Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[SolidSnakeUS]

Very good. He's been generating a lot of chances for himself and his linemates. He's actually carrying the puck on his stick way more often, and successfully too. Looks stronger and faster this year, looks way more confident too.

A lot of us are at the point where we're ready to see him moved up the lineup to play with either Boldy (when he comes back) or Kaprizov. He'd probably score more points on those lines too, as opposed to with Foligno and Gaudreau.

Ahh the Couturier method of growing a player LOL.

Great to hear he's been looking good though.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Do you think any of those three are actually pushing the NHL right now though and wouldn’t all benefit from additional development time? Based on preseason and camp it didn’t look like any of the three were really ready to me.

I don’t like the idea that being in the NHL isn’t development time. Faber still needs to develop skills, but there is zero chance he gets sent down.

Lambos and O’Rourke looked borderline to me Which was surprising because O’Rourke didn’t look ready to me when I watched him in Iowa next year. I don’t remember seeing Hunt.

 

[AKL]

I don’t like the idea that being in the NHL isn’t development time. Faber still needs to develop skills, but there is zero chance he gets sent down.

Lambos and O’Rourke looked borderline to me Which was surprising because O’Rourke didn’t look ready to me when I watched him in Iowa next year. I don’t remember seeing Hunt.

Even if you don't "develop" in the NHL, it's still valuable to see which areas need to improve too. You'd be crazy to think that Rossi's improvement didn't come from playing in the NHL last year and seeing what he needed to get better at compared to NHLers. Had he been in the AHL all season, I doubt he'd be as good as he is now.

And it's not like Merrill is someone you gotta have in the lineup if he's able to go.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Not many will come right out and slander him in the media but there were enough indications that he needed to go and the organization needed to be done with that era. His ability to play 20min a night didn't, apparently, outweigh BG's need to be rid of him.

I feel like people are only looking at the 20 minutes a night thing and not the negative impact he has on others. Have you ever had an entitled coworker that just irritates the shit out of you and you can’t do anything because they could just bypass the manager and go straight to the owner?

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Even if you don't "develop" in the NHL, it's still valuable to see which areas need to improve too. You'd be crazy to think that Rossi's improvement didn't come from playing in the NHL last year and seeing what he needed to get better at compared to NHLers. Had he been in the AHL all season, I doubt he'd be as good as he is now.

And it's not like Merrill is someone you gotta have in the lineup if he's able to go.

Totally agree. Based on last year, I think Hunt is already better than Merrill and Goligoski. But Hunt (and others) should get a feel for what they need to improve. Preseason doesn’t do that because everyone is playing at AHL speed.

 

[thestonedkoala]

I feel like we've gone full circle and we're back in the Lemaire days where veterans get preferred treatment over the young players and rookies.

 

[MuckOG]

The 13 year contracts to Parise and Suter were beyond f***ing stupid. That’s the owner. Remember Russo was hiding in the bushes on Independence Day to get the scoop. What a loser.

Looking back in hind sight, of course. Especially since the NHL retroactively punished us by implementing the dead cap rule for buy outs.

I remember that day clearly, and I don't remember many Wild fans on here ripping the contracts at the time (myself included). In fact, the mood was celebratory.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

I feel like we've gone full circle and we're back in the Lemaire days where veterans get preferred treatment over the young players and rookies.

He says while a rookie leads the teams in ice time.

 

[AKL]

Looking back in hind sight, of course. Especially since the NHL retroactively punished us by implementing the dead cap rule for buy outs.

I remember that day clearly, and I don't remember many Wild fans on here ripping the contracts at the time. In fact, the mood was celebratory.

I think we all knew in the back of our minds though that they would be anchors by years 10 or 11-13 though, but it was something we were willing to deal with because we thought they'd make up for it in years 1-9.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Very good. He's been generating a lot of chances for himself and his linemates. He's actually carrying the puck on his stick way more often, and successfully too. Looks stronger and faster this year, looks way more confident too.

A lot of us are at the point where we're ready to see him moved up the lineup to play with either Boldy (when he comes back) or Kaprizov. He'd probably score more points on those lines too, as opposed to with Foligno and Gaudreau.

