Dan Wallace: Wild Open Season With High Expectations

Thanks Dan, an excellent post. Has me giggling now, with the Wild season starting tonight. So my take on everything is that there was not much change on the offensive side, just a few moves on line combos. The big thing is going to be the defense, which I think might take a small step backwards. I was not liking Suter's game the past 2 seasons and think he has really started to slow down, but I am not so sure that Goligoski is an improvement. The 3rd pairing could be better, but that's up for real debate. And definitely will be worse if Benn is playing a lot.

Questions that come to mind? How does Evason expect Rask to skate with Fiala and Gaudreau when he couldn't keep up with Zuccarello and Kaprizov? What has Sturm done to not get a shot at that LW spot over Rask? Because of injuries, I fully expect to see Beckman and Boldy on the roster at some point. Both of them are probably eyeing that Rask spot right now. Can Addison figure out how to play defensively in his own end to earn the right to be called up? He just seems to get walked over all the time. Is Hunter Jones playing to be the backup for next year, as the Wild let Kahkonen walk? Does blue ice taste better than red ice? Just checking to see if anyone was still reading.

Expectations are one thing, Reality quite another, I'm sticking with my original prediction which Is Minnesota will finish 7th In the Central.

It's opening night for the Wild and my first thought Is that there Isn't a planet In the entire universe where Ryan Hartman Is a Number 2 center.

Should be a fun team to watch. Interested to see how JEE has improved and plays as the #1C. Fiala should find better looks against 2nd or 3rd pairings as teams will certainly look to put out their top D pair against KK. I like Hartman as the 3rd C paired with Greenway. That line should provide energy and physical play. A solid pair in the net. Anything can happen. Another west coast start again this year. Worked well last year.

Good read!! Go wild!!

Echiel is your man to put you over the top!! You just have to give up the goods to get him!! Him and the sniper 40goal and 6o assist!! For Rossi and Boldy!! Then Huron is a master mine!!!

To dumb it down you get a proven all star for to high draft picks!! That have done nothing!!! Throw in the back up goalie and deal is done!!!

Wild come from behind to win in last 7 seconds! 4th line played well. Duhaime, Sturm, Goligoski,Gaudreau and Talbot all outstanding. Team had some rust but a good team effort.

It's opening night for the Wild and my first thought Is that there Isn't a planet In the entire universe where Ryan Hartman Is a Number 2 center.
- Shady1962

Thank gawd Hartman isn't the #2 C, he centers the 3rd line, otherwise known as the checking line.

To dumb it down you get a proven all star for to high draft picks!! That have done nothing!!! Throw in the back up goalie and deal is done!!!
- Rsh

Hahahaha!!!! Give it up. Eichel is NOT coming to Minnesota. They don't want him for the ridiculous prices. He is a malcontent that has a serious injury that has no proof that he will ever be the same player. I'm here HOPING that Vegas does give up the king's ransom to get Eichel. At face value, he is just NOT worth what is being expected in a trade.