Detroit Suck City

I swear if I see another game like the last one against the Wings I'll throw my remote at the TV. The Wild are fading fast and could sure use a good effort tonight.

Impending Free Agents

Ok, it's not the end of the season yet, but it is still a good time to look at the impending free agents on the Wild. Here they are in no particular order, along with my thoughts:

1. Marian Gaborik (UFA) ~ I'd try and sign him to a one year deal for around $5.0m.
2. Benoit Pouliot (RFA) ~ see ya, Benny.
3. Stephane Veilleux (UFA) ~ try for 2 years at $1.0m per.
4. Dan Fritsche (RFA) ~ the jury is out. No opinion yet.
5. Peter Olvecky (RFA) ~ ditto.
6. Martin Skoula (UFA) ~ gonzo.
7. Marc-Andre Bergeron (UFA) ~ a keeper in the $1.0 to $1.5m range.
8. Kurtis Foster (UFA) ~ keep him also, but no pay increase from his $1.025m contract.
9. Nik Backstrom (UFA) ~ Try and sign for $4.5m per year over 3 or 4 seasons.
10. Josh Harding (RFA) ~ another keeper, maybe $1.5 per year for 2 or 3 seasons.

If Gaborik leaves, it's imperative to sign a scorer, but who that would be is a mystery to me.

Time to Reload?

Did I really say in my last post that if the Wild scored 3 they would beat the Sens? And then did I really turn the channel when they built a 3-0 lead, thinking my prophecy was spot-on? I most certainly did, and the team gave up 5 unanswered and lost. They're now in a fight to get to the 8th spot in the West and are soon embarking on a massive road trip. Things do not look good.

What to do? That's the question. I say unload Backstrom for a scorer and a high draft pick if you can get it. I say deal Johnsson and youth. And I say try and sign Marian to a 1 year contract for around $6.0m. I know it's purely speculation at this point but I believe that Harding can be a capable number 1 netminder. I think it's time to blow this season up and start reloading for 2009-10.

The Return of Kuba

Ok, so no Spezza sightings last night, but I did manage to eat a ridiculous amount of beef and mashed potatoes, so the night was a success nonetheless.

Tonight's game against Ottawa is another one of those "must get 2 points if the team is to be taken seriously" games. I can honestly say I haven't watched more than 1 period of Sens hockey this season, but I think they can still score in bunches sometimes. Having said that, if the Wild score 3 they win, simple as that.

Tonight also marks the return of defenseman Filip Kuba. Kuba, a former WPB whipping boy, was Martin Skoua here before Martin Skoula arrived. Until Brent Burns gets the nod someday, Kuba remains the only Wild defenseman to make an All Star Team, but it should be mentioned that he really only made it because the game was played in St. Paul.

Spezza Watch

First of all, let's just forget last night happened.

Secondly, the Sens are in town for a game tomorrow night. Another must win for the local team. I'll be out tonight at a local steakhouse that rhymes with "Nanny's" and I'm hoping to run into Jason Spezza, who is rumored to be a big steak lover. If I see Mr. Spezza I'll ask him why his team sucks so much this year. I'll also try and get a picture for the blog, wish me luck.

Stretch Run Approaches

I've finally convinced myself that this blogging business is a good thing and that I should make a legitimate effort to post on a more regular basis. And by "a more regular basis" I mean more then just once a month, which seems to be my thing this season. It should also be noted that a few of my sponsors are more likely to renew their contracts on a blog that posts more than once a month, but that's not the driving reason here. In any event, look for more regular posts here in the future.

Onto tonight's game in the ridiculously-named Hockeytown. Count the empty seats tonight early in the game; they're everywhere. Joe Louis Arena looks like the Dairy Queen Brazier when their soft serve machine is on the fritz. Detroit is a pretty good hockey city, but clearly not hockeytown. I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but that's a good starting point.

Hopefully the team can get out of Detroit with a point; that would be a successful trip in my book. Keep the game close, give Harding some work and work on the trap.