Article: Will the Wild Have To Consider Long-Term Injured Reserve With Jared Spurgeon?

[Kalisha Turnipseed]

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[FredJohnson]

Will the Wild Have To Consider Long-Term Injured Reserve With Jared Spurgeon?

Yes and it sucks. 😕

[OldDutchChip]

I think we talk w spurge and tell him at this point the best way forward is likely to rest up and get well on IR until playoffs

at trade deadline we can be very aggressive as oppose to last year because (a) money wise we may be able to retain more for following year and (b) spurge $ will be on IR and that’s a big chunk

let’s say sabres or red wings plummet and make tuch or larkin available or who knows who…..tkachuk? Nylander? be nice for us to swoop in and do what Vegas did w Stone and Eichel and we have the attractive pieces (prospects that yet to sour)

then at the end of year we all welcome a healthy Spurgeon back to playoffs, or if he aged himself out of playing shape, let’s see how that can’t miss D stud looks -Zeev

shit, getting all optimistic here

[Pewterschmidt]

From Russo’s nyt article:
He and Trenin teamed up to assist on Marco Rossi’s second goal in as many games Saturday, but other than that, they’ve created little.

Foligno doesn’t have a shot on goal in five games. Trenin has four.

“We haven’t done enough offensively,” Foligno said. “But we hope that we can figure it out. 

Zero shots!!  Foligno has been hockey play challenged his whole career.  One Greef line year (with Ek) and now we’re stuck with him forever. Now we’ve got T-bag too.  Another player doing 20 foot curls through neutral zone 10 feet behind the play 

another example of gross mismanagement of assets

[Pewterschmidt]

On the shelf after two games. Yah this ain’t hard to predict.  Foligno isn’t far behind.  Hopefully he makes it thru December and gets his first shot on goal

[Pewterschmidt]

I predicted these two dolts would be relevant every 5-6 games so they should do something tomorrow.  Fight?  Big hit? Maybe

 hockey play, not likely.  These two are Ryan Reeves but less likable

[1Brotherbill]

A lot of people said I was crazy when I said we should have traded Spurgeon last off season.  His value was the highest we were ever going to see and even though he did all the small things right.  He is just not a top defenseman because of his size.  Also said his contract was going to be a problem.

Now 18 games later and it is a disaster.  The Wild have two more years of this contract after this year.  Since it is Minnesota and we always think with our hearts when it comes to stuff like this they will keep him around because he is the "Heart and Soul of the Team."

Reality is right now it doesn't look like he will play ever again.

The option of him being on LTIR until the playoffs is comical.  If he sits 80 games and the team is as strong as they are right now.  Why would you bring him into the mix at that point?  At best he would just be Jared Spurgeon at worst we have a liability.  At that point you would have Zeev on the roster and if he turns out to be as good or better than Brock was after college you would have to not carry him into the playoffs because you are bringing Spurgeon back.  

If the team is strong enough going into the trade deadline with what we have now.  There is no way they are going to trade Gus.  Because at that point he is your number one goaltender.  No playoff contender is going to trade the number one goalie for a rental defenseman.  Sure the Wild traded for Fluery but at that time we had Talbot and Kappo and nobody is going to say that those two were number one goalies.  

Now if the team is out of contention come trade deadline.  Trade Gus and Bogo and if you can get three or four players for Kirill clean house and go into free agency with all the money. 

[DennisIN]

The Wild should place Spurgeon on LTIR and trade for Timothy Liljegren, a big NHL ready RHD defensemen with lots of upside and low trade value due to the logjam in Toronto. Might be a bargain and potential long-term replacement for either Bogo or Jared.

[Glenn]

We need to dump Bogo,Merrell,Spurgeon just retire and thank you  keep Hunt and Chisholm and bring up either Masters or Lambros until Zeev is here, we need to get younger and faster real fast or its goodbye Krill and Rossi. then in the next 2 years trade Brodin before his value really drops. Really if Blunder Billy wouldn't have had a man crush on Dumba and kept Soucy instead  we've have a big de man, If Blunder Billy don't get his S___ together soon  Fire his A__   

[MrCheatachu]

48 minutes ago, Glenn said:

We need to dump Bogo,Merrell,Spurgeon just retire and thank you  keep Hunt and Chisholm and bring up either Masters or Lambros until Zeev is here, we need to get younger and faster real fast or its goodbye Krill and Rossi. then in the next 2 years trade Brodin before his value really drops. Really if Blunder Billy wouldn't have had a man crush on Dumba and kept Soucy instead  we've have a big de man, If Blunder Billy don't get his S___ together soon  Fire his A__   

Okay Glenn....why would Spurgeon retire and leave $22M of salary that's owed to him on the table.  That's the dumbest thing I've read this morning.  LTI-Retire...sure, but just leave $22M+ on the table is stupid.

