Article: The Wild's Defense Could Surprise Us During Training Camp

[Tony Abbott]

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[mnfaninnc]

Tony, you completely left out O'Rourke. Is he now considered a bust? He also has quite a mean streak, but stays healthier. 

I'm not sure if Guerin/Goligoski have an agreement that if the kids are ready, he retires, that would give us $2m if it's before the season. I wonder if that could happen, because, yes, the eye test was brutal on him. 

With Merrill, the offensive production he got the prior year was more in line with the positionless play that Evason was implementing. Since we abandoned this approach last season, unsurprisingly, Merrill's offense dried up. It wouldn't surprise me either if Merrill played one step further back knowing he was going to have to cover for Addison, and I think he was pretty quick to bail on the offensive zone. 

But, offensive production from Merrill was only a bonus the previous year. We shouldn't expect much out of him. I believe our approach this season will look a lot like last season, with a return to the positionless approach in '24 with the arrival of some very skilled players. 

I would love for both Lambos and Hunt to unseat the placeholders currently there. I do believe Hunt needs an extra year in Iowa, but maybe he really worked on his deficiencies this summer? I'm pretty sure Lambos will impress again, but will get sent to the A for a year. I'm believing he and Brockoli are destined to be partners.

[MNCountryLife]

Faber, Hunt, Lambos, Addy, O'Rourke and Simon Johansson.  I don't hear much about Simon but the little I did see of him seemed like he was good with the puck.  I'm always surprised people do not talk about him more.  That is 6 defensemen that could potentially enter the Wild lineup at anytime.  Sure would be nice to see 2 or 3 of those guys come into camp and make a case to be in MN.  I actually expect it this year.

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Tony, you completely left out O'Rourke. Is he now considered a bust? He also has quite a mean streak, but stays healthier. 

I'm not sure if Guerin/Goligoski have an agreement that if the kids are ready, he retires, that would give us $2m if it's before the season. I wonder if that could happen, because, yes, the eye test was brutal on him. 

With Merrill, the offensive production he got the prior year was more in line with the positionless play that Evason was implementing. Since we abandoned this approach last season, unsurprisingly, Merrill's offense dried up. It wouldn't surprise me either if Merrill played one step further back knowing he was going to have to cover for Addison, and I think he was pretty quick to bail on the offensive zone. 

But, offensive production from Merrill was only a bonus the previous year. We shouldn't expect much out of him. I believe our approach this season will look a lot like last season, with a return to the positionless approach in '24 with the arrival of some very skilled players. 

I would love for both Lambos and Hunt to unseat the placeholders currently there. I do believe Hunt needs an extra year in Iowa, but maybe he really worked on his deficiencies this summer? I'm pretty sure Lambos will impress again, but will get sent to the A for a year. I'm believing he and Brockoli are destined to be partners.

O'Rourke had a tough year last year in IA and I believe he is still in the mix, but he'll need a prove it year in IA this year. The problem is he is running out of time and their are a lot of bodies there that could bury him in the progression to the big club.

Hunt will be the first of the prospects to come up and Mermis will more than likely get first shot to fill in. Lambos needs some seasoning, but may get a shot or two on call ups.

Spacek has a better chance at this point than O'Rourke and Masters was injured so he's starting three months behind everyone else.

The only place Faber is gonna be is beside Brodin.

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

26 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Hunt will be the first of the prospects to come up and Mermis will more than likely get first shot to fill in. Lambos needs some seasoning, but may get a shot or two on call ups.

Spacek has a better chance at this point than O'Rourke and Masters was injured so he's starting three months behind everyone else.

The only place Faber is gonna be is beside Brodin.

Hunt was the closest to the Wild last season, outside of Mermis, but I wouldn't be shocked if Lambos and Spacek pass him up.

Lambos isn't even a year younger and was a much better prospect his draft year. Spacek wasn't as highly regarded at age 18, but has developed a lot since that time and showed really well in World Juniors last year.

