Comments on: And, how’d they do? Part 4: Minnesota

By: J.

J. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:01:18 +0000

Great review David. I agree with you on each point. I am bored with Demitra and Carney and Hill. And while I agree the Wild will need to find some offense (same story every year) to replace Rolston, I wasn’t very impressed with some of his practice ethic. He spearheaded the movement to have “optional” practices down the stretch last year. IMHO, that’s not a great way to prepare.

The D should be better, and I think they’ll be in the thick of it, and should make the playoffs.

By: Dario

Dario — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:13:52 +0000

Minny vs Vancouver is going to be a real barn burner of a game.

By: Inglewood Jack

Inglewood Jack — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:04:57 +0000

I think the Wild are in decent shape, if not pretty good. Demitra hasn’t been quite the same player he was in LA for years now and though they lost Rolston, picking up Brunette won’t hurt their offense. They won’t be a juggernaut up front with an explosive offense but that’s never been their game.

What should carry the Wild is the emerging cast of blueline studs. Brent Burns is becomming a monster, a real game changer. Foster and Schultz aren’t bad either and each of these guys are in their mid 20’s when most defensemen tend to blossom. The Wild D could become quite a force in the next season or two. The goaltending situation appears to be in good hands with Backstrom and Harding, who may take over sooner rather than later.

This is a fast team that relies on strong positional play. They buy into the team concept and that should keep them in the upper half of the NHL even if they do struggle to score at times.

By: David Driscoll-Carignan

David Driscoll-Carignan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:21:05 +0000

not weird at all. For me it’s Burns and Foster.

By: thedoctor

thedoctor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:19:03 +0000

true. Burns and Johnsson log 28 a game, right? Easy to hide those 2 behind that, much like the wangs and Lidstrom.

it’s weird, but the Wild have 2 of the young players in the NW I want on the Avs the most — Burns and Koivu. I know there’s better players, but hey, I really like their games.

By: David Driscoll-Carignan

David Driscoll-Carignan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:27:11 +0000

“while they’re certainly a huge upgrade offensively on the blue line, the ugly underside of MAB and MZ acquisitions is that they’re tiny and terrible defenders. I hope the Avs take advantage of this.”

sure, but with Burns, Johnsson, Foster and Schultz the new guys shouldn’t have to be out there enough to be taken advantage of. in theory, anyway

By: thedoctor

thedoctor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:30:13 +0000

while they’re certainly a huge upgrade offensively on the blue line, the ugly underside of MAB and MZ acquisitions is that they’re tiny and terrible defenders. I hope the Avs take advantage of this.

the Wild are probably on the decline a little too, like the Avs and Flames. I can’t believe how poor they look at center after Koivu (and he’s just a good player, not a great one). Are they really going to have their top 2 lines centered by Bouchard and Koivu AGAIN? Maybe they’re counting on Sheppard? crazy.