Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[thestonedkoala]

Yeeesh. Your evaluations are all over the place. I don’t even know how to respond to this.

Yurov would be the third center like how Levi was the third goaltender in terms of Bob and Knight. Yurov would be behind Rossi and Ek. Necas would be similar to Reinhart. High draft pick that hasn't panned out yet. Though I think Necas has moved from center. No idea.

As for Rossi + Middleton +1st. Rossi is a center needing a contract like Hubs though Hubs had a better season when trading...much better season. But Rossi has youth. Weeger is a better defenseman than Middleton but he's the only one playing that Minnesota can give up. A 1st is a 1st. Basically Rossi + Middleton + 1st is a poor GM version of what Florida gave up.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

I will never understand the Boldy hate

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I will never understand the Boldy hate

I don't think it's "hate" necessarily.

He's definitely entering the age/time where expectations should get ratcheted up though. Would very much like to see PPG+ this year, and maybe not as Kaprizov's wingman the whole time.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

I don't think it's "hate" necessarily.

He's definitely entering the age/time where expectations should get ratcheted up though. Would very much like to see PPG+ this year, and maybe not as Kaprizov's wingman the whole time.

I personally think he’ll do that assuming we give him competent linemates. I see it very similar to Fiala. Playing with Mojo and Rossi isn’t necessarily quality top 6 support. If he gets an average 2LW on the other side I think he’ll take off, similar to Fiala

 

[57special]

I will never understand the Boldy hate

No hate here. I wasn't crazy about him as a prospect, but his development has been about everything we could've hoped for. Has added strength to his large frame, has skill for days, excellent vision, and a vg shot, though I'd like to see him use it a bit more. His deal will look vg in 2-3 years, just like JEE's looks now.

He was a steal at 12oa.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

No hate here. I wasn't crazy about him as a prospect, but his development has been about everything we could've hoped for. Has added strength to his large frame, has skill for days, excellent vision, and a vg shot, though I'd like to see him use it a bit more. His deal will look vg in 2-3 years, just like JEE's looks now.

He was a steal at 12oa.

Easily top 3 in a re-draft. Top 2 depends on how you'd feel about Seider.

 

[Wabit]

Sure. Kaprizov’s NMC kicks in soon though.

Boldy is not Matthew Tkachuk.

He's closer to Tkachuk (age/term) than anything that FL sent away. I agree Boldy isn't near the same player M. Tkachuk. Boldy isn't even as good as his younger brother, but he is closer.

 

[Minnewildsota]

He's closer to Tkachuk (age/term) than anything that FL sent away. I agree Boldy isn't near the same player M. Tkachuk. Boldy isn't even as good as his younger brother, but he is closer.

Boldy has a younger brother?

 

[DANOZ28]

i think i wanted C's but boldy was a no brainer bpa where we picked. i think i remember his coach saying he was the most nhl ready player he'd ever worked with and boom goes the dynamite i was sold.

 

[57special]

Easily top 3 in a re-draft. Top 2 depends on how you'd feel about Seider.

Seider certainly hit early, and big. I'd just as soon keep Boldy, though, but that's easy to say now that we have Faber. Zegras's star has fallen a bit, for sure.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Yurov would be the third center like how Levi was the third goaltender in terms of Bob and Knight. Yurov would be behind Rossi and Ek. Necas would be similar to Reinhart. High draft pick that hasn't panned out yet. Though I think Necas has moved from center. No idea.

As for Rossi + Middleton +1st. Rossi is a center needing a contract like Hubs though Hubs had a better season when trading...much better season. But Rossi has youth. Weeger is a better defenseman than Middleton but he's the only one playing that Minnesota can give up. A 1st is a 1st. Basically Rossi + Middleton + 1st is a poor GM version of what Florida gave up.

Are you really going to sit here and tell me that Yurov+#13 is the same thing as Levi+#28? Really? Even you saying Yurov = Levi is pretty “out there” in terms of value.

I would not even hesitate to pull the trigger on Rossi+Middleton+#13 for B Tkachuk.

I will never understand the Boldy hate

I will never understand how people would prefer to hold onto “their” players when they could get something better. Rather be mediocre and have their guys than try to get better.

 

[Digitalbooya]

He's closer to Tkachuk (age/term) than anything that FL sent away. I agree Boldy isn't near the same player M. Tkachuk. Boldy isn't even as good as his younger brother, but he is closer.

