Minnesota Wild Thread

[Mr. Brooks]

Time to shake up the roster. Parise and Suter are untradeable so I think the following players are locks next year:

 

Zucker-Staal-Granlund

Parise-Koivu

Kunin-Erickson Ek-Greenway

Foligno

 

Suter-Spurgeon

Dumba

Seeler

 

That means Brodin, Coyle, Nino, Ennis should all be trade chips. Am I missing anything?

I would blow the whole thing up, personally.

Unless the goal is to be good but not great, you get great by tanking and getting a #1 or #2 pick.

[twinsnorth49]

Yeesh, that was a steamrolling. Not sure anyone was going to stop the Jets last night.

 

Depth was the difference. Minnesota just couldn't keep up all the way through the lineup and beyond.

[Mr. Brooks]

4-16 in their last 20 postseason games.

Zucker has 1 goal in his last 16 postseason games.

He, Coyle, and Nino combined for 0 points (!!!) in this series.

 

This team is not built for postseason play.

Fletcher knows exactly what he's doing, IMO.

Build a team that's not bad, which is all it takes to make the playoffs in the NHL, and hope that buys you a lifetime of job security.

 

The baffling Koivu extension, with full no move clause, along with the Parise and Suter albatross contracts, limit this team's ceiling to one and done playoff team for the foreseeable future.

Again, maybe that's good enough for some people. It does nothing for me.

The only thing that matters, in the end, is if that's good enough for Leopold. We'll find out soon enough.

[twinsnorth49]

4-16 in their last 20 postseason games.

Zucker has 1 goal in his last 16 postseason games.

He, Coyle, and Nino combined for 0 points (!!!) in this series.

 

This team is not built for postseason play.

Fletcher knows exactly what he's doing, IMO.

Build a team that's not bad, which is all it takes to make the playoffs in the NHL, and hope that buys you a lifetime of job security.

 

The baffling Koivu extension, with full no move clause, along with the Parise and Suter albatross contracts, limit this team's ceiling to one and done playoff team for the foreseeable future.

Again, maybe that's good enough for some people. It does nothing for me.

The only thing that matters, in the end, is if that's good enough for Leopold. We'll find out soon enough.

Guess you found out.

[Vanimal46]

So long Chuck Fletcher. Just like Doug Risebrough you left the cupboards empty in the minors, and untradable contracts on the books.

[Vanimal46]

I'm slightly concerned that Leipold doesn't understand where this team is at. Adamantly saying this isn't a rebuild.

 

Unfortunately this team is perpetually stuck as a good enough team to make the playoffs, not good enough to win in the playoffs.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'm slightly concerned that Leipold doesn't understand where this team is at. Adamantly saying this isn't a rebuild.

Unfortunately this team is perpetually stuck as a good enough team to make the playoffs, not good enough to win in the playoffs.

 

I think it really depends on what you can find out there for the talent you have available.  It may not be a true "rebuild" just due to the number of guys you're sort of stuck with.  

 

And really, I'd be ok with the D-corps staying exactly as it is now.  It's the forwards and the goalie that need an overhaul.

[Vanimal46]

I think it really depends on what you can find out there for the talent you have available. It may not be a true "rebuild" just due to the number of guys you're sort of stuck with.

 

And really, I'd be ok with the D-corps staying exactly as it is now. It's the forwards and the goalie that need an overhaul.

Now that I'm out of work and heard the Leipold press conference on Dan Barreiro's show I'm more concerned. He basically said he's not going to hire a GM that doesn't believe this is a Stanley Cup contending team...

 

Sounds like he's looking for a yes man who will continue to make win now trades.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

I thought he had an excellent Game 1 and 2.  But yeah...then playoff Dubs again.

 

Wait what? You thought he played well in game 2 but not 3 or 4? I'm just wondering if you watched the full series or not? The Wild game stomped on in game 2. He only gave up two goals in game 3 and only one in game 4.  Two of the four goals he gave up in game 5 we deflections that moved direction by three or four feet.

[SF Twins Fan]

A full rebuild is not necessary at this point. This team has put up 100 + points in three of the last four seasons and dealt with an unbelievable amount of injuries to the top 6 forwards and top 4 defense this season. The Jets are probably the toughest matchup for them. The were 3-0 against Vegas and 3-1-1 against the Preds this season.

 

They could easily trade Coyle, Brodin and Zucker for some good young players, draft picks or a better player if they bundle them.

