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.

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!

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.

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."

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

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.

Phoenix Coyotes Hand 1-0 Loss to Minnesota Wild

In a reverse fortune of last week, the Minnesota Wild were on the short end of the stick this time with a 1-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. Taylor Pyatt scored his 13th goal of the season in the 3rd period to secure the victory. Niklas Backstrom made 40 saves in the loss and Ilya Bryzgalov made 25 saves for the shutout. Phoenix was coming off what may have been its most disappointing loss of the season, a 6-0 home whacking against the Vancouver Canucks. With the loss, Minnesota dropped out of the top 8 in the Western Conference.

Minnesota Wild Defeat Los Angeles King 1-0 In Shootout

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 in a shootout. Ironically, the shootout score was also 1-0. Niklas Bakstrom made 3 stops and Pierre Marc-Bouchard scored as the second shooter in the shootout. Both goalies made some great saves in regulation to keep the score 0-0. The overtime also went scoreless. Niklas Backstrom made an amazing save in the shootout against Jack Johnson as he tried to go top shelf with a sprawled out Bakstrom. With the net wide open, Bakstrom threw up his skate and deflected the puck off it. Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves for the Kings. Get your Minnesota Wild tickets with Ticket King!

Minnesota Wild On 3 Game Winning Streak

The Minnesota Wild are on an impressive 3 game winning streak with a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, and a 6-0 victory over the Calgary Flames. The victories at Edmonton and Calgary were at their respective arenas. Anton Khudobin earned a shutout against Vancouver and only gave up 1 goal against Edmonton. Niklas Backstrom returned from injury and showed his top form against the Calgary Flames with a 6-0 victory.

Colorado Avalance at Xcel Energy Center Friday, January 14th

The Colorado Avalanche are taking on the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center on at 7 PM Central Time tonight, Friday, January 14th. The Colorado Avalanche come into the game with a 22-16-6 record for 50 points. The Minnesota Wild are 21-17-5 for 47 points. Both are division rivals in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Earlier today, it was learned that Patrick O'Sullivan of the Minnesota Wild was placed on waivers. Also, Jose Theodore and Niklas Backstrom are both hurt with hip injuries so Anton Khudobin is expected to start with Matt Hackett backing him up. Purchase your Minnesota Wild tickets with Ticket King today!

Minnesota Wild 3, Phoenix Coyotes 2

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Phoenix Coyotes by a score of 3-2 in Phoenix on Thursday night. Andrew Brunette scored 2 goals and Brent Burns got the other. The Minnesota Wild built up a 3-1 lead with Andrew Brunette's second goal of the game with 10 minutes left in the 3rd period. Niklas Backstrom made 33 saves for the Minnesota Wild. It was a much needed victory after the Minnesota Wild lost 7 of the last 8 games.

Minnesota Wild Win 3 In a Row

The Minnesota Wild have won 3 in a row. They have defeated the San Jose Sharks (1-0), the Calgary Flames (2-1), and Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2). They currently have 16 points through 13 games and are in 2nd place in the Division. Brent Burns and Niklas Backstrom have played great thus far and could be on their way to All-Star Game appearances if they keep it up. This week the Minnesota Wild will play at the Atlanta Thrashers (Thursday) and Florida Panthers (Friday).

Minnesota Wild Defeat Washington Capitals 2-1

The Alexander Ovechkin show came through St. Paul last night. However, it wasn't the show that they had in mind. The Minnesota Wild slugged out a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Capitals superstar, Ovechkin, scored the team's only goal. Chuck Kobasew and Mikko Koivu scored for the Minnesota Wild. It was a solid victory for the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom made 21 saves.

Minnesota Wild Arrive in Finland

The Minnesota Wild have arrived in Finland over the weekend. The team was selected by the NHL because of their Finnish roots - Mikko Koivu is currently the face of the Finland national team as well as the Minnesota Wild, accompanied by Antii Miettinen and Niklas Backstrom. Not to mention the Wild drafted Finnish native Mikael Granlund in the first round this year of the NHL Draft. They are playing a Finnish League team today and will take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and Friday to kick off the NHL season.

Updates on the Wild

1.) The MN Wild have recalled Justin Falk up from the Aeros, who will play at defense.

2.) Matt Hackett has been signed, as a goaltender, to an entry-level three-year contract. Hackett played for Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League this season, racking up a 22-18-3 record and a .925 save percentage.

3.) Backstrom still not ready to play in the regular season games, but has returned to practicing with the Wild this past Tuesday. Backstrom was happy to get to skate around, but after suffering a pulled groin he isn't quite ready. With Niklas Backstrom out, Wade Dubielewicz has been serving as backup goal for Josh Harding.

Wild off to a good start vs. Calgary

The Wild dominated the Calgary Flames last night with a 4-0 end on their own turf... or ice i should say. After Niklas Backstrom and Mikka Kiprussoff played side beside on the Finland team during the Olympics, everything changed last night when they went against each other in Calgary. Backstrom captured his second shutout of the season with 29 saves. This win is a great boost for the Wild morale, especially since the last eight games on the road were losses. Lets hoep they can keep it up!

Wild have a nice break due to the Olympics

Many of the Wild players finally have a break and will resume play on March 3 against the Calgary Flames. For those who didn't make it, they are all making a point to cheer on their fellow teammates as they battle it for their home countries in the Olympics. Wild players, such as Mikko Koivu and Niklas Backstrom, have already began play yesterday and have started out strong. Click HERE for the 2010 Olympics Ice Hockey Schedule.

Backstrom back in net for Pheonix Coyotes game

After taking Backstrom out of the net for the past six games, the Wild have decided to take him off the injured list and back where he belongs. Josh Harding is still battling with an injured hip so this will be a good break for him to heal up. Niklas Backstrom has been dealing with a few back problems and being sick, but is ready to fight it out with his team.

In the last game against the Philadelphia Flyers, rookie Anton Khubodin had made 38 saves in his first NHL game helping the Wild win 2-1. We may see some great things from Khubodin in the near future if our starting goalies don't come through for the Wild.

Next year in Finland

I heard today that the MN Wild will be launching next year's season in Finland! Their first two games will be against the Carolina Hurricanes in Helsinki on October 7 and 8. Four other NHL teams will have their inaugural games in Europe as well (Sweden and the Czech Republic).

These games will be such a treat for Mikko Koivu, Antti Meittinen and Niklas Backstrom, since they are all Finland natives. These three are also on the Finnish Olympic hockey team this year.

I want tickets! Who wants to go to Finland with me?

Minnesota Wild Roster skates a great game to beat the Canadiens

The Minnesota Wild have had less than a perfect season, with several losses and some very sloppy skating early on, it was becoming hard to call myself a true Minnesota Wild fan...

Last night helped to change that, The Wild skated against the Montreal Canadiens, winning 3-1. Mikko Koivu provided strong leadership on the ice, directing most of the MN Wild offense. "Early in the game, you get the lead and you get the team going, and I think it's important on the road," Koivu said. "We did a pretty good job defensively, even if they had a lot of shots. In the third period we tried to keep it tight in the middle, and obviously Backstrom played a great game so that always helps."

Niklas Backstrom had a great game, blocking several shots and taking his personal winning streak to 4 games, while the Minnesota Wild are currently on a two game winning streak and are hopeful to extend that tonight with a game against the Senators.