Article: Did A Super Line Solve the Wild’s Skid?

[Tony Abbott]

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[Citizen Strife]

Rossi has as many goals as the NHL's newest golden boy, so keep him on line 1 until "if" the bottom drops out from them.  The first two games are showing it probably won't.

[MrCheatachu]

Quote

You can point out that the underlying numbers don't look great so far, but we're also talking about 23 minutes in two pretty bizarre games.

I'd be curious to what the underlying numbers look like for the Zucc/Hartsy/Mojo and the Foligno/Ek/Maroon lines.

Specifically, the past two games Foligno has looked pretty darn good...it felt like they were what really changed the tide in the NYR game.

I've honestly been more impressed with lines 2/3/4 over what 1's been able to do the past 2 games

[M_Nels]

I think it would have to take an injury on that top line for Dean to put KK97 & Zucc back together, I think he'd had enough. ROBOKAP has been money ever since being formed. If that 2nd line can somewhat keep pace from the Rags game it'd actually be a really good secondary scoring line, they had 6 combined points against the Rags. Combine that with the shutdown MEEF line and a gritty 4th line the forward group is actually really balanced.

I just HOPE once Freddy comes back Dean doesn't throw him back on his 3rd line spot just because and move Maroon or Foglino down to the 4th and mess with chemistry.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

46 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

I just HOPE once Freddy comes back Dean doesn't throw him back on his 3rd line spot just because and move Maroon or Foglino down to the 4th and mess with chemistry.

Have to assume it would be Maroon or Gaudreau on 4th line when everyone is healthy. Both are capable of playing up in the lineup, but someone needs to fill that role and Maroon is probably the most likely based upon age & contract.

Foligno is definitely not going to 4th line.

When everyone is healthy, it wouldn't be completely shocking to see Hartman up with Boldy and Kaprizov, JEE with Zuccy and Johansson, and Rossi with Foligno and Gaudreau, but I don't have a problem with Rossi up on line 1 right now. Also can understand keeping JEE with Foligno for a shut down line.

Hartman is tied for 11th in goals at the moment, and leading the Wild, so it could make sense for him to go back to #1 or continue to work with Johansson and Zuccy. Evason will figure it out, and maybe that does mean Rossi continuing in the #1 center role.

[Greenbean]

5 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Hartman is tied for 11th in goals at the moment, and leading the Wild, so it could make sense for him to go back to #1 or continue to work with Johansson and Zuccy. Evason will figure it out, and maybe that does mean Rossi continuing in the #1 center role.

Hartman plays the kind of game where he can produce regardless of the line. He plays hard around the crease looking for dirty goals, and is talented enough to create his own offense. It seemed the biggest issue with the top line was Zuccy and Kap being so damn pass happy back and forth. I think once Rossi Boldy and Kap have some time together they could be scary good. Hartman will still do Hartman things on the wind line. He'll even the 3rd line he could work well. He's just a greasy gritty player with sneaky talent. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Greenbean
Misspelled word

[mnfaninnc]

7 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Evason will figure it out, and maybe that does mean Rossi continuing in the #1 center role.

Don't bet on this. He needs to go. I'll be interested to see  the effort in the next game.

[mnfaninnc]

Why not throw your best 2 wings and center on the top line? We need secondary scoring, but having a real top line is nice. 

Now, will this top line be physical enough? Will others try and take advantage? I think some might, and that's why you can come back with the Ek-Foligno-Maroon line against their top line and really play heavy with them. Don't worry about the guy messing with our top line, worry about the guy with the same name on the front of the jersey who puts pucks in the net. 

I loved last year when Hartman reverse hit the Jet. It was a message sent that it didn't matter if you were the guy who sat on Kaprizov, you're wearing the same color sweater and need your head on a swivel. Ehlers did not come fully back from that hit through the playoffs. That is the way to do retribution. 

[Protec]

Hartman has been solid so far. Like the 4M he's getting as he continues to look good getting production to offset the bad penalties. The Norwegian Hobbit and Foligno are doing pretty okay currently too but I'm waiting to give the Wild too much credit. They barely squeaked one out against NYR and have two more big games before playing Dallas. If the Wild can win a couple of these tough ones, especially against Dallas then perhaps we can say they've turned the page on the crummy start. Five losses isn't too bad in the big picture, but being 500% for too much longer would be a bad sign.

[FredJohnson]

One thing the new top line eliminates: over-passing between Kap and Zuc. Zuc and Kap have had their share of pretty, flashy plays, but good gawd fellas...shoot!

[Dean]

IMO. The lines are as close to as good as you can get with these players. If we really want to get to an advance in playoffs then Rossi needs to breakout like he’s doing.  He needs to stay on top line if he continues his strong play .  Maybe moving Boldy to 2 nd line is necessary if they need to make a legit second scoring line. I agree with comment about no toughness on first line to protect kappy. Even with Middleton or Merrill out there , no one protects kap. I wish foligno or Maroon  would skate the opposing bench at beginning of game and let them know you run our  star we run your stars all night long. Not fight the scrub but hit there stars over and over all night long. !!!  Then kap might get some room. 
   I think you keep the ek foligno maroon line. They are the heaviest line and all play a heavy skilled game. That’s priceless.  They can lean on teams like we need. Then you have your 4 th line an energy line  to fly around. 
    I don’t I understand the Rossi moose Fred line. I haven’t seen them shut down anything. It makes moose play more skill and not as much heavy. Rossi seems to adapt to styles . Fred is just Fred.  Played top 6 minutes last year and had 38 points. He plays the skill game but not enough to be top 6 . He doesn’t play with energy . He’s always gliding an avoiding contact. I get others like him. I don’t and don’t see where he fit’s except for press box . 5 years. Wow. 
    I kinda think this is close to the best lines they can put together .  Now it’s time to see if they actually perform against good teams not ones with backup goalies or save Percentage under 700. Edm. I am pleasantly surprised by Rossi. I hope he can continue it against strong competition. 

[Dean]

Keep kap hart zucc in back pocket for when things are going sideways. A proven scoring line when ya need.