MN Wild 2018-19 Official Thread

JoeMX1825 wrote:

while I didn’t go to Medical school, I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night…

And I went to the Carnegie Melon School of Sports General Management LOL

It will be interesting to see how ZP and RS react with MK out.

Bruce just said that Koivu might be the best player in team history.

He might want to brush up on his reading.

I used to work with a guy who played for and worked with the Carolina Hurricanes. When we would talk hockey, and talk about the Wild, he would always say MK was a 3rd line centerman.

Starting to think he was right….

Weather Koivu returns next year or not, one thing for sure is he will not be any faster.
In the last 2 years he has shown a significant lowering of speed and agility. That’s just part of getting older. An acl tear will make him 2 years slower next year.

Hard to watch tonight…Wild had tons of chances but only 1 goal against one of the worst defensive teams and one of the leagues worst goalies is pretty pathetic. The tv announcers were pathetic too making excuses trying to point out all of things Koivu would have done differently had he been out there…this could be a long last few months…

Lone positive I saw was that Erikson Ek looked good…should have had a few more goals tonight

Bruce should be fired for saying something that stupid. Slap the “C” on Stahl’s jersey and let’s roll!

Fenton has got to be pulling his hair out, no one on this team can step up and make a difference, how do you name a team captain when no one has that capability.
They might as well make Charlie Coyle team captain they all play the same style.
Ohh yea,there is a rebuild coming whether it begins now or next summer it is happening.
The big question facing Fenton is can he develop a competive roster while being handcuffed to the Twin $98 mill contacts.
It’s time to let the young play the top minutes and see what they can do.

jeff_huberty wrote:

The big question facing Fenton is can he develop a competive roster while being handcuffed to the Twin $98 mill contacts.

The Twins did the same thing when they signed Mauer. Handcuffed themselves for future years from building a decent team around him and then he turns out to be made of glass and can’t play through a hang nail.

The Wild also over reacted by giving Dubnyk too much money and too many years. Suter had lost a step before the ankle injury he is getting skated around with more frequency. Spurgeon is their best defensive if not the best all around hockey player they have. Parise is entering that phase of his career where injury is always a concern. His body is paying him back for all those years of his hard style of play.

Boudreau said yesterday that some of the players are just shells of their former selves. I imagine he meant Grandlund, Zucker, Staal, and several others.

I’m expecting some major moves of some of these core players. Fenton has a history of not being afraid to move big pieces. If Zucker goes they better bury him deep in the Eastern conference. Any other team he’a a consistent 30 goal scorer and has Wild killer written all over him.

Ice Cap wrote:

The Twins did the same thing when they signed Mauer. Handcuffed themselves for future years from building a decent team around him and then he turns out to be made of glass and can’t play through a hang nail.

I respectfully disagree. This argument gets thrown around a lot and it’s becoming obviously false every day the Twins save money by pocketing Mauer’s contract money and not spending it.

1. Mauer’s contract didn’t put a “cease and desist” on spending. There was nothing stopping the Twins from further signings as they had plenty of money to spend. Paying a player $23 million per year and winning a championship are things that can happen simultaneously. What the Pohlads basically did was say “hey MN, we kept your local boy to make you happy, and this is all you’re going to get.”

2. If the argument that the Twins handcuffed themselves from building a winning team with Mauer’s contract, where’s the spending now? They’re no longer paying his $23 million annually and yet they aren’t spending any of that to get any better.

Ice Cap wrote:

I’m expecting some major moves of some of these core players. Fenton has a history of not being afraid to move big pieces. If Zucker goes they better bury him deep in the Eastern conference. Any other team he’a a consistent 30 goal scorer and has Wild killer written all over him.

I hope your right,trading away a Zucker or Granlund or a top D maybe even Dubnyck would not have a devestating effect IMO.
#1 I don’t see this team improving into a contender for Several seasons.
#2 NHL teams in the past have seen a majority of simular trades that benifit the players and the teams equally.
Sometimes a change is good for all parties.

Question: Will people spend big dollars for tickets if it’s a nameless team? If you dump all the recognizable names for kids & picks is ownership willing to take the financial hit?

Easy to say get picks and unproven players, another thing to sell tickets to see that product.

JoeMX1825 wrote:

Hard to watch tonight…Wild had tons of chances but only 1 goal against one of the worst defensive teams and one of the leagues worst goalies is pretty pathetic.

You aren’t kidding. I was at the game and that first goal let the air out of everything. One shot gave up, one goal given up. Not a winning formula.

And Edmonton looked terrible, BTW. I can’t recall ever seeing a team with this much on-paper talent that plays this poorly overall. And that’s saying something because having Hitchcock behind the bench has clearly improved things, but holy moses are they still confused sometimes on D and it’s really bad that the Wild couldn’t light the lamp on Talbot more than once.

The line change-ups had clearly thrown everything off and it was just a constant series of shots into a crowd in front of the net and then the puck would drop right at the feet of an Oiler and off they’d go.

