Wild Season Preview
The Wild enter the 2006/2007 CPHL seasons with high expectations after coming one game shy of the Stanley Cup last season. And yet despite that success only a single player (Tyler Wright) remains from the final roster that reached the finals.
The Big 3 Questions
Who will be the clutch scorers? Last year in their cup run, Mats Sundin and Jeremy Roenick accounted for 12 combined game winning goals. Both are now gone and the Wild will be looking for Joe Sakic and Peter Bondra to fill that void. But it remains to be seen if they can equal the former duo’s big game heroics.
Where’s the D? Successful CPHL clubs typically have a combination of defense and offense. The Wild though appear to be built purely to score goals with skill up front and on the blueline, but no real defense first type players. The powerplay looks like it will have an impact but if you are giving up 2 powerpplay goals a game does it matter?
Can Nabby Get it Done? The Wild’s new #1 will have to shed his recent reputation as a big game choker in order for the Wild to meet their goals for this season. If he falters, don’t be surprised to see the Wild make a mid-season trade to acquire a new #1.
In Net
Evgeny Nabakov struggled in the post-season for Florida last year leading to his off-season trade to the Wild. The Russian netminder is one of many tenders in the second tier starter status of the CPHL…not as good as Brodeur, Kipper, or even Luongo, but good enough that he should be able to carry the load for the regular season. He will however have to improve his play when the big dance starts.
Backing Nabakov up will be the Wild’s future #1 Hannu Toivonen, who has been in the organization for almost 2 years now (which is long-term in the Twin Cities). Toivonen has played well in summer exhibition games and should be able to give Nabakov enough relief during the grind of the 86 game schedule.
On the farm the Wild have inked Euro standout Nik Backstrom to be the teams 3rd option. Pekka Rinne is another talented young netminder is at least a year away from being ready to provide any relief
Goaltending Depth-Chart:
Evgeny Nabakov (79)
Hannu Toivonen (73)
Nik Backstrom
Pekka Rinne
On the Blueline
While questions remain in net, the Wild’s defensive core has clearly improved. The Wild got to the finals with the likes of Todd Simpson and Deron Quint playing 2nd pairing minutes. This year the team has assembled a talented top 4 – Brian Rafalski, Kim Jonsson, Tomas Kaberle and Rusty Klesla. All 4 boast a great deal of offensive prowess which bodes well for the Wild’s powerplay, however, the grouping lacks any real physical presence or shutdown d-man in the mold of an Adam Foote. That could prove to be a problem. The final pairing of Ryan Suter and the finally arrived Nik Kronwall are inexperienced but talented and represent the future of the Wild’s D.
On the farm and ready for action are Wild GM favourite Chris Campoli and future D cornerstone Braydon Coburn. Anders Eriksson is also an option and brings more experience to the table than Campoli or Coburn. College free agent Andy Greene could also see some time with the Wild if injuries hit.
Defense Depth Chart
Brian Rafalski (79)
Kim Jonsson (79)
Tomas Kaberle (79)
Rusty Klesla (77)
Ryan Suter (74)
Nik Kronwall (71)
Chris Campoli (70)
Braydon Coburn (69)
Andy Greene
Forwards
On paper the Wild should have more than enough offense up front. However, similar to the defense, one can question if there is enough grit and defensive awareness in the ranks.
The first line will likely be patrolled by Wild captain and future CPHL Hall of Famer Joe Sakic. Expect Paul Kariya and Hank Zetterberg to join him for much of the year on the top line. The Wild believe that Zetterberg, already a strong CPHL player is ready to make the step to be one of the true elite forwards this year.
The second line will be anchored by Peter Bondra, unless he decides to retire. Bondra though thrives on ice-time and could also see time on the number 1 line in order to get the ice-time he craves. Joining the Special Agent will be young star Ales Hemsky and the solid Matt Cullen. Cullen’s status on the second line though is not secure as Wild management believe he is ideally suited to the third line. Expect Farhall to try to upgrade Cullen, or failing that give Malkin a chance on the 2nd line.
While most CPHL teams go for a defensive focus on their third line, the Wild seem to be favouring offense. The Wild have pencilled uber-prospect Evgeny Malkin into their third line centre position, though he remains unsigned. Scott Young should be able to provide secondary scoring on the wing, and Brad Isbister has also shown an ability to put up some points in the league.
The forth line will be a rotation of Chris Clark, Darby Hendrickson, Tyler Wright and Mark Mowers. Nothing spectacular in this grouping, but they should not expect to see a lot of ice.
Waiting on the farm for the inevitable injury call-ups is a trio of young players the Wild will be building around in the future – Patrick O’Sullivan, Alex Semin and Petteri Nokelainen should all expect to see some time with the big club this year. And if a veteran presence is required, the Wild can call up Turner Stevenson or returning Euro Star Andreas Karlsson. Young bump and grinder JF Jacques may also compete for a position on the team by mid-season.
The Wild card this year is newly drafted Phil Kessel. Considered by some to be already for CPHL duty it remains to be seen if and when the Wild will actually sign him this year.
Offensive Depth Chart
Zetterberg (80) – Sakic (82) – Kariya (79)
Bondra (78) – Hemsky (77) – Cullen (76)
Young (75) – Malkin (??) – Isbister (73)
Clark (72) – Hendrickson (71) – Wright (71)
Mowers (70)
Stevenson (71)
Nokelainen (69)
Semin (67)
O’Sullivan (67)
Behind the Bench
The Wild tapped the shoulder of Andy Murray to run the bench this season. Murray reflects the personality of GM Farhall with a very analytical and calm approach to the game. However, one wonders if the Wild would have been better served to bring in a more firey coach to motivate the charges. None the less, Murray brings a strong handle of x’s and o’s, and a reputation for being well liked by his players. With only a one-year contract in hand though, and a low salary, should the team struggle a mid-season coaching change is not out of the question.
Overall Outlook
The Wild should have the talent to compete for a division title this year, however, chemistry is a funny thing and in the past the Wild have struggled to find it. The team appears to be loaded with skill but lacking in grit. That imbalance may prove to be a problem and force GM Farhall’s hands to make some moves during the season.
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