Article: A Quiet Off-Season Could Mean Big Things for the Minnesota Wild

[Mikki Tuohy]

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[Sam]

Silent but violent. Quiet but deadly. However you want to phrase it, it’s nice not to have drama (hopefully Kirill isn’t stuck in Russia). I wonder what goon we will get, as it seems to be important to Billy to get one. DeLo and Reeves were entertaining to watch.

[Protec]

If the Wild can get off to a good start and find the balance they need, it could be a very good year. Faber Brodin and Spurgeon Midds in the top four with Bogo and Chisholm will be as much as you can ask for if you're a goaltender. 

The improved depth via young legs should translate to better balance. Wild players on their upwards trajectory will nearly equal veterans. With Buium, Yurov, and Vaj staying hot, MN could deal at the deadline.

The most important thing is they've got the money to extend Kaprizov. It looks like the team has a great future. At least one player at each position outside the NHL look really promising. No behemoth contracts that suck and the penalties get way better next season. 

Guerin has done well making small gains and avoiding big mistakes. The Wild are much better off today than before he was hired. Then, the Wild were old, stale, couldn't score, and had Rask, Donato, Duby, Ek was often called a 3C at best, Suter blamed all OT losses on something else, and Boldy was the only decent prospect besides the Russian phenomenon who was not to be named. 

Personally, I don't care who Guerin yelled at or how many veterans he signed to loyalty-deals. It hasn't hurt the overall picture which continues to improve. The crummy parts are on the periphery and easy to overlook. I think the Wild can make the playoffs in the Central but they're gonna need to beat Central teams, win draws, and improve their PK to begin with. 

[Protec]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Silent but violent. Quiet but deadly. However you want to phrase it, it’s nice not to have drama (hopefully Kirill isn’t stuck in Russia). I wonder what goon we will get, as it seems to be important to Billy to get one. DeLo and Reeves were entertaining to watch.

I think the Wild are looking for more of a collective toughness with Foligno, Hartman being reinforced with Trenin and Lauko. Middleton and Bogo on the back end give the Wild a group who can better handle the heavier teams. Hearing Ohgren is in MN means we can hope his speed and shot will factor into MN's season. I think Guerin is gonna hold out what money he can to add a deadline player. At that point moving NoJo or Fred could be possible and perhaps a prospect goes out at that point too. 

I like the Wild's options and flexibility despite the negativity and arguments they're screwed cause of Guerin's country-club repeat. 

Edited August 11 by Protec

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Sam said:

Silent but violent. Quiet but deadly. However you want to phrase it, it’s nice not to have drama (hopefully Kirill isn’t stuck in Russia). I wonder what goon we will get, as it seems to be important to Billy to get one. DeLo and Reeves were entertaining to watch.

I assume we’ll go with a tandem of Foligno and Trenin as our muscle this season

[Dean]

My guess is they come out an win first game then go below 500 on road trip. They’ll chase the playoffs all year because they get behind early. 
    Billy alluded to going back to old lines. Hartman centering the top. Ek Boldy jo Jo  reunited on 2 nd.  Seems to me the league has figured out Hartman , zucc kappy line and there give away passing. There no look passing doesn’t work anymore. At least not last year.  Jo jo back on 2 nd line makes that line impotent . It didn’t work last year. Then they have Fred screwing up the  3 rd or 4 the line. I doubt the kids will get a full time roster spot over the misfits . So it’ll be Billy pounding that square peg in a round hole again with the same flipping roster that didn’t work.  They are going to waste all season trying to figure out  secondary scoring because Billy did nothing  to address it. So it’ll be a replay of the oldies in terms of lines.  Thank god we have Billy to give us all these years of Jo Jo and Fred. 

[Need4speed99]

Protec, are you a troll or related to billy because the majority of us are wondering what they are doing. They have so much cap tied up in lower 6 players that without paying any big performers they CANT afford shit. They are stuck with a bunch of aging lower 6 guys and won't have the cap space.

Yeah they have prospects but WONT play them over the high priced vets. They supposedly have a great prospect pool but we can't see them. Just a bunch of guys that will never push the needle and land in the mushy middle. What exactly has changed?

[Protec]

1 hour ago, Need4speed99 said:

Protec, are you a troll or related to billy because the majority of us are wondering what they are doing. They have so much cap tied up in lower 6 players that without paying any big performers they CANT afford shit. They are stuck with a bunch of aging lower 6 guys and won't have the cap space.

Yeah they have prospects but WONT play them over the high priced vets. They supposedly have a great prospect pool but we can't see them. Just a bunch of guys that will never push the needle and land in the mushy middle. What exactly has changed?

In the past three seasons with mostly the same group, last year was the worst without Spurgeon and with okay goaltending. The Wild now have important core players signed with many young guys poised to be better. Faber, Chisholm, Boldy, and Ogie primarily but Wallstedt is there too with Buium who can play in big games.

