Article: Wild Address Penalty Kill With Four-Year Deal For Yakov Trenin

[Tony Abbott]

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[Krotz the Wall]

I like Trenin, and he’s about as perfect a fit for the Wild in a PK specialist, 4th-line role (with some spot 3rd line shifts) as I can think of right now. Still, 4 years at $3.5m is a pretty big commitment, and it takes more than half the available cap space. Maybe playing with a couple Russians will be a plus for Kap. Like the player but the contract is a bit strange.

I imagine any secondary scoring addition to the team will require trades, to free up space or a direct trade.

[Citizen Strife]

I think what this tells me is Heidt and Ohgren are going to be given a chance to impress on the 2nd and 3rd lines going into the season.  They have nothing to lose playing Heidt for a few games and see if he can stick early.  If Ohgren impresses, he can be the 2nd line winger over Hartman.  Anything to avoid the Mojo experiment.

The Wild still have a season of shit left to swallow.  They decided to bank on fixing a horrible problem and letting the internal offense potentially do enough to get over the hump.  

I'm all for seeing if Heidt and Ohgren can do for cheap what it would take assets and money the Wild don't have to see if Laine can even stay healthy.

[Protec]

Nice rapid writeup.

I think MN can realistically thin the herd over the next 2-3 seasons with their redundancy crew. Since NoJo and Norwegian Hobbit expire, it's just the three others who round out the 10M in cost. As they age, there's that commitment from the team and loss of flexibility related to AAV but those players have shown enough to justify.

Another somewhat similar guy is alright if they're sprinkled throughout the lineup. If there's a cost to improve the PK, that is more justification. 

You know I like the deal, I've had Trenin in my comments consistently. I woulda wanted to pay 3M but the Wild have a refreshed outlook already. Buium and Trenin give me a much better opinion of the defensive future and team toughness AND penalty kill. 

Overall, great last few days for the Wild.

Edited July 1 by Protec

[OldDutchChip]

i am thinking kap missed his time with his russian buddy kuli.... having those fun outings in wayzata eating pizza pies. he told billy about it.... billy did what you expect billy to do and overpaid on yasha (for some unknown to us reason billy didn't attach a NTC clause on that contract, potentially to allow him to ship out yasha for another pizza loving russian?), since kuli already signed and had hurt feelings about being traded by us. now kap is happy again. eating pizza with his buddy and no longer needs to pay everytime (reason - see yasha's contract vs kuli's 1mm). 

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

I like looking back at draft prospect analysis to see what people thought back around draft time on some of these guys, and this one was pretty interesting. They noted Trenin as a good skater, but maybe there is more to uncover in his game moving forward...

Quote

“His puck skills are pretty good, can deke around defenders and uses solid puck protection due to his size and good speed once in the zone. He can make accurate, creative passes. His creativity with the puck is refreshing to watch. He has incredible vision down low or behind the net. Yakov possess a very hard shot with a pretty good release. He needs to shoot a bit more when in good position instead of looking to do a pass. He finishes his checks, goes in front of the net for deflection, initiates contact in the corners, works for loose pucks.” –Future Considerations, November 2015

Only 1 shorthanded goal in his career so far, scored last season, but hopefully he can best that each year he suits up for the Wild.

[IllicitFive]

Seems to me like a big commitment to a 4th, maybe 3rd line player. His PK better truly show up to make this make sense. This may indicate 2 things, either A) the hope is the young guys will make an offensive impact or B) expect a trade to bring in someone or offload money to sign another FA.  The PK has been nothing short of brutal the past couple of years. How many games were lost due to the PK. Here is hoping that this turns out better than what I am thinking it will.

[Protec]

4 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

 having those fun outings in wayzata eating pizza pies.

I used to deliver em for Frankie's back in the day. North side of the lake boys. 😁

[Dean]

Toronto spend all there money on there top 4 and Billy spends all his on bottom 6 guys.  Over paid in money and term. Still has  no 2 nd line scoring  or size on the blue line. We will be taking utahs spot as laughing stock of central. 
    Getting one hard nosed guy doesn’t make the rest of the pedestrians tough . Minnesota mighty mouse’s ! 

[Beast]

He’s similar to Dewar in terms of a PK guy.  Hockey writers projects Dewar to get 2 years $1.4M.  We traded Dewar for a 2026 4th and AHL filler.

So, we basically signed a contact to acquire a 2026 4th round pick for $7M of cap space over 4 years (assuming this guy is a wash with Dewar), two years before making the pick.

Why not just keep Dewar?  Honest question.  That seems like a much better option on paper.  

[Protec]

1 minute ago, IllicitFive said:

Seems to me like a big commitment to a 4th, maybe 3rd line player. His PK better truly show up to make this make sense. This may indicate 2 things, either A) the hope is the young guys will make an offensive impact or B) expect a trade to bring in someone or offload money to sign another FA.  The PK has been nothing short of brutal the past couple of years. How many games were lost due to the PK. Here is hoping that this turns out better than what I am thinking it will.

I think it's more of a big picture impact. Let's just say the Wild re-balance the lines. You've got young talent like Ogie, Knudi, and Rossi who can be responsible. Between them, you've got a variety of qualities. When you look at Hartman, Trenin, and Foligno, you've got similar qualities. Experience and known values. Finally, the same things with Fred & Zuccarello who are pretty much who they are. Fred had a good season and then a bad one so I'm giving him a break to recover. NoJo, I'm happy to see retire or go to the pressbox, but I digress.

