You be the judge...

Comments from Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough regarding his philosophy when dealing with pending unrestricted free-agents seem somewhat puzzling to me. Rather than get something for the asset, the unrestricted free agent, he contends that he is not afraid to let them go for nothing in return. Consider that this is the same GM who admitted that he made a 'mistake' when he allowed Andrew Brunette to walk following the NHL lockout, where Brunette had previously netted 49 points for the Wild during the 2003-04 season. And more recently, last seasons pair of Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston were also shown the door when the team elected not to re-signed them. Interesting to me is the line Risebrough gives concerning losing Demitra and Rolston...'has had no bearing on our season'. Why don't you be the judge...

The Wild currently have 65 points in the standings, with a record of 30-26-5. Last season, after the 61 game mark, the teams record was 34-22-5, good for 73 points. Total goals scored a season ago, using the same 61 games played, was 169 for and 166 against. So far this season the Wild have a league the fifth worst offense, scoring only 2.48 GFA, for a total of 155 goals. On the defensive side, the team is the second best in goals allowed, 2.33 GAA, for a total of 144 allowed. And as for the two big names let go after last season, season totals for the pair had Rolston netting 59 points while Demitra put in 54 points. And at the rate the Wild scores, we'll be lucky if we have two players reach the 50 point mark by seasons end and Mikko Koivu is already over, with 56 pts.

To be fair, one has to consider that Marian Gaborik played a full season last year and had career marks goals, assists, and points. But on the flip side, you also have to take into consideration the fact that Pierre-Marc Bouchard has fallen off his pace of last season when he had career numbers in assists (50) and points (63), with Rolston his linemate the majority of the season. So take a look at the numbers and decide for yourself. I have done so myself and the one thing that keeps coming back to the front of my mind is that this team currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference and last season they won the Northwest Division.

NHL Network free preview

Don't forget about the preview that started today and runs through Saturday. There are many great shows that air, including a 3 hour trade deadline special that runs on Wednesday. Apparently the preview is offered to over 34 million subscribers of various distributors, that include both satellite and cable providers. So chances are that if you don't already have this network, you should be able to have a look for yourself.