4Check

On 11/8/2020 at 6:59 PM, TonyOday said:

Cant stand the self important ass. Who can I follow on Twitter for good Wild takes.

If your sentiment is based on his political tweet last week, I was equally disappointed.

Well, the Wild might not be better, but at least a slow team got a little faster.   I assume this trade is simply a small puzzle piece,, a stop gap until whether by draft and/or another trade, they find two young (25 and under)  top 6 centers for the intermediate to long term future.

On 9/8/2020 at 7:33 PM, CreaseAndAssist said:

2020 Minnesota Wild Draft Preview: Defenseman

 

I look at the defenseman available in this year's draft.  I have one more draft-focused article left which I will publish probably this weekend.  Also, the draft dates hae been announced, on October 6th & 7th, 2020.  Enjoy and discuss.  I really like Schneider's skillset.  

1) Really enjoy your movement chart! 

2)Be nice to see Wallinder fall to the Wild in the 2nd rd.

3)Based on an overview of yours and other draft sites, the "safe" pick (Lundell) seems to be again the Wild's destiny.   IMO, I hope they can trade up at least several slots to get a more dynamic offensive performer. That said, if Askarov and Sanderson are picked in the top 8, plus perhaps an additional off the board choice,  the Wild could have an excellent skilled forward fall into their lap. (IMO there are 6, some would argue 7)

Very good synopsis of some highly likely options.    Sure wish Pitt would have chosen to give the Wild the 15 pick.   I think one of Mercer, Jarvis or Holloway would  be there.   Love the idea of getting Rossi.   As much as the Wild are desperate for a C, IMO it would be hard to pass on  RW Holtz if Rossi is gone.    IMO, the Wild, if afforded a reasonable offer, should move up as many slots as possible to increase their chances of getting Rossi (or even a bigger hope of Stutzle or Byfield )

The only small quibble I have with your analysis, is, IMO Hendrix Lapierre is a very good skater.  Now, his head (or latest suggestion that his issue is spinal) is a legitimate question mark.

1 hour ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

As it is, they're probably buying out Victor Rask.  Although this may sound crazy.  I might keep him, play him...and hope for the best.  If we have to ride out the contracts of Zuccarello, Parise, etc...we might as well ride his out.  I don't see how this team has the space to get anyone impactful unless we draft them.  

I totally agree on using the buyouts, if possible, on bigger contracts than Rask.   He can be the 13th forward with the ability to fill in at wing or center.   Plus,  buying out Rask would lose one of the two buyout slots over the next four years.   If the Wild can't move Parise or Zucc now,  a buyout(s) would be much more manageable two to three years from now.

IMO it is absolutely imperative to trade or buyout Zucc and Parise (even if it requires retaining half of salary in a trade).  The immediate issue with my premise.....  which of the 30 other GMs would even bite on either one of them.  Only solutions are to add a sweetener to the deal and/or taking back a bad contract and then buying it out. Could be very painful! 

3 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

Mistakes and Penalties Doom Wild in 4-3 Loss to Vancouver, Series Even at 1-1

 

Kind of a predictable outcome.  The first goal, especially just 24 seconds in really set the tone for the rest of the game.  Minnesota had to chase the game.  I talk about the Dubnyk question in the post-gamer.  I would've posted this last night, but I explain that as well.  The Wild now play Thursday afternoon which I think will be a tough adjustment after playing these late night games.  As much as I don't like staying up until 1AM to cover a game, I kind of wish they'd stay at that time because of the routine that has kind of been created.  

 

By the way, if Hartman did to Pettersson what Pettersson did to him, we'd probably see a suspension IMO.  

I agree with your gamer conclusions on Stalock (not totally his fault), and that Donato and Zuccarello were ineffective.  I would add Galchenyuk to that mix (among others).   Would love to see Sturm.   Convinced he has the off puck skills to excel in playoff hockey.  

