The Blonde Curse

After countless hours reviewing film, I think I've finally come up with a reason why the Minnesota Wild don't have much (ok, any) success in the playoffs: it's that blonde chick that always sits behind the home bench. Since she started sitting there many years ago, the Wild have had only one successful playoff run. Could she be the Wild's version of the Wrigley Billy Goat Curse?

The picture above was snapped while she was alledgedly reciting some sort of incantation against my favorite hockey team. Why hasn't anyone noticied this before? It's high time she moved her seats to behind the visitor's bench.

5:33pm UPDATE: She has been a frequent topic of discussion on various Wild boards before, but this is the first time she's been linked with witchcraft. I like to think of her as a cross between Meredith Baxter-Birney and Shannen Doherty from the Charmed years.

I'm Huge in Horlivka

I did some in-depth analysis last night of the traffic (and lack thereof) on this web site. What stood out to me was where most of my readers originate from. With that in mind, here is a list of countries with the most visits to Wild Puck Banter:

1. USA.
2. Ukraine.
3. Canada.
4. Finland.
5. China.

What strikes me is my popularity in Ukraine. On a per-capita basis, this is the country where I pull in the most readers. Having said that, look for a substantial increase in Ukrainian hockey news and commentary on Ukrainian television in the coming weeks. Until then, Ласкаво просимо в джунглі товаришів!

Raising Capital

In an attempt to try and earn some cash to pay for NHL Center Ice(*), I've decided to sell the naming rights to my basement, home of Wild Puck Banter, to the first corporation that offers me $171.00. Imagine your company's name in a post like this:

"Pierre-Marc Bouchard sure had a crappy game last night. I swear I saw him turn over the puck at least 8 times from my seat in the Chipotle Basement."

Give it some thought and e-mail me at the address over on the sidebar.

(*)The free trial ends on Sunday.

Blasphemy

I know I'm prone to knee-jerk reactions, but isn't that in the job description of a hockey blogger? Well, it hurts me to say this, so I'm just going to take the "rip the band aid off" approach and say it. Mikko Koivu might not be as good as we think he is.

Since the lockout it's been accepted fact in the State of Hockey that Koivu was the best player on the team and that he was significantly underrated by hockey wonks league-wide. For years I've spent countless blog entries praising the skills of our captain and wondering how freaking good he would be if he had talent around him. Koivu for Selke and whatnot. Looking back, I think I was slightly off base.

Koivu is a very good checking center, period. He's a good team leader and works harder than any other teammate, but he's not an elite player in the NHL. If I were to rank the Top 20 centers today I'd have to leave #9 off of the list. He's not that skilled offensively and rarely makes his line mates great. On a Cup-contending team he'd be a 2nd or 3rd line center, truth be told. Now that's not to say "he sucks", clearly he doesn't. He does what he does very well, he's just not on the level with the best.

Personally it is very hard for me to admit this and I'm sure I'm in the minority around here. I just think it's time we all took a realistic look at this roster and realize what we have.

82-0-1 Within Reach

Well, last night sure was encouraging wasn't it? The new guys paid immediate dividends, Backstrom was very sharp and I found a new flavor of Doritos to enjoy. Looking ahead, I'm fairly confident they'll be battling for a playoff spot and may even win the Cup. On the not-so-positive side, Terhaar and Greenlay haven't improved one bit and I had to mow the lawn yesterday.

All things considered, however, a good way to start the season.

2011-12 Predictions

As is the case with many hockey blogs, I offer you my predictions for the upcoming season:

• Mikko Koivu and Devin Setoguchi will represent the Wild at the All Star Game.


• Nik Backstrom will start 60 games.


• PMB will miss 40 games.


• Star-Tribune hockey wonk Mike Russo will complain about having to go to Detroit.


• Dany Heatley will score 30 goals.


• Vancouver and Calgary will suck. (I'm really going out on a limb here)


• The Wild will finish 6th in the Western Conference.


• Giada will make more tasty pasta dishes while wearing low-cut shirts.


• Hart winner: Stamkos. Vezina: Rinne.

Ok, drop the puck already!