CreaseAndAssist

10 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

 

My one concern with Kaprizov is that he's used to the Olympic size rink, not the NHL size rink. He may be used  to more space to maneuver.

 

And where is the team going to fit all these forwards? Down the center it's going to be Staal, Koivu, Rask and probably Sturm. For your wings you'll have Kunin, Eriksson-Ek, Parise, Zucker, Foligno, Aberg, Donato, Fiala, Brown, Greenway. 

 

I suppose you could count on Zucker being traded, Brown being buried in Iowa or bought out, and Aberg let go. So you probably could bring in the two Russians. And that is also saying the Wild don't give anyone in Iowa a shot at the big roster. 

They haven't seemed to want to give anyone from Iowa a real shot.  IMO, Gerald Mayhew deserves at least a look, but I don't think he'll get it.  

7 minutes ago, IllaZilla said:

That could be. The only thing they have with the KHL is a MOU that states each organization will respect the others contracts...

It is true.  If Kaprizov wants to play in the NHL, the door still comes through the Wild.  No matter how long he decides to wait.  

Wild Fans Speak: 2018-19 Off Season Edition Part 3 of 3

Here's the last of it.  This mostly is about what the team should do this summer.  @Davey J is in this...and thanks to everyone who participated in it.  @IllaZilla honestly...your posts are outstanding.  

The Wild 5-on-5 scoring is rancid.  Towards the end, the team could only score on the power play.  I think Zucker will get moved, and I agree...I think we'll target Pavelski and it be Heatley / Havlat / Vanek all over again.  

As far as Kaprizov goes.  I think he does want to be in the NHL and at this point the Wild still hold most of the cards if he wants that chance.  I think he knows he'll be given just about anything he wants.  His 'new' agent, the one he got last year has a better relationship with the Wild.  The old one could never be reached and while I think the Wild were guilty of not trying all that hard, I was told they did everything through an intermediary.  

Right now, CSKA Moscow is up 3-0 in their series against Avangard Omsk in the Gagarin Cup Finals.  If there is a real possibility for the scenario to happen, we'll find out soon.  If its true, it would be huge.  

As far as who is relegated.  I'd say...take your pick.  IMO, as Russo stated in his article yesterday...the crappy thing is the Wild are likely going to give Rask at least one more year.  It cuts down the buyout time, plus they'll see if there is anything worth keeping around.  IMO, Eriksson Ek is already relegated when you have Koivu and Staal.  Sturm will probably be our 4th line center.  

Russo also believes there is a strong possibility Zucker gets traded and possibly Spurgeon since Toronto needs a defenseman and we seem to like William Nylander a lot and Toronto is in a cap crunch.  

On 4/13/2019 at 11:08 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

I think it's interesting that almost everyone thinks there is a problem in the locker room, that the problem probably resides with 9-11-20, but the solution to this is let's trade everyone else to send a message that no one is safe? As long as 9-11-20 (and to a lesser extent 12 and 40) get their way, it doesn't matter who gets traded or who is made to feel unsafe. That's why there is a divide in the locker room. Management has allowed two sets of rules: one for 9-11-20-12-40 and one for everyone else.

 

I also found it interesting at the post season conference Fenton refused to address the subject of a Boudreau extension. All he would say is "Bruce is my coach next season." Which potentially makes him a lame duck. Which will just embolden 9-11-20 because they know if they don't make the Playoffs again, they have a ready made fallguy. Or if the team stumbles out of the gate, Fenton will can Boudreau and bring in his guy Dean Evason. And once again, the players will have an excuse: "We had to get used to the new coach." If Fenton doesn't extend Boudreau and give him assurances he has control of the line ups, then get ready for more monkeyshines next season.

 

I know a lot of people claim the draft is a crap shoot, but if that's the case, why bother with a scouting department? Just pick someone. I think one of the Wild's major problems is their inability to draft players beyond the first round. Which leads to lack of depth on both the parent club and the farm club. Which was exposed this season. 

 

This team has a lot of issues, and one off-season isn't going to fix it. I don't think several off-seasons will fix it. It might not get fixed until 2025 or so...

