GDT: G40: Wild @ Hurricanes | 6PM
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Dr Jan Itor
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I certainly don't see them putting Eriksson Ek on the 3rd line next year. Nothing wrong with getting his feet wet on the wing.
Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
He was drafted as wing. Was his move to center last year the reason for his performance, or was that just coincidental? They'd know better than I would.
My preference would be for him to play with good offensive players, and worry about the position later, but I guess it doesn't always work out that way.
He's been playing center the last 2 seasons and I believe it was said around his draft (Russo tweet?) that he might be a center. If they weren't going to put Rossi at wing to get his feet wet, why would they put Yurov at wing?
Waiver Draft
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- Jun 27, 2024
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Dr Jan Itor
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We needed Rossi as a center. At the time we only had Eriksson Ek, Gaudreau and whatever the heck that Hartman year was as top 6 options. Now, we have Eriksson Ek and Rossi.
And I'll concede that having Eriksson Ek, Rossi and whatever we're hoping Yurov becomes down the middle would absolutely be a strength, but I don't think we're built up on the wings enough yet to take advantage of that. I think it could very well be a slower burn, putting Yurov on the winger for 2 years, seeing how he looks in the NHL, and then bumping Eriksson Ek down (if we choose to) when he hits 30 and we have a full assortment of legit top 6 wings.
I don't think it's a good development path to switch his position with the idea that it will be switched back in 2 years. If you're going to play him as a wing then keep him at wing. If you're going to play him at center then keep him at center. IMO, they view him as a center.
I'm pretty sure Yurov has commented that he didn't like being jerked around with his position and that he was happy when they finally decided to only play him at center.
Dr Jan Itor
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I don't remember the comment, but I'll be looking forward to those fun Yurov-playing-with-Foligno-and-Hartman conversations next year.
If that is the case, then he has one heck of a double standard. Because he didn't even wait to see how Zucca, Freddy, and Hartman performed in their contract year. He got their agents on the phone before their planes even touched down in Minny.
I don’t think so. There is no reason to expect Rossi to slow down significantly in the future. Rossi has produced - and has been one of the top point producers - on every team at every level he played at. He is just a good player and has arrived in the league. There is no sophomore slump. Quite the opposite: he has steadily improved for over two years. The way Rossi plays the game he can sustain this level of success for a long time if he stays healthy. Also that’s not Rossi‘s character and I am pretty sure the Wild and Guerin know him well enough. Rossi‘s #1 goal is the be the best player he can be all the time not just in a contract year. Pretty sure he doesn’t care about that one bit.
Regarding the game: what makes the Wild so good right now apart from the goaltending is the decision making. They make the right decisions 95% of the time with barely any hesitation. That will speed up your game automatically and push the pace. Tonight was a clinic in efficient and effective play. The passing was top notch especially in the first period. Gus playing with all the confidence in the world. Just an incredible game with an incredible effort.
Edit: also thought Dermott-Merill had a quietly good game and the forecheck of the Trenin-Foligno duo has been very effective.
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Those Rossi setups were a joy to watch last night. Also Gus is carrying this team, as long as he is playing on that level the Wild are a dangerous team. Vazinaesque.
Loved Rossis new position on the PP, it fits much better to his skillset. Ek is the better presence in front of the net. Hate to break that PP Unit up when Kap's back, it will most likely push Rossi to the second PP Unit.
Loved Rossis new position on the PP, it fits much better to his skillset. Ek is the better presence in front of the net. Hate to break that PP Unit up when Kap's back, it will most likely push Rossi to the second PP Unit.
That could be the reason he is cautious is because of how questionable Freddy and Hartman's contracts have turned out.
Nino Noderreiter
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That complaining has never come from me. Split the rookies; Ohgren at 2LW and Yurov at 3C.
