CreaseAndAssist

I don't care where the player is from.  As long as they can help, bury goals and brings speed and works hard each night I am feeling confident I'd want them on my team.  

The Wild have often settled for the safe pick.  The fact that most of our scouting staff is STILL intact at this point concerns me a lot.  I hear P.J. Fenton is running the show now, but the 2019 draft will be telling since its really Fenton's 1st draft he's engineered from the start.  

IMO, Fenton has a ton to prove and this is supposedly his strength so my expectations are pretty high.  If we see another Filip Johansson type of pick...we'll know the old scouts are still running the show.  

We drafted another Russian defenseman once besides Tyulyapkin.  Georgi Misharin...he played a little bit in the OHL if memory serves me correctly and then went back to Russia.  But, the team has mostly avoided Russians until recently.  Sokolov had a great end to end goal last night.  

On 3/11/2019 at 12:57 PM, Villette/Lavaux said:

 

I remember exactly this thread in the old message boards and we had a lot of interesting discussion about it. Almost 8 years from and I feel it was yesterday... I wrote a whole bunch of thoughts in an "outside" perspective and I would love to try to dig a bit in my memories and try to end up with a novel...

 

As in some of the moves there were a lot unhappy circumstances that led to the move. Of course, Norm Green but I won't depict him as the 100% villain. Like @ClusterChuck said, the franchise didn't help itself a lot. That was also the beginning of the Buttman's era and the commisioner was hired for one thing: develop the hockey market in the south, no matter what. After the North Stars, the Jets left with the Nordiques and the Whalers. Meanwhile new expansion teams took place in Florida, Tampa Bay, Anaheim. The timing was pretty bad.

 

Also, the building. It's the same of what the Senators, the Panthers and the Coyotes are through today: a facility in a no man's land. Having the Met Center in the suburb was not ideal at all and it needed upgrades and renovations. The thing that still bugs me is why it was not possible to play at the new Target Center in downtown Minneapolis ?? I heard the argument that is was due to advertisement contracts and sponsoring (Pepsi vs Coca Cola or something like that). A lot of places use the same building for both basketball and hockey and I'm still wondering why it was not an option at that time. And speaking about basketball, The Timberwolves was new in the city and there was some hype around them. I do understand that the city didn't want to put taxpayers' money again in a sport building, but it didn't seem to have a strong willingness to do something in favor of the franchise. Again, bad timing on that too...

 

Finally, the other college hockey was working pretty well. So the people had this to think about. Why paying a huge amount of money to see a loser team why other teams in which we better identify ourselves are winning, and moreover for less money ?

 

You can correct me if I'm wrong on certain aspects, but yes the loss stung a lot but I don't put the blame solely on Norm Green. Dis he want to move at the very first second he purchased the team ? Maybe, maybe not. Did he play fair? Maybe not. But I'm still buying the argument that the main reason for the move was the economic situation and the opportunity to grow a market elsewhere with all the perspectives it implied.

 

Everybody had its part of guilt at some extent.

(shrugs)  I think his growing legal troubles here gave him more than nudge to move the team too.  The fanbase still wanted to support the North Stars, they were just tired of seeing a crappy product for so long.  I think he tried; to a token amount and when everything didn't line up just the way he wanted...he decided to bolt to Dallas.  Green burned some bridges and his style caused many to bolt.  

I think the better What if...is if this team won a Stanley Cup in 1990-91 or even 1981.  Could that have changed things.  I know I wrote an article about that too a few years ago.  

On 3/11/2019 at 11:38 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

I'm guessing that franchise stays in Arizona until the Rapture, because if it ever moves, it means Bettman was wrong, and we all know Bettman can't be wrong...if it does move, it will move after Bettman steps down as commissioner...

 

I'm surprised there hasn't been more rumblings about the Panthers moving...I've seen PeeWee games draw more...

Meh, not sure I buy that.  He obviously had to admit it was wrong in being in Atlanta and that relocation worked out great.  

25 minutes ago, IllaZilla said:

It is interesting to take a look back on why the team left. I know a lot of people like to blame Norm Green as the sole reason the team left, but the North Stars as an organization did themselves no favors either. Poor drafting, poor trades, mediocre results. Not something to get the fan base excited about...

