That is a good question. In my opinion, it would have to probably be former Wild Marián Gáborík. Thoughts? Gabby played for the Wild for eight seasons. The Wild have been a franchise from 2000-present.
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Minnesota Wild: Who's the Greatest Player in Franchise History?
That is a good question. In my opinion, it would have to probably be former Wild Marián Gáborík. Thoughts? Gabby played for the Wild for eight seasons. The Wild have been a franchise from 2000-present.
NCAA Hockey: Must-See games
ECAC Hockey
This summer, I have been working on a series of must-see games. So far, I have the NCHC, UND and the ECAC done. As the different schedules come out, I will post some more of these.Looking at the East Coast Athletic Conference schedule, I previewed five must-see non-conference games. In my opinion, these are some of the more “attractive” non-conference series on the ECAC schedule. Feel free to chime in with your favorite must-see ECAC non-conference series.
The ECAC once regarded as the EZAC by other conference fans, is now the home to the last two NCAA Champions. The ECAC is quickly becoming the country’s power conference for division I college hockey. (ECAC Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series).
UND Hockey
As we make our way through a very slow off-season, you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The college hockey season is just around the corner. There’s roughly 60 days until North Dakota kicks off the 2014-15 season with an exhibition game against Manitoba Bison.Looking at the University of North Dakota’s 2014-15 schedule, here’s my five must-see hockey series. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts. (UND Hockey: Five Must-See Games).
NCHC Hockey
In my humble opinion, there are five must-see non-conference series on the NCHC composite schedule. Last season, the NCHC had a mediocre non-conference record. Moving forward, these non-conference games will be very important to the final Pairwise Rankings. Having a strong non-conference record means the NCHC will get more teams in the NCAA tourney. (NCHC Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series)Wednesday, August 06, 2014
Orange Country Register: Kings, Sharks to play outdoor game in 49ers' new stadium
As a Minnesota Wild fan, I think it's funny that California gets a second outdoor games in two seasons, while Minnesota has yet to host a stadium series or a Winter Classic. The concept of outdoor game works in Minnesota, they can actually have outdoor ice, without moving heaven and earth. To have ice in California, they have to go all kind of scientific, engineering miracles. Minnesota is covered in snow and ice about 4-6 months of the year.
Rich Hammond, Orang Country Register -- The teams will play a regular-season outdoor NHL game at Levi's Stadium, new home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., the NHL announced Wednesday morning.
After a 2013-14 regular season that included six outdoor games, the NHL appears to be scaling back plans. Only this game, and the now-traditional early-January "Winter Classic,'' have been announced, but for a second consecutive year, the Kings have been chosen to play outside.
"This event is a tremendous example of how our game continues to grow and evolve in the state of California,'' Luc Robitaille, the Kings' president of business operations, said in a statement, "and it will bring a great deal of exposure to sports fans throughout the region.''
Levi's Stadium, located in Santa Clara with a capacity of just under 69,000 for football, was chosen over baseball's AT&T Park, which holds only 41,500. The Kings and Ducks drew more than 54,000 fans to Dodger Stadium in January for the West Coast's first-ever regular-season outdoor game.
Like the kids in California grew on the frozen ponds of San Jose or Anaheim. Right?
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
NDSU Tops the 2014 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll
|
Team (No. 1 Votes)
|
W-L
|
Points
|
Final Rank
|
|
1. North Dakota State
(18)
|
15-0
|
636
|
1
|
|
2. Eastern Washington
(6)
|
12-3
|
615
|
3
|
|
3. Southeast Louisiana
(1)
|
11-3
|
542
|
6
|
|
4. New Hampshire
|
10-5
|
510
|
5
|
|
5. Montana
|
10-3
|
505
|
8
|
|
6. Coastal Carolina
|
12-3
|
447
|
7
|
|
7. Towson (1)
|
13-3
|
438
|
2
|
|
8. Jacksonville State
|
12-2
|
425
|
12
|
|
9. McNeese State
|
10-3
|
424
|
9
|
|
10. South Dakota State
|
9-5
|
332
|
14
|
|
11. Eastern Illinois
|
12-2
|
314
|
4
|
|
12. Fordham
|
12-2
|
305
|
10
|
|
13. Villanova
|
6-5
|
287
|
NR
|
|
14. Sam Houston State
|
9-5
|
277
|
13
|
|
15. Northern Iowa
|
7-5
|
263
|
NR
|
|
16. Chattanooga
|
8-4
|
238
|
25
|
|
17. Tennessee State
|
10-4
|
237
|
17
|
|
18. Furman
|
8-6
|
188
|
21
|
|
19. Montana State
|
7-5
|
170
|
20
|
|
20. Maine
|
10-3
|
169
|
11
|
|
21. Youngtown State
|
8-4
|
162
|
19
|
|
22. William & Mary
|
7-5
|
159
|
NR
|
|
23. Bethune-Cookman
|
10-3
|
136
|
16
|
|
24. Richmond
|
6-6
|
118
|
NR
|
|
25. Northern Arizona
|
9-3
|
116
|
15
|
Austin Poganski Among 15 Cut from the USA Junior Camp
The following players were cut by team USA during the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp on Tuesday.
