CreaseAndAssist

The Ottawa Senators (cough Quebec Nordiques cough) are proud to select, from Adler Mannheim of the German Budesliga, defenseman Moritz Seider!   

He has size, is a right-shot, moves well and was the German league rookie of the year competing against men!  We feel he'll be a cornerstone in our top 4 for years to come!  @bbgarnett you and New York Rangers are on the clock!

46 minutes ago, IllaZilla said:

 

After reading this article, I'd almost go after one of these guys. Based on your descriptions, most of them seemed to have less gaping holes in their games than the forwards that may be available at 12...

I would agree.  The risk factor seems lower from this blue line group than the forward group. 

2019 Minnesota Wild Draft Preview: Defenseman

Part 2 of 4, this time with the focus on defenseman.  This class of defenseman is kind of deep with guys who I think have NHL futures.  While I have Harley at #1, in retrospect...I like Moritz Seider a lot more.  I think he checks off more boxes and I've heard nothing but good things about him.  

16 hours ago, Alexandron said:

I do not think that Kaliyev will be available for us and, probably, he will be taken before ours #12 pick. He is just 17 y.o. kid (still has some room to grow physically and mentally; able to learn more). And played not bad this year for the USA U18 team(3 goals;3 assists) in 5 games at Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also is a gold medal winner in OHL for the 2017-2018 season. Ranked #7 by NHL Central Scouting; #11 by eliteprospects.com.  For many years I am dreaming about a second Marian Gaborik for our team, capable to put consistently for years more than 30 goals per season. That brings more interest/more show/more attraction to the team instead of watching our mainly defensively minded boring style of play. I looked through the 31 top prospects this draft season and only 4 of them had 100 points and more(100-112) last season including Kaliyev. He also is having a pretty good size(6'2";190 lbs) in comparison to other 3. I do not know who is going to be a 1st lucky prospect for the Wild, but like I said before, I really do not want that our Wild organization will pick as #1 or a defenseman or a goaltender.

No way.  Kaliyev will be available by the time we pick.  Most projections have him at #15 or later.  Trust me, there are enough doubts about the other parts of his game he might even be still around after #20.  

Part of me likes to think Parise still wants to win a Stanley Cup, but Suter...nah.  He's happy he's close enough to his home to run the Madison Capitals and do literally anything he wants.  Zero pressure, no criticism (I'd actually be surprised if they didn't have a rule that says the media can't go after Suter, even it's an informal one).  I agree @IllaZilla the Country Club is going to be coasting all year next season.  

This team will have to look for a no-name coach hoping to prove himself, because I can't see any veteran coach wanting to come to a job where its pretty clear you're painted into a corner right from the start as long as #11 and especially #20 is still here.  

Koivu coaching?    He'd be terrible.  But we'd probably sign him on as a member of the front office to try to have him schmooze the corporate crowd and play at the annual golf tournament.  

22 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

I agree with IllaZilla that Peyton Krebs, unfortunately, is not worth for the #1 draft for us, because even a partially sliced tendon is not healing as well as bones do, but usually creates a scar tissue in a place of breakage and always will be a concern on his traumas in that area. We need a healthy, smart, fast and a good size kid capable to read well a hockey game and capable to score a lot.

Meh, Krebs will be just fine.  If that scares you off...I guess.  But that doesn't mean I'm now taking Kaliyev for sure.  In fact, I'd rather have Newhook or Lavoie of we decide its too big of a risk to take Krebs.  I almost have all of my draft focused articles finished.  I just need to publish them.  So I'll probably release my next one tomorrow.  

29 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

 

No offense.  I'm hesitant to say this to a fan of another team (it's one thing to say it about your own team; it's another when someone else says it), but I was completely dumbfounded by that pick last year.

 

If it's any consolation, it pales in comparison to the NY Giants' #6 pick this year.

Zero offense taken.  The only that should be offended is Fenton, for being so obtuse to make the pick.  It was initially kind of indicated that Brett Flahr made the pick, but just recently...we found out it was mostly Fenton.  But the fact we guess he floated that story to cast away blame from his horrific selection tells you all you need to know.  