I know the Koivu haters out there don’t want to hear it and would never admit that he contributes anything, but the Wild are going to suffer big time in the faceoff circle and in trying to play D against the opponents top lines.

To me this is the defining moment for Erickson Ek, either he really, really steps up play or the Wild might as well consider him the next Charlie Coyle and trade him now while he still has value. We don’t need another Coyle-type player who always has “potential” but never actually improves.

Nice to see Rau getting some big club time, hope he can do something with it.

Fenton’s stock is sinking lower and lower in my estimation. Saw a post game interview with him and he seems completely lost and just gave the “we’ll have to wait and see” answer to every question. I’m really starting to think the Wild were fooled by this guy, being on the Nashville plane as an assistant stewardess is a long way from flying the plane as the pilot. As much as 5 or 6 key players need to step up for the Wild, so does the GM.

Grouse

Dutchboy wrote:

Question: Will people spend big dollars for tickets if it’s a nameless team? If you dump all the recognizable names for kids & picks is ownership willing to take the financial hit?

Easy to say get picks and unproven players, another thing to sell tickets to see that product.

Obviously the individual will decide whether they’re entertained and willing to spend money on tickets and/or follow the team.

One thing to point out about the draft and prospects is the NHL is a lot more like the MLB than the NFL/NBA. The NFL/NBA is generally choosing 21-22 yr olds that have already proven they are the best players at the next level. The NHL/MLB are commonly drafting 18-19 yr olds that have yet to play at the next level. A good exercise would be to look at the 2010 NHL draft and see where Coyle falls in terms of games played, goals & points scored in comparison to other players in that draft class. Instead of a late 1st round pick he is actually performing above his draft position. Probably more of a mid 1st round pick. Based on that you may have a different view of how you feel about unloading established players for prospects and draft picks.

I get the feeling a lot sports fans see players like they’re some kind sports commodity. If you feel you have an underperforming player you just sell them and buy a better one until your team is loaded with Berkshire Hathaway.

I understand how teams are built. I’m just questioning how anybody thinks you can dump everybody and sell ticket & jerseys.

Dutchboy wrote:

I understand how teams are built. I’m just questioning how anybody thinks you can dump everybody and sell ticket & jerseys.

From a owner/management perspective that would be a business decision that would include its inherent risks. They make the money so the onus is on them if that’s the direction they go.

From a fan’s perspective I think that idea is nothing more than a coping mechanism. Certain personality types invest their emotions and when reality doesn’t meet their expectations they go into “HOPE” mode.

In general: Unless there’s some type of honeymoon period, I think it’s pretty evident across all “for profit” sports that if you lose more games than you win fans start losing interest. That loss of interest translates into fewer attendees and merchandise sales.

Dutchboy wrote:

I understand how teams are built. I’m just questioning how anybody thinks you can dump everybody and sell ticket & jerseys.

Why would anyone care, you sell when your winning,put a good team out there and the merch sells.
Anyone who has been to the games this season can see the empty seats in every section.

The State of hockey does not support phish pour hockey.
Case in point Gopher Hockey,

Just a pathetic game last night against Edmonton. Not only give up the first goal, but a goal on the first shot of the game, as Grouse said. MK would have won some face-offs, sure, but he would not have affected the outcome of the game.

Staal and Spurgeon seem to be the only ones with a clue out there. Although Ek did have a nice game too.

JoeMX1825 wrote:

The tv announcers were pathetic too making excuses trying to point out all of things Koivu would have done differently had he been out there…this could be a long last few months…

I thought the exact same thing.

Well we got a win against the Devils who are not a very good team and who we should beat soundly anyhow. Another moral victory for the boys. I hope Fenton has already made his mind up to dismantle this team. They are doing what they always do. Hang around that wild card spot, start having to play play off hockey a month sooner than most everyone else to stay in the wild card spot than a early embarrassing exit from the play offs. Time for some new faces.

Pretty tough game to watch against the islanders…no jump in their step at all…getting skated around at will the the isles lucky to be at 2-1 at this point

Bruce admitted in the post game the team didn’t come to play.
That to me says he has lost this team.
Time for Bruce to go!

1-5 since the All Star break. Even the train-wreck St Louis Blues have passed us in the standings with two games in hand

This will sound bad, but I find myself wanting them to lose every game now…I know this will be looked upon negatively, but I just feel disgust when watching them, it’s just not fun tuning in… I want serious change on this roster and while it’s no guarantee, I think getting a top pick will obviously move the needle more than anything else we can do…Jack Hughes is not the next McDavid, but he’s got insane speed and offensive ability and that’s something we desperately need right now…

I never really thought Bruce was in trouble of losing his job, but after the recent post game interviews of him and players mentioning they are not ready to play, the effort isn’t there and so on, i’m starting to think the opposite…as somebody mentioned earlier, he’s in real trouble of losing this team if he hasn’t lost it already…

I admit I wouldn’t mind seeing them tank if that’s what it takes to bring about real change. It’s been said Parise and Suter didn’t like Yeo or his system of playing hockey which led to Yeo’s demise. Maybe they have decided it’s time for Bruce to go to.

