TropicalFruitGirl26

Absolutely, but then again, as far as irritants go (and let's be clear, an irritant isn't necessarily a DIRTY player), isn't that the way of them all? You piss n moan about them on the other side, and would RATHER have them on your side.

Lots of great answers here for 'irritating' players. But most of these guys are WELL KNOWN irritants....though I must say, I never thought of Plekanec as irritating either. If Marchand was going to go with some Montreal players, I would have thought he would have said Subban, Emelin, and even, dare I say, Brendan Gallagher, as more irritating before Plekanec. Ya, I've read a few reports that mention Gallagher's game, while good, to be in the 'irritating realm'. How about some guys who perhaps are NOT as well known to be irritants but good at it nonetheless? Guys like the Rangers' Dominic Moore. Watched him play quite a bit with the Rangers and Lightning (didn't watch as much of him when he was in SJ), and he talks a bit of trash..not much, but enough, seemingly, to get players to want to take swipes at him. He also is not above taking an extra shot or two at another player when they are trying to untangle themselves along the boards or in a face off situation. He does so in such a way that he doesn't get the penalty himself, but certainly draws them from the other team...usually on a retaliation on something HE started. Yea, an irritant....though good on the FO and a good PK guy to have on your team. Or how about Leo Komarov from the Leafs? Almost the same deal as Dominic Moore....except, Komarov will also HIT you like a freight train on top of taking the extra shot or two when the ref isn't looking and drawing penalties for his team from angry players. Nate Prosser, formerly of the Minnesota Wild, now with the St. Louis Blues (dammit, Wild...shoulda re-signed this guy for another two years or so!). A defenseman who doesn't do anything particularly spectacular, but he WILL: clear out the porch in front of his goalie, hit and hit hard when given the opportunity, talk some trash before, after and between whistles, and can often be found in the middle of scrums (ones that already had been started or ones HE started) giving players face washes, extra shoves, or '3 inch cross checks', JUST to piss them off. Also, on the Lightning, if he ever gets his game to come together completely, is Richard Panik. Much like a Brendan Gallagher, he can play a good overall game, INCLUDING, getting under the skin of the opposition with teeth rattling hits, followed by a bit of trash talking, and a propensity to stick his gloves near the faces of opposing players.

"Me? I don't know WHY I do it. I mean, I work real hard on being an honorable hockey player and human being in practice, then I step onto the ice during a game and all consideration for my fellow man and his livelihood just go right to hell..... I don't know what to tell you...."

MIKKO: "Yea, ref, of COURSE he did it....he is Alex Burrows, cmon..what more do you need to know!?" REF: "Hmmm...yea, Mikko's got a point...you ARE Alex Burrows, and even though no one saw you slash him, we are going to give you a two minute minor regardless, now off to the box.." BURROWS: "But, but....."

Let's play a game: Which one of you, without cheating, can identify which one is the REAL Hal Gill?

"Oh yea? You may be bigger than I am, but I am faster. And ONE MORE thing, Zdeno....might I recommend the new Listerine Total Care in cool mint flavor? That Slovak off brand stuff you are using now just ain't working out for you.........."

Separated at birth !??

One of the deleted scenes from the classic, "War of the Worlds". The part Claude was to play was re-cast for someone else who wouldn't grab the aliens' rear ends.....

Well, if Mueller's competition for a spot on the roster as a regular defensman is Justin Braun, Matt Irwin, or a Scott Hannan, I don't see why, with a good training camp / exhibition season, he can't make the team right out of the gate. The team seems to like his toolset well enough, he has the size and mobility that all NHL teams value, and hey, if he really is trying to mold himself from a Duncan Keith, that's not a bad guy's game to try to emulate. San Jose could always use a good two-way defenseman.....Irwin and Demers I believe play that kind of game. Mueller seems to be able to do that....only difference is, he may have a much higher ceiling than those two. Also, Scott Hannan is being paid just a million bucks as a veteran defenseman. I think with a good training camp, the Sharks could justify putting Mueller on the team as a regular and maybe do a rotation of Hannan, Irwin, and Braun as guys who may sit out as the 7th defenseman on occasion. This is under the assumption that Burns, Vlasic, and Demers will be getting regular play time. I DON'T think SJ would put Mueller on the team just to have him play minimal minutes and/or games as a 7th D-man. Probably better to have him return to his junior team or have him play top 4 defenseman minutes on the AHL squad regularly than have him sit out, so if he makes the team, I say he becomes a regular. Seems sort of lanky at 6'4 and just over the listed 200 pounds, but then again, 19 yrs old, a good training regimen, he probably over time can put on about 15-20 quality pounds and still maintain his mobility. The article did mention he put on some weight, though I am not sure if he put on weight to GET to 200 or he has put on weight since. Playing in that physically demanding Pacific Division, he will surely need every bit of size and strength while playing in his own zone.

