FanHouse's Bruce Ciskie reports from Wild training camp.ST. PAUL -- After nine years of the same voice at practice and during games, a significant change came to the Minnesota Wild after the 2008-2009 season. Veteran coach Jacques Lemaire was out, replaced by first-time NHL head coach and Minnesota native Todd Richards.
While the Wild had their share of success with Lemaire, most fans thought it was time for a change. That change isn't just the voice the players hear every day. Richards brings in an entirely new way of playing hockey for the Wild.
While Lemaire relied on stout defense and opportunistic play up front, Richards wants a more wide-open, up-tempo system. Skating becomes incredibly important with what Richards wants his team to do.
The coaches have talked about re-training players, and things appear to be going well so far. The big test comes when the regular season opens next month, but the preseason schedule, which is about to get cranked up for Minnesota, will also help the players and staff gauge their progress.
One of the players expected to benefit greatly from the changes is defenseman Brent Burns. After injuries took him out for a chunk of the second half last season, Burns is healthy again, and doing everything in his power to learn the new system. It's one that brings defensemen into the offensive rush more often, allowing them more opportunities to go to the net.
"It's been a lot of work," Burns said, "but we've got to keep going."
Asked if players are taking well to the new system, Burns said things are going well.
"It's been good. There been good communication with everybody."
Asked to compare Lemaire and Richards, Burns said "there's a lot of differences," and he praised the passion of both men.
Fellow defenseman Nick Schultz has never scored more than six goals in an NHL season, totaling just 21 in 527 NHL games. In each of the last four years, Schultz has scored just two goals. He showed some offensive ability in junior hockey, but it has never has translated to the NHL. The new system might change things for him.
"It's exciting," Schultz told FanHouse. "There's gonna be a little more freedom for the fourth guy -- one defenseman -- to try to get up the ice and join the offense."
Schultz says it's a more aggressive style, and it's clear from watching the Wild practice that skating is going to be a very important part of things. Multiple times, coaches could be heard drilling home the importance of skating to all players. It's not just one or two guys who will have to be constantly moving their feet during shifts. It's everyone.
The veteran defenseman also noted a more aggressive forecheck. The one-man forecheck Lemaire preferred is no more, replaced by a two-man system.
"It's going to be fun to get up the ice and be a part of it," Schultz said.
Richards knows that this is a work in progress, but as fans prepare to watch the Wild for the first time Friday night (they host Columbus for a preseason game), he believes they will be happy with what they see.
"Hopefully we'll be more entertaining, more energetic," Richards said. "We got some players in who can make plays and bring energy, with the (Cal) Clutterbucks and (Derek) Boogaards, and I know that they are fan favorites, so they can look forward to that."
Richards is also looking forward to seeing Burns make his preseason debut Friday.
"I know just watching him in practice, I think he's real excited about playing the first game. It's going to be basically open up the barn doors and let the horse run."
The rookie coach says there could be some butterflies before the home debut. He noted that he still hasn't settled into his new house, and he is also working hard to get the players acclimated to the new system.
The Wild might not make the playoffs this season, but it's clear that players and coaches alike believe the talent is there for this team to make a run. As long as Nicklas Backstrom is in goal, the Wild know they can "steal" games with their defense. The key now will be scoring enough goals to make the team a more consistent winner.
