Article: The Wild Must Get Cap-Savvy and Bring Brock Boeser Home

[OldDutchChip]

14 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Yes, basing my thought on that. Can't see a world where Nojo is re-signed.  If they had not picked up Vinny, I would have figured they would have re-signed Lauko.  But since Vinny is signed for $775,000, I just don't see the room for Lauko.  If they do re-sign him, then I would bet that either Hartman and or Trenin's day would be numbered.

There is also our captain (and his 7.5MM) that we can ship out! 

 

[Citizen Strife]

11 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

There is also our captain (and his 7.5MM) that we can ship out! 

 

[Citizen Strife]

30 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

Yes, basing my thought on that. Can't see a world where Nojo is re-signed.  If they had not picked up Vinny, I would have figured they would have re-signed Lauko.  But since Vinny is signed for $775,000, I just don't see the room for Lauko.  If they do re-sign him, then I would bet that either Hartman and or Trenin's day would be numbered.

Buying out Hartman would open up the $8m to more like $11m, provided you wanted to make a bigger swing at someone SLIGHTLY less than the Rantanens/McDavids/Drai level contracts.  I'd just as soon have a Boeser or Nelson.  You can't be too careful given all the shitty injuries that have sapped cap space all year.  Spending to the cap has been a curse lately.  I wouldn't say they are the best players to get, but you can offset that by going, "What if Ohgren, Yurov, or Buium make those huge leaps like Rossi did?"

It's a good problem to have.

[Burnt Toast]

1 hour ago, RedLake said:

No

I’m with you on this. My biggest concern is he’s never played a full season and had many with major games missed. He got started in the league at a young age so there’s that extra wear on his body. He’s 28. He signed a bridge deal which is about to expire so this is his potential “career payday”. He’s going to want a longterm deal at max $. I think he’s really not a fit with this current Wild team. I can see him getting with a team out East. It’ll be interesting to see what his next contract looks like. As far as a rental he’s a plus 1 in playoff hockey as his defense metrics reflect. I don’t think the Wild can afford to give up major assets right now. 

[SkolWild73]

10 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Buying out Hartman would open up the $8m to more like $11m

Could buy him out.  I would bet they could get someone to take his contract too.  May have to give up 5th round pick or something, but his number isn't terrible 

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

Then they resign Khus for $1.5M?

I'm thinking MaRat is signed for about $1m or less. He has to provide more offense than he has this year, and I believe he has very little negotiating leverage.

[SkolWild73]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Buying out Hartman would open up the $8m to more like $11m, provided you wanted to make a bigger swing at someone SLIGHTLY less than the Rantanens/McDavids/Drai level contracts.  I'd just as soon have a Boeser or Nelson.  You can't be too careful given all the shitty injuries that have sapped cap space all year.  Spending to the cap has been a curse lately.  I wouldn't say they are the best players to get, but you can offset that by going, "What if Ohgren, Yurov, or Buium make those huge leaps like Rossi did?"

It's a good problem to have.

One person that I never see anyone mention is Tavares.  I know he is getting up there and no idea if he plans on leaving Toronto or not since they are the team he grew up rooting for, but his contract is up after this year.  He has 48 points in 50 games this year.  Might be able to get him for one year.  If we can’t get any big names, I might feel better with him for a year than some of the others for multiple.  Would give us more flexibility in 2026.

[SkolWild73]

8 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'm thinking MaRat is signed for about $1m or less. He has to provide more offense than he has this year, and I believe he has very little negotiating leverage.

You might be right.  His cap hit is 925,000 this year but his contract was 2 years and 2.7 mil.  I am assuming he gets a some sort of raise and someone could make an offer on him too since he is an rfa after the year.  

Edited February 25 by SkolWild73

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, SkolWild73 said:

If they do re-sign him, then I would bet that either Hartman and or Trenin's day would be numbered.

I think Hartman may be the odd man out, and Lauko gets resigned. Hartzy has the 15 team M-NTC, and I could see him traded out. I think he'd be a good candidate for Columbus. He's thrived under the Evason system and would equally give some of the kids some leadership. $4m is not a bad salary for him there as I don't see Columbus being much of a destination for free agents.

I think he'll still want to stay here, but I do think he is quickly wearing out his welcome. The last suspension was a really bad look for him. Guerin fulfilled his promise to take care of him, and here or somewhere else, Hartzy has his market value.

[mnfaninnc]

9 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

His cap hit is 925,000 this year but his contract was 2 years and 2.7 mil.  I am assuming he gets a some sort of raise and someone could make an offer on him too since he is an rfa after the year.  

Yes, but those performance bonuses of $850k are probably not going to be earned. I wonder if you could exclude that from his cap number around the trade deadline? It's not much cap, but it could bring back some to us.

[mnfaninnc]

As for the Brocks, they do give us something we don't have. 1 a large bodied center and the other the rhs sniper. Yet, both also have their flaws.

