New York Islanders begin fire sale.

Ha, ha, ha... In retrospect, it appears that the Wild were very smart to not resign Pierre-Marc Bochard.... Sounds like you can get a bag puck for him now. Garth Brooks is doing a hell of a job in New York.

#Isles have traded Peter Regin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard to Chicago for a 2014 4th-round pick.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 7, 2014

Kyle Okposo will not be suspended for his hit on Zach Bogosian

According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun, Islanders forward Kyle Okposo's shoulder to head hit on Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian was reviewed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety and there will be no supplemental discipline. Nor should there be, in my opinion. It's doesn't look like Okposo targeted Bogosian's head.

There is also some question if Bogosian suffered a concussion on the play. I wondered about that too, since Bogosian challenged Okposo to a fight later on in the game, so we will see. No one wants to see a person get hurt.

I can say with confidence, that Bogosian is not going to get "a lot" of empathy from Wild fans, especially after he buried Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard last December and escaped supplemental discipline on the play. Bouchard missed the final 41 games of the regular season with a concussion, as a result of the Bogosian hit.

Just got word from #NHL that hit by #Isles RW Kyle Okposo on #NHLJets D Zach Bogosian was reviewed, there will be no supplemental discipline
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) April 21, 2013

Not much injury info provided but looked like Olli Jokinen likely suffered ankle injury. #NHLJets hoping Zach Bogosian did not get concussed
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) April 21, 2013

(Video) Jiri Hudler scores and the Wild respond with two goals - Hanowski goal

It was a Wild third period, after an uneventful first two periods. Calgary forward Jiri Hudler scores a beautiful goal and the Wild score two goals by Jason Pominville and Pierre-Marc Bouchard in  1:13, before the Flames scored their second goal.

What was even more interesting, after playing in the Frozen Four this past weekend, former Saint Cloud State Husky Ben Hanowski scored his first NHL goal for the Calgary Flames in his first NHL game.

What a save... Crawford stones Bouchard

What a save by the Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford on Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard, words really can't describe it.

Updated Wild Wild Depth Chart

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has the updated the depth chart for the Minnesota Wild. Seems like the Wild have a lot more talent to work with than other years. It will be interesting to see if former Denver Pioneer Jason Zucker can make the Wild out of training camp or if he will need a year in the minors before he makes the Wild.

It also seems like the Wild have a few pieces that they could trade if they had to. One question mark is whether Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard will be able to make a comeback after suffering another concussion last season.

FORWARDS

Left wing-Center-Right wing

First line: Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Dany Heatley
Second line: Devin Setoguchi -Mikael Granlund-Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Third line: Matt Cullen-Kyle Brodziak-Cal Clutterbuck
Fourth line: Darroll Powe-Zenon Konopka-Torrey Mitchell
Extra: Matt Kassian

Vying for spots: Kassian, Stephane Veilleux, Jake Dowell, Jason Zucker, Brett Bulmer, Charlie Coyle, Johan Larsson, Nick Palmieri, Zack Phillips, Chad Rau, Jarod Palmer, Kris Foucault, David McIntyre, Carson McMillan, Justin Fontaine, Joel Broda.

DEFENSEMEN

Left-Right

First pair: Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon
Second pair: Marco Scandella-Tom Gilbert
Third pair: Clayton Stoner-Justin Falk/Nate Prosser
Extra: Falk/Prosser

Vying for spots: Falk, Prosser, Jonas Brodin, Steven Kampfer, Matt Dumba, Brian Connelly, Tyler Cuma, Chay Genoway, Drew Bagnall, Kyle Medvec, Josh Caron, Colton Jobke

GOALTENDERS

No. 1: Niklas Backstrom
No. 2: Josh Harding
In the wings: Matt Hackett, Darcy Kuemper

Latendresse calls himself symptom-free, wants to stay

This is is one of those stories of what could've been - Guillaume Latendresse came to the Minnesota Wild via trade that sent Benoit Pouliot to the Montreal Canadians on On November 23, 2009 and started out on fire scoring 25 goals in his first 55 games in a Minnesota Wild uniform before he was then out of the line up for the past two seasons with a myriad of injuries... There seems to be a lot of risk with this potential signing.

One of the biggest concern is Lattendresse had a concussion last season and missed most of last season and as we have seen with the Pittsburgh Penguins super star Sidney Crosby, Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard and with the Minnesota Wild's Pierre-Marc Bouchard concussion are can return again and linger for some time. All three players suffered multiple concussions and the Bruins Savard's is no longer in the NHL and Bouchard could soon join Savard in the retirement line if he doesn't get healthy but also stay healthy. 

Michael Russo, Star Tribune --- Latendresse, after being treated by a concussion specialist in Georgia who uses a contraption called a "GyroStim," has declared himself symptom-free from a concussion that destroyed his 2011-12 campaign. He said he can return to being the thunderous power forward who scored 25 goals in 55 games after a November 2009 trade from Montreal.

