Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[Wabit]

unfriended, unsubscribed, unfollowed, blocked, reported

So you like means you really that post then, right?

So Rossi is playing with Foligno and Khaira? This is very dark comedy, at this point. I mean, WTF?

Well there is always Maroon waiting in the wings for sweeps week and the series needs a plot twist.

 

[Webster]

Full panic

Don't pay much attention to these lines on the first day of training camp.

Rossi needs to earn his spot like everyone else. If he makes the team he'll start on the 3rd line, but we have no idea how he will play when the going gets tough. What we do know is that he has to be much better than he was last year. Evason said his plan is to put Rossi on the 2nd line if he plays well, and then move Ek to the top line.

I think Hartman will be ready, probably just some minor stuff. Guerin said he expects all players to be available by the start of regular season. He also said who will get the A is confidential, but it sounds like #14 is not a sure thing.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

The "earning his spot" nonsense is just that.

 

[AKL]

The "earning his spot" nonsense is just that.

I mean I'd agree he has to "earn" getting consistent time in the top six, but he's not going to "earn" that through playing with Foligno and Khaira and Gaudreau. He has to actually be given a chance in the top six and perform well there.

The idea that he has to fight through and be a successful fourth liner, then third liner, in order to even get a chance at the top six is nonsense though.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

It's been a long offseason. I'm usually not one to jump but...

Dammit Evason.

Maybe this is what the coaches mean by Rossi has to take it

 

[Circulartheory]

I mean I'd agree he has to "earn" getting consistent time in the top six, but he's not going to "earn" that through playing with Foligno and Khaira and Gaudreau. He has to actually be given a chance in the top six and perform well there.

The idea that he has to fight through and be a successful fourth liner, then third liner, in order to even get a chance at the top six is nonsense though.

Agreed on all points. At least for me, give him the appropriate line mates. I'm okay with the Gaudreau pairing but I have no faith in Foligno/Khaira whatsoever as pairings that could capitalize on Rossi's playmaking. Same goes with Maroon/Duhaime. At bare bare minimum, throw in Dewar in the mix who has speed and I'm here talking the lowest bar.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

The "earning his spot" nonsense is just that.

To me, “earning his spot” in the top 6 means being better than one of Eriksson Ek or Hartman. I haven’t seen that yet. I’m not even sure he’s better than Gaudreau at this point, but he took his spot at 3C and Gaudreau was moved to wing. So that’s certainly giving him a spot to build from.

 

[57special]

Agreed on all points. At least for me, give him the appropriate line mates. I'm okay with the Gaudreau pairing but I have no faith in Foligno/Khaira whatsoever as pairings that could capitalize on Rossi's playmaking. Same goes with Maroon/Duhaime. At bare bare minimum, throw in Dewar in the mix who has speed and I'm here talking the lowest bar.

Except that they both are C's. I'd say even sticking Rossi with Duhaime and Walker would be better than playing him with Foligno and Khaira, but where Rossi should be tried is with Boldy and MarJo. Boldy has skill, size, (and now) strength, Marjo has speed and decent all round ability.

At least give Rossi a chance. I'm all for sending him down if he isn't cutting after about 30 games, and bringing up a Beckman/Walker/? if they are playing well, but you aren't going to find out anything about Rossi by playing him with foligno and Khaira.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I mean I'd agree he has to "earn" getting consistent time in the top six, but he's not going to "earn" that through playing with Foligno and Khaira and Gaudreau. He has to actually be given a chance in the top six and perform well there.

The idea that he has to fight through and be a successful fourth liner, then third liner, in order to even get a chance at the top six is nonsense though.

Yeah, that's more what I was saying.

 

[Circulartheory]

Except that they both are C's. I'd say even sticking Rossi with Duhaime and Walker would be better than playing him with Foligno and Khaira, but where Rossi should be tried is with Boldy and MarJo. Boldy has skill, size, (and now) strength, Marjo has speed and decent all round ability.

At least give Rossi a chance. I'm all for sending him down if he isn't cutting after about 30 games, and bringing up a Beckman/Walker/? if they are playing well, but you aren't going to find out anything about Rossi by playing him with foligno and Khaira.

