BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: The Minnesota Wild

Preface: After starting yesterday with the Edmonton Oilers, we're moving further into the Northwest division with last year's division champion Minnesota Wild.

Now even though there was no division leader for the Oil, I still sought one out. Unfortunately, I didn't get that far with the Wild, and seeing as I'm still waiting out on the other three teams, I figured to go ahead with Minnesota.

First of all, I'd like to apologize for the laziness on behalf of Ken Armer and myself—but this job ain't all it's cracked up to be, and finding 30 CL's in the half year we've both been on the job is hard.

Second of all, consider this an open tryout for Community Leadership of the Wild. Publish your own "CL Review" in the comment section, and if you'd like to be considered for the position, go to my profile (or Ken's....but he's got school and working very hard at it while I'm a slacker, so maybe give him a break) and we'll discuss it!

So without much further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2008/09 Minnesota Wild preview!

A lot of people believe, including myself, that Winnipeg should:

A) Have never lost the Jets, and

B) Despite losing the Jets, they should be awarded a new NHL franchise, especially to capitalize on the booming Canadian hockey market.

But lost in all of our passion over one city regaining a franchise, we've overlooked Minnesota who, despite losing the North Stars in 1993, have regained their franchise, and developed one of the most passionate fan bases in the United States.

Whenever I've watched a game in Minnesota (albeit on television), be it the regular season, or the post season, the building has always seemed loud, and like a very tough arena for opposition teams to play in.

In that light, I'd like to congratulate the people in Minnesota and thank them. You're the kind of fans that make this sport truly enjoyable.

Now on to business...

Roster Additions: Anti Miettinen-F (F.A.), Andrew Brunette-F (F.A.), Owen Nolan-F (F.A.), Corey Locke-F (Trade/Sign), Marc-Andre Bergeron-D (Trade), Marek Zidlicky-D (Trade)

Roster Subtractions: Mark Parrish-F (Buyout), Brian Rolston-F (F.A), Keith Carney-D (F.A.), Ryan Jones-D (Trade), Shawn Belle-D (Trade)

How did 2007/08 go? 44-28-10, 98 points, third in conference, first in Northwest, lost in first round of 2008 playoffs (Western Conference)

2007/08 Goal:

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