CreaseAndAssist

Wild re-signed Zane McIntyre, Dakota Mermis and Nick Swaney and added Vinni Letteri. Hunter Jones probably just said FML when he saw that news because it likely means he's going back to the Iowa Heartlanders who probably have one more season left until they fold. Mermis is going to be the veteran and leadership voice for Iowa after being a good soldier the last two seasons. Swaney has been good when he's been healthy and is a lot like he was in college where he's a streaky scorer.

Zane McIntyre being signed to another deal is very interesting. Because then its a 3-goalie competition in Iowa again. That would mean Hunter Jones would likely be back as the starter for the Heartlanders who by all accounts have been a complete tire fire. One would think this would be the year where Wallstedt's the starter and McIntyre / Jones is his back up.

Blake Wheeler signs with the New York Rangers for $800k. Sounds like the Wild is signing Vinni Letteri to a two-year, two-way deal. Yea, the Shaw one had to be tough unless they have some other way to come back to it. If not, then that's sad after doing all that he did only to blow his knee out a 4th time.

I agree, it certainly doesn't. Especially for your 1st round selection. The interesting thing to see was how one of the 'experts' Byron Bader, the same guy who first said the Wild had the #1 prospect pool in the NHL, whom the Billy Goats all fell over themselves parading this around; he ripped the Charlie Stramel pick. Then watching the same Billy Goats suddenly fall over themselves say that it was just one bad season at Wisconsin and he shouldn't be judged on that, the experts are wrong, in Billy G they trust and all of that crap. So the analytics folks love analytics until it says the Wild were wrong...and then suddenly analytics has somehow got it all wrong.

Its interesting to see how different their description of Riley Heidt is compared to HockeyProspect.com's viewing of him. They certainly see some similar things but while one make him sound like a hitting machine the other makes him sound a lot different. If you're only going to consult one source, you're likely going to get deceived.

Heidt was a very polarizing player among scouts. I will share a lot more when I do my draft recap this Sunday and I'll make sure I post it in the podcast thread.

Minnesota Wild select Rosemount, MN-native; center, Charlie Stramel (Wisconsin, Big 10) with the 21st Overall pick in the 2023 draft. @MNSOTA and I will have a complete draft review that we will record on Sunday. I have LOTS to say about this selection.

(shrugs) Oh well...

@IllaZilla Thanks for listening! Glad you liked it. It is interesting. I've seen Edstrom bantered about a bit at 21, but some other common guys mentioned in mock drafts: LW - Eduard Sale (Brno, Czech) - 6'2", 174lbs - Shoots Left LW - Samuel Honzek (Vancouver, WHL) - 6'3 1/2", 186lbs - Shoots Left D - Tom Willander (Rogle Jr., Swe. Jr) - 6'1", 180lbs - Shoots Right C - Oliver Moore (USNDT, USHL) - 5'11", 188lbs - Shoots Left C - Calum Ritchie (Oshawa, OHL) - 6'2", 185lbs - Shoots Right C - Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw, WHL) - 5'11", 166lbs - Shoots Right

Meh. What did anyone expect him to say? I'd rather stay in Des Moines? Or its not fair they are insisting I train in Minnesota? He has to recognize the organization is wanting to see progress and exhibit that he has NHL potential. Barring him looking completely in over his head at training camp he'll probably make the team next year. Not that this is a surprise, but if he's still here by the time training camp opens my expectations are fairly low.

15 back to backs, top 3 for that in the league. Seattle only has 7 next year which is the least of any team.

Klingberg probably will although at a reduced rate I'd imagine...although it will be interesting to see what price points Nyquist and Sundqvist settle for. The Wild won't have room for them. Good opportunity to promote the kids and stay cheap when we have to for these next two seasons.

Plays on the perimeter. Doesn't go to the tough areas of the ice. So a 6'2" player that plays like a smaller player. I hope we don't draft him.

Episode #17: Hockey Parents Gone Wild @MNSOTA and myself discuss the resignation of Larry Olimb as Orono HS girls hockey coach, we discuss the reality of coaching today and the myths of college recruiting. Enjoy!