I hope that for all involved, Lecavalier DOES get dealt. I never did think he was a fit for the Flyers from the beginning and always thought, outside the Lightning, there were better fits in the NHL for him. Yes, we ALL know Vinnie isn't the same player he was a few years ago, he is injury prone, and probably isn't as physical as he once was playing center, but he still does have some good hockey to offer the right team. Philly is NOT that right team and aside from taking up cap and roster space the Flyers need desperately, he is also wasting away his last few remaining good hockey years on a club that just doesn't have a role for him. And it will get worse as the fanbase wants him out more n more, and his value further drops by this perceived "Vinnie is washed up" stuff, due to him playing as mediocre as he is on a team he shouldn't have been on in the first place. Personally, when the Nashville rumors were floating around, I thought VLC would fit in there REAL good. Especially with a more balanced minded coach in Laviolette over iron curtain defense, but mediocre offensive minded Barry Trotz. The Preds have enough physical nastiness already on the team that VLC only has to contribute marginally to that, while still being able to offer up a decent 2nd line center game, and still benefit Nashville with his STILL good vision of the ice and being able to find open wingers. Again, all about the right fit. Now that Nashville seems to be in the rearview, is Arizona the right fit? I wouldn't think so at first, because whenever the Yotes have played their best hockey, its also been a defense first system with solid goaltending to back that up. However, it seems as if the Yotes have been trying to move in a more offensive oriented fashion...though they seriously lack the horses to really do it right. I think VLC can help that team, again, in a 2nd line scoring, 3rd line scoring/checking and 1st/2nd PP unit role. The fact that the Yotes are desperate for anyone with a modicum of offensive talent, means they will go out of their way to fit VLC in the lineup in the best possible places...and even get players that may better work with him towards that end. Whether VLC wants to regularly play across the country is another matter, but if he cares at all for what is left of his NHL career, IMO, he'd be best served going somewhere where he can be part of the solution rather than a spare or in-the-way part as he is in Philadelphia. Kudos to VLC for wanting to play in a "passionate hockey market" like Philly (he did say that upon signing with the Flyers), but the fit just isn't there, and it never has been. If the pieces are in place, and all Hextall needs is your approval Vinnie, I say go for it....Go West Young Man, Go West! Ok, ok...so VLC is older than I am but so what?

JOeT would know best, but when I think San Jose Sharks, the first two names that pop up are Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, and thus, to me, either of those guys can be the face of the SJ Sharks. The fact that the team re-signed both of these guys again tells me the San Jose FO thinks so as well. Sharks want to win and they want to do it with these two guys leading the way. I know JoeT has indicated the franchise has sent mixed messages about how they are going about their business in shaping the roster, but whatever the team wants to call it, a 'rebuild, retooling, tweaking, lego project, computer season simulation, the Sims San Jose....lol...whatever it is...the team still wants to win, and they want to do it NOW. One can sit and question their methods which may or may not be the best, but I think the Sharks see '14-'15 as their season as well, and they want their two franchise faces along for that ride. That all said, i can see in a couple seasons guys like Vlasic, Hertl, Pavelski, Wingels or a Couture possibly becoming the NEW face of the franchise. But for now, IMO, it is either Thornton or Marleau, or both.

