Minnesota Wild: Goalie Devan Dubnyk Stops Justin Schultz (video)

Check out this amazing save by Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk as he stops former Wisconsin Badger and current Edmonton Oilers defenseman Justin Schultz. I guess if I was the Wild general manager, I would be looking for a way to Cut Niklas Backstrom and signing Dubnyk.

Rob Klinkhammer's knee-to-knee hit on Matt Cooke (Gif)

I suppose there's not a lot of people that are going to feel sorry for Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cook. I also don't blame them, but this isn't a clean hit at all. This is a dirty knee-to-knee leg check.

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise Takes A Puck To Mouth In Edmontonb (Video & Vine)

The life of a hockey players is tough. It looks like Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise lost some teeth in this incident because he bends over to pick them up off of the ice. My mouth hurts watching this. Check out the vine embedded below, it illustrates this really well.

Minnesota Wild to get an Outdoor Game

As I just said on @NBCSN pre-game show, expectation is NHL will announce this weekend outdoor games next season for COL and MIN.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

It appears that the Minnesota Wild are finally getting an outdoor game next winter. This is good news for Minnesota Wild fans. First thing that popped into my head: is there's going to be a college hockey outdoor game as well? I am hoping.

MIN's opponent expected to be CHI; COL's opponent expected to be DET. BOS, of course, will host MTL on Jan. 1 in Winter Classic in Foxboro.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

BLOG: #mnwild's Stadium-Series game could be the icing on a weeklong cake http://t.co/HLkcPJG4F3 #nhl #blackhawks #gophers #iawild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) January 22, 2015

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Suter Gets Two Games

The Department of Player Safety has made the ruling that Minnesota Wild defenseman, Ryan Suter, will be given a two game suspension for his hit to the head on Penguins player Steve Downie.

The hit would happen in the second period of Tuesday night's contest when Suter and Downie were battling for a puck out front of the net. Suter's elbow would then come up and hit Downie in the face. For video on this, scroll down some on the blog, there is a video and a gif posted.

This is the first offense for Suter and will miss the game tomorrow night in Buffalo and Saturday's Hockey Day Minnesota celebration at Xcel Energy Center against the Arizona Coyotes. I guess when it rains, it pours for the Minnesota Wild. I think the team has finally hit its rock bottom.

Wild Struggles Calls for Change

View image | gettyimages.com

After a December to forget, the Minnesota Wild still are carrying their struggles into the new year after two more losses to San Jose and Chicago. One may think it is time to make some kind of change, but where that is the question?

You can first point the finger at the goaltending as of late. Between Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom, the two have combined for the second worst save percentage in the entire NHL. Whether they find a goalie through free agency, or they make a trade for one, and hopefully soon, the goalies need to step up, or step back for some new blood in the line up. What they are doing now does not seem to be working too well.

What options are available you might ask? Two goalies come to mind right away for me. James Reimer out of Toronto and Cam Ward out of Carolina. Both of these goalies are proven number one goalies and both would not be that expensive to get either. Also don't forget that Cam Ward is a Stanley Cup winner as well.

One can not forget about Anti Raanta in Chicago either. Corey Crawford is the solid number one there and Raanta is nearing the end of his contract. His .944 save percentage might just be what the Minnesota Wild need in the blue paint to make that push for the playoffs.

A big defenseman is also something that needs to be looked at in the Wild line-up as well. This is a team that lacks grit and a physical presence throughout the line-up, but who to get, that's the other question?

Both Mike Greene out of Washington and Paul Martin out of Pittsburgh are UFA's at the end of the upcoming season and both would be a solid veteran presence on the blue line for the stretch run. Aside from that, there really is not much to expect from a possible trade stand point as of right now to address the lack of veteran presence on the blue line for the Wild.

Finally, the lack of chemistry throughout the forward line-up seems to be a big issue as well. Thomas Vanek can not seem to click with anyone, making his signing seem like one that was wasted by the franchise. Also Jason Pominville can not seem to get going this season either. Now I don't know what happened, but for as talented as the forward roster is, you would think goals would be coming a bit easier than what they are getting right now.

Something needs to change, and very fast for this struggling Minnesota Wild team, or it is gonna leave many experts, and fans alike frustrated, and scratching their heads because this is a team that should easily make the playoffs this season, but are a team that probably will not as of right now.

Blame lies with Wild Goalies

I think that Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo should direct a majority of his anger at the Minnesota Wild goaltenders. No sugar coating it, they've been absolutely brutal. Maybe the Wild front office should have gone out and signed a starting goalie in the offseason, too? Backstrom and Kuemper couldn't stop a beach ball if they had to.

#mnwild now has allowed a league-low 26.8 shots per game with a 29th-ranked .893 save percentage
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) January 9, 2015

Minnesota Wild: Thomas Vanek Boards Marcus Kruger (Video)

First, I want to be clear, I think Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek is a good hockey player that's having a tough season.

Hoever, this is a stupid penalty that cost the Wild a goal. There's no reason for Vanek to hit Chicago Blackhawks forward Marcus Kruger in the numbers like that. Kruger doesn't even have the puck. For his efforts, Vanek received a five-minute major for boarding.

I wouldn't be shocked if Vanek has a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

12:05 Thomas Vanek Boarding (maj) - 5 min against Marcus Kruger

Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo Goes off on Team

This was long over due. Finally, Mike Yeo has seen enough garbage and bravo sierra from his hockey team.

After losing 8-of-10 games, Yeo went off on his team at practice today. You can tell by the video, that Yeo uses a lot of course language. Yeo explained his emotional out burst after practice.



