Article: Does Brett Leason Have A Path To Make the Wild Roster?

[Robert Brent]

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[Citizen Strife]

People shouldn't panic about the PTOs.  The young guys getting spots should show skill and poise to force the coaches's hands.  Best out players on the depth chart and make your case why you matter.

Ohgren had limited but unmemorable stints last year.  Jiricek, Buium, and Wally have very limited game time, and Yurov has nothing.  I'm very curious what they bring.  Taking fliers on older or lower lineup depth is probably standard procedure.

Gaudreau, Nyquist, etc aren't here as boogeymen to "block" those guys either.  If Leason is a better option, there's probably a reason.

Edited September 9 by Citizen Strife

[MNCountryLife]

So roughly 1 out of 3 guys on PTO deals make the team.  BG is clearly looking for a PK upgrade by bringing in Sturm and then Leason.  

That gives us 15 players that are listed with the big club.  If we keep 13 and Nojo sits in the box that seems to leave Yurov, Ohgren and Leason battling it out for the 11th and 12th spots.

At only 26 Leason should be hitting his prime.  I would think a close battle would sway to the younger player.  Leason would need to show he is clearly better.

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Seems like a guy that the Iowa Wild would love to have, particularly since their coach was coaching the Anaheim Ducks while Brett Leason was there last season. Unlikely that he is on the opening roster for the MN Wild, but he could be a valuable player in Iowa if he doesn't get picked up elsewhere for the NHL season, and one that they could elevate if Foligno or Trenin were to miss time.

[Scalptrash]

He will absolutely make the roster. This season's big, slow oaf.

[1Brotherbill]

He has the same chance of making the opening night roster as Ohgren and Yurov.  Play well in camp and preseason and make the coaches decision easy.  That should be in all three of the players minds.  

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Scalptrash said:

He will absolutely make the roster. This season's big, slow oaf.

Maroon, Reaves , Trenin, Brazz-inga.   Guerin loves to spend capital on big, slow 4th line oafs who don’t like to play physical.  

[Sam]

35 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Maroon, Reaves , Trenin, Brazz-inga.   Guerin loves to spend capital on big, slow 4th line oafs who don’t like to play physical.  

Maroon and Reaves were brought on for enforcerorment duties. But yes, T-bag and B-reezy were oafs.

[bisopher]

Combine Guerin's preference for big players no matter their skill,  his documented ability to sign the literally worst players in the league simply because they're "his type of player", and his statements that he doesn't sign players to PTOs unless he believes they can make the team, and it's all too likely Leason starts the year in MN.

I agree that he could be an asset in Iowa, where he can improve their PK and bring some leadership, but not in MN.

[Pewterschmidt]

9 hours ago, Sam said:

Maroon and Reaves were brought on for enforcerorment duties. But yes, T-bag and B-reezy were oafs.

That may be, but i'm not sure i ever saw Maroon fight.  And almost the same for Reaves.  Maybe a handful of fights for Reaves but the rest of his TOI was skating 10 feet behind the play in both zones.  Just useless.

[mnfaninnc]

I like the idea of signing Leason on a 2-way deal and he starts in Iowa. He probably doesn't get called up when we need a top 6 guy, but if one of our road graders is out, he could fill that spot.