John Jaeckel: CENTRAL ISSUES: Minnesota Wild Quick Look

Morning John,

Did you see this?

http://www.csnchicago.com...hockey-news-blues-win-cup

Hockey news predicts the Blues will win the cup. I'm speechless...

Now it's not like I'm assuming the Hawks will repeat...the odds against it are high...but the Blues?!?!?

Wow

Morning John,

Did you see this?

http://www.csnchicago.com...hockey-news-blues-win-cup

Hockey news predicts the Blues will win the cup. I'm speechless...

Now it's not like I'm assuming the Hawks will repeat...the odds against it are high...but the Blues?!?!?

Wow
- ArlingtonRob

I wonder how many times in the last several years THN has accurately precicted the Cup Winner. That said, the Blues are good team and should be ready for a long playoff run. I have some concerns about thier on-ice leadership and chemistry.

...and added without further comment.

The team USA sweaters are awful. Fake laces? Where are the waist stripes? And those stars...what the?

Not a good look...

I wonder how many times in the last several years THN has accurately precicted the Cup Winner. That said, the Blues are good team and should be ready for a long playoff run. I have some concerns about thier on-ice leadership and chemistry.
- John Jaeckel

I actually like the prediction is one sense...it'll be fun watching the Blues fall short yet again.

Another reason to dislike that club....F' em.

Morning John,

Did you see this?

http://www.csnchicago.com...hockey-news-blues-win-cup

Hockey news predicts the Blues will win the cup. I'm speechless...

Now it's not like I'm assuming the Hawks will repeat...the odds against it are high...but the Blues?!?!?

Wow
- ArlingtonRob

They also had the Blues as the team to beat going into this last season. Yeah...
http://www.thehockeynews....son-predictions-No-1.html

I actually like the prediction is one sense...it'll be fun watching the Blues fall short yet again.

Another reason to dislike that club....F' em.
- ArlingtonRob

The Blues are also another reason to dislike the Chicago Wolves...

The Blues are also another reason to dislike the Chicago Wolves...
- EKolb13

I'll pay attention to the Wolves the day after they form an affiliation with the Blackhawks. Until that day...F' em.

I'll pay attention to the Wolves the day after they form an affiliation with the Blackhawks. Until that day...F' em.
- ArlingtonRob

You can schedule that day for the 12th of Never.

You can schedule that day for the 12th of Never.
- EKolb13

From everything I've read the Wolves are more focused on winning than player development. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not a club you'd want to use as your farm team.

While perusing the internet this morning I found a picture of Khabby's new mask:

They also had the Blues as the team to beat going into this last season. Yeah...
http://www.thehockeynews....son-predictions-No-1.html
- Tanuki

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...uis-blues-win-stanley-cup

it's tough to repeat the feat of taking home the fake stanley cup, especially when you fall on your face every year and burn the ones that put you there, but the Blues seem to have a firm grasp on the illusionary hardware.

when does backes have his day with the imaginary cup this summer??

From everything I've read the Wolves are more focused on winning than player development. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not a club you'd want to use as your farm team.
- DarthKane

This.

While perusing the internet this morning I found a picture of Khabby's new mask:


- DarthKane

I'm surprised he didn't leave room to put his favorite brand of beer on his mask for advertisement purposes.

I'll pay attention to the Wolves the day after they form an affiliation with the Blackhawks. Until that day...F' em.
- ArlingtonRob

go hogs!

go hogs!
- Sconnie

Amen.

This.




- EKolb13I'm surprised he didn't leave room to put his favorite brand of beer on his mask for advertisement purposes.

I believe he left some space open on the back of his mask for that.

I believe he left some space open on the back of his mask for that.
- DarthKane

Khabby will trade that space for booze. No money required.

Khabby will trade that space for booze. No money required.
- EKolb13

I think Khabby will be a decent back-up, but I hope Raanta gets a few starts with the Blackhawks this season. If we lose Crawford then Raanta will likely be the go to guy. I fell confident that Raanta will be fine in Chicago, but you never know until you see him in action.

