Ah, yes. The heat of summer. Time to go back into the archives, and look at six Minnesota Wild games which really, well, precipitated last May's demise at the hands of the eventual champions, the Chicago Blackhawks.
This is the eighth version of the 'Six-Pack', and, as always, the upshot of all this is that Wild fans want the club to be that much better. They won't stand for the kind of hockey that these games purported to be played as...
1.) Oct. 27, 2014. NY Rangers 5, Minnesota Wild 4. This game could have been the Wild's to win; after all, the Wild built up a 3-0 lead heading into the third period at Madison Square Garden. Alas, the boys in the green breezers then decided, to take the rest of the night off. Rangers scored five times in the third period (a new Rangers record, BTW) to place defeat in the jaws of victory.
2.) Nov. 26, 2014. LA Kings 4, Wild 0. The day before Thanksgiving, the Los Angeles Kings came into the 'X', and literally carved up the Wild, like many of the angered patrons would do to turkeys the next day. The fact that this was a day before a major US holiday made it bad enough. The fact that it was a Western Conference opponent just made it that much worse.
3.) Dec. 20, 2014. Nashville 6, Wild 5 (OT). A game which should have never gone into overtime did, and when it did, the Predators walked away with two points, and the Wild were left floundering, and on the precipice of free-fall. The next game would be even worse.
4.) Dec. 23, 2014. Philadelphia 5, Wild 2. Nice say to say 'Happy Holidays' to your fan base, boys. Stink the joint out, then go on a 3-day break. This game was ugly and got worse as the night dragged on. The Flyers got revenge for the Wild's 3-2 win in Philly 5 weeks earlier. And how.
5.) Jan. 13, 2015. Pittsburgh 7, Wild 2. This one was over in the second period. No jump. No goaltending (was Niklas Backstrom injured in this game?). Definitely no offense. This Wild team was in free-fall by now, and ended the night in 12th -- TWELTH -- in the Western Conference. Afterwards, even Ryan Suter was sounding despondent. Something had to be done, and fast. Chuck Fletcher did, sending a 3rd-round draft pick to Arizona for Devan Dubnyk. And, from the ashes of this night from hell, the season would be eventually resurrected, only to come down to one game...
6.) April 6, 2015. Winnipeg 2, Wild 0. Had the Wild won this game, the first of their final back-to-back of the season, the Wild would have faced Nashville in the first round, while St. Louis and Chicago would have become first-round opponents. All I have to say is: "What might have been..."
Enjoy the rest of your summer. Let's meet up again soon.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Saturday, May 23, 2015
After the Fall: Wild post-mortem (Part I)
Well, the Minnesota Wild season is over. Has been for about two weeks now. Do we dare look back, and at least try to smile, after a season when a goaltender managed to single-handedly turn Chicken(bleep) into Chicken salad, only to get crushed like a pan pizza, against the Chicago Blackhawks? Let's go...
The Wild in 2014-15 is the tale of two seasons; pre-January 14, and January 15 and afterwards.
Before January 14, you had numerous blowouts against the Wild, including the last two games before the arrival of the season's savior; the numerous injuries; two illnesses ravaging the team; and the 12th-worst record in the NHL's Western Conference following a 7-2 drubbing at Consol Energy Center vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 13, a game which I witnessed in person. And, left early (the second time I ever did that, by the way.)
There is reason for optimism. A legit first line, two decent centers, a vastly improved defense, and for the first time in four seasons, decent goaltending. But there is also cause for alarm, as well.
Players thinking the goal is 9 yards wide, instead of six feet. Certain players thinking the opposition blue line is the equivalent of the Demilitarized Zone. Poor aim (or, none at all) while shooting. (Or, being so afraid to score, as to not bother shooting at all, even when a wide-open net is directly in front of them).
The defense is not immune, either. Too much ice time by one (or two) defensemen dragging the team down in the playoffs. Too many turnovers (especially late in home games).
The goaltending quandry is about to take an upward turn, as Josh Harding 's contract expires, Niklas Backstrom is due to be bought out (Backstrom has one year left on his contract), which leaves only the 'new' goalie -- Devan Dubnyk, who has indicated he wishes to return -- to be signed during the next 35 days (or so). Remember, July 1 is NHL Free agency day.
So, the season had two parts: pre-Devan, and after-trade.
Part I: Started well enough, won four of the first six games prior to the first sign of trouble, the classic third-period collapse vs. the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, when the Wild blew a 3-1 3rd period lead and lost 5-4 in regulation.
