Yardbarker: Marek Zidlicky

Minnesota Wild getting Antti Miettinen back from illness, Martin Havlat, Marek Zidlicky from injury

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:04:06 -0500

Minnesota right wing Antti Miettinen has returned after missing the last three games with what was diagnosed as swine flu, and coach Todd Richards said Tuesday he believes Miettinen will play Wednesday against Nashville.

Sidney Crosby and Marek Zidlicky fight.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:12:00 -0500

I would say that Marek Zidlicky didn't do real well in his fight with Cindy Crosby. In fact Crosby worked him pretty hard.I would rank this fight as being a bit of a yawner. First thing both guys aren't very good or known for their fighting skills. Looks more like a purse fight between two Sissy's.

I LOVE to See Sid Get Fired Up!!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:32:00 -0500

Unfortunately (maybe fortunately), I missed Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild (and the return of Sykie) except for a few minutes of the end of the first period which is probably pretty much all I needed to see since the score at that point ended up being the final score of the game.I've read / heard that this game the Penguins played well for the majority of all three periods which differed from the game last Friday against the Blue Jackets even though they won. But isn't...

Player Profile: Marek Zidlicky

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:03:00 -0500

#3, Defense, Shoots rightAge 32, Born: Feb 3, 1977Height: 5'11" Weight: 190 lbs.Drafted 176th overall in the sixth round by the Minnesota Wild in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.Strengths: Has an extremely strong and accurate shot for a defenseman. Quarterbacks the power play very well. Ranks among the league leaders for points-per-game for defensemen each season.Weaknesses: Takes too many risks out on the ice which results in being out of position frequently and also results in him being p...

Fantasy Hockey Roundup

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:44:15 -0500

Who’s Hot: Pavel Datsyuk, C, Detroit Red Wings- He’s one of those guys that you want as the foundation of your fantasy team because he’s as consistent as a fine Swiss timepiece.

Rough Night for Locals

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:31:35 -0500

It was a rough night for the local pro sports teams as both the Bruins and Celtics posted losses, and each now has a two game losing streak. The Bruins have still never beaten the Minnesota Wild at home, as they lost 1-0 at the Garden. Fluto Shinzawa?looks at the lone goal by Marek Zidlicky. ...

Goon's Illegal Curve article.

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:45:09 -0500

Here my aritle that was submitted to the illegal curve.
1. Minnesota Wild by Eric Burton of Goon's World

Last night on Versus I had the opportunity to watch the Wild and the Capitals play a non-conference game. Minnesota raced to a convincing and almost unheard of four goal lead. At this point in the game you expect a Wild team to go into their patented defensive mode where they shut down the opponents in the offensive zone and make it almost impossible to score.

In Monday's game that was not the case and before the third period was over, the Wild had tried to give the game back to the Capitals allowing them to score three goals in under four minutes from Matt Bradley, Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom. For the Wild that is very uncharacteristic.

I think it is an enigma to see the Wild score four goals in a game, in fact it is almost unheard of. The Wild are known for their stifling defense and lack of offensive prowess. The Wild are offensively challenged and are in the bottom of the league for goals (49) for and are only ahead of lowly Phoenix (48). Breaking it down further the Wild have only scored four or more goals in a game only five times so far this season. Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom should sue his forwards for lack of support.

The Wild had been getting a most of their scoring from the big three: Mikko Koivu (5-4-19), Andrew Burnett (6-5-11) and Anti Miettinen (6-7-13) finally got scoring from two unexpected sources last night as Kyle Clutterbuck (2) and James Sheppard (1) scored their first goals of the season.

There have also been some disappointments so far this season. Pierre-March Bouchard that signed a big contract in the offseason has been invisible so for going (2-4-6) in 16 games so far this season. That is unacceptable for a player of Bouchard's offensive talent.

Defensively the Wild have been solid getting great offensive play from Marc-Andre Bergeron (2-7-9), Marek Zidlicky (3-5-8) and Kim Johnnson (1-6-7). Also in the mix is Brent Burns (3-4-7) who has been hurt earlier this season and sat out four games has now been asked to play at forward for the Wild because of the Wilds lack of offensive dept.

I think the Wild are going to have to get some balanced scoring or they won't be able to remain in the top part of the western conference. They are going to have to eventually have to score more than 1-2 goals a game to win. Backstrom is good but he is going to have stretches where he is going to be well, human.

Coyotes blanked in Minnesota, 4-0

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:41:56 -0500

Photo: Jim Mone/AP The maddening offensive inconsistency of the Phoenix Coyotes surfaced again on Thursday night in a 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center that broke the Coyotes' three-game winning streak. Marek Zidlicky scored his first two goals of the year, and added an ...

Josh Gratton: 2008-9 Forechecker's Forecast

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:28:31 -0500

Amidst the Radulov drama and the Marek Zidlicky trade, one roster move that's been somewhat overlooked involves the enforcer role, fulfilled the last three seasons in Nashville by fan favorite Darcy Hordichuk. The heir apparent to that job is Josh Gratton, a dedicated knuckle-duster who played all of

2nd most exciting time of the year...

