Management Bill Guerin

[Engebretson]

Ok, I just listened to the interview. Got some weird Fenton-flashbacks with how angry Guerin got about media speculation. It's 2022 in the age of social media. You're not going to avoid fan/media speculation. He could have just laughed it off instead of the way he handled it.

Specifically, Guerin didn't get really defensive until Barrerio brought up Dumba. The "Why Dumba?" comment came across super defensive. It seems pretty obvious why Dumba is being brought up as it makes sense to most as a potential move to make this offseason if you value a player like Fiala over Dumba. Guerin seemed to use Dumba's ability to play hurt and "do good things for this team" as his argument for why Dumba shouldn't even be the guy to talk about moving. Didn't say any of those things about Fiala and very specifically called him out by the "good 3 months" comment.

I think Guerin likes Fiala the player, but maybe not the person. I remember there being some attitude problems with Fiala in recent years where he became a little bit of a diva and maybe he hasn't really gotten past it or maybe Guerin hasn't really gotten over it. Either way, I don't think Fiala is one of Bill Guerin's "guys" but Dumba seems to be. That feels like the reason he got so defensive over Dumba and less so about Fiala.

 

[TheeNorthStar]

Man oh man do I love Billy G

 

[57special]

Is it at all possible there's something un the lockerroom we don't know? One thing for sure, fiala straight up quit in the playoffs..through his play, demeanor and lack of anything passion. Russo even tweeted at one point, fiala seems to have checked out

BS. If Fiala gave up, then WTH was Kulikov doing, selling out to the enemy? How about Dumba's egregious turnover leading to a GA? And the weak goals let in by both goalies, and Zuccarello's/Hartman's disappearing act.

It was a team loss. The only guy who showed up was Kap, and JEE ... maybe Brodin/ Spurgeon, and maybe a couple of others on an on and off basis.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

If he's annoyed now, just wait until next season when the offense drops and defense/goaltending doesn't improve.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Guerin gets that success in professional sports, especially hockey, comes down to character. Fiala is a highly-talented player who does not have the highly-motivated character aspect -- at all. You see the same thing with, say, William Nylander. A guy who puts up points is certainly a terrific guy to have on your team. A guy who won't win puck battles, who takes bad penalties, who makes selfish turnovers... is just not worth what his market value says he is -- especially in the playoffs.

Now, it's a fair question whether losing Fiala will contribute in a negative or positive way to making the playoffs next season but Guerin obviously sees his mandate as building culture first and foremost.

I'll miss Fiala as much as I missed Havlat and I do think Guerin can get a solid return for him.

 

[57special]

5D chess?

Quantum Chess.

We'll see. It would be amazing if he ended up moving Zucc or Dumba, and truly turned out to be a Zen Master GM rather than the Too Many Beers and Hits to the Head GM I think he is.

 

[Bazeek]

From listening to it I do personally get the impression that others here did: it had less to do with Fiala than it did with Dumba. We've already had people like Russo poking at him every time Alex Tuch gets a secondary assist. The way the media and fan narratives have developed, it's going to be the same thing with Fiala. I don't fault him for getting ornery about that, nor do I fault Barreiro for actually doing his job by poking at the issue.

But to @Dee Oh Cee's point/question about what Guerin's actually done here: right now it seems like his best moves have been hiring Brackett and delegating all of the amateur scouting/drafting stuff to him, and hanging onto or adding 1st and 2nd round picks (Fleury trade aside). In terms of trades, signings and roster construction? "meh" so far.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Guerin gets that success in professional sports, especially hockey, comes down to character. Fiala is a highly-talented player who does not have the highly-motivated character aspect -- at all. You see the same thing with, say, William Nylander. A guy who puts up points is certainly a terrific guy to have on your team. A guy who won't win puck battles, who takes bad penalties, who makes selfish turnovers... is just not worth what his market value says he is -- especially in the playoffs.

Now, it's a fair question whether losing Fiala will contribute in a negative or positive way to making the playoffs next season but Guerin obviously sees his mandate as building culture first and foremost.

