The day before the draft

First off, thanks for stopping by. This is a new voyage for us, as we start the business of blogging the hockey world in general, and the Minnesota Wild in particular. Please be patient as we get our ice legs under us.

We're, of course, looking ahead at the NHL Entry Draft, which is just on the horizon, and while there are a number of players of interest, we're trying to chart what exactly the Wild are planning on doing with their four picks. Will they shore up the center position that is admittedly weak right now? Could they add a defenseman to help out the blue line? Maybe a goaltender to help out the ranks, which could use some shoring up in the minor leagues? The only thing that they should have in plenty is wingers, but that could always change with off-season moves.

Speaking of off-season moves, it does look like the odds are good that Pavol Demitra will not be back next year playing for the Team of 18,000, as they're putting more emphasis on resigning Brian Rolston, and they can't keep both. Holding onto Rolston is a good plan for the team, as his leadership far outshone Demitra's over the past season. There's always the questions revolving around Marian Gaborik (Does he want to keep playing in a defensive system? Would he be better if he were unleashed in the Eastern Conference? How will his groin hold up?), but the main thought in St. Paul should be to lock down Rolston, and resign Gaborik as well. The team needs the offensive firepower that those two bring. Shoring up their blue line with Marc-Andre Bergeron will help add a big shot and some more offensive potential to what Brent Burns is already doing, but the Wild won't be able to make serious moves in the playoffs if they can't put the puck in with their forwards.

Still, the Entry Draft will be interesting. Which teams will make trades, and which will take a gamble on draft picks? Will the Wild try and make amends for taking (and wasting) Chris Simon by making a blockbuster deal, or will they simply hunker down and see what they can do to return the core of last year's team?