No doubt this is a killer of an opening draw and normally, i would be thinking "Wow, how are the Wild gonna get through this in good shape!?" That's because in the past, Minnesota has been that team that always had to try to measure up to everyone else. Had to always do 'all they could to play with the better teams', always had to be that little engine that could. While they still have much to prove as a franchise and as a collection of players this year, I also feel that Minnesota has reached a point in their franchise with this group of players where THEY are one of the big boys now. Teams need to worry that "The Wild are coming to town", or "Man, we have to go into St. Paul tonight". Not anointing Minnesota as the Next Big Thing, but they have put together a pretty nice group that has slowly been getting better and better every year, while still missing a key ingredient here and there, but nonetheless, I feel, can be considered among the upper group now in the Western Conference. As a Wild fan, I've heard nothing but "the future, the future, the future". Well, i think the future is now. The Wild's window is now open and their time is now to take their shots at the Stanley Cup over the next couple seasons or so. I mean, given the players (both young players and guys in their prime) on this team, why NOT the Wild now? So in that regard, I think they can measure up pretty well against the West's and NHL's best. I just don't see this team as the underdog they have been for several seasons now. Some of those matchups in the opening schedule, the Wild will be clear underdogs, others they should be favorites, still others a pick'em...and probably not by much either way. An exciting time to be following this team! That all said, yes, Minnesota still needs to show the NHL that they not only can play with the big boys, but that they ARE one of the big boys now, and they do that, simply, by going out on the ice and getting W's. Should the Wild falter to start the season (say they go 4-7 or something like that) questions WILL be raised...and rightly so. It won't be the end of the world if they don't start out like fire (82 games is a LONG way), but it will surely put a dent in the perception of the team really 'being ready for the big time'. The team though, has enough talent and character on it that I think they can survive even a slow start and still turn this into another playoff season, and maybe more. But I think the Wild do well. Ironically, if anything, I may worry about Minnesota playing against the 'lesser teams' in the NHL. Do the Wild get so wrapped up in beating the big guns in the NHL that they gloss over, say a Florida Panther team? A Calgary Flames team? A Winnipeg Jets team? Or play down to those teams? I hope not, but we've seen that happen before with good teams. That is where the veteran leadership and character has to come into play. If they play team #30 like they play team #1, they should be fine. Win or lose, this team should give an honest effort every night, I think this Minnesota Wild team does that, and I think they start out showing that against even that tough opening schedule. Can't wait to see what they got come October!

Sure. Why not. There IS lots of talent on this Flyers team. And you have the single most important position in solid hands as well: goaltender. Now, getting that talent to work as a cohesive unit is and always will be, the challenge for any team. If Philly can finally figure out who plays best where with whom, Mason stays healthy, and the defense borders on decent, I can see this team making the playoffs coming out of a Metro division that I believe will be a bit more open than it was last year. Pens look to still be the team to beat, but based on moves made during the off season by all teams in the division, they probably will not be the runaway division winner they were last season, leaving the door open for the top spot and/or the first three guaranteed spots to other teams, including the Flyers. I will also agree that even if the Flyers do make the playoffs, getting far WILL be a challenge. Because in order to do that, the defense must be a well oiled machine....hmm, which is an ironic phrase, seeing as how the Edmonton OILERS aren't particularly solid on defense, but I digress..... Bottom line though: Yea, I think this team can make the playoffs. The team returns, in many ways, unchanged from last season, and if they made the playoffs even with a dominant regular season Pens team in the division, see no reason why they can't do the same in the divisions with possibly a LESS dominant Pens team, a Rangers team that lost many pieces and needs to regroup and re-prove itself, Devils, Caps, Isles that all need to prove they belong in post season play, all in there with them. Believe it or not, the one team the Flyers may have to watch closely as a division competitor for a spot would be the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are proving to be very tough to play against from a defensive standpoint and look to be moving in a positive, defense first type direction, that could cause problems for teams in the division if they aren't prepared for them. The team overall gained some valuable playoff experience against the Pens last year too, so expect some more mature younger players to go along with their vets. Flyers haven't added very many pieces, but then again, lost no players of any great consequence...except, arguably, Scott Hartnell, but i am sure one can find as many Flyers fans for as against him no longer being on the team....and he was replaced with a better defensive option in RJ Umberger. Then again, the off season still has a bit to go yet, and more changes will need to be made, if only to get back under the cap. The elephant in the room may be dealt with yet (and we all know who that is), or not, but the team is over the cap number and will need to further mold the roster to get that down. As of now, if I am a Flyer fan, with the team as is, I am expecting a playoff berth (guaranteed or wildcard), but probably not too optimistic on a long playoff run. And yes, it DOES matter. Playoff experience is invaluable, especially to younger players, or players still looking to get over whatever 'hump' has held them back to this point. Again, look at the Blue Jackets. Not to mention that at least making the playoffs maintains the type of 'winning culture' that is so very important in team locker rooms. With greater expectations comes greater effort, and greater desire to improve. You don't ever want to lose that. Mason though....man, we've all seen it in the past with many other teams. Good goaltending can take you a long, long way. At times, even further than a team has any business going....