Following that, three wins, and then a 3-game road trip (at Ottawa, Montreal and New Jersey) in which the Wild scored a measly two -- 2 -- goals, while giving up 10 at the same time.
After that, an up-and-down November, punctuated by the Thanksgiving Eve turkey served up to the Wild fans by the LA Kings -- a 4-0 drubbing, one which sent the faithful out of the 'X,' booing the team lustily as they went into the night.
And then...there was the 2014-15 Holiday season. Free points for everyone playing the Wild, except one poor unfortunate team (Toronto). An absolutely abysmal 2-7-4 record from December 15 to January 13. Five times when the 'defensively-minded' Wild gave up five or more goals, including two games where they gave up SEVEN goals (fortunately, neither game was in St. Paul, so all Wild fans had to do is turn off the TV set).
And then, there was Part II: An immediate 8-0-1 record after Dubnyk arrived in Buffalo early in the morning on Jan. 15. The best record in the entire NHL after Jan. 15th. Optimism reigned supreme, as pessimism was shown the door, and the Wild caught no less than 5 teams to claim the No. 1 wild-card spot in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season was saved, after all.
And then, being the only wild-card team to make it past the first round of the playoffs. Granted, the second round showed that the Wild still have a ways to go as a unit, but that the foundation is, indeed, there for the future. All it needs is yet another round of unloading overpaid underachievers, and that the youth of this franchise may actually be in position, to take this franchise where Wild fans want it to go.
Finally.
The Wild in 2014-15 is the tale of two seasons; pre-January 14, and January 15 and afterwards.
Before January 14, you had numerous blowouts against the Wild, including the last two games before the arrival of the season's savior; the numerous injuries; two illnesses ravaging the team; and the 12th-worst record in the NHL's Western Conference following a 7-2 drubbing at Consol Energy Center vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 13, a game which I witnessed in person. And, left early (the second time I ever did that, by the way.)
There is reason for optimism. A legit first line, two decent centers, a vastly improved defense, and for the first time in four seasons, decent goaltending. But there is also cause for alarm, as well.
Players thinking the goal is 9 yards wide, instead of six feet. Certain players thinking the opposition blue line is the equivalent of the Demilitarized Zone. Poor aim (or, none at all) while shooting. (Or, being so afraid to score, as to not bother shooting at all, even when a wide-open net is directly in front of them).
The defense is not immune, either. Too much ice time by one (or two) defensemen dragging the team down in the playoffs. Too many turnovers (especially late in home games).
The goaltending quandry is about to take an upward turn, as Josh Harding 's contract expires, Niklas Backstrom is due to be bought out (Backstrom has one year left on his contract), which leaves only the 'new' goalie -- Devan Dubnyk, who has indicated he wishes to return -- to be signed during the next 35 days (or so). Remember, July 1 is NHL Free agency day.
So, the season had two parts: pre-Devan, and after-trade.
Part I: Started well enough, won four of the first six games prior to the first sign of trouble, the classic third-period collapse vs. the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, when the Wild blew a 3-1 3rd period lead and lost 5-4 in regulation.
Following that, three wins, and then a 3-game road trip (at Ottawa, Montreal and New Jersey) in which the Wild scored a measly two -- 2 -- goals, while giving up 10 at the same time.
After that, an up-and-down November, punctuated by the Thanksgiving Eve turkey served up to the Wild fans by the LA Kings -- a 4-0 drubbing, one which sent the faithful out of the 'X,' booing the team lustily as they went into the night.
And then...there was the 2014-15 Holiday season. Free points for everyone playing the Wild, except one poor unfortunate team (Toronto). An absolutely abysmal 2-7-4 record from December 15 to January 13. Five times when the 'defensively-minded' Wild gave up five or more goals, including two games where they gave up SEVEN goals (fortunately, neither game was in St. Paul, so all Wild fans had to do is turn off the TV set).
And then, there was Part II: An immediate 8-0-1 record after Dubnyk arrived in Buffalo early in the morning on Jan. 15. The best record in the entire NHL after Jan. 15th. Optimism reigned supreme, as pessimism was shown the door, and the Wild caught no less than 5 teams to claim the No. 1 wild-card spot in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season was saved, after all.
And then, being the only wild-card team to make it past the first round of the playoffs. Granted, the second round showed that the Wild still have a ways to go as a unit, but that the foundation is, indeed, there for the future. All it needs is yet another round of unloading overpaid underachievers, and that the youth of this franchise may actually be in position, to take this franchise where Wild fans want it to go.
