Wild Prospects

As of today, here is my ranking of the team's best prospects:

1. Marco Scandella (D) ~ finally, finally, finally a 2nd round draft pick can play. He was arguably Canada's best defenseman in the last World Juniors and appears to be getting better every month. Pierre McGuire calls him "a monster".

2. Nick Leddy (D) ~ despite an early-season injury, he's had a good season in the WCHA. Still a few years away, but nothing he has done has diminished his 16th overall selection. McGuire calls him "a monster".

3. Tyler Cuma (D) ~ the former first round pick has disappointed so far to date, but defensemen tend to develop slowly, so I wouldn't give up on him yet. Odds are good he'll be in Houston next season.

4. Anton Khoudobin (G) ~ Houston's all star goaltender will probably be backing up Backstrom next season.

5. Colton Gilles (LW) ~ Despite playing in the NHL last season, I still label him as a prospect. He's only 20 and could someday be a gritty presence in the corners. McGuire had called him "a monster" but has since retracted that quote.

As you can see, the Wild are fairly deep with prospects on defense. I see them drafting forwards this upcoming summer.

Dino Belongs in the Hall

With all the fuss about Bert Blyleven not getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a former North Star great's quest for the Hockey HOF has gone a little unnoticed. Make no mistake about it, Dino Ciccarelli should be in the Hall of Fame. Let's examine his numbers:

1232 Regular Season Games Played

608 Goals (232 on the Power Play, 8th all time)

592 Assists

1200 Points

141 Playoff Games Played

73 Playoff Goals

He had 21 points in 19 playoff games during the 1980-81 North Star run to the Stanley Cup Finals AS A ROOKIE.

By comparison, HOF member Luc Robataille scored 668 goals (many assisted by the greatest playmaker of all time) and was a no-brainer pick. Cam Neely, who brought much more to the rink than his scoring, only scored 395 career goals and is also in.

Why not Dino? Sure, the guy was a bit of a hothead and sometimes he brought out the trash without any pants, but that doesn't disqualify him. I know a lot of people who take out the trash butt naked, it's no big deal IMO.

Overrated are the Sharks

Yes, I know I just about say that about every good team the Wild faces, but in San Jose's case I actually believe it's somewhat true. Sure, they've got a good line or two, and sure, they're boasting the best point total in the NHL, but when was the last time they made the Stanley Cup Finals? When was the last time you heard Evgeni Nabokov giving a Vezina acceptance speech? Never, my friends, never. All the San Jose Sharks are is a team of underachievers that used to be made up of Minnesota North Star castoffs.

Remember that? In 1991 the expansion Sharks were allowed to select players from the North Stars to start their team. Players like Shane Churla, Brian Hayward and even Doug Zmolek were selected. A year later the North Stars made the Cup Finals, something San Jose has yet to accomplish.

Objects in Your Mirror

Another game, another two points. Last night's victory in Colorado was hardly a great game from a spectator's standpoint, but it was a good game to watch if you're a fan of Josh Harding. Harding looked very sharp, shutting out the Avalanche 1-0. Marty Havlat scored the only goal. The team is now off to San Jose for a 9:30 CST start against the Sharks.

Despite the recent surge, the question still remains: is this a playoff team? The answer, from this blogger's viewpoint, is a resounding probably. I know you can't throw out games in October, but since November 1st, this team has been playing very, very good hockey. If they selected NHL playoff teams like they do NCAA basketball teams the Wild would certainly be in, due to their play as of late. They are a team on the come, and they're about to pass Calgary.

One other quick thing...I went to "The Tooth Fairy" last night and came away with a couple of quick thoughts:

(1) The Rock, Julie Andrews, Billy Crystal and Ashley Judd all need to look at themselves in the mirror and really give some thought to where their careers are at. Why, Ashley, why?

(2) ESPN's Steve Levy made a quick cameo as an ESPN hockey broadcaster. I really miss games done by Levy and Darren Pang. Great duo.

(3) If you're a movie theatre serving nachos and cheese, why wouldn't you offer jalapeno peppers on the side? Nachos w/o jalapenos are nothing more than bad doritos.

Looking for Sponsors

With the rapidly-approaching Hockey Day in my Basement only 10 days away I'm in need of a sponsor or two. Ideally I'd like a restaurant like Dino's Gyros or Sammy's Pizza to sponsor the day and provide me with food, but at this point I'd settle for some pizza rolls. I could call it "Totino Pizza Rolls Hockey Day in my Basement" or "Hockey Day in my Basement Brought to you by Dino's Gyros". The possibilities are endless.

Now onto tonight'sgame against the Red Wings. Rumor has it Josh Harding will get the start in goal. The game is tres importante. With the Wings holding down the 8th spot in the conference, the Wild cannot afford to lose another 2 points. The run to the playoffs begins now.

