Wilderness Walk for 2-17-2012
by BReynolds on Feb 17, 2012 8:01 AM CST
in Wilderness Walks
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PrintAnything left to say right now? Or is it just time to give up and move on? That is, obviously for each of you to decide. There certainly doesn't seem to be much hope at this point. No one seems to want to be that X factor they need to be to pull this team upright.
The pointing of fingers by the fan base has begun. Some say Fletcher, others say Yeo, still others have individual players in their cross hairs. Could it just be that this is not the right mix of players? Does everything always have to be so angry and bloodthirsty that blame must be leveled and someone must lose their job to quench the thirst?
Negativity is going to be the going rate for the rest of the season, unless something changes... and now. No one wants to quiet the discussion, but let's try to keep it logical (at least to a point), shall we?
After the jump, a short Walk to get you going for the day.
Vote - Cal Clutterbuck thinks you should vote, and I do, too. So get on it.
Wild News
Clutterbuck Game-Time Decision | - He was in, and he was certainly a presence...
Wild's Zidlicky scratched tonight | StarTribune.com - Whatever the offer on the table is, it is time to take it and get him gone.
Zidlicky sits as rift widens | StarTribune.com - Distraction, thy name is Zidlicky.
NHL.com - Report: No deal yet for Wild's Zidlicky - 2012 Trade Deadline - You can be certain it will happen while I have no way to comment on it.
Wild's winless streak hits a deep 6 | StarTribune.com - As a student of PR, the focus from the team likely wants to be on the one point, but one point is... not good enough.
Wild's Prosser had hometown role models - There you go. Throw the hometown boy story out there.
Awesome atmosphere at the X, but Jets fans leave happy after shootout win | StarTribune.com - The building was rocking, but all for naught.
Off the Trail
Swarm in close quarters | StarTribune.com
- Good article about the Swarm. If you are looking for something to do, you should head to the X tomorrow night. Swarm + free entrance to Roller Girls after. Should be a good time.
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What happened
to this being a rebuild / retool year of Fletcher’s plan to make the Wild into a top team within the next two years? Did I miss a memo about this being a make-or-break year for them…?
At least at the start of the season, the mood was that Minnesota won’t be challenging for the Cup this year. So why should the team be blown up and / or Yeo blamed for things going according to schedule?
@Fallenity
Go Ducks Go!
Henrik Zetterberg = Zapp Brannigan = Big Z
We all knew this was a ''waiting'' year
Unfortunately, we were teased by the beginning of the season.
I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.
Twitter: BubbleWild48
It's all about perception here.
Most of the folks at this site know that the Wild are really on the first year of a three year rebuild plan. The primary issue is that the Wild came out faster than anyone expected and ended up being the #1 team in the NHL for the better part of a month. The Wild have played as the worst team in the NHL since mid-December and it was only last week that they finally fell out of a playoff position, that was how big a point lead they had at one point. For the more casual fan, and those just sick of losing and missing the playoffs, the disappointment and sense of shock outweigh the logic that most people, including the fans, were predicting a finish somewhere between 8th and 12th in the West. Given the amount of injuries to top 6 players, total games lost, and the fact that the best prospects aren’t yet in the system to help cover for those injuries… well a high draft pick shouldn’t be unexpected.
However, logic very rarely plays out when you are talking about fans response to their team absolutely and totally sticking up the league for the last half of the season.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 8:32 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
this makes a lot of sense to me..
from an outsider’s (Blackhawks) view.. and as someone who has kept half an eye on the Wild.. yes, you guys stunned everyone at the start of the season and built yourself a mighty points total that has helped to cushion the drop (and boy, have we been experiencing that over in Hawks Nation of late!). But pretty much everyone else in the league was waiting for that drop to happen, for the simple reason that your early-season form was not sustainable.. you don’t score enough and aren’t deep enough to cover your (unfortunate) rash of injuries.
The reason for that, as Krotz points out, is that you are in rebuild mode. This Wild team simply does not have the personnel to mount a full-on run at the big shiny thing. Yet.
