Do Wild Fans Really Deserve This?
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 3:03 PM CDT
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PrintWe all know the story. Jacques and "He Who Shall Not be Named" out as coach and GM respectively after last season, Richards and Fletcher in as coach and GM respectively this season. A transition year, a promise of a more up-tempo style of play that would replace the dull and boring days of the trap that Minnesota Wild fans were used to seeing since the Wild first took the ice back in 2000. Wild fans didn't know what to expect with their team at the start of the 2009-10 season. How will the so called "transition year" effect this team? How long before this team is a legit playoff contender? Can Chuck Fletcher undo what "He Who Shall Not be Named" did to a franchise that should be a playoff contender year in and year out? Let's find out.
Under new coach Todd Richards, things have been rocky in his first year as coach of the Wild. Is he deserving of being head coach? Of course he is. Learning a new style of play after years under the trap would take time for Wild players, but exactly how long was the question. A slow start to the season made it seem like it would be a long one. Then came flashes of brilliance around December and into January as wins were coming more often than back in October and November. Wild fans know what that can be attributed to: GM Chuck Fletcher not being afraid to shake things up (unlike He Who Shall Not be Named, who did relatively nothing at all to make this team better). Trading for Chuck Kobasew, Guillaume Latendresse and Cam Barker have paid dividends-- HUGE dividends. There is no way the Wild are where they are now (even if the playoffs are unlikely this year) if these trades never happen, something that Wild fans don't want to think about. As a result of these trades, Chuck Fletcher is already a better GM than "He Who Shall Not be Named" ever was during his entire tenure with the Wild. It took less than a year for that to happen.
Exactly how long will it take for this team to be a legit playoff contender? I want to know the answer to that question as well. I'm a loyal fan of this team and have been since day 1. I know that it will take time for this team to be a legit playoff contender and I'm patient as can be, but it's frustrating seeing this team the way it is at the moment. Revenue is there. Fan support has been there since day 1. On ice talent not as good as it could be. Same thing goes for our prospect pool. Todd Richards isn't to blame for this. Neither is Chuck Fletcher. Wild fans collectively direct all of their blame towards one person: He Who Shall Not be Named, aka the devil.
Reasons for blaming He Who Shall Not be Named (aka the devil): lackluster drafts, lack of signing free agents and TERRIBLE trades. By TERRIBLE trades, one comes to mind, one that Wild fans wish they could forget forever: trading for Chris Simon. Worst. Trade. EVER. A weak prospect pool results from trading picks away and letting current big name stars go to other teams after passing on them. A few come to mind: Mike Cammalleri, Patrick Sharp, and Alexander Semin... 6 picks after Pierre-Marc Bouchard. All Semin is doing at the moment is playing on the best team in the NHL and is their 3rd leading scorer behind some guys named Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. No big deal.
Now back to the debacle that was tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks. The Wild playing like it was October again. Outplayed quite handily by the Sharks, struggling in their own zone, minimal offensive pressure on Nabokov. Story of the year for this team. Play well at times, struggle at times to the point where it makes you want to gauge out your eyes at the sight of watching them play. Fletcher is doing the best he can to turn things around and it will take time. Loyal fans will be patient, the ones that call themselves fans just to appear like they know everything that is going on with the team will not be patient because that's how they are, every single one of them. To those loyal die-hard fans, I feel your pain. It will be rough, but we must stay strong. Believe in Chuck (that should be put on to t-shirts and sold). He knows what he's doing and he'll turn this around for sure. Not his fault that the cloud of darkness evil doom still lingers over this team from Jacques and He Who Shall Not be Named. It's not our fault as fans to see this team the way it currently is. Do Wild fans really deserve this? NO! We deserve a playoff caliber team year in and year out. We deserve better prospects and better players on our team. If we all wanted to watch a team going through a difficult transition phase, we'd all watch the Timberwolves... try saying that with a straight face, I dare you. Like every other Wild fan, I myself blame He Who Shall Not be Named for where the Wild are at this moment in time. He screwed every Wild fan over with his moronic idiotic utterly retarded trades, poor drafting and lack of free agent signings to improve the team. Good riddance to him (that's putting it as nicely as possible too) and hopefully the cloud of darkness evil doom that still lingers over the Wild leaves the State of Hockey sooner rather than later and with it comes playoff hockey.
The opinions posted here are not those of Hockey Wilderness
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Thanks
I felt the need to rant about this lol.
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 2:08 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed... mostly.
