Few January Home Games

It's kind of weird to think January is right around the corner. Even more weird is to think that there are only a few home Minnesota Wild games. If you want to catch the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center, get your tickets!

The Wild are bound to turn their performance around, leading to fast ticket sales. See you at the X!

Koivu Returns, Wild Lose Seventh Straight

The Minnesota Wild continued to play their lethargic offense with a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at the Xcel Energy Center. Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Cal Clutterbuck provided the only offense for the Wild each scoring a goal.

There was some good news for the Wild, as the team captain, Mikko Koivu, returned after being sidelined the past two weeks with a leg injury. Koivu played well, even scored an assist, but his return was not enough to stop the Avalanche.

Wild Slump

It has been a Wild ride so far this season as the Minnesota team looks to end their slump.

Mikko Koivu has been placed on injured reserve and is doubtful for the Edmonton Game. Koivu has already missed four straight games.

The Wild are still sitting pretty in first place in the Northwest Division despite their ugly losing streak. Hopefully the Wild can end their losing ways against the Oilers.

Yes, the Wild Can Make History!

The Minnesota Wild have brushed off a series of injuries as well as several opponents.

Kyle Brodziak scored twice, Niklas Backstrom returned to make 35 saves as the NHL-leading Minnesota Wild beat the Coyotes 4-1. The win extended the Wild win-streak to seven games - a frachise record.

The Wild will look to make it eight in a row tonight in Winnipeg.

Can Wild Make History?

The Minnesota Wild have a chance to make history against the Kings. The Wild haven't won six in a row in nearly give years, and they've never won six straight on the road. They can accomplish both of those feats tonight in Los Angeles.

The Kings dominated the Wild last month.

Can they do it?

I ran out of time for my own thoughts!

Conference Realignment

Along with the realignment, apparently we are calling them 'conferences' now, not 'divisions'. Here is how they realignment would shake out according to the current plan:

Central Conference: Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets.

West Conference: Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver.

East Conference: Carolina, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington.

The... other East Conference: Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto.


There will be six games against each conference opponent; 3 each home and away. In what was the West Conference, there will be five or six games against each, with a rotating schedule to determine who plays who how many times.

Your thoughts on the realignment?

Minnesota Wild Beat Edmonton

The Minnesota Wild are fast stealing the spotlight of this NHL season.

The season is just over a quarter of the way through, so there is plenty left to play, but it looks as though the Wild may be the team to beat this year.

After the recent meeting with the Edmonton Oilers, the fourth of six meetings between the teams this season, it is apparent that the Wild will have to take it one game at a time, but that they are headed on a victory path. The Wild won the first two games in shootouts before Edmonton won last week at the X. That win broke a 17-game losing streak for Edmonton in Minnesota.

Minnesota Wild End Losing Streak

The Minnesota Wild, along with other NHL teams around the league, I'm sure, have become more popular with the NBA off the courts. In the Wild's case, however, the Wild have been propelling their popularity with the fans by winning, winning and winning!

While the Minnesota Wild did recently have a two-game losing streak, they stopped that streak with a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night. Cal Clutterbuck's short-handed goal and Pierre-Marc Bouchard's go-ahead score in the second gave the Wild all the offense they needed.

Mikko Koivu had an assist and an empty-net goal for an insurance point in a game that was quick and clean, featuring only four penalties.

Backstrom improved to 5-1-1 in his career against the Lightning, and entered the game with a 1.79 goals-against average. The game was a bounce-back for Backstrom.

Mikko Koivu Captains Win

The big news surrounding the Minnesota Wild lately has been the switching in/out of Josh Harding and Nicklas Backstrom.

All this talk of who's tending the net has overshadowed some of the work the Wild captain has put into the success of the team this season. Mikko Koivu has really broke out offensively this year. Just this past week he scored an intense shorthanded goal to tie in the second period against the Blues.

He forced overtime with a power-play one-timer with 1:38 left. He scored with his signature forehand-deke-backhand. Mikko Koivu is back, baby.

The Minnesota Wild Rock

For a franchise that hasn't had much to celebrate since a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2003 and a division title when it last made the playoffs in 2007-08, there is much to be excited about in Minnesota, given the way the Wild have been playing!

Minnesota has won five in a row at home for the first time since it took six straight in March of 2008, right before their last playoff appearance. The Wild has four games remaining on their current homestand.

The Wild have allowed only 17 goals in their 10 games at The X so far. There have been 39 goals in 20 games so far. The Wild's 1.95 team goals-against average is by far the best in the league, with the Rangers second at 2.12.

The Wild own a 12-3-2 record against the Western Conference.