So I'm not too worried the Wild have Foligno or Fred for an extra year or million. I like Lauko and Trenin. For me, the Wild look pretty good. 

[Need4speed99]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

In the past three seasons with mostly the same group, last year was the worst without Spurgeon and with okay goaltending. The Wild now have important core players signed with many young guys poised to be better. Faber, Chisholm, Boldy, and Ogie primarily but Wallstedt is there too with Buium who can play in big games.

So I'm not too worried the Wild have Foligno or Fred for an extra year or million. I like Lauko and Trenin. For me, the Wild look pretty good. 

So you are rolling out largely the same core that has either barely missed or barley made the playoffs...

Getting bounced in round 1 isn't progress its still stuck in the middle, as always.

This isn't showing kap or any other youngsters they are a contender, only possible playoff team. Tons of cap space tied up in aging vets that can't get you over the hump. Same place as 4years ago. That's not change.

[Protec]

4 hours ago, Need4speed99 said:

So you are rolling out largely the same core that has either barely missed or barley made the playoffs...

Getting bounced in round 1 isn't progress its still stuck in the middle, as always.

This isn't showing kap or any other youngsters they are a contender, only possible playoff team. Tons of cap space tied up in aging vets that can't get you over the hump. Same place as 4years ago. That's not change.

Okay, we'll see. This group went six games against Dallas without Ek and missed Spurgeon for all of last season with a no nuts & bolts coach for a handicapped beginning. 

Your fantasy alternative would be what exactly? Best 5-year winning % of any GM in Wild history might I remind you.

[Citizen Strife]

Care to enlighten me what Wild team in 20 years is some mythical playoff world beater?  No team other than one that got chumped out by Chicago has really succeeded.  Guerin saw that people on their best offensive days weren't good enough.  He's pivoted to try and help a different side of the equation.  

Guerin isn't just sitting around doing nothing.  People like Yurov weren't available and still aren't by choice.  What is Guerin supposed to do: go after some 7-8 year contract high end guy because someone they banked on said, "I'll see you next year tops?"  Ohgren and Khusnutdinov (and even Heidt) weren't allowed to play at this time last year.  Wallstedt is getting chances, but Guerin is playing it safe because its no guarantee any of them are worth a shit.  Waiting for a player to kick another one in the balls and steal their spot by force is what he's hoping for.

I'm going to hold out until the 3-4 major pieces are finally in place.  Don't forget that the top 4-5 scorers on the team aren't even 30, and Boldy, Rossi, and Faber are barely 23-24.  Zuccarello taking a paycut for a year or two and stick around is hardly the indictment some people think it is.

[Citizen Strife]

"Protec, are you a troll or related to billy because the majority of us are wondering what they are doing."

Until Rossi exploded, Protec took any and all opportunity to blast him.  "Who's this little Euro guy?  Shoulda taken Lundell, and would do it over again."  After last year, well, you don't hear that sort of thing anymore.  

I'm one of those people who is happy Protec has found something they are convinced is a good sign going forward.  People change opinions.  Being optimistic about the potential future isn't being a troll.  It's called hedging bets and spending time being positive.  There seems to be this weird thing where if you aren't criticizing something with venom, you're doing something wrong.  I think we're just being realistic for now.

[Protec]

It's just not that bad. The walls are not closing in. Guerin isn't even close to being fired. 

MN has a few guys outside the NHL who look really good, not counting one 1st rounder at all. 

They have a Russian goal-scorer who is under contract 100% for the next two seasons, HOF goalie, and will be healthy. 

Last season was tough but they had 100+ pts the year prior with the same core. Therefore, good enough to make the playoffs again and have a chance. 

Faber and Boldy will probably be better. Spurgeon will be back. Chisholm should be better and if the goaltending is good, MN should be able to start well enough to get confidence. That's not hard to imagine. 

[Burnt Toast]

3 hours ago, Need4speed99 said:

They have so much cap tied up in lower 6 players that without paying any big performers

This is a fair and accurate observation. The next logical question then is why? One possibility is those kind of players have become kind of expensive to add at the trade deadline, both in $ and in draft picks etc. The Wild are definitely building through the draft, it’s just resource management. Honestly I hope they don’t start chasing UFA’s for the most part because it sure looks like they’re positioned to start a long steady climb to the top. It will be interesting to see how Nashville does this year with their new UFA’s. Also it’s possible BG goes big game hunting at some point because he seems like the kind of person that would be willing to take a big swing. We shall see. 

[MrCheatachu]

3 hours ago, Protec said:

It's just not that bad. The walls are not closing in. Guerin isn't even close to being fired. 

