Article: The Wild Are Asking A Lot Of Brock Faber

[Robert Brent]

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[FredJohnson]

The Wild Are Asking A Lot Of Brock Faber

He's entering his prime with a YUGE contract. A heavy load should be expected.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Quote

Ultimately, the Wild are playing a dangerous game with Faber. He can shoulder the workload, but they’re putting him in a difficult situation.

Not sure about dangerous. Seems like this is how good young players grow into elite players. Increase their responsibility and see if they raise their game.

[Citizen Strife]

If this is what "asking a lot of a young player" is, I sure hope Buium is even half as good as Faber.

[Amaddeo]

It would be interesting to see a top 4 of Middsy-Faber and Brodin-Buium, if Zeev can play the right side. Depending on Spurge’s health and if Middsy and Faber can actually perform well together, this would be pretty fun to see. 

[Patrick]

They need to manage his minutes better.  It's a long season and a worn out Faber isn't ideal.

[Pewterschmidt]

Just now, Patrick said:

They need to manage his minutes better.  It's a long season and a worn out Faber isn't ideal.

Agree.  I don’t care how young he is or how good he is let’s not burn him up in his first few seasons.  I want to have 32 year old captain Brock-the-cradle-of-love

[Pewterschmidt]

14 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Agree.  I don’t care how young he is or how good he is let’s not burn him up in his first few seasons.  I want to have 32 year old captain Brock-the-cradle-of-love

Brocktoberfest

[MNCountryLife]

What is not to like about Faber.  A complete game at both ends of the ice and fast enough to recover when being a bit risky.  2nd year and already a proven commodity.   

[FredJohnson]

2 hours ago, Amaddeo said:

It would be interesting to see a top 4 of Middsy-Faber and Brodin-Buium, if Zeev can play the right side. Depending on Spurge’s health and if Middsy and Faber can actually perform well together, this would be pretty fun to see. 

The numbers say that Faber and Midds aren't very good together. But I love that top-4 on defense any way you cut it.

[FredJohnson]

4 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

The Wild Are Asking A Lot Of Brock Faber

He's entering his prime with a YUGE contract. A heavy load should be expected.

[FredJohnson]

Game thread ya filthy animals: 

 

[mnfaninnc]

I have a hard time understanding how everyone just accepts this article as written. 1 major flaw in Robert's article is that it wasn't just Faber playing with cracked ribs, it was also Middleton playing with a knee injury which obviously slowed him down and made him less able to turn. 

Middleton is a better player than he showed the back half of last season. He's also a better player than he was when he was partnerless after Spurgeon's injury. It takes time to build a defensive partnership, generally speaking, and it took Midsy time to learn Faber's tendencies. 

Why was it Middleton that needed to learn them? Because he was the weaker partner. He really had to learn the meaning of Faber being Faber. Middleton had to learn how to position himself, where the gaps were and how much ground Faber could cover. And, they did this injured.

I don't think it's any accident that they are playing better this season together. Both are healthy which will add to their numbers, but both know each other better and that experience also adds. Assuming both are healthy going forward, I would expect them to grow even more.

We also have a potential other problem forming: Faber is being recognized by other team's now. Last night, we saw how Crosby pulled him down and tried some shenanigans, and then left town before Faber could finish. Faber/Crosby coincidental minors for roughing wouldn't put us down. Faber having to then take on the guy from the bench was a net win for Pittsburgh. 

Note to Foligno & Co.: This was your opportunity to staple this 1st line into the boards. A nice open ice hit on Crosby would have sent a distinct message, but as I wrote about in a different thread, this team does not really have each other's backs like some other teams do. This needs to change. And like it or not, Middleton is part of the Co. here. 

Note on the fight: Faber held his own, but come on, man, you've got to drop both gloves! You don't get a 2 1/2 minute penalty for just dropping 1 glove. Also note how the Pen coming off the bench protected superstar Crosby. When have we done this for Kaprizov? Faber will be another one of those people who must be protected. He doesn't need 5 minutes to catch his breath!

Edited October 30 by mnfaninnc

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I have a hard time understanding how everyone just accepts this article as written. 1 major flaw in Robert's article is that it wasn't just Faber playing with cracked ribs, it was also Middleton playing with a knee injury which obviously slowed him down and made him less able to turn. 

Middleton is a better player than he showed the back half of last season. He's also a better player than he was when he was partnerless after Spurgeon's injury. It takes time to build a defensive partnership, generally speaking, and it took Midsy time to learn Faber's tendencies. 

Why was it Middleton that needed to learn them? Because he was the weaker partner. He really had to learn the meaning of Faber being Faber. Middleton had to learn how to position himself, where the gaps were and how much ground Faber could cover. And, they did this injured.

I don't think it's any accident that they are playing better this season together. Both are healthy which will add to their numbers, but both know each other better and that experience also adds. Assuming both are healthy going forward, I would expect them to grow even more.

We also have a potential other problem forming: Faber is being recognized by other team's now. Last night, we saw how Crosby pulled him down and tried some shenanigans, and then left town before Faber could finish. Faber/Crosby coincidental minors for roughing wouldn't put us down. Faber having to then take on the guy from the bench was a net win for Pittsburgh. 

Note to Foligno & Co.: This was your opportunity to staple this 1st line into the boards. A nice open ice hit on Crosby would have sent a distinct message, but as I wrote about in a different thread, this team does not really have each other's backs like some other teams do. This needs to change. And like it or not, Middleton is part of the Co. here. 

Note on the fight: Faber held his own, but come on, man, you've got to drop both gloves! You don't get a 2 1/2 minute penalty for just dropping 1 glove. Also note how the Pen coming off the bench protected superstar Crosby. When have we done this for Kaprizov? Faber will be another one of those people who must be protected. He doesn't need 5 minutes to catch his breath!

The defense with Faber in the box was markedly worse than with him on the ice. Behind KK i think Faber is the team's #2 MVP

[mnfaninnc]

24 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Behind KK i think Faber is the team's #2 MVP

I'd say #3. I still think Ek is #2.

[Dango]

Being this game was about flower, maybe they didnt want to escalate the Cosby /Faber  incident and ruin it  .  Ill give them a pass this  time but atleast the guy that instigated Faber was similar size and not some 6-7 235  guy . .

[raithis]

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

When have we done this for Kaprizov?

I'm not sure why you are asking this question when there are many instances to the contrary.

While I agree the team doesn't stand up for each other as much as they should, it's not like it never happens.  There's been numerous instances of players getting into fights to defend Kaprizov.  Even Rossi dropped the gloves last year to do that.

I feel like the coaching staff has put a lot more emphasis on avoiding penalties and being much more disciplined to be on the PK less.  Part of that might mean that they are being asked not to get into fights or keep their emotions in check and not retaliate.  In past years I feel like Foligno would have had 2-3 fights by now by himself.

I like a team with good discipline that isn't giving the other team unnecessary chances, but they have to show that they won't be bullied and that actions can have consequences too.

[RedLake]

Chelios Jr is fine.