Article: Buffalo Has What the Wild Need At the Deadline

[Lee C.]

Um... no. Just... no. Very long article for a... no.

[Citizen Strife]

Did some rough math of the top 16 teams and their GF and GA

Winnipeg: 156 GF, 108 GA
Washington: 156 GF, 111 GA
Vegas: 143 GF, 112 GA
Minnesota: 129 GF, 116 GA
Toronto: 135 GF, 124 GA
New Jersey 142 GF, 114 GA
Dallas: 132 GF, 101 GA
Edmonton: 139 GF, 117 GA
Carolina: 145 GF, 118 GA
Colorado: 146 GF, 137 GA
Florida: 140 GF, 132 GA
Los Angeles: 121 GF, 98 GA
Vancouver: 123 GF, 129 GA
Tampa Bay: 146 GF, 110 GA
Boston: 116 GF, 142 GA
Calgary: 107 GF, 122 GA

 

GF Ranks
Winnipeg: 156
Washington: 156
Colorado: 146
Tampa Bay: 146
Carolina: 145
Vegas: 143
New Jersey: 142
Florida: 140
Edmonton: 139
Toronto: 135
Dallas: 132
Minnesota: 129 (12th)
Vancouver: 123
Los Angeles: 121
Boston: 116 
Calgary: 107

GA Ranks
Los Angeles: 98
Dallas: 101
Winnipeg: 108
Tampa Bay: 110
Washington: 111
Vegas: 112
New Jersey: 114
Minnesota: 116 (8th)
Edmonton: 117
Carolina: 118
Calgary: 122
Toronto: 124
Vancouver: 129
Florida: 132
Colorado: 137
Boston: 142

So, of the top teams, they are in the top half defensively, but bottom 1/3 offensively.  Within the conference, here's Minnesota against them.

Within Conference:
GF Ranks
Winnipeg: 156
Colorado: 146
Vegas: 143
Edmonton: 135
Dallas: 132
Minnesota: 129 (6th)
Vancouver: 123
Los Angeles: 121
Calgary: 107

GA
Los Angeles: 98
Dallas: 101
Winnipeg: 108
Vegas: 112
Minnesota: 116 (5th)
Edmonton: 117
Calgary: 122
Vancouver: 129
Colorado: 137

Now, bear in mind that Minnesota is likely facing either Dallas or Colorado at this point.  Colorado's early rough start and Minnesota's hot early streak may account for differences, but Minnesota's "woeful" offense isn't really all that bad compared to Dallas.  The biggest concern might be dealing with getting goalied.  Winnipeg and Colorado are for sure (pure numbers wise) a bigger problem.  Things will obviously change as the year goes on, but Minnesota isn't completely out of the woods too much.

Minnesota has played Dallas closer than most other years too...so that would be an advantageous matchup.  I sure as shit don't want Winnipeg, LA, or Colorado.

Edited Sunday at 10:01 PM by Citizen Strife

[Burnt Toast]

I’m going to comment now then read everyone else’s. NO NO NO NO NO NO That’s 5 times NO PLUS ONE! ODC? Why do I have your moniker in my head right now? 😂 

[Citizen Strife]

Also, what this tells me as Captain Obvious is selling our 3rd best scorer is not exactly the best idea.

[OldDutchChip]

Hmm i think i'll let Rodney say it - 

Sending Boldy and Marat for Tuch and Quinn? What? Why? The only thing i agree on is this statement The Wild is Kaprizov’s team. Not Boldy's. But the team is more than Kap so i am not sure what point is? Do we get rid of all the players that are not Kaprizov? Close Kaprizov and that be his team? Alright let's dive in -

Boldy has shown he can't put up numbers like that. He has the talent but lacks consistency against better teams.  We know that he CAN put up the numbers because he has done that, but then why does he dry up? The theatrical aspect of his game takes over and he becomes a showman vs a beast. And for hockey he must be the later. Look at his solo effort a couple games back against two Defenders, pushing both to the puck. It was a "north/south" approach that would bring his game to a level of Tkachuk or Barkov. And i bet Tuch can unlock that if they pair up. You don't give up Boldy for Tuch. No way. 

