Its that time of year again...

The Wild have had a very interesting early summer and with this week's NHL draft it is only going to get more interesting. New Head Coach Todd Richards is saying he wants to change the way the Wild play hockey, going for a more "up-tempo" form of the game. With that in mind, it will be important for the Wild to draft players that fit the new style.


The Wild have the number 12 draft and then don't pick again until very late in the second round. However, rumors are flying that there are several "conversations" going on with other teams about pre-draft trades and deals.

Rumors are also flying about Marian Gaborik, who will have free agent status as of July 1. In an anonymous report from earlier this week, Gaborik apparently bought a house in Vancouver and allegations of the Canucks tampering with Gaborik are starting to spread. While all parties involved deny any knowledge of the tampering, house-shopping or Gaborik's plans it is safe to say that the next few weeks will be very telling.

Maybe it is time to say goodbye to Gaborik and hello to a new feel for the Minnesota Wild and a real shot at the postseason?

Todd Richards is new Minnesota Wild coach

Well, my 17% prediction was all it took for former Gopher Todd Richards to get the nod as the new Minnesota Wild head coach. The 42 year old former San Jose Sharks assistant coach was officially named the Minnesota Wild head coach on Monday at an Xcel Energy Center press conference.

Todd Richards is known for an aggressive offense focused style of play that will couple nicely with the ideals of GM Chuck Fletcher. Todd Richards grew up in Crystal, Minnesota and played hockey for the University of Minnesota Gophers. His parents still live in the area and have got to be thrilled to have Todd Richards back in Minnesota.

It's a new day for Wild hockey! Minnesota ties make it even sweeter. Believe it or not, I am excited to get the summer over with and start hockey again.

Pittsburgh Penguins take The Cup

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins for being this years Stanley Cup Champions. What an interesting twist of fate that the Penguins were able to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup in front of the Detroit Red Wing fans when just a year ago, the roles were reversed. The hockey gods definitely have a sense of humor. It was a great game and a great final series.

Maybe the Wild will hoist the Stanley Cup one day….one day soon would be ideal for this MN Wild Freak.

Stanley Cup Final Game Tomorrow Night

It’s the 15th time in NHL Stanley Cup history that the Final Series is decided on game 7 and this series is definitely one for the history books. Have you been watching? Every game has been intense and is a reminder to me why I am such a hockey freak. I love this game!

The Detroit Red Wings are 11-1 on their home ice, during the playoffs, but the Pittsburgh Penguins are a team that is hungry for redemption after losing the Cup last year to the Wings in front of the Penguins fans. I am so excited for tomorrow nights game I can hardly wait. I bet the ticket brokers in Detroit are making a killing on this game – everyone wants to be there…including me, but I will settle for a ticket to watch the game from my couch! Man, I love this game!

Chuck Fletcher New Minnesota Wild GM, but who will he select as Wild head coach

Well, I got it right. I put my money on Chuck Fletcher getting the Minnesota Wild GM job and he did. So I am going to do the same for Minnesota Wild head coaching job (frankly I am more interested in that any way).

Rumored Minnesota Wild Head Coach Candidates and (my percentage):

Paul MacLean, in Detroit Red Wings assistant (62%)

Todd Richards, San Jose Sharks assistant (17%)

Peter Laviolette, former Carolina Hurricanes coach (13%)

Craig MacTavish, former Edmonton Oilers coach (8%)


This one seems a little harder to predict. Perhaps because I think having former Gopher Todd Richards behind the Wild bench would be cool, but I personally think that Paul MacLean has been part of organizations that are powerhouses in the NHL (Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks) and I want to know the secret to their success.

Stay Tuned Wild Fans. It may be the ‘off-season’, but Wild Hockey is heating up!