So, if I were trading for Boeser, I'd want to know for sure what his intensions were for the future. 8 x $8m is ridiculous IMO, but should he maybe give us an HTD at, say 8 x $6m with some NMC years, I could work with that. 

I do like the Ranty idea, but I'm thinking Carolina really, really wants him to sign. The weather is much nicer and you've got a 4.5% flat income tax in the state. I think that's significantly less than MN has. Plus, that tax is reducing in coming years. On top of that they can offer the extra year and he and Aho are good buddies. The offer Carolina gave him appears to be between $13-14m according to Kevin Weekes. 

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

why not? in this scenario, we have a transition from Spurge to Kap and have a core D already ready to go in alphabetical order - 

Bogo, Brodin, Buium, Chissy, Faber, Jiricek

if there is a trade out there to ship out a 36 year old, undersized defenseman, coming off some injuries, who also has 7.5MM contract for next two years, while likely being on our 3rd line....why not do that? 

besides sentimental reason ..... there is no other. you pull the trigger. and you especially do it if it doesn't bring back anyone - since that would mean 7.5 added to your cap budget.

[OldDutchChip]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Buying out Hartman would open up the $8m to more like $11m, provided you wanted to make a bigger swing at someone SLIGHTLY less than the Rantanens/McDavids/Drai level contracts.  I'd just as soon have a Boeser or Nelson.  You can't be too careful given all the shitty injuries that have sapped cap space all year.  Spending to the cap has been a curse lately.  I wouldn't say they are the best players to get, but you can offset that by going, "What if Ohgren, Yurov, or Buium make those huge leaps like Rossi did?"

It's a good problem to have.

I'd just as soon have a Boeser or Nelson.  are you seriously going to say that you'll take one of Brocks over Ranty? You realize both of them will cost around 6MM (older) 8MM (younger) at least ....you can absorb Ranty's larger contract with influx of youth and existing budget contracts.

What if Ohgren, Yurov, or Buium make those huge leaps like Rossi did? What if....yeap....what if. HUGE leaps....what huge leap from Rossi are we talking about here? when you throw these types of flashy words - you'll surely get Freddy to love your comment, but it is disingenuous at the core. First, Rossi has made good strides, but let's not say they were HUGE. Ohgren and Yurov are both raw and Ohgren has looked like he needs time. Buium is being touted like a sure thing, so there is hope. But this all future and potential. While Ranty offers you immediate, known, proven "HUGE" value.  

It's a good problem to have. sure. it still a problem. what i call is a solution and a great one. Kap and Ranty join forces as likely THE best duo in the league (rivaling EDM). Then we have Boldy and Rossi (with a bit less pressure, there may yet be more success). Ek and Zuccy still here and Yurov as a Wild card. We won't need to wait for the future. It'll be here buddy! 🍻

[OldDutchChip]

31 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

As for the Brocks, they do give us something we don't have. 1 a large bodied center and the other the rhs sniper. Yet, both also have their flaws.

So, if I were trading for Boeser, I'd want to know for sure what his intensions were for the future. 8 x $8m is ridiculous IMO, but should he maybe give us an HTD at, say 8 x $6m with some NMC years, I could work with that. 

I do like the Ranty idea, but I'm thinking Carolina really, really wants him to sign. The weather is much nicer and you've got a 4.5% flat income tax in the state. I think that's significantly less than MN has. Plus, that tax is reducing in coming years. On top of that they can offer the extra year and he and Aho are good buddies. The offer Carolina gave him appears to be between $13-14m according to Kevin Weekes. 

i don't think Ranty takes this offer. I think he says that he'll want to focus on games and "reset" and that means he'll go to FA or his rights are moved after the season (maybe we go for that). I don't think he's re-traded again this year - Canes fans would loose it then....so he is staying. And then going to MN of course!

[Citizen Strife]

And how do you solve "depth" when you're front loading top lines?  Tell me how that worked out for Toronto.  You don't outscore shitty defense.  You want Spurgeon gone to take a shot at Rantanen, well enjoy a lot of lost games 6-4, 5-3.  We saw how helpful Spurgeon still is when nearly all the defense was in shambles about a month ago.

Edited February 25 by Citizen Strife

[SkolWild73]

36 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

why not? in this scenario, we have a transition from Spurge to Kap and have a core D already ready to go in alphabetical order - 

Bogo, Brodin, Buium, Chissy, Faber, Jiricek

if there is a trade out there to ship out a 36 year old, undersized defenseman, coming off some injuries, who also has 7.5MM contract for next two years, while likely being on our 3rd line....why not do that? 

besides sentimental reason ..... there is no other. you pull the trigger. and you especially do it if it doesn't bring back anyone - since that would mean 7.5 added to your cap budget.

I get what you are saying with the 7.5 mil.  With forwards so full Hartman and trenin equal the same amount of money.  D is full too.  Maybe wait a year and see if jjiricek and zeev are ready and try your solution in 26 if they are?  That would be Spurge’s last year.