Rossi and Quinn will be another version of Kaprizov and Zuccarello.  Who is Who in this comparison? Is Rossi a Kaprizov? Even the biggest Rossi lovers would pause here and question the statement. Are we expecting near 200 point production from Rossi/Quinn tandem? Or just saying that they will be playing together? There is a difference. Also - why are we so high on this Quinn guy? He will top out as 15 goal scorer, he is just as tiny as Rossi and is still developing....we need NOW players. No just No. We pursue Tuch but leave both Boldy and Marat out. We have plenty of prospects to entice Sabres. 

Quinn is a downgrade from Boldy due to production, but he has a better shot than Boldy and is the better shooter for their power play. Quinn is still developing his well-rounded game but has shown flashes of what he can do on a good night.  There is no surety to this statement....Quinn is projected to score less goals than what Boldy has RIGHT NOW. Quinn won't reach 20 but Boldy will reach 40. How are we even comparing the two?

Rossi’s emergence as a playmaker and scoring threat will help Quinn reach his ceiling. There's no doubt that Quinn can emulate Jason Pominville. Can he become the Wild’s version of Sam Reinhart?  No doubt....why no doubt? Because they both played in Buffalo? and what was so special about a passive Pommy? like really why do we need a second coming of Pomminville? And why are we then saying that Quinn is our 57 goal forward like Reinhart? Just because they may played in the same rink?

Once Yurov’s season concludes, the Wild should let him take the offseason to be prepared to come to training camp.  why wait? why not drag his ass after his season and if he is ready and as advertised we can use him. No one will be prepared for another stud like him. Why waste that? Unless there is a financial reason or we are clicking on all cylinders - then to say "take the time off our number 1 prospect" is a bit questionable. No you play him if at all possible. 

Ohgren projects to be a better version of former prospect Adam Beckman + Quinn as the right-shot version of Ohgren  So are we saying that Becky = Ohgren = Quinn? So again why are we sending off Boldy to get what is basically Becky 2.0? Another point is Ohgren is projected to have a two way game, whereas Becky never did. So how are the two comparable?

Khusnutdinov has a future, but it's more of being a shutdown contributor on a Stanley Cup-winning team due to his versatility and speed. The Wild have a variety of bottom-six players who can replace Khusnutdinov, especially with size.  This reads a bit contradictory....why would we make Marat replaceable if he offers a versatility and speed that is needed for SC team? You then state that we can replace him with one of Mikey Milne, Rieger Lorenz, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Caedan Bankier, and Charlie Stramel....who are these players? None of them have any indication of an immediate NHL success. Maybe one of them will sniff some NHL time in the next 5 years - but there is no certainty.

Minnesota should consider extending Jakub Lauko to be that player. Yurov’s the better prospect with top-six potential. Out with Khusnutdinov, in with Yurov.  so here we talk about Lauko who is a very nice complimentary player to Marat. why would we split Marat and Lauko? Then you say Yurov is a better prospect...then who? Lauko? or Marat? Both Lauko and Marat are a different type of prospects and Yurov skills don't necessary mean the need to subtract Lauko and Marat who occupy the bottom 6 (at a very good value) while Yurov is likely a top 6 shoe-in. 

Tuch gets to finish his career where it all started in Minnesota.  Tuch is not old, he is in his prime. This is not a retirement circuit. 

Ohgren will soon join Rossi and Quinn! Kaprizov, Tuch, Eriksson Ek, Rossi, Quinn, Yurov, Ohgren, Buium, Jiricek, and Stramel all look like 20-plus goal scorers at the worst.  Let's remove the knowns - Kaprizov, Tuch , Ek and Rossi. Are you suggesting that ALL of these players are 20 plus goal scorers at their worst???? There needs to be a bit of restrain on expectations....Ohgren, Quinn, Yurov, Buium, Jiricek and Stramel - if ONE of them gets close to 20 goals (Quinn is projected to be at 15) in the next 3 years then it's a win. To say ALL - that is just false hope. 

