CreaseAndAssist

Surprisingly energetic crowd in this odd-start time on a weekday.  

On 1/14/2024 at 9:21 AM, Tomdog said:

I posted last night in the coyote game thread that the Wild may be in some type of tankless tank system. 
As of this morning they are the 5th worst team in the league. 
If they continue they should be in line to draft at a better position than they have in years. 
Brodin and Spurgeon’s return will definitely give them a boost, but I’m sure they can come up with something to offset that. 
As of today Bogosian is their 3rd best defenseman. Keep in mind he couldn’t get ice time in Tampa. 
Merril and Gologoski are having a battle over who is the worst. 
There is absolutely no one in the forward group that makes you think they can skate around anyone and take the puck to the net and score. 
Kaprizov does some great things but he isn’t the scary type who will undress a defenseman. 
 

This team needs more talent and losing this year for a top pick should NOT be looked at as a bad thing. 

Their cap situation doesn't allow them really to do much else.  I also saw someone speculate that perhaps the poor effort is a team that's unhappy with the organization for whatever reason.  They got rid of their caretaker in Andrew Heydt, I wonder if O'Hearn told Guerin he'd made a mistake...and thus both were shipped out but the problem remains.  At some point, it has to just come crashing down on Guerin right?  

You don't hear squat from the In Billy G we trust crowd anymore.  

7 hours ago, Icechipper said:

Bjugstad visits and collects some hats from classy X fans!

The #mnwild even gave the fans those hats to throw; although they were some nice 78's stocking hats by what I saw.  I am sure the Wild loved seeing their 'giveaway' given back by the fans as Bjugstad got his hatty.  

This is a short survey for those of you who have listened to our podcast.  What do you like, what do you dislike?  It's pretty short but your input would be most appreciated!  

Crease And Assist Podcast Listener Survey

(sigh)  I am not even remotely surprised or annoyed.  This team looks like it wants to be done with the season already.  I'm going to guess the 20+ minute closed door meeting was to decide as a group on where to go during the All Star Break.  

Poor folks who spent money to watch that kind of effort...wow.  

Crease And Assist: Episode #32 Records & Broken Records

Kalisha, @MNSOTA and I discuss the Wild's current struggles, some interesting rules in the PWHL and what can be done to address these teams' issues as well as answering listener questions.  Also, later this week I am going to post a survey about the podcast and I'm looking for your input as to what you'd like to see, etc.  

Adam Raska works hard, but he has zero offense to him at all.  I don't have an issue with putting faster players on the ice for OT than what we often throw out there.  I think Connor Dewar would be a logical player to give an opportunity to in OT; fast, some offensive ability and I think he's defensively capable too.  Duhaime...nah.  He is fast but I'd be afraid he'd take a dumb penalty.  

On 12/24/2023 at 10:48 PM, IllaZilla said:

So how’s that stud Charlie Stramel doing?

Other than a weekend where he had 4 points he's been mostly forgettable or hurt.  3 goals, 3 assists in 16 games, as a sophomore on a pretty good Wisconsin team.  

Contrast that to sophomore Rieger Lorenz, at the Denver University; 8 goals, 8 assists, 16 points in 20 games.  

Not that this matters a lot, last night the Iowa Wild played the San Diego Gulls.  Caeden Bankier really stood out, 2 goals (he has 6 goals in 12 AHL games) and really was Iowa's go-to option all night.  They lost the game, but he was dangerous on most of his shifts; once he adds some more muscle to his frame he could be a decent player.  Great shot; good instincts and protects the puck well.  

Another player who looked pretty good IMO; he isn't ours anymore was Nikita Nesterenko.  Lanky but fast, and really changes angles well to elude defenders and make things tough for goaltenders.  But we traded him.  