Minnesota Wild #1

The Minnesota Wild are basking in the glory of first place! First year head coach Mike Yeo likes what he is seeing, I'm sure, because I know I am! The Wild went 3-2 on the previous road trip and have a 6 game homestand at the Xcel Energy Center starting tonight!

I can't wait to see what the Wild will do at home this week.

Minnesota Wild Look to Beat Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are in town and are looking to end a division skid against the Minnesota Wild. The Wild are thinking otherwise.

The Avalanche have been in a serious slump the past two weeks and have watched their early season success completely evaporate to a 8-9-1 record. The Minnesota Wild are the Northwest Division leader and are hosting the Avalanche tonight at the X.

I'm picking the Wild to win this one 4-2. Your thoughts?

Harding or Backstrom to Face Sharks?

There hasn't been a peep about which goalie Mike Yeo will use tonight against the San Jose Sharks. Backup Josh Harding has the more staggering numbers in five games, but starter niklas Backstrom is coming of a 41-save, 3-0 shutout of Calgary on Thrusday and offers his own impressive statistics.

Coach Todd McLellan, of the Sharks, had his team practicing longer than usual on Wednesday, spending most of the time on a penalty kill.

Backstrom Picks up Win in First Start Since 10/27

Nicklas Backstrom was back in the net for a win that put the Wild up 3-0 over the Flames. It was Backstrom's first start since October 27 against Anaheim. He stopped 41 shots as the Wild wno their fifth straight.

Backup Josh Harding had started and won Minnesota's last four games, surrendering only three goals in that span.

Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist for Minnesota. Darroll Powe and Guillaume Latendresse also scored.

Marek Zidlicky Hasn't Played so Well

Marek Zidlicky has been given a great deal of time by Mike Yeo. Yeo met with the veteran defenseman and had a long talk on the ice during practice recently, as Yeo often does with players. Yeo downplayed the coversation as such - no big deal.

What do you think they talked about? Is Zidlicky on thin ice?

Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom Outstanding

Mike Yeo is faced with a problem. A good one, which has been rare these past few Minnesota Wild seasons.

Both of the Minnesota Wild goalies are playing so well that either is worthy of a start in the net. So while Yeo's choice to start Josh Harding again over Niklas Backstrom in tonight's game against Vacouver was not made without hesitation, Yeo can be confident that Harding won't drop the puck.

So far this season the Wild are allowing 2.09 goals per game, which is the fourth best in the NHL. Backstrom has had a few substandard games out of the eight he has played in, but he's still the starter with an All-Star game under his belt, alongside a 144-94 record. Even with all that, Harding has managed to work his way under the radar and into the net.

With two goalies playing outstanding defense, I look for the Wild to pick up their win rate as we head deeper into the season.

Minnesota Wild Should Benefit from Four Day Break

The Minnesota Wild, 2-1-3 this season in games decided by one goal, don't play until Thursday. This long break is giving the Wild a great opportunity to rest injured players as well as improve.

Greg Zanon and Guillaume Latendresse, who both missed Saturday's game in Vancouver, did not practice today at the Xcel and are day-to-day. However, this four day break will be important for their rest.

One area the Wild need to improve upon is the power play. Minnesota is 0-18 on the power play in their last five games. On the season, the Wild have only scored three power play goals in 31 opportunities. That needs to be a lot better.

Wild Lose Via Power Play Goal

Post-regulation heroics would have been outstanding two games in a row, unfortunately the Minnesota Wild didn't have it in them. They ended up following their shootout win over the Oilers with an overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

Sami Sale had the overtime goal on the power play, beating Niklas Backstrom.

Minnesota had gotten off to a good start, forcing the Canucks into many errors, including three penalties in a span of five minutes.

At least the Wild seem to be playing well overall. Perhaps this is the year we return to the playoffs!

My Popular-Game Picks

Don't miss these popular out-of-town visits at the Xcel Energy Center:

Boston Bruins 2/19: defending Stanley Cup champions come to town
Anaheim Ducks 10/27, 2/14
Calgary Flames 11/27, 3/11, 3/22
Chicago Blackhawks 12/14, 4/5
Dallas Stars 1/21, 3/13
Detroit Red Wings 10/29
St. Louis Blues 11/5, 11/19
San Jose Sharks 1/10, 2/26
Winnipeg 2/16: first ever trip to the Xcel Energy Center!
Vancouver Canucks: 11/3, 2/9, 3/19: defending Western Conference champion

2011-12 Minnesota Wild Schedule

Here are some fast facts regarding the Minnesota Wild 2011 season!

