I think Kuemper might have been playing above his average last night but still played a great game. A game like that can give him a lot of confidence knowing he can win a tight game without the teams elite scorers even. He was doing a lot of chirping and stick work on the Calgary players when they would skate close enough to him leaving the zone. I think that’s his game when he’s acting like a dick. 
The Avs are up 12 points in the West, I want to see how Darcy plays when the stakes are high and it all falls on his shoulders…
Kuemper will be fine in the playoffs if he can stay healthy. That’s a big if though. He’s been a top 10 goalie the last 5 years when healthy.
Wild fans obviously have a unique opinion of Kuepmer, but I’m not sure where the Darcy sucks in the playoffs narrative comes from. He’s only played like 15 career playoff games because he’s been on mediocre teams his entire career. His few playoff games have mostly been fine.
I also liked Seeler…. He likes to get punched in the head though.
No one takes a punch like Nick Seeler. I was at a game where he ate about a dozen rights from Luke Witkowski, it was an exciting fight. But when Seeler came back to the bench his face looked like a tomato and he sat there with helmet off, mouth wide open for the rest of the period. Didn’t say a word to anyone and didn’t play a shift, not sure there was much going on upstairs at that point.
Cool that he a hometown boy has been able to stay in the league, but I’m really glad he doesn’t play for the Wild anymore. The only raw deal he got was Carson Soucy taking his job.
Kuemper will be fine in the playoffs if he can stay healthy. That’s a big if though. He’s been a top 10 goalie the last 5 years when healthy.
Wild fans obviously have a unique opinion of Kuepmer, but I’m not sure where the Darcy sucks in the playoffs narrative comes from. He’s only played like 15 career playoff games because he’s been on mediocre teams his entire career. His few playoff games have mostly been fine.
He’s unproven in the playoffs and that’s the point here…he’s played in mostly meaningless games his entire career, i’m curious to see how he reacts at the most crucial times for an organization that has basically put all of it’s chips in the middle and the pressure is on him to deliver…
Kuemper was “tournament tested” in the Junior leagues, but hasnt lived up to the hype in the NHL. Not all his fault, he’s been on some middling teams including the Wild. He got torched by the Hawks, but that was when they were in their prime. He’s a streaky player both directions. His emotions get the best of him. Remember when he was chirping the Wild and then they put up what 7 on him and Foligno had the infamous “F*ck you Kuemper” on the bench?
Kuemper will get rattled in the playoffs…
Kuemper was “tournament tested” in the Junior leagues, but hasnt lived up to the hype in the NHL. Not all his fault, he’s been on some middling teams including the Wild. He got torched by the Hawks, but that was when they were in their prime.
I’m referring to this, which seems to be the general opinion of Wild fans. I understand why Wild fans are bitter on Kuemper, but I don’t get why they’re so confident he’ll be bad in the playoffs. He was 23 when he played in the playoffs for the Wild, 2 years younger than Kappo is now.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
Kuemper will get rattled in the playoffs…I’m referring to this, which seems to be the general opinion of Wild fans. I understand why Wild fans are bitter on Kuemper, but I don’t get why they’re so confident he’ll be bad in the playoffs.
I’m referring to him never being in pressure games before and his history of letting players/teams get in his head…IF he can stay focused, then perhaps he can be successful, but just being the starter in the playoffs is one thing, add ontop of that the HUGE expectations of being the consensus cup favorite and playing on an expiring contract…it’s a recipe to rattle any playoff inexperianced goalie, I guess we’ll see how he goes…
but I don’t get why they’re so confident he’ll be bad in the playoffs. He was 23 when he played in the playoffs for the Wild, 2 years younger than Kappo is now.