But wait, you want us to also dump Bogo & Merrill for a couple of guys who haven't scratched the roster yet?  You realize that you can bury $1.150M of a players contract in the AHL, meaning both Bogo & Merrill could be buried if you send them down and nobody claims them...so Lambos/Masters aint ready yet.  And, with the contracts they are both on, they likely get claimed and you're making the team worse if you do that at this point.

[Pewterschmidt]

Now that the Crash bros. Have been called out by Russo in nyt/athletic and FLA coach is throwing shade albeit respectfully (but still shade) I expect contributions from these two dopes in FLA tonight.  FLA plays heavy, the dopes will really bring it tonight.  I think we’ll be talking about their hits/fights tomorrow.  100% Foligno fights tonight.  At least that gets him out of the game for 5 min.  
 

my FDS is acting up again.  

Edited October 22 by Pewterschmidt

[Imyourhuckleberry]

8 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

Sure the Wild traded for Fluery but at that time we had Talbot and Kappo and nobody is going to say that those two were number one goalies.  

Technically, Talbot has been #1 goalie level and Fleury has been worse. Gustavsson is better now, but Talbot tied Shesterkin for 10th in save % last season.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Apparently, having a locker next to Fleury is not magically raising the level of Wallstedt's game as he has given up 12 goals in 2 AHL games so far.  The defense must be atrocious down there. They've given up at least 3 goals in each game, yet Lambos has found a way to not be in the negative yet.

I assume Lambos is playing paired with Cameron Crotty since every other defenseman on the Iowa Wild is at least a -2.  Do they need a new coach down there or what?

[Pewterschmidt]

21 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Apparently, having a locker next to Fleury is not magically raising the level of Wallstedt's game as he has given up 12 goals in 2 AHL games so far. 

I was not going to mention this buuuuttttt…this is one of our can’t miss savior prospects people.  But the defense, the injuries, the…it’s the f’ing ahl not the Catalina wine mixer.  POW!   There are red flags flying for Wallstedt.  Get him up here for a game against SJS or Anaheim and let’s find out what we have with Wally. 

 

24 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Do they need a new coach down there or what?

How many times does McLain get to demonstrate he’s not cut out for pro hockey in any capacity?

[OldDutchChip]

18 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I was not going to mention this buuuuttttt…this is one of our can’t miss savior prospects people.  But the defense, the injuries, the…it’s the f’ing ahl not the Catalina wine mixer.  POW!   There are red flags flying for Wallstedt.  Get him up here for a game against SJS or Anaheim and let’s find out what we have with Wally. 

 

How many times does McLain get to demonstrate he’s not cut out for pro hockey in any capacity?

i wonder if it's the coach or the prospects (both D and G).....or maybe both

at this point - i actually don't want to sacrifice any games to "help" wally

give Gus those easy ones, destroy bottom dwellers and keep going!

entertain an idea to dangle Wally like Nash did with their goalie prospect.....but he has to play and play ok to still be an attractive piece. 

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Now that the Crash bros. Have been called out by Russo in nyt/athletic and FLA coach is throwing shade albeit respectfully (but still shade) I expect contributions from these two dopes in FLA tonight.  FLA plays heavy, the dopes will really bring it tonight.  I think we’ll be talking about their hits/fights tomorrow.  100% Foligno fights tonight.  At least that gets him out of the game for 5 min.  
 

my FDS is acting up again.  

I agree with P-Diesel...tonight 5:30PM puck drop with FLA is going to be where we see if we're a 'tough team to play against' or SillyG over-invested in players of his image like a hockey-Liberace

[Pablo]

Spurgeon will likely hit LTIR if he really isn’t healthy enough to play week to week.  He really may need more rest/recovery until March which certainly can be replaced by a couple possible young studs or trade for some muscle. I’m not even worried that the FO is working on this issue and have been for weeks.  They know waaay more than whats out in the public.

 As for next season (long way away) and who cares at this point…. 

Gus wont be traded cause he and Wally will be 1/1A for a few/several seasons.  When you got 2 young/prime shut down goalies on your team, you don’t have to face one of them on your way to the Lords Cup because you are using/managing them.  There are other ways to find a missing piece if you have a missing piece.  
Our young depth (prospects) is going to carry us in 25/26/27 as they carve out a roll on varsity.  
 

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, MrCheatachu said:

I agree with P-Diesel...tonight 5:30PM puck drop with FLA is going to be where we see if we're a 'tough team to play against' or SillyG over-invested in players of his image like a hockey-Liberace

P-Diesel predicts the over/under on Foligno helmet spikes is +1

[MNCountryLife]

It is a bit sad to see a player like Spurgeon that has beaten the odds and achieved so much, struggle to stay healthy in the twilight of his career.  It speaks volumes as to how difficult it is to maintain such a high level of skill and stay healthy in this amazingly difficult sport.  I've enjoyed watching him play and wish he was able to return to his former days and play like the player we know he was.  But in the end, the body often decides what the mind refuses to accept.