Hunt might play more physical, but I could see Lambos and possibly Spacek each bringing a better 2-way game to surpass him by the time the Wild are looking for someone to fill in. Much more likely for Lambos, of course.

I would expect O'Rourke and Masters to be further away, but you never know how those guys will develop as they progress in both skill and strength.

Mermis is 29 and hasn't really looked like a good fit in the NHL, so I imagine the Wild would prefer to call up one or two of the younger guys if they seem at all close to being NHL caliber.

[vonlonster67]

Tony, I believe your last paragraph summed it up best in the eyes of DE in "status quo" when it comes to a sure thing in Merrill n Goose.

I would love to see Hunt come in a blow the doors off everyone in that bottom three. Goose is gonna be an extra for most of the season and there is no chance he goes anywhere after passing up that opportunity last year. Merrill depends on which player shows up and same with Addy.

We have options, inexperienced options, but maybe we are surprised by one or more. I don't see any of the prospects long term with DE and I could see him piece meal them up here one at a time to give them their look and shuffle around back in forth for the year between Mermis, Hunt, Lambos and maybe Spacek. O'Rourke has an outside chance and we need Masters healthy. I don't see Johansson pushing the needle for another year or two. He has size, but his talent is on the job training and he has a ways to go.

I think your correct to speculate on our forwards also, Walker, Beckman and Lettieri as short term injury options. With the influx of players coming next year, we may see a few players shuffled up for a look so when we are busting at the seams next year, they can make some decisions.

 

[vonlonster67]

57 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Hunt was the closest to the Wild last season, outside of Mermis, but I wouldn't be shocked if Lambos and Spacek pass him up.

Lambos isn't even a year younger and was a much better prospect his draft year. Spacek wasn't as highly regarded at age 18, but has developed a lot since that time and showed really well in World Juniors last year.

Hunt might play more physical, but I could see Lambos and possibly Spacek each bringing a better 2-way game to surpass him by the time the Wild are looking for someone to fill in. Much more likely for Lambos, of course.

I would expect O'Rourke and Masters to be further away, but you never know how those guys will develop as they progress in both skill and strength.

Mermis is 29 and hasn't really looked like a good fit in the NHL, so I imagine the Wild would prefer to call up one or two of the younger guys if they seem at all close to being NHL caliber.

I would love it if Lambos could make that jump, but he hasn't even played in the AHL yet and I would not want to push a young D-man into the fray to soon. At least Hunt has played there for two years and has more speed than Lambos and it seems to be the best training ground for the young core.

O'Rourke was suppose to come in and set the world on fire too and has had some adjustment. Would like to give Lambos and Spacek some seasoning. The only reason I even mentioned Mermis isn't for his sake of level of talent, but the "Wild Way" of doing things. He has no chance to displace anyone, but will likely be called up first in spot duty.

All these young guys have me excited though Huck and its a good problem to have when we can say, A... B... C...D...E...

Things are looking bright 

[FredJohnson]

Any chance Billy holds these guys back as to not "waste" a year of their rookie contracts?

[Imyourhuckleberry]

3 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

All these young guys have me excited though Huck and its a good problem to have when we can say, A... B... C...D...E...

Things are looking bright 

Agreed. I think Wallstedt will have a good season with the talent in front of him!

[vonlonster67]

17 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Agreed. I think Wallstedt will have a good season with the talent in front of him!

You know I've been so focused on the big club that I never even considered IA and the D-men in front of Wallstedt.

You are 100% correct and I'm looking forward to IA Wild hockey also. I just renewed my AHL IA Wild package, the next two years are gonna rock!!

[Imyourhuckleberry]

4 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

At least Hunt has played there for two years and has more speed than Lambos and it seems to be the best training ground for the young core.

Hunt barely played one season, logging just 6 games in that 2020-2021 year while playing most of the season with Moosejaw. He had a full year in AHL last season and that should help him.

What makes you believe Hunt has more speed though? Does Hunt have elite speed? One of Lambos' top skills is his skating/speed.

