First Aid and Triage: The Wild Defensive Corps
by BReynolds on Nov 15, 2011 9:50 PM CST
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PrintThis summer, the Wild went out and signed Minnesota native Mike Lundin to shore up what looked to be a very young defensive corps. No one complained much. I mean, he's a Minnesotan, he must be perfect, right?
The point was not to clog the system, but to ensure that the youth were actually ready. No one wants to rush a prospect, especially a defensive prospect. Everyone figured Marco Scandella and Justin Falk would be in Houston (well, everyone but me), and that Lundin would be a staple on the blue line along with Nick Schultz, Clayton Stoner, Greg Zanon, Marek Zidlicky, and Jared Spurgeon.
Things don't always ever work out as planned.
Lundin has yet to play a game, Zanon is out with an undisclosed injury, Stoner has a broken finger, Scandella is out with a concussion, and now Zidlicky is hurt (and it sounds like a concussion). What now you ask? Well, the options become more and more limited with each injury.
After the jump, what is left in the cupboard?
The depth chart for the Wild is only so deep. The depth chart for most teams is only so deep, but for the Wild, even more so. While Chuck Fletcher has filled the cupboard, most of those guys aren't ready today. Looking at our contract page, here is who is left on the defensive depth chart:
Tyler Cuma - The last offensive d-man with any size left on the list. However, he has three points. Three. From what I remember, there isn't much faith there, either. Would be nice to see the kid get a chance though. Injury plagued career. Maybe a taste makes him better.
Drew Bagnall -Strong, steady, rock, physical, tough as nails. If they were looking to replace Stoner, I say yes. Hell, he may still be yes, and the offense from the blue line taken off the table. He is the best option, honestly.
Jeff Penner - Here's what I will tell you: 5' 10", 185 lbs. Not sure that's the route to take. He, too, has just three points. Not overly impressive.
Chay Genoway -Sigh. 5' 9", 177 lbs. Imagine The likes of Todd Bertuzzi drooling at the chance to play a d-corps with Spurgeon and Genoway? Only 14 pro games under his belt, but he does have 10 points. That's a win. Size a big issue here, though (pun intended).
Kyle Medvec -Here's your big body presence if you want it. However, I have watched Medvec, and never been impressed. I've been wrong before, but he was frustratingly invisible when Vermont was in town for the NCAA tournament. Not sure he's the best option. But, with few options left...
That's it. No... really. That's it. Five guys. Total. Five guys left on the depth chart with NHL contracts. Sure, one of the Aeros could be given an NHL deal, but are you putting your faith in Kris Fredheim? Elgin Reid? Yeah, I didn't think so.
The top options are Cuma and Bagnall, depending on what the coach wants to do in this situation. The second tier is Genoway or Penner. None of the options are good. Of course, there is always the option to go out and sign a vet looking for work. Can Owen Nolan play D? Another option is a trade. To replace a Marek Zdlicky, it might take a big move, though. Not even 20 games in, that could be tough.
Your move, Wilderness. What do you do?
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Bagnall is probably the safe move. Seems to me Spurgeon had about 10 points in 14 or so games like Genoway when he was called up, maybe lighting could strike twice. Just make sure they aren’t on the ice together? Spuergeon Stoner, Genoway and Falk?
Call up a kid to center the "first" line and put Koivu on D
He could still take faceoffs.
I actually proposed Koivu on D on Twitter
He’s money in the defensive zone and isn’t scoring goals, so it might actually make sense..
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Might work..
..temporarily. I think his dad was a defenseman and I know he was a coach so I’m sure he taught his boys a thing or two.
Well that explains why both are great two-way players
If I’m not mistaken, he actually coached them in their youth hockey.
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He used to coach TPS-Turku
and both Mikko and Saku played for them, but I’m not sure if it was while he was coaching. But yes, that is likely why they are such solid two-way guys and why Mikko refuses to sacrifice his defensive play for more offense.
''Your move, Wilderness. What do you do?''
