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About this blog

A look at the Minnesota Wild, and other happenings in the NHL

Entries in this blog

A Wild Season… And Playoff Picks

A Wild Season… And Playoff Picks – 4/11/2012 This is a great week to be a hockey fan. We have some great first round match ups that are going to create some classic hockey moments (and undoubtedly some future commercial spots for the NHL and NBCSN). Alas, this week can also be a very cold reminder that your team came up short, and is now a spectator just like us. Such is the case for the Minnesota Wild. The team has missed the playoffs for the past 4 years, and will be drafting 7th overall at th

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Wild’s Biggest Trade Chip?

The Wild’s Biggest Trade Chip? 4-24-2012 We are just under 2 months away from the 2012 NHL Entry draft. The playoffs are in full effect (and so far they have been amazing), and teams are either focused on winning the cup, or the draft and other ways to improve their team. Unfortunately for the Wild, it’s the latter. Right now, Chuck Fletcher, Craig Leipold, and Mike Yeo, are all looking at ways to make the team better, so that this time next year, they are chasing the cup. No doubt that the Wild

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Hockey Day in America #SignBrodziak

Wild Musings 2/21/2012 - Hockey Day in America #SignBrodziak On Sunday, the Minnesota Wild beat the Boston Bruins in 2-0 shutout. Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom was in masterful form, stopping 48 shots, and 3 breakaway chances in the first period. Fitting enough that on Hockey Day in America, Matt Cullen and Chad Rau, two Minnesota Natives, scored the two Wild goals (Interestingly enough, Chad Rau has scored twice in the NHL: once on Hockey Day in Minnesota, the other on Hockey Day in America,

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Wild Outlook and Season Predictions

Wild Musings 1/18/2013 Wild Outlook and Season Predictions An Aside: If this is your first time reading the blog (or if you’re getting reacquainted, after all, it’s been a while) let me explain what it’s all about. First off thank you for taking the time to read. I appreciate it, and encourage you to create dialogue in the comments, and comeback and keep reading. Now, Wild Musings is a blog that focuses on the NHL, with an emphasis on the Minnesota Wild (clever title right?). I will post article

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Wild Report Card

The Wild Report Card – 4/17/2012 How great have the playoffs been…and it’s only been a week! Every series has been emotional and entertaining, and the hockey has been fantastic. Add into that the start of baseball season and this is truly the greatest time in sports for the year. With that said, it is also the time of the season for reflection for teams that have failed to make the playoffs. Those teams are doing exit interviews, preparing for the draft and free agency, and looking internally fo

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Granlund has landed in Minnesota

Granlund has landed in Minnesota 5/24/2012 Welcome to the State of Hockey Mikael Granlund!!! Yesterday it became official: Mikael Granlund is a member of the Minnesota Wild. It was widely expected that the 9th overall pick in the 2010 draft and the Wild would have no problem getting a contract done before the June 1st deadline, but that withstanding, it is nice to see it become official. Granlund signed his 3 year 2.1 million dollar entry level deal yesterday morning, bringing the Wild much need

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Five Pucks- Around the NHL 9/7/2012

Five Pucks- 9/7/2012 Puck 1- Shane Doan, Greg Jamison, and the Phoenix Coyotes It has come out over the past day the Shane Doan has a deal in place to remain with the Phoenix Coyotes. I know, easily the most shocking news of the summer (yep, that’s sarcasm. Nobody should be surprised… at all). Now, this deal between Doan and the Coyotes is contingent on Jamison’s ability to buy the Coyotes, which appears likely as it has been reported that he has secured the money through partners and investors.

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Coyle Debut; Wild get Aggressive Early

Coyle Debut; Wild Get Aggressive Early in Short Season Tonight the Minnesota Wild look to win their first road game of the season at the Jobbing.com arena as they face off against the Phoenix Coyotes. While the Wild definitely need the two points, there are bigger story lines at work tonight. The Wild started the season off strong, before being absolutely dominated by Ducks in Anaheim on Friday. With any momentum gone, and the Wild struggling to score goals (Yeah, I know, they’ve never had that

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Five Pucks: Around the NHL

Five Pucks: Around the NHL 8/2/2012 Puck One: Shea Weber is a Predator, forever and ever Last week the Nashville Predators matched the offer sheet the Philadelphia Flyers extended to Defenseman Shea Weber, locking up the face of the franchise for the next 14 seasons. The offer sheet was a bold move by the Flyers, and it was not a huge shock to see the Predators match and retain. This was really the only move the Predators could make. They lost Weber’s star defense partner Ryan Suter to free agen

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Free Agency Rocks Minnesota- 7/17/2012

Wild Musings: Free Agency Rocks Minnesota- 7/17/2012 The last time I checked in, it was the night before free agency, and we were previewing where some of the top talent would land (I got 3 right, with 3 yet to sign). I did not predict that the Wild would make the splash that they did, but I am of course, pleasantly surprised (who am I kidding, I’m ecstatic). Ryan Suter and Zach Parise make the Wild a whole lot better than they were when I last wrote this blog on June 30th. The Wild have also ad

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Wild Week- Stoner, Coyle and Solar Bears

Though not in the playoffs, it’s been a nice week for the Minnesota Wild. Yesterday, the Wild announced a two year contract extension with defenseman Clayton Stoner. Stoner racked up 5 points in 51 games for the Wild last season, and played well when he was healthy. The durability, unfortunately, has been the biggest problem for Stoner in his career so far. This locks in another member of the Wild Defense Core, which currently includes: Tom Gilbert Marco Scandella Nate Prosser Jared Spurgeon Ste

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Free Agency is Upon Us...Almost

Wild Musings 6-29-2012 Free Agency is Upon Us...Almost In just a day’s time, the questions about Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will finally at least have the opportunity to be answered. Free Agency officially begins on Sunday July 1st, and the dreams of fan bases around the league can either start rejoicing or start crying. Parise and Suter are unquestionably the best players available, but there are a number of other players available that could help out any number of teams, and the number of UFA’

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Five Pucks 6/13/12

Five Pucks- 6/13/2012 ~Puck One- The Los Angeles Kings are the Stanley Cup Champions On Monday, the LA Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. The powerhouse Kings finished the playoffs with a 16-4 record, becoming the first 8th seed in history to lay claim to the cup. Jonathan Quick was unbelievable during the playoffs and was awarded the Con Smythe award. Game six turned on a boarding call on the Devil’s Steve Bernier that resulted in a five minute ma

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Countdown is on...

