Let's Meet: John Madden

While the casual fans are now scrambling to figure out how an over weight former NFL coach with a popular series of EA Sports video games is going to play for the Wild, we'll continue on. Don't worry about them, they'll have plenty of turducken to eat while they figure it out.

Having dispensed of the mandatory jokes, make the jump and let's find out a little bit about the guy, shall we?

He has never been the points leader on his team, but then again, he has never been put in that role, either. He has always had the job of shutting down the top line, playing massive PK minutes, and playing with less than stellar line mates. Yet he still put up multiple 30 and 40 point seasons.

Consider this:

Last year's fourth line was Boogaard - Sheppard - Earl/Ebbett

This year's fourth line could be Nystrom-Madden-Clutterbuck

I'm placing my goal stopping bet on the latter.

Fast forward back to today. The Wild have little to no use for James Sheppard with four more than solid centers on the roster. Koivu can now be used in a majority of offensive situations, there is a second line with potent scoring potential and a veteran at the helm in Cullen. Brodziak and now Madden are around for the shut down shifts, both capable of adding some offense while preventing the opposition from scoring. Casey Wellman showed up big time in his try out, Cody Almond is still getting better, and the Wild drafted some centers to add to the future of the position as well.

From a position of weakness, to a position of strength. The Wild now have too many centers, folks. Too many. Enjoy that for a few days, won't you.