Good Morning Minnesota!

First off, apologies for my long break. As loyal readers are aware, I'm prone to taking breaks from the blog for stretches of time to refresh my love of the game. I've always told myself that I'll get out of the blogging business when it becomes work, but I'm pleased to say that it hasn't come to that.

I've added a new feature to the blog, the Marian Gaborik Trade Index. On a scale of 1 to 10 this indicates the likelihood that he'll be traded in the next week, with 10 being a lock.

In any event, I'm back again and have these random thoughts about the first few weeks of the hockey season:

• Great start by the Wild, although against not exactly the best competition. A win is a win, but games against Boston, Florida, Tampa and Atlanta aren't the best of measuring sticks for this team.
• Mikko has taken the next step, this much is clear. Koivu is the team leader, their best player and will be the face of the franchise after #10 leaves.
• That brings me to Marian. I'm not sure who to believe on this one. One side's saying they're offering him a Top 5 salary and the other side's says that's not true. All I know is that (a) they should offer him around $8.0m over 6 years and (b) trade his Slovak ass if he turns it down. Get an established center, a high-level prospect and a 1st rounder.
• Backstrom solid. Enough said.
• Terhaar and Greenlay still suck and may be the worst tandem in professional hockey. Would it be so bad to have Kevin Gorg be the analyst? He's a great hockey mind.
• 2 assists for Boogey? More ice time, Jacques.

Columbus in town tonight. It's important to win tonight to erase the bad memories of the Sabres game, and I bet Harding gets his first start of the season.