Gabe Kaplan Reborn

First off I'd just like to apologize to the people who click here every day looking for thoughts and opinions about the Wild. The past few weeks have seen me lose interest in the club and in the NHL in general. I can't explain it, but I just had no desire to watch hockey. I'd try a period or two here and there, but nothing. Maybe it had to do with the club's slide in recent weeks, maybe not. Maybe it had to do with a very busy couple of weeks here on the homefront, who knows. All I know is that when Mikko Koivu's leg got broken, a certain fire in my belly was rekindled.

I watched the Vancouver game on Wednesday night with a renewed passion for the game. I wanted to see no. 24 pound on some Canuck in retribution for the evil slash, but it didn't happen. Instead I was drawn back into the sport I had come to love and rediscovered a level of interest that had been missing. Sure, the Wild got beat that night, but for me that was ok because I had found the game once again.

Now to the team. Something isn't right. Clearly. They wouldn't acquire Todd Fedoruk if things were swell. They currently sit at 3rd in the conference, but are only 2 points from being 10th. Pavol needs to come back today. Marty can no longer be two steps behind an attacking winger. Harding needs to stop giving up softies and Nik needs to find his consistency.

It begins this afternoon against the Jackets. Get 2 points today and move forward. Forget the past and start enjoying the game again.

Side note: Wild Puck Banter is going on the road this weekend. The crew and I are heading north to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to watch the UMD Bulldogs visit the Fighting Sue. Look for pictures and a recap of the trek Sunday evening. Until then, enjoy some puck.