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.