2022 MN WILD/NHL THREAD

Something is obviously wrong with Dumba.

basseyes wrote:

Something is obviously wrong with Dumba.

its more a mental issue with him though…

Wild add forward Nic Deslauriers from the Ducks for a 2023 3rd rounder… great playoff 4th line grinder we needed… my guess is GMBG adds 1 more big defenseman by the deadline and then he’s done… he’ll live or die with Talbot…

A little more size and depth for the bottom line I’m assuming?

mahtofire14 wrote:

A little more size and depth the the bottom line I’m assuming?

yes, he adds some serious beef to the 4th line, he hits everything and fights if needed

Wild picked up points on Blues and Stars lose today (Preds playing Leafs)

Friedman reporting that Wild are talking to the Hawks about Fleury!

Giroux to Panthers (the only team he would lift NTC for) so decent haul for the Flyers under the circumstances…

What do the Avs do now?

I think there is better chance of them going after Fleury than a Dman at this point. Unless Goose gets pulled going to be tough to sit a guy on your future roster. Cam making a case for it not to happen as of late.

I don’t think Colorado needs to make a move to still be the favorite in the west but then again I think the west is pretty wide open.

Wild will play the blues which has been the case since about the 2nd month of the season.

I don’t know if I want them to get Fleury. Is he even a shell of himself at this point or is it just because I only see him when he plays the Wild and they light him up? Feels like they are going to have to give up a decent amount for him for a little improvement at goal.

I dont know where I am with potentially signing Flower… he can absolutely steal you games in the playoffs and his bad numbers this season are inflated behind an atrocious Hawks team, but how does the GMBG conversation go with Talbot after he’s won 5 games in a row and is still signed through next season?

Unless the plan all along was to completely reboot the goalies next year anyways and go the cheap route saving any capspace they can until Wallstedt is ready in 2-3 years?

I don’t get the Fluery thing either, Why? Another BG waffle stomp. I don’t want to disrupt the team chemistry in the locker room. Bringing in Fluery would be like rolling a grenade in there. Spots are not given out you have to earn them. Meanwhile much of our better talent is sitting in Iowa. We are no longer a Cup contender I think that is clear. Iowa guys should be playing here now to see what we actually have. I get the Rossi thing but lets give him his seven more games.

He’s actually tapering off from his point a game in Iowa so maybe he’s not all that. Wouldn’t be the first time a highly touted AHL’er didn’t make the next step.

Ice Cap wrote:

I don’t get the Fluery thing either, Why? Another BG waffle stomp. I don’t want to disrupt the team chemistry in the locker room. Bringing in Fluery would be like rolling a grenade in there. Spots are not given out you have to earn them. Meanwhile much of our better talent is sitting in Iowa. We are no longer a Cup contender I think that is clear. Iowa guys should be playing here now to see what we actually have. I get the Rossi thing but lets give him his seven more games.

He’s actually tapering off from his point a game in Iowa so maybe he’s not all that. Wouldn’t be the first time a highly touted AHL’er didn’t make the next step.

outside of the Avs and Flames, who else in the West is looking like a Cup contender right now though? Most teams are going through a rut right now with so many games condensed in a tight schedule, Wild looking like they are now out of theirs now though… Dean made a great point in his postgame press conf yesterday, he said dont expect games with big goal totals rest of the year as teams getting into playoff hockey mode, makes sense…

I agree Rossi is in a funk right now, he’s likely hitting a mental/physical wall playing so many games after taking a year+ off hockey. He’ll for sure get his remaining 7 games in, they might be saving them for the playoffs though?

Ice Cap wrote:

I don’t get the Fluery thing either, Why? Another BG waffle stomp. I don’t want to disrupt the team chemistry in the locker room. Bringing in Fluery would be like rolling a grenade in there. Spots are not given out you have to earn them. Meanwhile much of our better talent is sitting in Iowa. We are no longer a Cup contender I think that is clear. Iowa guys should be playing here now to see what we actually have. I get the Rossi thing but lets give him his seven more games.

He’s actually tapering off from his point a game in Iowa so maybe he’s not all that. Wouldn’t be the first time a highly touted AHL’er didn’t make the next step.

They have the third best record in the west and you want them to just throw in the towel.😂😂 That’s ridiculous.
What does that say to your club. Hey KK great season but we are going to play minor leaguers up here because we can’t win the cup.

Who is this better talent in Iowa you speak of besides Rossi?
Sorry but I don’t want to see Addison make our back end even smaller heading into playoffs.

I would say Addison would be an improvement over Dumba right now and BG must think he has a lot of prospect talent in Iowa because he doesn’t seem willing to trade any of them or any picks so I’m not sure what good they are doing us right now. So if Rossi don’t pan out then we got nothing down there?

