WildHBCommunity: Minnesota Wild Back in Action TONIGHT
Minnesota Wild Return to Action Tonight in Edmonton
The Minnesota Wild 31 - 21 - 7 (69 points) return to action tonight in Edmonton versus the Oilers 20 - 33 - 7 (47 points) in the first of three games before the NHL's trading deadline takes effect March 5th at 3pm eastern time. The Wild has a road record of 10 - 14 - 5 this year while the Oilers record at home is 10 - 14 - 2 in Rexall Place. The Wild will be looking to kick start their final push towards the playoffs this evening, currently they are positioned 7th in the west just one point behind the 6th place Los Angeles Kings and ten points behind the 5th place Colorado Avalanche with 23 regular season games left to play.
The Wild is missing four key members of their current roster on injured reserve Mikko Koivu, Marco Scandella, Jason Zucker, and Josh Harding. The return of three of the four should come in the next week or so but the return of Harding is not something it appears the Wild expects to happen this season. Harding has not skated in over 2 months which is an ominous sign that possibly his NHL career is in jeopardy at this point. Harding is dealing with illness associated with Multiple Sclerosis and because there is so little precedence for an NHL player let alone a goalie being able to manage the illness and continue their career the outlook tough to predict at best.
It would be heart breaking to see Harding's career and dream to become the Wild's top netminder cut short just as he had enjoyed his most successful stretch of NHL hockey earlier this season. I will always root for Harding as there is no better player/person in the entire NHL in my opinion. Harding even before his diagnosis was the consummate professional and teammate for the Wild. Here is to hoping he makes it back to continue his hockey career.
Young Wild Forwards MUST Propel Team During Playoff Push
The Minnesota Wild can longer have Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter fly under the radar on the NHL national scene after both played so well in Sochi. Granlund stepped right in on Finland's top line first on the wing and eventually at the center position making the all tournament team setting the table for Finnish legend Teemu Selanne the most valuable player during his farewell tour. Granlund beyond his offensive output and skill was strong in both zones and has the look of a player on the verge of fulfilling his superstar potential.
Nino "KnightRider" Niederreiter played so strong for a Swiss team that nearly played spoiler in Sochi this year. Against the best players in the world on a larger sheet of ice, Niederreiter was strong on the puck in both ends and played empowered confident hockey. Wild head coach Mike Yeo had to smile watching how complete a hockey player the young winger proved to be in Sochi playing in every situation full strength and special teams. Niederreiter needs to be set free for the Wild during the rest of the regular season and playoffs to allow him to build on the momentum he has generated.
During the olympic freeze the Wild sent Erik Haula down to Iowa of the AHL to get in game action and he responded in a big way. In seven games with Iowa during the break he scored 5 goals and had 10 points taking 23 shots. Haula has been pushing hard to earn his place on the Wild roster which has not truly gotten the attention it deserves because of so many other storylines this season for the organization. It's so impressive to me that Haula a 7th round pick by the Wild was arguably the most important player for the Gophers last season with roster full of NHL prospects several being 1st rounders. Haula is a player that has stormed his way into the Wild's current plans playing so well during his short time as a professional.
Entering this season I would have without a second thought identified Charlie Coyle as the most ready to contribute 20-something forward for the Wild. Coyle has been a bit lost in the shuffle this season though after a knee injury and having to fill in at the center position due to injuries. Coyle is a player that the Wild needs to produce should they have a shot at making a deep run in this year's playoffs. I am very interested to see how Coyle responds to his fellow young Wild forwards return to the team after impressive international play. Coyle is a competitor and I am sure he wants to reinforce his place in the Wild's Top 6 forwards.
Fletcher has Three Games Before Tough Decisions Could be Required
I think for Jason Zucker and Justin Fontaine specifically they will need to keep their heads on a swivel during the next two weeks because if Fletcher is going to make a splash at the trade deadline one or both would be very likely to be included in a package. Zucker is a major lightning rod for the Wild and I believe he could be the young player available that could generate a major asset in return. Fontaine is an interesting player to attempt to diagnose given that he is the oldest of the young Wild forwards and is an upcoming restricted free agent next year. Fontaine has scored at every level of hockey in North America despite his slight build which could attract outside interest as well.
I do not believe the Wild needs to trade for a goaltender at the 2014 NHL trade deadline because of how well 23 year old Darcy Kuemper has played since Harding went on injured reserve. I have seen the rumors of Marty Brodeur and Ryan Miller but I highly doubt Fletcher is going to ship asset to band aid the position when he has worked so hard to create flexibility in free agency for this summer. Previously I thought veteran Niklas Backstrom could be candidate to be moved but with Harding not looking like he will return that is dead in my mind.
