Benoit Pouliot News

Wild players didn't lose their razors. They're not trying to make a fashion statement.

When things are going south, positive imagery is often a big help. Years ago, when Pavel Bure would get into a rare slump, he'd throw on his five-goal game video from the '98 Olympics.

While Josh Harding took several days off to recuperate from what the Wild termed "lower-body soreness," he cleared his head at the same time.

The first month of the season is over and, honestly, the Minnesota Wild are probably relieved.

Marian Gaborik hated being unable to play when the New York Rangers took on the Wild on Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center.

Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher sat down with Penguins GM Ray Shero, assistant GM Jason Botterill and Pens coach Dan Bylsma and reminisced Saturday before Shero handed Fletcher a special gift for his services as assistant GM last season: a Stanley Cup championship ring.

Wild fans never got to see the return of injured Rangers star Marian Gaborik on Friday night, so they had to settle for Aaron Voros instead.

In Wednesday's loss to the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards sat Czech sniper Petr Sykora in favor of fan favorite enforcer Derek Boogaard.

My dear readers, Monday night marks the opening of what people are dubbing "reunions week" for the Minnesota Wild.

The Minnesota Wild have recalled goaltender Anton Khudobin from the minors while backup Josh Harding recovers from an injury.

When a team is struggling, players and fans alike need to take solace in the little things.

James Sheppard's NHL matriculation hasn't always been smooth, but the young center had never really been scratched - not since he became a regular during his rookie season in 2007-08. But after nine games with no points and a minus-5 in the plus/minus column, coach Todd Richards decided to sit the team's first-round pick in the 2006 entry draft.

David Perron notched a goal and an assist, as the St. Louis got by the Minnesota Wild, 3-1, at Scottrade Center.

During Minnesota's surprise run to the 2003 Western Conference final, then-Vancouver general manager Brian Burke made the observation: "The Minnesota Wild isn't a hockey team; it's a cult." Six years later, Burke's assessment is being proven true.

Officially, the NHL preseason ended a couple of weeks ago, but with Todd Richards keeping virtually all starters out of the lineup the Minnesota Wild did their finest impression of sports fans everywhere -- paying a regular season price for preseason games.

Posted on October 18th, 2009 9:29 AM By Michael Russo Good morningA from Vancouver, where I finally have a flight homeA today.A To use the old Brian Rolston line, "It is what it is." There's not much more I can say about this road trip.

Edmonton's Mike Comrie, right, scores on Minnesota goalie Josh Harding during Friday's game.

Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom, right, covers up the puck as Vancouver Canucks' Steve Bernier looks for the rebound during the second period.

Google the word "struggling" on the Internet and expect the Minnesota Wild to appear among the top listings.

No excuses, Wild coach Todd Richards says. It's time to start winning games. In his first season of directing the Wild, Richards might not know or care that this year's group is zeroing in on the worst start in franchise history.