CreaseAndAssist

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

 

Thanks.

 

You'd think the Wild would have a better handle on their farm club rather than what you described. It appears they almost treated it like an afterthought rather than a developmental tool for their prospects...

I wrote this a few years back...after Kleinendorst shared his views on the state of the team after he was fired...

Kleinendorst's 2 cents on the Iowa Wild (2015)

On 12/9/2018 at 12:31 PM, IllaZilla said:

I'd like to see your thoughts on why Iowa's been less than successful as a farm club for the Wild. You are a lot more in tune with the Iowa Wild than I am.

 

Is it the coaching?

Is it lack of talent?

Does  the parent club have a flawed development philosophy?

Combination of two or more of these?

Something else?

Lack of scoring depth was a major reason for the first few seasons.  There wasn't many prospects that had a scoring pedigree, mostly character guys and playmakers than finishers.  Iowa was so bad offensively the for the first 3 seasons, just getting to two goals was an accomplishment.  The 'ringers' the Wild brought there often got hurt (Bartley and Dalpe) or simply didn't contribute as they hoped they would.  At times in the first few years, the injuries in Iowa and Minnesota forced Iowa to use a lot of ECHL'ers to fill out their roster.  I think it also compelled Iowa to soldier on with lower quality prospects just to fill out their roster so they were exposed for that lack of quality.  

And if they did have a prospect playing well Minnesota would call them up...like Haula and Zucker.   The team has finally signed some college free agents and a few out of major junior that have really helped the depth.  Fitzgerald, Mayhew, McLain, Kloos and Menell, Mitchell are good examples of that.  

"Failed Ringers"

Brett Sutter

Zac Dalpe

Jake Dowell

Pat Cannone

Victor Bartley

Ruslan Fedotenko

Teemu Pulkkinen

Michael Keranen

Maxime Fortunus

Failed Prospects

Zack Phillips

Mario Lucia

Christoph Berschy

Raphael Bussieres

Tyler Graovac

Brett Bulmer

Chase Lang

Adam Gilmour

Some of it had to do with attitudes as Kurt Kleinendorst, John Torchetti hinted at.  Players unwilling to work, vets coasting at times and poor attitudes.  Lalonde got more out of them, until the goaltending fell apart in March last year causing them to miss the playoffs.  I've heard from people closer to what's going on in Iowa and that at times its been a shitshow environment.  I think Army and Kurvers as well as the group that's there have infused a more demanding / higher expectations.  

Cal O'Reilly, Kyle Rau, Matt Bartkowski and Andrew Hammond have been good examples for the younger players so far.   (knock on wood)

54 minutes ago, IllaZilla said:

This is nice to see Iowa being left alone to develop into something more than a doormat. Would really be nice to see them turn into the next Grand Rapids Griffins or Milwaukee Admirals...hopefully Fenton brings that Nashville development philosophy to the Wild now.

Yes, I'd agree...to see them develop in a winning environment would be great.  Its tough to develop winning habits when your team is a doormat each season.  

On 12/8/2018 at 12:53 AM, Hockey-78 said:

This kind of performance (sh1t show) our goalies Dubnyk and Stalock produced against the Oilers kind of amplifies my point and fear: this season might be done and dusted if we don't have/use other alternatives. Dubnyk obviously is a wreck and yet BB lets him start way too often. He can't handle the minutes, we've seen this in the previous seasons. We can rightfully blame the team for not showing up enough but there were a couple of horrible goals both goalies allowed.

 

While I'm writing this I notice that Kahkonen didn't have a particularly good game either, in fact his worst this season. Maybe Iowa too has been giving him too many starts? And yet, he has by far the best numbers in AHL. Well, a month from now and we'll probably know a lot more.

With Hammond injured they probably felt they had to ride Kahkonen more.  Last night they used C.J. Motte, their ECHL call up and they played better and got a big win against Grand Rapids.  Motte has been solid as a call up this year for Iowa.  

On another note, Luke Kunin and Dmitry Sokolov have been heating up offensively.  And Gerald Mayhew and Gerry Fitzgerald are both underrated.  Louie Belpedio has had a solid rookie season, even if the offensive production he had in college hasn't translated yet.  

23 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

^

This is why Kakhonen needs to stay in Iowa. Granted, he can't do anything about causing the power plays, but if he's as great as everyone seems to think he is, shouldn't he have done better in this game? It's not like the power plays were one after the other, and Chicago's power play clocks in at just over 21%. There was one power play in the second and then two in the third (one right away and then another 12 minutes later).

 

He's getting more experience playing every game in Iowa than he would being the door opener on the Wild bench.