Finally.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Since we've last met...
Minnesota Wild finally find their goaltender, game, and get back in playoff hunt
'O, the times, they are a-changin'...'
Remember that old 60's song? That phrase could also apply to the Minnesota Wild, as they are rising from the ashes of the NHL Western Conference playoff race, to get back to at least respectability as the 2014-15 season comes into the final 20-22 games of the regular season.
The trade for Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona (nee-Phoenix) Coyotes has been a Godsend for the beleaguered Wild goaltending corps. Not having to depend on second-year Darcy Kuemper, or 37-year-old and physically beat up Niklas Backstrom has steadied the Wild defense, despite injuries to Jared Spurgeon (concussion) and Marco Scandella (cut) in back-to-back games.
On the offensive side, the step-up of Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Schroeder and Justin Fontaine makes up for the unfortunate loss of Jason Zucker (collarbone), Ryan Carter (lower body) and Matt Cooke (sports hernia) in the last 30 days.
The Wild also got a break from the schedule makers, as well: with 9 games in the last 4 weeks against Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the Wild went 8-1 against their former Northwest Division rivals.
The next four weeks are not as kind to the Wild. Two games vs. Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis, all Western Conference rivals. The Washington Capitals also show up twice in the next 4 weeks. Single games against Ottawa, Carolina, New Jersey, and Anaheim should spice things up a bit as well. Hopefully by the time Anaheim shows up (Mar. 13, a Friday night) the Ducks will have solidified a playoff spot, and will be ready to lighten up a bit. For now, at least.
The schedule has 8 home games and 6 games on the road between now and March 21 (a 1:00 PM start) vs. St. Louis. In my opinion, the Wild needs to sweep the home games and go at least .500 on the road. That would bring the Wild to 89 points, within striking distance of clinching a playoff spot.
As of now (yes, shameless optimism), the Wild are:
* 2 points behind Winnipeg, with 3 games in hand (again) after Winnipeg plays tonight at (really) lowly Toronto.
* One point behind San Jose, again with three games in hand after tonight's game vs. the LA Kings at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara (NHL Stadium Series). Should the Kings win in regulation, the Sharks would drop to 9th place, one point ahead of the Wild. (LA and the Wild will have played the same number of games after tonight).
*The Wild can basically make the Dallas Stars irrelevant if they win in regulation tomorrow night. The Stars will be either five or seven points (depending on tonight's Detroit at Dallas game) behind the Wild, and will have played one more game.
*Calgary, Vancouver, San Jose and LA are four teams playing for basically three spots. Which team throws in the towel first?
And, one last tidbit, which should be interesting for Wild fans:
*The Wild are eight points behind Chicago for third place in the Central Division. The Wild have one game in hand on the Blackhawks. And, one game against each other (Apr. 7, at the United Center.)
Just sayin'....
'O, the times, they are a-changin'...'
Remember that old 60's song? That phrase could also apply to the Minnesota Wild, as they are rising from the ashes of the NHL Western Conference playoff race, to get back to at least respectability as the 2014-15 season comes into the final 20-22 games of the regular season.
The trade for Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona (nee-Phoenix) Coyotes has been a Godsend for the beleaguered Wild goaltending corps. Not having to depend on second-year Darcy Kuemper, or 37-year-old and physically beat up Niklas Backstrom has steadied the Wild defense, despite injuries to Jared Spurgeon (concussion) and Marco Scandella (cut) in back-to-back games.
On the offensive side, the step-up of Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Schroeder and Justin Fontaine makes up for the unfortunate loss of Jason Zucker (collarbone), Ryan Carter (lower body) and Matt Cooke (sports hernia) in the last 30 days.
The Wild also got a break from the schedule makers, as well: with 9 games in the last 4 weeks against Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the Wild went 8-1 against their former Northwest Division rivals.
The next four weeks are not as kind to the Wild. Two games vs. Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis, all Western Conference rivals. The Washington Capitals also show up twice in the next 4 weeks. Single games against Ottawa, Carolina, New Jersey, and Anaheim should spice things up a bit as well. Hopefully by the time Anaheim shows up (Mar. 13, a Friday night) the Ducks will have solidified a playoff spot, and will be ready to lighten up a bit. For now, at least.
The schedule has 8 home games and 6 games on the road between now and March 21 (a 1:00 PM start) vs. St. Louis. In my opinion, the Wild needs to sweep the home games and go at least .500 on the road. That would bring the Wild to 89 points, within striking distance of clinching a playoff spot.
