Hockey-78

19 hours ago, DirtofMinny said:

Kountry Klub atmosphere being addressed.  2 founding members still active.  We will see if this gets them motivated.  I wonder who will wear the "C" this year.  I kinda like Foligno for that.....

 

I think Wild adding some washed-up players to its roster can only motivate Parise and Suter to think about leaving the team, not playing better than before.

Both of them have 5 more years of NMCs, $35 mil. coming their way whatever their level of play is,... yeah, if I were Guerin I'd try and sign even more fringe players. 

13 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

The Minnesota Wild Trade Eric Staal for Marcus Johansson

 

(sigh)  Good thing the season hasn't started yet, I'm not sure I'm ready for 2-3 articles per day.  Anyways, its an interesting move for a team that already had one reclamation project to deal with.  Enjoy and discuss...

 

I'm most indifferent about it.  If the Wild got a 'steal' in the deal with Pittsburgh, Buffalo probably got a steal in this one.  

Well written once again! Interesting to hear Guerin wants to see more of Rask.

But Staal for Johansson? On the surface one would think a good move; getting younger and faster. IMO the reality is quite different. Johansson has underperformed a while now and has some health issues too. This move (too) wasn't made to improve the Wild, it's a marketing stunt. Unless Johansson produces something extraordinary next season.

Anyone want to check out how many points the Wild's new group of centers amassed last season or the season before that? ...

This is what a rebuild looks like. In the worst, and not even unlikely, scenario the Wild might be fighting to be the worst team next season.

Although if this is the way to get Parise, Suter and even Zuccarello voluntarily to move the NMC in their contracts, Guerin might prove to be a sneaky little fellow...

8 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

Minnesota Wild sign Jonas Brodin to 7-year $42 million Contract Extension

 

(sigh)  This team loves hanging on to the same players that help contribute to its middling finishes.  The length of the term and the NMC for most of it is again maddening.  This team just can't get out of its own way.  Why do we always decide we want the players with the leverage; because it'd be a shame if the country club culture felt threatened by a move; so lets cement them here.  

Oh and a good article! The Wild Twitter definitely has a lot of people with mixed feelings. Someone even suggesting Brodin's deal could lead to Pateryn taking a spot in the 2nd pairing with Broding! Funny stuff on the whole.

10 hours ago, Gnarkill said:

Not hyped about this deal but don't hate it either.. low risk and he's under 30. The Wild need depth in the middle badly.. so if he stays healthy and it works out great.. if not .. cut him loose.. no biggie. 

 

I actually am relieved to see Guerin kicking tires on deals like this instead of just going after a declining veteran center. I'd rather see what Bjugstad can do for a season than lock up another old overpaid player for multiple years. 

 

Pretty safe to say now he decided to lock up Brodin and give him slightly more and for longer than needed to. No money left to overpay anyone anymore without making something extraordinaire.

A marketing stunt to go public with the Bjugstad deal prior Brodin's extension? Otherwise people would've been "oh, we had to take Bjugstad since we couldn't afford anyone else".

Unless he's in talks with some team to get their #1 or #2 center in exchange with one of Wild's top paid D-man who has a NMC... oh wait. 

Someone has to go, Guerin has used all of his leverage and every GM in the league knows that. Dubnyk I guess and that we know won't be enough.

7 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

Minnesota Wild sign Jonas Brodin to 7-year $42 million Contract Extension

 

(sigh)  This team loves hanging on to the same players that help contribute to its middling finishes.  The length of the term and the NMC for most of it is again maddening.  This team just can't get out of its own way.  Why do we always decide we want the players with the leverage; because it'd be a shame if the country club culture felt threatened by a move; so lets cement them here.  

Funny how nhl.com didn't mention the NMC in its article when in fact the clause is a very essential element regarding how the Wild has been constructed. Or painted itself in the corner.,, 

It makes the contract so much worse although I'd be very surprised to see Brodin revert from where he is now in the next 4 years. At least he's fast enough already and equipped with a high hockey IQ. 