[OldDutchChip]

22 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

And how do you solve "depth" when you're front loading top lines?  Tell me how that worked out for Toronto.  You don't outscore shitty defense.  You want Spurgeon gone to take a shot at Rantanen, well enjoy a lot of lost games 6-4, 5-3.  We saw how helpful Spurgeon still is when nearly all the defense was in shambles about a month ago.

1. there are always cheap D and Merrill can still step in and cover. 
2. Toronto never had a 1-2 punch of Kaprizov/Ranty quality. Nylander and Marner are just not that level and neither is Tavares. So essentially they are paying "elite money" to four players, with maybe one deserving it - Matthews. We would be paying the "elite money" to two deserving players. A better comparison is EDM, who just came back from SC final and are expected to be in contention again and COL, who won a cup. Not too bad, right?
3. Sure, Spurgeon is helpful, but to say NO to a trade proposal is a bit short sided. Especially if you are in play for a much bigger fish. 

[FredJohnson]

3 hours ago, Enforceror said:

Are you thinking both Lauko and Nojo do not get re-signed?

I don’t think NoJo plays for any NHL team ever again.

Edited February 25 by FredJohnson
Derp

[Citizen Strife]

Edmonton didn't win because McDavid and Drai did it alone.  They had actual defenseman and goaltenders show up when it counted.  

I understand that the Wild is heavily imbalanced towards defense.  But to completely swing the pendulum back to the way it was a couple years ago with Evason doesn't exactly work either.  Buium and Jiricek are far from ready to be anything close to what Spurgeon offers.  They may never be.  Faber's also taken a step back until the 4 Nations performance...so yeah.  Brodin and Middleton do not sound like great covers if you throw Spurgeon away.

[FredJohnson]

2 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

Could buy him out.  I would bet they could get someone to take his contract too.  May have to give up 5th round pick or something, but his number isn't terrible 

Isn’t Anaheim needing contracts to make the minimum?

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I get what you are saying with the 7.5 mil.  With forwards so full Hartman and trenin equal the same amount of money.  D is full too.  Maybe wait a year and see if jjiricek and zeev are ready and try your solution in 26 if they are?  That would be Spurge’s last year.

Who is available then? Kaprizov? haha

I think you push and not take anything for granted. Push for it this year and push for it this off season and push next year.

Good players want to play for winners and not for "potential" that may never be realized. Ranty will want to come in to a successful situation. He has won before and i think he'll go to a team that at least made it to R2. Or maybe he'll go to the highest bidder....who knows!

 

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Edmonton didn't win because McDavid and Drai did it alone.  They had actual defenseman and goaltenders show up when it counted.  

I understand that the Wild is heavily imbalanced towards defense.  But to completely swing the pendulum back to the way it was a couple years ago with Evason doesn't exactly work either.  Buium and Jiricek are far from ready to be anything close to what Spurgeon offers.  They may never be.  Faber's also taken a step back until the 4 Nations performance...so yeah.  Brodin and Middleton do not sound like great covers if you throw Spurgeon away.

Do we not have one of the top goalie prospects in the world and Gus (who has been very good this season)?

Do we not have Faber and Brodin - minute munching Defensemen, able to cover anyone? Do we not have Midds and Jiri's size? Do we not have phenom Buium? Lastly there is also Spurge, who is still here!

But to completely swing the pendulum back to the way it was a couple years ago with Evason doesn't exactly work either.  how does that swing in back to what Evason was working with?

 

[SkolWild73]

45 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

Who is available then? Kaprizov? haha

I think you push and not take anything for granted. Push for it this year and push for it this off season and push next year.

Good players want to play for winners and not for "potential" that may never be realized. Ranty will want to come in to a successful situation. He has won before and i think he'll go to a team that at least made it to R2. Or maybe he'll go to the highest bidder....who knows!

 

I think you misunderstood what I said.  I meant if Ranty is available I would rather get rid of Hartman and Trenin, instead of Spurge.  Wait and see how the new defenders do, keep out depth next year, and then maybe you can find a team for Spurg in 26 to add another player. 

[Citizen Strife]

What I meant by swinging back to Evason was a couple years ago when they had some crazy high offense, but zip for defense.  They would come from behind in nearly every game.  It didn't end up helping at all in the playoffs...because yeah.  Getting offense for the sake of crippling our defense too early doesn't sound too smart.  Spurgeon has shown he still has a lot left to give.

But worry about the playoffs all you want like you always seem to.  I like having teams play well to get there first.

Edited February 25 by Citizen Strife

[SkolWild73]

6 hours ago, Protec said:

let's get the Wild team we saw in the early weeks of the season.

I looked back into this to see how many games we have played with our top 6 forwards (yes, I am including Nojo) and our top 4D.  Unless I missed something, we have only played 13 games with our top 6 forwards, and only 8 games with our top 6 forwards and top 4D.  I hope we get a couple of weeks at the end of the year to get them to gel again before the playoffs.