As of now (yes, shameless optimism), the Wild are:
* 2 points behind Winnipeg, with 3 games in hand (again) after Winnipeg plays tonight at (really) lowly Toronto.
* One point behind San Jose, again with three games in hand after tonight's game vs. the LA Kings at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara (NHL Stadium Series). Should the Kings win in regulation, the Sharks would drop to 9th place, one point ahead of the Wild. (LA and the Wild will have played the same number of games after tonight).
*The Wild can basically make the Dallas Stars irrelevant if they win in regulation tomorrow night. The Stars will be either five or seven points (depending on tonight's Detroit at Dallas game) behind the Wild, and will have played one more game.
*Calgary, Vancouver, San Jose and LA are four teams playing for basically three spots. Which team throws in the towel first?
And, one last tidbit, which should be interesting for Wild fans:
*The Wild are eight points behind Chicago for third place in the Central Division. The Wild have one game in hand on the Blackhawks. And, one game against each other (Apr. 7, at the United Center.)
Just sayin'....
Friday, January 23, 2015
All-Star Break: For fans and players alike
In this season of almost unbelievable swings of fate, do the Hockey Gods have more woe in store for Minnesota Wild fans? Or, does the pendulum begin swinging the other way, towards the miracle of a playoff spot?
To be honest, I'm not too optimistic that the Wild overtake no less than four teams (three of which were in the playoffs in 2014) and make the playoffs. that's not opinion; that's supported by fact. Teams in the NHL that would not qualify in December, generally don't if they are still out in January. And let's be honest: the way the Wild have played since the middle of December, the Wild have not deserved to be even in the hunt for the playoffs. Eight times since Dec. 15, the Wild gave up 5 goals or more. Eight. Of 18 total games played. That's 44.44% of the time.
You just don't make the playoffs with your goal filling up like that. It just doesn't happen.
Now, supposedly (although it didn't look that way vs. the retooling Detroit Red Wings) the team's goaltending woes were taken care of, with the trade for Devan Dubnyk from Arizona. Dubnyk came in, pitched a 7-0 shutout of the Buffalo Sabres, and the Wild were on their way.
Am I right?
Then they came home, and the jinx which has been the 2014-15 Wild season reared its' ugly head after the Hockey Day Minnesota game vs. the Coyotes, who are also in a rebuild mode. Then, a beleaguered Columbus Blue Jackets team came in, and showed the Wild up. Then, on to Detroit.
Now, the future: After the All-Star break, 7 of the next 12 games are against former Northwest Division foes Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. If the Wild can't squeeze at least 10 points from the seven games, even the most die-hard fan will sit back, and say:
It's over.
To be honest, I'm not too optimistic that the Wild overtake no less than four teams (three of which were in the playoffs in 2014) and make the playoffs. that's not opinion; that's supported by fact. Teams in the NHL that would not qualify in December, generally don't if they are still out in January. And let's be honest: the way the Wild have played since the middle of December, the Wild have not deserved to be even in the hunt for the playoffs. Eight times since Dec. 15, the Wild gave up 5 goals or more. Eight. Of 18 total games played. That's 44.44% of the time.
You just don't make the playoffs with your goal filling up like that. It just doesn't happen.
Now, supposedly (although it didn't look that way vs. the retooling Detroit Red Wings) the team's goaltending woes were taken care of, with the trade for Devan Dubnyk from Arizona. Dubnyk came in, pitched a 7-0 shutout of the Buffalo Sabres, and the Wild were on their way.
Am I right?
Then they came home, and the jinx which has been the 2014-15 Wild season reared its' ugly head after the Hockey Day Minnesota game vs. the Coyotes, who are also in a rebuild mode. Then, a beleaguered Columbus Blue Jackets team came in, and showed the Wild up. Then, on to Detroit.
Now, the future: After the All-Star break, 7 of the next 12 games are against former Northwest Division foes Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. If the Wild can't squeeze at least 10 points from the seven games, even the most die-hard fan will sit back, and say:
It's over.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Been there, done that. Doing them all...
As the song says...'I've been everywhere, man...'
That's right. I've done all 30 NHL arenas currently in use by member clubs. And all of them to see the Minnesota Wild play.
There have been great games (the first two, a 3-0 shutout of Ottawa, followed by a 6-3 win at Montreal), fantastic finishes (a 5-3 win at Colorado, a 7-6 come from behind shootout win, after bring down 6-3 starting the 3rd period), memorable weeks (2 wins at Chicago five days apart, in 2006-07; the Western Canadian swing in 2008; the New York turn in 2009; NHL Premiere 2010 in Helsinki, Finland; the Florida turn from this past November.)
