Former Player Tracking: Lower the Boom

by BReynolds on Dec 31, 2011 12:00 PM CST in Features

There are talks ongoing between John Madden and the Florida Panthers, so perhaps by this time next week, we may have another player to track. That would certainly be a welcome thing as Madden has always been a class act, and was a favorite for many fans here in Minnesota in his brief run with the Wild. For a team in the position the Panthers are in, a veteran presence would be good to have, and to be certain, the penalty kill and checking line talents Madden brings to the table would be great for them.

With Madden looking for work, Antti Miettinen back on this side of the pond, and the Wild's slump busted, we once again look for a departed player that may have been able to make an impact.

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	34	6	6	12	11	10	3	0	1		95

Those sic goals and six assists look pretty good, right? Would it surprise you to know that he would rank just second on the Wild for points from a defensemen? Indeed, Jared Spurgeon has 15 points on the year. Of course, if Brent Burns had been blasted from behind by Cody McLeod, the league may actually have acted.

Yeah. Sure they would have.

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	26	2	13	15	8	16	1	0	0		62

Havlat is hurt. From jumping the boards. We're not sure if that is pitifully funny or hilariously pitiful. Either way, it is what it is. Even before he was hurt, Havlat had just the 15 points. Where would that put him on the Wild? Eighth. Not exactly the impact player the Wild might need.

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

#20 / Right Wing / Winnipeg Jets

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Born: Jul 03, 1980

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Antti Miettinen	5	0	0	0	-2	0	0	0	0		2

We'll give Mittens a pass for now. Until next week. We're sure his Corsi numbers are massive.

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	37	8	7	15	-9	0	4	0	0		45

Still plugging away. Still being Bruno. Still not sure there is any reason to miss him on the ice.

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	29	3	4	7	-6	22	0	1	1		36

Moving on.

James Sheppard

Still skating, but has yet to play a game this season.

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	31	12	2	14	2	9	0	0	1		57

Added a couple goals to his totals. The man is a beast. He would certainly look good on the fourth line, but not sure he would be having the success he is right now.

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	27	1563	14	8		64	2.46	784	720	.918	2

Tops in the Southeast, third in the conference. Not bad for a washed up has been, eh? Still great to see Theodore doing well. Wonder where the regressionists stand on this. No. Now we don't.

What it All Means

With the injury bug all over the Wild, having some top end depth might be nice, but there still aren't many players, if any, the Wild should be overly upset are gone. If they were at the bottom of the league, maybe. But despite the best efforts of the stat folk, the Wild still are hanging around the top of the west. These players do not spell the difference.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I dunno how to feel about Bruno. The Blackhawks fans love him, but I don’t really see where he would fit into our team.

Regressing to the top of the league.

by GerDevine on Dec 31, 2011 12:49 PM CST reply actions

"Love" is too strong a word.

We, Hawks fans, like a guy willing to go to the front of the net and do the dirty work to get those dirty goals we ALL (Hockety Fans in general) love to see. Bruno certainly has good hands and doesn’t mind doing the dirty work, but he is not top 6 material. That’s why he is basically pulling 12-13 minutes a game with the 4th line. We needed a LW who is durable and hard to move from the crease. You guys aren’t missing that much.

whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender

by anytime_I_can on Jan 2, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions