Wild Nation Welcomes Todd Richards

On Tuesday afternoon, Todd Richards, who joined the Wild from last years Presidents winning San Jose Sharks, met with the media at the Xcel Energy Center.  Among the topics that were addressed was #10 Marian Gaborik.  Gaborik is currently not signed by the Wild.  In the past, he has been prone to injuries.  The Wild are hopeful with the hiring of Richards that he will entice Gaborik to be back in a Wild uniform.  Another common theme at the press conference was trust.  

Richards stated that the Wild players would have to earn his trust and he would have to earn theirs.  When asked about what brand of hockey the fans would see, Richards said that you would see an up- tempo style similar to  San Jose, Detroit, or Pittsburgh.  Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher stated that there were several candidates to replace former Head Coach Jacques Lemaire.  Fletcher and Richards had several opportunities to speak to each other before the hiring.  Fletcher also stated that the Wild’s assistant coaching position has several candidates within and outside the organization, but he hasn’t tapped anyone yet.

Sheriff Sound Off: Minnesota Wild

St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Wild have a new bench boss to replace the legendary Jacques Lemaire. Lemaire, who called it quits after the last game of the season, is replaced by former San Jose Sharks assistant Todd Richards. Maybe the “State of Hockey will live up to its name and bring something that the Penguins and the Red Wings have experience in… championships. Ever since the Wild has been in existence, they have been floundering around and only able to win NorthWest Division Titles. Unlike their competitors, the Wild have been lacking the heart and will to win. Maybe this year we could actually see a Stanley Cup in St. Paul. The Wild also fired Doug Riseborough, who had been their General Manager since their inception. That move had this reporter scratching his head. The last time I checked, you don’t see a GM with a uniform on. The GM’s job is to tell coaches and the people who work under them to get their butts in gear. It’s the Head Coach’s job to inspire the players who wear the Wild logo. Don’t tell me it was Riseborough’s fault. He doesn’t play the game. He just brings in the players who he thinks will go out and get the Wild to the promised land. Maybe, it was because this group of Wild wasn’t man enough to win.

Stanley Cup Champions Crowned

Pittsburgh - The new Stanley Cup champions have been crowned. There is a new “Hockey Town.” Sidney Crosby finally has his Stanley Cup. It was a series for the ages. The Penguins were the comeback kids, after being down 2-0 and at the mercy of the veteran Red Wings. Dan Bylsma, Maxime Talbot, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby did not give up when things were at there bleakest. They took it to the aging Red Wings and stunned them in the alleged “Hockey Town,” where the Red Wings’ fans showed no class and shouted “Crosby Sucks.” But Sid the Kid proved otherwise, getting the last laugh, and leaving Marian Hossa with another bitter taste in his mouth. #71 Malkin became the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and Crosby became the youngest captain ever to pick up the 35-pound Stanley Cup. If people weren’t aware who Bylsma was before this season, they do now. The guy should get coach of the year for all of this to come together and be Pittsburgh’s one shining moment. This was once a franchise that was in danger of going bankrupt, but now it stands proudly alone on top of the hockey mountain with a 22-year-old captain with a bright future ahead of him.

Hossa Biggest Scapegoat in Sports

For Marian Hossa, this year was the year in which he was supposed to feel the thrill of winning a Stanley Cup. That’s why he left the Steel City, Pittsburgh. Hossa had a four-year deal on the table with the Penguins. After being on the losing end in 2008, he wanted to go where the champagne would have tasted a little sweeter… or so he thought. Instead, Mr. Hossa’s decision proved to jump up and bite him. Max Talbot scored two crucial goals which led to heartbreak hotel for Hossa and the Red Wings. This should prove to Hossa that he should think twice about his actions. Next time a team offers you a four year deal, take it. Don’t walk away because you think the ice is going to smell better on the other side. Perhaps if you had been a little more loyal and stuck with the Penguins you would have been tasting the champagne, but no, you had to be a cheapskate and go with the Red Wings. Pittsburgh wanted you to stay four more years, but you chose to be brutally dishonest. Because of your actions you were denied the right to drink from Lord Stanley. Where are you going to go now?

Round Seven

Last night in Pittsburgh, PA, the stage was set for one of the best moments in sports. The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination and set up one of the greatest thrills in sports. A situation that can lead to heartbreak hotel or the spoils of victory. For Sidney Crosby, it’s another chance at the cup that was nearly lost. For the Red Wings, it’s a testament of their wills and hearts to see if they really are what they were one year ago. There’s the testament of a goalie who is only 24, Marc-Andre Fleury, and in the other net is the will of a 35-year-old whom people chant “Ozzie” for, Chris Osgood.

There is a captain who hopes to prove he doesn’t stink, Sidney Crosby. There is a Coach of the Year candidate who was called up from the baby Pens, and who was thrown into the fire, Dan Bylsma.

Now we have ourselves the series that I envisioned when it began.

So, for all of your answers for every counter-punch in the last round of the heavy-weight fight, watch NBC Friday night. We’ll see if there will be a new king and a new city that can lay claim to Hockey Town, or if the boys from the Joe Louis Arena can add another notch to their belt.

Next Page »