However, there should be little doom and gloom in Wild Country.. you’re heading in the right direction, Mike Yeo is (in my opinion) your guy for the foreseeable future, there is a small but talented core there, some decent role-guys and one hell of a farm system.
Assuming that realignment is off the table for now (cries a little inside) with careful acquisitions, emerging talent and getting rid of the dead wood (Hi Marek!) the Wild should be hitting their stride in the next two seasons, which will be right about the same time that Vancouver run into Cap/free-agency/age hell.. and we may well see a changing of the guard at the top of the NW.
Or at least, that’s what I think. Go Wild!
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
To be fair..
Is there any team in the league that has a roster deep-enough to cover the loss of 4 top-6 forwards?
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
granted
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
Par exemple...
Bruno – Kruger – Stalberg
Bickell – Bolland – Murdersaurus
Hayes – Mayers – Shaw
Pat Foley – Huet – Tommy Hawk
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
?
this looks like a normal Coach Q line blending situation to me.. and if you’re trying to emphasise what the hawks would look like without Tazer/Crazy 88/Dreamboat and Panda then, fine.. I notice you’re on Q’s wavelength and have benched Frolik for no apparent reason.
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
That's what I was thinking...
Frolik can hang out with Lepisto in the press-box.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
...
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions
I've said this the past 3 years...
There just seems to be something off with the makeup of this team. Going all the way back to the final year with Lemaire, through all of Richards, and now into Yeo’s first season. At times, the team and the personnel can play great team hockey, fast, high pressure, puck controlling. Yet, when it gets to the later portions of the season, when other teams seem to get tougher, play harder, kick it into playoff style hockey, the Wild always seems to fade.
There has to be some aspect of culture to this. I don’t know if that specifically resides in some the core of this franchise or if it’s more of a legacy thing. Still, there seems to be something up. Part of the reality is that the Wild isn’t the most talent rich team, and that is most apparent toward the end of the season. But, they also almost always seem to lose their game and their ability to compete at high levels for more than sporadic moments.
Koivu
Schultz
Zidlicky
Backstrom
Clutterbuck
Bouchard (hasn’t really played all that much in that stretch)
Harding (again hasn’t been THAT involved during that stretch)
I’m sure that never being reinforced at the trade deadline, losing Gaborik for nothing, Havlat’s attitude, and now Zidlicky’s stunts… all play into things like this.
Still, all things said, there just is no explaining what has happened to this team since the middle of December. It is simply confounding. The wheels fell off, started on fire, and blew up.
Personally, I think that the Wild should trade what upcoming FAs that they can, and finish the season getting a good and final thought on a few of the young guys in the system right now. Accept a high draft pick for this baffling season, know that you are getting a whole load of good prospects into the system next year. Look to bolster this team with the right mix of youth and veterans… and work their asses off in changing the culture of this team.
I dont think you mail it in just yet
As bad as they have been lately, they are still just 6 points out of the 7th and 8th spot with 25 games left.Plenty of time left in the season to make up the difference. The whole teamed seemed to play really hard last night, I feel like they arent anywhere near giving up yet. More than anything they need better depth. Johnson disapears when hes not on a line with Heatley, Both Cullen and Clutterbuck have done nothing offensively for what seems like forever. Apart from the first line and Brodziak there is nothing.
Great game by Spurg and Scandella last night though
by Burnsie4mvp on Feb 17, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Did I say "mail it in"?
No, I said that the Wild are sellers, and should realize that by now. Sell the guys who you know aren’t going to be helping the team next year… Zids, Zanon, and Brodz if you aren’t going to resign the guy. If anyone wants to take Harding in, take that deal as well and give the guy a shot at some playing time. Other than Brodziak, those ‘loses’ aren’t greatly impacting the team’s supposed ability to compete.
