MN Wild 2018-19 Official Thread

When Boston clinched the Finals, I told my buddy if Blues beat Sharks, Bruins will win cup. If Sharks win, Sharks win the Cup. I stand by this still.
It certainly is impressive what the Blues have done since early January. I dont know if he will have played enough games, but man, Binnington should be in Vezina conversation.

Side note, the IIHF World Championships are going on and Kevin Fiala is having a nice little run. 4 Goals and 2 assists in 7 games. William Nylander, soon to be new Wild member (LOL) is on fire! Granted he got 10 pts in one game, but still.

The Blues are hotter than a pistol and Boston’s going to have to bring everything they have and more just to make this series last 6.

Lucky bounce for Coyle landing with Boston, you couldn’t have planned how that would work out. Landing in the East he probably had to cancel a whole bunch of tee times he made for May, who would have thought Boston would somehow not even end up meeting Washington or Tampa?

Shows how tough the league is. Jumbo Joe can’t get the cup in a stellar career and Ol Two Touch and Give ‘er Up Chuck gets traded into the finals.

Grouse

I had the blues going to the finals in my first bracket. Don’t ask me why.

Wild about to announce multiplayer trade with Pens. Reports say Zucker and misc pieces for Phil Kessel and others.

Grouse

Zucker and Rask to Boston, Johnson and Kessel to MN. The deal has been on the table for a while, waiting on approval by Kessel.

so much for the youth movement…

Not sure how this makes us better? Kessel won’t be close to the player he was playing with Sid and Gino…I guess swapping Johnson for Rask makes some sense if we can get rid of Patryn and it frees up a forward slot…

JoeMX1825 wrote:

so much for the youth movement…

My thoughts exactly. We get younger by, errr, trading young players for older players?

A terrible trade, IMO. Kessel is past his prime and his number are HEAVILY propped up by the fact that despite the Pens playoff fizzle, he was playing with a team that has some of the best offensive talent in hockey. Now he’s supposed to do great things with a slower, less experienced, vastly less skilled Wild? Hmmmmmm.

For those of you Suter haters out there, Suter and Kessel are cut from the same cheesecloth.

I don’t know what the issue was with this big push to trade Zucker. Zucker impresses me as the type of player that could break out for 25+ goals, but for some reason, Fenton has wanted him gone since Day 1.

There were lots of rumors last year that the deal was done to send Zucker to the Flames and then it fizzled at the last second and didn’t happen.

Is Fenton really that desperate to bury his mistake in acquiring Rask?

Grouse

You think Boudreau has the issue with Zucker?
Seems to me in Kessel you end up with more headache than he is worth. Re:Toronto

Kessel and Johnsons contracts expiring?

jeff_huberty wrote:

You think Boudreau has the issue with Zucker?
Seems to me in Kessel you end up with more headache than he is worth. Re:Toronto

Kessel and Johnsons contracts expiring?

Kessel has 3 years remaining at $6.8MM per, Johnson has 4 years remaining at $3.25MM.

Compared to Zucker 4 years remaining at $5.5MM per, Rask 3 years remaining at $4MM per.

Are Kessels numbers inflated because of who he plays with? Possibly but he hasnt missed a game since the 2010 season so for those that say he is fat and slow (which he is neither) he has been durable. I will say that Kessel will undoubtedly get more points that Zucker next year regardless of where they play.
He can score, but he is also a great setup guy. 2 of his biggest pt production seasons have been his last 2.
If this comes to fruition its one of those things to lower cap hit further and there are definitely other moves in play.
I would still like to see Kapanen come here or possibly something for Huberdeau or Marchessault.

Modano is hired as a adviser for the Wild? Lack of trust issue with Fenton? This could get messy.

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>jeff_huberty wrote:</div>
You think Boudreau has the issue with Zucker?
Seems to me in Kessel you end up with more headache than he is worth. Re:Toronto

Kessel and Johnsons contracts expiring?

Kessel has 3 years remaining at $6.8MM per, Johnson has 4 years remaining at $3.25MM.

Compared to Zucker 4 years remaining at $5.5MM per, Rask 3 years remaining at $4MM per.

Are Kessels numbers inflated because of who he plays with? Possibly but he hasnt missed a game since the 2010 season so for those that say he is fat and slow (which he is neither) he has been durable. I will say that Kessel will undoubtedly get more points that Zucker next year regardless of where they play.
He can score, but he is also a great setup guy. 2 of his biggest pt production seasons have been his last 2.
If this comes to fruition its one of those things to lower cap hit further and there are definitely other moves in play.
I would still like to see Kapanen come here or possibly something for Huberdeau or Marchessault.

So this trade would not save any real money, make us older and slower and send us Kessel who thrives on NOT being the star attraction.
Ok what a great trade!

