CreaseAndAssist

Well its on him now. I think he showed a lot of offensive ability and assertiveness at camp. I don't think he'll lose the scoring ability; its really can he stay in shape and learn some nominal level of defensive responsibility. He certainly was noticeable in the scrimmages in regards to his skill. One thing that gave me some relief was his skating ability seems to be decent enough. However, he definitely moves with more speed and purpose when he has the puck versus when he doesn't. That is a mentality he'll have to fix IMO.

Its the same reason Mark Parrish didn't work out either. He was pretty much a one-dimensional, goal mouth scorer. He wasn't scoring goals so he kind of got phased out of the lineup and we bought him out. Overall it worked out well for Parrish money-wise but for the team not so much. And you're right...if he can't learn to play at least a basic level of defense (as well as keep his scoring touch and produce offensively) he likely won't make it out of Iowa.

No question it would be a shame to waste the gift the kid has. However, the onus is on Sokolov to try to 'fix' that part of his game.

Not many though...at the end of the day its usually easier to prevent goals than to score them. So systems are devised to shut teams down. This kid doesn't really play defense and doesn't do much when he doesn't have the puck. Unless you're lighting the lamp often, those guys usually don't last long at the NHL level because everyone is expected to help out a bit defensively no matter how much you score.

Its good to see Sokolov do well because he's a skilled player we kind of lucked into when we managed to get him as a 7th round pick. But the hands, scoring ability are the things you can't teach. I'm still not quite sold on his wheels though and while conditioning is a battle...IMO, I'd feel more confident about him if I saw a bit more explosiveness in his first few strides.

I think part of that is how they transitioned to drafting college players; which don't arrive to the pro's (AHL or otherwise) 3-4 years after you draft them. We also dealt a lot of picks away as you stated. Also, some of the veteran ringers they brought in over the years...didn't deliver.

Who do you think sold Leipold on that idea? Could it be...Mr. Kwik Trip himself?

Rotten makes a good point about the main reason they have a the Des Moines shuttle; its literally about saving small $$ in cap space. However, I do agree with Illa Zilla 100% with the idea we don't kind of require the prospects to just dominate in Iowa to get the call up. Iowa wasn't horrific last year, but Kunin certainly wasn't worthy of a call up yet he still got the call while other guys who were dominating down there never did. IMO, that's sends a really bad message to those players putting in the yeoman effort every night and carrying the team in Iowa. Nashville forced a player to be dominant, not just for a week or two but even months before they got promoted. Austin Watson honed his game at least 2 seasons in Milwaukee before he became a full-time player for the Predators. Same was true of a lot of their guys; like Viktor Arvidsson, Pekka Rinne, even Filip Forsberg had to spend significant time in Milwaukee.

https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-name-derek-lalonde-as-assistant-coach/c-299471564 Iowa's bench boss Derek Lalonde jumped ship to go to Tampa Bay...

Sounds like a player who is rushing back...usually doesn't turn out well.

Suter's Rehab Update from the Athletic I included some quoted material that jumped out to me in the article in case you are not a subscriber. IMO, it says a lot about Suter's relative arrogance / confidence in that he's right and everyone else be damned. Enjoy... Still, Suter scoffed. “I’m thinking, ‘Come on, guys, it’s my foot, it’s not going to be career-ending,’” Suter said. “‘Fine, you can tell people that if it makes you feel better, but it’s not going to end my career.’ He’s reminded that doctors and officials have told him to keep realistic goals and not worry about the start of training camp, that this was a serious injury he shouldn’t feel a need to rush back from. By his own admission, Suter can be a bit controlling. “If you want things done right, you have to do them yourself,” he often says. “When I hear that, I don’t really hear it,” Suter says. “I want to be ready for camp and I want to have the best year that I’ve ever had. So I basically just ignore it. I’ll be fine. I’m almost there — as soon as I can get rid of that little hitch I’ve got.”

Nah, we might as well introduce ourselves.

Fine, let me help it re-focus...simple like the old chat room days. Name: (first name only if you prefer) Location (keep it as specific or vague as you wish): Age: When did you become a #mnwild fan: Favorite Wild player of All Time (can be current or not): Jerseys & Hockey Memorabilia:

Its a younger group of kids than in years past. Still a fair amount of invitees given their prospect pool situation. Not a lot of size in this group as a whole, especially on the blueline where its very clear they care far more about your mobility, puck moving ability than the size to deny the middle of the ice. Lots of smaller, apparently more skilled guys. Boudrias is a fairly big kid...and should look like a man among boys out there.

I am not saying he should be given a pass. But reading what I have from Fenton, it sounds like the organization is going to give him a free pass. I agree, having the farm so close makes it kind of easy to have that as their way out. Although I think our organization keeps closer tabs on what is going on there more than it did during the Aeros' days because of its relative proximity.

Cates had a pretty good season in Waterloo. It will be interesting to see if he is noticeable at camp. This isn't exactly a star studded group.

Thanks! I hope its insightful...

Wild Prospect Camp, player thoughts, etc I wrote up a summary of the upcoming Prospect Development Camp, including player thoughts. Enjoy!

The telegraph works in all weather...smoke signals, not so much.

What is this 'internet' you speak of? The telegraph works well enough for me...

Fair enough, as I thought you were being serious.

No, its called getting prime minutes both 5-on-5 on most important offensive zone draws and power play time. Gretzky, really?

Again, I agree with you 100%. Anas signed on for another two seasons, but still...that had to hurt on some levels when you see the guy who isn't doing half of what you are gets the call up just because of where he was picked in the draft.

Also, the fact that maybe they recognized Kunin seemed to be uninspired to lead the way in Iowa...prompted them to try to stoke his confidence by calling him up to the big team where he thought he belonged. IMO, and I think you agree...players should earn that call up.

I agree with you 100% on that one. Hell even Kloos deserved another call up before Kunin did. I also agree that Anas was more than deserving. Kunin was pretty blah by what I could tell listening to the games. Kloos and Anas, even Mayhew sounded like they were all over the ice. Do you think a lot of this is about a GM trying to save face on the guys he drafted so he calls them up hoping they'll make him look like a genius than really wanting to know if they're playing so well they deserve the promotion?