Wild Signs and Waives Hilbert; Game Notes

Unless there is a new rule in the NHL, you can’t place tryout players on waivers. 

So I guess that means that Andy Hilbert has officially been signed to a two-way contract by the Minnesota Wild, as was the rumor. 

I really like this move by Fletcher, as it gives the Wild a veteran that it can turn to if a mid-season call up is needed.  As I mentioned before, Hilbert is a pretty vanilla player, but the good thing about him is that he does everything good enough to compete in the NHL.  The problem has been that he doesn’t necessarily do anything well enough to stand out. 

That said, in the form of a call up, he could be a pretty useful player. 

Richards has talked a lot about the team’s “compete factor,” and Hilbert definitely has that.  He’ll play his rear end off each and every night for you, so he’s got that going for him…Which is good. 

Some thoughts on last night’s shootout victory: 

• My God does the Wild have a potent shootout line up.  Last night, they ran with Koivu, Havlat, Sykora and Miettinen as their top four.  That leaves Burns, Bouchard, Sheppard, Nolan, Brunette and Zidlicky left before it even starts to get remotely sticky.  A nice luxury to have in the era of the post-overtime skills competition.
• Wild fans can rest easy.  Backstrom played much, much better than the 4 goals allowed last night signified.  I’d say that this was more of the 34-save performance than the giving up 4-goals kind.  He was absolutely dazzling at times.  The first goal, however, was the kind that has become Steady Nik’s kryptonite over the past few years.  A deflection off of the stick of our own player.  He could have and probably should have had it, but he just misjudged it.  It happens, and hopefully it will happen a lot less with players blocking shots with their bodies as opposed to their sticks.
• Braydon Coburn sure picked the wrong person to piss off last night.  I don’t quite want to quote Chris Tucker, but he sure got knocked down a few pegs by Cowboy.
• Clutterbuck had yet another fantastic game.  I’d look for this guy to have a huge season this year, as Richards absolutely loves him and he’s really earning a lot more looks.
• Sheppard had another steady night.  He’s poised for a breakout season (finally!) and he should impress this year.
• Our D looks really rough.  Zanon and Hnidy were really the only ones who looked comfortable out there.  I wouldn’t worry, though.  We’ve still got a world class defensive unit…They’ll come around. 

Look back here in the coming days for a preview of our season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets this weekend!