Minnesota Wild General Discussion 2024-25

[DANOZ28]

I don’t think it’s outrageous for the Wild to be a playoff team this year

is it possible, sure but unlikely due to other teams improving and we stayed the coarse. now for us to make the playoffs we'd have to stay healthy , kaprizov would have to have a career year & boldy 2. goaltenders will have to stand on their heads and the young guys like ohgren & khus need to score 15G each. then i could see it happen but odds are against everything going right. cheers

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I don’t think it’s outrageous for the Wild to be a playoff team this year

Same, as long as we're relatively healthy and get at least league average goaltending. But still think that's a bubble playoff team scenario.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

is it possible, sure but unlikely due to other teams improving and we stayed the coarse. now for us to make the playoffs we'd have to stay healthy , kaprizov would have to have a career year & boldy 2. goaltenders will have to stand on their heads and the young guys like ohgren & khus need to score 15G each. then i could see it happen but odds are against everything going right. cheers

The biggest factor IMO is if we get one goaltender to be top 15 in the league with a majority of the starts. If we are lower scoring, tighten up the defense!

 

[f7ben]

I just don’t see how this is a playoff team with one coherent scoring line. Zucc in the top 6 and being relied on to be anything other than a passenger destroys the team.

It almost has to be

Kap Hartman Zucc
Rossi Ek Boldy

I just don’t see any way that Kap Ek Bolds line stays together and leaves us any option at all for a second line

 

[AKL]

Kap Hartman Zucc
Rossi Ek Boldy

I just don’t see any way that Kap Ek Bolds line stays together and leaves us any option at all for a second line

Mostly agree, but would instead do

Kap-Ek-Zuccarello
Boldy-Rossi-Hartman

In an ideal world we have another top six winger who can push Zuccarello down the lineup, but not sure we're there yet this season

 

[Webster]

I just don’t see how this is a playoff team with one coherent scoring line. Zucc in the top 6 and being relied on to be anything other than a passenger destroys the team.

Don't you think it's a little silly to call Zuccarello a passenger when he led the team in assists last season, and was close to a ppg player?

After 5 years it looks like some fans still don't understand his role as a playmaker. 12 goals last season isn't optimal though, but he said he'll get it fixed next season.

Btw, Norway is playing Olympic Qualifiers these days, Zucc has 4 assists in the first two games...

 

[f7ben]

Don't you think it's a little silly to call Zuccarello a passenger when he led the team in assists last season, and was close to a ppg player?

After 5 years it looks like some fans still don't understand his role as a playmaker. 12 goals last season isn't optimal though, but he said he'll get it fixed next season.

Btw, Norway is playing Olympic Qualifiers these days, Zucc has 4 assists in the first two games...

He is cooked and is a powerplay specialist now. Nothing more. He’s an absolute possession black hole when on the ice 5v5

 

[Sweetnut]

Mostly agree, but would instead do

Kap-Ek-Zuccarello
Boldy-Rossi-Hartman

In an ideal world we have another top six winger who can push Zuccarello down the lineup, but not sure we're there yet this season

I'd like to see him on the third line, getting limited TOI. He could mentor Öhgren and feed him with some pucks and play on the PP.

 

[AKL]

Btw, Norway is playing Olympic Qualifiers these days, Zucc has 4 assists in the first two games...

Hmm, 2/4 assists on the PP against Great Britain and Japan

Really off to a torrid start, definitely proving those doubters wrong, showing the whole world he's more than just a washed up PP specialist when he does stuff like that.

 

[Minnewildsota]

Don't you think it's a little silly to call Zuccarello a passenger when he led the team in assists last season, and was close to a ppg player?

After 5 years it looks like some fans still don't understand his role as a playmaker. 12 goals last season isn't optimal though, but he said he'll get it fixed next season.

Btw, Norway is playing Olympic Qualifiers these days, Zucc has 4 assists in the first two games...

No. Most of that came on the powerplay.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Johansson in the top 6 last year was a substantially bigger problem than Zuccarello. I’m comfortable with giving Zucc another crack with Kap or on the second line. Just need to find something that works.