This is well said. I'm not ready to say he's turned a "Granlund" like corner in his development, wayyy, too early. But he definitely looks more the part this time around and has been driving play.

 

[Circulartheory]

I never like to wish people ill but...



I keep feeling we have to money ball the roster to get Dean to try new players and lineups. Like I'm hoping Hartman just needed a nap for 1 game so we can try JEE on the top line.

 

[57special]

You usually only bring a guy up if he can pull his weight at the NHL level. There is nuance to the situation, however, as any new player will need time to acclimatize. To me, you give a guy like Hunt(liked his game a lot last year, not so much this year)7-8 games before you judge him, unless he is totally putrid. If, by that time, he shows that he can be at least as good as an aging regular with no upside, then the decision on who to keep, and who to move on, is kind of obvious, no?

Dmen, and Centers usually take longer to acclimatize. Grindy bottom six wingers less so.

I don't get what they tried to do with Walker. They obviously are just throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks, just like they did with Jost, Rask, and Steel, though those guys got all kind of run, even when it was blindingly obvious that there was nothing there.

 

[thestonedkoala]

He says while a rookie leads the teams in ice time.

I mean Minnesota is pretty thin on defense, but Faber had to cut his teeth last year on the bottom pairing. They don't have a lot of guys on the right side other than Addison. But when you sign guys back like Foligno and Hartman and don't think about shaking up the defense even though they are terrible, yeah. I mean what would hurt if they scratched Merrill to let him rest and let Hunt get a game or two? Or move Rossi up and shake up the lines.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

He says while a rookie leads the teams in ice time.

Not only that, Faber is playing over a minute more per game than second place Brodin.

Going down the time on ice list… I’m not really sure who, outside of Rossi, is deserving of more ice time. I know who I think deserves less. But, with Boldy injured and Kap as his best friend, there’s no point in even mentioning it.

 

[AKL]

But, with Boldy injured and Kap as his best friend, there’s no point in even mentioning it.

Yeah I mean, I can't even guess who you're talking about

I don't think it's a situation where a young guy deserves to be top 3 in ice time and he isn't (except the aforementioned Rossi, maybe), but maybe it's a situation where guys like Hunt, Lambos, Spacek and O'Rourke, and maybe even Beckman, should have a chance to show what they can do in the NHL once in a while, but guys like Merrill, Goligoski, Maroon are being prioritized for playing time. Last year, I know Rossi wasn't as good as he is now, but it should have been a situation where he proved that playing alongside Boldy or Kaprizov, not alongside Duhaime and Dewar.

It's not that we need to hand over the reins to all the prospects and say, okay, go out there and play 20-22 minutes a night, it's that it would be nice if we could see them play in favorable situations (top six, PP) over guys like Foligno, Maroon, Goligoski and Merrill, and we rarely get that.

 

[Webster]

Evason today on question about the Kirill and Zucc connection on ice...

"We think they've gotten better and better. Zuccy scored two goals against CBJ, only got credit for one. They're doing a lot of really good things. Can they be better? Sure. Can our whole group be better? Yes. But they're definitely trending in the right direction".

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Evason today on question about the Kirill and Zucc connection on ice...

"We think they've gotten better and better. Zuccy scored two goals against CBJ, only got credit for one. They're doing a lot of really good things. Can they be better? Sure. Can our whole group be better? Yes. But they're definitely trending in the right direction".

Only issue I have with this statement is “they’re doing a lot of really good things.” Should be “they’re doing some good things.”

Then it’s the perfect blend of truthful but meaningless.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Dean-o must not be a fancy stats guy.

 

[AKL]

Dean-o must not be a fancy stats guy.

Yeah I don't know what he is then, because the eye test isn't working for that line either

Maybe he's a "cross your fingers and pray" guy

 

[thestonedkoala]

Not only that, Faber is playing over a minute more per game than second place Brodin.

Going down the time on ice list… I’m not really sure who, outside of Rossi, is deserving of more ice time. I know who I think deserves less. But, with Boldy injured and Kap as his best friend, there’s no point in even mentioning it.

Walker should be up or Beckman, and at this point Lambos or O'Reilly would be better than Goligoski and maybe Spacek would be better than Addison and Merrill or at least Hunt.