Spending money to bring Jost in pretty much seals the deal Fiala is gone. So BG either knows the number Fiala wants or just doesn’t see the value in him. So Dumba will most likely get an extension with a small raise. Fiala and Dumba have the same agent so I’d be surprised if there hasn’t been some communication along the line.

When you hold players like Dumba and Freddy hockey in high regards and value it’s hard to improve. Third best record in the Western Conference is nice. But four points out of the second wild card slot and seven points out of not making the play offs is another way to look at it.

The Wild could be this years version of last years Montreal but I’m not sure Fluery holds the key for this team to make a run. BG is hard to read because he says one thing and then does something else. Just the other day he tells the players they can’t trade their way out of this and it’s up to them to pull together and make this work. Now you hear he’s talking to Chicago about Fluery and has made two deals since then. So what are the players to believe when he says something? On one hand he seems frozen in place because he does not want to part with any assets but then there’s this Fluery thing flying around. I think if Freidman says it more than rumor. I guess we will wait and see what he does but I don’t listen much when he talks anymore.

Ice Cap wrote:

I would say Addison would be an improvement over Dumba right now and BG must think he has a lot of prospect talent in Iowa because he doesn’t seem willing to trade any of them or any picks so I’m not sure what good they are doing us right now. So if Rossi don’t pan out then we got nothing down there?

Spending money to bring Jost in pretty much seals the deal Fiala is gone. So BG either knows the number Fiala wants or just doesn’t see the value in him. So Dumba will most likely get an extension with a small raise. Fiala and Dumba have the same agent so I’d be surprised if there hasn’t been some communication along the line.

When you hold players like Dumba and Freddy hockey in high regards and value it’s hard to improve. Third best record in the Western Conference is nice. But four points out of the second wild card slot and seven points out of not making the play offs is another way to look at it.

The Wild could be this years version of last years Montreal but I’m not sure Fluery holds the key for this team to make a run. BG is hard to read because he says one thing and then does something else. Just the other day he tells the players they can’t trade their way out of this and it’s up to them to pull together and make this work. Now you hear he’s talking to Chicago about Fluery and has made two deals since then. So what are the players to believe when he says something? On one hand he seems frozen in place because he does not want to part with any assets but then there’s this Fluery thing flying around. I think if Freidman says it more than rumor. I guess we will wait and see what he does but I don’t listen much when he talks anymore.

outside of Rossi, Addison and Beckman there’s nobody else in Iowa any team would want…the majority of the Wild’s (and every other NHL team) prospect pool is in Juniors…things will heat up tomorrow with 30 minutes left before the deadline when all the teams make the “take or it leave it” offers on their assets or they end up getting nothing and lose them to free agency…

Sounds like the Wild have a McBain deal in place with Arizona for one of their 2nd round picks (Vancouvers draft slot) in this years draft.

Now if you’re the Wild do you pool that pick with whatever else is negotiated and try yo get Fleury for the playoffs (still keeping our 1st round pick) or save it for the draft and pool their 1st and 2nd round picks together and move way up in the top 10-15 of the 1st round to grab a top player (like 6’4” Center Connor Geekie or 6’1” center Rutger McGroarty) who’s more likely only a year or two away from playing in the NHL?

So go short term or long term? I’d probably go long term only because Talbot appears to be out of his funk and Fleury is getting lit up tonight by the Jets…

I say we should stand pat on the goalie situation. If we can time it right with Talbot we might be able to make a fairly long run in the playoffs. I’m just not comfortable giving up a #1 or a top prospect for two months of an average Fleury and still not get a cup.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I say we should stand pat on the goalie situation. If we can time it right with Talbot we might be able to make a fairly long run in the playoffs. I’m just not comfortable giving up a #1 or a top prospect for two months of an average Fleury and still not get a cup.

it sounds like GMBG is refusing to give up his 1st and the fact that Fleury played tonight makes me think the deal is off unless tomorrow last minute Chicago caves and takes what was offered… The thing about Fleury is that he’s playoff proven and CAN play lights out and steal a series by himself…

with Fiala likely priced out of an extension this might be our best shot at a cup for awhile…

Do the Wild reaaallllly want a guy who consciously chooses to play for the Coyotes over them? I mean I get why, but c’mon… the freaking Arizona Coyotes?! Last guy to do that was Phil Kessel and that worked out great for the Wild.

So with Paul Fenton’s first two draft picks for the Wild he drafted…. Two 2022 2nd round picks.

Didn’t Delaurias fight just about every heavyweight over a few week span earlier this season? That’s about all I know about the guy.

tswoboda wrote:

Do the Wild reaaallllly want a guy who consciously chooses to play for the Coyotes over them? I mean I get why, but c’mon… the freaking Arizona Coyotes?! Last guy to do that was Phil Kessel and that worked out great for the Wild.