Ian McCoshen, Michael Brodzinski (San Jose Sharks), Connor Clifton (Arizona Coyotes), Clint Lewis, Scott Savage and Thomas Vannelli (St. Louis Blues), and forwards Taylor Cammarata (New York Islanders), Ryan Hitchcock, Connor Hurley (Buffalo Sabres), Keegan Iverson (New York Rangers), Vinni Lettieri, Sean Malone (Buffalo Sabres), Ryan MacInnis (Arizona Coyotes), Michael McCarron (Montreal Canadiens) and Austin Poganski (St. Louis Blues).
In coming UND freshman forward Austin Poganski was among the players cut.
NHL Hockey: Most Hated Team...
These maps have been making it's way around the internet, is there really any question who the fans hate? My question is, how are the Detroit Red Wings so hated in the West? There's no question who the fans in Canada hate.
Stanley Cup coming to UND, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Matt Greene is bringing Lord Stanley's Cup to Grand Forks, ND.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The
National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup, the oldest championship in North American
professional team sports, is coming to Ralph Engelstad Arena.
The iconic trophy will accompany former University of
North Dakota men’s hockey captain Matt Greene to Grand Forks on Tuesday, Aug.
12 for a public viewing at Engelstad Arena. Greene and his Los Angeles Kings
captured their second Stanley Cup championship in three years when they
defeated the New York Rangers in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals in June.
The Cup will be on display in the main lobby of
Engelstad Arena from 12-3 p.m. Central. Fans will have the opportunity to take
photographs with the Cup and take home a free special commemorative flyer. A
video highlight package featuring Greene and the Kings will also run on the
video screens in the lobby.
Greene, an assistant captain with the Kings, played at
North Dakota 2002-03 through 2004-05. He captained the 2005 Fighting Sioux team
to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game in Columbus, Ohio. In his three years
at UND, Greene appeared in 122 games, collecting three goals and 28 assists.
Monday, August 04, 2014
Some of the Kings with the Stanley Cup
Lord Stanley's Cup has been real busy this summer. The Cup has been making the rounds with the Stanley Cup Champion the L.A. Kings. On August 12th, 2014, the Stanley Cup will be in Grand Forks, ND with Matt Greene...
Jarret Stoll of the @LAKings has a cooler ball marker than you do. http://t.co/MZXsbKYxvP pic.twitter.com/4CSpTFeheq
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigestMag) August 5, 2014
Awesome night on Lake of the Woods with the Stanley Cup with the champ @MRichie_10 !!!! pic.twitter.com/CPdrUQmUrb
— Jeff Gustafson (@GussyOutdoors) August 2, 2014
The #StanleyCup looks good wearing a #LoganStrong hat #FcukCancer #BecauseItsTheCup #BecauseImGoingToBeatCancer 💪 pic.twitter.com/9v4jKLOmY6
— Logan Nobriga (@LoNo1107) July 26, 2014
"@keeperofthecup: Gaborik at Hermosa beach @HockeyHallFame @KellyHockeyHall @LAKings #stanleycup pic.twitter.com/kvRxZLh3sJ" @WheresTheCup
— Janet Mie Takenaka (@jmtakenaka) June 17, 2014
Bonfire with Stanley. @keeperofthecup @Summerskates pic.twitter.com/v2CrpqlKsH
— dustin brown (@DustinBrown23) July 7, 2014
OMG! A Boston Bruins Hate Map
I was actually kidding when I said this. But there's actually a Boston Bruins hate map. It's official, everyone hates the Boston Bruins.
@gopherstate Can we put that right next to the hate map for the Boston Bruins?
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Sonny Milano Watch is on
This would be a big loss for the Boston College Eagles "if" this happens. The #MilanoWatch is officially on. But those that think the Eagles cupboard is bare is highly mistaken. The Eagles will still probably be one of the top teams in Hockey East this year.
