Article: Wild's Faber, Boldy Lose In Heartbreaking Fashion At 4 Nations

[OldDutchChip]

15 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I get everything that you are saying.  But there are.no realistic trade options that are available prior to the deadline that we can trade for that will make this team that much better before Kap has to decide to sign or not.  Hoping we can swing a trade for someone that isn’t available is not realistic.  If anyone can find a trade in the last 10 years for a top 30 player that did not have a contract coming due in a year and a half wasn’t someone that had told his team he would not sign with them, let me know, cause I haven’t found one.

 

Also, no time in the Wild’s history have they had a superstar like Kap, 2 young studs like Boldy and Faber, and another possible in Rossi already on the roster, with a top prospect group with maybe 5 coming in.  This isn’t like any 5 year plans we have had before.  Never have we been more set up for success than right now. 

there are always ways. you just need to focus on what is important. for one - give Kap his captaincy once he comes back. his very first game give it to him. then in the off season be as aggressive as you can. 

if canes go out in R1 would they do a blockbuster of Aho for Faber (to re-unite him with Slavin?); would they do a Boldy for Svechnikov? What about jumping on Ranty?

if TOR is booted from PO and needs to do a change would Nylander be in play? Not a big fan of Marner, so i will leave him out.

if OTT feels that Tkachuk is just too "uncanadian" for them - would a package surrounding Rossi and picks entice them to move on from their captain?

if BOS needs to rebuild would they like to welcome yet another Boston Native and picks for Pasta?

These are the moves that no doubt are very unlikely but so was Vegas getting Eichel. It's not a sure thing, and may not yield the right results, but it's out there and i would try and go for it. You just have to look and be willing to deal. There are deals out there. There is only one winner of SC, the rest will be looking to make changes to their team to compete, we have to be ready if a name that is on our list suddenly becomes available. We cannot be content to just welcome Brock Nelson back home and expect Kaprizov to smile and sign on the dot. 

 

[SkolWild73]

1 minute ago, OldDutchChip said:

there are always ways. you just need to focus on what is important. for one - give Kap his captaincy once he comes back. his very first game give it to him. then in the off season be as aggressive as you can. 

if canes go out in R1 would they do a blockbuster of Aho for Faber (to re-unite him with Slavin?); would they do a Boldy for Svechnikov? What about jumping on Ranty?

if TOR is booted from PO and needs to do a change would Nylander be in play? Not a big fan of Marner, so i will leave him out.

if OTT feels that Tkachuk is just too "uncanadian" for them - would a package surrounding Rossi and picks entice them to move on from their captain?

if BOS needs to rebuild would they like to welcome yet another Boston Native and picks for Pasta?

These are the moves that no doubt are very unlikely but so was Vegas getting Eichel. It's not a sure thing, and may not yield the right results, but it's out there and i would try and go for it. You just have to look and be willing to deal. There are deals out there. There is only one winner of SC, the rest will be looking to make changes to their team to compete, we have to be ready if a name that is on our list suddenly becomes available. We cannot be content to just welcome Brock Nelson back home and expect Kaprizov to smile and sign on the dot. 

 

Eichel forced a trade because of the surgery he wanted and the team was disputing.  Again, I am waiting for a trade of a difference maker that wasn’t available.

[OldDutchChip]

19 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Eichel forced a trade because of the surgery he wanted and the team was disputing.  Again, I am waiting for a trade of a difference maker that wasn’t available.

Eichel and Tkachuk happened and both Florida and Vegas were willing to part with crucial pieces like Tuch and Huby. Are we willing to part ways with Faber, Boldy or Rossi if the same chance materializes? Would we do it for Aho or Nylander or Pasta or will we hold and keep as is. History says we hold. 

I am not sure if you are asking me about the actual scenario - to which of course i have no 100% certainty and everything here is speculation. But the main points is to be ready and identify the pieces that are core. Secondary and expandable. If another superstar is available and should cost secondary pieces, you must act. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

6 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Zeev, by all accounts, is our best D. Likely to be paired up with Jiri for the ultimate punch. That moves Faber to Brodin spot on 2nd pair. Which is a great top 4 D but it means less "impact" for Faber. So i kinda doubt he will achieve more than Suter. But prime Suter in MN was kinda good. Not great - but good.. 

