State of Hockey Year 10

Year 10 for the Minnesota Wild and the Xcel Energy Center hardly seems possible. It still feels like the Minnesota North Stars just left for Dallas in the Norm Green fiasco. However that was 1993 and now our former team is having problems putting people in the seats. Rumor has it they are also on the verge of being sold yet again.

Back here in Minny things are starting to look up as the 10th season draws to a close. Todd Richards & Chuck Fletcher are in year 2 of implementing a new system and philosophy. The team finally started to play like they had bought into the system in December and haven't looked back since. They have climbed back into playoff contention despite a rash of injuries and are starting to get healthy for the first time all season. Arguably one of Fletchers best and at the time under the radar acquisitions Guillaume Latendresse skated for the first time in a game tonight in the last 58 games.

At the trade deadline the team had battled into playoff contention preventing a selloff. Fletcher said the way the guys were playing and with the team chemistry he was hesitant to make a deal and potentially disrupt the team. Additionally as previously mentioned guys were getting healthy for the first time providing additional depth. Many people feel that chemistry wise this team is one of the best if not the best in the 10 year history of the Wild. Only time will tell if that will be enough to get the team into the playoffs or make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup reminiscent of 2003.

One last thought after Hockey Day In Minnesota, followed up by the Wild participating in Hockey Day in America, it is VERY clear that the Winter Classic is LONG overdue in the State of Hockey!! NHL you owe Minnesota for 1993 and the 7 year wait for NHL hockey to come back. Let's make it happen!

Secord Still Sucks!! Norm Green.......choke on it!!