 

But the League did seem almost too eager to let the team relocate. I mean, how many times has the league stepped in to keep the Coyotes in Arizona?

Yea, it is interesting.  Although I really wonder if they'd spare them from relocation today.  My guess is they'd love to move that franchise to Houston.  

Why did the Minnesota North Stars leave Minnesota for Dallas?

Since today marks the 26th anniversary of the announcement the North Stars were leaving for Dallas I tried to find my article I wrote back in 2011.  Much to my horror it had disappeared because the site I wrote it on no longer exists.  Thankfully it was archived via the Way Back Machine.  So I took it and updated it a bit and re-issued it.  Enjoy...and discuss.  

On 3/5/2019 at 8:35 PM, IllaZilla said:

 I’m a bit surprised you have Johansson that high up....either he’s better than we thought he was or the Wild have ZERO defensive prospects..,

(shrugs)  We really don't have much in the way of defensive prospects, especially non NHL / AHL ones.  I am not counting anyone in Iowa.  Otherwise you'd have Belpedio, Soucy and Menell in this mix. 

Johansson gets put here partly because he better be at least at this level otherwise they missed terribly.  While his stats are rancid, its tough to gauge because I don't see him very much.  His inability to make the WJC squad was certainly a red flag for me; even if Sweden is a pretty decent hockey factory.  

We did sign Connor Dewar to a 3-year entry level deal late last week though...so there is that.    

On 3/4/2019 at 10:02 AM, Alexandron said:

Last night game finally gave us a win in regulation against Ontario with a score 5:4. Our team was able to put 45 shots towards Ontario net and also to put 4 out of 6 PP goals. Brennan Menell (our defenseman ) was a star in that game too by having 5 assists, which is a rare achievement. In 53 games so far this season Brennan having 2 goals and 30 assists,+/- +13.

That was a big win for Iowa, who had a pretty good California road trip.  Menell has been quietly productive all season.  Rau, Mayhew, O'Reilly, Mennell and when he's there Read continue to be the workhorses for this team.  

Bad news, the Iowa Wild squandered a 4-1 lead with just 3 minutes left in the 3rd period to lose 5-4 in overtime to Ontario.  They play their 3rd game in 3 days this early evening.  Rau had a hat trick last night.  Kahkonen had 49 saves in the loss.  

On 2/22/2019 at 6:26 PM, Starofthenorth said:

The wild are sure in need of players that can put the puck in the net. The wild should have scouted more thoroughly and managed their prospects completely differently. I can only hope that the current management can learn from the previous management's mistakes. 

Dewar hasn't played the last few games for Everett.  I think he's hurt or sick.  Ivan Lodnia returned to action since being hurt since mid-December.  I don't think our prospect pool is completely empty but here's my Top 15 of Wild prospects not in the AHL / NHL.  The gaps are intentional...as I think there is a significant drop off in these places.  The fact there is no one goaltender in this group should be a bit concerning...although Russo has said the organization is very interested in Mat Robson (Minnesota) and to a lesser extend Hunter Shepard (UMD).  Not many quality defensive prospects either.  

1. LW, Kirill Kaprizov (CSKA Moscow, KHL)

2.  C, Connor Dewar (Everett, WHL)

3.  RW, Ivan Lodnia (Niagara, OHL)

4.  C/W, Ivan Khovanov (Moncton, QMJHL)

5.  D, Filip Johansson (Leksands IF, Allsvenskan)

6.  RW, Nick Swaney (Minnesota-Duluth, NCHC)

7.  LW, Brandon Duhaime (Providence, Hockey East)

8. C, Andrei Svetlakov (CSKA Moscow, KHL)

9. C/W, Sam Hentges (St. Cloud State, NCHC)

10.  RW, Shawn Boudrias (Cape Breton, QMJHL)

11. C, Damien Giroux (Saginaw, OHL)

12. D, Simon Johansson (Almtuna, Allsvenskan)

13. D, Jacob Golden (Erie, OHL)

14. D, Nick Boka (Michigan, Big 10)

15. D, Jack Sadek (Minnesota, Big 10)

Iowa had a big 5-4 win over San Antonio last night.  Read with 2 goals and a helper.  Gerald Mayhew has really been great since Kloos left; 16 goals, +12...2nd on the team in scoring.  Sokolov with the OT game winner,  his 10th of the season.  Belpedio with 3 assists, Kapla with 2 assists.  Kapla has been played reasonably well since the trade.  Kahkonen with the win; not his best game but he got it done.  

