Minnesota Wild Thread

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

I'll get a chance to see the Wild live in person tomorrow night, looking forward to it. 

Wild-Jets games are the absolute best. I have high hopes for this rivalry. The fans are definitely into it. 

 

Only trouble is, they've never been good at the same time. Once that happens, watch out!

[Pardon My Dinger]

Coyle is looking like a stud. Yet another brilliant maneuver from Boudreau. How can you not love what this guy is doing?

[twinsnorth49]

Yeah, that whole PDO thing and the Wild........they were really good at it again last night. .950 sv% and 12.5 sh%.

 

My kingdom for a goaltender!!

[Pardon My Dinger]

Quite a game tonight. Hawks 4 - Wild 3. We might as well get used to seeing that.

[gil4]

 

Quite a game tonight. Hawks 4 - Wild 3. We might as well get used to seeing that.

I missed it - I was all set to flip between the basketball game vs Iowa and the hockey game, but the basketball game was too good and I forgot to flip back.  (Got the W in 2OT.)

[Mike Sixel]

I don't care, but I hope for all of you that do, that they win it all this year. Would be nice for a lot of my friends....

[Vanimal46]

There's a good article in the Star Tribune this morning highlighting the hottest line in the NHL: Koivu, Granlund, and Zucker. 

Since they were placed on the same line together 3 months ago, they've combined for 43 goals, 67 assists, 110 total points, and a combined +84 in 39 games. 

[TheLeviathan]

KGZ? Had a nice ring and fun political potential...

[DaveW]

Yeah, that line has been amazing, and could be a key line for this team for the next few years.

 

[DaveW]

Trade deadline coming up:

Wild linked to Brian Boyle, I would like the move as it gives them a veteran center who can anchor the 3rd or 4th line if need be. Shouldn't cost much more than a 4th rounder or so.

With that said, there are a lot of nice players on the block as well, if Fletcher was ever going to pull the trigger on a young stud fwd, maybe now is the time? Especially since the young D men seem to be stepping up?

[TheLeviathan]

 

Trade deadline coming up:

Wild linked to Brian Boyle, I would like the move as it gives them a veteran center who can anchor the 3rd or 4th line if need be. Shouldn't cost much more than a 4th rounder or so.

With that said, there are a lot of nice players on the block as well, if Fletcher was ever going to pull the trigger on a young stud fwd, maybe now is the time? Especially since the young D men seem to be stepping up?

 

I'd like to see them stand pat I think.  The only way I make some kind of huge splash is if I think I can make a deal that cashes in a chip I'd lose in the expansion draft and turns it into something I can protect.  

 

But I don't see how that'd happen.

[DaveW]

 

I'd like to see them stand pat I think.  The only way I make some kind of huge splash is if I think I can make a deal that cashes in a chip I'd lose in the expansion draft and turns it into something I can protect.  

 

But I don't see how that'd happen.

They could trade a defense man for a stud top 6 young fwd potentially.

At the very least they should look for a guy like Boyle etc, Boyle becomes an excellent depth piece (Coyle can stay on the wing) and becomes an important depth guy in case one of the top 3 Centers get injured.

Last thing the Wild want to do is have to move Granlund back to C in a pinch.

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

They could trade a defense man for a stud top 6 young fwd potentially.

At the very least they should look for a guy like Boyle etc, Boyle becomes an excellent depth piece (Coyle can stay on the wing) and becomes an important depth guy in case one of the top 3 Centers get injured.

Last thing the Wild want to do is have to move Granlund back to C in a pinch.

 

 

I don't mind looking at Boyle.  For some reason I thought Dan Boyle when you said that, but yeah, Brian Boyle makes some sense.  

 

If they do anything, it should be a forward.

[Pardon My Dinger]

My first thought was that Brian Boyle does nothing for me. Then, I got to thinking that a depth Center is almost a must for this team looking into the near future. I can't really think of any better options. Would be good to have a guy that offers depth without crowding the roster. 

[Vanimal46]

Trade deadline coming up:

Wild linked to Brian Boyle, I would like the move as it gives them a veteran center who can anchor the 3rd or 4th line if need be. Shouldn't cost much more than a 4th rounder or so.

With that said, there are a lot of nice players on the block as well, if Fletcher was ever going to pull the trigger on a young stud fwd, maybe now is the time? Especially since the young D men seem to be stepping up?