I take a drink… these injuries are gonna kill the Wild.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Removing Zid
isnt going to hurt us… he has looked terrible, sorry TERRIBLE, all season long. and the pass in the first period cements how I feel about him. Sounds like Jordan Hendry left a little too soon.
He does look terrible... most of the time
BUT, he is leading the d-men in assists and none of the guys that Bryan just named give me reason to think losing Zid will help us.
Fact of the matter is the Wild need offense. Zids can at least do that… kind of.
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And for the record
Zid > Hendry
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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ehhh, thats debateable....
that give away in the first….thats a pee wee mistake!
Plus, I would call up Genoway, he played against bigger guys in the WCHA, he knows how to handle himself, if he fails, send him back down. and call up Bagnal.
Anyone know what happened to Zupperman?
Oh, and BTW, if Zid was producing offensively, the wild wouldnt suck so badly on the PP… Just sayin’
Bigger guys in the WCHA is still far from bigger guys in the NHL. By a long shot.
And if it’s so debatable, let’s debate it then.
Zidlicky: 525 games, 290 points.
Hendry: 129 games, 13 points, no longer an NHLer.
As for the giveaway, that happens to the best of them. Brent Burns was notorious for them at one point. Rather have Hendry than Burns?
Besides, the Wild already have the defensive side of the game figured out, but they need help on offense. Zids provides that, albeit he was off to a slow offensive start, but so are Koivu, Heatley and Setoguchi.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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When are people going to stop
Defending him? Zid, 6 assists, Prosser 5 assists? Where is your argument for Zid being so great on offense? He hasnt been able to do Jack this year. and thats what matters. Right now, not the past.
no shit Sherlock, of course players in the NHL are bigger than the WCHA, and the OHL and the WHL and all of Minor hockey. point is, Genoway can handle himself, if Spurgeon can play and hold his own, I have no doubt Genoway can too.
Zidlicky is a MAJOR hole on defense. Turnovers like what zid did on Monday have been happening all season for him. I dont see it stopping any time soon.
As far as Hendry? obviously He is not in the NHL right now, but he is big and physical, yes Zid has some Offense, but when Prosser has as many goals, and 1 less assist, the offense factor goes right out the window in my opinion.
And no, I would rather have Burns than Hendry, and Zidlicky. but I would rather have Hendry over Zid AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
Genoway is an offensive defensemen, give him a shot, and if that doesnt work, call up Cuma or Bagnall. But Zid needs to be moved. he is not helping the team.
and the PP, the reason the are not successful? too much passing, not enough shooting. they keep passing the puck back and forth on the same side of the ice, no angle change on the goalie, easier to stop. if they want to be successful, they need cross ice passes and one timers. We arent talking about the 4 other plays on the ice, we are talking Zid, and he has not done what he is supposed to do, and thats score.
I don’t know that anyone is defending Zidlicky, per se. What I read is that Zidlicky is still better than the options available to the Wild right now. Hendry is gone. He is overseas, with a contract. Forget about him. He is 100% not an option. No need to beat a dead horse. He’s gone.
Genoway is absolutely not an option. He is far too small to be on a blueline corps with Spurgeon. While he is a capable player, and I am glad to see him in the Wild organization, he is simply not an option right now. 14 games played in pro hockey? 5’9" tall 177 lbs? He’d get steam rolled. Even considering him without a full year in Houston is just plain lazy and dangerous.
I am the biggest detractor of Zidlicky’s. Can’t stand him this season. Constant mistakes, not producing, needs to be benched (looks like he will be now…), but the Wild do not have good option to replace him. None. If he were healthy, he has to play, even if he isn’t as good as he should be. He is still better than those behind him on the depth hart at this point.
I know we are all fans, here, but we have to be realistic with the expectations of the call ups. The only one with a similar skill set is Cuma, and he isn’t panning out all that much. The small guys getting called up is just asking to be destroyed on a nightly basis.
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I couldn't agree more with this comment
I’m not saying Zids is some super defenseman, I’m saying he’s the only proven defenseman we have among the remaining options.
