2014-15 Iowa Wild, Quad City Mallards, & Alaska Aces Thread

[Jarick]

Seems odd to me that you are so quick to throw some of our ahl guys under the bus but defend the Haulas and granlunds of the world. Together/combined (23 I believe) they have scored the same amount as a kid like Brassart, twice, and he has only played 1o games, a bit of a double standard. Surely to god you have higher expectations of those two.

Haula and Granlund have scored way more in the AHL vs guys like Bulmer, Phillips, etc.

Bulmer, have to correct you, played very well in his NHL stint last year, I know you dont watch the AHL games, but I thought for sure you took the time to watch the NHL. Bulmer is not in his 5th year as a pro, come on man, his ELC is up this year, thats 3 not 5.

Fifth year post draft.

And lastly as I said, at time of his call up in games they played in Haula and Phillips had identical numbers, points and plus/minus.

That's fine. But Haula went back to the AHL and scored a ton of points while Phillips didn't. I guess if the season ended after the first 14 games of last year, you'd be right.

Really happy that Zucker turned it around, he is one of my favorites. I preached patience with him when he went 17 games without a point, guess the powers to be agree.

...and Gabriel as a first year pro after 9 games, give the kid a break. Haula played 20 games in AHL before he scored a goal, including alot of PP time and was much older, Gabriel has already scored and adds a dimension Minnesota is desperate for.

You keep saying patience...has there ever been a young player you've seen in the minors that you didn't think was going to be a successful NHL'er? It sounds like every single prospect we have down there is a sure thing, by your account.

 

[Scoutguy77]

Yes, but not after a couple of seasons, typically by about 24. If a guy like Gabriel plays 3 years in minors and plays as a 4th liner at 24, getting minimum pay, then Im happy with that, need these guys to develop to a point to offset the large contracts.
Phillips just turned 22, that's young, a lot of college teams are filled with guys that age, he has played already two years of pro, lots left here of development.

When you rush guys..see Coyle, Granlund, Haula you run the risk of proper development.



Not saying any are sure things, just think on this board we are too quick to throw around the bust word.

 

[Puckcrazy51]

According to Blair Mackasey, Director of Professional Scouting for the Wild, it can take up to 4 years of pro hockey before you know what you have or don't have in a player.

 

[P10p]

Good game going on right now between Iowa and Milwaukee. Iowa just went back ahead on goals from Graovac and Phillips. Graovac looking better and better as the game goes on.

 

[P10p]

Gustavo Fring played great tonight. Iowa was outplayed most of the night.

 

[tyratoku]

Iowa is up 4-2 about halfway through the second right now.

Seems the coaching change really lit a fire under their butts. They won their last game and are off to a good start thus far tonight.

 

[P10p]

Great to see Graovac producing at this level.

12pts in less then 15 games if you include tonight.

 

[P10p]

Wow this team must eaither love playing for Torch or they hated playin for Klein....

Haven't seen them play this good yet this year!

 

[tyratoku]

Highlights from last night's game.

Graovac has a beauty starting at :34 or so.

 

[Keke]

Man Gustafsson looks very slow on that video

 

[P10p]

I feel thats just the camera. I noticed that the players seems to be skating at warp speed from that angle or something....

 

[Nino Noderreiter]

It's good to see Graovac doing well, it would be nice if he could develop into a top 9 center. A big body with a little skill and scoring touch in those middle 6 never hurts.


Not everyone is going to develop, but if you develop both Haula/Graovac from the later rounds, combine that with the fact that Coyle/Nino/Granlund seem to be developing into top 6 players is pretty promising.


It's maybe not the most exciting time for the Aeroes, but some of these guys are going to be crucial glue pieces down the road if we want to keep contending.

It's not flashy, but even a guy like Gabriel developing, eventually, into a solid 4th liner is important to track. Look at how big of a difference having a good 4th line can make. (Zucker earlier this year...Carter throughout this year) Same with guys Bulmer/Bussieres/Keranen/etc. you hope one or more of them can develop into a bottom 6 guy who can throw the body around and contribute a little offense.


By the time Vanek/Pominville are out of here, guys like Tuch, Lucia, and Gilmour should be getting to the Aeroes too.

And depending on how Oloffson/Folin and to a further extent Belpido develop (Dumba too) will be important in shaping our D 3-4-5 years down the road. What team isn't interested in young d-men...you can never have too many.


So although I don't know how many, if any at all, of the guys currently in Houston will ever develop into top 6 regulars for us...it's still an important time and there's a lot of interesting things to watch.

 

[mezcal]

Man, Gus is not looking good at all.

 

[Lapa]

So, Keränen.. Thoughts?

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Guess I'll have to catch some more IAwild games now that Harding's gonna be there.

 

[mezcal]

Excited for Harding to get in some quality playing time. He will surely help the team too. Gus has looked.... below average at best, unfortunately. At least from what I have seen.

 

[GinoLucia2217]

Excited for Harding to get in some quality playing time. He will surely help the team too. Gus has looked.... below average at best, unfortunately. At least from what I have seen.

I just really hope that he can stay healthy. I'm just so flummoxed by the situation with him and there are so many unknowns that it's just scary.

Anybody think if Kahkonen keeps up some stellar play in Mestis that he may sign a contract and play in the AHL?

 

[tyratoku]

Anybody think if Kahkonen keeps up some stellar play in Mestis that he may sign a contract and play in the AHL?

I would hope he finishes at least this year or plays next year in the FEL and finds success there.

So AHL in two years? That would be cool.

 

[GinoLucia2217]

I would hope he finishes at least this year or plays next year in the FEL and finds success there.

So AHL in two years? That would be cool.

Sorry my post was a bit lacking in information. I meant he signs a contract for next year!

Silly me

 

[Quicy]

From that video it looked like Folin was still playing on the left side. Didn't they send him down so he could play on his natural side?

 

[tyratoku]

Just judging by scores and points of some of the guys, it looks like the coaching change was really for the better for pretty much everyone. Quite a bit more winning, quite a bit more goal scoring.

Gabriel went 1+1 last night, apparently showing off a bit of offensive flare. That's cool.

 

[tyratoku]

Iowa Wild
14:29 to go in the first period, #IAWild leads the Wolves 1-0! Note, @TyGraovac now has a five-game point streak with his assist.

Seems to be having a good night:

Iowa Wild
PPG by @JonBlum7 from @TyGraovac gives the #IAWild a 2-0 lead 6:48 into the first period in Chicago!

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Gustafsson having to come up big here on consecutive PKs with a tied game in the 3rd.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Wolfs finally take the lead, they've been in IA's zone all period and have had some prime scoring chances not go in.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Graovac misses on a breakaway with under a minute left.