Mikko Koivu May Miss a Month

by BReynolds on Jan 15, 2012 10:32 PM CST in News

In a large helping of absolutely terrible news for the Wild, Mikko Koivu has a very real possibility of missing at least a month with a shoulder injury. This, as always, according to Russo. The hit was fairly innocuous, and didn't look like anything that would cause such a long-term injury. Goes to show that no matter what they do to the rules, hockey is a dangerous sport.

This is, shall we say... really bad news. The Wild are a terrible hockey team sans Koivu, and another month of bad hockey is not something that will bode well for the team's chances at the post season. You've all seen the differences in the Wild with and without Koivu. The details don't need to be fleshed out. What needs to be said, and no one wants to?

The Wild suck without Mikko Koivu. Flat out. They are not exactly a powerhouse team with him, but without him, they are bottom feeders. Not good.

The article from Russo also says Chuck Fletcher is doing everything in his power to make a trade to add some sort of scoring. It would be difficult to expect him to pull a Koivu replacement out of thin air. Really unsure what the assets are he is willing to part with, but what I am looking at doesn't bring back a difference maker.

I hope I'm wrong.

We have said this too much this year, to too many players. Get well soon, Mr. Koivu.

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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand

We’re doomed. :(

"You don't understand anything, man. Leave your STUPID comments in your POCKET!"

Read my lame Minnesota Wild blog at lemairestrap.wordpress.com

by Georgie Fruit on Jan 15, 2012 10:39 PM CST reply actions

Uhg

Step 1) Put remainder of wild schedule in toilet
Step 2) flush …
Repeat as necessary

Twitterverse: @hobey_baker

by The Nooge on Jan 15, 2012 10:42 PM CST via Android app reply actions

I hate being a minnesotan

and immediately start thinking about improving our draft position by losin more :(

Curse you, Twolves and Vikings.

by RBizzy on Jan 15, 2012 10:45 PM CST reply actions

All Star Game

Right when Koivu gets selected to the all-stars something like this has to happen.

I wonder if it was a dislocation – those things can take a long time to heal properly and in a sport like hockey would be easy to aggrevate.

by Andy06r on Jan 15, 2012 11:14 PM CST reply actions

Well if that doesn't put the nail in the coffin

I don’t know what does. Besides trading Harding or Zanon, I don’t know if there is much CF can do.

I have a quick question about the future, what do you guys see as our lines next year? I had a thought about why Brodziak hasn’t been signed yet. Maybe CF doesn’t see him as part of the team long term.

Johan Larsson certainly looks to be able to fill Brodziak’s role as 3rd line center very well. He might not be ready next year, but after a year of seasoning in Houston, playing 2nd line minutes, he likely will be.

Zack Phillips will likely be playing 1st line center in Houston next year (he can no longer play juniors after this year, correct? I’m not too familiar with the CHL rules). Even if he is eligible to play juniors next year, I believe he will jump up to the AHL next year. He has likely done everything he can in juniors, and given how injury prone the Wild seem to be, I’m sure CF would love to have him in Houston next year, ready to be called up in case of injury.

Back to the NHL. I believe that Granlund and Coyle will be given every opportunity to make the Wild next year.

I’ll start with Granlund. I believe he will be penciled in as the 2nd line center. He seems to operate best up the middle, and will hold down that spot as long as Mikko is on the team. I believe that Cullen will be bumped down to 3rd line center. Next year is the last year of his contract, I believe CF will let him play out his contract with Minnesota and will either move on to another team in free agency or retire.

Next is Coyle. While he has been playing center, I believe Coyle will be shifted to right wing at the professional level. There is a logjam at center, and Coyle can play RW. I believe that Coyle will be penciled in on the right side of Koivu. A Heatley-Koivu-Coyle first line is all big bodies and it lets all of them play their style to the fullest. Koivu can play down behind the net, Coyle can park himself in front of the net and also work along the walls, and Heatley can float up top, looking for shots and one-timers. Both Koivu and Coyle are good passers, and can set up each other or Heatley very well.

Now, this brings me to Bouchard, Latendresse, and Bulmer. I don’t know what CF can do, but Bouchard likely does not have a place on this team going forward. Him and Granlund are too similar, and Granlund has more upside. Latendresse is great, but he is way too injury prone. I understand the concussion is hardly his fault, but this team doesn’t have the depth to carry a forward that injury prone. We are no Pittsburgh Penguins. He may be signed to a 1-year deal to show other teams that he can still play. Finally, Bulmer. He showed that he can play and stick around at the NHL level, at least in a 3rd line role. After being sent back, he has shown off his scoring touch in the WHL. I believe that if Lats isn’t extended, Bulmer will claim his spot on the 2nd line. If Lats is signed, Bulmer will play for Houston next year or until Latendresse is traded.

