Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2022-23

[Wasted Talent]

Minnesota doesn't. I don't think the Islanders either. Vancouver? St. Louis. San Jose? Ottawa? I can't look up these teams so going off memory. I'd say a quarter of the teams don't.

Islanders had Reinhardt who was traded for Barzal essentially so yeah they benefited from a top 5 pick.

Vancouver has Pettersson, Ottawa has Stutzle. Islanders might not have one on their roster, but they've had five top 5 picks since 2009. Blues have Schenn, if you want to count top 5 picks by other teams.

 

[Jesus comma Brodin]

I still like Capri Sun but it never caught on

My wife has referred to him as this for years, she thinks she made it up.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Vancouver has Pettersson, Ottawa has Stutzle. Islanders might not have one on their roster, but they've had five top 5 picks since 2009. Blues have Schenn, if you want to count top 5 picks by other teams.

San Jose?

 

[Wasted Talent]

San Jose?

I don't think Sharks have any. Flyers probably don't either. But most teams do, especially if you count players acquired through trades or free agency.

 

[Roman Maroni]

Speaking of nicknames. Whenever I see Gus’s name on his jersey, I can’t help but think of the movie Grumpy Old Men. Walter Matthau has so many different names/one liners for Jack Lemmons character (John Gustafson), that one of them surely would be good. Only problem is, you prolly can’t use em on the internet.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Fleury was a #1 overall. We're set.

 

[Wabit]

I think people need to move away from the notion that you can win without a top 5 pick. No team has won the Stanley Cup without picking in the top 5 since Boston did it a decade ago and even then they benefited from the legacy of Joe Thornton.

MN has had a top-5 pick on their team for most of the last decade:
Nino (5th), Staal (2nd), Chucky (3rd), MAF (1st).

 

[Wasted Talent]

MN has had a top-5 pick on their team for most of the last decade:
Nino (5th), Staal (2nd), Chucky (3rd), MAF (1st).

And Heatley was there 2 years before Nino, which leaves only 2 year gap without top-5 pick after Gaborik.

 

[Soldier13Fox]

I haven't heard one I like for Kaprizov either. I'm just happy Walz(y) hasn't been calling him Kappy, Kapper, Krillize, or any of his normal nickname gotos. I'm actually supersized he hasn't been calling him something like Krill-zee Kap-zee. I should probably delete this just so he doesn't get ideas.

I've just been waiting for Walz to call Sammy Walker ... Samuel.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Fleury was a #1 overall. We're set.

Hah forgot Fleury was 1st.

 

[BagHead]

I considered putting this in the positivity thread, but thought people might think I was being snide.

We all know that JEE has been progressing offensively to go along with the rock solid defensive play he's known for. I just noticed a weird little statistical... thing in his stat sheet.
While his offense gets noticed, interestingly his faceoffs have also been improving... but... in a linear fashion (even his offense hasn't been completely linear on a true points basis). I'm used to seeing guys go from something like 42% to 47% to 50.5% to 48.9% to 51%, just sort of hopping around as they improve, but these are JEE's faceoffs by season:

41.3%
42.6%
45.7%
46.2%
47.1%
47.6%
49.0%

At this rate, he'll be an average faceoff-man within 2 years! But seriously, that's really weird from a stats perspective, and indicitive of a guy working hard at ALL aspects of his job. Cool to see!

 

[Aurinko]

I considered putting this in the positivity thread, but thought people might think I was being snide.

We all know that JEE has been progressing offensively to go along with the rock solid defensive play he's known for. I just noticed a weird little statistical... thing in his stat sheet.
While his offense gets noticed, interestingly his faceoffs have also been improving... but... in a linear fashion (even his offense hasn't been completely linear on a true points basis). I'm used to seeing guys go from something like 42% to 47% to 50.5% to 48.9% to 51%, just sort of hopping around as they improve, but these are JEE's faceoffs by season:

41.3%
42.6%
45.7%
46.2%
47.1%
47.6%
49.0%

At this rate, he'll be an average faceoff-man within 2 years! But seriously, that's really weird from a stats perspective, and indicitive of a guy working hard at ALL aspects of his job. Cool to see!