Scapegoat him if you want, I do to, albeit not quite as heavily as anyone else, but it’s the first time his offense has been a bit slower than usual. We knew what we were going to get with him defense-wise. Offense tends to pick up with star players who start slow (RE: Koivu, Havlat, E.Staal, Ovechkin, etc.) so maybe, just maybe, if Zids comes backs, he’ll be taking care of the offense like the Wild need him to
Now watch the Wild struggle to get some offense with 5 rookies/sophomores on the backend.
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I have one disagreement with this argument
and all the Arguments against Genoway. You all are saying just because Spuergeon did doesn’t mean Genoway can. Which your right, but it also doesn’t mean Genoway can’t. The question should be who fills the role the best and who is playing the best.
Judging by the stats, its Genoway. He is also a puck moving defensemen like Zid, just 3 inches shorter. I say if he is playing the best, give him a shot. If it doesnt work out give someone else a shot. Excluding him because he is 5’ 9" is just as stupid as thinking he will automatically do well because Spurgeon did. If he is playing best, it should be him.
ps. I am just going off stats really as I dont live in Houston nor see them play, so if the Wild think someone else is playing better, they should get the call.
Stats would say that Genoway should be next, but the Wild brass (Fletch and Flair) don’t see a complete game yet. While having two really short defensman is a slight deterrent, I believe the Wild are more concerned with rushing a WCHA defensman who has very little experience in professional hockey.
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by JDesthubert on Nov 16, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
And thats fine
Like I said in the post script. Its just the whole 5’9" argument annoys me like its mutually exclusive that you cant have to defensement on the short side of the scale.
From what i’ve seen from Genoway and Spurgeon, they have another thing in common besides height, hockey knowledge and positioning.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say Genoway is good as positioning. Don’t get caught up in all of the offensive hoopla. Here’s a telling stat for you:
In 14 games played, Genoway does have 10 points, but his +/- is a flat 0. That means one of two things:
1) He’s only a PP specialist, so he’s no better than Zidlicky.
2) Every point he gains, he gives right back.
Either way, that’s not indicative of “good positioning”. Going even through a career is mediocre, not elite, not even good. It’s expected, and that’s it.
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by JDesthubert on Nov 16, 2011 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
Two Things Here
1) Not a huge fan of +/- with regards to individual players because it doesnt speak to what type of support the player has.
2)I started looking at the game sheets for the Aeros, and am beginning to think they are awful at tracking +/-. 3 out of the 4 I looked at are wrong either in the box score part or who was actually on the ice for Genoway.
Here is one. A game the Aero’s won 4-2 Genoway was listed at 1 when he had two points. Its impossible to for him to be a minus one with two poitns himself when the opposing team has only 2 goals. It also lists his number as on the ice for 3 goals for and one goal against, which would leave him at +2. Thats a 3 point swing, and if 3 out of the 4 I randomly selected had errors on Genoway(all giving him a worse +/ than the on ice indicates) I am going to completely disgard that stat for all AHL players in the future(unless its a huge consiparacy against Genoway).
That section should read
Here is one. A game the Aero’s won 4-2 Genoway was listed at 1 when he had two points. Its impossible to for him to be a minus one with two poitns himself when the opposing team has only 2 goals. It also lists his number as on the ice for 3 goals for and one goal against, which would leave him at +2. Thats a 3 point swing, and if 3 out of the 4 I randomly selected had errors on Genoway(all giving him a worse +/ than the on ice indicates) I am going to completely disgard that stat for all AHL players in the future(unless its a huge consiparacy against Genoway).
Which website did you get those gamestats off?
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Also, they’re not errors. Two of those “on-ice for” are on the powerplay; hence, there is no +
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Craptastic
Your right, should have noticed that. Disregard my rant. But Also kind of goes to your point that he gives up a goal every time he is on the ice for one. As he is a PP guy(like Zid) he isn’t giving those goals back. Just means Even strength he is average. Which is fine by me, there is no obvious weakness there.
