Wilderness Walk for 2-20-2012

by BReynolds on Feb 20, 2012 10:42 AM CST in Wilderness Walks

Ladies and gentlemen... we got him.

It was the opinion of both editors of this site that trading away Kyle Brodziak, while it made sense, was not the best option for the Minnesota Wild. That story was to run later this week. Chuck Fletcher made that unnecessary. With a three year, $2.83 million per year contract, Kyle Brodziak is going to be here.

Brodziak will be a wonderful influence on the kids coming up right in the next couple years, and has grown into a role that few can fill. Plus, the guy works hard every shift (Sorry Tom). A third line grinder with the ability to take over the top six for short periods of time is a welcome addition to any roster, and the contract is not out of line with players of his style.

Plus, his game is way better than watching concrete dry. Sorry again, Tom.

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Wild News

Wild recalls better days, ends streak | StarTribune.com - Wild beat the Bruins after being called out by yours truly. Setoguchi found his groove after being called out by yours truly. Anyone else you need to perform better? Let me know.

For Brodziak, day couldn't get much better | StarTribune.com - Newspaper version of the story with some great quotes.

Breaking News: Wild Re-Signs Kyle Brodziak | - More on the signing.

First Round Bust: Kyle Broziak Re-Signs With The Wild For 3 Years, $8.5 Million - FRB with their take.

Kyle Brodziak receives 3-year contract extension; Wild shuts out Bruins | StarTribune.com - Post game Rants.

Zidlicky returns to lineup; Koivu out; No discipline for Clutterbuck; Peters suspended | StarTribune.com - Have to say the Wild won despite Zidlicky, not because of him. Pretty rough game.

Souhan: If it's Hockey Day somewhere, Rau is a scoring threat | StarTribune.com - Pretty unique situation with him scoring on Hockey Day Minnesota and Hockey Day in America.

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Comments

Would it be completely insane

to move Zidlicky to forward? I mean, he still has his shot, kind of. I think both his hands and play making, would look much better behind the net, then they do with two thirds of open ice behind him. He does, or at least did, have the grit to crash the net. Would he not be better than Peters/Ortmeyer/Christensen? Not sure if it’s been brought up, I’m just curious. The more I look at it, the more I think, “Why not?”.

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 20, 2012 11:21 AM CST reply actions

I have thought of that

Not sure it would work, but what the hell. It seemed to work for Petteri Numellin (definitely spelled that wrong) back when we had him. I don’t think its the best idea, but I don’t see how it could hurt at this point.

by eamon17 on Feb 20, 2012 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

We at least wouldn’t have to worry about the other teams forwards skating around him without any resistance and getting a breakaway or odd man rush.

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 20, 2012 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

I’m of the opinion that he hasn’t lost his skill. I just think his attitude is crap, and his focus and confidence are non existent. Say he gets a two point game as a winger with his first goal and an assist. Does that start to fix things?

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 20, 2012 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

Completely insane? No. Insane? Yes. He would be even worse at forward.

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 20, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

Yes. But at least his mistakes won’t necessarily result in an immediate scoring chance for the opposition…

by eamon17 on Feb 20, 2012 1:20 PM CST up reply actions

What are your opinions that support that opinion, that he would be even worse?

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 20, 2012 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

Historically

Putting a defenseman at a forward position never works…It worked briefly for Byfuglien, but other than that, not too many success stories.

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

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 20, 2012 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Given the context of our situation with him, I think it’s still worth a look. We’ve proven what “never works” with him already. He’s useless at D this year, he’s useless on the bench, and he’s useless being scratched for several games then thrown on the ice to look like crap. Are we really concerned about taking away ice time from Ortmeyer/Peters/Etc.? It’s not like the second line has any chemistry that would be messed up. If he stays with this team, the way they’re using him is as poisonous as his attitude.

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 20, 2012 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

Are we really concerned about taking away ice time from Ortmeyer/Peters/Etc.?

To give it to Zidlicky? Yes. We are concerned about that.

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 20, 2012 8:20 PM CST up reply actions

This

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

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 20, 2012 8:45 PM CST up reply actions

I guess I’ll ask this – If he isn’t traded, what do you do with him for the final 20 games?

