18th in PP%
And how many playoff teams were worse than them? LA Kings plus maybe one or two others, and I bet all were bounced in the first round.
IMO the PP got all the attention but it was the PK that was so terrible. Especially for a good defensive team and the best defensive players were the worst on the PK – felt like JEEK and Foligno got scored on every game. Freddy and Fiala were a glimmer of hope towards the end of the season but you need more than 2 good penalty killers.
And how many playoff teams were worse than them? LA Kings plus maybe one or two others, and I bet all were bounced in the first round.
Yes the playoffs were full of better PP teams. Coincidentally, the playoffs were also full of just full-on better teams.
The playoff power play wasn’t great. You’re right, the PK wasn’t great either. It also wasn’t great that Fiala once again couldn’t find his stick with both hands in the playoffs. In fact, now that I brought it up, who WAS really awesome in the playoff for the Wild last season?
My point was/is that unless the Wild can score 13 more PP goals than even Colorado did last season, we won’t replace Fiala’s 33 goals through PP improvement alone. We weren’t THAT bad that we can just take up the Fiala slack from PP alone. We’re going to need increased production from multiple sources, not just from PP improvements.
Kaprizov had 7 goals in 6 games so I believe he at the very least showed up.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tswoboda wrote:</div>
And how many playoff teams were worse than them? LA Kings plus maybe one or two others, and I bet all were bounced in the first round.Yes the playoffs were full of better PP teams. Coincidentally, the playoffs were also full of just full-on better teams.
The playoff power play wasn’t great. You’re right, the PK wasn’t great either. It also wasn’t great that Fiala once again couldn’t find his stick with both hands in the playoffs. In fact, now that I brought it up, who WAS really awesome in the playoff for the Wild last season?
My point was/is that unless the Wild can score 13 more PP goals than even Colorado did last season, we won’t replace Fiala’s 33 goals through PP improvement alone. We weren’t THAT bad that we can just take up the Fiala slack from PP alone. We’re going to need increased production from multiple sources, not just from PP improvements.
Can’t they also improve defensively and not give up 5 a game. Same thing you don’t have to replace Fiala’s point total to still be a good team. They were fifth in the league in goals for and 16th in goals against.
Can’t they also improve defensively and not give up 5 a game. Same thing you don’t have to replace Fiala’s point total to still be a good team. They were fifth in the league in goals for and 16th in goals against.
That’s pretty much what I am worried about. Is a full season of Fleury and this new guy going to be better? I think Fleury practicing with the D and such will certainly help both he and the D understand his tendencies so that should help, but goal tending is my biggest question mark.
Yes the playoffs were full of better PP teams. Coincidentally, the playoffs were also full of just full-on better teams.
No they weren’t. Wild finished 5th in the league, 2nd in the West behind the Juggernaut cup champs. They were a really good team in the regular season. The special teams were absolutely horrid for a team finishing that high in the standings. Teams with that bad of special teams in the regular season typically don’t even make the playoffs, let alone finish top 5.
At some point we’ll stop talking about “replacing Fiala’s points” but I think it might be a few years. Kudos to Russo for starting that motto, he really shoulda trademarked it.
Wasn’t it the same last year with Cam? It’s not as if Cam was some top goal tender heading into the season. Middleton should improve them defensively. 4th line should be improved with more experience and hopefully Ek line plays together longer this year to also help improve that. It’s not all goal tending to improve GAA.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>TheFamousGrouse wrote:</div>
Yes the playoffs were full of better PP teams. Coincidentally, the playoffs were also full of just full-on better teams.No they weren’t. Wild finished 5th in the league, 2nd in the West behind the Juggernaut cup champs. They were a really good team in the regular season. The special teams were absolutely horrid for a team finishing that high in the standings. Teams with that bad of special teams in the regular season typically don’t even make the playoffs, let alone finish top 5.
At some point we’ll stop talking about “replacing Fiala’s points” but I think it might be a few years. Kudos to Russo for starting that motto, he really shoulda trademarked it.
Couldn’t agree more. I think people forget how good of a regular season they had and also how many teams put up triple digit points.
13 teams had triple digits. The last time the NHL played a full season 18-19 There were six teams. The preds won the division with 100pts. Last year no team in the east that made the playoffs had less than 100.
Wild had 310 goals for.
