![Wild-Puck [Minnesota Wild Blog]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vtoKilnZUAW-HrWMYmvSXZOxLzws5pizV3Ict3jy5PcjuAVJZ22zfx49UHe7A3lEZhU08CWhof1k596sS2YJKquV_LJoumbkYspQ9r4Ml6Vxx05alHoXrCE5q8gyX_4Uz4irPXs5Vw0/s1600-r/bannerblog1.png)
A new season, a new start. The Minnesota Wild will definitely have a new look this season. Not only will fans see some new faces wearing the jersey, but behind the bench will be the biggest change fans will see, and it is not just the face. When Minnesota's original coach left, Jacques Lemaire took with him a sense that I always felt from day one...that the team will play competitive no matter who we saw on the ice. I always expected that the games would be close and that the team would fight hard, and that is usually how it played. And it was understood that these close games would be the product of a great defensive effort, and not an outpouring of offense. But as time rolled along, the 'sure thing' of seeing the Wild put forth a solid effort started to evaporate and thus the changes were made. But now that we have a new bench boss in Minnesota native Todd Richards, what do fans expect?
I heard Coach Richards give an interview a few days back. The question was posed about what fans can expect from the team under his guidance. In the question, a reference was made to the playoffs, and the answer was a text-book company line. Richards stated that his goal was and he expected the team to make it to the post-season. Good answer, but how realistic was it? Of course I want the team to succeed. I don't for one minute think that this organization is in an all out rebuilding mode...but we just lost a Hall of Fame coach who, whether you liked him or not, knew what he was doing. Lemaire was the master in getting the most out of each and every player. Enter a 'rookie' head coach and I will choose to play the 'wait and see' approach. There is no doubt that a change was needed because the master was losing his students, but if fans expect a sudden burst in the offense, I am afraid your disappointment may be on the horizon. If you think that the Wilds rock solid defense will continue flawlessly during this coaching transition, well then you are more of an optimist than I am.
As for me, I don't know what to expect. The style of play should not change all that much because realistically, we don't have the fire-power needed to open things up the way that most fans would like. And as I insist is the case, all NHL teams play one form or another of a trap system, so I would expect much of the same from this team. The question is will Coach Richards defensive 'form' be perfected the way it was with this team for almost all of Lemaire's reign and whether or not he can get more offense from much of the same mediocre scorers? If not, this could be a long NHL season.
I loved the coaching choice made by GM Chuck Fletcher. I think the time was right for Lemaire to leave and for this team to move away from the standard re-treads that this league seems to roll on. Coach Richards has new ideas, his own system, and comes from successful organizations...let's hope that he can pull off a bit of a 'Lemaire' miracle and keep this team competitive from day one, because roster wise, we are still sitting with a lot of holes that need to be filled.
Training camp info
The time is finally here. This Sunday, September 13, players hit the ice for the official opening of the 2009 training camp. And you will not have to wait long if you are interested in seeing first-hand our Wild team, as both Sunday and Monday, from 11:00 to 12:30, fans are invited to the Xcel Energy Center to have a look at the new team. 43 players have been invited to participate, with the possibility that more players may arrive late off of the teams prospect roster, which is currently playing in the annual Prospect Tournament in Michigan.
Listed below is the camp schedule. Click here to view the full camp release, including both the camp and prospect rosters.
2009-10 Minnesota Wild Training Camp Schedule*All Times listed are CentralFriday, September 11 11:30 a.m. Minnesota Wild preseason media luncheon at Xcel Energy CenterSaturday, September 12 10:00 a.m. Media day at Xcel Energy CenterSunday, September 13 10:30 a.m. Practice/Scrimmage at Xcel Energy CenterScrimmage open to public at 11:00 a.m.Monday, September 14 10:30 a.m. Practice/Scrimmage at Xcel Energy CenterScrimmage open to public at 11:00 a.m.Tuesday, September 15 10:30 a.m. Morning skate at Xcel Energy CenterGAME AT ST. LOUIS 7:00 PMWednesday, September 16 10:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterThursday, September 17 10:30 a.m. Practice/Scrimmage at Xcel Energy CenterFriday, September 18 10:30 a.m. Morning skate at Xcel Energy CenterGAME VS. COLUMBUS 7:00 PMSaturday, September 19 11:00 a.m. Practice at Saint Thomas ArenaSunday, September 20 9:30 a.m. Morning skate at Xcel Energy CenterGAME VS. CHICAGO 5:00 PMMonday, September 21 10:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterGAME AT COLUMBUS 6:00 PMTuesday, September 22 11:00 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterWednesday, September 23 10:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterThursday, September 24 10:30 a.m. Morning skateGAME VS. ST. LOUIS 7:00 PMFriday, September 25 10:30 a.m. Morning skate at Saint Thomas ArenaGAME AT CHICAGO 7:30 PMSaturday, September 26 11:00 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterSunday, September 27 10:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterMonday, September 28 10:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterTuesday, September 29 10:30 a.m. Morning skate at Wachovia CenterGAME AT PHILADELPHIA 6:00 PMWednesday, September 30 11:00 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy CenterThursday, October 1 9:30 a.m. Practice at Xcel Energy Center12:00 p.m. 2009 St. Paul Chamber Face-Off Luncheon at Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront* All times and dates are subject to change.
Ticket info
It is time to pitch those tents, Wild fans. This Saturday regular season single game tickets go on sale at the Xcel Energy Center at 9:00 AM. And for fans who would rather get a good nights sleep, any remaining tickets will go on sale at noon at all other Wild ticket locations. Unfortunately however, the organization took the route that our local NFL team has taken in years past, by introducing the 'two-for' game package. This package makes it mandatory that when you purchase a ticket to see the the Rangers, you must also buy into the Coyotes game. In additon, the Penguins game is included in the 'two-for' package, as the Predators are the sister team to this deal. The good news is that the Rangers and Penguins are the only two games included in this package but all bets are that this package will be expanded to include more games next season.
Yahoo Fantasy
We are still looking for participants in our 6th annual NHL fantasy league. The link to the right will guide you to the proper place to sign up. This game is open to all skill and knowledge levels, from the fantasy rube to the fantasy rookie. It is a good time and I can almost guarantee that you will find it enjoyable.
It is time to pitch those tents, Wild fans. This Saturday regular season single game tickets go on sale at the Xcel Energy Center at 9:00 AM. And for fans who would rather get a good nights sleep, any remaining tickets will go on sale at noon at all other Wild ticket locations. Unfortunately however, the organization took the route that our local NFL team has taken in years past, by introducing the 'two-for' game package. This package makes it mandatory that when you purchase a ticket to see the the Rangers, you must also buy into the Coyotes game. In additon, the Penguins game is included in the 'two-for' package, as the Predators are the sister team to this deal. The good news is that the Rangers and Penguins are the only two games included in this package but all bets are that this package will be expanded to include more games next season.
Yahoo Fantasy
We are still looking for participants in our 6th annual NHL fantasy league. The link to the right will guide you to the proper place to sign up. This game is open to all skill and knowledge levels, from the fantasy rube to the fantasy rookie. It is a good time and I can almost guarantee that you will find it enjoyable.
No comments:
Post a Comment