Definitely distant third. Granted it was years ago, but he was terrible with the Isles. They scored, but couldnt defend. The saving grace I guess is we have a strong back end, but we could go from a position of strength to weakness with him I would fear.
Gallant intrigues me too and a definite NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to Babcock.
They are also looking into college Scott Sandelin has been talk to.Once the college season is over more talks will continue.
Not sure which direction they go ,I think it might not be a re-cycled coach but a new face.
Not doubting Sandelin’s coaching ability, but those college hires have been pretty much a miss. Montgomery didnt last, Quinn isnt exactly lighting it up in NYR, Hakstol was basically terrible and Hynes has struggled with the Devils. I cannot think of any that have really done well. Granted many of them have been gifted terrible lineups, I think Hakstol and Quinn had the most talent to work with, but only one is still coaching.
It must all come down to owner gut feeling about style and compatibility because it’s pretty tough to look at the resume of a Laviolette or Gallant and say they can’t coach.
Seemed like Bruce was the obvious pick to replaced an inexperienced, dazed, confused Mike Yeo, but I have no idea what Craig would be looking for now. A master at young player development should be tops on the list, I’d think.
Can’t say I’m a fan of the idea of bringing up a college coach, Hakstol seemed to be a great example of a successful college coach finding out how different it is at the pro level and struggling.
Was just checking in on Kaprisov today and that got me wondering…
What’s your line combo for Kaprisov when he joins?
He adds to our logjam of left shot wings, so some creativity is going to be required.
Kaprisov – Ek – Fiala?
Grouse
What will BG do if Evason makes the playoffs, and then if they win in the first round? Who knows what can happen with a little puck luck and a Hot Goaltender, then does BG bring in a new HC?
Kaprizov is equally comfortable playing left or right wing, so you put him with Fiala and ? …and it’s a big ? because you need a creative player who can get them the puck in shooting areas. Honestly we don’t have that person right now…None of our centers on contract for next year either have the skill or skating ability to stay with Kaprizov & Fiala. This is going to be BillyG’s top priority this summer… I think the most probable player we get is William Nylander by trading Dumba and possibly Donato or Pateryn and/or draft picks to the Leafs.
This is a trade that almost makes too much sense for both teams…It gives Toronto the scoring right shot defenseman they crave, evens out their cap allocation a bit and gets the Wild an immediate and legit #1 center at least for the next 4 years to play with Kaprizov and Fiala…
I think offering Grigorenko a 2-3 year FA deal fills the center gap until Boldy and Beckman might are ready to compete for center slots.
Do you think the Wild makes a play for either of the goalie prospects for the Rangers? Goergiev or Shesterkin?
Did anybody happen to watch the highlights of the Oilers vs Predators game? Draisaitel’s 4th goal was a very cool pre-set powerplay goal ran to perfection. He basically NBA style boxed himself out from the Defenseman in front of the net with his a$$ and then held his stick out towards the blueline for McDavid to quick pass to the backside of his stick and in one motion turned and shot and scored. Never really seen that play ran in the NHL before and they did it to perfection.
Here’s the play – https://www.nhl.com/oilers/video/draisaitls-fourth-goal-of-game/t-277437406/c-5322668
What about Darby for if? Clearly he has a knack for development
What will BG do if Evason makes the playoffs, and then if they win in the first round? Who knows what can happen with a little puck luck and a Hot Goaltender, then does BG bring in a new HC?
This team has been a joke to you for the past 10 seasons. What makes this one any different?
… I think the most probable player we get is William Nylander by trading Dumba and possibly Donato or Pateryn and/or draft picks to the Leafs.
Toronto seems to have a lot of problems with giving up Nylander. Does this deal ever get done? It’s been talked about for 2 years now.
Does Kaprisov show up to play in Da Beauty League this summer?
Grouse
I heard Khakonen got hurt. Anyone know how serious?
This team has been a joke to you for the past 10 seasons. What makes this one any different?
Correction-they have been a disappointment for far too many seasons,that was clearly obvious to many long time hockey fans.
Now, thanks to a deft trade by our former GM,and bold moves by our current GM this team is looking like they have the momentum that could produce the first legitimate playoff team in years.
It’s fun to see a Player like Kevin Fiala turn into that “Superstar” player they have been lacking. Next year they may add another potential superstar in Kasprisov.
Can Galchenyuk develop into a 30 goal player? time will tell.
Things are looking up Buttercup 
Correction-they have been a disappointment for far too many seasons,that was clearly obvious to many long time hockey fans.
Now, thanks to a deft trade by our former GM,and bold moves by our current GM this team is looking like they have the momentum that could produce the first legitimate playoff team in years.
It’s fun to see a Player like Kevin Fiala turn into that “Superstar” player they have been lacking. Next year they may add another potential superstar in Kasprisov.
Can Galchenyuk develop into a 30 goal player? time will tell.Things are looking up Buttercup
In reference to this season, where exactly does the goaltending sit in your mind? You’ve always been so critical of the goaltending since, well forever.
I heard Khakonen got hurt. Anyone know how serious?
I looked everywhere and didn’t see anything mentioned…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
… I think the most probable player we get is William Nylander by trading Dumba and possibly Donato or Pateryn and/or draft picks to the Leafs.Toronto seems to have a lot of problems with giving up Nylander. Does this deal ever get done? It’s been talked about for 2 years now.
Does Kaprisov show up to play in Da Beauty League this summer?
