Wild Coming Into Their Own; Prospects Sheet Updated

It has been awhile...damn life got in the way.

But, it does seem that the Wild are starting to get the system down. Since I last blogged, a couple of changes to the Wild have taken place:

• Claimed Andrew Ebbett off waivers
• Traded Pouliot for Latendresse
• Robbie Earl called up (sent down over weekend)

The most noticeable move is obviously the Pouliot for Latendresse trade. Now, after two viewings of Latendresse, I like what I see. But, it is a new team and a contract year so if anything can get a hockey player up, it is those two things.

He's 6'2 and 230 pounds, skates a little better than Bruno and has decent hands. The knock on him from the various websites across the interwebs is that he will play hard one game and everyone will think he's a top-6 player, then he will play soft and uninterested. Well, that sounds a little like Pouliot so the theory is they might thrive with a change of scenery.

As with most trades and younger players, only time will tell.


Ebbett has been around the net in his first few games and appears to have a shooting mentality, something that the Wild lacks. His energy has been great but you wonder what his role will be once Havlat, Miettinen, Sykora and Bouchard come back (not counting on Bouchard, but you get the point). A 5'9 winger with speed can be good on the forecheck but I'd rather have someone who can bang and wear down the defensemen, ALA Clutterbuck and Brodziak. But, he certainly doesn't hurt us as we gave up nothing to get him and he isn't under contract. If he works out, great, and if he doesn't, then he will find himself on waivers once again.



I actually thought Robbie Earl was a great bottom six player. He isn't very big but will take the body, has speed to get there and showed he has an NHL caliber shot when he scored his first ever two goals. He played as well as Ebbett has but is not a center and he can be sent down to Houston with no risk of being claimed since he has already passed through waivers.


All in all, as the local press has stated, the Wild have shown they can win games when they outwork the opposing team. They don't have any snipers or game-breakers (although Koivu continues to make my man-crush grow with all the little things he does) but they are starting to become a team that no one will want to play. But, with other guys coming back into the lineup, one wonders if the inconsistencies that were there early on will come back. Yes, I'm talking about Havlat and Sykora (and Bouchard if he ever comes back). Heck yea, they add skill to a team and an ingredient that would make this team even better. But, if you take out two guys that have been busting their balls off and start losing games, then what happens? You aren't going to bench Havlat because there is just too much skill there. And Sykora is a goal scorer who might be able to get us something come trade deadline. The positive spin on this is that we know we have players that will hustle. Yea, it is more fun watching a team win with a bunch of nice moves, passes and highlight reel goals. But, losing sucks. And it sucks even more when a bunch of guys float around, uninterested.

It will be interesting to see the decisions Fletcher and Richards make once some of these injured players return to the lineup.

Oh, That Clutterbuck; Prospects Stats Update

Calvin Clutterbuck-what a shot last night, eh? I also really thought he looked good on the powerplay, something I hope Richards considers more often. He took three shots, one missing the far corner, then hitting the pipe on the second shot and the third going into the goalie's chest. But, he keeps it simple and has a great shot.

Also, I love the mustache on him. He also has the good ol' yellow teeth with the chew spots which was shown as he was jawing at the ref after he felt he was interfered with on the penalty kill late in the game.

For any of you who play EHM Fantasy Hockey Manager 2007 with the updated rosters, the 2009/2010 rosters came out today at The Blue Line. All I know is Clutterbuck better be a good third liner because I intend on taking him early!


In other news, I thought Russo's blog the other day calling out Burns was necessary. Burns does appear to have such a great personality but he almost seems too positive to be able to take some criticism and say "Yea, I sucked it up and have to play better.". Burns, after Koivu (sorry Clutterbuck), is my favorite player. But I really had high hopes for him this season. I still think he has so much potential but is either trying to do too much, or doesn't have the mental side I was hoping he would develop.

Also, has anyone missed Johnsson? Scott has not made any dumb plays, keeps it simple and brings that presence to the front of the net. I know Johnsson is a great skater and makes a good first pass but he has looked horrendous this year. It will really be telling when he comes back because if the Wild start having a whole bunch of odd-man rushes again, I will fault Johnsson.

Zidlicky has looked great even if he does get a little too aggressive. But, with Schultz no longer pinching in every time and Burns being more cautious, Zidlicky works because people are back to support him.

Brodziak is really growing on me as well. In fact, I love the Kobasew-Brodziak-Clutter line. They all finish their checks, hustle and have some finish to them.



The Gophs split. After a rough Friday night, they won last night, even after being outshot roughly 2-1.

A good weekend for the Houston Aeros as well, going 2-0. As I have mentioned in other blogs, please checkout The Third Intermission for awesome Aeros coverage!



Have a good week!

Good Weekend for Wild, Gophers and Vikes; Prospects Sheet Update

Wow, this is an odd feeling. I am not frustrated while writing the blog! The Wild beat Gaborik-less Rangers and a Malkin-less Penguins. But, I thought the team, as a whole, looked great for the full 60 minutes in each game. Sure, they were outshot by the Penguins but we didn't give them a hand full of odd-man rushes. I felt that Koivu was dominant in both games, winning faceoffs, strong along the wall and being good on the forecheck/backcheck. Backstrom was the obvious star of the weekend but Zanon has to be mentioned as well. He made several nice defensive plays and was very consistent defensively...something our defensemen have not been this season thus far.

And about Backstrom, what a goalie. I was one of those who was curious to see how he would do in a new system...not because I didn't think he was mentally tough or not positionally sound, but because I questioned his athleticism. Man, he is so positionally sound and mentally strong, he doesn't have to make the acrobatic saves...so, I EAT CROW.

Boogaard played a lot more and I didn't feel he did all that bad. It makes you question just where Pouliot is with this organization since he was a healthy scratch the past two games for Boogaard. Personally, I thought he had been playing much better, competing and trying to make plays instead of trying to toe-drag everyone in the neutral zone.

Scott and Belanger have really impressed me. Belanger has been competing every game, has shown his speed and has also finishing plays. It is his contract year so lets see if he can keep it up. Scott, has been mobile and tough along the wall, making simple plays. To be honest, I think our defense has appeared to be settled down without Johnsson in the lineup. That isn't to say I don't think Johnsson is a great skater, a smart passer...but I think Johnsson and Burns have been trying to do too much this year and the harder they try, the worse it becomes.


Wild get some rest.

Gophers sweep Alaska Anchorage. Nick Leddy sustained a broken jaw on Friday and will be out about 6 weeks. Lucia and Kangas were the MVPs, imo.

Vikes beat Cheeseheads!!!






Prospects:

• Leddy out 6 weeks with a broken jaw.
  
• Cody Almond out with broken wrist for around 4 weeks.