Compared JEE's faceoff development to couple other centers:

With this pace, JEE will be roughly around ~53% faceoff after 6 years when he is 31 and Haula's age. McDavid has worked on his faceoffs as well and is developing at a quite rapid rate. For a defensive center, Joel might want to work more on his faceoff.

 

[BagHead]

Compared JEE's faceoff development to couple other centers:

View attachment 622676


With this pace, JEE will be roughly around ~53% faceoff after 6 years when he is 31 and Haula's age. McDavid has worked on his faceoffs as well and is developing at a quite rapid rate. For a defensive center, Joel might want to work more on his faceoff.

That's why I made the joke about him being average 2 years from now, and why I didn't put it in the positivity thread (like... how long do you need JEE?). Started low plus growth is linear means mediocre upside. Still, the growth is consistent and that's something.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Tidbits from Russo/LaPanta podcast:

-When Hartman returns, they see him as the RW on Boldy's line to start. I don't mind this. Sucks for Walker, but I do think that Hartman is a better player and possibly the better fit next to Boldy.

-They think that Gaudreau is going to be for sure re-signed by Guerin. Not surprising.

-This team practices as little as anyone in the league. Dean really values rest days and having his players feel fresh.

-They think Gus will get the start against Ottawa.

-When Duhaime returns, they don't see Reaves coming out of the lineup. They see the person coming out being Shaw...

 

[Wabit]

Tidbits from Russo/LaPanta podcast:

-When Hartman returns, they see him as the RW on Boldy's line to start. I don't mind this. Sucks for Walker, but I do think that Hartman is a better player and possibly the better fit next to Boldy.

-They think that Gaudreau is going to be for sure re-signed by Guerin. Not surprising.

-This team practices as little as anyone in the league. Dean really values rest days and having his players feel fresh.

-They think Gus will get the start against Ottawa.

-When Duhaime returns, they don't see Reaves coming out of the lineup. They see the person coming out being Shaw...

This is pretty much what I was thinking would happen with the roster.

Gus would make sense to start. With this coach/GM my money would be on MAF starting every game unless it's a back-to-back, as long as he's healthy.

 

[MNNumbers]

Tidbits from Russo/LaPanta podcast:

-When Hartman returns, they see him as the RW on Boldy's line to start. I don't mind this. Sucks for Walker, but I do think that Hartman is a better player and possibly the better fit next to Boldy.

-They think that Gaudreau is going to be for sure re-signed by Guerin. Not surprising.

-This team practices as little as anyone in the league. Dean really values rest days and having his players feel fresh.

-They think Gus will get the start against Ottawa.

-When Duhaime returns, they don't see Reaves coming out of the lineup. They see the person coming out being Shaw...

This team practicing little is the reason the special teams were so bad last year, and also the reason that Dean makes no adjustments in the PO's. It's stupid. Absolutely stupid.

Placing Hartman on the Wing across from Boldy and kicking away Sammy's chance is stupid, and amounts to, essentially, placing Steel in the present as higher priority than Walker in the future. While I might agree that Steel is better now, Walker has a much higher upside, and should be granted chances, especially in a year in which is it obvious that this team is at best a first round loser (again).

 

[DigitalBoldy]

This team practicing little is the reason the special teams were so bad last year, and also the reason that Dean makes no adjustments in the PO's. It's stupid. Absolutely stupid.

Placing Hartman on the Wing across from Boldy and kicking away Sammy's chance is stupid, and amounts to, essentially, placing Steel in the present as higher priority than Walker in the future. While I might agree that Steel is better now, Walker has a much higher upside, and should be granted chances, especially in a year in which is it obvious that this team is at best a first round loser (again).

Russo did say that he thinks Hartman eventually finds his way back between Kap and Zucc.

What makes Walker have that much higher upside? He’s only a little over a year younger than Steel. Neither should be playing in our top 6.

 

[Wabit]

This team practicing little is the reason the special teams were so bad last year, and also the reason that Dean makes no adjustments in the PO's. It's stupid. Absolutely stupid.

