The Wild are at home tonight playing the team Lou Nanne describes as the “surprise of the NHL.” The former Minnesota North Stars president said the Phoenix Coyotes were a pre-season pick for “last” among the NHL’s 30 teams, but “no name guys” have come through and the Coyotes are in fourth place in the Southwest Division with an 11-10 record including 22 points, four fewer points than the Wild. Minnesota is in second place in the Northwest Division with 26 points.
Among the contributors to Phoenix’s success is 19-year-old Bloomington native Peter Mueller. The young center has six goals and four assists in 20 games. He is one of the leading goal scorers on a team that has won four consecutive games. Defenseman Keith Ballard, 25, from Baudette, is the other native Minnesotan on the Phoenix roster. His two goals have him tied for 30th among NHL defensemen in that category.
Goalie Ilja Bryzgalov, claimed off waivers from Anaheim earlier this month, is having an impressive start to the season. He ranks sixth in the NHL in goals against average at 2.08.
Wayne Gretzsky, “The Great One,” has been a part owner for several years and the team’s coach since 2005. The franchise is working on three consecutive last place finishes in the Pacific Division and hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2001-2002 season. That’s why this season’s start has caused attention.
Gretzky, hockey’s greatest player, has inspired various tributes to his career performance including monuments. Nanne said hockey came so easy to Gretzky it may at times be difficult for him to relate to his players. “I would think that’s his biggest challenge,” Nanne said.
Nanne said Gretzky is doing his best coaching job this season. He is “getting players to play together.”
The Wild had lost three of their last four games before winning on Saturday against Nashville. Nanne said injuries to key players like forwards Pavol Demitra and Mikko Koivu have held a “good team” back. “They’re not go