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 30^th 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

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Nanne said the Minnesota North Stars book that debuted in early October is now in its third printing, with 3,000 of the next 5,000 books already committed.  The first two press runs of Minnesota North Stars: History And Memories With Lou Nanne were for 10,000 books each. Nanne said the coffee table sized book has information that “people don’t know” and its pages are filled with “600 great pictures.”  He and author Bob Showers have several upcoming book signings including Friday, December 7 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Edina’s Galleria.

Nanne’s granddaughter, Bianca Lettieri, is a member of the Timberwolves dance line. She’s the daughter of former Minnesota Kicks soccer star Tino Lettieri.

Last Friday the Wild had a record number of visitors, about 2,000, at The Hockey Lodge inside Xcel Energy Center.  People were purchasing holiday gifts during the Wild’s afternoon game with Columbus.  Another 3,000 visitors were at the Wild’s Mall of America store.  Derek Boogaard jersey sales are the best among Wild players.

The Wild’s new yearbook became available last week and has been well received by fans. Cost is $10 at the Hockey Lodge.

The Wild’s game tonight against Phoenix is the first of four straight at home, St. Louis (Friday), Vancouver (Sunday) and Philadelphia (next Wednesday).  The Flyers are coming to Xcel Energy Center for only the second time in Wild history. They played the first-ever regular season game here in October of 2000.

When the Timberwolves broke their five game losing streak Monday night and won their second game of the season, there were experienced players on the floor late in the fourth quarter.  The players were Antoine Walker (11 years NBA experience), Greg Buckner (eight years), Marko Jaric (five years), Sebastian Telfair (three years) and Al Jefferson (three years). The Wolves, 2-10, play the Mavericks in Dallas tonight before facing the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs at home on Friday night.

There are only 15 players in the NBA averaging more fouls per game than Wolves guard Rashad McCants. He is averaging 3.5 fouls.

UMD’s Jordan Nuness, son of former Gopher guard Al Nuness, has already made two all-tournament teams this fall.  A senior shooting guard from Eden Prairie, Jordan has been averaging about 22 points per game.

The Vikings, who play against Detroit Sunday at the Metrodome, have been dominant against the Lions in Minnesota through the years, holding a 32-12-1 record.

The Vikings have five interception returns for touchdowns this season, one short of the best record in team history (six in 1992).

Vikings safety Darren Sharper needs 17 yards or more to reach 1,000 yards in career interception yardage.

Saint John’s senior quarterback Alex Kofoed and St. Thomas senior wide receiver P.J. Theisen have been named as two of the 10 finalists for the 15th annual Gagliardi Trophy. The award, presented to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of Saint John’s. This year’s winner will be announced on Monday, December 10 and will be presented on Thursday, December 13 in Salem, Virginia.

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Brad Childress said at his news conference this afternoon that the latest MRI exam on running back Adrian Peterson’s injured knee showed “excellent healing,” and the Vikings coach indicated his rookie running back will play on Sunday against Detroit at the Metrodome.  Childress talked about easing Peterson back into game action, a day after Chester Taylor ran for 77 yards in the team’s 41-17 win over the New York Giants.

Antoine Winfield missed yesterday’s game with a hamstring injury.  Childress said that he’ll “see how it goes” this week in regard to the cornerback’s possible return for the Detroit game.

Childress was pleased that his team was able to win yesterday without two of its best players because it demonstrates others can contribute, too.  Peterson, despite missing the last two games, still leads the NFL in rushing.  Winfield is considered one of the NFL’s better cornerbacks and surest tacklers.  “That’s the nature of this game,” Childress said.  “The next guy steps up.”

The Vikings have won three of their last four games, including two straight, to move their record to 5-6.  The Lions are 6-5 and just ahead of the Vikings in the NFC North standings.  The Vikings improvement has stirred playoff talk with Minnesota joining the possible post-season list with Detroit and other teams in the NFC.  Childress, though, isn’t making the playoffs part of his conversation with the team.

“We ignore it (the topic),” he said.  “We will pay all (our) attention to the Detroit Lions. …”

Asked about the disappointing 34-0 loss at Green Bay on November 11, Childress said “I look at disgust as being a great motivator.”  Since then the Vikings have beaten Oakland 29-22 and also the Giants, while Detroit has lost three straight.

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