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 20, 2012 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

Depends

If he needs to be scratched, so be it. Yeo has to do what it takes for his team to win. If that means scratching Zids, then Zids isn’t doing his job.

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

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 20, 2012 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

He is an NHL level defenseman. He has been trained to be a defenseman, has only ever been a defenseman. Just because he can skate and shoot the puck does not mean he can play forward at an NHL level. They are two completely separate positions. Hell, you can’t even make a left wing play center, and they are fairly similar.

It just doesn’t work the way you think it does.

Also, see: Burns, Brent.

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 20, 2012 8:19 PM CST up reply actions

That was probably more condescending than necessary. I’m well aware that defense to forward rarely works, if ever, and why it doesn’t.
I’m saying that I’d have more interest in watching it fail for a couple games, then to never know. It’s a unique situation with an offensive minded defensemen, who’s in the dog house and probably out the door, on a team that desperately needs offense and has nothing to lose.

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 21, 2012 1:53 AM CST up reply actions

There was no condescension intended. You asked for my opinion and I gave it to you. I don’t use condescension, I use sarcasm.

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 21, 2012 10:26 PM CST up reply actions

Well, if there was a perfect metaphor for your use of sarcasm, it would be Zidlicky playing forward. ;)

I don't bark, I harumph. I'm a pup. A pup with a pipe.

by theyarecalledbreezers on Feb 22, 2012 1:27 AM CST up reply actions

Well my point guess of 6 last week wasn’t very accurate, but I did come through with my guarantee of a win against the Bruins.

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 20, 2012 12:00 PM CST reply actions

Maybe we should tell Rau

that everyday is Hockey Day. Hockey Day St. Paul… Hockey Day Ramsey County… Hockey Day Fourth Thursday in Feb… etc…

by eamon17 on Feb 20, 2012 12:24 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I second this.

I am just me.
Twitter: @Iamjilliette

by Jilliette on Feb 20, 2012 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

It’s always Hockey Night in Canada, right?

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 21, 2012 1:04 AM CST up reply actions

Well now you've openned a can of worms...

Does Hockey NIGHT have the same effect on Rau as Hockey DAY? We are talking serious ramifications here. We may have found an 82 goal scorer, given the right psychological “push”.

by eamon17 on Feb 21, 2012 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

not just 82 goals, but 82 gwg’s and an undefeated hockey team

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

It's worth a try!

Although, since he’s not Canadian, it might not work.

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

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 21, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe we should start a Minnesota Hockey Network and then it can always be Hockey Night in Minnesota.

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

I’ll even dress up in rediculous suits and pretend like I know what I’m talking about

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Anyone else know about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1CgvXhCo4&ob=av2e

TI’s sporting a Wild hat, he probably doesn’t know anything about hockey, but I found it entertaining.

by RE74580 on Feb 20, 2012 12:38 PM CST reply actions

Love that

And it was even legit colors, not some other crazy scheme. Props to him, for what it’s worth.

by iLoveHockey on Feb 20, 2012 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

Nice find.

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

Master of unsustainable passive regression.

by BReynolds on Feb 20, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

Does this make us a legitimate national team now?

Twitterverse: @hobey_baker

by The Nooge on Feb 20, 2012 2:24 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Am I the only one who doesn’t know who TI is?

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

TI is a person?

I figured it was a typo and he was writing “Its sporting a Wild cap”

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 21, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

based on the you tube video, I’m assuming so

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Good signing

Seems like fair value for both sides. It will be good to have Brodziak and Mikko around to set the tone for all the young players coming in the next couple years.

by plainoldbob on Feb 20, 2012 2:13 PM CST reply actions

Jeff Taffe was re-assigned to Houston

Rau stays. I’m a little disappointed that Peters gets to stay with the big club over Taffe for obvious reasons.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 20, 2012 3:29 PM CST reply actions

In former player news

Did anyone see the john scott vs dorsett fight? Funniest shit ever and I suggest you look it up.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 20, 2012 5:55 PM CST via mobile reply actions

yes and I’m still grinning. Dorsett is a worthless piece and I’m glad to see him get his

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 21, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Great signing!

Talent can only get you so far, it’s all about heart. Semin is a perfect example, one of the most talented players in hockey, if he had Brodziaks work ethic and desire he would be the top winger in the league.

by Kingpin45 on Feb 20, 2012 6:11 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions