galgonWild

Yeah Parise took control of that shift. Tonight the Wild are playing against the Predators. The storyline is Weber vs Suter I'm expecting another strong defensive battle.

I think the Wild will shock everyone this year and win the Pacific division title. Granlund looks great so far, he will be a strong candidate for the Caulder trophy. The top line looks as if they have played together for years. Also, having a healthy Bouchard in the lineup will also increase the scoring depth. This is a well balanced team. Go Wild!

The opening schedule couldn't be any sweeter for the Wild as they look to treat their fans to two wins in a row on the opening weekend. Last night after the opening ceremonies it took over 20 minutes for the Wild to get going in front of over 19 thousand estatic fans at the Ecel Energy Center, but the new additions to the Wild made the start of this season something to get excited about. Fans were on their feet as fourth liner Konopka dropped the gloves two and a half minutes into the game. The Wild had to play catch up after that as Colorado opened the scoring with a PP goal. In the second period the top line of Parise-Koivu-Heatley teamed up for two power play goals and the Wild took control of the game. The place was rocking after rookie Mikael Granlund scored his first goal in the NHL. Bouchard who hasn't played in more than a year due to concussion symptoms scored the fourth goal for the Wild as they went on to beat the Avalanche 4-2. Tonight the fans look forward to starting off the season 2-0 as the Wild will play the Stars later tonight. I'm expecting another strong showing by the Heatley - Koivu - Parise line. This line could be one of the best in the NHL this season. Go Wild!

The Praise goes to Leipold and Fletcher. For what it is worth, both Parise and Suter were offered more money and chose to team up together. It is a great day for fans of the Minnesota Wild

There is a commitment now to winning for the Minnesota Wild, these deals made today to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are huge. In twin deals each Parise and Suter will make $12 million the next two seasons, $11 million the year after that, five years of $9 million, then $8 million, $6 million, $2 million, $1 million and $1 million the last five years. This includes $10 million signing bonuses the first two years, meaning $2 million in-season salaries. This commitment is more than about the money both Parise and Suter recieved deals of greater worth. It is a commitment made to the fans, great fans, fans who love hockey more than any other sport. In one day a bold statement was made by your owner and GM that says they will do what it takes to place their team in a position to win. What more can any hockey fan ask for? With this commitment today comes expectations, the expectations of this team have now dramatically changed. They will be frontrunners to compete for Lord Stanley's Cup. That however, is what this quest is all about. Last season we got a taste of what it was like to have a winning team in contention, but there were pieces still missing. A few injuries and our weaknesses flooded. This commitment to Wild fans is not only about signing Parise and Suter. Fletcher sured up their goaltending by signing Josh Harding. They also balanced the team with some toughness and grit in Zenon Konopka. Last spring they traded for Tom Gilbert and Stephane Veileux, and signed two talented young rookies in Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker. It now has the talent, the depth, the grit, and the youth for what appears to be the components to win. A new commitment brings expectations, urgency, hope, and the chance to win it all, and that is about as Wild as it gets. Here are your Minnesota Wild. Forwards Zach Parise - Mikko Koivu - Dany Heatley Pierre-Marc Bouchard Mikael Granlund - Devin Setoguchi Cal Clutterbuck - Kyle Brodziak - Torrey Mitchell-Jason Zucker Jake Dowell - Zenon Konopka - Darroll Powe Matt Kassian, Stephane Veileux, Matt Cullen Defense Ryan Suter - Jared Spurgeon Marco Scandella - Tom Gilbert Justin Falk - Clayton Stoner Nate Prosser Goaltenders Niklas Backstrom Josh Harding Thanks for reading

@hf101 This is a good deal for the Wild, Zidlicky didn't want to be here. The rumor was out there 10 days ago that Zidlicky wanted to drop his NTC to go to the Devils, he talked with Elias too. Probably had his bags all packed. IT was obvious that he had packed it in with the Wild. Foster is excited to return. He has a big shot from the point and will be looking to impress to earn a contract for next season. He is also one of Koivo's best buddies. Veilleux is also looking to impress to earn a contract, his wife is from St. Paul, so I hope things work out for them. Both Veilleux and Palmieri are expected to play tonight. The Wild are hoping Palmieri will be a regular third line player. Look forward to seeing what these guys can do. We are now 5pts out of a playoff spot and it isn't going to be easy going that is for sure.

haha, Goaltending has been fairly stable with the Wild I must say. Hackett will be the back-up next season, which means one of Backstrom or Harding won't be here. I'm not sure if a move will come before the trade deadline, but hopefully one will be there by the draft so the Wild get something for one of them before Harding test the FA waters. @Podein25 nice!

