Brave The Wild -Minnesota Wild Podcast-

Joey Awaijane has been covering the Minnesota Wild on this show since August 2008, and has over 30 years of hockey fandom experience. Feel free to join the conversation via an audio submission or on twitter @bravethewild, simply tag #btwmn and comment away!

Sports
Hockey
351
Improvements, but how much?
In this episode, Paladino Joey talks about the improved play of the Minnesota Wild, and Gaborik's return drawing nigh. Joey also checks up on Benoit Pouliot and others, as well as Bob Gainey coaching again.
32 min
352
Backstrom Signed, Amazing Comeback in SJ
In this episode, Paladino Joey talks about the disappointing month of February, along with another loss to Vancouver. The good news however is the Wild were able to sign Backstrom for 4 years, and pulled off a comeback for the ages in San Jose.
44 min
353
Progress continues, but...
In this episode, Joey talks about the continued improvement in the Wild's play, but wonders how long will it last. Consistency never has been a strength of this team since 2003, along with the fact that it lacks a true scorer.
33 min
354
Back to the .500 Club!
Disappointing play by your Minnesota Wild has brought them back to the .500 club, as they are once again playing .500 hockey, after a 1-2 week, the Wild are now 3-3 in February, which clearly puts the Wild out of Playoff Contention. Paladino Joey also talks about the improved play and attitude by Benoit Pouliot, and talks a little Houston Aeros as well. (Wild AHL Affiliate)
28 min
355
Wild Show Some Progress
Well the Wild broke through .500 in January by winning their final game of the month, in a thriller in Vancouver! The Wild also go 3-1 in the 4 games reviewed in this episode, which shows some signs for encouragement. Craig Leipold the owner however, might disappoint those of us that would like change in the upper management, as he pledged stability and not change in a recent Star Tribune article.
34 min
356
Wild Trade Reitz, Call Olevky, Still .500 In Ja...
After 8 1/2 years with the Wild organization, and finally being a part of the NHL roster, the Wild trade Defenseman Erik Reitz to the New York Rangers for Center Dan Fritsche in a typical low end Wild trade that doesn't do much to excite Wild fans. The Wild are exactly .500 in the month of January, and tonight's game with Vancouver will be the breaker of that one way or the other.
34 min
357
Pouliot Sent Down, Wild Remain Mediocre
To date, 2005 4th overall pick: Benoit Pouliot has been a bust for our Minnesota Wild, having only 4 assists and NO GOALS since mid November. Krys Kolanos has officially beaten Pouliot out of a job, which isn't saying much, but that's how it goes. The Wild have another .500 week, which is beginning to be a trend for this team, think this is a coincidence?
30 min
358
Wild Future A Dead End?
Yes the Minnesota Wild, like the Timberwolves, have played better so far in 2009. The question now facing our Minnesota Wild is, is our future at a dead end? With prospect after prospect struggling not only in the NHL, but even with the AHL with Wild affiliate Houston Aeros. Paladino Joey sees an alarming trend taking place, and shows just how bare the Wild's cupboard really is in this episode.
26 min
359
A Nothing Player Is Worth Nothing
In the end, Marian Gaborik's stock is worth nothing to the Wild, as he'll miss most if not all of the rest of this troubled season for your Minnesota Wild. Gaborik's constant injury problems, coupled with his squabbles within the organization for years has made him a nothing player, and now his trade value will be worth nothing. Lack of fore site by Wild management is a major part of this lose-lose situation, by not traded a healthy Gaborik a year ago, when they KNEW that this player didn't want to be here anyway.
36 min
360
Can We Please Win At Home?
The Minnesota Wild cannot seem to protect their home ice on a consistent basis and that is why a first place team is a third place team. Losing home games to division rivals like Vancouver and inferior teams like the St Louis Blues have incensed this show host of late. Marian Gaborik returns to practice and may play soon, but when and for how long?
38 min
361
Still In First Place
Despite the nagging and longer term injuries to multiple key players, namely Gaborik (who may be traded anyhow) Owen Nolan, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, and Brent Burns, your Minnesota Wild still cling to the lead in the ever dangerous Northwest Division. Still no word on Gaborik's future, which remains a complete mystery.
30 min
362
Wild start 4-0, Gaborik likely Gone
In this episode, Paladino Joey talks about the strong start for your Minnesota Wild. Mikko Koivu is quickly becomming the leader of this team, earning the captain's "C" and being the team's best player, as he was last year when healthy. Soon to be former Wild Star RW Marian Gaborik is likely to be on his way out, find out where in this episode of Brave the Wild!
36 min
363
Solid Preseason opens the door for prospects
In this episode, Paladino Joey talks about the Wild's strong preseason and how well prospects Colton Gillies, Danny Irmen, Tyler Cuma and others are doing. Marian Gaborik is still unsigned which raises the possibility of him being traded during the season.
29 min
364
Gaborik Saga, Wild News
In this episode, Paladino Joey talks about the ongoing Marian Gaborik contract saga, as it is believed that Gaborik would like to explore free agency next summer. Wild officials are in negotiations right now in Los Angeles with Gaborik's agent Ron Salcer. Brent Burns has surgery, Kurtis Foster finally skating again, other NHL news.
28 min
365
Will Gaborik Sign Or Be Traded?
The question is, will the Wild be able to convince Marian Gaborik that Jacques Lemaire's defense first system is not holding back? Will the Wild be able to sign their best player to a long-term deal once and for all? Also, we get into the young prospects vying for a spot or two in the comming training camp as we scour through the players in the system. First Brave the Wild poll is released as well.
30 min