Article: David Jiricek Offers the Wild More Than Raw Talent

[Protec]

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Things are going quite nicely.

Naturally, we should all get mentally prepared for the Wild to draw the Avs or Kings coming into the playoffs hot, where Ek has been bit by a rattlesnake so he's out 4-6 weeks and the Wild lose their first round series. 😜 

The lake is frozen and docks are out so whatever derails the Wild's amazing season in soul-crushing fashion, at least we know it won't be a P.Diddy style freak-off on a Minnetonka pontoon ride scandal. 😆

Edited December 2 by Protec

[OldDutchChip]

Just now, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

How astute of not to even look at the teams these two are playing for. Wallstedt was better than or equal to Askarov in the past two years. Sharks have had 7 1+2nd round picks in 23-24 drafts including two in the top 4. The Barricuda's record is 12-6-0 and they were shite last year until some of the top picks in the last two drafts showed up. Yeah, they kind of have an advantage being in a rebuild and getting top picks. Meanwhile the Iowa wild have been bottom of the barrel since MacLean showed up, and haven't drafted in the top 10 since Rossi. Even though Army had them in the payoffs a year before. 

Wallstedt was the among the best goaltenders in the league even while having a crap team in front of him 22-23 .908 save %, 23-24 .910 save . I'm saying maybe the anomaly season might be the outlier with other factors at play. Instead of wanting to call him a bust a quarter of the way into his first rough season.

What about our defense? They are at most 23! they have time considering there are no spots for them on the line up right now. I would point to coaching more than anything in Iowa, not the players themselves.

Askarov only played for SJ AHL team this year (previous were for Nash AHL team) so i am not going to say that celibrini-less AHL team boosted his stats. on top of that Asky is playing for SJ NHL team now - and producing still great numbers even though - you know they are the SHARKS. 

I am not calling him a bust - i am saying there are some worry signs. 

Defense? like our draft defense? when was the last time a D prospect made the NHL roster? We have not developed anyone! We had to trade for them. You combine that plus recent performances by Wally, Ohgren, and some disappointments from our 1st pick Stramel - don't you think it's worrisome? i don't think it's all gravy.

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

2 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Chances of being an NHL'r (based on Dobberprospects study)

1st Lambos 74% chance

2nd O'Rourke 34% chance

2nd Peart 34% chance

3rd Hunt  27% chance

4th Masters 22% chance

5th Spacek 15% chance

 

The actual breakdown is likely worse than that for many Wild picks.

74% is for all 1st round picks, but it's probably over 90% for top 10 picks, around 75% or the next 10 picks, and below 60% for the final 12.

The Wild have often been picking in the final 12, or very close to it, rather than the top 15. After pick 15, it's probably less than a 74% chance.

Anyone selected after pick 20 has less than a 60% chance, I'd guess. The top of the 2nd round probably starts around 50% before quickly declining to around 30% after pick 50.

[mnfaninnc]

21 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I'm not writing him off as a player, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent and I believe the team will be more focused on spending money on their top 6 forwards than in retaining him with a pay increase.

Great catch Huck! This shows how much I miss capfriendly. Getting used to Puckpedia's presentation hasn't been smooth. I think you're right on this, and he may be trade bait at the TDL for a top 6 forward as you've suggested.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

7 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Askarov only played for SJ AHL team this year (previous were for Nash AHL team) so i am not going to say that celibrini-less AHL team boosted his stats. on top of that Asky is playing for SJ NHL team now - and producing still great numbers even though - you know they are the SHARKS. 

I am not calling him a bust - i am saying there are some worry signs. 

Defense? like our draft defense? when was the last time a D prospect made the NHL roster? We have not developed anyone! We had to trade for them. You combine that plus recent performances by Wally, Ohgren, and some disappointments from our 1st pick Stramel - don't you think it's worrisome? i don't think it's all gravy.

 

Dude, you have no reference on where the rest of the prospects of the 2021 draft are at. Outside the top 15 picks in that draft a total of 3 players have over 100 games played. Three! Considering that 1 D man we drafted the year before in ROUND 3 is NHL ready is not concerning. 

Celibrini wasn't the only draft pick they had in the past two years. They also are playing with 12 overagers, not a ELC blueline. 

[mnfaninnc]

20 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Well, Puckpedia has him currently listed as a rule 6 UFA, but with a ? after it, so perhaps he will not be. After reading up on it, if he reaches 80 NHL games, I guess he loses UFA eligibility. As such, if he stays healthy, maybe he will continue as a RFA for the Wild, but his solid play is likely to increase his next contract.

One more reason to sit Merrill and play Chissy. What does he need this year? 60 games?

[OldDutchChip]

3 minutes ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Dude, you have no reference on where the rest of the prospects of the 2021 draft are at. Outside the top 15 picks in that draft a total of 3 players have over 100 games played. Three! Considering that 1 D man we drafted the year before in ROUND 3 is NHL ready is not concerning. 

