Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[Sweetnut]

I think this is a bit over the top lol. Mcdavid? Matthews? Makar?

I'm not impressed with the first two, just my personal preference. Makar is great, but Ek's contract must be among the best in the league.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I think this is a bit over the top lol. Mcdavid? Matthews? Makar?

Just a bit?

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

I know it won't happen but if I slammed Byram, Peterka and 11th overall 2024 on the table for Eriksson-Ek would that be enough for a "I need to think about it"?

Not at all to me. Without degrading your guys, I will just say that I do not think they would adequately fill the needs for this roster.

 

[57special]

I know it won't happen but if I slammed Byram, Peterka and 11th overall 2024 on the table for Eriksson-Ek would that be enough for a "I need to think about it"?

I would be tempted, but would then say no. JEE might be MN's most valuable(not best) player. IMO, he should be the Captain. He does everything for the team, and w/o his size and physicality the MN top 6 would become teensy and very soft. Also has a killer, long term contract. Also;

Byram- high draft pick, but has been disappointing, and there are enough health concerns to be worried about him going forward. Also another average sized dman, who runs the risk of a concussion if he plays physically.

Peterka- nice player, but average sized, and not physical, LHS wing.

11th - nice. A Catton, or Yakemchuk would be great...I think?


This would be a very nice deal if MN was going to rebuild, but i think that they are just going to tread water this year, then be all in in 25-26, with cash to spend on FA's, and some young prospects/players just starting go. Losing their best C, on a team that doesn't isn't stocked there, makes no sense. I mean, BUF has Cozens(JEE in training), and Thompson. Seems kind of greedy to want JEE, too.

Russo's podcast from last night said to expect a July 1st extension for Middleton at 4 years and 4-4.3 million dollars per year. He didn't seem to think a NTC/NMC was involved but who knows.

Also said he expects the Faber extension to start with a 9.

And, lastly, thinks the Wild are very open to trading down at the draft.

Interesting.

 

[BagHead]

I know it won't happen but if I slammed Byram, Peterka and 11th overall 2024 on the table for Eriksson-Ek would that be enough for a "I need to think about it"?

I think it's interesting, at least. I really like Peterka but, while I think Byram's a really good hockey player, I also don't trust him to actually play. I'd really need to know what's available at 11th before I made any sort of decision. If someone I'm VERY interested in is available there, I'd probably consider it.

JEE is on an amazing contract and is, in my opinion, the 2nd best center the Wild have ever had behind Koivu. He's tough to surrender as a result, but I think your proposal is at least interesting.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Russo talked about potentially bringing in a guy like Tarasenko on a 1 year deal.

 

[Sweetnut]

Another year of Merrill is more than I can handle. Can you see a way to get rid of him?

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Another year of Merrill is more than I can handle. Can you see a way to get rid of him?

Would need a Free Agent D to push him down past 7th D, he can be buried in the AHL with our cap space currently, but they would need a reason to do it. Options we can afford are limited, but there are a couple tolerable ones, they would all be multiyear deals though and not leave much room for a forward signing. I would imagine a move like this would only be done if Chisholm is not in the long term plans.

Erik Gustafsson, Brett Pesce, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers are guys that potentially fall in the $3.5-$5MM AAV range depending on term and how much convincing can be done. These are guys capable of filling in the top 4 but likely transitioning into strong bottom pair defenders, and each has a modicum of playoff success.

There are some other D options, but I imagine size is still a concern on the back-end, pending the draft. If you do a move like this, we are pretty much stuck with a reclamation project winger if you want more offensive help, like Victor Olofsson on a 1 year deal to prove he is an NHLer.

 

[Wabit]

Russo's podcast from last night said to expect a July 1st extension for Middleton at 4 years and 4-4.3 million dollars per year. He didn't seem to think a NTC/NMC was involved but who knows.

Also said he expects the Faber extension to start with a 9.

And, lastly, thinks the Wild are very open to trading down at the draft.

That Middleton contract projection makes Merrill's contract look like a steal.

Faber seems about right.

Not surprising to me. I wanted to trade down when they did the all teams draft poll when I saw the choices.

 

[Wabit]

Would need a Free Agent D to push him down past 7th D, he can be buried in the AHL with our cap space currently, but they would need a reason to do it. Options we can afford are limited, but there are a couple tolerable ones, they would all be multiyear deals though and not leave much room for a forward signing. I would imagine a move like this would only be done if Middleton is not in the long term plans though, likely Chisholm too.

Erik Gustafsson, Brett Pesce, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers are guys that potentially fall in the $3.5-$5MM AAV range depending on term and how much convincing can be done. These are guys capable of filling in the top 4 but likely transitioning into strong bottom pair defenders, and each has a modicum of playoff success.

There are some other D options, but I imagine size is still a concern on the back-end, pending the draft. If you do a move like this, we are pretty much stuck with a reclamation project winger if you want more offensive help, like Victor Olofsson on a 1 year deal to prove he is an NHLer.