Iowa is getting healthier.  Mikey Milne was back as was Adam Beckman.  Beckman, stick a fork in him...there's nothing there to see.  He isn't fast enough to be dangerous and he doesn't handle or protect the puck well enough to turn himself into a power forward kind of player either.  His shot, which is something we don't see nearly as much as we used to, isn't fooling much of anyone even when he does let it go.  Milne's wheels were evident and helpful even though the club didn't win.  

Carson Lambos had a rough night.  He needs to simplify his game; a few of his turnovers were very Matt Dumba-esque.  High-risk, low-reward kinds of plays.  

Riley Height (39GP, 22-49-71), Hunter Haight (38GP, 17-30-47), Rasmus Kumpulainen (28GP, 14-13-27) and Kalem Parker (35GP, 4-21-25) are playing pretty well in the CHL.  

Danila Yurov, who is expected to sign a 1-year extension with Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) is continuing to play well 45GP, 14-20-34.  

Marat Khusnutdinov is expected to come and play in North America according to Russian sports news folks.  

Ryan Healey, the young defenseman (a sophomore at Harvard) is having a great start so far, 14GP, 5-7-12.  Which is more impressive than what I can say for Jack Peart, Marshall Warren or Aaron Pionk although I think those players play in a far tougher college hockey conference than Healey does.  

On 1/9/2024 at 7:13 PM, IllaZilla said:

Unfortunately GMBG doesn’t view the draft in a positive way. He basically pooh poohs the draft. He’d rather take a shot at making the Playoffs than take a shot at a top pick. 

I am not sure I'd go that far.  However I'd say Leipold could care less about the draft and all he wants is that Round 1 of the playoffs revenue, anything else be damned.  The Wild have been trying to serve two masters for way too long (not rebuild, win a Stanley Cup) and the result is they're piss poor at both.  

I think Guerin is keeping the guys around him that he likes.  He remembers the veteran-led New Jersey Devils teams and probably in his Penguins run and figures you can build up around the vets and then the draft guys help provide the support for the experienced core instead of the other way around.  The vets are who they are.  

Either way, I think we all have recognized this organization and its approached have been flawed for years and the moves made this fall only made their problem worse both in the short term and long-term.  

As soon as the Flyers brought that game to OT you knew it wasn't going to end well.  Better effort than what they had Wednesday but at this point, who cares?  They need two points, especially against clubs like the Flyers.  

Wild found a way to throw away a point...

By the way, Darby Hendrickson doesn't have anything to do with the power play.  He apparently is kind of the practice / skills coach.  Jason King is the power play guru.  

3 hours ago, Tomdog said:

I just don't understand what the purpose of passing the puck around when so few of the players move to a different position. They may move a little but really nothing significant. 

Last night Boldy and Faber played catch, and no one broke for the goal to take a pass and then shoot from an improved angle.

How often do they try a give and go on the pp?

I agree, it doesn't create almost any movement on the penalty kill; as they move the puck station to station.  It didn't create any movement when Mikko & Suter did it and it certainly isn't now with Rossi & Faber or Boldy & Faber.  You have to work pucks cross-ice to get the goalie and shooting lanes to open up and shots have to come fast.  You settle and shoot, it doesn't work.  How often is it when we finally take a shot on goal there isn't anyone near the crease and if they are they are not screening the goaltender.  Its like Stephen Valiquette said, it may make your Corsi look great but you are really just playing catch with the goaltender.  I agree, its pointless.  

I thought some of our power play chances weren't too bad, but others it was terrible and uninspiring.  Seeing Faber and Boldy just pass it back and forth to each other reminded me of Suter and Mikko playing catch with one another.  I like it when they try to work the puck down low and then send something quick towards the net.  Sending passes out to the point for a shot IMO is mostly a waste of time and effort.  

Minnesota had good jump and energy to start but when they didn't score after that 1st half of the first where they peppered Murray with shots, you just knew Dallas was going to get one opportunity and bury it and the effort was going to just turn to mush and that's pretty much what happened.  