Brodziak has played on the top line when Koivo was injured. I'd say for the most part he is their second line center as Cullen often plays wing. I think it is a great signing going into next year as this young team is setting up a tier of core players.

I think you guys would just about want any new goalie. in a flyers jersey. The Wild have two away back two back games, so it is possible that the move is injury related.

The Wild have called up goalie Matt Hackett this morning. There is word that Harding might have a slight injury, but then again it is the week prior to the deadline. Could Fletcher be ready to trade Backstrom or Harding?

Did you know that boys ice hockey is the most popular HS sport in the State of Minnesota. Through cooperative team arrangements 256 schools field sanctioned varsity teams competing in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). Our version of March madness began in 1945 with a single eight team tournament that took place every year through the year 1991, now the tournament consists of sixteen teams competing in two classes A and AA. Did you know that The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament is currently the largest state sports tournament in the United States in terms of viewing and attendance, beating both the Texas and Florida's State High School Football Tournament and the Indiana State High School Basketball Tournament. Did you know that the attendance has been strong throughout the years with 22 tournaments eclipsing the 100,000+ barrier and in 2004 a record setting total of 120,114 (both classes). In the 2006 State Tournament, the average attendance per game in the championship brackets was 18,000 people. Did you know that there have been 216 NHL players born in the State of Minnesota. http://www.hockey-reference.com/friv/birthplaces.cgi?country=US&province=&state=MN Did you know that two tiny towns in Minnesota likely generate the best hockey success per capita of any town in the United States. Roseau, MN Population: 2,879 has three indoor ice rinks has seven state titles NHL players from Roseau, MN Earl Anderson Mike Baumgartner Neal Broten Aaron Broten Paul Broten Dustin Byfuglien Bryan Erickson Aaron Ness Dale Smedsmo Dustin Byfuglien is the most notable contemporary NHL player to emerge from Roseau, but the Broten family is probably the most famous – particularly Neal. Neal Broten was significant contributor to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team, scored 923 points in 1,099 NHL games and had his number retired by the Dallas Stars. Warroad, MN Population: 1,722 has two indoor ice rinks has five state titles NHL players from Warroad, MN Henry Boucha Dave Christian Al Hangleben T.J. Oshie Much like Roseau, Warroad has a “Miracle on Ice” connection in Dave Christian, who scored 773 points in his 1,009-game NHL career. The most noteworthy modern Warroad product is TJ Oshie. Did you know that HS hockey could be...... Kyle Rau scored the winning OT goal had 70 pts in 25 games as a Senior for Eden Prarie. Rau was picked in the 2011 draft by the Florida Panthers and is currently a Freshman at the University of Minnesota where he currently has 31pts in 30 games. This Good. Thanks for reading.

@Todd Varga Did you hear why Koivo is out of the line-up today against the Blues?

Christensen did put up a nice shot in the shootout. I think it will takes a bit of time to get one's game on tract on a new team, with a new system, he hasn't really played that many games this season. I'm willing to give the guy some more time, his linemates haven't been lighting the lamp either. As Yave said the reason why Zidlicky wants to go to New Jersey is to play with Elias. Zidlicky text'd him this week asking about the Devils on the day the big trade rumor broke. I believe Parise will sign in the off season with the Wild, and it won't take much convincing. Parise wants to play in a location where he can be the star and he can win. Minnesota has more than enough cap space. There prospect pool is strong, Also keep in mind he recently bought a new home in Orono.

I think one of the reasons Vancouver has held on to Raymond is for his speed and skating. I don't see him ever becoming a first line player, anywhere. He could do better by putting more shots at the net. Raymond would have been a better choice for the Wild instead of Christensen. However, I doubt the Canucks would trade him here.

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