AVs 312
Blues 311
Edmonton 290
Flames 293
Kings 239
Preds 266
Stars 238
Wait what the wild had 20 goals more than MCJesus and the oilers how could that be?
Goal scoring wasn’t there issue losing 30 goals will not be the issue.
How many western playoff teams had better GAA? All of them.
It’s not all goal tending to improve GAA.
Oh I for sure know it isnt, but my concerns were plainly written out in my post. Fleury and the D didnt appear to be on the same page much of the time likely due to not playing together or literally having any practice. It was clear to me that the D didnt know where to expect rebounds to be sent or how much he would be playing the puck. Fleury is a far different goalie to play in front of then someone like Talbot or Kahkonnen. Middleton may be a upgrade in front of him, well certainly over Benn that we can all agree.
And all I was saying is it can’t be any worse. They had the worst GAA vs any playoff team. West or east. So yes goaltending may be your main concern but it has been a concern for several years now.
And all I was saying is it can’t be any worse.
I think it could be. We know literally nothing about this new kid. Kahkonnen was actually fairly decent and actually went on a long winning streak 2 years ago, but after that Blues game fell apart. Will this new kid be as good? Perhaps, but I think it definitely could take a step back. And yes, its been a problem for years going way back to Dubnyk. BTW, you guys see he is on NHL network? Does a good job I think.
Kappo was average backup stat wise.
.910 2.87 last year
.902 2.88 the year before.
Much like Cam. Average at best.
He is a backup for one year. Not too concerning considering what they have dealt with as the primary starters for years. I mean how many backups are studs either way? I watch a lot of hockey and I could probably name 5 backups in general off the top of my head.
Ottawa gives 20 year old Tim Stutzle 8 x $8.35….. wow
Its officially official. Joe Smith (from Tampa Bay Lightning beat) is joining Russo with the Wild. This is a huge get for our market.
Isnt this an interesting move to have him join? Wouldnt they want a good writer with Tampa Bay or does the market down there not care?
I am sure they will get another good writer in Tampa, this was Joe’s decision to move here. He is originally from Michigan so returning to the Midwest was probably desirable. I have to believe regardless of Tampa’s success its such a niche market down there anyway. By comparison Russo has 6x the number of followers Joe has.
I still don’t buy it that Russo isn’t ultimately thinking of much bigger things this season or next (namely the Toronto or Montreal market and a gig on TSN) and this is just an eventual replacement hire for him….Russo mentioned on his latest podcast that after covering the same team for 18 years, he’s sort of run out of things to write about…just a feeling I have is all…hopefully Joe brings some Cup luck to the Wild..
I do remember hearing Russo saying this will free up space for him to do bigger pieces on the NHL as a whole. He did cover the Stanely Cup for the Athletic so this has to do something with bringing Joe in.
Maybe this is a sign he will be moving on in the future.
I dont know those larger markets already have some of the heaviest of heavy hitters already in those areas. Though they may not be dedicated solely to the organizations, but guys like Pierre LeBrun, Elliot Friedman are in those areas and have them pretty well covered.
Its officially official. Joe Smith (from Tampa Bay Lightning beat) is joining Russo with the Wild. This is a huge get for our market.
Don’t say it don’t say it don’t say it…
He just wants a break from covering long playoff runs
I’m sorry 😞
Don’t say it don’t say it don’t say it…
He just wants a break from covering long playoff runs
I’m sorry 😞
I love that Russo mentioned that in his piece LOL
Ha of course he did. One of the great things about Russo is no one could ever label him a Homer
Ottawa gives 20 year old Tim Stutzle 8 x $8.35….. wow
What a steal, right? Same as the Jack Hughes contract last summer. These are the exact contracts that have potential to turn into Mackinnon and Draisaitl contracts. Those players’ agents are idiots for letting them sign those deals right now, unless they know something we don’t.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
Ottawa gives 20 year old Tim Stutzle 8 x $8.35….. wowWhat a steal, right? Same as the Jack Hughes contract last summer. These are the exact contracts that have potential to turn into Mackinnon and Draisaitl contracts. Those players’ agents are idiots for letting them sign those deals right now, unless they know something we don’t.