As promised a few posts ago, here are my top six forwards write up for the Minnesota Wild. Quoted myself for easy reference. Right now, the Wild top six is still somewhat fluid. In fact, unless some of the young players really take hold of a spot, that may be the case most of the year. I say line 1 could still look like what I put earlier: 1-Parise-Granlund-Pominville The second line center could still be Charlie Coyle, and he could be flanked by either Niedderreiter (who is STILL an RFA) or the newly re-signed Jason Zucker or Erik Haula, or of course, Thomas Vanek. Mikko Koivu, the captain and longtime top six guy for the team in the past, may find himself more on the 3rd line leading a scoring/checking line, but still see PP and PK time as well. Last season, the first three centers could be seen flip flopping positions based on who was playing best at the time, game situations, and what kind of game the Wild needed to employ on a given opponent. Each of the top three centers brings a different flavor. Granlund, speed, shot and some playmaking.....Coyle, checking, a bit of snarl, good hands down low, and skating....Koivu, veteran experience, heavy checking, underrated playmaking ability, and yes, he can put the puck in the net if he has to. Like I said, fluid. That may be the case again this season. Sooo, will go with this for now, keeping in mind Nino Niederreiter's RFA status, but assuming he WILL be signed: 1-Parise-Granlund-Pominville/Vanek 2-Zucker/Niedderreiter-Coyle-Pominville/Vanek Mikko Koivu and even Erik Haula could also find themselves playing top six minutes throughout the season as well. Koivu is one of those guys whose overall game, not many people appreciate, and can play just as effectively on top six line as a bottom six one...although, I've been saying this for a few seasons now, on any deep team, he makes the PERFECT and elite 3C, where the third line is not only the shut down/checking line, but can double, depending on who he has with him as a legit 3rd scoring line. Should Mikael Granlund struggle a bit (teams sometimes really zero in on the smallish center and beat him up pretty bad with checking, hampering his offensive abilities for stretches), Mikko Koivu can be leapfrogged onto the top line with Zach Parise and Pominville/Vanek just as well, due to his ability to make room for linemates while still making good general offensive plays. This would leave Charlie Coyle in the ideal (at least at his point in his young career), 2C position.