Rossi should be elevated.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Walker should be up or Beckman, and at this point Lambos or O'Reilly would be better than Goligoski and maybe Spacek would be better than Addison and Merrill or at least Hunt.

Rossi should be elevated.

Kap-Rossi-Zucc
Boldy-Ek-Johansson
Foligno-Gaudreau-Hartman
Duhaime-Dewar-Maroon

Brodin-Faber
Lambos-Spurgeon
Hunt-Spacek


I think most would be okay seeing 5-10 games of growing pains out of this lineup.

The sad reality is that Lambos/Hunt/O’Rourke/Spacek could all be better than Middleton/Goligoski/Merrill/Addison and we won’t be able to see them due to contracts and waiver eligibility.

 

[AKL]

Kap-Rossi-Zucc
Boldy-Ek-Johansson
Foligno-Gaudreau-Hartman
Duhaime-Dewar-Maroon

Brodin-Faber
Lambos-Spurgeon
Hunt-Spacek


I think most would be okay seeing 5-10 games of growing pains out of this lineup.

The sad reality is that Lambos/Hunt/O’Rourke/Spacek could all be better than Middleton/Goligoski/Merrill/Addison and we won’t be able to see them due to contracts and waiver eligibility.

I would simply make one small change

Brodin-Faber
Lambos-Spacek
Hunt-Spurgeon

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

How often do teams willingly run four rookie defensemen? I can’t imagine it happens very often and those teams likely don’t perform very well.

 

[Circulartheory]

Kap-Rossi-Zucc
Boldy-Ek-Johansson
Foligno-Gaudreau-Hartman
Duhaime-Dewar-Maroon

Brodin-Faber
Lambos-Spurgeon
Hunt-Spacek


I think most would be okay seeing 5-10 games of growing pains out of this lineup.

The sad reality is that Lambos/Hunt/O’Rourke/Spacek could all be better than Middleton/Goligoski/Merrill/Addison and we won’t be able to see them due to contracts and waiver eligibility.

I'm a huge fan of Spacek but I'm yet to willing to throw him into the deep end over Addison. Yes, he has his flaws but I still he contributes well on the #1PP and serviceable on EV as a sheltered #6.

I also disagree with Middleton. I think he's a very solid player and would like him back at his AAV. His best version is as of a Spurgeon partner but by himself, is still a very good #5. And as much as I want Hunt/ROR to develop, I think it would best case scenario that they turn out as good as Middleton.

Now, theres nothing left to be said about Merrill/Goligoski. They aren't helpful on special teams and on even strength, they are a liability. So I would love a slow transition of Hunt and Lambos over them as the season progresses.

Brodin-Faber
Middleton-Spurgeon
Lambos-Hunt (offhand but his niche isn't as a puckmover/shooter either so itll should work out)

Then Spacek should start challenging next year.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I'm a huge fan of Spacek but I'm yet to willing to throw him into the deep end over Addison. Yes, he has his flaws but I still he contributes well on the #1PP and serviceable on EV as a sheltered #6.

I also disagree with Middleton. I think he's a very solid player and would like him back at his AAV. His best version is as of a Spurgeon partner but by himself, is still a very good #5. And as much as I want Hunt/ROR to develop, I think it would best case scenario that they turn out as good as Middleton.

Now, theres nothing left to be said about Merrill/Goligoski. They aren't helpful on special teams and on even strength, they are a liability. So I would love a slow transition of Hunt and Lambos over them as the season progresses.

Brodin-Faber
Middleton-Spurgeon
Lambos-Hunt (offhand but his niche isn't as a puckmover/shooter either so itll should work out)

Then Spacek should start challenging next year.

I’ve been aboard the Spacek hype train for some time now. I wouldn’t have any problem Faber-ing him by having him play 3rd pairing to start right away and then see where he’s at. Don’t really see that as the deep end and he might run with the chance. It might make Addison try harder too. There’s something to be said about competition, right?

I have not been a huge Middleton fan since he arrived. I view him as the type of guy you can trade a 3rd and a meh prospect for every TDL. He’s the Patrick Maroon of the defense.