Article: Pat Maroon Can Fill the Ryan Reaves Void

[Mikki Tuohy]

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[CoolHandL]

Reaves but cheaper and younger with a championship pedigree. Good job Billy

[WIWild]

🤔. I watched exclusively online/TV this year, and from where I sat, Reavo didn't leave a big void. We heard the GM, coach, and press talk about how he mattered, but was it something the fans could even notice? I would have missed the Blues and Knights version of him, but the on ice version of him with the Wild, didn't leave me wanting to see him get more shifts. I remember just one big hit this year in open ice, and the guy was half his size with his head down. People that were at the games, did he have a larger presence? Were the fans often chanting to see him on the ice more?

[Protec]

16 minutes ago, WIWild said:

🤔. I watched exclusively online/TV this year, and from where I sat, Reavo didn't leave a big void. We heard the GM, coach, and press talk about how he mattered, but was it something the fans could even notice? I would have missed the Blues and Knights version of him, but the on ice version of him with the Wild, didn't leave me wanting to see him get more shifts. I remember just one big hit this year in open ice, and the guy was half his size with his head down. People that were at the games, did he have a larger presence? Were the fans often chanting to see him on the ice more?

Non-factor. I wasn't sure if the coaches were holding him back? He wasn't really mean or scary or dangerous or chipping in offense.

What I like about Maroon is that he's an effective dump-in guy. He's been noticeably good in the past at dumps that are timed and placed where Maroon or his linemates can begin an effective forecheck. To me, he seems to have a higher hockey IQ than Foligno, less speed. Both guys are nearly the same size with almost identical career numbers. If Ek went to the top line, Foligno, Maroon, and Duhaime are on the other lines, then each line has a sandpaper guy. Is the recipe to inject various ingredients to the lines to get the best overall grit-results?

[mnfaninnc]

Breaking down the PIMs a little bit for Magoon. He took 20 minor penalties in 2022-23 and 12 majors. He took 37 total penalties which tells me he got 5 10 minute misconducts to get to 150.

In 2021-22 he took 36 penalties, 22 minors, 10 majors and 4 of the misconduct variety for 134 minutes. 

Of the minor penalties, it doesn't say which are coincidental minors, but you'd have to imagine there are some roughing scrum minors in this mix. With the misconducts, they could have been game match penalties too which just get 10 on the scoresheet. 

Over the last 2 years, Magoon has been willing to have on ice meltdowns, something I've advocated for to change our reputation and start getting games called fair. I like that. Make those referees work for their money. Remember, referees are human too, and when they talk about the dog days of the season, referees also fall into that category. Sometimes they even take games off. I just don't want them doing that with us anymore.

Here's where I have to differ with Mikki:

Quote

Any player known for their physicality is expected to take plenty of penalties. Last season, Maroon led the league with 150 penalty minutes. In a strange twist for an aging player, the past two seasons have been Maroon’s highest PIMs for his entire career. Could Maroon be more confident in his play and the ability to take risks as he gets further into his career? That’s sheer speculation, of course, but worth noting.

I don't think that this is what happens when a player gets older. I think that player has trouble keeping up. My hope is that every one of the penalties is earned and not some stupid hook or trip, but is more of the punishment variety. 

According to Magoon's introductory interview, it appears that he likes to be a loud personality in the room too. While we didn't see the full impact of Reaves on the ice, I believe he had a positive effect off the ice and even while stationed on the bench. Everyone else was able to play just a little freer without having to look over their shoulders. Magoon fills that same role, though, from the PIMs over the last 2 years, he appears to be a little meaner than Reaves. 

I hope they will give him the freedom to blast away on the forecheck and finish all hits, but get on him about the ticky tack calls. I really hope we get to see a couple of meltdowns leading to referees having to fill out extra paperwork and getting their games officially reviewed. And, I hope he livens up the X when the team needs a wakeup call.

[Skolwild]

Hopefully if the wild make it to their next first round exit, they won’t neuter maroon like they did reaves. He was never more noticeably useless than in the playoffs, when our star was getting a backiotomy from suter and nothing happened in response. 

[Protec]

^^^

Yeah.

[mnfaninnc]

40 minutes ago, Skolwild said:

Hopefully if the wild make it to their next first round exit, they won’t neuter maroon like they did reaves. He was never more noticeably useless than in the playoffs, when our star was getting a backiotomy from suter and nothing happened in response. 

Skol, doesn't this go back longer than last season? What about the infamous Staal incident where the team actually did absolutely nothing to Morrissey? The series was over at that point in time.

Against the Blues, Deslauriers was neutered because nobody would fight. And, against the Golden Knights both Brodin and Ek were neutered from cheap shots....and no response. 

At least it appears that Maroon can and will have the occasional meltdowns. When is the last time we've seen a Wild player actually meltdown?

[Protec]

Yeah the Wild are still the snot-nosed little brother of the Central.

[Up North Guy]

17 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Skol, doesn't this go back longer than last season? What about the infamous Staal incident where the team actually did absolutely nothing to Morrissey? The series was over at that point in time.

Against the Blues, Deslauriers was neutered because nobody would fight. And, against the Golden Knights both Brodin and Ek were neutered from cheap shots....and no response. 

At least it appears that Maroon can and will have the occasional meltdowns. When is the last time we've seen a Wild player actually meltdown?

I have visions of a late 3rd period and Deano loads up the face-off with Maroon, Moose and Duhaime. Let the line brawl commence!

[mnfaninnc]

Did anyone else think it was odd that Maroon chose to wear #20? I thought #s 11 & 20 would be hidden from view for awhile. 

Mids and Merrill will be set up on the back end of the above line. Maybe even MAF in net to get his NHL fight? This is an entertainment industry still! I guess you do that on '80s night!