New Year Resolutions, What's Wrong With The Wild

I Resolve To...
I'm not much for New Year resolutions, mostly because I tend to over-aspire which sets me up for failure and then being very hard on myself for not achieving those lofty goals.  That, and I'm incredibly lazy...really.  That being said, I did read a column today in the Pioneer Press  that made me stop and think - and then come back to it for a second read.  While I don't agree with everything she wrote most of it really rang true for me.  I hope that you will find something of value in her words as well: Kathleen Parker's Resolutions For All Time
My favorite part of her column:
Here is giving: Listening. Sparing time. Not interrupting. Holding that thought. Leaving the last drop. Staying home. Turning it off, whatever it is. Making eye contact. Picking it up. Taking the room's temperature. Paying attention. Waiting.


Wild Woes
The Wild continues to be inconsistent in their efforts.  They struggle to put more than two strong games together.  Heck, they struggle to put two strong periods together, much less two strong games.  They don't play together well, often looking lost out on the ice.  The passing is horrible.  The turnovers are too many.  The lack of puck possession is pathetic.  The time spent in our own zone is embarrassing, especially when we're on the power play.  I'm not saying anything here that we all haven't witnessed for ourselves for a season and a half now. 

The coach's response?  He hits the rewind button on his pre-recorded patent answer for the post-game pressers: "We'll look at the tape and we'll talk about it."  One time he came out with this little diddy:  "I'm sick and tired of being booed at home."  Evidently that was only valid for one well-played game.  After that it was right back to SUCKING ON ICE for the game against the Nashville Predators.  According to an interview with Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press, Todd was really bothered by that 4-1 loss to the Predators.  He actually lost sleep over it and woke up at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday thinking about how to "get players to play better."  His answer for the next two days...

1. Saturday's practice was cut short because the arena had to be prepped for the Schwan Cup event starting at noon.  So, the coach couldn't have called the players in early in order to get a full practice in??? 
2. Sunday's practice was very optional.  Seven skaters and Jose Theodore showed up.  Yep, I'd say that Coach Richards has his finger on the pulse of this team and is making EVERY effort to make it clear what's expected of them.  In case some of you are not familiar with my writing form, that last sentence is dripping with sarcasm and loathing - bordering on hatred.  

In all fairness to the coach, the Wild's lack of effort cannot be pinned entirely on the man behind the bench.  These are professional hockey players we're talking about, right?  And haven't we heard the players say they need to step it up and lead by example?  Well, okay - after Koivu threw his temper tantrums in both Twin Cities newspapers he decided that maybe as the captain he should man up.  But it hasn't lasted for him any longer than most of his teammates.  Now one of his line mates has decided to weigh in on the Wild's serious issue of don't-give-a-shit-itis'. 

In the same interview with Bruce Brothers, Antti Miettinen states "It's the five guys on the ice", he said.  "We have all the systems; you've got to execute as a team."  He admits to the team not playing with same level of intensity Friday night as they had in the previous couple of games.  But he didn't let it bother him..in fact, he said he slept well Friday night.  Antti went on to say that he thinks the team has played pretty consistently lately and he's "not concerning himself about that."  WFT??? 
But have no fear, Wild fans because Antti also says he got ticked off about the game when he got to practice the next morning and directed that anger in the right way to get some energy from it...during a short practice on Saturday, followed by an optional practice on Sunday morning.  So, Antti - were you one of the seven skaters on the ice Sunday morning?  

Here's the full Pioneer Press article. 

With attitudes and practice routines like these - gee, I wonder what could possibly be the problem with the Wild?  Things that make you go hmmmmm.