6 points and 4 teams (and another team Anaheim extremely hot and likely to pass us soon) and 25 games. yes, there is still time. I don’t buy that this team can do it with the guys they currently have. What this team can’t afford to do, again, is play out the season just well enough to draft 11th or 12th. Missing the playoffs and missing a shot at the top talent in the draft. I’m not a pessimist. I don’t want the Wild to lose. I believe that no team should ever intentionally tank out a season to try to maximize a draft pick. I am, however, a realist. This Wild team is NOT a playoff contender, and it is highly unlikely to even make the playoffs. This team is NOT going to make an impact trade this season to change any of that. If Chuck Fletcher can use some of the players that aren’t going to be impacting this team when the youth movement hits, then he should try to use them as assets to help bolster that youth movement with picks/prospects and the added flexibility that those things bring.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 10:57 AM CST up reply actions
Not to mention
Selling OUR current UFA’s, Brodziak not included, does not diminish our competitiveness. If we lose Zids/Zanon/Harding/Lundin, I don’t think it drastically reduces our chances of making the playoffs. So I say there is no reason NOT to sell. Try to get something for them. I do REALLY wish they resign KBrod though.
Never said you did big guy
But when not hurting the draft position becomes an issue. That is what I (me, not you) call mailing it in
Can we start referring to Zidlicky as HWSRN2? The losing has helped increase traffic on the site, so it’s good for business :). Hope or no hope, I will continue to support the team and look forward to every game. Hopefully all the illogical fans will give up and go away leaving more room for the real fans.
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
Harumph harumph harumph
Here here. Totally agree – I’ll continue to support the team and try to watch or listen to every game I can. The fair-weather fans can feel free to jump off the bandwagon any time, you won’t be missed.
Remainder of season
I still wanna convince myself that the Wild have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs … although with every loss, that hope fades away. As a previous poster mentioned, 6 points out with 20+ games to go. Still doable (Man, this Kool-Aid tastes great!). But if scoring’s going to come ONLY from our top line (like it has the last few games), I think the season’s done.
Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!
Well, let's break it down.
6. Chicago: 58 gp : 67pts : “L10” 1-8-1 (On a true nightmare streak though did beat NYR last night)
7. Phoenix: 58gp : 65pts : 7-2-1
8. LA: 58gp : 65pts : 4-5-1 (only team that has more scoring problems than us, though more solid at D)
9. Calgary: 58gp : 63pts : 5-2-3
10. Dallas : 57gp : 61pts : 5-4-1
11. Colorado: 58gp : 60pts : 3-5-2
12. WILD : 57gp : 59pts : 3-5-2
13. Anaheim: 57gp : 57pts: 6-2-2
If LA maintains roughly their recent pace in points, over their last 24 games, let’s say 11-11-3, that’ll give them 90 pts on the season, which we will use as the benchmark. The Wild thus needs 91 pts. The Wild need 32 points over 25 games to hit that mark… roughly a 14-7-4 or 15-8-2 or 13-6-6 or 16-9-0. Of course, they also have to hope that Anaheim stays behind them, and that both Calgary and Dallas cool off. The Chicago spot “may” be in play, but I think they right ship and at least get close to .500 hockey down the stretch and that puts them in that 90 – 92 point range as well.
The odds are long.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
And as a reference...
This year’s best 25 game stretch for the Wild was between Oct 20 and Dec 13 (including a 11 – 4 Nov):
18-6-1 and 37 points. As a low estimate, the Wild need only 5 fewer points in 25 games (32) to hit that probably low estimate of 91 points for an 8th spot.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
LA has a lot of road games left, so I could see them falling out of the playoffs.
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
Certainly it's possible.
Like I said, I project them out and I just used the 11-11-3 as a benchmark, which is roughly around what they have been playing at. That puts them at 90 points, so say they come between 86 and 94 points. They might just well fall out of the playoffs. If Chicago doesn’t get it together, they could fall out too. The problem is that the Wild will have to play at very near the same level as they did during their best stretch of 25 games just to push those toward that 90 point mark, which Anaheim, Calgary, and Dallas will be aiming at as well. (For some reason, i just am discounting the Avs completely).
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
I take great delight in the fact that you completely discounted the Avs :) I totally agree with everything you have said
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
Further breakdown
Remaining 25 games some info:
14 home games and 11 road games
The Wild play the teams in 11th through 6th positions in the west 2 times each still this season (home and away, except both LA games and both Calgary games are at the X so 8 home and 4 away… and I guess a playoff spot would be determined mostly by winning most of those games.
