Article: Wild Suffer Unfortunate Weekend, Drop Two on Road Trip

[Thomas Williams]

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[0 Stanley Cups]

Too bad Ek put it off of the post in OT vs PHI, solid game from Wally.  I can't believe Buium doesn't get any ice time in OT...brilliant!  I thought Jiricek looked good in his limited minutes throughout the game.  I can't tell if it's the roster construction or coaching, probably a bit of both.  I haven't been a JoJo hater, but that guy has absolutely ZERO grit in his game, he shy's away from every puck battle.  Trenin 1 point, Moose 0 points, Brodin doesn't look like his usual self.  Yurov keeps looking better, but he looks like a skilled soft player.

Washington was a complete dumpster fire.  They are a big, tough team.  The core of the Wild have not been good enough to get past the first round in years past, and they're another year older, I'm concerned as not much has changed.

[Patrick]

Buium looks like the real deal. When you consider his age...is he better than Kaprizov as a rookie? Crazy but he is dominant with the puck on his stick. He skates like Johansson and protects the puck like Boldy. 

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

I can't believe Buium doesn't get any ice time in OT

Hynzy clearly does not trust him on the defensive side of the puck

 

1 hour ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

The core of the Wild have not been good enough to get past the first round in years past, and they're another year older, I'm concerned as not much has changed.

And bill added a completely rinsed Sanko to the past it's prime journeyman core.  But P-Snazzy he SCORED...that puts him on pace for 13 goals which is better than last years total.  Bro-sov is playing top 6 minutes and PP1 minutes so we're gonna need more than 13.  Sanko, Foligno and Nojo playing steady top 6 minutes is a death knell for this season. 

Prediction: bill will be forced to make a trade before before January, let's hope he doesn't lose the trade too badly.  I'll predict Rossi + Ogz sweetener gets dealt.  Rossi's got legit market value with potential upside and Ogz has youth plus potential upside.

[MNCountryLife]

5 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Prediction: bill will be forced to make a trade before before January, let's hope he doesn't lose the trade too badly.  I'll predict Rossi + Ogz sweetener gets dealt.  Rossi's got legit market value with potential upside and Ogz has youth plus potential upside.

My eye test for Rossi this year has been almost 100% positive.  He seems to make almost every correct decision on the ice.  I really like his play this year so far.  I also think he fits with Boldy and Kirill better than Ek.  He is also responsible in the D zone...and he is still improving.  I really don't want him traded away.  How do you trade away a guy that is your acting 1C?   BG better have a plan if he does.

[Pewterschmidt]

3 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

How do you trade away a guy that is your acting 1C?

I’m not calling for this.  I just think he’s the player that suitors will want in exchange for giving up their 32 year old top 6’r.  And bill is not a big fan of little Marco so it’s a logical prediction imo. 

[MNCountryLife]

1 minute ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I’m not calling for this.  I just think he’s the player that suitors will want in exchange for giving up their 32 year old top 6’r.  And bill is not a big fan of little Marco so it’s a logical prediction imo. 

It does seem to be what BG has set up to happen.  From what I read last year there was a lot of interest in Ek as well.  I've been a big fan of Ek since he came into the league.  But I think he has limited upside in the offensive zone.  I am much more open to an Ek trade this year than what I was last year.  Would have to be a very good trade...but Ek could demand a lot in return.  Can't believe I just wrote that. 🤔

Our 2nd line needs to be able to score.  Nojo, Ek and Tarasenko are not a threat.  Opposing teams are matching their 3rd and 4th lines against them.  

[MNCountryLife]

If we are going to continue to lose... Play the young guys.  Getting our tails kicked while the Vets like Nojo and Tara get 16 minutes is just silly.  Put in Haight, Ogz, Jiricek, Heidt and Bankier.   

[Pewterschmidt]

17 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

I am much more open to an Ek trade this year than what I was last year.  Would have to be a very good trade...but Ek could demand a lot in return.

Great point.  I considered Ek untouchable but maybe it’s time

[mnfaninnc]

Quote

It's a weekend that should be brushed aside as the Wild still have things to figure out.

I can help coach Hynes figure this out: Play the kids. 

2 hours ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

Yurov keeps looking better, but he looks like a skilled soft player.

