Dang, Kaprisov is having himself a season so far. 2 goals already today and one was absolutely filthy.
October 1, 2019 at 1:46 pm
#1881974
MN Wild 2019-2020 Official Thread
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October 1, 2019 at 1:49 pm #1881975
Today it was announced the Pateryn had a sports hernia. He had surgery and will be out 6 weeks. So, this definitely opens the door for a young D man to step up. I have always like Soucy’s size, but man he was terrible last year. This year he apparently came prepared and really impressed in camp. Here is your shot kid. If not you, Belpedio is chomping at the bit to replace you.
I have a feeling they went with Soucy over Belpedio just because of his size based on the first teams we play and heavy road schedule. Belpedio will see plenty of ice this year I think.October 1, 2019 at 1:53 pm #1881976Dang, Kaprizov is having himself a season so far. 2 goals already today and one was absolutely filthy.
completed the trick on another sweet goal a few shifts later…showed some strength throwing off a defenseman hanging on him…
goals like this give me confidence he can succeed in the NHL, that’s crazy strength & balance for a smaller sized player and then the finish…
October 1, 2019 at 2:07 pm #1881979completed the trick on another sweet goal a few shifts later…showed some strength throw a defenseman hanging on him…
Yeah, that is the one I was talking about. Apparently there was an earlier goal that was later credited to him so what was his “2nd” goal became the hat trick.
October 1, 2019 at 2:54 pm #1881996The kid can straight out snipe the puck…I got his goals mixed up, his second goal was a mid-air volley after the puck came off the back glass and went over the net, his first goal was a rocket 1-timer top corner from the top of the circle that the goalie didn’t even move on…
October 1, 2019 at 2:56 pm #1881997The kid can straight out snipe the puck…I got his goals mixed up, his second goal was a mid-air volley after the puck came off the back glass and went over the net, his first goal was a rocket 1-timer top corner from the top of the circle that the goalie didn’t even move on…
Yep! Just think, IF he comes, Donato develops/improves, Fiala takes the next step the Wild will suddenly be a team full of shoot first guys! Who is going to pass the puck? LOL
The beginning of this schedule really worries me. Lots of road games against some very high end teams. If they can withstand the first 15 or so games and have their heads above water they could have a decent season. It could also be a nail in the coffin if they start out slow.October 1, 2019 at 2:59 pm #1881999Niklaus Backstrom is a UFA this upcoming summer…
October 1, 2019 at 4:26 pm #1882029Any predictions on how the Wild will do this year?
I personally am thinking they will do much better than what people are expecting them to do. I think Donato and Kunin will take some big steps this year and Zucker bounces back not that he doesn’t have to worry that Fenton will trade him away every day. I think he will also play with a chip on his shoulder to drive him even more. I’m predicting they make the playoffs and get the 6th spot.
October 1, 2019 at 5:43 pm #1882053Unless there are some big injuries in the central and the wild stay completely healthy, they just miss the playoffs.
October 1, 2019 at 6:30 pm #1882068Be another year of no playoff appearance. If they get off to a slow start they could be buried by Thanksgiving. Colorado and Nashville are going to be good, Chicago is on the rebound and poised for a comeback as are the Jets. With the exception of Zuccarello and Hartman the Wild are pretty much the same team.
Parise is at the stage of his career where injuries are going to nag and his play style for for all those years has caught up to his body.
October 1, 2019 at 8:42 pm #1882098I will give them this though, Greenway and Kunin are poised for a breakout year. Get some solid play by Doobs, they might have something. I’m not gonna hold my breath though. Youngsters on this team never have breakout years.
A lot of things you don’t expect to happen, need to happen in order to make it interesting.
October 2, 2019 at 8:04 am #1882158Unless there are some big injuries in the central and the wild stay completely healthy, they just miss the playoffs.
I’ve pretty much resigned myself to this thought as well.
If they can somehow survive the heavy road-laden start of the schedule and stay healthy. They will be battling for a playoff spot.
As good as the Blues are, I really dont see them repeating, but honestly, if they wouldnt have been so bad the first half, they wouldnt have had to have a lights out performance the last half to get in. They would have likely run away with the Division.
Colorado is going to be the top team in our Division I think. I dont see the Preds getting better and the Jets, well, they are likely on the decline. They dont have much on the back end especially with Byfuglien contemplating retirement.
I think the Wild will end with around 90 pts, but on the outside looking in. Colorado over 100 pts.
I do have a feeling though Guerin will make some in season moves to get this team shaped more to his liking.
