the ice. Parise especially, the second he hits the ice he's going balls out backchecking and forechecking like a mad man. Making things happen. I couldn't be happier for Mikko Koivu, he's finally got the perfect complimentary player in Parise.

2 - 0 and I'm certain we haven't seen close to their best play yet. Team chemistry still being worked out in the laboratory. Once this team has gelled I think the Wild are going to be very hard to beat.

If you guys are done with Backstrom can we borrow him for the rest of the season and next year?

That'd be cool and stuff.
- Scruffton

I watched the Maple Leafs in their Home Opener and Ben Scrivens played phenomenal. You'd be better off with Reimers and Scrivens than you would with Backstrom.

1. First Line(Parise-Koivu_Heatley) Second Line(Cullen-Granlund-Setogucci) have been very good so far although the scoring has all been powerplay goals except that Granlund deflection. 3rd Line(PMB-Brodziak-Clutterbuck) has been dynamic and works their tail off. Brodz had a great year last year and is a very underrated player who signed a home town discount deal. If PMB's health holds up which is a big question mark, he has been awesome and has looked like he did when Reisbrough was forced to give him a 3yr/4.5mil per deal. Fourth Line has been average at best. Konopka is a character guy had a fight and wins some faceoffs. Powe in my opinion offers nothing and should be on waivers for one of the young guys whether it be Zucker or Coyle which will come later. At the very least Kassian should be in there with Powe scratched. Mitchell hasnt shown much yet but is as versatile as powe so maybe its just giving it a little time and then Powe is gone. Powe made the team this year because of the circumstances and knowing the system.

2. Some good some bad from the blue line so far. Only 2 goals against so there is that but lots of premium scoring chances. Also the Wild has many defensively excellent forwards who have already contributed. Suter has been involved in some scoring already and will be as advertised a top pairing 2way D-man. Spurgeon has been dynamic moving the puck and in the offensive zone but has struggled to move bodies from in front of the net. Both goals scored by the Avs were with a mna camped out against SPURGEON. Also the Whitney chance to tie the game came from Spurgeon getting outworked on the boards by Erikson while Suter stood flat footed. Gilbert even dating back to last season has left alot to be desired in both ends. Hopefully he gets it turned in the right direction. Falk to his credit has been trying bless his heart to be physical. He is just so lanky with not enough weight behind it. As Russo pointed out he had a very good game versus the stars. Prosser is just all effort never gonna be big enough or strong enough. Prosser probably just keeping the spot warm. Stoner for the love of him just is awful with the puck on his stick and cant skate a lick. He hits when he gets the chance.

3. Speaking with the Houston Aeros bloggers Scandella was definitely not lighting the world on fire down there before the groin injury. Sounds like more of the same that got him sent down last season despite such a great need on the blue line in MN. Brodin is super young and hasnt even been in North America for an entire season. Dumba is with the team for 5 games Max unless he forces their hand. The times I have seen him in person he is dynamite and makes you pay attention to him every moment he is on the ice. It would take alot for Fletcher to burn a year of his contract but in a 48 game season it is not unthinkable. Also of note the market for defensemen is going to be super unreasonable as the same proved true in July with free agent defensemen. Cam Barker got a contract from Vancouver? How is that even possible?

Just my thoughts

Parise is a beast, I had my doubts with both signings but he was definitely worth the big bucks, what a player! The Wild look very solid right now. Should be a much more interesting season in the Northwest!


Btw, Dany Heatley's parody Twitter account is hilarious. (frank)in all star!

As someone who has watched Suter since his first day in Nashville, I can tell you, many nights, you won't even notice he is on the ice. But this isn't a bad thing. Suter isn't flashy and is deceptively efficient. At the end of the game you will wonder what Suter did and than you will realize he made everyone around him better.

I will also add that you will notice him most late in the season. As he is very efficient with how he exerts himself, you will find him having that extra gear late in the season when others seem to be running on empty.

Do I wish that someone would put Suter's head through the glass tonight? YES But only b/c I respect him as a player and am pissed he left Nashville. Go on you Minny, you got a keeper. Hopefully he never lives up to his contract