Fenton thinks he's the smartest guy in the room.  Now his son is running the draft table.  Trust me, all of the Wild draft junkies were irate that he made such an irresponsible 1st round pick.  The sad part is in retrospect, it embarrassed the hell out of the kid that got drafted because he didn't come even remotely close to showing any promise and it only heaped a ton of pressure on him to deliver what he probably couldn't in the first place.  The kid he drafted even said he felt the pressure to deliver because it was such an unexpected selection and he had a rancid year in Sweden's 2nd tier league.  

1 hour ago, ruxpin said:

 

That's a great pick at #12.   The ACL thing aside, if he's there at 12 in the NHL draft you have to be ecstatic, right?   Gotta hope Fenton is as smart with his pick.   Really good player.

Hope and Fenton do not compute.  We only hope he doesn't F%ck it up as bad as he did last year.  

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

 

Probably just an ego thing, so he can brag to his other hyper rich buddies how he masterminded the Parise/Suter deals while they're playing the back nine at the TPC or something like that...

That's probably true.  I can see him yucking it up at some Country Club bar...like he's a big shot.  Yea boys...two $98 million contracts boys, if I'm not there, none it happens.  Seriously, i got this great Florida land deal in the works.  Easy money, who wants in?!?!  

Everyone wants Victor Rask...out of the league.  This was an awful idea on a number of fronts.  

1.  The Wild continue to submarine Jason Zucker's value by trying to sell him to everyone.  Everyone knows we're trying to get rid of him (still not sure why its that freakin' important to this organization at this time) so no one is going to give us crap for him.  Not sure why you'd want to do that.  We've ruined most of his trade value AFTER he had a rough season.  Moronic on the Wild's part (but that seems to be par for the course these days).

2.  Zucker has been nothing but a good citizen in Minnesota.  My theory is he got into it with the teams' veteran leader group (Suter and / or Parise) and thus they voted him off the island and the team is trying to oblige that aim.  Stupid as all hell to do, and flies completely in the face of the 'faster & younger' mantra to try to move a younger arguably faster player for an older and slower player so it looks foolish and short-sighted.  

3.  People within the organization cautioned Fenton not to try to trade for Kessel knowing or having a strong idea the Wild were on his limited no-trade list.  Fenton obviously felt that if he talked to him he could convince him and he failed miserably.  We supposedly had BFF Ryan Suter talk to him too and that didn't convince Phil either.  I don't blame Kessel one bit, we're not close to being a cup team even though the organization likes to keep saying we are.  We're not, we know it...and so does everyone else BUT THEM apparently.  

4.  Its the 2nd time they tried to deal Zucker and they failed.  It adds needless stress to Zucker and his family and if for some reason they can't find a way to move him.  It makes for a super awkward season if he's back.  

5.  It doesn't secure any future assets and the trade only would've made the team older and added more albatross contracts to its collection.  

3 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

 

If his financial management is as good as his evaluation of hockey talent, I'm never investing with him...ever.

That Russo article that looked back at the deal, holy crap...Saggisor certainly wanted everyone to know he was the mastermind.  And one Badger played on the love for another; and convinced ownership to make the deal happen.  My only question is what did Sagissor get out of it.  I don't think it was because he had any affinity for the Minnesota Wild unless he just loves Leipold.  

20 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

 

I remember Bettman telling him at that draft we were at "Get a superstar and then we'll talk Winter Classic."

 

So rather than tank and draft a superstar, he goes and signs Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, neither of which are superstars, to lifetime contracts, which brings us to the state the team is in now...

But Tom Saggisor said they were so good?!?!?  

With the 12th Selection in the 2019 HF Mock Draft, the Minnesota Wild are proud to select from the Kootenay (now Winnipeg) Ice of the Western Hockey League, Peyton Krebs!  

