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

[Digitalbooya]

Very rarely, he comes out on the 2nd unit which doesn't see a lot of ice time. Stat watchers might hesitate to say he is ready but all you have to do is watch him. Been to a handful of Gopher games this year and when you can watch his isolated game, it's there. Very cerebral player, and similar in aspect to an NFL cornerback where the fact that you're not hearing his name called left and right is the exact reason he is having an impact.

This is where I’m at too. Didn’t really notice him when Wisconsin played them and usually that’s a good thing for a defensive defenseman. Earlier in the year I watched a game or two and he seemed noticeable in transition to offense.

 

[MNRube]

20 pts in 30 games as a college junior (even as a defenseman) doesn't exactly say "ready for the show" to me. He's not even the top scoring D on his team

He plays like Brodin. More offense than that, but that’s a really poor way to judge what we does. He will be a big time player

 

[StateofCelly]

This is where I’m at too. Didn’t really notice him when Wisconsin played them and usually that’s a good thing for a defensive defenseman. Earlier in the year I watched a game or two and he seemed noticeable in transition to offense.

He still is very good at moving the puck, springs a lot of forwards on breakout passes kind of like vintage Suter. I bet statistically he will have more points in the NHL than he does in college just because of the way he plays his game. I know that sounds preposterous but just think it will translate really well, and I do happen to think he will QB the 2nd PP at some point next season just because of his hockey sense. He is also very good short-handed and plays a more physical game than I ever realized. I am a huge Fiala stan, have been his whole career mostly because of the Swiss bloodlines, but I am still very excited to see Faber with the Wild, and think he will bring adequate value... even if we aren't seeing the return currently.

 

[Digitalbooya]

What does a “go for it” deadline look like for you guys? Here’s my guess:

4th for Holl
2nd+prospect for Kane

Kap-Hartman-Zucc
Boldy-Eriksson Ek-Kane
Greenway-Gaudreau-Foligno
Shaw-Dewar-Duhaime

Middleton-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Merrill-Holl

Gus

 

[Sota Popinski]

He plays like Brodin. More offense than that, but that’s a really poor way to judge what we does. He will be a big time player

I only saw him in the St. Cloud series, so I'll defer to other people who have watched him more than I have.

 

[Digitalbooya]

He still is very good at moving the puck, springs a lot of forwards on breakout passes kind of like vintage Suter. I bet statistically he will have more points in the NHL than he does in college just because of the way he plays his game. I know that sounds preposterous but just think it will translate really well, and I do happen to think he will QB the 2nd PP at some point next season just because of his hockey sense. He is also very good short-handed and plays a more physical game than I ever realized. I am a huge Fiala stan, have been his whole career mostly because of the Swiss bloodlines, but I am still very excited to see Faber with the Wild, and think he will bring adequate value... even if we aren't seeing the return currently.

I almost wonder if he is an instant upgrade on Dumba. I know that being a top 4 NHL defender is a big deal, but a lot of the time Brodin is covering for Dumba. One person called him “playing both positions at the same time” as the description.

I’m excited for him. I’m excited for Ohgren too. I think he has 25+ goal scoring potential.

 

[57special]

I’ll be the one dissenting voice. If you aren’t sticking out and scoring in college, then you won’t be ready for the NHL in any meaningful way. When I watch, he looks good, but not great, as a college player. Medium size and strength….he is not bullying people out there. Skating is vg, but not excellent. Most say that his judgement is fantastic, but I’ve seen him make mistakes…he does not look like Brodin out there. Nowhere near the footwork or imagination with his skating. Brodin already had a year or two in the NHL at the same age, didn’t he?

 

[Digitalbooya]

32 Thoughts: A trade deadline check-in on each NHL team

In this week's thoughts, Elliotte Friedman shares the latest he's hearing about each NHL team nine days before the trade deadline.

www.sportsnet.ca

14. Minnesota Wild: The Wild have a few things swirling around. Adding term is almost impossible, and they won’t do it unless we’re talking a game-changer of a player. Matt Dumba and Jordan Greenway are out there, and GM Bill Guerin is very aggressive. When they were hot early in the season, I thought for sure Guerin would go hard after the best offensive player he could find. Now I’m not so certain, unless Patrick Kane picks them. You know who could make sense here? Someone like Conor Sheary.