I'll miss Fiala as much as I missed Havlat and I do think Guerin can get a solid return for him.

We're going to find out, because there's definitely a pattern being established as to who Guerin is willing to commit money to.

 

[57special]

So will Dumba be re-signed? What has he done since he signed the last contract that would make you want to commit to him long term? He did get better somewhat defensively, but scored less than expected, and missed over 25% of his games during that period.

Also, if Fiala is traded, the pressure will be on Guerin to get a significant return. If he fails to, it will not only be a setback for the team, but will cause doubts about his competence. I always think of the Wild as being a relatively well run team, but the GM's have hardly been stellar. Risborough, Fletcher(who I liked for a while), Fenton, and now this guy.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So will Dumba be re-signed? What has he done since he signed the last contract that would make you want to commit to him long term? He did get better somewhat defensively, but scored less than expected, and missed over 25% of his games during that period.

Also, if Fiala is traded, the pressure will be on Guerin to get a significant return. If he fails to, it will not only be a setback for the team, but will cause doubts about his competence. I always think of the Wild as being a relatively well run team, but the GM's have hardly been stellar. Risborough, Fletcher(who I liked for a while), Fenton, and now this guy.

Fenton seems like he was pretty stellar as long as you didn't have to interact with him.

 

[Webster]

Russo...he knows

This makes sense though...

 

[Sebastien]

"It's about winning... the regular season".



No, we want to "run Dumba out of town" because Dumba's last good 3 months was 4-5 years ago.

Dumba was Minnesota's best dman by far in playoffs statically. Also Dumba is very involved with the community, and has been a strong force in helping Minnesota and Minneapolis health since George's floyd's death . Through his actions and the profit he started with Borders . It's really weird how much Dumba is disliked by people

 

[NHL1674]

Man I dont see much of anything in that besides him defending Dumba and not defending Fiala

Its clear Dumba is one of his guys as he says at the very end "you know what im protecting my guys"

It sounds more like an annoyance at people speculating whats going on and what went on around the team/ whats going to happen with the team

The best regular season excuse is BS though its the playoffs that matter nobody now gives a crap we just had our best regular season in franchise history, No one remembers Golden Sates record setting season when they broke the Bulls 72 win season they just remember Lebron coming back from a 3-1 deficit to beat that Warrior team

Agreed on the highlighted part

If he's protecting his guys, then I don't think Fiala is one of "his guys."

If BG is trying to move Fiala, then SELL him! Promote him! Throwing all your cards on the table, making it clear that you don't want to keep the kid, and griping about how he had only 3 good months...you don't think that could hurt his trade value? If you don't like him, then lie. Tell the world how the Wild wouldn't have made the playoffs without his contributions. Go on about the hole that moving him will make. Talk about his importance. Sell him!!! Don't say to the world, "Well he was only good for a little while."

Worst car salesman ever!

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

Guerin seemed to be taking shots at Russo for creating the Dumba or Fiala narrative.

I think Guerin has already recieved a few big-time offers for Fiala. He knows he’s going to get a lot back so he’s not even thinking twice about it.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Dumba was Minnesota's best dman by far in playoffs statically. Also Dumba is very involved with the community, and has been a strong force in helping Minnesota and Minneapolis health since George's floyd's death . Through his actions and the profit he started with Borders . It's really weird how much Dumba is disliked by people

You can like another player more without disliking the other player. It is possible.

 

[Webster]

Fiala's poor play in the playoffs was a disaster, both for himself and the Wild. He alone handed 8 power plays to the Blues. He hurt the team, so I can understand Guerin's reaction. But what Russo says is probably true, the relationship between Guerin and Fiala hasn't been good since those rough contract talks last year.

 

[NHL1674]

Dumba was Minnesota's best dman by far in playoffs statically. Also Dumba is very involved with the community, and has been a strong force in helping Minnesota and Minneapolis health since George's floyd's death . Through his actions and the profit he started with Borders . It's really weird how much Dumba is disliked by people

I may criticize Dumba, and yes, if I had to choose between him and Fiala....I'd pick Fiala. But that doesn't mean I don't like him. That doesn't mean that losing him wouldn't hurt.

