Minnesota Wild General Discussion 2024-25

Would much rather the Jets than Vegas.

The Wild lack of size and physicality stick out in a big way against Vegas often. In the playoffs where the rules change, they cannot get to the front of the net or on the forecheck against a defensive corps with that size and ability where interference doesn’t exist.

The Jets defenders who will be playing doesn’t pose that large of a matchup issue. Yes, they may well get done in by Hellebuyck by himself and the Jets are overall deeper/better than Vegas but we have seen this team struggle with size long enough to know how it’s going to go against a team like Vegas.

Team is firmly an underdog in either matchup.
Our most competitive playoff series in recent years was against the Knights. Obviously lot of change in 4 years, but I’m not afraid of the Knights.

We’ve lost 7 in a row to the Jets, they are not who we want to play. Not that we’ve been much better against the Knights, but we haven’t been healthy in any of the matchups against them this season.
 
Would much rather the Jets than Vegas.

The Wild lack of size and physicality stick out in a big way against Vegas often. In the playoffs where the rules change, they cannot get to the front of the net or on the forecheck against a defensive corps with that size and ability where interference doesn’t exist.

The Jets defenders who will be playing doesn’t pose that large of a matchup issue. Yes, they may well get done in by Hellebuyck by himself and the Jets are overall deeper/better than Vegas but we have seen this team struggle with size long enough to know how it’s going to go against a team like Vegas.

Team is firmly an underdog in either matchup.
The Jets' powerplay would destroy us. I'm not saying Vegas wouldn't run over our PK either, but......our special teams is gonna have a tough time either way.
 
The Jets' powerplay would destroy us. I'm not saying Vegas wouldn't run over our PK either, but......our special teams is gonna have a tough time either way.
Problem is if they put the whistles away and let the teams get physical I think we might not be able to hang with teams like the jets and knights. We have a half team of players who are made of glass. Conversely if the refs call penalties and try to control the game we are totally outclassed on special teams by almost anyone. This team isn’t built for playoff hockey both in lack of resilient injury resistant talent and ability to find another gear. Just no hope at all against the top 7 teams in the west
 
Our most competitive playoff series in recent years was against the Knights. Obviously lot of change in 4 years, but I’m not afraid of the Knights.

We’ve lost 7 in a row to the Jets, they are not who we want to play. Not that we’ve been much better against the Knights, but we haven’t been healthy in any of the matchups against them this season.
Vegas has as good of a blue line that there is in this league and average the size of the Wild’s biggest forwards. Everyone that is not JEE, Foligno, and Trenin have not proven they can consistently get to the net in the playoffs. I will assume Brazeau will if he plays. Which other forward do you feel good about outmuscling and outworking one of those Vegas defenders to get to scoring areas? We’ve seen a lot of the current members struggle there in the playoffs and the ones who haven’t had the chance, it’s hard to say with certainty they have the ability to do so. And I’m including Kaprizov and Boldy in the struggle category.

That’s ignoring that Eichel is about as good of a player as there is in this league on both ends at this point and the best player between these three teams. And of course the elephant in the room that Spurgeon and Brodin have yet to show they can hold up in the playoffs.

I think a Jets series is more open, higher scoring. The Jets have an elite PP, shut down line, and goaltender. All of which this Wild team will struggle with. But I think they can score against the Jets. Will be a matter of if they can score enough. I think the Knights completely shut the Wild down because they will struggle to get to scoring areas and puck retrievals.

My opinions of course.
 
Vegas has as good of a blue line that there is in this league and average the size of the Wild’s biggest forwards. Everyone that is not JEE, Foligno, and Trenin have not proven they can consistently get to the net in the playoffs. I will assume Brazeau will if he plays. Which other forward do you feel good about outmuscling and outworking one of those Vegas defenders to get to scoring areas? We’ve seen a lot of the current members struggle there in the playoffs and the ones who haven’t had the chance, it’s hard to say with certainty they have the ability to do so. And I’m including Kaprizov and Boldy in the struggle category.

That’s ignoring that Eichel is about as good of a player as there is in this league on both ends at this point and the best player between these three teams. And of course the elephant in the room that Spurgeon and Brodin have yet to show they can hold up in the playoffs.

I think a Jets series is more open, higher scoring. The Jets have an elite PP, shut down line, and goaltender. All of which this Wild team will struggle with. But I think they can score against the Jets. Will be a matter of if they can score enough. I think the Knights completely shut the Wild down because they will struggle to get to scoring areas and puck retrievals.