I would agree with you @IllaZilla.  I would also argue trading everyone other than #9, #20, #11 more or less means nothing will really change.  Unless their hope; although no one said it this way...is to trade everyone and perhaps sour the milk enough they agree to be moved.  Yet...I don't think too many teams will want their contracts at this point in their careers.  

I would also agree the Bruce is the coach next year is hardly a glowing endorsement.  

Iowa Wild Clinch Playoff Berth and Wild prospect news

I give an overview of the Iowa Wild's season and their roster as they go into the first playoffs.  I also discuss the other prospects and their respective seasons.  Spoiler Alert there is no news about Filip Johansson but enjoy and discuss everything else...

Wild Fans Speak: 2018-19 Off Season Edition Part 2 of 3

As far as Brown goes...I don't really care.  He wasn't that impactful most games.  I agree with the sentiment the Wild should be able to at least develop 3rd and 4th liners internally if you're drafting and developing right.  This article talks about roster moves and free agents.  @Davey J is a part of it.  Enjoy!  

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

 

You forgot Staal and his new 2 year/mNTC deal.

 

Zucker's mNTC kicks in July 1, I believe, so he may be traded at the draft. Russo is fairly confident that Zucker is gone this off season, which is a shame.

 

Brown is signed through next season (19-20), for $687K, so he's not going anywhere unless Fenton buys him out. If he's unhappy with Brown, just bury him in Iowa for a season. Otherwise his salary will be added to the Ennis buyout next season (Total of $1.5M Cap Hit for both Ennis and Brown).

 

Fenton drafted Aberg, so it wouldn't surprise me if Fenton gives Aberg a one year deal ("Let's see what he can do with a full season under his belt...". Same with Bitetto. He was in love with Bitetto enough that he pulled him off waivers and was basically telling Boudreau to play Bitetto over Seeler.

 

My big fear this off season is that Fenton is going to bring in some high priced, Over-the-Hill UFA (like Joe Pavelski), who will take away ice-time from the young guys. These guys aren't going to get any better putting them on the third and fourth lines, or having a guy with a boat anchor in his breezers centering them.

 

The Wild have a true 1C. Eric Staal. Problem is they needed to get him about ten years ago...

My thoughts exactly...especially when you factor in the Ex-Badger, Wisconsin kid factor that is Pavelski.  

He better not see anything in Aberg.  Boudreau was able to scratch him in the last few games.  That tells me even Fenton gave up on him.  As far as Bitetto goes...you could be right unfortunately.  He's complete trash, but Fenton either loves the guy or he has compromising photos on him that he keeps wanting him around.  

There is some talk Brown may get pushed for a breach of contract with the drinking violation.  So they may have an out, but that doesn't exactly save the franchise a ton of cap space.  I'm more in KissArmyMan's camp...that we're going to throw stupid money at old foagies and paint ourselves back into a corner all over again.  

2 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

 

Nashville was not in bad shape when he sold it. If I remember correctly they were always a tough, physical team to play against, hence the nickname "Smashville".

The biggest problem with Nashville was that it was in an nontraditional market, and Leipold wasn't making any money. They had a very strict internal salary cap that their GM stuck too.

Precisely.  The Predators were on their way to being good and being good despite being a budget team in a salary cap world.  Leipold got tired of losing money because the corporate money wasn't rolling into buy up the lower bowl seats.  

19 hours ago, Tomdog said:

So right now on this team we are stuck with Parise, Suter, Koivu having ntc.

I believe Spurgeon and Zucker have modified nmc.

With that in mind, which 6 players would you like to see move on.

The reason I chose 6 is I just don't think they can turn over more than that.

For me personally, if I never see a JT Brown, Bitteto, Aberg in a wild sweater that'll be ok.

Other than Matt Dumba anyone and everyone are open for trade as long as we get fair trade in return.

What we need are more right handed forwards and  true #1C and some prospects that could become 1c

Actually Parise, Suter, and Koivu have NMC's.  Spurgeon, Dubnyk, Staal, and Zucker as of July 1st will have modified NTC's.  That's why we'll probably see Zucker dealt at the draft.  

