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."

2008-2009 Minnesota Wild Roster

I am embarrassed to admit it but I can't remember a past year when I had lower expectations than I have this year for the Minnesota Wild. The lack of "big splash" free agent signings as well as the loss of excellent contributors like Rolston and Demitra has me longing for the years when I expected the Minnesota Wild to win and go to the NHL Playoffs. However, let's face it, the Minnesota Wild hasn't exactly prospered in the playoffs since their improbable run to the Western Conference Finals during the 2002-2003 season. Every year after that run, I had extremely high expectations to only be let down by my favorite NHL team. I just hope that this year the exact opposite happens where I expect very little but the Minnesota Wild thrives and brings home their first Stanley Cup!

I am definitely going to grab a few Minnesota Wild Tickets for the Home Opener versus the Boston Bruins in order to see if the impressive preseason record is for real. GO WILD!!!

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.

2008 Wild Season a Disappointment!

I just spent a few minutes reflecting on the 2008 Minnesota Wild Season and I came to the conclusion that it was a total disappointment. I tried very hard to look at the positives but whenever I did, my mind went straight back to the first round NFL Playoff loss to the Colorado Avalanche. I as a Wild fan (freak), was not looking for moral victories like winning the division because at the beginning of the year I thought this team would contend for the Stanley Cup. It is going to be a long summer for the Minnesota Wild and the fans of the Minnesota Wild because of the early NHL playoff exit. If the team doesn't take the next step next year, the Minnesota Wild may have issues continuing their sell-out streak and Minnesota Wild tickets will no longer be a coveted item.

Boogaard On Way Out?

I am starting to get the feeling that one of my favorite Minnesota Wild players is on his way out. I don't have any proof that Derek Boogaard may of played his last game in a Minnesota Wild jersey but I feel like the writing is on the wall. Let's take a look at the facts:

1. The Minnesota Wild added tough guy Todd Fedoruk.
2. Aaron Voros has emerged as an adequate "enforcer" as well as goal scorer.
3. Derek Boogaard has been placed on the Injured Reserve after a long stay on the inactive list.
4. The NHL has placed a microscope on Derek Boogard's play and referees have been quick to penalize him.

Unfortunately, all of those things point to the greatest "Enforcer" in Minnesota Wild history losing his spot on the Wild roster. If my hunch comes true, I wouldn't want to be a "skilled" player on the Minnesota Wild. It will be open season on players like Demitra, Gaborik and Rolston without Boogaard dishing out punishment on those who take liberties with the Wild players.

Wild Should Sign Brian Rolston

I am a firm believer that the Minnesota Wild should sign Brian Rolston to a long term contract now instead of possibly losing him during the off season. He is the glue that holds the Minnesota Wild together and gives the Wild much needed veteran leadership on and off the ice. The word on the street is that the Minnesota Wild won't be able to afford both Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston. In my mind, it is a no brainer to let Demitra go while signing Rolston to a long term contract so he ends his career as a member of the Minnesota Wild. After watching him blast a slap shot past Calgary Flames goalie Kiprusoff in the first period last night I came to the conclusion that he is the Wild's most dangerous scorer. I just hope that the Minnesota Wild front office opens up their wallets and pays Brian Rolston what he deserves.

Marian Gaborik is Soft

Watching the Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins dominate the Minnesota Wild tonight made me long for a superstar that wasn't soft. I am so sick of Marian Gaborik and/or Pavol Demitra being sidelined with some lame injury. I wrote about this last year and unfortunately, the same crap is true this year. I don't know whether there is something in the water in Slovakia but Demitra and Gaborik are soft and I am sick of it. Both of them make way too much money to miss as many games as they do every year due to a "groin" injury. I wish that they would put on their "big girl" underpants and get back on the ice so we can see what this team can accomplish this year.

Remember, Last season, the Wild was 19-2-2 when Gaborik scored and 33-9-6 when he played.

Gaborik Where Are You?

Has anyone seen Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra? They have both been a no show for this NHL Playoff series against the Mighty Ducks. How do two talented players like Gaborik and Demitra not have one shot on goal in last Sunday's game? Even if the Minnesota Wild lose this series to the Mighty Ducks, it sure would be nice to see Gaborik and Demitra score a few goals. So, if you know where they are hiding, please let them know that their team is still playing this year. GO WILD!!!

Please Let There Be No Injuries

At this point of the season, with virtually no chance of catching the division leading Vancouver Canucks, the Minnesota Wild coaching staff should be resting Gaborik, Demitra, Rolston, Backstrom and Bouchard in order to prevent an injury. the only down side to resting them is that there is a chance that the team could lose some of their momentum. That is a risk that I am willing to take in order to guarantee that the Minnesota Wild will skate into the NHL Playoffs full-strength. GO WILD!!!

DOUG RISEBROUGH IS A GENIUS

The fact that Doug Risebrough traded for Pavol Demitra is proof that he is an NHL genius. I am beginning to think that Demitra and Gaborik are currently the best duo in the NHL. It has gotten to the point that I feel like they are simply toying with the opposition with their give and go passing. The only reason the these two are dominating right now and the Wild is on a huge winning streak is that Risebrough made a GREAT trade that brought the two of them together. Kudos to Doug Risebrough!

MINNESOTA WILD DOWN STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS

It is really starting to get fun. Last night, the Minnesota Wild Hockey Team beat the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-4. It definitely feels like some of the off season moves made by Doug Riseborough are starting to pay off now when it counts. It seems as though Pavol Demitra scores or gets an assist whenever the Minnesota Wild needs a big goal. I am also really starting to appreciate Mark Parrish for all of the little things that he does. The fact that he has been scoring is an added bonus. Three weeks ago, it was extremely frustrating to be a Wild fan. I would have to say that right now I am having as much fun as I have had since their playoff run a few years ago. I just hope that they can keep it up. GO WILD!!!