Official Wild Threa – The Playoff Run

Might as well start a new thread. Can’t wait to see the boys back in action.

– Backstrom still has a nagging injury. Look for the Wild to make a trade. I don’t expect one for a big time goalie. We can’t afford to give up much in return and I think Kuemper can handle the stretch…but we are less than 7 days away from the trade deadline. This will be a nerve wracking week for Fletcher. What if Keumper comes in and tanks a couple games?

– Zucker and Scandella out. Veilleux called up. Good, I like seeing Veilleux play.

– Koivu is near a return.

Go Wild!

I sure wish we could trade Koivu and get rid of that anchor of a contract…6.75 Million per year is way to much…I understand why they did it a few years ago (Gaborik left for nothing, wasn’t going to let that happen again to our only established player left) but we’re in a much better place now in terms of talent, that money should be used elsewhere (Gritty/Shutdown D, 2nd line center)

Granlund proved in the olympics he can handle a 1st line center position given a sniper to pass to (Pomminville/Parise)…

Our Goalie situation worries me big time. Cannot go into the last couple/few weeks of the season fighting for a playoff spot with Kuemper as our best option. I just don’t think the kid can keep it up…

I agree with the goalie situation, i bet they use the last buyout on Backstrom and try to nab Miller in the offseason.. I think spending money on Miller vs Vanek is better for the org (We’ll need to shell out big $$ for Brodin/Granlund/Coyle in a few years, so start saving now..)

I think the goalie situation will be solved soon enough. My guess is they sign a veteran free agent on a short term contract to provide insurance for the rest of this year. Backstrom stays as the veteran that grooms the kid (Kuemper). At this point, I think Miller is too old (33), and going to be far too expensive for the Wild to bring him in. He’s going to be looking for a long term contract that comands the type of money Lundqvist got from the Rangers. Wouldn’t be a good play by the Wild in my opinion.

Let Kuemper ride this year out and see how he handles it. Prior to the break he was lights out and hopefully he can regain that form. He’s performed near the top at every level he has played at and hopefully that translates to the big leagues.

So… how are you feeling about today’s trade with the Hawks?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=706616#&navid=nhl-search

I hope we aren’t giving away another Leddy for the Hawks to make another run at the cup.

I feel we are one year away from a better, deeper run at Lord Stanley. Still a ways away from a serious run. Way too many powerhouses right now and this is NOT the Olympics one and done we are talking about. The NHL playoffs can be a blood bath of 28 games… Last man standing wins, basically. Brutal tournament format.

Backstrom is a complete flake, can’t be counted on at all anymore..time to cut ties with him (They resigned him out of desparation last summer knowing they could kill his contract at the end of the year) Good goalies can play into their late 30’s (Martin Broduer, Patrick Roy, Tim Thomas, etc) I don’t think Miller is looking for a big payday, I think he’s looking for a good team to win with, sign him to a 4 year/20 million deal)…Keumper is far too young to lean on for the playoffs, he’s still very raw and once he plays a few bad games in a row, his confidence will be shot (remember he couldn’t stop a beachball his first 10+ games in the NHL) he’s a possible long term solution, but the Wild needs to win now…

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I sure wish we could trade Koivu and get rid of that anchor of a contract…6.75 Million per year is way to much…

Granlund proved in the olympics he can handle a 1st line center position given a sniper to pass to (Pomminville/Parise)…

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I am not saying Granlund is a defensive liability, but Koivu is a far better all around player. I just don’t understand the fans angst towards him. Most teams would kill for an all around player like him. There’s aren’t too many out there.

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So… how are you feeling about today’s trade with the Hawks?

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Small potatoes move to get bigger and add a little grit when needed down the stretch…

In looking at the Defense depth, even if we had a good D prospect ready to play, who are you going to take out of the lineup to give them a spot? Our Defense is solid for years to come (Suter/Brodin, Spurgeon/Scandella, Dumba/Free Agent) Dumba should be ready to go next year, hopefully he replaces the Prosser/Stoner/Ballard spot, other than signing another solid #2 capable center, the Wild really needs to sign a rugged/tough steady defensman. Once that happends we have a solid core for years…

We are seeing the changing of the guard. I think Keumper is the goalie from here well into the future. Kuemper was put in a tough spot last year in the playoffs and had a rough couple games to start this year, but he seems to have righted the ship.

Story on Kuemper in the Strib

I love Miller, but I don’t want him on our team.

I feel bad for Backstrom, because he’s obviously has had continual issues with his sports hernia. I’ve always wanted so see him in the playoffs, because he excelled in the post season in Europe.

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I sure wish we could trade Koivu and get rid of that anchor of a contract…6.75 Million per year is way to much…

Granlund proved in the olympics he can handle a 1st line center position given a sniper to pass to (Pomminville/Parise)…

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I am not saying Granlund is a defensive liability, but Koivu is a far better all around player. I just don’t understand the fans angst towards him. Most teams would kill for an all around player like him. There’s aren’t too many out there.

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The problem with Koivu is that he doesn’t have an offensive mindset, and you absolutely need that playing on the #1 line with highly paid superstar forwards (ask Parise or Pomminville if they want a centerman who’s only thought is feeding them the puck or one that is thinking about retreating into a defensive position first and foremost) The other problem is that it’s been hinted by Russo and others in the know that Koivu’s ego won’t let him play on the 2nd or 3rd line, so you’re playing him #1 center money for somebody who plays like a #2, there’s about a 2 million dollar difference between that level. We could use that 2 million towards a signing a tough shutdown defenseman vs a fill in like Ballard/Stoner/Prosser. So the wild are handicapped for the next 4 years paying Mikko top $$, you pay players the top $$ to score goals, not play defense. Look at any teams top line, they are there to score goals, plan & simple (other than Detroit’s Datsyuk & Zetterberg- They are special players who can actually do both)

Like I said, the Wild put itself into this corner by letting Gaborik walk for nothing, they couldn’t allow that to happen again with their only marketable star, so Mikko’s agent took full advantage and we’re now paying for it…

It will be interesting these next few weeks. Who is Brad Winchester?? I see he has some goal scoring talent.

