Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[Wabit]

Yeah, not sure where NHL is getting the 5'11 number still. It's possible he's grown an inch since the draft and the KHL website just hasn't updated his height at all, but I don't know why the NHL would have the new numbers before he's stepped foot in this country.

NHL and height isn't accurate even for players in the league.

I just don't see any reason the KHL number would be wrong by several cm.

 

[MNRube]

We're not going to put 4 rookies in the lineup next year anyway.

Next year: Khusnuts (Duhaime let go)
Year after: Yurov (Johanssen let go)
Year after: Ohgren + Heidt (Zucc gone, Hartman in final year, Foligno 2 years left but no NMC)

If we pick a forward high this year, he'll fit in somewhere too hopefully. And we might have Kap's spot to fill too.

Not included: our most recent 1st round pick.

There have been a lot of bad picks over the years, but I can’t think of many who went as high as Stramel and tanked their NHL prospects so quickly.

 

[MuckOG]

Not included: our most recent 1st round pick.

There have been a lot of bad picks over the years, but I can’t think of many who went as high as Stramel and tanked their NHL prospects so quickly.

AJ Thelen and Colton Gillies, step right up

 

[Minnewildsota]

NHL and height isn't accurate even for players in the league.

I just don't see any reason the KHL number would be wrong by several cm.

I’m pretty sure it’s players height with their skates on. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

AJ Thelen and Colton Gillies, step right up

FJo was way more absurd of a pick IMO.

 

[57special]

In general, athletes lie about about their height all the time. I can only think of one athlete who wanted to be shown as shorter than he actually was, Kevin Durant.

 

[MuckOG]

In general, athletes lie about about their height all the time. I can only think of one athlete who wanted to be shown as shorter than he actually was, Kevin Durant.

Kevin Garnett also. Was actually 7", but said 6'11" because he thought 7 footers had to play center

 

[57special]

Kevin Garnett also. Was actually 7", but said 6'11" because he thought 7 footers had to play center

Actually a neighbour of mine years ago, a volleyball player, called herself 5'12"(she still lied, was taller than me), because she thought being 6' would lessen her chance of getting dates.

 

[BagHead]

Actually a neighbour of mine years ago, a volleyball player, called herself 5'12"(she still lied, was taller than me), because she thought being 6' would lessen her chance of getting dates.

I once dated a girl who was a little over 6'0", I'm 5'11". That date was the best my posture has ever been.

 

[Owen Nolan]

Yes there was a reason. Zuccarello, who was re-signed first, would get 5-6M as a UFA. He offered 2 yrs at 4M to get it done early. With his consistent production at a high level year after year, no GM would say no thanks there.

Then I guess Guerin thought he could get the Foligno and Hartman contracts done at the same time because he likes them. They're at market value, so I don't get why this is such a big problem. As the owner said, the Wild are not in a re-build.

It’s a problem because we suck.

The greatest GM fail in any sport is leveraging the future for the present and subsequently performing terribly.

 

[Owen Nolan]

Genuine trade deadline question…

Why wouldn’t 36 year old Mats Zuccarello waive his NTC/NMC to go to a contender?

The Wild don’t appear to be a move or a healthy player away from Cup contention. Mats career runway’s getting short.

Furthermore, why won’t GM Billy G ask him to waive? From an asset management perspective it’s illogical to keep him. The windows don’t align.

 

[57special]

View attachment 829473


I once dated a girl who was a little over 6'0", I'm 5'11". That date was the best my posture has ever been.

This is a threadworthy topic. Go to it, i will subscribe.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

Would bet anything Marat is shorter than 5’10

 

[57special]

Genuine trade deadline question…

Why wouldn’t 36 year old Mats Zuccarello waive his NTC/NMC to go to a contender?

The Wild don’t appear to be a move or a healthy player away from Cup contention. Mats career runway’s getting short.

Furthermore, why won’t GM Billy G ask him to waive? From an asset management perspective it’s illogical to keep him. The windows don’t align.

Because he has a new marriage and baby?
Because he has scored more in his MN years than he has at any other time in his life?
Because there are very few teams/areas that he would want to uproot his life for, on the slim chance that he would win a Cup?

 

[57special]

Would bet anything Marat is shorter than 5’10

All hockey players lie about their height. Parise's bio says he is 5'11" Ha!

Another former Wild player told me he was 5'11". I laughed at him.

I mean Bjugstad is probably not lying about his height, or Bfuglyien about his weight - that's about it.