We are well aware of Peyton's recent Achilles injury and our medical team over at TRIA (the Wild's official orthopedic clinic) is confident he'll make a full recovery and will make every resource available to help him do so.  We like the fact he still produced despite having no help around him which will make him a perfect fit for the dysfunctional and aging Minnesota Wild squad.  

“He’s the heart and soul guy of this draft class. I think he's going to go high and some people will think it’s a bad pick and then he's going to prove that he was worthy of going as high as he did.” - He has nothing with him on that team.” - NHL Scout, January 2019

“I like Krebs, he works his ass off. He’s my next guy after Byram from out west.” - NHL Scout, March 2019

A two-way center who has has a tremendous work ethic and a high skill level to match it.  Future Top 6 player for the Wild for years to come.  Compared to Matt Barzal by the Hockey News Draft Issue.  

11 hours ago, 4Check said:

Yeah, two strikes against him.  But he can thank his lucky stars that DeBrincat paved the way..   BTW, my reference of "safer" pick was in regards to the KHL factor, both coming and  future leverage (threat)  of returning.

If you're talking about Kaliyev, he's not as much of a threat to be in the KHL since he's an American kid.  But Vasili, its possible but I think he wants to be in North America.  Still, I think he'll be gone before #12 so I didn't think it was necessary to write about him.  

6 hours ago, 4Check said:

You're probably right about Podkolzin being gone before #12.  But I wouldn't be surprised if the Russian factor fear doesn't have teams picking 5-11 considering the perceived "safer" bet of a Boldy, Zegras, Broberg, Cozens,  Krebs, Dach, Caufield etc.   And one other possible factor.  I'm guessing that out of the first 11 picks, it's 50-50 that at least one team may end up going slightly off the board.

I am not sure I'd call Caufield safe...he's an ok skater as a tiny player.  

3 hours ago, Alexandron said:

 

Thanks LIG for posting and the video highlights too. From that list I still would chose Arthur Kaliyev - 102 points(51 goals;51 assists) in 67 games. He is single player on this list who played in OHL and played for a pretty good team Hamilton Bulldogs.  According to the presented video the most important part for me in  his character is a valuable play-making instincts.

The lack of compete level outside of the offensive zone is really troubling because of the scoring doesn't translate what do you have?  Zip.   Also, the fact he is maybe an above average skater makes me less bullish on him.  

5 minutes ago, yave1964 said:

What time is the draft?

Its going on right now.  

On 6/7/2019 at 7:44 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

It is the ONLY way. 

 

Fans can piss and moan on Facebook and the comment section in the Strib and on here all they want. That isn't going to matter two whoops and a hill of beans to the owner as long as they keep buying season tickets and merchandise. That's the only thing Leipold understands: money.

 

Take away his money stream and either he makes changes or sells the team. But I think he is too big an egomaniac to sell the team. He likes being part of an exclusive club...

Although he hasn't gotten everything he has wanted.  Despite the fact he's BFF's with Bettman, the Wild are not even close to ever bringing in a Winter Classic because the team is so boring and mediocre.  For a guy that is usually in Top 10-15 in the Hockey News' 100 people of power and influence I am sure that drives him crazy.  But he only has himself to blame.  He's either helped create it or at the very least facilitated it.  

On 6/6/2019 at 9:05 PM, EmptyShelf said:

I have had a few conversations of late with some people in the front office.  I asked to speak to a few people prior to dumping my tickets.  What I heard, I confirmed with some people in the MN hockey community.  It is bad enough that I would not even consider re-upping my tickets in hopes of the future without a total facelift.  What we see on the ice is the tip of the iceberg.  The inside of the Wild organization is a four alarm fire - back stabbing, fear mongering, you-name-it.  LIG and Russo are correct.  The culture is malignant - all the way around.  There are now 5 megalomaniacs in the organization - the owner, the GM, and the charter members of the Country Club.  They are not going to get ANY informed players and agents to entertain playing for this dumpster fire unless it is a pure money-grab prior to retirement.

