What to make of all this...

A column of opinion...by the Wild Road Tripper


Petr Sykora: Gone.

Robbie Earl: Doin' the Limbo.

Brent Burns: No more bells a-ringin'.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard: 'The Bells of St. Mary's', still playing in his noggin.

and, needed for Chuck Fletcher: Tums, Maalox, and Rolaids. (Nobody can take just one.)

Such is the current state of the Minnesota Wild, whose up-and-down season takes more roller coasters than Cedar Point Amusement Parks can offer up. Lose 2, win 2, lose 4, win 4, lose 3, and the ride just keeps on rolling. The question is asked: are the Wild going to be buyers at the trade deadline? Or are they sellers, with eight (count 'em: 8) potential unrestricted free agents (assuming someone either takes Sykora on waivers, or he is outright released)?

And, what other moves do the Wild have in store? I just got done watching a Washington Capitals team, who could REALLY use a big body as a 'rent-an-enforcer' for the upcoming playoffs, especially against another team I saw tonight, the Ottawa Senators. Yeah, those guys. Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Neil & Co. That bunch. How about the Rangers? The Flyers, with Daniel Carcillo and 'Stompin' Chris Pronger on their roster: The second coming of the Broad Street Bullies? The Canadiens and their 'pint-sized' lineup? Brian Burke and the Leafs? Buffalo Sabres?

And what about the West? Everyone needs someone to protect their skill guys in the playoffs. Detroit? Chicago? Phoenix? They all need some beef to protect all that cheese in the lineups.

It's less than 30 days from the mandated Olympic break, when the NHL grinds to a screeching halt for 16 days while the best players compete for their home countries. Dressing rooms are closed Feb. 15-23, and re-open Feb. 24. The trade deadline is March 3rd at 3 PM, Eastern Time. So, in closing, may I put the question out for discussion:

Are the Minnesota Wild buyers? Or are they sellers? Hmmm...