Preseason Games Six & Seven; Mascot and Roster

Friday night, the Wild skated into Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets in the penultimate preseason warm-up. And, well, maybe the team wishes that they'd stayed at home, after getting knocked around to the tune of a 5-3 loss. The Wild were down at one point 3-0, but they weren't able to come back all the way, and a late Minnesota power play ended up resulting in a Columbus short-handed goal. And this all coming less than 24 hours before the Wild were scheduled to take on Montreal, a team picked by many to be a legitimate challenge for the Stanley Cup this year.

Well, the Wild put together most of their season starters (minus a couple of injuries) and they proceeded to wallop the Canadiens 3-0 to close out their preseason. Gaboik and preseason scoring phenom Stephane Veilleux contributed goals, and Niklas Backstrom shut the door repeatedly on the talented Montreal offense. The Wild now has to find a way to keep their focus as they await their first real game of the season on Saturday, against the Boston Bruins.

But that's not the only Wild news from over the weekend. The team unveiled its first-ever mascot yesterday, showing "Nordy" off to the gathered crowd. Yup. A mascot. In all honesty, as strange as a mascot seems to us here, we have to admit that he'll connect with kids that might not be all that thrilled to watch a little black puck on a big sheet of white.

Finally, the Wild seems about ready to lock down their final rosters, and it looks like Benoit Pouliot is in, as well as Erik Reitz. Injuries to Marek Zidlicky and Josh Harding could extend the stay of Tomas Mojzis and Barry Brust. It also seems as though the Wild are going to give another teenager a shot to prove himself in the NHL. No, not this year's first-round pick, Tyler Cuma, even though he had a great preseason. It looks like last year's pick, 19 year-old Colton Gillies has done well enough that he'll get the chance that James Sheppard got last year. The Wild has definitely cultivated a young core of players, and if Gillies can do half as well as Sheppard did last year, this could be a very interesting season for the defending Northwest Division champions.

Preseason Game Five: Minnesota 3, Buffalo 2

This time, the Wild didn't need to wait for overtime. After amassing three goals in the first period, courtesy of Antti Miettinen, Owen Nolan, and the returning Brent Burns, the Minnesota defense was able to hang on, giving them the victory over the visiting Sabres. In fact, it looked like it would be a strong two-goal victory, until a late, and potentially questionable, call against Krys Kolanos gave Buffalo an end-of-game powerplay. It wasn't until after they'd pulled goaltender Ryan Miller that they eventually scored, bringing them within one. Fortunately for Minnesota fans, the last goal happened with under one second remaining in the game.

Last night's game was a triumphant return from injury for both Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who demonstrated his playmaking abilities on the Nolan goal. Unfortunately, for Minnesota, there was a scare in the third period, courtesy of the stick of Martin Skoula, which found its way into Josh Harding's facemask.

This could be bad for the Wild. Sure, the team is most likely looking to ride Backstrom as long as they can, but without a steady back-up, the goaltending could be in shambles. Backstrom is a strong goaltender when confident, but, shake him a bit, and he looks lost between the pipes. In those times last year, Harding was able to step in, help right the team, and get Backstrom some of that confidence back. Not that Harding was perfect in net, either, but he's definitely got a leg up on the third goaltender, Barry Brust. Brust has played in the NHL before, but he's something of a journeyman, and is likely being considered in case of serious injury to one of the top two netminders.

We'll learn more about the Harding injury in the next couple of days. In the meantime, the Wild have the day off, as they travel to Columbus for their six preseason game, before finishing out in the town that so many of their management played in; Montreal. Only nine more days before the Bruins come to the X.

Preseason Game Four: Minnesota 3, Chicago 2 (OT)

Well well well. It looks like the Wild decided to avenge their lone preseason loss by taking it to a Chicago team playing their third game in as many nights. Of course, by taking it to Chicago, we mean that they let the 'Hawks build up a 2-1 lead on goals from Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The loan Wild tally? Colton Gillies, who's trying to prove that, just one year removed from being the team's first round pick, he's ready to play with the big boys.

Tyler Cuma seems to be trying that gambit as well, with another strong showing. The kid seems to know his defensive role, and blocked a few shots. He'll get another chance to prove himself tonight against the Sabres, but he's still very much on the outside looking in. With the Wild's defensive corps, it'll be hard to crack into that top 8, although a spot might open if Marc-Andre Bergeron doesn't figure out how to keep his gloves from dropping.

Of course, when Marian Gaborik's skating, the Wild seems to find ways to do things that they normally can't do. While Gaby wasn't able to put the puck into the net with any of his shots, he did log over 24 minutes of ice time, and even showcased some of his speed. Now to shake off the rust and get used to playing with Koivu and Brunette (could this be the year that Jacques doesn't shake up the lines?). The player that truly stepped up last night?

