Article: Wild Out West Facing Mediocre Kraken Team

[Thomas Williams]

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[mnfaninnc]

Hoping for a win tonight, but will probably watch tomorrow, yikes, 10pm games are tough.

I did see something last week while looking at MaRat's contract. It's a $925k contract, but this season he has an $850k performance bonuses clause in his deal. To me, performance clauses should be done at the end of the season and not count against current cap, but I believe his cap number is $1.3m this season, not the $925k reported. So, sending him down to the minors probably clicks off a little more cap. 

From an organizational perspective, I believe it's time that we see Jiricek full time in the Wild lineup, and I think we should be parting ways with both Dermott and Merrill. While Merrill is, well, Merrill, you know what you're getting. I think we'd be better off bringing up the young guys for the rest of the season, really, meaning both Lambos and Jiricek. Both of them would add much more than Merrill is able to give. I do believe that putting those guys in and dropping off Merrill and Dermott will be a wash in the cap. 

But, if I were trying to prepare for the playoffs, we already saw 2 years ago that Merrill could not keep pace with the Stars and was scratched for a young Faber who could. I believe both Jiricek and Lambos can keep up. Lambos would need to practice and play against NHL talent for the next step in his progression. Maybe he's still in the A next season, but it is time for him to get a nice long breakfast, not just a cup of coffee. 

[Will D. Ness]

I think there is a good possibility Buium will replace Merrill this year on the 3rd pairing.  I'm hoping he can pull off a Faber and shine.

I don't think they will do the same for Jiricek as Bogo is still playing ok and Jiricek is still pretty raw.

Dermott is already back in Edmonton.

[WheelSnipeCelly]

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I believe it's time that we see Jiricek full time in the Wild lineup, and I think we should be parting ways with both Dermott and Merrill

Definitely looking forward to seeing more of Jiricek! Side note: I believe Dermott was picked up by Edmonton last week from the waivers and is already playing on their AHL team (Condors). 

[WheelSnipeCelly]

1 minute ago, WheelSnipeCelly said:

Definitely looking forward to seeing more of Jiricek! Side note: I believe Dermott was picked up by Edmonton last week from the waivers and is already playing on their AHL team (Condors). 

 Ope, I just saw that Will wrote the same thing 🤦‍♂️

[mnfaninnc]

8 minutes ago, WheelSnipeCelly said:

Ope, I just saw that Will wrote the same thing 🤦‍♂️

But....I read your's first

[OldDutchChip]

Frederic to oilers for basically same cost as Nyquist

id much rather have him than Nyquist (Frederic will be back for PO)

and I think wild would have hanged on regardless of Nyquist add

[RedLake]

Let's go Jiricek.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Zuccy was very good last night. Johansson had one of his better games as well. That Gaudreau line certainly made the difference.

[M_Nels]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Zuccy was very good last night. Johansson had one of his better games as well. That Gaudreau line certainly made the difference.

Probably the best line on the ice last night, outside of Jojo COMPLETELY whiffing on an open net. That would've been a big goal in that spot of the game, still got the dub though.

[MrCheatachu]

On 3/4/2025 at 10:14 AM, mnfaninnc said:

From an organizational perspective, I believe it's time that we see Jiricek full time in the Wild lineup, and I think we should be parting ways with both Dermott and Merrill. While Merrill is, well, Merrill, you know what you're getting. I think we'd be better off bringing up the young guys for the rest of the season, really, meaning both Lambos and Jiricek. Both of them would add much more than Merrill is able to give. I do believe that putting those guys in and dropping off Merrill and Dermott will be a wash in the cap. 

Dermott was waived (and claimed) last week.

I like the idea of seeing Jiricek up here, but am also going to be understanding that every prospect isnt Faber who can leap to the NHL cleanly.

That said...Merrill has looked (dare i say it) pretty good during the past couple games?  Both the Boston and Seattle he was physical, engaged, and looked tough to play against.  Maybe it's being sheltered to 13 minutes (like Bogosian) but he's looked notably better the past two games.

I think his time in a wild sweater is over after this season, but he's not been abysmal like last season and actually pretty good the past couple games.

[Enforceror]

Jiricek hasn't racked up much for points at all with Iowa. 6 points in 26 games.

My guess is they're trying to focus on responsible defense first. The offense is obviously already there.

[SkolWild73]

3 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Probably the best line on the ice last night, outside of Jojo COMPLETELY whiffing on an open net. That would've been a big goal in that spot of the game, still got the dub though.

I floated this last night in the game chat about what the line combinations might be when Ek and Kap get back.  A lot of what ifs to it but here are my thoughts.  Say the Freddy, Nojo and Zuccy line keeps playing well and Rossi, Boldy and Nyquist find some chemistry.  Then say Kap and Ek both come back around March 31st for the last 8 games.  Do we just drop the lines down and keep them together and try a line of Ek, Kap and Vinny for 8 games and see how it does?  Do we try Hartman with that line and drop Vinny to line 4? Or stick with Vinny as a trial run and have a 4th line of Hartman, Foligno Lauko and Trenin? 

I think Zuccy will probably go back to being with Kap but would be interested to hear what everyone else thinks of the above scenario.  

Had a quick edit.  How about Foligno on line one with Kap and Ek?  It would protect Kap a lot more, just not sure if Foligno has the offensive tools to help out which is why I first mentioned Hartman.

Edited March 5 by SkolWild73

[M_Nels]

12 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I floated this last night in the game chat about what the line combinations might be when Ek and Kap get back.  A lot of what ifs to it but here are my thoughts.  Say the Freddy, Nojo and Zuccy line keeps playing well and Rossi, Boldy and Nyquist find some chemistry.  Then say Kap and Ek both come back around March 31st for the last 8 games.  Do we just drop the lines down and keep them together and try a line of Ek, Kap and Vinny for 8 games and see how it does?  Do we try Hartman with that line and drop Vinny to line 4? Or stick with Vinny as a trial run and have a 4th line of Hartman, Foligno Lauko and Trenin? 

I think Zuccy will probably go back to being with Kap but would be interested to hear what everyone else thinks of the above scenario.  

Had a quick edit.  How about Foligno on line one with Kap and Ek?  It would protect Kap a lot more, just not sure if Foligno has the offensive tools to help out which is why I first mentioned Hartman.

A lot of interesting combos that could be done, I don't see Zucc automatically being put back with Kap especially if that line continues to play like it did last night.

If everyone was full healthy tomorrow this would be how I would start:

Kap-Ek-Boldy

Nyquist-Rossi-Foglino

Zucc-Freddy-Mojo

Hinny-Hartman-Lauko

 

Edited March 5 by M_Nels

[mnhockeyfan03]

I like Kap and Zuccy split up.  Keeps them from trying to much cute stuff and just make the simple play.