Yeah but he gave Bogo a HUGE $1.25M contract, both GillyB and Bogo should be fired directly into the sun.

THEN he passed out a MASSIVE $2M contract to a guy who put up 30 points last season AND guess what, WE'RE HANDCUFFED by that MASSIVE contract for ONE MORE YEAR.  If we would have had that $2M we probably could have snagged at least 4-5 of the top free agents this summer. My head is spinning and I want to throw up in my mouth.

This guy doesn't know how to manage assets.  Remember when we snagged Hartzy for $1.8M on a 3 year deal because he was sick of being jerked around  and wanted some stability so he took a paycut?  Yeah, if GillyB isnt finding guys who can skate first line and produce 50 points for under $2M is he even doing his job?

[Pewterschmidt]

8 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

Yeah but he gave Bogo a HUGE $1.25M contract, both GillyB and Bogo should be fired directly into the sun.

THEN he passed out a MASSIVE $2M contract to a guy who put up 30 points last season AND guess what, WE'RE HANDCUFFED by that MASSIVE contract for ONE MORE YEAR.  If we would have had that $2M we probably could have snagged at least 4-5 of the top free agents this summer. My head is spinning and I want to throw up in my mouth.

This guy doesn't know how to manage assets.  Remember when we snagged Hartzy for $1.8M on a 3 year deal because he was sick of being jerked around  and wanted some stability so he took a paycut?  Yeah, if GillyB isnt finding guys who can skate first line and produce 50 points for under $2M is he even doing his job?

This feels like sarcasm to me

[Will D. Ness]

The beating of the dead horse has really turned into the flattening of the roadkill pancake when it comes to BG and the "veteran contract" drama.

What else can you expect when writer after writer beats the drum over and over than having a rabid chicken little parade of Minnesota fandom marching with pitchforks.  

Yes it is the middle of the hockey desert so I guess maybe it should be expected.

[Sam]

10 minutes ago, Will D. Ness said:

Yes it is the middle of the hockey desert so I guess maybe it should be expected.

Not quite the middle, more like 3/4… 😬

[Dis-allowed display name]

My "What would I do if I were GM(and coach)" scenario:

1.  Realize you are not going on a cup run.  Period.  Don't try anything stupid at deadline to get rental players at the expense of anything more than remaining 24/25 cap space.  This is about the future.

2.  This is the last year for Flower and NoJo.  Give them the opportunity to earn their money, but more than that, find better replacements by giving time to any young player that deserves a call up and minutes because it will serve you well down the road.

3.  Find combinations that allow you to split Ek, Kaprisov, Boldy, and Rossi into two functioning lines that give you scoring production instead of your top three on one line and then a second line that does nothing. 

4.  If at the deadline you have someone interested, and the player is willing to move to a contender, try to unload Freddy or (yes, I will say it) Spurgeon.  Open spots for a youth movement and free up cap space on a player on the downside of his career.

5.  If franchise is looking to unload a young star, and you can make the cap work to get them for a pick and a reasonable prospect, explore the offer.  Sometimes a Jack Eichel trade possibility comes along that is worth giving up a touted prospect for.

6.  If you are out of the playoffs, shut down anyone nursing injuries or mailing it in and give as much ice time to guys in Iowa that are in your future plans.  What if it means empty seats and lost revenue in 24/25?  WHO CARES!  Tell the owner to suck it up, take the hit, and make room for next year.  25/26 is when the real fun begins, and the future looks bright if we don't screw it up.

Edited August 12 by Dis-allowed display name

[MrCheatachu]

8 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

My "What would I do if I were GM(and coach)" scenario:

1.  Realize you are not going on a cup run.  Period.  Don't try anything stupid at deadline to get rental players at the expense of anything more than remaining 24/25 cap space.  This is about the future.

2.  This is the last year for Flower and NoJo.  Give them the opportunity to earn their money, but more than that, find better replacements by giving time to any young player that deserves a call up and minutes because it will serve you well down the road.

3.  Find combinations that allow you to split Ek, Kaprisov, Boldy, and Rossi into two functioning lines that give you scoring production instead of your top three on one line and then a second line that does nothing. 

4.  If at the deadline you have someone interested, and the player is willing to move to a contender, try to unload Freddy or (yes, I will say it) Spurgeon.  Open spots for a youth movement and free up cap space on a player on the downside of his career.

5.  If franchise is looking to unload a young star, and you can make the cap work to get them for a pick and a reasonable prospect, explore the offer.  Sometimes a Jack Eichel trade possibility comes along that is worth giving up a touted prospect for.

6.  If you are out of the playoffs, shut down anyone nursing injuries or mailing it in and give as much ice time to guys in Iowa that are in your future plans.  What if it means empty seats and lost revenue in 24/25?  WHO CARES!  Tell the owner to suck it up, take the hit, and make room for next year.  25/26 is when the real fun begins, and the future looks bright if we don't screw it up.