9 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

The Minnesota Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to a 2-year deal

 

I provide some thoughts and analysis to Kaprizov's signing with the Minnesota Wild and what role he'll play (albeit at practice).  Check it out and discuss!  

Interesting thought on Addison emulating Hughes prepping Wild for Van.

i also hope he can improve both his first two stride quickness and overall speed.

The movement color tracker is a helpful tool.   Thanks!

I thought Walz's first ever night as a color analyst was his best.  Excellent insight despite, as would be expected, a very rough presentation.  But steep downhill from there.  Now, his filibuster style of delivery is so incessantly long, that his points get lost in all the verbiage.   Like when Greenlay does color, I'm turning off the sound.   Greenlay appears to be a nice guy, but he rarely offers any insight.  IMO, VERY lazy preparation.

Like you indicated, Nanne was excellent.  I'm hopeful on Carter. Still raw, but informative and MUCH, MUCH more succinct than Walz.

And as Theresa opined, oh what a joy it would be to listen to a Forslund or Kelly on a nightly basis.   Throw in Reaugh, Hedican, Fox, Panger or Olzcyk to do color and I would be in regional hockey broadcast heaven.

What might add to the hopes for Beckman, is that his body maturity and strength isn't anywhere near its potential.  While he may never be lightning fast, IMO adding eventual power to his existing skill set makes him an outstanding prospect.

That was a nice walk down memory lane.   The Rolli/Manny playoff run remains one of my favorite all time NHL memories. 

For me, the question is.....is Galchenyuk good enough to be the Wild's future 2nd line center?   IMO, he's not going to be a #1C. And with JEE and Sturm IMO the likely #3 and #4 future C's,  2C would be the only slot for him.     Personally,  though he has been good at times, I'm not yet convinced.  Certainly not for a long term commitment.  But perhaps short term until Khovanov or any other future draft picks (fingers crossed) are ready.   Still hoping Guerin pulls off a deal(s) that upgrades one or miraculously both top 2 center slots.  

I liked his first couple of games in his return last week.  IMO, he struggled a bit vs the Sharks.   I thought he had the possibility to become  a Brendan Gallagher type.   So far,  (only 12 game sample) IMO not seeing enough anticipation or abillity to drive play at the NHL level to warrant that comparison.

My uneducated guess, is that  going forward, the Wild are desperate for centers.   Galchenyuk, a former number 3 overall pick, who once scored 30 goals for Montreal , is forced on Guerin (to make the trade work cap wise).   So Guerin is giving him (guessing again on the # of games) 10 games at center to see if he can resurrect himself to the potential he once had.   So far, skating better than I thought he was capable, but the production isn't there.   Of course, putting him with a struggling Zucc and a 3rd line forward (Foligno) is not a perfect scenario.   That said, he's probably getting more of a chance then the last 3 years would indicate he deserves.

11 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Some things to consider with this scenario:

Wild are losing 3 centers (Koivu, Staal, Rask) so they will need to replace them. Maybe Galchenyuk can take one of their spots, but I’m not sure what he’s worth. He’s making $5M/season now, but is not worth that IMO. The only other center the Wild has in the system is Nico Sturm and he is not a 1C or 2C. So they are going to have to at least trade for one and/or go the UFA route which leads to Zuccarello-type deals. 

Zuccarello’s buyout would be for 8 years at $1.4M/season. That’s a long time for that much dead money. 
Rask’s buyout would be for 4 years at $1.3M/season.

If the Wild buyout Zuccarello and Rask, they will have $2.7M in dead money on the cap for the next four seasons. 

If Parise gets traded, the Wild most certainly will have to take back a bad contract like Andrew Ladd’s ($5.5M/season for 3 years for a guy who couldn’t outskate a high schooler). And if the Wild buys out Ladd, his buyout will be over 6 seasons and the cap hit would be $4.8M for the first three seasons and then $333K for the last three seasons. So if they buyout Zuccarello, Rask, and Ladd, there will be $7.5M in dead money on the cap for the next three seasons. 