Brady Tkachuk is exactly the type of player this organization should be targeting. There are few players I would mark as untouchable (Kaprizov and Faber). The rest have their price.

 

[TaLoN]

No hate here. I wasn't crazy about him as a prospect, but his development has been about everything we could've hoped for. Has added strength to his large frame, has skill for days, excellent vision, and a vg shot, though I'd like to see him use it a bit more. His deal will look vg in 2-3 years, just like JEE's looks now.

He was a steal at 12oa.

I thought he was a clear steal on draft day and was the most excited about him vs any draft pick since Gaborik back in the day. IMO he has only delivered on those high expectations thus far.
Pre-draft, I thought he was sure to go top 6 easy, never imagined he'd be there at 12!

As @Dr Jan Itor said, he'd be top 2-3 in a re-draft.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I will never understand how people would prefer to hold onto “their” players when they could get something better. Rather be mediocre and have their guys than try to get better.

Boldy has been better than Tkachuk up through their 22 year old seasons. Tkachuk took a leap at age 23; I'm fine with betting on Boldy to do the same.

 

[tyratoku]

If the Wild were going to trade Rossi + 13 to the Sens, as much as I'd like Tkachuk to come back, I don't think that would happen. The more realistic piece, IMO, would be Chychrun and I legitimately think Ottawa will move that fella in the next calendar year. The Wild have to be there for that. He would be perfect on our team. I would hate to lose Rossi and not get a Center of some caliber back, but Chychrun would be a great piece. Play him on the second pair with Spurgeon in the short term, but load up a pair with Faber when needed.

Brodin - Faber
Chychrun - Spurgeon
Middleton - Chisholm
Hunt

That's a great playoff-caliber defensive core. Offense will need work, sure, but with Yurov and Ohgren and Heidt and whoever else, I see a path forward. Our defensive group leaves a lot to be desired in the short term, even if any of us have faith that Hunt/Lambos/Spacek/whoever can be long-term 2nd/3rd pairing defenders.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Boldy has been better than Tkachuk up through their 22 year old seasons. Tkachuk took a leap at age 23; I'm fine with betting on Boldy to do the same.

If Boldy’s production takes a leap, it will be because he has to be the complementary piece next to a better player/line driver. That has immense value because he’s really good at it. But I would rather have Tkachuk, whom I view as more of a line driver than Boldy.

People on this board literally shit on Zucc for being propped up by Kaprizov, but don’t apply even 10% of that logic to Boldy when it certainly applies to some extent (not to the extent of Zucc, but still).

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

If Boldy’s production takes a leap, it will be because he has to be the complementary piece next to a better player/line driver. That has immense value because he’s really good at it. But I would rather have Tkachuk, whom I view as more of a line driver than Boldy.

People on this board literally shit on Zucc for being propped up by Kaprizov, but don’t apply even 10% of that logic to Boldy when it certainly applies to some extent (not to the extent of Zucc, but still).

It's possible, but it's also possible that the leap I'm looking for is the opposite of this. Boldy, as a player, taking a leap. Not just production.

I don't watch Ottawa much, but I believe Tkachuk plays with Stutzle quite a bit.

 

[57special]

If the Wild were going to trade Rossi + 13 to the Sens, as much as I'd like Tkachuk to come back, I don't think that would happen. The more realistic piece, IMO, would be Chychrun and I legitimately think Ottawa will move that fella in the next calendar year. The Wild have to be there for that. He would be perfect on our team. I would hate to lose Rossi and not get a Center of some caliber back, but Chychrun would be a great piece. Play him on the second pair with Spurgeon in the short term, but load up a pair with Faber when needed.

Brodin - Faber
Chychrun - Spurgeon
Middleton - Chisholm
Hunt

That's a great playoff-caliber defensive core. Offense will need work, sure, but with Yurov and Ohgren and Heidt and whoever else, I see a path forward. Our defensive group leaves a lot to be desired in the short term, even if any of us have faith that Hunt/Lambos/Spacek/whoever can be long-term 2nd/3rd pairing defenders.

Where's Bogo?

Anyway, Chychrun just isn't that good of a player, and his contract is up after next year. He is a mediocre defender. I sure as hell wouldn't trade #13 + cost controlled Rossi for him. I also don't get how he would make us a better in the playoffs. He has 1 playoff point in his entire NHL career.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

If Boldy’s production takes a leap, it will be because he has to be the complementary piece next to a better player/line driver. That has immense value because he’s really good at it. But I would rather have Tkachuk, whom I view as more of a line driver than Boldy.

