Article: Daemon Hunt Could Help Extend Jared Spurgeon’s Career

[Justin Wiggins]

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[Velgey]

Not that I'd be eager to split Middleton and Spurgeon up, butI could see Spurgeon being exactly the mentor Hunt would most benefit from playing with. He can learn how to responsibly transition the puck, jump into the play, and pick his shots.

Plus, like Middleton, he's got enough size to help balance the pairing.

[vonlonster67]

I watched Hunt at Dev Camp last year before he got hurt. I noticed him also stand out among the group. His sheer speed, edges, and stick work along the boards was impressive. He also brought a physical presence that day and gave Rossi fits.

I can see why he was selected to team Canada. They also let him continue with the team even after he was hurt to celebrate their medals.  That says something and the fact he beat out our own Lambos for a spot.

I anticipate seeing him more after camp into the season and also believe he could give us enough to replace Merrill if BG want some more cap flexibility. 

I've mentioned this before, I love everything about Spurg and his style. I don't like what I've seen the past two playoff years from him. At $7.5+ million a year for four more years I don't see it.

 Spurgeon could be are next buyout candidate after cap hell. His age, size and contract being the biggest factors.

[vonlonster67]

4 hours ago, Velgey said:

Not that I'd be eager to split Middleton and Spurgeon up, butI could see Spurgeon being exactly the mentor Hunt would most benefit from playing with. He can learn how to responsibly transition the puck, jump into the play, and pick his shots.

Plus, like Middleton, he's got enough size to help balance the pairing.

If you watch Hunt and his offensive game, he plays more like a young Brodin from what I saw of him in Moose Jaw and IA. One HUGE difference, Hunt is very physical and will throw down. Now I'm not saying he's Brodin, but I think Brodin will be a bigger mentor/example to him. If he can blanket Rossi at the IA level now, he'll be fine.

My bet is Brodin and Hunt play more years together, not on the same line of course. Spurgeon being 33 already, soon to be 34 in November  that says his time is short as a first line ''D" pair and with this team.

IA is filled with a plethora of D men and McLean is going to make sure they come up to the big club the right way in the next year/two!

[joebou15]

The Wild have themselves a pretty good track of defensemen that could be potential top 4s, with a couple filling out the bottom pairing. Really hope it's a Lambos/Hunt HR by Brackett and Co.

That said, they can't rest on their laurels just yet. Minnesota has enjoyed a decade of really good to mostly great defense. It's going to slip if this next batch can't quite slide in without seeing a dip. It takes special talents to do just that, but man, they got a few that I'm excited about, and that's without an expected improvement from Addison as part of this crop.

[M_Nels]

18 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

Spurgeon could be are next buyout candidate after cap hell. His age, size and contract being the biggest factors.

Personally, I don’t see him being bought out. Do I think he’ll be a 1st pairing defender for 4 more year years? Nope, most likely not. However, I could definitely see him as a trade candidate with money going back if the right deal comes to head. 
 

I hope Spurge retires as a Wild player. I can see him as the type of player that wouldn’t cause a rift if he gets moved down, could also see him passing on the C without his pride getting in the way. I don’t know him personally obviously but he seems like that type of player to me. 

Edited August 10, 2023 by M_Nels
Wording

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

Personally, I don’t see him being bought out. Do I think he’ll be a 1st pairing defender for 4 more year years? Nope, most likely not. However, I could definitely see him as a trade candidate with money going back if the right deal comes to head. 
 

I hope Spurge retires as a Wild player. I can see him as the type of player that wouldn’t cause a rift if he gets moved down, could also see him passing on the C without his pride getting in the way. I don’t know him personally obviously but he seems like that type of player to me. 

All good counterpoints, but how do you justify the $7.5 million if you keep him say as a 3rd pair. I too would like to see him retire Wild.

What other team is going to take a player of his age, cost, playoff shown talent? I think were stuck with that contract and that amount of money signs us another young Boldy type. With the IA and prospect pool defense cupboard full, its a dilemma.

[vonlonster67]

11 hours ago, joebou15 said:

The Wild have themselves a pretty good track of defensemen that could be potential top 4s, with a couple filling out the bottom pairing. Really hope it's a Lambos/Hunt HR by Brackett and Co.

That said, they can't rest on their laurels just yet. Minnesota has enjoyed a decade of really good to mostly great defense. It's going to slip if this next batch can't quite slide in without seeing a dip. It takes special talents to do just that, but man, they got a few that I'm excited about, and that's without an expected improvement from Addison as part of this crop.