Quinn can hit 30 goals in a breakout season. Yurov can hit 30 goals in a breakout season. Ohgren’s capable of scoring 30 goals. Buium has 20-plus goal upside as a defenseman. Wowza there are a lot of hyped up expectations. I'll say NOT one of them is going to score as you predicted in the next 3 years. Yurov will likely be at 10-15 goal range next year. Ohgren may still be in Iowa. Buium will be at 10 as best case scenario

Stramel's the Wild’s version of David Backes with 20-goal potential. i think we have forgotten how nasty Backes was for the Blues. How can we say that our first round bust will transform into a version of feared Blues captain?

Once Zuccarello, Hartman, and Bogosian are off the books and they have more cap space, the Wild’s young core will hit their prime with Heidt, Stramel, Wallstedt, and Spacek breaking into the NHL. The Wild may have to move Brodin to make cap space for extensions. Lambos is ready to play a sustainable role.  Wait - so by end of next year Zuccy, Harty and Bogo will be off our books. Are you saying that not only will Heidt, Stramel, Wally, Spacek and Lambos be ready, they will actually be in their "prime"? And we have to move Brodin to make room? Ouch. 

Summary - no to the offer. Buffalo can pick our from our prospect line anyone not named Yurov and Zeev. If they want Wally, fine. Boldy stays. Work out financial compensation and get it done. Then move Ek to center Zuccy and Kap and Rossi to Boldy and Tuch. 

[FredJohnson]

[mnfaninnc]

17 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Once Yurov’s season concludes, the Wild should let him take the offseason to be prepared to come to training camp.  why wait? why not drag his ass after his season and if he is ready and as advertised we can use him. No one will be prepared for another stud like him. Why waste that? Unless there is a financial reason or we are clicking on all cylinders - then to say "take the time off our number 1 prospect" is a bit questionable. No you play him if at all possible.

Perhaps Mr. Cheatatu needs to step in here. We signed MaRat and gave him 19 games last season, but were essentially out of it. I'm not sure he would have been playoff eligible. Just as with Yurov having to go through playoffs in the K, I'm not sure that we get him where he'd be eligible. If he's not, there is a good chance that we wait until fall to bring him in. 

Buium would be eligible, and, quite frankly, both are part of the organization and I do not see the difference, except discriminating against Russians. 

BTW, your analysis was pretty good above. Quinn is listed as 6'1"  185. I have to believe he is heavier and stronger than his draft year, and I think that's where these measurements are taken from. So, he's not Rossi short, and I'd think he'd be a bit heavier by now. 

Now, if I'm Buffalo, I'm jumping all over this deal and doing cartwheels down the office hallway. I would then just put the handcuffs on myself and head down to the police station for grand larceny. I'm sure I could get a pardon!

[Up North Guy]

17 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Hmm i think i'll let Rodney say it - 

Sending Boldy and Marat for Tuch and Quinn? What? Why? The only thing i agree on is this statement The Wild is Kaprizov’s team. Not Boldy's. But the team is more than Kap so i am not sure what point is? Do we get rid of all the players that are not Kaprizov? Close Kaprizov and that be his team? Alright let's dive in -

Boldy has shown he can't put up numbers like that. He has the talent but lacks consistency against better teams.  We know that he CAN put up the numbers because he has done that, but then why does he dry up? The theatrical aspect of his game takes over and he becomes a showman vs a beast. And for hockey he must be the later. Look at his solo effort a couple games back against two Defenders, pushing both to the puck. It was a "north/south" approach that would bring his game to a level of Tkachuk or Barkov. And i bet Tuch can unlock that if they pair up. You don't give up Boldy for Tuch. No way. 

Rossi and Quinn will be another version of Kaprizov and Zuccarello.  Who is Who in this comparison? Is Rossi a Kaprizov? Even the biggest Rossi lovers would pause here and question the statement. Are we expecting near 200 point production from Rossi/Quinn tandem? Or just saying that they will be playing together? There is a difference. Also - why are we so high on this Quinn guy? He will top out as 15 goal scorer, he is just as tiny as Rossi and is still developing....we need NOW players. No just No. We pursue Tuch but leave both Boldy and Marat out. We have plenty of prospects to entice Sabres. 

