Management Bill Guerin

[Dr Jan Itor]

Then why didn't they try this more? I just don't think they like them together. It also has to do with the defensive play, Evason loves Zucc's backchecking. And we know who Kaprizov wants to play with.

Because we’ve already seen Zuccarello when he’s asked to be the best player on his line, and it’s not great.

 

[Wabit]

The Plan.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Uhh, you must not have watched Nylander in the playoffs this year, because he played great

the ol' watch the games eh...

Nylander and Fiala have success for similar reasons... not facing top-pairing defense, playing with better players, and thriving when the pressure's off. Where was Nylander in Game 7? Not scoring only means being "one of a team's best forwards" for Minnesota fans.

 

[TaLoN]

I think you know that if they trade Zucc this team and the top line will get worse. They did try Fiala with Kaprizov, but the chemistry wasn't there.

17 games without Zucc on the top line. Kap's points per game INCREASED during that time.

Zucc isn't this amazing irreplaceable player you make him out to be. Without Kap, Zucc is just a garden variety career 60pt player.

Good, but nothing "special". Bump Boldy to that spot and watch magic happen.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Then why didn't they try this more? I just don't think they like them together. It also has to do with the defensive play, Evason loves Zucc's backchecking. And we know who Kaprizov wants to play with.

He wants to play with ovi, we learned that at the all star game.

 

[Wabit]

17 games without Zucc on the top line. Kap's points per game INCREASED during that time.

Zucc isn't this amazing irreplaceable player you make him out to be. Without Kap, Zucc is just a garden variety career 60pt player.

Good, but nothing "special". Bump Boldy to that spot and watch magic happen.

I'd like Boldy to get a full season under his belt before he's moved to the Kaprizov line. He looked a little shell shocked in the Playoffs against the better competition.

Maybe it's just too many memories of the 2010 draft class (Coyle especially) that went passive and deferred too much to their linemates talking?

He wants to play with ovi, we learned that at the all star game.

So he's the same as every other FWD in the league?

 

[TaLoN]

I'd like Boldy to get a full season under his belt before he's moved to the Kaprizov line. He looked a little shell shocked in the Playoffs against the better competition.

Maybe it's just too many memories of the 2010 draft class (Coyle especially) that went passive and deferred too much to their linemates talking?

It was also his first experience there. Kap had the same outcome, look how good he was in his second go around.

I have no qualms about Boldy learning from this, and seeing if he can step up similarly next year.

He wants to play with ovi, we learned that at the all star game.

By the time Kap is a free agent, Ovi will probably be retired, or skating with a walker.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

It was also his first experience there. Kap had the same outcome, look how good he was in his second go around.

I have no qualms about Boldy learning from this, and seeing if he can step up similarly next year.


By the time Kap is a free agent, Ovi will probably be retired, or skating with a walker.

He still wants to play with ovi. Even with jagr at 50 I’d love to play hockey with him.

 

[TaLoN]

He still wants to play with ovi. Even with jagr at 50 I’d love to play hockey with him.

Go join his beer league

 

[Sota Popinski]

the ol' watch the games eh...

Nylander and Fiala have success for similar reasons... not facing top-pairing defense, playing with better players, and thriving when the pressure's off. Where was Nylander in Game 7? Not scoring only means being "one of a team's best forwards" for Minnesota fans.

I mean, he scored 7 points in the series, so the stats are on my side as well.

Hedman, Kucherov and Point didn't score in game 7. I guess they can't get it done in crunch time either

 

[BlackBusa24]

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.

You know who also was horrendous in the playoffs?

Zuccarello

Beat on him for a change instead of constantly going after Fiala....

 

[Wabit]

It was also his first experience there. Kap had the same outcome, look how good he was in his second go around.

I have no qualms about Boldy learning from this, and seeing if he can step up similarly next year.


By the time Kap is a free agent, Ovi will probably be retired, or skating with a walker.

Kap is a much better player than Boldy.

Boldy has 24 games of AHL and 47 games of NHL pro experience. Kap had over 80 games in the KHL before he turned 19.

I just don't see them as too comparable in their rookie NHL seasons.

 

[TaLoN]

Kap is a much better player than Boldy.

Boldy has 24 games of AHL and 47 games of NHL pro experience. Kap had over 80 games in the KHL before he turned 19.

I just don't see them as too comparable in their rookie NHL seasons.

Boldy had 47 games in the NHL as a 20yro, playing high end hockey. The kid is impressive. Very steep learning curve he's been on, and looks great along the way.

