Article: Enough Is Enough. It's Liam Öhgren Time In Minnesota

[Tony Abbott]

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[Citizen Strife]

Sure hope so.  Even when given a shot on the second line early on, he did fuck all.  All we can hope is a month to refresh his mindset gives him confidence.

Trenin seems like he's first back in the lineup.  It "should" help 5on5 defense at least.

Edited 10 hours ago by Citizen Strife

[mnfaninnc]

When Ohgren was up here, he needed 2 things in his game: Take the body harder, have his stick catch up with everything else. 

He's scoring in the A, but my eye test revealed that he still isn't taking the body hard and his stick is behind still. Yes, even with 10 goals in the A. 

I still don't think he's ready to help the 2nd line just yet. But, he will do far more dirty work than Johansson can do, and, Boldy can carry pucks in as well as Johansson. 

Throughout Ohgren's career, he is a 2nd half player. Somehow he elevates his game in that 2nd half of a season. Perhaps he will be ready in late January?

[Patrick]

Can't hurt. Why no mention of Marcus Foligno? He is absolutely dreadful out there. Most overrated player on the Wild IMO.

[Pewterschmidt]

3 minutes ago, Patrick said:

Can't hurt. Why no mention of Marcus Foligno? He is absolutely dreadful out there. Most overrated player on the Wild IMO.

He’s the culture hire

[Sam]

55 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Trenin seems like he's first back in the lineup.

Damn, was hoping it was Ek. If we loose to the Blackhawks I’ll start commenting on these forums about ridiculous nonsense like trading Rossi and other prospects.

[Protec]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Sure hope so.  Even when given a shot on the second line early on, he did fuck all.  All we can hope is a month to refresh his mindset gives him confidence.

Trenin seems like he's first back in the lineup.  It "should" help 5on5 defense at least.

The Wild's injuries have been significant. They've had some contribution from their important role guys NOT named Kaprizov but not nearly enough. 

This might be good adversity for them to face? For now, we can call it that. One win in six games though erases early earned gains in the Central. The Wild need to stop the bleeding and answer the bell. PP, and all areas of their game need work. Obviously NoJo is the ultimate non-factor. He might pull some schidt out of his ass once in awhile but put Ogie in there for crying out loud and have him play with Ek. That's the most obvious coaching move ever. 

[Willy the poor boy]

33 minutes ago, Sam said:

Damn, was hoping it was Ek. If we loose to the Blackhawks I’ll start commenting on these forums about ridiculous nonsense like trading Rossi and other prospects.

Blow it up.

[Lern2spell]

I don't believe the Wild can legitimately compete until adding an impact top-six, and roll a third line of Ohgren-Ek-Foligno. Ek can be a productive top six center, but his greatest value to this team is centering a shut down third line that has potential to also provide some offense.

Currently, the Wild are short on who can be shopped to trade, but Trenin or Spurgeon should be a good start to landing a bonafied top six...

[Pewterschmidt]

11 minutes ago, Lern2spell said:

Currently, the Wild are short on who can be shopped to trade, but Trenin or Spurgeon should be a good start to landing a bonafied top six

L2S: I was with you 100% on your post (if we have top 6 that pushes EK to 3C we’ve got a lineup that can make a run), until this WTF sentence

[Lern2spell]

13 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I was with you 100% on your post (if we have top 6 that pushes EK to 3C we’ve got a lineup that can make a run), until this WTF sentence

Which part has you flummoxed?

[Pewterschmidt]

7 minutes ago, Lern2spell said:

Which part has you flummoxed?

Trenin having any market value...at all.  And 38 year old Spurgy @ his AAV returning a top 6 talent is not realistic.  Either of these won't have much value even as sweeteners in a deal IMO

[Pewterschmidt]

Just now, Pewterschmidt said:

Trenin having any market value...at all.  And 38 year old Spurgy @ his AAV returning a top 6 talent is not realistic.  Either of these won't have much value even as sweeteners in a deal IMO

Even the wild mktg dept (Carter, Walz) has trouble not ripping Yack-ov.  Russo and Judd regularly are critical of The Yack so I know my eye test opinion is valid.  Yack is making me appreciate Foligno's contribution which is saying something.

