Article: Matt Boldy's Contract Already Looks Like A Steal For the Wild

[Tony Abbott]

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[mnfaninnc]

While Matt Boldy's contract looks like a steal already, the way I read the headline was that he was currently performing to making it a steal. In the body of the article, though, it's clear we are still talking about potential.

I'd have to agree that Boldy's potential looks like this contract will be a steal. I wonder what Seider's deal will look like?

[Imyourhuckleberry]

I'm curious what Cozens posted as a SPAR number for just 22-23.

He may have been on the negative side for his first 2 seasons, but his most recent season was substantially better, and delivered more points than Boldy.

Looks like Cozens improved in every facet of the game and is well on his way to a great career at the C position. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the playoffs should Buffalo improve as a team and reach round 1 next year.

Interesting to think that if either Buffalo or Pittsburgh had just 1 of their outright 1-goal losses turn into an OT win in the regular season, Florida would never have made the postseason.

Buffalo had 7 one-goal losses in regulation, including 2 to Florida, and Pittsburgh had 8 one-goal losses in regulation...

 

 

[Tony Abbott]

5 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

While Matt Boldy's contract looks like a steal already, the way I read the headline was that he was currently performing to making it a steal. In the body of the article, though, it's clear we are still talking about potential.

I'd have to agree that Boldy's potential looks like this contract will be a steal. I wonder what Seider's deal will look like?

He's a 30-goal, 60-point winger in a season that definitely wasn't his best, I'm not really sure if you can call that "potential," the guy's delivered.

[Beast]

We all know he can play in the regular season.  But, 1 goal, 3 assists, and -6 in 12 career playoff games is concerning.  Especially when you consider that the opposition is more focused on shutting down Kaprisov.

Give him the participation ribbon for the regular season, but I need to see more in the playoffs before I can say Boldy is the answer.

[Will D. Ness]

There is something to be said of delivering consistently and in the playoffs.  Boldy is still a work in progress and finding that specific niche or line or style of play that optimizes his talent is yet to be determined.  The talent is both potential and defined right now.

Is there confidence that we will find it... hell yeah.  Only a fool wouldn't bet on Boldy IMO.

[mnfaninnc]

16 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

He's a 30-goal, 60-point winger in a season that definitely wasn't his best, I'm not really sure if you can call that "potential," the guy's delivered.

For starters, thanks for participating in the comments, Tony. I know you do periodically, but since I thanked Justin, I'm thanking you too.

60 points should not be Boldy's goal, I think he's got 80+ in him given the right linemates. It appeared that he had that with Johansson and Ek near the end of the season, but we can't eliminate his scoring desert in February, and some of his streakiness. 

While I'll admit, the Wild haven't had the most 60 point seasons in the league, especially by players so young, I don't think we should be saying "wow, 60 points, that $7m/yr. is a bargain." I think it's way too early to come to that conclusion.

But, it is looking promising. I'm hoping to see a far thicker Boldy this upcoming season!

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, Beast said:

We all know he can play in the regular season.  But, 1 goal, 3 assists, and -6 in 12 career playoff games is concerning.  Especially when you consider that the opposition is more focused on shutting down Kaprisov.

I think this can be explained by the absence of Ek, and now his impact is seen at 5v5 too. It seemed like Boldy did have a lot of chances, but he either clanked them off posts, or Oettinger was just better.

What's the difference between a 98 mph fastball and one clocking in at 102? For me, I can't hit either unless I start swinging before it leaves a pitcher's hand and I get really lucky to swing in its path. I suspect that this is where Boldy's at. The goalies are able to catch and react to his fastball, so it needs a little more jump, something that can be accomplished with more upper body strength. 

Oettinger was able to throw body parts at his shots as Boldy simply couldn't blow it by him. Boldy's got to both release a split second quicker and get more speed on it. It would also help if he'd cut down on the shanks, especially from 1-timers. 

If Boldy eventually takes Zuccarello's spot on Kaprizov's line, is this where he scores 40 and 80? I'd like to see a larger sample size of him with Ek and Johansson. I'd also like to see what a Boldy-Rossi-Kaprizov line could do!

I do believe in earning your spot in the lineup, however, I also believe in trying things to see how they work out. Trying something and earning your spot can be part of the same thing. If it doesn't work out, fine, try something else, if it does work out, that looks like earning your spot! I don't see how you earn your spot by grinding on the 4th line at 5'9" 180.