I’m not disagreeing with you. I think the Wild have painted themselves into a corner giving all these 30-somethings multiple year deals with NTC/NMCs. That and the fact that the young guys on the roster right now are mostly complementary pieces, there isn’t a lot to get excited about. Yes, the Wild aren’t as terrible as the Red Wings. But no one thinks this team is going to do anything once they reach the Playoffs (if they reach the Playoffs). Guerin does need to move some of these bloated contracts. How he does that is going to be interesting. 

 

Good assessment in your post on the realities of buyouts.

Couple of thoughts.  1) The scenario  I suggested is over the next 16 months.   So, if the Wild can't find a #1 and #2 center this summer (IMO highly unlikely) they have Staal for at least one more year.  Considering Guerin readily admits that Center is a major Wild weakness, I'd be shocked if he didn't acquire at least one.   So,  IMO,  Staal,  legit #2 newcomer, JEE and Sturm would be a solid start to improving their obvious weakness.   2)  IMO, 7.5M in dead money over the next three years is a necessary evil to transition out of being the second oldest team in the NHL.    IMO, the Wild are AT LEAST three years from being a cup contender.  So with the transition to younger players, who typically  (but not always) make less money, should facilitate that challenge.

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

Well, that’s the $64,000 question, isn’t it? The Wild’s plan of building around Parise, Suter and Koivu has yielded, what, two playoff series wins since the Parise and Suter signings.

If people are satisfied with the way the team is being built then leave it alone. Keep signing older veterans to make the core of the team and use cheaper, rookie players to fill in the gaps.

Or you bite the bullet, get rid of everyone over 30 and build with a young squad. Sure, it’s going to be painful for a couple of seasons. But you could end up with something like the Twins did last season. A bunch of talented hungry young players lighting the league up. 
I don’t know what the right answer is. All I know is that the Wild’s way of building around Parise, Suter and Koivu hasn’t done what they thought it would do. 

IMO, Guerin has to trade, buyout or not renew at least 6 of the 8 bad and/or older player contracts by July 1, 2021.   IMO, it is very doable.

Koivu retire

Parise  renew trade efforts

Zucarello agree to pay up to 1/2 his contract in a trade or buy him out.

Staal  trade or don't renew 7/1/21

Rask buyout

Dubnyk don't renew  7/1/21 (possible buyout candidate if Zucc can't be traded

I assume Suter and Spurg will not/ or can't be moved.  (BTW IMO Spurg a bad contract only because of the term)

9 hours ago, ClusterChuck said:

Nice part about these last 2 games (I was unable to see the previous CBJ game) is all the goals were really good ones.

No garbage. A mixture of solid efforts, Good passing and some really nice shots. Fun to see.

I'm really enjoying the passing plays lately. A whole new look.

 

Odd thing about Parise's goal. Sure it made it 4-0 but he had no emotion after it. I wasn't expecting a chest to the glass moment but a freaking smile would of been nice. Now that makes me think of last game where he went to town on his stick after missing that breakaway. Was that actual frustration from the missed opportunity or that the trade didn't go through? 

Poor little Zachy.

 

I feel so bad for Brodin having to babysit Dumba. Another night of carelessness resulting in one of Stalocks tougher saves. Tell me again why if we trade him, He'll become the next Burns?!? 

Did anyone notice in the Detroit game around 3mn left in the 1st when Brodin gets the puck as he was doing a power crossover from reverse to forward. That was amazing...The last time I tried to do something remotely similar, The next thing I heard from my instructor was "You Ok??" 

i noticed the 4 points you made.....

Agree that there have been some real nice primary assist plays this past week.

I thought about Zach's lack of emotion as well.   I ended up guessing that it was showing respect to Columbus in a lopsided game.  Still agree that at least a smile was in order.    

I noticed Brodin make a similar power crossover move vs Columbus.   Amazing!