Wild Fans Speak: 2018-19 Off Season Edition: Part 1 of 3

I got 7 Wild fans together including @Davey J and others to share their views on what happened this season and what they feel needs to be done in the future.  Enjoy and discuss...

I don't think Boudreau is aggressively pursuing an extension.  And no, I don't think he has as much authority for the lineup as we'd like to believe.  I think Fenton did a lot of meddling.  Honestly, watching one shift of Bitetto should tell any NHL coach / GM that he shouldn't be in the league.  But he kept giving his guy chances...forcing him to sit Seeler.  I am not a big Seeler fan, but he was certainly better than Bitetto.  I'd say the same about Prosser...Bitetto's arrival is kind of the time when everything fell apart.  

Great points by @IllaZilla about Kaptain Klydesdale...and how the kids get garbage time and virtually no power play time because you wouldn't want the vets mad.  

This team is a schittshow and needs to be completely rebuilt; perhaps from ownership on down.  

On 4/9/2019 at 11:22 AM, IllaZilla said:

Fenton has a 1C. Mikko Koivu. Just ask Koivu...

 

Interesting point Russo brought up was who is going to be distributing the puck to all these young shooters. They had Granlund but shipped him out, which didn't make sense if the goal was to still make the Playoffs. They could have kept Granlund and then traded him this summer for a bunch a picks/prospects. There was no reason to trade him at the deadline.

 

And I wouldn't trust this scouting department to pick out a Big Mac on a McDonald's menu let alone a top five draft pick...

Me neither...damn that's spot on!  Let alone dealing him away 1-for-1 within the division.  

On 4/8/2019 at 9:10 PM, 4Check said:

Suter may or may not be an issue in the room, but man, he could have taken the 7.8M and sat on his "tractor".   Instead, he came back unbelievably early from such a hellacious inury.    Russo said he couldn't even walk without a pronounced limp at the outset of the season.

 

He also didn't listen to his doctors, trainers and barely listened to Fenton so he avoided skating in some charity game during the summer.  Suter does whatever the hell he wants and knows he can.  I don't see why I should admire him for being reckless, arrogant and putting his long-term health at risk.  

8 losses in a row now has Iowa on the outside looking in on the playoffs right now.  This team better figure it out and quick otherwise its going to be another early off season for this club.  

Just in case anyone wants some context to what we were thinking BEFORE this season started.  Here it is...enjoy...

16 hours ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

As for Bruce Boudreau, rumor now is he may not be back?

 

That probably is for the best. I have nothing against him as a coach, but personally, never felt he was a "fit" for this team based on the personnel..... and unless the Wild are going to make drastic changes to suit Boudreau's coaching and playing style, he never will be a fit.

BB's teams in Washington were large, aggressive, offensive minded teams....and he had lots of star players to manage as well.
None of that really applies to Minnesota, and the Wild don't seem set on giving him the type of team he needs to fully implement any playstyle he may want to use.

Furthermore, if the Wild are going into a rebuild, then again, BB is not the guy for that. 

He is already 64, has coached some real good teams, and probably took the Minnesota job thinking, "This team is ready to win NOW....something I have yet to do as a coach".

I bet thoughts of rebuilds were the farthest thing from his mind.

This man likely will not have the patience for a rebuild....not at his age, not after the years he has poured into contending teams that never quite got the job done.

 

In that regard, I can't blame the guy if he wants out or if the organization just decides not to retain him.
Much easier to replace the coach than it is to turn over an entire roster in short order.

 

But long term, the Wild need a guy who is willing to be around for a roster turnover.
Still though, none of it will matter if the owner insists on playing GM and coach as well.

This post is absurd.  Boudreau was just fine for the organization, IF IT LET HIM DO HIS JOB.  The problem is, it won't change the power dynamic that would undermine ANY coach this team has.  Russo seems to think Boudreau still has support from Leipold and he's still under contract (at $3 million per year) for 2019-20 and then another 2 years as an advisor.  

While Fenton may want to promote his friend Dean Evason...what will that really change?  You think Suter and Parise will suddenly start to listen to this guy who's never been an NHL bench boss before?  See Mike Yeo...

