Former Player Tracking: Everything's Copacetic

by BReynolds on Dec 10, 2011 12:30 PM CST in Features

With the Wild enjoying a bit of success, Wild fans have eased through the letting go phase rather nicely. Imagine what would have happened if the Wild had started poorly. You can see the comment section, right? "Burns is the bestest evar!!!11" "How could they have possibly traded away Bruno? The loss of his speed is ridiculous!"

Yet, here we are. Wild in first place, many former players enjoying some success of their own, and everyone seems to be happy. When everyone is happy, it's time to just smile and be happy. Enjoy it, everyone. You never know when it might change.

Brent Burns

#88 / Defenseman / San Jose Sharks

Height: 6-5

Weight: 219

Born: Mar 09, 1985

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Brent Burns	25	4	5	9	10	2	3	0	1		65

Wild fans have distanced themselves from Burns, but only a bit. Two games against the Sharks has certainly helped them to see that life can go on without him. I am still firmly on the side of "How much better would the Wild D look with him?" Tough to argue with the moves with the position the Wild are in, but Burns is still missed.

Martin Havlat

#9 / San Jose Sharks

Height: 6-2

Weight: 217

Born: Apr 19, 1981

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Martin Havlat	21	1	11	12	8	10	1	0	0		56

No one really thought that PPG pace would hold up, did they? Hope not. One thing we did see in the last game was Havlat out on the PK against the Wild. That is not something Wild fans are used to seeing. Even with the "struggles" of Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi, it doesn't sound like anyone misses Marty.

Cam Barker

#13 / Defenseman / Edmonton Oilers

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Born: Apr 04, 1986

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Cam Barker	12	1	0	1	3	14	1	0	0		21

Still out with his ankle surgery. Of course... they likely aren't missing much.

Antti Miettinen

Out of work. No word on if he is searching for a new gig or not.

Andrew Brunette

#15 / Left Wing / Chicago Blackhawks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 215

Born: Aug 24, 1973

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Andrew Brunette	29	6	5	11	-10	0	4	0	0		39

Minus 10? Yikes. Clearly Bruno is filling a role of more of a third line checker over in Chi town. Not exactly what he has been used to, but he's still around, so hopefully he is enjoying it. The Hawks are doing fine, and next Wednesday's matchup should be intense.

Chuck Kobasew

#17 / Right Wing / Colorado Avalanche

Height: 6-0

Weight: 192

Born: Apr 17, 1982

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Chuck Kobasew	28	3	3	6	-7	20	0	1	1		33

Such an intimidating stat line. How have the Wild possibly survived without him?

James Sheppard

Word is, Sheppard is practicing. Good news for everyone involved.

Eric Nystrom

#24 / Left Wing / Dallas Stars

Height: 6-1

Weight: 193

Born: Feb 14, 1983

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Eric Nystrom	22	10	2	12	0	9	0	0	1		39

Only one goal this week? Psh. Slacker.

Nystrom continues to make himself a valuable part of the Stars organization, which is good for him and them. Little else to say here. He would not have had that chance with the Wild, so it's good to see him excelling.

Jose Theodore

#60 / Goalie / Florida Panthers

Height: 5-11

Weight: 185

Born: Sep 13, 1976

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Jose Theodore	20	1191	11	5		43	2.17	608	565	.929	2

All they do is win. Sounds familiar. Nice to see the doubters eating yet another serving of crow in FLA.

What it All Means

Burns is losing his luster with Wild fans and Bruno is at a -10? How easily things change. Matt Hackett, Niklas Backstrom, and Josh Harding holding the fort in net, Theodore also enjoying success... players the fans liked all enjoying at least minor successes. It's a win in all directions, and that is pretty rare.

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Comments

I wouldn't say copacetic

I truly believe that when all is said and done, The Wild will have gotten the better of the trades. I’m getting over Burns..That +10 is really nice though. Marty is pretty underwhelming. 1G 11A..meh. I’ll take Heatly’s 8G 11A any day. 11A is pretty good for a sniper and he’s been “heating up” as of late. As for the others.. respect to Nystrom and Theodore but what The Wild’s working with is better. Just goes to show that The Wild made the right move by letting these players go.

by SKOLVK on Dec 10, 2011 4:08 PM CST reply actions

Exactly

Not to mention Heatley’s great work in the defensive zone versus Havlat’s… something in the defensive zone.

Also, the Wild made the right moves even if Havlat and Burns and everyone were having monster seasons, because they likely wouldn’t have happened if they stayed in Minnesota.

I’ll take a first place team with balanced scoring and defense any day of the week.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Dec 10, 2011 11:32 PM CST up reply actions