Wild————contenders or pretenders?

Last night on ESPN Barry Melrose labeled the Wild as Pretenders for the play-offs. He sited lack of scoring and goaltending as their major issues.

Comments, Opinions??

The proof is in the puddin…

Very inconsistent as of late. Can’t argue much, but they are a very talented and you team.

I wasn’t expecting a cup run this year, but I’m feeling next year there should be much higher expectations.

We will slide into the 8th spot and get crushed by the Ducks or Hawks’. Broken record…Yeo has to go…RR

This tough stretch of injuries sure isnt helping either… Its pretty tough to watch the t-wolves and wild these days…

Since they are a Minnesota team, they are by default Pretenders.

The level of competition in the NHL right now is just so high that the Wild are in the same boat as many other teams: Trying to climb a hill that got much steeper.

I don’t think contender or pretender is the right thinking because by that line of thought basically there are only 5-6 REAL contenders in the whole NHL. Even the middle-tier playoff teams are pretenders if you really want to get into predictions. Anybody see a team that’s likely to take out Chicago in the first or second round? Ummm, not likely.

As everyone including Yeo knows, it’s time for a coaching change. But that’s only 1 piece of the puzzle, so let’s not go all “Vikings” on this and think that just swapping out the coach makes everything better.

The Wild need their key guys back, they need to get the goaltending rotation figured out for consistent play, etc.

Anyone else watch the Capitols play the Pens last night? Ummm, Holy Smokes! And then the Ducks against the Canucks. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching any team lay a beat-down on the Canucks, but still that’s what the NHL is like these days. No point in beating up on the Wild, I can’t say that they’re NOT doing something that they could be doing that would make a radical difference against the level of competition out there today.

Grouse

IS this the same Barry Melrose that predicted that the Wild would win the cup last year.

Barry Melrose – pretender.

I still think the injuries to Parise and Koivu may end up being a good thing. Coyle and El Nino have stepped up along with a bunch of other players. Hopefully they run with that confidence one Koivu and Parise return.

Melrose needs to calm down, the Wild are fine considering the overall talent they have or don’t have.

Wild have a very good home record on par with Chicago, LA, and San Jose, the problem is the road play, once the road play improves they should gain points.

Hey Melrose? BTW Harding still has the best GAA in the NHL with a 1.65, unfortnutly he’s battling a life-long illness.

Contenders for the 8th spot, pretenders for Cup contention. I think I saw Russo say that they were playing 9 guys age 23 or younger a couple games ago – that’s crazy and the main reason why they’re so up and down. Good future but those kids are playing against a lot of grown men every night and it takes a while to know how to bring it consistently. They might need to make a few trades this summer to get more size, too – compared to teams like the Kings and Blues they look like a midget team out there sometimes.

I know we’ll never get rid of him but IMO Koivu needs to be more accountable for his game, he’s way too up and down with his production. No reason he shouldn’t be a 25-55-80 guy every year, especially with Parise next to him. Shoot the puck more!

Considering the guys we have out right now, when they come back I see this team as a contender.It is nice to see the young guys stepping up right now. Even concrete feet “Heatly” is playing good. Goalie situation is our biggest downfall. Backstrom needs to have his eyes checked and learn how to control his rebounds.You never know when harding can get ill, but when hes playing he seams like hes tracking the puck great. The team is lacking physical play. We need guys to start stepping up and making some big hits. It gets other guys fired up in situations when the team looks dead. If your not physical you wont make it in the playoffs. We don’t even have a guy that can drop the gloves and make a statement. Some try but it looks weak at times. I would like to see guys try and make some more moves befor just dumping the puck into the zone. Just try something simple like a controlled turn coming into the zone to create more space from the D and give yourself a chance to make a pass or shot on net. Little things can go a long way. Guys crashing the net would help more too. Theres lots of games left to get things dialed in. Olympic break might have a big effect on a lot of guys and teams too. It could be interesting after that.
Wallster ><((((>

great point about the olympic break..the time off..the “new injures” from the olympics could change allot of things..the only truth is if the wild make the 8th spot they’ll get killed round 1

I agree with Wallster. Make some little changes to try and create more room around the net. They are going to have to get more physical around the net for sure.

Gundy

Kuemper is showing us the future! He’s going to be a good one. Heck, he’s a good one right now.

It is really nice that they finally found a couple of guys who could play with Heater. He’s really stepping it up.

I am sure we were all worried with Parise and Koivu going down, but this whole team has rallied. It’s pretty comforting. Like I think I said, historically, injuries are when Yeo’s team tanks.

I actually watched a bit of the game last night. They had some pep in their step a few times and it was a entertaining game.

I haven’t attended a game this year in person……I think I’ll wait and see how things play out before going.

As you know I’m a famous frontrunner and bandwagon jumper, so if they streak into the play-offs I’ll be right there!!

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As you know I’m a famous frontrunner and bandwagon jumper, so if they streak into the play-offs I’ll be right there!!

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Isnt that everyone from MN? Ill be right there with ya!

I love the blame the coach excuses.

Pretenders for sure this season with all the youth.

I think the wild will be peaking as a team when the playoffs start. Very good signs from Granlund, coyle, niño, scandella, Fontaine, Cooke, kuemper, and even loafer boy no check heatley. Koviu and spurgen will be back after the break. I can also see adding another power forward to the mix before trade deadline. I can see no finish brodizak, haula and a draft pick getting sold for that gritty power forward we need. We will finish 6,7 or 8 and would like to see Chicago first round! We matched up well with that team this year. I can see us winning it all this year if we are healthy and a goalie steals a few playoff games!

Spurgeon should be back Saturday.

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I can see us winning it all this year if we are healthy and a goalie steals a few playoff games!

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No, just no.

At this point they have missed Spurgeon more than Mikko and almost as much as Zack. The need for a puck carrying d man is huge. He can break out of our zone on his own and setup the wings at speed going into the offensive zone. Things will change after he gets back. I think Prosser will end up playing more than Ballard also. Prosser plays the safe controlled game that a #6 d man should. Here’s to a big playoff run!

Prosser is pretty solid for a 3rd pairing defenceman. Ballard is and always will be inconsistent. At least with Prosser you know what to expect game in and game out.

I’m glad Scandela found his game. Things might be different had we been fighting to find consistency at that #4 spot.