 

[Uberdachen]

If he's protecting his guys, then I don't think Fiala is one of "his guys."

If BG is trying to move Fiala, then SELL him! Promote him! Throwing all your cards on the table, making it clear that you don't want to keep the kid, and griping about how he had only 3 good months...you don't think that could hurt his trade value? If you don't like him, then lie. Tell the world how the Wild wouldn't have made the playoffs without his contributions. Go on about the hole that moving him will make. Talk about his importance. Sell him!!! Don't say to the world, "Well he was only good for a little while."

Worst car salesman ever!

You wouldn't believe what he's asking for his used Shrekmobile.

 

[Bazeek]

So will Dumba be re-signed? What has he done since he signed the last contract that would make you want to commit to him long term? He did get better somewhat defensively, but scored less than expected, and missed over 25% of his games during that period.

Also, if Fiala is traded, the pressure will be on Guerin to get a significant return. If he fails to, it will not only be a setback for the team, but will cause doubts about his competence. I always think of the Wild as being a relatively well run team, but the GM's have hardly been stellar. Risborough, Fletcher(who I liked for a while), Fenton, and now this guy.

Dumba plays a lot of hard minutes, works well with Brodin and doesn't have an obvious replacement in the prospect pool yet. I know people point to Addison, but I think the team has given some clear indications that they don't see it that way.

Whether or not it makes sense to extend him is going to come down to the contract. I have a very dim hope that he'll be cheaper to keep around than people might think: his production has fallen off some and he's attached to the team and the area. I'd never count on a player taking a pay cut, but in Dumba's case it's more likely than it would otherwise be. Different motivations, but Hartman's a case in point.

 

[57special]

Dumba was Minnesota's best dman by far in playoffs statically. Also Dumba is very involved with the community, and has been a strong force in helping Minnesota and Minneapolis health since George's floyd's death . Through his actions and the profit he started with Borders . It's really weird how much Dumba is disliked by people

Said no one, ever. You are inventing things.

If you think Dumba was MN's best Dman in the playoffs, nvm "by far", then you see things very differently than I do.

Guerin seemed to be taking shots at Russo for creating the Dumba or Fiala narrative.

I think Guerin has already recieved a few big-time offers for Fiala. He knows he’s going to get a lot back so he’s not even thinking twice about it.

I hope you are right, but am not certain.

 

[NHL1674]

You wouldn't believe what he's asking for his used Shrekmobile.

Think I saw him post Fiala on Craigslist.

 

[57special]

Dumba plays a lot of hard minutes, works well with Brodin and doesn't have an obvious replacement in the prospect pool yet. I know people point to Addison, but I think the team has given some clear indications that they don't see it that way.

Whether or not it makes sense to extend him is going to come down to the contract. I have a very dim hope that he'll be cheaper to keep around than people might think: his production has fallen off some and he's attached to the team and the area. I'd never count on a player taking a pay cut, but in Dumba's case it's more likely than it would otherwise be. Different motivations, but Hartman's a case in point.

I am expecting Dumba to re-sign for 7/42M, and people in the local media lauding Guerin for what a great job he did.

 

[Bazeek]

Fiala's poor play in the playoffs was a disaster, both for himself and the Wild. He alone handed 8 power plays to the Blues. He hurt the team, so I can understand Guerin's reaction. But what Russo says is probably true, the relationship between Guerin and Fiala hasn't been good since those rough contract talks last year.

It was 6 powerplays, and at least one of those penalties was an absolute joke.

Fair to say that he didn't play great though. And I'm pretty sure he was the only high-profile forward on the team that mostly disappeared in the playoffs. There wasn't a single other, go-to winger that produced basically nothing when we needed it most. Who avoided contact and coughed up pucks. Fiala's aaaall alone there.

 

[NHL1674]

Well THIS should be fun.

 

[Bazeek]

I am expecting Dumba to re-sign for 7/42M, and people in the local media lauding Guerin for what a great job he did.

Forgot the no-move.