Minnesota Wild: The Opening Faceoff 2 Mar 17

Yesterday’s trade deadline was pretty quiet. It seems the Wild are moving on just a quick as deadline day came and went. They’re shifting their focus back to the on-ice issues as the team prepares to play Columbus on the road tonight and then returns to the X on Sunday for two tilts at home.

So at puck drop this morning here’s what shaking in the State of Hockey.

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1) Wild stand pat on trade deadline day: I explained most of this in a story yesterday afternoon, but the Wild basically had decided that they had made enough moves over this weekend and decided to stay quiet yesterday. GM Chuck Fletcher was in receive mode and according to Michael Russo, did field a few calls and texts from other GMs but nothing close to serious happened. The bottom line is this season’s trade deadline lameness is really due to virtual flat cap and over estimation of chances to make the playoffs by bubble teams.

2) Wild look to avenge loss against Columbus: Tonight from the Nationwide Arena the Wild look to march in to the Blue Jackets house and get some payback for the their last meeting when Columbus stopped their franchise record 13-game winning streak. The current Metropolitan and Eastern Conference runner-ups will be looking to gain ground and break their current tie with the Penguins. Don’t expect to see former Wild center Zac Dalpe in the Columbus line-up after being claimed off waivers on Monday. He’s currently down in Cleveland, so really something big needs to happen to the Blue Jackets line-up between now and tonight.

Feb 16, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Suter thinks he can play tonight: After that vicious hit in Winnipeg, it looked like the Wild might have to be without Ryan Suter for a long time after he left the game with a lower-body injury. Reports are though that he’s feeling good enough to play and is already lobbying to do so tonight in Columbus. According to Russo, Boudreau is taking a more cautious approach saying that he’ll wait for the trainers and medical staff to clear him before making the final decision. Still the news that he’s not badly hurt is excellent for the State of Hockey.

4) The mumps outbreak seems contained: Parise is feeling better and expected to play this weekend’s tilt back in St. Paul. No specific updates on Pominville or Scott Stevens, but expect that the other victims of this outbreak will be feeling better over the next couple of days as well. No other players or coaches seem to be sick right now so we can almost say with certainty it looks like containment has been reached.

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5) Recent trades could affect Iowa as they chase down playoff spot: Right now the Iowa Wild are in 4th place in the AHL’s Central Division which puts them in the playoffs if they were to start today. Currently Iowa is only 3 points up over Cleveland and 4 points up over Charlotte. Recent moves though could affect their ability to get into playoffs as the Wild have sold off Iowa’s leading scorer Teemu Pulkkinen, and fifth leading scorer Grayson Downing. Also consider that top defender Gustav Olofsson could see more time up with Minnesota could also throw a up another obstacle on their playoff run.

Next: Minnesota Wild Stay Quiet on Trade Deadline Day

So that’s it for this morning. Keep watch for the rest of the day to see if Suter plays tonight, and also if the mumps epidemic is truly been eradicated. Have a great day!!

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