Article: Jared Spurgeon Is Proving He's Still A Difference-Maker

[Tony Abbott]

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[Protec]

He's done what we wanted most which was to get back to playing all the games. It's beginning to look pretty good again, but the durability issue is now on our radar. We've never not liked Spurge, we just want hockey players on the ice. Injuries happen but #46 isn't a reckless player so if he's fixed the issues and feeling good, hopefully it just stays that way. He can skate, so he won't get clowned like Suter has been for the past 5-7 years.(Slower than molasses in January.) 

The Wild have only good problems now. How do you extend your superstar. What do you do about all the good prospects? Is the money still worth it for your small puck moving RHS defenseman? Has Wallstedt gone full-Euro???

Not too bad overall, 2nd/3rd place in the NHL. We need to see how these guys perform against the Central teams. That's 100% what I'm watching for at this point. Wins against rivals in the division.

[Citizen Strife]

People like Spurgeon are going to be crucial for however long Kap and Zuccarello are out.  Freddy, Johansson, and Rossi came up big in turning losses into ties and ties into victories.  It's also people like Spurgeon who keep those games from getting out of hand SO those players can make those clutch goals.  

[Pewterschmidt]

At end of second period, lumber wagon on pk after he chokes on the 2-on-1 with Fred, lumber wagon was sitting on the ice while Calgary scored at end of period.  
That’s a drink twice.  Not just one the ice but on his butt on the ice.  

#lumber wagon hockey

[Citizen Strife]

17 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

At end of second period, lumber wagon on pk after he chokes on the 2-on-1 with Fred, lumber wagon was sitting on the ice while Calgary scored at end of period.  
That’s a drink twice.  Not just one the ice but on his butt on the ice.  

#lumber wagon hockey

What the fuck?

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

What the fuck?

If he’s sitting on the ice it’s a double. I don’t make the rules

[mnfaninnc]

I think Lumber Wagon is Trenin. He made a costly, unforced error while playing PK, don't get caught deep with your teammate. The pass over to whoever was with him should never have been made, he needs to shoot that at the pads and hope his teammate gets a nice rebound. I'm with you on this, Pewter, coming back up the ice, Calgary had an easy entry, and while it took some time, that mistake cost them the entry and the goal. Could it be that Trenin is getting nervous about his point total? If so, he should realize that he specializes in goals not assists. Shoot the puck!

However, this article is about Spurgeon. For many years, Spurgeon has been playing top pairing. He's been sneaky good. However, that top pairing is now Faber-Middleton, and Spurgeon-Brodin are 1B. What this means is that Spurgeon has gotten less ice time, more rest, and most likely a better matchup where he can dominate lower competition. My opinion here, likely differs from Tony's. 

Let's speculate on playoffs with this lineup assuming full health to the stars. Spurgeon has historically struggled as a top pairing playoff defender. However, could he thrive in a 1B role? I think he can and would most likely face players that aren't quite as monstrous in stature. That could be the recipe for success. 

Now, in this particular game with Edmonton, I thought Spurgeon-Brodin was excellent against McDavid +. That line is more of a skating line without all the physical stuff. They did a nice job shutting that line down. Ek is also a big part of this shutdown. I thought Edmonton was more dangerous with Draisaitl and McDavid separated. Brodin is excellent defending McD. 

In contrast, Faber-Middleton were better vs. Draisaitl because of the physical part of his game. Faber is used to being the fastest guy on the ice, but McDavid got the corner on him at least once. I think Faber underestimated his speed and acceleration on his edges. While nothing happened on the play, at least Faber realized he still needed to go to class. 

In yesterday's game, I think where Spurgeon was highlighted was in OT. The Wild used 4 forwards and 3 defenders during the period. I thought they had the better of the play, and it showcased Spurgeon's savviness in that scenario. 

I'd also like to point out something else in the game. While the Wild struggled, it was Rossi with a big time goal to tie it. With all the complaints about Freddie, he performed what he was paid to do in the shootout. I am convinced that this was $500k worth of his money, being counted on in the shootout. You've got to have those guys. I was very disappointed in Boldy's try. Ek needed to bring his sand wedge for his move, and Hartman's attempt was just shy of his skill level. Missing Kaprizov and Zuccarello in those spots was pretty pivotal, but we stole another point.

[Will D. Ness]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

The pass over to whoever was with him should never have been made, he needs to shoot that at the pads and hope his teammate gets a nice rebound.

I have to disagree on the pass.  It was there and if it got through it was a goal IMO.  He just didn't execute it.

[Citizen Strife]

According to Friedman and Russo, Kap has no injury.  Should be questionable for Winnipeg.  Thanks the Russian gods.

[bisopher]

17 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

According to Friedman and Russo, Kap has no injury.  Should be questionable for Winnipeg.  Thanks the Russian gods.

Hope you're right, for Kaprizov's and the Wild's sake.

[Sam]

20 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

According to Friedman and Russo, Kap has no injury.  Should be questionable for Winnipeg.  Thanks the Russian gods.

Thanks for the update. I was worried, but not too worried because he seemed to be ok.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

20 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

According to Friedman and Russo, Kap has no injury.

I'm guessing it was some deep bruising that may have caused minor swelling and they were being cautious with him. Hopefully he'll be good to go without any limitations on his sensational skating.

[mnfaninnc]

22 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

I have to disagree on the pass.  It was there and if it got through it was a goal IMO.  He just didn't execute it.

5v5 yes, shorthanded, no. When shorthanded, in that situation, even dumping it in the corner was a better play. 

On PK, the Wild have tried hard to put 4 across the blueline. This play left 2 back, and disrupted the whole PK + having tired guys at forward. Khus could have gotten back, but he wasn't playing. Shoot for the pads, hope for a rebound and get back is the correct play, especially since the defender was giving up the shot.

[mnfaninnc]

23 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I'm guessing it was some deep bruising that may have caused minor swelling and they were being cautious with him. Hopefully he'll be good to go without any limitations on his sensational skating.

So now we send him back in vs. Winnipeg, his health Kryptonite. At least he seems to stay healthy in our building!

[Up North Guy]

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

5v5 yes, shorthanded, no. When shorthanded, in that situation, even dumping it in the corner was a better play. 

On PK, the Wild have tried hard to put 4 across the blueline. This play left 2 back, and disrupted the whole PK + having tired guys at forward. Khus could have gotten back, but he wasn't playing. Shoot for the pads, hope for a rebound and get back is the correct play, especially since the defender was giving up the shot.

This really should not be a question at all. As I watched it live all I could think was why the heck didn't he shoot? A high school player would get a talking to for that play.

[MNCountryLife]

It isn't easy to return from a major injury at the age of 35.  This is a big deal for the Wild.  None of our D outside the top 4 of Brodin,Spurge, Faber and Mid are capable of playing top 4 quality minutes every game.  Bogo and Merrill are clearly 3rd pairing and fill that role just fine as long as they can avoid lines like McDavid.   Chisholm has been a pleasant surprise.  He seems faster and stronger than last year to my eye.  If he can have a good year with lots of ice time he may improve enough to warrant consideration as top 4.  Looking forward to Zeev getting here.  He will enter that top 2 conversation quickly and create tough decisions for the Wild.  

[MNCountryLife]

The Wild appear to have a solid D-core youth movement entering the ranks.  Zeev, Faber, Chisholm, Mid, Hunt and possibly Lambos or Spacek could round out a pretty talented defense.

[FredJohnson]