The Wild also has to find some points out of games against Nash (away), NYR (home), Van (home), Det (away), San Jose (home), St. Louis (away).
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
....
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
by GerDevine on Feb 17, 2012 11:11 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
You gotta be kidding be
Since Jan 11, the Wild have played in 14 games and have earned 7 total points. This team is toast. I only hope they can continue the half a point per game pace for the rest of the year.
WHY ?
Would anybody want the Wild to make the playoffs and draft 12th when they have Det/Van looking them in the eye? I want to draft 4th and get a potential stud.
Well I want the Wild to make the play-offs because I enjoy watching them play hockey.
I’d love to see the Wild in a play-off game, regardless of how strong the other team is…
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
Heck, I don't believe that the team can make the playoffs...
but I’d love to watch them if they do, no matter who they play. Anything CAN happen in the playoffs even if it is unlikely. Heck, it’d just be fun to play the Canucks in a playoff series again… see if we can make them hate the Wild a bit.
The problem is that I really don’t want them to get close to the playoffs but not into the playoffs.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly.
Draft picks are a consolation prize. Play-off hockey is what it’s all about.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
The problem is...
is they are not making the playoffs this year unless they recapture what they had in November. The Wild are really good at missing the playoffs and not getting the good consolation prize… to the detriment of teams’ overall talent.
by Krotz the Wall on Feb 17, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions
I couldn't agree more.
It’s time to start selling off the non-vital pieces. Trade Harding, Endras, Brodziak (if we’re not going to resign him) Zidlicky, Zanon and/or Lundin, call up Staubitz to tempt someone to pick him up off waivers like Nystrom and we also need to call on those future considerations from Dallas. Roster players should not be Fletcher’s target. We need prospects and picks—good 2nd-5th round picks (good luck getting a 1st), not 7th rounders; not every 7th round pick will be a McMillan or Haula.
As to the defense we’ll have left if we trade the three I mentioned above, I firmly believe that the defensive corps for at least the next year is going to be made up of Schultz, Scandella, Spurgeon, Stoner, Prosser and Falk. Brodin could go pro, too, next year.
As much as I’d like to see this team make a playoff run this season, I’d much rather see them use their assets to improve the future depth of the team. Even though we have some great prospects in Granlund, Coyle, Brodin, Hackett, Phillips, Kuemper, Bulmer, Larsson, Zucker and Lucia, the cupboard still has plenty of room for improvement. Even though this team hasn’t made the playoffs in years, I’d glagly sacrifice one more postseason for a team that can become real contenders for years to come.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
by wild4life on Feb 17, 2012 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
G-Lat and Bouchard
Fletcher and Yeo also need to sit down with them and determine what is in the best interest of them and the team. Whatever they decide, I doubt either one of them will be in Iron Range Red next season. Butch has the best chance of still being with the team, though. Fletcher needs to find a trading partner that’s willing to give him the best bang he can get for his buck.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
only way G-Lat comes back is if he takes a pay cut
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
I think we need to keep Butch.
I blame a lot of our problems on his injury. We’re a completely different team without him.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
his absence has definitely affected the PP
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Well I don't think he is tradeable right now anyway.
We are stuck with him and his contract.
I'm not saying he is at the moment
I’m just saying when they get healthy, Fletcher and Yeo need to make a decision.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
Butch is one head shot away from retirement
I always liked the guy but he needs to take a good hard look at his career choices at this time. He’s undersized, which wouldn’t be a problem if it didn’t seem like guys went out of their way to completely decimate him with some ridiculous illegal check every season.
I’d take my chances with gui at this point.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Personally, I really think the Wild are better off with the both of them.
This team, with a healthy top six, is downright dangerous. But we can’t be the team that loses every game because we don’t have Gui or Butch in the lineup. This needs to be a team than can overcome that, but I’m just not seeing it.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
Draft picks are a consolation prize
….Pitt and Chicago took their consolation prizes and won a Cup
Pittburgh got really lucky and drafted t
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sydney freaking crosby number one
And got malkin right after that. How often are there crosbies in the draft? The wild drafted 9th and got a kid who if re entered would go no 1 in a heart beat.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:45 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ask Mario
I wonder if Mario is glad he drafted Geno in 04 or would he have rather drafted 15th?