Im not convinced he will be bad because he certainly has the ability to steal games, but the question still remains can he handle the pressure at the NHL level. He hasnt proven it yet. He hasnt had much chance either so it will be a wait and see. He can be all world but he can also be JV level there doesnt seem to be much in between with him it seems. He is in probably his best position to be successful of his entire career now however. He doesnt have to get shutouts for the Avs to win. He just mainly needs to do what Wild goalies need to do is make the saves he should make a few he likely shouldnt. I wont bet against him, but I am looking forward to how he does. Hopefully they get blown out in the first round so we might have an easier path. 
On Russo’s last podcast Elliot Freidman mentioned that Ben Meyers is down to the Wild and 1 other team to sign with after the frozen 4…
Darcy has put a pretty good season together for himself. I would say him and Talbot line up pretty closely stats wise with Kuemper having a few more starts.
Neither one is going to carry a team to the Cup by themselves imo. Fluery is the difference maker here of course while the Av’s have Francouz as Kuempers back up.
Fluery can either be flopping all over the place making Fluery magic stops or he can be lit up. I think I read where he has never played through a entire series himself without either being pulled or miss a start. Goalies out of the mix I think the Av’s have the edge in a series. Landeskog and now Mackinnon out for injuries may be a blessing for the Av’s as they will get to heal and some rest because it seems Bednar is content to run them into the ground right to the end.
Landeskog and now Mackinnon out for injuries may be a blessing for the Av’s as they will get to heal and some rest because it seems Bednar is content to run them into the ground right to the end.
They have zero reason to rush either of them back. They are running away with the division. Even though the Wild have been on a heater lately they arent gaining much ground.
unless this was an agreement with Goligoski to sign and then trade him in the offseason (he’s a lot easier to trade now with a set aav) this ensures Kulikov is dealt this offseason…
Russo just said on twitter that Goligoski has a new move clause in his extension so looks like he’s here to stay.
JoeMX1825 wrote:
unless this was an agreement with Goligoski to sign and then trade him in the offseason (he’s a lot easier to trade now with a set aav) this ensures Kulikov is dealt this offseason…Russo just said on twitter that Goligoski has a new move clause in his extension so looks like he’s here to stay.
Makes zero sense for Goli to sign an extension with the expectation of getting traded.
Wild have $74.5m (including dead money) under contract next season with 10F-6D-1G. That does not include Fiala, Dewar, Rossi, Middleton, Addison, or a backup goalie. Rossi/Boldy are eligible for $1.5m performance bonuses so assume they leave room that leaves $6.5m cap space to sign 5 players – 3F 1D 1G.
I will not be surprised at all if they bring essentially the same team back next season sans Fiala, easily doable. I will also not be surprised if there’s some shuffling of the D and a major shake up in goal (Fleury). Sh!t I won’t even be surprised if they make magic happen to keep Fiala. I quit thinking I could predict Billy G’s moves after he bought out Suter.
It will be far from the same team if they don’t bring Fiala back. 
but I don’t disagree with you’re assessment.
We obviously know Rossi will be an ELC, but how are we going to fill out the roster with the rest of only 6.5M? I wonder if Fleury would take a team friendly low ball deal to give it another run? I know he and BG have a good relationship, but it really seems that something has to give and some bigger dollar has to be moved.
Anyone watch the post game last night? I thought Audra was going to throw up all over Parrish after watching the replay of Seeler making Delauries all bloodied up! She was clearly uncomfortable. 
Anyone watch the post game last night? I thought Audra was going to throw up all over Parrish after watching the replay of Seeler making Delauries all bloodied up! She was clearly uncomfortable.
I actually am worried for life after hockey for guys like Seeler. He really takes a beating. He’s a good kid Id hate to see his life after hockey a mess like some of the other fighters.
It will be far from the same team if they don’t bring Fiala back.
but I don’t disagree with you’re assessment.
Well said.
We obviously know Rossi will be an ELC, but how are we going to fill out the roster with the rest of only 6.5M?
Well it only takes 5 more players to fill the typical 22-man roster. Rossi, Dewar, DLo, Bjugstad, Middleton, Addison, Journeyman Back-up – Pick your 3 forwards and 1 defenseman. Those players should all be around or under $1m AAV. Re-signing Fleury and keeping Talbot would be awesome, but likely requires other moving pieces. My assumption is if Fleury is re-signed, Talbot is moved.
