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Article: What Do the Wild Need To Do To Get Ryan Hartman Going?


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I know it takes time to write the articles, do the research, and for some embed some video, but sometimes articles just date themselves. It's not the 1st time, nor will it be the last. 

Here's the thing about a lot of NHL players: They're streaky. We'd love to have a consistent effort and everything works on the average, but most of the time, these athletes don't work that way. They go through 10-15 game hot streaks and the same type of cold streaks. 

Hartman's lasted a bit longer. But, once he got the assist a couple of games ago things started to swing the other way. A 2 point game last night gets him out of his slump. Expectations would be he'd start producing at an accelerated clip for awhile. And, really, that's been Hartman's career. 

So, what should the Wild do to get Hartman going? Nothing. Just keep going the way their going and making tweaks to the lineup sometimes. About 5-7 games ago, I thought Hartzy was getting off good shots, which was a good sign. Typically, results lag, so I didn't think it would be long before he started hitting paydirt. Actually, the results lagged a long time. Right now, this team needs a hot Hartzy. It also needs a hot Boldy.

Will Boldy's game start clicking with the move he pulled in OT last night? He's hit 2 shootout goals that have helped us, but overall, his play has been poor (for him). But, the end of last game should be something he can build on. We need more of that OT play from him.

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Why are we talking about underperformed bottom 6 guys in a top 6 role. I'm sorry but you are not a smart gm or coach if you are consistently playing under 30 pt guys on your 2nd line.

Maybe give talent with a large upside a chance...

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10 hours ago, Need4speed99 said:

Why are we talking about underperformed bottom 6 guys in a top 6 role. I'm sorry but you are not a smart gm or coach if you are consistently playing under 30 pt guys on your 2nd line.

Maybe give talent with a large upside a chance...

Pretty much only Ohgren has that shot right now.  He'll probably be called back up eventually.

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Kind of have to wonder if the Wild were prepared for Yurov to take that top 6 spot and simply didn't have the money to go get a replacement? I know they hoped Ohgren was ready, but his stick was just too slow. 

However, we have gotten a better version of Johansson this season. I realize he's a villain but you have to objectively look at his play and he is far more engaged, does at least attempt to go into the corners and is playing better. He's likely ahead of last year's point production. Yet, a #2 wing he is not, he is a $2m player who is holding the place because nobody has knocked him off the hill.

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1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Pretty much only Ohgren has that shot right now.  He'll probably be called back up eventually.

With all the injuries and the desperate need for secondary scoring, I'm shocked they haven't given him another shot yet.

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Hartman missed a handful of games earlier this season and likely played through whatever he was dealing with for a while. I'm guessing he will have a better 2nd half if he can stay healthy.

They need more production from a lot of guys, but prior to the last 2 games, Hartman certainly had an uncharacteristically long cold spell. Hopefully he'll tally points at a rate like he did last season now that he's gotten a few points.

Of the top 12 teams for points% in the standings, the Wild have the worst goal differential at just +10, and are the only ones scoring below 3 goals per game, at just 2.95(19th overall). They don't have a lot of margin for error if they don't start putting in more goals as a team.

Fleury has been fairly solid most nights, but thank goodness for Gus!!!

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There’s plenty of room on this team for a Hartman. He’s a role player. He definitely knows the game and the “game”. One Hartman is enough. Like Foligno he’s receiving a little back pay for the years he was certainly underpaid. My recommendations? Lower the expectations for point production to around 35-40 on an 82 game season. He’s staying out of the box and playing responsibly overall. I still think he’s in need of some linemates he can build chemistry with. Not sure who exactly.

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How many 15-20 goal/40 point forwards with average skill sets continue to produce that way into their early 30's?

Certainly some, but usually because they have a stronger lineup around them.  But for most, 30 is the beginning of the slide toward bottom 6/fringe NHL'er and retirement.

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On 1/4/2025 at 7:47 AM, Citizen Strife said:

Pretty much only Ohgren has that shot right now.  He'll probably be called back up eventually.

So when are they ready? When are they viable options?

The aging vets aren't doing it.

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Trade Hartman, Rossi, Nojo, Boldy, Spurgeon, Brodin, Suckerallo, Folingo, Kush, Jiricek after tonight. Shit shit shit and more soft shit. Blow the doors open with a Kaprizov Faber trade and start over. No way this group gets shit done. To soft!  Good luck against the Jets, San Jose, Vegas, and the Oilers. Another 4 straight.

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11 hours ago, RedLake said:

Trade Hartman, Rossi, Nojo, Boldy, Spurgeon, Brodin, Suckerallo, Folingo, Kush, Jiricek after tonight. Shit shit shit and more soft shit. Blow the doors open with a Kaprizov Faber trade and start over. No way this group gets shit done. To soft!  Good luck against the Jets, San Jose, Vegas, and the Oilers. Another 4 straight.

I always like a breath of positivity...

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The Wild need a few more players with  more skills which would fall under the minor tweeks category .  I mean MOJO is a fast skater good skater creates chances but cant finish enough  ,then look at a guy like Brock Nelson  probably not as fast , bigger though and finishes alot more often .  I really  dont like bashing to many players unless theyre dirty etc  but i think its all about minor tweeks .

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