Placing Hartman on the Wing across from Boldy and kicking away Sammy's chance is stupid, and amounts to, essentially, placing Steel in the present as higher priority than Walker in the future. While I might agree that Steel is better now, Walker has a much higher upside, and should be granted chances, especially in a year in which is it obvious that this team is at best a first round loser (again).

For me, the better player belongs in the lineup. Steel and Walker are 1 draft year apart, so it's not like it's a big age gap. I also don't see how Walker has a higher upside. Walker is also waivers exempt.

Rossi needs Walker in the AHL so maybe he can generate something 5v5.

 

[57special]

For me, the better player belongs in the lineup. Steel and Walker are 1 draft year apart, so it's not like it's a big age gap. I also don't see how Walker has a higher upside. Walker is also waivers exempt.

Rossi needs Walker in the AHL so maybe he can generate something 5v5.

If Rossi needs Walker to be effective in the AHL then it's a very bad sign.

I am also in favor of seeing what upside Walker has over Steel, but i get why Dean is staying with Steel. I just am not a fan of Steel at all, and think it's a joke that he is our #1C, but I could've said the same in previous years about players like Victor Rask.

It's not that Walker is all that, it's just that there is a possibility that he might be a secondary offensive talent that can help make the Boldy line more potent. Feels like we are sending him down w/o really knowing what he is, or giving him a chance.

Steel....there's nothing there, for me. He's Tyson Jost.

 

[Stephen]

I wonder if the Minnesota Wild will ever go back to the North Stars colours full time? There's just something that pops about that gold and bright green scheme. How do you guys like it?

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

I wonder if the Minnesota Wild will ever go back to the North Stars colours full time? There's just something that pops about that gold and bright green scheme. How do you guys like it?

I also wish it would happen, but doubt the league/Dallas would allow it, Dallas owns the rights to that history and have historically been strict on when they let us do anything with it, the reverse retros being a major exception. I instantly bought a white one, my original NS white is still hanging in there but I try to limit how much I wear it at this point.

 

[Wabit]

If Rossi needs Walker to be effective in the AHL then it's a very bad sign.

I am also in favor of seeing what upside Walker has over Steel, but i get why Dean is staying with Steel. I just am not a fan of Steel at all, and think it's a joke that he is our #1C, but I could've said the same in previous years about players like Victor Rask.

It's not that Walker is all that, it's just that there is a possibility that he might be a secondary offensive talent that can help make the Boldy line more potent. Feels like we are sending him down w/o really knowing what he is, or giving him a chance.

Steel....there's nothing there, for me. He's Tyson Jost.

Well Rossi isn't really doing anything 5v5 in the AHL currently. 5v5 he has what 3p in 9 or 10 games?

Walker had a chance and didn't add and secondary scoring: 4 games, 0p, +1. Steel in the same 4 games had 4p, +5. Life isn't fair when you're a waivers exempt player, if/when you get a chance it's either put up or shut up.

Even as a lineup consideration Walker is a wing and Steel is a center. The guy taking a roster spot is a w/c but hasn't played in almost 2 months. So letting him get back into game shape as a winger makes sense.

Steel isn't anything special, but Walker isn't either. Steel has also been playing decent minutes on the PK lately.

 

[TaLoN]

I wonder if the Minnesota Wild will ever go back to the North Stars colours full time? There's just something that pops about that gold and bright green scheme. How do you guys like it?

Love it!

 

[Minnewildsota]

I also wish it would happen, but doubt the league/Dallas would allow it, Dallas owns the rights to that history and have historically been strict on when they let us do anything with it, the reverse retros being a major exception. I instantly bought a white one, my original NS white is still hanging in there but I try to limit how much I wear it at this point.

I thought the league owned the rights?

 

[Wasted Talent]

I also wish it would happen, but doubt the league/Dallas would allow it, Dallas owns the rights to that history and have historically been strict on when they let us do anything with it, the reverse retros being a major exception. I instantly bought a white one, my original NS white is still hanging in there but I try to limit how much I wear it at this point.

Can Dallas really own a color scheme, especially one they aren't even using? Especially when we have teams like Toronto and Tampa basically using the same colors.

Dallas owning the rights to any references to North Stars or their logo is probably another matter.