 

[57special]

32 Thoughts: A trade deadline check-in on each NHL team

In this week's thoughts, Elliotte Friedman shares the latest he's hearing about each NHL team nine days before the trade deadline.

www.sportsnet.ca

Sherry? Barf

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I’ll be the one dissenting voice. If you aren’t sticking out and scoring in college, then you won’t be ready for the NHL in any meaningful way. When I watch, he looks good, but not great, as a college player. Medium size and strength….he is not bullying people out there. Skating is vg, but not excellent. Most say that his judgement is fantastic, but I’ve seen him make mistakes…he does not look like Brodin out there. Nowhere near the footwork or imagination with his skating. Brodin already had a year or two in the NHL at the same age, didn’t he?

All his scoring numbers tell us is that he’s not going to be Makar.

I’ll take Faber over LaCombe 100 times out of 100.

 

[MNRube]

I’ll be the one dissenting voice. If you aren’t sticking out and scoring in college, then you won’t be ready for the NHL in any meaningful way. When I watch, he looks good, but not great, as a college player. Medium size and strength….he is not bullying people out there. Skating is vg, but not excellent. Most say that his judgement is fantastic, but I’ve seen him make mistakes…he does not look like Brodin out there. Nowhere near the footwork or imagination with his skating. Brodin already had a year or two in the NHL at the same age, didn’t he?

Motzko has said he’s their best player and I’ve always felt that he was a classic 2nd pairing guy going back to before we acquired him. He wins most his battles, gets the pick up ice and is a huge part of their PK.

LaCombe happens to be a Hobey Baker candidate as an offensive dman so naturally he is going to eat up the PP time. Faber is a workhorse and a quick processor who was made for the pro game. He excelled at the Olympics with men and dominated at the WJC against his peers. His game works at every level and offers a level of reliability at 2RD we won’t get from Dumba or Addison.

I think he has the highest floor of any prospect we have. We have missed that reliable depth since we lost Soucy

 

[StateofCelly]

I’ll be the one dissenting voice. If you aren’t sticking out and scoring in college, then you won’t be ready for the NHL in any meaningful way. When I watch, he looks good, but not great, as a college player. Medium size and strength….he is not bullying people out there. Skating is vg, but not excellent. Most say that his judgement is fantastic, but I’ve seen him make mistakes…he does not look like Brodin out there. Nowhere near the footwork or imagination with his skating. Brodin already had a year or two in the NHL at the same age, didn’t he?

I don't think lack of scoring as a defenseman in college translates to readiness at the next level. If we are talking forward production I can see it,. If you put him in Iowa he's an instant upgrade in reliability from who we have down there.. maybe not statistical production, I know you watch a ton of Iowa games as do I. He does read the game at a high level that I believe is next level.. sure he makes mistakes, and of course he will make plenty more when he gets a taste of the NHL.

That is what is so hard about the Addison handling IMO.. young defensemen especially are going to be prone to these things, yet Addison being paired with John Merrill who apparently has a dire allergy to the press box hasn't exactly helped build the confidence he needs. When Faber joins the Wild I see him opposite of Brodin, or potentially Merrill.. so it will be interesting to see how it all transitions.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Sherry? Barf

Can’t be too high of a cost to acquire.

 

[57special]

Motzko has said he’s their best player and I’ve always felt that he was a classic 2nd pairing guy going back to before we acquired him. He wins most his battles, gets the pick up ice and is a huge part of their PK.

LaCombe happens to be a Hobey Baker candidate as an offensive dman so naturally he is going to eat up the PP time. Faber is a workhorse and a quick processor who was made for the pro game. He excelled at the Olympics with men and dominated at the WJC against his peers. His game works at every level and offers a level of reliability at 2RD we won’t get from Dumba or Addison.

I think he has the highest floor of any prospect we have. We have missed that reliable depth since we lost Soucy

The Olympics was an event filled by non NHL’ers…hardly the cream of the crop. He was ok, but hardly excelled.

I am not saying that he won’t be good at some point in the NHL, but I see nothing so far to suggest he will be able to step into a top 4 role. Many college players have a hard time adjusting to the AHL, never mind a top4 spot in the NHL.

I like Soucy, but it took him many years before he became an effective bottompairing NHL’er. Not the best comparison.

Oh, and relying on a guy’s coach for an honest appraisal of his game is absurd. Do you really think that he is going to do anything but shower him with praise, in public?

Can’t be too high of a cost to acquire.

Which tells you something.

 

[57special]

I don't think lack of scoring as a defenseman in college translates to readiness at the next level. If we are talking forward production I can see it,. If you put him in Iowa he's an instant upgrade in reliability from who we have down there.. maybe not statistical production, I know you watch a ton of Iowa games as do I. He does read the game at a high level that I believe is next level.. sure he makes mistakes, and of course he will make plenty more when he gets a taste of the NHL.

