As a Fan I am frustrated. Yeah I get that the fact anyone can be traded might effect their play but they have to finish better. Up 2-nuts and they blow it. I always thought that the best defense is offense. It was all defense after they scored the 2nd goal. It just seems like it is like that almost every game or atleast the majority.
PMB shoot the damn puck. I listened to an interview with PMB and he talked about how he has to shoot the puck more. Umm well shoot the puck more.
Gabby- I love the guy. He gets better everytime he steps on the ice. Did you see the bubble around him everytime he has the puck?
Walz- I heard rumors about him getting traded. Do teams ever think about how much the fans like players before they consider trading players? I hope he finishes his career here.
Manny- He is the man.
Defense- sure missed Kuba last night. Probably will after the trade deadline too.
Bottom line is if the Wild stand to make the playoffs they need to have more players take a leading role each night.
They won't make the playoffs this year IMO, but they stand in a good spot to get their roster set for next year and begin their playoff run then. They should be very good next year with PMB, Gabby, Burns, and Koivu all getting another year of experience. Walz won't/shouldn't go anywhere, him and Mitchell have been the leaders of this team longer than anyone and they should stay as long as they are able to play at a high level. I'm excited for next year with the possibility of O'Sullivan and Voloshenko making the team and adding more skill on our offense, plus DR promised he will spend money this offseason so he should produce at least one signing that will make fans happy (Chara, Kubina, someone, anyone).
Yeah, I don't know how I've managed to keep watching this 05/06 team night in and night out for the whole season. I need to get a life I guess. It has really been like watching a bad movie over and over again. You always know how it's going to turn out and you know you're going to hate the ending. Or at least that's what it's like watching the 3rd periods in a tight game.
How many automatic points with a 50/50 opportunity for 2 have we seen go down the gutter this year. Normally, I would've been able to tolerate last night's game (despite blowing the 2 goal lead). At least they hung on for the regulation tie and had a chance at 2. Except for the fact that losing 1 and giving the Kings 2 was the final knockout blow for a playoff spot. But how many "1.5 points" did we throw away in the closing 6-7 minutes this year. Almost countless. More crunch time goals have gone into our own net deflected off Wild players then have been scored on the opponent. I don't even think I'm exaggerating. How many clutch goals can you remember this season? Gaborik's penalty shot in SJ. Foster in OT against MTL. I'm sure there's a few more, but I can't think of them. If we simply hang on for a tie and win 40% of those games in the shootout, I'm sure we're on the "inside 8" right now. The crazy thing is that when I checked the stats at the break, we had the 4th best GF:GA ratio in the Western Conference. And that only got us to 10th overall!?! How hard is that to do!
Well, that's the most I can muster. I'm actually pretty giddy about the idea of (2) 1st round picks this summer. I definitely think the future is bright. But this offseason is definitely put up or shut up time. I have backed the philosophy of this franchise all along. I know this was year 5, but I think it was wise to wait for the younger free agent class (with the exception of Kariya). With that said, I will feel cheated if we see anything less than Jokinen/Redden/Jovanovski or Savard/Parrish to go along with a resigned Willie Mitchell.
I think it was obvious by mid-December that this squad wasn't going to have enough. The scoring drought was brutal. And it wasn't just the lack of scoring. The weren't working, weren't doing the little things and weren't getting any bounces.
And to solve the scoring drought they put Burns on the wing. All I can say is he got plenty of ice time. I'm being slightly facetious in picking on JL's moving Burns to wing. I actually think it makes sense since we've got a glut of D men.
Koivu, Wanvig, Foy and Veilluex have been given long ropes. I think that Wanvig and Foy hung themselves although Foy at least has been scoring in Houston. I think KW and MF are filler until a better prospect comes along. I think Veilleux is developing into a Walz's partner on the checking line. I'm hoping that he and Koivu have better year's next year.
Yea, PMB needs to shoot more. I think that if he has a player like Mark Parrish in front of the net he might shoot more. We need someone willing and able to park in front of the net.
Surprise, Surprise! Harding got called up today. We now have a 1-2 combination in net.
I think we're in good shape defensively. We've got a young, mobile defensive corps. Mitchell and Foster make a great tandem. Tjarnquist has gained my respect. Burns is gonna be awesome soon and for a long time. Schultz is dependable once he gets it going sometime in December. Kuba had a crappy year. So did a lot of guys. I'd be happy with him returning next year. We'll know by 2pm tomorrow.
Daigle is gone. I'll be surprised if Dupuis isn't traded. The had complete horse s**t years. Welcome Mr. Weinhandl, villkommen.
All we need next year is second tier scoring. Who is going to step forward next year?
Will Koivu gain/regain his scoring touch? Will O'Sullivan get his chance? Will we sign someone like Mark Parrish to park in front of the net? Will Pouliot have another awesome preseason and force his way onto the team?
I'd really interested in seeing what develops over the summer.
Koivu will be fine once he gets some real wingers to skate with.
I think Foy did pretty well, and was sent down so he could play regularly.
The Wild have been a class act with their youngsters, very fair, and they've given Wanvig and Veilleux an honest shot to show what they can do. I don't think either one has shown much to be honest, and I hope they lose their jobs next fall.
Foy is younger, and will perhaps get his shot next year, along with O'Sullivan.
