Alexandron

I still think they can find the way to bring players if they really want. Gaudreau and Zuccarello took a personal leave and are not playing tonight against Vegas. We have an opened room.

We know pretty well Swedish opportunity here. Gustavsson who was not able to play same way as he did before signing contract last season.I am even not talkinkg about Johansson opportunity to play here. Where is his almost point per game play which we had seen last year?

Personally for me, we missed an opportunity to make playoffs this season because we didn't used an opportunity to bring Firstov here. For the last 7 crucial games he would add points and phisicality. Huge strategical mistake for not trying him here when he was available. They don't know what means motivation to play in NHL and to shows nice results to most Russian players. It means more than to sign the contact.

On 4/10/2024 at 6:00 AM, IllaZilla said:

The Wild's cap problems won't allow that. They still have to remain below the cap until the Playoffs. So if they call up all those players, what do they do with the players on the current roster?

 

And there will be little to no changes next year. Most of the problem players have NTC/NMC (Johansson, Gadreau, Hartman). The only players that aren't signed for next season are Beckman, Lucchini, Shaw, Goligoski, Chisholm, Mermis, and Fleury. With the exception of Fleury, they all make under$1M. And Faber is going to get a BIG raise next season. Plus Rossi is due a raise. They just don't have the cap space or flexibility to overhaul the roster.

 

They better pray no one gets hurt next season. Because it'll be deja vu all over again.

And Ohgren is here. This is ridiculous after 3 games of playing  in AHL without any points. Firstov is more merit to come first here.  2 goals and assist in 7 games. I told before he is better than Khusnutdinov, and has much more experience than Ohgren as well. 

I still would like to see here as soon as possible for a tryout Firstov; Ohgren; Milne, Walker. Without that we will not know how good they are. Usually talent shows right away. Many current Wild players could sit at the bench and think about the next season (how to play and where to play). I am sure changes will be for the team.

19 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

That's just natural tho. Secure financial security. Then there seems to be the post contract hangover so often. Maybe Gus would bounce back next year but can you take that chance?
Remember Dumba? Big season =Crazy contract and never came close to replicating that 1 season.

I agree. We had so many of them in 24 years. 

And we are officially eliminated tonight from a Stanley Cup picture in 2023-2024 season. 

8 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

2005

1

4

Benoit Pouliot

 

2015

5

135

Kirill Kaprizov

Interesting pick history. 

And Panarin is undrafted. This season 116 points(46 goals; 70 assists) in 79 games. And Pavel Datsuik #6; 171 by Detroit in 1998, who was an artist in hockey; Triple Gold Club member. 

1 minute ago, ClusterChuck said:

If we want Fleury back to mentor Wallstedt, Gus would be the odd man out. Can't really keep him then.
He had a great season that happened to coincidentally be a contract year. Funny how that happens.

I agree. I was driving back home from work and was listening media about different nails in the Wild's coffin. Mainly they were talking the same things as we discussed here. What was interesting that they mentioned that some players playing exclusively for the contract during their career, and after that they drop their interest to play in full. Some other players playing for to get achievements in their careers and playing very hard for that. And they really do not care much about their contract. The most difficult part for GM is to find those real players. 

2:5 after 2 periods.

2 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

Mac-Hattie.

He merit this. 

But Gustavsson should be a backup goalie. After the season 2023-2024. I lost a trust in him this season.

It seems Shaw got an injury.

MacKinnon 50th goal this season and 136 points this season.

2:4 now score for us. Our defense not capable to do anything against him as well as Gustavsson and previously Fleury too.

4 minutes ago, wildstars95 said:

marat might score 1 goal in the middle of the 2026 season 

Hope before that time if he will play with Rossi, Kaprizov, Boldy, EEK, Zuccarello.

2:3 now.

BOLDY!!!!

Just now, Jimtown guy said:

Officially 

I know, I know.

KAPRIZOV!!!!

1 minute ago, Jimtown guy said:

Thankfully they will be eliminated tonight 

I think we were eliminated long time ago. 

0:2. MacKinnon placed. His 49th this season.

Time to Gustavsson to be changed. I do not think he is ready for that game. Wallstedt should be in the net.

2 hours ago, wild.source said:

I feel like giving Wallstedt a chance would be good for him, and possibly his confidence, bit I don't know if he is ready for THAT kind of challenge, especially against a team that is near the top of the division/conference. 

Gustavsson is in the net. Not sure if he is ready for that challenge too.

MacKinnon placed a goal.

0:1 now as soon as I mentioned Gustavsson.

11 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

Usual battle with NHL66 to get going with away games.
Has our game started yet?

I am listening on a radio too. Gustavsson is in the net.

Can we give to the Wallstedt a bigger tougher nut - Avalanche tonight? Just to see how good he is against that team, against MacKinnon, Macar, Rantanen....

Another goal for the team, which doesn't mean a lot - to finish the season with 40 wins and at least with 90 points. Ours 37 wins and 83 points don't look too good for the fans. Plus build a chemistry, chemistry and again chemistry in remaining 5 games. Can's believe that next season we will see only in October. Such an enormously long break is patiently waiting for us. We didn't have that for the last 10 years.

Sincerely, I want all of them to have a nice tryout here. And for Milne , and for Firstov (I have a very high respect to this player), and for Walker. Maybe they will fit very well in the main club? But not Merrill (defenseman) to be a part of the 4th line for the game that means not a lot for both teams. And Johansson should not be in a 2nd line, but should be a Khusnutdinov's tryout. Gaudreau and Johansson played plenty of games this season. Maybe they should sit and think how to be more productive for helping the team? Like Evason did with Parise. Without a nice tryout we will never know who fits well.

Hope we are able to have a win over this team. Here is a pretty fresh preview regarding this game tonight. In my opinion, they should place Firstov instead of defenseman Merril in a predicted 4th line:

https://www.milehighhockey.com/2024/4/9/24125320/preview-the-avs-are-hoping-to-get-the-last-laugh-against-minny

16 hours ago, ClusterChuck said:

I had to listen to the game also on a break and then my drive home for the last 1/2 of the 3rd.
From the sounds of it, The team really laid it out for Wallstedt supporting him.
I'd think he'd get 1 more start on the road trip and maybe split the home game between him and Fleury so fans get to see both.
I think Fleury is coming back 1 more year but you never know. I personally think it would be good for Wallstedt to be around him.

 

Completely agree. It would be very good for Wallstedt to be around him. He can learn a lot from him.