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:47:06 -0500

It has been a crazy day for signings on the free agent market. There have been quite a few former college hockey players moving around and signing free agent deals. First off; former Miami star and power forward Ryan Jones will not get a chance to play for the Minnesota Wild, big shock here. I think this might come back to haunt the Wild. ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Marek Zidlicky is on the move. The Minnesota Wild acquired the 31-year-old defenceman from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday for prospect Ryan Jones and a second-round draft pick. Zidlicky had spent his entire NHL career with the Predators. The former Czech Olympian had five goals and 43 points in 79 games with the Preds last season. Jones was a fifth-round pick in 2004 by Minnesota. He was the leading scorer for Miami University of Ohio last season before signing a pro contract and playing four playoff games with Houston of the American Hockey League. "Ryan Jones is a big and powerful young forward that adds size and skill to our organization," said Nashville GM David Poile. It looks like T.J. Oshie will never get a chance to play with former Minnesota State University Mankato star and now probably former St Louis Blue player David Backus. Backus has been signed to a nice offer sheet by the Vancover Canucks. Vancover 7/1/2008 -- The Vancouver Canucks are the first team out of the gate in the restricted free agent market signing forward David Backes to a three-year $7.5 million offer sheet. The St. Louis Blues have seven days to match the offer or he goes to Vancouver. The Blues would then receive a second-round pick as compensation. Backes, 24, was selected by Blues 62nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In 121 games with St. Louis, he has 23 goals and 54 points. In the been there and done that category; former Wisconsin Star Curtis Joseph is going back to the Toronto Maple Leafs again. SPORTSNET.CA -- Toronto Maple Leaf fans can expect at least one familiar face next season. Sources are telling Sportsnet that goaltender Curtis Joseph has agreed to a one-year deal with his former club. Joseph spent four solid seasons with the Leafs, from 1998-2002 but left via free agency when he signed with the Detroit Red Wings. In nine appearances with the Calgary Flames last season, Joseph went 3-2 as a back-up to Miikka Kiprusoff. Former Badger Rene Bourque is headed to the Calgary Flames. SPORTSNET.CA -- The Calgary Flames have acquired left winger Rene Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional second round draft choice, the team announced Tuesday. "Rene is a young player with size who will play in our top nine forwards," Flames general manager Darryl Sutter said. "He will be an important part of the remaking of our left side along with other young players already under contract." Bourque, a native of Lac La Biche, AB, completed his third season with the Blackhawks in 07-08, recording 24 points from 10 goals and 14 assists. The 6'3", 213lb winger has notched 75 points in 183 career NHL games. Bourque was originally signed as a free agent by Chicago on July 29, 2004 following a four year career with the University of Wisconsin (WCHA). He played his first year of professional hockey in 04-05 with Chicago's AHL affiliate in Norfolk where he established team highs in goals (33), assists (27) and points (60). For his efforts, Bourque was named to the AHL All-Star Game and was the recipient of the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's most outstanding rookie The Edmonton Oilers have been really busy today as they made their third trade in past few days sending former Clarkson and Carolina star Eric Cole to the Oiles. THE CANADIAN PRESS -- The Oilers acquired winger Erik Cole and centre Gilbert Brule in separate trades on Tuesday. Cole arrives from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen. The 29-year-old Cole had spent his entire career in Carolina and helped that team to its seven-game Stanley Cup win over the Oilers in 2006. Brule was drafted sixth overall by Columbus in 2005 and has yet to develop into a consistent NHL player. He comes to Edmonton in exchange for rugged winger Raffi Torres. The Oilers have made three trades in a matter of days. They acquired defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from Los Angeles on Sunday in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene. Cole had 22 goals and 51 points in 73 games for Carolina last season. He leaves the Hurricanes with the third-best franchise total in goals (129) and sixth-best total in points (280). Brule is coming off a year in which he had just one goal and nine points in 61 games for the Jackets. Torres had been with Edmonton since 2004 and was limited to just 32 games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a game in December. Pitkanen lasted just one season with the Oilers after coming over in a trade from Philadelphia last summer. He had eight goals and 26 points in 63 games. Fomer UNH goaltender Ty Conklin is getting a new deal to play in Detroit. DETROIT -- Also Tuesday, the Red Wings agreed to terms with goaltender Ty Conklin on a $750,000, one-year contract. Former Saint Cloud State star and ex-Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone got a huge deal with the Tampa Bay Lighting. Ryan Malone was acquired via trade with Pittsburgh - June 29; Signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract on June 30

Zidlicky Gets the Ziggy

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:06:24 -0500

Nashville Predators GM David Poile finally made the big trade today to clear up a logjam on defense, by trading Marek Zidlicky...

MDC Fantasy Hockey Mock Draft

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:02:36 -0500

Last Wednesday (8/29/07), FIO staff writer Tim Hays took part in an experts fantasy hockey mock draft run thru Mock Draft Central. Among some of the participants were reps from Yahoo! Sports, RotoWire, FantasyHockey.com, and others. To get your mind in fantasy hockey mode, check out the results from this mock, and the commentary and analysis provided by Hays in this article.