CreaseAndAssist

I updated the article to include my analysis of Adam Beckman too.

Day 2 of the Draft (updated live) I have summaries for both Firstov and Jones already. Analysis, expert quotes, video and my thoughts too. Enjoy.

Day 2 of the draft for the Minnesota Wild (updated live) I am updating this article as the picks happen. I have full analysis on our first two picks we've had thus far. Enjoy!

I wrote about Bobby Brink in my forwards preview. Read About Brink, the last prospect I profiled here

I actually cheered when Arizona took Soderstrom...I didn't like the thought of another smallish, right shot Swedish defenseman with limited offensive ability.

Flyers take Brink.

If Carolina can't convince Marleau to play for them.

I don't think it did and I have reason to believe little has changed. In all honesty, I think the veterans are less a collective voice of control as they are on their own islands. That's what I read into the report that Fenton went to each of #9, #20 and #11 to get them to buy in and ask that they pull the rope together and in the same direction. I think Parise still wants to win, which is why after the season he looked devastated and is worried he's hitched to a team that is going nowhere and understands the end of the career is within sight. I don't think Boudreau wants to let the vets run the show, but I don't think he has total control either. He was forced to playing Bitetto even though no coach every should've been compelled to play him. If he doesn't have the power to decide who is playing on his 3rd pairing, do you really think he can tell Suter what his ice / power play time will be? I don't think Parise is making those demands, but he came close with the Adam Oates thing and that did help destabilize Yeo's authority and ultimately led towards the team giving up on him and his firing. So far the team hasn't given up on Boudreau, yet...we'll see if it happens especially if success is hard to come by this upcoming season.

BREAKING TRADE- The #Canes have acquired two picks in the 2020 #NHLDraft, including a conditional first round selection, and Patrick Marleau from #MapleLeafs Interesting move. The conditional 1st round pick seems a bit dangerous for a player of Marleau's age. I guess its assumed the Hurricanes will buy out Marleau and then he may return to San Jose...uh thanks for the favor Carolina?!?!

Wow, what a move as reported by Elliott Friedman. Supposedly they're opening up space so they can make a bit move to free up space to bring in Matt Duchene. But the Predators have the depth to lose a guy like P.K. Subban and their defense is still one of the best in the league.

Driving back home today, I heard on XM that they too were surprised Lavoie slid beyond the 1st round. But one of the things they discussed was his inconsistency and some questions about his maturity level. Some felt his answers during combine interviews lacked depth and thought. Although they did give him credit for raising his level as injuries started to effect the Mooseheads, and he has a terrific shot and when he's motivated he can dominate. He'll probably be gone early in the 2nd, even before #42 when we make our selection.

I talked about Brink in my forwards article. The knock on him is his skating style, even though most concede he still moves well enough. Beyond that, he's very intelligent and is the type of player that can change the angle and sort of freeze defenses and open up passing or shooting lanes. Lacombe gets high marks for his skating, but the question is hockey sense...does he process fast enough or correctly to make the read defensively or make the right play with the puck? Both will probably be taken in the 2nd round today.

(yawn) That's right, because you are the pre-eminent homer? This team is crap right now. Even your boy Parise is having second thoughts. But hey, stay in denial...

I think Krebs could certainly be a #1 center. But they're both Top 6 centers. We have two old foagies in that role right now and by the time they're ready the foagies should be out. He has skill, scoring ability and a desire to do whatever it takes and plays with a consistency you don't see in many players his age. A lot of people see the same traits in Ryan O'Reilly. Boldy is compared to James Neal. Neal's game is the potential to score but also times where he's MIA. Skating is just ok. Haven't the Wild been down this road before of questionable skaters to see that is a problem?

He's probably AT LEAST 2 years away before he's ready. So its likely we remedy our overabundance of left wingers. But it does nothing to address our aging group of centers though.

Wild Take Matthew Boldy 12th Overall Had a great time having some food and beers at Reid's with @IllaZilla , my dad and my friend Aaron. Here is my 2 cents on the Matthew Boldy selection. Safe pick in some ways since this kid does play a little bit of defense despite his offensive skills, but they needed to draft a Top 6 center and passed up on two of them IMO.

We want Fenton to do nothing. Because when he 'does' something we end up dealing Niederreiter for Victor Rask.

Fletcher has tossed away a 2nd round and a 3rd round pick and is now way overpaying for a player. Yikes folks, this is deja vu...

We could certainly tell that was the case. And of course being as smart as he is, he didn't need it...sorry, I couldn't say that without

I see Chuck is back to his old tricks of giving away 2nd round picks like they're candy at Halloween, has he tossed out NMC's and NTC's as party favors yet?

2019 Minnesota Wild Draft Preview: Draft Sleepers In part 4 of 4, I identify 6 more players that I think could provide great value and help that will be available beyond the 1st round.

Can't wait, hopefully we can make it work this Friday.

I don't think this is as much about $$$ as it is about egos. I think Fenton feels analytics is less than his own intuition and experience. We'll see if those positions get replaced. Despite all the talk about how great those two were that we lost, I've yet to hear they have jobs elsewhere.

Bob McKenzie's Top 31...Check it out!  

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