Good question. I think, like most young players who have a good full year with the big club, you worry about the "sophomore slump". A few years ago, you look at a guy like the Isles' Michael Grabner, when he had that outstanding season, then hit that 'slump', and honestly, has not come close to replicating with any consistency that season where he had like 30+ goals and around 80 points. But then, you look at Grabner's minors/juniors numbers, and you see that really, while his production was nice, it wasn't necessarily 'elite' level. Going back to Tyler Johnson, you look at his minor/junior numbers and you see that, more often than not, the guy has been a point per game (sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less) guy, and when matched with equally skilled line mates, such as a Steven Stamkos, he can do that at the NHL level as well. Yes, I do worry about Johnson's (and Palat's for that matter) production after those outstanding rookie seasons, but I think Johnson will come through just fine. Especially if he is kept with Stamkos. Those two have quickly developed great chemistry. No offense to MSL (I still love the guy), but after Stamkos looked a bit lost after Marty's departure, he quickly adjusted, and became the type of player that makes OTHERS better around him... i.e. Johnson. Unless there is real good reason for it, I can't see Coach Cooper splitting up Johnson and Stamkos. Hell, both are centers, yet Stammer is willing to play wing to continue both their production rates with Johnson at center on the top line. Also, under this scenario (both Johnson and Stammer on the top line) Johnson can even be allowed to go crazy in the offensive zone while teams are zeroed in on Stamkos. Why? Because although Stamkos is still a primarily an offense-first type player, his 200 foot game has been coming along nicely. He can be seen many times backchecking on plays, positioning himself as a 'safety valve' while his linemates and/or a defensman move in below the hash marks, and even if he misplays his position, at this stage of his career, has the burning speed to run down players going the other way. This should provide great relief and opportunity for a guy like Johnson and whomever else is playing the other wing, as they know they can just do what they like to do best: make offense happen. And if teams adjust and start to target Johnson? Well, Tyler can go into playmaker mode (he can do that well too, as you pointed out, he IS creative) and feed Stamkos the puck and let #91's laser shots find their way to the net. Really excited to see how these things will play out! Even if Johnson "only" replicates his 24 G, 50 pt season, that would be good. Because you know there will be others on the team who will be getting their offense as well. Still though, Johnson did much of that while Stamkos was out with injury. Imagine his numbers if he has a healthy Stamkos with him for the MAJORITY of the year. Barring that sophomore slump, 30-35 G, 60-75 pts on the season wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility...especially if the Bolts get their PP going from the word "GO".

yea, I can go along with this assessment. Some other Bolts fans I talked to said I was nuts for even considering Callahan out of the top six. I think he can play there, however, I also know on the Lightning, competition for a top six slot can be very, very heated...and it won't take much for a player to get knocked down a line. Besides...what's with the stigma that playing on a 3rd line is a BAD thing?? If the team is deep, as the Bolts are looking like they may be, at the forward position, and the coach is savvy on how to use his lines, three lines with important minutes CAN be achieved. And you are right: Callahan's blue collar type play may very well serve him better on a 3rd line with similar type players....hence why I thought Callahan-Boyle-Killorn can be a very good checking/scoring line, and be every bit as important as the top two lines. Panik....I keep saying it over and over....he is like Claude Lemieux-lite in his play. I COULD do without the Claude dirty stuff, but the agitating, skating, checking, and good hands and sniping ability? Yep...give us more of that Mr. Panik! Hope he gets it together this season.

Nice @JR Ewing Though I have to agree, some of those names really don't gel with me. Interesting nonetheless.

Quick update on my earlier "Top 6 for the Lightning". Quoted myself for easy reference.... Richard Panik DID get a one year, "show me contract" from the Bolts. Pays him $735 K (at the NHL level I assume) and much less playing at the AHL level.....the contract is two way. He will still be an RFA at the end of that, so the Bolts have flexibility on whether to retain him or not after this season. Thing is, I think the Lightning REALLY want this guy to succeed...as do the TB fans. No one questions the guy's talent....it's his ability to put it all together consistently at the NHL level that everyone is looking for. If he does, he can easily slot into one of the top lines....and I am pretty sure the Bolts wouldn't mind giving him a more substantial contract after this season if he can finally put the AHL in the rear view for good. Same with Brett Connolly. He also gets a two way contract for a year, with the Bolts having him still at RFA status after this season. His is worth $850K. Another guy who has shown the ability to star at the AHL level but has yet to find his game at the NHL level and remove all doubt that he is a full blown big league player. About $1.8 million combined for two guys who, if all works out right, can be top six guys....not too bad at all. I am sure the Lightning wouldn't mind having the "good problem" of trying to figure out how to fit these guys into their roster permanently next season with higher salaries if they do really well with the team this year. I think based on training camps, both these guys will either start out at AHL Syracuse, or if they make the team, will probably be bottom six guys. But bottom six is NOT where the Bolts want these guys...nor where they should be. So that said, if they rise to the occasion, they most likely will bump an Alex Killorn and one other winger who maybe gets off to a slow start off the top six lines. I think Stamkos, Johnson, and Filppula are 'givens' on the top six. So all eyes will be on Palat, Callahan, and Killorn to see if they maintain their top six status. Although, having a third line of say, Callahan-Boyle-Killorn sounds pretty nice too. That almost likes like a 2B line.

