Article: How Will the Wild Get More Secondary Scoring Next Year?

[Luke Sims]

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[Imyourhuckleberry]

Danila Yurov is the answer.

• Boldy - Eriksson EK - Kaprizov 
• Zuccarello - Yurov - Hartman 
• Foligno - Rossi - Ohgren
• Mason Shaw - Khusnutdinov - Gaudreau

Khusnutdinov replaces Dewar, Mason Shaw and Gaudreau come back stronger.

Rossi and Hartman are both 20 goal scorers. Hartman wins a lot of pucks and gets decent assists as well. He and Zuccarello could work well with Yurov.

PK1 is Dino & Shaw, PK2 is Gaudreau & Foligno

PP1 is Boldy - Eriksson Ek - Kaprizov with Zuccy

PP2 is Yurov - Ryan Hartman - Rossi with Ohgren

Heidt can build strength at a lower level and try jumping in the following year.

[Citizen Strife]

They have money to spend on a Line 2 winger or 2nd pair defenseman with $3-4m.  You could package Johansson and or Gus to make that number go up to $5-7m+ if you wanted, but I wonder if that's enough to warrant doing so if Yurov is going to take that spot anyway in a year or two (we can hope).

Really, the Wild need another person to hit 50-60 points, plus Rossi and Faber to build to that.  The dropoff from Zuccarello (60 points) to Faber/Hartman/Rossi (40-50 points), and then a bunch of 20 and 30 point getters is not going to get it done.

[Will D. Ness]

Is it a dream to imagine NoJo somehow not on next year's roster?

I believe it is.  NoJo's figure skating prowess has somehow blinded Heinz and BG like a shimmering ice dancer and they somehow believe that he will magically put the puck in the net while doing a triple Lutz splitting the defense.

They have been hypnotized all season and from the press conference it seems that it has endured in spite of all the flailing sticks.

 

[Patrick]

Nojo gets a lot of criticism and deservingly so...but why does everyone give Zuccarello a free pass? His production away from Kaprizov is actually significantly WORSE than Johannson's.  If he is going to be a PP specialist then he should be skating 3rd line minutes. 

[Protec]

Finally an article that features the feckless, frustrating, fundamentally-flawed, floating-fluffster, neck-beard Nojo. 

Hey-hey, ho-ho, NoJo gots to go! (repeat 3x to protest L2/PP2/TOI for Johansson outside the Xcel.)

😁

[Protec]

1 minute ago, Patrick said:

Nojo gets a lot of criticism and deservingly so...but why does everyone give Zuccarello a free pass? His production away from Kaprizov is actually significantly WORSE than Johannson's.  If he is going to be a PP specialist then he should be skating 3rd line minutes. 

This was our early criticism of the Norwegian Hobbit. He doesn't really drive play, block shots, separate anyone from the puck, it's all skill and playmaking like in 2v1 scenarios 5v5 or on the PP. 

Therefore, you're 100% right he's a specialist. For me, it's cause he's got that role and is good there. 75 & 64pts or whatever in the last two seasons plus the PP value it's okay with more fans. NoJo appears to have just thrown in the towel or has lost the script. That's why it's worse IMO compared to Zuccarello who's at least meeting expectations. 

NoJo made some nice plays this year but was out to lunch way more often. 

[Will D. Ness]

This is my pipe dream for next year:

Offense:

KK-Ek-Boldy (just too damn good to change)

Zucc-Rossi-Yurov (pretty goal line)

Moose-Hartman-Ohgren (ugly goal line)

Shaw-Khus-Freddy (hustle goal line)

Defense:

Faber-Brodin (might be #1 pair in the league actually)

Spurg-Midds (don't write off spurg)

Bogo-Chisholm (Chisholm grows up)

Hunt 7D

Summertime dream:

NoJo decides to join the ice capades and Merrill joins him.

All remaining guys join MNCfans training program.

Ohgren learns how to fight.

[Patrick]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

This was our early criticism of the Norwegian Hobbit. He doesn't really drive play, block shots, separate anyone from the puck, it's all skill and playmaking like in 2v1 scenarios 5v5 or on the PP. 

Therefore, you're 100% right he's a specialist. For me, it's cause he's got that role and is good there. 75 & 64pts or whatever in the last two seasons plus the PP value it's okay with more fans. NoJo appears to have just thrown in the towel or has lost the script. That's why it's worse IMO compared to Zuccarello who's at least meeting expectations. 

NoJo made some nice plays this year but was out to lunch way more often. 

Do you like Zuccarello on the 2nd line? IMO he is dragging them down. Especially from a speed and possession standpoint.

[mnfaninnc]

4 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Danila Yurov is the answer.

This was exactly what I was thinking, except I had:

Yurov-Ek-Kaprizov

Boldy-Rossi-Zuccarello

Ogie-Dino-Foligno

Shaw-Hartman-Gaudreau/Johansson

PK1 would be Ek-Foligno, PK2 would be Shaw-Dino

PP1 would be Ek, Kaprizov, Boldy, Faber (Ovechkin's office holder)

PP2 would be Ogie, Rossi, Zuccarello, Yurov, Chisholm

 

[mnfaninnc]

Hmmmm, I didn't leave room for Ovechkin's office holder in the regular lineup. Perhaps that means both Freddy and Johansson will need to be getting a Des Moines apartment?

