Thomas Vanek Signs With Minnesota Wild

Possible foreshadowing of what was to come in the future? Here is Vanek, Parise and Suter all together before they were in the NHL

Chuck Fletcher has done it again. The Minnesota Wild signed Thomas Vanek today to a three year 19.5 million dollar deal, and in doing so brought the former Golden Gopher back to the State of Hockey.

As if you needed another reason to come out to the X, now you have another – to see the Austrian-born left-winger who led the Gophers to a national championship 11 years ago. For more info on the deal, here is the always excellent Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:

He has a full no-move clause and left money and term on the table from other teams. He'll earn $5.5 million in 2014-15, $6.5 million in 2015-16 and $7.5 million in 2016-17. He'll wear No. 26. 

Don’t know about you guys, but, as others have already said, we think this deal is vantastic.

Wild Coach Mike Yeo Recieves Contract Extension

And we couldn't be happier. The man deserves it after taking the team into the second round for just the second time in franchise history and posting a total record of 104-82-26 in his first three seasons at the helm.

Here is what Yeo had to say in a release posted on the Wild's website:

”I am very excited to continue to coach the Minnesota Wild and pursue a Stanley Cup for the State of Hockey,” said Yeo. “Our fan support has been amazing and it went to a new level during the playoffs this season. We are all motivated to reward them.”

Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher praised Yeo for the work he has put in over the past three seasons and also said in the release that the organization looks forward to Yeo's ongoing leadership as head coach.

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."

Craig MacTavish Interviews For Head Coaching Job

Craig MacTavish has been interviewed by Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher for the vacant head coaching job. MacTavish was also in the running two years ago when Fletcher went for a younger face, Todd Richards. Craig MacTavish coached the Oilers from 2000 to 2009. He got his master’s degree in business from Queen’s University late last year and he has worked for TSN for the past two seasons.

Todd Richards Fired as Head Coach of the Minnesota Wild

Todd Richards has been officially relieved of his coaching duties of the Minnesota Wild. He coached the team for 2 seasons, and missed the playoffs both seasons. General Manager Chuck Fletcher must believe the team needs to head in a new direction. I always liked Richards - a Minnesota native who played for the Gophers. However, you can't fire the players and sometimes a change is what's best. I'm eager to see who we can bring in as head coach. Good luck to Mr. Richards in his future endeavors.

Minnesota Wild in Pursuit of Stephane De Costa

The Minnesota Wild are in heavy pursuit for Merrimack's Stephane De Costa. The native of Paris, France is a dynamic forward who notched 45 points in 33 games as a sophomore. He is 5'11 and 180 lbs but has great vision and playmaker. It sounds like he is in heavy pursuit from several other teams, so let's hope Chuck Fletcher can lure De Costa here. It would be really fun to see what he can do in a Wild uniform.

Grading the Minnesota Wild 2010 NHL Draft

The Minnesota Wild completed their 2010 NHL Draft over the weekend in Los Angeles. They collected 6 new picks, 5 of whom are forwards, which can only help the Minnesota Wild. With the #9 overall pick, Minnesota selected Finnish center Mikael Granlund. Only 18 years old, Granlund is said to possess strong skating and playmaking abilities. At 5'10 the Wild believe what he makes up for in size is his vision and high hockey IQ. He amassed 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) while playing 43 games in one of Finland's most competitive leagues. The plan is believed to have Granlund stay another year in Finland before trying to jump into the NHL.

The Wild then selected three forwards in the 2nd round of the draft. With the #39 pick, Minnesota selected Canadian native Brett Bulmer of the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. Claimed to be a bit of a project pick, Minnesota hopes that Bulmer is just on his way to reaching his potential. He plays right-wing and shot up mock drafts in the last few months. With the #56 pick, Minnesota drafted Johan Larsson, a left-wing from Sweden. He led Sweden to a Silver medal in the U-18 World Championships this year and scored 34 points in 40 games in his Swedish league. The final pick of the second round for Minnesota was left-wing Jason Zucker at #59. Zucker is from Las Vegas, Nevada and became the first Las Vegas native to ever be drafted. Jason Zucker played for the United States Under 18-NTDP Team and led the team with 29 goals last season. He's described as a fierce competitor, that plays with edge and a lot of passion.

Minnesota didn't have a pick until the 6th round when it selected Swedish goalie Johan Gustafsson, which was considered a quality draft pick, not necessarily a need position. Former Wild Assistant GM Tommy Thompson had Gustafsson at #44 overall in his rankings. He is considered a big and athletic goalie, with a ton of upside. The Minnesota Wild's final pick was Canadian Dylen McKinlay, drafted at #189 in the 7th round. He played last season for the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins, amassing 20 goals and 42 points in 72 games.

Overall, as a Minnesota Wild fan you have to be pleased. Recognizing the need for scoring, General Manager Chuck Fletcher selected five forwards with a lot of potential and possibly a steal in the 6th round with the Swedish goalie Gustafsson. If the five drafted can develop into NHL caliber players, then the Wild would help their goal scoring issues. Again, time will tell.

