Article: I've Been Watching Hockey Forever, and I Know When It's Time To Tank

[mnfaninnc]

41 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

I don't know.  I think Hunt is actually better than Merrill.  He has more speed.  Better hands.  Better skill.  I don't know what BG is doing but I've been bothered by it for a while now.  

Hunt needs ice time and that ice time is worth more than any return Merrill could bring.  Bogo was worth a 7th to put it in perspective.

I can't say I disagree with this take. Bogosian was playing poorly in Tampa I believe and we fixed him. I do think Hunt is better.....just not that much better presently. Hunt does not require waivers to move and I think he's caught in that scenario. 

Maybe if Chisholm works out, Merrill will be expendable? Hunt is getting ice time, just in the A. I'm sure he was given specific things to work on. However, to your point, ice time in the A is different from ice time in the N where the skaters are faster and can cut much quicker. We've seen Hunt get turned inside out a few times, so getting that experience now probably helps him for next season.

On this same topic, I'm particularly disappointed in Lambos' progression and O'Rourke's ability to add strength/weight. You simply can't have a middleweight with a monster's mentality. Things break on the middleweight in this scenario. We saw how Dumba ran into an immovable object on a nice open ice hit and wrecked his right shoulder. He still can't shoot.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind having Seeler back either. I think he'd make an excellent #7 and I do think he'd like to come back home. Guerin did him a solid favor by moving him so he could play, his play was never the problem, Soucy's play was the issue. I think as a home town kid, Seeler may have his agent check in and see if there isn't a position here for him. I'd start him every game against Winnipeg too. He's the kind of guy you want in the lineup against division foes.

[Willy the poor boy]

On 2/12/2024 at 3:20 PM, manbearpig said:

Locked on Wild Podcast can be critical but almost to a depressing point that makes you not even want to listen sometimes, same goes for Judds hockey show

Judd is unlistenable. Just taking shots in the dark.

[raithis]

On 2/12/2024 at 12:46 PM, Pewterschmidt said:

The can't miss prospect need to make the big club in top 6 contributor roles (eventually).  This will demote Fred, Foligno, Hartzy into bottom six grinder roles, where they now belong.

In my eyes, that has to be the plan once the prospects are good enough to be in those roles.  For someone like Yurov, that could be next year if they can convince him to come over.  No, nothing should be given, but if he shows he's better, a top-6 spot should be his.

[raithis]

My problem with tanking as prescribed in the article is that tearing everything down to the floorboards with a couple younger players left means tears just to get back where you were. 

Sure, some of the prospects will come in and do well while others will flounder, but it will take 5 years just to get back to where we were last year.  Do you really think Kaprizov re-signs with us? 

I believe in the transition that is happening.  Lots of teams do the tank and try to rebuild.  How many small and medium market teams actually recover from it? 

Arizona has seemingly been doing it their entire existence.  They've perennially been one of the worst teams in the league and have never had a first overall pick, nor do they ever do very well despite having top 10 picks almost every year.  Other small and medium market teams kind of do the same.  For every Colorado, there are a couple teams that never rebound and follow up a rebuild with another one.

Tanking isn't a guarantee for a good team later on, but it is a guarantee your team is going to be even harder to watch.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

On 2/12/2024 at 12:49 PM, Pewterschmidt said:

Would listen to this show if it weren't for Michelletti.  It's a tie between his "tile saw" voice (can someone tell him to turn away from Mic when he coughs) or his lack of any insight.  ie - Pat what do you think?  Pat: It's hard to know....Thanks Pat.

Michelletti is terrible to try and listen to. I really like Seth and the locked on Wild podcast but Michelletti Mondays are a hard pass for me. Every sentence is started with the whiny low to high "uhhhhh". The dude may have some hockey knowledge but terribly needs a public speaking course, makes it hard to listen to. 

[Pewterschmidt]

14 minutes ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Michelletti is terrible to try and listen to. I really like Seth and the locked on Wild podcast but Michelletti Mondays are a hard pass for me. Every sentence is started with the whiny low to high "uhhhhh". The dude may have some hockey knowledge but terribly needs a public speaking course, makes it hard to listen to. 

I believe this is Pat's kid.  Every statement begins with the uhhhhh and ends with an odd chuckle.  Can listen to this Michelletti either.

[Protec]

Hockeywilderness.com podcast needed. Members as hosts and guests. First topic & episode features mnfaninnc for North Stars Era stories and how to bulk up over the off-season tips. 

Episode two: RochRinkRat's ghost joins the podcast from the darkest depths of the gutter where Zamboni snow goes to melt. Also jokes from Pewterschmidt and Up North Guy grumbles.

Third episode: Music from the Willy and the Poor Boys Band and a salary cap deep dive with Mr.Cheetachu.

I mean, sure there's those other guys but they stink... 

[Protec]

Just now, Protec said:

I mean, sure there's those other guys but they stink... 

Judd, Michelettii, etc. We can do just as well I bet with our guys and we can't be bought off by the Wild PR arm. Honest journalism we could call it. 

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Also jokes from Pewterschmidt and Up North Guy grumbles.

I'm in. I will start practicing my grumbling immediately. I am sure my wife will have much to add as well (concerning my grumbles).

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Judd, Michelettii, etc. We can do just as well I bet with our guys and we can't be bought off by the Wild PR arm. Honest journalism we could call it. 

Wait, we can't be bought off????? What you talkin' about Wills?

[manbearpig]

22 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Judd is unlistenable. Just taking shots in the dark.

Yea you are not wrong I think he gets in that mode because he has to create content everyday for vikes and he probably carries over to Wild podcast.

[Up North Guy]

33 minutes ago, manbearpig said:

Yea you are not wrong I think he gets in that mode because he has to create content everyday for vikes and he probably carries over to Wild podcast.

Also his partner to SKOL NORTH is Mackey. Not exactly mister up beat guy there.

[manbearpig]

8 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Also his partner to SKOL NORTH is Mackey. Not exactly mister up beat guy there.

I didn't like him as much at first but the more I listen he can actually be pretty funny sometimes. As for his wild podcast no Mackey just Judd and Declan and they do have Jessi pierce on along a lot of the time.

Edited February 15 by manbearpig

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, manbearpig said:

As for his wild podcast no Mackey just Judd and Declan and they do have Jessi pierce on along a lot of the time.

I like Judd and I like Declan.  Not exactly Ryan Carter in terms of hockey IQ (Cart's is the Hockey IQ gold standard IMO), but fun to listen to and independent.  They will be critical of Wild org when necessary.

Jesse Pierce provides zero insight IMO and AJ is a grouchy MN asshole.  He just complains.  That's his only move.  

'Locked on Wild' dude is just there to fill air time and sell ads.  That doesn't stop me from listening if there's nothing else available but he's a male version of Jesse Pierce.

Edited February 15 by Pewterschmidt