And then, there was this past week. Yeah. It was absolutely yucky. And I'm not talking weather.
Two back-to-back games where the Wild failed to complete 60 minutes of hockey. Two back-to-back thumpings, at the hands of two of the NHL's best teams (Chicago and Pittsburgh). Two more losses on my record (3-4-3 in my last 10; 24-27-6-1 all-time overall).
But, it wasn't all bad. Lou Molnati's pizza in Chicago, and the massive Veal Parmesan from Big Jim's in the Run in Pittsburgh (it filled a platter!) really made sure we were well-fortified for our evenings ahead. And, the local fans around us were nothing short of fantastic (as they usually are. Hockey fans are cool that way.)
It's been fun, and very educational as well. Every hockey fan should see their team on the road at least once. Get out there and represent your team.
Enough of my soap box, though. The Wild game is on soon from Buffalo. Gotta get going...
That's right. I've done all 30 NHL arenas currently in use by member clubs. And all of them to see the Minnesota Wild play.
There have been great games (the first two, a 3-0 shutout of Ottawa, followed by a 6-3 win at Montreal), fantastic finishes (a 5-3 win at Colorado, a 7-6 come from behind shootout win, after bring down 6-3 starting the 3rd period), memorable weeks (2 wins at Chicago five days apart, in 2006-07; the Western Canadian swing in 2008; the New York turn in 2009; NHL Premiere 2010 in Helsinki, Finland; the Florida turn from this past November.)
And then, there was this past week. Yeah. It was absolutely yucky. And I'm not talking weather.
Two back-to-back games where the Wild failed to complete 60 minutes of hockey. Two back-to-back thumpings, at the hands of two of the NHL's best teams (Chicago and Pittsburgh). Two more losses on my record (3-4-3 in my last 10; 24-27-6-1 all-time overall).
But, it wasn't all bad. Lou Molnati's pizza in Chicago, and the massive Veal Parmesan from Big Jim's in the Run in Pittsburgh (it filled a platter!) really made sure we were well-fortified for our evenings ahead. And, the local fans around us were nothing short of fantastic (as they usually are. Hockey fans are cool that way.)
It's been fun, and very educational as well. Every hockey fan should see their team on the road at least once. Get out there and represent your team.
Enough of my soap box, though. The Wild game is on soon from Buffalo. Gotta get going...
Friday, January 9, 2015
The Woe that is Yeo
Goaltending woes, lazy play doom Minnesota Wild to hockey's scrap heap, as season drags on
By Wild Road Tripper
Let's all face the reality of the situation, folks. The Minnesota Wild probably will not make the NHL playoffs this season.
Currently mired in 12th place in the Western Conference, this ragtag group of middling hockey players -- who showed such promise when the season started four months ago -- have fallen thru the bottom of the playoff standings and are headlong destined for the Conor McDavid sweepstakes, if they can't pull their collective head out and play like they did in the first 20 games of the season.
In the last 11 games, the Wild are a maudlin 2-5-4, which, in baseball terms, is a .364 percentage. With a payroll approaching the salary cap of $60 Million, to get this kind of mediocrity from this group of players is flat out unacceptable.
The problems, in my humble opinion, are:
1. Goaltending. Between the two current goalies (Darcy Kuemper, Niklas Backstrom) they have the second-worst save percentage in the NHL. These two cannot stop the proverbial beach ball right now. The Wild need a proven No. 1 goaltender while Kuemper gets his act together; the fact that his confidence has been shattered, as bad as a bull in the china shop, makes the need for a proven No. 1 goaltender that much more urgent. The Wild's ownership cannot afford to have the Xcel Energy Center without its' prime occupant, after the last regular-season game on April 6th. The difference between profit and loss is between the pipes, literally and figuratively.
2. Beat-up Defense. The defensive corps, thin to begin with after years of neglect, became thinner due to illness, injury and Dustin Byfuglien's last two games vs. the Wild. The fact that one team (Winnipeg Jets) is continually allowed to beat up the defense without impunity speaks volumes as to how fragile the Wild's defensive corps really is. And, with next to no help available from within the organization, it looks like the Wild need to trade for a left-shot, right-side defenseman who can play on the Wild's third pairing.