So with Paul Fenton’s first two draft picks for the Wild he drafted…. Two 2022 2nd round picks.

Didn’t Delaurias fight just about every heavyweight over a few week span earlier this season? That’s about all I know about the guy.

I think the Wild are very happy to get top 15 2nd round pick for McBain

Lol, yes he did!

He fights everyone, but he’s also a big hitter (early Cal Clutterbuck style of hits everything) he’s a perfect playoffs 4th line guy and also takes any need to fight away from Foligno…

On paper, the Duhaime – Jost – Dauslarias 4th line has everything needed (Speed, Skill and Physicality)

JoeMX1825 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ice Cap wrote:</div>
I would say Addison would be an improvement over Dumba right now and BG must think he has a lot of prospect talent in Iowa because he doesn’t seem willing to trade any of them or any picks so I’m not sure what good they are doing us right now. So if Rossi don’t pan out then we got nothing down there?

Spending money to bring Jost in pretty much seals the deal Fiala is gone. So BG either knows the number Fiala wants or just doesn’t see the value in him. So Dumba will most likely get an extension with a small raise. Fiala and Dumba have the same agent so I’d be surprised if there hasn’t been some communication along the line.

When you hold players like Dumba and Freddy hockey in high regards and value it’s hard to improve. Third best record in the Western Conference is nice. But four points out of the second wild card slot and seven points out of not making the play offs is another way to look at it.

The Wild could be this years version of last years Montreal but I’m not sure Fluery holds the key for this team to make a run. BG is hard to read because he says one thing and then does something else. Just the other day he tells the players they can’t trade their way out of this and it’s up to them to pull together and make this work. Now you hear he’s talking to Chicago about Fluery and has made two deals since then. So what are the players to believe when he says something? On one hand he seems frozen in place because he does not want to part with any assets but then there’s this Fluery thing flying around. I think if Freidman says it more than rumor. I guess we will wait and see what he does but I don’t listen much when he talks anymore.

outside of Rossi, Addison and Beckman there’s nobody else in Iowa any team would want…the majority of the Wild’s (and every other NHL team) prospect pool is in Juniors…things will heat up tomorrow with 30 minutes left before the deadline when all the teams make the “take or it leave it” offers on their assets or they end up getting nothing and lose them to free agency…

And Beckman has 8 goals in Iowa so not exactly lighting it up.
Next best prospect outside of Rossi who is not moving is a goalie who they are not trading and players that are in juniors like you said.

Seems like everyone in the Atlantic conference thinks they are contenders.
Florida Tampa Boston Leafs all making moves.

I think BG stands his ground with a second for Fleury and I don’t think Chicago has many options for him. They will lose him for nothing come season end. In a completely lost season anyway.
I wouldn’t have a problem moving a second when you already have 3 2nds and will most likely be trading a player or two away this summer for more futures.

Flower trade feels imminent at this point and I’m not sure how I feel about that. A reigning Vezina winner and future HOFer should be a big upgrade for a team with bad goaltending. But he seems kinda checked out this season playing in Chicago. Sounds like MN is about the only place he’ll go due to combination of proximity to his family, Billy G, and doesn’t want to play Pittsburgh in the playoffs. It’s cool to have a legend like that say he’ll only accept a trade to the Wild but at the same time has me concerned he won’t have the fire and drive to carry them on a deep playoff run.

IDK I should probably just stop after reigning Vezina winner & future HOFer and be happy to upgrade the biggest problem this team has.

I assume Kaapo would go to Iowa if they do get Flower since he’s waivers exempt. I wonder how that goes over in a contract year?

JoeMX1825 wrote:

He fights everyone, but he’s also a big hitter (early Cal Clutterbuck style of hits everything) he’s a perfect playoffs 4th line guy and also takes any need to fight away from Foligno…

On paper, the Duhaime – Jost – Dauslarias 4th line has everything needed (Speed, Skill and Physicality)

For anyone who hasn’t seen his fight against Oleksiak, you need to watch it. That was one of the few non-live hockey fights where I found myself cringing and trying to look away.

This tweet had me rolling.

Reading some tweets from fans of his former teams sounds like D-LO plays hard every shift likes to bang and of course can drop the mits.
Probably a bit more intimidating than Bjugstad.

“In Moose (Marcus Foligno) … I want to be that guy doing it and I want him to be — how many goals does he have, 19? — I want him to be on the ice. I’ll be in the box. I’ll do the five minutes.”

Was actually drafted as a d man.