Kessel does not want to be here from what I’m hearing he won’t agree to the trade come here. Zucker wants to stay here. Last thing we need is someone who doesn’t want to be here. Can you blame him? This is going to be a problem going forward is drawing any decent veteran talent from other teams with limited trade clauses. It’s a bad trade even if Kessel wanted to be here.

I really believe the Wild’s problems are largely in the locker room and the rank and file players around the league are aware of it. The Russian who is going to lift the Wild up out of the depths of despair has a whopping 2 points in the World tournament. Not a good sign. He seems to fade amongst the elite talent especially in a long tournament.

I saw kaps numbers as well and was kind of alarmed…but then again Idk what hes playing for a line or role so that could have something to do with it…and the other thing is hes only 23 he still has time and room to grow….maybe modano should just suit up and be given the C

If possible getting Amanda would be better then Phil.

Tom schmitt wrote:

So this trade would not save any real money, make us older and slower and send us Kessel who thrives on NOT being the star attraction.
Ok what a great trade!

Yeah, terrible idea to trade for a guy who is never injured has performed clutch in key moments, scored 80 plus pts multiple times in his career. Terrible idea. Run, dont walk away from this deal.
Zucker’s speed really has been his linchpin for his scoring prowess. SMH

Ice Cap wrote:

The Russian who is going to lift the Wild up out of the depths of despair has a whopping 2 points in the World tournament. Not a good sign. He seems to fade amongst the elite talent especially in a long tournament.

He just got done with a championship season with his KHL club. I am sure there is a bit of an emotional letdown after winning the Championship. Plus, his performance in this World Championship is an anomaly. He has been clutch on the biggest stages for Russia every other time whether it be the World Juniors or Olympics.

Ice Cap wrote:

The Russian who is going to lift the Wild up out of the depths of despair has a whopping 2 points in the World tournament. Not a good sign. He seems to fade amongst the elite talent especially in a long tournament.

Have you seen how loaded that team is at forward and how they’ve destroyed pretty much every team they’ve played. The fact that he’s even on that team as a barely 22 year old forward is impressive….

and nobody ever anointed him as a savior, I’ve always contented that he’s the best scoring prospect the Wild has ever had besides Gaborik, but until he plays ACTUAL NHL games he will always be a prospect. Pretty much EVERY NHL publication that ranks prospects has had him in their top 5 the past 2-3 years, so it’s not just Wild fans that are saying he has talent.

jeff_huberty wrote:

You think Boudreau has the issue with Zucker?

I’m really starting to think that might be the case, otherwise the trade just doesn’t make any sense for the Wild (other than getting anything for Rask, but Johnson’s contract seems to be the same type of anchor)

Kessel’s production will drop like a rock if he plays on the Wild, he needs the genius of Syd and Gino to create for him, yes he can pass, but for that salary you need him to score goals…

Zucker had 1 not great year and it seems like they want to cut bait…He has shown 30+ goal potential and locked in at a reasonable $5m for the next 4 years and baring injury, won’t be slowing down like Kessel will be…

jeff_huberty wrote:

Modano is hired as a adviser for the Wild? Lack of trust issue with Fenton? This could get messy.

Leipold’s comment on the hiring of Modano was a hilarious study in reading between the lines. He may as well have just added, “I’m looking at YOU, Fenton…”

“Mike will be advising Matt and myself on mostly business-oriented issues,” Leipold said. “We also anticipate that if (general manager) Paul Fenton has any issues or questions, Mike will be available for that as well.”

Could it be any more clear that the Fenton shine and that new GM smell is rapidly fading and being replaced by buyer’s remorse?

As a GM, I rate Fenton a solid C- and this trade for Kessel isn’t going to imporove his GM GPA. Now the owner is warming up a replacement GM in the bullpen…

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Leipold’s comment on the hiring of Modano was a hilarious study in reading between the lines. He may as well have just added, “I’m looking at YOU, Fenton…”

They seem to have taken a page out of Glen Taylors sports Management Dossier.

Pretty much EVERY NHL publication that ranks prospects has had him in their top 5 the past 2-3 years, so it’s not just Wild fans that are saying he has talent.
[/quote]
Yeah and when the Wild had Coyle, Grandlund, Dumba and Brodin in the pipeline and coming into the league every publication and analyst on TV were predicting the Wild would become a dynasty within a few years. I remember it clearly.
That group of guys along with Parise and Suter already being there was going to make a unstoppable juggernaut.

Yikes, but I don’t think it is a horrible trade when you look at it like Zucker for Johnson and Kessel. You probably aren’t going to lose any point production, not right away anyhow. But this does feel like when you got Vanek.

Notice how I said you.

The trade most likely isnt going to happen anyway. Kessel hasnt signed off (waived NTC) on it and rumors are he has been “researching” for several days. If it takes him several days to make a decision he certainly has reservations.

