Article: Bill Guerin's Roster Construction Failed His Best Players

[Matthew Smith]

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[mnfaninnc]

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We now know that Mats Zuccarello was playing with a groin injury, and it showed in his game. 

I don't think this was a new injury either. I believe I noticed it around January/February, he just didn't look right skating.  Groin injuries just linger, it takes a long time for them to heal. Hopefully he didn't do any more damage to it.  

I also don't believe this is a reason for his downward spiral in productivity. When Kaprizov went out, he kind of disappeared after a couple of games. I really think he may have hit the wall of age, that undefeated wall that eventually gets everyone. 

I wonder what a team would pay for a Zuccarello at $4m?

[Protec]

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I wonder what a team would pay for a Zuccarello at $4m?

Probably not many. Might have to let him play or buy him out.

Painful to watch Jarvis last goal against NJ. Bats down a pass, chips it out, chases it down while he out-skates the defenseman he just stole the puck from and scores bar down.

We'll keep saying Rossi is gonna pay off one day though, even though the point of the article is how the Wild lacked more talented support players. Jarvis has three goals this playoffs. He, Mercer and Lundell all with a handful of points this playoffs. These guys scoring more playoff points than the majority of Wild players. 21 year old players.

[Weestraw]

I understand we need at least one more high level center, with Ek back next year, but your sentence "Boldy and Kaprizov led all skaters — not just the Wild — in shot attempts at even strength with 32 and 29, respectively" kind of refutes your articls premise. Did they get these all on their own, without getting passes from other's? That's a lot of missed chances that fall on them to finish. Yes it would be nice to get others to get rebounds, if available, but that was not your point. If it was, then their stats would even be larger. 

[Matthew Smith]

2 hours ago, Weestraw said:

I understand we need at least one more high level center, with Ek back next year, but your sentence "Boldy and Kaprizov led all skaters — not just the Wild — in shot attempts at even strength with 32 and 29, respectively" kind of refutes your articls premise. Did they get these all on their own, without getting passes from other's? That's a lot of missed chances that fall on them to finish. Yes it would be nice to get others to get rebounds, if available, but that was not your point. If it was, then their stats would even be larger. 

The more significant point is that sometimes puck luck doesn't go your way. So the team needs to be put in the best position to succeed. Kirill and Boldy performed well, but even then, it wasn't enough. So they need support if we want them to go further than they already have.

They did their part, while those around them failed them.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

I'd wager this is the first year where both Western Conference semi-finals had a 4-goal scorer in game 1, and both the teams who had the 4 goals from one player lost.

[mnfaninnc]

12 hours ago, Protec said:

Painful to watch Jarvis last goal against NJ. Bats down a pass, chips it out, chases it down while he out-skates the defenseman he just stole the puck from and scores bar down.

We'll keep saying Rossi is gonna pay off one day though, even though the point of the article is how the Wild lacked more talented support players. Jarvis has three goals this playoffs. He, Mercer and Lundell all with a handful of points this playoffs. These guys scoring more playoff points than the majority of Wild players. 21 year old players.

I get that Jarvis and Mercer are producing right now, but they are also playing on the wing, not at center. Lundell also spent some time on the wing this season, but is predominantly a center. We need centers, not wings (though RHS forwards would be nice too).

There seems to be 3 centers right around our 1st round pick slot. Nate Danielson, Calum Ritchie, Samuel Honzek. There's also a few in the 2nd round. This year's top 50 prospects are supposed to rival 2015 and 2005. I've heard comparisons to 2003 from others. We will have picks 52ish and 61ish from the 2nd round. I would recommend moving up from those picks. 

Oliver Moore is another guy I'd be interested in, even though he's shorter. His game has a lot of speed and everyone will get to watch him with the Gophers next season.  He'll likely be gone by the time it's our turn to pick. All told, I'd like to come out of this draft with 2 top 50 selections that are centers. I'm also not opposed to trading for developed centers with no NHL track record. 

Here's the key, Shooter's got to fix this. The positionless hockey strategy where we don't have enough depth at C works in the regular season. For the last 4 trips to the postseason, it has not worked and we've gotten owned down the middle. Gaudreau and Hartman have both overachieved their contracts but neither should be mistaken as a top 6C or, for that matter, a full time top 6 player. Steel is not a top 6 player either. We only have 3 of those. The solutions must come from cheap contracts, therefore, unproven, developed players who we take a swing at.

Of the above, I've read from Dobber that Danielson is close to NHL ready. His floor is a 3rd line C. His scouting report reads as someone very friendly to our system. I don't know that I'd rush him, but at the very least, he could give Rossi a run for his money this coming season.  To me, though, Ritchie seems like the guy to target. While Honzek is listed as a C, some of the scouting suggests he will be a W.  

[mnfaninnc]

8 hours ago, Matthew Smith said:

The more significant point is that sometimes puck luck doesn't go your way. So the team needs to be put in the best position to succeed. Kirill and Boldy performed well, but even then, it wasn't enough. So they need support if we want them to go further than they already have.

They did their part, while those around them failed them.

This is exactly the same thing I noticed about Fiala last playoffs. Boldy set him up for some grade A chances that he sent sailing over the top of the net. This playoffs it was Kaprizov and Boldy and especially Zuccarello going high and wide.

I would suggest with all of those chances, we've got to bury them! I think both players, Boldy and Kaprizov, will be kicking themselves this offseason because they didn't bury their chances.  For Boldy, I think he needs the 1st in the playoffs before he gets rolling, for Kaprizov, I expect him to have a very hard working offseason and for his accuracy to get even more elite. Missed chances like that do not sit well with elite players, especially those who want to win really badly. Both of these guys seem like those types of players. 

[Steve]

Boston, Best Season Ever! Colorado, returning Cup Holders.

Both out in the first round. The Wild were in the Central race until 2 weeks from the end?

Game 1 against Dallas set the bar and the Wild could never get back to that level.

Not sure it's Guerin, The coaching staff needs to be scrutinized.

With the news that all these top players were injured or not performing at the highest level causes me to look at where were the changes made in the lineup and personnel to offset the damage?

Iowa Wild coaching staff got broomed after failing to advance in Calder Cup.

Maybe The MN Wild coaches should take notice.

Looking forward to 2023-2024, Go Wild!!!