Games by Conference/Division

Western Conference:
Central Division (20)
Northwest Division (24)
Pacific Division (20)

Eastern Conference:

Atlantic Division (6)
Northwest Division (5)
Southeast Division (7)

Opponents to Visit Minnesota

Anaheim-2
Boston-1
Buffalo-0
Calgary-3
Carolina-1
Chicago-2
Colorado-3
Columbus-2
Dallas-2
Detroit-2
Edmonton-3
Florida-1
Los Angeles-2
Montreal-0
Nashville-2
New Jersey-1
New York Islanders-1
New York Rangers-1
Ottawa-0
Philadelphia-0
Phoenix-2
Pittsburgh-1
St. Louis-2
San Jose-2
Tampa Bay-1
Toronto-0
Vancouver-3
Washington-0
Winnipeg-1

Longest Homestand: 6 games

Longest Road Trip: 5 games (2 times)

Air Miles Traveled: 44,051

Length of Wild's 2011-12 Season: 183 days

Wild Try to Extend Streak to 17 Over Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are 0-14-2 in the past 16 visits to the Xcel Energy Center. Tonight, the Wild will host the Oilers again.

The Oilers' last two first-round draft b=picks both contributed to a win in the season opener. Can those two younglings tackle a bigger task tonight, a win at the Xcel?

In the three meetings between the two teams last year, the Minnesota Wild outscored the Oilers 12-5. The 16-game stretch is the NHL's second-longest active winning streak by a home team over a visitor. Nashville holds the No. 1 spot with 17 consecutive home victories over Columbus.

The Wild are beginning a three-game homestand tonight.

Let's hope the Minnesota boys can hold it together for another win over the Oilers! Let's start this homestand out right!

Pierre-Marc Bouchard Eligible Tonight

Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard (whose name always reminds me of the days I spent in France) will be eligible to play tonight after being suspended for two games for a high stick that bloodied the face of Columbus' Matt Calvert in Saturday's game.

Bouchard asserts that the intended point of impact was the hands of Calvert, not the face. However, the league said regardless of Bouchard's intent, he is responsible for the actual result of the slash up into the face area.

He will forfeit $4,108.10 in pay as a further punishment of the act.

Bouchard is back this year after missing more than a season with a concussion.

Brent Burns, former teammate, reached out to support Bouchard on twitter, "Butchy apologizes to ants if he steps on one. No chance he even attempts to hurt anyone out there. Freak accident."

I think we have bigger problems on our hands... Bouchard talks to ants? Just kidding. Only trying to make light of a situation that should have never happened. A two-game suspension seemed steep. It is hockey after all.

Top Minnesota Wild Hockey Games

Top Minnesota Wild Hockey Game to Watch this Year!

1. Minnesota vs Edmonton 10/13
2. Minnesota @ San Jose 11/10
3. Minnesota vs Colorado 12/26
4. Minnesota @ Philadelphia 1/17
5. Minnesota vs Winnipeg 2/16
6. Minnesota @ Montreal 3/1
7. Minnesota vs Phoenix 5/7


CHECK THEM OUT and mark your calendars! What are the games you are most looking forward to?

Minnesota Wild Reduce Roster

The Minnesota Wild hockey team has reduced the roster to 47.

The team reassigned Joel Broda (RW), Justin Fontaine (RW), Mike Kramer (RW), defeseman Sam Lofquist and defenseman Kyle Medvec to the Houston Aeros.

Others reassigned were center Tyler Graovac to the Ottawa 67s, defenseman Colton Jobke to Kelowna Rockets, defenseman Josh Caron to the Kamloops Blazers and left winger Carter Sandlak to the Belleville Bulls.

The Minnesota Wild open their season at home on 10/08 against the Blue jackets.

Mike Yeo Joins Host of New Minnesota Coaches

With the exception of the Minnesota Twins, all of the major sports teams in Minnesota will be/are experiencing the transition that coincides with a new head coach.

The Vikings are 0-2 under new head coach Leslie Frazier. The Minnesota Timberwolves just hired Rick Adelman. And the Minnesota Wild... Mike Yeo. (Even the Gophers have a new boss)

Yeo has the reputation of holding a serious work ethic and pushing his players to have the same. Yeo has said this job with the Wild has been a long time coming, a story more than 20 years in the making. He started taking notes on coaching over two decades ago and has finally landed his goal position: an NHL head coach.

Yeo is looking to bring a strong defensive system to the Wild, applying tough pressure to the puck, forcing their opponents to think quickly - forcing errors. He recognizes there may be no quick fix for a team three years out of the playoffs, but is striving to bring glory back to the ice of Minnesota.

Minnesota Wild Strengths and Weaknesses to Look Forward

I felt for my last blog post of the summer, I wanted to get you guys pumped up for a bunch of blogs that I have coming up for the rest of the year. I have spent the last week or so working on the strengths and weaknesses of each member of the Minnesota week. Some time during the season, I am going to start posting those strengths and weaknesses. I spent a lot of time on them, and I think they're going to be really great. So if you're really bored and you have a bad day at work, just know that you have those to look forward to.