[Lovehockey]

Agree with Tony. Maybe he is ready or close to be ready but as of now we don’t have anyone who can score besides Kaprisov and whoever with him on the ice . With draft him so try him again. Also can have perfect first line with Kaprizov- Ek- Boldy. They already proof this last year. The size of Ek and Boldy plus Boldy ability to hold on the puck and make moves will help Kaprizov and remove the heavy load he is taking playing with Rossi and Zuccarello. And this will be the only option as of now until we find someone for the second line. our two next best players Rossi and Zuccarello too small to play together and produce 
 

[Lern2spell]

4 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Trenin having any market value...at all.  And 38 year old Spurgy @ his AAV returning a top 6 talent is not realistic.  Either of these won't have much value even as sweeteners in a deal IMO

Ahhh...got ya. Well, it wasn't so much what they can bring in return (although Spurgeon running a power play and paired with a big, stay-at-home partner could bring some value), but rather the cap space they could free up to land a true top six point producer. It should not be a rental UFA, but a proven player with upside and term remaining on an existing contract. Otherwise, Wild are limited to a Chisholm for Shane Wright type of deal to stay under the cap, which (to me) isn't ideal. But this is just my opinion....

[Quebec1648]

The Wild need to get healthy, because the absence of Ek is really affecting this team. Boldy plays a lot better when paired with Kaprizov and Ek. Bring back that line combo, and then figure out something for line 2, such as Rossi, Zuc and Ohgren. This recent losing streak is partly because of injuries and guys being forced to play roles they are not suited for.

The Wild don't have the scoring to reliably win against the big name teams, but they should be able to ice a semi decent team. The Wild need to bring the young guys up and let them learn at the NHL level. Even if they struggle, it at least allows everyone to properly evaluate what they can do.

Line 1 = Ek / Boldy / Kap

Line 2 = Rossi / Ohgren / Zuk

Line 3 = Hartmann / Foligno  / Gudreau (cap space forces a makeshift line 3)

Line 4 = AHL callups. 

Bench = Marat

Nojo gets traded at the deadline

Goalies = Flower / Gus Bus / Wall (3 man rotation)

Defense 1 = Brodin / Faber

Defense 2 = Middleton / Spurgeon

Defense 3 = Jiricek / Chisholm

Bench = whoever else

Merill gets trade at deadline hopefully.

[Pewterschmidt]

Kreider is a healthy scratch.  Is that Guerin’s top 6 addition?

[RedLake]

5 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Kreider is a healthy scratch.  Is that Guerin’s top 6 addition?

     I hope not.

[MNCountryLife]

Good Article.  Bring Oghren up.  Ek is expected back on Dec 27th.  That changes lines a lot for the better.  First line needs to return to power with Kirill, Ek and Boldy putting up points.  The 2nd line with Ogren, Rossi and Zuc should be enough to produce some secondary scoring. Moose, Freddy and Mojo can move back and hopefully be a viable 3rd line.  Sit Hartman and let him get healthy.  We sure miss Mids as well.  The guy is a brute in front of the net.

[Need4speed99]

4 hours ago, Quebec1648 said:

The Wild need to get healthy, because the absence of Ek is really affecting this team. Boldy plays a lot better when paired with Kaprizov and Ek. Bring back that line combo, and then figure out something for line 2, such as Rossi, Zuc and Ohgren. This recent losing streak is partly because of injuries and guys being forced to play roles they are not suited for.

The Wild don't have the scoring to reliably win against the big name teams, but they should be able to ice a semi decent team. The Wild need to bring the young guys up and let them learn at the NHL level. Even if they struggle, it at least allows everyone to properly evaluate what they can do.

Line 1 = Ek / Boldy / Kap

Line 2 = Rossi / Ohgren / Zuk

Line 3 = Hartmann / Foligno  / Gudreau (cap space forces a makeshift line 3)

Line 4 = AHL callups. 

Bench = Marat

Nojo gets traded at the deadline

Goalies = Flower / Gus Bus / Wall (3 man rotation)

Defense 1 = Brodin / Faber

Defense 2 = Middleton / Spurgeon

Defense 3 = Jiricek / Chisholm

Bench = whoever else

Merill gets trade at deadline hopefully.

The only disagreement I have is freddy. He is a 4th liner. Give the spot to another prospect. 

This team has all the same issues as last yrs team. This year they have just gotten much better goaltending. But against actual top teams they can't compete. 

If geurin and Hynes fail to give the prospects a shot(and a real one, not sticking them on the 4th line) and hopefully find secondary scoring, this team will be what it always has, mediocre. 

[Burnt Toast]

7 hours ago, Lern2spell said:

Trenin or Spurgeon

I’m hoping for a top six add but I’m thinking it will take giving up more than these players. If someone is unloading talent then they probably will be wanting some younger players or picks. Would Nyquist boomeranging back here make a significant difference? 

[Will D. Ness]

26 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

I’m hoping for a top six add but I’m thinking it will take giving up more than these players. If someone is unloading talent then they probably will be wanting some younger players or picks. Would Nyquist boomeranging back here make a significant difference? 

Nashville might blow it up.  Lot's of interesting possibilities there.