For all your want to get rid of Boudreau, this team never COMPLETELY GAVE UP on Boudreau the way they did with Yeo.  This team disappointed at home, yes.  But I think we recognize that isn't Boudreau's issue.  He's doing the job and quite honestly, the team needs him more than he needs the team.  He doesn't have to prove himself with this franchise.  

Ownership isn't as much playing the GM in this case; but he's allowing a toxic power dynamic to rule his franchise and the GM and Coach is supposed to sort of work around it.  The problem is...you can't.  You can try to shuffle other lines etc, but you have to always keep #20 and #11 happy first above anything else.  Above wins, anything...as long as those two are content and are not going to whine about their playing time and opportunity.  Sorry, that makes it untenable for any coach to really make it work; especially as these two highly paid, highly entitled players get older, slower and more fragile. 

The dope story is that Boudreau's dead man walking...but unless he leaves on his own, I think he'll stay for now.  After this season, unless we see a dramatic shift in the team's fortunes you're probably right.  But this season wasn't a dumpster fire because of Boudreau...it is because of the culture of very comfortable veteran players who show up and play when they feel like it.  And I don't think all of them really want to win it all.  I think many are fine with the low pressure, unreal autonomy to do as they wish and if that means the season ends in early April then so be it.  

Like others have noted...look who had a smile on his face after our recent home shutout loss against Boston.  That says it all right there...  

1 hour ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

@EJ0226

 

Well, after looking at your points, I agree with some..

 

---Team Identity.
Definitely.
What kind of team are the Wild going to be? They were at their best when the team knew how they wanted to play, and everyone played to that tune and personally, despite the size disadvantage, I prefer the team stay small, fast, and smart......leave the big and lumbering for other teams, and unless the Wild can get ahold of some REAL power forwards, playing the "big man" game simply isn't the way to go for this organization.

Also, they need to decided whether they want to play as a balanced team, offense first, or defense first.
Here, I think either balanced or offense would work given who they have and who could be available for them....goes with the small, fast, but SMART identity.

 

This of course, means the goalie will see some quality chances that he HAS to stop, particularly if the team goes offense first. Is Dubnyk up to that task? I want to say, yes, for the most part, despite him letting in a questionable goal here and there...thing is, if the team can really put goals on the board, they should be able to absorb any Duby lapses, so long as for the most part, he plays solid.

 

---Focus and developing prospects/ better scouts
I put those together because I feel they go hand in hand. Good scouts will seek out the prime raw talents and they should push for the refining of their finds, maybe work a bit with the actual junior and minor league coaches, to ensure those guys have a legit shot to be good NHL players.

Along with this, any scouts should NOT shy away from a bit of diversity with regards to countries of origin. A good player is a good player...regardless of whether he is Scandinavian, Russian, Czech, Slovakian, Latvian, or North American. 
Don't worry about language barriers, don't worry about past "butt hurts" due to some players from certain countries not working out.

IMO, they didn't work out because the scouts did a lousy job in gauging how much those players really wanted to be part of the Wild and the NHL....it is on the scouts to do their homework, find those guys who really want to be North American stars and play for the team. It's a people skills thing, I think. Do the Wild have such employees? That is a good question...

 

---Craig Leipold needs to keep his proboscis OUT of team operations.
Yes, he is the owner, and he has ultimate say what is done with HIS money, however, what is the point of hiring people....then not letting them do their jobs to their fullest ability...THEN want to hold them accountable when they fail?? Makes zero sense.

One thing the Wild could learn from a team I follow very closely, like the Lightning is, the owner has complete say who works for his organization, but once hired, he LETS THEM DO THEIR DAMNED JOBS! Unless one of his employees is constantly screwing something up, he basically, like you said, signs the checks, and just oversees and enjoys the fruits of labor of the people HE hired!

Let the GM be the GM, let the coach be the coach...owner should support the GM, the GM should support the coach, and so on.
I don't know what the dynamic of this Wild organization is right now, but if the owner is hockey's version of George Steinbrenner (back when ol George was always interfering with his own team...and yes, its a baseball reference for those who don't know), then this organization will have many more dark years to look forward to, and will have a HELL of a time attracting and keeping quality management, coaches, and yes, players.