Only 1 PP point? Not exactly a PP specialist then. Average at the AHL? Does that really translate into a good enough NHL player?
Plus, if you look at Houston as a whole, they’re a pretty good +/- team. Genoway is the ONLY player with more than 10 games that has a zero for a +/-.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
He has more than one PP point, i believe the stats on the Aeros website have PP as power play goals for some reason, as in that game sheet earlier he had two Power play points in that game alone. I wish they had better stats available for the AHL. Looking through game sheets quickly, it appears most of his points are on the PP. I’ve only seen 2 that weren’t and atleast 5 that were. But I did not look through all of them.
I'm not saying Genoway won't be able to
But the reason he’s giving me makes absolutely no sense. Plus, we were lucky with Spurgeon, small d-men like that very rarely make it.
Believe me, I’d love for Genoway to make it. I just have a hard time expecting it.
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I am going off of size and complete inexperience with the pro game. Size is a big issue to me. Spurgeon is an aberration, not the rule. Small d-men cannot do the things the Wild need them to do right now. Having one is fine. Having two… worrisome.
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Like I said before, if someone is is playing better I have no problem with calling him up. But to make size a large issue is dumb for me. Is replacing 5’ 11" 186 lbs. PP Specialist Zidlicky with 5’9" 177 lbs. PP specialist Genoway that huge of a size diffrence? We are not talking about replacing John Scott or a huge presence.
My whole point is size should be very minor concern as to who is playing best.
But there is a big difference between the AHL and the NHL. Small players doing well is a huge exception to the rule. I’m not saying Genoway can’t do it. I’m saying the odds are that he can’t. There is a reason small players are not abundant on the blue line.
As for the difference in size… yes. That is a big difference. There is also a big defference between 6’2 and 6’ 4. I’ll tell you right now, Genoway doesn’t weigh 177. He is listed at 177, but he’s probably more like 160 -165. Now, put him out there and tell him to defend the NHL forwards who are usually 6’2 190 -215. You’re giving up 5 inches and 50 pounds. That’s a huge difference.
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I have stated all along I would rather have Genoway called up, In my original post, I said, it looks like Hendry left a little too soon. JS then ran with that as saying I wanted Hendry up here. I realize Hendry is not an option signing in Europe.
And Cuma with all the injuries, I would let him get a full season before bringing him up.
That's not what happened
I said, Zid > Hendry, you said it was debatable, so I debated it. I never once assumed you wanted Hendry up.
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No biggie
Sorry if I came out as an asshole, I get fired up during debates ;)
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Debates are all good.
I am just kinda furious with Oni’s post. takes everything out of context.
And no, You didnt come off as an asshole. just rarely see this side of you!
Pretty weird it came out talking about Zid's value!
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Ok, you need to chill out a bit...
He hasnt been able to do Jack this year. and thats what matters. Right now, not the past.
Alex Ovechkin has struggled mightily this year, to the tune of 7 goals and 7 helpers in 16 games. Max Pacioretty has the same amount of points. Should Washington trade Ovechkin for Pacioretty and say, “Well, Alex sucks this year, so we better make this deal for the future.”? Of course not. Please keep in mind that the Wild are 18 games into the season.
if Spurgeon can play and hold his own, I have no doubt Genoway can too.
That’s faulty logic. Just because Jared Spurgeon made it doesn’t mean that every 5’7" defensman is an automatic lock to play in the NHL. Genoway has a lot to learn about Professional Systems. He played in the NCAA, which is notorious for score-fest games that feature very little defense. He still has developing to do, and throwing him to the wolves right away probably isn’t going to help. Keep in mind that VERY FEW players can make the jump straight into the NHL; hence, teams have an AHL team to develop players.
I would rather have Hendry over Zid AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
Well, that’s an unusual statement to make considering that Fletcher allowed Hendry to walk away to find a better deal, yet NOT ONE TEAM has expressed any interest in signing Hendry. There are plenty of sieve defenses out there, yet none of them think Hendry is a good solution. I wouldn’t be so ready to put all my backing behind a guy who can’t even get another tryout or NHL contract.
