Article: Bill Guerin's Trade Deadline Phone Calls Are Mostly Empty Threats

[Tony Abbott]

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[Pewterschmidt]

“Pool noodle dipped in brown paint” +10 pts!

[Pewterschmidt]

I continue to try to figure out what BG was thinking when he signed the apathetic old core to those long extensions with no move classes the only explanation that makes any sense to me is that Guerin did not trust that the prospect pool would be ready next year or the year after so to buffer the club with some veteran presents and placeholders he decided to hitch his wagon to the devil he knows (fred ,etc) instead of the devil he doesn’t know (Jake Luigi, and the like) to buy time for 2 to 3 years from now when the bulk of the can’t miss prospects arrive.  I can follow that logic but we’re learning a long term contract simply ensures apathy, not loyalty.  Whereas a turnstile of fringe nhl’rs bring hunger/hustle each night. 
 

First up in the hockey hunger games:  K-Nut

[Will D. Ness]

To freeze up like they did in Nashville was almost prescient.  The coach and GM claiming "this isn't a must win" even though it was the most obvious "must win" of the year.

Who are they kidding and why?  Sounds like a couple parents lying to their scared kids to keep them from getting nightmares or something.  It was a "must win" and this team folded.

 

[Will D. Ness]

BTW, looks like Shaw is going to take Freddy's spot today.

[mnfaninnc]

I don't see that being sent to the minors isn't a threat to some of these players. If Johansson is, essentially, sent down, he has to pass through waivers and if he's claimed, he can go anywhere, like Ottawa. To me, that would motivate me to waive to go back to Washington or something, should the Caps come calling. 

I think with Freddy, that would send shock waves through him, and if I were Guerin, I might think Freddy will rebound next year, but he just doesn't look right now, IR might be the best place for him. 

Rosters also expand at the end of the TDL, so perhaps we have more guys sitting with Goligoski in the nacho bin. Merrill is another one, if he isn't moved, I think I'd send him down and see if someone will pluck him and we get out of the final year of his deal. Hunt needs to be up here. He scored last night too.

I'd also like to bring up the curious case of Charlie Stramel. Stramel is having a terrible statistical season in WI, but in looking deeper into his seasons, he's never been a big scorer. What is the next best place for him? Should we sign him after this season? It looks like WI is going to make the Frozen tournament this season, so maybe having eyes glued to him in that tournament will help. I'd think we'd want him in Iowa, but, he doesn't turn 20 until next Oct. Is he even eligible to play in the A? As a big center, he looks to be targeted as one of those shut down 3rd line guys who will chip in minimally on offense. He seems like one of those guys that's simply hard to play against. If we did sign him, I would not want to burn a year on his ELC. I'd want that full 3 years. But, because of his track record as a scorer, I just don't think we're going to get many points out of him, except in tight.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

22 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Charlie Stramel. Stramel is having a terrible statistical season in WI, but in looking deeper into his seasons, he's never been a big scorer. What is the next best place for him? Should we sign him after this season? It looks like WI is going to make the Frozen tournament this season, so maybe having eyes glued to him in that tournament will help. I'd think we'd want him in Iowa, but, he doesn't turn 20 until next Oct. Is he even eligible to play in the A? As a big center, he looks to be targeted as one of those shut down 3rd line guys who will chip in minimally on offense. He seems like one of those guys that's simply hard to play against. If we did sign him, I would not want to burn a year on his ELC. I'd want that full 3 years. But, because of his track record as a scorer, I just don't think we're going to get many points out of him, except in tight.

Stamel is scoring less as a 2nd year college player than he did as a freshman. His 2nd season playing for the US national team, he did score nearly a point per game, but perhaps that was more due to others on his line.

He certainly doesn't seem to be someone to drive scoring. At this point, the Jordan Greenway outcome is looking like a best case scenario.

[Willy the poor boy]

2 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

can follow that logic but we’re learning a long term contract simply ensures apathy, not loyalty.

But, but, that can't be, we're changing the culture.

[Willy the poor boy]

30 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

At this point, the Jordan Greenway outcome is looking like a best case scenario.

That's OK as long as he uses that size. Big Rig just never used it to his advantage enough.

[Willy the poor boy]

Nice picture of BG on a direct line to the FO intercom informing the staff there will be no more office birthday parties until they start towing the line and show him more respect...😝

[joebou15]

Big, bad Billy G acting like he isn't part of the problem. Blame the players, blame the coaches, blame the $15 million. We all knew this was going to be a year in which the team took a step back. But instead of allowing the roster to turn over, save money, creat flexibility, Guerin doubled down. And, frankly, no one is calling this bluff this time. 

