Article: The Wild Should Benefit From A Richer Farm System This Year

[Luke Sims]

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[Citizen Strife]

Boyd, Jones, Shore, and Clarke have played pretty well in the preseason.  You have some players who haven't (Peart last night coughed up twice in the D-zone).  However, the aim this year was to make sure if people had to get called up, there would be more people suited to those 3rd/4th lines and bring their A-games to those spots.  Early signs say that could be a good turnaround.

[Protec]

Jones, Clarke, Hunt, Lauko, Knudi, and Ogie have all done pretty good for the few pre-season games they've played.

Better than Heidt from our initial looks. It's gonna be hard for the Guerin/Hynes to round out their roster. Some of these guys will make it, but some should end up in IA.

I wanna see Vaj get a preseason game. I'd like to see some of the duffers put on a shelf for a rainy day. At this point, Merrill and NoJo have experience but that's about it by comparison. I wanna see the hungrier, newer players getting a chance to establish themselves.

If IA has Clarke, Jones, or some third guy who isn't staying in St.Paul, they should be pretty good. Vaj of course, will be a key element.

[Protec]

23 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Boyd, Jones, Shore, and Clarke have played pretty well in the preseason.  You have some players who haven't (Peart last night coughed up twice in the D-zone).  However, the aim this year was to make sure if people had to get called up, there would be more people suited to those 3rd/4th lines and bring their A-games to those spots.  Early signs say that could be a good turnaround.

Forgot about Shore & Boyd. That's what I'm saying. Looks like those guys all competing is good. Lauko is a front-runner it seems, but Jones and Clarke seem like they can score some goals too. Better depth for the Wild this season. Ogie & Knudi should keep getting better, you hope.

[Citizen Strife]

Russo posted what he thinks are the likely lines barring any further injury (accounting for Boldy's current one)

Kaprizov/Hartman/Zuccarello

Johansson/Ek/Ohgren

Foligno/Rossi/Trenin

Lauko/Khustnutdinov/Gaudreau

Jones as 13th

 

Brodin/Faber

Middleton/Spurgeon

Chisholm/Bogo

 

Fleury/Gus/Wallstedt

 

This tells me a few things.  Jones has been an impressive guy all camp, and I'm not splitting hairs about him at 13th over Boyd.  Either guy really works.  Ohgren being in Boldy's spot for now is fine.  Ohgren will probably get Mojo's spot in the lineup when the inevitable trade happens.

Defense looks pretty well set.  Betting it's Hunt or Lambos taking over 7th duties once Merrill is let go.

I saw all I needed to from Heidt and Peart from the last couple games to know they are gonna need more work.  They either made mistakes, weren't prepared for actual NHL quality players, or at best invisible.  Anyone wondering why 5-10 different 3rd/4th line guys or AAAA AHL depth guys were signed to contracts, well, I think they made their case pretty well in just three games.  Even being a journeyman NHL player is a world apart from value prospect.

[Sam]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Boyd, Jones, Shore, and Clarke have played pretty well in the preseason.  You have some players who haven't (Peart last night coughed up twice in the D-zone).  However, the aim this year was to make sure if people had to get called up, there would be more people suited to those 3rd/4th lines and bring their A-games to those spots.  Early signs say that could be a good turnaround.

Peart coughed up once, and the other penalty occurred when he was exiting the penalty box. It was just bad timing. He did bail Fleury out and saved a goal however. 

[FredJohnson]

9 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Boyd, Jones, Shore, and Clarke have played pretty well in the preseason.  You have some players who haven't (Peart last night coughed up twice in the D-zone).  However, the aim this year was to make sure if people had to get called up, there would be more people suited to those 3rd/4th lines and bring their A-games to those spots.  Early signs say that could be a good turnaround.

It'd be nice if we didn't have to call up half of Iowa due to injury, too.

[FredJohnson]

7 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Johansson/Ek/Ohgren

[Protec]

I don't know what's worse. That GMBG wanted Laine or that his Finnish head-case ass rejected MN? 

Either way, thankfully Guerin took the shot to his ego and Laine's own ego and bullshit didn't land here. He's hurt again, and still costs way too much moolah. 

Use the youth and depth we've got. We don't need more Euro primadonna nonsense. 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-laine-exits-after-knee-on-knee-collision-vs-maple-leafs/

[Protec]

3 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

Me anytime NoJo is injected into the Wild's lineup. 

[Sam]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-laine-exits-after-knee-on-knee-collision-vs-maple-leafs/

Ouch.. looked painful in the replay.