Yep. Dion Phaneuf pretty much comes to mind whenever I think Leafs: Big, hard hitting.....with crater sized holes in the defensive game. Oh, and weird hair too...... If the Leafs are lucky, they can be more defensively responsible (will require a trade of said Dion ), and have a guy like Jonathan Bernier be their face: showcasing a wall-like structure that is hard to beat. Oh well...Leaf fans can dream can't they? Phil Kessel comes in a close second. Former Leaf faces, at least since I've been an NHL fan, are Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin, and Tie Domi......hmm, Domi may have been the fists of the franchise, now that I think about it...

Hmm. I was thinking about the Devils yesterday, what with Brodeur no longer being on the roster. Strange time for that team. For years you could always count on a Martin Brodeur or a Scott Stevens... I want to say Cory Schneider, but I think he becomes the face only if the Devils stick to what they always have: tough, tight defense, with Schneider being the last line of defense.....and doing it well. I.E., actually being that goaltender teams just can't seem to beat regularly...and not just simply benefiting from good defense, if that makes any sense. I mean, we all knew Brodeur played behind some awesome defensive/trap systsems that greatly helped him, but the bottom line was, when that defense was beat, Brodeur STILL came up with the goods, and pretty spectacularly on many occasions. Can Cory do the same? We will see. Because other than possibly a guy like Adam Henrique maybe having a break out season of some sort, then maintaining that, no one on the team stands out as a "face" type player. Sabres? Team is still shuffling through its lineups looking for some sort of team identity, I think. Can't have a face till they figure out that first. He could emerge this year, it could be awhile, who knows. Caps....Yup, Ovechkin, like him or not, hands down. Ditto, Rangers. Blue Jackets? Well, if they continue to be a workmanlike type team, make Brandon Dubinsky their captain (a workmanlike player), and the team is successful playing a blue collar style even against high powered teams such as the Pens, Ducks, and Lightning, then I could easily see Duby being the face of the Jackets. Rick Nash was it for them for a long time, and they haven't quite replaced his "faceness" yet on the team. Dubinsky could be the guy who does so, starting this year. I kinda already thought "Dubinsky" whenever I thought Blue Jackets as it was.

@yave1964 I know Pavel Datsyuk is head n shoulders above him in actual on-ice talent, and certainly much more of a highlight reel, but for some reason, whenever one of my teams play the Red Wings, I think, "We gotta go out and beat Kronwall and company". Maybe it's because I really, really hate seeing my players get freight trained by this guy, but when someone mentions Red Wings to me, "getting Kronwalled" comes to mind right away. Face of the franchise? Ok, probably not.....but he is probably at least the franchise's brawn when it comes to bone shattering hits!

Claude Giroux has the distinction of being BOTH ends of the franchise after his last escapdes, no? Seriously though, yep. Giroux it is for me as well. Before him though, when I thought of big, nasty Flyers, Chris Pronger ALWAYS came to mind. But look out...a guy like Sean Couterier or even the much maligned Brayden Schenn could move in Giroux's piece of the face pie sooner than later... As long as they can stay away from the opposite end of that...they should be good to go! All time though to this point, at least since my viewership, has to be Eric Lindros.

