A Pot(ulny) of Gold

by Schank on Jun 29, 2010 6:33 PM CDT

So, in a surprise move the Oilers did not qualify Ryan Potulny. The question has been raised in many places, does he make sense for our beloved Wild. I believe he does. At 6' and 190 pounds he has decent size, slightly larger than the much sought after Stephen Weiss. He also has been complemented on his good instincts and net presence. The knock on Potulny is that he doesn't have the hands necessary to be a top line center and is perhaps not as fast as you might like. On the other hand, he was one of the few bright spots on an abysmal Oilers squad. Here is what Copper and Blue had to say about the (non)move made by the Oilers:

Ryan Potulny had more goals than every Oiler not named Dustin Penner, Gilbert Brule and Sam Gagner. His qualifying offer would have cost $654,500 and needed to be a one-way deal because he played in more than 60 games in 2009-10. The Oilers, apparently, didn't want to give Potulny a one-way deal.

Since he will hit the market as a free agent, one question is: how inflated an offer will he command? Given the crop of largely 3rd-line and otherwise disappointing centers, it seems likely that he will command around $1.5M to $2M, possibly more depending on the level of desperation and how dumb the GMs in question is. If Fletch could sign him for around $1.5M he would have more cap space than if he signed Cullen.

Finally, here is a brief comparison of numbers: At the age of 25 Potulny netted 32 points (15G, 17A) in 64 games. These numbers are very similar to the numbers that Stephen Weiss had during his first few years. Additionally, Putulny has put up excellent numbers in the AHL. In 2008-09 he posted a tidy 62 points (38G, 24A) in 70 games for the Springfield Falcons. That shows some definite potential. Not to mention that last year was his first full year in the NHL. Potulny hasn't put up NHL numbers as good as Matt Cullen's so he may appear not as good of an investment. Given more time and based on his minor league numbers he would appear to have a lot more upside than Cullen, who is rapidly approaching the twilight of his career.

When compared to the Kyle Brodziak the numbers are nearly identical. Brodziak had 32 points (9G, 23A). However, it is widely recognized by Wild fans that Brodziak was excellent as a checker with Clutterbuck on his wing. His minor league numbers also indicate that he is much more of an energy/forechecker kind of player.

You can also make the argument that Potulny would be better centering better players. If the Wild signed him, he would (in theory) center Tenderness and Havlat. There is no doubt that Potulny is a gamble, but the Wild have no real internal option (assuming no PMB). While there is concern that he was dumped by a quasi-pro team, I think Potulny could turn out to be a steal.

The opinions posted here are not those of Hockey Wilderness

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While it is fair to say the Wild may (repeat may) consider Potulny, I would strongly doubt they do. My guess is may even re-sign with Edmonton, but on a two way deal. It’s not the money, they have plenty of room. There may be animosity there now, though, so I have my doubts about him re-signing there, too.

Russo says the Wild have no interest. I don’t believe they have any interest either. Brodziak is still under contract, and he is cemented in the third line role, filling in on the second line if needed. Shep is slated to be the fourth line guy, if he makes it in camp. PMB I do not believe will make the move to center unless it becomes desperate. They will likely look at guys like Cullen or someone else to fill the second line spot. Potulny is not the solution for the #2, so unless they are bringing him in the compete with Shep for the #4 spot, I don’t see it.

I have no knocks on him, just don’t see the fit right now.

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by BReynolds on Jun 29, 2010 7:36 PM CDT reply actions

I definitely see the short term advantage of Cullen, you could probably count Saku in that as well. The reason I think that he could fit, is that he is a better option for the team to roll four lines. Shep is going to the minors, I have no doubt. Potulny is still young, has good AHL numbers, decent NHL numbers in his limited time up, and could develop into halfway-decent trade bait if he pans out. That being said, the fact that he was cut by the Oilers limits the strength of that argument. Given how weak the FA crop is, I thought he warranted some comment. You are probably right that the Oilers will get him on a 2 way.

I want to spin the wheel of justice!

by Schank on Jun 29, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't know what to make of it

I mean Potulny put up decent numbers on a crappy team but even Oiler fans say he’s a tweener…thats saying something…

by danccchan on Jun 29, 2010 8:18 PM CDT reply actions

Are these the Fans you're refering to?

I want to spin the wheel of justice!

by Schank on Jun 29, 2010 11:07 PM CDT reply actions

Honestly, I think bringing Potulny in would be just getting more of the same.

