Wild Season Preview
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2009 Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 40/1
2009 Odds to win Conference: 20/1
Players Added: Martin Havlat, Kyle Brodziak, Shane Hnidy, Greg Zanon
Players Lost: Marian Gaborik, Martin Skoula, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Dan Fritsche, Peter Olvecky
The Minnesota Wild, like the Dallas Stars, play a style of hockey that is becoming archaic, and while Nicklas Backstrom is a solid goaltender, he is not Martin Brodeur, and does not have a team as skilled or patient as the New Jersey Devils to play the defensive style of game the team tries to play. The exciting parts of Minnesota’s game come from hard hitting players like defenseman Brent Burns, and the sucker-punch on skates style of forechecking brought by Cal Clutterbuck.
However, run and gun intimidation does not mix well with a defensive style trap that requires patience and organization.
The team is confused as to how to adhere to their style most games, and being in a division with the competitive Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames, they will quickly lose their heads and just tread water to stay alive. Picking up Martin Havlat to simply replace the Wild nightmare that was Marian Gaborik will prove fatal for a team with no set season plan.
The Wild will shine when they can get the upper hand of intimidation early in the game, but if Backstrom flops at any point this team may have a hard time competing with anyone but Phoenix.
2009 NHL Predictions – Minnesota Wild
Division: 5th
Conference: 14th
Wins: 35
2 replies on “2009/10 Minnesota Wild Predictions | Odds | Preview”
new head coach, new gm, new system. agressive; offensive; etc.
They may not do well this year. but that won’t be because of an “archaic” style of hockey, as you put it. It will be because they are implementing an agressive system and learning a new coaches style.
Where do you see the Wild finishing this year Zac? And don’t be a “homer”! lol