He's not soft, he's pretty strong but doesn't realize it yet. He's not interested in throwing big hits, probably never will be, but he can neutralize guys and doesn't mind going into the home plate area. If he were soft, he'd do a flyby, but he stops there and is willing to take the punishment.

2 hours ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

The core of the Wild have not been good enough to get past the first round in years past, and they're another year older, I'm concerned as not much has changed.

You're not wrong here. What has changed? 5 new players on the team and all are being sheltered. If it's change you're wanting, then Heinzy has to play the kids. 

If Heinzy decides he's going to shelter the kids until they get it, it will take far longer for them to get it. Sometimes you just have to play them, take your lumps early, and accelerate their learning curve. These kids can play, but most are used to decent TOI. Sheltering them puts them off their game and doesn't give them enough opportunities + you are burning out your vets. 

You do not have to trust the kids to play them. You will just have a harder job as you will constantly have to be coaching them up. But that's precisely what is needed at this time. 

Heinzy- you work for BG. BG gave you 5 kids to develop. Just do it, don't try to shelter, give them regular shifts and regular minutes so you can see what they have. Why does OgZ seem to get goals in the A and not in the N? Could it be that he's playing twice as much down there? You're not giving them a chance to get going. They have no rhythm in their game because you won't give them regular shifts. 

Coaches Note-When Yurov was forced to play more than normal due to Ek being out the 1st period, no goals were scored against him. He can be responsible enough to take on more responsibility now. 

[mnfaninnc]

9 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Great point.  I considered Ek untouchable but maybe it’s time

Ek is exactly the type of center needed for the playoffs. I would suggest he not be traded off unless you're getting a younger, hungrier guy in return who has the same tenacity. 

[Scalptrash]

I wouldn't call it unfortunate, they got what they deserved. Out coached and out skilled. This Wild team is no better than last year, actually worse, if you compare the start they are off to. Not sure why everyone expects them to be a contender this year? They will seriously be lucky to make the playoffs. And that's totally ok, just get the young guys tons of play time and experience in elevated roles. Don't put 2-3 of them together in the bottom six and expect them to carry the team.

[Pewterschmidt]

12 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Why does OgZ seem to get goals in the A and not in the N? Could it be that he's playing twice as much down there? You're not giving them a chance to get going.

I would argue ogz got 2-3 more games than he should have. Hynzy did that for him because the org needs this kid to make it.  The kid still looks clueless chasing the play and flubbing one timers.  He was kept up while yurov and Haight were delayed.  It’s time for ogz to win a spot, if he’s got it in him

[MNCountryLife]

In prior years I think we had to play the Vets and win in order to keep Kirill.  Everything was about signing Kirill.  Now he is signed....and for 8 years.  We don't have that worry anymore.

Stop thinking about today and start thinking about improving our prospects by playing the kids.

[0 Stanley Cups]

15 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Coaches Note-When Yurov was forced to play more than normal due to Ek being out the 1st period, no goals were scored against him. He can be responsible enough to take on more responsibility now. 

Then Yurov needs to play 3C, and Hartman needs to move into the top 6 and replace JoJo.  With Zuccy still out, they desperately need help creating offense beside Boldy and Kaprizov, and we have a roster filled with non-shooters and non-play drivers, just middling vets on our wings.

[0 Stanley Cups]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Hynzy clearly does not trust him on the defensive side of the puck

If Hynes isn't bold enough to play Buium when we need to score to win games, then it's going to be a long season of close losses resulting in missed playoffs.

[MNCountryLife]

18 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Ek is exactly the type of center needed for the playoffs. I would suggest he not be traded off unless you're getting a younger, hungrier guy in return who has the same tenacity.

I agree.  Ek has an extremely friendly contract and is a fantastic player.  Trading him would require high value in return.  But with Rossi playing a good 200 foot game and Yurov seemingly capable of playing a solid defensive game as well.... Ek could be considered an option.  I'm not advocating that I want him traded.  But he could demand a lot in return.  Depending on what that is... I think BG needs to consider it.

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

If Hynes isn't bold enough to play Buium when we need to score to win games, then it's going to be a long season of close losses resulting in missed playoffs.

A bit curious, but Buium clearly needs to improve his defense, yet he's gets the lowest offensive deployment:

https://frozenpool.dobbersports.com/players/zeev-buium

 

Not sure what's up with Fabes though...appears to be getting the easier deployments yet he's looked like ass so far this year.

