Goal scoring is a Minnesota Wild problem that doesn’t get solved. It was a barstool and chat room topic a couple of years ago, and there it was again last spring after the Wild was swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Blackhawks. Minnesota scored just seven goals in the four games, once being shutout and in another game coming up with one goal.
And now in January the Wild has scored 23 goals in 13 games. So far during the 2015-2016 season only eight of the NHL’s 30 teams have scored fewer goals than Minnesota.
Wild fans fantasize about a trade for goal scoring help. General manager Chuck Fletcher and the rest of the NHL have until 3 p.m. (ET) February 29 to make deals. The Wild might pull off a move but league imposed salary cap restrictions enter into trade strategies and negotiations.
The Wild may want to trade so-so veterans and goal scorers Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek. Pominville reportedly earns $5.5 million and Vanek $6.5 million. Fletcher has to make the numbers work in any trades involving the 33-year-old Pominville or 32-year-old Vanek—or other players on his roster.
The Wild has recessed for the NHL All-Star Game break. The Wild is 15 points behind the Central Division leading Blackhawks, 12 behind the Stars and 9 back of the Blues. After the All-Star break the club can’t count on the phenomenal goaltending play it had last winter when Devan Dubnyk made the Wild one of the NHL’s most successful teams prior to the playoffs.
With or without a trade in the next 30 days, coach Mike Yeo and his staff will have to develop more goal scoring with existing players. Whether it’s veterans, or disappointing younger skaters like Mikael Granlund, the Wild need to get better.
The club won only three of 13 games in January, with all the victories on the road. The next two games after the All-Star recess are away from Xcel Energy Center. Six of the next nine will be on the road, so maybe that’s an unexpected positive.
The Wild, with a record so far of 23-17-9, appears capable of making the playoffs but this is a franchise that historically can’t make a deep playoff run. That will be difficult to change until the Wild consistently score more goals.
Worth Noting
The Gophers’ Big Ten losing streak reaches nine consecutive games tonight if Minnesota loses to Purdue, a team that is among the favorites to win the conference championship. Minnesota players were emotionally low after letting a late game lead disappear and eventually losing in overtime to Illinois last Saturday night.
After the game Minnesota coach Richard Pitino was concerned about team emotions going forward. “It’s my job to get them back and get them ready to go,” he said. “Top 20 team (Purdue) in your building. You gotta keep fighting. That’s what we signed up for. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We’re close (to winning) and I think they (his players) see that.”
Sophomore point guard Nate Mason, who scored 19 points but couldn’t make a last second shot to win the Illinois game at the end of regulation, admitted there is a mental challenge getting ready for Purdue at home tonight. “It’s going to be difficult but we’ll respond,” he said on Saturday.
Minnesota prep basketball authority Ryan James labels Minnehaha Academy point guard Jalen Suggs the best eighth grader in the state, and some day a potential top 100 player nationally. Listed at 6-foot-1, Suggs’ skills include attacking defenses off the dribble.
The Timberwolves might be wise to place David Blatt—recently dismissed as Cavs coach—on their list of possible head coaching candidates for next season. Blatt, in his first NBA season, coached the Cavs to the 2015 NBA Finals. Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton should be on the Wolves’ radar, too. Sam Mitchell, the Wolves interim head guy, may get the job permanently but right now the best guess is owner Glen Taylor will wait until season’s end to decide.
After U.S. Bank Stadium opens this summer, look for the covered multipurpose facility to be continually in use with events ranging from Vikings football to hundreds of amateur baseball games to concerts. Luke Bryan is already scheduled for a first-ever August concert and a source told Sports Headliners U2 might play at the new Minneapolis stadium. Other event possibilities could include a monster truck pull and a pro wrestling extravaganza like the WWE’s SummerSlam. Although stadium and Minneapolis boosters were turned down for the 2020 College Football Playoff Championship Game, the same source said local interest remains for some day hosting the game.
In retrospect, the Vikings’ 2015 draft looks like one of the best in the NFL. First round selection cornerback Trae Waynes played just okay and remains a potential future starter, and later round choices Eric Kendricks (linebacker), Danielle Hunter (defensive end) and Stefon Diggs (wide receiver) made the PFWA’s All-Rookie team.
Thursday will be the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Vikings franchise—January 28, 1960.
Former Minnesota Wild president Tod Leiweke and ex-Vikings center Matt Birk are rising stars in executive positions for the NFL. If commissioner Roger Goodell were to retire in the next few years, the two might be on a list of candidates to replace him.
The Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Committee has announced six inductees from three divisions for its MFCA Hall of Fame. The 2016 inductees will be enshrined in the MFCA Hall of Fame at the 52nd Annual Football Hall of Fame Banquet on April 2 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park. The inductees from the High School Division are Don Henderson, Triton; Bernie Litecky, Totino-Grace; Flint Motschenbacher, Detroit Lakes; and Leo Pohlkamp, Pierz. Bethel’s Steve Johnson from the College Division will also be inducted, as will Citation Division representative Rand Middleton from the West Central Tribune.
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