While we anticipate the beginning of The Minnesota Wild’s training camp, I have to admit, the main thing in my head right now is Pierre Marc Bouchard. After being out for almost an entire season, what role can he possibly fill for The Wild. First off, the fact he is skating again says nothing. So what. That does not constitute being able to play again. I take it farther and wonder “if” he can play again, where will he fit in.
I think Latendresse and Havlat are going to be centered by Cullen. No room for him on the second line. So what about the top line. Put him back on wing, and replace Miettinen. Replace a lousy 40 point man, with another lousy 40 point man. Noot. Put him on the third line between Clutterbuck and Kobasew. Highly doubtful with Madden. Not happening. So that leads us to the fourth line. From having a high lack of depth of “C’s” in previous seasons, to an overabundance of depth of “C’s” this season. We now have Brodziak, Wellman, Shepherd, and Butch vying for a 4th line C spot? Unheard of in Minny! While I have struggled with Shepherd for a couple years, he now has a couple wingers that could make him better. No one can deny the fact he can skate, and he is a big presence. Brodziak is the man though. He plays hard every shift. While he may space it out once in a while, you cannot take away from his work ethic, and passion for the game. Wellman has yet to be determined, but wow he is fast! He has gained much needed weight over the summer, 20 pounds from what I last heard. So after all of this, I see no fit for Butch on our team. Even if he moved to wing on any given line, he is still a 4 million dollar cap hit we do not need. There is no room for him anymore, healthy or not. I just hope a buyout is not going to happen. We all know how the Parrish deal turned out.