Into The Rafters

I always am finding myself coming back to that clip. Picard and Riker standing on the bridge of the Enterprise after it met its end. Picard's lines are just outstanding here.

Jonas Brodin Signs Six Year Extension

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA Today

This morning the Wild announced that Jonas Brodin signed a six year contract extension. The deal will expire following the 2020-21 season and will eat up two of Brodin's unrestricted free agency years.

The Fight For Home Ice Begins

Photo: Wild.com

At long last, opening night is here.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Mike Yeo

Photo: Chris Humphreys/USA Today

If Mike Yeo had any hair at the beginning of last season, it probably would all be gone by the time the season ended. Thankfully, he did not have any to begin with.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Forwards

Photo: Wild.com

If there is one great strength for the Wild in 2014-15, its going to come from their forward position.

The 2014-14 Minnesota Wild: Special Teams

Photo: Jim Mone/AP

If Minnesota wants to take a bigger step towards the ultimate prize in 2014-15, their special teams will need to see some major improvement.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Defense

Photo: Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune

The Wild were expected to take a step forward on the defensive side of things in 2013-14. They signed Keith Ballard and youngsters Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, and Marco Scandella were expected to progress and be big factors for the Wild.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: X-Factors

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today

Here's a little rundown of the five players who the Wild need to be impactful for them to have success in 2014-15. They are in no particular order.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: The Schedule

Photo: Getty Images

The new season is just three days away, so lets take a look at some notable dates on the calendar for the Wild.

The 2014-15 Minnesota Wild: Goaltenders

Photo: Andy King/Reuters

Last year, the line for Minnesota's goaltenders was "just good enough is no longer acceptable". Well, they were just that. They were beyond good enough. They were great. Minnesota used five goalies in the 2013-14 season and all five played a role in helping the Wild reach the postseason for a consecutive season.

Postseason & Award Predictions

Here are my playoff and award predictions. I can't wait until I can point at these and laugh!

2014-15 Outlook: Central Division

Now that we have gone through each team in this division, lets predict where they will finish!

2014-15 Outlook: Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets

Head Coach: Paul Maurice (2nd Season in WPG)

Arena: MTS Centre (Capacity: 15,004)

2013-14 Record: 37-35-10 (Last in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 1-3-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 49.4% (19th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Blake Wheeler (69 Points, 2.12 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Ondrej Pavelec (22-26-7, 3.01 GAA, .901 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues

Head Coach: Ken Hitchcock (4th Season in STL)

Arena: Scottrade Center (Capacity: 19,150)

2013-14 Record: 52-23-7 (2nd in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 4-1-0

2013-14 Corsi For %: 52.7% (6th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Alexander Steen (62 Points, 2.20 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak (24-9-4, 2.23 GAA, .917 SV%)

Good & Bad: The Remaining Roster Hopefuls

Photo: Wild.com

With the end of training camp/preseason on the horizon, lets take a look at the good and bad in each of the remaining players who are still in contention for a roster spot.

2014-15 Outlook: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators

Head Coach: Peter Laviolette (1st Season in NSH)

Arena: Bridgestone Arena (Capacity: 17,113)

2013-14 Record: 38-32-12 (6th in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-3-0

2013-14 Corsi For %: 49.4% (18th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Shea Weber (56 points, 0.93 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Carter Hutton (20-11-4, 2.62 GAA, .910 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars

Head Coach: Lindy Ruff (2nd Season in DAL)

Arena: American Airlines Center (Capacity: 18,532)

2013-14 Record: 40-31-11 (4th in Central Division)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-1-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 51.5% (10th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Tyler Seguin (84 Points, 2.81 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Kari Lehtonen (33-20-10, 2.41 GAA, ..919 SV%)

Preseason Game Four & Lineup Thoughts

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today

In last night's fourth preseason game, Minnesota edged Pittsburgh 4-1. Jason Pominville netted a hat trick, Darcy Kuemper made 32 saves, and Ilya Bryzgalov was killing time by taking selfies with fans on the bench. Onto the notes...

2014-15 Outlook: Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

Head Coach: Patrick Roy (2nd Season in COL)

Arena: Pepsi Center (Capacity: 18,007)

2013-14 Record: 52-22-8 (Central Division Champions)

Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 4-0-1

2013-14 Corsi For %: 46.6% (26th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Matt Duchene (70 Points, 2.55 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Semyon Varlamov (41-14-6, 2.41 GAA, .927 SV%)

2014-15 Outlook: Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks

Head Coach: Joel Quenneville (7th season with CHI)

Arena: United Center (Capacity: 19,717)

2013-14 Record: 46-21-15 (3rd in Central Division)
Record vs MIN in 2013-14: 2-3-0

2013-14 Corsi For percentage: 54.21% (4th in NHL)

Top Scorer: Patrick Sharp (78 points, 2.29 P/60)

Top Goaltender: Corey Crawford (32-16-10, 2.26 GAA, .917 SV%)

Preseason Game Three Thoughts

Photo: Brad Rempel-USA Today

In last night's preseason game, it was the Wild edging the Jets 4-3 thanks to a late Jared Spurgeon goal. Here are some thoughts from last night's game:

2014-15 Outlook: Pacific Division

Its a look at California, Western Canada, and that team in the desert. Enjoy!