Pittsburgh hockey reporters are now saying the deal with the Wild has been scrapped. Teams already on Kessel’s “trade list” now involved in dealmaking to bring him their way.

If this is true, Fenton has unwittingly dodged a bullet.

I don’t think it’s Bruce that has an issue with Zucker, I think it’s the fact that after an initial “do nothing” period that lasted too long, newbie GM Fenton feels the need to “make big trades” to be seen as being assertive. So far, Fenton’s record for making the RIGHT trades seems very spotty.

It is true we are overloaded with LH shots, but that doesn’t mean make bad trades to get rid of a player like Zucker. Trading for Kessel seems to backtrack on the entire strategy that Fenton seems to have been pursuing.

And yes, yes, I know this is all part of some “grand Fentonian scheme” where it will all make sense when X, Y, and Z all happen and the Earth, moon, sun, and stars align…

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Pittsburgh hockey reporters are now saying the deal with the Wild has been scrapped. Teams already on Kessel’s “trade list” now involved in dealmaking to bring him their way.

If this is true, Fenton has unwittingly dodged a bullet.

I don’t think it’s Bruce that has an issue with Zucker, I think it’s the fact that after an initial “do nothing” period that lasted too long, newbie GM Fenton feels the need to “make big trades” to be seen as being assertive. So far, Fenton’s record for making the RIGHT trades seems very spotty.

It is true we are overloaded with LH shots, but that doesn’t mean make bad trades to get rid of a player like Zucker. Trading for Kessel seems to backtrack on the entire strategy that Fenton seems to have been pursuing.

And yes, yes, I know this is all part of some “grand Fentonian scheme” where it will all make sense when X, Y, and Z all happen and the Earth, moon, sun, and stars align…

Grouse

Agreed. I think the biggest problem this team has right now is there is no strategy.
If there is it is going to be a long process to bring any kind of balance to the lineup
Not enough righty’s. No 1st line center. No coherent sceme as to how the game will playout.

Tom schmitt wrote:

Agreed. I think the biggest problem this team has right now is there is no strategy.
If there is it is going to be a long process to bring any kind of balance to the lineup
Not enough righty’s. No 1st line center. No coherent sceme as to how the game will playout.

Right it is a little hard to see what the big picture is for this team or Fenton’s vision based on the moves thus far. We can only see that he has swapped out under performing youngish players for a serious cap dump and more controlled assets (RFAs) that are younger.
I think things will start to make more sense following the draft and into free agency, but the opening night roster is certainly going to be vastly different than it was last year.
So far Kessel has nixed the trade by not waiving his NTC. Doesnt mean it wont happen at some point, but I really dont think its going to happen based on what is being reported.
His “comments” were rather pointed and what a lot of people have been saying. Its hard to see where he would fit, but I think he would fit provided some other key moves happened in conjunction with him coming here. I dont blame him for not wanting to come here now based on what the known commodities are. He may change his mind if a key move is made.

I just don’t see how Zucker can stay on this team now…I mean what the hell is he supposed to think if Fenton says “You’re my guy now Jason, no hard feelings, let’s move on” Zucker will call his B.S…

I’m really starting to have some bad thoughts on Fenton… I just don’t see how you get better or younger or cheaper by trading away Zucker?

CaptainMusky wrote:

Right it is a little hard to see what the big picture is for this team or Fenton’s vision based on the moves thus far. We can only see that he has swapped out under performing youngish players for a serious cap dump and more controlled assets (RFAs) that are younger.

I think things will start to make more sense following the draft and into free agency, but the opening night roster is certainly going to be vastly different than it was last year.

You have way more faith in how well and how fast Fenton is responding to his on the job training than I do.

It looks to me like he’s under severe pressure and he doesn’t know which way to turn. Every time the owner is in his office saying we need to get this train back on the tracks, Fenton goes out and tries to execute a trade. One day it’s “get younger” the next day it’s “buy experience” what’s it going to be tomorrow?

The one guy who should be combing his contract and hoping a “no trade clause” is in there somewhere is Fenton. He better have a really, really, really good draft and make some moves that make sense or he’s going to find himself traded to a club in Equador’s B-league for the proverbial player to be named later.

Grouse

Zucker has got to be irritated for sure and not trusting of Fenton, but I would almost guarantee he is gone. Someone doesnt attempt or have “done deal” trades this many times and be kept very often.
If I was Zucker as much as I make like it here he most certainly would appreciate being wanted. He says all the right things like its a business, etc, but this has to be weighing on him.

I am officially off the Wild bandwagon so I am not going to lose any sleep if Zucker goes. In regards to Kessel or any other good player out there looking for a team to play on why would they pick Minnesota? Who would want to play in front of the boring home fans? Who would want to listen to the non-leadership of Koivu, Suter and Parise! This team is going to stink until those three are gone. State of hockey my a**.