Article: What Are the Wild’s Ideal Defensive Pairings When Brodin Returns?

[Neil Urbanski]

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[Imyourhuckleberry]

Hopefully they can keep it together while Kaprizov and Hartman are sidelined, and make a strong run at the end of the season with a healthy squad entering the playoffs.

For next season though, assuming no trades, maybe they go with:

Faber/Buium

Brodin/Jiricek

Middleton/Spurgeon

Bogo as 7th D, with Lambos and Spacek available as necessary from AHL.

Given that Buium could be ready at end of this season, I might trade Chisholm out this year to add forward talent for the hopeful playoff run.

[OldDutchChip]

Brodin is unquestionably our best Defender

My ideal pairing for as soon as it can materialize-

brodin/jiri

Faber/midds

 Spurge/bogo

 Once zeev arrives, and if he can play immediately, then put him w midds and dump fabrr to third pair w bogo

id consider one, if not both of faber and spurge, as trade baits

[Enforceror]

44 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Brodin is unquestionably our best Defender

My ideal pairing for as soon as it can materialize-

brodin/jiri

Faber/midds

 Spurge/bogo

 Once zeev arrives, and if he can play immediately, then put him w midds and dump fabrr to third pair w bogo

id consider one, if not both of faber and spurge, as trade baits

Really? I'm curious why you think that as my opinion is drastically different from that. I'm always open to someone changing my mind but I think Faber will quickly become our best defender.

[Sam]

2 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Hopefully they can keep it together while Kaprizov and Hartman are sidelined, and make a strong run at the end of the season with a healthy squad entering the playoffs.

For next season though, assuming no trades, maybe they go with:

Faber/Buium

Brodin/Jiricek

Middleton/Spurgeon

Bogo as 7th D, with Lambos and Spacek available as necessary from AHL.

Given that Buium could be ready at end of this season, I might trade Chisholm out this year to add forward talent for the hopeful playoff run.

It sounds like you have pretty high expectations for Buium if you have him at the first pairing. But it sounds like this Wheeler guy does too. I hope he turns out and his skill translates to the NHL.

[Burnt Toast]

2 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

faber and spurge, as trade baits

Brock 4 Brock? Me thinks Not. 

[Burnt Toast]

The Wild’s D core is getting younger, faster, and more skilled. I think you could add taller and hopefully stronger is on the horizon. 

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Really? I'm curious why you think that as my opinion is drastically different from that. I'm always open to someone changing my mind but I think Faber will quickly become our best defender.

Faber is not physical enough and not fast enough to be given the distinction of being the best defender on the team. on top of that his production has taken a dip and will continue to do so, once the promised phenom - zeev - arrives. this is where a smart GM comes in and evaluates the situation without any bias and acts. We know that Zeev will replace Faber on food chain as early as next year. Brodin is still plays as though he is 22 (he is our Nick L).  Jiri will be top 4 and Midds will have to be too. This will drive Faber value down (i suppose you can add Spurge here - but i think he stays - and gets his number retired and spend time with his 6 kids). So Faber is your asset. You dangle him for Elias. 

[OldDutchChip]

8 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

Brock 4 Brock? Me thinks Not. 

no thank you. Brock for Elias. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

I would look at trading both Faber and Spurgeon.  We overpaid for Faber and he is not strong enough to clear out the front of the net.  He is a $5mm a year guy but Billy jumped the gun again last year like he did with Hartman, Foligno and Zuccarello.  We need forward help as we are deep at D and he can net a good player back.  He is to small. We need trees.  Same with Spurgeon but he just needs to be dumped for whatever we can get to use his salary on a free agent.  Brodin, Middleton, jiricek, and Zeev should be the core and get 2 other big right handed guys who can skate to fill out the rest. People won’t like this but do we want to win or continue to suck.  We also need 3-4 guys to be moved for forwards to make this team a contender.  The goal should be the CUP not the playoffs or a first round win. Demand more.  We have been mediocre in the middle for 20 years

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

So Faber is your asset.

I agree. He’s almost a half point per game defenseman. He’s 6’1” and already over 200 lbs as a 22 year old. He’s got nice burst/recovery speed and excellent hockey instincts. Remember all this packaged into a player still on his ELC. Do you really want to trade him? I’d rather build around him. He’s only going to get better. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Burnt Toast
Missed word

[mnhockeyfan03]

1 minute ago, Burnt Toast said:

I agree. He’s almost a half point per game defenseman. He’s 6’1” and already over 200 lbs as a 22 year old. He’s got nice burst/recovery speed and excellent hockey instincts. Remember all this packaged into a player still on his ELC. Do you really want to him? I’d rather build around him. He’s only going to get better. 

You do understand next year Faber is set to make 8.5mm and will eat half of our $15mm cap penalty we are paying this year for a guy that should only be making 4-5mm.  Trade him for a good forward

[Burnt Toast]

44 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Billy jumped the gun again

I think Brock would be commanding an even bigger contract if Wild Management hadn’t locked him up early. His trajectory as a top pairing defender is right on schedule. 

[Burnt Toast]

7 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Faber is set to make 8.5mm

He’s worth every penny. He’s a top pairing defender, arguably our best overall. A guy like that is going to cost $12 M in a couple of years. Nothing is for certain but he’s got every indication of a fantastic investment. 

[SkolWild73]

I agree with Burnt toast.  Really can’t believe people are hating on Faber and want to get rid of him already.  He is 22 and only on his second full season.  Yes his point production is down a bit from last year, 6 goals and 15 assists in 50 games this year compared to 8 and 39 in 82 last year, but he is a plus 10 this year compared to a minus 1 last year.  Maybe the 8.5 mill is an overpay next year, but if he continues to grow as player I think he will be underpaid in the middle and back half of his contract.  

[mnhockeyfan03]

Understand your guys opinion but I don’t think he is top pair guy or even a second pair guy.  I think Billy overpaid just watch him against the big west teams.  He gets pushed around and is scared of contact when he has the puck.  He is to small for what we need and we need forwards and his contract could be used to bring us a great center. To many people are homers.  We need to beef up this team and be smart with how we spend money.  Faber, Spurgeon, Boldy, Zuccarello, nojo, trenin, Hartman, Foligno, Rossi as well (unless he wants to do a 2yr bridge at 4-5mm), all should be gone to make this a better team.  Just stating the facts.  The team is a mess and Billy created it.