Gonna be a long year...

[spearchucker]

The Wild looked terrible. They can't put together more than 1 period of decent play. I'm beginning to think Richards needs to go if things don't turn around. The D looked awful for the first 2 periods. Burns was running around like he had no idea what to do. I don't think we had the puck in our zone for the whole 1st and 2nd period.

[JimBuck]

I didn't see the game but looked at the stats. It looked fairly even on paper. I'll save judgement until a dozen games into the regular season. Lots of hockey left.

[Bear55]

We are sandbagging, I hope!

[archerystud]

The Wild looked terrible. They can't put together more than 1 period of decent play. I'm beginning to think Richards needs to go if things don't turn around. The D looked awful for the first 2 periods. Burns was running around like he had no idea what to do. I don't think we had the puck in our zone for the whole 1st and 2nd period.

Totally agree with Spearchucker here.

The Wild were completely outclassed in the first two periods. Columbus was getting all kinds of great chances from the slot and the Wild is stuck attempting poor shots from way out. I do like Cullen on this team as he brings a lot of speed.

[spearchucker]

Remember that this was Columbus too! What is going to happen when we play a good team. I hope they turn up the wick soon, but last night looked like they all forgot how to play hockey.

One bright spot was Cullen. He looked awesome as archerystud said. Cullen and Wellman have a lot of speed.

[OnAFly]

This year will be a lot like last year. We've helped our center problem, but now have holes in our defense. Johnsson was really good at getting the puck out of our zone. We'll miss that this year.

Richards really needs to cut back on this "up tempo offense" style. When you don't have a lot of good, puck moving defensemen, you can't go for the long pass out of the zone all the time. I wouldn't say any of our D would be considered defensive studs right now. Encouraging them to drop down into the play in the offensive zone is just going to create a bunch of odd man rushes. Look at last year. It seems like he thinks that as long as we have one guy back, we'll be ok. Clearly we weren't.

On the bright side, watching Cullen drop down from the point and score off of Bruno's pass through the slot was really fun to watch. Seeing some of the things Richards talks about actually happen in a game gives a little hope. But, he's got to tighten up that D.

[scsavre]

Does Burns always look like he is out of control out there.

I only hope that Cullen can spark up LTD and Havlat. They might be our only hope at a good team this year, Assuming that Kiouvu and Bruno will be consistent.

[scsavre]

Oh and trade Backstrom while you can get something for him. I really think we have already seen his best hockey. Ill take Theodore and Khudouin. ( I know my spelling isnt close)

[spearchucker]

I think Backstrom has a no trade clause for a few years. Latandresse is hurt and needs to get healthy before he can score anything.

Wild finally won there 1st game today in Finland 5-1. Clutterbuck had a hat trick and Zidlicky and Kobasew scored the other 2.

[Bear55]

Clutterbuck with the hatty? Nice! You know he does have a knack for scoring some goals and a nice shot, I can see him getting to 20 one of these years.

[OnAFly]

Backs does have a no trade clause. He is a huge chunk of our cap space at 6.5 mil. Our money is probably better spent elsewhere, but with the lack of talented players ready to come up from the AHL, we aren't making any big runs any time soon anyway. So, we might as well spend it on a good goalie.

I don't know that Backstrom's best days are behind him. He had a stellar defense in front of him 2 years ago and last year got an odd-man rush 2 times a period. His numbers last year were partly due to his team. You can have the best goalie in the league, but you'll still lose games if you hang him out to dry twice a period.

[spearchucker]

Clutterbuck with the hatty? Nice! You know he does have a knack for scoring some goals and a nice shot, I can see him getting to 20 one of these years.

Especially if he can play with a decent center like Cullen or Madden.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Clutterbuck with the hatty? Nice! You know he does have a knack for scoring some goals and a nice shot, I can see him getting to 20 one of these years.

Yes he got a hattrick but it was against the 2nd worst team in the Finnish Elite League. Nothing to be proud of really...

[OnAFly]

The score was tied going into the third wasn't it? So we were tied with the next-to-worst team in the Finnish league...makes it look even worse.

[Bear55]

Ya I noticed we played a Finish team after I posted, too bad I thought it was against an NHL team. Oh well the kids still has a little bit of a scoring touch and plays hard, glad we have him.

[Musky Buck]

Last Spring I said look for the wild to struggle mightily this year, I got lambasted, I know it's only a single game, but I just feel we are, compared to other teams, really lacking in the skill area which means our power play isn't going to cut the mustard, and special teams factor into games night in and night out. But, I won't miss a game and hope Richards can get the max out of the guys night in and night out. I really have a tough time believing our 1st line would start on the first line for many teams in the NHL. But hey, cmon Pierre Marc Bouchard, we need you more than ever !

[Bear55]

Don't you guys go jumping off a bridge just yet, its a long season. I actually think our talent level is ok, not the greatest but we have plenty of skills. Like I said before, I'm not going to panic until we get closer to 20 games into the season.

[OnAFly]

We are lacking in defense. Mostly because we don't play it.

Our first line as a whole probably wouldn't be the first line on many other teams, but all teams would love to have a center like Koivu.

I didn't see any of the game. How were the three goals scored in the 2nd? Anyone know?

My guess - defensive lapses while someone was pinching up into the play.

[scsavre]

If we stay healthy, and Havlat and LTD tear it up, like they should. If Kiouvu can just get a few more points out of his line, if our goalie plays good all year. And if our Defense improves drastically. We will make the play offs this year, and advance. Of coarse all of that is asking alot. But I do think the players we have can do it. The problem is, they will have to do it every night.

Oh and we need a 20% PP.

[Bear55]

My guess - defensive lapses while someone was pinching up into the play.

It sounded like stupid penalties and defensive lapses cost us the game.

Our D isn't the greatest and I don't see them improving by leaps and bounds, I really think our forward need to help out as much as possible for us to be successful, now that doesn't mean going into a defensive shell but a little extra effort in the D zone could go a long way.

[OnAFly]

Went home over lunch to watch a little bit of the game and here's what I saw.

Caught the end of the first, looked promising. We put pressure on the Canes and got a goal. So far so good.

Saw most of the second, looked flat. Stoner pinched up on a puck he had no chance on and Skinner chipped it around him...result: goal against.

Had 3 power plays back to back with a little 2man adv mixed in...didn't score. Didn't even keep the zone for most of it.

Maybe the 3rd will look better...

[PurpleFloyd]

Fortunately when the wild are having a bad year we can always fall back on the Timberwolves or the football gophers.

Oh wait a minute- Scratch that......

[spearchucker]

Fortunately when the wild are having a bad year we can always fall back on the Timberwolves or the football gophers.

Oh wait a minute- Scratch that......

Or the Twins playoff run...

[Bear55]

1-1 end of regulation, I guess we get a point but don't even get me started on that.

[spearchucker]

1-1 end of regulation, I guess we get a point but don't even get me started on that.

I had it DVR'ed thanks for ruining the ending for me. I will probably still watch it, there is nothing else on anyway.