Marco Scandella having a strong showing for IIHF team Canada

Marco Scandella scoring against Team Switzerland, just one of the reasons he was team Canada's player of the game.

If you haven't been watching the IIHF World Juniors coverage on the NHL Network, then you've been missing out on some great hockey.   Yes, as a Wild fan there is some disappointment watching Jordan Schroeder on fire for team USA only because I keep thinking back to how we had the chance to draft him.   Yes, he's small-ish, but that hasn't stopped him from putting up impressive numbers in the tournament thusfar.  No pressure, Leddy, but we could have had Schroeder so you better turn out to be the next Bobby Orr.

It's a new year, so let's have some positivity..

Scandella was drafted in the 2nd round by the Minnesota Wild in 2008 -- while that technically means the previous GM handled the transaction, let's forget about that and move forward.

So far in the tournament he's put up 1 goal and 2 assists and is a +6 heading into the gold medal round, but what the numbers don't show is that he's been one of team Canada's solid shutdown defensemen.    He's logging Kim Johnsson type TOI minutes for team Canada because he's been making smart plays with great vision out on the ice.

So, my fellow Wild fans, it appears the future should be bright for defensemen.    In the 2008 draft we also picked up Tyler Cuma, and in the 2009 draft we picked up Nick Leddy.

What about what the Wild really needs, you ask?   When it comes to highly skilled forwards with a good finishing touch, in the system we have...  well...  we have the 2010 draft.

See, all kinds of positive things to look forward to in the new year!