Ex-Wild Pavol Demitra Dies

Pavol Demitra played for the Minnesota Wild from 2006-2008 and he was definitely one of the better players on the team. Sadly, Demitra died in a plane crash today and we only have the memories of him in NHL uniforms to cherish. He was playing for a Russian hockey team and the plane crashed this morning, killing everyone on the plane. Here's the statement that the Minnesota Wild released:

"The Minnesota Wild organization joins the rest of the hockey world in mourning the tragedy involving the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey club. Pavol Demitra was a valuable member of our team for two seasons and helped the Wild claim its first-ever Northwest Division title in 2008. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Demitra family as well as all of the families that lost loved ones today."

Minnesota Wild TV Schedule

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (CT) TV
SEPTEMBER – PRESEASON
Tue. 20 @ Edmonton 8:00 P.M.
Thur. 22 @ St. Louis 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 23 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 24 @ Pittsburgh 2:00 P.M.
TUE. 27 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.
Thur. 29 @ Columbus 6:00 P.M.
FRI. 30 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M.

OCTOBER – REGULAR SEASON
SAT. 8 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M. FSN
Mon. 10 @ N.Y. Islanders 12:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 11 @ Ottawa 6:30 P.M. FSN
THUR. 13 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 15 DETROIT 7:00 P.M. FSN
TUE. 18 PITTSBURGH 6:30 P.M. VERSUS
Thur. 20 @ Edmonton 8:30 P.M. FSN
Sat. 22 @ Vancouver 3:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 27 ANAHEIM 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 29 DETROIT 7:00 P.M. FSN

NOVEMBER
Tue. 1 @ Detroit 6:30 P.M. FSN
THUR. 3 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 5 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 8 @ Calgary 8:30 P.M. FSN
Thur. 10 @ San Jose 9:30 P.M. FSN
Sat. 12 @ Los Angeles 9:30 P.M. FSN
Sun. 13 @ Anaheim 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 15 @ Columbus 6:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 17 COLORADO 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 19 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M. FSN
WED. 23 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M. FSN
FRI. 25 EDMONTON 3:00 P.M. FSN
SUN. 27 CALGARY 5:00 P.M. FSN
MON. 28 TAMPA BAY 6:30 P.M. VERSUS
Wed. 30 @ Edmonton 8:30 P.M. FSN

DECEMBER
FRI. 2 NEW JERSEY 7:00 P.M. FSN
Sun. 4 @ Anaheim 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 6 @ San Jose 9:30 P.M. FSN
Thur. 8 @ Los Angeles 9:30 P.M. FSN
Sat. 10 @ Phoenix 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 13 @ Winnipeg 7:30 P.M. FSN
WED. 14 CHICAGO 6:30 P.M. VERSUS
SAT. 17 N.Y. ISLANDERS 7:00 P.M. FSN
Mon. 19 @ Vancouver 9:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 20 @ Calgary 8:00 P.M. FSN
Thur. 22 @ Edmonton 8:30 P.M. FSN
MON. 26 COLORADO 5:00 P.M. FSN
Wed. 28 @ Nashville 7:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 29 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 31 PHOENIX 5:00 P.M. FSN

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (CT) TV
JANUARY
Wed. 4 @ Vancouver 9:00 P.M. FSN
Sat. 7 @ Calgary 9:00 P.M. FSN
TUE. 10 SAN JOSE 6:30 P.M. VERSUS
Thur. 12 @ Chicago 7:30 P.M. FSN
Sat. 14 @ St. Louis 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 17 @ Philadelphia 6:00 P.M. FSN
Thur. 19 @ Toronto 6:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 21 DALLAS 8:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 24 @ Colorado 8:00 P.M. VERSUS
Sun. 29 NHL All-Star Game (Ottawa) 3:00 P.M. VERSUS
TUE. 31 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M. FSN

FEBRUARY
Thur. 2 @ Colorado 8:00 P.M. FSN
Sat. 4 @ Dallas 7:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 7 @ Columbus 6:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 9 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 11 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M. FSN
TUE. 14 ANAHEIM 6:30 P.M. VERSUS
THUR. 16 WINNIPEG 7:00 P.M. FSN
Sat. 18 @ St. Louis 1:00 P.M. FSN
SUN. 19 BOSTON 2:00 P.M. NBC
Thur. 23 @ Florida 6:30 P.M. FSN
Fri. 24 @ Dallas 7:30 P.M. FSN
SUN. 26 SAN JOSE 5:00 P.M. FSN
TUE. 28 LOS ANGELES 6:30 P.M. VERSUS