You basically described what BillyG did last season...

[Dis-allowed display name]

1 hour ago, MrCheatachu said:

You basically described what BillyG did last season...

How so?  We did not give young players ice time except for Faber who was a stud, we played old farts nursing injuries, extended their contracts, and if there were options to move a prospect for a proven player and throw in a pick, we did not do it (thought I had not heard any steam).

When we were dead in the water at mid-season they tried to go on a run with an un-competitive roster only to miss the playoffs and lose draft position.  I would have shut down the old guys, played youth, and moved up in the draft.  We got Zeev, but we might have done better.

Edited August 12 by Dis-allowed display name

[MrCheatachu]

50 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

How so?  We did not give young players ice time except for Faber who was a stud, we played old farts nursing injuries, extended their contracts, and if there were options to move a prospect for a proven player and throw in a pick, we did not do it (thought I had not heard any steam).

When we were dead in the water at mid-season they tried to go on a run with an un-competitive roster only to miss the playoffs and lose draft position.  I would have shut down the old guys, played youth, and moved up in the draft.  We got Zeev, but we might have done better.

1. We were sellers at the TDL, Maroon → Boston for a pick, Duhaime → Colorado for a pick, and Dewar → Toronto for a pick.

2. Talk about beating a dead horse, but I please...tell me again which prospect didnt get playing time that deserved it?  Leterri (46 games)? Lucchini (40 games)?  Beckman (11 games)? Maybe you were dazzled by Petan (6 games) or Raska (5 games) or even Walker (4 games)? 

3. Lines were in a blender all last season 🤷‍♂️.  Somewhat because of injuries, but somewhat to see how to spark secondary scoring.

4. OK?  We'll not know what happened behind the scenes or how far talks got to, but you're high if you think jettisoning off injured/underperforming players at the TDL is how other teams are looking to improve.

6. Guys did get shutdown early last season...hell, the whole roster was injured

[Willy the poor boy]

5 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

THEN he passed out a MASSIVE $2M contract to a guy who put up 30 points last season AND guess what, WE'RE HANDCUFFED by that MASSIVE contract for ONE MORE YEAR.  If we would have had that $2M we probably could have snagged at least 4-5 of the top free agents this summer. My head is spinning and I want to throw up in my mouth.

It does have to be pointed out though, that you replied that to the biggest NoJo critic on this site and just maybe the only thing Protec will critique BG about in a negative way. So there's that...

Edited August 12 by Willy the poor boy

[raithis]

19 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

2 Talk about beating a dead horse, but I please...tell me again which prospect didnt get playing time that deserved it?  Leterri (46 games)? Lucchini (40 games)?  Beckman (11 games)? Maybe you were dazzled by Petan (6 games) or Raska (5 games) or even Walker (4 games)? 

I'd also add Ohgren, Khusnutdinov, and Hunt to that list.  Ohgren and Khusnutdinov were given time as soon as they were available, and Hunt played a number of games.  Hell, even Wallstedt got a few starts.

[Need4speed99]

People talk about beating dead horses yet no one gets over the fact that the wild have been basically mediocre for the last 15 years by largely following the same operating procedure. They never do a rebuild always trying to stay "competitive" never too bad but never a contender. 

The sarcasm was great, bring up the 2 smallest contracts to try and make a point. The point is they have too much tied up into bottom six players for too long. You guys all say they aren't handicapped and in 2 yrs they won't all have NTC's but at that point who is going to trade to take on those contracts? If those players continue to regress(as age indicates they will) then what value will they have more than 4th liners.

Now as for prospects, what happens if they don't pan out or just end up being middle or bottom 6 guys... they will need contracts too. At that point you will still not have the cap space in to bring in a legit scorer. Stuck in the mushy middle.

As for this year, alot of relying on injured and aging players to bounce back... the hedging bets would mean you would look at data and trends and bet more heavily on the higher probabilities. No matter how you cut that the numbers would be heavily on seeing more decline from aging players and older players coming back from injury not being the same player as they were. 

I'm not going to say this is 100% Billy's fault, liepold seems to care only about fans in the stands,hence the same pattern with the wild front office. 

I never like billy, his arrogance, unwilling to change, love for vets, and love for "his" guys while never giving others a fair shake annoys me.

I've been a mn fan my whole life and am tired of mn sports busting out their slogan of "next year" or always having excuses. The young fans buy into it and talk about being optimistic and "real" fans when people are negative. Sports are patterns, pay attention long enough and you will see them. One thing about mn sports is they all seem to have either inept ownership, management, or coaching, or a combo of all 3.

I don't jump on bandwagons, I sit back and observe and so far I see billy and liepold conducting business as usual, per the wild of the last 15 years.