Quote

One of Lambos’ strongest skills is his skating. Blessed with a quick, compact stride, he is able to use his great edge work to weave in and out of open lanes with ease. He is so good at picking up speed in the neutral zone and attacking the middle of the ice.-- TheHockeyWriters.com

Quote

Lambos spent much of 2020 bouncing around the JYP system, as he was always needed in some capacity or other, and the first thing pretty much everybody noticed about him is his absurd speed. Lambos is a fast skater, able to get up to full speed near instantly, and use that speed to become a dangerous transition player.--stanleycupofchowder.com

I saw an article that indicated Hunt needed to improve his skating to be NHL ready, back in his draft year, but maybe he has done that. Do you have indications that Hunt is a faster skater?

[vonlonster67]

2 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

Any chance Billy holds these guys back as to not "waste" a year of their rookie contracts?

He has never done that in the past, he burned a year for both KK and Boldy when he signed them so I'm guessing that is the last thing he cares about if they can produce. 

[vonlonster67]

2 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Hunt barely played one season, logging just 6 games in that 2020-2021 year while playing most of the season with Moosejaw. He had a full year in AHL last season and that should help him.

What makes you believe Hunt has more speed though? Does Hunt have elite speed? One of Lambos' top skills is his skating/speed.

I saw an article that indicated Hunt needed to improve his skating to be NHL ready, back in his draft year, but maybe he has done that. Do you have indications that Hunt is a faster skater?

I dont have an article for you, but just observations of Hunt in IA and what I've seen of Lambos. Different styles of play and speed. Same/similar, but different.

Hunt is a smooth skater and top speed, and has great footwork and can move quickly laterally or north-south with agility and body control. His skating is effortless and can set up easy entries. He's got great burst and flies to loose pucks, and his burst allows him to separate.  SPEED/FINESS/QUICK/PHYSICAL

Lambos is also real smooth skater and has quick feet, mobility and strong edges. He seems to have more power in his stride and can also skate the puck out of trouble if needed for an entry. He has a stronger offensive blueline. He can jump into the plays on the ice and recover with his speed. Lambos has amazing backwards speed  SPEED/POWER/PHYSICAL

[mnfaninnc]

17 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

The problem is he is running out of time and their are a lot of bodies there that could bury him in the progression to the big club.

Wasn't O'Rourke in the same draft class as Hunt? What do you mean running out of time? He's like 21. 

If he's not over 200 lbs., though, he's in trouble. Specifically with O'Rourke and the style of play he plays, he has to have the weight. A lot of people roll their eyes at my insistence on bulking up, but if there's a guy who has to do it, O'Rourke is that guy. And, perhaps that is the problem?

We knew we weren't going to get much offense from O'Rourke and Hunt when we drafted them. O'Rourke is a Merrill replacement type of guy, who takes the body more and is meaner. He can also help replace Foligno in the policemen department and is very capable of a meltdown as I've documented in the past. He's had 2 full A seasons, but it seemed like he took a step back last season. I thought it was a mistake for him to go back to jr. He needed that season to continue bulking up and playing against men. That decision may ultimately cost him his dream.

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

You are 100% correct and I'm looking forward to IA Wild hockey also. I just renewed my AHL IA Wild package, the next two years are gonna rock!!

I am hoping you will share any insights you gain from watching the A. I'm sure the site will be doing "Prospect Watch" articles, I'll be looking for your comments in those. 

Last season, Iowa had a bunch of rookies on the back end. Now there's more rookies but the sophomores have graduated. I look for them to only play one vet back there in Mermis. He will kind of be in charge of the unit, and challenging them to get better. 

By the way, you guys were right to include Simon Johansson. He did lead the rookies for most of the year in points. While he's got size, I don't think he uses it in taking the body, and he's supposed to have some offensive upside. Simon is a converted forward, and late in the season, he was showing up on the highlights in a good way for Iowa. While he's an older prospect, he is still improving and learning the position. 

