lynxrattle

Maybe the worst is over, injurywise. But how many of our players have not yet had Covid? We might yet have to battle through that as well.

The problem with young players is inconsistent play. The ideal situation would be a star quality young goalie backed by a proven, consistent vet. Two young goalies is risky - not that risk is always bad thing. I'd first like to see if Wallstedt dominates in the AHL the way he dominates in the SHL.

It turns out we're right there with the Avs. Their offense is not able to compensate their weaknesses. We might win a series against them. A well played exciting game! I wish they still allowed tie games, because this was a tie game. It should have been "we'll meet again", instead of this "yeah, they were a tad luckier in the shootout".

I thought this game during the first half of the game had a potential to turn into a really ugly game. Then McDermid-Greeway-Kuemper happened. First McDermid was running around very recklessly, then Greenway bumped into Kuemper and a lopsided fight followed. The penalties were very odd. McDermid got 2 for instigating and a 10 minute misconduct. After that the game was hard-fought but fair. After the fight and Kuemper injury I had no fear whatsoever that the Avs were trying to bully the Wild into submission. No fear of somebody getting injured by a reckless hit.

Was it the refs taking care of the business by seeing McDermid as the risk factor and taking him out? Was it the Avs understanding that they would be better off turning it down a bit, wanting no more injuries? Whatever it was, I felt in this game the Wild managed to play through the rough stuff in a way that minimised the risk of further injuries.

We have a good team, but we might be playing against a team that is over our heads. Our chances are based on their d being worse than the offense, their goalie being inconsistent and like C&A wrote staying off puckwatching. We need to play in their zone.

Still, I have to go with an Avs win. 5 - 2 for them.

Last season the game against a the Age started the problems for Kahkonen. He has a chance to get even now. Kuemper likely to be on the other side. So it's a goal tending duel of sorts.

8 hours ago, Alexandron said:

Our next game is on Monday at 2:00 p.m. against Avalanche on their ice. They won 12 straight home games including a last night game 4:3 in SO against Coyotes and also this team is 8-1-1 in a last 10 games.  Are we capable to stop their winning home game streak in its 13th game? Anyway it  is always(ALWAYS) a tough team for us to play against. Every our line should be prepared mentally to play full 60 minutes in that game. No exceptions at all, because all their lines are playing in full energy.

An important game for the playoffs points as well. The Central Division is so tight we would need all possible Central Division points.

Quite a show, the game that is (well, the anomalies too...). 1 - 2 punch now with Kap's line magnificent and Boldy-Fiala working almost as well at their best moments. It's looking really good again. That Boldy seems to be a player!

5 hours ago, Alexandron said:

Maybe he will be a Captain of the Olympic Canadian team? I would be willing to have him in Iowa for a  while as an experienced veteran capable to teach our youngsters with a master class in a professional hockey. And maybe he could be in a nearest future head coach in NHL. I am proud that he chose Iowa Wild team. Cost a lot of his attention to our organization.

I think his home still is in Minnesota and he's made clear he wants to provide stability to his family. He probably wants to show he can still play for Minnesota Wild. We'll see.

Despite the difficulties we might be able to win. 3-2 Wild.

22 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

So he is on his way back it seems huh???
 

 

So if they do sign him wouldn't he have to pass through waivers???

 He certainly believes he could still play in the NHL. Gets in condition for the Olympics, hopes he shows enough there and in the AHL to make teams interested. I'd be surprised, but I'm surprised already, so who knows.

I don't know about the need for waivers.

59 minutes ago, GybonB said:

 

Lankinen not been great but not as bad as his stats make him look like

he has few really good games, where he has stood on his head,

been best player on the ice.

 

Thanks, its more the merrier i guess

That's good to hear. Maybe he is slowly being trained into a number one goalie, to follow Fleury.

21 minutes ago, Tomdog said:

Duhaime was kept over Pitlick for size and grit. The team can only have so many small guys if they are going to make a run in the playoffs.

The only unfortunate part is losing Pitlick for nothing. I am sure Guerin would have liked him to clear waivers, but has no control over the dumpster fire Canadians.

Good point about Guerin's wishes. I agree there. Pitlick is worth something, be it a pick or whatnot, but he is NHL caliber. Unfortunately the Habs noticed that too.

37 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

Good news bringing more interest to the Iowa Wild team. Eric Staal ( a Triple Gold Club player) is going to be a part of our team in Iowa and also probably will be a part of Olympic Canadian team.

I think it's only as preparation for the Olympics. But who knows, maybe he'll stay there even afterwards.

Welcome to the forum from another Finn .

Speaking of Finns, how has Hawks' Kevin Lankinen been doing this season? Last season he seemed to make quite a splash, but I don't see much of him this season. Fleury doing much of the work now, I guess, but what about Lankinen?

Russo wrote that they thought Pitlick did not fit as well into a bottom six role. It's quite clear Guerin/Evason think defense/team first (if the other opposite is thought of as offense/individual).

If it's Dewar for Boldy, it's kind of odd, but at least they put Boldy in the taxi squad. Likely he'll play again quite soon.

Easy come, easy go. It is what it is.

Possibly the cap disaster future is already beginning to show its ugly head. If, expect more weird sounding solutions.

9 hours ago, Confrontational said:

Interesting writeup on Fiala getting benched:

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wild-winger-kevin-fiala-shows-035200410.html 

Thanks, a nice read about a really good coaching moment. The Fiala to Evason talk was shown on the broadcast as well. Evason standing next to Fiala, who gave quite a long talk to Evason, and Evason thinking with a hand covering his mouth. I am not so sold on the coaching because the PP has not been showing anything, but the mentality of the team has changed for sure, and that is way more important than PP (which reminds me of Parise bringing in Oates as a personal PP coach during the Yeo era, but that is thank God a different story, and different times).

10 hours ago, ClusterChuck said:

LaPanta and Carter said Kappo was playing aggressively and I agree but this is a bit much.
 

Maybe it's the new style. That makes the shooter see absolutely nothing of the goal. Kaapo just needs to skate back quickly if the forward decides to skate inside of shooting  

I'd expect eventually some team will take the risk. The way CAR did with DeAngelo, which so far is looking a very good risk to have been taken. Of course by next week both of these players might do something crazy again

I think Friedman said Klingberg wants an 8 year deal, which I think is way too much, if true. No-one knows how Klingberg is doing. He's been sidetracked for a year or two, probably because of the Stars' system, and the appearance of Heiskanen, but is it for sure that those are the only reasons. Maybe he's just stagnating, aging before his time, or injuries slowing him down. I think he needs a change of scenery, and he should accept more of a prove-it kind of deal. To my eyes it's a bit like Taylor Hall in Edmonton. 8 years is a long time, a risky deal for the team. As a player he's of course very tempting for any team.

A really gutsy win there, A+ for effort. A really entertaining game as well. I don't think I've ever seen a goal like the Wild's first goal.

I don't know about Rossi, though. I can not prevent myself from comparing him to Anton Lundell, who we could have picked (I know, coulda, shoulda, whoulda...). Rossi needs a lot more strenght to be able to fight for the puck. Maybe it's the size or the serious issues with Covid he had, but I sure hope he comes back next season a lot stronger. Maybe he join the training with Kaprizov:

Great game by Kähkönen, too. He seems unorthodox, but at least he's not afraid. Attacks the puck very aggressively. Sometimes too much, but he gave us a chance to win.

A tough opponent and it feels half of the team is injured. Caps win 5 - 2. Ovi with one goal, PP, one-timer, from his office.