On 1/7/2024 at 11:39 PM, Alexandron said:

Just finished listening this episode. You , Kalisha and Theresa bring some thoughts to think about future Wild perspectives, how to protect star players, how to be more grittier especially against Jets. Talks about enforcers for the team are important too. You are right regarding the role of NHL to take care of star players like McDavid, Matthews, Bedard, Kaprizov... to prevent their injuries. I think that was done in a past for Gretzky protection. Without stars hockey is losing attraction. To place Maroon in the line with Kaprizov is kind of questionable answer. I agree with you for that part, but how about of insertion of enforcers (to build among prospects) into our defense. Maybe that will help to make our team more grittier. Personally for me, Kulikov was an example of enforcer in a past for Kaprizov's protection. I do not think we have those type of players now in defense position. Not sure yet about Bogosian.

Thanks for listening!  

I am not saying placing Maroon on a line with Kaprizov is ideal but if you wanted him protected he needs to be out there when Kaprizov is out there.  While he's not fast, he still has reasonable hands and I think his offensive instincts are ok.  Either he or Marcus Foligno.  But if you want him protected that's what you're going to have to do; at least against the Jets.  IMO its tough to complain at #17 or #20 for not doing their 'enforcing' role if they're on the bench when those liberties are taken.  

Zach Bogosian and Jake Middleton would certainly step up and answer for liberties taken on Kaprizov.  Whether they're out there to immediately step in is another story; kind of like what we were talking about in regards to Maroon and Foligno.  Mermis would probably answer too; as he's not afraid to scrap.  

But if Kaprizov is only going to be out there when you have guys that won't scrap, you can't really expect him to be protected or have someone immediately step in when those kinds of things happen.  

But again, thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed the rest of what you heard.  I don't think the NHL is going to suddenly protect its star players.  And it certainly won't start by protecting players for the Wild IMO.  

Crease And Assist: Episode #31: Minnesota M*A*S*H Ward

In this episode, Kalisha and myself discuss the Wild's injury woes, New Year's Resolutions and we discuss team toughness as well as answer a bunch of listener questions too!  We also finish it up by talking about NHL rumors about expansion sites too.  Check it out!  

I didn't think the Wild were that far away from winning this game, but they take bad penalties and their still crappy penalty kill digs the hole a bit deeper.  I didn't see Saturday's game, but I heard the start was bad but they finished ok (still losing of course) but this one started out fairly well but they couldn't add to their lead despite some prime opportunities.  And that allowed the Jets to hang around and then the Wild killed themselves with the inopportune penalty.  

The other thing that I think is kind of lame is the initial staged fight by Maroon.  Not slamming on Maroon for challenging someone from the Jets out of the gate but save that for Brendan Dillon.  And the game after they hurt your star player is not really helping anything.  I understand you're not going to have Maroon out there with Kaprizov, but what does it prevent doing something like that a game later?  I know Middleton dropped the gloves with Dillon on Saturday but light up Ehlers, light up Scheifele...

On 12/17/2023 at 10:52 AM, IllaZilla said:

Some pretty interesting reading in the Athletic regarding this. Chris O’Hearn and the Wild suddenly parted ways after an internal investigation by a third party. Russo didn’t even see that coming and he’s about as connected as they come. So now BG is without his right hand man and capologist. And now BG is being called out by a whistleblower for using abusive language. 

And the team agreed to mutually part ways with Andrew Heydt, the whistleblower who brought up Guerin's abusive language to HR.  Either way, its been a pretty rough month around the Wild front offices me-thinks.  

Zane McIntyre has played pretty well in Wallstedt's absence.  Bankier looks like he is power forward with good on-ice vision.  He protects the puck reasonably well but still needs to add muscle to his frame.  Nic Petan has rediscovered his scoring touch and has 5 goals in his last 3 games.  Unfortunately, not many other Iowa players are doing much scoring right now.  David Spacek has looked good playing elevated minutes with Daemon Hunt and Dakota Mermis being called up with the big club.  He seems to be more physically prepared for the rigors of AHL hockey than some of the other rookies.  

