Article: The Wild Must Think Bigger Than Brock Nelson

[RedLake]

Zuccerallo Euro is stuffed on the 4th line and limited PP2 time. Rossi traded for a north American guy that 

[ArizonaWildFan]

Aside from the personnel matters this off season, the Wild really need to focus on a few changes to how they play the game in general. The Wild typically play well and have a good record versus the Eastern Conference teams and really struggle with all Western Conference teams but especially the Central Division. Struggle is an understatement for how they play in the playoffs when they play the best of the Western Conference teams multiple consecutive games. Why is that?

Predictability. The Eastern teams don't play the Wild enough to identify, recognize, adjust and react to the style of play but the West teams do, especially in the playoffs.

Typically, the Wild's D-men do not aggressively attempt to exit their zone when they gain puck possession. The Wild move wingers to the blue line along the boards to wait for a pass and the D-men often move behind the net and pass to each other waiting for an opportunity to pass or skate. If they do slide the puck up the boards to a winger on the blue line, he is always defended, because the other team knows that's what is going to happen.

The Wild are one of the most aggressively forechecked teams in the league because they allow themselves to be. That adds to constantly being outshot and adding work to the goalie and I think it has a negative impact on the health and durability of their defensemen. Look at how many unnecessary hits they absorb. I would love to know how many goals the Wild gave up this year after they had gained puck possession in their defensive zone and failed to exit.

Also, the Wild are predictably bad in the face off circle. Other teams make plays and score goals off of the faceoff, not our guys. That is an individual skill that can be improved upon, make winning face offs a priority and don't just limit making it a priority with the centers. How often does a center get tossed from the dot and the winger steps in and just goes through the motions. Not acceptable. Make face off percentage a priority.

Finally, engage the defensemen offensively regularly. Don't predictably stand on your offensive blue line all the time, or in the neutral zone behind it. When a team maintains that structure, they are effectively playing 3-on-5 hockey in the O-zone.

The Wild are looking to score a half or more goals per game on average or to give up a half goal per game less on average to be more successful in the regular season and the playoffs. Those three changes or improvements would do that. And it doesn't require a major roster addition or spending big money.

 

[Willy the poor boy]

15 hours ago, Enforceror said:

What does it take to get those two goals?

Rossi on the first or second line...

[Burnt Toast]

3 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Predictability

Awesome detailed comments!! I think this is exactly what happened against Vegas and one reason the matchup strategies started to backfire in games 4-6. Like you mentioned, the difference between winning and losing in the NHL can be a fine line. ZB and Jiri have the potential to bring a missing element to our D core, offense. 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

15 hours ago, MacGyver said:

CL would have been well advised to read The Art Of The Deal before making a statement like that.

I have doubts that the person pictured on the cover of that book has actually fully read it. It was written by Tony Schwartz. The person on the cover of that book "did not write any of the book".  He did choose to remove a few critical mentions of business colleagues at the end of the editing process.

[Willy the poor boy]

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I have doubts that the person pictured on the cover of that book has actually fully read it. It was written by Tony Schwartz. The person on the cover of that book "did not write any of the book".  He did choose to remove a few critical mentions of business colleagues at the end of the editing process.

Ya, but at least he knows, understands and actually signs the laws he's signing...So there's that...

[Protec]

Cross-Eyed Bill might need an autopen cause he writes in parallax. 🤪

[MacGyver]

5 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I have doubts that the person pictured on the cover of that book has actually fully read it. It was written by Tony Schwartz. The person on the cover of that book "did not write any of the book".  He did choose to remove a few critical mentions of business colleagues at the end of the editing process.

Even if the title of the book was Making Deals For Dummies written by Ernest T Bass CL would have done well to read it. Announcing well before you enter into negotiations for a deal that you are willing to pay anything it takes and no other bidder will pay more is one of the most asinine things I've ever heard and seen take place. I only mentioned the book to illustrate CL's apparent naivety at how to negotiate contracts. Had no intentions of triggering any TDS. 🍻

[WildNotMild]

Posted something similar in another thread:

I have read that Nelson turned down 7.5M for 3 years mid season from NYI.  IF true, would the regulars on here prefer Nelson or Rossi for 7.5M?  I would prefer Rossi in that he is younger and has more upside.  Father Time is undefeated in humbling players in their mid 30s (and the GMs who signed them) to deals for too much money, too much term and/or clauses.  Don’t be dumb Billy.  7.5M is too much for Nelson even for a couple of years.  I don’t want to hear from Billy about a fair deal and that clauses are part of doing business with established players.  Please let someone else sign the other Brocks.

[OldDutchChip]

11 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Aside from the personnel matters this off season, the Wild really need to focus on a few changes to how they play the game in general. The Wild typically play well and have a good record versus the Eastern Conference teams and really struggle with all Western Conference teams but especially the Central Division. Struggle is an understatement for how they play in the playoffs when they play the best of the Western Conference teams multiple consecutive games. Why is that?

Predictability. The Eastern teams don't play the Wild enough to identify, recognize, adjust and react to the style of play but the West teams do, especially in the playoffs.

