Article: Wilderness Walk: Matt Boldy Is Back

[Thomas Williams]

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Hopefully he’s noticed it’s hockey season and his golf aspirations are way down the priority list behind playing NHL hockey and helping the Wild PP.

[M_Nels]

Hopefully the chemistry with Ek & Mojo can pick up in stride. Intrigued with the Maroon-Rossi-Foglino line, think that's going to be a sleeper line. Maroon has been fantastic this season. He's got the skill to finish and can dish the puck well too. Might see a big game from that line.

IF the 1st line struggles mightily again I think it's time for the blender. Swap Mojo & Zucc, give KK97 some speed going north-south and maybe then FINALLY he can get some goals off the rush. Need special teams to come up large in this game, especially PK with how good NJ is on the PP. Been a long stretch between games. LGW! 

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

Need special teams to come up large in this game, especially PK with how good NJ is on the PP. Been a long stretch between games. LGW! 

One would assume with the long stretch in between games that there was a lot of practice time. Is that a correct assumption?

I would think that the PP v PK would be tired of each other by now.  

I'd also think some of the practices should have been pretty hard. 

I'm trying to keep up, but with Khiara and Hunt heading back down to Des Moines, did Letteiri already get sent down? Do we have a status on Gaudreau?

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

Maroon-Rossi-Foglino line

Where are you finding the new line combos?  Rossi paired with the goon squad could work but given the cinder blocks in maroon’s skates and foligno’s inability to execute basic offensive hockey plays I’m taking a wait and see approach

NJD might be the worst opponent for a team like our Wild who’s trying to get its groove back (because NJD is a god damned wagon), but NJD is very fun to watch

Edited November 2, 2023 by Pewterschmidt

[Willy the poor boy]

Matt Boldy is back and you're gonna be in trouble, hey la, hey la, Matt Boldy's back!

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'm trying to keep up, but with Khiara and Hunt heading back down to Des Moines, did Letteiri already get sent down? Do we have a status on Gaudreau?

Huntsy's got called back up: https://www.capfriendly.com/transactions/players/daemon-hunt

Mermis, Huntsy an Lettieri are up.

Russo just tweeted Gus was first off the ice, so sounds like we'll be seeing him tonight.

[Pewterschmidt]

4 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

Mermis, Huntsy an Lettieri are up.

Mermzy has won me over.  Don't mind his game at all right now.  Better than Merrill

Lettierzy is dead man walkin' unless he shows some flashes tonight.  But that's not fair Pewter, only x # of games....yah, tell that to Walker.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Pewterschmidt

[M_Nels]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Where are you finding the new line combos?  Rossi paired with the goon squad could work but given the cinder blocks in maroon’s skates and foligno’s inability to execute basic offensive hockey plays I’m taking a wait and see approach

NJD might be the worst opponent for a team like our Wild who’s trying to get its groove back (because NJD is a god damned wagon), but NJD is very fun to watch

Russo or Smith (can't remember) Tweeted out line combos in practice yesterday, I'm just assuming they're going to stick.

[Up North Guy]

3 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Hopefully the chemistry with Ek & Mojo can pick up in stride. Intrigued with the Maroon-Rossi-Foglino line, think that's going to be a sleeper line. Maroon has been fantastic this season. He's got the skill to finish and can dish the puck well too. Might see a big game from that line.

IF the 1st line struggles mightily again I think it's time for the blender. Swap Mojo & Zucc, give KK97 some speed going north-south and maybe then FINALLY he can get some goals off the rush. Need special teams to come up large in this game, especially PK with how good NJ is on the PP. Been a long stretch between games. LGW! 

Intrigued by the Maroon-Rossi-Foligno line? I truly cannot see what they are trying to do here. Rossi is a sports car teamed up with Mack trucks. I do not see this setting this kid up for success. Is DE setting up a scenario where he can recreate the GREEF line when this line fails? Is that his go to plan of choice? Is he bereft of ideas without Freddy in the lineup? I am rapidly losing all and any confidence in DE's ability to coach.

[mnfaninnc]

33 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Lettierzy is dead man walkin' unless he shows some flashes tonight.  But that's not fair Pewter, only x # of games....yah, tell that to Walker.

based on Lettierzy's last performance, it should be Beckman time.

[mnfaninnc]

28 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Russo or Smith (can't remember) Tweeted out line combos in practice yesterday, I'm just assuming they're going to stick.

Nice, they really do practice!

[M_Nels]

4 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Intrigued by the Maroon-Rossi-Foligno line? I truly cannot see what they are trying to do here. Rossi is a sports car teamed up with Mack trucks. I do not see this setting this kid up for success. Is DE setting up a scenario where he can recreate the GREEF line when this line fails? Is that his go to plan of choice? Is he bereft of ideas without Freddy in the lineup? I am rapidly losing all and any confidence in DE's ability to coach.

Yeah I mean ultimately I would like to see him paired up with more skilled wingers as the 1C. I’m not wanting this to be the end all be all solution for the rest of the season. Just intrigued by it for this game. I agree this isn’t an ideal, long-term solution for Rossi’s skills/development. 
 