Hockey Day in My Basement 2010

Saturday, February 6, 2010 has been decreed "Hockey Day in my Basement". I plan on spending the entire day doing hockey-related activities to honor the greatest sport. Here is a tentative schedule of events:

8am to 9am ~ Watch NHL on the Fly with coffee and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
9am to 11am ~ Watch the film "Miracle".
11am to 11:40 ~ drive son to Squirt hockey game in Blaine.
11:40 to 12:40 ~ attend Squirt hockey game and work time clock.
12:40 to 2pm ~ Stop for tacos on way home and discuss the game.
2pm to 3pm ~ Play NHL 2010.
3pm to 5:30 ~ Watch Red Wings v. Kings.
5:30 to 7pm ~ Make crock of chili, go on beer run and watch HNIC.
7pm to 9:30 ~ Flyers v. Wild.
9:30 to 11:30 ~ Watch "Youngblood" again.
11:30 to Midnight ~ Fall asleep on couch during HNIC After Hours.

I cordially invite everyone over for what promises to be a fun day. Rumors are swirling that FSN personalities (oxymoron, right?) Kevin Gorg and Anthony LaPanta are making plans to attend part of the day. Merchandise like sweatshirts and commemorative can coolers will be available in coming days.

Getting Ridiculous

Some thoughts about last night's Shootout loss to the Wings:

• Let's just spot all of the Wild's future opponents 2 goals before the game starts because clearly that's what this team needs in order to get motivated. Sure, you can call them The Comeback Kids, but the proper nickname would be The Late Risers.
• Josh Harding injured. This is not good considering the approaching trade deadline. Hopefully he gets back soon so his talents can be on display. It'd be great if they could move him for a 1st round pick, but that may be pushing things a bit.
• Nik Lindstrom has lost a step. The best defenseman of his generation can still play, but he's not elite anymore.
• I'm liking the two-flavored Doritos bags. They mix two different kinds of Doritos in one bag and create a nacho symphony of flavor. Right on, Frito Lay!
• Tomorrow is the Minnesota rip-off version of Hockey Day in Canada. Having said that, I'm all for promoting the sport around here, so I'll be tuning in.
• Has anyone seen "The Hurt Locker?" I don't remember being that tense watching a movie since the shaving scene in "Youngblood". See it soon.

Fake Mailbag

Yes, it's time again to answer questions posed by fake readers in another installment of Fake Mailbag:

Dear WPB:

I'm a long-suffering Canucks fan. Year after year my team seems to assemble overrated, overpaid talent and can never seem to win a big playoff series. Between our starting goaltender and the Supertwins we can't even afford to add anyone else significant. Any thoughts?
M. Gillis, Vancouver, B.C.

Mr. Gillis: First off, go get yourself a 12 pack of Sleeman's and find a nice spot on the couch. Then pick up your remote control and find the Center Ice channel that the Wild are playing on. ~Editor

Dear WPB,

Do you think there's any chance I can get Chuck Fletcher drunk at the next GM meetings and get him to take Benoit Pouliot back?
B. Gainey, Montreal.

B: I'd give Pouliot another 5 to 6 seasons to develop. He's clearly got an upside, it just takes half a decade or so to develop. ~ Editor

Dear WPB:

What an insane blog you've got here. All you seem to do is take cheap shots at teams ahead of the Wild in the standings, rip on your best players and spend countless paragraphs about places in Minneapolis to find good burritos. I can't believe they let you have a spot on the prestigious Fanball Sports Network.
M. Gaborik, NYC.

Dear MG: You raise an excellent point regarding burritos. If you ever find yourself in Duluth, I'd heartily suggest stopping in at Burrito Union. ~Editor.

Dear WPB:

What are your top 5 Organized Crime Films of all time?
R. Ebert, Chicago.

Rog, here they are:
(1) Goodfellas. (2) Godfather. (3) Godfather 2. (4) Miller's Crossing. (5) Donnie Brasco. ~ Editor.

Road Trip Proposal

It seems like every season the Minnesota Wild are having a road trip where the players bring their fathers along. A few years back it was the moms' turn and this year the dads are in Chicago on the road trip. Something about team bonding and whatnot. I'm sure tonight's game on Versus (still not on Directv, by the way) will feature their sideline reporter interviewing some of the dads between puck drops. Odds are good they'll be wearing their son's jerseys as well. This bores me.

To spice things up a bit, I think the Wild should take their bloggers along with the team on a road trip. Just grab 5 or 6 of the longest-serving bloggers and pay for their all-expense paid trip with the team on a southern swing through Miami, Tampa and Atlanta. Let us spend time with the players on the plane, skate around during the morning skate and sit in a box during the game. Stay at the team hotel and run up a huge bar bill. I can guarantee I'll have some positive things to say about the team if this comes to fruition.

Hell, I'll even settle for a trip to Western Canada if it's offered. As long as I don't have to sit next to Mike Greenlay, that is. That dude bugs me for some reason.

Jacques Returns

Well, I guess I can officially say Jacques Lemaire knows how to coach. His New Jersey Devils are on top of their division and he’s loving life once again. Many people here thought the game had passed him by, that he was too traditional for the New NHL. Well, I’m here to state the obvious: Lemaire can flat out coach.

He just didn’t have the talent here. Marian Gaborik was hurt, Brian Rolston left and the Wild was depleted at the end of last season. Dougie Risebrough had left the farm system depleted and there was no one to turn to. Now that he’s surrounded by players like Zach Parise and David Cornell, Lemaire is winning again. (And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the best goaltender in the history of the game between the pipes either)

Having said all of that, I still think it was good for the Wild to see him leave. Sometimes change for the sake of change is a good move. His style and vision had grown weary around here and things needed to be broken down in order to rebuild.