Stephane Veilleux. Playing in his first preseason since becoming his own agent, the fiery redhead has notched three goals in his four games, with two of them coming last night. True, once the season starts, everything starts from scratch, but knowing that Veilleux has found something of a scoring touch even during the preseason should help when the puck drops for real. As for scoring in overtime? That doesn't matter if it's preseason or postseason. It's always a big one.

Tonight, the Wild take on the Buffalo Sabres. Last time these two met, the Wild squeaked past with a PPG and a shootout victory. It might be time for the Sabres to get some vengeance. By the same token, this could be the first preseason game for Brent Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, and those two will be fired up.

Lacing up

Tonight, the Wild face off against the Chicago Blackhawks for the second time of this preseason. For the record, the 'Hawks took the game Friday night 4-3, which was especially troubling after the Wild ended the first period with a 3-0 lead. While it's hard to pin that game on any one player, Eric Reitz may have dodged a bullet with Tomas Mojzis being placed on waivers.

Of course, Reitz may not be able to stop looking over his shoulder, as the Wild's first-round draft pick, Tyler Cuma, turned in a good enough game in the Wild's 2-1 shootout win over Buffalo that he'll be back for another game tonight. The kid's 18, and isn't expected to even play in Houston this year, but he could surprise everyone. The Wild is also known for pulling some very young players into the line-up if they have the skills.

But a bigger story than the saga of the defensemen is that tonight, for the first time this preseason, Marian Gaborik is expected to be on the ice. This is very important for both Minnesota and Gaby, since we're a little under two weeks away from the start of the season, and his contract status is still up in the air. If Gaby can turn in a strong performance against the young Blackhawks, we almost expect the Wild to hand him a huge salary on a silver platter. If he struggles in the slightest (or, worse, reinjures himself), we can see Minnesota try to low-ball their guaranteed superstar, and then watch him leave shortly into the year. The Wild need a gamebreaker, and the only one they've got is #10. It's time to (potentially) overpay.

Preseason Game One: Minnesota 2, Columbus 1

Preseason hockey is always rough, at least at the very beginning. Like every other sport, coaches are trying to get used to players, players are trying to get used to their teammates, and the officials are trying to remember how to call the game itself. To top that off, at least with regards to the Wild, if you don't have a ticket for the game, you aren't going to see (or hear) anything while it's happening, and need to rely on other media the next day.

Well, one thing that it seems everyone can agree on is that, while the Wild won the game 2-1, it wasn't pretty. Penalties called left and right, including, according to some scribes, some questionable calls (and one very questionable call that could result in Danny Irmen being sent back to Houston soon), and a lot of time spent by both teams on the power play or penalty kill. Of course, special teams can often be what wins hockey games, and the lone Blue Jackets goal came on the power play.

The other thing everyone seems to be in agreement on? Benoit Pouliot. From what we've read thus far, the kid just plain out-skated everybody last night at the Xcel, put some terrific moves out on the ice, and played a very solid game. It sure won't hurt his chances of locking down that 4th line center spot (which might lead to a quick promotion to 3rd line, behind Koivu and Sheppard) to have a solid game. And, by all accounts, his 3rd period game-winner was a beautiful backhand, and it helped to remind the fans that they weren't just watching a march to the penalty box.

Tomorrow, the Wild head to Chicago to face the Blackhawks. We'll probably be back after the weekend to see what we can find on that game. We're also watching to see which big names get sent down from the NHL club, just in case there are any surprises (and to see if Irmen really did shoot himself in the foot with that boarding call).

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.

In town, but for how long?

The Minnesota Wild are holding some early training camps, getting prospects and young players up to speed before the season begins. A surprise guest at the camps was none other than the Wild's 7.5 million dollar man, Marian Gaborik.

This could be a very good sign, especially as Gabby's getting back into condition following his off-season hip surgery, repairing something that he said plagued him during his 83 point season last year. It also could be an indication that the contract negotiations between Gaborik and the Wild are moving in a positive direction.

But there is a dark lining. Gaborik is being non-committal at this point, simply saying that negotiations are progressing, that he's got one season left on his contract, and indicating that he knows he'll be highly sought after should he become an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming season. Could those lures be too big for this large fish in an admittedly small pond? Only time will tell, and Gabby appears to be focused on the game on ice, preferring to let his agent and Wild management handle the game on paper.

All we can really know is that, if the Wild are forced to let Gaborik go by failing to sign him to an extension, the team's faithful may start pounding down the doors of the Xcel, looking for management's heads on pikes.