Wouldn't exactly say Guerin has made some above average moves so far. With the idea of improving the team. More or less aiming to keep the status quo.

On 9/10/2020 at 6:05 AM, lynxrattle said:

Wouldn't it be ironic, if they first traded Zucker right after getting the trophy, and then Dumba? It's going to get interesting after the playoffs end.

After Broding getting his extension you do wonder if now Dumba is the odd man out.

On 9/12/2020 at 7:23 AM, EmptyShelf said:

This is a NO LOSE acquisition for the Wild.  Not sure how it will work out, but a nice one-year audition.  Great size and a bit faster than Koivu.   I wonder if they would have pulled the trigger on this experiment if Klyde had not retired?  It sure creates options when the dead WOOD are out of the way.  How can we move the other two quickly?  Get Parise to the Isles, or Suter to .....anywhere.  I doubt there would be many takers without us assuming most of their contract for that first year, however.  

Well, maybe money wise but this could be a waste of time. Like you said, a one-year audition but I don't know about "nice". A drowning man clutching a straw?

When you acquire players off-season the initial idea is to improve your team, I think. Bjugstad is obviously not a clear improvement when you take into consideration his CV. IMO acquiring any forward, who isn't a fast skater, and slot him in the TOP6 forwards is a roll of the dice.

And then after this Brodin gets his lucrative extension - Guerin is playing it safe.

https://www.nhl.com/news/defenseman-jonas-brodin-signs-seven-year-contract-minnesota-wild/c-319038824

Brodin gets $6 millions annually until he's 34. Has the Wild been there before...

I don't know what's there not to like about Brodin but woah, the Wild back end is a serious money pit now.

Do they all stay or who goes? This can't be a "tweak".

9 hours ago, lynxrattle said:

There was a big interview with Anton Lundell in the Finnish media: https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-11541946

 

It's in Finnish, unfortunately, but there's two interesting bits and pieces:

 

1. The kid has watched previous drafts live in the middle of the night - sounds passionate about the NHL

2. Team first guy

1. Or he's passionate about staying up late playing eSports with his cellphone and enjoying variety of Cokes. 

2. Many said Koivu is too. Now was he... 

I think the top priority should be the individual skillset. Take the best you can. 

A distant number two should be "in what positions do we need additions". Strengthening.

4 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

Its actually pretty easy to ask to be traded.  The question you should ask, why didn't he?  

Yes... I`ll go out on a limb and answer "because he was not willing to leave his comfort zone". For him it would've been a high reward-high risk type of move. 

On Koivu's defense I do like to point out that he was no glass groin Gaborik and kept himself in shape. Out of 1230 regular season games he played 1028 which IMO is a pretty decent number, probably better.

And although he wasn't willing to taste anyone's fist he did play hard in terms of effort and at times he was pretty physical although because of his slowness his hits never made it to the highlight reels. Well maybe Kronwall's KO did.

In any case IMO overpaid and overrated.

I don't know... he got paid, handsomely. 15 seasons and the team didn't really advance, anywhere.

Over $ 70 million dollars for three 20+ goal seasons (20, 20, 22) and never over 50 assists in a season. Pretty rough...

A true leader willing to sacrifice his body and drop his gloves or just a yapper who had his gloves cemented throughout his career?

Which was bigger; his love for the green team or love for his role as an unquestioned captain in an NHL team? G

I think I'll save any high praises of him. 

45 years and counting...

6 hours ago, tucson83 said:

if they strip the c or trade giroux, you think kevin hayes would be a good candidate for captain since he would listen to av and has good relationship with his players?

No. He's a slow, overrated player who cannot lead by example. 

18 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Didn't realize the Isles haven't been past the second round since 1983-84. DAYUM!!!

Ignorance is a bliss.

The Islanders won - awesome!