The Wild completed a trade yesterday sending their AHL leading scorer offensive defensemen Brian Connelly to Chicago for veteran winger Brad Winchester. This trade is ultimate about having the 6'5" 230lb Winchester at their disposal for matchups with western conference opponents later in the season and in the playoffs. Winchester has been playing for the Rockford Icedogs of the AHL this season scoring 16 goals and 30 points in 55 games this year. The acquisition of Winchester likely means the end of the road for Mike Rupp who will not see the ice again for the Wild this season.
Important to know is after the trade deadline is complete NHL teams no longer have roster restrictions on number of player as long as they are under the salary cap. Currently on the roster are several bottom of the roster roles players such as Steven Kampfer, John Curry, and Stephane Veilleux. If the Wild completes trades at the NHL trade deadline this year I would expect it to be clear out bottom of the roster players rather than be anything major.
Individual Leaders Minnesota Wild Edmonton Oilers Points: J. POMINVILLE (40),Z. PARISE (36),M. KOIVU (35) T. HALL (56),J. EBERLE (45),R. NUGENT-HOPKINS (43) Goals: J. POMINVILLE (22),Z. PARISE (19),J. FONTAINE (12) D. PERRON (22),T. HALL (20),J. EBERLE (19) Assists: M. KOIVU (27),R. SUTER (27),M. GRANLUND (23) T. HALL (36),R. NUGENT-HOPKINS (28),J. EBERLE (26) PP Goals: Z. PARISE (10),J. POMINVILLE (5),D. HEATLEY (4) D. PERRON (7),J. EBERLE (6),R. NUGENT-HOPKINS (5) SH Goals: M. COOKE (1),Z. PARISE (1) M. HENDRICKS (1),B. GORDON (1),J. EBERLE (1) GW Goals: J. POMINVILLE (5),M. COOKE (3),M. KOIVU (3) J. EBERLE (3),R. NUGENT-HOPKINS (3),D. PERRON (2) 3+ Goals: R. SUTER(1),J. FONTAINE(1) T. HALL(1),D. PERRON(1) PIM: C. STONER (69),M. COOKE (50),N. PROSSER (35) L. GAZDIC (83),M. HENDRICKS (74),D. PERRON (54) Shots: Z. PARISE (172),J. POMINVILLE (162),N. NIEDERREITER (120) T. HALL (177),D. PERRON (156),J. EBERLE (156) +/-: N. NIEDERREITER (+11),M. SCANDELLA (+10),M. COOKE (+7) M. MARINCIN (+4),R. JONES (+2),C. POTTER (0)
Last Game –Wild 3 vs. Predators 2 (OT): RW Nino Niederreiter tallied an assist before scoring his first career game-winning goal as the Wild went into Olympic Break with a 3-2 overtime victory vs. Nashville in Saint Paul on Feb. 6. D Jonas Brodin and LW Zach Parise also scored for the Wild, while G Darcy Kuemper made 16 saves to earn the win. Next Games (all times Central) 2/28 at VAN 9 p.m. –FSN, KFAN 100.3 FM 3/3 vs. CGY 7 p.m. –FSN, KFAN 100.3 FM 3/8 at DAL 7:30 p.m. –FSN, KFAN 100.3 FM Current Wild Injuries G Niklas Backstrom –1 game (soreness) D Marco Scandella –1 game (knee sprain) C Mikko Koivu (IR) –15 games (ankle fracture) G Josh Harding (IR) –17 games (illness) TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 157 Recent Transactions 2/26 –Recalled G John Curry, F Stephane Veilleux from Iowa (AHL). D Marco Scandella, LW Jason Zucker Placed on IR. 2/26 –Acquired LW Brad Winchester from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for D Brian Connelly. 2/24 –Recalled F Erik Haula and D Steven Kampfer from Iowa (AHL) Upcoming Milestones LW Matt Cooke –994 career games played LW Mike Rupp –99 career points (54-45=99) WILD vs. OILERS All-Time Wild Record: 42-23-9 (24-11-2 at Xcel Energy Center, 18-12-7 at Edmonton) 2013-14: The Wild won the first season meeting against the Oilers, 4-1, at Xcel Energy Center (1/16)…RW Jason Pominville tallied two points (1-1=2) while RW Justin Fontaine, D Nate Prosser and LW Jason Zucker each scored for Minneso-ta…G Darcy Kuemper stopped 20-of-21 shots in his first career action against Edmonton to earn the win…RW Jordan Eberle netted the lone goal for the Oilers…G Ben Scrivens made 29 saves in the loss. WILD LEADERS: C Mikko Koivu has 38 points (6-32=38) in 49 games against Edmonton, T-1st for his highest total against any team...LW Dany Heatley owns 25 points (11-14=25) in 25 contests...D Ryan Suter has 18 points (3-15=18) in 33 games… RW Jason Pominville has eight points (2-6=8) in eight games. WILD GOALIES: G Niklas Backstrom is 25-4-1 with a 1.91 GAA, a .928 SV% and four