Lambos, Hunt, Spacek, Masters (when healthy), O'Rourke .....gonna be a fun year in IA.

The AHL TV package for the wild is not bad and its going to be amazing watch the next two years. Also, I've travelled to Des Moines to watch, nice arena, hotels, bars, eateries in the area. Worth the trip and price point!

[Velgey]

2 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Personally, I don’t see him being bought out. Do I think he’ll be a 1st pairing defender for 4 more year years? Nope, most likely not. However, I could definitely see him as a trade candidate with money going back if the right deal comes to head. 
 

I hope Spurge retires as a Wild player. I can see him as the type of player that wouldn’t cause a rift if he gets moved down, could also see him passing on the C without his pride getting in the way. I don’t know him personally obviously but he seems like that type of player to me. 

I expect Spurgeon's game translates well for longevity. His positioning and stick skills aren't going to fall off a cliff. Unless his feet turn to stone, I think he'll manage to stay productive and capable of middle pairing minutes through the rest of his contract. Is $7.5 million a lot to pay for that level of a contribution? Yes, but that's how it goes in the NHL. Players on ELC get way underpaid. Players that can make it into their 30s as a good performer tend to get overpaid once they hit that inevitable turning point and decline.

[M_Nels]

46 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Lambos, Hunt, Spacek, Masters (when healthy), O'Rourke .....gonna be a fun year in IA.

The AHL TV package for the wild is not bad and its going to be amazing watch the next two years. Also, I've travelled to Des Moines to watch, nice arena, hotels, bars, eateries in the area. Worth the trip and price point!

Sorry replying to both of your posts at once. All fair counter-counter points, can definitely see both sides of the coin. Just a good discussion topic. 
 

As far as Des Moines it takes me about 1hr longer than to my nearest ECHL team but the tickets are cheaper, hockey is MUCH better, arenas a lot nicer and plus I get to watch the prospects. Highly recommend going to Des Moines to watch a game if MIN is a little out of budget. I try and go to 5-6 games a year up there. 

[Velgey]

18 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

If you watch Hunt and his offensive game, he plays more like a young Brodin

Good to know. I'd be thrilled with another Brodin shutdown defenseman on the team. Brodin is the poster child for undervalued NHL players, except players like him typically don't get posters...

[mnfaninnc]

Justin, while this is about Hunt, I'd like to know what your eyes picked up on Rossi? Was he hustling his butt off, or was there still too much gliding and standing still? 

[M_Nels]

On 8/10/2023 at 9:51 AM, Velgey said:

Good to know. I'd be thrilled with another Brodin shutdown defenseman on the team. Brodin is the poster child for undervalued NHL players, except players like him typically don't get posters...

Brodin is CRIMINALLY underrated in the NHL but that’s ok, we like it that way and we know the value he brings to the club. Doesn’t put up the offensive numbers like a Josi or Hedman but not many d-men can keep a lid on McDavid like Brodin can.

[joebou15]

On 8/10/2023 at 8:56 AM, vonlonster67 said:

Lambos, Hunt, Spacek, Masters (when healthy), O'Rourke .....gonna be a fun year in IA.

The AHL TV package for the wild is not bad and its going to be amazing watch the next two years. Also, I've travelled to Des Moines to watch, nice arena, hotels, bars, eateries in the area. Worth the trip and price point!

Covered the team in Des Moines. Press box is awesome. Great sight lines, Game Ops is pretty good, and it's an enjoyable experience. 

I don't like the fan and Minnesota media narrative that Tim Army didn't win in the playoffs, or didn't develop players. I thi k he did just fine, and he was crewed by COVID with a couple of great seasons not ending up with a postseason because the AHL didn't have one. Last year, the team they faced were just a better team. It was a 3 game series, and they were both OT losses. Hard to say Army did much wrong in Iowa.

[Justin Wiggins]

On 8/12/2023 at 9:55 AM, mnfaninnc said:

Justin, while this is about Hunt, I'd like to know what your eyes picked up on Rossi? Was he hustling his butt off, or was there still too much gliding and standing still? 

You can read more about my Rossi breakdown here! But long story short, my optimism here was in March when the Wild needed a guy like Rossi to step in and elevate their lineup. I thought he should have been given the chance, but he is still playing too perimeter and struggles to carry the puck through the neutral zone