Ok you rely on your perfect storm
I’ll take consistent playoff hockey.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I guess
you are correct and everyone else is wrong
You're having a conversation about hockey.
No need to be a complete asshole.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
Not really a wrong or right type of place my man
Just opinions. This is a discussion blog. We dicuss opinions. This is not youtube. The internet can not be won or lost in this debate.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 3:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
PMB + Lats
I am not to worried about either one of them. Lats is a RFA and PMB is up next year. As far as I am concerned they are both minor short term problems. The Wild are enough under the Cap to make the PMB contract a minor issue. Also it’s not like the Wild will be an elite team next year. Who knows, the PMB contract might actually come in handy this time next year.
If they make the playoffs, it greatly increases the chances of convincing an impact free agent to come here
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
wouldn't disagree
But we may be able to get a decent second tier FA. Like a Ruutu.
Depends on how much he is going to cost and for how long.
He currently has a $3.8 mil cap hit and is in the last year of a three year deal. I definitely do not want to pay him more than that and I think three years is my limit as well.
Why is this?
I thought we were still an option?
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Parise is looking for a winner
The Wild are, realistically, 3-4 years out from being a true contender. Consider for a moment:
Zucker, Phillips, Coyle, and Brodin all need a year in the AHL. Larsson may need a year there as well. That means the bulk of the prospects will have an opportunity to be impact players for the Wild for the 2013-2014 season. Then they’re going to need a few years to get adjusted to the NHL and become real threats. It’s a very real possibility that the Wild aren’t threatening in the West until the 2016 playoffs.
Would Parise really want to come watch the Wild rebuild for 4 years of his prime? There are plenty of teams that are a lot closer to winning now, which is something that Parise is looking for.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
You are correct sir.
Maybe he becomes the last piece of the puzzle 3-4 years and we trade for him or someone like him. But for now, start looking at some cheaper scoring vets and offensive defensemen as I think the Wild will need 2-3 new players to be competitive next year.
eh..
Id still put the wild in the running. Maybe near the bottom of teams that can actually land him, but how big is that list? 10 to 15 teams would be my guess and that’s generous.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
In theory
Every team has an opportunity to land Zach Parise. In reality, the list of teams that Zach would even consider is much smaller.
Wild fans have convinced themselves that Parise is going to do the hometown deal based simply on the fact that Parise is from Minnesota. Beyond that, what is the pitch?
Outside of an incredible November, the Wild has been a very bad hockey team. They won’t compete for a Cup for years. The Wild would literally have to sell Zach on the idea that he has to wait out his best years for the prospects to join the Wild and get acclimated to the NHL before they can make a serious run.
I’m literally asking you what the Wild pitch Parise on? I’m not trying to sound snarky in this instance? I’m LITERALLY asking you to role play with me. Create a real pitch that isn’t a bunch of crap for Zach Parise.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
Aside from the hometown bit, which might be a big factor who knows
The contract fletcher could be throwing at him, which only a few teams could do. And withs the ownerships desire to win and what he’s willing to do to get there, I don’t know if they’re 4 years out. I believe that coyle and Phillips are a one and done in houston. And our future success is going to depend on how good Jesus really is. We are not as good as our record was in the beginning, just as we are not as bad as we have been playing. Trim some fat, granlund plays as expected, add parise, this is a really scary team. Most teams fans wouldn’t want to see us as is in the playoffs this season. I never hear, oh sweet, we match up so well against the wild, I love playing them. Even when we suck people bitch when they have to play us.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
The contract fletcher could be throwing at him, which only a few teams could do.
According to CapGeek, there are 13 teams that will have over $13 million in cap space next year. There are more teams than maybe you realize that will have the cap space to give Parise a lucrative offer.
I don’t know if they’re 4 years out. I believe that coyle and Phillips are a one and done in houston.
