Let's Go Wild!

at this point I just hope they make the playoffs and Dubie stays rested and healthy.

mplspug wrote:

at this point I just hope they make the playoffs and Dubie stays rested and healthy.

Yes^^^

Im alittle scared on these next 3 games. Ill be happy if we can take 2 of 3. Nashville been on alittle bit of a slide but you never know with Pekka in the net. Washington is hot, and the Blues probably have alittle bit of a bad taste from last Saturday. Its going to be a huge week for the wild. Points are tight going to get interesting!

mplspug wrote:

at this point I just hope they make the playoffs and Dubie stays rested and healthy.

Dubie getting some rest has been a big talker lately. Do you think too much emphasis is put on it? He hardly played the first half of the season. I don’t see how we could sit him with how important every point is right now. Maybe Keumper should have gone in a week ago when they had the 5-1 lead but I suppose one period off wouldn’t do much.
No matter what they’ve been a blast to watch since the break!

What are everyones opinions on sitting him a few games?

He hasn’t shown he is tired, so I see no reason to rest him. I am not in favor of sitting him just to sit him. Some goalies can do it or at a high enough level that even playing a little off they will give the team a chance to win.

However if he has a poor showing in the second night of a back to back, that would give me reservations about the next back to back. You also have to consider if there is substantial travel between games.

I really don’t want to see Keumper in the net. If he comes in a plays poorly it is going to mess with the teams psyche and may take them a game or two to fully recover.

I really don’t understand how the average rube or the average sports talker can tell a team how to play a goalie. NHL head coaches and gm’s have no idea how to handle or even trade for them.

It’s a lot like fishing. Sometime your hunch is right and sometime it couldn’t be more wrong. But there’s always the obvious that you can’t ignore.

There are no signs of slowing down so I say keep him in. How could you possibly rest him when you haven’t made the playoffs?

Wild Nashville games have historically been good. I’d love this match up in the second or third round.

Shoot the puck, shoot the puck, shoot the puck. And Im already sick of them booing Suter.
DT

Do I hear a few doooooooobs?

Wild defenseman look bad tonight. Not supporting each other. Both teams got a good forecheck, but so far the Preds have had more energy. I expect that to change in the 3rd.

Of course after working a 16 hour day I fell asleep in the second period. Thankfull for dvr. I did not watch the whole game but from what I saw we didn’t deserve to win but still made it happen. Let’s collect our points and move on.

On the topic of goalies. Yes we are a little off and hard to read. If we say we can play, that means we can play. Even if we know we are not ready, we don’t want to sit on the bench and open the door for the “normal” players. Stop trying to understand and control us.

DT

We need to make the playoffs first before we can even think about resting Dubbie. Of course people are going to look at all the games hes play in a row and say he needs to rest a game but heck if he says hes good to go, keep playing the guy and ride this hot streak all the way to the playoffs.

Its funny how all the Wild Card hunt teams seem to get behind going into the third and the other teams in the hunt and/or the fans get excited, only to see the team storm back and win. I sure wish we could get a good 5+ point lead over the 9th place team.

The Wild have hit paydirt with Dumba. Finally! Dumba has come of age and he’s only going to get better. You know you’ve got a heavy shot guy when you see the flinching on the opponent’s side. Word has spread, you block a Dumba shot, you feel PAIN. This is a terrific asset for the Wild. I only hope Dumba gets a shooting gallery with a team like the Avs, now what would be fun.

I have to admit, I’m on the edge of my seat the whole time, every game for 2 “I can’t believe it” reasons.

1. Dubnyk. I find it funny that you can hear the post-save “Doooooooooob” everywhere the Wild play now.
2. The chilled out approach. The Wild have the confidence that regardless of what happens, they’ll get back in and win.

deertracker wrote:

And Im already sick of them booing Suter.
DT

Yes, I pointed out last game, that Nashville needs to put a good dose of “get over it” in the water supply down there. Even the national announcers on NBC last game were lighting them up about it. Really? Still after 3 years?

Is there any other example of this in the league? Anyone know of any asshat fans that are still booing a player 3 years later?

One announcer last game said, “I wonder how many of these Nashville fans who are booing Suter would have turned down the $90 million to stay?”

Grouse

I will say that I was wrong about Dumba. I have never seen such a transformation in a players game while he was in the minors in such a short time. I didn’t think he would be ready for a couple of years, and had my reservations whether he would amount to much. He is a big surprise, and the wild have really needed him to step up with the injuries we have had. I just renewed my tickets for next year. I hope they stay steady and walk into the playoffs without having to look back. The future looks to be bright. Just think if they didn’t completely suck for 6 weeks, where we would be.