Best of all, Kaprisov plays in at least 1 game with the Wild after his KHL season ends.October 2, 2019 at 8:36 am #1882174Until we get rid of Ol’ Skillet Mitt, the Wild are going nowhere. Dubnyk can’t catch a puck and gives up way too many soft goals.
October 2, 2019 at 9:10 am #1882184One thing about Hockey that I love is that you never really know how this season/playoffs will go. The Wild have a tough stretch to start the season but are coming into it healthy. I’m a big fan of the Staal, Parise, Zuccarello and Donato, Kunin, Greenway lines. Apparently Parise and Zuccarello are really clicking so far, hopefully parise can stay healthy for the season. I’m excited to see what Kunin does this year starting our healthy and not in Iowa. He’s gonna be a future captain for the team.
October 2, 2019 at 9:18 am #1882188The Zucarello move looks it could pay off, I had my doubts when they signed him but his play in the preseason has changed my thoughts on him. He is looking like a huge + right now.
It would be nice to see the young guys on this team change it’s direction by having expanded ice time and be more offensively productive. Hopefully they claim some of the top six forward spots.
I think Defensively the Wild should have a edge over most teams, will size be the problem? regular season I don’t think so. The playoffs would be another story.
They need to play much better at home if they are to make the playoffs.
I think this team has a shot at the #6-8 seed if several veterans have career years.Looking forward to a new season.
October 2, 2019 at 10:49 am #1882229I’m a big fan of the Staal, Parise, Zuccarello and Donato, Kunin, Greenway lines. Apparently Parise and Zuccarello are really clicking so far, hopefully parise can stay healthy for the season. I’m excited to see what Kunin does this year starting our healthy and not in Iowa. He’s gonna be a future captain for the team.
I think the line to watch will be Foligno-Ek-Hartman. Those are some beef eaters and are going to be more skilled than almost ANY 4th line they would match up against. I bet Bruce will be able to play them up against perhaps someone else’s 2nd line and then that will open the door for one of our top lines to mash on their 4th. Will be interesting to see. STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT!!!
October 2, 2019 at 12:01 pm #1882259The Zucarello move looks it could pay off, I had my doubts when they signed him but his play in the preseason has changed my thoughts on him. He is looking like a huge + right now.
Then I’m guessing you never watched him play before. He’s basically an older, shorter, more lizard like Granlund… Been a 60 point guy for his career. If Bruce uses him like Granlund and he stays healthy then he’ll lead the team in points this year at mid 60s. I hope he plays with Zucker and Staal… Parise has no problem driving his own line and will get his goals regardless of who he plays with. The AAV on Zucs contact is good value, just year 4 and 5 that could get ugly depending how he ages.
The Wild will be on the playoff bubble so long as their blueline stays relatively healthy. The top 4 is one of the best in the league and will drag the mediocre forwards and goaltender into the playoffs. Also what they lack in forward star power they make up for with depth… They basically have a good second line, a decent second line, and 2 third lines. Hopefully Bruce can find a way to make the pieces fit and get the best out of them. The PP will be atrocious, PK top 5 in the league. I hope for the fans sake they can actually win some games at home this year, last year was unbearable. And lastly they need to avoid overtime at all costs… I’ve given up all hope for this team at 3v3.
The Wild finish between 3-6 in the central division dogfight that sends 5 teams to the playoffs yet again.
Predators – they’re still good and got deeper up front
Stars – talented young blueline and added depth scoring
Avalanche – most talented team in the central but still young and inconsistent. Watch out in the playoffs. Goaltending?
Wild – Dumba leads the team (and all NHL defensemen) in goals and gets top 3 in the Norris voting
Blues – cup hangover. Game 6 or game 7 Binnington??
Jets – lose a lot of 5-4 games with no defense. Laine gets 50
Hawks – still no defense and Kane doesn’t get 110 again
October 2, 2019 at 1:08 pm #1882275Then I’m guessing you never watched him play before. He’s basically an older, shorter, more lizard like Granlund… Been a 60 point guy for his career. If Bruce uses him like Granlund and he stays healthy then he’ll lead the team in points this year at mid 60s
I think Zucarello probably had more post season Points last season then Granlund had in the past 3 playoffs for the wild. Granlund just disappeared in the Postseason.
October 2, 2019 at 1:52 pm #1882290I think Zucarello probably had more post season Points last season then Granlund had in the past 3 playoffs for the wild. Granlund just disappeared in the Postseason.
You’re probably right. They’re still really similar players. Hopefully the lizard gets a chance to shine in the playoffs for the Wild.