 

[f7ben]

Johansson in the top 6 last year was a substantially bigger problem than Zuccarello. I’m comfortable with giving Zucc another crack with Kap or on the second line. Just need to find something that works.

Idk , Johansson can at least make a zone entry. He’s fast enough not to absolutely destroy the pace of play. Those are very tepid endorsements as he was really awful but I can’t say he was worse than Zucc 5v5

 

[57special]

Zucc is good at playing with Kaprizov. Not everyone can play with great players. He is smart, and an asset on the PP. At 4M, I'll take him, especially considering the lack of skill we have up front otherwise, at least till Rossi, Ohgren, and ? develop.

Having said all that, I think Boldy should be playing with Kap, and Zucc has to prove that he can make a 2nd line work playing with Rossi, and Ohgren/Hartman/?. So far, he and Rossi don't seem to have a lot of chemistry, but they are both smart players, and might be able to figure it out. If Ohgren is able to find his shot in the league then he might be the answer, but i think this year will be more of a developmental one.

Zucc is definitely on the back 9(more like final two holes) of his career, but so far, he has been a net positive for the team except for that awful first year when he was playing with an injured wrist. It's not like we have a tone of options available for the top 6, as is.

 

[Webster]

If Zucc scores another 60-70 points next season, and it certainly wouldn't surprise me, at 4M yeah that's a pretty good deal for the Wild...

 

[f7ben]

If Zucc scores another 60-70 points next season, and it certainly wouldn't surprise me, at 4M yeah that's a pretty good deal for the Wild...

If it mostly comes on the PP and it’s mostly Zuccandary assists and he’s a complete black hole at 5v5 then it’s debatable. I’d have preferred to move on

 

[DigitalBoldy]

If it mostly comes on the PP and it’s mostly Zuccandary assists and he’s a complete black hole at 5v5 then it’s debatable. I’d have preferred to move on

I think, even if it is mostly on the power play, he can still be worth the contract. I don't see a better alternative for the power play at this time. Maybe Rossi in a year or two. Yurov might be more likely now that I think about it.

Zucc was tied for 5th (w/ Hartman) in 5v5 points on the team last year with 28. Of those points, 22 were assists and 14 were primary assists.

Zucc was always going to look bad with his other winger as Johansson. He's a playmaker that needs a shooter. Johansson hasn't scored 20+ goals in a season since 2016-17.

 

[AKL]

I would try this top six this season

Kaprizov-Rossi-Boldy
Zuccarello-Ek-Hartman

or this

Boldy-Rossi-Hartman
Kaprizov-Ek-Zuccarello

 

[f7ben]

I think, even if it is mostly on the power play, he can still be worth the contract. I don't see a better alternative for the power play at this time. Maybe Rossi in a year or two. Yurov might be more likely now that I think about it.

Zucc was tied for 5th (w/ Hartman) in 5v5 points on the team last year with 28. Of those points, 22 were assists and 14 were primary assists.

Zucc was always going to look bad with his other winger as Johansson. He's a playmaker that needs a shooter. Johansson hasn't scored 20+ goals in a season since 2016-17.

I like Zucc , I think he was a great hockey player. He is slow and injury prone and eating up a top 6 spot that he doesn’t deserve currently. I like him on the PP , other than that I’d like to see him getting 5 minutes per night between the 3rd and 4th lines.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I like Zucc , I think he was a great hockey player. He is slow and injury prone and eating up a top 6 spot that he doesn’t deserve currently. I like him on the PP , other than that I’d like to see him getting 5 minutes per night between the 3rd and 4th lines.

Who would you have taking his spot in the top 6? I don't think we can count on Ohgren or Khusnutdinov to replace him just yet. Not sure Heidt is ready for that offensive role and he most likely only gets 9 games. Johansson is worse than Zucc. Foligno could be interesting as I see him as a stylistic fit with Rossi, but he's not a top 6 level player.

I don't see Zucc as stylistic fit for the 4th line either. I'm assuming they are going for a big bodied grinder approach.

