(Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is concerned)
TSN, as I have previously mentioned, is releasing their team previews one by one until October, starting with who they think is the worst team (Phoenix) and ending with the team they think is the best (I don’t know yet). Today, they decreed that the Minnesota Wild, MY Minnesota Wild, would be # 14, better than, for example, the Calgary Flames. To break it down:
– Last year, the Flames went to the playoffs and finished 9 points ahead of Minnesota
– In the article, TSN notes that they will be going with a more offensive style, while in the same breath noting that the Wild don’t have much in terms of offense. In fact, they swapped out Marian Gaborik for Martin Havlat, which I think everyone knows is a down grade.
– TSN also notes that the Wild made the playoffs in the past and were competetive last year thanks to Jacques Lemaire’s conservative defensive style. The Wild are planning on playing a more wide open offensive style this year, as I mentioned, and Lemaire is no longer the coach.
– Among the problems that were atrributed to the Flames, one was the potential for the new coach to struggle. The Wild, as I already said, also have a new coach.
– They traded for Kyle Brodziak!
– The Flames traded for Jay Bouwmeester!
So, in the glowing preview of the Wild, which TSN rated higher than the Flames, I can’t help but think that Calgary will be immeasurably better than Minnesota this season. That makes me a little sad. But I guess I have to trust TSN… they’re Canadian!
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