MARCH
Thur. 1 @ Montreal 6:00 P.M. FSN
Fri. 2 @ Detroit 6:30 P.M. FSN
SUN. 4 COLORADO 6:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 6 @ Colorado 8:00 P.M. VERSUS
Thur. 8 @ Phoenix 8:00 P.M. FSN
SUN. 11 CALGARY 5:00 P.M. FSN
TUE. 13 DALLAS 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 17 CAROLINA 1:00 P.M. FSN
MON. 19 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 22 CALGARY 7:00 P.M. FSN
Sat. 24 @ Buffalo 6:00 P.M. FSN
Sun. 25 @ Washington 4:00 P.M. VERSUS
TUE. 27 N.Y. RANGERS 7:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 29 FLORIDA 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 31 LOS ANGELES 7:00 P.M. FSN

APRIL
Sun. 1 @ Chicago 6:00 P.M. FSN
Tue. 3 @ Nashville 7:00 P.M. FSN
THUR. 5 CHICAGO 7:00 P.M. FSN
SAT. 7 PHOENIX 7:00 P.M. FSN

BOLD INDICATES HOME GAME
DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Startribune Interview with Mike Yeo

I was scanning the Startribune when I found this interview with new Wild head coach Mike Yeo about the state of the Minnesota Wild. It's really interesting because we don't know very much about Yeo just yet. A link to the interview is right here. Let me know what you think.

Rick Rypien Found Dead

Rick Rypien was found dead this morning in his home. He had been granted an indefinite leave of absence by the Vancouver Canucks for personal reasons.

Rypien received a six game suspension last season after grabbing a Wild fan as he was leaving the ice for the lock room.

Rypien is the second player from the NHL to die this offseason. Derek Boogard, a former Wild player, also died this offseason.

Wild Single Season Tickets Go on Sale August 20th

Single game tickets for the Minnesota Wild will go on sale August 20th at 9 am at the Xcel Energy Center. They will go on sale at noon on wild.com and ticketmaster.com.

Tickets will also be available at the Wild fan booth at the Minnesota state fair for the first time in the team's history.

Prices are fixed until October 1st and will be priced based on demand until that date.

Make or Break Year for Cam Barker in Edmonton

Last season, Wild defenseman Cam Barker was absolutely terrible. He scored only five points last season. The 2008-2009 50 point outburst with the Chicago Blackhawks seems like a pin in a haystack. He was really bad during the 2009-2010 season with the Blackhawks as well. Barker's contract was bought out by the Minnesota Wild and he signed a 1 year deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Barker is optimistic that he can return to his 2008 self in Edmonton.

"It's a good, young team, up-and-coming. A great fit," Barker said.

Barker only signed a 1 year deal so he is going to have to play really well if he wants another NHL contract. He will have the chance to prove himself as there is playing time available for him in Edmonton.

Wild Trade James Sheppard to San Jose Sharks

The Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks made a trade again. This time, the Wild sent 24 year old defenseman James Sheppard to the Sharks for a 2013 3rd round draft pick.

Sheppard was suspended all of last season after injuring his knee in a all-terrain accident vehicle accident.

The Sharks have already confirmed the trade, but it is not completely done yet because Sheppard sustained a second injury to his knee and is not expected to be ready for training camp.

The Wild traded Brent Burns and a 2012 second round pick to the San Jose Sharks on June 24th Devin Setoguchi, a first round pick, and Charlie Coyles.

NHL Realignment? Yes, According to Craig Leipold

Ever since the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, there has existed an imbalance between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, bringing an NHL divisional realighment to the minds of owners.

There have been rumors in the past that the NHL is considering a massive overhaul in which the current NHL characteristics would be cleared for a landscape featuring a two conference format with 2 divisions each. Those rumors have always been pure speculation stemming from mysterious voices... until now.

Craig Leipold, during a radio interview with KFAN Minneapolis, may have let the cat out of the bag and let the public in on the NFL plans for realignment during the 2012 season.

"Our division would include the Winnipeg Jets, us [Minnesota Wild], the Blues, the Nashville Predators, the Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets... maybe not depending on if they go east or west. I am all in favor of that. I think that is a grand slam, home run, hat trick for our team.

We're all Central Division now. All of our teams, except for Columbus, all of our teams will be Central Division. We'll play less teams in Canada. We will play every team home and away at least one time."

Whoops.

Former Defenseman Brent Burns Signs 5-year Sharks Contract

After being traded to the San Jose Sharks in late June, Brent Burns had established little hurry to sign a long-term contract with the Sharks. This past week, however, Burns agreed to a five-year extension for $28.8 million.

Last year, Burns scored 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists), had 133 hits and was a first-time All-Star. There is concern that last year's breakout year with Minnesota is something not to be repeated. The Sharks acknowledge this concern, but after signing a long-term contract, the program feels the investment in Brent Burns will be a pivotal asset.