Zid needs to be moved. he is not helping the team.
Move him where? SERIOUSLY FOLKS, GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!!!! NOT ONE TEAM IS GOING TO TAKE A DEAL FOR ZIDLICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m really sick of seeing, “Trade Zidlicky!” everywhere. How do you intend on getting any value for the guy right now? Do you think some team is just going to turn over a 3rd-round pick for a CONCUSSED offensive defensman that’s in a slump? Get real.
Now, as for your confusing PP rant:
Like it or not, Zidlicky is a powerplay specialist. When the PP doesn’t work, it is harder for him to score. He’s not a 5-on-5 beast, he’s not a PK player at all, and he’s not known as a great passer. Stop putting dumb expectations on a shooter. He is only a PP guy. Until the PP starts clicking, he won’t get that many looks.
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by JDesthubert on Nov 16, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
I’m really sick of seeing, "Trade Zidlicky!" everywhere
People need to stop thinking trading in the NHL is as easy as it is in the video games.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Wait, Scandella only has 2 points? TRADE HIM!!!!!!!!!!
Lats got injured again? TRADE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Koivu hasn’t scored enough? TRADE HIM!!!!!!!!!!
Heatley isn’t leading the team in goals? TRADE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!
I think everyone can see where I’m going with this. Just settle the fuck down people. The Wild are only 18 games into the season. Why is everyone hitting a panic button while the Wild are FIRST IN THE NORTHWEST!!!!?
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by JDesthubert on Nov 16, 2011 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
This, this a billion times.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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I'm sick of seeing the idea that Zidlicky is in a slump.
If so, it’s a slump that’s going on three years at this point. Dude just isn’t very good.
Yes he is in a slump
However, it’s just this season. For the last 3-4 seasons, Zids has been a 40+ point (or at least on pace for this) defenseman, which is good for an offensive defenseman. This year, his pace is much slower.
As for his defensive play, he’s not worse than usual, he just doesn’t have a guy like Burns, Skoula or Barker next to him making similar mistakes, which is why it’s more noticable. For some reason, we didn’t hate on Burnsie for his defensive shortcoming, probably because he’s more likable
So the way I see it, the only aspect of Zids game that’s slumping is his offense, which will pick up at the same time as the 1st line and PP.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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As for his defensive play, he’s not worse than usual
You’re right, he’s been terrible forever. Maybe you didn’t notice him doing this shit when he was paired with other guys before, but I sure did. If you think giving $4m and a roster spot to a guy because he can can score 40 points but isn’t any good at anything else is a good idea, I think you’re nuts. (Also you should want Havlat back.)
Why should we want Havlat back?
Our 2nd line is better than we dreamed, and he wasn’t going to be on the 1st line.
Also, by your logic, it’s crazy to be paying Schultz for D and nothing else? Not too many d-men nowadays have Zidlicky’s offensive potential you know?
If we suppose he played 82 games last season at the rate he was going, he would have had 42 points, good for 22nd among d-men. Keep in mind, this is on a very low scoring team.
The year before that? 19th among d-men. 2008-2009? 24th.
If you don’t think that’s more valuable for, I reiterate, a horrible offensive team like the Wild, than anyone playing in the AHL right now, you’re the one who’s nuts.
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Oh
And if you’re going to talk about Zidlicky’s contract, know that he’s 45th among defensemen in cap hit…. 45th…. for a 19th-25th in points offensive d-men. Not that bad.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Also take the time to notice the very few defensive d-men in that top 50.
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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You just keep putting unnecessary expectations on players. No matter how much you hate/loath/bitch about Zids defensive game, it won’t get better.
As for slumping for 3 years, here are the point totals for Zids in the years he has been in Minnesota:
42 points in 76 games
43 points in 78 games
24 points in 46 games
6 points in 18 games
If those numbers are indicative of a slumping defensman, then I’m Jeff Bridges.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
We really do think alike, don't we?
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Weird. I think I'm more positive about guys than almost anyone else here.