IMO a line of Boldy-Rossi-KK97 would be awesome. Or even Mojo-Rossi-KK97 but they might get pushed around a bit more than what Boldy would. 

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Yeah I mean ultimately I would like to see him paired up with more skilled wingers as the 1C. I’m not wanting this to be the end all be all solution for the rest of the season. Just intrigued by it for this game. I agree this isn’t an ideal, long-term solution for Rossi’s skills/development. 
 

IMO a line of Boldy-Rossi-KK97 would be awesome. Or even Mojo-Rossi-KK97 but they might get pushed around a bit more than what Boldy would. 

It would be nice to tinker with this stuff, especially in training camp, but as seen above, confidence in the Evason way is waning around here. But, there aren't many choices available except Gallant right now. With his track record with previous teams, can we really afford a 3-4 year contract on Gallant?

[raithis]

9 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Nice, they really do practice!

And I'm sure it all looks great against our team defense.

[M_Nels]

1 minute ago, mnfaninnc said:

It would be nice to tinker with this stuff, especially in training camp, but as seen above, confidence in the Evason way is waning around here. But, there aren't many choices available except Gallant right now. With his track record with previous teams, can we really afford a 3-4 year contract on Gallant?

I really think GMBG for better or worse, worse mainly, will let Dean finish out this season and see who becomes available after the season. With the buyouts on the books and what we've seen on the ice so far he's gotta know (besides what he says publicly) that this team isn't going to content for a cup this season.

I'm all for the blender if the 1st line doesn't get going tonight.

[Pewterschmidt]

18 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

it should be Beckman time.

I would support this.  Bring the young man up and let's see what we're working with.

[M_Nels]

20 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Intrigued by the Maroon-Rossi-Foligno line? I truly cannot see what they are trying to do here. Rossi is a sports car teamed up with Mack trucks. I do not see this setting this kid up for success. Is DE setting up a scenario where he can recreate the GREEF line when this line fails? Is that his go to plan of choice? Is he bereft of ideas without Freddy in the lineup? I am rapidly losing all and any confidence in DE's ability to coach.

Sorry, wouldn't let me edit my 1st reply back to you for some reason but I wanted to add on some stuff I thought about after I hit the button.

Once Freddy comes back I don't think he automatically plugs back into his 3rd line spot (at least I'm hoping not). If Rossi is promoted to 1C (really hoping he will be) a checking line with Maroon-Hartman-Foglino would be about the closest thing to GREEF and I think could be a good line for us. IMO the best lineup when Freddy comes back unless something miraculous happens between now and then would be:

Boldy-Rossi-KK97

Mojo-Ek-Zucc

Maroon-Hartman-Foglino

Duhaime-Dewar-Freddy

[mnfaninnc]

2 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

I really think GMBG for better or worse, worse mainly, will let Dean finish out this season and see who becomes available after the season. With the buyouts on the books and what we've seen on the ice so far he's gotta know (besides what he says publicly) that this team isn't going to content for a cup this season.

For this, I think it could depend on who Guerin looks at as one of his coaches. I say Gallant might not be the right fit, but is Sullivan? I don't see Sacco being available until the offseason. 

But, who are the coaches that Guerin keeps an eye on? For me, I would think it would be a fierce rival he wished he'd played with, or a former teammate he was close with. I really just don't know that much about his playing career other than it was very successful. He built a lot of relationships, and having guys like Modano and Kurvers in the organization shows that. Now he's got Koivu, and possibly next season Goligoski. Any thoughts from people a little closer to the scene who might have some insight on the people he values?

[Pewterschmidt]

11 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

GMBG for better or worse, worse mainly, will let Dean finish out this season

I'll bet BG gives Dean a 5 year extension next week...*sad* HEYOOOHHHHH

Edited November 2, 2023 by Pewterschmidt

[Pewterschmidt]

3 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Maroon-Hartman-Foglino would be about the closest thing to GREEF

Like this alot.  Hartman and Maroon could create some offense, while Foligno flys around clearing space.  

[M_Nels]

2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Like this alot.  Hartman and Maroon could create some offense, while Foligno flys around clearing space.  

Makes perfect sense to me, I really think it would be a hell of a line. But it makes too much sense so Dean won’t try it. 

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Mermzy has won me over.  Don't mind his game at all right now.  Better than Merrill

Lettierzy is dead man walkin' unless he shows some flashes tonight.  But that's not fair Pewter, only x # of games....yah, tell that to Walker.

100% Mermzy has earned the right to be here

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

It would be nice to tinker with this stuff, especially in training camp, but as seen above, confidence in the Evason way is waning around here. But, there aren't many choices available except Gallant right now. With his track record with previous teams, can we really afford a 3-4 year contract on Gallant?

According to NHL Trade Rumors Sullivan's seat is getting very warm. The Pens are really underperforming, although I think they may be performing in line with their talent.

[Willy the poor boy]

11 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

According to NHL Trade Rumors Sullivan's seat is getting very warm. The Pens are really underperforming, although I think they may be performing in line with their talent.

So Sullivan can perform as long as he's got top tier talent. I guess Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Karlsson and Letang aren't enough talent. I wonder what he could do here with all the high end talent the Wild have.