Dr Jan Itor
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One of Staal/Zucker would've been exposed; not a sure thing that Vegas goes with the defenseman.
Prospect Info: Joel Eriksson Ek (C) - 20th Overall, 2015
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One of Staal/Zucker would've been exposed; not a sure thing that Vegas goes with the defenseman.
I would like to think so, but I wonder if the Wild braintrust would allow that to happen? Would Haula have gotten any PP time like he has in LV? How would they justify re-upping Koivu at 5.5M, paying Haula 2.75M, then have Haula playing further up the line up?
Awkward.
There is no doubt that Koivu has had the better career, but it's also pretty clear that Koivu's is ending, while Haula's is just starting to peak. Why did Fletcher and Co. miss this?
Awkward.
There is no doubt that Koivu has had the better career, but it's also pretty clear that Koivu's is ending, while Haula's is just starting to peak. Why did Fletcher and Co. miss this?
2Pair
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No he wouldn't have. I am a Haula fan, and couldn't be happier for him and the success he's having in Vegas, but people need to stop acting like the player in Vegas is the same player that was here. Haula was given numerous chances in Minnesota and he failed more often than not.
There is not a single Vegas expansion scenario that doesn't end with people saying "Man, look at the year X is having in Vegas. Why didn't we just let them have Y?"
Dr Jan Itor
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Because the alternative universe is one where one of Zucker/Staal/Dumba/Brodin are playing for Vegas.
Dr Jan Itor
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2Pair
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When exactly was he given 17 minutes a night in Minnesota? Or 2+ minutes of power play time a night? The highest average PP TOI per game he had with Minnesota was 12 freaking seconds...
No chance.
I question whether Vegas would either, considering their lack of center options. Having the hometown guy could be tempting either way, though.
2Pair
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2Pair
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Haula was given plenty of ice time when his play warranted it. His play was also the reason that Fletcher had to go get Hanzal last year.
BagHead
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For the same reason Columbus missed it with William Karlsson: he got paid less; played in the bottom six which meant that there was less opportunity both for him, the player, to succeed offensively and for the management to evaluate the true extent of his ability; and in Haula's case he was due a pay increase at a time we could ill afford it.
He also developed fine, but was a bit of a late bloomer. It was 4 years after his draft before he saw any NHL ice, and then he was relegated to being a bottom 6 center for most of the time he was on the Wild. Late bloomer's usually help their second teams a lot more than they helped their first. In the case of Haula, it was the perfect storm, as he got an extended look at the 2nd line center role, and had also finally developed completely into one. He benefited maximally in his new surroundings in that he gets to be a 2nd line center, and the Wild were forced to lose him for reasons outside of their immediate control.
I mean, we knew the same things the Wild knew, right? Haula was a great shutdown center with tons of speed and still had 2nd line center upside in the right situation, but he hadn't stolen the #2 job here. The problem was that we didn't have the cap space to re-sign him, Nino, and Granlund at the time. Most of us didn't see him blowing up to this extent, either.
BagHead
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I liked this post, and it's definitely got a ring of truth to it, but I would argue that Haula was more often a fine #3 last year than he wasn't. The real issue was that we didn't have a real 4th line center at any point until we made the Hanzal trade. We desperately needed Cullen last year, but instead went with Graovac.
Twoods1623
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Not to be rude, but can we get back to discussing Ek. Personally I'm fine with what he has done so far this season. He doesn't have the points, but we have seen some good offensive and defensive awareness. I know this has been said a lot, but I really think if he wasn't playing with Stewart, Ennis, or Foligno for most of the season he'd have a better opportunity at getting some points. If he keeps his work ethic up over the summer I feel like we will see an eye opening year for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was given the opportunity on the 2nd line and Koivu taking over the 3rd line sometime next year.
I like his overall play and the general trajectory with his development, but I do think it might be time for another trip to Iowa. Cullen on the 3rd line works better than Cullen on the 4th line, but sticking JEE there and expecting him to climb out of this scoring pit is probably futile. I also don't think he's really excelling at the things the 4th line should be doing well. He likes to hit and doesn't shy from contact, but he's easy to push around and seems to fall over pretty easily. His balance still kind of sucks.
Anyway, he's a work in progress and I'm still a big fan, but both he and the Wild might be better served with him in Iowa for a bit. Dunno who we have for center call-ups, but there should be a few forwards that have earned a cup of coffee. Even if it's just bringing Mitchell back up. We can make Winnik be the 4C if it comes to that.
Anyway, he's a work in progress and I'm still a big fan, but both he and the Wild might be better served with him in Iowa for a bit. Dunno who we have for center call-ups, but there should be a few forwards that have earned a cup of coffee. Even if it's just bringing Mitchell back up. We can make Winnik be the 4C if it comes to that.
Dr Jan Itor
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We traded for Hanzal because GMCF panicked when Toews had a puck drop to his feet in the crease and scored an empty netter from his own defensive zone. I don't think Haula was an issue at the #3C.
Dr Jan Itor
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Saga of the Elk
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The kid will not score with Winnik and Foligno as his linemates. Nonetheless, he creates chances for himself. He's getting the hard push, similar to a guy like Bo Horvat when he was a rookie. The upside is that he's just turned 21 and is already a positive player despite having a checking role.
It is interesting to me that they signed Cal O'Reilly for this season and next and haven't brought him up at all. But I would say it's another piece of evidence that JEE is a terrific, underrated talent from the Bergeron, Toews, Koivu school of a center who is in the right place and makes the right play most of the time.
It is interesting to me that they signed Cal O'Reilly for this season and next and haven't brought him up at all. But I would say it's another piece of evidence that JEE is a terrific, underrated talent from the Bergeron, Toews, Koivu school of a center who is in the right place and makes the right play most of the time.
2Pair
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I would agree that he was a good #3 for most of the year, but he did have a rough stretch leading up to the deadline. I would also agree that the 4th line center was a much bigger problem last season.
To get back on topic with Eriksson-Ek, the kid isn't even half as good deffensively as he gets credit for on this board. And while it's fair to make excuses for his lack of scoring because he's playing with guys like Winnik and Foligno, there's no reason he should be the worst player on that line.
nickschultzfan
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