Quinn is a downgrade from Boldy due to production, but he has a better shot than Boldy and is the better shooter for their power play. Quinn is still developing his well-rounded game but has shown flashes of what he can do on a good night.  There is no surety to this statement....Quinn is projected to score less goals than what Boldy has RIGHT NOW. Quinn won't reach 20 but Boldy will reach 40. How are we even comparing the two?

Rossi’s emergence as a playmaker and scoring threat will help Quinn reach his ceiling. There's no doubt that Quinn can emulate Jason Pominville. Can he become the Wild’s version of Sam Reinhart?  No doubt....why no doubt? Because they both played in Buffalo? and what was so special about a passive Pommy? like really why do we need a second coming of Pomminville? And why are we then saying that Quinn is our 57 goal forward like Reinhart? Just because they may played in the same rink?

Once Yurov’s season concludes, the Wild should let him take the offseason to be prepared to come to training camp.  why wait? why not drag his ass after his season and if he is ready and as advertised we can use him. No one will be prepared for another stud like him. Why waste that? Unless there is a financial reason or we are clicking on all cylinders - then to say "take the time off our number 1 prospect" is a bit questionable. No you play him if at all possible. 

Ohgren projects to be a better version of former prospect Adam Beckman + Quinn as the right-shot version of Ohgren  So are we saying that Becky = Ohgren = Quinn? So again why are we sending off Boldy to get what is basically Becky 2.0? Another point is Ohgren is projected to have a two way game, whereas Becky never did. So how are the two comparable?

Khusnutdinov has a future, but it's more of being a shutdown contributor on a Stanley Cup-winning team due to his versatility and speed. The Wild have a variety of bottom-six players who can replace Khusnutdinov, especially with size.  This reads a bit contradictory....why would we make Marat replaceable if he offers a versatility and speed that is needed for SC team? You then state that we can replace him with one of Mikey Milne, Rieger Lorenz, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Caedan Bankier, and Charlie Stramel....who are these players? None of them have any indication of an immediate NHL success. Maybe one of them will sniff some NHL time in the next 5 years - but there is no certainty.

Minnesota should consider extending Jakub Lauko to be that player. Yurov’s the better prospect with top-six potential. Out with Khusnutdinov, in with Yurov.  so here we talk about Lauko who is a very nice complimentary player to Marat. why would we split Marat and Lauko? Then you say Yurov is a better prospect...then who? Lauko? or Marat? Both Lauko and Marat are a different type of prospects and Yurov skills don't necessary mean the need to subtract Lauko and Marat who occupy the bottom 6 (at a very good value) while Yurov is likely a top 6 shoe-in. 

Tuch gets to finish his career where it all started in Minnesota.  Tuch is not old, he is in his prime. This is not a retirement circuit. 

Ohgren will soon join Rossi and Quinn! Kaprizov, Tuch, Eriksson Ek, Rossi, Quinn, Yurov, Ohgren, Buium, Jiricek, and Stramel all look like 20-plus goal scorers at the worst.  Let's remove the knowns - Kaprizov, Tuch , Ek and Rossi. Are you suggesting that ALL of these players are 20 plus goal scorers at their worst???? There needs to be a bit of restrain on expectations....Ohgren, Quinn, Yurov, Buium, Jiricek and Stramel - if ONE of them gets close to 20 goals (Quinn is projected to be at 15) in the next 3 years then it's a win. To say ALL - that is just false hope. 

Quinn can hit 30 goals in a breakout season. Yurov can hit 30 goals in a breakout season. Ohgren’s capable of scoring 30 goals. Buium has 20-plus goal upside as a defenseman. Wowza there are a lot of hyped up expectations. I'll say NOT one of them is going to score as you predicted in the next 3 years. Yurov will likely be at 10-15 goal range next year. Ohgren may still be in Iowa. Buium will be at 10 as best case scenario

Stramel's the Wild’s version of David Backes with 20-goal potential. i think we have forgotten how nasty Backes was for the Blues. How can we say that our first round bust will transform into a version of feared Blues captain?

Once Zuccarello, Hartman, and Bogosian are off the books and they have more cap space, the Wild’s young core will hit their prime with Heidt, Stramel, Wallstedt, and Spacek breaking into the NHL. The Wild may have to move Brodin to make cap space for extensions. Lambos is ready to play a sustainable role.  Wait - so by end of next year Zuccy, Harty and Bogo will be off our books. Are you saying that not only will Heidt, Stramel, Wally, Spacek and Lambos be ready, they will actually be in their "prime"? And we have to move Brodin to make room? Ouch. 