 

[Wabit]

Boldy had 47 games in the NHL as a 20yro, playing high end hockey. The kid is impressive. Very steep learning curve he's been on, and looks great along the way.

I'm not disagreeing he was impressive. But I don't see him doubling his points total from his rookie to sophomore season like Kap did.

Boldy can (and I think will) be a ppg player in the future. I just don't think it'll be next season. He still has a lot to learn and improve on.

 

[TaLoN]

I'm not disagreeing he was impressive. But I don't see him doubling his points total from his rookie to sophomore season like Kap did.

Boldy can (and I think will) be a ppg player in the future. I just don't think it'll be next season. He still has a lot to learn and improve on.

If you put him with Kap? He probably does and more.

 

[57special]

Kap is a much better player than Boldy.

Boldy has 24 games of AHL and 47 games of NHL pro experience. Kap had over 80 games in the KHL before he turned 19.

I just don't see them as too comparable in their rookie NHL seasons.

Kap is one of the best players I have seen in six decades of watching hockey, so it's no bold statement there, however, Boldy is 4 years younger. It is not an apples to apples comparison. Not even close. When Boldy gets stronger in the next year or two he is going to be a really, really good player... playing with Gaudreau and Tyson Jost.

 

[Wabit]

If you put him with Kap? He probably does and more.

I doubt it. Kap is great and all, but the center is still a hole on that line.

Boldy is nowhere near as good of a passer as Zucc (he's better than Granny) and doesn't have the hockey sense/experience Zucc does.

I just see Boldy as being in the same point as Nino was in MN. Lights things up on the 3rd line, but falls flat when he's moved up in the lineup. Better off as a 2nd scoring line player, not a 1st scoring line player, might be a better way to put it?

 

[TaLoN]

I doubt it. Kap is great and all, but the center is still a hole on that line.

Boldy is nowhere near as good of a passer as Zucc (he's better than Granny) and doesn't have the hockey sense/experience Zucc does.

I just see Boldy as being in the same point as Nino was in MN. Lights things up on the 3rd line, but falls flat when he's moved up in the lineup. Better off as a 2nd scoring line player, not a 1st scoring line player, might be a better way to put it?

Oh, you and I disagree GREATLY if you see Nino in him. I think Boldy has Granlund level hockey IQ, with a made for NHL physique, and better hands.

Only thing he needs to do, grow into his frame more, and learn from what worked and didn't in his rookie year.

Boldy is the best young player we've had since Gaborik. (Kap aside, since he entered the league much older)

 

[Wabit]

Oh, you and I disagree GREATLY if you see Nino in him. I think Boldy has Granlund level hockey IQ, with a made for NHL physique, and better hands.

Only thing he needs to do, grow into his frame more, and learn from what worked and didn't in his rookie year.

Boldy is the best young player we've had since Gaborik. (Kap aside, since he entered the league much older)

I think he was on a line with a star FWD against other team's 3rd lines was a complete mismatch and he thrived. I don't think he can do that playing against other team's top lines (even with Kap), yet, in his development.

He's a prime candidate for a "sophomore slump" next season. The training wheels will come off with Fiala gone.

 

[57special]

Oh, you and I disagree GREATLY if you see Nino in him. I think Boldy has Granlund level hockey IQ, with a made for NHL physique, and better hands.

Only thing he needs to do, grow into his frame more, and learn from what worked and didn't in his rookie year.

Boldy is the best young player we've had since Gaborik. (Kap aside, since he entered the league much older)

Much better shot than Granlund, too.

 

[TaLoN]

I think he was on a line with a star FWD against other team's 3rd lines was a complete mismatch and he thrived. I don't think he can do that playing against other team's top lines (even with Kap), yet, in his development.

He's a prime candidate for a "sophomore slump" next season. The training wheels will come off with Fiala gone.

I've felt the way I do about Boldy since before we drafted him, and everything I've seen from him since has only reinforced my belief in how good he is and will become.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Boldy might score 40 points this year, and it might be more impressive than what he just did.

 

[TaLoN]

Boldy might score 40 points this year, and it might be more impressive than what he just did.

If he were with Kap though, he'd score A LOT more than 40 IMO.

Even Berube talked about having to really focus on shutting down Boldy in the playoffs.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Go join his beer league

Ha I wish. That would be pretty awesome

 

[Wabit]

Boldy might score 40 points this year, and it might be more impressive than what he just did.

If he's healthy 20ppp and 25-30 5v5 points is where my expectations are sitting. He'll pick up a couple OT points, and a couple EN points throughout the season too.

This is with Jost and Freddy G as his primary linemates.