I’m not one of the ones hastening to jump on Heatley and Koivu, for instance.
But if you’re going to judge whether a defenseman is any good based on his point totals, I think you’re ridiculous. And Zidlicky ain’t exactly Ray Bourque on offense either.
You do realize
That Zidlicky is an OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN, which means he’s here to help the offense score?
You also realize that 40+ points for a d-man on a perennial bottom-5 scoring team is actually pretty damn good, right?
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.
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I had to giggle when your title says "Chill out" and your caps lock mysteriously comes on at the end... :P
Haha, anyways…
Zidlicky is a more valuable defenseman than anyone currently on the Aeros roster, because while he isn’t playing very good right now, he’s still able to compete at the NHL level more capably than what rookies we haven’t called up yet.
A note on Genoway… He was signed late last spring, making this is first stint with the Aeros. Hence, he doesn’t have the benefit of last years training in the Church of Yeo that the Aeros (like Prosser/Scandella/etc) that we have called up already. He would literally be a rookie. That’s it. He’s got experience in the NCAA (with the Sioux, yeah, they’re good, but I agree with however on this thread that the NCAA isn’t really notable for their defense…) But that’s not much going for him. Combine his size, and I think he would be less of a defenseman and more roadkill. (icekill?)
I am the one that needs to Chil?
and you are the one blowing this WAY out of proportion?
Right, I will keep that in mind when posting here. If you are going to respond to a WHOLE post, make sure you read and reread the post. Dont make stupid ass comments like oh OV is slacking with 14pts in 16 games, better trade him….Pax has as many points better trade for him…. WTF. Never did I say Hendry should be up. as a matter of fact, I stated Genoway is a offensive d man, and if he doesnt work, call up Baggs or Cuma. Its not faulty logic for saying someone with Genoways size would be able to make it. its rare small players make it, but they do. last time I checked, there wasnt a height requirement to ride this roller coaster. If you are not familliar with my posts about Zid, I have been saying trade him since before he signed the extension with the Wild 2 years ago. Talking about trading players, Who has said trade those players you listed? I have not said trade those players, nor would I.
Just out of Curiosity, How many games did Spurgeon play in in the AHL before he was called up? oh, wait, he was a AHL rookie too? hmmm, so Genoway, B/C he played in the WCHA and not Canadian Juniors, He wont make it in the NHL for a few years, and further more, he wont know what to do b/c he played in a score fest league, no defense…. Where is your logic in that statement? the QMJHL is by far the most offensive junior league, the WCHA is pretty damn defensive compared to other college conferences. I dont know what league Spurg played in, but I think the WHL?
And Zid and the PP, yes, he has passed so much more that shoot when out there. No, you cant blame the problems only on Zid. his Job is to shoot, not pass. What expectations am I putting on him? To do his job and shoot the puck? and thats Dumb of me? WTF are you smoking? he is playing like shit and I am sick of it. He is our defensive weakest link.
Spurgeon is an anomaly though
We can’t expect every small, inexperienced defenseman to turn out good in the NHL. Spurgeon is second to last in height among d-men. The larger Bouillon is dead last in height.
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* Francis Bouillon
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Oh I know...
its rare a player so small makes it, but lightning can strike twice. and the point is, if Genoway didnt work out, send him back down and call up baggs or someone else. I like his offensive ability, something Zid has, and Zid has no real defensive power, so its not like we are leaning on him to stop the other teams best players.
But you can’t say because Spurgeon did it, Genoway can’t because its so rare. A cup of coffee playing 6th D minutes and some 2nd PP time to see how he does would be a good test. If he’s awful, you send him down and switch.
The fact is like you said with Zid above, Genoway is producing at the AHL level and probably deserves a shot to see if he can produce Zids points here. Because Freidham, Bagnall do not have that aspect to their game.
But it’s all moot point now. Until our next D goes down
Also
Just because Spurgeon can handle himself, doesn’t mean Genoway can. You can be a star in the WCHA and do FUCK ALL in the NHL. So don’t make it seem like I’m a dunce because you think because he can handle himself in the WCHA, he’ll handle himself in the NHL. That’s not how it works. At all.
