Posts tagged JacquesLemaire at FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Who's In: Petr Kalus (BOS), Eric Belanger (FA-ATL), Sean Hill (FA-NYI), Andre Lakos, D, Nolan Schaefer, G (FA-PIT)

Who's Out: Manny Fernandez, G (BOS), Mika Hannula, LW, Jason Morgan, C, (WAS), Wyatt Smith, C (COL), Todd White, C (FA-ATL)

What's Changed: Not a whole lot, especially compared to last summer, when the Wild acquired Pavol Demitra, Mark Parrish, and Kim Johnsson. For the most part, the Wild have kept their roster intact, adding in a few spare-part replacements to support their existing core.

The one big change of note was the trade of Manny Fernandez to the Boston Bruins for Petr Kalus. Thanks to their fortunate goaltender glut, and the inability of Fernandez to take the #1 reigns and run with them, the Wild were easily able to give the job to the younger, and more effective, Nicklas Backstrom. Top prospect Josh Harding will be the backup, and he'll be able to develop his game with some NHL experience.

The Wild hope that by improving their goaltending, and getting a full, and healthy, seasons out of Demitra, Gaborik, and others, they will be able to improve on their franchise-record 104 points from last season.

Much was made about the "new look" Minnesota Wild, and how they would be a much different style of team this season.

With the additions of Pavol Demitra, Mark Parrish, Kim Johnsson, and the development of Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, it appeared that the Wild were set to become a more offensive-minded club, giving up a few more goals in the process.

Coach Jacques Lemaire, one of the very best in the business, bucked that line of thought and, instead, assimilated his new additions into the typical Wild style of play, rather than let the roster dictate how his team would play hockey.

Instead of become a more wide-open club, the Wild have clamped down even further, and are in good shape to finish with the league's best Goals Against Average. After giving up 2.56 goals against per game last season, the Wild improved that mark to 2.24, thanks in large part to the goaltending of overage rookie Niklas Backstrom, who leads the league with a 92.7% save percentage.

The Jennings race as of today ...

Minnesota - 183 goals against in 80 games
Detroit - 187 in 80 games
Dallas - 188 in 79 games
Vancouver - 188 in 79 games
New Jersey - 189 in 80 games