2014-15 Outlook: Metropolitan Division

Taking a look at the crapshoot more commonly known as the Metropolitan Division.

2014-15 Outlook: Atlantic Division

Today we begin out previews of the entire league with a look at how the Atlantic Division will finish.

Is Stu Bickel Worth The Risk?

Photo: Bruce Fedyck-USA Today

During Monday night's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, all eyes were on Stu Bickell who was making his debut in a Wild jersey. Bickel played 12:17 and had 10 penalty minutes after a pair of fights he was involved in. After the game, Coach Mike Yeo noted Bickel as one of a couple of players who stood out to him.

Josh Harding Out Indefinitely After Off-Ice Incident

Photo: NHL.com

Today the Wild officially announced that goaltender Josh Harding will be out indefinitely after suffering a fractured right foot. The injury occurred on Sunday September 14th during an off ice incident. The release also indicated that Harding will not need surgery.

Five Questions Going Into Training Camp

Photo: Wild.com

With training camp set to begin on Thursday, lets try and answer the top five questions surrounding the Wild:

Top 10 Prospects: #1 Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba

Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Height: 6'0". Weight: 183 lbs.

Born: July 25, 1994

2013-14 Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 1st round pick (7th overall) in 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 4

Last season, Wild fans were given a very small glimpse of the talents of Matt Dumba.

Thoughts on Kuemper & Niederreiter

Nino Niederreiter (top middle) and Darcy Kuemper (Bottom middle) are still without contracts.
Photo: Duane Burleson/AP

This week reports surfaced that Darcy Kuemper could go play in the KHL if his contract dispute with the Wild is not settled. As Mike Russo has said on multiple occasions the Wild and Kuemper's agent, Jeff Helperl, have not had a great history as they went toe to toe in negotiations on Kuemper's entry level contract.

Top 10 Prospects: #2 Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper

Goaltender

Catches: Left

Height: 6'5". Weight: 205 lbs.

Born: May 5, 1990

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 6th round pick (161st overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 5

As noted back in June, no one player had more to do with turning the Wild's season around in January than Darcy Kuemper did. His 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage in January was just what the Wild needed as they battled injuries to key players, and helped the team earn some much needed victories.

Top 10 Prospects: #3 Erik Haula

Erik Haula

Center

Shoots: Left

Height: 5'11". Weight: 192 lbs

Born: March 23, 1991

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 7th round pick (182nd overall) in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 6

"Haula does not seem like a fit to make the Wild roster this year". Those were the words written about Erik Haula on this site last year. Not only did he get a call-up to the Wild roster, he was one of their most important players down the stretch and in the postseason (this is the part where I eat my words from last year).

Top 10 Prospects: #4 Jason Zucker

Jason Zucker

Left Wing

Shoots: Left

Height: 5'11". Weight: 188 lbs

Born: January 16, 1992

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 2nd round pick (59th overall) in 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 2

Entering the 2013-14 season, Jason Zucker was one of many young kids battling to make the Wild roster out of training camp. He struggled in camp, watched guys like Granlund/Coyle/Niederreiter thrive, then got injured to make matters worse. He was sent to Iowa to begin his season.

Will Darcy Kuemper Defect To The KHL?

Yesterday, Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that Darcy Kuemper could be looking at KHL options if he and the Wild can't come to agree on a deal in the near future.

Top 10 Prospects: #5 Alex Tuch

Alex Tuch

Right Wing

Shoots: Right

Height: 6'4". Weight: 213 lbs.

Born: May 10, 1996

2013-14 Team: USA National Under-18 Team (USHL)

Acquired: 1st round pick (18th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft
Previous Rank: NR

In June's draft, Minnesota selected six foot, four inch forward Alex Tuch from the United States Development team. Tuch was projected to go by the middle of the first round, but fell to the Wild at #18. The Wild wasted no time in selecting the soon to be Boston College right wing.

Top 10 Prospects: #6 Gustav Olofsson

Gustav Olofsson

Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Height: 6'4". Weight: 191 lbs

Born: December 1, 1994

2013-14 Team: Colorado College (NCHC), Iowa Wild (AHL)

Acquired: 2nd round pick (46th overall) in 2013 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: 10

When the Wild drafted Gustav Olofsson, he was relatively unknown among Wild fans. But after a season with Colorado College and the Iowa Wild, he is now very well known.