Again, I think this response is long over due. This should have happened about five games ago. There is way to much talent on this team to be sitting out of a playoff spot. If the Wild don't pick it up soon, they're going to miss the playoffs. I also believe if the Wild don't recover soon, Yeo is going to be the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild.

Thomas Thomas Vanek Head Butts Puck Out OF Zone (gif)

Check out this move by Wild Forward Thomas Vanek.

(Video) Brett Sutter check on Craig Cunningham

It almost looks like Minnesota Wild forward Brett Sutter caught Cunningham with an elbow in the chops. You make the call. That being said, it didn't look like interference to me.

Patrice Bergeron's Fluky Goal (VIDEO)

In the box score it will read, Patrice Bergeron (6) Wrist shot - ASST: Brad Marchand (11), Zach Trotman (4). In my opinion, it's God Awful goaltending by Niklas Backstrom.

Nino Niederreiter Penalty Shot

GIFs: reason for penalty shot- http://t.co/6CnmTfBpRK Niederreiter penalty shot goal- http://t.co/SiFM17KzQX
— Steph (@myregularface) December 17, 2014

Scandella Gets Two Games

Minnesota defender, Marco Scandella, looks to move the puck last week against the
Montreal Canadians. Minnesota won the game 2-1.

Recently reported today, the Department of NHL Players Safety has given out a two game suspension to Minnesota Wild defender Marco Scandella.

In Tuesday night's contest against the New York Islanders, Scandella came across in his defensive zone and caught Brock Nelson in the head with an elbow. During the contest, Scandella was given a two minute minor penalty for illegal contact to the head.

Minnesota fans may argue that how can he get a penalty and suspended when there was no penalty for the Ballard hit earlier that night? The difference in the two hits was if you notice, Ballard turned and tried to brace himself for that lethal hit, which may have created greater injury to him. However, it still doesn't make the hit right and probably should have been given a minor penalty on the play. However, the Scandella hit is his second offence of the season, the first coming in the form of a fine for another elbow to the head of St. Louis forward TJ Oshie.

Wild Defenseman Marco Scandella Has Hearing for Hit on Brock Nelson

I said this last night (See Below) that Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella did learn much from being fined. I think that Scandella will end up being suspended for his hit on Brock Nelson. Apparently, he has a thing for former UND hockey players.

Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella will have a hearing this evening for an illegal check to the head of NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 10, 2014

Scandella didn't learn much from his fine. I think the NHL "could" give him a one game vacation.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 10, 2014

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(Video) Matt Martin Hit on Keith Ballard

"It's a dirty vicious hit, up high, he put Ballard into the Glass," Minnesota Wild color commentator Mike Greenlay said.

You can decide for yourself what you think of the hit. I agree with Wes Walz, it's a questionable hit. It's in the grey area. The thing that might do Martin in, he came from a long way to hit Ballard and he was injured on the play.

If you watch the video, it looks like an elbow "might" have made contact with the head.

#mnwild Keith Ballard is conscious and has been taken to @RegionsHospital for further evaluation and observation. #NHL #isles
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) December 10, 2014

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Keith Ballard hits Corey Perry with a Legal Hit, Fights Nate Thompson

If you haven't seen this, it's worth a look. Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard hits Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry with a clean, hard, hip check. Unfortunately for Perry, he was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Below is the embedded video of the fight in question.

Just for the record, last time the Ducks and Wild played, the Ducks were taking runs at the Wild players. So, they really have no room to complain about this hit.

Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie

Marco Scandella is lucky that he only got a fine for this hit. A $2800.00 fine is chump change to a guy like Scandella.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella has been fined $2,755.38, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie during NHL Game No. 351 in St. Paul on Saturday, November 29, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

If you haven't heard the news, Marco Scandella was fined for his illegal check to the head of T.J. Oshie in Saturday's game
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) December 2, 2014

Monday Night Links

I never thought one of my articles would make the Minnesota Gophers SBNation blog, but it did.

This is 1st. My article made the Daily Gopher. The Student Section: Episode#8. http://t.co/RENj5aoRGL pic.twitter.com/LkxZ6YT80T
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 1, 2014

The Inside Hockey Power Rankings are back. Zach Hawkins is now in the mix.

This season, we’re adding Zach Hawkins to the mix, you can follow him at @Siouxhockey33. Hawkins is the Minnesota Wild and college hockey blogger for Inside Hockey. If you’re not familiar with Taylor Seibel you can follow him on twitter at @taylorseibel. Seibel was a college hockey blogger for the now defunct The Hockey Writers-Combine.

NCHC POWER RANKINGS: Welcome to the Inside Hockey Power Rankings. Taylor Seibel and I return for another seaso... http://t.co/rJpZj3JtYA
— Inside Hockey (@insidehockey) December 2, 2014

Reminder: Time running out on this Cyber Monday deal to watch No. 1 UND this weekend. pic.twitter.com/VsaXVNA4v2
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 1, 2014

Zane McIntyre is the goalie of the week in the NCHC.

Junior goalie McIntyre earns NCHC weekly honors http://t.co/a8jPqyaqE7
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 1, 2014

Keith Ballard Hip Check on Adam Pardy

Nice hip check by Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard on Adam Pardy. Big Buff and Pardy take exception and the Wild go on the power play. Of course the Wild's powerless play failed.

Ballard at least attempted hip check on Adam Pardy, and Big Buff and Pardy retaliate
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 16, 2014