I could go either way. If they don't want to mess with the chemistry and roll with what they have, I wouldn't mind it. I could also be talked into trading for a 3rd/4th line forward with a boat load of playoff experience... Ideally, the legend himself Jagr!

[DaveW]

Jagr would be awesome, but Panthers look like buyers now.

[Pardon My Dinger]

As great as our players have stepped up this year, and as much as I love our coach, my very favorite thing about this team is our goal song.

[TheLeviathan]

Sounds like we ponied up for Hanzal. Steep price.

[SF Twins Fan]

Steep price, but this is supposed to be a really weak draft.  Also, the wild have a very deep farm system right now with Kunin, Greenway, Kaprizov, Ek and Sokolov.  All of these players should be going pro either next season or the season after that.

 

This is going to make the Wild very deep down the middle and will push Coyle back to the wing and push Haula down to the 4th line.  

[DaveW]

Steep price, but a good trade overall. The Wild are the top team in the west, I will never fault them for going for it. Hanzel is a very solid center, one of the best face off guys in the league, also theygot a solid depth fwd guy as well with the second piece.

 

I'm glad they didn't have to give up any of their prospects, or bring on a guy with a steep contract.

 

Losing the first rounder sucks, but it is what it is. After the last couple Chicago games I think it was clear they needed some center depth. Hanzel will be a great fit.

 

Also they could always move Haula to a wing now as well.

[TheLeviathan]

I like Hanzel's fit with Parise and Pominville. 

 

Haula-Stewart-Schroeder is a nice fourth line too.

[Physics Guy]

If there is ever a time to go for it, now is the time.  They are in first place but Chicago reminded them who they have to beat to get to the Finals.  The Wild was relying on too many young players.  Here's how I'd like to see it the rest of the way:

 

Mikko, Granny, Zucker

Staal, Nino, Coyle

Hanzal, Parise, Pomminville

Haula, Stewart, White/Schroeder (depending on matchup)

 

Suter-Spurgeon

Brodin-Dumba

Folin-Scandella

 

We have to split up Dumba and Scandella.  Play Prosser or Olofsson if they continue to suck.

[TheLeviathan]

With this price I hope they find a way to resign him.  

[Pardon My Dinger]

I'm not upset about the trade, because I think Hanzal's an ok player, in a critical position. He should definitely help down the stretch. However, it is definitely an overpay. The guy is kind of just ok, and this team is not in a position to be shedding high draft picks (almost no team is). I guess I feel pretty even about it. 

 

Also - no way will the Wild resign Hanzal this summer. Not a chance. 

[Vanimal46]

 

I'm not upset about the trade, because I think Hanzal's an ok player, in a critical position. He should definitely help down the stretch. However, it is definitely an overpay. The guy is kind of just ok, and this team is not in a position to be shedding high draft picks (almost no team is). I guess I feel pretty even about it. 

 

Also - no way will the Wild resign Hanzal this summer. Not a chance. 

Agreed. Can't say Hanzal has ever been on my radar until this deal was announced. It's definitely an overpay for a depth C and a grinder type player.. Though I prefer giving up draft picks over prospects at this point.  

 

Also, concur that there's zero chance Hanzal is resigned this summer. 

[TheLeviathan]

Hanzal's 16 goals would put him 6th on the team.

 

This is intended to be Toews kryptonite.  

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

This is intended to be Toews kryptonite.  

Let's not go nuts. 

[DaveW]

Hanzal would be a top 6 fwd on most teams in the NHL. He is certainly much more than a "depth" guy. He scores goals, plays well both ways and is top 6 in the league in faceoff%

 

The Wild have a ton of prospects who should arrive in the next few years, id much rather give up the picks than one or two of Elk, Tuch, Haula etc

 

They also got white, who isn't super sexy, but is a nice guy to have on the team, clear upgrade over Gabriel, and a good platoon type guy with Schroeder.

[DaveW]

Also keep in mind he is coming from a dumpster fire of a team. Putting him on a line with Parise and Pominville could pay some serious dividends for his production.

 

We could be looking at a team with 3 lines that could match up with any teams #1 line.

[Vanimal46]

 

Also keep in mind he is coming from a dumpster fire of a team. Putting him on a line with Parise and Pominville could pay some serious dividends for his production.

We could be looking at a team with 3 lines that could match up with any teams #1 line.

 

I hope you're right. Like I said before Hanzal wasn't on my radar at all, so others will be a better judge of him than me. Really I'm just excited that a Minnesota sports team is going all-in this season. Should be fun to watch down the stretch!