I still think Buium and Faber is the future, with Jiricek and Brodin on line 2 until Brodin starts to decline. Lambos could improve to replace him years down the road, or they find someone else. Spurgeon and Middleton could be a phenomenal 3rd pairing for the remainder of Spurgeon's contract.

[SkolWild73]

42 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Eichel and Tkachuk happened and both Florida and Vegas were willing to part with crucial pieces like Tuch and Huby. Are we willing to part ways with Faber, Boldy or Rossi if the same chance materializes? Would we do it for Aho or Nylander or Pasta or will we hold and keep as is. History says we hold. 

I am not sure if you are asking me about the actual scenario - to which of course i have no 100% certainty and everything here is speculation. But the main points is to be ready and identify the pieces that are core. Secondary and expandable. If another superstar is available and should cost secondary pieces, you must act. 

All i am saying is Eichel and Tkachuk were available.  Right now no one of any value is so no sense blaming Billy for not making moves to help Kap.  When and if those players are available then we can talk.

And Tuch was 25 and had averaged 1/2 points per game at the time of the trade.  Not a crucial piece.  And Florida gave up two older players whose contracts were coming do.  They actually saved 6 mil a year with the trade and got younger.  
 

If you look to the future, the earliest B Tkachuk comes available is trade deadline of 2027.  If Ottawa is out of the playoffs and he tells them he won’t resign, then we can talk about him.  

[Will D. Ness]

7 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

I think Svechnikov is a better player than Boldy 🙂

Svechnikov is ok, but Boldy is the better player.  You tend to overvalue Russian players... well except for KK97.  😎

[Citizen Strife]

You know...we could just let the season play out and bother with trades then if any team actually WANTS to trade with the Wild come the draft.  The Wild actually have that thing called cap space at that point too.

Crazy thought.

Edited 8 hours ago by Citizen Strife

[Fezig]

On 2/21/2025 at 6:36 AM, SkolWild73 said:

He had 5 shot attempts, and played the most minutes of any forward on team USA.        Only thing I saw was he, like some other players, tried to make the extra pass on two occasions when he probably could have taken the shot.  Just because you do not show up on the score sheet does not mean you shrunk in the big game.

I'd have to re-watch, and I won't do that to myself, but it appeared he passed up opportunities on more than two occasions. He just didn't look - to me- like the same player from the first couple of games. Maybe I was expecting more. 

In regard to not showing up on the score sheet. Faber played a spectacular game and didn't show up on the score sheet.

[SkolWild73]

19 minutes ago, Fezig said:

I'd have to re-watch, and I won't do that to myself, but it appeared he passed up opportunities on more than two occasions. He just didn't look - to me- like the same player from the first couple of games. Maybe I was expecting more. 

In regard to not showing up on the score sheet. Faber played a spectacular game and didn't show up on the score sheet.

Agreed with Faber.  It probably was more than two for Boldy.  There were two that really stuck out to me though.  And he still had 5 shot attempts.  

[OldDutchChip]

10 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I still think Buium and Faber is the future, with Jiricek and Brodin on line 2 until Brodin starts to decline. Lambos could improve to replace him years down the road, or they find someone else. Spurgeon and Middleton could be a phenomenal 3rd pairing for the remainder of Spurgeon's contract.

faber is a fine player. and his stock is at all time high. there is a need with this team on offense. and short time to make the change. can't have it both ways. we prioritize youth and development, we loose those who are in our prime. Kap will be gone, Ek will age out. 

[M_Nels]

13 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

everyone hysterical here - Boldy, Rossi and Faber are all replaceable. Kaprizov is not.

Chip, just for hypotheticals. Say we jettison Rossi or Boldy and a prospect or high pick for Thompson or Svech. Who do you have step into the #1 RHD spot this year and the next 5+ of Kap’s extension?
 

We simply do not have a prospect in the system that would be able to take over for Faber. Bogo is likely 7th D next season and Jiri will be 2nd pair at best. With the money used for Kap’s extension there’s simply not room if you bring in a top6 FWD to find and sign a top2 RHD. Plus Faber is ALREADY SIGNED, why trade him for someone that will command an extension at a higher rate?