 

If I was the Wild's GM I would try to trade Coyle + a draft pick(s) (Not 2018's 1st) for Max Pacioretty. Do what it takes to get rid of Ennis.  Sign a bottom 6 forward that brings some speed and maybe another that can take face-offs and kill penalties.  I'd really like Grabner from the Rangers.

[MaxOelerking]

Dumba needs to go. He's got offensive up-side but he makes way to many stupid mistakes. You cannot be out of position as much as he is and have success in the NHL. If it was his first year I'd say he can be fixed...but he should be better than what he is by now. Trade him for anything. Picks, prospects, or a veteran that can be productive. 

[Monkeypaws]

In a cap-limited world, trading top picks for rentals = bad idea. Des Moines feels the pain.

 

Lucky their draft department made something out of nothing, because they have had little to work with in the Fletcher years.

[Mr. Brooks]

Guess you found out.

WARNING: Long rant ahead.

 

Except maybe it's a case of be careful what you wish for, for me, after hearing Leipold's press conference.

I wanted Fletcher gone because I wanted someone to finally start the complete year down that i feel is necessary.

 

Not necessary to get 100 points in the regular season and then go one and done, mind you.

But necessary to actually have a team that can win Cups.

This team is stuck "in between".

Not enough difference makers to win in the playoffs, but not bad enough to get high draft picks-which, outside of a lucky fluke here and there, is where you find difference makers.

 

I actually wanted it blown up after last year, and not surprisingly, nobody in this forum agreed.

This is a roster full of guys that wilt in the postseason, when the intensity, the physicality, and the mental toughness are ratcheted way up.

Hockey is too physical and violent to be played balls to the wall for 82 games straight in the regular season. The Wild can win in that watered down environment of the regular season.

We have guys like Zucker, Coyle, Nino, even Staal, that just disappear when the intensity goes up to 11 in the postseason.

That's not bad luck, puck luck, bad refs, injuries, it's the personality of the team.

 

Now, someone will surely point out that the Penguins and Blackhawks have won multiple cups with teams that leaned more finesse.

That is true, but my comeback would be that those teams had/ have enough talent overcome any shortcomings they may have.

We don't have anyone near the level of Crosby/Malkin or Toews/Kane. And the only way you get guys like that is tearing the whole thing down and getting high draft picks.

 

I've heard the injury excuses.

I have two thoughts on that.

First, is that every team deals with injuries. Just look at the injuries Boston dealt with throughout the season. They had more injuries, and better players injured than the Wild did.

Second, if this was a team that had a history of deep playoff runs, I'd be much more inclined to give them a pass this year.

But they don't. They have a history of disappearing in the postseason, even when healthy.

So while, of course the injuries hurt their chances, I think the result would have been the same regardless.

 

Leipold just sounds delusional and in total denial with his comments.

It's not even that he thinks this team is a tweak or two from a Cup run. Oh, I think he's completely wrong, but that's not what bothers me.

I'm smart enough to know what i don't know. I'm not an NHL talent evaluator. I could be 100% wrong, and I know that.

Leipold apparently thinks he is an NHL talent evaluator. He isn't smart enough to know that he doesn't know.

What bothers me is that he's explicitly saying that he isn't going to hire the best person for the job. He's not even accepting applications from anyone that doesn't agree with his completely uneducated (like mine) opinion of where the talent on the team stands. That's stupid, and irrational, and impatient, and wrong, IMO.

 

But, he owns the team. It belongs to him. It doesn't belong to the fans no matter how many cheesy commercials they run claiming that it does. So he can make any stupid, irrational, impatient, wrong decision he wants to. He earned that right when he ponied up the money for the team.

 

But, unless he changes his mind, and decides to hire the best possible candidate for the job, regardless of where that candidate views the position of the roster, he won't get another dime from me.

If the best candidate agrees with Leipold, and thinks my opinion is backwards, I'm good with that. Just as long as he's really the best candidate, and not just the best candidate from the "yes man" pile.

 

Of course, it won't matter one bit to him.

The couple grand per year that I drop on tickets and concessions and merchandise isn't even pocket change for him. I get that completely, but it's a lot of money to me, and I'll find a more rewarding place to spend it.

 

Sorry for such a crazy long rant everyone, but the comments from him just really rubbed me the wrong way.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Wait what? You thought he played well in game 2 but not 3 or 4? I'm just wondering if you watched the full series or not? The Wild game stomped on in game 2. He only gave up two goals in game 3 and only one in game 4.  Two of the four goals he gave up in game 5 we deflections that moved direction by three or four feet.