And I totally agree that Brodin (and Stalock) bailed out Dumba in last night's game.  I took a double take when Russo tweeted that both Brodin and Dumba were superb.   Well....he was half right!!

My source of optimism......

1)Guerin's attempt to trade Parise, IMO a clear sign that BG recognizes the second most important issue is getting younger (the first obvious issue, generically speaking is to acquire younger and better talent)

2)I'm cautiously optimistic through trade, buyout and/or expiration he'll move 6 of the 8 bad (IMO) Wild contracts within 16 months.

3)That Guerin didn't trade simply for the sake of making trades.  Obviously he could have found a trading partner to move Brodin and/or Dumba.    But if it didn't offer a return of a 1st or 2nd line center or goalie (either current NHLer or elite prospect), IMO it would have been foolish.  

4) I'm optimistic that at least 2 of the 4 top Wild forward prospects will be eventual first or second line caliber.

5) I'm cautiously optimistic that Addison will be a top 4 D.

6) I'm very optimistic that from their top 4 goalie prospects 2 will be, at very least NHL backup quality.

7) I'm extremely optimistic that Fiala is the real deal.                                                                                                             8)That JEE is fast becoming an elite shutdown center (plus 7 against the opposition's

 best players on a team that is collectively in the minus column.) with the capability of averaging 40 plus points per season

9) I'm cautiously optimistic that Donato and Greenway are slowly turning the corner towards viability, whether with the Wild or as trade pieces.

10) I'm hopeful the Wild will take advantage of a deep draft with their two first round picks. (with the possibility of a summer trade adding a third)

26 minutes ago, lynxrattle said:

He didn't have the balls to tell his reasoning behind Boudreau's firing. If he would have been straightforward about it, the fan base would be a lot less incensed about it.

A GM  will rarely dis  an outgoing coach.  THAT in NHL circles is classless!

6 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

So you didn't hate him, but you thought he was horrible.  What a big difference.   I don't give two schitts about his whole career.  Its what's relevant NOW.  For the Wild, he was probably the 2nd best coach in team history behind Jacques Lemaire.  Both of those coaches managed to make chicken salad out of chicken schitt.  It may not have resulted in a Stanley Cup, but they got a lot out of rosters that were marginal.  They had a few 'used to be' good veterans...or in Lemaire's case...one star player and a whole lot of 3rd & 4th liners.  

 

The only credit I'll give Little Billy in this situation he at least delivered this message face to face and not through a text, or a phone call.  

 

I think most Minnesota fans liked Bruce Boudreau a lot and respected him because he was hockey all of the time.  I think he was honest and candid about mistakes he made and the mistakes the team made short of calling specific people out.  

Little Billy eh?   

8 hours ago, Tomdog said:

I guess I won’t go that far. 
I’ll have to watch and see. 
I don’t see a lack of effort from parise as much as I see the mentality of this is how “I” score, so this is how we should score. 

I'm with you in the "I won't go that far" department!

36 minutes ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

Maybe not directly, but I think the call probably went to Craig...who then called Guerin who thought it over and then fired Bruce the next day.  

Interesting speculation.

47 minutes ago, lynxrattle said:

Ruxpin, we're pissed because the Wild can't get anywhere as long as our locker room is able to oust any coach they want the moment the coach wants them to do something they don't want to. This has now been going on from the start of the Suter/Parise era, and will probably go on until their contracts end. Boudreau gone is not the big deal, it's the way and timing of this that indicates once more that yes, the players really do have control over things they definitely should not be controlling. It makes no difference whatsoever who the coach is as long as the coach does not have authority over some players. When Guerin came, there was hope that maybe Guerin would be able to correct the power relations, but Guerin's behaviour here makes it seem that either he doesn't get the big picture, or that he's joined the player bandwagon. If either of these fears is close to truth, the Wild is doomed to its mediocrity until the end of the Guerin/Suter/Parise era.

So, you're suggesting that Guerin is taking orders from Parise and Suter?