[OldDutchChip]

10 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

All i am saying is Eichel and Tkachuk were available.  Right now no one of any value is so no sense blaming Billy for not making moves to help Kap.  When and if those players are available then we can talk.

And Tuch was 25 and had averaged 1/2 points per game at the time of the trade.  Not a crucial piece.  And Florida gave up two older players whose contracts were coming do.  They actually saved 6 mil a year with the trade and got younger.  
 

If you look to the future, the earliest B Tkachuk comes available is trade deadline of 2027.  If Ottawa is out of the playoffs and he tells them he won’t resign, then we can talk about him.  

Agree. But you never know how things go. Especially after the PO - who will entertain a change.....it would be wise not to jump on Nelson train and be ready with a deal that one couldn't pass up. Assuming Boston is out - would you call with a deal centering on Boldy and prospect (not Yurov or Zeev) and a pick for Pasta? is that something that Boston HAS to look at seriously? i think yes and yes. 

... Tuch was a very crucial piece to their previous run. His numbers may not show it, but his drive and motor and overall game - was top notch. 

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Chip, just for hypotheticals. Say we jettison Rossi or Boldy and a prospect or high pick for Thompson or Svech. Who do you have step into the #1 RHD spot this year and the next 5+ of Kap’s extension?
 

We simply do not have a prospect in the system that would be able to take over for Faber. Bogo is likely 7th D next season and Jiri will be 2nd pair at best. With the money used for Kap’s extension there’s simply not room if you bring in a top6 FWD to find and sign a top2 RHD. Plus Faber is ALREADY SIGNED, why trade him for someone that will command an extension at a higher rate?

Jiricek will, then placeholder - Spurge and Bogo, or FA or one of our prized prospects - these are solvable problems.

trade him for someone that will command an extension at a higher rate? so what? i mean that's the reality of the cap increase. or we go after already signed player. what about BT for Faber?

[OldDutchChip]

4 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

You know...we could just let the season play out and bother with trades then if any team actually WANTS to trade with the Wild come the draft.  The Wild actually have that thing called cap space at that point too.

Crazy thought.

i never said it HAS to be now. yes you monitor the league and be ready. what's the issue with this?

[Citizen Strife]

Guerin did that when he used the assets to grab Jiricek.  That isn't an immediate upgrade.  However, he played better in 3-6 games than Bogo, Merrill, and Dermott did.  He is NOT a Faber replacement.  The hope is he takes over Spurgeon's Top 4 once he's "good enough" defensively.  Jumping him up to #1 is just suicidal.

The plan is in place to add by subtraction.  This is just the lame duck season we're wading through.

[M_Nels]

19 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Jiricek will, then placeholder - Spurge and Bogo, or FA or one of our prized prospects - these are solvable problems.

trade him for someone that will command an extension at a higher rate? so what? i mean that's the reality of the cap increase. or we go after already signed player. what about BT for Faber?

That’s the thing, out of our “prized” D prospects only Spacek is RHD and he’s not exactly on a trajectory for a top4 spot. 
 

Hypothetically, if we sign a Thompson, Tuch, Svech for a forward then so be it but if you do Faber for Brady you’re leaving a gaping hole in your D corps. If we’re going to make a run relying on Bogo (HA!), Jiri and Spurge to man the right side is a disaster in the making. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

30 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

faber is a fine player. and his stock is at all time high. there is a need with this team on offense. and short time to make the change. can't have it both ways. we prioritize youth and development, we loose those who are in our prime. Kap will be gone, Ek will age out. 

His stock is sky high and his contract is well below what top pairing RHDs will be paid in the upcoming years. Guerin has been giving out excellent long term contracts to the guys he identifies as difference makers for winning.

You can add scoring via free agency too. The Wild are poised to have one of the top defenses over the next handful of years, and are trying to grow their contender more organically for a long window of contention.

Some of the trade ideas aren't terrible for accelerating winning this year or next, but in a year or 2, their blue line could be the envy of most GMs.

Even though Faber's stock is high now, it's likely to grow because of the contract he's on. As long as the Wild extend Kaprizov, and I think it's likely they'll be able to do so, and add a strong top 6 free agent to replace Johansson, with their cap space, they should be in an excellent place to contend. They may end up making a trade before next year, but I wouldn't expect any major moves this season.

Being elite defensively might just be their best path to truly contending.

