Wilderness Walk for 2-8-2012: What Now Edition

by BReynolds on Feb 8, 2012 9:00 AM CST in Wilderness Walks

That's your question of the day: What now?

The term embarrassing is being thrown about with reckless abandon, yet this isn't really embarrassing anymore, is it? It is just who they are. The Wild have become themselves, and have become... mediocre. Not losing enough to get a good pick, not winning enough to stay in the race. To that end, the experts say the Wild have just a 38% chance of making the playoffs right now. Early this year, it was over 90%. The loss to the Blue Jackets dropped them by nearly 12%.

So the question remains... what now? The trade deadline approaches. Buy? Sell? Neither? Give up and go home?

At this point it seems unlikely a trade is going to make a difference. Yet, no one seems to be lining up to buy the would be cast offs of the Wild either. Hope everyone has their Red Bull ready on the 27th. Going to be a long ride to the end is my guess.

First Things First

VOTE - Defending the Blue Line is up for a Presidential Award. No monetary award, just recognition for the work we do to support the families of service members. Won't you please consider voting? One vote from each member of the Wilderness would put us in the lead. One vote from each of you. One. One time. Please?

Wild News

Wild takes step back in Columbus, returns home | StarTribune.com - Even knowing it was coming doesn't remove the nagging feeling that they should have won this.

Koivu Out, Target Thursday |- A return versus the Canucks? Hmmm...

Goalie coach seeking solution to Backstrom's shootout woes | StarTribune.com - If anyone can fix it, it is Bob Mason. Good luck, sir.

Last-place Blue Jackets throttle Wild | StarTribune.com - Yeah, well, but what's their PDO, huh? (No one cares. Save it)

Tending the Fields

Chilliwack Progress - Vees set wins mark by thumping Chiefs - 30 wins. In a row. Unreal.

Off the Trail

Ms. Conduct: Goalie brain in overdrive - Strap on your helmet and take a dive into the mind of Ms. C.

The Concussion Discussion: State of Hockey changing the game | kare11.com - Excellent series from KARE11 on concussions.

Price of NHL deadline trades soars – USATODAY.com - Indeed. This deadline is going to suck.

Former Sharks captain Owen Nolan announces retirement from NHL. | StarTribune.com - Best of luck in whatever is next for you, sir.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Wow.

Reading the other article on the USAtoday site about what teams have given up the last couple of years makes me not want us to buy.

We are not one person away and giving up a 1st, and several other picks and a player, is not worth it. If anybody thinks that getting Ruutu is going to elevate us to being a cup contender is delusional. If you can get a Brian Rolston type player for next to nothing that can help you at least just for the PP I’d do it, but as of now I’d try to dump as much salary as possible for hopes of a Suter type guy in FA next year.

by loyle on Feb 8, 2012 11:07 AM CST reply actions

Don't expect anything at the deadline

And that’s a good thing.

This team needs too many things (to start with the obvious, real scoring ability and puck moving defense—and really not just one of each of those) whose cost will be too detrimental to the future. Additionally, that’s assuming any of what is needed is even on the market. Looking at what may be available, I’m not willing to mortgage the future for any one of them. Not that we are anywhere near the “mortgage the future for a cup run” point, because it should be obvious we aren’t.

I just hope Chuck can get picks, pucks and/or Zamboni fuel for anything not in the plan and Zidlicky. I mean, I hope Leopold allows Chuck to get picks, pucks and/or Zamboni fuel for anything not in the plan and Zidlicky. I’m afraid the temptation of the playoff gate (even just 2 home games) is too great. Real business concerns will win out, so Leopold won’t allow it (in a repeat of last year), and we’ll be right back here again next year and the year after that or worse.

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

by redheadzeb on Feb 8, 2012 11:28 AM CST reply actions

There just isn't much TO DO at this point.

The Wild are awash in that bubble wasteland, and they won’t be getting out of it any time soon. They won’t be buyers, and they really don’t have much that would make them likely sellers. While I’d like to see them move a player or two off the team, inactivity is probably the best thing for the Wild long term.

They’ll sit around the playoff bubble for most of the rest of the season, especially with the favorable Home/Away differential from here on out. They’ll end up, like almost always, drafting somewhere between 9 and 12. The retooling of the Wild begins in earnest next season.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 8, 2012 11:30 AM CST reply actions

Inactivity

I’m good with that. The only thing I really want to happen is to get rid of Zids contract and free up 4 million of cap space. If all we get is a mid level pick, so be it. If we can get a little more, great.

by eamon17 on Feb 8, 2012 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

Oh,

I’d love to get Zids off the team as well, not so much about the money even. I just don’t like watching the guy play hockey. The fact of the matter is that the Wild are going to have an interesting off season this year. With the current lineup, the Wild have only 12 guys on contract that are currently with the Wild, and that means they have $20 million + of current CBA cap space available.