That is what is so hard about the Addison handling IMO.. young defensemen especially are going to be prone to these things, yet Addison being paired with John Merrill who apparently has a dire allergy to the press box hasn't exactly helped build the confidence he needs. When Faber joins the Wild I see him opposite of Brodin, or potentially Merrill.. so it will be interesting to see how it all transitions.

I can see ROR AND Faber being a shutdown second pairing on the Wild,in a few years. What is insane about Dean’s treatment of Addison is that he is the only true offensive D prospect(( Lambos? Masters?) we have, and he is being lambasted in public for his mistakes, while the pluses he brings are being totally ignored. The guy is a perfect fit as a 3rd pairing, PP Dman, and we have no one else coming up that is.

I ant to think that Guerin has something up his sleeve, and is merely playing Dumba and Goli so that he has a better chance of moving them at the TDL, but fear that they are merely browbeating a young player, like they did with Fiala. Must be too quiet “in the room”….doesn’t play enough practical jokes, or go “Whoooo!” enough.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Which tells you something.

Sheary has almost as many points as Foligno, Greenway, Duhaime and Reaves combined.

 

[57special]

Sheary has almost as many points as Foligno, Greenway, Duhaime and Reaves combined.

You’re damning him with faint praise.

PIT connection, too?

Sherry has a small cap hit, and an expiring contract. I would think that other playoff teams who have far less cap space would be more interested, and offer more. We are able to go after a big, expiring contract…. though I sure hope we don’t, if it costs us a lot in assets.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I can see ROR AND Faber being a shutdown second pairing on the Wild,in a few years. What is insane about Dean’s treatment of Addison is that he is the only true offensive D prospect(( Lambos? Masters?) we have, and he is being lambasted in public for his mistakes, while the pluses he brings are being totally ignored. The guy is a perfect fit as a 3rd pairing, PP Dman, and we have no one else coming up that is.

I ant to think that Guerin has something up his sleeve, and is merely playing Dumba and Goli so that he has a better chance of moving them at the TDL, but fear that they are merely browbeating a young player, like they did with Fiala. Must be too quiet “in the room”….doesn’t play enough practical jokes, or go “Whoooo!” enough.

I mean, anybody with eyes can see that Addison isn't playing well defensively. I think they might be more frustrated that Addison appears to be content with where he's at, or at least the perception of being content.

 

[roon]

The Olympics was an event filled by non NHL’ers…hardly the cream of the crop. He was ok, but hardly excelled.

I am not saying that he won’t be good at some point in the NHL, but I see nothing so far to suggest he will be able to step into a top 4 role. Many college players have a hard time adjusting to the AHL, never mind a top4 spot in the NHL.

I like Soucy, but it took him many years before he became an effective bottompairing NHL’er. Not the best comparison.

Oh, and relying on a guy’s coach for an honest appraisal of his game is absurd. Do you really think that he is going to do anything but shower him with praise, in public?

Yea - I much prefer the opinions of fans that fancy themselves scouts after watching some hockey and listening to play by play guys for a few years.

 

[MNRube]

The Olympics was an event filled by non NHL’ers…hardly the cream of the crop. He was ok, but hardly excelled.

I can see ROR AND Faber being a shutdown second pairing on the Wild,in a few years. What is insane about Dean’s treatment of Addison is that he is the only true offensive D prospect(( Lambos? Masters?) we have, and he is being lambasted in public for his mistakes, while the pluses he brings are being totally ignored. The guy is a perfect fit as a 3rd pairing, PP Dman, and we have no one else coming up that is.

I ant to think that Guerin has something up his sleeve, and is merely playing Dumba and Goli so that he has a better chance of moving them at the TDL, but fear that they are merely browbeating a young player, like they did with Fiala. Must be too quiet “in the room”….doesn’t play enough practical jokes, or go “Whoooo!” enough.

Do you really want to go to battle with him and Spurgeon on the right side? Throw in Brodin and that is a Top 4 that gets manhandled and is one injury away from high lottery status.

You can scream from the heavens that grit and chemistry don’t matter but it’s still a physical sport and Addison’s skillset isn’t nearly as rare as you think. Shit, the Blues alone have 3 OFD they are trying to move for actual defenders in Faulk, Krug & Perunovich.

You don’t overpay 3rd pairing D, especially when the prospect pool is loaded with guys knocking on the door. When you consider that Addison is tiny like Spurgeon it becomes even more glaring he isn’t a fit longterm unless he will be content as a 3RD on a team friendly deal.