Summary - no to the offer. Buffalo can pick our from our prospect line anyone not named Yurov and Zeev. If they want Wally, fine. Boldy stays. Work out financial compensation and get it done. Then move Ek to center Zuccy and Kap and Rossi to Boldy and Tuch. 

Not sure I like the precedent of agreeing with ODC but there it is....

[OldDutchChip]

11 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Perhaps Mr. Cheatatu needs to step in here. We signed MaRat and gave him 19 games last season, but were essentially out of it. I'm not sure he would have been playoff eligible. Just as with Yurov having to go through playoffs in the K, I'm not sure that we get him where he'd be eligible. If he's not, there is a good chance that we wait until fall to bring him in. 

Buium would be eligible, and, quite frankly, both are part of the organization and I do not see the difference, except discriminating against Russians. 

BTW, your analysis was pretty good above. Quinn is listed as 6'1"  185. I have to believe he is heavier and stronger than his draft year, and I think that's where these measurements are taken from. So, he's not Rossi short, and I'd think he'd be a bit heavier by now. 

Now, if I'm Buffalo, I'm jumping all over this deal and doing cartwheels down the office hallway. I would then just put the handcuffs on myself and head down to the police station for grand larceny. I'm sure I could get a pardon!

i believe KHL has extended their PO too, so even if Yurov could come - he may be too late. 😞

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i believe KHL has extended their PO too, so even if Yurov could come - he may be too late. 😞

Last season he was playing championship hockey long after the Wild were calling in tee times. It should be cut and dry, but remember when Kaprizov came over, they wouldn't let him play in the playoffs against Vancouver, of which he was a drafted member of this organization. I feel like there is a special rule in the NHL to keep the Russians out as long as possible. Perhaps it's as simple as not having an agreement with them for player transfer?

[OldDutchChip]

23 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Last season he was playing championship hockey long after the Wild were calling in tee times. It should be cut and dry, but remember when Kaprizov came over, they wouldn't let him play in the playoffs against Vancouver, of which he was a drafted member of this organization. I feel like there is a special rule in the NHL to keep the Russians out as long as possible. Perhaps it's as simple as not having an agreement with them for player transfer?

argh well then we wait a bit longer for Danila 🍻

 

[mnfaninnc]

49 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

argh well then we wait a bit longer for Danila 🍻

I hate the waiting game as much as you do, but timing has to be right dealing with reality, not desire. Honestly, I thought we'd be going through much more pain than we have for the past 5 years.

[OldDutchChip]

1 minute ago, mnfaninnc said:

I hate the waiting game as much as you do, but timing has to be right dealing with reality, not desire. Honestly, I thought we'd be going through much more pain than we have for the past 5 years.

I thought we'd be going through much more pain than we have for the past 5 years. its mostly due to WHAT we lost. we were right to cut off Parise and Suter. They were truly worthless. If they were anywhere close to what we paid for them, Wild would have suffered MUCH worse and we would not sniff PO and be anywhere close to where we are now.  Hence a lesson for Billy. Please do not throw money at Brock Nelson. 

[mnfaninnc]

7 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Hence a lesson for Billy. Please do not throw money at Brock Nelson. 

There's money, and then there's MONEY. On the back side of a career, Brock should be steeply discounted. I'd like to have him here, but, somewhere south of his current base of $4m (cap $6m). And, I'm not talking about $3.95m. 

I was expecting a rush to the youth movement, not the long marinating process Billy has performed. I expected not even a sniff of playoff talk from February on. I thought we'd have a lot more growing pains than we've had. For the young guys already here, I think having a culture of winning not tanking has been important. Sure, it hasn't bled over to the playoffs, but there are a lot of lessons to be learned in getting an invitation to the dance. Even Anastasia and Druscilla got invitations as flawed as they were, at least they didn't have to sit at home while others had some fun. 

It must be hard being a AZ/Phoenix/Utah fan, or a Buffalo fan, or, really and Ottawa fan. At least in Chicago, the dwindling memory of 3 cups still has a few embers of light attached to it.

