Article: The Wild Are Still Trying To Break Into the Western Conference Elite

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I could sign off on this. I think he could overperform his $8.5m salary for the next 5 years, especially with the cap increases. This helps the team this year and for the next 5. I'm not sure what the compensation would be, but Trotz has been on record looking for dynamic players. Heidt would be my dangle, and possibly pair him with Lambos. Heidt brings some dynamic offense with a little bite, and Lambos should be a steady blueliner for them. I think we also need to send some money their way depending on how the Spurgeon injury is. If Spurgy is out for about 4 months, which I could definitely see, that would be a nice replacement player for the LTIR. 

If more is needed, I'd be ok with sending a pick in this year's draft too, maybe in exchange for some retained $. If it's good enough, I'd be ok sending the 2nd.

i think FF would cost a lot more than Heidt, Lambos and a pick. Might need to use Yurov or Zeev. 😉 

[mnfaninnc]

6 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i think FF would cost a lot more than Heidt, Lambos and a pick. Might need to use Yurov or Zeev. 😉 

Shooter managed not to put any of them in the Jiricek trade, I think he can manage to do the same here. Those guys are premium chips, it would take someone really, really special (cough Tkachuk cough) to part with those guys. 

Preds are about to tear some things down, and I don't think Buffalo is far behind. Heidt is a really good piece in that timeline, Lambos also fits. I'd be willing to part with quantity in other prospects like Haight/Bankier, but I'm keeping those other guys if Forsberg is the catch. Now, if David Edstrom was included in the package, I might be able to part with one of the premium players.

[OldDutchChip]

11 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Shooter managed not to put any of them in the Jiricek trade, I think he can manage to do the same here. Those guys are premium chips, it would take someone really, really special (cough Tkachuk cough) to part with those guys. 

Preds are about to tear some things down, and I don't think Buffalo is far behind. Heidt is a really good piece in that timeline, Lambos also fits. I'd be willing to part with quantity in other prospects like Haight/Bankier, but I'm keeping those other guys if Forsberg is the catch. Now, if David Edstrom was included in the package, I might be able to part with one of the premium players.

i guess i haven't seen FF lately, but he has/had a great game and the stache! He often plays physical and i think would compliment Kap perfectly. Since it's just pretend - let's do this!! 

• Wild send Faber and Rossi and Heidt or Haight or anyone with last name beginning in H
• Preds send Josi and FF

Yeah Yeah money needs to be worked out BUT Preds do it to get younger

Wild do it to give them and Kap a cup window for now and keep their future core duo (Zeev and Yurov)

Shiiiiit i like it!

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

• Wild send Faber and Rossi and Heidt or Haight or anyone with last name beginning in H
• Preds send Josi and FF

Josi is 34. Are you sure you want to do $9m over 3+ years for a guy this old? He is 6'2" 201, so I think he'll hold up pretty well, but this is where I think we differ:

1. Brock Faber is trending up, his seasons will get better
2. Roman Josi is trending down, he's on a pace for about 25 less points this season. In fact, last night it was Skjei that was their offense.
3. The money doesn't work out, but if Spurgeon is on LTIR, well, it doesn't work for the rest of this year at all. It would work next season. 
4. Handedness here doesn't really matter because Josi plays his off side pretty regularly. 

My conclusion is, I think keeping Faber helps us more for the next 5 years than acquiring Josi. I really like having the good young youth in the defense of Buium, Jiricek and Faber. I think that gives us an advantage in TOI, durability over the season, and a little extra juice in OT. 

There is an argument that Josi would be better this year and next, but then you've got some unknown/tough end of career years for Josi. But, Forsberg likely helps us for all 5 years left on his deal. For the money, I think we go for Forsberg, and package together a nice run of futures and keep the premium guys, and right now, Rossi is a premium guy. He has passed Boldy on the scoresheet. 

Sometimes swinging big is the best way to go, sometimes smaller tweaks are. In this case, I think going with the smaller is a better way to go. 

[mnfaninnc]

Preds are at 29 points on the season. Sabres at 32. 

Preds have to jump 6 teams in the west and are 14 points beneath 8th place Flames. Sabres are dead last in the east and have to jump 8 teams but are only 8 points out. 

At the Jan. 1 date, I'd have to say both should be looking at tee times in mid June, and should be preparing for the future. Preds have about $8m in dead cap, so they could use a little cap help. Sabres are just a conundrum. On paper they should be way better than they are. Could they pull off the St. Louis miracle from a few years ago? Doubtful.

My guess is that both Trotz and Adams are concluding that they are sellers. At what time do you sell, though? For me, I'd say Trotz may sell now. Adams seems more patient. I think that means that Forsberg could be had. 

What would a Forsberg give the Wild? He's kind of gritty but puts up points. Immediately, he'd be 4th in points with 9-21-30, and he's also a -11. Is that due to the team? Probably. But, he's also an LW RHS, a guy with a really good shot. We're missing that kind of guy. Hartman's shot is way too inconsistent. 

