Wild off season

[Port.Winterhawk]

Improvedarock-

You are a HOCKEY genius. SKOL WILD, F da Byqueens.

I am stoked for start of camp.

[fishing tech]

I don't like to make prediction because injuries can play such a big part in season outcomes. I have always been a fan of Ballard and like the way he plays. Cooke is on our side now. If the goalies make the saves that they should and rob a 1 or 2 chances a game the Wild will be fun to watch. Parise, Coyle, Zucker, Pommer, Suter, and Brodin will be the leaders.

[Bear55]

Soon!

Wednesday

Players report for three-week training camp.

Thursday

First day on the ice for team at Ridder Arena.

Sept. 17

First of six preseason games, vs. Columbus at Xcel.

Oct. 1

The realigned NHL begins the 2013-14 season.

Oct. 3

Wild season opener vs. Los Angeles at Xcel.

[10,000 Casts]

Zenon Konopka replacement aka David Steckel is going to try out for the wild.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/222962931.html

[10,000 Casts]

After the first day of training camp it sounds like Heatley is in much better shape than last year and he has been taking power skating lessons this off season. Good chance he'll be on the third line with Granlund

[Guest]

That's good news, too bad he waited till now to figure out he needed to be faster...the game has passed him by IMO and I don't see him being a big contributor on this team. I think they made some good moves this off-season and will be a better team.

[Bear55]

Heatley has been on pace for 25 goals the past two seasons, I think he reaches that mark this year and that works for me. Then next year we can trade him in for a newer/younger version.

[10,000 Casts]

even more important than 25 goals in my eyes is that he will probably be put on the 3rd line with Granlund and if Heatley is as bad as he was last year, it will only make the youger guys development more difficult and they will give up a ton of goals. But this is encouraging! He's in a contract year and he still wants to play, we might get the Heatley from 3 years ago and that would be huge.

[Port.Winterhawk]

Chemistry Heater and the FIN. Hope it happens!!

[Port.Winterhawk]

Cant wait to hear Kurtz and Reid on our first preseason game.

[Improvedarock]

I could see grandlund playing with his bra mikko! Just saying!

[Bear55]

Wild drop preseason opener to Columbus 3-1. Mostly kids in the lineup, Nino got the goal from Coyle and Grandlund. Didn't watch the game but it sounds like the kids looked good, D not so much.

[Bear55]

Wild roster for the game tonight.

http://wild.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=20412&navid=DL|MIN|home

[Bear55]

Hmmm the mini Wild short their 5 best players put a 4-1 whooping on the Jets who played their full roster. Sounds like the kids have looked good and Dumba has impressed so far. Still don't know if he is ready for the big show yet but its certainly a good sign.

[RK]

Listened to the last half of the game last night. Other than marching to the sin bin a lot late it sure sounded like they were manhandling the Jets.

Really fun to see a camp with guys actually competing for roster spots vs. penciling in guys because they're the only viable option - or because they're the ONLY option, viable or not. Veterans getting pushed, and young guys competing with each other even for the chance to be the first call-up from Iowa. We will be seeing some guys who would make the opening day roster on a lot of teams in the league sent down to the AHL.

Big change from the days when Annti Miettenen was a top line winger...

[Bear55]

Big change from the days when Annti Miettenen was a top line winger...

I know right! Hard not to be excited these days, just looking at our roster and prospects 4-5 years back its just amazing to see the talent we have now. And the best news is a lot of that talent is in the prime or just entering the league about to hit their stride.

[10,000 Casts]

Quote:

Other than marching to the sin bin a lot late

I think the Jets were 1-7 on the PP. Let the rivalry begin! When I first heard about the wild not playing their top guys, I figured we'd see 4-1 the other way. Nice to see the young guys stepping up for sure.

Anyone know how Heatley did???

[RK]

Heately was pretty good apparently. He's evidently in great shape and quicker than he wast last year. Saw the replay of the Coyle goal he assisted on and it was a beauty of a give and go - cross-crease saucer pass right onto Coyle's stick for a tap-in.

[Guest]

I think the Jets were 1-7 on the PP. Let the rivalry begin! When I first heard about the wild not playing their top guys, I figured we'd see 4-1 the other way. Nice to see the young guys stepping up for sure.

Anyone know how Heatley did???

Heatley was just OK, 1 assist, 1 shot on goal, ZERO on plus minus, 1 penalty in almost 18 minutes on the ice.

[10,000 Casts]

It's early, I think if he is quicker and a better skater than last year, he's skilled enough to have a huge year.

[Port.Winterhawk]

Heatly WILL have a great year. I now say 25 goals, wouldnt be surprised to see 30-contract year for him & he comes to camp in stellar condition. Parise will see 40 goals if he skates with Poms and Koivu.

Remember, the Wild logged 10,000 more travel miles than any other team last year. The realignment travel time favors MN in a huge way, more than other clubs imo.