Minnesota Wild General Discussion XI

[Bazeek]

As the years go on, I wonder how hesitant the Leafs are in selling someone. It’s clear they need defense badly, and it’s clear they’re not going to get what they need with what they’re offering. Their offense would still be fine, and surely Dubas is feeling some heat from above.

I don’t think Nylander is necessarily off limits this summer. A first round exit this year (which is looking likely) might force them to change something up.

That's fair and a lot will probably come down how they do in the playoffs. I still have a hard time squaring a potential deal in my head, but I can say the same for more than half the trades that actually happen in any given season.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

First of all, this expansion draft protection is something management was of course fully aware of when they signed him, it's part of the plan.

I agree that Zuccarello should shoot more, and he has a very good shot. But he has a tendency to make things more complicated than they have to be, because of his desire to help his linemates score. No doubt.

But I would disagree if you say he doesn't fit. Right now he has a mentor role for Galchenyuk, who's playing better and better. Gally could turn into a decent center.

Zuccarello himself has taken a more passive role on the ice because of his injury, playing 12-13 mins a game. This is in agreement with the coaching- and medical staff. He's saving himself for the playoffs (if they make it). Zuccarello has a great playoff history, and he was on fire last year for the Stars.

Did he tell you this or is it speculation?

 

[Bazeek]

First of all, this expansion draft protection is something management was of course fully aware of when they signed him, it's part of the plan.

I agree that Zuccarello should shoot more, and he has a very good shot. But he has a tendency to make things more complicated than they have to be, because of his desire to help his linemates score. No doubt.

But I would disagree if you say he doesn't fit. Right now he has a mentor role for Galchenyuk, who's playing better and better. Gally could turn into a decent center.

Zuccarello himself has taken a more passive role on the ice because of his injury, playing 12-13 mins a game. This is in agreement with the coaching- and medical staff. He's saving himself for the playoffs (if they make it). Zuccarello has a great playoff history, and he was on fire last year for the Stars.

You don't think firing "management" about a month later affected the plan?

I don't think Zuccarello's nearly as big a problem as some here seem to, but he hasn't been good lately. I don't understand the need to constantly juggle these excuses while accomplishing nothing but turning the entire board against him.

 

[TaLoN]

Zuccarello himself has taken a more passive role on the ice because of his injury, playing 12-13 mins a game. This is in agreement with the coaching- and medical staff. He's saving himself for the playoffs (if they make it). Zuccarello has a great playoff history, and he was on fire last year for the Stars.

This is only because of his poor play. There is nothing about an "agreement" from the medical staff. If he's cleared to play, he will get the ice time he earns.

Zach was playing more than 11mins/night when he was forced to eat lunch while lying down due to a bad back.

No, he isn't on some "agreement" to play less... he's just playing terrible and thus has earned his way to a lesser role to fit his lower capabilities vs those ahead of him in the lineup.

 

[Webster]

You don't think firing "management" about a month later affected the plan?

No, because Leipold himself played a major role in the Zuccarello signing.

I don't think Zuccarello's nearly as big a problem as some here seem to, but he hasn't been good lately. I don't understand the need to constantly juggle these excuses while accomplishing nothing but turning the entire board against him.

Yeah, good thing he's strong mentally, not affected by social media. Liked when he told Norwegian media that he couldn't care less about Russo, who btw would probably have a problem if he's looking for an interview.

 

[TaLoN]

No, because Leipold himself played a major role in the Zuccarello signing.



Yeah, good thing he's strong mentally, not affected by social media. Liked when he told Norwegian media that he couldn't care less about Russo, who btw would probably have a problem if he's looking for an interview.

Leipold helps the recruiting process on any free agent his GM wants to sign. He's all in on trying to win and if his GM says that signing someone is a good idea, he will do what he can to help that GM accomplish the goal. He does NOT choose the players he wants to bring in, he lets the people he hires make those decisions.

 

[Bazeek]

No, because Leipold himself played a major role in the Zuccarello signing.

Yeah, good thing he's strong mentally, not affected by social media. Liked when he told Norwegian media that he couldn't care less about Russo, who btw would probably have a problem if he's looking for an interview.

Craig Leipold is not running this team. I'm sure he has influence on franchise-altering moves, but since last summer all reports are that he's given Guerin carte blanche to move ahead as he sees fit. Whatever plans were in place last July are no longer relevant.