The only part I have an issue with is putting ANY of the blame of the “cloud of doom” on Jacques Lemaire’s shoulders. He’s a phenomenal hockey coach and IMO one of the greatest hockey minds there is. Hard to argue with his success, and the Devils aren’t doing too shabby this year from what I hear either. ;) He who shall not be named….. glad to see him gone. Fletcher hasn’t been all dazzle, but light years ahead of where we were. I think this summer will be the real test, between the draft and some of the RFA/UFAs (including Latendresse).
Ramblings from an angry accountant....
Like I said the other night, if you’re one of these d-bags who only roots for the Wild in the good times then you are NO better than these skanky girls who are Twins fans because they want to fellate Mauer. Period. And yes I’ll say that to someone’s face. If you’re a fan of the team you support no matter what, or you change allegiances.
Coming into the year I said I would be happy with a .500 season, and so far it looks like that’s about where it’s heading. It’s to be expected. As covered, the WIld have been plagued by horseshit transactions. While this is no barb at any of the players per se, many of these guys were victims of both those who shall not be named. What excites me is next year now that these guys have had a year together under Chuck and Fletch.
My prediction for playoff team: Possibly next year, but probably 2011-12.
My hopes: Sign Lats for sure and keep a few of the other UFAs.
—Boogie? Hell yeah. When he’s healthy or even at least on the bench, he provides that presence that opponents might not want to mess too much with our lighterweight guys.
—Nolan? Yup. I’d like to see him in our sweater for one more year. Especially with Wellman on the bench. Nolan’s been kicking ass in the NHL since Wellman was sitting on a trainer potty. He has a lot to offer the kid and it would be great for them to have one full season.
Ok, forgive me, I forget who the rest of the UFAs are. Deal with it.
Gonna go out on a limb and say I hope PMB is sent elsewhere.
And my last two wishes for next season: FSN getting a new crew (minus Gellner and the Polish kid), and if not, then the 2003 season stop being referred to so damn often. Yes, they had a great run. That was seven years ago. It’s like the guy who dates a hot girl a l;ong time back, but always talks about her like they broke up yesterday.
Got news for ya
I’m not a d-bag that only roots for the Wild during the good times. As I said, I’ve been a fan since day 1 and I do support them no matter what, so never question my allegiance to this team… EVER. My main point is that it’s frustrating seeing them in their current state because of bad decisions made by He Who Shall Not be Named.
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Where in my post was I addressing you in particular? So just relax.
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 24, 2010 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Just making sure
Since you didn’t specifically mention anyone I just assumed you meant me, my bad. I am relaxed.
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Take it
by your name you go to UMD? Same here, small world lol.
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
2010 grad here, can’t wait to be done.
by Call of the Wild on Mar 25, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I just emailed about going back. Accounting/Finance grad and looking at saying F it all and just going Geology and PhD it out.
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 25, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
ungranted
As far as forgetting 2003, not next year. Next year marks a decade of wild hockey and you probably see as many if not more highlights from 2003 as you will from 2011.
Boogs, I would like to hear others unsentimental opinions, but personally, I don’t expect him back. He is aging and becoming more injury prone. Richards gave him a more regular shift, in hopes of seeing some production out of him, the big man while putting out great effort really didn’t produce. This team is the overall most physically tough team in Wild history, they no longer NEED the the premier tough guy enforcer to protect the rest of the team, an arguement could be made that john Scott is also a heavyweight now. Boogey represents an opportunity to upgrade to a player that can still bring some ability to drop the gloves but also a little more skill on the puck. Another knock on Boogs, being the top heavyweight in the league he is unfairly targeted by the idiots called NHL referees, they focus on him. I like Boogey but think fletch will probably look to find an enforcer type that can also bring a little more skill to the team as well.
As for the people ripping on the pink jersey’s, no I don’t have one, I believe they are part of opperation pink which supports breast cancer awareness. I support boobies every chance i get, so I cannot rip on any one who combines my two favorite things in the world hockey and BOOBIES.
Another thing about Boogs...
Scott is more talented offensively, defensively and takes less penalties… If i’m not mistaken he’s also less expensive right?
It's a race to the bottom
We have 2 players that are 6’8" that can’t skate, have no hands, yet can pummel the crap out of people.
Boogaard has had 95 PIMs in 55 games
Scott has had 90 PIMs in 49 games
Boogaard has 4 assists, Scott has a goal and an assist.
Scott is cheaper, which is the reason I say we should keep Scott and convert him to a winger. Richards has stated in his pressers that he likes that “element” so we’ll be keeping one of them.
Yeah I think Scott is better offensively and defensively...
I’ve been thinking, it would be a good idea having Scott on the wing… but what about Burns? He was drafted as a forward after all, and I think he looked good when Lemaire put him up there from time to time…
Sorry, but no
Burns has a much brighter future playing D than playing forward. Playing him on the wing was a disaster, and this team badly needs the scoring from the blue line.
