Article: Is Minnesota's "Grit" Just Reckless Play?

[Tom Schreier]

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[Jon]

I think you have a point about certain players costing the team with their antics, but I still think grit is a legitimate style of play that works. Krakens have no top-end skill but are very balanced across the board. They play a physical, intense style of hockey that’s akin to what I think the Wild are trying to achieve. But the bottom line is, you HAVE to be able to win your faceoffs and more than 2/3 players have to score reliably.

[Protec]

YES, reckless and undisciplined last game, no doubt.

I realized this morning, that Dean could indeed be saying the right things but if the players go out and knee somebody ASAP and it derails the plan as a full departure from the strategy then that’s not on the coach and the psychological impact could be profound.

We don’t know exactly what’s said within the group but you have to wonder who’s defining grit? That’s a metaphor anyway for what???

What is grit? I think we know, but I wonder if the definition should include discipline. Is it easy to lose your temper and beat your pet raccoon when it swipes your ham-sammich and dives under the back seat of your pickup? You bet! I would make the argument though, that keeping a cool head and letting it fatten up and grow a happy, thick, coat of fur before turning it into an awesome Davy Crockett, Coonskin-hat is the more calculated way to show your toughness.

My point is the Wild aren’t the grit-team they think they are. Don’t talk about it, do it. Even then, don’t talk about it because then your boasting makes you look like a dumb-ass when you don’t live up to your own self-proclaimed greatness. How bout keep your head down, do your job, win every little battle. Otherwise, you’re pretenders...

Edited April 27, 2023 by Protec

[Smokey]

From some of the comments I have read over the last year Wilds biggest problem is at center time to see if Nyquist can help solve the problem Hartman can play wing on a bottom 6 line and turn it into a top 6 line on any team  even when EK comes back it’s time to mix thing’s up again 

[mnfaninnc]

13 minutes ago, Protec said:

I realized this morning, that Dean could indeed be saying the right things but if the players go out and knee somebody ASAP and it derails the plan as a full departure from the strategy then that’s not on the coach and the psychological impact could be profound.

You could argue that Evason is doing this.  But then, how do you defend the 0-professional coaching career playoff record?  The team listens to you during the regular season but goes deaf in the playoffs?  I don't think that's it.  

I still don't believe we are dealing with reckless, I thought that was a terrible call which was again magnified by no answer on the PK when you lose the opening draw. I'm also not sure what Gustavsson was doing just laying there and not turning to pad stack and get arms up in the air.  I'm not suggesting going back to Fleury, but Goose2 made the initial save, he needs some help and got none.

[Smokey]

I respect the Wilds staff and because I am not in the locker room and don’t know the players personally so even though I will suggest stuff I still support the coaches!! Try Nyquist at top six center line time to try to eliminate wilds biggest challenge 

[Pewterschmidt]

57 minutes ago, Protec said:

Is it easy to lose your temper and beat your pet raccoon when it swipes your ham-sammich and dives under the back seat of your pickup? You bet! I would make the argument though, that keeping a cool head and letting it fatten up and grow a happy, thick, coat of fur before turning it into an awesome Davy Crockett, Coonskin-hat is the more calculated way to show your toughness.

You went the extra mile for this, and I for one appreciate the effort.  Nice hustle!

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

My point is the Wild aren’t the grit-team they think they are. Don’t talk about it, do it. Even then, don’t talk about it because then your boasting makes you look like a dumb-ass when you don’t live up to your own self-proclaimed greatness. How bout keep your head down, do your job, win every little battle. Otherwise, you’re pretenders...

Agree with all this.  I'm rooting for Deano to get another year (and I think he will) because continuity is good.  The reason I believe it's not impossible BG cuts bait is because Deano's been in charge of this group for three (3+?) years so this group has his fingerprints all over it.  The discipline reflects Dean's leadership/coaching/teaching.  The buck for PP and PK ineffectiveness stops at Dean's desk.  Zero goals in a game 5 beat down?  Dean's fault.  But Pewter 97 and Boldy didn't deliver....Dean needs to recognize what other coach is doing to neutralize our offense and make necessary adjustments.  I think he's getting badly out coached again in this years playoffs, and BG doesn't suffer fools for long.  Just ask T-bot's wife. 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Pewterschmidt

[Protec]

I pity the fool who makes GMBG look bad. Evason has had opportunity and runway to get going good. The playoffs require another gear from players but what about the coaching? DeBoer has been deep in the playoffs how many times???

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

Well my keyboard needs a cleaning after that raccoon line. A plus Protec. I agree with your points as well.

 

I think we made a big mistake falling back on expirience this year and not developing some of our young guns in the majors. We've deprioritized up a few players because they don't play with "grit" or "snarl" and that may have an effect in a couple years. Maybe we just aren't trying for the right recipe or maybe we write it off as the cost of cap hits. Either way, I don't beleive this is the winning combination.

[Jon]

3 hours ago, Protec said:

I pity the fool who makes GMBG look bad. Evason has had opportunity and runway to get going good. The playoffs require another gear from players but what about the coaching? DeBoer has been deep in the playoffs how many times???

Fair. But the impact he has on the team long-term is questionable too. He wasn’t exactly a successful coach in the beginning of his NHL career. But going back to long term-impact, his first year with the devils: Stanley cup and since? It has taken years for New Jersey to be a contender. 
 

Sharks? Again made it to the Cup with a star-powered roster. After a few years? Shitshow of a team.

Vegas? Inherited the personnel, each team performed worse after a few years.
 

Even for all his success, the players certainly didn’t miss him. Maybe with the Stars he has learned to foster better relationships with his players, but it clearly took him way more than second chances to learn that lesson. 
 