shutouts in 32 career starts against the Oilers...Kuemper is 1-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and a .952 SV% in one career start. OILERS LEADERS: LW Ryan Smyth leads Edmonton in career scor-ing against Minnesota with 44 points (20-24=44) in 62 games... He ranks third all-time versus the Wild with five game-winning goals, tied for third in goals, tied for fifth in games played and sixth in scoring...RW Ales Hemsky owns 16 points (7-9=16) in 45 matches...Eberle has 15 points (5-10=15) in 16 games. OILERS GOALIES: G Ilya Bryzgalov is 7-8-0 with a 2.64 GAA, a .911 SV% and two shutouts in 16 games (15 starts)…Scrivens is 0- 1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and a .879 SV% in one start. CONNECTIONS: D Nick Schultz spent parts of 10 seasons with the Wild (2001-12) and is the franchise leader in games played (743), seventh in assists and 11th in points (26-102=128)...C Kyle Brodziak was acquired from Edmonton in a trade (6/27/09) after spending four seasons with the Oilers (2005-09)...LW Ryan Jones was drafted by the Wild in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft…C Matt Hendricks is a native of Blaine and went to St. Cloud State (2000-04). FAST FACTS: The Wild’s 18 wins in Edmonton and 42 wins over-all are the most against any franchise...Backstrom suffered his first home loss to the Oilers in the final meeting last season (4/26/13)...He is 17-1-0 with a 1.49 GAA, a .942 SV% and four shutouts in 18 home starts against Edmonton. 12 Things to Know: 1. The Wild begins post-Olympic Break play having earned points in eight of its last 10 games (6-2-2), posting an 11-4-2 record in 2014. Minnesota hits the road having posted points in six of its last eight games away from Xcel Energy Center (4-2-2). The Wild has won five straight games in Saint Paul, posting a 21-7-2 record on home ice this season. 2. Minnesota’s 42-23-9 all-time record against the Oilers is its most wins against any NHL opponent. The Wild’s 18-12-7 record in Edmonton is its most road wins against a single opponent. Minnesota has won seven of its last eight games at Rexall Place, dating back to the start of the 2010-11 season, with its sole loss coming in a 4-1 defeat on Dec. 22, 2011.3. Mikael Granlund led Finland with seven points (3-4=7) in six games during his first Olympics, earning a bronze medal in Sochi. He was one of six players and three forwards named to the All-Tournament Team, as selected by the media. Granlund turned 22 Wednesday and has 16 points (3-13=16) in 22 games since returning from an upper-body injury that saw him skate just 29 seconds in the span of 14 games (Nov. 23-Dec. 19). 4. Darcy Kuemper has started 12 straight games for the Wild, a franchise record for most consecutive games played by a rookie goalie (previously four). His 15 games this season sit second in franchise history for most by a rookie goalie in a single season (Josh Harding , 29 in 2007-08). Since being recalled from Iowa (AHL) Jan. 2, he has posted an 8-2-2 record, a .929 SV%, a 2.18 GAA and one shutout. 5. Nino Niederreiter totaled a plus-2 rating in four games with Switzerland during his first Olympics. In his final game before the Olympic Break, he tallied an assist and scored his first career game winner, netting the celebrated goal in overtime to top the Predators. The 21-year-old leads the Wild with a plus-11 rating and 139 hits this season. He has 12 points (4-7=12) and a plus-6 rating in his last 19 games, and has totaled 29 points (11-18=29) in 59 games during his first season with Minnesota. He previously totaled three points (2-1=3) in 64 NHL games over parts of two seasons with the New York Islanders (2010-12). 6. Minnesota exits the Olympic Break with a 31-21-7 record and ranked sixth in the Western Conference –the best-ranked record in Olympic seasons for the franchise. The Wild ranked 13th (30-27-4) in 2010, 10th in 2006 (29-25-5) and T-13th in 2002 (18-27-15). Minnesota has never qualified for the playoffs in the same year as the Olympics. Minnesota posted a record of 8-9-4 after the Olympic Break in 2010, 9-11-3 in 2006 and 8-8-6 in 2002.
