2013-14 Minnesota Wild Discussion

[AKL]

Didn't Russo also speculate that the second line is gonna get a "shake-up"?

I think putting Zucker with Coyle and Nino would be the definition of a shake up. Plus that line could actually generate something resembling offense.

 

[Jarick]

I think that's his implication and that Heatley goes to the fourth line, but honestly I'd like to see Nino and Pominville flipped.

 

[Avder]

"And Brodziak couldn't handle the pass" should be a drinking game.

PM that to llama, he'll probably include it in Wild Misery Bingo.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

@Russostrib: #mnwild No. 1 unit now features Koivu, Parise, Pominville down low w Suter/Spurgeon; 2nd unit has Coyle, Heatley, Fontaine, Ballard, Brodin

Well I like that Pominville is off the point. Don't like that second unit.

 

[Harvest]

Nino dosen't play pp?

 

[Minny Lakes]

The second unit is terrible.

 

[Dee Oh Cee]

When you're getting 15 minutes per game, need to chip in more than one goal per week as a line. Also not a fan of Mitchell.

That's fair. I'm hoping they'll be our 4th line next year.

 

[this providence]

• Heatley is a non-factor on nearly every PP.
• Coyle and Fontaine on an NHL PP is comical. Granted, they're pigeon-holed with only Coyle as a center option.
• No idea why Zucker never sees PP time. Why would they want a trigger, though?

 

[BusQuets]

Finally they have Suter and Spurgeon on the point again.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Yeo said the No. 2 unit may have Niederreiter and Zucker worked into it at times, but it needs to have Fontaine there because Heatley, Niederreiter and Zucker aren't prototypical half-wall guys and Fontaine can work the puck and distribute. The Wild also wants to have two righties on each unit. It needs Coyle on the second unit for faceoffs.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/235302241.html

 

[Avder]

Coyle better be working on his draws....

 

[Dee Oh Cee]

He's got an extremely good work ethic. I'm sure he's spending a lot of time on them.

 

[Ladde]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/235302241.html

So Yeo thinks Fontaine can pass the puck better than Nino? Ok...

 

[Uberdachen]

Coyle better be working on his draws....

Konopka's been working with him on it.

 

[Minnesota]

So Yeo thinks Fontaine can pass the puck better than Nino? Ok...

Yeah... Strange.

I can think of numerous times when Neiderreiter made excellent passes that resulted in goals.

Honestly, I think the only reason why Fontaine is on the PP is because he can grind a puck along the boards and win battles. He has a Parise-esque work ethic.

 

[Jarick]

Yeah, no idea what Yeo's thinking. Nino's backhand sauce to Brodin for the PP goal early in the season? Obviously not a playmaker

But let's put the guy with two career NHL assists on the PP as a distributor. /Yeo'd

 

[DeuceMN]

Faith... In... Yeo... Starting... To... Crumble....

I'm not trying to be pessimistic about this, but many times this season, many people on these boards have questioned his decisions, and sadly the voiced concerns turn out to be right, just a few too many times.

We do not seem to be getting back to what we were doing at the beginning of the season either, which is somewhat perplexing. While other teams improve, we continue to get worse, it is sad.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Faith... In... Yeo... Starting... To... Crumble....

I'm not trying to be pessimistic about this, but many times this season, many people on these boards have questioned his decisions, and sadly the voiced concerns turn out to be right, just a few too many times.

We do not seem to be getting back to what we were doing at the beginning of the season either, which is somewhat perplexing. While other teams improve, we continue to get worse, it is sad.

How many times to people question decisions that work out right? None, that's why only the negative side shows. (Just being Devil's advocate).

 

[Jarick]

Things that worked:

- Harding as starter
- Top four defensive pairings
- Cooke/Brodziak as shutdown line anchors
- Heatley on fourth line
- Granlund at center

Not that any of those were brilliant ideas that we couldn't see for ourselves, but hey.

 

[Lapa]

..any word on Granlund's condition?

 

[Dampland]

..any word on Granlund's condition?

He's toast. He is PMB v.2, and I don't think the Wild should ever count on him being anything more than that. Too fragile/little/slow, etc.

 

[Lapa]

He's toast. He is PMB v.2, and I don't think the Wild should ever count on him being anything more than that. Too fragile/little/slow, etc.

No, I mean real updates.

 

[BigT2002]

Things that worked:

- Harding as starter
- Top four defensive pairings
- Cooke/Brodziak as shutdown line anchors
- Heatley on fourth line
- Granlund at center

Not that any of those were brilliant ideas that we couldn't see for ourselves, but hey.

What about putting Brodin with Suter, knowing they both played LD and that meant Brodin would be playing on a more unfamiliar side of the blueline?

 

[Dampland]

No, I mean real updates.

The fact that seemingly NOTHING has been said about him, leads me to believe that he is not doing well. I surmise from the silence that he is still suffering effects from his concussion(s).

I also think this will be a familiar theme/issue/problem/ailment for him the rest of his career ....thus my PMB reference.

 

[Lapa]

The concussions are indeed worrisome. That said, I'm confident he'll be fine. Just let him recover in peace.

Let's not jump to conclusions.