Three Wild Games I'm Most Looking Forward To

Here are three Wild games that I am really looking forward to.

Sautrday, October 8th - Blue Jackets. Why am I excited? It's the opener, duh. Got to start the season 1-0!

Sunday, February 19th - Boston Bruins. Okay I'm not the only one who is pumped to watch the Wild take on the defending champs.

Tuesday, October 18th - Pittsburgh Penguins. A couple of things, I think the Penguin mascot is one of the classier mascots in sports. Secondly, I love Sid the Kid and will not pass on the opportunity to watch him.

Go to Ticket King and buy Wild season tickets. They have the best prices and offer the best customer service.

A Statement from Ryan Boogard Regarding Death of Derek Boogard

Here's a statement released by Ryan Boogard regarding the charges his little brother, Aaron faces, as a result of the death of their older brother, Derek, a former Wild.

Our family has been fairly mum on the recent arrest and subsequent charges laid against my younger brother, Aaron, so I would like to share a few words.

Although I cannot make specific comments as to proving or disproving the allegation's against Aaron while the matter is before the court, I can say that our family fully supports him and we are disappointed in both the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Prosecution Office in their decision to prosecute him.

Aaron had fully cooperated with their investigation and now, just over two months after losing his big brother and still grieving, he will have to endure very public legal proceedings.

Aaron has never sold prescribed and non prescribed painkillers, never bought prescribed and non prescribed painkillers and Aaron does not abuse prescribed and non prescribed painkillers. The prosecutions office did not disclose all the details surrounding the investigation but for me [to] go into more detail about this would go against my previous statement about not commenting to prove or disprove the allegations and Aaron gets his day in court so it can all come to fruition at that time.

In summary, there is more than what has been released to the media.

Aaron has never been arrested in the United States or Canada and, up until recent, Aaron has never been charged for any criminal offense.

As it is now widely known, Derek became addicted to pain killers after having shoulder surgery in 2009. This broke our family's hearts to watch as Derek battled the disease. After two failed attempts in rehab, this was a fight that Derek never got up from.

Aaron never condoned what Derek did and had actually gone to California to support Derek in his latest rehab attempt.

To insinuate that Aaron had anything remotely to do with Derek's death, as Prosecutor Mike Freeman alluded to, is just plain wrong but, again, I cannot comment specifics as it is before the court.

Our family is still grieving over the loss of Derek and this has affected nobody more than his summertime roommate, training partner, best friend and loving brother, Aaron.

Aaron Boogard Might Have Played Role in Brother's Death

Aaron Boogard was brought court in the case of his brother's death, former Wild player Derek Boogard. He was brought to court Monday because it is thought that he might have been able to control the amount of painkillers that his brother had that eventually led to his death when he overdosed.

Aaron Boogard was charged with 3rd degree felony murder on Friday. He also faces charges for immigration violations. His court date for the allegations against his brother is set for August 17th.

Aaron Boogard was giving his brother illegal painkillers and he flushed the remaining pills down the toilet before authorities arrived after he came to his brothers apartment and found his brother dead.

Mike Yeo to Visit Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu

General Manager Chuck Fletcher and new head coach Mike Yeo traveled to Finland so that Yeo could meet with captain Mikko Koivu and goalie Niklas Backstrom. Yeo felt it was necessary to go see them so that he could tell them what his plans were as the new head coach. He knows that these two guys have a huge influence in the locker room so I think it was a really good idea to go out and meet them and show them how much you believe in the guys. Hopefully those two buy in to his new system quickly so the Wild can get off to a fast start. This is what Yeo said to the Minneapolis Startribune about why it was so important to get to know Koivu on a personal level:

"It’s more personal," Yeo said. "But there are a number of things that I have to run past him. Some ideas that we have. I think it’s real important when you’re a coach that there are certain things when you come in you kind of say, ‘This is how it’s going to be.’ There’s also a number of things that you have to get the feedback of some of the guys, with their routines or whatever it is. So there’s a number of things I have to run past him, a number of things I want to prepare him for and let him know what he can expect. More importantly, it’s just a matter of getting there and starting to develop a relationship. I have high hopes and high expectations for Mikko. I’d like to start laying that groundwork right now."

Wild Development Camp Day 6

The Wild Development camp is finally over after six thrilling days. The 42 players will go back to their homes and play for the teams they had been playing for before the camp started. The two camp teams tied 5-5 and the Green team won the scrimmage in a shootout. Houston Aeros coach Mike Torchetti had this to say about the players at the camp, "[The players] showed really great poise and overall the talent that is going to be coming through the system is really good."

