Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2022-23

[TaLoN]

First game scoring 5 or more since January 7th comes in game 1 without Kaprizov. Bizarre stuff

Keep in mind that this was against the Sharks

 

[Digitalbooya]

Keep in mind that this was against the Sharks

We’ve played plenty of bad teams since early January.

 

[Wild11MN]

I got a good laugh out of the "We got rid of the dead weight - 97" quote by Deano last night as an explanation for scoring five.

 

[TaLoN]

We’ve played plenty of bad teams since early January.

Not saying we haven’t, but a team like the Sharks still aren't a measuring stick.

 

[Digitalbooya]

They should have won last night. Few thoughts:

-on the tying goal, what the hell is Goligoski doing?? That was extremely lazy and bench worthy. He should have won the race to the puck. The fact he didn’t try and then directed Dumba to go after his guy was just the most bizarre defensive play I’ve seen in awhile.

-I cannot believe the ref swallowed the whistle on the hit from behind on Zuccarello. That would have given the Wild a LONG 5v3 late in the 3rd period.

-Gus. Meh, he had a bad game. It happens. I think he will be fine.

-Boldy. My guy has gone backhand on the breakaway/shootout twice in the past few games and fumbled it twice. He needs to just let it rip like his goal last night. He had the potential OT winner on his stick and he fumbled it.

-Klingberg is an adventure. Can we get Addison back in? At least for a game?

 

[MNRube]

I’m excited for Duhaime to get back, he was really playing well before the injury.

I like the potential of a Duhaime-Freddy pair to finally bring some life to that 3rd line. Maybe add Beckman or Walker for some scoring or speed. Or Nyquist if he can go. But Duhaime has stolen the 3LW spot from Foligno IMO

Something is definitely up with Addison. Merrill, Goligoski & Klingberg have had plenty of bad moments and even bad games and haven’t come out.

 

[Wabit]

I’m excited for Duhaime to get back, he was really playing well before the injury.

I like the potential of a Duhaime-Freddy pair to finally bring some life to that 3rd line. Maybe add Beckman or Walker for some scoring or speed. Or Nyquist if he can go. But Duhaime has stolen the 3LW spot from Foligno IMO

Something is definitely up with Addison. Merrill, Goligoski & Klingberg have had plenty of bad moments and even bad games and haven’t come out.

Nothing is up with Addison other than life isn't fair. He's a RD only. Dumba and Spurgeon are better than him. They didn't trade for Klingberg to sit him in the pressbox.

Dewar, Shaw, and Steel will be in the pressbox too, if the team is ever 100% healthy. Nyquist and Sundqvist will take their lineup spots.

Klingberg has his warts, but Boldy's breakaway goal last game doesn't happen if Addison is on the ice.

 

[MNRube]

Nothing is up with Addison other than life isn't fair. He's a RD only. Dumba and Spurgeon are better than him. They didn't trade for Klingberg to sit him in the pressbox.

I’m not a fan of Addison’s game, especially with us where we already have a tiny RHD but you’d think they would’ve moved him at the deadline while his value was high rather than draft/off-season when his scratches will have lowered his value. Or maybe they still think he can be a fit here. Hard to tell what’s going on but it feels like Guerin is playing hardball and willing to take a hit on Addison’s value to keep building his culture.

Klingberg is very interesting. He is bolder than any D we’ve had in a long time offensively and we just might have the system to support him. I like the upside there but am obviously concerned with the pond-hockey stuff he picked up in Anaheim.

 

[63firebird]

Nothing is up with Addison other than life isn't fair. He's a RD only. Dumba and Spurgeon are better than him. They didn't trade for Klingberg to sit him in the pressbox.

Dewar, Shaw, and Steel will be in the pressbox too, if the team is ever 100% healthy. Nyquist and Sundqvist will take their lineup spots.

Klingberg has his warts, but Boldy's breakaway goal last game doesn't happen if Addison is on the ice.

We’ve all seen the significant Klingberg warts but the thing I’ve noticed is he understands point shots aren’t all 103MPH Al McKinnis huge windup slappers.

But about getting it to the net in dangerous areas. Just Get it through for a tip, deflection rebound.
Then Ek and Boldy get the squeegee out and stuff it. Forget this going to the perimeter crap. Put on the big boy pants. Ek does. Boldy doesn’t.