G. Lats – RFA
K. Brodz – UFA
E. Christensen – UFA
B. Staubitz – UFA
N. Johnson – RFA
M. Kassian – RFA
G. Zanon – UFA
M. Lundin – UFA
C. Stoner – UFA
J. Falk – RFA
J. Harding – UFA
(plus a few other more marginal pieces)

And there will be a number of larger contract players entering their last year of contract:
P. Bouchard – $4.08 Million
M. Cullen – $3.5 Million (Limited NTC)
C. Clutterbuck – $1.4 Million (RFA)
M. Zidlicky – $4.0 Million (NTC)
N. Backstrom – $6.0 Million (NTC)
(Plus a few of key younger RFAs: Spurgeon, Scandella, Hackett,)

From this trade deadline, through this summer, to the next season’s trade deadline, will be a key and massive transitional phase for the Wild. There will be a lot of cap space available. There will be a lot of key positions open for new/young players to claim. There are a lot of somewhat “bigger” pieces that could be moved. There will be an increasing number of young guys, on smaller entry level contracts and second contracts vying for spots on this team, meaning the option to give out, or take in, a bigger contract for a ‘star’ player and maybe even another above average player.

Yes, the next year and a half will be awfully interesting in terms of what the Wild management will try to do, who to resign, who to move out, what trades or FA moves they make, which young guys turn pro, which of them get a real shot to make the Wild.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 9, 2012 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

I think the Wild attempt to re-sign Brodziak, Stoner, and possibly Harding and let the other UFAs walk at the end of the year. Of the larger contract players entering their last year, I think the Wild definitely try to re-sign Clutterbuck, maybe Cullen and Backstrom and try to trade or let go of the others.

At least there will be some good Free Agents to go after – I’d much rather the Wild chase Parise or Suter than someone like Kovalchuk (the best of last year’s free agents)!

"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra

by cyroose on Feb 9, 2012 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Cullen, Backstrom

I don’t see those two getting re-signed when their contracts expire. As much as I like Cullen, he’s had a repeat of last year … was on fire the first half of the season, kinda disappeared in the second half. Someone like Larsson may take his spot. Harding will test the free agent market. He’s gotta know by now this could possibly be his last season with the Wild. Hackett is viewed as the future goalie for this organization. I see him being the Wild’s backup next season.

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

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 9, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

Well,

it is a possibility for Backstrom. He’ll be something like 35/36. I could see him taking a $3 million or a bit less contract to split time with Hackett or Keumper as part of the transition plans. I can’t imagine that the Wild are banking on either of those two young guys, at 22, to be the primary starter for the NHL club.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 9, 2012 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

I could see Cullen coming back

But it won’t be at 3.5 million. The Wild won’t be rushing anyone to the pro’s. Cullen will be 36 at the time his contract is up, and I could see a 1 year deal for a million or something. Wouldn’t be long term or significant amount of money, but I think it’s in the realm of possibility.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 9, 2012 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

So, you think that by the beginning of the 2013/14 season

they still wouldn’t be seeing if Granlund, Phillips, or Larsson could be a regular NHL center?

That will probably be Granlund’s 2nd NHL season. Larsson and Phillips would probably have had an entire AHL season, with maybe a few games of NHL by then.

There’s not rushing and then there’s glacial creep. ;-)

Actually, I hope the Wild sign Brodz for a 3 year deal and work to move Cullen. That will give the Wild flexibility at center with a younger guy who can add value as the 3rd liner, or 2nd liner, or even a fill in 1st liner.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 9, 2012 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

Bingo

I love Brodz for this team for the next 3-5 yrs, if not longer. If for nothing else but for his flexibility. All good teams have a Brodziak in them.

by eamon17 on Feb 9, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not saying that at all.

But nobody knows, I just think there could be interest. Like you said earlier(don’t remember if it was this thread) you don’t want to get the Oilers thing going where you have all Young Kids. Cullen could provide a veteran presence at center or wing on the 2nd or 3rd lineand push the kids to unseat him. He would provide flexibility if he wanted one more season type of thing and was willing to work for cheap to stay in Minnesota and not uproot his kids gain.

I’m just thinking, looking at who we have signed for 2013. Koivu, Heatley, Seto. Granlund will be there. So your willing to just hand that 5th and 6th spot on the top two lines to those young guys? I would sign Cullen and make them earn it over him. If they surpass him, great. Than he is a perfectly capable third liner.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 9, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

Nope not into just handing out any positions, but...

I do hope that FA or trade will bring in another guy who we CAN ink into a top 6 spot. I also believe that we’d have a pretty serious problem if we are hoping Cullen can be a flex top 6 in 2 years. The guy is really a 3rd line center even now.

by Krotz the Wall on Feb 9, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

I’d like to see how the teams comes back against the Nucks before I give up hope and abandon ship. Now that the big road trips are over, perhaps they can regain focus and undo their cranium rectal inversion.