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

It is a bit sad to see a player like Spurgeon that has beaten the odds and achieved so much, struggle to stay healthy in the twilight of his career.  It speaks volumes as to how difficult it is to maintain such a high level of skill and stay healthy in this amazingly difficult sport.  I've enjoyed watching him play and wish he was able to return to his former days and play like the player we know he was.  But in the end, the body often decides what the mind refuses to accept.

Agreed. We've seen it recently when a guy like Mason Shaw blows out his knee for the 8th time, or when a guy like Victor Rask slices his hand open with a kitchen knife and completely derail his entire career.  The margin between being an NHL player and washout is razor thin.

We all hope our hero's can pull a Joe Pavelski and have an absolute career resurgence at 37 years old (career high in points with 81 in 82 games), or remain forever young like Sid Crosby, but those guys seem to be the exception and not the rule.

Personally, I'm not giving up on Spurge yet.  He's made his career on being an effective defender who can avoid contact.  His brain and hockey IQ seems more important to his success than his physicality.  It seems the guys who don't have to carry around as much mass and dont make their bread and butter off overpowering guys have longer careers.  

[1Brotherbill]

11 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Technically, Talbot has been #1 goalie level and Fleury has been worse. Gustavsson is better now, but Talbot tied Shesterkin for 10th in save % last season.

When the trade went down Talbot was off and on as a number one.  He went to the all star game and then lost a bunch of games were he looked like he had no idea what a puck looked like.

Since the trade Talbot has been on three teams.  Clearly the Wild are not the only team that think he is number one capable.  

[mnfaninnc]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:30 AM, MrCheatachu said:

But wait, you want us to also dump Bogo & Merrill for a couple of guys who haven't scratched the roster yet?  You realize that you can bury $1.150M of a players contract in the AHL, meaning both Bogo & Merrill could be buried if you send them down and nobody claims them...so Lambos/Masters aint ready yet.  And, with the contracts they are both on, they likely get claimed and you're making the team worse if you do that at this point.

This is a great point. It is obvious that Lambos and specifically Masters aren't ready yet. Masters was playing in the E last season. Spacek is more ready than Masters and is still a long way off. 

I'd like to get younger too, but if younger isn't ready yet, you're making the team worse and possibly crushing the careers of a couple of prospects when they lose confidence in themselves. 

We could ceremoniously pass the Kaptain torch to Ek, and let Spurgeon ride off into the sunset....but not too far, maybe just to Des Moines as a legitimate defensive coach. All the while he would be taking up LTIR money and helping the organization the best he can (after all, he's still employed by them). We could then backfill with another defender in place, or just use Hunt and see what he's got. I've suggested Provorov in this spot, rescuing him from a CBJ team going nowhere for a few years. 

I know the team doesn't really give out many details, but do we know anything more than Spurgeon and Guerin knew that he'd need rest and maintenance this season (interpreted as this will not be the only time this happens)? Waiting until closer to the TDL is also not a bad strategy instead of replacing immediately. In preseason, I thought Hunt>Merrill, and it would be better if he were playing right now. If he works out, maybe the LTIR $  could be spent elsewhere?

[mnfaninnc]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:33 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

Now that the Crash bros. Have been called out by Russo in nyt/athletic and FLA coach is throwing shade albeit respectfully (but still shade) I expect contributions from these two dopes in FLA tonight.  FLA plays heavy, the dopes will really bring it tonight.  I think we’ll be talking about their hits/fights tomorrow.  100% Foligno fights tonight.  At least that gets him out of the game for 5 min.  

Perhaps this would have happened had we not jumped out to a big lead. Even the physical part where the Crash bros. had guys lined up, they let up as to not create a chance for a momentum shift. 

What I have a hard time understanding about FL is how did they get so much out of Sam Bennett? They picked him up off the scrap heap in Calgary and made him a 2nd line C who is effective. He's already got 5 goals this season, and plays a really hard game. 

[mnfaninnc]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:46 AM, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Do they need a new coach down there or what?

I've complained about this for some time. They have no legitimate defensive coach in Des Moines. Why not put 5 of your top defensive prospects in the A and have no real coach to help them improve? Doesn't that make perfect sense? 

This is getting me all riled up almost as much as the "throw Tuch in" so we don't affect the team mentality. 

[mnfaninnc]

Stat for P-Diesel: Who leads our A team in scoring after 4 games? Mikey Milne at 1-3-4. 

Bonus coverage: Hunter Haight with 3 goals.

Edited October 23 by mnfaninnc