Regarding Mikael Granlund (pictured), a top prospect for the Wild, Torchetti had nothing but praise for the kid "His patience with the puck is everything," Torchetti said. "He slows the game down on his entries. He is very poised. He sees the ice. He knows when to move it, when to let it go. And when you play with players like that, it gives you more poise, especially four-on-four. You don't just want to dump it in. You want to hold onto the puck."

That's what I love to hear! Let's go Wild!

Wild's Granlund was Main Attraction at Prospect Camp

The Minnesota Wild's Mikael Granlund was the main attraction at the Wild's annual prospect camp this week. The Wild selected Granlund with their first round draft pick in the 2010 draft, 9th overall. He felt like he played well, but he is also on leave from the Finnish army. Granlund has performed extremely well for the Finnish national team, but will be on the team after the 2011-2012 season. The Wild still have to sign him, but all the signs points towards that happening. Granlund has openly discussed his affection towards Minnesota.

Can't wait for Mikael Granlund and go Wild!

Ex Gopher Sam Lofquist Hoping to get Signed by Wild

Lofquist played in Ontario last season for a minor league team. He played really well there and the Wild asked him to come down and try out for the team after his season. He can't go back to the Ontario Hockey League because he is 21 and you can't be older than that. Here's a scouting report on him from the Minneapolis Startribune that I found:

"This former University of Minnesota defenseman hasn't been in the OHL long, but has definitely been an impact player. He's been the Storm's most important and consistent defenseman the past 2 seasons and deserves a look at the next level. He has size at 6'2, 200 lbs, he's mobile, he can play in all situations and he can take the body if need be. Really a jack of all trades type of guy."

Well, he sounds pretty good to me so get him a jersey Wild and get this guy out on the ice.

Development Camp at the Xcel Energy Center

Yesterday the Minnesota Wild Development Camp took place at the Xcel Energy Center. The development camp is a camp where players who were drafted by the Wild a long time ago try out for the team and try to become NHL players. There was even a guy ther, Kyle Medvec, who graduated from Vermont this summer, is at his 6th development camp. He probably will never make the team, other wise he wouldn't be at the development camp. There are assistants for the Houston Aeros who are there running the drills while these players play.

The prospect camp is this Saturday and Sunday. That's when the real future members of th eWild will play and show off their skills.

Minnesota wild Sign 1st Round Pick Brodin

Tuesday was Jonas Brodin's 18th birthday. Want a birthday present? I'm not giving you one after you signed that contract with the Wild worth about 2.75 million dollars.

Brodin signed with the Wild Tuesday and the team says they plan on having him for the 2012-2013 season. They said he will stay in Sweden and play for a season and then come over to the United States and try to make the team.

This guy seriously needs to get bigger and is not ready for the NHL. He barely played for his European team, as he saw action in only 42 games and made only four assists with no goals. He also was below 170 pounds. That is inexcusable he is going to get pushed around in the NHL. Hopefully this year in Europe will really help him and he will come to the Wild ready to contribute after this season.

Colton Gillies Should Be on the Wild Next Season

According to the Startribune, Colton Gillies signed this contract on Wednesday:

"The two-year, $1.25 million pact is a one-way contract, meaning he would have to be paid his $600,000 NHL salary in the minors if he were to play there next season."

Contracts like this typically mean he should be a member of the Minnesota Wild next season. Gillies played for the Houston Aeros last season and had a team leading 7 goals in the playoffs for the Aeros.

Gillies was great as a late season call up last year. Gillies played under new Wild coach Mike Yeo, which made this transition all the more probably for him.

He is a 6-4 208 pound forward is really fast and hard hitting. Part of the reason the Wild made him a first round pick in 2007. Hopefully he does a really nice job with the Wild next season and helps them in their quest to return to the playoffs.

A Look at the Minnesota Wild's Current Depth Chart

FORWARDS

Line 1: Pierre-Marc Bouchard ($4.25 million salary, $4.08M salary cap hit); Mikko Koivu ($7.29M, $6.75M); Dany Heatley ($8M, $7.5M)

Line 2: Guillaume Latendresse ($2.6M, $2.5M); Matt Cullen ($3.5M, $3.5M); Devin Setoguchi ($2.75M; $3M)

Line 3: Darroll Powe (RFA); Kyle Brodziak ($1.3M, $1.15M); Cal Clutterbuck ($1.5M, $1.4M)

Line 4: Eric Nystrom ($1.4M, $1.4M); TBD; Brad Staubitz ($600K, $575K)

TBD; TBD

Note: Two or three spots are open depending on if the Wild keeps 13 or 14 forwards, or seven or eight defensemen.

Vying for spots: Colton Gillies, Casey Wellman, Cody Almond, James Sheppard, David McIntyre, Carson McMillan, Matt Kassian, Jed Ortmeyer, Jeff Taffe.

