New Season, New Division, New Rivals–Game On!
By Dakota Case
May 5, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11), defenseman Ryan Suter (20), forward Cal Clutterbuck (22) and forward Mikko Koivu (9) celebrate against Chicago Blackhawks in following game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
It’s August 1st, meaning the slowest month of the year has begun. Not so, here at Gone Puck Wild. With a new season, new division and new rivals just around the corner, it’s a clean slate for the Minnesota Wild as they look to improve upon their relative success last season. With the arrival of realignment, it means introductions are in order as we meet the Chicago Blackhawks (I could have swore we just met them recently), Colorado Avalanche (our tag-a-longs from the former Northwest Division), Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.
Starting Monday with Chicago, we’ll break down each team’s major additions and subtractions, strengths and weaknesses, prospect pool, 2013 draft class and team outlook. Timed correctly, this series should take us all the way to the start of training camp and the preseason. So get your pencil and notebook and study up with us on your favorite team’s new division rivals. Let’s drop the puck!