[mnhockeyfan03]

If you trade Faber for a top 6 forward which I am all for go get Jokiharju from the sabres.  He was a stud for Finland in the 4 nations tourney and is only 25.  Wouldn’t mind getting him regardless.  We need 2-3 high end forwards to get through the top teams in the west and the time is now over the next 1-3 years to make a run.  Rossi, Boldy and Faber should all be available to bring in the forward players we need.  

[UK_Soldier]

20 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I imagine people might argue both Tkachuk's, Eichel, and Guentzel were better as forwards. Those 4 had more goals, more points, or scored their 3 points in fewer games than Boldy. I realized after I wrote some of this that you specified "wingers", not forwards.

Boldy was a +2 for the tournament, and no US forwards other than those listed above were able to finish ahead of him. Boldy being arguably a top 6 talent at age 23 for this roster is pretty impressive.

For the Tage Thompson fans, he had 35 NHL points through his age 23 season. Boldy is at 219 NHL points, and counting. Tage Thompson is really good right now and probably deserved to be in the tourney, but not necessarily ahead of Boldy--there were others who were more replaceable.

Also worth noting that only Nathan MacKinnon and Joel Eriksson Ek finished with a better +/- than the +3 that Faber finished the tournament with.

Boldy very much belonged and didn't play small. He scored a key goal, and had a couple timely passes for assists. This could be a huge stepping stone for his development. The Wild could make a big leap forward next season.

The Wild players were up against a team where Sidney Crosby isn't even a top 2 C on the team and they all looked like they belonged--including Sweden players here. That's huge. MacKinnon and McDavid make guys look bad most nights in the NHL, but the Wild players were hanging with them.

I'll add that I didn't want to see the US lose, but I was somewhat relieved to verify that Boldy and Faber were off the ice when the US left the best player in the world wide open in front of the net for the game winner.

Great hockey and excellent showing for the Wild players!

"Boldy very much belonged and didn't play small." Exactly this. He played on another level physically, and also adapted his play to what the team needed from him. He was around the net a lot more and was much more power forward-like. It's what we've seen flashes of and what I think pretty much all of us hope for him on a consistent basis. 

[Sam]

19 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

If you trade Faber for a top 6 forward which I am all for go get Jokiharju from the sabres.  He was a stud for Finland in the 4 nations tourney and is only 25.  Wouldn’t mind getting him regardless.  We need 2-3 high end forwards to get through the top teams in the west and the time is now over the next 1-3 years to make a run.  Rossi, Boldy and Faber should all be available to bring in the forward players we need.  

Pretty sure no one on this site wants to trade away Rossi, Boldy, and especially Faber so maybe you should stop suggesting we do that.. 

Edit: Oh, and ODC doesn’t count as he’s probably the only one.

Edited 2 hours ago by Sam

[mnhockeyfan03]

2 minutes ago, Sam said:

Pretty sure no one on this site wants to trade away Rossi, Boldy, and especially Faber so maybe you should stop suggesting we do that.. 

pretty sure they do and watch 1, if not 2 of the 3 will be traded before the start of next season. 

[SkolWild73]

Just now, mnhockeyfan03 said:

pretty sure they do and watch 1, if not 2 of the 3 will be traded before the start of next season. 

I will take that action, especially on the 2 out of 3.  Rossi won’t be traded.  He either signs or walks.

[M_Nels]

26 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

If you trade Faber for a top 6 forward which I am all for go get Jokiharju from the sabres.  He was a stud for Finland in the 4 nations tourney and is only 25.  Wouldn’t mind getting him regardless.  We need 2-3 high end forwards to get through the top teams in the west and the time is now over the next 1-3 years to make a run.  Rossi, Boldy and Faber should all be available to bring in the forward players we need.  

That trade is more lopsided than Reagan-Mondale. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

5 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

That trade is more lopsided than Reagan-Mondale. 

I didn’t say trade Faber for Jokiharju.  I said trade Faber for a top 6 fwd we need and then go get Jokiharju. 

[M_Nels]

2 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

I didn’t say trade Faber for Jokiharju.  I said trade Faber for a top 6 fwd we need and then go get Jokiharju. 

My mistake, I read it as if you’re going to trade him go after Joki like it would be a trade for him.