Whodathunkit?
Yep, it's EARLY in the season but C'MON! How do you not get excited when watching these guys play?
Nope, coming from behind is not the way you want to play for the rest of the season. The Wild need to come prepared for the first period or they'll get bit in the butt, hard, one of these days.
I'm remembering a time not so long ago, last season and much of October this season, when this team would give up after being scored on. It was a struggle for our guys to even get off the bench for their shifts, they just didn't want to be there. That's the biggest difference on this team lately, from my perspective. They want to be there. They want to play together. They want to win. They get ticked off at themselves when they don't play well. They're starting to own their bad play and stepping up to take responsibility.
I still think there are some major personality and attitude issues on this team but I'd like to shine the light on those players who have done everything Coach Yeo has asked them to do and in return are finding themselves moving up from the third and fourth lines and finding themselves on the powerplay and on the penalty kill in clutch situations.
Cal Clutterbuck - took his one chance to make an impression during the Todd Richard debacle and not only stuck, but has been playing on the second and top lines lately. He's gone from being just the HitMan to being an offensive threat when the Wild's killing off penalties.
Kyle Brodziak - I wouldn't have given you a bag of used pucks for Kyle after last season. What a difference a new coach and his motivation methods make, huh? Kyle's work ethic is so vital for this team. Hey, if it's not coming from where you'd think it should come from, Kyle's your man! As Russo put it so succinctly: "Kyle leaves his sweat all over the ice during his shifts." He never takes a shift off.
Nick Johnson - The guy nobody ever talked about when he joined the team. That's okay with Nick though, he quietly goes about his business making the other team turn over
pucks, sets up pretty passes and gets in front of the net to screen the opposing goalie. He's a digger, going into corners and coming out with the puck.
Darroll Powe - You never had to sell me on Darroll even though he came from the most hated team in my eyes, the Flyers. His work ethic matches Kyle's...or Kyle's matches Darroll's, doesn't matter. Darroll leaves everything he has out on the ice every shift as well. Try listening to the radio feed for the Wild, not watching it on tv for a game. You'll hear Darroll's name a lot. You'll also hear a much more intelligent duo of broadcasters but that's a whole different ramble I could go on...
I'm not saying the other players aren't giving it 100%. I'm not saying some of the guys on the other lines didn't come in this year determined to have a better season than last year. I'm saying that I think the night-in, night-out effort by the guys on the bottom lines of this team push the other players to be better. Mike Yeo rewards effort and attention to his game plan by giving players more ice time, in more crucial situations and on the top two lines. I've said this before while watching Coach Yeo work with this team and I'll say it again: you don't wanna play Mike's game - there's plenty of Houston Aeros players who will. They'll do it with precision and mucho gusto because they want to be NHL players, in The Show.
I think, for the most part, the other players are now on board with Coach Yeo's game plan. I don't think it had anything to do with learning a new culture or new system. That's a bogus excuse made to cover up for players who pull the "I don't wanna and you can't make me" crap when faced with having to hold themselves accountable.
If you think I'm off my rocker let's look at the current roster for Aeros players who've either made the team, are semi-permanent due to injuries, or making their debuts.
Cody Almond
Colton Gilles
Casey Wellman
Justin Falk
Nate Prosser
Marco Scandella
Jared Spurgeon
Clayton Stoner
Matt Hackett
Granted, not all of these guys are going to overthrow the current players but there are some contracts expiring after this season and there are some 'experienced' players who need reminding of why it is they're getting paid to play at the NHL level.
I think it's important for veteran players to remember where they came from and who's hungrily following in their footsteps. I like that Coach Yeo's not afraid to let them see who's nipping at their heels.
In a clear sign that Hell is freezing over; ESPN is starting to give props to the Wild, even it's for the GM of the Yearaward and not to the team's play.
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