[Protec]

46 minutes ago, Patrick said:

Do you like Zuccarello on the 2nd line? IMO he is dragging them down. Especially from a speed and possession standpoint.

It's a good with the bad type thing. Is #36 a complete player, no. He's a pretty good skill and special teams guy. His chemistry with Kaprizov is pretty valuable & undeniable. 

Sorta like an anti-goon, you've got some room on the team for roles where one-faceted guys are alright. 60-70pts is good and helps you win. Occasionally, that guy might blow it or cost ya defensively. That's more where I would rely on my coach to get the right guys on the ice situationally. Rossi can still get better I think but beyond the current deal for Zuccarello, I'd say Rossi should take that spot as the small skill guy. Marat can be more of a multi-tool pest and there's your smaller player roles. 

To move certain guys down the lineup, I think the Wild need an injection of skill & speed. I really like the idea of Yurov joining the Wild. He came to development camp. Went to another level this season and seems hungry. That could be the key to better balance overall for the Wild. If it's one more year wait, then I'd hope NoJo got moved and was replaced by DuClair or another similar upgrade to achieve the balance and energy needed for the Central battles.

[mnhockeyfan03]

Rossi is not a number 2 center.  To get something good you have to give up something good.  Rossi, nojo, Freddie, gus, spurgeon, Shaw, laterri, beckman, walker all can be and should be traded.  With all these guys gone and trades and more cap space you can get a decent 2nd line center and also need to get a top 4 big dman. Yurov and height are also a must.  There are so many holes in this team and lack of depth need to start adding now to build to 2025. 

 

 

 

 

[Need4speed99]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

This was exactly what I was thinking, except I had:

Yurov-Ek-Kaprizov

Boldy-Rossi-Zuccarello

Ogie-Dino-Foligno

Shaw-Hartman-Gaudreau/Johansson

PK1 would be Ek-Foligno, PK2 would be Shaw-Dino

PP1 would be Ek, Kaprizov, Boldy, Faber (Ovechkin's office holder)

PP2 would be Ogie, Rossi, Zuccarello, Yurov, Chisholm

 

Love those lines! I think you have the best idea of any line combos I've seen. The only changes I could see happening is zucc moving down and ogie going up if he can outperform and really grow his game. 

I'd also like to see someone else beat out freddy to add a bit more to the 4th line. Again , that would all depend on how things progress through the season.

Hopefully hunt, lambos, or peart can up their play to crack into the d corps in case of injury or bogo falling off/Chisholm regressing. Not saying that's going to happen but if this year showed anything, good possibility.

[Protec]

To answer the question of this article, I think MN needs to set their two starting goalies and see what money is left over. 

I like DuClair if MN can sign him. He's fast and has shown he can score goals. That would be an upgrade over NoJo. Otherwise I've suggested other economy options like Michael Amadio, Yakov Trenin, Dominik Kubalik, Jack Roslovic, Nick Cousins, Vladimir Tarasenko, Denis Gurianov, or Barabanov if you wanna go the Rooskyov-route.

It's a great time to upgrade the middle-tier guys if you can get rid of NoJo especially. 

[Bigreed]

I believe you renegotiate NoJo to a $80k a year x 20 years as the between periods show. He could do triple-axels and wear a leotard. This would be the best move Billy has ever made. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

4 hours ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Rossi is not a number 2 center.  To get something good you have to give up something good.

I heard someone talking Wild hockey on the radio saying if they can trade Rossi for a young player who's bigger, faster and more skilled, I think the Wild might do that.

I was like, yeah, no kidding... No other team is going to trade away a young player that is a more complete player for a smaller, slower, lower skilled player. Why even engage in that hypothetical discussion if that's the conclusion???

[Protec]

10 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I heard someone talking Wild hockey on the radio saying if they can trade Rossi for a young player who's bigger, faster and more skilled, I think the Wild might do that.

I was like, yeah, no kidding... No other team is going to trade away a young player that is a more complete player for a smaller, slower, lower skilled player. Why even engage in that hypothetical discussion if that's the conclusion???

The lateral type move, defender or veteran for a young player is not ridiculous. If you're the Wild though, why trade anybody unless it's gonna improve the overall picture? Rossi or Gus would be better off kept in the organization unless you get a guy who makes you better in an area of need. The center situation for the Wild has improved with Ek emerging as a 1C. Yurov or Heidt could be another good center for MN sooner than later. The Wild have enough quality prospects coming that it's possible Guerin could swing a good deal. Another nice young center for Rossi and a prospect or pick could be weighty enough to be fair for both sides perhaps? 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

33 minutes ago, Protec said:

Another nice young center for Rossi and a prospect or pick could be weighty enough to be fair for both sides perhaps?

