Speculation: Trade and Free Agency Talk - 2022-23 Edition - Postseason Success can't be a Myth!

[Wabit]

I'm not saying don't give him a chance if in the NHL he shows he deserves that chance, just do the right thing, play him on the 3rd pair, work him up as his play earns it.

I see the 3rd pair as setting Addison up for failure. It's the heaviest d-zone start pair and plays with 4th line a lot. It's playing to none of his strengths and all of his weaknesses as a player.

Setting him up for success would be giving him the Spurgeon treatment. Heavy o-zone starts. limited ToI, playing with the top scoring lines.

Putting Addison with Brodin splits the difference with the FWDs and zone starts. It's just too much ToI of my liking.

 

[TaLoN]

I see the 3rd pair as setting Addison up for failure. It's the heaviest d-zone start pair and plays with 4th line a lot. It's playing to none of his strengths and all of his weaknesses as a player.

Setting him up for success would be giving him the Spurgeon treatment. Heavy o-zone starts. limited ToI, playing with the top scoring lines.

Putting Addison with Brodin splits the difference with the FWDs and zone starts. It's just too much ToI of my liking.

I would be more ok on the Spurgeon sheltered pair of that's how it worked out in the end, but we don't know if that's how things will work out on an Addison 3rd pair.

This year's usage was based on this year's roster. If the team feels he needs sheltering defensively, and they want him on the 3rd pair, their usage would likely change.

 

[Wabit]

I would be more ok on the Spurgeon sheltered pair of that's how it worked out in the end, but we don't know if that's how things will work out on an Addison 3rd pair.

This year's usage was based on this year's roster. If the team feels he needs sheltering defensively, and they want him on the 3rd pair, their usage would likely change.

The d-corps is already set to be the same as last year. Even if they trade Kulikov they'll just re-sign Benn to be the pressbox d-man for cheap. Addison is stuck in the AHL (I think he's stagnating there).

I think Addison is the d-man most likely to be traded. He just doesn't have a future in MN with Spurgeon, Dumba, and this coaching staff all together.

 

[TaLoN]

The d-corps is already set to be the same as last year. Even if they trade Kulikov they'll just re-sign Benn to be the pressbox d-man for cheap. Addison is stuck in the AHL (I think he's stagnating there).

I think Addison is the d-man most likely to be traded. He just doesn't have a future in MN with Spurgeon, Dumba, and this coaching staff all together.

Didn't Guerin actually say that Addison may be important moving forward? I'm guessing he gets a real shot at a roster spot.

 

[Spurgeon]

An improvement of Goli/Spurgeon, but I'd still take a Brodin pair. His speed. skating, and positioning are the best in the Wild d-corps. Plus he's had to carry lesser d-men since he was moved off the the Suter pairing.

I don't know if Spurgeon can handle top pair duties anymore. He's been playing less and less 5v5 time for the last 3 seasons (below 15 mins this season). Can he add an extra 3 or 4 mins a night of 5v5 time and stay healthy at 33 years old?

Wow, I thought Spurge was still 29/30. That contract could definitely hurt in a few years.

I do think Spurgeon’s usage has been a bit odd. I don’t know if it’s the lack of a good #4 defenseman, but we really need to be leaning on him more at 5v5.

 

[Wabit]

Wow, I thought Spurge was still 29/30. That contract could definitely hurt in a few years.

I do think Spurgeon’s usage has been a bit odd. I don’t know if it’s the lack of a good #4 defenseman, but we really need to be leaning on him more at 5v5.

I can see some minute management in the regular season. 82 games is a lot and they had a very compact schedule.

The usage not changing for the Playoffs when 3rd pair was getting it's arse handed to them is what really bothers me. The Merrill pairing should not have been on the ice more than Spurgeon pairing.

 

[Spurgeon]

I can see some minute management in the regular season. 82 games is a lot and they had a very compact schedule.

The usage not changing for the Playoffs when 3rd pair was getting it's arse handed to them is what really bothers me. The Merrill pairing should not have been on the ice more than Spurgeon pairing.

