We have arrived at the start of the NHL season here in North America with two games tonight. We had the two games in Prague over the weekend where the Predators got a jump on their Central Division foes with two wins over San Jose.
The preseason is behind us and the business at hand now is the regular season 82-game marathon. The goal, qualify for the playoffs! Period end of story, it is not come in first place in the Central, get home ice advantage, win the Presidents trophy.
We saw first hand last season how first round matchups can dictate just how far a yeam can progress. Teams that have no business getting to round 2 manage to win opening series thanks to favorable matchups. As the playoffs progress injuries start to take their toll and the playing field gets altered.
So just get in, then deal with your opponents as the come.
The Wild have learned some very valuable lessons through defeat and we will not know how the changes and adjustments that they have made will play out for at least six months. So the meter will start running for the Wild to start stacking up srandings points to ultimately get into the dance come Spring 2023.
The roster is set for now with the final 2 cuts being Nic Petan and Mason Shaw after both had strong camps they were sent to Iowa but could be recalled when the Wild compete their opening four game homestand before hitting the road for the first time for a five game trip.
New additions: G Filip Gustavsson D Andej Sustr D Calen Addison C Marco Rossi RW Sam Steel
All eyes will be firmly glued to #23 Rossi as he looks to establish himself as an integral part of the Wild offense. Don't expect him to be pressed early into a top minutes roll but as he becomes more comfortable with the NHL game he may just play himself up the lineup.