Celibrini wasn't the only draft pick they had in the past two years. They also are playing with 12 overagers, not a ELC blueline. 

why do i need to review 100's of prospects? i was told Wally was once in a lifetime goalie. he had another solid goalie prospect drafted at the same time. that prospect is kicking ass and ours is going the opposite way. that's it. it IS a cause for concern.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

1 minute ago, mnfaninnc said:

One more reason to sit Merrill and play Chissy. What does he need this year? 60 games?

Chisholm had played in 33 NHL games prior to this season, so should be roughly 47 games in the NHL this season for him to lose the option of opting into "group 6" unrestricted free agency.

He's already played 18 for the Wild this year, so I believe just 29 more to go.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

5 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

why do i need to review 100's of prospects? i was told Wally was once in a lifetime goalie. he had another solid goalie prospect drafted at the same time. that prospect is kicking ass and ours is going the opposite way. that's it. it IS a cause for concern.

Okay bud. Facts and stats just don't matter apparently so no frame of reference is going to make a difference.

Edited December 2 by TheGoosesAreLooses

[Imyourhuckleberry]

3 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

why do i need to review 100's of prospects? i was told Wally was once in a lifetime goalie. he had another solid goalie prospect drafted at the same time. that prospect is kicking ass and ours is going the opposite way. that's it. it IS a cause for concern.

Askarov was drafted #11 a year earlier than Wallstedt, and has 2 total NHL wins, which is actually the same number as the younger goalie.

Cossa would be the better comparison(same age & draft year, but selected #15) and he has 0 NHL games so far, but definitely looks more promising this season based upon AHL results.

Wallstedt is having an off year so far, as many goalies do, but could bounce back.

[mnfaninnc]

5 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Chisholm had played in 33 NHL games prior to this season, so should be roughly 47 games in the NHL this season for him to lose the option of opting into "group 6" unrestricted free agency.

He's already played 18 for the Wild this year, so I believe just 29 more to go.

I'd rather bank those games in quickly than have to play him at the end. IIRC, playoff games count too. 

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Okay bud. Facts and stats just don't matter apparently so no frame of reference is going to make a difference.

fact - our number 1 prospect - our goalie of the future - is struggling posting 860% and allowing 5 goals per game third year in. 

fact - askarov is blossoming. 927% in NHL. 

while this may be a small sample size and Wally can still climb out and even eclipse Asky, at THIS point - it's a bit disheartening to look at the way Wally is playing. 

that's it. deal. with it. it's reality. 

 

 

[mnfaninnc]

1 minute ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Askarov was drafted #11 a year earlier than Wallstedt, and has 2 total NHL wins, which is actually the same number as the younger goalie.

Cossa would be the better comparison(same age & draft year, but selected #15) and he has 0 NHL games so far, but definitely looks more promising this season based upon AHL results.

Wallstedt is having an off year so far, as many goalies do, but could bounce back.

This might be telling: I saw The Wall backing up Ferguson on Friday evening, but it was Vaj who started on Sunday. I didn't get to go to the game since I got sick. I did see the highlights, on our side, there weren't any. 

I don't have any information that The Wall is injured. It's possible he has the sniffles, as walking pneumonia is going around here commonly (that's what has likely taken me out). 

I was fully expecting The Wall to start Saturday, and was surprised to see Vaj played. I would have been pissed to go sick and not see The Wall.

[Pewterschmidt]

2 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

fact - our number 1 prospect - our goalie of the future - is struggling posting 860% and allowing 5 goals per game third year in. 

fact - askarov is blossoming. 927% in NHL. 

while this may be a small sample size and Wally can still climb out and even eclipse Asky, at THIS point - it's a bit disheartening to look at the way Wally is playing. 

that's it. deal. with it. it's reality. 

 

 

I'm going to get my popcorn and await Gooses & Strife's responses

[OldDutchChip]

3 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Askarov was drafted #11 a year earlier than Wallstedt, and has 2 total NHL wins, which is actually the same number as the younger goalie.

Cossa would be the better comparison(same age & draft year, but selected #15) and he has 0 NHL games so far, but definitely looks more promising this season based upon AHL results.

Wallstedt is having an off year so far, as many goalies do, but could bounce back.

Askarov and Wally were considered the best goalie prospects in both years. Wally was recently voted as our top prospect. They are the same age right now - 22. One is having a great start, the other is struggling. 

What else are we trying to argue? You want to say "all is well" ok. I am inclined to think that there is a bit of an issue to monitor. Especially given that he was deemed out #1 prospect. 

 

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

fact - our number 1 prospect - our goalie of the future - is struggling posting 860% and allowing 5 goals per game third year in. 

fact - askarov is blossoming. 927% in NHL. 

while this may be a small sample size and Wally can still climb out and even eclipse Asky, at THIS point - it's a bit disheartening to look at the way Wally is playing. 

that's it. deal. with it. it's reality. 

Right, but it's also true that Askarov was drafted the prior year and should be a year more ready. Sadly, from looking at The Wall's stat sheet, and memory which is scary, The Wall has an even tempered approach to the game, but is a streaky goaltender. We'd all like to see the GAA over the last couple of years just be steady, but that's not really how his results are.