 

[AKL]

Klingberg is very interesting. He is bolder than any D we’ve had in a long time offensively and we just might have the system to support him. I like the upside there but am obviously concerned with the pond-hockey stuff he picked up in Anaheim.

It's not something he picked up in Anaheim. This is who he is.

 

[Wabit]

I’m not a fan of Addison’s game, especially with us where we already have a tiny RHD but you’d think they would’ve moved him at the deadline while his value was high rather than draft/off-season when his scratches will have lowered his value. Or maybe they still think he can be a fit here. Hard to tell what’s going on but it feels like Guerin is playing hardball and willing to take a hit on Addison’s value to keep building his culture.

Klingberg is very interesting. He is bolder than any D we’ve had in a long time offensively and we just might have the system to support him. I like the upside there but am obviously concerned with the pond-hockey stuff he picked up in Anaheim.

I think Addison's trade value is lower at the TDL than it will be in the offseason. Contending teams aren't going to want him. Bottom feeders aren't going to trade futures to get him. He's an add-on piece for a bigger name rental; which MN didn't go after. Klingberg is a bigger and more refined version of Addison and all he got was a 4th + stuff.

The offseason is where his value will be higher. It's when all teams are looking towards next year and beyond rosters. Being pressboxed for the end of the season because MN has Dumba, Kingberg, and Spurgeon ahead of him won't mean much. It's the same move every GM/coach would make in the same situation. It might help keep his bridge deal lower, and that is a positive in a cap world.

 

[57special]

I can't fathom Klingberg or Dumba signing for less than twice what Addison is likely to get as a RFA, and that has to be a no go for us with our cap concerns, surely? That leaves us with Spurgeon on RD. People can speculate on Faber all they want, but the guy hasn't played a lick of pro hockey, and in any event, Addison will still make sense to keep, even if Faber can make the jump.

I don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but I am getting the same vibes from Dean/BG about him that i was getting from them about Fiala. i don't get it. The guys a freaking rookie, lighten up and encourage him. You let all the old guys f*** around and do all sorts of dumb shit.

 

[Spurgeon]

Nothing is up with Addison other than life isn't fair. He's a RD only. Dumba and Spurgeon are better than him. They didn't trade for Klingberg to sit him in the pressbox.

Dewar, Shaw, and Steel will be in the pressbox too, if the team is ever 100% healthy. Nyquist and Sundqvist will take their lineup spots.

Klingberg has his warts, but Boldy's breakaway goal last game doesn't happen if Addison is on the ice.

I just really don’t see Dewar being sat over Reaves. You can make 4 decent lines with Dewar in the lineup, Reaves completely handicaps one.

I think Dewar has a lot more to his game than he’s been given the opportunity to show. I’d like to see him in a more elevated role where he can show some offense. Feels like they should get Rossi in for a handful of games to end the season too.

This team is one Ek or Hartman injury away from needing someone to fill in at C. With some of these current injuries, feel like Evason should be spending some of this time experimenting with line combos. When everybody is healthy though, I wouldn’t mind seeing these lines tried:

Kap - Hartman - Zucc
Nyquist - Johansson - Boldy
Foligno - Ek - Sundqvist
Dewar - Gaudreau - Duhaime

Feels like all 4 of those lines could hold their own against most opponents. People probably hesitate at Johansson at C , but I think it allows for the best distribution of talent and skillsets.

 

[Wabit]

I just really don’t see Dewar being sat over Reaves. You can make 4 decent lines with Dewar in the lineup, Reaves completely handicaps one.

I think Dewar has a lot more to his game than he’s been given the opportunity to show. I’d like to see him in a more elevated role where he can show some offense. Feels like they should get Rossi in for a handful of games to end the season too.

This team is one Ek or Hartman injury away from needing someone to fill in at C. With some of these current injuries, feel like Evason should be spending some of this time experimenting with line combos. When everybody is healthy though, I wouldn’t mind seeing these lines tried:

Kap - Hartman - Zucc
Nyquist - Johansson - Boldy
Foligno - Ek - Sundqvist
Dewar - Gaudreau - Duhaime

Feels like all 4 of those lines could hold their own against most opponents. People probably hesitate at Johansson at C , but I think it allows for the best distribution of talent.

Evason doesn't tinker with the lines. Reaves is pretty easily in over Dewar for me. I just don't see anything in Dewar to make him more than a tweener (same as Shaw).

