Shane Hnidy News

2. Cal Clutterbuck, Wild: Scored first career shorthanded goal, had six shots, three hits and even played the power-play point on a 4-on-3. 3. Martin Havlat, Wild: No points, but best game of the season.

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

Is it just me, or has the play of the Minnesota Wild improved lately with Kim Johnsson out of the lineup? I'm sure most of the so-called experts in the media will say it's just me but warped minds never did believe much in coincidence.

Three stars: 1. Dave Bolland, Hawks. Scored a goal and was a key defensively as a penalty-killer; played 20 minutes, more than any other Chicago forward.

Patrick Kane scored a spectacular third-period goal just 3:25 after Minnesota had made it a one-goal game and the Chicago Blackhawks went on to win 3-1 Monday night, dropping the Wild to 0-8 on the road.

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.

MICHAEL RUSSO Blues' quick start dazes Wild in latest poor showing on road - October 24, 2009 Blues' quick start dazes Wild in latest poor showing on road - The Wild have lost seven straight on the road a ' four shy of the franchise record.

Goaltender Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild pauses for a moment during a NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings on April 5, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

For the first time in franchise history, the Wild's been forced to get creative to sell tickets.

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.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Every hockey writer in the United States and Canada would love a do-over with their preseason predictions.

Chuck Kobasew knows Wild defenseman Shane Hnidy from playing with him the last few seasons with the Boston Bruins.

Posted on October 18th, 2009 7:21 PM By Michael Russo Updated: The Wild has traded Craig Weller, a second-round pick in 2011 and the rights to Alex Fallstrom, the Shattuck-St. Mary's kid taken in the fourth round last June,A to the Boston Bruins for forward Chuck Kobasew.

As the Wild sputtered through a five-game road trip encompassing some of the toughest venues in the NHL West, it seemed perhaps the best thing the players could do was forget about the tough times and simply look ahead.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Wild suffered another painful loss Wednesday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Anaheim Ducks and losing top-line forward Martin Havlat in the process.

Anaheim's Todd Marchant, left, looks on as Minnesota's Andrew Brunette, centre, is pushed off the puck by Ducks teammate Scott Niedermayer during Wednesday's game.

Posted on October 13th, 2009 7:24 PM By Michael Russo Good evening back in the wintry Twin Cities.

Patrick Marleau lit the lamp twice and added an assist, while Evgeni Nabokov made 38 saves, as the Sharks scored four unanswered goals to upend the Wild, 4-2, at HP Pavilion.

Get in-game updates from your mobile phone or PC on startribune.com . Preview: The 2009-10 season kicks off in Columbus, where the Wild is 4-8-3 all-time. The Wild is 5-2-1 all-time in season openers, tied with Ottawa for the league's highest opening-night points percentage .

Posted on October 3rd, 2009 1:24 PM By Michael Russo Forgot to mention, Koivu, Schultz and Brunette wearing theA A's tonight.