This week's tracking looked to be another set of boring numbers to look at. However, yesterday some news came across that Antti Miettinen and his team had parted ways, apparently mutually. While this doesn't mean much in the long run, it will most certainly bring up the question of how a player remained on the top line of an NHL franchise and just a summer later can't even hold a job in the KHL.
Like getting to the center of a tootsie pop, the world may never know. Everyone wishes Miettinen well, and certainly hopes he finds a home in hockey, or happiness outside the game.
How did the rest of the former players fare? Make the jump to find out.
Brent Burns
From talking to Sharks fans, no one is upset in any way with the play Burns is bringing to the ice every night. He has brought some consistent scoring, though not every night, to the line up. He is playing solid defensively, jusging by the all to fallible + / - rating, but we certaily aren't reading about any massive gaffs in the games. For those that have followed Burns' career, you know that's as big a deal as anything.
Martin Havlat
Oh, how the scoring has slowed for Marty. Once on a PPG pace, things have cooled significantly for Havlat. Not to say he won't pick it up again, but right now, he is on a cool streak Wild fans are intimately familiar with. It doesn't seem to be hurting the Sharks much as they continue to win, and Havlat will almost certainly heat up again. Right?
Cam Barker
Barker is currently injured and not playing.
Antti Miettinen
As you read above, Miettinen is out of work at this point. We'll keep you posted if anything changes.
Andrew Brunette
Brunette is not getting the minutes he was at the beginning of the year. He is a garbage goal scorer, as you all know, and playing fewer minutes gives him fewer chances to do so. It sounds like he is still contributing, though in a diminished capacity. Whatever he can give, hopefully it is enough for Chicago and their fans to be happy.
Chuck Kobasew
Seriously... is there a more invisible player in the NHL? Looks to be playing third line minutes with the Avs, so I guess they found a role for him. Being a -6 suggests even in that role, he isn't very productive. Yawn.
James Sheppard
News is, Shappard is skating and on his way back. Still no time table, but the fact that he is skating is great news.
Eric Nystrom
The Stars have seen the Eric Nystrom that was supposed to be here in Minnesota. It's tough to judge if it is the threat of knowing he cleared waivers and only has a job because of the silly cap system, or if this is his real output level. Either way, it's great to see him have success.
Jose Theodore
Theodore continues to help the Panthers stay one of the best teams in the league. This, despite their "terrible" team, and the "massive overspending" they did on free agents this summer. All they do is play their game, and play it well. What everyone else thinks doesn't matter.
What it All Means
There are few moves on the board that the Wild would like to have back. If you can find one of these guys that instantly makes the Wild that much better, please make your point in the comments. However, at this point in the season, the Wild continue to cruise along, even without these guys.