I think a lot about the Russian Hockey documentary of Mice and Men. The russians were lead by this father figure of a man who clearly cared about his players. He understood the relationships he had and pushed them to be the best versions of themselves. Still, was not good enough. Then, he was replaced by the technical, calculated coach. Results were there, but the team still faltered at the pivotal point. I always wondered had they allowed the man who started the russian program, how much better it would’ve been? 
 

The lesson here? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, especially when it comes to NHL head coaches.

 

[Beast]

6 hours ago, Jon said:

Fair. But the impact he has on the team long-term is questionable too. He wasn’t exactly a successful coach in the beginning of his NHL career. But going back to long term-impact, his first year with the devils: Stanley cup and since? It has taken years for New Jersey to be a contender. 
 

Sharks? Again made it to the Cup with a star-powered roster. After a few years? Shitshow of a team.

Vegas? Inherited the personnel, each team performed worse after a few years.
 

Even for all his success, the players certainly didn’t miss him. Maybe with the Stars he has learned to foster better relationships with his players, but it clearly took him way more than second chances to learn that lesson. 
 

I think a lot about the Russian Hockey documentary of Mice and Men. The russians were lead by this father figure of a man who clearly cared about his players. He understood the relationships he had and pushed them to be the best versions of themselves. Still, was not good enough. Then, he was replaced by the technical, calculated coach. Results were there, but the team still faltered at the pivotal point. I always wondered had they allowed the man who started the russian program, how much better it would’ve been? 
 

The lesson here? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, especially when it comes to NHL head coaches.

 

I get what you’re saying.  I’d agree if we were having more success.

But, we’re not making it to the Cup or conference finals finals and dropping game 7.  We’re getting our butts kicked out of the playoffs in the first round by teams we should be able beat.  We have a lawn full of crab grass, brown pet spots, and dog crap.  I don’t see how our grass would be less green by shaking up the coaching staff.

A lot of it is on the players too.  I think Spurgeon’s “it’s about hard work and having fun,” comment when BG asks him what we’re trying to do here is telling.  Foligno is taking it to the other extreme and is running guys. Ek is always hurt.  Kaprisov has now disappeared in 2 of the last 3 playoff series.   Boldy is nonexistent.

Continuing to do the same thing over and over with the same results because we’re scared of change isn’t something I’m interested in.  

 

[Protec]

Good points.
 

It is mostly on the players. Their focus, intensity, commitment, ability to execute.

I would like to see Dean exhibit more composure and poise as the refs eff-up the Wild. Again, the Wild don’t win when they’re all jacked up, frustrated and taking penalties. When they play disciplined, committed hockey they are very hard to beat. If Dean or hot-heads like Foligno and Hartman get rattled and pissed off, that doesn’t make them all better. It draws their focus away from what’s most important in those moments.

Final thought, start at the root of the problem. If you take very few penalties then you don’t need to spend as much time or worry too much about the PK. Then you can practice the PP and have fewer problems to address. You also don’t give your opponents an easy angle to beat you or require an Elite Swede penalty killer, while you diminish your advantage as a 5v5 heavy-hitter. So why hasn’t this happened? I can only conclude it’s the players or coaching or combination. The more troubling part is that it’s the same things along with zero playoff scoring that got the Wild eliminated last season. Failure to improve on winning draws and taking fewer penalties is a huge problem if you asked me.

 

 

 

[IllicitFive]

3 hours ago, Beast said:

I get what you’re saying.  I’d agree if we were having more success.

But, we’re not making it to the Cup or conference finals finals and dropping game 7.  We’re getting our butts kicked out of the playoffs in the first round by teams we should be able beat.  We have a lawn full of crab grass, brown pet spots, and dog crap.  I don’t see how our grass would be less green by shaking up the coaching staff.

A lot of it is on the players too.  I think Spurgeon’s “it’s about hard work and having fun,” comment when BG asks him what we’re trying to do here is telling.  Foligno is taking it to the other extreme and is running guys. Ek is always hurt.  Kaprisov has now disappeared in 2 of the last 3 playoff series.   Boldy is nonexistent.

Continuing to do the same thing over and over with the same results because we’re scared of change isn’t something I’m interested in.  

 

What coach out on the market are you wanting? Able to guarantee success? What will this success look like? Not like you can poach the HC off of the Canes, Avs, or Bruins. So now you will be looking for someone who is cast off by another team or wasn't deemed an upgrade and is a coach FA to begin with. Not trying to pick a fight, but lots of similar comments about an issue but no ideas for a solution.

[SkolBrother]

On 4/27/2023 at 10:52 AM, Protec said:

YES, reckless and undisciplined last game, no doubt.

I realized this morning, that Dean could indeed be saying the right things but if the players go out and knee somebody ASAP and it derails the plan as a full departure from the strategy then that’s not on the coach and the psychological impact could be profound.

We don’t know exactly what’s said within the group but you have to wonder who’s defining grit? That’s a metaphor anyway for what???

What is grit? I think we know, but I wonder if the definition should include discipline. Is it easy to lose your temper and beat your pet raccoon when it swipes your ham-sammich and dives under the back seat of your pickup? You bet! I would make the argument though, that keeping a cool head and letting it fatten up and grow a happy, thick, coat of fur before turning it into an awesome Davy Crockett, Coonskin-hat is the more calculated way to show your toughness.

My point is the Wild aren’t the grit-team they think they are. Don’t talk about it, do it. Even then, don’t talk about it because then your boasting makes you look like a dumb-ass when you don’t live up to your own self-proclaimed greatness. How bout keep your head down, do your job, win every little battle. Otherwise, you’re pretenders...

Couldn't agree more!

[Orchid Medical Centre]

Grit is a good player