My opinions of course.
I’d rather take my chances dumping pucks on net with Hill there than hoping one sneaks through Helle
 
Not to be negative, but as soon as playoff games start, regardless of roster over the years, this team just can't score. There is some weird mental block they get. They've clearly had scoring issues this year. And I absolutely agree with whoever said it, size wise they're definitely not built for the playoffs. Couple that with gawd awful PP & PK, I guess I don't see a reason this won't be another a quick first round exit against Vegas. Or anyone else for that matter
 
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Not to be negative, but as soon as playoff games start, regardless or roster over the years, this team just can't score. There is some weird mental block they get. They've clearly had scoring issues this year. And I absolutely agree with whoever said it, size wise they're definitely not built for the playoffs. Couple that with gawd awful PP & PK, I guess I don't see a reason this won't be another a quick first round exit against Vegas. Or anyone else for that matter

Yeah there have been several times in the past when we should be a competitive team in the first round and a switch flips and they just lose. Years where our defense and goaltending was lockdown and then game 1 comes and they're swiss cheese. Scoring too like you said. This team is at the "believe it when I see it" stage of success in the playoffs. No matter how good they are in the regular season, I'm gonna need to see it in the playoffs before I get my hopes up.
 
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Not to be negative, but as soon as playoff games start, regardless or roster over the years, this team just can't score. There is some weird mental block they get. They've clearly had scoring issues this year. And I absolutely agree with whoever said it, size wise they're definitely not built for the playoffs. Couple that with gawd awful PP & PK, I guess I don't see a reason this won't be another a quick first round exit against Vegas. Or anyone else for that matter
Skepticism is definitely warranted but I am ok with being hurt again if it means we get to see some playoff hockey.

I think this group is a bit better than the last few playoff teams. Or at least has the potential to be. We need to rediscover our defensive prowess to have a chance
 
Let’s not forget that Gus was on a heater , steals us game 1 against Dallas and then the decision gets made to go to Fluery and the whole good vibes and momentum are crushed with the game 2 loss. That was self inflicted and when you have such a mentally fragile group with a monkey the size of Jupiter on their back you can’t do that.

We absolutely could have and should have won that series.
 
Skepticism is definitely warranted but I am ok with being hurt again if it means we get to see some playoff hockey.

I think this group is a bit better than the last few playoff teams. Or at least has the potential to be. We need to rediscover our defensive prowess to have a chance
At the very least, make a damn series out of it for once, eh? They're mildly ahead of where I expected them to finish to be honest. But, the whole lay down and die with a whimper and zero fight in the first round is just played out now. I hate having to take moral victories. That said, with the buyouts and the injuries this year, it's hard not to take one here. If they fart out and win 1 game or get swept though, they need to fire some of the old guard into the sun. Preferably BG as well, but I don't see that happening...yet.
 
Skepticism is definitely warranted but I am ok with being hurt again if it means we get to see some playoff hockey.

I think this group is a bit better than the last few playoff teams. Or at least has the potential to be. We need to rediscover our defensive prowess to have a chance
Agree with the bolded. Not sure about the last paragraph, but it seems like we might be healthier than in previous years when at least one of Brodin, Suter, or Spurgeon was injured, and one of our forwards playing hurt.
 
We are probably going to need some of that defensive prowess to not get beaten badly, that or gus bus playing out of his mind. Aren't we winless against Vegas and Peg this year.
 
Getting Middleteeth back and at least "mostly" healthy would be a good deal. Big body, heavier game. He's at least more playoff geared.

Not having to play Merrill or....yeah, mostly Merrill, would be a bit of a nice boost.
 
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the playoffs , I love playoff hockey and no matter how bad you know your team is there’s still hope until there isn’t. Tits will be jacked
 
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the playoffs , I love playoff hockey and no matter how bad you know your team is there’s still hope until there isn’t. Tits will be jacked

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I don’t have much of a problem with Merrill this year.

Bogosian on the other hand has largely been terrible all season.

Just hoping for Buium to come in and force their hand tomorrow. Feel like he will not be playing the first playoff game at least. Likely further as well.
 
I don’t have much of a problem with Merrill this year.

Bogosian on the other hand has largely been terrible all season.

Just hoping for Buium to come in and force their hand tomorrow. Feel like he will not be playing the first playoff game at least. Likely further as well.
How can you not play him if he comes in and looks electric? If Middleton is back then we can afford to lose whatever grit Bogo or Merril brings.
 

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