Look for the Wild to announce a sellout on Saturday night when the local NHL franchise opens the regular season at home against Columbus, but ticket sales will be a challenge in coming months.
An NHL source told Sports Headliners the franchise has experienced a drop-off in season ticket sales and the real total now is “between 10,000 to 12,000.” That’s down from a franchise high several years ago of approximately 16,500.
A declining season ticket base leaves a lot of unsold inventory during a 41-game home schedule in the 18,000 seat capacity Xcel Energy Center. Reports were that the building was “half full” during the team’s preseason games.
The problem? “No. 1 is team performance ─ far and away,” said the NHL source. The Wild hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2008.
It’s challenging, too, to sell tickets when the franchise lacks a superstar like Marian Gaborik who now plays for the Rangers. And the difficult economy doesn’t help the Wild either as individuals and corporations have to make choices on where to spend entertainment dollars.
The Wild are gambling that Mike Yeo, a rookie NHL coach, can help restore team performance. The “honeymoon” period that began with the franchise’s inception in 2000 is over and while the Xcel remains a hockey palace, fans want to see a playoff product.
That’s not an easy assignment in the competitive Western Conference. What will help is if the Wild can ditch their typical slow starts and win seven or more of the first 10 games.
That will build confidence in the players and coaches. The Wild are working on the trust factor this week during a trip to the North Shore that includes not only practice in Duluth, but also team building exercises.
The Wild should have solid goal tending and the potential to improve a lack of scoring in the past. Newcomer Dany Heatley has twice been a 50 goals scorer in his career. A line that includes Heatley and Mikko Koivu could be fun to watch.
A healthy Pierre–Marc Bouchard might be worth 60 to 70 points and the Wild hope a better conditioned Guillaume Latendresse will have a productive season.
Pleasant surprises will translate into ticket sales this season and probably more season commitments next year. That’s no honeymoon outlook but an upbeat way to look at things.