Pre-Season Preview: Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks

It could be an interesting reception for one member of the Wild today as he plays against his former team for the first time. For Martin Havlat, in the days after signing with the Wild were spent giving spurious updates via Twitter about some of the moves and culture of the Chicago Blackhawks, his former team. Shortly after a clerical error cost the Blackhawks millions as players set to be restricted free agents were not tendered qualifying offers in the correct manner, the organization re-assigned Dale Tallon who was the team's General Manager who should be given a great deal of credit for resurrecting the Blackhawks who just a few years back were circling the drain of irrelevance in the Windy City. Havlat defended his former GM, implying he was railroaded by Blackhawks team President John McDonough who the Czech inferred was not happy that that Tallon was receiving so much of the credit for the team's resurgence. Havlat did not say anything bad about the players, so perhaps it won't be that much of a rough reception afterall but I highly doubt the Wild winger will be exchanging X-mas cards with McDonough this year. Also without question, any goals Havlat scores against Chicago likely have a bit of vitriol to them. The Wild are coming off a solid performance Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets where the team demonstrated to fans in the State of Hockey its new up-tempo, hard-charging style. That was with a squad that just had some of its supporting role players and a host of youngsters. Tonight the Wild are again using an "B+ team" using some its more notable offensive players. Here is tonight's roster which will indicate forward lines from left wing to center to right wing. Line #1: Petr Sykora-Benoit Pouliot-Martin HavlatLine #2: Danny Irmen-Kyle Brodziak-Owen NolanLine #3: Colton Gillies-Andy Hilbert-Cal ClutterbuckLine #4: Matt Kassian-Nathan Smith-Duncan MilroyDefensive Pair #1: Nick Schultz-Kim JohnssonDefensive Pair #2: Justin Falk-Jaime SifersDefensive Pair #3: John Scott-Tyler CumaGoaltenders: Niklas Backstrom, Anton KhudobinMinnesota assigned 3 more players to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Houston: defensemen Brandon Rogers, Ryan Lannon and Clayton Stoner all of whom who had strong games on Friday. While that may not seem like gratitude on a job well done, the Wild must feel confident they have some eager young players ready to go if injuries arise. One player who must realize this is his chance to really show what he can do is the enigmatic Benoit Pouliot who is centering a line with the newly arrived Petr Sykora and Martin Havlat. If Pouliot can show some chemistry he might even find himself on one of the top two lines. Pouliot has had more than enough time to figure out what it takes to be a scorer at the pro level, but hasn't shown his great skill level nearly enough since the team selected him 4th Overall in 2005. Hopefully the Wild bring it this Sunday as the fans will likely be feeling pretty good after witnessing another Viking victory.