Personally, I see Spacek as the better prospect, but if Simon grows his game, could he be trade bait?

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I saw an article that indicated Hunt needed to improve his skating to be NHL ready, back in his draft year, but maybe he has done that. Do you have indications that Hunt is a faster skater?

I think this was said with one caveat: Hunt was injured a good portion of his draft year. He was injured a lot the following year too. I believe his skating has improved as I think the first injury was LBI (but that's from memory). 

Defensively, I think Hunt has graded out very well. In fact, he's probably passed O'Rourke on the depth chart, as O'Rourke's main advantage has been staying healthy (an ability all its own). 

[mnfaninnc]

14 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

Any chance Billy holds these guys back as to not "waste" a year of their rookie contracts?

I don't believe that we have any eligible guys in this category. The Euro guys might be, but we already have Ohgren signed and he's been loaned to the SHL. The Russians aren't signed yet. 

I believe the rule is that regardless of playing in the N or A, if you're 20, you're burning your ELC. I also think that The Wall burned a year last season as he turned 20 before the cutoff. 

Faber signing last season burned a year off his deal....but it may have been worth it! Back in '21 when the jr. players didn't have a league to play in, O'Rourke didn't burn a year because an exception was made. Hunt was the same way even though he only played like 9 games there. Beckman also got the same treatment. 

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

I dont have an article for you, but just observations of Hunt in IA and what I've seen of Lambos. Different styles of play and speed. Same/similar, but different.

Hunt is a smooth skater and top speed, and has great footwork and can move quickly laterally or north-south with agility and body control. His skating is effortless and can set up easy entries. He's got great burst and flies to loose pucks, and his burst allows him to separate.  SPEED/FINESS/QUICK/PHYSICAL

Lambos is also real smooth skater and has quick feet, mobility and strong edges. He seems to have more power in his stride and can also skate the puck out of trouble if needed for an entry. He has a stronger offensive blueline. He can jump into the plays on the ice and recover with his speed. Lambos has amazing backwards speed  SPEED/POWER/PHYSICAL

I'd say the way styles matchup, Lambos is likely destined to play with Faber, Hunt with Addison, maybe Spacek.

[MrCheatachu]

11 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

He has never done that in the past, he burned a year for both KK and Boldy when he signed them so I'm guessing that is the last thing he cares about if they can produce. 

I'm curious if we're going to see the waivers exempt guys (Boldy/Rossi/Addison) get sent down more this season.  We (somehow) had cap room last season and didnt need to do that while still having space to take advantage at the TDL.

Will be curious to see if we attempt to accrue some (Boldy = $6,048/day, Faber $4,973/day, Addison = ???/day) flexibility.  Since Boldy is on the 1-way contract, no money out of his pocket I'm not sure why Billy wouldn't at least be eyeing this as an option to accumulate some cap.

 

[vonlonster67]

46 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Wasn't O'Rourke in the same draft class as Hunt? What do you mean running out of time? He's like 21. 

If he's not over 200 lbs., though, he's in trouble. Specifically with O'Rourke and the style of play he plays, he has to have the weight. A lot of people roll their eyes at my insistence on bulking up, but if there's a guy who has to do it, O'Rourke is that guy. And, perhaps that is the problem?

We knew we weren't going to get much offense from O'Rourke and Hunt when we drafted them. O'Rourke is a Merrill replacement type of guy, who takes the body more and is meaner. He can also help replace Foligno in the policemen department and is very capable of a meltdown as I've documented in the past. He's had 2 full A seasons, but it seemed like he took a step back last season. I thought it was a mistake for him to go back to jr. He needed that season to continue bulking up and playing against men. That decision may ultimately cost him his dream.

So with O'Rourke its not so much his time/age, but his competition. He was a second round pick and has struggled with his transition on the offensive side of his game. He's no where near 200lbs, still 6-1 180 and lanky. He plays physical, but I wouldn't say he's making any more of an impact than others on the team. He has always been know for his physical prowess so I believe people just give him that. With Lambos in camp at IA, he just went down the rung of the ladder, Spacek, Masters...