8 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

I just looked also through a Greenway stats for 3 seasons who is playing with us (2015;2nd round;50th overall). He tried multiple times in different lines in the big club and having in 154 NHL played games 20 goals;33 assists;+/-  -10. Are these OK stats for so many games playing in the Wild uniform? I am sure Alex Tuch will be able to put more goals if he played the same amount of games here.

 

While one might question Greenway's desire and effort to become a genuine scoring machine, by the same token one might question the team's desire to put him in a position to make a name for himself. 

This team has never been renowned for scoring prowess. IMO Greenway's stats follow that line. In any other team those stats would be below average but since he's a 2 rounder and this is the Wild we're speaking, those are not horrible. Some might argue those are OK.

Tuch would put more goals yes if... woulda-shoulda-coulda. I don't think that comparison is fair since first of all Tuch has more raw talent and in Vegas they gave him a fair chance to blossom. 

13 hours ago, lynxrattle said:

I'd also go for Barkov. He wants to win, get into the playoffs, and the Wild seem to be going nowhere so why would he want to come here? He'll be a free agent soon, and the Panthers will want to get something for him. The owner Viola won't pay him enough and Barkov's not going to hang around underpaid, if the team is not going to the playoffs. I dont like acquiring players from teams accustomed to losing, but Barkov might be worth the risk. He also speaks Russian, as his parents come from Russia. That would perhaps make it easier for Kaprizov or other Russian prospects to adjust to the Wild.

Every team would welcome Barkov. A legitimate #1 center on a cheap contract. 

Modified your post, lynx...just a tad.  They have a two-time Vezina winner in goal, a three-time SC champion coach behind the bench, very talented players like Huberdeau, Ekblad and Hoffman supporting Barkov. Wild has nothing compared to those.

IF Barkov wants to move scenery, I'll be damned if he'd even consider moving to Minnesota. If he wants to go far in the playoffs, not just to collect his pay. 

Since he has the infamous NMC in his contract... so what the Wild could offer is pretty much a moot point.

44 minutes ago, EmptyShelf said:

There is NO DOUBT that Guerin learned a lot about this team (what we have known for 6-7 years).  IF it were me; I build everything around Fiala and Kaprisov in front, I buyout Dubnyk, I consider trading Parise and Suckerello, demoting Suter, and finding a new YOUNG C and A (I sure as he77 don't give the C to Suter).  I forget Klyde ever existed. 

 

Additionally, I look to prepare this roster for next year and the following year, for Kaprisov (and hopefully LaFreniere and a Center's) arrival, and I situate myself to not get crushed in the expansion draft by losing a piece or two that could serve better value in a trade now.  I think we have seen the last of Dumba and Brodin both on the team.  I think the one that gives us the most trade value will be moved.  I would prefer to keep Brodin, as he has become the best on D for the Wild (and I would also consider his expanded use on PP).  I accelerate the development of both Mennel and Addison ASAP, and pair one of them with Soucy on 3rd and the other with Suter on 2nd line and move Brodin with Spurgeon to 1st line.  Hunt and Pateryn need to go.  I also work Kahkonen in goal to be the starter by mid-year.

Looked a fine list to me other than Hunt needs to go. Why? A cheap poor man's Spurgeon, not doing too many mistakes.

Oh and Brodin should be kept too.

17 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

For me it seemed like it was about 4's. 
4+ months with no Wild.
We get only 4 games...
And really only about 4 periods of good play.
Possibly 4 more months before we see them again.
A bit feeling like this last week wasn't even worth it.

4 all we know... *the Carpenters*

3 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

I don't think if he plays 25-30 games as a backup to Stalock will hurt his development.  If you don't think playing 25-30 NHL games is good enough, I guess you have him starting 45-50 games in Iowa.  Is that really better?  Then we keep Dubnyk as backup and hear him whine.  By the way, I heard a rumor on a podcast about what Dubnyk's wife's health issue was.  