Some of it is probably the young defense, another issue that we need to solve is was he expecting to be in the N this year exclusively? Does he feel he's learned as much as he can in the A? We just traded for a player with a similar gripe. Now, we did resign The Wall to a nice 2 year deal after this season, probably a better deal than he deserves. Hopefully that smoothed over any hard feelings.

[mnfaninnc]

5 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

I am inclined to think that there is a bit of an issue to monitor.

I apologize to everyone. I guess I should have gone down to the floor with my grandson, had a sharpy ready asked for his autograph and asked him this question. I failed!

[hydguy75]

Many excellent comments and points to be considered by all.  And here's my 2 cents...

The Wild are tied with the Jets at most points, in the entire NHL.  Whatever Hynes is doing, seems to be working.  The Wild somehow have gelled and working as a team.  It shows in the eye test.  Sure, we can all nit pick stats this and that, but the current position is the Wild are sitting at the top, with lots of momentum.  Hynes has proven that the current setup, current roster, can be successful.  

So what does that all mean?  

If the Wild continue on this momentum, even remotely, for the rest of the season we should be in the playoffs.  However, what do we need to do differently to avoid the dreaded 1 and done post season?   We are going to need to get past some assortment of Vegas, LA, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, then probably Washington.  What assets will be needed for that setup?  

Why not take the RH defenseman and develop the young'en beforehand?  What good are the 2025-2027 picks when you have already assembled the team you need?  And you have the pipeline with some future?  

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Right, but it's also true that Askarov was drafted the prior year and should be a year more ready. Sadly, from looking at The Wall's stat sheet, and memory which is scary, The Wall has an even tempered approach to the game, but is a streaky goaltender. We'd all like to see the GAA over the last couple of years just be steady, but that's not really how his results are.

Some of it is probably the young defense, another issue that we need to solve is was he expecting to be in the N this year exclusively? Does he feel he's learned as much as he can in the A? We just traded for a player with a similar gripe. Now, we did resign The Wall to a nice 2 year deal after this season, probably a better deal than he deserves. Hopefully that smoothed over any hard feelings.

they are just 3 month apart in age and played about the same games in AHL (asky with 10 more or so). but i do recall Wally playing among sweden's elite for so long. i dunno - it felt as a warning sign. add to that ZERO developed D prospects in NHL since end of last century and there is a trend....no?

[Pewterschmidt]

24 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

we did resign The Wall to a nice 2 year deal after this season

I think this was mainly about avoiding an offer sheet in off season

[Tony Abbott]

4 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Yeah i do hope he figures things out and comes back and be who he was promised to be OR he can continue the unfortunate path he is on now. Fleury decides that he wants another farewell tour - nothing is wrong with that

back to Wally - we pretty much have our entire list of studly D prospects in front of him, that can't be all their fault  😜

Masters, Hunt (used to), O'Rourke, Lambos, Spacek, Peart - all these gents were going to make an impact and will surely still will. (or maybe our prospects are not as great as we were lead to believe....?) 🙂 

IMO, that blueline is far too young for the AHL. It's a good thing to have 2-3 of those guys there, but putting them there all at once has been a disaster.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

30 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

What else are we trying to argue? You want to say "all is well" ok. I am inclined to think that there is a bit of an issue to monitor. Especially given that he was deemed out #1 prospect. 

It's not great. I argued all offseason that Gustavsson needed to be retained because he was the #1 goalie and the team couldn't count on Wallstedt ever being better. At that time, I couldn't have anticipated Wallstedt struggling as much as he has this year, but there was never any certainly that he would become as good as Gustavsson. Gus had a down year last season compared to the prior, but Fleury was worse and Wallstedt was unproven.

Many goalies have a rough year here or there, so I'm not panicked about Wallstedt, but it's a damn good thing the Wild kept Gustavsson as they would be in a really bad spot with Wallstedt struggling and Fleury being asked to play in 70%+ of their games. Hopefully it's just a down year and Wallstedt makes the adjustments necessary for a big jump forward in his development.

[TheGoosesAreLooses]

21 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

add to that ZERO developed D prospects in NHL since end of last century and there is a trend....no?

Maybe that is because we used a single first round pick between 2013-2024 on a defenseman. 

Since 2011 when we developed Brodin, and 2012 when we got Dumba then all our picks in first or second round on defensemen;

2013 

2nd round Olofsson

5th round Carson Soucy

2014

2nd Belpedio

2018

1st Johansson

2021 Late 1st Lambos

2024 1st Zeev

 

Wow, I wonder why our late round picks are turning into all stars when we haven't drafted a high percentage player (top 15) on defense since Matt Dumba. Why aren't all our 3rd and 4th rounders all stars?

Why is the sky blue? 

That is why perspective is important, so you don't look like a f*cking idiot claiming our development is failing when our development has been pretty on par with our draft picks based on % success rate. Meanwhile you complain about Brackett who wasn't with us until 2020 and about players who in all reasonable expectations wouldn't be in the NHL yet. 

 

[M_Nels]

56 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

fact - askarov is blossoming. 927% in NHL

Fact: Askarov was been sent down to the Barracuda on 11/26 to work on things. 

Edited December 2 by M_Nels
Added Date

[M_Nels]

**Can't edit again: should not be a been in my above comment