One of the kids steps up and then it's a choice between Merrill and Chisholm on who goes threw waivers. That's only if everyone is healthy and they only carry 1 pressbox d-man.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

One of the kids steps up and then it's a choice between Merrill and Chisholm on who goes threw waivers. That's only if everyone is healthy and they only carry 1 pressbox d-man.

Yeah, if you want to see him down there all year though, you need to account for that injury.

 

[Sweetnut]

Would need a Free Agent D to push him down past 7th D, he can be buried in the AHL with our cap space currently, but they would need a reason to do it. Options we can afford are limited, but there are a couple tolerable ones, they would all be multiyear deals though and not leave much room for a forward signing. I would imagine a move like this would only be done if Chisholm is not in the long term plans.

Erik Gustafsson, Brett Pesce, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers are guys that potentially fall in the $3.5-$5MM AAV range depending on term and how much convincing can be done. These are guys capable of filling in the top 4 but likely transitioning into strong bottom pair defenders, and each has a modicum of playoff success.

There are some other D options, but I imagine size is still a concern on the back-end, pending the draft. If you do a move like this, we are pretty much stuck with a reclamation project winger if you want more offensive help, like Victor Olofsson on a 1 year deal to prove he is an NHLer.

I got thrashed by Wabit for suggesting that.
Thank you for the breakdown on Merrill, looks like I'll just have to live with it then.

 

[saywut]

4x4 would be good for Middleton, the further it strays from 4 either way(term/AAV) the less I like it. He can play with anyone who can skate/handle the puck and is a tough SOB. Similar to Hartman in the forward group.

 

[north21]

One of the kids steps up and then it's a choice between Merrill and Chisholm on who goes threw waivers. That's only if everyone is healthy and they only carry 1 pressbox d-man.

Would be nice to see Hunt force his way into the lineup.

Or at least displace merril as the 6/7.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I’m not gonna lie, it’s really irritating to try and find spots in the lineup for Johansson and Zucc on CF armchair GM. Especially Zucc if he’s not on the top line with Kaprizov. I think I found a nice balanced lineup if we sign Perron and Stenlund in free agency and trade a mid round pick for Perbix

Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-Boldy
Zuccarello-Rossi-Hartman
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-Perron
Foligno-Stenlund-Gaudreau
Johansson (swapped in for Ohgren if he is not ready)

Brodin-Faber
Middleton-Spurgeon
Chisholm-Perbix
Bogosian

Gus
MAF
(Wallstedt up for random games throughout the year)

 

[Webster]

Problem, at least last season, was that no linemate could finish or even handle Zucc's feeds except Kaprizov. So that's why Guerin said he wants to fix that by trying to sign a top 6 forward with some experience and a good shot.

 

[kfan22]

Russo talked about potentially bringing in a guy like Tarasenko on a 1 year deal.

Id be ok with that, I dont see Tarasenko taking a 1 yr deal anywhere though

 

[Luceni]

Problem, at least last season, was that no linemate could finish or even handle Zucc's feeds except Kaprizov. So that's why Guerin said he wants to fix that by trying to sign a top 6 forward with some experience and a good shot.

Well, the turnovers by Zucc led to great scoring chances for our opponents, especially 5 vs 5. If thats your understanding of "feeding"....

Lets be honest, most of zuccs points are PP points. At this point of his carreer, i would limit his minutes at 5 vs 5 drastically but double shift him on the PP.

He should be seen as what he is right now: A true PP-specialist which is a valueable asset for the team. But he is too slow, weak and too lazy for todays NHL game at even strength. I Just can't understand why you want Zucc in a top 6 role at ES, when he's clearly the weak link there. Just watch the games of last season, it's obvious IMO.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Problem, at least last season, was that no linemate could finish or even handle Zucc's feeds except Kaprizov. So that's why Guerin said he wants to fix that by trying to sign a top 6 forward with some experience and a good shot.

Blaming teammates is bad leadership.

 

[Sweetnut]

That's the sign of a true playmaker - making plays that no one can finish.

 

[AKL]

Are the plays he made last year in the room with us right now or

 

[Digitalbooya]

Saw someone post a CF armchair earlier that had a Laine-Rossi-Zucc combination. That would be fairly solid offensive combo. Zero confidence in the defensive zone though.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Saw someone post a CF armchair earlier that had a Laine-Rossi-Zucc combination. That would be fairly solid offensive combo. Zero confidence in the defensive zone though.

Until Laine is injured again for thirty games

 

[Digitalbooya]

Is anybody else concerned that we are going to hire Capuano, the defense coach formerly with the senators? Ottawa hasn't exactly been a pillar of spectacular defense

 

[Wabit]

Is anybody else concerned that we are going to hire Capuano, the defense coach formerly with the senators? Ottawa hasn't exactly been a pillar of spectacular defense

Assistant coaches (except the goalie coach) don't phase me much. I mean Darby was here for years and nobody on here was sure what his job really was, other than be DE's punching bag during games.

The head coach is the one that sets the team systems. The players abilities also dictate the type of defense that is played. Meaning Brodin and Spurgeon aren't going to turn into wrecking balls that are hitting the other team into the 3rd row no matter who the coach is.