Kaprizov-Ek-XXXX
XXXX-Rossi-XXXX
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-XXXX
Foligno-Gaudreau-Trenin
Lauko

Players to place in the lineup: Boldy, Zucc, Hartman, Johansson, and Heidt/other rookie (if they make the team)

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

Start a new route next week. Was told that quite a few professional athletes live on this route, one of them being Spurgeon. Any tips you want me to share with him?

 

[Webster]

Who would you have taking his spot in the top 6? I don't think we can count on Ohgren or Khusnutdinov to replace him just yet. Not sure Heidt is ready for that offensive role and he most likely only gets 9 games. Johansson is worse than Zucc. Foligno could be interesting as I see him as a stylistic fit with Rossi, but he's not a top 6 level player.

I don't see Zucc as stylistic fit for the 4th line either. I'm assuming they are going for a big bodied grinder approach.

Kaprizov-Ek-XXXX
XXXX-Rossi-XXXX
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-XXXX
Foligno-Gaudreau-Trenin
Lauko

Players to place in the lineup: Boldy, Zucc, Hartman, Johansson, and Heidt/other rookie (if they make the team)

I don't understand why you even bother.

We all know that Zucc is still a solid top 6 forward and playmaker + his experience and leadership. No way Hynes will change anything there. And I'm pretty sure Zucc is Kaprizov's first choice as his linemate. But training camp will decide the lines.

What you should discuss is who will take that 6th spot, even Guerin said they're in need of a better player there. Still possible to sign a suitable guy, available UFA's will become cheaper as the season gets closer. But who's still out there? Guerin's other option is to put Johansson back on the 2nd line, maybe he wants to give him another chance since he had such a great tournament at the Worlds, where he became the best Swedish player.

 

[Sota Popinski]

Neal: Wild wanted Patrik Laine, but Laine did not want the Wild

The 3-2 Pitch: With the Wild’s season fast approaching, Neal also tackled the difficult AL Central, the putrid Gophers run defense and a bold prediction for the Lynx and Twins.

www.startribune.com

 

[f7ben]

Who would you have taking his spot in the top 6? I don't think we can count on Ohgren or Khusnutdinov to replace him just yet. Not sure Heidt is ready for that offensive role and he most likely only gets 9 games. Johansson is worse than Zucc. Foligno could be interesting as I see him as a stylistic fit with Rossi, but he's not a top 6 level player.

I don't see Zucc as stylistic fit for the 4th line either. I'm assuming they are going for a big bodied grinder approach.

Kaprizov-Ek-XXXX
XXXX-Rossi-XXXX
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-XXXX
Foligno-Gaudreau-Trenin
Lauko

Players to place in the lineup: Boldy, Zucc, Hartman, Johansson, and Heidt/other rookie (if they make the team)

I wouldn’t have signed Zucc or Johansson. Neither of them are top 6 players. I would liked to have spent that 6 million on someone capable of actually filling a top 6 role.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

I don't understand why you even bother.

We all know that Zucc is still a solid top 6 forward and playmaker + his experience and leadership. No way Hynes will change anything there. And I'm pretty sure Zucc is Kaprizov's first choice as his linemate. But training camp will decide the lines.

What you should discuss is who will take that 6th spot, even Guerin said they're in need of a better player there. Still possible to sign a suitable guy, available UFA's will become cheaper as the season gets closer. But who's still out there? Guerin's other option is to put Johansson back on the 2nd line, maybe he wants to give him another chance since he had such a great tournament at the Worlds, where he became the best Swedish player.

I imagine the 6 will be some combination of Kap, Ek, Boldy, Rossi, Zucc, and Hartman. If they put Johansson over Hartman or Ohgren I’m going to lose my mind. He’s way too soft. Maybe they can get contract year Johansson on the 3rd line to work.

 

[Webster]

I imagine the 6 will be some combination of Kap, Ek, Boldy, Rossi, Zucc, and Hartman. If they put Johansson over Hartman or Ohgren I’m going to lose my mind. He’s way too soft. Maybe they can get contract year Johansson on the 3rd line to work.

Agreed, they need a more physical guy on the 2nd line.