Minnesota Wild: The Opening Faceoff 1 March 17

Welcome to my new daily segment that I hope will inform all of you better about the daily life of the Minnesota Wild. I’m calling it The Opening Faceoff and my intent is to provide a rundown of five thoughts, topics, and news stories affect the Wild and the State of Hockey. Just some quick primer to start your hockey day and a few stories to clue into.

So without further ado let’s get to today’s topics.

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1) The NHL Trade Deadline is at 2 pm CST Today: In keeping with many of the recent years under the salary cap, don’t expect any big splashes today like there were in an un-capped league. Thus far there have been some bigger moves than expected, but largely teams have only been able to acquire small pieces due to linger issues that can be traced to a flat salary cap that hasn’t expanded all that much. Right now the activity is quiet with only 3 trades executed thus far today seeing Steve Ott and Jannik Hansen go to new homes. Expect the activity pickup in the afternoon.

Checkout Wild.com’s trade tracker for the up to the minute deadline situation.

2) Are the Wild going to make a trade today?: Probably not. As I wrote about on Monday it seem that the big trade for Hanzal and White may be all the team needed, wanted, and could afford. The X-factor here will be if another team approaches the Wild with a too good to pass up offer. Even still with the team’s chemistry looking strong they may just stand pat. As we know that’s a good choice if the Wild go that way.

Feb 28, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Minnesota Wild center Ryan White (21) celebrates his goal with teammate Minnesota Wild left wing Erik Haula (56) after he scores on Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

3) Wild win a close one in overtime in the Peg: You can talk about the middle of the game lull and how the Wild almost let that one go last night and you’d be very justified to do so. The Wild did get pretty lucky to win as Michael Russo described in his post game write up. To get a game winner on a shorty with 2:10 to play is lucky, but I think I’d like to add that the fact that the Wild didn’t quit is big. Sometimes it’s the little extra at the end that will make the difference, and those “lucky” wins are still wins like the dominate ones.

4) Ryan White is a scorer…wait what?: The Wild had no idea when they acquired Ryan White from Arizona that he’s produce 3 points in his first two games. After all he only had 13 total in the previous 46 games before that. Of course you don’t expect this to keep up, but it does speak to the veteran’s versatility and that the Wild got an unexpected extra element from a player who was brought in for other purposes. Boudreau likes to juggle his lines, and while White may only be scoring because he’s on the top line with Staal and Niederreiter, it gives the Wild options to move him up and down the lineup for different sparks when needed.

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5) Kuemper is being Kuemper again.: The Darcy Kuemper roller coaster rolls on. Last night was another reminder of just how the 26 year-old netminder has not brought consistency to his game. It’s telling that the Wild had the chance to win after he was pulled and Dubs slowed the game down enough for the Wild to get the go-ahead goal. Sure Kuemper rattled off a great start against Dallas allowing only one goal on the 16th of February, but it’s this let down like we had last night that reminds us he’s not ready to be a starter in the NHL and will probably never be ready.

Next: Will the Wild Make Another Deadline Deal?

Okay folks expect more news today after 2 pm, but don’t expect too much. The Wild are off today so no really actually on the ice things to report. Keep your ears open for a Suter update as he was very shook up after last night’s horrible boarding incident. Till then enjoy your day!