"It's like I never had any concussion," Latendresse said from his home in Montreal. "I feel 100 percent. I'm doing training like before. I have nothing. I can't even remember when my last headache was." But that doesn't mean the Wild will re-sign Latendresse. While collecting $5 million, Latendresse has played only 27 of 162 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

The Wild would have to tender him a qualifying offer of $2.5 million by June 25 to retain his rights and make him a restricted free agent. That's unlikely. "I know I won't get a qualifying offer," Latendresse said. "I'm 100 percent sure about that. It's pretty obvious with my last two years."

This would be a perfect player for the Minnesota Wild to sign to a one year contract that based on incentives. If Latendresse isn't healthy you fail to re-sign him in the off-season.

For all of your Minnesota Wild Ticket needs you can purchase tickets on this link See Minnesota Wild games.

Warren Peters suspended by the NHL

I don't have a problem with the suspension, it probably could have been a 2-4 game suspension in my opinion. This is the kind of hit that the NHL needs to do away with.

But I digress, I am still upset that serious infractions from the opposition players against the Minnesota Wild have gone unpunished, first hit that comes to mind is the Zach Bogosian hit on Pierre-Marc Bouchard. PMB has yet to return to the Wild because he is out with a concussion.

Related articles

• Bouchard boarded by Bogosian (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Av's Hack McLeod boards Spurgeon (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• No Supplemental Discipline for the Jets Bogosian (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Shanny throws the book at Brad Marchand (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Av's Hack McLeod will not be suspended (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Shanny throws the book at Brad Marchand

So I wonder if there are still any conspiracy theorists out there that think that the Boston Bruins get all of the breaks because Colin Campbell's son Greg Campbell plays for the Boston Bruins. I think we can say that ship has sailed. This suspension should quite down those people who wrongly feel this way. We all knew that the NHL was going to suspend Brad Marchand, however, NHL Senior VP Player Safety - Brendan Shanahan has been very inconsistent with his rulings so far this year.

I have no problem per se, with Shanahan suspending Brad Marchand but  in the matter of  13 days  earlier in the season, Shanahan let very dangerous hits against the Minnesota Wild go unpunished, if you have forgotten already, Lennart Petrell's drove Marek Zidlicky into the boards, Zach Bogosian planted Pierre-Marc Bouchard into the board, followed up by ignoring Colorado Avalanche's talentless hack Cody McLeod try to put Wild Defenseman Jared Spurgeon through the end boards. Two of three Wild players on the receiving end of these dangers hits missed time after being slammed into the boards.

I still think if you're going to suspend one you have to suspend the others. Brendan Shanahan is no better than Colin Campbell's  "Wheel of Justice" and if someone like Steve Ott had done this to one of the Wild players I wonder if we would  be looking at the same punishment.

Apparently Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is less than impressed with the suspension handed down from the NHL. Chiarelli said, “While we respect the process that the Department of Player Safety took to reach their decision regarding Brad’s hit on Sami Salo, we are very disappointed by their ruling."

NEW YORK -- Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been suspended for five games and will forfeit $152,439.02 for clipping Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo during NHL Game #598 in Boston on Saturday, Jan. 7, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

Marchand, who received a two-game suspension in March 2011, is classified as a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Accordingly, he forfeits his salary based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (185). The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 18:47 of the second period. Marchand received a major penalty for clipping and a game misconduct.

Marchand will miss games Jan. 10 vs. Winnipeg, Jan. 12 vs. Montreal, Jan. 14 at Carolina, Jan. 16 at Florida and Jan. 17 at Tampa Bay. He will be eligible to return Jan. 19 at New Jersey.

Related articles

• Brad Marchand Suspended For Sami Salo Hit: NHL Disagrees With Self-Defense Claim (sbnation.com)
• Brad Marchand Suspended 5 Games For Clipping Sami Salo In Canucks Vs. Bruins Game (sbnation.com)
• Brad Marchand Suspended Five Games For Hit On Canucks' Sami Salo (boston.sbnation.com)
• Bruins' Marchand Hit With Five-Game Suspension (nytimes.com)

Av's Hack McLeod boards Spurgeon

Enough is enough, these kind of hits make my blood boil and they are unnecessary, the NHL needs to through the book at Avalanche forward Cody McLeod for his ridiculously stupid and dangerous hit on Wild Defenseman Jared Spurgeon. There is no reason this hit shouldn't command at least a 2-4 game suspension.

In the last 13 days the Minnesota Wild have seen Lennart Petrell's drive Marek Zidlicky into the boards, Zach Bogosian plant Pierre-Marc Bouchard into the boards and now this. Enough is enough.

Related articles

• Lennart Petrell's questionable hit On Marek Zidlicky (mvn.com)
• Lennart Petrell will not be suspended (mvn.com)

No Supplemental Discipline for the Jets Bogosian

According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, there will be no supplemental discipline for the Winnipeg Jet's Zach Bogosian for his hit on Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard. I guess that doesn't make Pierre-Marc Bouchard nose and face feel any better.

Per Michael Russo --- Per league source: No Supplemental Discipline for Bogosian. Player Safety Dept. feels that Bogosian did not run at Bouchard and that Bouchard turned just prior to the hit.

So this season we have seen similar hits result in no supplemental discipline; Letang on Burmistrov, Krejci on Stuart, and now Bogosian on Bouchard. My question is; aren't these the types of hits the league wants to get rid of?