Hunt, a third round pick (Same year)has elevated his game and transition to IA and is an offensive and defensive defenceman. So in his draft year, O'Rourke has fallen behind Hunt also. Not to give up on him, but he needs to rise up and finish this year and make something more of his game. I don't see O'Rourke bulking up, he more of a shorter Merrill type body of player

[vonlonster67]

32 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'd say the way styles matchup, Lambos is likely destined to play with Faber, Hunt with Addison, maybe Spacek.

All good problems to have, but we will need to shed some salary in two years in Spurgeon as we have discussed before. 

[vonlonster67]

11 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

I'm curious if we're going to see the waivers exempt guys (Boldy/Rossi/Addison) get sent down more this season.  We (somehow) had cap room last season and didnt need to do that while still having space to take advantage at the TDL.

Will be curious to see if we attempt to accrue some (Boldy = $6,048/day, Faber $4,973/day, Addison = ???/day) flexibility.  Since Boldy is on the 1-way contract, no money out of his pocket I'm not sure why Billy wouldn't at least be eyeing this as an option to accumulate some cap.

 

No chance BG sends Boldy or Faber down, he would trade Merrill before he did that. Boldy is a young, soon to be star in the making and Faber is so far on the same path.  What would that say to them if they were told your going to go down to ride a bus in IA.

I'm thinking Addy and Merrill are in the crosshairs of a trade if the talent suggests they can get away with plugging in Goose with a prospect along the way and whoever is left over Addy/Merrill.

[vonlonster67]

55 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I am hoping you will share any insights you gain from watching the A. I'm sure the site will be doing "Prospect Watch" articles, I'll be looking for your comments in those. 

Last season, Iowa had a bunch of rookies on the back end. Now there's more rookies but the sophomores have graduated. I look for them to only play one vet back there in Mermis. He will kind of be in charge of the unit, and challenging them to get better. 

By the way, you guys were right to include Simon Johansson. He did lead the rookies for most of the year in points. While he's got size, I don't think he uses it in taking the body, and he's supposed to have some offensive upside. Simon is a converted forward, and late in the season, he was showing up on the highlights in a good way for Iowa. While he's an older prospect, he is still improving and learning the position. 

Personally, I see Spacek as the better prospect, but if Simon grows his game, could he be trade bait?

IA WIld prospect profiles are starting to post already on the team site:

https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/prospect-profile-caedan-bankier

[vonlonster67]

52 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I think this was said with one caveat: Hunt was injured a good portion of his draft year. He was injured a lot the following year too. I believe his skating has improved as I think the first injury was LBI (but that's from memory). 

Defensively, I think Hunt has graded out very well. In fact, he's probably passed O'Rourke on the depth chart, as O'Rourke's main advantage has been staying healthy (an ability all its own). 

Hunt was selected to play with Team Canada over Lambos last year, he's elevated his game. He got hurt (go figure ) before the medal games in practice, so he may also have to look at a different off season regiment for conditioning and that will be improved the more years he's exposed to the trainers at IA/MN WIld.

He was obviously respected for his talent and leadership there as they kept him in camp throughout the games and he was there to receive his medal albeit injured.

[vonlonster67]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I think this was said with one caveat: Hunt was injured a good portion of his draft year. He was injured a lot the following year too. I believe his skating has improved as I think the first injury was LBI (but that's from memory). 

Defensively, I think Hunt has graded out very well. In fact, he's probably passed O'Rourke on the depth chart, as O'Rourke's main advantage has been staying healthy (an ability all its own). 

I wanted to go back and see what his injuries were also and beyond the nagging injuries every player sustains day to day, his significant injuries that kept him out of games resulted in broken fingers each time. 

So staying injury free for day to day (conditioning) and hand injuries could be technique and body positioning, but could also be dumb luck.