I agree that Prosser has been playing better, but there isn’t a second Prosser waiting in Houston.
Scandella has just 2 points and -1, while Zid is +0 with 6 assists. Maybe Scandella sucks balls? No he doesn’t, but I’d say Zid’s offense factor is pretty important anyway.
and the PP, the reason the are not successful? too much passing, not enough shooting. they keep passing the puck back and forth on the same side of the ice, no angle change on the goalie, easier to stop. if they want to be successful, they need cross ice passes and one timers. We arent talking about the 4 other plays on the ice, we are talking Zid, and he has not done what he is supposed to do, and thats score
You say that like Zid is the only one passing and not shooting in this equation. NOBODY IS SHOOTING ON THE PP. Zid is not alone in this.
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Well, actually, the Wild DID have the defensive side of the game figured out.
But after losing our veterans and our best rookie, it’s kind of a toss up, now… I don’t see Schultz and 5 other rookies being able to hold down the fort for long, let alone provide offense. And God, what happens if Schultz breaks a finger????
I say we make a trade. Hell, we got a pick for Sheppard, and he hadn’t played in a year, what do you think we could get for Staubitz?
Future considerations at most
If thats all they got for Nystrom, no chance they get anything of value for Stabitz, in my opinion. Shep at least was a former first rounder with untapped potential and a mismanaged past, Staubitz is a crappy fighter with a penchant for taking awful penalties.
I'd say they still do have the defensive side figured out
Sure there’s a lot of shots on goal, but they’re limiting the shot quality and taking care of business in front of the net. We haven’t seen many garbage goals go the opponent’s way this year.
I think both Fletch and Yeo trusts the current blueline combo. Heck, most of them know Yeo very well. Schultz is practically the rookie learning Yeo’s system.
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The Wild PP can't only be blamed on Zids though
There are 2 PP units, 5 players on each. No one’s getting the job done.
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You are just a whiny idiot homer
http://twitter.com/knowsknothing
by jerem77 on Nov 15, 2011 10:08 PM CST reply actions 6 recs
The Anti-Sioux Bias just oozed out as Bryan talked about Genoway.
Cheering for inconsistent, undisciplined teams [Twins, Wild, Packers, Hawkeyes] since 1989. "False Hope is better than No Hope"
Win
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Sounds like Lundin may be close enough to play
He’s solid veteran at the very least, capable of making the first pass.
Hopefully he can play soon, it’d be great to see him in the lineup.
by Joel Bertelsen on Nov 15, 2011 10:26 PM CST up reply actions
I don’t know about that. Yeo sounded like he was still a ways away. Maybe they take the risk and hope for the best, but it would be terrible if they rushed him and he was hurt worse.
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They're already taking a bit of a risk with Stoner
He’s on the ice a bit earlier than they would’ve liked.
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its hard to say this but im not sad he’s out. i hope they trade him, he has been the worst defender this season. He’s made some absolutely horrible passes that have led to scoring chances and even some goals.
So did Burnsie last season
It’s pretty tough having the entire blueline offensive load on your shoulders. Ask Burnsie himself. I’m thinking Zid’s having that trouble as well. Trying too hard.
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That’s a good point but I’m not really concerned about his lack of offensive production, he just looks really off this season. I dont ever remember him being a bad passer. in the past ive always really liked his creativity with the puck and his playmaking abilities but there’s something going on- like he’s distracted or something
Or he's trying too hard :)
I don’t think he’ll be this bad all year….provided his injury doesn’t take him out too long…If anything, it may wake him up!
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not giving up on that trying too hard thing are you? :)- That’s fine, i just dont think trying too hard equates to mindless passing, though i would buy the pressure of being the “top” defensemen of the team. I remember at the beginning of the year the so-called “critics” said the wild would be terrible because outside of Zid, we have no good defensemen- funny how wrong they were, in more than one way
by gmanh on Nov 15, 2011 11:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
In other news
Cam Barker is out of the Oilers’ lineup for a while and Oilers fans are actually happy.
