(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
This week is Northwest Division week here on Bleacher Report for the Season Previews.
That's like "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel, just without ridiculously powerful/cool/scary animals or a narrator with a mysterious, sexy voice.
On second thought: Next year, BT's 2010/11 NHL Previews—The book on tape narrated by Alyssa Milano.
Finally...I can be lazy, yet feel enlightened.
In the meantime, yesterday was the Colorado Avalanche as we move up the Northwest ladder.
2008/09 Record: 40-33-9, 89 points, 9th in West
Additions: Greg Zanon—D (3 years/$5.8 million), Martin Havlat—F (6 years/$30 million), Shane Hnidy—D (1 year/$750k), Kyle Brodziak—F (Trade w/Edmonton), Wade Dubielewicz—G (FA)
Subtractions: Marc-Andre Bergeron—D (FA), Martin Skoula—D (FA), Dan Fritsche—F (FA), Kurtis Foster—D (FA), Marian Gaborik—F (FA), Stepane Veilleux—F (FA)
For years, the Wild were the little team with the big trap: Sure, they didn’t have the top-end scoring talent of other teams, but with a dependable goaltending duo and a defense that was cheap and effective, they didn’t need to win games 5-4 or 6-5.
However, with Jacques Lemaire out of the picture, the Wild are looking to instill a wide open style of play which will feature a full-on offensive attack.
Things are definitely going to be looking a little different in Minnesota this season.
With a "Strom-Back" you can certainly accomplish a lot…
A big reason for the Wild’s ninth place finish last year was the play of goaltender Niklas Backstrom.
A personal favorite of mine for the Vezina last year, Backstrom was bettered only by Boston’s Tim Thomas in save percentage and goals-against average of goalies with 35 wins or more, as he became the first-ever goalie in Wild history to play more than 60 games in a season (71).
For a team that survived on the tandem goaltender system for so long, finding that one constant between the pipes will undoubtedly help them move forward. It helps even more when that one constant has the skill of Backstrom, who will be a constant Vezina threat for the foreseeable future.
Backing up Backstrom (For right now at least) is Josh Harding, who is no slouch.
Although Harding’s 3-9-1 record does little to impress, consider the fact that Harding was able to polish off a 2.21 goals-against and a .929 save percentage in 19 games. The Regina-native posted another impressive stat, as in just five of his 19 games played, he allowed three goals or more after facing at least 30 shots.
Although Harding will not get the Lion’s share of the work in Minny while Backstrom steals headlines and hearts, Harding will continue to put that skill on display that once had him pegged as Minnesota’s goalie of the future.
His longevity in Wild Country is beginning to sound as if it is on its last legs, as with the acquisition of backup Wade Dubielewicz, Harding becomes a valuable, tradable commodity.
Hav-at you!
Whether he played six, 16, or 60 games, there’s no doubt that Marian Gaborik was talented, and that the Minnesota Wild are going to miss his offensive gifts.
Despite being as fragile as an ice cream cone, Gaborik brought with him undeniable skill, with no more proof necessary than his 18 points over the final 11 games of last season.
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