Milano has told those around him that he'd make a decision -- BC or OHL -- after the US national junior camp is finished.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 4, 2014
LRT: Looks like the only thing that's official is that #MilanoWatch is on. Just another summer in CHL-NCAA recruiting war.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 4, 2014
Also, look for CBJ 1st rounder Sonny Milano to announce he'll forego playing at Boston College in favour of the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) August 3, 2014
Parise Scores.....
Even more reason to be positive about the upcoming 2014-15 season. Parise scored 33 goals during the 2013-14 season and playoffs.
Subban gets his money (RW77)
PK Subban is, to me, an interesting case... and not the only interesting case on the Canadiens.
Yesterday, PK Subban signed an 8 year $72 million contract with Montreal. For the math fans out there, that's a cap hit of $9 million a year.
Is this a good or a bad deal? Fans and analysts alike are already batting around this question. Ok, so maybe it is because we are now entering the boring part of the offseason and there's nothing really to talk about now that Sid the kid's surgery is postponed or cancelled.
Back a few years, Duncan Keith signed a mammoth extension with the Blackhawks worth $5.5 million a year and people questioned it and it turned out ok. Others, not so much. But in my opinion, the worthiness of this contract isn't questionable if you look at Subban's offensive numbers and even defensive capabilities. Based on those facts alone, he's pretty solid. Goon and I agree, he's most certainly the best player on Montreal.
However, he has a reputation most often scorned by those who were subjected to the Vigneault-led Vancouver Canucks of years past: Embellishment, diving, showboating, etc. Subban is the finest diver in all of the NHL (my opinion anyways) and he excelled at it last year in the playoffs. Sadly, it's not the "haters" that were the only ones noticing it.... EVERYONE was.
There is talk that Subban will be named Captain or wear an 'A' on his sweater this season. I, for one, hope this is just talk. He's not yet matured enough to be an on ice leader. Maybe he's great in the locker room. His interviews seem good enough as well. So, sure, he has the potential, but he needs to clean up his game first.
The problem lies in the necessity to do such a thing... you see, it isn't present. More and more Captains of teams employ shady tactics on the ice. The Kings' Dustin Brown is a good example. Historically, there have been "cheap" Captains or superstars. Heck, Gordie Howe was a cheap as they come back in his heyday.
However, I'd like to think that the Captain is a leader by example and exemplifies what his team is all about on and off the ice by such an example. PK Subban doesn't lead in that way. But that being said, the NHL isn't going to change its trends because of my opinion. Oh well.
So, is Subban worth a big payday? Yes. Is it a bit high? I think so. I like Duncan Keith's numbers. Something like an 8 year $44 million contract would have been perfect for Subban. Load it with incentives if you want, that's fine.
So, he's a bit overpaid... but unlike the other "interesting" case, I think he'll back up his pay grade.
The next Habs player headed for a big payday apparently is Carey Price. And I truly believe that last year he had a career year pre-injury. He'll still be good, but he's not an elite goaltender. The Habs will pay for a guy they almost let walk twice. Soon after, they'll wish they had let him walk.
Just my prediction.
Yesterday, PK Subban signed an 8 year $72 million contract with Montreal. For the math fans out there, that's a cap hit of $9 million a year.
Is this a good or a bad deal? Fans and analysts alike are already batting around this question. Ok, so maybe it is because we are now entering the boring part of the offseason and there's nothing really to talk about now that Sid the kid's surgery is postponed or cancelled.
Back a few years, Duncan Keith signed a mammoth extension with the Blackhawks worth $5.5 million a year and people questioned it and it turned out ok. Others, not so much. But in my opinion, the worthiness of this contract isn't questionable if you look at Subban's offensive numbers and even defensive capabilities. Based on those facts alone, he's pretty solid. Goon and I agree, he's most certainly the best player on Montreal.
However, he has a reputation most often scorned by those who were subjected to the Vigneault-led Vancouver Canucks of years past: Embellishment, diving, showboating, etc. Subban is the finest diver in all of the NHL (my opinion anyways) and he excelled at it last year in the playoffs. Sadly, it's not the "haters" that were the only ones noticing it.... EVERYONE was.
There is talk that Subban will be named Captain or wear an 'A' on his sweater this season. I, for one, hope this is just talk. He's not yet matured enough to be an on ice leader. Maybe he's great in the locker room. His interviews seem good enough as well. So, sure, he has the potential, but he needs to clean up his game first.