Grouse
I think they’ve held off giving him up because his ceiling is very high…but if they lose 1st round of the playoffs again that media market will crucify the GM for not making the defense better…Their cap is something like 70/30 offensively invested, they need to get it more even and Nylander can swing the needle the fastest…They will never get rid of Tavares, Mathews or Marner…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>jeff_huberty wrote:</div>
Correction-they have been a disappointment for far too many seasons,that was clearly obvious to many long time hockey fans.
Now, thanks to a deft trade by our former GM,and bold moves by our current GM this team is looking like they have the momentum that could produce the first legitimate playoff team in years.
It’s fun to see a Player like Kevin Fiala turn into that “Superstar” player they have been lacking. Next year they may add another potential superstar in Kasprisov.
Can Galchenyuk develop into a 30 goal player? time will tell.Things are looking up Buttercup
In reference to this season, where exactly does the goaltending sit in your mind? You’ve always been so critical of the goaltending since, well forever.
If you want to go back and search the past Wild seasons posts. I said that Dubnyck should have been traded 2-3 years ago, when his value would benefit the Wild the most. It’s hard to trade old horses,now it can be done,but the return is minimal.
Yes those “goalies are overated” posts are there also.
they never failed to get your shackles raised. 
Yes those “goalies are overated” posts are there also.
they never failed to get your shackles raised.
Not sure what you mean. I believe goalies are overrated. It’s pretty clear when a good one is traded and completely fall on his face in another city. Or if a mediocre goalie goes to another team and dominates.
This is why highly rated goalies rarely get traded.
So, you think they’re solid in goal to make a playoff run?
I looked everywhere and didn’t see anything mentioned…
I saw one tweet referencing that he was injured last night in San Jose, but that was it. Game logs show he played 63.20 minutes last night. They lost in OT so unless he finished hurt, was hurt in OT not sure.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
I looked everywhere and didn’t see anything mentioned…I saw one tweet referencing that he was injured last night in San Jose, but that was it. Game logs show he played 63.20 minutes last night. They lost in OT so unless he finished hurt, was hurt in OT not sure.
I just read the Iowa Wild recalled another goalie from the ECHL, so it looks like he did get banged up…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>JoeMX1825 wrote:</div>
I looked everywhere and didn’t see anything mentioned…I saw one tweet referencing that he was injured last night in San Jose, but that was it. Game logs show he played 63.20 minutes last night. They lost in OT so unless he finished hurt, was hurt in OT not sure.
I just read the Iowa Wild recalled another goalie from the ECHL, so it looks like he did get banged up…
Russo mentioned it on PA’s show today. Said the Wild would have to go with Stalock and Dubnyk from here on out. Had me worried.
So, you think they’re solid in goal to make a playoff run?
I just ordered my rose colored glasses-
worst to first
Play-offs??????? Me don’t thinks so. 
A few goals do not a play-off team make. They have plenty of time to revert to what they are. A team with a few talented players but few if any elite players.
In baseball pitching wins
In football defense wins (generally)
In basketball……well who cares.
In Hockey you need a goalie to carry you.
Looks like Nanne in the broadcast booth tonight. 
Big win. That Fiala goal……. 
Big win. That Fiala goal…….
I haven’t been able to watch much lately but this seems to be a common theme. He’s gonna score 40+ next year. Maybe 50.
Big win. That Fiala goal…….
That was sick! He’s been doing more & more of those fancy goals lately. Few games ago he danced around the D-Man & buried it top shelf. I’m liking him a whole lot more now than I did last year at this time. He sure is fun to watch. Up & down the ice!
Another win and another filthy goal by Fiala. If Fiala does become a 40 or 50 goal scorer it could be looked back at as the single greatest trade in Wild history and whatever else Fenton did will be forgotten.
Well now the late start games of the west swing begins. I hate those 9:30 starts gotta get my nap in for sure. Caps play the Flyers tonight on NBCSN if you need you’re hockey fix. Should be a good game. And maybe the best hockey of all starts this morning the high school boys kick off the tourney!!
Fiala has this team on his back right and is it’s go-to offensive solution from now on, it’s pretty obvious even the vets on the team understand that now…Yes, they are a point out of the playoffs but also just a few points from being back towards the bottom of the league…
pretty unreal how the national and local media don’t even mention Dubnyk anymore…so are we just supposed to forget about him and his $4.5 million caphit the rest of the season? That’s pretty bad to have (Dubnyk & Rask) combined $8 million in caphit just sitting on the bench or the press box…
Dead money is dead money. It happens. There are other teams with similar situations, but it would definitely be nice if there was some contribution from those guys.
I honestly hate the Pacific Division games. Way too late for this old fart.
Aside from the 2003 Western Conf Finals run, the move to the Central is what really got me into watching the Wild. Playing all those late games is just not in the cards.
Have they talked about re-alignment at all when Seattle comes in? One team will have to move to the Central at some point. Rumors had been floating about a Houston investor trying to move Arizona to Houston which would work perfect. Regardless I have to think Arizona is the team to move whether its literally moving locations or just playing in the Central.
Fiala has this team on his back right and is it’s go-to offensive solution from now on, it’s pretty obvious even the vets on the team understand that now…Yes, they are a point out of the playoffs but also just a few points from being back towards the bottom of the league…
Time will tell how long Fiala can keep this up. He’s bound to taper off sometime soon. No one can keep this up consistently. How the rest of the team will react and who or if anyone can step up and fill the gap will determine if they make the playoffs. Right now he’s making everyone look better.
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