 

----Managing ice time based on merit, not contract.
This is actually a no-brainer and goes on with MANY organizations, though obviously, contract usually dictates who is expected to lead the way (that IS why they are getting the big money, right?).

But for this to work, a strong chain of command infrastructure has to exist. There has to be a strong head coach who isn't afraid to make an unpopular decision...and have his GM back him up (note I said GM, NOT owner....because the owner should be backing the GM anyways if all is well).

It doesn't even have to be a "punishment thing" with managing players TOI, but rather a professional understanding that the head coach will need to ice and use certain players based on what he feels gives the team the best chance to win. Simple as that.
A real professional will understand that, and if a player wants to sulk, then he can sulk....it will only hurt his OWN reputation.

Once again, because I see how the organization is run, a team like Tampa Bay is so good not only because of talent, but because of how the players are managed.....they have guys making $5M+ on the 3rd or 4th lines due to how the coach feels best to deploy his team....but then again, the coach, GM, and owner all play their proper roles over there, and players understand, either you pull with the team, or you don't play, or even more strict, you are OUT....and the team isn't afraid to buy people out if necessary.

Things the Wild could learn to do as well.

Anyways, this post ran on longer than I intended, and didn't even touch up on everything swirling through my head.
Just a couple things that immediately jumped out at me reading your post.

I know one off season won't solve all these things and it will be extra tough to get the chain of command set straight, but some things like the scouting, development, and team identity CAN be done in one off season.....if the organization really commits itself to it.

Some of the players can talk to the owner and get what they wish.  As long as that stays as it has...no coach or GM can succeed.  Same is true for Culture.  You can't change the culture if the main part that sets the tone for that culture still does its own thing with ZERO accountability.  The coach can try, but he knows he'll be fired if he does.  The GM can try, but he knows he'll be fired if he does.  

As far as the scouts go.  FIRE THEM ALL.  Honestly, its painful how many years they've been given considering how many failed picks we have.  Russo pointed this out rather correctly in his last podcast.  We can't even develop players for our 3rd and 4th lines on a consistent basis.  We often end up signing older vets at usually over a million or two-million per season to fill those spots.  Why?  

But back to the scouts.  Their last 1st round pick was so f%%ing awful, not even the Swedish National Team GM (Johan Garpenlov) even had heard of him.  He seriously had no freakin' clue who he was and then seem baffled we even drafted him let alone in the 1st round.  

But no one on this scouting staff should be retained.  Not one, especially if the goal is to get fresh eyes on this organization.  

#20 dictates his ice time, his partner and all of his opportunities.  Hell, #20 was not even listening to his freakin' doctors and trainers.  He did what the hell he wanted.  He comes off the ice when he feels like it.  He probably almost hops over the boards when he feels like it.  

I don't really care how much they want to be on the Wild.  So, by that...the Wild were correct in sinking more money and limited no-trade clause into Staal just because he said he really wanted to be here?  C'mon...we really have to be what can you do for me now.  Not...what have you done for me in the past.  Otherwise we're doubling down on the same culture / work ethic / sense of entitlement you claim to want to diminish.  Sorry...its too easy to just say that, get the money you want and then kind of take up space.  Which is what we're mostly going to get out of #12 for the next two seasons.  

Take the freakin' homer glasses off.  This team is still hot trash...with a big opportunity to improve its situation or make it worse.  Based on the Bitetto addition and the demands to play that POS, the Rask / Nino trade, the Staal re-signing and the incredibly short-sighted 1-for-1 deal with a team in our own division in the Granlund / Fiala shame...I'm going to guess its going to be the latter.  

53 minutes ago, EJ0226 said:

Honestly, if they just cut the core 3 TOI and not put them out there in Key situations well keeping them in check it would go a long ways.
We need to focus on the youth and put them in the drivers seat. We can put the core 3 up on the roof rack with the luggage. I was impressed with Sturm and his drive and passion. It was so fresh and actually got me excited to see the Wild one last time this season. I hope on Saturday he can snag a sharp looking goal. My dream would be for the Wild to start most of the younger guys and they go out there and light it up and give the Wild their most impressive win of the season.

