The Minnesota Wild have headed West for a short road trip, one that will see them returning home next Wednesday for their first meeting of the season against the Calgary Flames. The team has been trying to keep their offense around for more than a couple of games at a time, and they're looking for their young players, specifically James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot to step up.
But the Wild may also have a player returning to the ice that could help, at least in the short term. For the first time in a long time, Marion Gaborik laced up the skates and practiced with the team. Gaborik hopes to play by the end of the road trip, but coach Jacques Lemaire doesn't seem to think it's likely. Best guess is that Gaby might take to the ice against Calgary.
Many Wild fans and media alike are saying that Gaborik's already as good as gone from the Wild, and, while that may be true, if he's able to get back on the ice, it can only benefit both the team and the player. The Wild need a guaranteed offensive threat, and Gaborik can provide that. As for Gaby, he needs to prove that, even though he's been sidelined with a "lower body injury", he still has the skills needed to make an impact on the league. And, if there is serious talk of a trade looming on the horizon, both sides need the vision of Gaborik shooting a wicked wrist shot past a goaltender to prove that there's a value in the Slovak All-Star.
Tonight the puck drops in Phoenix. Can the Wild reverse their fortunes from the last few games?
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