Article: The Wild Have Nothing To Worry About With Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek Out

[Neil Urbanski]

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[Enforceror]

I appreciate the optimism but it's still going to be a spooky stretch. 

We have 4 more games against western playoff teams and 3 more against eastern playoff teams. We'll also have 2 against the Avs which will be important games.

The Av's have 6 against western playoff teams (including 2 against MN) and 3 against eastern playoff teams. 

Seems like a pretty even schedule. 

 

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Quote

The Athletic’s player cards show Johannson in the 78th percentile defensively among forwards, enough to elevate his market value to $3 million.

I have no idea how they come to that conclusion. Johansson does not show good instincts on defense, doesn't hit much or possess a strong stick, and he is well below his linemates in +/-. His offense is 30th percentile, so they are basing his "value" on strong defense, but if he were that strong defensively, wouldn't they consider playing him short-handed given his speed?

I can only assume his defensive value is propped up significantly by routinely playing on lines with strong defense behind him and some of the best 2-way players the Wild have to offer(JEE is 90% and Boldy 83% in the Player Cards on defense--those guys also block shots and pass the eye test).

[M_Nels]

5 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

I appreciate the optimism but it's still going to be a spooky stretch. 

We have 4 more games against western playoff teams and 3 more against eastern playoff teams. We'll also have 2 against the Avs which will be important games.

The Av's have 6 against western playoff teams (including 2 against MN) and 3 against eastern playoff teams. 

Seems like a pretty even schedule. 

 

 

I think the Wild still make it to the dance but the Avs games are going to be huge for the standings. Don't like our chances against the Jets or VGK but honestly if we can sneak in at 3rd in the Central and play Dallas on the road I like that matchup better.

[M_Nels]

Sorry, won't let me edit but barring a monumental collapse the Jets will likely keep #1 seed, I see VGK holding onto their #1 spot also. Although an Oilers matchup wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either if they take over P1 and the Wild fall to WC1.

[Enforceror]

4 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

Sorry, won't let me edit but barring a monumental collapse the Jets will likely keep #1 seed, I see VGK holding onto their #1 spot also. Although an Oilers matchup wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either if they take over P1 and the Wild fall to WC1.

The Kings only have 55gp vs 58 for both VGK and EDM and are 6 pts back from 1st place. Tight race in the West. 

[Protec]

NoJo sucks. There is very little he does that we couldn't replace with Knudi or Ogie. 

NoJo routinely misses good chances and gives up the puck. He gets hurt on super-wimpy glancing-elbows but manages to get back into the lineup for a 2nd line role. Just the kind of player you want in the playoffs... 😐

[Enforceror]

6 minutes ago, Protec said:

NoJo sucks. There is very little he does that we couldn't replace with Knudi or Ogie. 

NoJo routinely misses good chances and gives up the puck. He gets hurt on super-wimpy glancing-elbows but manages to get back into the lineup for a 2nd line role. Just the kind of player you want in the playoffs... 😐

[hockey_fan_87]

I am not sure how NoJo stays in the top 6.  He is supper soft on the forecheck, in the neutral zone and on defense.  At least recently, he will rarely block a shot, and he will never play the body... on purpose anyway, occasionally he will fall and take somebody out.  Whatever line he is on is playing short handed most of the game.  Maybe two or three shifts a game he adds some value, but then quickly gives it away on the next shift.  Does he have dirt on the head coach or GM, why is he on the ice?  His is the only injury that benefited the team.

[M_Nels]

14 minutes ago, hockey_fan_87 said:

I am not sure how NoJo stays in the top 6.  He is supper soft on the forecheck, in the neutral zone and on defense.  At least recently, he will rarely block a shot, and he will never play the body... on purpose anyway, occasionally he will fall and take somebody out.  Whatever line he is on is playing short handed most of the game.  Maybe two or three shifts a game he adds some value, but then quickly gives it away on the next shift.  Does he have dirt on the head coach or GM, why is he on the ice?  His is the only injury that benefited the team.

It’s like his controller disconnects the second he crosses either blue line. He’s good through the neutral zone and can enter the zone well but then the controller immediately disconnects. 

[Thatoneguy]

There is nothing about nojo that's worth 3 million. I will never understand how he has been stapled to the 2nd line LW position for 2 years. He should have a permanent seat in the press box. 

[RedLake]

The Wild have everything to worry about with a healthy locker room. The Jets would still pound us in 4 games.

[SkolWild73]

24 minutes ago, RedLake said:

The Wild have everything to worry about with a healthy locker room. The Jets would still pound us in 4 games.

Hard to know how we would do against them healthy when we have missed someone from the top 6 in each game we played them.  Ek in the first game, a 2-1 ot loss on the road on the second night of a back to back.  Zucc in the second game where we outshot them 44-34, or something like that, and Zucc, Ek and Midds the last game.

 

[Protec]

2 hours ago, hockey_fan_87 said:

I am not sure how NoJo stays in the top 6.  He is supper soft.

Like Goolash or Mashed Taters & Roast Beef. 

I couldn't agree more. Like an overcooked noodle, NoJo never even nudges anyone off the puck. He's so soft, pillow-merchant Mike Lindell asked if he could add essence of neck beard to his line of Egyptian cotton sheets. Soft Rock also called and asked GMBG if they could trade Rod Stewart for NoJo, to boost their mushiness-levels. 

Stick-Droppers Inc. offered NoJo a CEO position after this season, but a competing offers from Barrel-Breezers R-Us, and Water-Ski Backcheckers of Scandanavia are on the table. I'm hoping he finds a role with Chicken-Wing Concussion Collectards Consulting. Anything but the Wild though, honestly. 😊

[SkolWild73]

5 hours ago, Enforceror said:

We have 4 more games against western playoff teams and 3 more against eastern playoff teams.

I wish that were true, but we actually have 7 against the west, 2 against Dallas, 2 against the Avs, one against LA, one against Vegas, and 1 vs Calgary.  We also have two against Vancouver in case they slip above Calgary.