Houston Aeros Will Play at Xcel Energy Center on Hockey Day Minnesota

On February 12, the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate the Houston Aeros will be playing at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Aeros will be there for Hockey Day Minnesota and will take on the Peoria Rivermen at 2:30 PM. The Peoria Rivermen are the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate. The St. Louis Blues will be playing the Minnesota Wild later that night, at 8:00 PM. This will be the 3rd time that the Houston Aeros will be playing in St. Paul.

Minnesota Wild Have 10 National Televised Games

Yesterday, it was announced that the Minnesota Wild would have a franchise record 10 appearances on national television for the 2010-2011 season. They will have 9 appearances on VERSUS and 1 on NBC. The 10 national televised games are:

October 7 vs. Carolina (Helsinki, Finland) - Versus

October 8 vs. Carolina (Helsinki, Finland) - Versus

October 25 vs. Los Angeles - Versus

November 2 vs. San Jose - Versus

December 27 vs. Columbus - Versus

January 4 vs. New Jersey - Versus

February 16 vs. Chicago - Versus

February 20 vs. Detroit - NBC

February 28 vs. Chicago - Versus
March 8 vs. Colorado - Versus

For any Minnesota Wild tickets check out Hockey Tickets Minnesota!

The Minnesota Wild Need Martin Havlat to Improve

In the 2008-2009 season, Martin Havlat notched 77 points with the Chicago Blackhawks. After Marian Gaborik left via free agency after that season, the Wild signed Havlat to a 6 year deal worth $30 million to try to replace the void Gaborik left. In his first season with the Minnesota Wild, Havlat scored 18 goals and 36 assists for 54 points. If the Minnesota Wild want to get back into the playoffs and become an elite team in the NHL, they will need Havlat to contribute more than his 54 point campaign. Can he breakout this season? Can he match his 77 point season with Chicago? We will see.

Can Guillaume Latendresse Make the Next Leap?

In 55 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, 23 year-old Guillaume Latendresse scored 25 goals and notched 12 assists. Along with Mikko Koivu, he was the team's best player since he arrived. Going into the upcoming season, we will find out if Latendresse can build on his rookie campaign with the Minnesota Wild. If he can make another leap and increase his production, Latendresse will be a force. He clearly has the talent and ability to. He has a knack around the net and a goal scorer's touch. The main line of Koivu, Latendresse, and Martin Havlat will be relied on a lot for production.

Minnesota Wild's Biggest Need?

The Minnesota Wild have missed the playoffs the last 2 seasons. In "The State of Hockey" the expectations are always high. My question is what is the Minnesota Wild's biggest need? My answer is a young goal scorer (sounds simple enough, right?). They need a energetic and exciting player that Minnesota Wild fans can count on for a big goal. Marian Gaborik was the old franchise player but it was obvious the disconnect that was felt in his last season here. If the Wild can attain a young goal scoring wing than that would do wonders for the franchise. The Wild strive on discipline and defense, and with a true goal scorer to compliment Martin Havlat and Mikko Koivu, would be great for the franchise.

Rick Wilson Named Minnesota Wild Assistant Coach

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Wild announced the hiring of new assistant coach Rick Wilson. Last season, Rick Wilson was the assistant coach at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to his Tampa Bay stint, he coached at the Dallas Stars for 16 seasons as an assistant coach and interim head coach in the 2002 season for the Dallas Stars. He guided the team to a 13-11-7 record during his head coaching tenure. He spent one season with the Minnesota North Stars in 1992-1993 before the team moved to Dallas. During his coaching career at Dallas, the team won seven division titles, two Western Conference Championships, two President's Trophies, and one Stanley Cup in 1999. Welcome aboard Rick Wilson! For any Minnesota Wild tickets visit Ticket King!

Also - shout out to my fan Juri from Germany!

Minnesota Wild sign John Madden

No, not the NFL Legend. The Minnesota Wild signed veteran forward John Madden to a 1 year $1 million contract. He is 37 and had played for the New Jersey Devils for 9 seasons until playing with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Madden is considered a defensive specialist and a great locker room guy. He's also been a great penalty killer and has the ability to score shorthanded goals. Last season he played in 79 games and recorded 23 points with the Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks. Welcome aboard John Madden!

Minnesota Wild Prospects

In the NHL, it is very important to build up your prospect pool. Having impact prospects allows teams to have consistency and collect young talent to build a franchise on. The Minnesota Wild will have to rely on their prospects to elevate their play after back to back playoff misses and hope to gather as much young talent as they can. Here are the Minnesota Wild's top prospects, according to Hockey's Future:

1. Tyler Cuma, D

2. Marco Scandella, D

3. Colton Gillies, LW

4. Matt Hackett, G

5. Maxim Noreau, D