Restricted free agents: Powe, Wellman, Sheppard, Gillies, Jarod Palmer

Unrestricted free agents: John Madden, Antti Miettinen, Patrick O’Sullivan

Minor league unrestricted free agents: Robbie Earl.

DEFENSEMEN

Pair 1: Nick Schultz ($3.6 million salary, $3.5M salary cap hit); Marek Zidlicky ($4M, $4M)

Pair 2: Greg Zanon ($2.1M, $1.933M); Jared Spurgeon ($535K, $527K)

Pair 3: Clayton Stoner ($575K, $550K); TBD

TBD; TBD

Note: Two or three spots are open depending on if the Wild keeps 13 or 14 forwards.

Vying for spots: Marco Scandella, Nate Prosser, Justin Falk, Drew Bagnall.

Restricted free agents: Falk, Jeff Penner.

GOALIES

Starter: Niklas Backstrom ($6 million salary, $6M salary cap hit)

Backup: Josh Harding ($750K, $750K)

SALARY BREAKDOWN

• Actual 2011-12 payroll (as of today): $52,219,445

• Salary cap hit: $50,418,111

Welcome to the Wild, Danny Heately!

Danny Heately was traded for Marty Havlat. This is a huge trade that sends Havlat to San Jose where he goes to a for sure title contender. According to the StarTribune, Danny Heately is ecstatic about this deal. He is really good friends with Setoguchi, and the two have dreamed on playing on the same line together. What does this mean for the Wild though?

We know what Heately brings to a team: scoring. Ever since 2001, all Danny Heately has done is score. In fact, he has 325 goals since 2001, good for third best since that time. The Wild now have two guys who could score a lot of goals in Setoguchi and Danny Heately.

I like this trade, but I would have liked it a lot better a few years ago. Heately scores a lot of goals, but he is starting to get really old. He's also very prone to injuries as he has had a lot of injuries the past six seasons. Hopefully the Wild get a motivated and healthy Danny Heately that scores a ton of goals for them this season.

Wild Sign Goalie Josh Harding

The Wild have found their back up to Niklas Backstrom! The Minnesota Wild signed Josh Harding to a 1 year, 750,000 dollar contract yesterday. The Wild said Harding was given a clean bill of health after tearing both his MCL and ACL.

By signing Harding, the Wild have all but ended their relationship with Jose Theodore.

I'm glad the Wild signed Harding. I think he can do a really good job and he's wayyyy better than Jose Theodore. Theodore was a bum. Congratulations to Josh Harding, go buy a new car or get a hair cut, and to the Wild for getting the back up goalie they always wanted.

Minnesota Wild Trade for Darroll Powe

The Minnesota Wild traded fro a physical forward in Darroll Powe over the weekend. The Wild traded a 2013 third round pick to get him. Powe was a fan favorite in Philadelphia because of his hitting and hard play. He is really fast and strong, although he is not very skilled.

The Wild really like the idea of having their back lines being filled with high energy guys such as Clutterpuck and Powe. Their aggressiveness and speed represents the types of players that the Wild are trying to add to their roster.

Powe isn't much of a scorer, but he was great at killing penalties. He led all Flyers in short handed minutes last season with 257 minutes. He really hasn't done much goal-scoring wise in his career, scoring only 22 goals in 203 career games.

Don't worry Wild fans, Powe understands his role:

"My role is to use my speed and be a physical presence. My game is mainly energy," said Powe, who has scored 22 goals and 43 points in 204 games. "I've definitely watched [Clutterbuck] play over the last few years. He's a guy who plays his role very well. He's a physical presence and someone to watch and someone who would be fun to play with."

Powe is also Scandinavian so he should fit in swimmingly in Minnesota.

Wild Will get Plenty of Trade Calls for Brent Burns

Wild defenseman Brent Burns is the center of many trade rumors. Brent Burns is going to be a restricted free agent next year, so the Wild are trying to figure out if they are going to try and sign him for the long haul or if they should be trading him. If they trade him, they can likely acquire the impact forward that they have been looking for and maybe a few other assets. Burns is well aware of this and knows its all apart of the business. They might not sign Burns just because he could be asking for a ton of money. The Wild have been in contact with Burns' agent all week to try to figure out if signing him to a long term extension is at all feasible.

The NHL Draft is tonight and the Wild are very excited. They've got the 10th pick in the draft. They say they will either pick an impact forward or defenseman with the pick. They have also discussed moving down or up a couple of slots and maybe picking up a few assets or a player they have been targeting. General Manager Chuck Fletcher said that we shouldn't expect the Wild to move down more than a couple of spots if they do. He believes there is a huge drop off in this draft after the first 13 picks or so. I bet the Wild stick at 10 and make a real solid pick.