The problem lies in the necessity to do such a thing... you see, it isn't present. More and more Captains of teams employ shady tactics on the ice. The Kings' Dustin Brown is a good example. Historically, there have been "cheap" Captains or superstars. Heck, Gordie Howe was a cheap as they come back in his heyday.
However, I'd like to think that the Captain is a leader by example and exemplifies what his team is all about on and off the ice by such an example. PK Subban doesn't lead in that way. But that being said, the NHL isn't going to change its trends because of my opinion. Oh well.
So, is Subban worth a big payday? Yes. Is it a bit high? I think so. I like Duncan Keith's numbers. Something like an 8 year $44 million contract would have been perfect for Subban. Load it with incentives if you want, that's fine.
So, he's a bit overpaid... but unlike the other "interesting" case, I think he'll back up his pay grade.
The next Habs player headed for a big payday apparently is Carey Price. And I truly believe that last year he had a career year pre-injury. He'll still be good, but he's not an elite goaltender. The Habs will pay for a guy they almost let walk twice. Soon after, they'll wish they had let him walk.
Just my prediction.
Friday, August 01, 2014
Make or Break Time for J.T. Miller?
I found this article on T.J. Miller to be interesting, maybe because he was committed to UND for a minute, before he bolted for the greener pastures of the OHL. I still think college hockey would have done this kid some good.
SNYRangers.com -- Jeff Gorton says that the Rangers organization has “made it clear” to JT Miller what kind of opportunity he has in front of him this season. (Tal Pinchevsky)
Glen Sather said at the draft that they expect Miller to “come to play” this year. Sather said that Miller is “young, fits into the price range and will develop into a very good hockey player.” He adds that Miller showed a lot of growth this past season.
It’s been said before that the Rangers are counting on Miller to take a step this coming season.
Miller is “more than ready” to be an NHLer and should be able to beat out Chris Bourque or Chris Mueller for a roster spot. (The Hockey News)
Canadiens' Subban has Arbitration hearing
To tak a quote from Jerry McGuire, "Show me the money." I predict that's what P.K. Subban is going to be saying. You would have to think that Subban is going to be getting somewhere between seven and 10 million a year. For comparison sake, L.A. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty signed a new five-year contract that pays him seven million a year.
NHL.COM – The arbitration hearing between defenseman P.K. Subban and the Montreal Canadiens has concluded in Toronto, according to multiple media outlets.
"It's been an education process for me," Subban told Chris Johnston of Sportsnet after the hearing, which went through after Subban and the Canadiens could not agree on a new contract. He is now likely to receive the salary determined by the arbitrator, though the two sides can continue to negotiate until the decision comes down. The arbitrator has 48 hours to decide.
Subban's agent, Don Meehan, told Johnston that there are no plans to continue negotiating a long-term contract before the arbitration award.
The 25-year-old restricted free agent tied for fifth among NHL defensemen last season with 53 points in 82 games and led the Canadiens with 14 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, averaging 27:26 of ice time per game. He earned $3.75 million last season, with a $2.875 million salary-cap charge, in the final season of a two-year contract.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin declined to speak with reporters.
Football single-game tickets go on sale today
Get your UND football tickets today.
Grand Forks, N.D. - With the football season less than a month away, officials
from the University of North Dakota Athletics Department announced on Wednesday
that single-game tickets will go on sale this Friday, Aug. 1, beginning at 10
a.m.
Additionally, UND Champions Club members can participate in a pre-sale for football single-game tickets this Thursday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Champions Club members will be e-mailed a passcode and instructions prior to the pre-sale.
Single-game ticket costs for the Robert Morris (Potato Bowl), Stony Brook, Weber State and Northern Arizona games are $15-$20 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-game tickets for the Montana (Hall of Fame) and Portland State (Homecoming) games are $20-$25 for adults and $15 for youth.
Fans looking for the best value are still encouraged to purchase season tickets, which start at just $75 for all six home games. These can be purchased online at UNDSports.com/Tickets, in person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office, or by calling 701-777-4689.
UND Football opens the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 28 at San Jose State (9 p.m. CT). The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 as UND will take on Robert Morris in the 49th Annual Potato Bowl USA. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Alerus Center.
Tickets can be purchased at the Alerus Center Box Office, UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or via Ticketmaster.com.
Visit www.undsports.com/tickets for more information.
Additionally, UND Champions Club members can participate in a pre-sale for football single-game tickets this Thursday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Champions Club members will be e-mailed a passcode and instructions prior to the pre-sale.