Line combos:

Heatley-Koivu-Coyle
Lats/Bulmer-Granlund-Seto
Johnson-Cullen-Clutterbuck
Some combination of McIntyre/Peters/Palmer/Powe

I haven’t put a whole lot of thought into the D.

Sorry for the long post, I’ve just been doing some thinking and am looking for opinions.

by Joel Bertelsen on Jan 15, 2012 11:21 PM CST reply actions

Couple Thoughts

I highly doubt Bulmer is going to be playing on the 2nd line next year. He may make the team, but it will be in a third line role. Granted he was here for 9 games last year, but he isn’t better than Larsson, Coyle or Phillips. Larsson is playing first line, in a league that is better than the AHL right now. Coyle couldnt even come to camp, as a college player at the time. If Bulmer makes the team, it will be in a role similar to what he had last year.

As for Granlund, I think they are going to break him in at wing next to Koivu and Heatley, and let Cullen finish up his contract on the 2nd line. I think either Lats or PMB will be back but not both. My hypothetical lines are.

Heatley-Koivu-Granlund
PMB/Lats-Cullen-Seto
Johnson-Larsson-Clutterbuck
Powe-with spare parts that make the team

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 12:12 AM CST up reply actions

Not sure what their plan is for Bulmer, to be honest. If he is a third liner, why send him back? He could have pulled 3rd line duty this year. Why send him for more development? I honestly think they have bigger plans for him. My bet is Houston next year. Not saying he is a definite second liner, I’m just not sure why you send him back if his top end in you mind is third line.

As for PMB, he’ll be back. Still has a year on his deal. My bet is Lats likely will be, too. He’s an RFA. Don’t see many go unqualified. If they can get healthy by the end of the year, maybe they have some sort of trade value, though.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 12:44 AM CST up reply actions

The Wild have been touting Bulmer as being a project, but perhaps the best prospect they took in that second round. I agree he goes to Houston. He’s grown a lot in the W, and I don’t think there’s anything left for him to learn there.

"You don't understand anything, man. Leave your STUPID comments in your POCKET!"

Read my lame Minnesota Wild blog at lemairestrap.wordpress.com

by Georgie Fruit on Jan 16, 2012 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

I'm a believer!

The spare parts 4th line made that post.

Twitterverse: @hobey_baker

by The Nooge on Jan 16, 2012 12:52 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

Agree to disagree, sir

I imagine Lats can, and probably will, be signed to a fairly cheap 1-year contract a la Harding. If he shows he can play, he will be traded during the season, similar to what is happening to Harding. If not, he walks during free agency. Should this happen, Bulmer will start in Houston. Even if Bulmer only puts up 25-30 points on the 2nd line (small sample size, but what he was on pace for in his brief stint up here on the 3rd/4th line), his physical presence alone would give Granlund and Seto more room to work and score.

As far as Larsson goes, I think he is perfect as a Brodziak replacement. Solid defensive forward, great work ethic, good leadership skills, can chip in on offense as well. The Wild relies a lot on the 3rd line, both to shutdown top lines and to score (Brodziak was our leading goal scorer for awhile). Zucker will (hopefully) be playing here in a few years, a line of Zucker-Larsson-Clutterbuck would be a great checking line that can chip in a fair amount of offense as well.

by Joel Bertelsen on Jan 16, 2012 12:59 AM CST up reply actions

I’ve got no problem bringing Lats back, in fact if we can afford it we are not really in a position to send any offensive players away. I’d be just fine have all the prospects except Granlund in Houston growing and learning together, waiting for the enivitable injury callups. Hopefully in the future we will be deep enough that a couple injuries won’t derail our entire season next year so in January we are not talking about next years roster…

But on the topic at hand, I think Bulmer is going to be a fine clutterbuckesque player for us. But I think Fletcher is going to keep the best player, if there is a spot to be won and I don’t think it is going to be Bulmer. I can’t help but think, that his 9 game stint was partially a product of being really the only big time prospect in camp. Yes Phillips was here, but he was never going to stay as he was just drafted. So Bulmer was really the only shiny new toy around. Next year with Larsson, Granlund, Phillips, Coyle, possibly Zucker and Bulmer is he going to look as good? I tend to doubt it, as in my opinion he is probably the least offensively skilled, which is what our team lacks the most.

In short, I agree with Bryan. He will be in Houston hoping his offensive game keeps developing and improving.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 8:52 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think they should waste another roster spot on Lats.