 

[Owen Nolan]

Because he has a new marriage and baby?
Because he has scored more in his MN years than he has at any other time in his life?
Because there are very few teams/areas that he would want to uproot his life for, on the slim chance that he would win a Cup?

All valid reasons to stick it around.

It’d be a grind riding the tail end of your career with a lottery team.

 

[57special]

All valid reasons to stick it around.

It’d be a grind riding the tail end of your career with a lottery team.

He's making 6M/yr, and is having more personal hockey, and probably life success than he has ever had here in MN. I can completely understand not wanting your wife to hate you because you forced her to move to a completely new city, leaving all her friends and support group behind. She probably doesn't have to pay Kaprizov to babysit.

 

[Wabit]

View attachment 829473


I once dated a girl who was a little over 6'0", I'm 5'11". That date was the best my posture has ever been.

Imaginary friends and girls that you pick up on random street corners don't count as dating...

 

[Owen Nolan]

He's making 6M/yr, and is having more personal hockey, and probably life success than he has ever had here in MN. I can completely understand not wanting your wife to hate you because you forced her to move to a completely new city, leaving all her friends and support group behind. She probably doesn't have to pay Kaprizov to babysit.

Logical/reasonable points.

Counter-point: His NTC affords him the ability choose potential destinations. Which gives him an informed opportunity to choose a club he thinks has a legit shot. He’s spent his entire life playing hockey… A lot a guys would give their left nut for a 2nd go at Lord Stanley’s Cup.

 

[f7ben]

So Zucc to Rags then? We will take anything or maybe even retain and accept future considerations ??

 

[AKL]

He's making 6M/yr, and is having more personal hockey, and probably life success than he has ever had here in MN. I can completely understand not wanting your wife to hate you because you forced her to move to a completely new city, leaving all her friends and support group behind. She probably doesn't have to pay Kaprizov to babysit.

Sounds like the country club/retirement home mentality that Guerin supposedly wanted to dismantle when he got here

 

[Owen Nolan]

So Zucc to Rags then? We will take anything or maybe even retain and accept future considerations ??

He has quite a bit more value than future considerations.

If I were calling the shots, I trade Zucc, Bogo, & Duhaime. I’d purposefully make it more difficult to win 2023-24 games while retaining the ability to tell the loyal fan base “It’s all about winning!”

Meanwhile, I’d re-focus on building a future Stanley Cup contender by giving Wallstedt, Beckman, Khusnutdinov, and Hunt real opportunities.

AND I’d high-five the people that recognize modern Cup contenders are generally built around premuim draft picks.

 

[f7ben]

He has quite a bit more value than future considerations.

If I were calling the shots, I trade Zucc, Bogo, & Duhaime. I’d purposefully make it more difficult to win 2023-24 games while retaining the ability to tell the loyal fan base “It’s all about winning!”

Meanwhile, I’d re-focus on building a future Stanley Cup contender by giving Wallstedt, Beckman, Khusnutdinov, and Hunt real opportunities.

AND I’d high-five the people that recognize modern Cup contenders are generally built around premuim draft picks.

I honestly don’t know how much value he has at 4 million for 2 more years. He’s really slowed down and is a complete disaster 5 on 5. Dude turns the puck over more than I’ve ever seen.

 

[Owen Nolan]

I honestly don’t know how much value he has at 4 million for 2 more years. He’s really slowed down and is a complete disaster 5 on 5. Dude turns the puck over more than I’ve ever seen.

He’s a likable teammate whose play adds more than it detracts. Perfect for a team in “win now” mode.

Who cares what the return is? The purpose of the trade is to lose more games this year and open a roster spot for a top 6 prospect. You want Yurov to come over? Give him a roster spot!!! It’s truly this simple.

 

[Owen Nolan]

He has quite a bit more value than future considerations.

If I were calling the shots, I trade Zucc, Bogo, & Duhaime. I’d purposefully make it more difficult to win 2023-24 games while retaining the ability to tell the loyal fan base “It’s all about winning!”

Meanwhile, I’d re-focus on building a future Stanley Cup contender by giving Wallstedt, Beckman, Khusnutdinov, and Hunt real opportunities.

AND I’d high-five the people that recognize modern Cup contenders are generally built around premuim draft picks.

I’d seriously consider trading Middleton as well. I’d set an extremely high price and have a 50/50 expectation someone would pay it. He’s had a good/great season. Do the un-Minnesota maneuver and sell high!
If nobody pays up, role him back next year. If GMBG’s veterans get their shit together 2024-25, keep him for the playoff run. If we suck again, trade him at the deadline.