Grading the Minnesota Wild's Defensemen And Goalies

We're halfway through the 2013 NHL regular season, and the Wild find themselves in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With half the season left, can the Wild hang onto a Playoff berth? Or, will they suffer another late-season swoon that causes them to miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season? 

One way or another the answer to those questions figures to lie in the play of the club's defensemen and goaltenders down the stretch. With the Wild still struggling to produce consistent offense, their defense has been the major catalyst for their success throughout much of the season. And their  defense will be the reason they either make or miss the playoffs, because this club is not going to turn into a goal scoring juggernaut overnight.

So, what better time than the season's mid-way point to hand out grades to the Minnesota Wild's defensemen and goaltenders.

Handing out Grades to the Minnesota Wild: Part 1- Forwards

Amazingly, the Minnesota Wild has already played 16 games so far this season, which represents one-third of their schedule for this season. Due to the compressed schedule, this season has flown by rather quickly. With eight wins, six losses and two overtime/shootout losses, the Wild find themselves tied for seventh place in the NHL's Western Conference standings.

The Wild have had an up-and-down season to say the least. They continue to have trouble scoring goals. And they have yet to play a truly complete 60-minute game were they are firing on all cylinders. Despite all of that the Wild would find themselves in the Playoffs if they began today.

**The following grades are based on the first 16 games of the season**

Coyotes Nip Wild; 2-1

Message received loud and clear--through two periods that is. One day after the demotion of two players from the second line to the fourth, and just six hours after swapping fourth line forwards (Darroll Powe to the New York Rangers, Mike Rupp to the Minnesota Wild); the Minnesota Wild played their best first two periods of the season. That wasn't enough though as the Wild fell to the Coyotes 2-1 in the desert.

Minnesota Wild: Week In Review- Analyzing the Minnesota Wild's first week of play

Well, we're five games into the Minnesota Wild's season, and the results so far have been mediocre at best. The team's record sits at 2-2-1, which is OK. The problem is, they have just one point in their past three contests( two regulation losses, and an overtime loss to St. Louis). So, panic is beginning to set in here in Minnesota. With that said, let's get to three observations and some quick hits I have about the Wild after the first week of the season.

Minnesota Wild VS Nashville live blog

Tonight's Minnesota Wild VS Nashville Predators game marks the first time that Wild free agent signee Ryan Suter faces his former team. So without further ado, let's get to the game.

Wild vs Stars Recap- Harding Shines

--Reviewing the Minnesota Wild's 1-0 victory over the Dallas Stars --

The Minnesota Wild, led by goaltender Josh Harding and forward Zach Parise, shut out the Dallas Stars 1-0 on Sunday night. This victory was especially sweet for Harding, as this marked his first NHL game since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The fact that he was able to shut out the Stars, while playing in his first game with the disease, is a remarkable story and accomplishment.

Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche- Live Blog/Diary

Pre-Game:

• 8:00 PM- Finally, the wait is over. After being locked out for over four months the puck is finally about to drop on the 2012/2013 Minnesota Wild season. Now that the puck is about to drop, all of the lockout garbage is rendered moot. Yes, it was a terrible ordeal for the sport. But, the game is back. And instead of bitching about the lockout, hockey fans can now bitch about their team. Which, in all honesty, is exactly what was wanted all along. Anyway, the following is a live blog/diary of the Minnesota Wild VS Colorado Avalanche game. (That was the last reference to the lockout in this post, I swear.)

Analyzing the Minnesota Wild's 2013 Schedule

• For a look at the entire Minnesota Wild schedule:http://shagsonsports.blogspot.com/2013minnesota-wild-schedule.html 
• The Minnesota Wild open the season with three straight home games, and six of their first eight games are at home. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up some early points, while at the same time gaining an idea of how to play with each other(#hockey porn) on the ice. As mentioned before, I expect the Wild to struggle just a bit to start the season, due to all the new pieces joining the team, and so little time to prepare for the season. But to open with three consecutive home games is more than the Wild could have hoped for. Now it is up to the team to take advantage of the schedule and produce some wins early in the season. They will need them as the season unfolds. 

Minnesota Wild Schedule

The NHL schedule is finally out. Here is the Minnesota Wild's 2013 schedule.

Minnesota Wild Season Preview Part 2: Q&A TIme

Minnesota-Wild-2013-season-preview-part1
For part one click on the link above.

By the time the puck drops on the Minnesota Wild season, January 19th, it will have been over eight long months since they last took the ice in an NHL contest. A lot has happened since the Wild lost 4-1 to the Phoenix Coyotes on April 7, 2012; Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signed with the club as free agents; the NHL lockout (remember that?) robbed the team of half its games; team owner, Craig Leipold,-reportedly a hawk during the lockout- was involved in a shouting match with free agent defenseman Chris Campoli during the intense labor negotiations; elite prospect Mikael Granlund made his long-awaited North American pro debut; and, last but not least, goaltender Josh Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. With that said, let's get to the second part of the 2013 Minnesota Wild season preview, and answer some questions.

