Article: The Wild Are A Big Tree That Falls Hard

[Burnt Toast]

21 minutes ago, Dean said:

get to the middle

It’s possible Charlie Stramel and Jiricek are  heading to the Wild to address this issue. I’m not sure what year we’re in, aka the 5 year plan. The coach also is encouraging steps in this direction. There’s always a chance to make a run but assuming the Wild resign KK, 2027 looks like “A very good year”. I’m basing 2027 on moves the Wild started making a couple of years ago, which I don’t really want to reiterate at the moment. 

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has traded forward Sammy Walker to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

Walker wasn't really playing in Iowa. He had 30 games and 11 points which suggests a bottom 6 role. It gives him a fresh start which he probably needed. He's not an NHLer and probably not a tweener any more either. Last season he gave it his best shot and played really well in preseason. Then, when real games started, he just disappeared again.

[Dango]

15 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

Guess we made our big trade for the year 😜

Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has traded forward Sammy Walker to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

Utah looks like they're not making playoffs but maybe they're going to give it all they got up to the trade deadline and reevaluate ,  could UFA Nick Bjugstad be on the Wilds mind ? 

[Protec]

12 minutes ago, Dango said:

Utah looks like they're not making playoffs but maybe they're going to give it all they got up to the trade deadline and reevaluate ,  could UFA Nick Bjugstad be on the Wilds mind ? 

That would be a nice move if you asked me. Hopefully Bjugstad would wanna come back to MN for playoffs. He'd be an upgrade over NoJo 100% and NoJo isn't built for playoffs. 

[MNCountryLife]

It sure seems that when we win the younger players step up big.  I have to wonder... Is this just a learning curve for the younger players on how to bring it 82 games a year.

[Dis-allowed display name]

48 minutes ago, Dango said:

could UFA Nick Bjugstad be on the Wilds mind ? 

32 years old.

44 Games Played

5 Goals

9 Assists

-7

 

I'd pass.

[Dango]

7 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

32 years old.

44 Games Played

5 Goals

9 Assists

-7

 

I'd pass.

But compared to what the future considerations might be , it could be a veteran depth piece for the playoffs.  We got future considerations for both Rask and i think Kulikov and i still dont know what they turned out to be.   🎁

[Protec]

14 hours ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

32 years old.

44 Games Played

5 Goals

9 Assists

-7

 

I'd pass.

Compared to NoJo, who has the same amount of points with freebie assists on a number of individual plays by Boldy or on the PP, Bjugstad would be an upgrade IMO. Probably won't happen but I'd take the bigger NA guy every time. 

[FredJohnson]

16 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

 I believe Nyquist bet on himself and took it to free agency. We had his rights before that so he could have signed with us before hitting UFA status. 

THAT was it. Thanks.

[SkolWild73]

I agree that the Wild tend to have some games that they get blown out, so I wanted to check to see how other playoff teams are doing.  The Wild have lost ten games this year by three or more and 7 by four or more.  Here is how many losses other playoff teams have by 3 and 4 or more.

• Florida-13,5
• Toronto-13,4
• Colorado-11,3
• Winnipeg-10,1
• Edmonton-8,2
• Vegas-8,2
• LA-7,4
• Carolina-7,2
• New Jersey-7,2
• Dallas-3,1
• Washington-2,0

Although we lose by 4+ goals more often than other playoff teams, it is not like other teams do not have off nights either, well except for Dallas and Washington.  One of the reasons I love to watch hockey more than any other sport is it is so unpredictable, and even great teams can lose badly to lesser teams.  I feel like this year's Wild team has won games, and some by a lot against teams we are expecting to lose, then turn around and get blown out by teams we are expecting to beat.  A fun, yet sometimes frustrating roller coaster ride.

 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

Compared to NoJo, who has the same amount of points with freebie assists on a number of individual plays by Boldy or on the PP, Bjugstad would be an upgrade IMO. Probably won't happen but I'd take the bigger NA guy every time. 

plus he's got an RHS which we lack.

[Secord Sucks]

18 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Guess we made our big trade for the year 😜

Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has traded forward Sammy Walker to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

I was a little bummed to see that trade. Walker flashed some skills at times and was a Gopher captain like Faber. With excellent stickhandling and the ability to create his own shot, Walker was an exciting prospect for about five minutes, but then seemed to just plateau. He could still turn it around, just not here. He’s only 5’10” and we’ve already reached our quota of guys that are 5’10” or less. Best of luck Sammy!