I just think with Stutzle, it’s a bit more risky as he doesn’t have the portfolio built up yet, just 1 1/2 seasons on a bad team…Ottawa will have five $8 million+ AAV contracts if they re-sign DeBrincat, I beleive that ties them with Tampa for most in the league (Tampa will have 6 next year when Segachev’s extension starts)…Tampa showed it can work if the players pan out, we’ll see with the Sens…I think the strategy to load up on 5-6 core players that absorb a huge % of the cap and backfill around them with minimum contracts vs the spread the wealth strategy of having 2-3 superstars and then a 2nd tier core of mid-level salaries and then the rest are minimum deals is a very interesting case study…
all signs point to Boldy signing a 2 year bridge deal extension anytime this season to get through the bad cap years and then open himself up for a max deal if he maintains his development…
I just think with Stutzle, it’s a bit more risky as he doesn’t have the portfolio built up yet, just 1 1/2 seasons on a bad team
Revisionist history – we know how Draisaitl and Mack turned out so that’s how everyone thinks of them now. There weren’t even close to that level of player when they signed their current long term contracts. I just think it’s bonkers how fans cringe over these 20 year olds signing big contracts every summer but then 30 year old JT Miller signs a 7 year contract and they’re like oh yeah that’s a solid deal. Jack Hughes is going to be the best contract in hockey soon and when he signed it all we heard was how he hasn’t done anything yet. These kids will be way underpaid within 4 years.
I think the strategy to load up on 5-6 core players that absorb a huge % of the cap and backfill around them with minimum contracts vs the spread the wealth strategy of having 2-3 superstars and then a 2nd tier core of mid-level salaries and then the rest are minimum deals is a very interesting case study…
I think it’s more about adapting to what’s available to each team. I mean you can only sign the players that you acquire whether through the draft or through trades or free agency. Ottawa got all these guys either through the draft or good trades – what are they supposed to do, not pay them? Sorry guys we have too many elite young players and need more role players? No contract for you.
Those contracts may be an overpay now, but if they continue to project as they seem to be they will be bargains. I too forgot that Mackinnon had a bad couple years and that is likely what led to his bargain contract at the time. The next one will not be so lucky.
Ottawa got all these guys either through the draft or good trades – what are they supposed to do, not pay them? Sorry guys we have too many elite young players and need more role players? No contract for you.
And the irony is this is exactly what the Wild did with Fiala and I hate it. It might even be the right move long term but I still hate it right now.
time will tell, I just think there’s more risk with Stutzle as his junior hockey years were played in the crappy German league…I think their other deals made perfect sense (Tkachuk, Norris, Chabot) I just would have wanted to see another season or two of Stutzle before going long term…of course there’s risk of him exploding the next 2-3 years and his contract ask is higher than 8x$8.35, but at least you feel more assured about the long term projection.
of course you pay your players, but there’s limits with the cap and filling out the rest of the roster, so at some point you can’t afford everyone, it’s a good problem to have I guess…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tswoboda wrote:</div>
Ottawa got all these guys either through the draft or good trades – what are they supposed to do, not pay them? Sorry guys we have too many elite young players and need more role players? No contract for you.And the irony is this is exactly what the Wild did with Fiala and I hate it. It might even be the right move long term but I still hate it right now.
The Fiala situation is different though, the Wild WANTED to sign him, but the past cap mistakes (Parise & Suter) had ramifications…Yes, they could have found ways to find the money, but it would have resulted in the loss of 1-3 current roster players…GMBG decided it just wasn’t worth it, that decision could be good or bad, we’ll see…and we don’t know what the Fiala camp’s contract ask was 1-2 years ago before the arbitration decisions…maybe they were asking for $6aav, but maybe they were asking for $8aav??? we dont know…
I agree it’s painful to watch the exact type of player we haven’t had many of in this franchises 20+ years leave, but as we’ve learned alot of things can change from year to year, maybe the loss of Fiala this season results in the Wild signing a surething 1C in 3 years? who knows…at least we have a GM who’s not afriad to make big decisions and improve the team when he percieves things aren’t working..
The Fiala situation is different though
No it’s not. They sacrificed the expensive elite talent for depth, exactly how Billy G described it in June and what you just said right now. Paying the elite player would have cost them a couple good role players, backfilled by league minimum guys. It’s a bet they were willing to make on Fiala not being worth that sacrifice – and it very well might be the right move. But I still hate it right now.
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