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 8, 2012 11:55 AM CST reply actions

Are you talking about Thursday’s game against Vancouver or the Northwest Division in general?

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 8, 2012 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

Thursdays game

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

by Chris Winner on Feb 8, 2012 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

Sell

Sell the spare parts; Zidlicky, Harding, Zanon, etc. Than hope the favorible home schedule the rest of the way is enough to get us the 7th/8th. The Wild have always been good at home, even when they’ve been a terrible team.

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 8, 2012 12:29 PM CST reply actions

For sale: 1 over-priced, aging d-man with declining skills

Favorable return: A late-round pick.
Expected return: Torn equipment bag, used skates, broken sticks, or karaoke machine that hasn’t worked since the Reagan administration.

Get rid of Zidlicky, for sure. I’ve seen enough of the stiff to realize there is no way this guy is gonna turn his game around. To the people who want him to play so he can be “showcased” for a trade … bad idea. The more of his game GMs get to see, the less inclined they’ll be to consider adding him to their team. Lundin has warmed the bench enough. Put him in. Can’t be as bad as #3.

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

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 8, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

This

Just get rid of that contract and I will be happy. Then we can focus that money somewhere else.

by eamon17 on Feb 8, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Expecting too much?

How about a faulty wired equipment truck that’ll go up in flames like a tinderbox????

by wildfansec108row11 on Feb 8, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

How about "store credit?"

What’s that, store credit in the amount of $2.50? … Well, I’m a reasonable man, I’ll take it.

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

by redheadzeb on Feb 8, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

Why is everyone so down in the dumps?

At the beginning of the year, everyone on here understood what this team was. A team in transition that if very lucky had a chance at the playoffs. Thanks to our unbelievable start that is still a possibility. I mean I was guilty of thinking that our fortunes might continue and we could compete for a fourth or fifth seed, but was anyone really thinking contender? With the personnel on the team we are doing pretty well all things considered. Mediocrity is what to expect when rebuilding a team while. trying to maintain some semblance of respect. Let us refrain from the negativity. We alas are not the Oilers nor their fans.

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

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 8, 2012 12:43 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Your not new here

You know, after the display they put on last night, losing a winnable game in Dallas, barely beating Colorado and imploding in Nashville, spirits about this year are bound to be low.

Seasons a rollercoaster for fans, if we win the next two, we will all be saving for Stanley Cup tickets. :)

by ThatGuy22 on Feb 8, 2012 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

hehehehe

The life and times of a Minnesota sports fan. I was just trying to cheer everyone up a bit. We can’t lose perspective. A good showing against the canucks would do wonders I imagine.

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

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 8, 2012 12:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'm not down in the dumps

A little frustrated with last nights performance. But overall I am still a little happy that we are even in the playoff picture. The only thing I am HOPING for is a dump of Zids’ contract. If that is the only thing that gets done and we get minimal return, fine. I just want his 4 million off the books so we can focus that money elsewhere.

by eamon17 on Feb 8, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

I admit.

I’m a little down in the dumps. I guess its because its way harder to be #1 in the league and to fall hard like we have, than it is to be mediocre all year, like we are normally used to.

Just a bit depressing. This team is better than last night performance would suggest, that’s what’s super frustrating.

by Rhomy777 on Feb 9, 2012 12:08 AM CST up reply actions

There is no point in being buyers now.

This team is what it is and I don’t think trading for ANYONE can fix that. Fletch should sell what he can, but he won’t, he doesn’t strike me as a seller unless we are really out of it one day. I think the bigger problem is the culture of losing is very real with this franchise. Guys like Schultz and Zids, they’ve been here for the losing and I think that can stay with a player for a while. I think Seto is turning into another Havlat minus the agent. Seto’s agent might want to have a talk with him about picking up his play or else it is very likely he is moved again this summer. He is what he is, a marginal scorer, but even at that, he should manage 20 goals and close to 40 points, that is not asking too much. As much as we can’t keep looking to the future for answers, our prospects can’t turn pro soon enough. And I am not talking getting them to the NHL, let’s get them to the AHL and see if they can all make it past the first round of bustville. In a perfect world, Zucker, Phillips, Coyle are one line in Houston next year, find chemistry, and it translates to the NHL one day. But that is best case scenario. Frankly, Zucker is probably our most well-known prospect besides Granlund and he may be packaged with Seto at some point to bring in some offense on the blue line. For now, this team can still sneak into the playoffs at the 7th or 8th spot, worse teams have made it. If they miss, they miss, we pick 10th and it is another mediocre finish for a mediocre team.

by cgp711 on Feb 8, 2012 1:53 PM CST reply actions