[OldDutchChip]

5 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

There's money, and then there's MONEY. On the back side of a career, Brock should be steeply discounted. I'd like to have him here, but, somewhere south of his current base of $4m (cap $6m). And, I'm not talking about $3.95m. 

I was expecting a rush to the youth movement, not the long marinating process Billy has performed. I expected not even a sniff of playoff talk from February on. I thought we'd have a lot more growing pains than we've had. For the young guys already here, I think having a culture of winning not tanking has been important. Sure, it hasn't bled over to the playoffs, but there are a lot of lessons to be learned in getting an invitation to the dance. Even Anastasia and Druscilla got invitations as flawed as they were, at least they didn't have to sit at home while others had some fun. 

It must be hard being a AZ/Phoenix/Utah fan, or a Buffalo fan, or, really and Ottawa fan. At least in Chicago, the dwindling memory of 3 cups still has a few embers of light attached to it.

Brock will be 34 next year with a ton of injury history. What is the love here? He won't play on your 4th line and top 6 is not a place for him. Our third line is likely set with Foligno/Trenin/Harty/FG so there is really no place for Brock. I'd rather we put our money into a more wise investment and concentrate on Kap and players on his timeline (23-29). Let's say we can orchestrate a Spurge trade after this year, that plus the 4mm for Brock would equate to 10 mm plus. So instead of throwing that cash around, i'd be more patient and try to look at a better move. Maybe Spurge could be packaged to Vancouver in the off season for Pettersen (if he is still there?). Or Kaps says - give me 17 and i'm yours - which i doubt he'll do, but who knows - i wouldn't want an extra mil or two be tied with Brock Nelson. 

[FredJohnson]

17 hours ago, FredJohnson said:

(I didn't say who this was directed at FYI)

[FredJohnson]

21 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Did some rough math of the top 16 teams and their GF and GA

Winnipeg: 156 GF, 108 GA
Washington: 156 GF, 111 GA
Vegas: 143 GF, 112 GA
Minnesota: 129 GF, 116 GA
Toronto: 135 GF, 124 GA
New Jersey 142 GF, 114 GA
Dallas: 132 GF, 101 GA
Edmonton: 139 GF, 117 GA
Carolina: 145 GF, 118 GA
Colorado: 146 GF, 137 GA
Florida: 140 GF, 132 GA
Los Angeles: 121 GF, 98 GA
Vancouver: 123 GF, 129 GA
Tampa Bay: 146 GF, 110 GA
Boston: 116 GF, 142 GA
Calgary: 107 GF, 122 GA

 

GF Ranks
Winnipeg: 156
Washington: 156
Colorado: 146
Tampa Bay: 146
Carolina: 145
Vegas: 143
New Jersey: 142
Florida: 140
Edmonton: 139
Toronto: 135
Dallas: 132
Minnesota: 129 (12th)
Vancouver: 123
Los Angeles: 121
Boston: 116 
Calgary: 107

GA Ranks
Los Angeles: 98
Dallas: 101
Winnipeg: 108
Tampa Bay: 110
Washington: 111
Vegas: 112
New Jersey: 114
Minnesota: 116 (8th)
Edmonton: 117
Carolina: 118
Calgary: 122
Toronto: 124
Vancouver: 129
Florida: 132
Colorado: 137
Boston: 142

So, of the top teams, they are in the top half defensively, but bottom 1/3 offensively.  Within the conference, here's Minnesota against them.

Within Conference:
GF Ranks
Winnipeg: 156
Colorado: 146
Vegas: 143
Edmonton: 135
Dallas: 132
Minnesota: 129 (6th)
Vancouver: 123
Los Angeles: 121
Calgary: 107

GA
Los Angeles: 98
Dallas: 101
Winnipeg: 108
Vegas: 112
Minnesota: 116 (5th)
Edmonton: 117
Calgary: 122
Vancouver: 129
Colorado: 137

Now, bear in mind that Minnesota is likely facing either Dallas or Colorado at this point.  Colorado's early rough start and Minnesota's hot early streak may account for differences, but Minnesota's "woeful" offense isn't really all that bad compared to Dallas.  The biggest concern might be dealing with getting goalied.  Winnipeg and Colorado are for sure (pure numbers wise) a bigger problem.  Things will obviously change as the year goes on, but Minnesota isn't completely out of the woods too much.