I didn’t actually look into this before. How in the f*** did Spurgeon only get 12.5 minutes of 5v5 while Merrill got 14?

Merrill looked terrible this series and it makes a lot more sense why it was so noticeable. He was on the ice way too much.

 

[TaLoN]

I can see some minute management in the regular season. 82 games is a lot and they had a very compact schedule.

The usage not changing for the Playoffs when 3rd pair was getting it's arse handed to them is what really bothers me. The Merrill pairing should not have been on the ice more than Spurgeon pairing.

You know what I've said about Evason...

 

[Bazeek]

The Addison thing is weird because he seems well suited as a powerplay QB that plays third-pairing next to someone like Merrill or Goligoski. It does make the blueline less physically imposing, but these next few years would be a good time to shelve that concern. I have modest expectations for him, but there's upside there.

And then we go and sign like twelve bottom-pairing defensemen.

 

[57special]

I didn’t actually look into this before. How in the f*** did Spurgeon only get 12.5 minutes of 5v5 while Merrill got 14?

Merrill looked terrible this series and it makes a lot more sense why it was so noticeable. He was on the ice way too much.

Maybe because there were a lot of penalties, and Spurgeon gets a lot of PP TOI?

 

[AKL]

At the risk of getting anyones hopes up, because I still don't see it happening, Friedman thinks NJ is still open to trading their 1st in the right deal. Obviously take it with a grain of salt.

@TaLoN this might fit better in the Trade thread, feel free to move it if you agree.

 

[TaLoN]

At the risk of getting anyones hopes up, because I still don't see it happening, Friedman thinks NJ is still open to trading their 1st in the right deal. Obviously take it with a grain of salt.

@TaLoN this might fit better in the Trade thread, feel free to move it if you agree.

Done

 

[Wabit]

At the risk of getting anyones hopes up, because I still don't see it happening, Friedman thinks NJ is still open to trading their 1st in the right deal. Obviously take it with a grain of salt.

@TaLoN this might fit better in the Trade thread, feel free to move it if you agree.

That "right deal" could be something like Fiala + Wallstedt.

 

[AKL]

That "right deal" could be something like Fiala + Wallstedt.

Yep, it totally could be. I wouldn't guess that that would be their final offer, but it could be. In which case we'd be right to say no.

 

[AKL]

Fiala
MIN 2022 1st
Addison/Beckman

for

NJ 2022 1st
Gritsyuk

Who says no to this?

 

[Sad People]

Fiala
MIN 2022 1st
Addison/Beckman

for

NJ 2022 1st
Gritsyuk

Who says no to this?

Would you do it? I dont know much about prospects and such to be able to have an opinion

 

[AKL]

Would you do it? I dont know much about prospects and such to be able to have an opinion

I think I would. If I were to break it down it would look like this

Fiala + 23 for 2
- I didn't look at any kind of pick value charts to do the math here, it just feels okay in terms of value. Fiala for 2 straight up is skewed too much in our favor, and while I think adding 23 alone potentially skews it a little more towards NJ, I think it's an acceptable amount for us to still make, considering Fiala is gone anyway, and we should be getting a very good prospect out of it. That, and...

Beckman/Addison for Gritsyuk
- This is probably where I lose a lot of Wild fans, especially if it's Beckman instead of Addison. But I think this works for both teams.

-Gritsyuk is very much a boom or bust kind of guy, but he just had something of a coming out season in the KHL at 21. He had 16 goals 28 points in 39 regular season games, with 6 goals and 10 points in 13 playoff games. He's got a ton of skill, and he's pretty good at battling along the boards and going to the front of the net, so he's not just a perimeter player. He has speed, he has a shot, he has vision/playmaking ability. I won't say he'll be as good as Kaprizov, but he has the potential to be as good as Fiala, I believe. We've also got Kaprizov who just kind of made the same transition from a young KHL star to an NHL star, and I think that could really help convince Gritsyuk to hop the pond as soon as next season and make him feel comfortable when he gets here. Show him the ropes, take him places, all that stuff.