Kyle Masters moves well and you can see some offensive creativity to his game but he too needs to hit the weights.  He just gets muscled off the puck too easily.  

Maxim Cajkovic, the kid we got along with Pat Maroon has played well with the Heartlanders and with all of Minnesota's injuries he got called up to play for the Iowa Wild and had a goal apiece in his first two games.  

Riley Heidt didn't get invited to Team Canada's WJC camp, but he just keeps scoring for Prince George with 17 goals, 63 points in 31 games.  

Hunter Haight has 14 goals, 38 points in 30 games for Saginaw (OHL), barring a trade or injury (knock on wood) he should be in the Memorial Cup this year as Saginaw is the host this year.  

Rasmus Kumpulainen has 14 goals, 27 points in 27 games for Oshawa (OHL) this season.  Not bad for his first season in North America.   

Danila Yurov has 12 goals, 27 points in 36 games in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, unfortunately there seems to be speculation that he's going to sign another 1-year deal to stay and play in Russia.  

Sophomore Rieger Lorenz is having a decent year for the Denver Pioneers, 6 goals, 12 points in 18 games.  

Merry Christmas to you @Jimtown guy and everyone else here!  It was a nice way to go into the Christmas break for sure.  They get better goaltending, less dumb penalties and their star players deliver on the scoresheet and you win games?!?!  

Who knew?  

Either way, it will be interesting to see if this team can now pick up where it left off after having a few days to rest up.  

Episode #30: Front Office Melo-Drama

In this episode, Kalisha and I discuss the latest shake up around the Minnesota Wild front offices, we discuss which song best describes the 2023-24 season and answer a bunch of listener questions too!  Its our last episode of 2023!  We will see you all next year!  

Goaltending hasn't been as good this year.  What's wrong with admitting that?  We shouldn't have a problem with accepting simple facts like that.  

Fleury doesn't bother me.  He seems like he's being a good teammate and I don't think we are bending over backwards trying to make sure he passes up Patrick Roy.  

The Wild just suddenly letting go of Chris O'Hearn certainly should raise some eyebrows as he was thought to be a smart guy and Guerin's right hand man.  Apparently that dissolved quickly.  Perhaps someone is trying to scapegoat him for the dumb deals we signed.  

Crease And Assist: Episode #29: Honeymoon's Over

In this episode, @MNSOTA & Kalisha discuss the end of the honeymoon for the Wild after back-to-back losses.  They also gift Santa and Krampus awards you won't want to miss as well as answering listener questions and Theresa's take.  Check it out!  

NHL 66 has been our go to for a few years.  They keep blacking out games on the other platforms; and since I'm still paying for them I don't feel bad about going somewhere else to see the games.  Bally (Sinclair) has been an unmitigated disaster for the NHL.  

Better effort last night.  Although Kaprizov is back to staying on the perimeter which eliminates most of his effectiveness.  I can't imagine Hynes (hell even Dean) wanted that.  He simply plays that way because it keeps him out of the contact; but it hurts the team immensely when he does.  

The honeymoon is certainly at an end.  Boldy still looks more engaged.  No one works harder than Eriksson Ek.  Kaprizov seems to be back to giving 50% and playing on the perimeter.  Goaltending has been better.  

Iowa earned a 2-game sweep of the Colorado Eagles this weekend in Loveland, CO which is never an easy place to play.  Wallstedt got both wins and gave up 4 goals on over 80 shots faced in the two games.  He really kept Iowa in those games when they had little reason to be.  Daemon Hunt had two really good games as well.  Some of the other veterans are starting to come around as Joel Teasdale got his first two goals for Iowa this weekend.  

Caeden Bankier is closer to getting back in the lineup as well.  

Riley Heidt had another big weekend for the Prince George Cougars and Jimmy Clark has been a nice freshman surprise for the Gophers this season.