Article: The Wild Should Recreate Pittsburgh's HBK Line

[Kalisha Turnipseed]

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[Imyourhuckleberry]

Per ESPN -- 

Quote

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced the suspension of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman from 10 games to eight games in a ruling published on Monday.

This is the first time Bettman has reduced a suspension from the Department of Player Safety since he dropped Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza's ban from six to four games for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk in Dec. 2021.

"Although I conclude that an escalation from Mr. Hartman's prior three (3) game suspension to ten (10) games is not proportional here, I find that an eight (8) game suspension is both appropriate and supported by clear and convincing evidence," wrote Bettman.

Hartman is now eligible to return to the Wild lineup on March 4th. I'd kinda like to see him on a line opposite Hinostoza with either Rossi or JEE centering.

[Up North Guy]

52 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Per ESPN -- 

Hartman is now eligible to return to the Wild lineup on March 4th. I'd kinda like to see him on a line opposite Hinostoza with either Rossi or JEE centering.

That would for sure be a hustle line but I would not want Rossi or Ekker there. It would be a waste of talent. Maybe a Freddy at center?

[mnfaninnc]

The HBK line was not a young guns line like Kalisha is suggesting. They were all veterans. I liked that line back then. But putting, really, 2 rookies and a 2nd year guy together to expect similar results is a bit of a reach, I would think. 

Everyone's got to start from somewhere. OgZ and MaRat did have chemistry late last season. I think adding Lauko to that mix is an interesting thought, but from what I've seen from OgZ, I don't know that he's yet up to the task. 

I've liked Lauko and MaRat together this season. Finding that 3rd guy has been a problem. When Hartzy returns, what if Vinnie gets a shot there and Shore gets sent back down? That might be a tough line, and I think Vinnie can take draws on his strong side. I'd also really like to see what Hartman can produce with Boldy and Ek. I'm not sure there's a place for Johansson anymore. 

[1Brotherbill]

I have a feeling that with all the money that the Wild have this off season the big signings are going to be Marat and probably one of the Brocks.  I seriously doubt Rossi will make it through RFA someone is going to through 9 million at him and give up the picks.  There really isn't a lot of top end FA out there this off season so RFA's are going to be valued.  

Honestly if they kept Marat it would be a good thing.  He seems to not make mistakes and when he does he is more than fast enough and has a good stick to make up for the mistake.  He would be a good third line center for years to come.  Cal Clutterbuck was less talented and he played for over a thousand games in the NHL.  I could easily see Marat scoring 30 to 40 points a season for ten years.  

[SkolWild73]

2 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

I have a feeling that with all the money that the Wild have this off season the big signings are going to be Marat and probably one of the Brocks.  I seriously doubt Rossi will make it through RFA someone is going to through 9 million at him and give up the picks.  There really isn't a lot of top end FA out there this off season so RFA's are going to be valued.  

Honestly if they kept Marat it would be a good thing.  He seems to not make mistakes and when he does he is more than fast enough and has a good stick to make up for the mistake.  He would be a good third line center for years to come.  Cal Clutterbuck was less talented and he played for over a thousand games in the NHL.  I could easily see Marat scoring 30 to 40 points a season for ten years.  

Anything is possible with Rossi, but if you look at history of offer sheets there are hardly any above the top threshold, I think like 3 or 4 all time.  

[Willy the poor boy]

14 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

I have a feeling that with all the money that the Wild have this off season the big signings are going to be Marat and probably one of the Brocks.  I seriously doubt Rossi will make it through RFA someone is going to through 9 million at him and give up the picks.  There really isn't a lot of top end FA out there this off season so RFA's are going to be valued.  

Honestly if they kept Marat it would be a good thing.  He seems to not make mistakes and when he does he is more than fast enough and has a good stick to make up for the mistake.  He would be a good third line center for years to come.  Cal Clutterbuck was less talented and he played for over a thousand games in the NHL.  I could easily see Marat scoring 30 to 40 points a season for ten years.  

Some may say Rossi's to small for that kind of a contract.😉

[Secord Sucks]

“Let's say someone like Danila Yurov or Joel Eriksson Ek goes down with an injury.”

You forgot to say “knock on wood.” Ek got hurt in practice today, out at least 7 games and “likely longer.”
 

Ugh. 

[1Brotherbill]

21 hours ago, SkolWild73 said:

Anything is possible with Rossi, but if you look at history of offer sheets there are hardly any above the top threshold, I think like 3 or 4 all time.  

I think this year the money available is going to drive GM's crazy.  And I see a New York or Las Vegas putting everything on the line to get Rossi.  A skilled center with a tireless work ethic that is a tempting target. 

[1Brotherbill]

10 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Some may say Rossi's to small for that kind of a contract.😉

He is small, however he has shown that he is gritty.  I think a lot of GM's are drooling over him. 

[SkolWild73]

1 hour ago, 1Brotherbill said:

I think this year the money available is going to drive GM's crazy.  And I see a New York or Las Vegas putting everything on the line to get Rossi.  A skilled center with a tireless work ethic that is a tempting target. 

It might.  Would be the first big one since Aho in 2019.  Vegas, believe it or not only has about 16m for next year and only has 16 players under contract.  They do have to think about Eichel too who’s contract is done after next year.

[RedLake]

The Minnesota team should change the name to 25 years of failure before making a nickname for a game changer line.