I honestly don't see why their roles should be those and couldn't be vice versa, Kahkonen getting 45+ starts. He's old enough to handle the workload both physically and mentally.

This is the perfect time for the team to bring in new faces. The current face of the Wild is quite frankly pretty boring, stagnated and old. This coming from a marketing point of view too. Kahkonen might be the next Merzlikins, who knows. Throw him in the deep end - sooner they find out it the better.

9 hours ago, Alexandron said:

Foligno has a real drive and could be a candidate as a new Captain. Spurgeon could be an alternate captain. No Dumba in any positions. Some of his decisions during the game are unpredictable and weak including the last game. I would trade him for someone smarter who capable to put goals in a consistent manner out of our defense lines. I have seen him enough.

Maybe to give this Captain position to a youngster and will break our super old traditions? Maybe to give this position to Kaapo Kahkonen and to build the team around the talented goalie? Maybe the team will stand better in front of him?

One has to admire your creative thinking. It seems to have no boundaries. 

But rules say goalies can't be captains. And a rookie as a captain, now that's a rare commodity! But otherwise I'm all for breaking super old traditions! 

11 hours ago, IllaZilla said:

Good article. But of your top five there, I think the only one the Wild realistically will address is #5. I think they’ll make Spurgeon the Captain. As far as the rest, #1 that’s been on them for years and the keep bringing in older and older free agents with longer and longer contracts. As far as #2, you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which fills up first. #3 is also probably possible, but they’re going to have to move Dubnyk or buy him out. I don’t know about #4. It’s got to be awkward now that the alternate captain agreed to bail on the team last season. But I’d rather keep him here than let him go. Yes the Wild could use the cap space. But they would get hammered with the cap recapture penalty if he goes anywhere else and “retires”. At least if he suffers an injury here they can put him on LTIR. Or maybe the new CBA will allow a compliance buyout and they can use it on him. Hope springs eternal. 
 

Leipold chose to build around Koivu, Parise and Suter rather than the draft and the chickens have now come home to roost. 

Realistically #5 is possible but so is #3 too IMO, if not even more likely of the two. Well, what exactly is a "shot"? Playing back-to-back games, playing over 30 games during the season? Kahkonen's shot to me seems like a smaller step to take than the issue of captaincy. Foligno would be my #1 choice over the likes of Suter, Staal, Parise but you never know with this organization.

13 hours ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

(shrugs)  Stalock is cheap.  He's not really hurting anything.  Dubnyk IMO is the bigger what if simply because of his contract.  Some feel he'll be bought out, others feel he'll be traded.  I'm fine with moving on.  Should it go to being Kahkonen's crease next year?  I'd probably ease him into it.  

That's right but (in my mind) I excluded his contract from this discussion. Stalock has had his chance to show if he can take the starter's job. He obviously can't so what to do with him next season is to me a very marginal question. At least no need to hurt Kahkonen's development by giving Stalock another chance. 

19 minutes ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

5 Takeaways from the Minnesota Wild's 2019-20 Season Experience

 

I share some thoughts from the 2019-20 season and what I feel should be the direction moving forward with this team.  Enjoy and discuss!  

1. The Minnesota Wild desperately need to get younger and faster 

2. Kevin Fiala and Kirill Kaprizov need a top line quality center to work with

3. Its time to give Kaapo Kahkonen a shot 

4. Make a deal to move Zach Parise

5. The Wild should make either Marcus Foligno, Jared Spurgeon and Matt Dumba captain & / or alternate captains

I agree with you on every point.

Somehow I think/fear some of these points have been on for years and some will be on for years...

1 minute ago, CreaseAndAssist said:

 

Gaborik had 36 points I believe in his rookie season.  No Wild rookie has ever had that kind of season out of the gate.  

Thanks! So he had. Which only underlines the fact how hard it has been for any Wild player to have a massive impact on the scoreboard immediately. 

Is Kaprizov as big of a talent as Gaborik?  And even if he was...