Article: The Marco Rossi Injury Could Be the Straw That Breaks the Wild's Back

[Tony Abbott]

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[SkolWild73]

I check every couple of hours to see if their is an update on his injury.  The Ek and Brodin injuries last month were a kick to the nuts.  If Rossi is out for an extended period I don’t even know how I would describe it.

[IllicitFive]

17 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

I check every couple of hours to see if their is an update on his injury.  The Ek and Brodin injuries last month were a kick to the nuts.  If Rossi is out for an extended period I don’t even know how I would describe it.

Per John Hynes interview Rossi was skating today and doing line rushes and will be game time decision. Brodin skating with Spurge and likely playing. NoJo back and playing, Moose out. Jircek was also seen doing line rushes so maybe we see him check in too per Russo. 

[Patrick]

Its too bad the Wild don't have a speedy, defensively responsible, young, (Russian) center who the fans have been clamoring to see in an elevated role available to them....What a stupid trade.

Edited 14 hours ago by Patrick

[Secord Sucks]

“AHL/NHL tweeners Devin Shore and Brendan Gaunce combined for 21 minutes of ice time.”

[Burnt Toast]

Rossi has been developing on a very nice curve. I want to see how he performs in the playoffs. I hope he’s ok. 

[SkolWild73]

Maybe some good injury news, including Kap?

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-wild/kirill-kaprizov-injury-update-brodin-rossi-johansson/amp/

[Fezig]

15 hours ago, IllicitFive said:

Per John Hynes interview Rossi was skating today and doing line rushes and will be game time decision. Brodin skating with Spurge and likely playing. NoJo back and playing, Moose out. Jircek was also seen doing line rushes so maybe we see him check in too per Russo. 

It looks like Jiricek got sent back down to open up space for Brodin. Me thinks the coach likes Jiricek less than the GM. Why else would Merrill keep getting so much ice time?

[Citizen Strife]

It's probably better that Jiricek gets the reps in Iowa anyway.  Merrill saved the day against LA, so he's not "completely" useless.  Buium and Jiricek should be able to get game reps in if the Wild clinch fast enough.

The issue comes from next season.  If Buium gets a free pass, but Jiricek does not when 1-2 defenseman go elsewhere...then what the fuck?

Edited 32 minutes ago by Citizen Strife

[Citizen Strife]

Wanted to expand on my point a bit.

Not rocking the boat this far into the season makes sense.  Merrill is not my first choice for a defenseman, but I think Hynes doesn't want to risk Jiricek and maybe Buium this late unless they blow the doors off.  Jiricek was better than everyone earlier on sure...but playoffs might be going 0-60.

The thing the team lacks is offensive catalysts from the blueline.  Middleton was good until the injury then fell off.  Faber is gassed but making up for it with TOI.  Spurgeon is Spurgeon: he's good at everything.  But next season, they have to decide between Chisholm, Bogo, Buium, and Jiricek.  I like Chisholm, but you have to see what the young guys have on a consistent basis.  Chisholm's ceiling seems to be where he's at right now: solid fill on 2nd, pretty good 3rd line/depth guy.  Bogo has a contract, Chisholm doesn't.  But Bogo's contract isn't anything too crazy, and you can flip him anytime.  I'd do that in the offseason. Lambos or somebody else can be 7th no problem.

Brodin/Faber

Middleton/Spurgeon (or flip flop, it's fine)

Buium/Jiricek

The two new guys at the bottom get their shot start of the season.  Buium might take over PP1.  That alleviates Faber's ice time/fatigue issue and saves him for 5on5 and PK.  Jiricek might even draw PP2 and do cleanup and solve that even more.