 

The goal he gave up to start Game 3 was terrible.  He made a couple huge saves later, but he also put them in a terrible position with an inexcusable goal.  And he was just ok in Game 4 and bad in Game 5.  Just my observation.

[Vanimal46]

Dumba needs to go. He's got offensive up-side but he makes way to many stupid mistakes. You cannot be out of position as much as he is and have success in the NHL. If it was his first year I'd say he can be fixed...but he should be better than what he is by now. Trade him for anything. Picks, prospects, or a veteran that can be productive.

It sucks that they went out of their way last year in order to protect him from the expansion draft. And he didn't progress as well as we hoped.

[MaxOelerking]

 

It sucks that they went out of their way last year in order to protect him from the expansion draft. And he didn't progress as well as we hoped.

I wish we still had Tuch and Scandella...but nope, we get Dumba 

[twinsnorth49]

Dumba has his warts, like most young defensemen but he was arguably the Wild's best player against the Jets. No way they win one or stay even close in a couple of others without him.

 

He was put in an awfully tough position with Suter out. Playing top, hard minutes in all situations against one of the top lines in the NHL. What do people expect? He did an admirable job.

[TheLeviathan]

Yeah, I don't get the Dumba hate.  The last thing this team needs to do is trade a right handed shot willing to shoot.  

 

Dumba is a damn fine player.

[twinsnorth49]

Yeah, I don't get the Dumba hate. The last thing this team needs to do is trade a right handed shot willing to shoot.

 

Dumba is a damn fine player.

Zucker-Coyle-Nino, goose egg in 5 games but yeah.....Dumba.

 

Whoo boy.

[TheLeviathan]

The other thing I don't get about the Dumba hate is....what do you want in a D-man?

 

A bunch of Brodins?  Guys that are no threat offensively?  Sure, having a Brodin around to pair with Dumba is nice, but a d-corps full of Brodins is a good way to get whooped in the playoffs too.  

 

What this team needs is more grit.  Move Coyle and Nino for guys that size that actually play with that kind of size.  

[Vanimal46]

Welcome aboard Paul Fenton. You've got your work cut out for you with the mess Chuck Fletcher left.

[Vanimal46]

I'm ready for some crowd favorites to make their exit this summer... Gotta do something to get out of some horrible contracts.

[Twins33]

Welcome aboard Paul Fenton. You've got your work cut out for you with the mess Chuck Fletcher left.

Especially since the owner probably has many restrictions on what can be done since he only wants tweaks.

[jimmer]

Is it Wild time yet? Can't wait for hockey.

[ashbury]

Is it Wild time yet? Can't wait for hockey.

You'll have to.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Is it Wild time yet? Can't wait for hockey.

 

 

It's just around the corner. The first preseason game is one month from today against Winnipeg. I'd assume training camp will start two weeks prior to that, which would be around 9/3.

[mngopherguy]

Going to be a LONG winter.  Rebuilding needs to happen, not sure how that can be done with the stupid contracts Fletch passed out.  How a team can be small and slow is odd to me.  Still pretty soft on the walls and especially in their zone.  No puck possession what so ever. Offensively no one in front of the net enough, although that's tough when you never have possession in the zone. 

 

I'm rebuilding around Zucker, Dubby, Greenway and Seeler waiting on some of the other young guys in the minors.  I try getting Haula back for Dumba lol.  

 

What would you do?

[TheLeviathan]

Dumba is a good player, I don't get the hate on him.  

[mngopherguy]

 

Dumba is a good player, I don't get the hate on him.  

 

Lazy sloppy play in his own zone.  He has improved. but I doubt any other NHL teams think half of him.  Vegas is still laughing about the deal they got not to take him.

 

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Lazy sloppy play in his own zone.  He has improved. but I doubt any other NHL teams think half of him.  Vegas is still laughing about the deal they got not to take him.

 

How is Dumba lazy? He's an offensive minded defensemen and has scored 50 points in a season at age 23. Burns didn't do that until he was 30 (He would have done it when he was 29 but there was a lockout). Of all the things to be upset about on the Wild Dumba is like number 50. He one of the BEST young right shot defensemen in the league.

 

Also, Vegas is laughing at just about every team they made deals with.....that's how they were able to make it to the Stanley Cup.