Top 10 Prospects: #7 Christian Folin

Christian Folin

Defenseman

Shoots: Right
Height: 6'3". Weight: 215 lbs
Born: February 9, 1991
2013-14 Team: UMass-Lowell (Hockey East), Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Acquired: Signed a two year contract on March 31, 2014
Previous Rank: NR

At the end of March, the Wild signed highly sought after college defenseman Christian Folin (pronounced Foe-lin) to a two year contract. The Wild edged out the likes of Philadelphia and Boston to land the UMass-Lowell defenseman. However after signing Folin, he only played in just one game for Minnesota to finish out the season.

Top 10 Prospects: #8 Mario Lucia

Mario Lucia

Left Wing

Shoots: Left
Height: 6'3". Weight: 195 lbs.
Born: August 25, 1993
2013-14 Team: Notre Dame (Hockey East)
Acquired: 2nd round pick (60th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft
Previous Rank: 9

It doesn't seem that long ago when the Wild were drafting Mario Lucia out of Wayzata High School. But after a season playing in British Columbia and two seasons with Notre Dame, one has to wonder if this will be Lucia's final season before making the jump to the AHL..

Top 10 Prospects: #9 Michael Keranen

Michael Keranen

Forward

Shoots: Left

Height: 6'1". Weight: 191 lbs.

Born: January 4, 1990
2013-14 Team: Ilves Tampere (SM-liiga)

Acquired: Signed a one year, two-way contract on June 5, 2014
Previous Rank: NR

On June 5th, the Wild signed Finnish forward Michael Keranen to a one year two-way contract for the 2014-15 season. Keranen has spent the previous four seasons (and one game of a fifth season) playing for Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Elite League (SM-liiga).

Top 10 Prospects: #10 Raphael Bussieres

Raphael Bussieres

Left Wing

Shoots: Left
Height: 6'2". Weight: 202 lbs.
Born: November 5, 1993
2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL)
Acquired: 2nd round pick (46th overall) in 2012 NHL Entry Draft
Previous Rank: 7

After a rough first season in the AHL, Raphael Bussieres should be a player to watch in Iowa this season.

Top 10 Prospects: The Honorable Mentions

Johan Gustafsson

Position: Goaltender. Catches: Left.

Height: 6'2". Weight: 199 lbs.

Born: February 28, 1992

2013-14 Team: Iowa Wild (AHL), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 6th round pick (159th overall) in 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Previous Rank: Honorable Mention

After posting outstanding numbers in his final two seasons in the Swedish Elite League, Gustafsson made his way over to North America to play in Iowa for the 2013-14 season. Gustafsson started the season behind Darcy Kuemper, but when Kuemper was called up to Minnesota Gustafsson became the number one starter for Iowa. 

Setting Up The Top Prospects List

Photo: Wild.com

Greetings and a Happy Labor Day to you all!

Iowa Wild Release 2014-15 Schedule

Photo: Reese Strickland/Iowa Wild

Today the Iowa Wild along with the rest of the AHL released their schedule for the 2014-15 season. The season kicks off with back to back games on the road against San Antonio (Florida affiliate) and Texas (Dallas affiliate) on October 10 & 11th followed by a four game homestand (October 17-25) to open up the home schedule.

A New Face In The State Of Hockey: Justin Falk

Justin Falk

Defenseman

6'5"

215 lbs

Shoots: Left

Born: October 11, 1988

Birthplace: Snowflake, Manitoba

Acquired: Signed a one year, two-way contract on August 1, 2014

On August 1st, the Wild brought back defenseman Justin Falk, signing him to a one year two-way contract. The deal is worth $700,000 for Falk if he plays in the NHL. Falk spent parts of four seasons with the Wild from 2009-2013 before being traded to the New York Rangers for the 2013-14 season.

Offseason Meanderings: Part V

Unfortunately this does not end with a rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" around a campfire...

Offseason Meanderings: Part IV

RIP Robin Williams

How was your week?

Offseason Meanderings: Part III

Uh...what happened?

Offseason Meanderings: Part II

Onto the nothingness...

Offseason Meanderings: Part I

As we get into the dog days of the offseason, I figured I would start a weekly series to keep the blog somewhat active while there is little to no news. Basically these posts will just be a collection of thoughts from the previous week or so that dont really need to have an entire post on them. So lets get to it, eh?

A New Face In The State Of Hockey: Jordan Schroeder

Jordan Schroeder

Forward

5'8"

175 lbs

Shoots: Right

Born: September 29, 1990

Birthplace: Lakeville, Minnesota

Acquired: Signed a two year, two-way contract on July 11, 2014.

On July 11, Minnesota announced a pair of signings. The first was the re-signing of defenseman Jon Blum, and the second was the signing of Jordan Schroeder to a two year two-way contract. Schroeder previously spent his NHL/AHL career with the Vancouver Canucks organization.