Just as I expected...almost

Finally, others are getting on board. I thought it was a bit obvious, but more and more are seeing this Minnesota Wild team for what it is...a few 'higher-end' players surrounded by a bunch of 'nice' players. And the drop-off between the high and nice is pretty severe. It was written by Russo in his blog that 'It's forwards just aren't that aggressive, and don't have the wheels. This will be something Chuck Fletcher will have to address in future transactions if Todd Richards is going to deploy a skating, fore-checking system.'

Finally, someone that actually reaches some readers has pointed this out. After all, the sales pitch that was delivered by new GM Chuck Fletcher, then re-pitched by new Coach Todd Richards, had most believing that the problem and fixes for this franchise was a simple 'system' switch. But what those same believers forgot was that in order to play this up-tempo style, more aggressive and wheel bearing players are needed. It's rather simple and can be read below...'System this system that'.

A couple of things to consider with this new approach to the game that our Wild have taken with their current roster...they average only 2 goals a game, which ranks 28th in the league. And behind the blue line, an area that had always been solid with Minnesota, they have given up 3.33 goals per game, good for 24th.

But beyond these few stats, what says it all is their record, 2-7-0.

As for this team being almost what I expected? It's worse.

In-box prospect report

Minnesota Wild Prospects Report – Oct. 20, 2009

HOUSTON AEROS (3-3-0-0, 4th in West Division) – The Aeros earned their third weekend split of the season, defeating the San Antonio Rampage, 5-2, before falling to the Texas Stars, 5-1, in a shootout at Toyota Center Saturday. Houston handed the Rampage its first regulation loss of the season with the help of two goals from RW Duncan Milroy on Friday night. RW Danny Irmen, C Peter Zingoni, and D Ryan Gunderson also scored for Houston in the win in front of 6,567 at Toyota Center. The Aeros fell to intra-state rival Texas on Saturday night. RW J-M Daoust scored the lone Houston goal and G Wade Dubielewicz replaced Anton Khudobin in net after he gave up four second period goals. The Aeros face the Lake Erie Monsters Wednesday night before traveling to San Antonio for a series with the Rampage this weekend.