On another note...Connor Dewar had no points last night, first time in a long while since that's happened but he went 23-for-29 on his draws in Everett's 1-0 loss.  

17 hours ago, Icechipper said:

Some college hockey guys there with Kunin (Wisconsion) Rau (Minnesota) Brown (UMD) and Prosser (Colorado College). And our newest blue line additions Bitetto (Northeastern) and Hunt (Bemidji State University). Say what you like, but our farm system is well educated.

Well even since Fletcher got here, the team became far more apt to draft and sign college players.  Risebrough never seemed to care too much for the college-trained guys.  But I think more and more teams are seeing the benefits of developing a player who ends up being more physically and mentally mature.  

8 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Nice to see the Baby Wild sitting in second place in the Western Conference...hopefully they can keep it going and make the Playoffs...

Cal O'Reilly keeps leading the way, while Sam Anas and Gerald Mayhew has seemed to have been the ones to step up their game in Kloos' absence.  Will Bitten has also starting to become a regular on the stat sheet and Kyle Rau is also raising his game.  Sometimes, a trade like this lets you find out just what you have or do not have.  So far, Iowa seems to have some scoring depth even if they do not have some dominant go-to player.  

(shrugs)  I don't think the Wild were all that interested in what Kloos could give them; even if it meant having a good go-to guy in Iowa.  I think the fact Aberg has NHL skill and is cheap and the Ducks obviously didn't want him because they didn't ask for much in return is both good and bad.  

For Iowa, they have a fair amount of scoring depth.  Kloos was their best scorer, it hurts but they roll 4 lines and have a decent amount of skill on each.  Obviously someone down there will have to step up.  Almost surprised it wasn't Kyle Rau since he had a hat trick against San Diego with the Ducks' bosses watching the game.  

If he doesn't take off or skips practices and other dumb stuff...he'll be gone the way of Mattias Weinhandl.  But the risk IMO is pretty minimal for the Wild.  

19 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

I'm not sure why there is this "Let's bring all the kids up now!" mentality. The Wild isn't in rebuild mode. They are trying to make the Playoffs with a veteran roster. Let the players on the Baby Wild mature at their own pace. It's a long season. Things happen. Look at what was posted after the first couple of weeks with the parent club: "The Wild are on pace for 105 points! Yeah, Baby!" One injury and the team immediately goes into free fall. Suddenly they are on pace for 88 points and the distinct possibility of missing the Playoffs for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. Which might be good for the parent club and wake up a few of the sleds on the roster...

 

Let these guys in Iowa get a full season under their belt. Let them show what they can do over a full season, not a brief snapshot in time. Let them get into the AHL Playoffs and learn to deal with that pressure before throwing them into the pressure cooker of the NHL Playoffs...

 

 

I agree with you 100%!  

3 hours ago, Bear said:

got to agree

I think most goalies are head cases and coming from overseas I think the kid has more to deal with, different style of play culture maybe even language at least give him a year to assimilate. Im with crease and assist and tomdog and fargo on this one maybe he can step right in maybe he cant. We dont need to right now we are winning and both of the big clubs goalies are healthy so let him be. No need to rush him along

I would keep him in Iowa splitting time with Hammond.  We shouldn't rush him or any prospect IMO, let them arrive when they are ready.  Is he playing well right now?  Yes, but why rush him?  

IMO, keep the kids in Iowa.  Kahkonen is playing well, but the team in front of him has played pretty well too.  Eriksson Ek, for all of the ranting about him...he's putting up points for Iowa.  Sokolov has been scratched the last few games.  O'Reilly's back too which has certainly helped their offense.  

The best part of Iowa is their depth.  It's fun listening to games because this team rolls 4 lines that can score and they skate well.  Army seems to be a great fit as coach for this club.  

Hammond was in net for that game too.  Milwaukee is the top team in that super tough division.  They have another tough game this afternoon against Chicago.  So if you want to listen to them before the Wild's game this early evening...I know I'll be tuning in.  I'll have some highlights of Iowa's game against Milwaukee in my post-gamer.  As well as some other prospect news.  