-Meanwhile, New Jersey gets more of a "sure thing". Beckman and Addison are both relatively near NHL ready, and provide either a replacement for Gritsyuk in Beckman, or a chance to bolster their D in Addison. New Jersey might not care about Addison because they have Hamilton locked up long term, and Severson has two years left, but they'll probably want to re-sign him. But if they can't work out something with Severson, at least they'd have Addison right there. (I would also be willing to put Peart in this spot, if NJ prefers to get an LD)

So NJ gets Fiala to drop back ~21 spots in the draft, and they swap more of a project/long shot prospect (albeit with higher upside) for a prospect that's closer to home (AHL/NHL ready), and won't be as hard to lock down.

 

[Sad People]

Gut reaction for me is I would rather lose Addison and not Beckman but thats just because It seems like were iffy on Addison with they way we used him this year or the lack thereof

 

[keppel146]

Fiala
MIN 2022 1st
Addison/Beckman

for

NJ 2022 1st
Gritsyuk

Who says no to this?

Make it a 2nd and I’d do it. Might be overpayment if it’s Addison and not Beckman. If Addison, that’s close to three 1sts for a question mark.

 

[HotDish]

Fiala
MIN 2022 1st
Addison/Beckman

for

NJ 2022 1st
Gritsyuk

Who says no to this?

I'm willing to bite, What is the prognosis on Gritsyuk?

 

[AKL]

I'm willing to bite, What is the prognosis on Gritsyuk?

A lot of websites have him at about 5'10, 170. The KHL website lists him as about 5'11.5, 185, but he's not afraid of the dirty areas. Isn't a grinder by any means, but recognizes where he needs to go. Good in board battles too. Very good speed and shot. More of a project, longer term boom or bust guy, though he just turned 21, so he may not actually be that long term as a 2019 draftee.

For comparison sake, in their 20 year old seasons:
Gristyuk: 16 goals, 28 points in 39 games, 6 goals, 10 points in 13 playoff games
Kaprizov: 15 goals, 40 points in 46 games; 2 goals, 10 points in 19 playoff games

Could be a top of the lineup player if things go well for him. One thing a lot of Russian "busts" have in common is their propensity to stay on the perimeter (not play an "NA style" game). Gristyuk doesn't have that. That said, his defense game is still a work in progress as you could probably guess. But he really has a lot of great tools in his game to be an all around top six offensive winger, it's just a matter of him putting it together when he gets here.

 

[IAHockey25]

Would you folks do McCleod and Holtz for Fiala and Talbot and/or would New Jersey doing it?

Don't come at me and tell me how stupid I am if I am way off, just give me your pros and cons

Wild really need to get better at Face-off and PK. I think this trade gives them major help in those areas of need while hoping Holtz develops into a top 6 RW for the future. I think they can take care of the PP internally with the guys they have.

 

[keppel146]

Would you folks do McCleod and Holtz for Fiala and Talbot and/or would New Jersey doing it?

Don't come at me and tell me how stupid I am if I am way off, just give me your pros and cons

Wild really need to get better at Face-off and PK. I think this trade gives them major help in those areas of need while hoping Holtz develops into a top 6 RW for the future. I think they can take care of the PP internally with the guys they have.

McLeod doesn’t do much for me.

 

[Mnsportsfan22]

Would you folks do McCleod and Holtz for Fiala and Talbot and/or would New Jersey doing it?

Don't come at me and tell me how stupid I am if I am way off, just give me your pros and cons

Wild really need to get better at Face-off and PK. I think this trade gives them major help in those areas of need while hoping Holtz develops into a top 6 RW for the future. I think they can take care of the PP internally with the guys they have.

I would 100 percent do that.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

If McLeod is actually good at PKing then sure, he could could probably be worked in. Still seems a bit light on New Jersey's side though. Talbot should still have some value.