Rossi, Firstov, and Heidt all going out for a player that is slightly better in all 3 phases than Rossi, I suppose I could see.

It just seemed ridiculous to think that another team would be looking to trade a bigger, faster, more skilled young player for Rossi. If the Wild were to add enough assets, I guess it could make sense.

[mnhockeyfan03]

37 minutes ago, Protec said:

The lateral type move, defender or veteran for a young player is not ridiculous. If you're the Wild though, why trade anybody unless it's gonna improve the overall picture? Rossi or Gus would be better off kept in the organization unless you get a guy who makes you better in an area of need. The center situation for the Wild has improved with Ek emerging as a 1C. Yurov or Heidt could be another good center for MN sooner than later. The Wild have enough quality prospects coming that it's possible Guerin could swing a good deal. Another nice young center for Rossi and a prospect or pick could be weighty enough to be fair for both sides perhaps? 

Yes exactly Rossi and a prospect for a good number 2 center.  Then sign Duclair to play center 3.  Then you have all sorts of options.  Ek, new top 2 center, duclair would be great top 3 centers.  Then Yurov, Heidt, kuznidinov, Hartman, all can be wings or center. That’s how you build depth in a hurry.  A line of Foligno, Hartman and Kuznidinov would be a great 4th line. Rossi, Freddie and Nojo  need to be traded as well Gus and Spurgeon.  Then go out and get a big top 4 dman and also a serviceable 3rd pair guy for competition and you are going to have a playoff team and in 2025 you can bring in 2 or 3 more free agents to build more yet.

[punch_cut]

With Johansson still under contract next yr a positive could be he actually plays like he did after he came over in the trade. Putting up numbers like that can get him another contract (not from the Wild) to continue in the league and that seems like the type of motivation he has.

[Protec]

4 minutes ago, punch_cut said:

With Johansson still under contract next yr a positive could be he actually plays like he did after he came over in the trade. Putting up numbers like that can get him another contract (not from the Wild) to continue in the league and that seems like the type of motivation he has.

Possible, but there's so many low cost UFAs available, I wonder if a buyout might be worth considering for the NoJo roster spot. Especially with young players coming up too.

[Wanderinginmn]

What is with this Rossi trade crap?

You really want to trade a 22 year old kid who just tallied 41 points in his rookie year?  A possible Calder finalist, and you want him to go because why?  He isn't 7' tall and can't skate the rink in 2.7 seconds and "TAKE THE BODY" of the biggest bruisers in your imagination?  Seriously? 

Hrmm, let's look back a few years, ah, yes, Eriksson Ek played 75 games in 17-18 and scored, oh, 16 points.  I guess we should have traded him, he's obviously worthless. 18-19 14pts, 19-20 29pts, wait it took him 6 years to develop?!?!?!?!  BLASPHEMY!!!  He should have been gone years ago.

I get that Rossi is not the natural superstar talent of KK97 and Faber, but that is not the point.  He is solid and obviously developing into a damn good player through hard work that hits notes the Wild have been missing (aka secondary scoring.)  Fucking quit it with the trade tripe.

On another note, why isn't there an article about Faber playing with fractured ribs?  https://www.startribune.com/wild-season-brock-faber-fractured-ribs-filip-gustavsson-jesper-wallestedt/600360321/  I seriously cannot imagine the pain that kid played through this year.  Damn.

 

-I.

 

[MacGyver]

Yeah I don't get the dishonorable discharge of Rossi. A young center who is developing quickly who actually wants to be here. He is on record stating he owes his life to the Wild medical staff. Some people might recognize this as a motivation, a drive, a desire to succeed and he is proving he has all that.  But for some reason we want to run him out of town in exchange for whatever we can get and start over again. The crazy thing is I can see it happening because I don't think he is one of Billy's boys. He is not old enough and has no Penguin ties and he has never given another  teammate or opposing player a double handed chop on the back of the neck with his stick, in other words no grit. So yeah he probably needs to go. I mean the kid couldn't grow a neck beard if he wanted to he just doesn't fit in. Rossi has proven much more than the Knut Russian but we love the Knut right? Why exactly? I haven't seen much from him. He's small and fast in a league of big and fast. But if a trade rumor existed about him this board would melt down.

Edited April 21 by MacGyver

[mnhockeyfan03]

Nothing against Rossi as he is very talented but in the division and conference we play in we need bigger centers that are fast.  Not only does Rossi not have size but his initial speed burst isnt great.  His value will never be higher so now is a great time to look at a trade to upgrade center 2.  You can’t get attached to players to make a great team which seams like this fan base and GM loves to do.  If you have an opportunity to make the team better by a trade then you do it.  Same reason why spurgeon should be traded is that he is a great regular season player but in the playoffs gets pushed around a lot and to take up 7.5mm you can get much more out there.  Both Rossi and Spurg would be good in the East but the west just needs a different type of player and now is the time to start making big changes so people don’t get comfortable and earn a spot. In response to Knut he is going to be a 4th line type guy and not expected to be more than that and also has much more lower body strength and speed than Rossi.