Bouchard boarded by Bogosian

This is the hit by Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian on Pierre-Marc Bouchard, this is the kind of hits that the NHL is trying to do away with, Bogosian has to be suspended for this hit and there is no room in the game for this type of hit. You simply can not hit someone like this if the checking player see numbers. This is what Michael Russo had to say about this bush league hit.

Biggest concern after the Wild’s seven-game winning streak (overall and road) was snapped tonight is the health of Pierre-Marc Bouchard. He was driven face-first into the ledge that separates the boards and glass behind the Winnipeg net with 1:06 left by defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Bogosian was assessed a boarding major and game misconduct, and Bouchard left with his nose gushing. After the game, the remnants were still there on the ice and by the locker room – a trail of blood. [Russo's Rants]

Bogosian was given a five minute major and a game misconduct and I expect there will be hearing/phone call from Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard

The Wild stopped a two game losing streak with this highlight goal from Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard. For the Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck is starting to get it going offensively and added another shorthanded goal tonight, if anyone is keeping track, that means that two out of last three goals that Clutterbuck has scored have been shorthanded goals. Cal Clutterbuck also has five points in his last five games.

EDIT: Minnesota's Bouchard suspended for two games

Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been suspended by the NHL for two games for his high sticking infraction on Matt Calvert. According to Michael Russo, Bouchards agent Allen Walsh refered to the disciplinary hearings ad nothing more than kangaroo courts.

NEW YORK -- Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been suspended, without pay, for two games for a high-stick to the face of Columbus forward Matt Calvert during NHL Game #16 on October 8, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Bouchard will forfeit $44,108.10. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

At 18:54 of the second period, Bouchard hit Calvert in the face with his stick, injuring the Columbus player in the process. Bouchard was assessed a double-minor penalty for high sticking.

Bouchard will miss games Oct. 10 at NY Islanders and Oct. 11 at Ottawa. He will be eligible to return Oct. 13 vs. Edmonton.

I have to agree with Bouchard’s agent Allen Walsh, anyone who follows the NHL knows that Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard plays a finesse brand of hockey and is not a dirty hockey player, if anything he is one of cleaner hockey players in the NHL. I don’t think we would see Bouchard intentionally try to swing his stick at an opponent and try to injure them. Also, if you watch the video it appears that Calvert stick knocks Bouchard's stick into Calvert's face, I think this was a brutal call by Brendan Shanahan.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard high stick on Matt Calvert

This incident happened during last night's Wild and Blue Jackets games apparently Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel was less than pleased that Pierre-Marc Bouchard only got a double minor. Just for the record  Bouchard has already had a call with the NHL.

It looked like a baseball swing in live action, but the Wild contended Bouchard’s stick was lifted into Calvert’s face.

The Jackets didn’t buy it. Bouchard was given a double-minor, but the Jackets wanted a five-minute major.

“It’s definitely an attempt to injure,” Arniel said. “Our whole bench saw it. Their whole bench saw it." [Blue Jacket Extra]

After looking at this high stick do you think Bouchard's high stick worthy of a suspension? Remember; Bouchard is not some untalented goon and Bouchard doesn't have a reputation of being a dirty player either. My question is, do the fans, players and coaches expect the NHL to suspend each and every major penalty and questionable infraction that happens on the ice? Not every major penalty requires a suspension. While I think this was a blatant high stick but probably "not worthy" of a suspension.

Related articles

• Heatley leads Wild to 4-2 win over Blue Jackets (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Ex-Sharks Heatley, Setoguchi lift Wild in opener (sports.espn.go.com)
• More of the Same: Columbus Blue Jackets Continue to Play Without Passion, Drive (bleacherreport.com)
• Healthy returns: Minnesota Wild will rely on Latendresse, Bouchard, Harding for key depth (thehockeynews.com)

Pierre-Marc Bouchard spinorama goal against the Oilers

Edit: I was following two games tonight, my other favorite team the Boston Bruins were playing the Calgary Flames which the Boston Bruins won 3-1, None the less, check out this spin-o-rama breakaway goal goal from Minnesota Wild center Pierre-Marc Bouchard that he scored against the Edmonton Oilers, this has to be one of the top goals of the season. Bouchard also had two assists to go along with this goal as the Wild beat Edmonton 4-1.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard is hopeful after missing most of last season

The Wild got some good news from one of their injured players. Or did they? Wild perimeter player forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard said he is working out again and getting ready for training camp to begin. Below is The paragraph from Michael Russo's article does concern me though.

"I still have symptoms here and there, some pressure in the head, but it's not too bad. I'm trying to pace myself on the ice and in the gym, but my goal is to be ready for training camp [Sept. 17]."

That paragraph leads me to believe that Pierre-Marc Bouchard is not all the way back from his concussion and could become a drooling vegetable with one vicious dirty hit to the head. Now every time Steve Ott or some other head hunting hack is on the ice, Wild fans will have to worry about Bouchard.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has an expensive contract $4,080,000 a season and Wild fans are holding out hope that Bouchard can resemble the player that got (13g-50a-63pts)during the 2007-2008 season.