2005 Minnesota Wild Preview
Welcome to the 2005 Minnesota Wild Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.
2005 Minnesota Wild Hockey Season Preview
The Minnesota Wild are as rich and strong at goaltender as they were in 2003-04 when Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez dominated the net. Roloson was rated as the number one goalie with a 19- 18 -11 record, a 1.88 GAA, and a .933 save percentage. Manny Fernandez was no slouch as back up, outplaying the likes of Khabibulin, Giguere, and DiPietro. This is a formidable foundation for a defensive minded team like the Wild.
If Minnesota is known for anything, it’s their stellar checking. The problem is defense can take a team just so far and questions exists as to whether the team can improve its record enough to make a difference?
Pierre Marc-Bouchard is back. The young player spent the last year in the AHL playing for Houston. There he saw his point totals soar from 22 in the NHL to 54 in the minors. It would be a huge help for the Wild if Marc-Bouchard could bring his new talent for accumulating points to the pros.
The most important free agent acquisition the Wild have made concerns center Brian Rolston. Rolston’s last four seasons, spent with the Bruins, have resulted in at least 48 points per season and very little time on the injury list. He’s a durable player who can make things happen via a quick wrist shot or a perfect pass.
On most teams a center like Rolston would be a strong B-liner. But for the Wild, a team more concerned with keeping the puck out of the net than putting it between the crossbars, the veteran offers the opportunity to create enough offense to win a minimal number of games.
Will that number be enough to garner a playoff birth for the
team from Minnesota? The answer, based on an educated guess
and some research, is “no.” Then again stranger
things have happened. Like, as an example, a yearlong lockout
in the NHL.
