Sykora is healthy, but gets benched

Jerry Holt, Star Tribune file

Petr Sykora says he's healthy again after coming back from a groin injury, but he was benched for Wednesday night's game against Nashville.

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: October 29, 2009 - 8:59 AM

After getting only nine minutes, 36 seconds of ice time in Monday's loss to Chicago, Wild winger Petr Sykora found his minutes cut to zero Wednesday when coach Todd Richards chose to scratch him against Nashville.

With 19 healthy skaters to choose from, Sykora became the odd man out. Richards kept him on the bench for much of Monday's game, Sykora's second since returning from a groin injury that kept him out for five games. Sykora was expected to lend some firepower to the Wild, but he has only one goal and no assists in six games.

Wednesday morning, Sykora said he wanted to contribute more. "I want to be playing more," he said. "I can help this team. I can't control my ice time. I'm healthy and ready to play."

Not enough rinks

During the three seasons Greg Zanon spent in Nashville, he grew to love the city and the devoted fans who showed up to cheer the Predators night after night. But the Wild defenseman saw one thing that could prevent the city from ever blossoming into a thriving NHL market: a lack of ice.

Zanon said there are only a handful of ice sheets in the city other than the Predators' home arena. With so few places for kids and adults to play, the area has been unable to develop the grass-roots embrace of the sport that is critical to increasing the fan base. While Zanon said the Predators averaged about 14,000 committed fans while he played there, he is doubtful that number will grow much without a push to provide more opportunities for Nashville's citizens to get on the ice.

"Not a lot of people play," he said. "Not a lot of people can, or they can't afford it. The kids who do play love the game, but I don't think it really stands a chance unless somebody gets involved to build more rinks and get more people involved with the sport.

"It's going to be a tough market for an owner to make money in. They might survive and hang on, but it's not going to thrive like it does [in Minnesota]."

In 2007, a group of local investors headed by David Freeman bought the Predators from Craig Leipold -- now owner of the Wild -- and began seeking ways to end years of financial losses. The team has negotiated a better lease at Sommet Center, as well as an increase in the subsidy it received from local government. Freeman recently told Nashville City Paper that he didn't buy the team to make money, but to preserve an asset he viewed as important to the city.

Zanon had dinner Tuesday with some former teammates. He spent six seasons in the Predators organization, and he came up through the minors with several players who remain in Nashville.

Etc.

• Andrew Brunette experienced some lower-body pain Wednesday, but he participated in the morning skate and played.

• Wild prospect Cody Almond will have wrist surgery in Minnesota today. It is uncertain how long Almond will be out, but it could be as long as four to six weeks.

• The Los Angeles Kings have been chosen as hosts for the 2010 NHL draft. The Wild, which was a candidate, also has applied to host the 2011 draft.

Staff writer Michael Russo contributed to this report.

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