So do I, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to step into the NHL the year after and be stars. It’s going to take a few years for them to play like NHL players. That’s why I gave an estimate of 3-4 years before the Wild can actually threaten in a very tough Western Conference.
It’s not like the Wild will be the only team improving while everyone else gets worse. I’m not naive enough to believe the Wild will improve exponentially faster than all the other teams in the West.
I never hear, oh sweet, we match up so well against the wild, I love playing them. Even when we suck people bitch when they have to play us.
Most of them are bitching because the Wild are perceived as a boring trap team.
Plus, the fans perspective has nothing to do with the NHL players’ perspectives. Teams aren’t shaking in their skates to face the Wild.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
I think the Wild will be one of the teams to offer the most money.
But he will reject it and take less to play for Detroit and be in the playoffs the rest of his career. Just my opinion, and it is a complete 180 from a month ago, but I don’t see why he or anyone else would want to jump aboard this rebuilding project now. I can see lesser free agents coming here if they are grossly overpaid but I hope Fletch doesn’t do that either.
Money
The Wild have a ton of cap space, and could lock him up to a long-term deal with a high salary. For the love of money: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kRUCWstCo
"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra
The Wild aren't the only team with money this offseason
Detroit and Washington both have more cap space than Minnesota. Both teams also have more players under contract and are closer to winning a Stanley Cup than Minnesota.
L.A. has about $5 million less, but the Kings have 6 more players under contract. Plus, the Kings have a better blueline, a better goalie, and an elite center (Kopitar) to put next to Parise.
The St. Louis Blues have $30 million in cap space look like a legitimate threat this year. Parise could very well make them favorites to win the West next year.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
If Parise goes to Detroit...
Ugh… I don’t even want to think about it.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
It's his best chance to win.
So many teams will be able to sign him but the only true contenders year in and year out are Detroit and Pittsburgh these days.
my thought is
With the way the team is finishing the season their chances at landing Parise, Suter or both(according to Leipold’s wish list), are pretty slim. I would start by trying to resign Brodziak. If they can’t, then trade him, if they can, then trade Cullen. Whichever one stays is your 3rd line C next year. Trade MZ, hopefully without taking salary back. On the first day of FA you make the obligatory call to Parise and Suter. If they’re not interested you go after Ruutu(good friends with MK?), and a veteran d that can actually play the body and stay at home to pair with Scandella(Kubina?). Try to show enough improvement next year with the kids mixed in, the Backstrom, and PMB contracts coming off the books, and the left over money from this year to try and attract a Perry, Getzlaf, or even Clowe to sign next year.
I think Spurg and Scandella should stay paired together. The Wild already have plenty of stay at home defensemen, thats the problem
they do have plenty of stay at home d, they just don’t have any physical ones outside of Stoner, who is not good enough to cover for Scandella’s mistakes imo. I think that they are both going to be counted on to be offensive contributers in the future and imo it would probably be better to have each of them paired with someone that is going to know that their role is to stay home and cover.
me either
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
but, have you seen the likely quality of the UFA/RFA market this year
it’s worse than last year… (Weber/Suter notwithstanding)
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 4:56 PM CST up reply actions
I know its a new GM
But the Wild having the Fouth pick in the draft does not exactly get me stoked. Aj Thelen anybody? Ill take a mid rounder over a fourth anyday.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Different regime with a different draft round table
Fletcher has pretty much proven that he is a smarter drafter and better developer of talent than HWSRN.
Comparing the old regime and this regime as far as draft ability is like comparing apples to cow turds.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
Unless its top 2 I dont like those high of picks period
4th is were it really starts to get murky imo.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
wasnt cam barker a fourth?
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
3rd
Behind Ovie and Malkin…heehee…that’s just hysterical.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
In contrast...
Mike Green was taken 29th overall on that draft.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
Uhhh...