We need a LEGITIMATE 2nd line center. While Potulny’s numbers aren’t bad, I think he would just be exactly like Brodziak and Ebbett: Good, but not enough to center BTE and Havlat. If Ebbett is leaving, then Potulny could be considered an option, but certainly not to answer the lack of a 2nd liner.

And sure Potulny was outscored only by Gagner, Penner and Brule, but Miettinen was outscored by G-Lat, Koivu and Bruno. That doesn’t mean Miettinen is that good a player no? Think about it.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 29, 2010 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

With all this being said

I don’t think Cullen is the answer either. The highest number of points he’s ever collected is 49. Considering that he’ll be offered somewhere in the range of 3.2-4.7 mil for 3rd line production, that just isn’t worth it to me. Plus, he’s 33.

I think the only way that we’re going to get a legitimate answer for the 2nd line center problem is through trade.

…Who’s up for Patrick Sharp? I am!

by ADN on Jun 29, 2010 11:42 PM CDT reply actions

and in my last post I meant 3.2-3.7 mil. sorry!

by ADN on Jun 29, 2010 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Well apparently Sharp's staying put...

I’ve been thinking maybe Mike Ribeiro could be a trade option. He’s apparently being shopped and he would be perfect for our second line…It could be fun to have Jeff Carter to play on the first line also, seeing as he’s a pure goal-scorer and Koivu could finally dish his sublime passes to someone who’ll put em in the net consistently… It would be miraculous to grab both, but one would be fine..

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 30, 2010 12:09 AM CDT reply actions

I wouldn’t be against Ribeiro at all, he’d be a very good option on the 2nd line and would be a considerable upgrade for the powerplay.

Having Carter would also be incredible. Having Koivu AND Brunette feeding Carter puck after puck would make me a happy man.

Either way, theyre both 5 mil, and that would cause cap problems. Fletch has his hands full, that’s for damn sure.

by ADN on Jun 30, 2010 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions

And given they are both 5 mil a season,

I would rather have a shooter (carter) over another 5 mil a season PLAYMAKER. we have too many 4+ mil playmakers already. We need to move a D-men if we have any hopes of bringing in a guy like Carter.

by wild32384 on Jun 30, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, if we can move Schultz and someone else, the money shouldn't be a problem if we want one of those guys.

It would beat signing a UFA 5mil straight up.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 30, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

The only thing about trading Schultz is that he's our most reliable stay-at-home defenseman...

And Lord knows the Wild had horrible defense this year, so trading our best defensive defenseman could be troublesome..

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 30, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I have been thinking long and hard about a possible trade...

it appears Anaheim and Bobby Ryan are still pretty far apart on a new contract, Anaheim needs D. We have D and need scoring RWers. I propose Schultz, Scandella and a 1st OR second round pick for Ryan. it might be over paying, but put Ryan with Koivu and Bruno… man that would make a nice combo.

Thoughts?

by wild32384 on Jun 30, 2010 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

Ryan Potulny would be an upgrade from James Sheppard..

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

Yes, but if we get a real 2nd line center, it will bump James Sheppard off the lineup (hopefully)

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 30, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Matt Cullen another good choice..
Paul Martin.. a free agent come thursday.. pick him up!

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

Cullen would look good in a Wild Uniform…

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

is Modano an option????
I loved watching him play with the Stars…

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

Modano should not be considered an option. The guy shouldn't even be considering another year in the NHL

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jun 30, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

in 59 games Modano had 14 g, 16 a.. last year..
not too bad.. James Sheppard.. 64 games 2 goals 4 assists..
how is that even possible? 6 points all year??

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 1:09 PM CDT reply actions

can we go back in time …and draft Center Mike Cammalleri
instead of kyle wanvig? after that pick .. someone shoulda slapped D.R

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

You can literally say that about every single draft with the exception of Koivu and, arguably, Gaborik.

I want to spin the wheel of justice!

by Schank on Jun 30, 2010 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions

a lot of the problem was the draft itself..
i think its the 2007 draft..
theres only a handful guys from the whole draft that are even playing in the NHL now..
so weak drafts havent helped the Wild..
its the 5 good players and we picked after them ..thing…
and its true the Wild havent “tanked” like pitt, chitown etc
and we never got the #1-3 pick in the draft..
When you look back at the drafts..
theres a lot of guys for every team that havent been playing NHL..
It would be nice to move up in a thin draft to get an impact player..
but you usually have to give up a lot…

by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 9:36 AM CDT reply actions