Wild are slow coming out of the gate. No worries, Wild fans.
Wild fans… I humbly apologize for my radio silence to begin the season. I, like the Wild, are off to a start that is slower than expected. I’m sure you all think living the hockey blogger life is all about fast cars and waking up in a drunken stupor on a daily basis thinking you’re late for the school bus, then remembering you’re 35 and living in your parents’ basement. I guess some of that may be true, but not all of it – wink, wink. Hi Mom and Dad.
Anyway, another hockey season is on, so let us all bow our heads and give a moment of thanks. This magical time of year is finally here. Grab your meatloaf, a beer and get ready for another season of Minnesota hockey. Everyone say it with me. Let’s…..play…..hockey!!!!!!!!
After an incredible, record-breaking season in 2021-22 by the Minnesota Wild, expectations for this year’s team were high. Really high. However, the swagger that the boys displayed on a regular basis last year has largely eluded them thus far in the season. Rest assured though, this will be a far-different looking team in a month or so. I can feel it. They have a few new faces in St. Paul and with any new team, it can take a while to gel as a unit.
So far, the Wild have been more disappointing than the Green Bay Packers or even the New York Yankees – both of which are a delight to most sports fans in Minnesota. The good thing however, is the Wild have a great leadership core from names like Zuccarello, Dumba, Foligno, Spurgeon and that Fleury guy. I’m sure even after a slow start, the veteran guys were calming everyone down in the locker room.
After being outscored 20-12 in the first three games of the season, doubters were saying that trading ex-Wild tendy, Cam Talbot, was a mistake. Heck, after getting spanked in the season opener 7-3 by the Rangers, people were already a little nervous. It’s just one game. Or it this point, the Wild are 2-3-1 after beating the Habs 3-1 in Montreal. So, if you were worried about the lackluster start by the Wild this season, listen to my little friend, Tony…
This will most likely be my shortest article ever, but I assure you all that you will hear from me again before week’s end. In the meantime, take care of yourselves and Go Wild!!!
The Morning Skate 