Trained and restrained

Well, folks, we haven't really been following too intensely the Wild's training camp, and now it's over. Scrimmages over the past couple of days, and some hard practice sessions, according to all reports that we've seen. All of this is in preparation for the Wild's first preseason game tomorrow night, against Columbus.

The Wild are looking at a bunch of skaters, and will probably keep 23 on the team when it comes down to it. Aside from their off-season acquisitions, it seems almost a lock that Benoit Pouliot and Eric Reitz will be up with the team, and Cal Clutterbuck has an outside shot. People keep talking about the chances of Krys Kolanos making the trip, with others quick to point out that bringing him along would cause Pouliot (and possibly Belanger) to be looking over their shoulders all season, and could be an unhealthy distraction. Still, the Wild are only running with 4 centers, and only two of those are really reliable (Koivu and Bouchard). The defensive corps are also going to be called on, as both goaltenders are looking at contract years.

But what about the biggest question mark the Wild have right now? Well, it seems as though the Team of 18,000 is no closer to signing Marian Gaborik, who is trying to position himself as a top 5 player (not top 5 for the Wild, but top 5 for the NHL). He's asking for too much, but he's also a key piece that the Wild need if they want to be able to vie for #7 or #8 in the conference this season. Besides, if Gaby gets the contract he wants and turns out a career season, it'll make the Wild bosses look like geniuses. The problem (other than the difference in money)? The injury-prone winger is out with a leg injury that could trouble him the rest of the pre-season, and into October. The longer he sits, the less likely that the Wild will pull the trigger and grant him the cash he's looking for.

We'll know a lot more about this year's team after we get a couple of preseason games under our belts. That being said, let's bring on the Blue Jackets.