Not his fault by any means but we can’t use roster spots for injury prone players. We are stuck with Bouchard until his contract is up. Teams would be crazy to trade for a guy with a concussion history like him unless we are only asking for a bucket of pucks in return or Gillies’ Wild bag.

by cgp711 on Jan 16, 2012 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

I agree, I think Bulmer is going to at least start with Houston, unless he has a beastly camp. He may have been a product of being the only new toy at camp, but he showed that he is no slouch at the NHL level either. While the organization may have seen him as a Clutterbuck style player initially, there is more to his game that they saw, and sent him back to the WHL to develop that (offense). Since returning, he certainly has performed well offensively.

While Larsson may have more offensive skill, his great two-way play as well as him being a center may put him on the 3rd line center instead of 2nd line wing. This is all pure speculation, obviously, and just my thoughts about what should be done going forward.

In summary, Bulmer starts in Houston developing his offensive game and waiting for Lats to get hurt/traded.

Next year’s lines:
Heatley-Koivu-Coyle
Lats/Bulmer-Granlund-Seto
Johnson-Cullen-Clutterbuck

Down the road:
Seto/???-Koivu-Coyle
Bulmer-Granlund-Phillips/Seto
Zucker-Larsson-Clutterbuck

by Joel Bertelsen on Jan 16, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

Well........don't want to say its over,

but go Blackhawks

The young man said I will never give up, the inner war, I can hold against it
My mind, my mind, my minds in darkness

by TheDragonReborn on Jan 15, 2012 11:58 PM CST reply actions

Somewhat unrelated

On Russo’s article about Koivu’s injury, the first person to comment offered up a Harding-Gillies package for Bobby Ryan…

If only, if only

by Joel Bertelsen on Jan 16, 2012 1:07 AM CST reply actions

I hope Columbus is ok with that ….

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Jan 16, 2012 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

re: Koivu Injury

Now we’ll really see what Yeo is made of. Time for the ‘us against the world speech’.

I’m anxious to see which players step up and take the load. I’m guessing Heater, Clutter and Sludge. Cullen would like to but his batteries are dead at this point in The season.

by Pewterschmidt on Jan 16, 2012 8:20 AM CST via mobile reply actions

sludge=spurge

by Pewterschmidt on Jan 16, 2012 8:21 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Trade talks

The article from Russo also says Chuck Fletcher is doing everything in his power to make a trade to add some sort of scoring.

I really hope that’s true, and that something good comes from it. I know a lotta people aren’t in favor of trading away prospects. But I think if we can get a solid, top-6 player who still has a few years on his contract, go for it. No, I’m not advocating a Harding+Zanon for Ryan trade (or the more ridiculous Harding+Gillies for Ryan/Parise idea). The expectations at the start of the season (coupled with the winning streak and subsequent #1 ranking) had the fanbase anticipating a playoff appearance at the least. And not making it AGAIN this year is not gonna bode well. It was said the fans were in “wait-and-see” mode; another long off-season, and you may lose a big chunk of an already-disgruntled fanbase.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Jan 16, 2012 9:44 AM CST reply actions

Pretty sure Fletch has to say that and has no moves to make, at least not for top six forwards.

He would be smart to load up on picks again if he can move, Zanon, Lundin, and Harding. I think the window is closed on Harding, but we might be able to get some type of low pick for Zanon.

by cgp711 on Jan 16, 2012 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

Hmmm … they haven’t called up anyone from Houston yet. That should suggest they’re looking for external help, shouldn’t it?

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Jan 16, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

Yes. It is also a salary cap move. No need to call them up until tomorrow. It’s all a game. My bet is the players are already en route to Philly, but they can’t tell anyone that. Then, tomorrow they call them up and it costs them one less day of NHL salary.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions

This administration has been very good about saving money that way actually.

by cgp711 on Jan 16, 2012 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

Aaaah … makes sense.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Jan 16, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Well, let's look at the bright side of this

There’s….and….well the….

Yeah, this sucks balls.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM CST reply actions

Sucking Balls [potentially] suggests pleasure to at least one party

There is no pleasure anywhere to be had from this news…

Being from Minnesota, it would be rude to put something clever here.

by redheadzeb on Jan 16, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

This!

by wild32384 on Jan 16, 2012 4:12 PM CST up reply actions

I concede defeat

Well done, sir :)

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions

More Coyle

Why all the ink about Coyle? He had three goals at Boston U in, I think, 16 games. If he is lucky, he may get three shots in the NHL, not three goals. He was not impressive at training camp. At best, he was just another player with some potential. He’s years away from making the Wild.

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 12:43 PM CST reply actions

Pretty tough for Coyle to be impressive in training camp

He wasn’t even AT training camp. Get your facts straight.

