wild/nhl

It is nice to see that Koivu/Granlund relationship. The kid will learn a lot from Mikko. Splashing these promising kids into the lineup in the next couple years should help create a nice mix of youth and vets. Good things to come...

The Wilds future is so bright, it's blinding. Three captains of World Jr Teams are Wild draft picks, Granlund Finland, Larsson Sweden, and Zucker USA. Throw in Brodin, Gustaffson, Phillips, Coyle, Phillips, Hackett & Lucia, plus throw in the talent already here things are looking up in St. Paul. Fletcher is a good GM. In an Episode of Becoming Wild, I remember Guy LaPointe making comments about Brodin and saying he didn't look like a great skater. I'm glad the Wild didn't listen to him and still drafted him. Can't wait for the future to arrive. GO WILD!!!

Russo, can you check into this rumor for me. The other day I was on a USA hockey stream for you the USA game and rumors were flying that Minnesota might host the 2018 World JR Tourney. We have the facilities with The "X", & Engelstad in TRF (hosted in 04 with GF), or AMZoil in Duluth as 2nd site arenas. Just want to know if this wishful thinking or should we Minnesotans start planning ahead, thanks.

ARRey sez: Hey Michael Russo... any truth to the rumor that Fletcher got Nieuwendyk to throw in the rights to Patrik Nemeth as future considerations in the Nystrom deal?

A resurgence of youth is always good for a struggling team. I'm sure this little vacation to Banff will most surely get their minds off this 11 game skid. Watch out for those snow bunnies boys!

mn218puckfan..exactly, although I don't think that Gustaffson ever plays a game for the Wild. Hackett and Kuempher are the future in goal for the Wild. Also, Lucia is playing in the BCHL, which is definitley a notch below any CHL league, so his points in that league need to be taken with a grain of salt. If he was doing this in a CHL league, like Phillips is doing in the Q, it would be impressive. I'm a fan of the kid, seems down to earth, but lets wait until he puts up big points in a league like any of the CHL league or in college. Also, Brodin will be great I think, but if you watch Becomming Wild, not sure if its the same episode you are referencing or another one, the guy the Wild wanted was Dougie Hamilton, you can tell when someone says "Boston is taking Hamilton", and then the whole tables faces look dejected and sad. Thats who they wanted. Damn, Boston turns Kessel into Seguin and Hamilton, geez Burke missed on that one.