The only star I am reading in this article is Nik Backstrom, No Backstrom and the Wild are a non factor. As far as Grandlund is concerned he needs to prove he can be a big time player in the NHL. I expect him to show flash and get a good start but after 10 games if he is still healthy enough to play, expect him to be just so so..... Lets face it, time and space like he had in Finland and the AHL is not going to be there for him once the teams get their legs underneath them in 10 games or so....... Experienced leadeship at work ? Grandlund playing center is a pipe dream, we will see how long that lasts. I pine for the days of Lemaire and DR, whats best for the team and not the individual player. I shake my head

Watched Granlund play a few times with Aeros and he still needs a lot of development. He's not a strong skater, not big enough to win physical battles yet; and he needs space given to him in order to make a play. As he continues to get better and adjusts to the North American rink, I hope he becomes an elite level player; but right now I think expectations should be tempered. (As a side note correction, Granlund did not play throughout the lockout, as stated. He was injured and out for the middle third of Houston games before the lockout ended.)

"for the days of DR" and "what's best for the team" used in the same sentence?? Oh boy... DR ruined this team with awful contracts, lousy drafting and trading away assets. What's best for the team!? Oh my goodness. Yet another screen name, same old mr. know it all..

"for the days of DR" and "what's best for the team" . . . yeah, I pine for those James Sheppard days.

Wow, what a glass-half-empty view of Granlund. Let the guy play in the big leagues first. Let's be honest, Lemaire is a great coach. Made an offensively challenged team competitive, and he did wonders in New Jersey I think 2 years ago. Supposedly players either stopped listening to him or he had trouble getting his point across towards the end. But again, look what he did in New Jersey. DR had a string of good picks early but we all know the latter ones seem to be the ones we always remember. But Lemaire and DR is in the past. This year and years to come look to be much better.

Real easy to spot the troll today....pining for the DR days...good grief. He was so good at his job that he is now a scout for the Rangers....oh, wait.

I can't wait to see Granlund play. I understand he's young and still needs to develop, but it'll be fun to watch that happen.

How much better is this team than a year ago? In the past we didn't have even one legit forward line, now we have Parise, Koivu, Heatley, Seto, Cullen, Granlund, Clutterbuck, Brodziak, Kenopka, Mitchell and hopefully a healthy PMB. This is going to be fun... Let's Play Hockey!!!!

What on earth were you doing watching the Aeros? Were you the backup Zamboni driver that night? Thanks but I'll take my scouting tips from the pros. I think we should all be excited about The WIld - not only major talent now but a nice pipeline of talent coming up.

Finally the Wild have some young talent in the system. Granlund is the first piece to the puzzle to bring home the Stanley Cup. I'm still mad about the lockout but you must agree the Wild have a full stocked shelf of top end talent. The next few years should be good for Minnesota hockey fans.