Dewar is not really a fit but even so, he's my lowest bar because of his speed and does actually have some skill (I believe he has played wing in the past). But you are right, paired with Boldy would be the dream but if we are going to give Evason the benefit and say Rossi needs to earn it, its definitely not with Foligno.

Though I do like your suggestion of Walker and that could be middle ground of "earning time" towards the top six but no stuck in a black hole of Foligno. And after rewatching some of his clips, I forgot how much I did like Walker in his short time up with the Wild. I hope he makes an impression in camp.

 

[Wabit]

Dewar is not really a fit but even so, he's my lowest bar because of his speed and does actually have some skill (I believe he has played wing in the past). But you are right, paired with Boldy would be the dream but if we are going to give Evason the benefit and say Rossi needs to earn it, its definitely not with Foligno.

Though I do like your suggestion of Walker and that could be middle ground of "earning time" towards the top six but no stuck in a black hole of Foligno. And after rewatching some of his clips, I forgot how much I did like Walker in his short time up with the Wild. I hope he makes an impression in camp.

If Walker makes the team out of camp it's because someone is on LTIR or one of Rossi/Faber is in the AHL. That's about the only way the cap works to start the season.

 

[MuckOG]

 

[Circulartheory]

If Walker makes the team out of camp it's because someone is on LTIR or one of Rossi/Faber is in the AHL. That's about the only way the cap works to start the season.

Sadly. But still hopes he makes an impression. Maybe force the team to look to trade away Merrill/Goligoski (if he allows it).

 

[Wabit]

Sadly. But still hopes he makes an impression. Maybe force the team to look to trade away Merrill/Goligoski (if he allows it).

I think the only way MN looks to give Merrill (Goli is a pipe dream imo) away is if one of the rookie LD push him out of the 3LD spot.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Yeah, that's more what I was saying.

It’s nonsense in that it’s not happening anyways (starting on the 4th line), so why is it being discussed?

This guy isn’t Kaprizov… starting on the third line isn’t out of the normal for young players breaking into the NHL. Hell, didn’t our 3rd line used to be called the Kid Line? I believe it was Nino-Haula-Coyle? Or was it Zucker? Something like that.

The primary issue is that Foligno is on the third line. Not that Rossi is on the third line. Foligno sucked last year and he’s not a guy who meshes will with skill players.

 

[AKL]

It’s nonsense in that it’s not happening anyways (starting on the 4th line), so why is it being discussed?

He started there last year after looking good in camp/preseason, so I wouldn't outright dismiss it.

This guy isn’t Kaprizov… starting on the third line isn’t out of the normal for young players breaking into the NHL. Hell, didn’t our 3rd line used to be called the Kid Line? I believe it was Nino-Haula-Coyle? Or something like that.

Our third line isn't that anymore. It's a grindy defensive line that has no skill or creativity.

The primary issue is that Foligno is on the third line. Not that Rossi is on the third line. Foligno sucked last year and he’s not a guy who meshes will with skill players.

The primary issue is Rossi (square peg) being forced into a situation where he's playing with grinders and guys with no skill or creativity (round hole), regardless of what line it is.

The simple fact is that Rossi should be judged on how well he can perform with smart and skilled players. If we had enough of those to fill a third line, starting him on the third line wouldn't be an issue. But we don't, which means he's going to need to start on the second line. Because it's not about the number of the line he's playing on, it's about the players he's playing with being conducive to his success. If the wingers on this line were Coyle and Nino instead of Foligno and Gaudreau, no one would be up in arms about him playing on the third line.

 

[Circulartheory]

He started there last year after looking good in camp/preseason, so I wouldn't outright dismiss it.


Our third line isn't that anymore. It's a grindy defensive line that has no skill or creativity.


The primary issue is Rossi (square peg) being forced into a situation where he's playing with grinders and guys with no skill or creativity (round hole), regardless of what line it is.

The simple fact is that Rossi should be judged on how well he can perform with smart and skilled players. If we had enough of those to fill a third line, starting him on the third line wouldn't be an issue. But we don't, which means he's going to need to start on the second line. Because it's not about the number of the line he's playing on, it's about the players he's playing with being conducive to his success. If the wingers on this line were Coyle and Nino instead of Foligno and Gaudreau, no one would be up in arms about him playing on the third line.