Minnesota Wild 2013 Season Preview Part 1: Line Combinations and Defensive Pairings

2013 Minnesota Wild Preview Part 1: Line Combinations and Defensive Pairings

The Wild enter the abbreviated 2013 season with high expectations; thanks to the free agent signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter and the arrival of star prospect, Mikael Granlund. Will the team meet these expectations?  Will they succumb to the pressure and fail to produce the expected results? What will the lines look like? What prospects will make the team out of training camp? Can the Wild win the Northwest Division? Those are just a few of the many questions surrounding the Wild this season. Let's try to answer some of those questions.

5 Predictions for the Minnesota Wild in 2013- Plus Bonus Predictions

The following predictions are based on my belief that there will be an NHL season in 2013. The NHL and NHLPA can't possibly be dumb enough to lose another full season, right? RIGHT? Especially, when they are so close on so many issues. Both sides know that losing another full season would irrevocably damage the game and it's popularity; causing each side to lose money and sponsors. Plus, it would create a smaller revenue stream in the future. And if there's one thing we know the NHL and NHLPA can agree on: it's the fact that both sides like making as much money as possible. With all that said, let's get to the predictions.

The 2012 NHL Lockout- Greed, Ego, and Stupidity

As the NHL lockout continues to drag on, it gets harder and harder to comprehend how greedy, moronic, shameful and egotistical both the Players Association (NHLPA) and the Board of Governors (NHL Owners)have acted, throughout it all. After last Thursday's charade, the damage both sides are doing to the league and the sport of hockey is palpable.

Houston Aeros Update

The following is a quick update on the Minnesota Wild's AHL team-the Houston Aeros.

Standings: In 16 games played, Houston has seven wins, six losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses (7-6-1-2). They trail the Oklahoma City Barons by one point for second place, and are currently seven points behind the Charlotte Checkers for first place in the AHL's South Division. The Aeros are currently tied with the Rochester Americans for eighth place in the AHL's Western Conference. This is important, as only the top eight teams from each conference will make the playoffs

Ramblings, From an Elated Minnesota Sports Fan

Holy shit. In less than 48 hours, the Wild signed the two best NHL free agents available; Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, and the Timberwolves signed Brandon Roy and Nic Batum...............Now, I know, what it must feel like to live in NYC........This guy is in shock.........

Minnesota Wild 2012-13 Updated Depth chart

This is an updated Minnesota Wild depth chart for the 2012-2013 season. I Still can not believe the Wild have Zach Parise, and Ryan Suter. Those two players alone, give the Wild so much more depth than they had all of last season.  Add on the Torrey Mitchell, and Zenon Konopka signings, and this team has more talent and depth then they have ever had.

Wild signs Parise, Suter

  


What a coup. Signing Zach Parise, and Ryan Suter instantly transforms the Minnesota Wild into one of the NHL's highest profile teams. And makes the Franchise relevant.  Having those two players aboard; guarantees a Winter Classic will be held in Minnesota in the next two years, it guarantees the Wild will be a featured team on NBC; and most importantly it guarantees the Wild will be successful, relevant, and important for at least the next decade. Even if you do not like hockey, you have to be impressed by what this team did yesterday. Never before, has a Minnesota sports team pulled off anything like this.

quick takes on the T-Wolves and the Wild

Nic Batum is coming to town...................... It is about time the Wolves listened to me................. If the Timberwolves can sign him, he would be the perfect addition to this team..................Get it done Kahn..............Does a Frenchman count as a white guy in David Kahn's mind???? I hope so because the Wolves need him........Greg Stiemsma is also in town to be wooed by the grand master Kahn............Great, another big white guy stiff.........just what the Wolves need if they amnesty Darko.........I guess he would balance out the Frenchman, if he signed

Minnesota Wild/NHL Comprehensive Free Agency Preview

NHL Free-Agency is just two days away. The start of free-agency, will mark the beginning of the biggest and most important off-season in Minnesota Wild history. This team has missed the playoffs in each of the previous four seasons. Wild fans, are growing restless and want to watch a winning team. In fact, the Wild is playing to 1/3 empty buildings nowadays. This is a franchise, that once sold out every single game for the first ten years of its existence.

Late Night Finals Ramblings & other ramblings

  
A begrudging congrats to Lebron on winning his first NBA Title.....He played phenomenal throughout the Finals and the whole Playoffs for that matter........Congrats to the Thunder, on a Hell of a Playoff run for such a young team.....They will be back next year, and better than ever......Kevin Durant needs to command the ball more.....He is the best player on his team, and they need to get him the ball more in early game situations....I still hate the Heat, although I'm torn on which Heat player I dislike most... Let's break it down list style...