lynxrattle

At the end of the regular season Rossi might benefit from a few games in the NHL, just to motivate him for off-season practicing.

Pairing offensive minded and erratic Fiala with the super-defensive Gaudreau is understandable from the defensive side of things, and then on the other hand it takes away from the possibility of Fiala learning to drive the offense co-operatively. Gaudreau does not seem interested in taking any risks, even shooting.

The closer we get to the playoffs the stingier it gets. I think he might not be able to go to 80 points. Maybe 70.

I watched Russia play Switzerland just to see Khusnutdinov play. From what I gathered he's fast, has a good eye for the game and was quite often cautiously hanging back near the blue line in the offensive zone - don't know if that was tactics the Russian coach Sergei Zubov wanted or was it the style that Khusnutdinov always like to play. 1st line center, 1st PP center. One assist (another assist that would not have been an assist except for the scoring skills of Matvei Mishkov)

In this game he reminded me of Koivu's defense, and Granlund's playmaking. In the offense too much passing and tic-tac-for orientation in my mind. We really need Boldy and Beckman to pan out, as we have a load of playmakers already. We'll be able to pass to the scorers, if we ever get them.

Apparently Sweden - Slovakia game was quite a goal tending duel (I couldn't see that game). Wild prospect Wallstedt being "phenomenal" according to the Swedish media, while his team was "not playing that good" and getting a shutout.

28 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

Maybe stats did some changes later, but according to your 2nd link Khusnutdinov had an assist and +1 in his 1st game.

You are right. He got an assist for the Mishkov behind the goal line goal. Quite a player that Mishkov.

And Power... If he wouldn't be named Power already, he should change his name.

Our Philly fans from the forum would be thrilled to get rid of Giroux. They might have too high hopes for him, but they might as well be on to something, as well. I'd be very worried if Guerin would make a trade for him.

Stats and highlights from IIHF's pages: https://www.iihf.com/en/news?maintag=6

https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm20/skaters/scoringleaders

The first games not much of a show for Wild prospects O'Rourke didn't even get to play.

Peart with an assist, Novak with a PP goal and Wallstedt a win with a .900 save percentage. Lambos no points and plus/minus 0, just like Khusnutdinov, who also had a 2 min penalty.

Very likely so. I can understand that, but am also missing the scoring. We don't have pure goal scorers, so Boldy and in time maybe Novak who right now is playing for Czechia in WJC, would be sorely needed. We are so dependent on these guys learning to be full-rounded players, offensive and defensive. If we look at for example Patrik Laine's  struggles, it's clear that scoring is just not enough.

We're pretty depleted without Eek and Spurgeon, and Brodin possibly at half-recovered status. Thank goodness for Greenway getting back. We don't want to be humiliated by the Blues in the open-ice extravaganza show.

I think Gaudreau puts the opponent's offense to sleep by his dullness.

I think Guerin, Evason and Army are all about playoffs success. It doesn't matter so much if they score, because even McDavid doesn't keep on scoring during the playoffs. They need to be solid all around, not just offensively.

It's always a pleasure watching Finland's PP. There's always a purpose to it, even if the skills might be lacking.

16 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

I still would prefer first a tryout for Rossi. Mason had 2 NHL games already, but Rossi - none.

From what Russo hinted at a podcast, Guerin does not think Rossi is playing the right way yet.

19 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

Agree. Our all 4 Wild prospects will play against each other today. Novak vs Lambos and Khusnutdinov vs Wallstedt.

Canada has Ryan O'Rourke in the roster as well.

Looks like an opportunity for Mason Shaw.

I have a hard time understanding why Gaudreau is playing. Having a look at the Wild's stats in graphical form produced this surprise:

He's the dullest player in the Wild. Which is a good thing, if you're a defensive forward. They don't score against us when he's on ice. Put him together with Hartman and the two of them might even score as an added bonus.

Of course stats are stats. Based on 25 or something games, based on who Gaudreau has played with. But. The eye test confirms it. I think I have never seen a player as dull as Gaudreau is

Where-ever the next games will be held, and the way things are going around the world, it's more than likely that the next games will also be held under a dictatorship, or at least a country only nominally democratic.

A broken hand, collar bone? Not good anyways. A center short on a team with no 1C, even before the injury. Eek is irreplaceable. Everyone needs to step up, and Rossi given a chance in the big team.

Still terrible. 4 lost games in a row and the first time this season that I get the the thought: "oh no, it's the opening of the obligatory Minnesota Wild slumping season". The break comes at a good moment I guess, and hopefully we'll see a rejuvenated and healthy team when the games begin again.

Merry Christmas everyone!

(and when I say Christmas I mean Xmas/holiday/Hanukkah/break from the games/Tantra orgy/ice fishing weekend or whatever each and every individual is going do to celebrate this time of year)

Let's hope for a good game. The way Omicron is now spreading, there might be next to no games until most of the players have suffered it.

4 - 2 Wild win.

Two players making a bad decision in a fast game. Kero concentrating on receiving the pass, (and not being in a position to possibly get hit), and Connolly concentrating on getting a good hit in a situation where Kero will be totally vulnerable. I think 4 games is ok. Otherwise the Stars would probably go headhunting in the next game.

https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/down-on-the-farm-world-juniors-121921/c-329132454

Brad Bombardir's views on the six Wild prospects playing in the WJC (hopefully not wrecked by Covid).

I especially liked the views on O'Rourke. Every team could use a stay-at-home + play-at-the-edge + captain-of-his-team defender.

I have a ton of respect for Maurice. All the best for him. He was an old school coach, though. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Jets will change with new coaching.