The buyouts bought Guerin time on this honeymoon, but if they aren't successful right out of the gate in 2025-26, then major questions about his leadership of this franchise has to be in serious question.

[Lovehockey]

22 minutes ago, joebou15 said:

Big, bad Billy G acting like he isn't part of the problem. Blame the players, blame the coaches, blame the $15 million. We all knew this was going to be a year in which the team took a step back. But instead of allowing the roster to turn over, save money, creat flexibility, Guerin doubled down. And, frankly, no one is calling this bluff this time. 

The buyouts bought Guerin time on this honeymoon, but if they aren't successful right out of the gate in 2025-26, then major questions about his leadership of this franchise has to be in serious question.

 

22 minutes ago, joebou15 said:

Big, bad Billy G acting like he isn't part of the problem. Blame the players, blame the coaches, blame the $15 million. We all knew this was going to be a year in which the team took a step back. But instead of allowing the roster to turn over, save money, creat flexibility, Guerin doubled down. And, frankly, no one is calling this bluff this time. 

The buyouts bought Guerin time on this honeymoon, but if they aren't successful right out of the gate in 2025-26, then major questions about his leadership of this franchise has to be in serious question.

 

3 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

 

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I think the only real option demote the players. Like make the fourth line Johansson- Hartman- Freddy. It give them min as a fourth line . And see if they have a pride and start playing or they request a trade or they just bad

[Protec]

3 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I continue to try to figure out what BG was thinking when he signed the apathetic old core to those long extensions with no move classes the only explanation that makes any sense to me is that Guerin did not trust that the prospect pool would be ready next year or the year after so to buffer the club with some veteran presents and placeholders he decided to hitch his wagon to the devil he knows (fred ,etc) instead of the devil he doesn’t know (Jake Luigi, and the like) to buy time for 2 to 3 years from now when the bulk of the can’t miss prospects arrive.  I can follow that logic but we’re learning a long term contract simply ensures apathy, not loyalty.  Whereas a turnstile of fringe nhl’rs bring hunger/hustle each night. 
 

First up in the hockey hunger games:  K-Nut

NoJo is the new Rask. Both elite Swedes with zero fire in their belly or in their eyes.

Fortunate if every few games they do something, except Rask sat in the press box more.

[bisopher]

2 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

BTW, looks like Shaw is going to take Freddy's spot today.

Can we please replace "today" with "for the rest of the season"?  Please?

[Need4speed99]

1 hour ago, joebou15 said:

Big, bad Billy G acting like he isn't part of the problem. Blame the players, blame the coaches, blame the $15 million. We all knew this was going to be a year in which the team took a step back. But instead of allowing the roster to turn over, save money, creat flexibility, Guerin doubled down. And, frankly, no one is calling this bluff this time. 

The buyouts bought Guerin time on this honeymoon, but if they aren't successful right out of the gate in 2025-26, then major questions about his leadership of this franchise has to be in serious question.

SPOT ON! This is his creation he got rid of a bunch of aging vets just to lock in a bunch of aging vets. We are the same team we have been for the last 10 yrs, mediocre. Not bad enough for a top pick not good enough to advance in the playoffs.

Would have been a great year to clean house and call up a bunch of prospects but they can't. Unless they can find a way to move on and bring in talent I'll be willing to bet this team looks pretty much the same the next 3 yrs.

[Dean]

Great article. Spot on.  I think this season is a direct reflection of those extensions and clauses. 2 years ago this team was hungry. The game wasn’t over till over. Everyone was hungry for jobs and contracts . Now everyone is comfortable with there bellies filled. The guys with hunger are boxed out by the fat cats. 
    As far as work ethic. I criticize them because all ya have to do is look at Philly. they tried the Craig /Fletcher method and gave up on it. They brought in brier jones and torts to strip down and rebuild yet there in the playoffs because torts demands work ethic.  Torts benches his top 6 guys if not playing well . On paper the wild are better yet don’t have the work ethic anymore. 
    The wild were always a hard working team since day one. They were lacking the superstars to put them over the top. They got one superstar and still had the work ethic but needed a little more. Now they have a few elite players and no work ethic. 

[Protec]

50 minutes ago, Dean said:

2 years ago this team was hungry. The game wasn’t over till over.

I'd take Greenway back over Nojo. Nyquist over Nojo. Bjugstad over Nojo.

The suggested Pewterschmidt drinking game related to Nojo goofs would kill a Lil Tyke.