Typically, the Wild's D-men do not aggressively attempt to exit their zone when they gain puck possession. The Wild move wingers to the blue line along the boards to wait for a pass and the D-men often move behind the net and pass to each other waiting for an opportunity to pass or skate. If they do slide the puck up the boards to a winger on the blue line, he is always defended, because the other team knows that's what is going to happen.

The Wild are one of the most aggressively forechecked teams in the league because they allow themselves to be. That adds to constantly being outshot and adding work to the goalie and I think it has a negative impact on the health and durability of their defensemen. Look at how many unnecessary hits they absorb. I would love to know how many goals the Wild gave up this year after they had gained puck possession in their defensive zone and failed to exit.

Also, the Wild are predictably bad in the face off circle. Other teams make plays and score goals off of the faceoff, not our guys. That is an individual skill that can be improved upon, make winning face offs a priority and don't just limit making it a priority with the centers. How often does a center get tossed from the dot and the winger steps in and just goes through the motions. Not acceptable. Make face off percentage a priority.

Finally, engage the defensemen offensively regularly. Don't predictably stand on your offensive blue line all the time, or in the neutral zone behind it. When a team maintains that structure, they are effectively playing 3-on-5 hockey in the O-zone.

The Wild are looking to score a half or more goals per game on average or to give up a half goal per game less on average to be more successful in the regular season and the playoffs. Those three changes or improvements would do that. And it doesn't require a major roster addition or spending big money.

 

good thoughts. agree with your points, but have to disagree a bit on the conclusion. 

i think the wild lack the personnel and it does require major roster addition/changes

re Face Offs - this has been a long-term problem and a goal to improve every season. but every year there is an issue. either systemic issue or again - personnel. i believe Nelson will be signed for this reason by Billy - as he has done good enough job at the circle for the last few years. however, i would be completely against it, mainly because it would shock me if Nelson took less than 6 per, and at that price - we need to keep that $ and allocate it better. so yes i agree - this is an issue. yes we have to get better at it. but it may need to be external help, rather than internal improvement. And help at top 6, which is a premium position. And therefore will cost us and be that major addition to the roster.

re D transition and puck moving game - agree with the points. however, we lack the skill to execute such a game. removing old man spurge (age and injuries and age) and midds (for obv reasons) we are left with Brodin, Faber and Chissy. Chissy may have the chops but has so many holes and is just too inconsistent (and plays 3rd line, and we really are talking top 2 pairs). Brodin is a good skater but his skill is elite in the D zone, not really dynamic transition. As for Faber - again reality - he is a great minute muncher but elite in transition he is not - and really that is what we need to match up against in the West elite. We need elite. So our hope is Zeev is that (and not the second coming of Chissy and Addison) So let's say Zeev lands and we are set there - whats next....

Forecheck and that board battle - yes! and we are talking about again top 6. and i again believe we lack that skill. half of our top 6 is not good (forget elite) ..... they are not good at forecheck and physical board battle. 

So my disagreements are really minor but essentially come down to the need - minor vs major. My opinion -  It cannot be minor - as it won't yield the necessary result. Our transition game should be better with Zeev and we have Jiri who can offer something (who knows yet.....he better!). So whats left - top 6 player who plays hard, plays on the boards (north /  south game) and wins FOs. 

That will cost. Reality. Elias is not that good in FO and plays what Protec refers to as Euro game 🙂 Let's leave Elias out. 

Tkachuk - Faber/Rossi

Why? Because elite players win. The more you have the better. Dallas sure is not complaining about Ranty. That topic has been talked about a ton before- but he cost a lot - but is now showing that he deserved it. I fully believe Brady deserves it too. And we can afford to loose Rossi and Faber (Brodin, Spurge, Zeev, Midds, Jiri....the better the offense - the less strain on the defense) for him. So that's my pitch to Guerin - go all out and try to poach him from OTT.

🍻

[mnhockeyfan03]

2 hours ago, WildNotMild said:

Posted something similar in another thread:

I have read that Nelson turned down 7.5M for 3 years mid season from NYI.  IF true, would the regulars on here prefer Nelson or Rossi for 7.5M?  I would prefer Rossi in that he is younger and has more upside.  Father Time is undefeated in humbling players in their mid 30s (and the GMs who signed them) to deals for too much money, too much term and/or clauses.  Don’t be dumb Billy.  7.5M is too much for Nelson even for a couple of years.  I don’t want to hear from Billy about a fair deal and that clauses are part of doing business with established players.  Please let someone else sign the other Brocks.

If Billy pays anything north of $5mm for Nelson, Boeser or Rossi he should be fired.  And no more than 2-3 years.  I am a hard no on Rossi and Boeser.  Nelson only to play third line and nothing more.  We still need a 1C and another top 6 wing in addition to him.  Also with Kap if his big thing is wanting to win see if he will be ok with $12mm rather than $15mm to help the team win.  Get him a few commercial deals to make up the difference.  Trade Faber and Rossi for a true 1C