Happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick blog here before I head out for the morning paper so that I can read-up on who Patrick Reusse picked as the Turkey of the Year, which is a must read for local sports enthusiasts. I also have to prepare a few things here before 20-30 guests arrive...

Game over

With the shootout loss last night to the Bruins, a game that saw our Wild outshoot the Bruins 29-16, this blog is officially calling it a no-go for our team making the post season. You can read below, Standings watch, but there is a strong historical case that shows how difficult it is for teams on the outside at this time of the year making a run to end to the other side of that playoff line. Currently Minnesota is in last place in the Western Conference, 8 points out. Now whether or not these historical tendencies hold true or not is yet to be seen. However, with the lack of offensive fire-power, this team will have a hard time making a serious run and positioning itself into the post-season.

Moves a precursor to more

The few moves that have been done in the NHL since the start of the regular season have been done by our Wild and GM Chuck Fletcher. You should count on this trend to continue, as it has become clear he is not shy about making deals. And with the way the team has started this season, there will be much more to come. Look for a fire-sale of sorts to creep along as the season continues. Don't count on the 'core' group being moved (Koivu, Burns, Backstrom), but beyond the few in that group, it's all fair game.

A classy move by...

I don't know who made the call, Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien or Captain Zdeno (I suspect Chara), but what a nice gesture to allow Minnesota native Blake Wheeler to partake in the pre-game ceremonial puck-drop, which was performed by AL MVP Joe Mauer. And keeping with this theme, according to Wild.com, Mauer was only the sixth person to have this honor, joining former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, wounded veteran Sgt. John Kriesel of the Minnesota National Guard, Edgar Zholtok, son of the late Sergei Zholtok and original Minnesota Wild Owner Bob Naegele, Jr.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!