Minnesota has played Dallas closer than most other years too...so that would be an advantageous matchup.  I sure as shit don't want Winnipeg, LA, or Colorado.

Are you going to believe stats and logic or the opinion of an unprofessional eye that posts comments on SBNation?

[Ice Creeps]

WOW!  Everybody chimed in on this one, lol. I guess when someone talks about trading one of our top players, the time is now to stop the nonsense from spreading. One thing is certain, Guerin will never trade Boldy, don’t care who says what, it will not happen. Another ridiculous rant that’s been written about is the Wild trading Rossi. Never Happen. We’ve all been waiting for this kid to come around and he finally has and then we trade him? LOL. Now the talk of reuniting Rossi with Quinn sounds great but most likely he would cost to much and Buffalo would riot if they lost Quinn, especially for draft picks or a couple prospects.

[Willy the poor boy]

35 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

(I didn't say who this was directed at FYI)

You didnt have to...

[Protec]

Nobody wants NoJo. That's a fact. He is not a trade asset. That's like saying I'll throw in the blanket I've got in the backseat when you're trying to sell a beater car. 

Plus he has a NMC. We're stuck with his soft-circling, one hand on the stick, puck-watching, neck-beard ass. 

[Dango]

23 minutes ago, Protec said:

Nobody wants NoJo. That's a fact. He is not a trade asset. That's like saying I'll throw in the blanket I've got in the backseat when you're trying to sell a beater car. 

Plus he has a NMC. We're stuck with his soft-circling, one hand on the stick, puck-watching, neck-beard ass. 

If you replaced #90 and #89  with say #29 from a different team and maybe Ogren,  that would cost about 1 million dollars in salary cap ,do you do that or not

[Protec]

I would have replaced NoJo with Ogie already. I think Fred is alright but NoJo is the biggest passenger and non-factor guy MN has suiting up. I would have rather put Hartman or Foligno in that spot and made NoJo 13th forward. He literally proves each game that he's a weenie who has lost his edge to play effective NHL hockey. Every 10-12 games he has a decent night. Against Vegas he was useless, dumping in pucks nobody could retrieve and never plays the body. Avoids contact like a serious social-distancer and never attacks the net. Perimeter passing and D-zone stander-arounder, NoJo has played many games this year with 14-15 mins TOI and has zero noteworthy stats or plays that impress. He is an empty sweater with barrel-breezers to quote Pewterschmidt. 

I hope the Wild's season ends well but if the only result is NoJo nevermore, I'll be psyched. He's just brutal. Classic Euro guy. MN needs guys like Howden or Kolesar. 

[Sam]

3 minutes ago, Protec said:

he's a weenie

🤸‍♂️

[FredJohnson]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

Nobody wants NoJo. That's a fact. He is not a trade asset. That's like saying I'll throw in the blanket I've got in the backseat when you're trying to sell a beater car. 

Plus he has a NMC. We're stuck with his soft-circling, one hand on the stick, puck-watching, neck-beard ass. 

Does NoJo even make an NHL roster next season? He's just not good enough for a top-6 role and clearly can't (or won't) play a bottom-6 style.

[Protec]

This is the writer Patrick believes is an AI which I tend to agree with. Like a pic where someone has six fingers, these suggestions about sending out multiple guys or endless titillating Tuch trade scenarios, makes ya wonder where's reality? Minnesota needs to get healthy and bigger, faster, less cute. Vegas dominated MN cause they played North/South. Zuccarello, Rossi, and Knudi couldn't find space or muscle past big Vegas players. Their defense and forwards played simple hockey and their special teams crushed the Wild. The PP/PK differential wins the game even though Gus was the way better goalie. 

Sad but true. MN is talented and a good team but not a playoff battle winning group currently. Too small and slow lacking depth. We can debate why but it's becoming clear that unless healthy, it's gonna be difficult. They play NoJo on L2 14mins every game. Tells me everything I need to know.