People on this board literally shit on Zucc for being propped up by Kaprizov, but don’t apply even 10% of that logic to Boldy when it certainly applies to some extent (not to the extent of Zucc, but still).

I think you should be patient until the Fall. The Boldy I saw finishing the season and into the WC was absolutely a line driver, and significantly more so than Tkachuk. I expect a very big year for Boldy coming up, he took major steps forward and I think he still has more to go too.

 

[AKL]

I don't watch Ottawa much, but I believe Tkachuk plays with Stutzle quite a bit.

He definitely did last year in his breakout year. This year he still played with Stutzle a good bit, but they had more variation in line combinations across their top six. Regardless, Tkachuk isn't really a big time offensive play driver. He's more like a really rich man's Foligno or a bigger and more aggressive Parise if I had to draw a comparison to someone we'd be more familiar with.

Trading Boldy for him would give us some more of those desirable physical qualities, but it doesn't make us a better team. I mean they haven't finished above 6th in their division in the six seasons he's been there. I know hockey is a team sport but he's clearly not some transcendent player that you'd be stupid to pass on. We're not talking about anything close to a Kaprizov level player here, he's just big and he hits a lot, but the offense is pretty complementary.

 

[AKL]

Anyway, Chychrun just isn't that good of a player, and his contract is up after next year. He is a mediocre defender. I sure as hell wouldn't trade #13 + cost controlled Rossi for him. I also don't get how he would make us a better in the playoffs. He has 1 playoff point in his entire NHL career.

I like Chychrun a lot and think he'd be a great fit here. He and Faber would make a great pairing long term (Chychrun only just turned 26 a couple months ago). But yeah, he's not worth 13+Rossi. I really wouldn't expect him to get either of those pieces in a trade this summer, and I think we'd have the pieces to get him without using 13 or Rossi. A protected 2025 1st, prospects like Stramel, Haight, Kumpulainen, Lambos or Peart would be plenty of ammo for a Chychrun trade.

I'd go after it if he'd extend here. He's significantly better than the LD options we have after Brodin, but he is much closer to a #3 than a #1, at least at this point.

 

[BagHead]

If Boldy’s production takes a leap, it will be because he has to be the complementary piece next to a better player/line driver. That has immense value because he’s really good at it. But I would rather have Tkachuk, whom I view as more of a line driver than Boldy.

People on this board literally shit on Zucc for being propped up by Kaprizov, but don’t apply even 10% of that logic to Boldy when it certainly applies to some extent (not to the extent of Zucc, but still).

This doesn't seem fair to most of the posters here. Zuccarello was a liability away from Kaprizov this year, Boldy was not. Boldy is young and improving, Zuccarello is old and declining. Please don't confuse patience as a double-standard. If Boldy stopped developing and began to perform as badly as Zuccarello at 5v5, there would be plenty of complaints about him.

I'm not convinced that Boldy is a line driver, but I'm also not convinced that he isn't. He's developing still, give him a year or two more to see if he can turn that corner.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I think you should be patient until the Fall. The Boldy I saw finishing the season and into the WC was absolutely a line driver, and significantly more so than Tkachuk. I expect a very big year for Boldy coming up, he took major steps forward and I think he still has more to go too.

You're making my point with this. Boldy was arguably the least important guy on his line to end the season. Kaprizov was definitely the line driver for that group. Ek plays a more important position and is just a flat out better two-way player than Boldy.

 

[Sweetnut]

This doesn't seem fair to most of the posters here. Zuccarello was a liability away from Kaprizov this year, Boldy was not. Boldy is young and improving, Zuccarello is old and declining. Please don't confuse patience as a double-standard. If Boldy stopped developing and began to perform as badly as Zuccarello at 5v5, there would be plenty of complaints about him.

I'm not convinced that Boldy is a line driver, but I'm also not convinced that he isn't. He's developing still, give him a year or two more to see if he can turn that corner.

There he is, the voice of reason!

 

[AKL]

You're making my point with this. Boldy was arguably the least important guy on his line to end the season. Kaprizov was definitely the line driver for that group. Ek plays a more important position and is just a flat out better two-way player than Boldy.

Tkachuk would be the least important guy on a line with Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek too, and he definitely wouldn't be the line driver for that group. Boldy drives offense more than Ek does too, which is what the conversation was about before you moved it to "better two-way play" to force the point about Boldy being the least important player there.