My assumption is if Fleury is re-signed, Talbot is moved.
That’s exactly what I thought too. Dumba and Talbot out, Fiala and Fleury in is what I hope for. Still have to sign a backup.
That’s exactly what I thought too. Dumba and Talbot out, Fiala and Fleury in is what I hope for. Still have to sign a backup.
X1000 for this statement! I think we are way more competitive with Fiala and Fleury than Dumba and Talbot.
Trade Dumba away in the office season, sign Fiala and bring on up Addison.
Darcy has put a pretty good season together for himself. I would say him and Talbot line up pretty closely stats wise with Kuemper having a few more starts.
Neither one is going to carry a team to the Cup by themselves imo. Fluery is the difference maker here of course while the Av’s have Francouz as Kuempers back up.Fluery can either be flopping all over the place making Fluery magic stops or he can be lit up. I think I read where he has never played through a entire series himself without either being pulled or miss a start. Goalies out of the mix I think the Av’s have the edge in a series. Landeskog and now Mackinnon out for injuries may be a blessing for the Av’s as they will get to heal and some rest because it seems Bednar is content to run them into the ground right to the end.
If by similar stats you mean a 2.37 vs 2.88 GAA and a 924 vs a 911 save percentage then sure. Darcy is top ten in about every stat that matters.
Cam is bottom third in just about every category.
I agree though that neither can probably carry their team to cup by themselves. Not many goalies can,
But goalies are weird and can get hot at any time much like Cam is now.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>
That’s exactly what I thought too. Dumba and Talbot out, Fiala and Fleury in is what I hope for. Still have to sign a backup.X1000 for this statement! I think we are way more competitive with Fiala and Fleury than Dumba and Talbot.
Trade Dumba away in the office season, sign Fiala and bring on up Addison.
Just don’t see how you make that work financially. Kevin asked for 6 last year will surely ask for more this year. Maybe the flower will play for free.😂
But goalies are weird.
Should have just stopped with this. LOL
Just don’t see how you make that work financially. Kevin asked for 6 last year will surely ask for more this year. Maybe the flower will play for free.😂
Obviously I have no intel, but perhaps the term could sway him to take less. Longer term lower $ maybe make it work.
Just don’t see how you make that work financially. Kevin asked for 6 last year will surely ask for more this year. Maybe the flower will play for free.😂
He will probably ask for more this year but a guy can only hope he would stay. That goal he had last night was just amazing how he got it in there.
But goalies are weird
One of the few things in life that we can all agree on 
Obviously I have no intel, but perhaps the term could sway him to take less. Longer term lower $ maybe make it work.
That’s the opposite of how it works for guys like Fiala. Longer term, higher AAV. Shorter term, lower AAV. If they couldn’t make it work last summer, there’s no way they can make it work this summer.
Yeah I know a few very weird ones.
If Fleury comes back I don’t see how he takes a huge cut off his current $7 million salary, especially as the starter, MAYBE you can get him at $5.5aav for 2 years? Talbot would then need to be traded and a replacement would be $1aav at the very bare minimum, the replacement would need to be good enough to handle 20+ games to spot rest the 38 year old Fleury (is that quality backup even possible at $1-$2 million?)…so we’d have $6-7 million of capspace tied up in the goalie position, almost double what we’vehad the past few years…
This is all to fill the time gap to hopefully get to Wallstedt taking over, but he’ll likely burn most if not all of his ELC in the AHL or as a backup as he’s only 19 years old and the goal is to always NOT rush a rookie goalie…
as others have said, it’s pretty pointless speculating on what the plan could be as it’s such a crapshoot that can change on a weekly basis, only GMBG and staff know the plan & direction they want to go in, I guess the saving grace is that most of his moves have worked out sofar so in Billy we Trust!
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