2011 4th overall pick – Adam Larsson (New Jersey Devils)
2010 4th overall pick – Ryan Johansen (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2009 4th overall pick – Evander Kane (Atlanta Thrashers)
2008 4th overall pick – Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues)
2007 4th overall pick – Thomas Hickey (Los Angeles Kings)
2006 4th overall pick – Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals)
2005 4th overall pick – Benoit Pouliot (Minnesota Wild)
2004 4th overall pick – Andrew Ladd (Carolina Hurricanes)
So of the last 8 picks that went 4th overall, only Beniot is out of place, and as I mentioned above, HWSRN drafted like a cow turd.
Hickey is the only player that hasn’t made the NHL yet. His injuries ended up pushing him down the list behind guys like Voynov, Johnson, and Doughty as offensive defensmen.
Everyone else on that list is in the NHL and contributing.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
it's just you.
he regularly tops the list of “Cup Winners We’d Like To Have Back” at SCH.. ahead of Nemo and Dat Brunglehuglin Guy..
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Fletch has the utmost confidence in his scouts
2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club
by Chris Winner on Feb 17, 2012 5:16 PM CST up reply actions
Ill take a mid rounder over a fourth anyday.????????
Just so I get this correct. You would rather have the 15th pick than the 4th?
yes...
Ask the oilers how well those top picks work out. If I’m not mistaken they are inline for another top five.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Uhh…………. I don’t even know how to respond to this.
"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra
Agreed.
So…you’re saying that Taylor Hall and RNH are just crap? It doesn’t matter how good your rookies are if there’s no veteran leadership in the tough times.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
To borrow a line from PA
…..what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.
ok :D
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:47 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Point is drafts are a crapshoot and relying on a generational talent
In the draft is not a good way to go about things. 15th over a 4th means the Wild made the playoffs and Ill take that over a fourth any day.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
That’s the only part of your argument that we can both agree on.
Cont....
the making the playoffs part….Chi did the exact same thing so its not a once in a generation thing.
It was though. Those situations dont happen every year
And they lost half their team because of it the year after. How many lottery picks has Detriot had in the past 15 years?
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 3:01 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
15th means we were in the playoffs as well
Woooooooo!!!
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Did I watch the same game last night as everyone else?
They played pretty well, and sure they lost, but the effort, the pride, etc. was all there. Unfortunately, the defense wasn’t really there, but I credit that more to the Jets taking the Wild off their game again like they did in December. This team is what it is, top heavy when it comes to scoring with absolutely zero secondary scoring. Injuries are a part of it, terrible drafting by the previous regime is another part of it. In a few years, hopefully this problem is fixed as new players come up and old contracts expire. I think part of the “culture of losing” is due to the core of players still being from DR’s regime. Krotz listed those players above and I’m not blaming Schultz or Backstrom, etc., but I think when their contracts are up, it would be best if they are not resigned. This team needs to move in a different direction and I can only see that happening if almost all of those players are cleaned out save Koivu.
Exactly
It was actually fun to watch because you could see they cared. Spurgeon had his game of the year last night I thought. Without any of the other lines doing anything I think Spurg and Scandella are going to have to continue to play like they did last night night for the wild to have any chance the rest of the season
One thing I will say is this,
Last night made the Burns trade look really sweet. I’m not saying that one night makes a trade like that worth while, but what I am saying is that the potential is certainly there and Seto’s young, too.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
Hey, he's still better than Mittens.
Proud Sioux Falls Stampede Season Ticket Holder and #1 Nate Prosser Fan! Go Wild!
My whole life I've just been pissing into the wind
Not going to give that up now. The Wild will get a seventh seed and we will play the canucks first round. Mark it down! :)
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions
sorry, we have to be the ones to dump Vancouver out of the playoffs
I know you’ve been there longer, but that’s just the way it is…
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
And I read a couple articles about the l
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Zidlicky to devils trade
I guess there might be some complications due to the Devils impending financial ruin. Taking on new salaries are supposedly being watched closely by the nhl.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:31 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
What'd Montreal get for him?
All the defensive-defensemen are being traded right now it seems.
Eh, I fondly remember the Pens winning a Cup with USS Hall Gill at the helm
But that was a few years ago now. Hope for Nashville’s sake that he hasn’t lost a step…
"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra
he has.
he’s basically Sean O’Donnell with PK abilities. Preds are tougher now, especially on the PK, but they sure as hell overpaid for him.
