Trick or Treat? Wild fans receive both

The trick was played on us by our new GM Chuck Fletcher and new Head Coach Todd Richards. They sold Wild fans on the notion that under this regime, we would see a more exciting brand of hockey. The treat for Wild fans will be an all-out rebuild of this roster.

It was not so long ago that the buzz was in the air. The new look Wild would be playing an aggressive style that would prove to be not only more pleasing for the fans to watch, but would also result in a more successful team. What was missed by most was one simple thing. Our roster did not change enough along with the changes in coaching philosophy and style. You want to run a horse in a race, you actually need a horse. Folks are finally coming around and seeing this. But the fact is that this team has too many average players to push the puck and force the play as much as is needed in an 'uptempo' style of play.

Looking at the additions made by our Wild this past off-season tells me one thing, and that being they are all expendable. We did not pick up young and promising minor leaguer's, but instead a few steady veterans and one high-profile scorer. The end results will prove to be that come the trade-deadline, most of these players may be gone. And that is probably the approach that should be taken. You will not hear it from the Wild front office, but as the season drags on with limited on-ice results, this team will move closer and closer to the process of a major overhaul. Much of the thanks for this goes in part to our old GM for not stocking up on young talent. If we had it, make no mistake, they would be here soaking up minutes and valuable experience. But because the Wild's minor league system is lacking in talent, option 'B' was to fill the roster and hope for the best. But the best may not be good enough and the time to unload may come.

Rookie mistakes

You could essentially classify all Wild players as rookies at this point. It looks at times as if this team has no clue as to what they are supposed to do. The mental errors that are usually seen from the 'younger' crowds in training camp, are becoming regular habit for much of this roster. But the rookie-type mistakes that may be the most obvious are the ones coming from Coach Richards. To be fair, he is a rookie at leading an NHL team. But there is really no excuse for limiting the ice time of a player who is supposed to be one of your leading scorers. And to not only bench a seasoned scorer, but to then turn around and scratch him from you lineup indicates that there may be much to be learned.

Coming in, fans expectations may have been too high. This is because of the 'trick', but that blame goes squarely on the shoulders of the Coach and GM, both of whom did the selling. But by all indications prior to them being hired, Fletcher and Richards are two individuals who are projected to become very successful in the NHL...let's hope that all the pre-hire chatter was not all hype.

End result

It may be a long and painstaking period for Wild fans. But I truly believe that this team is moving ever so close to being in a total overhaul mode, thus the 'treat'. Only seven players on this roster have deals that extend beyond next season. Of those, Martin Havlat, Brent Burns, Nick Schultz, and Niklas Backstrom may be the only ones worth holding on to. And even from that list, two could arguably be used in deals without having sellers remorse. The obvious priority that needs to be first and foremost, is signing Mikko Koivu to a long-term deal this off-season. Beyond that, look for another 'new look' Wild come next season...trick or teat?

DirecTV update

Without going into the pricing details, let's just say that after a few phone calls and emails, this is one satisfied customer.

Remember that DirecTV is without the Versus network, as the two sides have yet to reach a new deal on carriage. So I decided to roll the dice and voice my displeasure to DirecTV. The results of my efforts include all of the regional sports channels (sports pack, over 35 channels)...and NHL Center Ice for the remainder season.

Not bad...

Koivu named captain for the 09-10 season

As expected, Minnesota Wild General Manager, along with Coach Todd Richards, made the popular choice, and correct decision, when they announced today that center Mikko Koivu will serve as the teams permanent captain for this season. Left out was the notion that he will serve full-time for years to come, but I would guess that he will wear the 'C' as long as he is employed by owner Craig Leipold.

Koivu was the obvious choice, especially amongst fans. There were however, several other picks that could have been made that would have also made sense. Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan are two players that command respect, both because of their work on and off the ice, but also because they are seasoned veterans who have had very successful careers. A case also could have been made to name Brent Burns or Nick Schultz as captain as well. But in the end, Koivu is really the face of this team and franchise.

From season #1 back in 2000-01, the team has always rotated the designated captain, and it worked out fine. Coming in as an expansion team, with a new identity, it seemed like a good idea since they really did not have a franchise leader. But that changed long ago and this move was long overdue. With the changes made from the front office to the bench boss, this was one of those things that you knew would crumble, along with a few other things that as of yet, have not turned out all that well (but it's early).

As for the history of who's been captain of this team...by my count the Wild have named 22 different players as captain. Some of the not so obvious choices include Scott Pellerin (November 2000), Matt Johnson (December 2002), and Alex Henry (October 2005). And again by my count, the longest serving captain in Wild history was Brad Bombardir, who captained the team for 8 months and the teams 2003 playoff run, followed by Andrew Brunette and Koivu, who both led the team for 7 months. Hopefully now, the history will change forever and fans can start counting seasons or years, not months.

Along with the Koivu news, the team also announced that serving as alternate captains, on a rotating basis, will be forwards Andrew Brunette, Martin Havlat, & Owen Nolan, and defensemen Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz & Greg Zanon.

The official release is below...

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

MINNESOTA WILD NAMES MIKKO KOIVU CAPTAIN

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and Head Coach Todd Richards announced today that center Mikko Koivu will serve as the team’s full time captain for the 2009-10 NHL season.

“Mikko possesses all the qualities you want your leader to have,” said Richards. “He is passionate, has a great work ethic and competes for everything. The way Mikko plays defines him as the leader of our team.”

Koivu, 26 (3/12/83), has recorded five points (2-3=5) in seven games with the Wild this season. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound native of Turku, Finland led the team in scoring in 2008-09 with 67 points (20-47=67) in 79 matches setting career-highs in assists, points, penalty minutes (66), shorthanded goals (four) and game-winning goals (three) and ranked third in the NHL in face-offs won (857) and fourth in face-offs taken (1,625) for a 52.9 face-off percentage. Koivu also served as the team captain four times last season (October, November, January and March/April).

In his fifth season with Minnesota, he has tallied 189 points (59-130=189) and 210 penalty minutes in 289 career games. Koivu ranks third on the Wild’s all-time list in shorthanded goals (six), fourth in assists, fifth in scoring, seventh in goals and 11th in games played. He was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (6th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

The team will rotate the alternate captains each game among a leadership group consisting of three forwards (Andrew Brunette, Martin Havlat and Owen Nolan) and three defensemen (Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz and Greg Zanon).

Great seats are still available for all Minnesota Wild home games including Wednesday, Oct. 21 when the Wild wears its new third jersey for the first time against the Colorado Avalanche at 7:00 p.m. For more information on single game ticket packages visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks.

-- WILD --

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