Haha that’s a great Tweet by Spoked Z! But do we really need a guy who’s intention it is to sit in the fight club box when our pk is a mess or does Jost solve that problem? I would think down the stretch and especially in the playoffs a better strategy for the Wild would be to stay out of the box. I have a feeling we are seeing Fluery in the Wild locker room at the end of today. If the Wild get him for a second rounder that’s one thing I guess but anything much more than that is a mistake. I guess if you’re going to bring in a goalie at this time it may as well be Fluery. He’s the best guy to take the sting out of any chemistry upset in the locker room.

It won’t bother me if they miss out on him either.

Ice Cap wrote:

Haha that’s a great Tweet by Spoked Z! But do we really need a guy who’s intention it is to sit in the fight club box when our pk is a mess or does Jost solve that problem? I would think down the stretch and especially in the playoffs a better strategy for the Wild would be to stay out of the box. I have a feeling we are seeing Fluery in the Wild locker room at the end of today. If the Wild get him for a second rounder that’s one thing I guess but anything much more than that is a mistake. I guess if you’re going to bring in a goalie at this time it may as well be Fluery. He’s the best guy to take the sting out of any chemistry upset in the locker room.

It won’t bother me if they miss out on him either.

he knows the LAST thing to coach & team want from him is penalties, but coincidentals are just fine…

Ice Cap wrote:

Haha that’s a great Tweet by Spoked Z! But do we really need a guy who’s intention it is to sit in the fight club box…

This is pretty much where my head is, but I’m always biased towards skill over toughness. His best skill is fighting and there’s really no fighting in the playoffs. I had to share the good tweet because anything from the analytics nerds paints him as one of the worst players in the league. Surprisingly though he’s actually good with penalties and draws significantly more minor penalties than he takes. He’s a legitimately good penalty killer as well.

tswoboda wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ice Cap wrote:</div>
Haha that’s a great Tweet by Spoked Z! But do we really need a guy who’s intention it is to sit in the fight club box…

This is pretty much where my head is, but I’m always biased towards skill over toughness. His best skill is fighting and there’s really no fighting in the playoffs. I had to share the good tweet because anything from the analytics nerds paints him as one of the worst players in the league. Surprisingly though he’s actually good with penalties and draws significantly more minor penalties than he takes. He’s a legitimately good penalty killer as well.

I get where that thought makes sense but for THIS franchise who has ALWAYS been pounded into submission in the playoffs, I’m ok with adding some more beef and toughness.

mahtofire14 wrote:

I get where that thought makes sense but for THIS franchise who has ALWAYS been pounded into submission in the playoffs, I’m ok with adding some more beef and toughness.

Maybe that’s how you remember it but aside from Jets, no one has bullied the Wild in the playoffs the last 10 years. That Jets series was brutal but name another series where they got physically beat down. Chicago was always better, the Blues goalied them, half the team was injured against Dallas, Vegas was (barely) better. Just saying the narrative of the Wild getting pounded into submission in the playoffs is something you made up in your head. Using caps lock doesn’t magically make it true.

Not saying I don’t like the pick-up, having more depth and another option going into the playoffs is always a good thing. The Ek line plus Duhaime/Des will make for 2 very rough and tumble forward lines. I like the pickup if for no other reason than adding depth. Add 1 more depth defenseman and then hopefully we don’t have to see a Kurtis Gabriel or Kyle Rau or (rookie) Carson Soucy or (rookie) Calen Addison in the playoffs this year.

I thought Vegas pounded the Wild pretty well last playoffs (Brodin was out hurt, Suter was obviously worn down physically, Spurgeon was getting smashed every opportunity, etc) the thing is the team really won’t feel that pain in the 1st round, but the more rounds they keep advancing, the more the smaller guys get worn down… and unfortunately with the Wild, we rarely see them get to this point because it requires getting out of the 1st round…

This is why i’m curious to see how the Avs do (most expect them to get to the cup) with Makar and Girard (their 2 most important defenders in terms of pushing the play and handling the puck) EVERY check will be finished on them, Makar has a bit better frame to take the abuse, but Girard is basically a Spurgeon clone…

McBain to Arizona for a 2022 2nd round pick (Vancouver’s) is now complete, now we can cheer for Vancouver to tank the rest of the season!

Yeah Vegas was a physical series, but that went both ways. Pretty average NHL playoff series overall. VGK had guys get hurt as well. Guys are going to get hurt on every team in the playoffs, the key is having depth to replace them. Not having big guys that magically don’t get hurt.

Just gotta throw this out there… There’s absolutely zero data or evidence to support the idea that small players get hurt more often than big players. The logic is easy to follow, but the real world says it’s not true. If size is important for the playoffs, it’s because size is needed to be effective. Not to survive.