 

[roon]

Do you really want to go to battle with him and Spurgeon on the right side? Throw in Brodin and that is a Top 4 that gets manhandled and is one injury away from high lottery status.

You can scream from the heavens that grit and chemistry don’t matter but it’s still a physical sport and Addison’s skillset isn’t nearly as rare as you think. Shit, the Blues alone have 3 OFD they are trying to move for actual defenders in Faulk, Krug & Perunovich.

You don’t overpay 3rd pairing D, especially when the prospect pool is loaded with guys knocking on the door. When you consider that Addison is tiny like Spurgeon it becomes even more glaring he isn’t a fit longterm unless he will be content as a 3RD on a team friendly deal.

Agreed - Addison, Dumba and Greenway all need to get moved at the deadline. Their production or lack there of can be replaced by trades/prospects.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I'll keep the lazy comparison going as long as it fits, but McDonagh had 18 points in 43 games in his 3rd college year.

Do you really want to go to battle with him and Spurgeon on the right side? Throw in Brodin and that is a Top 4 that gets manhandled and is one injury away from high lottery status.

You can scream from the heavens that grit and chemistry don’t matter but it’s still a physical sport and Addison’s skillset isn’t nearly as rare as you think. Shit, the Blues alone have 3 OFD they are trying to move for actual defenders in Faulk, Krug & Perunovich.

You don’t overpay 3rd pairing D, especially when the prospect pool is loaded with guys knocking on the door. When you consider that Addison is tiny like Spurgeon it becomes even more glaring he isn’t a fit longterm unless he will be content as a 3RD on a team friendly deal.

You don't need to think long-term with Addison yet. You need to see what he's like 2 years from now.

 

[Digitalbooya]

You’re damning him with faint praise.

PIT connection, too?

Sherry has a small cap hit, and an expiring contract. I would think that other playoff teams who have far less cap space would be more interested, and offer more. We are able to go after a big, expiring contract…. though I sure hope we don’t, if it costs us a lot in assets.

If he costs a 3rd or less to acquire I don’t see the big deal. If some other team outbids us, that’s fine. At least we can say we tried to improve the scoring depth.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

I’m fine making changes at the deadline in hopes of winning some rounds in a weak western conference, though I’m skeptical it would work. However, I’ll play along. Let’s start with some ground rules. Our first is off the table. Kane is not getting moved without a first going the other way. End of story. The Ghost of ROR just got moved for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

The defense is great. Gus is great. We need secondary scoring. Priority 1 has to be to get Fiala.. ummm I mean Boldy… someone to play with. Addison for Beertuzzi? Sure. I’d hope Beetuzzi is a guy that we’d consider resigning if we can get a good deal and he fits well. Greenway needs to be moved for a better player. I’m game for Kapanen, though I haven’t watched him in a while. I’d keep dumba. The d core is good and you’re not going to get much for him. If you want sheary that’s fine but I think he’s more of a 4th line guy. Let’s toss a 3rd and the 4th we just got for him.

Here’s what I’m ok with. Add minor prospects and picks where you need to get it done.

Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Boldy-Gaudreau-Bertuzzi/Kapanen
Foligno-Ek-Bertuzzi/Kapanen
Sheary-Dewar-Dihaime
Reaves

Middleton-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Goose-Merril
Faber

Gus Bus

 

[Minnewildsota]

I’m fine making changes at the deadline in hopes of winning some rounds in a weak western conference, though I’m skeptical it would work. However, I’ll play along. Let’s start with some ground rules. Our first is off the table. Kane is not getting moved without a first going the other way. End of story. The Ghost of ROR just got moved for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

The defense is great. Gus is great. We need secondary scoring. Priority 1 has to be to get Fiala someone to play with. Addison for Beertuzzi? Sure. I’d hope Beetuzzi is a guy that we’d consider resigning if we can get a good deal and he fits well. Greenway needs to be moved for a better player. I’m game for Kapanen, though I haven’t watched him in a while. I’d keep dumba. The d core is good and you’re not going to get much for him. If you want sheary that’s fine but I think he’s more of a 4th line guy. Let’s toss a 3rd and the 4th we just got for him.

Here’s what I’m ok with. Add minor prospects and picks where you need to get it done.

Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Boldy-Gaudreau-Bertuzzi/Kapanen
Foligno-Ek-Bertuzzi/Kapanen
Sheary-Dewar-Dihaime
Reaves

Middleton-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Goose-Merril
Faber

Gus Bus

Huh? Do you mean Boldy?