Not seeing the dominant team I think many of us hoped for and expected. Still early enough to turn things around but the danger light is flashing.
Do you think they will make the playoffs?
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Not seeing the dominant team I think many of us hoped for and expected. Still early enough to turn things around but the danger light is flashing.
Do you think they will make the playoffs?
I agree with the lack of dominance. With the all of the off season buzz due to the Parise and Suter signings, I was expecting much more. I'm confidant though that the team will right the ship soon enough and make a run.
The Wild have 8 players currently on the roster that weren't here last year, had a 1 week training camp and played zero exhibition games. They were more likely than not to struggle out of the gate until the coaching staff can see how the pieces all fit together and who plays best with who.
Still, the lack of offensive production is a bit stunning at this point. Worrisome to say the least.
Hey, if they can pull out another road win tonight, that'll be two in a row. Progress!
Damn has this team really turned it around. They are fun as hell to watch. Seeing Brodziak-Clutterbuck-Heatley as a third line is fantastic. Recent years they would've been our top line and they're playing complementary roles.
And Croyle and Brodin are here to stay, real good players.
I'd be a bit weary to get fully invested in this team quite yet. They are playing well above their own level right now. You'd like to see the leading goal scorer on the team with more than 14 goals. If Backstrom gets hurt, this team will probably implode.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLeviathan
Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin have been unbelievably good. Calder and ROY in my opinion.
Zach Parise has been the player that Minnesota media tried to tout Miko Koivu as the past few years.
As much as I love watching the Wild, I absolutely hate Pierre Marc Bouchard, Miko Koivu, and Dany Heatley. Bouchard has come along considerably over the last month, but if he didn't have a 4.5 million dollar contract, he probably wouldn't be on the Wild at this point. Two months ago, he was probably the worst non-fighter/enforcer player in the NHL. Heatley, does he even try anymore at this point? He is so unbelievably good with the puck, if the guy would just skate. So frustrating. It's unjust, but I hate Miko because of Minnesota fans and his ridiculous contract. He's been solid centering Parise and Coyle.
I'm pretty worried about Granlund. He's pretty slow. He can move the puck very well, but he is just flat footed at this point.
Without Kessler, and as long as Backstrom stays healthy, the Wild should be the #3 seed.
I worry about Granlund as well, but you realize 14 goals is right there in the of the league right? That seems like picking nits to me. This team is really playing well - physically and with skill. They play like a playoff team in terms of their grit and intensity. I'm pretty optimistic.
Yeah I know. The pessimism in me is waiting for them to go cold on scoring.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLeviathan
Fantastic trade today for Pominville, our first line is now on par with the top teams in the league.
Sucks giving up two solid prospects, but Backstrom still prob has another year or two in him.
Larson is the bigger loss, but wow did we give up a lot. I'm not sure I like it and I've always been a HUGE Pominville guy. Fun to have him at least!
Pominville is a poor man's Parise. He's like a Brian Rolston. Exactly what the team needs. I thought the trade was great, until I learned about the picks that were traded too. It's a ton, but the Wild could afford to give that as well. They have blue chip prospects at every position and a solid core, and presumably lots more cap space after they amnesty Heatley and shed Bouchard this summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLeviathan
They supposedly offered more for Ryan Clowe, but he declined to go out east. Clowe would have been nice too, but for how much more? Sheesh.
I'd be surprised if we paid him what he will want though.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave
Not the best run since the Pominville pickup... hopefully they can get back on track soon :)
Just an observation watching tonight - but I really dig the way Torey Mitchell plays. He's been severely underrated as a pickup this year.
Go Pens!!!