At 6'1" 205, he's got a good sized frame. This would be a good target. He's making $8.5m for the next 5 seasons. With Capflation, that is a decent deal for a guy who can put up numbers. He's also 30, maybe a little older than optimal, but with that age, perhaps he is a bit less expensive.

Do Trotz and Guerin have a relationship? I think they do respect each other. I'm not sure if they've dealt much. Perhaps they can get something going pending Spurgeon's upcoming MRI?

[OldDutchChip]

5 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Josi is 34. Are you sure you want to do $9m over 3+ years for a guy this old? He is 6'2" 201, so I think he'll hold up pretty well, but this is where I think we differ:

1. Brock Faber is trending up, his seasons will get better
2. Roman Josi is trending down, he's on a pace for about 25 less points this season. In fact, last night it was Skjei that was their offense.
3. The money doesn't work out, but if Spurgeon is on LTIR, well, it doesn't work for the rest of this year at all. It would work next season. 
4. Handedness here doesn't really matter because Josi plays his off side pretty regularly. 

My conclusion is, I think keeping Faber helps us more for the next 5 years than acquiring Josi. I really like having the good young youth in the defense of Buium, Jiricek and Faber. I think that gives us an advantage in TOI, durability over the season, and a little extra juice in OT. 

There is an argument that Josi would be better this year and next, but then you've got some unknown/tough end of career years for Josi. But, Forsberg likely helps us for all 5 years left on his deal. For the money, I think we go for Forsberg, and package together a nice run of futures and keep the premium guys, and right now, Rossi is a premium guy. He has passed Boldy on the scoresheet. 

Sometimes swinging big is the best way to go, sometimes smaller tweaks are. In this case, I think going with the smaller is a better way to go. 

My strategy is to ice the best team possible now. Getting both Josi and FF is a fantasy, but getting one of them is not. I'd go for FF to pair him with Kap. I think FF for me is a better overall get than both Tuch and Tkachuk and may cost less. Knowing that Billy dealt with Nashville previously - this may be something that is not entirely out of discussion. I would stay away from O'Reilly, as i think Nash will likely dangle him, and focus on FF. 

 

[MNCountryLife]

On 12/30/2024 at 9:25 PM, Burnt Toast said:

He’s far from a finished product

I think that is the key sentence right there for Marat.  The guy is only 22 yet has already solidified himself as a lock down center.  Let the team work on his stick skills and offensive side of the game.  He should develop into a very solid player.  Let time dictate where he ends up in the lineup.  

[mnfaninnc]

15 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Knowing that Billy dealt with Nashville previously - this may be something that is not entirely out of discussion.

I believe that was under the previous administration while Trotz was still coaching. Are you referencing the Kunin trade?

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

Let the team work on his stick skills and offensive side of the game. 

From what I can tell, he's got some really nice sneaky passing skills, but his shot is very inconsistent. The goal he scored was decisive and he caught the puck very well, but a lot of other shots have dribbled off the stick. This is where he needs help offensively, because having a decent shot will open up passing lanes. If I were playing him defensively, that would be the guy I'd want shooting on my goalie. His shot is worse than early on Granlund. 

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I believe that was under the previous administration while Trotz was still coaching. Are you referencing the Kunin trade?

just in general i thought there was a link between Billy and Nash. 🤔 maybe not but still ...perhaps a call wouldn't hurt

[mnfaninnc]

21 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

just in general i thought there was a link between Billy and Nash. 🤔 maybe not but still ...perhaps a call wouldn't hurt

With the good news on Spurgeon's injury, I think that's just not in the cards for this year unless there is another catastrophic injury for LTIR. 2-3 weeks is not much and we can probably backfill that position internally. We'd have to get Nashville to retain (not sure about retention rules, but they also have a lot of dead cap on their books) 50% at least for this year and then send them about $4.25m in salary. 

I think Shooter likes the product he has and wouldn't be willing to overpay. 52 points in 39 games isn't a bad amount of points. Just keep banking points until we get into the playoffs. But, Forsberg would be an excellent fit!

[OldDutchChip]

On 1/3/2025 at 8:24 AM, mnfaninnc said:

With the good news on Spurgeon's injury, I think that's just not in the cards for this year unless there is another catastrophic injury for LTIR. 2-3 weeks is not much and we can probably backfill that position internally. We'd have to get Nashville to retain (not sure about retention rules, but they also have a lot of dead cap on their books) 50% at least for this year and then send them about $4.25m in salary. 

I think Shooter likes the product he has and wouldn't be willing to overpay. 52 points in 39 games isn't a bad amount of points. Just keep banking points until we get into the playoffs. But, Forsberg would be an excellent fit!

i am predicting good things for the Wild with this lineup

EK Kap Zuccy

Rossi Boldy Forsberg

Foligno Trenin Guady

Nash get some kind of pick/prospect/MJ 🙂

 

 

[RedLake]

Get Yurov! Kap-rossi- boldy, Ek, Tuck, Yurov.