I say no to MarJo at center. He's playing fast and free on the wing right now. Your 3rd line needs a scoring threat. As it is they might grind out some goals, but none will be from more than a foot from the blue paint.

Kap/Hartman/Zucc
MarJo/JEE/Boldy
Foligno/Freddy G/Nyquist
Duhaime/Sundqvist/Reaves
Dewar 1st in line for an injury replacement.

All 4 lines have someone to stretch the ice with some speed and a decent shot.

TBF I have no clue what Sundqvist adds, outside the experience of 2 Cup runs. But they traded for him, so they'll play him.

 

[Spurgeon]

Evason doesn't tinker with the lines. Reaves is pretty easily in over Dewar for me. I just don't see anything in Dewar to make him more than a tweener (same as Shaw).

I say no to MarJo at center. He's playing fast and free on the wing right now. Your 3rd line needs a scoring threat. As it is they might grind out some goals, but none will be from more than a foot from the blue paint.

Kap/Hartman/Zucc
MarJo/JEE/Boldy
Foligno/Freddy G/Nyquist
Duhaime/Sundqvist/Reaves
Dewar 1st in line for an injury replacement.

All 4 lines have someone to stretch the ice with some speed and a decent shot.

TBF I have no clue what Sundqvist adds, outside the experience of 2 Cup runs. But they traded for him, so they'll play him.

Dewar’s been a fantastic asset on the PK. Among players with 100+ minutes of PK TOI, he’s allowed the fewest goals (5). He’s also scored 3 SHG. That’s his value over Reaves. Reaves provides next to nothing. If Evason sits Dewar over Reaves, he should be fired.

The only issue I have with your lines (besides Reaves), is I just can’t pinpoint who matches up with who. The reason I like reuniting Foligno and Ek is because they’ve shown success in shutting down top lines while contributing offensively. Foligno has looked more offensively inclined lately playing with Gaudreau and Sundqvist. I like having Sundqvist on that line because he knows how to take draws and is important to have as a backup if Ek gets tossed in a defensive zone start late in the game.

Hell, you could even flip Sundqvist and Gaudreau to provide some more offense (and a better faceoff man)

Foligno - Ek - Gaudreau
Duhaime - Dewar - Sundqvist

 

[Wabit]

Dewar’s been a fantastic asset on the PK. Among players with 100+ minutes of PK TOI, he’s allowed the fewest goals (5). He’s also scored 3 SHG. That’s his value over Reaves. Reaves provides next to nothing. If Evason sits Dewar over Reaves, he should be fired.

The only issue I have with your lines (besides Reaves), is I just can’t pinpoint who matches up with who. The reason I like reuniting Foligno and Ek is because they’ve shown success in shutting down top lines while contributing offensively. Foligno has looked more offensively inclined lately playing with Gaudreau and Sundqvist. I like having Sundqvist on that line because he knows how to take draws and is important to have as a backup if Ek gets tossed in a defensive zone start late in the game.

Hell, you could even flip Sundqvist and Gaudreau to provide some more offense (and a better faceoff man)

Foligno - Ek - Gaudreau
Duhaime - Dewar - Sundqvist

Kap is on the ice for 21 mins and JEE 19 mins a game. These numbers aren't going get smaller in the Playoffs. I don't want Foligno, Freddy G, or Sundqvist playing big minutes in the post season.

Splitting JEE and Foligno up is a good thing to me. It gives the middle-6 2 lines with good net front players. They just need at least one of Boldy, MarJo, or Nyquist to be make use of that.

The 4th line of Duhaime/Sundqvist/Reaves grinds the other team down, with Duhaime as an okay speed/scoring threat so the other d-men can't cheat in too much.

PP1 shouldn't leave the ice in the Playoffs. Roll the bottom-6 (none should be on the PP) out and the top-6 doesn't get messed up.

After a PK the Kap/Boldy/Zucc line is rolled out. Then the MarJo/center (JEE, Hartman, Freddy G depending on who is the most rested)/Nyquist line. Then the 4th line goes out. Everything is reset for a 1-2-3-1-2-3-4 normal line rotation.

 

[57special]

Sundqvist and Reaves would make for a terribly slow line. Duhaime, Dewar, and Reaves I can get behind, against some teams. Against teams with minimal physicality, replace Reaves with Shaw or Sundqvist.

