Hunt vs Merril

[RedLake]

    Why the hell is Hunt not playing? Why is Pylon slow Merril play? Am I missing something? No I'm wondering why Merril gets NHL ice time! It's ridiculous!!!

[M_Nels]

Merrill has actually been playing well defensively. He's not fast or a puck wizard by any means but you can definitely tell he put some work in this off-season and it's paid off.

If I were going to start anybody over Merrill it would be Chisholm. Chisholm is weaker defensively but he is a superior skater and puck handler comparatively. He has looked much better as a PP2 QB than Spurgeon IMO.

[Protec]

I think the Wild have banked on maturity and experience for the start of this year to have a better start and capture momentum. They battled and scored 4+ goals in those games so I think they're having the start they wanted. 

I say this cause I think the Wild will get those guys like Hunt or Wallstedt in there against some of the weaker teams when they visit St.Paul. 

Those few guys are just an injury away from a full-time spot. I'd just like to see Spurgeon go a few weeks with zero issues. Get the rhythm back. Or not. That way the defense can be much better analyzed. Next season will be interesting cause we'll see where the defense shakes out. Bogo may not be done in MN? Buium is a threat to guys like Hunt, Chisholm, Spurgeon, and obviously all the AHL defense who've stunk. 

I wanna see Hunt get in some games soon too.

[Pewterschmidt]

32 minutes ago, Protec said:

I think the Wild have banked on maturity and experience for the start of this year to have a better start and capture momentum.

If that is the strategy we can say Mission Accomplished.  Nice bank of standings points for the home team so far.

 

33 minutes ago, Protec said:

I say this cause I think the Wild will get those guys like Hunt or Wallstedt in there against some of the weaker teams when they visit St.Paul. 

Those few guys are just an injury away from a full-time spot.

This makes sense.  This may be the Guerin Long Game and i can get behind this strategy.  Spoon feed the Youngblood's and create and healthy stable of NHL talent

[Protec]

47 minutes ago, Protec said:

They battled and scored 4+ goals in those games so I think they're having the start they wanted. 

The games they lost that is. Against Seattle and Philly. 

The Wild have been good so it's hard to pull Merrill for Hunt when the vet is playing just fine and the team is winning. Hunt will make it eventually.

[Protec]

18 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If that is the strategy we can say Mission Accomplished.  Nice bank of standings points for the home team so far.

 

This makes sense.  This may be the Guerin Long Game and i can get behind this strategy.  Spoon feed the Youngblood's and create and healthy stable of NHL talent

They bring Hunt/Chisholm along for backup but once San Jose comes to MN or MTL is in St. Paul there's no issue sitting a veteran out for a game. Maybe they'll play out West, but Spurgeon needs to get back into it. Dallas on the 16th so MN would like to see those young guys play but it's probably gonna have to work out in the proper timing. I don't particularly like Merrill but he's not costing the Wild wins.