 

We don't need to sign a ton of players or huge names if we can do what I said above. At this point @CreaseAndAssist has said with his sources that locker room is a huge mess. Before 11 & 20 showed up we really didn't have that problem but every since them came in there has always seem to be a locker room problem. Then factor in the Parise, Suter and Oates ordeal and it doesn't take out much to figure out where it starts. Of course 11 & 20 are best of friends with CL. Hell Suter has said about him going out to supper with CL. It's very unprofessional both by the owner and player. How could that locker room not be a mess. You got two guys who do what they want and go hang out with the owner well the rest never get that treatment.

The owner is going to do whatever he wants.  Suter is his employee.  But the more they let Suter do whatever he wants...the more it undermines the organization's credibility let alone the locker room. 

6 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed with what the Wild do this off-season...

I agree.  I have a bad feeling it will involve Joe Pavelski and overpaying him on what he did San Jose and seeing it not happen here.  

1 hour ago, EJ0226 said:

Thank you. I am still on the side that we really don't have a game changer/ franchise changer. I would need to see Dumba have two full season like the one he was having this season to change my mind on him. I think he has a very high upside now and I was one who was very worried about him.

I would love to hear more on this. I know you can't give out your sources but you probably recall from the old boards I was and still am certain this was true. I always see some groups and individuals on this team and not a whole unit. And what my instincts say is the cancer starts at 11 and 20. I don't think 9 was originally like that but got tainted. 9 never seem to appear selfish or had locker room issues until 11 and 20 showed up. I think 40 is probably a good guy in the locker room but wants to hang with the cool kids and stays around them but doesn't say much. I think 12 was fine when he first got here but then seen you are either with the cool kids who have the say on the team or you are one of the outcasts that the team will get rid of.

I wish I could share more.  I will simply say that its through multiple sources.  

Decent points Empty Shelf.  I don't disagree with any of them.  

I'd only suggest the Country Club is a little bigger than #20, #11, #9 (by the way the order is deliberate).  I'd toss in #40 and #12 to that mix.  While I don't think #12 demands as much as #20 and #11 or #9 do, I do think we didn't want to upset the fellow Over-30 crowd by shipping him off to be a rental even though it would've been beneficial to the team both in the long run (afterall we gave up on a chance for 1st and a player and still could've signed him back this summer).  But #12 has been dead legs most of the season.  

As for #40, I think he chooses when he starts.  And instead of getting your starter upset, we let him try to work through rough patches with more starts and play back to backs when its clear he's often less focused due to fatigue.  So I think that makes him a part of that Country Club that is beyond Boudreau's control.  

As far as the locker room goes.  You are 100% spot on.  I have a few different sources and they've confirmed to me what I've been speculating all along.  The locker room is a mess and it is known throughout the league that the team has dysfunction and its not likely to change anytime soon.  

Iowa choked another game away last night.  They were up 3-1 going into the 3rd and lost 4-3 in OT.  Mayhew had a hat trick.  The losing streak is at 7 games and counting and that big cushion they had in the standings is mostly gone now.  

These last two losses against Texas were at home.  Now they have to try to get back on track against Tucson who visits early this week.  I watched part of their game on Friday thanks to Bear, and I liked the speed of the team and early on they looked great and then it just kind of fell apart.  

I think Iowa misses Matt Read and Kapla a bit.  I know they have some young college players they have on ATO's, but they really need to get back to their roots.  

Yes when I saw that...I think I almost threw up in my mouth.  So resilient just to come back and glide or stand around on the ice.  Honestly...just watch him.  In many cases in his own end, he just sort of turns and reaches and spins out there.  But will anyone in this organization call him out on that lazy play?  Nope...because they know all it takes is one phone call from #20 to ownership and you're gone.  It kind of reminds me of that old horror movie about the kid with unlimited power; and the family letting the kid do whatever they wish because they just hope to avoid being killed by this kid.