I agree 100%.  Keeping him there is only helping him develop.  

9 hours ago, Alexandron said:

Unfortunately, it was a not good finish for that game. After 3:0 for the Wild it turned to 3:3 in regulation (Wolves put 3 PP goals out of 6 PP). We went in OT and lost it at the last minute with a final score 4:3 . Chicago out-shot us 30:19.  But at least we have got 1 point.

I don't care, blowing a 3-0 lead is bad no matter how you slice it.  That was a game Iowa has to win.  

Dubnyk has been pretty suspect.  But I agree with the premise to keep Kahkonen in Iowa.  He's playing really well there, and that's great to see...but it doesn't mean he'd thrive playing for the big club.  I'm just happy it appears (knock on wood) we have a viable goaltending prospect.  

3 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

 

 Holmgren was better than Risebrough. That's no comfort.

Yet consider the fact ownership has never been willing to be really bad.  Tough to draft blue chippers when you are rarely ever in the Top 15.  I think he could be ok, maybe he learned something in his time with Shero.  Besides you don't have a Suter whose BFF's with the owner to undercut him.  

2 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

Nothing resembling reality or reflecting proven track record says Fletcher is remotely competent. 

He's competent...he just hasn't won a Stanley Cup as GM.  Trust me, Fletcher was far better than Risebrough.  

1 minute ago, ruxpin said:

It would also be an acid trip. 

More like angel dust but then you'll find out it was just cane sugar instead, he'll hype the crap out of your young players...then give away 2nd round picks like candy as well as no movement clauses.  

However as a draft guy...he often opts for safe picks than the home run ones.  Dumba was the closest high risk player he ever drafted.  Otherwise we had lots of safe ones; many of which turned out to be as exciting as North Dakota is to drive through.  

1 hour ago, mojo1917 said:

@CreaseAndAssist

Thanks for those thoughts, btw super clever name. 

 

After reading through that I don't understand why you don't hate him.

He killed your farm team, he rushed young guys, he didn't seem to care about salary controlled young players (Dumba) he extended old guys, Kiovu, he signed great players to franchise crippling contracts with NMCs...

I almost hate him for you. (Sports hate- not, you know, real hate).

 

We had all those things and more ! 15 years of paying Ilya Bryzgalov to not play for us from Homer, no one in their right mind is looking forward to Homer 2.0 the Ivy league addition. 

 

You can blame the Minnesota Wild for my name actually.  DM me and I'll tell you the story.  

12 minutes ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

A few things...and what I'm about to say might surprise you.  

 

I don't hate Chuck Fletcher.  But here are a few things you should know and what should concern you.  

 

Obviously the decision from Flyers' higher ups to cut loose Ron Hextall was the thought his ideas were not enough about winning now.  Chuck Fletcher was given the same 'win now' mantra too; especially after we signed Ryan Suter and Zach Parise to their big, super long term contracts which are looking more and more like an albatross by the game.  But I won't blame Fletcher too much on that one, as that mandate to bring those two in came from the owner hoping to net the Winter Classic...instead we got a Stadium Series game.  But I digress..

 

Fletcher sold off picks and prospects looking for players that would help push the Wild from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender.  Ultimately we never reached that true Stanley Cup contender status because this team was too old by the time he started making such moves.  Also, the big salaries diminished what was left in cap space and even though we spent to the roof the younger promising core didn't quite all turn out as awesome as some in our management expected them to.  

 

So, one big advantage for your Flyers have, for the moment is that Chuck Fletcher did not draft these crop of prospects you have in your system and in development.  That is a good thing.  However, the bad thing is...don't get too attached because they might be shipped for 2nd tier players in the quest to add depth to your club.  See Martin Hanzal, see Matt Moulson, see Jason Pominville for how that all turned out. 

 

He also might ship a star player with the hope of getting a slightly cheaper almost good guy like he did with the Brent Burns trade here.  We got Devin Setoguchi, prospect Charlie Coyle (who we're still waiting to see realize his potential) and a 1st round pick that was a total bust.  Not that great of a return for trading away a Norris trophy defenseman.  Fletcher also dealt Nick Leddy and at the time our best veteran defenseman (former Flyer Kim Johnsson) to Chicago for Cam Barker.  But he had some fairly good moves too; the trade of Cal Clutterbuck for Nino Niederreiter was pretty good from a points perspective.  Dealing a 4th round pick for Devan Dubnyk also seems like a pretty nice steal.   Signing Eric Staal for a 3-year deal at $3.5 million has certainly been a savvy move.  