Hockey is the only sport I care to watch anymore and I’d really would like a team I can get excited about again. This team has been mediocre for too long. Can’t get excited about them because they are clearly not going anywhere.

Another coach won’t fix much. Yet a on ice effort to boycott another coach will speak volumes of what’s actually wrong with this team. It’s not goal tending, most of the time it’s not defense, but a lot of times it’s just effort and lack of grit.

ZP and RS, although good players, aren’t leaders.

Am very interested to see what the team does without MK.

Have really wondered for years how the captain and assistant captains roles and relationships have fed some of this teams mental struggles.

Don’t totally discount what Grouse and gil have to say about the dynamics of the team, owner and business end of the game, and a lot of it is insightful and has a lot of validity. But there’s something peculiarly wrong with this teams effort, preparedness, with their highs, lows and slumps.

Got an axe to grind against RS, a lot of his passive aggressive interviews with the whole Mike Yeo deal was apparent. Mike Yeo has his issues and that can’t be denied. But have yet to see anything from RS that screams loud and clear he is a leader on the ice or in the locker room. When you have veterans that won’t lead, it’s hard for the rest of the team and younger players to find roles or find their niche. This team feels very generic and has no identity, other than to be constantly struggling to stay relevant and just on the verge of almost being good enough to do something other than just fighting for wild card spots.

The wild, are a wild card team and that’s about all they are.

Tom schmitt wrote:

Bruce admitted in the post game the team didn’t come to play.
That to me says he has lost this team.
Time for Bruce to go!

A new coach isn’t going to fix this team. They are once again in another slump and I think they need to trade some guys away and get some new faces on the team. They don’t have many tradeable pieces but Staal, Coyle, Granlund are all guys that could go.

I just don’t believe a new coach once again will fix this team.

basseyes wrote:

Got an axe to grind against RS, a lot of his passive aggressive interviews with the whole Mike Yeo deal was apparent. Mike Yeo has his issues and that can’t be denied. But have yet to see anything from RS that screams loud and clear he is a leader on the ice or in the locker room.

Here we go with the “Suter is a cancer” thing again.

So Staal, Zucker, Granlund and basically everyone else is in a scoring slump and can’t find their stick with both hands, so naturally, it’s time to blame–wait for it–Suter. Makes total sense.

Again, I have to point out that this Suter as a locker room cancer thing would be believable except for the fact that there’s almost no insider evidence that this is the case.

And look around the league, the stories DO get out. Columbus had some issues, stories were plentiful about Dallas’ locker room culture as driven by a couple guys with over-inflated egos and underwhelming performance, etc, etc. It might take a while, but the word does spread and enough players have come and gone from the Wild that if it were the case, we’d have heard much more about it. Also, where are the stories from his days in Nashville?

Time to fire Bruce? Surely you jest. First of all, the Wild front office have rightly identified that this is not the place for a newbie coach like Yeo. And we already have a big question mark newbie in the GM slot, so IMO now is NOT the time for more untried people.

So that leaves the question of who would you bring in with MORE experience than Bruce? Quinnville is probably right now picking out curtains and paint colors for his new place in St. Louis. Trotz is going to end up in either Anaheim or Dallas, unless Edmonton decides that Ken isn’t the future or disaster happens in Pittsburgh. I think Hithchcock has showed that he can make progress with the now-somewhat-less-defensively-challenged Oilers, so I’d look for him to be there next year. And there could be other surprises that put these experienced guys in play because with the tight races right now, SOMEBODY who feels they should be in, is going to be out and they’ll blame the coach.

So who do you want at the helm? Yeo again?

I said it when the Wild finally fired Yeo, I’ll say it again. If this team can’t win with Bruce, then they aren’t going to win with any other coach either. Want proof? One word: Anaheim. Firing Bruce was going to fix all their problems out there, the GM couldn’t stop saying it. Well…

Grouse

Grouse that was a spot on take! I have nothing else to add because you said it all.

Kaprizov had 3 goals and an assist in a 4-1 win today, he now leads the KHL in goals!

My thoughts on firing Bruce were due to both his and player quotes that they weren’t ready to play and that the effort isn’t there…So his style must not be resonating and the players are saying “F@#$ it”…

so you either get rid of the player leadership (you can’t because they all have NTC or you get rid of the coach) The coach always loses this scenario… If you look at Bruce’s career, he always seems to get the team to a certain high level (good regular season with a few slumps, make the playoffs) and then they hit a stone wall (or Crosby and the Penguins during his Capitals stint)…I’m in no way putting it on him, but his Wild tenure has mimic’d both the Caps and Ducks and they fired him after 4 seasons of not progressing in the playoffs with vastly superior talent than the Wild.