Blue Jackets 4, #mnwild 2, and bound for Helsinki

Make sure you check out Friday's Star Tribune for a pretty cool Mikko Koivu story and a Finnish glossary of hockey terms.

Not much to say on this because I've got to head to the airport for a flight to Helsinki. Team lands at about 3:45 p.m. Eastern European Time (EET), 8 hours ahead from Central Time.

Wild defense was sloppy and disorganized early. They tightened up late, but by then, the damage was done. And it had nothing to do with playing three rookie defensemen (Falk, Bagnall, Scandella). The veterans weren't very good either.

Antti Miettinen and Matt Cullen scored power-play goals as the Wild made some formation adjustments with the man advantage tonight. They seemed to work. Look at Cullen's pinch from the point, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

The Wild's expected to cut a defenseman after the game. Look on Twitter for that news. Also, Brent Burns was missing from the Wild bench late in the game. He hurt his hip last game, so we'll see if it's that or something new. Check for update on Twitter, too (www.twitter.com/russostrib).

But the Wild heads to Finland after an 0-4-2 preseason in North America. Boston, San Jose and Chicago have had poor preseasons, too, but I'd say those teams have fairly proven track records. Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley didn't forget how to play hockey during the summertime.

The Wild? There were major question marks coming into camp, especially defensively, and not a lot's transpired to ease concerns. In fact, I'd say it's the opposite and a lot of my suspicions were indeed answered. This team's thin defensively.

"Things are heating up in Minnesota. Some players are displeased. They don't have a good training camp. The haven't won, yet. It seems the owner is starting to put pressure on Mr. Fletcher to make sure the team will have a good start.

"Michel is not there to be a long time pro scout. I hope Todd Richards realizes his days are numbered. I think the season will still be young when he's going to be replaced. It could even happen before the season because the Wild hasn't won yet."

Now, this is definitely opinion, not a statement of fact by Mario. But there's no doubt the pressure is on. I don't see a slow start being accepted again after destroying the Wild's season last year. I don't think this is going to be a repeat of Joel Quenneville and Denis Savard in Chicago though. Two years ago, Savard had to look over his shoulder when Quenneville was hired as a scout, and he eventually did take over five games in.

I've chatted with people that would know, and I don't buy that Therrien is a coach in waiting here. If something ever happens, it'll be somebody else, I believe.

The Wild is still evaluating its goalie situation. I'm confident the team will eventually make a move, but after asking some questions tonight, I'm fairly certain they won't be claiming Martin Gerber off waivers Friday.