 

Yet, on the positive.  Chuck Fletcher wasn't afraid to pull the trigger.  He wasn't afraid to try to swing a deal, and his moves were far more bold and risky than the moves of his predecessor Doug Risebrough.  Risebrough's favorite move was the waiver wire.  While we drafted some tougher character guys at times in Fletcher's tenure, many of them failed to be an impact.   Fletcher may swing and miss, but rarely is he going to stand by and watch the pitch. 

 

One other thing I'd point out is, get used to rushing young players.  Especially if its win-now.  The Wild burned a year of Dumba's entry level deal, giving him too many games before sending him back to junior anyway.  Prospects seasoning in the minors will get called up instead of letting them develop at their own, natural pace.  I think this is another area the Flyers would be wise to be wary of Fletcher's record because while it may seem to help fill holes in the short term in more or less guts your farm team.  Since the Wild moved their AHL affiliate to Iowa, they've never been in the playoffs.  Fletcher gets canned...prospects stay put and suddenly they're a winner and that means your prospects get meaningful time to develop in the AHL playoffs.  The AHL playoffs is a great place to let the prospects get tons of meaningful ice time, in high pressure situations.  Fletcher didn't seem to care as much about that and felt that a youngster could just get better through osmosis even if he was a regular healthy scratch with the big club.  IMO, that's not a good plan.  

 

The Wild tried to win now, and ultimately it was probably 2-3 years too old to make it happen.   But how much pain will the Wild be in...saddled by those big contracts.  Fletcher's decision to grant them No Movement Clauses which further ties up your flexibility under the cap.  I know the agents wanted those, but they didn't have to give those out.  Great and painful example.  We extended then 35-year old center Mikko Koivu (a player who has never had 22 goals in an NHL season even though he's been our #1 center most of the time) to two more years AND gave him a no movement clause.  Sorry...but that's just awful.  

 

And now Fletcher's yours...good luck!  

Oh, I saw a comment about trading for Bryzgalov.  That actually was a pretty necessary move.  Especially with our goaltending issue the way it was with Harding's Multiple Sclerosis, Kuemper's mental fragility, and Backstrom's phantom wrist injury to force the club to have keep him another season.  He didn't stay much longer, but all in all...he was fun add for us.  

1 hour ago, Alexandron said:

Yes LIG, It was a nice win for Kahkonen as well for the team on a road game. Now he has a chance to prove his excellence as a #1 goalkeeper. His records now - 5-1-1-3; GAA 1.12; SV% 0.962.

https://theahl.com/stats/player/7179/61/kaapo-kahkonen

 Hammond was probably injured, because he did not played the last 2 games. Our young sniper Sokolov definitely getting more confidence - in 12 played games he has 10 points( 4 goals, 6 assists, +/- +6; 27 shots on goal). Still I am surprise that coaching staff are not involving him in every game, instead of developing more confident player. Is he injured/ had some trauma? Mason Shaw as we predicted before on our forum is a very promising play maker and  reminds me Granlund #2 (in 19 games having 3 goals; 13 assists; +/- + 7). Minnesotan Mitch McLain having in 12 games 4 goals;5 assists;+/- +3 . Actually the young line Sokolov - Shaw- McLain I think, in general, is looking pretty good.

 

Hammond is hurt, they called up C.J. Motte from Allen (ECHL).  Mitch McLain is playing really well as of late.  The team doesn't have a stud, but good team speed and four lines that can score.  Shaw's playing really well, IMO the best of the young guys (including Kunin).

Kahkonen got another win on Saturday making 32 saves in the victory.  He's certainly playing with a lot of confidence.  Sokolov had a goal and Mason Shaw continues to find his way onto the score sheet.  Iowa currently sits in 2nd place; and they have a tough game tomorrow against Grand Rapids.  

On 11/13/2018 at 5:23 PM, Fargocase said:

Excellent video!  Thanks KC!

 

And for the article Antti!

No problem.  It was one maybe 2-3 Winter Classic games I've watched, partly because it was first one.  Glad you enjoyed it!  

On 11/13/2018 at 8:12 PM, IllaZilla said:

9 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, -3, 11PIM (4th highest on team)

 

Not good enough to unseat any of the four centers currently on the roster. Or anyone else on the upper lines where he would need to play. Better to leave him in Iowa getting top line minutes rather than sitting in the press box or playing on the third line...

 

I’m still not convinced he’s anything special, but we’ll see...

 

 

I agree.  He did score last night though.  Mason Shaw has looked good.  Rau still has consistently been one of Iowa's best players each night.  He and Cal O'Reilly.  

