I just got done chatting with my apartment manager, who is still a Twins believer. I told him I watched that ship sail in May, but I’ll be more than happy to eat my words if the Twins do close this six-game gap. I mean, they’ve done it before. (Low expectations and you can never be disappointed, only pleasantly surprised.

Thought it’s what you say, Ryan, about whether we’re just satisfied with a playoff team, not a champion. Some days, I think I am.

As for the Wild, I think they could make the playoffs this upcoming season. They hung around a long time last year with a less talented and nonchalant team. I hope they do. To wait a full year to see a team in the playoff is unimaginable. My Gopher hockey team has been atrocious recent years, so I can’t even bank on them.

Imagine all the new hobbies I could pick up by then, though.

For some reason my response didn’t post, so I’ll try it again.

None of the four teams are currently playoff bound, however the Wild will be the next team to reach the playoffs.

The Twins season is over, barring some kind of collapse by teams above them in the division.  Even if the Twins happen to make the playoffs in the weakest division in baseball, they don’t stand a chance against the teams out East.  A deeper bullpen is needed if the Twins want to make a serious run (and for me to take them seriously).  Personally, I don’t want to deal with another playoff sweep. It’s embarrassing.

The Vikings have too many voids to fill to even have consideration for a playoff run.  The team needs to be winners in the free agent market, but right now are losing some key players like Sidney Rice.  I’m somewhere between cold and lukewarm on the McNabb deal.  I don’t think he’s got much left (being a backup to Rex Grossman speaks volumes), and he is just a stop gap until rookie QB Ponder can get a year under his belt.  Probably a 5-11 team at best, but I’m seeing 3 or 4 wins right now.

The Wolves are a question mark with the NBA lockout and the possibility of no 2011-12 NBA season.  Even if the league resumes play, the Wolves are a 30 win squad at best.  Rubio is over-hyped having mediocre numbers in Spain.  That wouldn’t translate well to playing with the world’s best in the NBA.  Who coaches this team is another question mark.  Khan loves to take his time with every decision.  I do like the Derrick Williams first round pick. At least 5 years old from being legitimate….

Now to the most promising team, the Wild.  I like what Mike Yeo did with the minor league affiliate and the change in a more exciting brand of hockey that the fan can get into.  The defensive zone traps had me napping on the couch at the end of two periods.  More scoring and physical play is what this team needs.  I love the two San Jose (a top NHL team) players that were picked up - Setoguchi and Heatley, and see these guys as the team leaders.  Do they make the playoffs in the upcoming season?  No, but I expect to see them making a run within 3 years.  Just giving the team and style of hockey some life instead of a using it as prison sentence for inmates is a start.

It’s an ugly sporting world in Minnesota when I doubt any of them will make postseason play. I’d love it if the Twins could string together a strong second half of the season, but I’m not holding my breath. I actually think the Wild have the best shot.