Minnesota Wild went tough, but won’t endure

It is interesting to this MN Wild Freak that the Minnesota Wild didn’t extend a contract to either Aaron Voros or Todd Fedoruk, both Minnesota Wild tough guys. It surprises me because the Wild went so tough last year and then what? Decided to change direction? I don’t know. They drafted physical defenseman Tyler Cuma, but why not try to keep Voros or Fedoruk to insure enough muscle on the ice for the immediate next season. It seems worthless to put together a tough team and then let it fall apart so quickly.

As far as skill players go, the Minnesota Wild still haven’t sealed a deal with Brian Rolston. It appears Rolston is looking for a bigger offer and hoping to get one post July 1st. Keep checking my hockey wilderness blog for Minnesota Wild Roster updates!

Andrew Brunette back in a Wild sweater

I wrote a story about Andrew Brunette coming back over on Hockey Wilderness awhile back and I am not ready to let the issue die. If one thing is for certain, every Minnesota Wild fan wants Andrew Brunette back. Sure, he is playing for the Colorado Avalanche and liking it, but his contract is open and the Wild could use him back. If the Wild get him back, would that up the teams chances in FINALLY making it to the Stanley Cup? The answer is a definite yes. Brunette is a proven hockey player, especially in the playoffs. Add Andrew Brunette to the stellar Minnesota Wild roster of Brian Rolston, Marian Gaborik, Nick Schultz, Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns and friends and the Minnesota Wild turn into a better version of the Detroit Red Wings. No joke.

Wild make first offseason move, secure Marc-Andre Bergeron

There is no doubt that the Minnesota Wild will be busy during the off season. They have plenty of loose ends to deal with including free agents, new signings and soon to be expired contracts. I would love to be a fly on the wall at the Minnesota Wild offices right now.

The Minnesota Wild made their first off season move this week trading a third round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron. I am not sure what the exact motivation was for this particular move since Bergeron is not a proven player. He’s not physical and he had a minus-16 plus-minus rating last season. Perhaps he will fill the slot of Kurtis Foster until he gets that femur back to normal. My guess is Bergeron will bounce in and out of the Minnesota Wild lineup next year and will not be a key player.

Hockey Wilderness has a new look

My other Minnesota Wild Blog, Hockey Wilderness, has a sweet new layout. I haven’t figured out how to use all the bells and whistles yet, but I am stoked! It looks trendier than the previous version and the folks over at SB Nation promise big things from this new site. Wish me luck at figuring it out and stop over and sign-up for an account and comment me! Go Wild!

NHL playoffs

Well hockey fans, it looks like the two best teams in the NHL are on a collision course to make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins both lead their conference final playoff series 3 games to none. I guess I can't say this MN Wild Freak is surprised. I love the NHL and I love professional hockey, it’s fitting the two best teams meet up. I just wish I wasn't watching it in my living room and was watching it at the Xcel Energy Center instead.

Minnesota Wild NHL Playoff Jinx

To further prove my Minnesota Wild is jinxed in the NHL Playoffs theory, look at my Wild ticket prices post on hockey wilderness. 13 playoff games, yikes!

Insult to Injury!

I thought that I was as depressed as I could get after the Minnesota Wild lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games. That was until the Avalanche were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in four games in the Western Conference Semifinals. How does a team (Avalanche) and a goalie (Theodore) play so well against the Minnesota Wild and so Poorly the next week against the Red Wings? Give me a break, the Avalanche lost 8-2 in game four!

This is further proof that the Minnesota Wild is jinxed in the NHL Playoffs and may never again advance out of the first round. Could someone please email me and help talk me down off the ledge?

Minnesota Wild MN Wild Freak

If anyone wants to discuss any of my Minnesota Wild blog posts over the summer, please send me an email and don't forget that the next Wild season is only five months away. GO WILD!!!

Don't forget to check out my other Minnesota Wild hockey blog: Hockey Wilderness

Am I Being a Baby?

I feel like I am being a baby but I am not sure. I watched the Red Wings vs. Avalanche game last night and I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself as well as the whole "Wild Nation." First of all, how does the often injured Peter Forsberg last the entire series versus the Wild yet misses the first game versus the Red Wings? Second of all, how does Jose Theodore play like the second coming of Ken Dryden versus the Wild yet gives up four goals and gets yanked in the first game versus the Red Wings? I can't help but think that if either of these things occurred in the Wild series, there would have been a totally different outcome. However, maybe I am Just being a baby?

Marian Gaborik Hip Injury

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am not a huge Marian Gaborik fan. I get tired of all of his “injuries” and excuses and his whole I will play my hardest when I want to play my hardest attitude. I just read that Gabby is claiming a hip injury that will keep him from playing in the World Championship games this summer. Another injury? Come on. Well, at least he isn’t making an excuse to get out of a playoff game, that would send me over the edge! He better not use that hip injury as an excuse for his poor performance in the NHL playoffs, though. Be a man, Gaborik, own up.

Top 5 Positives for Minnesota Wild Season

Here is a list of the five positives I have taken away from the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season:

1. The emergence of Mikko Koivu as a bona fide star.
2. The continued development of Brent Burns into a top tier NHL Defenseman.
3. Winning the Northwest Division.
4. The defining of Stephane Veilleux as a "Grinder."
5. The play of Todd Fedoruk as both a "Scorer" as well as a "Heavyweight."

Top 5 Minnesota Wild Season Disappointments

These are the five biggest negatives that I have taken away from the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season:

1. Marian Gaborik not showing up for the NHL Playoffs.
2. The Minnesota Wild losing in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
3. Pavol Demitra playing below expectations.
4. Niklas Backstrom coming back to earth and simply playing above average.
5. Doug Riseborough not doing what it takes to improve the team at the trading deadline.