It's hard to tell if Niklas Backstrom is wild about new direction

As new Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher talked about playing an up-tempo, aggressive style of hockey designed to produce more offense, goaltender Nik Backstrom stood in the back listening.

[bcw352019]

First of all it's "vulcanized rubber" ie the vulcanization of rubber or to make the rubber in pucks harder. Not "galvanized rubber". The galvanization process is used to coat metal to protect from corrosion. I should know, I'm both a goaltender and a carpenter. I think you need to do a little more research on this subject in preparation for writing articles of this nature.

Second of all, what goalie wouldn't want more offence in front of him? Think about it. It's just like a pitcher in baseball, I'm sure they love all the run support they can get. Well it's no different in hockey. Any goalie worth his/her salt, should be prepared to take on more shots. And quite frankly, should welcome it. There's nothing worse than losing 1-0, standing on your head and getting nothing in return. So in summary, should it be anyone's surprise that Nik Backstrom loves the direction in which his club has turned. NO! I'm sure everyone involved, fans included, are ecstatic! Welcome Chuck Fletcher to the "State of Hockey". Hopefully you can bring the status of a consistant championship calibur team to a much deserving fanbase.

[TC Florida]

Hey even the Penguins need good goal tending. Let the circumstances unfold. Backstrom is just feelings the angst of change. He's a top five goalie and the team needs him!

[Moose40]

if it's more up tempo, doesn't that mean we won't be dumping the puck and changing the lines as fequently as we did under the previous regime? That sounds to me like there may even be less shots on Backstrom, as we will be bringing the puck into the offensive zone, or actually chasing the puck to the corner instead of just flipping it into the zone, and then going into our defensive mode.

Powers, it must be nice to know that your attempts to rile someone up are shrugged off. Maybe that is their way of telling you to stop covering hockey. I read this article searching for some thoughts on hockey, but if you can't get simple terminology and ideology correct, please go to your boss and request to no longer write about hockey. It's in your best interest to cover topics you know something about. Galvanized rubber, thanks for one of the most laughable comments I've ever read. That shows you have no serious agenda in covering puck.

[Chase]

A better center? Are you kidding me? Mikko Koivu will be a Selke winner. He will reach 80-90 pt seasons. He is defensively reliable, amazing hands, and a high face off percentage. He is one of the most underrated players in the league. Any winger would gladly play next to Mikko.

[Moose40]

Chase, I know salary cap implications would probably make this a mute point, but what about getting the Sedin sisters, and resigning Gabby?
Line 1: Sedin, Sedin, Gabby,
Line 2: Brunette, Koivu, Miettenin

That is a solid 1-2 punch.
Obviously, that's more likely to happen in a video game then real life, but there are stronger options at center than Mikko. He's a good player, solid leader, but there are better options for a number one center. Not sure we could afford those options though.