Wow, 8-7.  I am mad I missed it, but we were driving back to the Twin Cities.  Well Justin Kloos had 6 points last night, 3 goals, 3 assists.  But yea, let's bring up Kunin because he's a 1st round pick (where have we seen this flawed philosophy before?).  Sokolov had a goal too and led the team with 7 shots on goal which is what he used to do as a junior player.  Iowa is much better team than it has in recent seasons because they do have better depth overall.  The defense corps isn't just a bunch of ECHL no names like it used to be in its first few years.  

I think they'll be ok once O'Reilly comes back.  Some of their late-season college pick ups from last year continue to play pretty well in Fitzgerald and McLain.  

On 12/18/2018 at 12:04 PM, IllaZilla said:

 

I noticed in that San Antonio game there were a lot of penalties (9). And like you said, some of them are mental: Kakhonen playing the puck in the restricted area, a Too Many Men on the Ice (I absolutely abhor this penalty. It's a high school penalty. Get your head in the game!) And the Wild keeping Kunin up at the big club probably hasn't helped either...

Losing Kunin has hurt a bit.  But I'd still argue Cal O'Reilly's absence has been a bigger deal; especially on the power play.  You're right, lots of dumb mental mistakes in that game.  

On the prospect front, two Wild prospects were involved in trades in major junior.  Dereck Baribeau a 6'6" goalie was dealt from Quebec to Baie-Comeau which is probably a good thing because he was splitting time with the Remparts, and Shawn Boudrias got dealt from Gatineau to Cape Breton.  Both players are overagers, so these are typical deals by clubs looking to add depth for a run towards their respective league championship.  We'll see if it results in more production for both.  Boudrias had a good start, but he's tailed off in recent weeks and I think he's been hurt too.  

12 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Sounds like they are pretty short handed in Iowa right now. It does sound like Hammond is almost back, so maybe that takes some pressure off Kahkonen. 

Motte hasn't been bad.  Its the power play scoring tailing off and the penalties that have been the bigger story IMO.  Early in the season Iowa was converting on the power play at nearly a 30% clip.  Not having Sam Anas (hand injury) and Cal O'Reilly has really set that back.  But Hammond returning certainly would not hurt, especially for Kahkonen's confidence as you said.    

2 hours ago, Alexandron said:

Dear lord, Zdeno Chara is even taller - 6'9", 250 lb and in his 41 y.o. age is still a captain of Boston Bruins.

 

Anyway, it was a nice first start for Falkovsky, but unfortunately, our Iowa Wild team lost yesterday with a score 2:5. Kohkonen was in the net. Our brick wall is losing its steadiness and definitely needs a support from the defense and even forwards to build his (Kaapo Kohkonen) confidence again. Actually our both young goaltenders need team's support. We need also more wins in regulation (too many OT games with loses for the team). It seems our team's production is suffering , especially from the defense. Hope, the most tallest guys Soucy, Warner, Falkovsky will start to shoot more pucks towards the net.  

John Scott was 6'8", but Falkovsky didn't light the world on fire in his debut.  Iowa has lost 5 of their last 6 games.  Penalties have really dogged this team, many times the preventable variety.  They also miss Cal O'Reilly way more than I'm sure they'd care to admit.  Sokolov has been making a bigger mark on the scoresheet while Rau has tailed off.  Read is playing well now.  

Stepan Falkovsky, a 6'7" defenseman with some mobility and offensive ability getting his debut with the Iowa Wild this afternoon.  

On 12/13/2018 at 5:34 PM, Fargocase said:

Obviously this proves kakonen sucks.  Three bad games in a row?  He sucks!  Just like Doobie.  Carrys the team for six weeks, then has a couple bad games = proof he sucks.  Even though if you watched the Tor game, for example, a blind man could see the goals weren't his fault.

Ok Greenlay...

Kahkonen has lost his last 3 starts.  He's not playing awful, but being the #1 goalie (with Hammond still hurt) is probably feeling the challenge of carrying most of the workload.  But please go back to talking about which posters you'd like to get a room with...that's Iowa Wild related discussion I'm sure!