We told you so, Oilers fans.
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People really need to listen to us more. We have sage advice to offer to everyone
by unyieldingflan on Nov 15, 2011 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
Let's be honest
We aren’t losing offense from the blue line with Zidlicky being out. Bagnall could rack up more points on secondary assists solely by not playing like Zids (re: a dumbass)
Unashamed Alex Burrows Fanboy, MN Wild Lover, and believer in the FLA Cats Blueprint
Whoever gets the call
I’m at least comfortable with the fact that most of the guys know the system after playing under Yeo last year. This injury situation is obviously not good though, so let’s hope that we can get the boys healthy quick.
Guys know the system
Another reason not to bring in newbie Genoway just yet. Bring someone more familiar with Yeo.
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Well Atleast those that think Genoway gets a shot aren't completly insane
Russo just made the same guess via Twitter.
However
Aeros followers tell us Genoway is nowhere near ready…but maybe they’re just saying that in hopes the Wild won’t take him away from them :P
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But really
Are any of them “ready”? Bagnall and Penner have carear AHLer written all over him, Cuma is coming of a torn ACL with only half season of games in his rookie year, Genoway is inexperienced but putting points on the board.
I’m much more comfortable with a career AHLer than a guy with 14 pro games.
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Maxim Noreau sure put a lot of points in the AHL
Hell, he was an all-star.
Sucked pretty badly in the NHL though.
Points in AHL =/= Points in the NHL.
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You mean his 6 career NHL games?
Noreau was never given a shot. Did Scandella look ready after his shots last year? Not to me he didn’t, but he given his shot this year he looks great.
Noreau was given a shot
He played himself out of it. I remember being quite unimpressed by him.
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And if he really did deserve a shot
He would’ve gotten it with the Devils, who don’t have too many offensive d-men on their roster.
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I’m not really willing to call a 5 game injury call up an actual shot, but agreed to disagree.
Not really sure why he chose to sign in Switzerland as opposed to even go to camp with the Devils. I think they get paid more than AHLers, so maybe he just wanted the extra guranteed scractch as opposed to making 60 or so playing here in the AHL if he didn’t make the Devils out of camp.
Well, Jeff Penner has done nothing to be excited about. Absolutely nothing. He was a healthy scratch through most of the AHL playoffs last year. People here mention his name because the hope is that the Wild got at least SOMETHING out of the Khudobin trade.
As for Bagnall, he’s a tough, stay-at-home defender. He won’t Wow anyone with any type of offensive skill, but he could be a good plug considering there’s not much to his game. He would just have to work 3rd pair minutes, defend the crease, and do some PK if the regulars are in the box.
Personally, I would feel way more comfortable with Bagnall. Like Spurgeon and Scandella, he knows the system Yeo uses. He would be the easiest plug.
I’m not saying that Genoway won’t get that call, but with Zanon and Lundin out, Stoner still nursing his broken finger, and Schultz being the only guy with at least one NHL season of experience, I would feel way safer with a stay-at-home vs. a risk/reward player like Genoway.
In addition, Bagnall is way more a band-aid fix that the team needs. The Wild don’t need to rush an offensive defensman right now. Still #1 in the division, #4 overall in the NHL. No need to hit a “Panic” button and make drastic, game-changing moves.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
I agree with this
Whole statement. I would have called Genoway, then Bags or Cuma…
Surprised is the least I can say about seeing Fredheim get the call.
I doubt we strike gold twice
But we were surprised with Spurgeon too. Can’t wait to see him in action
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And out of left field
Its Kris Fredheim(per Russo via Twitter) to the rescue?
No one saw that coming…
Wow
Indeed we didn’t.
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Then again
We didn’t expect Spurgeon either. I guess maybe he earned it?
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Not on the scoresheet
But maybe on his defensive play.
He fooled everyone including himself! Hahaha
JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!
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Like I said... Kris Fredheim it is.
Unreal.
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