Is there a Wild player that had good post season stats during their 6 years of early exits? Parise is the only one I can think of that ever elevated for the playoffs. Maybe Haula too, but he was always bottom a 6. no PP guy.
Boston Charlie had more points in 1 playoff run than Minnesota Charlie in 6 years.
October 2, 2019 at 5:32 pm #1882350I agree with others who say the Wild are a bubble playoff team. They can certainly make life miserable for any playoff team on any night of the week, so if not a playoff team, then a playoff spoiler for some other teams.
More than any other division, the Central is very hard to predict because it is stacked almost top to bottom with good teams. The ironic thing is the Wild should NOT be a bubble team in a division this strong, but so many of thies other teams have a long history of under achieving. It’s down to which teams actually PLAY.
Dallas has underachieved for years and at some point it has to be asked are the attitude problems alone what’s holding back this team and does one or the other of the attitude boys need to get dealt in order for this team to ever move forward.
Nashville and St. Louis are Dr. Jeykell / Mr Hyde candidates. Nashville plays well during the season and then craps out in the playoffs, St. Louis takes the whole season to get their 5h!t together and drags buttski into the playoffs and then plays lights out all the way to the Cup. So which of these teams is going to show up this year? Who knows.
The Jets could at any time get ‘er hitting on all cylinders as well.
As far as what is NOT going to happen, it’s Kaprisov. Sorry, I can’t see it happening and I question if it even COULD happen if the Wild wanted it to for 2 reasons.
First, does anyone know for sure, would bringing Kaprisov in after the KHL season ends effectively burn an entire year off his entry contract? If so, I can’t see the Wild wanting to do that even for a playoff run.
It will be exciting, but I think we’ll be getting our first look at Kaprisov at this time next year.
Grouse
October 2, 2019 at 6:05 pm #1882360I’d assume it would burn a year. He’d have to sign an entry level contract to play.
October 2, 2019 at 9:21 pm #1882398He’ll play out signing his 1st contract like a college player would if he can (if his KHL team doesn’t make or loses in the 1st round of their playoffs – not likely). Burn his 1st year and get him closer to the bigger money contract. The KHL will throw a TON of money at him to stay, so it will be upto him if playing against the best in the world is worth more than money…
October 3, 2019 at 8:04 am #1882429As far as what is NOT going to happen, it’s Kaprisov. Sorry, I can’t see it happening and I question if it even COULD happen if the Wild wanted it to for 2 reasons.
First, does anyone know for sure, would bringing Kaprisov in after the KHL season ends effectively burn an entire year off his entry contract? If so, I can’t see the Wild wanting to do that even for a playoff run.
If he signs his ELC and comes to MN and doesnt even suit up for a game he burns a year. The Wild or any team would do that in a heartbeat and they do it all the time. Mat Robson was a recent example with the Wild just last year.
October 3, 2019 at 9:20 am #1882450It probably would be a good idea to use burning a year of the entry level contract as a carrot.
October 3, 2019 at 11:43 am #1882513It probably would be a good idea to use burning a year of the entry level contract as a carrot.
Absolutely. Vegas did it with Gusev too. Usually these types of ELCs are very short like 2 years.
October 3, 2019 at 1:05 pm #1882529I’m looking forward to hockey season being back. I’m no great hockey mind but I see the Wild sneaking into the playoffs again IF they stay healthy. I think getting Dumba back changes the whole offense. PP is exponentially better with him in the lineup and I think Zuccarello should help some as well.
If Dubnyk can have a career year they might be able to do a little in the playoffs. Just glad hockey is back and the Twins are in the playoffs so we can forget about the Vikings…..
October 3, 2019 at 6:36 pm #1882591I’m calling my surprise of the season being the Florida Panthers. They could always score, but now they have a big name goaltender. Not to mention a big time coach.
October 3, 2019 at 7:16 pm #1882600Roenick was really dissing the Wild during pre game in particular the Spurgeon deal calling him a small second tier defenseman. I like JR but he has some sort of ax to grind with the Wild.
October 3, 2019 at 7:42 pm #1882609I didn’t think the PP could get any slower but that first opportunity proved me wrong…..
October 3, 2019 at 9:53 pm #1882621Our older players really showed their age tonight and looked sooooo slow and always behind the play (I thought Suter looked fine though)
When Parise is losing every puck battle you know we’re in trouble…Zuccarello played terrible tonight too…The young guys showed flashes here and there but no consistency…
Unreal save by Dubs on Granny!
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