Single-game ticket costs for the Robert Morris (Potato Bowl), Stony Brook, Weber State and Northern Arizona games are $15-$20 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-game tickets for the Montana (Hall of Fame) and Portland State (Homecoming) games are $20-$25 for adults and $15 for youth.
Fans looking for the best value are still encouraged to purchase season tickets, which start at just $75 for all six home games. These can be purchased online at UNDSports.com/Tickets, in person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office, or by calling 701-777-4689.
UND Football opens the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 28 at San Jose State (9 p.m. CT). The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 as UND will take on Robert Morris in the 49th Annual Potato Bowl USA. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Alerus Center.
Tickets can be purchased at the Alerus Center Box Office, UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or via Ticketmaster.com.
Visit www.undsports.com/tickets for more information.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Amway Top 25 Coaches Poll (7/31/14)
1. Florida State Seminoles (56)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners (3)
4. Oregon Ducks (1)
5. Auburn Tigers
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (1)
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Michigan State Spartans
9. South Carolina Gamecocks (1)
10. Baylor Bears
11. Stanford Cardinal
12. Georgia Bulldogs
13. LSU Tigers
14. Wisconsin Badgers
15. USC Trojans
16. Clemson Tigers
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18. Arizona State Sun Devils
19. Mississippi Rebels
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Kansas St. Wildcats
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. University of North Carolina Tar Heels
24. Texas Longhorns
25. Washington Huskies
Only four Big Ten Teams in the top 25 coaches poll.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners (3)
4. Oregon Ducks (1)
5. Auburn Tigers
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (1)
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Michigan State Spartans
9. South Carolina Gamecocks (1)
10. Baylor Bears
11. Stanford Cardinal
12. Georgia Bulldogs
13. LSU Tigers
14. Wisconsin Badgers
15. USC Trojans
16. Clemson Tigers
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18. Arizona State Sun Devils
19. Mississippi Rebels
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Kansas St. Wildcats
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. University of North Carolina Tar Heels
24. Texas Longhorns
25. Washington Huskies
Only four Big Ten Teams in the top 25 coaches poll.
Herald Opinion: UND should get after a new nickname
From today's local fish wrapper, err, Grand Forks Herald. But what else would you expect from them? I have always said, outside of the sports page, which is awesome, this news paper disappoints me.
I have to respectfully disagree with Tom Dennis. There’s really no need to hurry picking a new nickname. Nicknames are something that we’re stuck with for a very long. If the University makes a hurried, hasteful decision, the University is going to be stuck with some stupid nickname that no one can get behind, or want on the front of their jerseys and t-shirts... Then what? I am dead serious here. Honestly, I could see this happening. One of my biggest fears is that the University will be pressured into picking some stupid nickname like Sun Dogs or Flickertails.
Let’s slow down, get together and move forward with a purpose. Let's not do this willy-nilly. Moreover, let’s not just pick a nickname, just to pick a nickname. Let’s select something that’s not going to alienate a lot of people, especially alumni.
Also, UND can’t even pick a new nickname until 2015. It’s not like UND is going to order new uniforms for their sports teams half way through the year. This is not going to happen.
The first thing that we need to address is the committee/mechanism that chooses the new nickname. Who will be on this committee that picks the new nickname? Obviously, this committee that doesn’t exist yet. The major question is who’s going to help choose this new nickname? Again, if the alumni think that the “wrong” people are part of the process, or if a block of people are left out of the process, you’re going to alienate your alumni base. The University can’t afford to alienate their loyal alumni base.
Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald – “We want to emphasize that the work of this group will be to establish a process, not to select a new nickname or logo,” said one administrator. And even that tepid description sounds fiery next to this one, which another official offered:Dennis goes on…
“We don’t have a process yet, but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process.”
In our view, this timidity on the part of UND’s administration is a mistake. The university has a lot to gain and not a whole lot to lose by striding confidently toward its goal, which is to line up lots of nickname suggestions, choose the most exciting one and then announce that choice with trumpets and confetti.
Sorry, but the current “University of North Dakota” moniker just isn’t enough. Harvard has the most recognizable academic name on the planet; but Harvard doesn’t call its sports teams, “Harvard.” They are the Harvard Crimson.Contrary to some’s point of view, no nickname works just fine. This has worked for a year already. Sure, it takes time blending UND into blog posts and game reports, but this is a minor issue.
