wild/nhl

Heatly better turn it on, 7.5 million a year and this is what we get?

Nice story Zip I like the way you showed Mister Schultzs leadership on this team because a lot of people gripe about him having 127 points in 730 games while making over $33 million dollars in the Wild organization but can we really put a price on his leadership skills ????? Copyright © 2012 technowild™ ☺

Mrbluesky the same can be said of Koivu and the money he's making. He's on pace for 18 goals which is hard to contemplate when he's playing with Heatley and Set. However it is a good sign that the Wild are picking it up without their top guys in the lineup. Also it does seem that there are certain players and personalities that are a cancer to this team, and I dont think anyone here believes its a coincidence that when they get benched the Wild play better! Play the guys that give the Wild energy from here on out!

mnhockeyguy - Agree completely about Koivu. Great leader, work-ethic, person, etc. but I've been waiting to see him become that "top player" everyone talks about for years. He is not going to be a big-time scorer, heavy physical play or magical playmaker - so he needs to step it up big time as a center on draws, puck-control player all over the ice and continue to out work the opposition. If he does that and Schultz takes his game back up where it should be that would be a huge contribution to all of the other players on this team to be able to play at a higher level.

Nick Schultz' contract is one of Dougie's worst moves. A lot of money for an average, lunch pail type veteran with no puck skills. Going off in the locker room is pretty lame when you are making his money and you are a minus 9. Show it to me on the ice. The Wild will begin to move out of their perennial fight for the last play off spot when they shed his contract along with those of Lats and PMB -- but only if Fletcher spends wisely. They could acquire three really good forwards who show up every night for what those three are making.

TOP STARS??? Who are they. Name one All Star player Fletcher brought to the team since he was hired back in 2009. The All Star game wasn't exactly filled with Wild players. Wild are mediocre...an 8th seed at best. Been this way under Risebrough, and continues under Fletcher.

I like the franchise, they have some likable players, etc... but this team just doesn't trigger that excitement where you know they are good and have a chance to contend. Even when they won the division in 07' there wasn't a ton of confidence that they would do much. 03' was an anomalie but it is proof that anything can happen. Backstrom and Harding are going to have to do head stand gymnastics in the back half and if this team collects some points in the standings they will be from a lot of one goal victories.

Push for Playoffs? please. It's the same old MN WILD, different year. Don't hold your breath this year, either.

ARRey sez: Koivu's work ethic cannot be questioned; he is indeed a top player. Great leader, great person? Maybe not so much.

I drank this kool-aid already and it made me throw up. The North Stars still suck.