Article: After Proving They Belong, the Wild Must Prove They Can Contend

[Chris Schad]

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[Pewterschmidt]

I'd like to see Bogo's beard show Nojo's face pubes who's boss.  Midzy 'stache could referee.

[Enforceror]

Tampa Bay beat the Jets therefore: Wild>Tampa>Jets

It has to be true (ignore the first wild vs jets game, it was part of the strategy).

[Enforceror]

I noticed Boldy has been taking some faceoffs lately, I think it was mentioned even that he was like 70% on the dot. Listening to Hynes' media interview today, it sounds like this may become a more common occurrence. So what does that mean? Can Boldy play center? New 1C? 

KK Boldy Zucc

Hartman Rossi NoJo

Intriguing...

[Amaddeo]

I was really impressed with Declan Chisholm last game. He replaced Brodin very effectively, made some great offensive plays and actually performed very well defensively. He’s making a solid case to be part of the Wild’s future and I’m all for it. He needs to continue that level of play to stay in the lineup, but an even bigger opportunity now with Brodin out. 
 

I wonder how the lines shakeout with Zuccy out. If Ek is also out, that will be interesting. I assume Hartman will be elevated to play center if Ek is out, and if he’s back, probably play with Rossi and Kap. Who knows though. Hoping that this team proves themselves against Dallas and Colorado. Two massive tests

[FredJohnson]

Not even the most optimistic fan could draw up the Minnesota Wild's start this season.

 

[Will D. Ness]

Chisholm is playing great and looking like he is coachable.  I think he is growing on Heinz too.  I hope we see Chisholm at the 3D with Bogo full time when Brodin is back.

[1Brotherbill]

1 hour ago, Will D. Ness said:

Chisholm is playing great and looking like he is coachable.  I think he is growing on Heinz too.  I hope we see Chisholm at the 3D with Bogo full time when Brodin is back.

Chisholm will bounce back and forth with Merrill for the entire year.  Hynes says he doesn't like sitting players for more than three games.  Though I have a feeling that will change when Denver is done with their season and Buium is playing every game.  

I have a feeling that a lot of things will change at the end of the season going into the playoffs.  Will Yurov come over at the end of the KHL season?  Is he able to?  Will Ohgren be in St. Paul.  Will Wallstedt be the number 2 goalie going into the playoffs?

As good as the team is right now it still needs some questions answered.  

[Enforceror]

Looks like Ohgren got the call. 

[FredJohnson]

Maybe we can pick up more than a couple points against the Western Conference winning teams this season.

[Pablo]

Wild win 5-2 tonight. Stars can suck it. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Zeev Buium update via Russo -- "The 2024 first-round pick has 10 assists in 11 games for the Pioneers and on Friday had a hat trick against North Dakota."

 

[Up North Guy]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Zeev Buium update via Russo -- "The 2024 first-round pick has 10 assists in 11 games for the Pioneers and on Friday had a hat trick against North Dakota."

 

So much for those complaining he isn't scoring. Also, hat tip to any player who scores a hatty against the Whouix. 

[Thatoneguy]

2 hours ago, Pablo said:

Wild win 5-2 tonight. Stars can suck it. 

That would be awesome!

[Citizen Strife]

If you'd told me the Wild down three players would only give up 2 goals to the Stars, I wouldn't have believed it.  There's enough evidence to suggest that this team's defensive structure can handle high powered teams and stay competitive in games.  It's not ALWAYS the case.  LA scored 5, and the Philly game was balls up.  However, more and more times, games are the manageable 1-2 goal margins either direction.  The Wild still rank in the top half of the league in goals, despite sometimes looking like they can't get a goal to save their lives sometimes.  Kap still broke through with enough time to spare last night that you can say, "Huh.  Maybe this isn't done just yet."

Winnipeg and Dallas both struggled to beat the Wild.  I'd say the team's wish of being "harder to play against" is a more subtle distinction than we were lead to believe.  They aren't dominating physically or anything like that.  They are "hard to play against" by frustrating teams with defense and tenacity.  Last year's team couldn't get back in or even start games to save their lives.  This year's team stays committed to keeping games tight waiting for an opportunity that has usually shown itself.

[Enforceror]

I think we've gotten caught up in the excitement of having our team start off with a great record. We're still cash strapped and still waiting for some of our prospects to hit. This year is a great building block from which to continue a trend. Playing hard and Hynes' has made some much needed structural changes. With a few more roster tweaks and another year under Hynes', we should absolutely be a contender next year. I foresee some playoff games for us but am not expecting anything beyond that. Next year is when we really should start to see what we have. 

[FredJohnson]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:52 AM, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Zeev Buium update via Russo -- "The 2024 first-round pick has 10 assists in 11 games for the Pioneers and on Friday had a hat trick against North Dakota."

 

Bust - because GMBG drafted him. (Sarcasm)