[Pewterschmidt]

Watching the first Wild v wpg game now. Ben Jones makes a play in the third where he sauces puck to himself over defenders stick then passes against the grain to teammate for one timer.  BJ might just be the diamond in the rough that scouting dept found.  This guy has middle 6 abilities and seems to have some dog in him.  25 yo.  I see you BJ

[Pewterschmidt]

Lambos: he’s shown speed at times, his decision making is little erratic for an nhl dman so he’s got to figure that out.  I’ll guess he’ll be injury fill in this season but he needs more time in Ahl before he’s an nhl’r

[Protec]

24 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Watching the first Wild v wpg game now. Ben Jones makes a play in the third where he sauces puck to himself over defenders stick then passes against the grain to teammate for one timer.  BJ might just be the diamond in the rough that scouting dept found.  This guy has middle 6 abilities and seems to have some dog in him.  25 yo.  I see you BJ

I pointed to that from the Dallas game. I believe it illustrates an element of IQ that would translate to the NHL. His NA background and OHL numbers from many years ago suggest he could be capable of 20+ NHL goals. 

Not sure why he was waived or not re-signed with pretty good AHL numbers but for me, we've got a nice NoJo replacement. He's ahead of Ogie with way more experience. 

If I was coach today, would send Heidt back to junior everyone to IA except Lauko & Jones. Ogie gets the Rossi treatment, one season in NA-hockey/AHL. Prove it there for everyone. Marat is a tiny bit older/more ready to stay. If there's any jam-ups for TOI, NoJo or Fred have to show they deserve it. 

Maybe that changes before the season begins, but cut the dead-weigjt and cap. NoJo gone, Fred in reserve. Keep Jones and Lauko for 4th line with Knudi. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Ben Jones makes a play in the third where he sauces puck to himself over defenders stick then passes against the grain to teammate for one timer.  BJ might just be the diamond in the rough that scouting dept found.  This guy has middle 6 abilities and seems to have some dog in him.  25 yo.  I see you BJ

One can hope Johansson will enjoy watching him from the press box.

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Ogie gets the Rossi treatment, one season in NA-hockey/AHL. Prove it there for everyone.

I agree ogz should go to IA, plays 1st PP, 1st PK, And dominate there to gain confidence.  He could be injury cup coffee call up to get some exposure to the show but I expect him to need at least one season in ia to learn to play the power forward role (with offensive upside)

[Citizen Strife]

https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/minnesota-wild-reduces-training-camp-roster-to-39-092924

"Minnesota assigned F Hunter Haight, F Kyle Masters, F Pavel Novak, D Jack Peart and F Sammy Walker to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Minnesota also placed D Joseph Cecconi, D Cameron Crotty and F Adam Raska on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Iowa (AHL).

Minnesota assigned D Stevie Leskovar to the Brampton Steelheads (OHL) and released F Ryan Sandelin and G William Rousseau from their professional tryouts. They will report to Iowa Wild training camp."

Edited September 29 by Citizen Strife

[Enforceror]

Funny how two weeks ago pitchforks were being sharpened for the day when Ohgren and Heidt would be "blocked" from a spot.

Im interested in the Lauko and Khus line, nice breakaway potential. 

[Pewterschmidt]

1 minute ago, Enforceror said:

Funny how two weeks ago pitchforks were being sharpened for the day when Ohgren and Heidt would be "blocked" from a spot.

Im interested in the Lauko and Khus line, nice breakaway potential. 

So far MaRat is only one out of ogz and heidt that’s ready for nhl action.  Ogz isn’t ready yet and heidt is likely two year’s away (physically too small).  Our bottom six won’t have alot more skill than last year, but it should definitely have more sandpaper which is nice. 

[Enforceror]

6 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

So far MaRat is only one out of ogz and heidt that’s ready for nhl action.  Ogz isn’t ready yet and heidt is likely two year’s away (physically too small).  Our bottom six won’t have alot more skill than last year, but it should definitely have more sandpaper which is nice. 

I agree with this assessment. Duhaime/Dewar turned into Lauko/Trenin. Khus, Rossi and Faber have another year under their belt. Ohgren could still pop (not counting on it). If injuries are manageable, I do think we make the playoffs for a typical first round exit.

My voodoo chanting is getting better too so there's that. 

[Citizen Strife]

I think it is important to remember that the Faber and Boldy immediate transition is not the norm.  I get the frustration with Guerin taking a very slow growth process.  He isn't handing out free passes to the NHL, and Heidt has shown he's a year or so away.

Wallstedt, Ohgren, and Khusnutdinov are getting their chances this year.  Maybe they succeed, maybe they don't. But I would hate throwing Heidt to the wolves each night just because the team needs success.  If Heidt or Peart play as they are now, the team is worse.

[WheelSnipeCelly]

Finally the Wild get on the board! Rossi with the PP goal!

[WheelSnipeCelly]

Annnndddddd Boyd following it up less than 10 seconds later! Great passing play on that one!

[WheelSnipeCelly]

Hell of a save from the WALL! Much more fun game in the last 5 minutes. It's felt like the Stars have had majority of possession for a good chunk of the game. Finally the Wild have a bit more wind in their sails.

[WheelSnipeCelly]

 

Well bummer...Dallas get the EN making it 4-2 for the Stars