He’s years away from making the Wild, sure, but it doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact. He was the second highest scorer for Boston U when he left, if I’m not mistaken. He’s already making noise in the Q, so chill.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

OMG

You are right! It was the new prospect camp or whatever the name was. Boston U is not the NHL. He is still another player that is years away from making the Wild.

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

He wasn't on the traverse city squad either

Boston U is not the NHL. Neither is the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, you name it, doesn’t mean Coyle won’t be good in the NHL. Countless players have been better in the NHL than they were in other leagues. You just don’t like Coyle, for some reason, and that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean he can’t become a good NHL player.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Let's all remember the Burns trade doesn't happen unless San Jose throws in Coyle.

I think that should mean something here.

by cgp711 on Jan 16, 2012 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

More Coyle

I love Coyle but he is not the missing link for the Wild. There are at least six or seven prospects that are better.

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

No offense dude

But I remember you saying Spurgeon is the best player on the Wild at the beginning of the season… Pretty sure Coyle is not 8th or lower on the Wild’s prospect list. Just out of curiosity, why do you think he’s so overrated?

by Farva077 on Jan 16, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Beginning of the season

He said it like two weeks ago.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly

He was one of San Jose’s best prospects, if not the best.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

Boston U is a mess right now. Players are jumping ship, the coach is under fire, and the team just isn’t very good. I have zero issue with Coyle, and scouts (who do this for a living) tell me he is pretty good. So, I’m going with them.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

The Big Man

I stand by my prediction. Spurgeon has the most ice time of all the Wild next to Heatley. His numbers are just as good as B Burns and he only 21 years old. He is the best D the Wild have and his ice time shows it. There is no other Wild as valuable as the little guy. More on Coyle latter…..

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 3:16 PM CST reply actions

Our Record without Koivu

Tends to disagree with you about Spurge being most valuable.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

TOI

is a measure of confidence in a player by the coach, not how good they are. Spurgeon plays in all situatins, giving him large amounts of ice time. Defencemen always have large amounts of TOI. Spurgeon is a good d-man. He is not the best player on the team. Love the kid, but he is far from the best. Best at playing his role, maybe.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

Let's not forget the horribly slow start from Spurgeon

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

S P L A T

That’s the sound of this season hitting the ground. Taking into account just how high this team was flying just 5 weeks ago should clue you in to what the carnage will look like on the ground…

{SIGH}

Being from Minnesota, it would be rude to put something clever here.

by redheadzeb on Jan 16, 2012 3:18 PM CST reply actions

Coyle is not the 8th, he's the 9th

Bulmer, Phillips, Brodin, Larsson, Gustafsson,Granlund, Lucia, and Rau. If you want to count Hackett, Coyle is now 10th.

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 3:40 PM CST reply actions

Your High as a Kite

Or trolling for sport. One or the two.

Granlund is the clear cut number one. Larsson, Brodin, Phillips, and Coyle are fairly interchangeable. I personally think Bulmer is a little behind them, but if you want to throw him in there as well fine.

Hacket and Gustaffson are goalies so i’ll leave them out.

But CHAD RAU is a better prospect than Coyle? Most rediculous statement on these boards i’ve ever seen. Dude is an AHLer, and if he’s lucky may stick some year on fourth line duty.

And Lucia is 3 years from even sniffing the AHL.

Coyle is one of our top prospects, and will be in the NHL next year. Whether its as an injury replacement or out of camp remains to be seen, but he will wear the Wild sweater in an NHL game next year. Count on it.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

Rau?

As in… Chad?

No way.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 6:55 PM CST up reply actions

Rau

I hope you are right about Coyle but he was not impressive at camp. In fact , Rau looked much better. Can you see Spurgeon and Rau playing together?! By the way Rau is doing very well at Houston.

by Louis de Pitera on Jan 16, 2012 4:08 PM CST reply actions

Rau

He is doing ok, getting a point every other game but he is not exactly lighting it up.

I went to the development camp scrimmage and don’t even remember seeing Rau, if he did stand out and im blanking on it than maybe the 5-7 years of extra development time had something to do with it. Dude is 26 years old, he is barely considered a prospect. He is an AHLer. Nothing wrong with it, hell of a way to make a living playing hockey. But face the facts, he is what he is.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 16, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

HE WASN'T AT CAMP!

Read my above comment.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 16, 2012 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

I think he means Development Camp. He was there. He did not go to Traverse, because the college season started.

That said, Coyle did just fine is dev camp. The only time the public got to see him was in the scrimmages. Which we have been over and over again. It’s a scrimmage. No one was going full out, none of it was for serious measurement. It was playing around. Anyone judging anything from those scrimmages is out of their mind.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Swarm Beat Writer:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Jan 16, 2012 6:59 PM CST up reply actions