Happens all the time in every sport!
So no its not mutually exclusive to Nashville.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

The Wild have hit paydirt with Dumba. Finally! Dumba has come of age and he’s only going to get better.

Finally hit paydirt with a player or Dumba finally has looked like he’s an NHLer?

Suter – Brodin – Spurgeon – Scandella – Dumba – Folin
This will be the best defensive corps in the NHL as soon as next year as long as they stay healthy and together. Of course that won’t be recognized nationally until they do more in the playoffs. I actually have a hard time seeing a better one in the NHL right now. As Dumba and Folin progress they will raise the curve. Now swap Gustav Olofsson and Folin and look out.

There is a bigger reason than just the goaltenders talent and Fletch’s uncanny late season acquisitions have some gaudy stats. A lot has to do with the top 4 defensemen we have had.

I think it will be funny if Nashville is booing him in like 7 years.

I was mainly referring to Dumba being a first round pick who has come into an NHL game in a reasonable time frame.

Probably the Wild are average, but it sure feels like there were a disproportionate number of first round stinkers drafted by the Wild. Colton Ghillies, AJ Theilen, Tyler Cuma.

Hopefully with this Alex Tuch they drafted last year, the Wild are on a roll.

To PB, which other teams are still booing a player that left 3 years ago? I’m trying to think of even 1 other example where I’ve heard this.

There are still people cheering FOR Cal Clutterbuck when he comes to MN. There might be a few boos for Gaborik, but the whole game?

Grouse

Lebron James Cleveland. Shaquille O’Neal Orlando.
Arod Seatle.
Just to name a few of many.
Its common nature for a select few to boo people who have left sports teams in that manner.

Go Wild!

Dumba is one of my favorite players on the Wild. The guy is just plain fun to watch on the ice… very skilled and the future is bright for him.

I just did a rough check and came up with their record with and without him this year. I realize he was in Iowa when the Wild were at their worst, but still the numbers are pretty crazy.

WITH #55: 34-14-2
WITHOUT: 5-10-5

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

I was mainly referring to Dumba being a first round pick who has come into an NHL game in a reasonable time frame.

Ah! I think they have drafted very well since Fletcher took over. The Riser years started out well until a string of busts. Although, I don’t know the changes to the scouting staff. I think Lapointe was on Risers staff, but maybe not the head scout?

Did some quick researching and it is funny to see some of the stinker trades that Fletch made that I don’t remember. Remember Chuck Kobasew? And no I am not talking about the Leddy trade either. To this day that one doesn’t bother me.

I’ve liked Dumba’s attitude and swagger from the time we drafted him. He “seems” like a great chemistry guy. He was so anxious to make the team 2 years ago I was afraid he might not have the right attitude, but he appears to be a accepting guy who works hard when things don’t go his way. Going to Red Deer and the Baby Wild could have hurt some players with that kind of enthusiasm. And he has literally accelerated his growth this year. It wasn’t that long ago when he still seemed to be adjusting.

At the game tonight. Wild off to a slow start but limiting Caps opportunities. Start of 2nd.

Okay Wild give up some questionable goals but Folin gets a timely one. Time for a big 3rd. Comeback time.

Grouse

Peeked at the schedule. Jets have the easiest remaining schedule playing most at home….including Saint Paul.

We have the toughest schedule.

LA spends a lot of time on the road.

Calgary has an average schedule with tough away games and many against the other 3 teams as we do.

If I was to guess, I’d say LA’s luck finally runs out and they are the odd team out. Too many away games with a East road trip. Their road record isn’t good and their goal differential isn’t that great.

Ah but I forgot about Vancouver. I actually think that they will end up being the odd team out. They have a tough schedule. How they are 2nd in the pacific is beyond me. I don’t think they are that good of a team. I guess it helps when the Oilers, Sharks and Coyotes are in your division.

I would say we were lucky Ovechkin was out when we played washington last. That guy is on fire and knows how to score.

Kings and Vancouver are in imo impossible they both miss out.. …Wild or Calgary out.

What about the Jets?

The Pacific division is as bad as the Central is good.

Nice bounce back by the Wild this PM. What a day for MN hockey too. Can’t wait for the second half with Mankato going for the WCHA win. I’ve also heard that the Gophers are playing, but as is typical now, nobody knows where or when.

Just the game the Wild needed. Fontaine! What a game for him, 2G/1A. There are so many benefits to having that dangerous 4th line.

Grouse

It was nice to see that Oshie was never a factor.

I think I will have to call in the FBI to figure out what channel the Gophers will be on. Otherwise I will watch the MN State game.
DT

Our depth and 4th line should allow us to go deep. I said it before, but no team has an answer for our 4th line.