Great story that I think deserves recognition:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wi...6.html?refer=y

I now have the honour/honor of representing the Minnesota Wild in the Dobber Hockey forums. I am very excited, plus this is a very interesting franchise to follow. I will be posting here as frequently as possible and will have news, thoughts, info, and all things Wild coming in the near future.

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" You said you don't give a f*ck about hockey. I've never heard anyone say that before."

Awesome Ross! Great to see you covering the Wild. Love hearing your thoughts in general.

Good stuff Ross!! This team deserves to have some coverage this year.

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13 Team (30 player roster), pts only keeper (Goalies W=2,SO=3) Keep 12F 4D 1G + any Fwd prospects with <100 NHL GP & D/G prospects with <150 NHL GP

F- P.Kane, Kopitar, Giroux, Duchene, Van Riemsdyk, Voracek, Dupuis, Fleischmann, Erat, Cammalleri, Anisimov, C.Smith
D- Edler, Ekman-Larsson, Shattenkirk, Carle
G- Fleury
Prospects- M.Granlund, Baertschi, Nyquist, Grigorenko, Conacher, Niederreiter, D.Shore, Kuznetsov, Hertl, B.Smith, Orlov, Rundblad, A.Larsson

I guess a good way to start this off is to explain my history/intrigue with the organization. It started a couple of years ago when I met a guy at university who is best friends with former Wild player and 1st round draft pick James Sheppard. Watching games with Andy was really cool, and I have maintained my interest with the Wild organization ever since. I also still cheer for James, and hope he can make his way back into the NHL.

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" You said you don't give a f*ck about hockey. I've never heard anyone say that before."

Great that you are doing this, Ross - think you landed the gig at the right time from a perspective of the team becoming much more interesting to watch.

Anyway, how about the goaltending this season? Any ideas what to expect regarding starts for Backstrom and Harding?

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Yahoo weekly starts 12 team league, keep 17 plus farm

GS, W, L, SV, GAA, SV%, SO G, A, P, +/-, PIM, SOG, GWG, PPP, SHP, HITS, FOW

3C: H. Sedin,Stepan, Stastny, R. Johansen, Hanzal, Anisimov,
3LW: Burrows, Vanek, Ott, Lupul, Dubinsky
3RW: Doan, Pavelski, Brown, Okposo,
6D: Franson, Doughty, Voynov, Subban, Markov, Gonchar, Karlsson
1Util:
2G: Price, Emery


Farm: (< 100 games): S. Elliott, J. Bernier, Galchenyuk, Etem, Eakin, Atkinson

I am the midst of soccer provincials, moving apartments, and an expanded role at work, will offer my insight as soon as possible if that is ok! Cheers bare feet

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" You said you don't give a f*ck about hockey. I've never heard anyone say that before."

Yeah that's fine - I'm kinda thinking 50 + starts for Backstrom give or take a few.

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Yahoo weekly starts 12 team league, keep 17 plus farm

GS, W, L, SV, GAA, SV%, SO G, A, P, +/-, PIM, SOG, GWG, PPP, SHP, HITS, FOW

3C: H. Sedin,Stepan, Stastny, R. Johansen, Hanzal, Anisimov,
3LW: Burrows, Vanek, Ott, Lupul, Dubinsky
3RW: Doan, Pavelski, Brown, Okposo,
6D: Franson, Doughty, Voynov, Subban, Markov, Gonchar, Karlsson
1Util:
2G: Price, Emery


Farm: (< 100 games): S. Elliott, J. Bernier, Galchenyuk, Etem, Eakin, Atkinson

I think that is a fair prediction. I believe that the Wild won't be afraid to pull a trade this season in order to shore up a weakness, so Harding could see an extended period of starts to raise his value. Hackett is a very capable back-up goaltender if Harding is moved, and the Wild will look to keep Backstrom fresh both from solid play in the defensive zone, as well as through a couple less starts. From a strategy stand point for the Wild, I believe 50-odd starts for Backstrom would be best for both parties if a playoff run is to occur.

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" You said you don't give a f*ck about hockey. I've never heard anyone say that before."

Thanks Ross - seems to confirm my thoughts. Now to figure out if he is worth trading for.

__________________
Yahoo weekly starts 12 team league, keep 17 plus farm

GS, W, L, SV, GAA, SV%, SO G, A, P, +/-, PIM, SOG, GWG, PPP, SHP, HITS, FOW

3C: H. Sedin,Stepan, Stastny, R. Johansen, Hanzal, Anisimov,
3LW: Burrows, Vanek, Ott, Lupul, Dubinsky
3RW: Doan, Pavelski, Brown, Okposo,
6D: Franson, Doughty, Voynov, Subban, Markov, Gonchar, Karlsson
1Util:
2G: Price, Emery


Farm: (< 100 games): S. Elliott, J. Bernier, Galchenyuk, Etem, Eakin, Atkinson