3. Vanek, the Impaler. Thomas Vanek has single-handedly impaled the Wild's playoff chances. Between the lack of shooting, the poor passes when he is actually able to get to the puck, Vanek's inability to handle breakaways, and his general disdain for using his size to his team's advantage, Vanek has virtually done everything possible to sink the Wild's playoff chances. While his linemates try to play defense, Vanek does figure skating compulsory figure 8's at center ice, waiting for the puck that will rarely get his way, and when it does, he can't finish the play, as he is too slow to avoid the rush of the defenseman coming up from behind him. While the coaching staff continues to coddle Vanek, the fans sit in awe...of his inability to justify his $6.5 Million annual salary.
He is untradeable, unwatchable...and unbelievable.
4. Medical Woes. First, the mumps. Then, norovirus (possibly spread at a Chuck E. Cheese pizza outlet in a Twin Cities suburb). Whatever the reasons, the fact that this team is always in a bad medical state, leads one to believe that there must be more to it, than just the 'team is always together' theory. Does the entire medical staff need to be relieved of duties, in order to keep the Wild healthy thru the holiday period? Does the team need to 'fort up' in the St. Paul Hotel over the holidays? Or can another way to keep the team healthy be found?
Whatever the reasons, the Wild's season now hangs in the balance. The half-way point for the Wild will come next week on the 3-game road trip, starting Sunday night in Chicago. Changing the coaching staff won't help. Changing the player attitudes, however, is much easier said than done.
By Wild Road Tripper
Let's all face the reality of the situation, folks. The Minnesota Wild probably will not make the NHL playoffs this season.
Currently mired in 12th place in the Western Conference, this ragtag group of middling hockey players -- who showed such promise when the season started four months ago -- have fallen thru the bottom of the playoff standings and are headlong destined for the Conor McDavid sweepstakes, if they can't pull their collective head out and play like they did in the first 20 games of the season.
In the last 11 games, the Wild are a maudlin 2-5-4, which, in baseball terms, is a .364 percentage. With a payroll approaching the salary cap of $60 Million, to get this kind of mediocrity from this group of players is flat out unacceptable.
The problems, in my humble opinion, are:
1. Goaltending. Between the two current goalies (Darcy Kuemper, Niklas Backstrom) they have the second-worst save percentage in the NHL. These two cannot stop the proverbial beach ball right now. The Wild need a proven No. 1 goaltender while Kuemper gets his act together; the fact that his confidence has been shattered, as bad as a bull in the china shop, makes the need for a proven No. 1 goaltender that much more urgent. The Wild's ownership cannot afford to have the Xcel Energy Center without its' prime occupant, after the last regular-season game on April 6th. The difference between profit and loss is between the pipes, literally and figuratively.
2. Beat-up Defense. The defensive corps, thin to begin with after years of neglect, became thinner due to illness, injury and Dustin Byfuglien's last two games vs. the Wild. The fact that one team (Winnipeg Jets) is continually allowed to beat up the defense without impunity speaks volumes as to how fragile the Wild's defensive corps really is. And, with next to no help available from within the organization, it looks like the Wild need to trade for a left-shot, right-side defenseman who can play on the Wild's third pairing.
3. Vanek, the Impaler. Thomas Vanek has single-handedly impaled the Wild's playoff chances. Between the lack of shooting, the poor passes when he is actually able to get to the puck, Vanek's inability to handle breakaways, and his general disdain for using his size to his team's advantage, Vanek has virtually done everything possible to sink the Wild's playoff chances. While his linemates try to play defense, Vanek does figure skating compulsory figure 8's at center ice, waiting for the puck that will rarely get his way, and when it does, he can't finish the play, as he is too slow to avoid the rush of the defenseman coming up from behind him. While the coaching staff continues to coddle Vanek, the fans sit in awe...of his inability to justify his $6.5 Million annual salary.
He is untradeable, unwatchable...and unbelievable.
4. Medical Woes. First, the mumps. Then, norovirus (possibly spread at a Chuck E. Cheese pizza outlet in a Twin Cities suburb). Whatever the reasons, the fact that this team is always in a bad medical state, leads one to believe that there must be more to it, than just the 'team is always together' theory. Does the entire medical staff need to be relieved of duties, in order to keep the Wild healthy thru the holiday period? Does the team need to 'fort up' in the St. Paul Hotel over the holidays? Or can another way to keep the team healthy be found?
Whatever the reasons, the Wild's season now hangs in the balance. The half-way point for the Wild will come next week on the 3-game road trip, starting Sunday night in Chicago. Changing the coaching staff won't help. Changing the player attitudes, however, is much easier said than done.
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