James Sheppard Gets One Year Deal

James Sheppard agreed to a 1 year contract worth up to $803,250 with the Minnesota Wild last week. As many Wild fans are aware of, James Sheppard has been an underachiever in his tenure with the Wild. Drafted 9th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, Sheppard has yet to attain 25 points in a season although playing in 78, 82, and 64 games in three seasons. In a season in which General Manager Chuck Fletcher traded 2009 1st round pick Nick Leddy, as well as 2005 1st round pick Benoit Pouliot, resigning James Sheppard was not a guarantee. Last season was James Sheppard's lowest scoring output, registering 6 points in 64 games. James Sheppard must elevate his play next season with the Minnesota Wild if he ever wants to validate his first round selection. In today's NHL 1st round selections (especially top ten) are brought in to be contributors, not role players. James Sheppard's disappointment has hurt the Minnesota Wild's offense which only averaged 2.61 goals a game last season. If Sheppard can elevate his game and get on the scoring sheet, he could salvage his career. After all, Sheppard is still only 22 and with the right players around him he could flourish.

Todd Richards and his future with the Wild

As the second head coach in the 10 years of the Wild franchise, Todd Richards is a little disappointed with the outcome of his first year. However, Richards sees a bright future with the Wild. Rebuilding a team is a tough job and if the General Manager Chuck Fletcher can scrounge up another top scorer the Wild may have a shot at greatness next season. Don't mention next year to Todd Richards yet though. He needs to get through tomorrow and Saturday's game first. Go Wild!

The Wild have signed U of Mass player

Casey Wellman is a center hockey player fresh out of the University of Massachusetts. After battling about two dozen teams for Wellman's attention, the Wild were able to sign him. Casey Wellman is only a sophomore, and will receive a $90,000 signing bonus and the pro-rated portion of $810,000 in salary for the remainder of this season. Casey Wellman will be Spending the rest of the season in Minnesota, whether he is active on the roster or not. Wellman said that Chuck Fletcher was the reason he finally chose the MN Wild stating, "He's a great guy; he made me feel wanted."

REMIND ME AGAIN WHY I DIDN'T PRACTICE MORE?!

Wild recall Petr Kalus

Petr Kalus has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild, as General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced today. Kalus has been recalled for the right wing position from the Houston Aeros and onto the active roster for the Wild.

Petr Kalus (pronounced PEE-tuhr, KAY-lus) is 22 years old and a Czech Republic native. Since beginning his time on the Houston Aeros team, Kalus has played in 53 games this season. Kalus is a powerhouse on the ice and has been working his way up the ranks since 2008. No. 23 Petr Kalus is excited for this opportunity and will not let the MN Wild fans down in the remaining games of the season.

Wild sign new cetner Kyle Brodziak to a 3 year contract

MN Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced today that the Wild have signed center Kyle Brodziak to a 3 year contract. Kyle Broadziak joins the MN Wild roster from the Edmonton Oilers where he had 27 points including 3 extremely impressive game winning goals, a plus-4 rating, 21 penalty minutes in 79 games in the 2008-2009 schedule. In the 2007-2008 season, Kyle Broadziak posted 14 goals and 17 assists in 80 games.

Wild fans are hopeful that Kyle Broadziak will continue to post points and ratings like this in the upcoming MN Wild 2009 schedule.

Which Wild roster members will be up to the task of fast-paced hockey?

From day one, Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher has said that he wants to change the way the Wild play hockey. Fletcher wants to see a fast-paced game that revolves around strong puck handlers and fast skating. Which is why the Wild were courting Saku Koivu to fill the second line center position. Saku Koivu, however signed with the Anaheim Ducks and Fletcher said the Wild will not be perusing any more free agents.

So now the question becomes what will the Minnesota Wild offensive lines look like, one sports critic reported that it is likely Fletcher will go with Mikko Koivu centering Martin Havlat and Andrew Brunette on the first line and James Sheppard centering Owen Nolan and Pierre-Marc Bouchard on the second line. Last season Koivu and Burnette played very well together last season and hopefully adding Havlat to the mix will only amplify this powerhouse line.

Nothing will be decided until the Wild start skating late this summer but no matter who Fletcher decides to play it is clear that come this fall Wild hockey is going to be very different, and this is one Wild Fan that doesn't intend to miss a moment of the action.

Chuck Fletcher New Minnesota Wild GM, but who will he select as Wild head coach

Well, I got it right. I put my money on Chuck Fletcher getting the Minnesota Wild GM job and he did. So I am going to do the same for Minnesota Wild head coaching job (frankly I am more interested in that any way).

Rumored Minnesota Wild Head Coach Candidates and (my percentage):

Paul MacLean, in Detroit Red Wings assistant (62%)

Todd Richards, San Jose Sharks assistant (17%)

Peter Laviolette, former Carolina Hurricanes coach (13%)

Craig MacTavish, former Edmonton Oilers coach (8%)


This one seems a little harder to predict. Perhaps because I think having former Gopher Todd Richards behind the Wild bench would be cool, but I personally think that Paul MacLean has been part of organizations that are powerhouses in the NHL (Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks) and I want to know the secret to their success.

Stay Tuned Wild Fans. It may be the ‘off-season’, but Wild Hockey is heating up!