Official Wild Threa – The Playoff Run

So is Harding completely out of the picture for this year?? Like you I hate to lose Niederetter. But I suppose they have to give up something to get something else in return.

Gundy

Wild will stand pat and finish 9th.

Wild can’t count on Harding coming back. He’s been out 2 1/2 months. Hate to see a career end like that. I think best case scenario he comes back next year, but if he does, you still need a 3rd goalie for insurance.

I’ll be surprised if we see Harding ever play again…for anyone, but I hope that’s not the case.

Agree with pretty much everything Pug said…good write up.

I would be surprised if Fletcher makes a move for anyone other than goalie. Pominville wasn’t a rental. He had one more year on his contract didn’t he? To big of a risk hoping to sign a rental rather than them choosing to try free agency. I can see going for a rental player if we were right on the cusp of making a long run in the playoffs, but we are a couple of years from that, hopefully anyway. Zucker seems to be one asset they would move. On a side note I can’t believe how many people are saying how we should trade Koivu and Parise. Completely clueless dullards.on the star trib website.

I’ve heard the Koivu crap for years, but Parise? That’s moronic. Maybe some people want to see the 5 year rebuild again. It’s worked for Edmonton.

Oilers are a powerhouse a few were ranting about the Olympics and how parise isn’t a leader and only a power play specialist. Koivu thing irritates me more that anything. They think this system I guess the centers are supposed to be the leading scorers like Pittsburgh.

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…a few were ranting about the Olympics and how parise isn’t a leader and only a power play specialist.

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That’s a good one.

My only beef with Koivu is he passes up too many shots.

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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?

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Just saying…

When a blind squirrel finds a nut, he should polish it.

Release ballard, he Sucks so bad. Sutter has been terrible tonight too.

They definitely looked like a team that had 4 days off.

Good thing that they get right back at it tonight. The bad thing is it is against the Blues, but then again it gives them a chance to prove something.

Dallas got lucky last night. Despite poor play by the Wild, it was in their (Wild) hands. That call on Haula had to be made, however if there was instant replays on those plays, I think he might just have gotten a 2 minute interference penalty.

Yes a player must make an effort to avoid contact, but he was helpless once the Dallas guy pulled the skate out from under him.

I agree there had to be a call, but I thought double minor. If they kill that penalty there is no doubt they win that game. The Wild still played like a team that was out to win after the Stars tied the game. In years past they would have shut down. I think that this team is a couple of years away from being a contender. Tonight will be a good test for them with both teams playing last night. I think that we match up with the Ducks, or Blackhawks much better than the Blues though in the playoffs. Have I ever mentioned that I hate Ballards game?

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They definitely looked like a team that had 4 days off.

Good thing that they get right back at it tonight. The bad thing is it is against the Blues, but then again it gives them a chance to prove something.

Dallas got lucky last night. Despite poor play by the Wild, it was in their (Wild) hands. That call on Haula had to be made, however if there was instant replays on those plays, I think he might just have gotten a 2 minute interference penalty.

Yes a player must make an effort to avoid contact, but he was helpless once the Dallas guy pulled the skate out from under him.

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Why does Yeo keep going to Kiouv in the shoot outs when all he has is that backhand move?? I would put Niederitter in there instead of Kiouv. But then I am not much on Kiouv..

Gundy

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Why does Yeo keep going to Kiouv in the shoot outs when all he has is that backhand move?? I would put Niederitter in there instead of Kiouv. But then I am not much on Kiouv..

Gundy

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They don’t dare hurt his feelings…

It makes sense to me why you would want Yeo to pull Koivu, a league top 15% shootout guy, for a guy that has had 2 attempts in his life in the NHL. With that logic you should want him to pull Parise too because they are both 3 for 10 this year and their career percentages are almost the same.

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Why does Yeo keep going to Kiouv in the shoot outs when all he has is that backhand move?? I would put Niederitter in there instead of Kiouv. But then I am not much on Kiouv..

Gundy

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Did T.J. S-Oshie score in the shootout.?

When you look at players with 10+ attempts, 33% is not too bad. Despite him continuing to use the same move, when he doesn’t score it is usually because he miss fires, not because the goalie stops him. This despite the goalies knowing more than likely knowing what he is going to do.

Did you see Rich Peverly of Dallas collapsing on the bench? Scary stuff. He was diagnoses with A-Fib in the preseason and I believe was held out of the last game because of it.

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That Peverly deal was scary scene. Hope he is alright. I didn’t realize that Kiouv was at 33%. Shows how much I know

Gundy

Let’s see tonight if it is a statement game or the usual squeeze the stick, waiting on Moulson and missed stretch pass into icing game.

Thank God for participation points eh?

So you do watch the Wild.

Wild actually played very well. Better than the last few games. I think Koivu and Moulson are going to really start clicking soon.

We should have won by five. Their goalie was HOT!
DT

Both goals were pretty fluky. I did enjoy the game though, it was well played by both teams.

Should be a good measuring stick tonight. Hope they treat it like a playoff game.

Happy birthday Matt.

I think Blues vs Boston in the finals.

Man, the Wild are so soft. No one on our team finishes checks.

That second line better find themselves soon.

Wild are not even close to being in the league with Boston. Boston kept everyone out of the front of the net. Chara kept them pretty close to their mom’s leg.

Gundy

Should be interesting to see the line combos tonight. I’ve really been disappointed with Nino lately and Coyle for much of the last 2 years. I am not saying they are horrible, I expect them to get much better, but for now they aren’t doing it for me.

Call me crazy, but I’d keep the first line intact. Then Moulson, Koivu and Heatley. I know, but Heater was hot going into the break and before Moulson was aquired. Then Cooke centered by Coyle and flanked by Nino. 4th line of Haula, Fontaine and Brodziak.

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Wild are not even close to being in the league with Boston. Boston kept everyone out of the front of the net. Chara kept them pretty close to their mom’s leg.

Gundy

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Raask stood on his head last night, Wild had MANY chances to score but didn’t finish, if Coyle scores in the first 15 seconds and that would have been a different game…1st line should NEVER be changed the next 3 years…those guys make things happen….Koivu needs to wake up…give Haula some of his minutes…

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Wild are not even close to being in the league with Boston. Boston kept everyone out of the front of the net. Chara kept them pretty close to their mom’s leg.

Gundy

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Raask stood on his head last night, Wild had MANY chances to score but didn’t finish, if Coyle scores in the first 15 seconds and that would have been a different game…1st line should NEVER be changed the next 3 years…those guys make things happen….Koivu needs to wake up…give Haula some of his minutes…

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Wild be dangerous if they were good shots. Never seen a team miss so many close in shots. They can’t finish the shot. Getting a little late in the season to be changing lines around looking for the right mix. They need a leader to step forward and ruffle those breezers.

Gundy