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:02 PM CST up reply actions
The preds fans are not happy
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
No kidding
But this is also a team that gave up a first round pick for Brendan Witt if I am not mistaken.
I just dont know what they were thinking
Unless this was some sort of cap move.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 1:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
The Wild always seem to fade, some aspect of culture to this?
Krotz mentioned this at the top.
I was actually thinking about this the other day. Could the players in Minnesota be more affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder then teams in say Anaheim or Phoenix? I have heard it can really affect mood including pessimism or even depression. People really get down in Alaska and the Nordic countries where they don’t get as much sunlight. Wild players on their free time in MN often have to stay in and watch TV or something because of the crappy weather. This can’t help their mental health. Now I know there are Canadian teams doing just fine but do you think the Wild should offer their players light therapy or something?
I’m only half serious about all this but I would guess at least some of the players would try it out and it may actually help a little. They need a little help.
as someone who was born here but spent 13
Of his 1st 14 in arizona, I can tell you 120 with a ground level of about 140 in the summer is just as bad as -10 in the winter. Its all perspective. Seasonal depression imo is a joke.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I always tell people when they are depressed
Go hunt every meal with a spear in some god forsaken 3rd world country and tell me how much time you have to be depressed. Shit can always get worse :)
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ill take a crack at the playoffs over
Alex Pitrangelo any day
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 2:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Wow
Just wow…
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior
Serious?
Pitrangelo may win a Norris someday, he’s pretty good.
Honest to god i just picked a name at random
On the 4th pick list earlier in the post. Pouliot would have been safer hahaha.
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 3:08 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Although I aim for the 30th pick every year
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 3:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Everyone is now dumber for having listened to this. I award you no points
by Burnsie4mvp on Feb 17, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That face is just golden
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 3:22 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
re: draft picks
who was drafted in the 6th round (171st Overall) as his teams 9th pick in 1998?
and who was a 1st rounder (27th overall)?
yes, the draft is a weird place
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
waylon/d
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
let's put it this way:
one is the single best two-way forward in the game… and the other one just scored his first goal since the Late-Cambrian period..
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:13 PM CST up reply actions
Pavel Datsyuk?
And the other one is obviously..(John) Scott Gomez.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
correct.
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
Well we picked Sheppard instead of Giroux...
…..
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
eh
that’s the point.. the draft is a lottery.. some years you get Sid the Kid, others you get Vincent Lecavalier… look at what repeated years of No1 picks have done for the Oil…
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 17, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Yep.
It’s better to have a good foundation of glue players with the prospects getting phased in.
If you just dump a bunch of excellent young players into a shit team (Edmonton), then you get 14th in the West.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
This was all I was getting at earlier
Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against
by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 17, 2012 5:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ducks only got 1 point in New Jersey.
This is good for the Wild.
Follow me on Twitter @GerDevine
Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.
About the draft
It’s all about consolidation also. It doesn’t matter if you get high level skill, if you’re organization cannot support your prospects properly. That’s why I think some first round picks would have really become something else in other organizations then the ones they got drafted to. Would Datsyuk have been as good if he would have been drafted by for example the Islanders? We can’t say for sure, but we do know that the Detroit organization is one of the best in NHL.
Of course Minnesota has a very good prospect program, but I really think that the better your organization is, the more you get out of the later round picks.
@Fallenity
Go Ducks Go!
Henrik Zetterberg = Zapp Brannigan = Big Z
I think you reply-failed there, my friend..
but you’re correct… the strength of a organisation helps turn good draft picks into lite players. It’s something that Detoilet is good at and also something Chicago is getting good at.. and I see no reason why the Wild can’t do the same.
And I think Datsyuk would be Datsyuk wherever he ended up.. he’s an extreme example (IMO the second best currently active player in the game)
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 18, 2012 9:30 PM CST up reply actions
yuk.. "Elite" rather than "Lite".. spellink fail
"It could be worse: there could be blood squirtin' out of your nose"
"And that's 'Perfessr Mrs. Montador' to you...
by mightymike D on Feb 18, 2012 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
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