It's the coaching not the players...

[10,000 Casts]

Derrick Boogaard scored fri night for the Rangers and went +2.

Let's see what Staubitz does this season..

[Bear55]

Your kidding right, that was like his first goal in 5 years. He's not worth 1.6 million a year and can't even play hockey.

[10,000 Casts]

about 90% kidding.. and about 90% of wild players aren't worth their salaries. Havlat for $4-$5 mil is a joke, Kobesew for $2.5 mil is a joke, Meitenen for $2.5 mil is a joke, Sheppard shouldn't even have a contract and the entire defence is way over paid. Cullen was probably over paid too.

The Rangers thought he was worth the $1.6 and they will have a much better season than the wild. I think there will be some empty seats this year at the X.

[Bear55]

I would be willing to bet every pro team, not just the NHL, has a few guys that are in bad contracts. We are not alone, but I would rather get rid of Backstrom and PMB contracs then the guys you mentioned.

I wasn't impressed with ranges last year and I don't seem them doing too much damage this year but who knows. If Boogaard can score increase his production they could be a playoff team.

[10,000 Casts]

Agreed, the PMB and Backs contracts are trouble but no one saw what happened to PMB comming and Backs contact is about avg for a good goalie.

Boogaard will never score 10 goals a season but what he does is just as valuable. Now we have Staubitz who also won't score any goals and spends 100+ PIM in the box and will get owned all season. At least Boogaard put the fear of god into the other team.

0-6 this preseason and they beat some Euro team yesterday that I can't even pronounce. Buckle your seatbelts, it is going to be a long boring ride back to mediocre hockey.

[Bear55]

I don't think the fear of god is going to win us any hockey games, we need hockey players, Boogaard would have trouble cracking the top line at most AA high schools.

[scsavre]

I wonder if Cluterbuck is going to get the snot knocked out of him now that we have no enforces. I have heard a few people in the league say theyd be very surprised if he wasnt cheap shotted a few times this year. Players really do hate him.

Boogaard did sell a few tickets and merch, gotta give him that much.

I still say we have seen the best of Backstrom already. I think our previous defensive style may have what helped him, rather than his issues with our current core. He makes some nice saves, but man does he give up some very soft goals.

Dont get me wrong he is a strong goalie, I just dont know if he is that much more of a game changer than Theo or the other guy. Id rather take that $6.5 and pick up another 30-40 goals.

[10,000 Casts]

Clutterbuck will have a traget on his head but he'll just run like he always does. We'll see the NW teams take alot of runs at our key players. Stortini is going to have a field day.

There is still a place in today's NHL for a goon. There is also a place for a strong defensive team. The wild were both of those and in the playoff hunt every year. Now look at what we have, we may be the worst team in the NHL with the worst Coach.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Don't quite give up yet guys. I know the Wild played terrible in the preseason. I went to the last home game against Columbus and the guys looked lost. Then we go to Finland and beat a Finnish team that's the equivalent of an AHL team.

But, gotta give the guys a shot in the regular season when there is something to play for. I too am doubtful of this team and I personally think that it will be a bad year but I am also going to hold back judgement until we are 20+ games into the season.

If we start like we did last year though then there is no excuse for Richards like he got last year only because he was new. Ticket sales were very poor in the pre season and I think that was a window for what is in the future for this team if they struggle.

And please Wild management - QUIT CALLING US THE BEST FANS IN THE WORLD! You insult our intelligence every time you say that.

[spearchucker]

Didn't see the goal, but it probably went off his stick when he wasn't looking. He took a lot of stupid penalties at bad times last year and I lost a little faith in Boogey.

Did anyone see the video of Boogaard hitting Chris Neil in the nuts the other night? Another classy move.

[scsavre]

Just watched it, That was week. I guess you dont see it much in the NHL anymore. But that is a pretty common jab to the seeds. Usually done lightly and just enough to tick someone off.

Stupid if you typically get 5 minutes for it though.

[Bear55]

You would think someone that big wouldn't have to resort to those tactics.

[scsavre]

Yah, come to think of it. that is a little guy move. Not a goon move.

[PoorWordUsage].

[Musky Buck]

I talked to Boogaard for awhile last year, definitely not a real pleasant dude not that he needs to be, but what he said about the Americans last year in the Olympics ended my being a fan of his. John Scott on the other hand was very personable and razed my son a bit and was a super cool guy, Da Boogeyman, although he may have been drunk, was basically rude to us and we were wearing his jerseys so good riddance, but he can go protect Gilligan the skipper ginger and Mariann.