Gundy

Russo has also pointed out the Granlund-Pominville-Parise weren’t exactly lights out the final 3 games before the break. That line is going to get the crap kicked out of them most nights.

From what I seen last night you are absolutely correct on getting the snot beat out of them. Really physical games. Colorado looks tough.

Gundy

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The other problem is that it’s been hinted by Russo and others in the know that Koivu’s ego won’t let him play on the 2nd or 3rd line, so you’re playing him #1 center money for somebody who plays like a #2, there’s about a 2 million dollar difference between that level.

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That sounds mor like a coaching or management problem than a Koivu problem.

Bottom line, I believe Koivu is still a really valuable player.

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Our Goalie situation worries me big time. Cannot go into the last couple/few weeks of the season fighting for a playoff spot with Kuemper as our best option. I just don’t think the kid can keep it up…

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I agree, it’s really changed since a month or so ago. I know it’s cliché, and I know it’s cliché to say that…BUT…I just really hope they get into the playoffs and then get hot as hell,
especially in the net. How fun would it be to see a deep run.

Yep, I think Kuemper is the man now and the future. It’s interesting to hear him interviewed, because he doesn’t sound like many other goalies. He actually reminds me of Luongo, as far as an interview style. Confident, not cocky or quiet who gives well thought out answers.

And here I thought Hackett was the future. Glad we trade him over Kuemper.

Hope I don’t jinx him.

Please don’t mention anything about Kuemper for the rest of the year. We need him to stay solid and your curse could wreck that.
DT

Velliux scores!! Pugster knows dee things!!

Gundy

Except that if you asked me before the game if he scores, I would have said no.

I was impressed with Heatley last night, even before his goal. I’m glad he picked it up where he left off before the break and doesn’t look like he returned to the Heatley we saw early in the year. I am convinced that he had something going on early in the year. He had no confidence with the puck. Now he at least looks comfortable…still looks slow too, but he’s playing like the Heatley I thought he could be here. A guy who could score 20-25 goals and help on the PP.

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I agree with the goalie situation, i bet they use the last buyout on Backstrom

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I’ve heard that the compliance buyout can’t be used on 35+ player contracts. If that’s the case, then the Wild can’t use the buyout on Backstrom. Plus the Wild resigned him after the CBA agreement so that might be another sticking point.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned…skimmed over the thread.

Interesting. I hadn’t heard about the 35+ year old part of the amnesty rule.

I’ve read about it on other hockey sites and I’m 90% sure I saw Russo tweet about it earlier this season.

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I’ve read about it on other hockey sites and I’m 90% sure I saw Russo tweet about it earlier this season.

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To be clear, I wasn’t doubting you. I am sure that it is in the new CBA.

No problem, I didn’t think you were doubting. I just felt like adding where I got the info.

Yet another patented play by Balard at the line leads to a goal.

How about that phantom interference. Been a long time since I saw a call that bad.

I don’t fault Ballard on that play. He was trying to hold the line on the pp and took out the one guy. The problem was there was 2 guys and the other defenseman should have been backing him up.

Well after those two games, Kuemper has aliviated any concerns I had about him being our franchise goaltender. Crown him.

That was a great performance by the “KID”.
Wallster ><((((>

Trade deadline looms, here’s my take.

The Wild will acquire a goaltender. My guess would be Brygolov from the Oilers. Shouldn’t cost much and his salary is $2M. My second guess would be Tim Thomas who makes $2.5M. Backstrom has a nagging injury that will require another surgery in the off season. Both Bryzgolov and Thomas signed 1 year deals, so they are rentals, just what we need.

As much as people love Vanek, I’d rather see the Wild get Moulson in the offseason. With Heater’s contract coming off the books, maybe we could nab both, which would be another huge coup ala Parise/Suter.

I like Moulson over Vanek because he plays bigger, even though Vanek is heavier and just 1″ shorter. We have plenty of guys like Vanek. If we trade for Moulson instead of waiting for the offseason, I expect Niederreiter and/or Zucker to be a part of the trade. I’d also expect Fletcher to extend his contract. His MO seems to be I’ll trade and sign big time players.

The catch is that if the Wild trade for Moulson, Buffalo knowing the Wild needs a tender might require the Wild take Halak in the trade. Buffalo has no interest in keeping him.

The good thing is, even though Halak comes with a $4.5M price tag, his contract is up at the end of the year.

I think those are the names in the works. I doubt we trade for Vanek. We can wait and hope that his Minnesota ties will keep him from extended his contract wherever he goes because he desires to come back and play here.

Like I mentioned, a trade for a Vanek or Moulson before the deadline expires will probably include Niederreiter. I don’t want to see him go, but he’s got value to a team that is rebuilding and we will get an upgrade with his replacement. Nino has had a nice season, but he’s also bounced around on lines a lot. He also doesn’t play much on special teams.

That was fun. The tone of this post wasn’t me talking like an expert, ,I am just putting out some scenarios out there for fun to see if they play out.

Anybody else have some thoughts leading up to the deadline and what happens in the offseason?