Article: Battle Between Former Wild Stars Gets Even

[Thomas Williams]

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[mnfaninnc]

Oshawa dropped game 1 to the London Knights sporting their copy of the '80 jerseys from the North Stars. 8-1, Kumpulainen with an apple on the only goal and was brutal in the dot. 

Sheldon Keefe let go by the Leafs.

Canes are down 3-0 in their series. I believe they were all OTLs. Carolina had built a nice team for the last 5 years, but it looks like they may be blowing it up after this season. They've still got Aho and Slavin but a lot of UFAs that they may be moving on from. For the last few years, Carolina has gotten past the first round and have gone as far as the Conference Finals. No cup, and now I can vaguely remember the '06 one. hat was the year I became a Canes' fan. It was early on in the playoffs when they lost the 1st 2 games at home against Montreal and came back to win the series. 

But, from this there was at least a decade of pain. Ownership was the problem and so was Rutherford and Maurice. They were unwatchable for a long time. It ripped the heart out of Eric Staal. 

If they blow it up, Necas and Svechnikov would be great targets. Maybe Brent Burns wants to come back home for a couple of years on the cheap? But after accumulating, developing, and then contending, I still have an empty feeling even though they've gotten out of the 1st round almost every year. It doesn't feel like they've accomplished more than the Wild. Shooter's statement about the goal not being getting out of the 1st round, they don't give you trophies for that, is a valid statement. 

Waddell had a great amount of up and coming talent he turned into real good players. But it was Francis who built that talent pipeline. He just couldn't switch gears to playing for the present. I think there is a chance that Shooter could trade with Francis to move to 9. It will take time because Francis is not a spur of the moment guy. But he is an excellent judge of talent and usually pretty good in the mid rounds. He's a little like Belichek, he likes volume and trading down. 

Canes have their backs against the wall (not The Wall), and may be out tomorrow night. It was fun while it lasted (assuming they blow it up). What didn't they have?

There are 2 things they've been missing, and Waddell bet on one of them. 1) not good enough goaltending, 2) no Tkachuk type of player.

1) Waddell doesn't believe in spending a lot for the position of goaltending. He believes that any goalie can get "hot" and you are just lucky when that happens. Franchise goalies cost $, and he wanted money elsewhere. 

2) There is no Tkachuk type player on the Canes. In fact, they really don't have someone who can stand up for their teammates. Brind 'Amour would probably be the best option for that and could probably still kick most player's butts. But, this type of player, who can elevate everyone's play and that despising hate to lose just isn't there. Carolina is a nice place. Their teams are supposed to be filled with outstanding character. They don't like guys throwing fits and a lot of vulgarity within some of the fanbase. I believe some of that is needed. But this may be why one of those guys aren't there. 

I believe we've got #1 in The Wall. #2 we don't have, and to my knowledge don't really have in the system. My hope was that O'Rourke could become a guy like that. But he's not, at least not until this offseason. If we can't get Tkachuk we need to focus on finding that guy. Whether it be McTavish, or Lindstrom in the draft, we need that fire and intensity. Match that up with Kaprizov and we've got something! It will elevate both Rossi and Boldy if they're still here. Watch Dino and Ogie in that type of atmosphere. 

[Protec]

Cam Ward was awesome. That's a huge part of a Cup run. Bobrovsky can do it. The goalies left in the West are good but who's the best? 

Demko and Oettinger would probably get my vote over Giorgiev or Skinner. In the East, Shesterkin and Bobrovsky give me a better gut-feel than Boston or Carolina's goalies. 

It should be interesting to see how things play out and how important the goalies are. Bobrovsky already made the save of the playoffs looks like. 

[mnfaninnc]

Moose Jaw opened their 4th series with a win, 3-2 over Portland. Parker had no points.

Can The Wall be in that upper echelon of goalies? Can Goose? Oettenger and Demko are the 2 in the West right now, but there's a rivalry brewing between Askarov and The Wall. Plus, nobody knows if Saros is on the move this offseason. 

I know people are speculating that Goose could be traded. There are a few reasons why I wouldn't do that. 

1. He was the best Euro goalie in his draft class
2. He has already had a very solid season
3. He faced a ton of adversity last season, I'm betting this is beneficial for his growth, and something Fleury can help with
4. Bounce back is likely
5. Goose was the best goalie on our roster last year
6. You sell high, not low, let him redeem himself

#6 sounds like it might be a good reason for trading Rossi, but not to just trade him out. It would have to be for trading someone in who's better so he'd likely have to be packaged. 

 

[Up North Guy]

5 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Moose Jaw opened their 4th series with a win, 3-2 over Portland. Parker had no points.

Can The Wall be in that upper echelon of goalies? Can Goose? Oettenger and Demko are the 2 in the West right now, but there's a rivalry brewing between Askarov and The Wall. Plus, nobody knows if Saros is on the move this offseason. 

I know people are speculating that Goose could be traded. There are a few reasons why I wouldn't do that. 

1. He was the best Euro goalie in his draft class
2. He has already had a very solid season
3. He faced a ton of adversity last season, I'm betting this is beneficial for his growth, and something Fleury can help with
4. Bounce back is likely
5. Goose was the best goalie on our roster last year
6. You sell high, not low, let him redeem himself

#6 sounds like it might be a good reason for trading Rossi, but not to just trade him out. It would have to be for trading someone in who's better so he'd likely have to be packaged. 

 

I absolutely agree. Now is not the time to move Goose. He was playing much better at the end of the season. If he makes it all the way back to where he was it solves the goalie situation for multiple years. If he can't bring the Wall up as often as possible to get experience.