Lemaire You Know: Bang the Doldrum Slowly

Minnesota Wild News

GPW contributed to the series of posts where central division team writers weigh in on the Predators at the Predlines blog.

Ger Devine wrote a great piece comparing the centers of the Central Division to see how Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund stack up against the other top six centers.

2011 Minnesota Wild draft pick Nick Seeler has elected to not continue on with the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks after his sophomore campaign. He finished last season with four goals, six assists, and 61 penalty minutes in 36 games. Here’s our post with details.

Here are five must-watch Wild games for this coming season.

The Wild’s top 5 prospects according to Devin Slawson over at The Hockey Writers.

Hockey Wilderness stages an intervention for Chuck Fletcher and Mike Yeo to let them know why they don’t need Paul Bissonnette.

There’s a Wild-themed ugly Christmas sweater.

Here’s a Minnesota Wild Social Media Guide for the 2014-15 season.

In case you missed any posts here at GPW this week:
— Hockey Day Minnesota is happening in St. Paul this season.
— Derek Felska talks about fantasy hockey and the Wild.
— The Wild’s day came in NHL.com’s 30 in 30 series this week.
— Wild prospect Alex Tuch did pretty well at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp.

Around the League

Jared Sexton at Rangers Unlimited talks about four criticisms of possession stats and why those criticisms are straw men.

Defending Big D has a really nice piece on why Travis Morin will have a tough time breaking into the NHL. Morin is an interesting case and seems like a great player, but at 30, the odds of him cracking the lineup and becoming a regular are slim.

In an interview with NHL.com Sharks coach Todd McLellan seems to backtrack on the team’s rebuild some, which is generally confusing for anyone following that soap opera. While I’m at it, here’s five must-watch Sharks games for the 2014-15 season.

Chicago will no longer play “The Stripper” during its mid-game “Shoot the Puck” contests after a petition circulated that requested the song be changed. I like seeing people takes a stand against the status quo in sports — and it doesn’t happen too often. If you agree, don’t read the comment section of this ESPN post. The only conclusion to draw from the rage in the comments is that “The Stripper” is an absolutely integral part of the essential American tradition that is fat drunk guys wearing shoes on ice to shoot a puck at an empty net for prize money. America, hockey, and our hearts may never be the same again.

Speaking of sexism and hockey, there’s a nice piece at Fear the Fin about sexism and hockey by Jen Mac Ramos. Basically, it’s good to remember when you’re complaining about PC police in sports, that hockey is very often not a welcoming space for people who are not male (or white). Make an effort. Sexual harassment happens way too often in hockey, whether it’s in the stands or on fan sites or comment sections of certain, ahem, types of articles. That kind of BS doesn’t stop unless decent people say something when it’s happening. Be a decent person. (Also, if you find yourself ever making an argument that hinges on using the phrase “PC police” you’re probably in the wrong. Make a note.)

Outside the NHL

Do you ever read Third String Goalie? It explores the history of the game we love through jerseys. Great site. Latest post is titled “1958-59 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Herb Brooks Jersey.” Yeah. You’ll like that one.

On Minnesota

1958-59 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Herb Brooks Jersey

Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith is playing Letterman on Wednesday. Tune in. Support local tunes on a national stage.

The Internet Cat Video Festival just had its third annual screening at the Walker Art Center’s Open Field. It’s the kind of thing that makes you say, Good job, Minnesota. Good job, Internet.

Outside Magazine just released their list of the top 16 places to live in America. Of note: #11 La Crosse, Wisconsin. #3 Minneapolis, Minnesota. #1 Duluth, Minnesota. These lists are stupid, but there’s nothing that can bolster a little local pride like one of these lists. Especially when they’re totally right. Oh yeaaaaaah, Minnesota.