Meet the Wild difference-makers

Five players who will be looked on to lead the Wild depending on the situation.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 11, 2008 - 8:55 AM

SCORING: Marian Gaborik

Forget for a moment that Gaborik is stuck in a contract dispute with the team. Instead, remember that so long as he is a member of this team he brings to the ice seven years of NHL experience and a host of team records. These include goals in a season (42) and goals in a game (five), both set last year. Gaborik can flat out score, and with guys like Brian Rolston and Pavol Demitra now gone, to New Jersey and Vancouver, respectively, Gaborik's nose for the net will be needed that much more. The two-time All-Star has 414 career NHL points, coming on 206 goals and 208 assists. If his injuries don't come back, he's in for a monster year as once again the team's go-to scorer.

SHOULDERING THE LOAD: Niklas Backstrom

If it's true the third time is a charm, Backstrom is in for quite the season. Two years ago, after being thrown into the starting goaltender spot after Manny Fernandez injured his knee, Backstrom wound up leading the NHL in goals-against average (1.97) and saves percentage (.929). Last season, he set a Wild franchise record with 33 wins. So what next? "I think mentally, you come into every season wanting to play your best," Backstrom said. "The goal is to play the best hockey you can all season. That's why you work hard every day." Backstrom could become an unrestricted free agent after the season, meaning another solid year could bring big money. But for now, the focus is on the season and being the man whose play the team is counting on. "Every goalie grows up liking pressure," he said. "And every goalie takes a lot of pride doing what they can to win the game."

BLUE LINE OFFENSE: Marek Zidlicky

Yes, Zidlicky is currently on the shelf nursing a sprained right ankle. But he will return, and when he does those 44 points he has averaged the past four seasons will be a welcome sight. The Wild will still get plenty of offense from the point thanks to Brent Burns, Marc-Andre Bergeron and Kim Johnsson. But Zidlicky was acquired to set up some scores. He had 43 assists last season for Nashville, and he holds the Predators' record for assists in a game (five) and power-play points in a season (35). He'll likely score a few, too, having once put in 14 goals. All of these stats, though, came in Zidlicky's rookie year of 2003-04.

PHYSICALITY: Craig Weller

Though it was just a short six-game stint with Minnesota-Duluth in 2000-01, Weller vividly remembers the hockey craze in Minnesota during his previous stop here and is glad to be back after signing a one-year deal with the Wild in July. "The fans here, it's a whole different level," he said. And those in attendance at Wild games this year will find Weller is a skater opponents will have to reckon with. A self-described winger who prides himself in "finishing his checks," the 6-4, 220-pounder is not afraid to stick up for his teammates. "There's the guys who are goal scorers for sure. And then there are the muckers and grinders, defensive guys," he said." I'm more on that end of the spectrum."

GRIT: Owen Nolan

He's the oldest guy in the locker room (36), occupying the locker one space over from the youngest (Colton Gillies, 19). Along with guidance -- dealing with teammates, tipping on the road, wardrobe -- Nolan will likely give sage advice on how to get goals the dirty way. And we're not talking cheap; we mean hard-nosed, banging around in front of the net, tip the slapshot type goals. Through his career, Nolan has made a living with this type of play (scoring 381 goals), and it was attractive enough for the Wild this summer to sign him to a two-year deal. His All-Star days might be behind him, but Nolan will no doubt be a factor this season. "He's a warrior," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said of the 15-year veteran. "He's a guy that can score, and I think he'll help our kids. He comes to play, he's serious."

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