The Yale Bulldogs, University of Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes … the list goes on. In fact, it goes on forever, as virtually every other college in America has a team nickname, regardless of how famous the institution is.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
My Early Preseason NCAA Men's Hockey Favorite
Looking ahead to the season upon us, one must look at who left early, and from where, and who has the best incoming freshman. You have your usual suspects as one might imagine, with Boston College, Minnesota, and North Dakota probably being in the top 10 all season long, barring the typical first half North Dakota funk they always seem to have. Union, the defending national champs, is a team that I don't know what to think about. They proved that if you have a good core of players, and believe in your coach/team, great things can happen.
Michigan looks like they are back on the upswing once again, but their usual Big 10 football rival,
One also has to wonder about Boston University and if they will crawl back up the rankings again, or if they will stay out of the tournament picture like last season. Only time will tell.
Once again, the NCHC looks to be the powerhouse conference, with the possibility of sending at least five teams to the tournament once again. Miami has their top players returning this season, and are once again among the favorites to win the conference in preseason polls. However, they said that last season too and you saw how that ended up.
Minnesota, the College Hockey News number one team coming into this coming season in their very preseason poll release, looks to gain revenge after their national title game flop against Union. The always tough Golden Gophers
Finally, a team I know much more about, North Dakota. With three of five incoming freshman being drafted at this years NHL Draft, they return a line-up that has a lot of options.
If you asked me to pick a national champion right now, I'd have to flip a coin between North Dakota and Minnesota, but the season is very long and a lot can happen. Ask me this question at the start of the second half and I might have a different answer for you.
Wild Roster Moves Leave Promising Look to Upcoming Season
However, with new signings come people losing a spot on the roster. Among the losses are Dany Heatley, much to the joy of the Wild fans, and Clayton Stoner both going to the Anaheim Ducks. Heatley was just a thorn in the Minnesota Wild's salary cap and with him gone a lot of room opened up. With Stoner, however, the wild lose 2/3 of the grit they had in the line-up, the other third going to Matt Cooke.
If there is a road block in the upcoming season for the Wild, I think this is the spot to have it. Yes, they will have guys who like to hit some, like Matt Dumba and Keith Ballard, but there won't be that one guy who will drop the gloves when the team needs a kick start or protection from an opposing teams enforcer. If push came to shove, I'm sure Ballard or Brodziak would drop the gloves if absolutely needed, but I think it's still not enough.
The other big question is with the goaltending. People keep asking me why we didn't buy out Backstrom's contract, but due to him being injured at the end of the season, by NHL rule, they were not allowed to. So Backstrom is here to stay, for now. Now Josh Harding. He was having a Veznia Trophy type first half until he was sidelined by a change to his MS medications and didn't play for the rest of the season. Harding is expected to be in training camp come September and is expected to be on the opening day roster come October barring any setbacks. Finally, we have rookie sensation,
Now, the rest of the roster. With the additions made, and with who is returning for the upcoming season, I think that the Wild will have one of the most feared rosters in the NHL. All four forward lines have speed and the potential to score, especially with a healthy Zucker, and a returning Fontaine to solidify an already potent roster of wingers. Up the middle of the ice Minnesota still has the three Finish centers, Captain Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, and rookie sensation Erik Haula. I'd say that those three have a solidified roster spot this season, but as for the fourth center who knows. You have to start with the veteran Kyle Brodziak, but if his game starts to slip in his fourth line role, its still nice to have a couple of options. Recently signed Jordan Schroeder would likely be a good fit on the fourth line as well, and probably is the odd man out as of right now, but you can always slide Charlie Coyle to the center spot and call up another recent signing in Brett Sutter to play on the wing.
The defensive core will be a little easier to keep track of this upcoming season. Your top line will still be Brodin and Suter. Spurgeon likely plays with Scandella and Ballard likely plays with the young Matt Dumba to start the season
Here is how the opening day line-up will look like in my opinion:
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Vanek-Koivu-Coyle
Cooke-Haula-Niederreiter
Zucker-Brodziak-Fontaine
Suter-Brodin
Scandella-Spurgeon
Ballard-Dumba
Harding
Kuemper
Scratches:
Almond, Backstrom, Sutter, Blum, Bickel, Schroder, and Veilleux
This is an opening day line-up, I think, can be rivaled to any line-up in the entire NHL. I think this is the year that the Minnesota Wild are finally considered as one of the elite teams in the NHL, provided that they stay healthy. This season is looking very promising for the boys in red and green, and could be one Minnesotans have been waiting for for a very long time.
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