3. Mikael Granlund led Finland with seven points (3-4=7) in six games during his first Olympics, earning a bronze medal in Sochi. He was one of six players and three forwards named to the All-Tournament Team, as selected by the media. Granlund turned 22 Wednesday and has 16 points (3-13=16) in 22 games since returning from an upper-body injury that saw him skate just 29 seconds in the span of 14 games (Nov. 23-Dec. 19). 4. Darcy Kuemper has started 12 straight games for the Wild, a franchise record for most consecutive games played by a rookie goalie (previously four). His 15 games this season sit second in franchise history for most by a rookie goalie in a single season (Josh Harding , 29 in 2007-08). Since being recalled from Iowa (AHL) Jan. 2, he has posted an 8-2-2 record, a .929 SV%, a 2.18 GAA and one shutout. 5. Nino Niederreiter totaled a plus-2 rating in four games with Switzerland during his first Olympics. In his final game before the Olympic Break, he tallied an assist and scored his first career game winner, netting the celebrated goal in overtime to top the Predators. The 21-year-old leads the Wild with a plus-11 rating and 139 hits this season. He has 12 points (4-7=12) and a plus-6 rating in his last 19 games, and has totaled 29 points (11-18=29) in 59 games during his first season with Minnesota. He previously totaled three points (2-1=3) in 64 NHL games over parts of two seasons with the New York Islanders (2010-12). 6. Minnesota exits the Olympic Break with a 31-21-7 record and ranked sixth in the Western Conference –the best-ranked record in Olympic seasons for the franchise. The Wild ranked 13th (30-27-4) in 2010, 10th in 2006 (29-25-5) and T-13th in 2002 (18-27-15). Minnesota has never qualified for the playoffs in the same year as the Olympics. Minnesota posted a record of 8-9-4 after the Olympic Break in 2010, 9-11-3 in 2006 and 8-8-6 in 2002.
7. Dany Heatley has a season-best four-game point streak (2-3=5) and owns 25 points (11-14=25) in 25 career games against Edmonton. 8. Ryan Suter netted three assists in six games for Team USA in Sochi, his second Olympics. He entered the Olympic Break skating 35:11 TOI against Nashville, his fourth game over 35:00 in his career –all this season. He’s hit the 30:00 TOI mark in five of the last six games and 29 times overall this season. He leads the NHL in TOI/game (29:49), over two minutes more than any other player. He also leads Minnesota with 96 blocked shots. He used three shots to record his first career hat trick vs. WSH (1/4), becoming the first defenseman in Wild history to accomplish the feat, while also becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to score twice in less than a minute (Elias Sports Bureau). Since 2007-08, there have been 14, 35:00-plus performances in the NHL (regular season), and Suter totaled three of them in the span of six days this season –the top three TOI of his career. According to Elias Sports Bureau, his 108:19 TOI in three games Nov. 7-13 (36:06 average) is the most by any NHL player in three consecutive games since TOI started being tracked in 2000-01. He set a Wild franchise record with a career-high 36:51 at WSH (11/7).
10. Jason Pominville has six points (3-3=6) in his last seven games. He leads Minnesota with 22 goals and 39 points this season, including 22 points (9-13=22) in the last 32 games. He used an assist to earn his 500th NHL point 1/25 at SJ, becoming the 52nd active NHL player to hit the milestone. He’s hit the 20-goal mark in seven of his nine NHL seasons and is the 15th player in Wild history to net 20 goals in a season –the 25th time the feat has been accomplished. The former Sabres captain was acquired by the Wild April 3 and signed a five-year contract extension on Oct. 3. He scored the game winner in his return to Buffalo Oct. 14, completing a collection of goals against all 30 NHL franchises. 11. Minnesota begins its eighth of 13 sets of back-to-back games this season. The Wild is 2-5-0 on the first night of consecutive games this year, having lost three straight. Minnesota plays in Vancouver Friday. 12. Mikko Koivu was expected to skate for Finland in Sochi but could not take part in his third Olympics because of an ankle fracture suffered Jan. 4 and surgery Jan. 6, having missed the past 15 games. Minnesota’s captain suffered the fracture in a win against Washington, where he returned to the ice after being hit by a clearing attempt and tallied two assists to stretch his point streak to a season-best five games (1-7=8). He ranks third on the Wild with 35 points (8-27=35) in 44 games this season, including 27 points (7- 19=27) in his last 29 games. At the time of his injury, he ranked third amongst all NHL forwards in TOI/game (21:34) and fifth in faceoffs won.
Just My Take, Tony Dean
Follow Me on Twitter @TonyDeanTHW
Also Like the WildHBcommunity of FaceBook here: WildHBCommunity on FaceBook