Dan Wallace: Wild Offense is Offensive

I have to agree with ya Dan. Haven't really seen anything different. Oh look, the Wild outshot Dallas 32-21...only 1 goal. I expected the Jets to outplay the Wild in the 2nd game, as the Jets outshot them 32-21. At least some of the right guys are scoring...glad to see Sturm get a goal, with help from Greenway and Hunt. And it's nice that Hartman got that 1st goal outta the way in the pre-season, with helpers from Foligno and Soucy. Not that I expect to see Soucy on the starting roster.

I'm starting to wonder already if playing Donato at C is not that good of an idea. It's it generally that a C is making plays for teammates and the snipers are more often than not on the wings? Donato loves to shoot the puck, we all know that. And he does appear to have a pretty good shot...does that mean the Wild are not using him to his best abilities? Or is that the reason that Zuccarello is skating with him?

And from what saw of the Zucker/Staal/Fial..I mean Stafford line, the kept the puck along the boards behind the net. I don't think that is much of a strength of Fiala. That mindset might work for some of the other bigger players on the roster (yes I know, Staal is pretty big), but I don't think Fiala and Zucker are great players off the wall. I hope that I am proven wrong.

Tampa hasn't scored any goals so far so you're doing okay

This is really why it was unconscionable that they didn't trade Spurgeon to get the offensive help they so desperately needed. Belpedio already looks like a player. Spurgeon is replaceable, and if we're honest, Spurgeon generally struggles in the playoffs. He is easily pushed out of the crease by bigger forwards. Guerin had a very good trade chip and he didn't use it. I think that was a massive error. Kadri is going to be a handful in the central and who do the Wild have to match up against him? Staal isn't a top 6 centerman and neither is Ek. The wild are in trouble this year. I hope I eat crow but I don't think so...

Going to be a Mild season again. Hopefully Dumba stays healthy and we see what that boy can do at his peak

The Wild are the very definition of insanity. Keep doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Hmmmm... Let's see, don't add any true goal scorers to a low scoring team and expect different results. Thats insane.

I'm not usually one to give up before the all star break, but hell, I'm giving up before the season even starts. Leopold simply needs to get it into his head that this team needs an overhaul. This team is going nowhere in a hurry if they keep adding mediocrity. Love Staal, been a big fan his entire career... should have traded him. Instead of handing one of, if not thee smallest D men in the league a hefty 7 year contract they should have traded him. I like Zucker, good dude, good player, but he has hit his ceiling here, should have traded him. But leopold seems to think that he can just keep allowing these tinker toy moves that in the grand scheme of things are meaningless.

I'm not saying Granlund was the answer, but he will ALWAYS be twice as valuable as Fiala. Fiala is a combo of Coyle, Nino and Zucker. Speed, decent skill but no nose for the net. Sure he'll pot a few, but he has nothing on Grannys play making abilities or abililty to see the ice.

It's pre season for christs sake!!! Everything should be loosy goosey! Yet these ass clowns are already playing like theyre in their mid season slump... Pathetic.

If their not a playoff team we can only hope to win the lottery drawing or at least a top 5 pick team has good players but no great one's can't finish

If their not a playoff team we can only hope to win the lottery drawing or at least a top 5 pick team has good players but no great one's can't finish
- North Stars 1967

The players know the team isn't good and are playing accordingly.

I largely agree with all of you. The Spurgeon extension clearly shows this franchise hassn't learned from past mistakes. Sure, he's a good d man, but he's not a cornerstone player. Same with Zucker, good guy, nice player, but not a franchise player. These guys both complementary pieces you add to a winning team, not guys to build around.

Here's to another season of mediocrity, and hoping for a lottery pick.

This is the team that should be ponying up for Jesse Puljujarvi.

Of course their offense is horrible...look at their lineup...it’s horrible!

....at least you're getting Justin Faulk?

....at least you're getting Justin Faulk?
- BINGO!

Ummm......why?

Ummm......why?
- Gusrichards

Nope!

I was Wrong! Russo says it's not Minnesota.

Nope!

I was Wrong! Russo says it's not Minnesota.
- BINGO!

With Dumba and Spurgeon locked up already, it would make no sense. I'm sure Russo was reporting because Faulk is "one of us" here in Minnesota. And it would have made sense last year when Dumba got hurt...but Fenton had no clue what he was doing, so nothing even remotely materialized.