Article: What Will It Tell Us About the Wild If Jiricek Pans Out?

[Chris Schad]

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[Citizen Strife]

There's always risk involved.  The important distinction is making the right risky plays for the right returns.

I have been leery about Rossi trade talk because he has done it here, with our players, our system, and keeps finding ways to win games.  No player they can get for him (unless it is a Tuch or something) matches his current and future trajectory.  You pay the guys that play well and gel.

Jiricek is a futureproofing upgrade over Hunt.  Hunt likely never plays top 4 for the Wild, and will be boxed out.  You have guys like him in the system, so Guerin ponied up for the hope Jiricek is Spurgeon's Top-4 replacement at best or high end 3rd pair at worst. 

If Hunt or the 1st rounder hit...welp, thems the breaks.

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

No player they can get for him (unless it is a Tuch or something) matches his current and future trajectory.

I looked at the bottom of my screen last night and saw Buffalo up 4-0. I looked at the bottom of my screen in the 3rd period and saw Buffalo tied at 4-4. Now 'Rado beats them? Buffalo changed coaches in the offseason, bringing back Lindy Ruff. And, still, they are not playing up to full potential!

I'm looking for a trade soon coming out of Buffalo. This has to have the owner tearing his hair out if he even is paying attention. (Doesn't he own the Bills too?) 

Now, how can we fit Tuch in?

[mnfaninnc]

To me, success in this deal will be if Jiricek plays long term as the 2nd pairing RHS D after Spurgeon leaves. I think you give Faber the heavy defensive lifting and let Jiricek feast on lower competition with Brodin by his side. 

Note: Did anyone else see the locker room interview with him last night? He is really thin in the chest area. Jirzy, you've got to bulk up this offseason! In a couple of years, I will be expecting a defender who is very physical, dominates opponents physically, shows off special offensive skills, and takes a lot of pressure off of the other guys. What am I saying? I want a Tkachuk on defense!!!

[mnfaninnc]

Note to Chris: 

Quote

Carolina Panthers

You might want to switch this to Hurricanes.

[Pewterschmidt]

25 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I will be expecting a defender who is very physical, dominates opponents physically, shows off special offensive skills, and takes a lot of pressure off of the other guys.

I think DAL Klingberg sounds more like his ceiling.  Not the version we saw.

[mnfaninnc]

Quote

Optimistic by nature, Wild fans see Jiricek as a perfect defensive partner for Faber, especially when Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon reach the end of their careers. However, based on how his career has played out, Jiricek may not reach his potential.

Call me pessimistic by nature then, because I do not see this happening. Of course, I'm a believer in handedness, especially on defense. I see Jirzy starting out with Brodin or Chisholm, and eventually see him playing alongside Buium or Lambos. 

Do I think he is a top pairing defender? Yes, we've got 2 of them on the right side, a very nice problem to have. But, you'd want Faber taking the top line defense and Jirzy getting inferior forwards allowing him to rush the puck. 

[mnfaninnc]

1 minute ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I think DAL Klingberg sounds more like his ceiling.  Not the version we saw.

I don't see this. When Klinberg came up he was a real pansy. He was afraid to hit anyone and to get hit by anyone, because, you know, spritzer league. 

Jiricek and Spacek come from the Czeck league where taking to body is encouraged. Klinberg will probably be a better skater than Jirzy, but when Jirzy wants, he'll bring the hammer!

I liked his scouting report that said he was mean. My hope is he can control the temper but run over people like Ek did last night. Playoffs need some meanness, and we're slowly bringing those guys in. Once Jirzy makes the lineup with Ogzy, we will have gotten quite a bit bigger. Jirzy looks like the kind of player you can start a game with and put out a "let's get warmed up" heavy line. Put Trenin and Foligno on the wings of Ek, and Jirzy and Midsy on defense and simply greet every player with a "Welcome to St. Paul" statement after the hit.

[Pewterschmidt]

21 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Call me pessimistic by nature

Call me naughty by nature

[mnfaninnc]

9 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Call me naughty by nature

looks like we have some disreputable people on the site. I wonder how Protec and ODC will see their true nature? CS and Gooses? M_Nels, Huck and B1G? 

I'm sure I left too many people out, but you get the idea. I can't forget Mooch though.

[IllicitFive]

26 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I don't see this. When Klinberg came up he was a real pansy. He was afraid to hit anyone and to get hit by anyone, because, you know, spritzer league. 

Jiricek and Spacek come from the Czeck league where taking to body is encouraged. Klinberg will probably be a better skater than Jirzy, but when Jirzy wants, he'll bring the hammer!

I liked his scouting report that said he was mean. My hope is he can control the temper but run over people like Ek did last night. Playoffs need some meanness, and we're slowly bringing those guys in. Once Jirzy makes the lineup with Ogzy, we will have gotten quite a bit bigger. Jirzy looks like the kind of player you can start a game with and put out a "let's get warmed up" heavy line. Put Trenin and Foligno on the wings of Ek, and Jirzy and Midsy on defense and simply greet every player with a "Welcome to St. Paul" statement after the hit.

Am I crazy or was Eks check finishing taken to a new level last night, flattened a few guys. All players take note, that is how you respond to getting cross checked, take your opportunity and let them know you are there, hard. 

The bully line up, this, I need to see this happen if a game gets a bit out of hand and chippy. The goal, inflict pain and make their night miserable, set the tone for everyone on the team. The wilds own "You make sure they remember, *forever*, the night they played the Titans!" moments. This would be highly effective especially at home when you can line up match a bit. Don't worry about hitting their goons, take it out on their skill players. Fire up a few of the others who can bring some hits, Boldy, Hartman, Bogo, and even Kap, play on that edge. Maybe NoJo (thinking of when he crumpled a player, I believe it was Gudas, against the ducks) could find that fire haha, but I doubt it.

[Citizen Strife]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I looked at the bottom of my screen last night and saw Buffalo up 4-0. I looked at the bottom of my screen in the 3rd period and saw Buffalo tied at 4-4. Now 'Rado beats them? Buffalo changed coaches in the offseason, bringing back Lindy Ruff. And, still, they are not playing up to full potential!

I'm looking for a trade soon coming out of Buffalo. This has to have the owner tearing his hair out if he even is paying attention. (Doesn't he own the Bills too?) 

Now, how can we fit Tuch in?

Depends if Rossi for Tuch is the centerpiece or not.  

They might be willing to hold 25% and take Trenin or BOGO/Merrill/Chisholm.  Maybe even do Brodin and ask for picks back too.

The money has to work somehow.

 

[M_Nels]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

When Klinberg came up he was a real pansy.

Sums up his very short stint with the Wild too. The dude wouldn't even sneeze on anyone in the corners.