For me, its Foligno that's simply the one that sticks out like a sore thumb. One could make an argument Gaudreau is a fine fit he's responsible and has enough skill to compliment Rossi. But Foligno isn't going to finish any of the plays and if he's used for net front presence for deflections, neither Gaudreau or Rossi are shooters to feed Foligno. He just feels like an awful fit.

 

[AKL]

For me, its Foligno that's simply the one that sticks out like a sore thumb. One could make an argument Gaudreau is a fine fit he's responsible and has enough skill to compliment Rossi. But Foligno isn't going to finish any of the plays and if he's used for net front presence for deflections, neither Gaudreau or Rossi are shooters to feed Foligno. He just feels like an awful fit.

I highly disagree that Gaudreau is fine there unless it's a situation like it was when Boldy joined Fiala-Gaudreau.

Boldy-Rossi-Gaudreau? Not ideal but fine.
Duhaime/Walker/Foligno/Dewar-Rossi-Gaudreau? Not fine at all.

 

[Webster]

I think when it comes to Rossi on the 3rd line it's not his scoring they will be looking for, but the way he competes. No linemate can help him there. This was a big problem with Rossi last year, didn't go to the front of the net, turned away from board battles, was afraid to hit people. Won't work in the NHL, has to be fixed this season. If it is he'll get to play top 6 minutes with the skilled guys.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

It’s nonsense in that it’s not happening anyways (starting on the 4th line), so why is it being discussed?

This guy isn’t Kaprizov… starting on the third line isn’t out of the normal for young players breaking into the NHL. Hell, didn’t our 3rd line used to be called the Kid Line? I believe it was Nino-Haula-Coyle? Or was it Zucker? Something like that.

The primary issue is that Foligno is on the third line. Not that Rossi is on the third line. Foligno sucked last year and he’s not a guy who meshes will with skill players.

Chicken or the egg.

 

[BagHead]

I'd be lying if I said I understood this, except for the date.

 

[AKL]

I'd be lying if I said I understood this, except for the date.

They're pouring the light green paint onto the Wild jersey because they're announcing the alternate, which will be the North Stars colors

Spoiler: There was alleged leak a few weeks ago

 

[57special]

I think when it comes to Rossi on the 3rd line it's not his scoring they will be looking for, but the way he competes. No linemate can help him there. This was a big problem with Rossi last year, didn't go to the front of the net, turned away from board battles, was afraid to hit people. Won't work in the NHL, has to be fixed this season. If it is he'll get to play top 6 minutes with the skilled guys.

Expecting a skilled, puck possession oriented, diminutive player to go in and win board battles , make big hits, and battle big trees in front of the net is stupid. If Dean is expecting that then God help us.

What sunk Rossi last year was that he looked slow, and hesitant, not only physically, but also mentally. Rossi's margins for error are too small...he can't afford to be sleepy out there on the ice. He can play aggressively, but in a smart way, stealing pucks on defense, being outstanding positionally, then converting those turnovers into plays that hurt the other team in the most effective way... by putting the puck in the net. Last year, he simply didn't produce. Offensive players can't survive long unless they put the puck in the net. We don't need Rossi to be a gritty, physical banger....that's Kumpulainen and Stramel, maybe, in the future. Rossi needs to get on the scoresheet.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

I'd be lying if I said I understood this, except for the date.

The new jersey, and its going NS colors.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

He started there last year after looking good in camp/preseason, so I wouldn't outright dismiss it.


Our third line isn't that anymore. It's a grindy defensive line that has no skill or creativity.


The primary issue is Rossi (square peg) being forced into a situation where he's playing with grinders and guys with no skill or creativity (round hole), regardless of what line it is.

The simple fact is that Rossi should be judged on how well he can perform with smart and skilled players. If we had enough of those to fill a third line, starting him on the third line wouldn't be an issue. But we don't, which means he's going to need to start on the second line. Because it's not about the number of the line he's playing on, it's about the players he's playing with being conducive to his success. If the wingers on this line were Coyle and Nino instead of Foligno and Gaudreau, no one would be up in arms about him playing on the third line.

It's a good thing we have Yurov, Khusnutdinov, and Ohgren coming next year and the expiring contracts are Zucc, Hartman and Foligno.