Art does have a point. Questioning the home team in Minnesota is kind of like how it was a few years after 9/11 if you questioned our country. You are a poor fan/journalist and we don't want you.
Exhibit A: The Minnesota Wild. Nothing but sellouts and you are putting your life in your own hands if you question the product. Stating publicly that it doesn't say much for the entertainment value of the team if Mikko Koivu is your best offensive player and dynamic free agents might not want to play in Jaques' system is offensive to many. No player in his right mind would choose the climate and culture of Miami and sign with Florida, or play for a Cup in Detroit when the opportunity to play in the Ex in front of our fan base exists.
* Though I agree that the Wild seem to have a little bit of a tight pocket string, especially since the fan base has been so incredibly supportive. They should do better in regards to increasing the talent level. That said, a number of players have commented how the team is building the right way.
Otherwise, concerning the criticism, maybe it might have something to do with the fact that Jacques has won the cup and a certain offensive minded player seems more concerned with personal gratification then team production (makes for a better contract)! Last time I checked, hockey is a team game.
Many MN fans are far more astute to hockey then the desperate homers they are made out to be by some. Maybe they are also a little tired of players demanding inflated contracts, especially since the fans have to pay for it in the box office/merchandise ect.
Exhibit B: Gopher Hockey. Two titles in 28 years despite being basically a pro team playing amongst high school competition. They'll always pay enough to get the coach of their choice, every game is on television in the upper midwest, have a taxpayer funded taj mahal, etc. Easily the most pompous fan base in the region and pointing out the absurdity of it all based on the points above will really make irk any member of the fan base.
*May it also have something to do with the best players turning pro before the team can really gel and win consistently. It is great having the talent, but the talent does need to stick around more then one or two years.
The Test: Brewster's "gopher nation, Pasadena Grass" hype. I wonder if his followers will be lobbying for an extension for the sake of recruiting if his record falls to 4-8 next year with that schedule.
*Getting a little tired of bashing Brew because he is a strong optimist (read not hype).
Since Northwestern and Wisconsin were able to climb out of the mud heaps and go to the Rose bowl, why not MN? Maybe it is because of a lack of belief it can happen in MN, a belief made very strong under the previous unnamed coach!
Creating a vision for the team/players/fans is a good thing and something that has been sorely lacking in MN. It is a part of learning to win/be a champion and MN will never climb out of mediocrity without it! Will there be mistakes...of course. No one goes through life without them. The biggest mistake, though, is simply not going forward. If you like just existing in mediocrity. Have at it. Brew and crew have been making some tangible things happen so the team can develop.
The only exception is the WWE Viking fan base. The new fans that jumped on when Moss came to town are the polar opposite and have been more entertaining than Childress' offense.