The reason to move Scott to wing is that he’s a defensive liability, and he needs the freedom to “head hunt” to effectively play his role.
From that perspective, I guess you're right
I found Burns to be good on the wing, especially since he isn’t always at his best defensively, but I agree Scott’s the better option of the two at wing…
Russo doesn't seem to agree with me
I don’t know. Scott only was moved up to wing when the team was playing like crap overall, so I won’t dog him for his play there earlier in the season.
I still think when it comes down to Boogaard vs Scott playing wing it’s really a battle of who sucks less.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction Fletch goes in a couple months.
OK. I loved the post. 100%. My feelings about “He Who Shall No Longer be Named” are clear.
If you want an answer as to when this team makes the playoffs, I say next year. For real. As for when the team is a perennial playoff team, next year. Yes, for real. They will make the playoffs for a long stretch after this season. Now, as for being a perennial contender? That is going to take a few years. My guess? About five years. Minimum.
No, I am not kidding. It would be impossible to catch up the the Hawks, the Sharks, the Pens, and the Caps in less time. Throw in some other teams who are making huge strides (Coyotes & Avs), and the Wild have a huge hill to climb.
They found a finisher in BTE. They need another one. They need a finisher for the top line. Honestly, I really wish Mikko could find some chemistry with BTE and Havlat. Could you imagine that? The rest of the league be damned. That would be a dangerous line… if not for the complete lack of chemistry. Send the three of them to Finland to skate together all summer.
In Fletch We Trust. Just need to give it time.
Yeah I know
Like I said, I’ll wait and give it time. That’s all any of us can do. If it takes 5 years like you say, perfectly fine with that. In Fletch We Trust!
by Call of the Wild on Mar 24, 2010 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions
BTE?
I’ve been away from the blogs for a week and I’ve obviously missed something. BTE? Someone help me out here – I know you’re referring to Latendresse, but what does BTE stand for?
I hate the fans who only support a team when the going is good. Female fans like that are probably the same ones who wear pink Wild jerseys – those things should be outlawed for anyone over the age of 14.
Yes – I occasionally want to gouge my eyes out. But, I can only imagine the players frustration. Zanon is playing with a broken ankle because he had hopes the Wild would make the post season. If only the “fans” would show a quarter of his commitment to the team.
by minnesotagirl71 on Mar 24, 2010 5:32 PM CDT reply actions
:D
Thanks for that and how very very true! I don’t think anyone expected something or this magnitude when we got him! Conversely, the Habs could be saying the same thing about Princess Pouliot right now! It’s just unbelievable how well this trade worked! Where I’m from, it’s habs habs habs all the time, and I HATE THE HABS.. so naturally, I was the first one to break into tears of laughter when we got Lats, who was a laughingstock to me at the time, but right now, he’s without a doubt my favortie player! I saw him play a lot because my family never misses a habs game, so I knew what we were getting with him, but getting away from Montreal’s maniac media, getting more ice-time, having a clear mind and his confidence back, he’s a brand new player! The fact that from November 23rd to today, only 7 guys have scored more goals than Lats (or BTE ) is a testament to how important this guy has been for us so far! We need to sign him for at least 2 years, so we can at least see if he’s gonna be the same guy next season.
BTE
Best trade ever – love it! Every time BTE scores, my husband yells “Pouli-who??”
Yes – we have to sign him! He and Havlat have a good thing going and Lats is still just a kid.
by minnesotagirl71 on Mar 24, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
“Female fans like that are probably the same ones who wear pink Wild jerseys – those things should be outlawed for anyone over the age of 14.”
Thank you. Those things are hideous.
This whole pink craze for everything (which is ironic considering the reply box color) drives me insane. I really hate the whole “Well if you make it pink girls will be interested!” garbage. Two things that should never be pink: Guns and hockey sweaters.
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 24, 2010 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m hoping this will work as I’m copy/pasting from Jersey Fouls, but I REALLY hope someone can find these two broads and beat them both.
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 25, 2010 10:23 AM CDT reply actions
And of course it didn’t work. Standby….
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 25, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Right click on the picture and choose “Copy link location.” Then, paste that link into the little pop up that comes up when you hit the picture icon at the top.
Or, email it to me, and I will post it. I gotta see this.
alternatively, you could also rehost it on tinypic or something like that. That’s what I use.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 25, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
WTF? I had an idea it wouldn’t work linking off Yahoo, I was fine with that, but my Twitpic has loaded here before.
These two deserve to be beaten outside the parking lot.
by TylerDurdenUMD on Mar 25, 2010 12:06 PM CDT reply actions
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