Russo has his biases but the idea that he's been singling out Zuccarello is bizarre. Pointing out that he's 32 and struggling to find his place on the team while in the first year of a long-term, high AAV deal that'll complicate the expansion draft isn't exactly controversial. It's a fact.

 

[StateofCelly]

Yeah, good thing he's strong mentally, not affected by social media. Liked when he told Norwegian media that he couldn't care less about Russo, who btw would probably have a problem if he's looking for an interview.

This is like if anyone in any professional league ever is getting criticized nationally, and then going back to his home town paper to write a story. One is going to be more critical, and one is going to be more supportive of their hero. Its no surprise that the Norwegian media would be more supportive, as they should. But I don't think Russo is going to lose sleep over if Zuccs grants him an interview, that alone is an indictment of his leadership. If he can't handle criticism, how is he supposed to support others that surely will have the same?

 

[NHL1674]

I'd say that's not Guerin's plan at all...

Just give Zuccarello a chance. He's in need of some repairs, nothing serious, but it obviously bothers him.

Was he in need of repairs at the start of the season? From Game 1?

 

[Wild11MN]

Zuccarello will almost certainly be better next year. It would be hard not to be, honestly.
Fiala will be better over the course of a full season.
Ek, Kunin, Greenway, Donato - at least two continue some sort of ascent to more than "depth" player.
Sign a competent goalie in FA that at least gives you average stats.
Somehow find at least a 2C.
Kaprizov comes over and lights the world on fire.

What could go wrong? Nothing. We're winning the ****ing Cup next year.

 

[Wild11MN]

The Jets won and the Canucks are up 1. Decent chance of being out of a playoff spot by the end of the night.

 

[IskoBoy86]

Zuccarello himself has taken a more passive role on the ice because of his injury, playing 12-13 mins a game. This is in agreement with the coaching- and medical staff. He's saving himself for the playoffs (if they make it). Zuccarello has a great playoff history, and he was on fire last year for the Stars.

why do you claim to know what Zuccarello thinks or means?

 

[SupremeNachos]

why do you claim to know what Zuccarello thinks or means?

He is secretly Zuccarello.

 

[TaLoN]

He is secretly Zuccarello.

Then he should really stop posting during games.

 

[TaLoN]

 

[Bazeek]

We have veered well beyond discussion of the Minnesota Wild here. Drop the social media/Twitter sidebar.

 

[TaLoN]

 

[Nsjohnson]

The Wild are in an interesting spot this year. I won't repeat all that has been repeated about the team not being a contender, and the West being really weak, etc. ....but if the Wild can find a way into the PO's honestly things are nuts.

Look at Colorado. Look at their injured player list.

Mackinnon
Makar
Rantanen
Kadri
Grubauer
Burakovsky
Calvert
Wilson

Now, some or all will be back for the PO's but they may not be totally healthy even if they return.

I know we've said it for years, but if the Wild stay healthy...and somehow one of our goaltenders gets hot, watch out.

 

[57special]

We need to stay healthy, Fiala needs to keep hot, Dumba needs to come alive, and Parise and Staal have to bring it for us to have even a sliver of a chance...oh, and a goalie.

 

[AKL]

The Wild are in an interesting spot this year. I won't repeat all that has been repeated about the team not being a contender, and the West being really weak, etc. ....but if the Wild can find a way into the PO's honestly things are nuts.

Look at Colorado. Look at their injured player list.

Mackinnon
Makar
Rantanen
Kadri
Grubauer
Burakovsky
Calvert
Wilson

Now, some or all will be back for the PO's but they may not be totally healthy even if they return.

I know we've said it for years, but if the Wild stay healthy...and somehow one of our goaltenders gets hot, watch out.

I feel like we say this every year, but every year the cream rises to the top. We are not the cream.

 

[Nsjohnson]

I feel like we say this every year, but every year the cream rises to the top. We are not the cream.

I don't disagree.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

NBA season suspended. Is NHL next?

 

[SupremeNachos]

Have the Wild said anything about tomorrow nights game?

 

[TheSauceBoss]

NBA season suspended. Is NHL next?

I'd have to imagine the NHL season will be suspended by Friday at the latest. It will be interesting to see what MLB does as its non-contact.

 

[Wild11MN]