The Countdown is on... 3-27-2012 The Minnesota wild were officially eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday by way of a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Washington Capitals (I stress the word officially). The Wild have now officially become the first team to have lead the NHL on December 1st that missed the playoffs. And the cherry on top: Matt Cullen broke his finger blocking a shot Saturday in Buffalo, and is more than likely done for the year. This isn’t unexpected; the Wild have won 12 games s

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Five Pucks 6/4/2012

Five Pucks- Around the NHL Hello everybody, and welcome to the first edition of Five Pucks. This is going to be my “Look around the NHL” piece that I will try to have up weekly or bi-weekly at the very least. I’ll discuss 5 topics, hence the 5 pucks (genius, out of the box thinking on my part….). Please feel free to comment, debate, or shoot me topics you’d like to see featured. So without further delay… Five Pucks- 6/4/2012 ~Puck One- Nicklas Lidstrom Retires On May 31st Nicklas Lidstrom announ

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Draft Review

Wild Musings 6/27/2012: Draft Review The Minnesota Wild are in the final days of preparation of what is perhaps the most anticipated free agency period in franchise history. The expectations of both the fan base and the organization are to bring elite talent to the State of Hockey, and to add them to a team that is seen as being a couple of pieces away from being something special. But before we get to all of that (I know- its exciting and fun to think about) let’s take a look at what the Wild a

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Wild Musings, Marek Zidlicky, and NHL Thoughts

Wild Musings, Marek Zidlicky, and NHL Thoughts 2/17/2012 The Wild dropped a heartbreaker to the Winnipeg Jets last night, losing 4-3 in the shootout. Evander Kane scored twice, and had the shootout winner. Devin Setoguchi remained hot for the Wild, scoring twice in the losing effort. Setoguchi has been on fire, scoring 4 goals since the return of Mikko Koivu on February 9th, who also scored a goal last night. The topline has actually been responsible for all of the goals since Mikko’s return, wh

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

What a Difference a Week Makes!

What a Difference a Week Makes! 4-3-2012 Last week, I discussed how the current losing streak that the Minnesota Wild were on could drop them to 14th in the West and possibly give them the 2nd overall pick in the draft. Since then the boys in Iron Range Red have won 3 out of 4, including wins over division leaders Florida and Los Angeles. If the Wild win out, which looks possible if they keep scoring at the rate they are, they could finish 10th in the West, something I would not have thought pos

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Winning Now? Or Winning in June?

Winning Now? Or Winning in June? 3-20-12 Last night, the Minnesota Wild defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0. Josh Harding recorded his 6th career shutout, and his second of the season. This was Harding’s first start since he suffered an injury last week, and he looked great. Erik Christensen scored his 4th goal in the last 4 games on the Power Play at the end of the first period, and Kyle Brodziak netted an empty net goal in the 3rd to seal the game. Last night was the best effort I have seen fro

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

Don't Fire My Coach!

Don't Fire My Coach! - 3/13/2012 The NHL has seen a lot of coaching changes happen this year. The Blues, Blue Jackets, Kings, Ducks, Capitals, Hurricanes, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs have all made in season coaching changes. Some have worked out great (St. Louis is by far the best of this group, with Anaheim having success as well), and some have yielded results that are less desirable (The Caps have been a big disappointment, and Montreal had a huge backlash from fans and media when they hired a

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

A Turbulent Night In Phoenix

This is getting a bit ridiculous. This was my thought after Wild goaltender Josh Harding was helped off the ice last night in the 2nd period of the Wild’s Shootout victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. The injury didn’t look serious as Harding was skated off the ice, but looked pretty painful for the 4-5 minutes before Harding left. For those unaware, the Wild’s number one net minder Niklas Backstrom is currently out with a pulled groin. With Harding hurt, the goaltending burden falls to youngster M

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Deadline Cometh

Wild Musings- Reverse the Curse; the Deadline Cometh 2/24/2012 Hello, and Happy Friday everybody. Today the Wild are gearing up for the second day of a road back to back. They are coming off a shootout win in Sunrise against the Panthers, and are looking to sweep the trip with a win in Dallas. Tonight will be a crucial game for the wild’s playoff hopes. The Stars are sitting in 8th place, three points ahead of the Wild in 12th place. A regulation win for the Wild tonight would be huge. It puts t

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

The Wild Trade Deadline

Wild Musings- The Wild Trade Deadline 2/28/2012 It’s been a busy trade deadline for the Minnesota Wild. Last Friday, The Wild were able to turn disgruntled defenseman Marek Zidlicky into Kurtis Foster, Stephan Veilleux, Nick Palmieri, a 2nd round draft pick, and a conditional draft pick. This is a great deal for the Wild. Foster and Veilleux are big fan favorites, and guys who will get on the ice and give it all they have every time they hit the ice. Palmieri is a big power forward who knows how

Todd Varga

Todd Varga

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