The one time Vegas...had to follow the rules.

Problem is, you'd still have Parise and Suter on your team then. I don't want either them near my team again. The timing for this organization continues to work against its goals / interests. Again, because of the stupid retroactive punishment the NHL imposed that put the Wild in a Catch-22 situation because of cap recapture. But no...Tampa Bay and Vegas totally didn't abuse LTIR at all for a massive competitive advantage. The Wild didn't get a competitive advantage in the first place and then got punished on top of it. I don't have a show specifically talking about Kirill and his options. However I've mentioned many times the point of no return is after this upcoming season. Guerin will have to size that up and decide whether he can realistically keep him or not. If you look at the cap situations around the league; it doesn't really look that great. Most of the teams that are way under the cap are either garbage or want to remain near the floor (aka Arizona). Certainly a portion of the fanbase will lose their crap if the Wild shop #97, but they may not really have a choice if he gives them signs he's wanting to just coast into being a UFA and wishes to seek opportunities elsewhere. The NMC kicks in after this season, and then while you can ask him to waive it to try to make a deal he's clearly going to have all of the leverage and ability to decide where he's willing to go and that might not be ideal either.

Goligoski sucks and never should've been extended and given a no movement clause to boot. The NMC forces Guerin's hand. I won't be heartbroken if they have to shop Merrill or even Addison, but giving a 35-year old player an NMC was just foolish.

(shrugs) Vegas is a way different animal. They got a bunch of players entering their prime, they didn't have to rely on players they drafted and developed in order to improve. Toss in the league letting them pull a Tampa Bay and open up cap space with LTIR, they didn't have to travel the path of regular season misery to adding the kind of talent you need to turn your fortunes around. If your defense is big and strong enough to control things your end; then you can get by with Adin Hill or Logan Thompson as your goaltender.

Thanks for listening! This team has this season to consider whether #97 is going to stick around or not or whether they should move him before his full no movement clause kicks in. Would adding a player like Michkov make him want to stay, or wouldn't it matter? Do the team's prospect pool really influence him one way or another; those are all things Bill Guerin will have to figure out and then act accordingly. One thing Bill Guerin cannot do, is to let #97 walk for nothing.

Wild re-signed Hunter Jones to a one-year, two-way deal ($787,000). My guess is he'll be Jesper Wallstedt's backup in Iowa. No matter what I'm sure Hunter will be glad he's no longer having to be under siege with the Heartlanders like he has the last two seasons.

Trading up will be expensive. As far as giving up on Rossi goes, I'm ambivalent. He's had time; even after his health scare to take the initiative. While people want to talk about his points at the AHL level, he didn't produce in the games / moments when Iowa needed him to. He didn't do anything with Minnesota to make you really say he compelled the team to give him another call up either. I am more compelled to sit back and hope the KHL deal scares enough teams off he falls to us or falls closer where the asking price to move up may not be as steep. Getting into the Top 10 will cost a king's ransom this year.

Another 5'11" defenseman. Right shot, put up a lot of points for Prince Albert but they must feel they'll need the points to add another small-ish defenseman to the team's roster. I had heard they wanted to retain Dakota Mermis but we'll see what happens. Joe Hicketts has been a rock for Iowa the last two seasons; tough to see them move on from him just for his veteran leadership but if they're going all in on the kids...they're going to want to make sure they carry most of the play. Iowa should have the following defenseman in Des Moines next year. Daemon Hunt Ryan O'Rourke Simon Johansson Kyle Masters David Spacek Carson Lambos Landon Kosior

Michkov recently signed a deal to stay in the KHL until 2026. While the Wild wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry, the hope would be the opportunity to play with a guy with his talent would tempt Kaprizov to stick around. As far as making a deal goes...not sure what else you'd want and that would probably determine whether Bill Guerin would consider it or not. But I'd rather see us take a swing at Michkov than take a risk on a guy like Sale who is more boom / bust. Michkov probably will be a star, you just have to be willing to wait for him.

Is anyone going to this thing? I'd think you'd have more fun watching a DaBeauty League game instead.