1 hour ago, Antti_Laxative said:

Great Story on former Fighting Saint Goldie Goldthorpe here.  He didn't get the part in the movie "Slapshot" because he broke a bottle over Paul Newman's brother's noggin 

 

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-sports/shot-and-also-jailed-18-times-goldie-goldthorpe-was-a-true-hockey-character-405276?fbclid=IwAR3g7IOf46CXJJrGv-bf9-uVgyxrNTQnsEG_x5ZlpD9iwHI_zpRce7g1yjQ

Did you ever hear Bob Costas' anecdote about Goldie Goldthorpe?  

My sources tell me Sokolov still has a LOT to learn.  He hasn't done much since those first few games.  

On the bright side...

Sam Hentges netted a hat trick against Boston College last night as St. Cloud State DESTROYED Boston College 7-0 IN Boston.  

Meanwhile Jack McBain played in his first game and was a -2 with no shots on goal.  

And just to add an update to Alexandron's report.  Iowa dropped both games to the Texas Stars this weekend in Austin, TX.  Kaapo Kahkonen got his first start and by most accounts did a reasonable job.  

On another note...Connor Dewar is off to a great start for Everett #WHL, and Damien Giroux is playing really well for Saginaw #OHL.  Shawn Boudrias in Gatineau #QMJHL has cooled off from his hot start.  Nick Swaney (Minnesota-Duluth, NCHC) keeps piling up shots, but not points.  Alexander Khovanov in Moncton #QMJHL is doing ok, but he still is lousy on his draws.  

On 9/20/2018 at 3:18 PM, Icechipper said:

Feel bad for Olofsson. (Another shoulder injury). Makes you wonder if he's just prone to shoulder injuries or unlucky. He's a slender lad. I actually liked his game, especially his ability to carry the puck safely out of his zone or make the first pass. Seeler will likely get that bottom-pairing left side slot, although hopefully he earns it. Otherwise I'd rather see Seeler as a top-two minute muncher in Iowa.

 

I don't really feel bad for him.  Its a lot like Tyler Cuma, lots of woulda coulda shoulda and terribly injury prone.  With Cuma it was his knees and with Olofsson his shoulder is the weakest part of his frail body.  He may have some talent, albeit the bland Jonas Brodin variety but you can't rely on him to stay healthy.  IMO, he's probably done with the Wild because who really would want an injury prone, finesse defender with limited offensive skills?  Considering his injury history, it was totally moronic to give him a 1-way deal.    

Seeler is STILL the most physical Wild defender, even with Pateryn in the lineup.  IMO Seeler is a lock to make the team; Boudreau loves his combative style.  

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

You forgot the mediocre drafting. One of the Athletic articles had the Wild farm system like 18th or thereabouts, but the only reason they were that high was because of the promise of Kaprizov. Without him, the article states the Wild would have been much lower. 

I can't say such an assessment is unfair at all...

Even the Athletic says #mnwild fans have nothing to look forward to with prospects under the age of 23 since Kaprizov is for sure in the KHL two more seasons.  Check it out.  

Check out where the Wild rank folks (if you have an Athletic subscription)

12 hours ago, Icechipper said:

Caught third period at sports bar. Monday night football on most screens but one tuned to Jets broadcast. Lines were changed quite a bit but generally I saw:

 Ek-Greenway-Coyle

Kloos-Rau-Anas

Foligno-Hendricks-Brown

Lodnia-Fehr-Nino

Defense: Ole-Pateryn

Bartkowski-Delpedio

Seeler-Murphy

Greenway line was strong. Hendricks had lone goal. Kloos played well. Brown did nothing for me. Lodnia looked fast.

Ole Patyrn worked well together. Bartkowski had solid breakout passes. Seeler and Lemiuex fought to a draw. Murphy nice hands and escape moves. Ham solid in net.

 

 

Hammond had a pretty good game.  Greenway, Eriksson Ek and Coyle protected the puck ok, but they stayed to the perimeter which kind of defeats the purpose of having a bunch of big bodied forwards on one line.  The Lodnia-Niederreiter line looked lost most of the time.  Hendricks was ok.  Pateryn looked slow and perhaps even troubling...not strong enough to keep people from working their way into the tough areas of the ice.  Look at Marko Dano's goal...the player worked to the front of the net and Patyern couldn't stop him.  He lacked the quickness to stay with him.  It reminded me a lot of Kyle Quincey.  Bartkowski was ok though.  Seeler looked like a punching bag in his 'fight' with Claude Lemieux's kid.  Best line was Rau, Anas and Kloos by far.  Fast and clearly good chemistry after playing last season together in Iowa.