 

[Spurgeon]

Kap is on the ice for 21 mins and JEE 19 mins a game. These numbers aren't going get smaller in the Playoffs. I don't want Foligno, Freddy G, or Sundqvist playing big minutes in the post season.

Splitting JEE and Foligno up is a good thing to me. It gives the middle-6 2 lines with good net front players. They just need at least one of Boldy, MarJo, or Nyquist to be make use of that.

The 4th line of Duhaime/Sundqvist/Reaves grinds the other team down, with Duhaime as an okay speed/scoring threat so the other d-men can't cheat in too much.

PP1 shouldn't leave the ice in the Playoffs. Roll the bottom-6 (none should be on the PP) out and the top-6 doesn't get messed up.

After a PK the Kap/Boldy/Zucc line is rolled out. Then the MarJo/center (JEE, Hartman, Freddy G depending on who is the most rested)/Nyquist line. Then the 4th line goes out. Everything is reset for a 1-2-3-1-2-3-4 normal line rotation.

I really don’t have too many problems with Ek on the 2nd line, I do think they’ll need to pivot if they’re having issues with opposing team’s top guys though. I suppose they’re always able to throw out a shutdown line late in the 3rd to protect a lead.

I’ll have to see how Nyquist looks before making a better assessment. Maybe he does end up working with Foligno and this is all a moot point. I do like the idea of the middle 6 needing bigger net front guys.

You still think they should sit Dewar though? This team lost their playoffs last year because of their terrible PK.

 

[Wabit]

I really don’t have too many problems with Ek on the 2nd line, I do think they’ll need to pivot if they’re having issues with opposing team’s top guys though. I suppose they’re always able to throw out a shutdown line late in the 3rd to protect a lead.

I’ll have to see how Nyquist looks before making a better assessment. Maybe he does end up working with Foligno and this is all a moot point. I do like the idea of the middle 6 needing bigger net front guys.

You still think they should sit Dewar though? This team lost their playoffs last year because of their terrible PK.

MN couldn't score goals against a d-corps that had 4 AHL players on it. 2g in G4 and G5, 1g in G6.

The team lost in the Playoffs last year because it was outcoached. The same thing happened in the Playins against VAN a few years ago. Do nothing Deano didn't show up for morning skates, have practices. made no line adjustments, match lines, etc.

 

[57special]

I think Dewar looks good. Noticeably fast out there, vg defensively. For a small guy, has some grit. I think, if he played with better linemates, you’d see more of his skill come to light. As is, has by far the lowest amount of O zone starts of the team C’s. Has a good shot, and is shifty. Needs to improve on the dot.

Not sure what people expect for a 4 th line C?

 

[Minnewildsota]

I think Dewar looks good. Noticeably fast out there, vg defensively. For a small guy, has some grit. I think, if he played with better linemates, you’d see more of his skill come to light. As is, has by far the lowest amount of O zone starts of the team C’s. Has a good shot, and is shifty. Needs to improve on the dot.

Not sure what people expect for a 4 th line C?

200 points. Is that too much to ask!?

 

[MNRube]

i think the top two lines are set for now and Nyquist gets a shot with Freddy and hopefully Duhaime. I think that could be a competitive 3rd line that can score a bit and defend.

MZ-RH-KK
MB-JE-MJ
Duhaime-Gaudreau-Nyquist
Foligno-Dewar-Sundqvist
Shaw-Steel-Reaves

 

[Wabit]

I think Dewar looks good. Noticeably fast out there, vg defensively. For a small guy, has some grit. I think, if he played with better linemates, you’d see more of his skill come to light. As is, has by far the lowest amount of O zone starts of the team C’s. Has a good shot, and is shifty. Needs to improve on the dot.

Not sure what people expect for a 4 th line C?

Dewar doesn't have the hands to be more than a fringe NHLer. His shot is meh, and he's not a good passer.

MN has 2 x 4C's filling the 1C and 3C spots. They had Sturm and couldn't sign McBain last year. I want the team to have a 4C that can play up in the lineup if needed due to injury (not bad roster construction like MN has). Not a pressbox player playing up to the 4C spot like Dewar is.

 

[Webster]

Great new podcast by Carter & King, I'd say they are much better at Wild game analysis than Russo & LaPanta.

Their guest this week is Zucc, that's a rare thing, he doesn't do much of this. It's a chance to get some more insight about his close friendship with Kaprizov.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Walker is definitely a better fit than Steel