[Fortis]

This early in the season is always crazy because teams are still getting into shape and learning systems, etc. High scoring games are very common early. The Wild had great success early last year because of this, then sort of fell apart as injuries occurred and every other team in the league learned how to play hockey again.

What is concerning to me is that the Wild do NOT look good this year (except for game 1), even this early. I think it is a portent for things to come. I predict Hynes will be fired in the next 10 games.

[Citizen Strife]

I'd rather find another way to get a Top 6 (let's just say Top 3) without giving up Rossi nor Ek.  If I had to choose, I'd say Ek.  Great as he is, Rossi is 4-5 years younger, and more offensively minded already. Ek is what he is going to be, but if he is the difference in a middling trade versus a great one, go for it.

Guerin can't keep making depth trades.  The team needs 2-3 Top 6 pieces Right now and the future if they want any improvement.  I say 3, Because Kap, Boldy, and Rossi are the only forwards  I would consider untradable. 

Ek has zero chemistry with Tarasenko, and I consider both Tarasenko and Zuccarello not future pieces.  Zucc is great but old, and Tarasenko has some work to do to convince me he's much better.

I'm not saying they should fire ALL the veterans, but they should be aware that Kap's window of effectiveness is closer to 3-4 years than 8.  Brodin, Spurgeon, etc are going to age out.

The fear of Kap leaving is over.  Find someone young but ready to explode into the top 6 or even the elite category.   Yurov looks like he is making strides each game, and Buium and Wally look damn good at what they do. The team can still go either way.  If they have to, sell off the older parts.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Citizen Strife

[MNCountryLife]

27 minutes ago, Fortis said:

What is concerning to me is that the Wild do NOT look good this year (except for game 1), even this early. I think it is a portent for things to come. I predict Hynes will be fired in the next 10 games.

Some things have definitely been weird.  I'm not used to seeing Brodin lose a board battle or get caught on the wrong side of a forward.   He had to tackle a guy...WTF.  That isn't the usual Brodin.

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

Talking trade above, I cannot help but think of how some folks attempted to roast Guerin last year on some moves, specifically Brazeau for Khusnutdinov.

To date, Marat Khusnutdinov has 1 assist in a loss playing 4th line minutes.

Brazeau has 4 goals and an assist, with 2 game winning goals.

People last year were adamant that Brazeau was no better than AHL talent while Khusnutdinov was a high potential player. I'm not suggesting everything Guerin does is perfect, but sometimes the comments against him seem a bit overly dramatic.

The Wild do need to play the youth more and they need to play better while Zuccarello is out. If they don't do either of those things, Guerin may need to make a coaching change, but I don't think he will consider doing that prior to the Olympics. Too many questions to answer if his Olympic coach is fired from his NHL team, in my opinion. Hynes had the team playing well early last season, and there should be better days ahead.

Hopefully the Wild can get points from both East coast games before returning home to face Utah and San Jose over the weekend.

[MNCountryLife]

3 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

I'd rather find another way to get a Top 6 (let's just say Top 3) without giving up Rossi nor Ek.  If I had to choose, I'd say Ek.  Great as he is, Rossi is 4-5 years younger, and more offensively minded already. Ek is what he is going to be, but if he is the difference in a middling trade versus a great one, go for it.

Exactly!  We need a 2nd line that can score.  Ek does a ton for the team.  But he also probably has the best chance of bringing in extremely high end talent in a trade.  

[MNCountryLife]

51 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

Not sure what's up with Fabes though...appears to be getting the easier deployments yet he's looked like ass so far this year

Brodin has struggled this year.  Faber not looking good may be a result of his partner not playing like the Anti-McJesus player we have seen in the past.

[MrCheatachu]

6 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

Brodin has struggled this year.  Faber not looking good may be a result of his partner not playing like the Anti-McJesus player we have seen in the past.

Up and down the lineup there has been some head scratching plays that have definitely put the defense in precarious spots.  When the structure breaks down because a forward completely whiffs on a breakout pass and turns it over it's going to be harder for the defense to recover.

That said, it's just not the kids who are making these plays.  Brodin, Faber, Middleton, Spurgeon all have had their 'wtf' moments this young season.