Keep L1, but shuffle the others with perhaps a guy like Heidt if he's outstanding like the other guys have said, maybe Ogie? Either way, the Wild have upgraded and have a mixture of players who bring a lot of the things MN needs. Would they move Hartman to wing on L2  since he can score 20+? Does Zuccarello move to a 3rd line role where the Wild still have some scoring punch?

Trenin is in the mix for a few upgrades MN has made since the end of last season. The rest of the Summer and training camp have some interesting story lines cooking.

[punch_cut]

This signing came in exactly where evolving-hockey said the contract projection would be. Yes it would be nice if it was a lower yearly number, but the team highlighted this need and got the player. The PK was terrible and if this helps it will be a major benefit to the team.

I know everyone wants the players that get paid 1.8 to score 30 goals, but that isn't always reality.

[OldDutchChip]

4 minutes ago, Beast said:

He’s similar to Dewar in terms of a PK guy.  Hockey writers projects Dewar to get 2 years $1.4M.  We traded Dewar for a 2026 4th and AHL filler.

So, we basically signed a contact to acquire a 2026 4th round pick for $7M of cap space over 4 years (assuming this guy is a wash with Dewar), two years before making the pick.

Why not just keep Dewar?  Honest question.  That seems like a much better option on paper.  

yeap why not just keep dewy? exactly

[punch_cut]

7 minutes ago, Beast said:

He’s similar to Dewar in terms of a PK guy.  Hockey writers projects Dewar to get 2 years $1.4M.  We traded Dewar for a 2026 4th and AHL filler.

So, we basically signed a contact to acquire a 2026 4th round pick for $7M of cap space over 4 years (assuming this guy is a wash with Dewar), two years before making the pick.

Why not just keep Dewar?  Honest question.  That seems like a much better option on paper.  

Dewar is smaller by height and weight. Plays less minutes a game. Has less shots. Was part of a PK that wasn't that good and has scored less playoff goals.

[Protec]

5 minutes ago, Dean said:

Toronto spend all there money on there top 4 and Billy spends all his on bottom 6 guys.  Over paid in money and term. Still has  no 2 nd line scoring  or size on the blue line. We will be taking utahs spot as laughing stock of central. 
    Getting one hard nosed guy doesn’t make the rest of the pedestrians tough . Minnesota mighty mouse’s ! 

You're right and at the same time, MN has nearly won the Central with this lineup.(Minus Dumba, Goligoski, Deweys, and a few other peripheral guys.)

It's not just one guy IMO. It's an inportant guy who can help balance the Wild's young talent and team toughness.

I hope the Wild aren't done but that amazing development to get a top-six scoring winger might have to wait. I think the Wild look better already than they did at this time last year. Prospects are closer and the Wild are in their final year of harsh penalties. I'm not seeing this move as more of the same. I see Foligno fizzling and Fred hanging in there. Hartman has been pretty consistent, and NoJo is nearly gone. The Wild still need size and speed, but it's improving.

[Protec]

9 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

yeap why not just keep dewy? exactly

I'd have to say because Dewey was smaller and not very intimidating. Trenin gives you more advantages without sacrificing any by comparison.

[OldDutchChip]

1 minute ago, Protec said:

I'd have to say because Dewey was smaller and not very intimidating. Trenin gives you more advantages without sacrificing any by comparison.

i think i'd still take a year of Dewey for 850K vs 4 years of Trenin at 3.5 per 🍻

[Protec]

14 minutes ago, punch_cut said:

This signing came in exactly where evolving-hockey said the contract projection would be. Yes it would be nice if it was a lower yearly number, but the team highlighted this need and got the player. The PK was terrible and if this helps it will be a major benefit to the team.

I know everyone wants the players that get paid 1.8 to score 30 goals, but that isn't always reality.

Exactly. MN got great value from guys and they had amazing regular seasons. You know the players wanna win and go deep in the playoffs. Guerin rewarded Hartman, Fred, and company. It's cost the Wild some flexibility but just as the worst year ends. The new players offer opportunity for the coaches and managers to use them.

MN is doing okay under the circumstances and their addition of Buium with the already strong prospect group is great. I think Guerin and Brackett did a nice job. If the team gets back to winning, the loss of Deweys or focus on Freds will go away.

[Protec]

2 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i think i'd still take a year of Dewey for 850K vs 4 years of Trenin at 3.5 per 🍻

That's why the Wild were pushed around and unable to defend against the big hard teams. They're one step closer to getting a heavier more complete group. MN will need more scoring than just one big Russian depth guy, but this isn't a crummy AAV or term.

[Patrick]

40 minutes ago, Protec said:

I used to deliver em for Frankie's back in the day. North side of the lake boys. 😁

I'm guessing they are hitting up Punch nowadays. I miss Frankie's though 

[Secord Sucks]

Quote

Rounding out the news of the day, for now, the Wild signed Travis Boyd and Devin Shore, both to two-way deals. 

Devin Shore's nickname is "Shoresy." I'm in.

[OldDutchChip]

Midds is back at 4.35 per for 4 more years!

Common sign Bogo to the same and we'll be set

[Patrick]

I like this deal. I think he has more skill than people realize.  It reminds me of Philip Danault a few years ago.

[Secord Sucks]

IYKYK

[Jon]

Aside from a couple comments, I appreciate the maturity in this thread at the time of writing this comment. It’s a shitshow at the Athletic threads. If Wild Athletic fans were personified as a person, it’d definitely have a bipolar personality disorder

Edited July 1 by Jon