I think Khabby will be a decent back-up, but I hope Raanta gets a few starts with the Blackhawks this season. If we lose Crawford then Raanta will likely be the go to guy. I fell confident that Raanta will be fine in Chicago, but you never know until you see him in action.
- DarthKane

I would think the only way Raanta gets a look is if someone goes down with an injury, or the last game of the season the Hawks are resting all the regulars.

I would expect Raanta to get a majority of the playing time in Rockford, provided he can handle the job. I would expect Kent Simpson to be the other half of that tandem with Mac Carruth playing in Toledo.

I would think the only way Raanta gets a look is if someone goes down with an injury, or the last game of the season the Hawks are resting all the regulars.

I would expect Raanta to get a majority of the playing time in Rockford, provided he can handle the job. I would expect Kent Simpson to be the other half of that tandem with Mac Carruth playing in Toledo.
- EKolb13

I agree, but with Khabibulin's recent health history I think there's a good chance Raanta can start 4-5 games.

I'd like to see Raanta kick some butt in Rockford and lead them into the playoffs. I know this could be a tough year for them if they lose 2-4 players to the Blackhawks.

I agree, but with Khabibulin's recent health history I think there's a good chance Raanta can start 4-5 games.

I'd like to see Raanta kick some butt in Rockford and lead them into the playoffs. I know this could be a tough year for them if they lose 2-4 players to the Blackhawks.
- DarthKane

I'm still waiting to see if one or two veteran forwards are brought in to play in Rockford.

That might make some difference.

I agree, but with Khabibulin's recent health history I think there's a good chance Raanta can start 4-5 games.

I'd like to see Raanta kick some butt in Rockford and lead them into the playoffs. I know this could be a tough year for them if they lose 2-4 players to the Blackhawks.
- DarthKane

This.

Khabby stubs his toe and he's out for 2 weeks. He's not the "quickest" at recovering from injuries. I think it's the perfect scenario for the Hawks this year:

Crawford - #1 in a contract year.
Khabby - solid, veteran backup with ability to step up if Crow gets hurt
Raanta - a guy poised with a lot of potential and are looking to get him acclimatized with the NA game, whether that be with a few starts or at the least, backup duties and practicing with the club.

John Jaeckel: CENTRAL ISSUES: Minnesota Wild Quick Look
- John Jaeckel

there are a lot of if's in your article. is harding ok? i assume he is if you are printing it. he looked ok in the playoffs. i know that disease comes and goes. unpredictably. also some points i appreciate; like brodin as half of an elite d pair. i never knew that. i wish we had bolland to mess with cooke...oh well. shaw time.

there are a lot of if's in your article. is harding ok? i assume he is if you are printing it. he looked ok in the playoffs. i know that disease comes and goes. unpredictably. also some points i appreciate; like brodin as half of an elite d pair. i never knew that. i wish we had bolland to mess with cooke...oh well. shaw time.
- jsabey

I put him in the same category as Raffi Torres...dirty. Its only a matter of time until he elbows someone in the head or something. F both of them

I put him in the same category as Raffi Torres...dirty. Its only a matter of time until he elbows someone in the head or something. F both of them
- BlazinMike

Plenty of Wild fans still uneasy and frankly downright pissed about the Cooke signing. Even if he has so called "cleaned up" his game, he still carries around with him the stigma of being the quintesential dirty player.

Even if he plays clean hard nose hockey for the majority or even all of this season, it will take only one questionable or dirty play from him at some point to mire the Minnesota Wild in the same PR poop storm that has followed him on every team he's played for. And we all know it's going to happen, just a matter of sooner or later.

Plenty of Wild fans still uneasy and frankly downright pissed about the Cooke signing. Even if he has so called "cleaned up" his game, he still carries around with him the stigma of being the quintesential dirty player.

Even if he plays clean hard nose hockey for the majority or even all of this season, it will take only one questionable or dirty play from him at some point to mire the Minnesota Wild in the same PR poop storm that has followed him on every team he's played for. And we all know it's going to happen, just a matter of sooner or later.
- MnGump

Couldn't agree more!