It's more than that though. Fleury can have a heck of a game and it's the offense that can't generate. The Wild just don't find a way like they did two years ago.

Tonight with Nojo only logging a few minutes of TOI, the Wild still pulled off a loss. I mean, I love to see em losing more at this point, but it's still sad and depressing to get owned by every team we hate in the Central. I really liked Fleury's battle-level and heart. Best penalty killer all night perhaps. I'd love to see him go to a team where he can win. I really like him in MN for what Guerin traded and signed him for. Fleury has been good in MN, certainly NOT the scapegoat or singular reason the Wild stink.

Guerin has made plenty of good deals and decisions, but the few from this past Summer make me wonder if he had handshake deals with guys and honored his word. Going into the dead cap, did Guerin know the team would stink and end up with a good draft position? It sure seems like, no. It appears as if the GM and team believed they could make the playoffs, so it's not a show while they tank. They had been a playoff team with the same roster pretty much. It would be cooler if it was a stealth-tankfest and just looking brutal during a sideways season, but I think I'm just making up a more interesting story-line than the truth. Guerin signed the wrong Swede, and went full-NMC, before injuries and Evason Woods exit. I believe GMBG won't quit trying, but he's gonna need to regroup and the best way to do it now, is to simply stink it up and get a top-10 draft position. As always, OCL needs to step up his bribe-game and do some crooked shit like Vegas, Chicago, or NY would to get a top 3 selection... 

Edited March 3 by Protec

[Imyourhuckleberry]

With the Wild back in the bottom 9, I guess we can go back to dreaming about lottery jumps bringing in top centers, or just a top 10 pick used on a big, skilled defenseman. The Wild have the easiest remaining schedule in the league, but it doesn't look like they have the fire this year without Spurgeon.

The Wild put at least 4 goals past Binnington each of the three times they faced him last season. The only mustered one weak goal from Merrill this time. Where has the top line scoring gone? Where has the middle 6 scoring gone?

[B1GKappa97]

20 hours ago, joebou15 said:

The buyouts bought Guerin time on this honeymoon, but if they aren't successful right out of the gate in 2025-26, then major questions about his leadership of this franchise has to be in serious question.

I think, to his credit, Billy does have this team positioned to be successful in 2025-26. Which is the reasonable time to expect them to be so given the cap situation (which I think Guerin made the best of.)

The blueline is looking like its got 5 of the 6 starters figured out already with Brodin/Midds/Spurgy/Fabes/Chisholm and just needs a 6th D. Those are fairly cheap and available. 

Yurov should be over by then, and if he's as advertised, we've got another top-6 player on an ELC to replace Zuccarello. That would give us a top-6 of; Kaprizov, Ek, Boldy, Yurov, Rossi and some as of yet unknown winger.

Could be a guy we draft at #8 this year, possibly. Could be a TDL acquisition for a playoff push. Maybe Adam Beckman finally manages to reach another level? The holes are getting plugged bit by bit and I think that season is when it really should all come together, assuming there's no unexpected setbacks in development.  

 

 

[mnfaninnc]

For Sale

This should be the sign hanging outside of the organization this morning. We were in a decent position to climb up and take the last spot, but somehow wrecked in the 4th corner when traveling to Nashville and St. Louis. Those were the games that wrecked the run. 

I believe we will now be in for a decent March, but will miss out on the playoffs. If I'm Guerin, the team sent me the message that they are not able to compete. Note to Guerin: In our depth, we needed size and speed. Lettieri, Lucchini, even Shawzy were just too small (though Shaw punches above his weight class). I have watched as Declan Chisholm has proven he belongs, but against Nashville and St. Louis, he had some trouble moving larger forwards. Simple fact, he needs 10 lbs. of strength at least. 

I want a skilled team that can score, but I also want a team that will finish checks. Rossi looks like he may have shrunk a little as the season has gone on, and needs to regain that strength. His explosion seems a little less too, perhaps he is playing through some nicks. 

Merrill scores last night. Merrill is steady. Merrill is slow. Merrill is not as good as Hunt, IMO. I think his game last night showed he is a good depth player, a break glass in case of emergency player you can stick in the lineup. But, that's all he is. I thought Bogosian had another strong game. There is a place for him in this lineup, but, I wonder if he just wants to play out the string, or, compete for a cup? I think I'd be asking if I were Guerin.

Goligoski is simply missing. Have any search parties been arranged to see what he's up to? Maybe he's the new logistics guy carrying all the equipment? We could really use that roster spot. Terminating his contract may be the best way now, but at the TDL, we can go over 23 so who cares?