 

 

Wow, and in my opinion its sad its gotten this toxic that you decided enough is enough and dropped your tickets.  I am not saying your wrong, in fact, you're speaking to them by not re-upping and I hope you had the chance to tell them why.  I haven't heard the backstabbing comments about the front office / locker room of this team.  I'd be interested to hear more of what you've heard.  

But responding to @IllaZilla, he's 100% right.  Fenton is flying by the seat of his pants.  As Russo reported, members of the organization urged him not to try to trade for Kessel but he did it anyway.  Like you said before, he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room.  Oh yea, Kessel doesn't want to come here?  Let me call him, I'll persuade him.  Damn, Kessel thinks our team isn't very good and its not worth coming here even after Suter tried to convince him to do so too?  The level of delusion with this club is reaching critical levels and probably its only hope to rectify the situation is through the draft because all we're going to get is lame friends of the country club or has beens hoping to cash in.  

Its pretty bleak around this organization...

I was thinking the same thing.  Krebs' misfortune might be the Wild's opportunity.  As I told another person on Twitter, Fenton wasn't scared off from Fiala by his broken leg, and I think if he really likes Krebs' game and he's available he'll make the pick.  But is it risky?  Sure, but as I said before...most of the other players on my list seem to have some significant risk to them.  Where they may have one talent / skill that sets them apart but then lots of question marks or sub-par parts of their game.  

Call me crazy, but if he's available at #12 I'd still take him.  

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

Yeah, Russo just retweeted it. Some other players blade went through his cut-resistant sock. Partial cut of the Achilles Tendon. Full recovery expected, but he may not be back until after the season starts. 

 

https://twitter.com/ByCruickshank/status/1137392180677365761

That's a shame.  I've heard nothing but good things about him.  

15 minutes ago, Starofthenorth said:

Krebs just got his Achilles cut and has to have surgery and has no time line yet on the recovery poor guy.

Seriously?  Crap.  Well maybe that will help him drop to us.  

Oooh, I get to make 3 picks!  

5 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Good read.

 

I'm still a bit puzzled why the Wild refuse to let Kunin play top line center minutes. Eriksson-Ek I get. He's a third-fourth line center at best because he can't score. But Kunin, I mean, geez. That's all you heard about him is how he likes to shoot and how he scored 19 goals as a freshman at Wisconsin. Yet it seems the team is determined to keep him on the wing in order to keep Staal and Koivu at the 1C and 2C.

 

This team has so few prospects they really couldn't go wrong with any of those guys. One thing I think will be interesting is if they draft one of these guys, will the Wild let him develop into who he is, or will the team try and change him into a Mikko Koivu clone? Not every player is going to be a great two-way player...

As its been discussed here and on the old boards.  It is all about not upsetting the highly paid vets.  So we stymie the development of younger players and reduce their role for fear of getting 'Angry Mikko' or 'Angry Suter' or 'Angry Staal'.  To hell with those old guys.  Kunin played pretty well in the AHL playoffs and I thought he performed well for Team USA at the World Championships after that.  IMO, he should be used in a Top 6 role; at least to see if he can handle that kind of workload.  Although Mikko seems to be rushing back (because gasp if someone takes his spot) so I am doubtful he'll get that chance, sadly.  

4 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Good read.

 

I'm still a bit puzzled why the Wild refuse to let Kunin play top line center minutes. Eriksson-Ek I get. He's a third-fourth line center at best because he can't score. But Kunin, I mean, geez. That's all you heard about him is how he likes to shoot and how he scored 19 goals as a freshman at Wisconsin. Yet it seems the team is determined to keep him on the wing in order to keep Staal and Koivu at the 1C and 2C.

 

This team has so few prospects they really couldn't go wrong with any of those guys. One thing I think will be interesting is if they draft one of these guys, will the Wild let him develop into who he is, or will the team try and change him into a Mikko Koivu clone? Not every player is going to be a great two-way player...

Of those forwards I profiled, only Peyton Krebs didn't have much in the way of doubts about his game or his potential.  The rest all had some major concerns or questionable parts of their game.  I would hope that Fenton isn't obsessed with having a Mikko Koivu clone.