Thought it would be fun to start a discussion on who people identify as "Mr. Canuck, Red Wing, Canadien, Flyer, Lighting" etc, etc, etc. There are no real right or wrong answers, though some should be pretty obvious. Also, different people can view different players as the "face"...and in many cases, there could be MORE than one, right? Of course! For those who haven't really given this much thought beyond their own team, just think which name comes to mind when you think of a certain franchise. Who do you identify with epitomizing the essence of who or what that team is? Could be a team's best player, or the one who leads the best, or maybe even one who may not necessarily be either one of those things, but he makes a HELL of a poster boy and easy to put onto a banner to get people to come to the rink on gameday. I will start, and we don't need to go in any particular order, and no one poster has exclusive rights to any one team...we all, after all, have our own ideas of what a face of a franchise is or should be. I encourage posters to agree or disagree with posts, while adding their own choice and reason why. Tampa Bay Lighting: Duh. Steven Stamkos. While MSL was still around, heck, even VLC, one could argue the head of the Tampa Bay Lightning had three faces. Well, with time comes change, and while all three still play, only Stammer is left on the Bolts. Besides.....which player do you think any coach immediately thinks they need to account for when they know they will be playing the Lightning? Yup. Mr. Stamkos. Maybe in a couple seasons, it could be a three or four headed monster once again, and I can say Stamkos.....and Drouin, and Bishop, and Hedman.....

I had it narrowed it down to the Gaborik 5 goal game and the signing of both Parise and Suter to mega contracts in the same summer. In the end though, I had to go with an actual on ice game moment in time....and they don't come any more exhilarating (at least for fans of the Wild...certainly NOT the Rangers ), than that 5 goal / 6 point performance that saw Marion Gaborik go absolutely bonkers on future Vezina winner, Henrik Lundquist. It was remembering performances like these that made it all the more painful to see Gaborik constantly sidelined with injury...to the point where Minnesota finally gave up on him and allowed the prolific scorer to walk once he became a UFA. I imagine had Gaborik proved more durable, the Wild certainly would have given him a multi-year contract, and who knows, perhaps Minnesota would have been more of a playoff contender earlier on in the franchise's history because of it. Memorable moments are certainly subjective, and I don't want to downplay Minnesota's upset of the Colorado Avalanche in 2003 and their subsequent run to the Western Conference Finals that year (many Wild fans I know certainly would rank that as one of the most memorable). The Wild were definite underdogs that year, a collection of muckers and grinders who probably had no business making the playoffs that year, much lesss beating a powerful Avalanche squad, yet there they were, doing just that. But from my perspective, while I was a hockey fan, I wasn't a Minnesota Wild fan then (that came around 2005), so while I am sure longer tenured Wild fans may vote that, for me, 5 goals against the Blue Shirts is it! The signing of both Suter and Parise definitely was a 'wow' moment as well, buuuuut, IMO, until the Wild actually win a championship with those guys on the team, I can't say the signing was the MOST memorable. Get back to me if and when Minnesota wins a Stanley Cup, then perhaps I can go back and say, "You know, that all started when Minnesota signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter!" LOL...sorry, @yave1964 , but this past playoffs defeat of the Colorado Avalanche does even come CLOSE to ranking with some of the other choices on here. Don't get me wrong, it certainly was a feel-good time to be able to beat a good Avs team and move on to face Chicago in the next round, but honestly, despite seeding, and despite media hype for the Avs last year, I really never felt the Wild were severe underdogs in this matchup. I said from the start, the series was either a pick'em or perhaps a slight edge to the Avs (and I gave the Avs that slight edge just based on record)....but the play during the series often saw Minnesota outplaying the Avalanche...and Colorado's youthful inexperience could be seen shining through on many occasions. Throw in some questionable officiating and that series between the teams, IMO, went longer than it should have. The result was what I believed was very possible based on play (Minnesota wins it), however, I still believe they should have finished off the Avs much sooner than the 7 games it took them to do it....and I don't care if they were led by Patrick Roy or not. I gave Colorado 1 game as a legit 'win' where Minnesota simply was overmatched, but the rest? Mostly Wild with some big breaks going Colorado's way to keep them in it. Let's hope that in the not-too-distant future, I can revise my 'most memorable moment' to one where the Wild win their Cup, beat some very good teams along the way, THEN I can look back and go "All that money Parise and Suter got...well spent!" And who knows...when Minnesota finally wins a Cup, maybe instead of a Parise or Suter, the key to it all can be a guy like Mikael Granlund, Darcy Kuemper, Charlie Coyle, or even a guy who isn't even on the team as of last year, Matthew Dumba. THAT would certainly rank as memorable for me: Minnesota winning it all and using guys they either home grew or mostly developed themselves to do it!