Offensive dominance

Never has the Minnesota Wild been described as an offensive machine. In fact throughout the history of this franchise, they has been known as the team that played it tight on defense, with the hope that they would score one more goal than the days opponent. But today, the Wild dominated the Vancouver Canucks with good old fashion offense. They played as a team trying to post as many goals as they could, hoping to out-race their opponent. And they did just that with a 6-2 win. The team from Minnesota has not by any means taken on the league leaders in goals per game, as they currently rank 16th with 2.68 goals a game, but for one game they played like a championship caliber team. Unfortunately, this latest 5-game home-stand probably needed to produce 8 points in order playoff positioning, and it only produced 6.

Never has a Wild team been looked at as a risk-taking bunch. But the new style that Coach Todd Richards has installed, when played as designed, sees Minnesota gambling as if they were playing in Vegas. Several times this afternoon, both defensemen were seen pinching in the offensive zone...not caught however, because they were usually successful holding the puck in the zone. And the forwards were up to the task of covering for their teammates. As for d-pinching in general, it has become a routine play on virtually every shift. It's a brand that has shown its head at times throughout the season, never with any consistency, but in front of the largest crowd this season (19,342), today proved that when executed, it will lead to wins.

It would be a mistake to declare anything from this game other than it was one of the best efforts of the season for our home-town team. But you certainly can say that when Minnesota is 'on', they are exciting to watch. They still have several holes to fill before one could declare the Wild 'playoff ready', but it is obvious that this new style is the right track to take this team on in leading them into the future.

Debut for Barker

Newly acquired defenseman Cam Barker had a great start to his career in Minnesota. Although he has only averaged just over 13 minutes a game this season before coming to the Wild, he finished his Wild debut with 20:46 total, was a +3, and added a late goal. He looked very comfortable and was given almost 4 minutes of power-play time, something he indicated in his conference call that he hoped would increase. I think it will become more clear that this deal to acquire Barker was initiated by his former team for the simple reason of trying to shed future payroll...and the Wild should prove to be the winners in this deal.

Knuckleheads never change

It never fails, season after season, the Vancouver Canucks employ a group of hockey hacks. It does not seem to matter who is in charge of the front office or who is behind the bench, as they always manage to employ dirty players. Back in the day our friends to the north carried Bertuzzi and Ruutu, followed by Cooke, and now Burrows...does not matter what season it is, they carry at least one knucklehead.

Boogaard snake-bitten

I know it is ludicrous to expect Derek Boogaard to score goals on a consistent basis, but he is truly having lousy luck around the net. He managed to record assist number 4 today but had several chances in close. In fact, when he is suited, his role has not changed but his increased ice-time, more than one minute above last seasons average, has seemed to put him in that position frequently, in front of the offensive net, where he has had more than his share of chances in close. It is only a matter of time before one bounces in but once they start, they continue in bunches.

Olympic break

I know most fans will not enjoy this two-week NHL drought, but it does give us a chance to witness the best in the world on the ice...so enjoy your Olympic break...and go USA!

From my inbox

For Immediate Release
Friday, Feb. 12, 2010

MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES CAM BARKER FROM CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS IN EXCHANGE FOR KIM JOHNSSON AND NICK LEDDY

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired defenseman Cam Barker from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.

“I thank Kim Johnsson for his efforts and contributions to the Wild’s success over the last four seasons,” said Fletcher. “We are very excited to add Cam Barker to our team. It is difficult to obtain a 23-year defenseman with Cam’s size and talent.”

Barker, 23 (4/4/86), has acquired 14 points (4-10=14) and 58 penalty minutes (PIM) in 51 games with Chicago this season. He set career-highs with 40 points (6-34=40) in 68 contests with the Blackhawks in 2008-09, tallying 24 of his 34 assists on the power play and ranked tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 29 power play points. Barker added nine points (3-6=9) in 17 playoff matches with Chicago. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has skated in 200 career NHL contests with the Blackhawks registering 80 points (17-63=80) and 219 PIM. He was originally selected by Chicago third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnsson, 33 (3/16/76), has recorded 281 points (66-215=281) in 731 career NHL contests with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Leddy, 18 (3/20/91), a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., was selected by the Wild in the first round (16th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has five points (1-4=5) in 19 games in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota.

Great seats are still available for all Minnesota Wild home games, including tonight’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers. For more information on single game ticket packages visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks.

Chuck Fletcher will be available to discuss today’s trade with media at 6:15 p.m. in the Xcel Energy Center press box

-- WILD --

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My thoughts...I am probably in the minority on this by I like Johnsson. And it has been reported that the Wild would pursue either Johnsson or Marek Zidlicky at seasons end, both who are pending UFA's. My choice would have been Johnsson but both have had their ups and downs, that is for sure. Fans have been on dogging these players at different times because of their inconsistent play. However, I believe Johnsson is more reliable defensemen. As for Leddy...I don't like losing a first round pick. It is pretty clear that he is not progressing at the U, but he is basically in the infant stages of his career, so who knows how good he is going to be. And now for what I see as the prize in Barker. He was a 3rd overall pick so his potential is very high, much like Leddy. His size is a plus, 6-3 & 222 lbs, and because he is still young, he will probably add to that frame. The one knock is his contract. It is inflated because he was one of the Blackhawks players who did not receive their qualifying offer on time this past off-season, thus had to quickly be resigned under the assumption that he would have been unrestricted. What that means is Barker is a $3 million a year player.

It is yet to be determined how high Barker and departed Leddy will get to, so there is uncertainty with this move. It is clear that Chicago made this move because of future 'cap space'. What I do like is similar to what I liked about acquiring Guillaume Latendresse...bringing in a player who has not been reaching expectations, with the upside being huge if potential is reached.