Dewar and Duhaime look like they're headed out. So, if that happens, why keep Shaw? Shaw is a heart and soul guy who just makes everyone better around him. He's that little yappy dog, a Jack Russell, that has a bundle of energy and keeps coming back for more, no matter how bad he gets his ass kicked. There's a place for a guy like that! 

But now is the time to construct the future of a team. Guerin has not had to do this yet, and I'm not sure it's in his DNA, but he needs to think longterm, not playoffs at this time. What is best for this organization next year? It's got to be obvious to him that we simply don't have the horses this season. 

Iowa's a mess right now, they can't win anything. I just wonder if The Wall should be one of those callups to get a chance to work around Fleury, if Fleury is even here by the end of the week? It's got to be obvious to him that this team isn't going to make the playoffs, there might be a mind change this week? 

[bisopher]

So, the Wild are now 2-10-0 against the five teams ahead of them in the Central.  The really sad thing is, that means they're 26-17-6 against the rest of the league.  If they had that same 0.592 points percentage overall, they'd be even with the Kings and in a playoff spot.

[Will D. Ness]

Unlike the Nashville game, we played a good game yesterday and had the opportunities to win.  I have no problem with a team that puts up a good fight.

The absence of Nojo was telling IMO.  The guy is fools gold as he glides into the offensive zone and has enamored Heinz for some reason.  Addition by subtraction.

Shaw revealed in just a few minutes of ice time that our AHL guys are not good enough (L & L).  Deweys have been good of late, but it seems they know they are on the market.  Freddy has been a joke or is hurt or is just basically wallowing in a 5 year contract.  Shaw is like the guy at work that exposes all the dead weight.

Playoffs are not realistic.  Only an epic collapse from Nashville or LA could do it.

[Lovehockey]

3 hours ago, B1GKappa97 said:

I think, to his credit, Billy does have this team positioned to be successful in 2025-26. Which is the reasonable time to expect them to be so given the cap situation (which I think Guerin made the best of.)

The blueline is looking like its got 5 of the 6 starters figured out already with Brodin/Midds/Spurgy/Fabes/Chisholm and just needs a 6th D. Those are fairly cheap and available. 

Yurov should be over by then, and if he's as advertised, we've got another top-6 player on an ELC to replace Zuccarello. That would give us a top-6 of; Kaprizov, Ek, Boldy, Yurov, Rossi and some as of yet unknown winger.

Could be a guy we draft at #8 this year, possibly. Could be a TDL acquisition for a playoff push. Maybe Adam Beckman finally manages to reach another level? The holes are getting plugged bit by bit and I think that season is when it really should all come together, assuming there's no unexpected setbacks in development.  

 

 

The problem that everything what mentioned here could have be done this year. It did not happened. So there is no guarantee that this will happen next year. 

[Protec]

1 hour ago, Will D. Ness said:

Unlike the Nashville game, we played a good game yesterday and had the opportunities to win.  I have no problem with a team that puts up a good fight.

Agreed, but frustrating to see the Wild beat good teams from across the NHL and yet fail miserably against the most important teams. I said earlier this season before the first Dallas game, it's not hopeless if the Wild can figure it out. Clearly they haven't. Central rivals have overwhelmingly good results against MN. That is hard to understand.

Nojo should be bought out. Admit that it was a mistake to sign him, he screwed MN this year with half-ass effort. I hate to say it, but it's worse than the first time. He is the new Rask. It's not horrendous from a contract or signing perspective, because there's not another obvious guy for that role at the time other than Nyquist but he got 3M. NoJo points here and there aren't worth the lack of energy and guts he brings. I'd rather take players like Shaw or Deweys any day. If that were the case, it would be easier to point to the dead-cap. On paper though and since NoJo had some nice moments when WSH won the Cup, he's somehow exempt from being scratched and makes the Wild roster look better than it really is in the top six.

[mnfaninnc]

Is today the day we start to see activity in the trade market heat up?

Seems like there's still some big names to fall. I do think that Guerin owes it to Bogosian and Maroon to see if they want to move on to play for a championship this season. I'd also circle back around to Fleury to find out his thoughts, since this was a week of mind changing.

I'd have no problem trading Bogosian and letting him know we were happy with his play and perhaps look to resigning him again in the offseason. With Maroon, I thought he started out really well, but the last few games he played, he seemed pretty slow and a bit stiff. My wonder is if he originally hurt himself earlier and was just trying to play through it. When he went into the corner on his final shift, it didn't look like anything drastic that happened, I guess he finally just broke.