Article: There Are Still Reasons For Optimism Despite the Wild's Slow Start

[Clay Gregory]

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[Forrest Gump Worsley]

 

 

NYT: The Wild are really, really bad:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6752993/2025/10/27/bill-guerin-minnesota-wild-slump-start/

 

Great to see that Guerin had a meeting to remind the team that an owner can't get rid of all the shite players at once, but he can fire a coach and/or a GM pretty easily.

[Forrest Gump Worsley]

Oh, and hats off to Russo Radio for keeping a straight face while Guerin explained that his biggest hopes for a turnaround are the return of 38 year old Zuccarello and riding the injury-prone Spurgeon harder as he turns 36 next month.

[Scalptrash]

17 minutes ago, Forrest Gump Worsley said:

 

 

NYT: The Wild are really, really bad:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6752993/2025/10/27/bill-guerin-minnesota-wild-slump-start/

 

Great to see that Guerin had a meeting to remind the team that an owner can't get rid of all the shite players at once, but he can fire a coach and/or a GM pretty easily.

I wish he would. "The shackles are off" right Billy?!

[NoJoSux]

[Up North Guy]

Maybe it is just me, but I am not seeing superstar play by Kappy this season. I see someone who is trying but not getting it done. Too many turnovers and too little puck control.

[NoJoSux]

41 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Maybe it is just me, but I am not seeing superstar play by Kappy this season. I see someone who is trying but not getting it done. Too many turnovers and too little puck control.

Wonder if he kinda coasted through the Summer? OCL had already told him via it was gonna be a huge raise. Not a lazy character IMO, but gotta figure human nature is to relax a bit if you've already got it in the bag. 

[Dis-allowed display name]

I have tickets to the Dec 29 game in Vegas.  I think it will be a very expensive loss viewing.

[Dis-allowed display name]

56 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

Maybe it is just me, but I am not seeing superstar play by Kappy this season. I see someone who is trying but not getting it done. Too many turnovers and too little puck control.

He was pretty bad the other night, made me wonder if he was hurting a bit.  His passes were sloppy and he mis handled the puck a couple times.  I never notice that with him.

[Dean]

My guess is kappy is getting chirped hard. Demanding all that money and not backing it up on a nightly basis gives the other team fodder to get in your head.  Plus he’s got a big bullseye on him now.  Who wouldn’t want to dunk on the highest paid player. Kappy over the years has always seemed like things don’t rattle him. He looks rattled. Like he knows he can’t backup that pay day.  My guess is if he had Eichel to center him things would look different. He’s got to be thinking how do I be a top 5 player with the shit I’m surrounded with.  Well maybe he should have left some money on the table for help. I can’t stress it enough. That contract is bad and the karma from it is showing. . 

[hydguy75]

1 hour ago, Up North Guy said:

Maybe it is just me, but I am not seeing superstar play by Kappy this season.

Does he have Joe Mauer syndrome?  

[Enforceror]

18 minutes ago, Dean said:

My guess is kappy is getting chirped hard. Demanding all that money and not backing it up on a nightly basis gives the other team fodder to get in your head.  Plus he’s got a big bullseye on him now.  Who wouldn’t want to dunk on the highest paid player. Kappy over the years has always seemed like things don’t rattle him. He looks rattled. Like he knows he can’t backup that pay day.  My guess is if he had Eichel to center him things would look different. He’s got to be thinking how do I be a top 5 player with the shit I’m surrounded with.  Well maybe he should have left some money on the table for help. I can’t stress it enough. That contract is bad and the karma from it is showing. . 

Completely agree with this.

[AKwildkraken]

"He’s got to be thinking how do I be a top 5 player with the shit I’m surrounded with."

I have a hard time calling Boldy shit, but to your point, he's got nojo or Tarasenko on his opposite wing to even out the talent.............

[Beast]

There‘s nothing to be optimistic for as far as this season goes.

I got some crap for saying this wasn’t a good hockey team, with no depth, and that will be banking too much on unproven young guys to fill key roles.  I said they’d probably sneak into the playoffs.  I probably should’ve been called a homer instead of a hater, because that was too optimistic.

There’s a little optimism going forward, but not much.  I don’t see the same “pipeline” everyone is seeing I guess.  There’s some good prospects there; but I don’t see the top end quality in the forward group.  Maybe Heidt can break into the top 6 a in 3-4 years, if all goes well.  Maybe Benak can be a serviceable undersized to 6 guy like a Zuccarello.  These things are years away.  Even Ohgren realizing his second line potential (debatable) could be years from now.  There’s gaping holes in at least 2 of the top 6 spots until then.

They have to go external.  But, we’ve already seen that players aren’t particularly excited to come here. They just paid 40% more to sign a “top player” than 4 other teams had to (cap disadvantage and not a good sign for players feelings on the Wild).

It’s certainly been a troubling offseason/start.  But, me and many others have also been calling for Geurin and Hynes to be fired for some time now.

[Patrick]

5 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

Maybe it is just me, but I am not seeing superstar play by Kappy this season. I see someone who is trying but not getting it done. Too many turnovers and too little puck control.

It's not just you. He has no urgency in his game. What a horrible signing...😡

[1Brotherbill]

This team might make the playoffs.  Do we really want that to happen?  I personally don't.  I want a top 5 pick out of this season.  I want Wallstedt to play as much as possible.  I want Yurov to settle in to the top six role that we know he can be.  I want Kirill to score over 100 points.  I want Boldy to keep his scoring up.  I want Buium to win the Calder.  

This team isn't all that good.  Free Agency next summer will be even worse than this past summer.  Trades are not going to make this team better.  The only way to make this team better is do what every other franchise that is good right now has done.  They need to tank and tank badly.  It is right there, just do it. 

[Burnt Toast]

3 hours ago, 1Brotherbill said:

They need to tank

With the KK signing that might be difficult. If it actually happens it would be really funny. It could become an NHL trend….. Accidental Tanking. 

[Scalptrash]

15 hours ago, Dean said:

My guess is kappy is getting chirped hard. Demanding all that money and not backing it up on a nightly basis gives the other team fodder to get in your head.  Plus he’s got a big bullseye on him now.  Who wouldn’t want to dunk on the highest paid player. Kappy over the years has always seemed like things don’t rattle him. He looks rattled. Like he knows he can’t backup that pay day.  My guess is if he had Eichel to center him things would look different. He’s got to be thinking how do I be a top 5 player with the shit I’m surrounded with.  Well maybe he should have left some money on the table for help. I can’t stress it enough. That contract is bad and the karma from it is showing. . 

I think he genuinely feels shame, and he should. The better players made him look like a selfish, greedy, tool. Way to wreck a franchise! However, Craig and Billy are the one's to blame, no clue how to build a champion. Stop buying tickets people, it's the only way it will ever change.

[1Brotherbill]

19 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

With the KK signing that might be difficult. If it actually happens it would be really funny. It could become an NHL trend….. Accidental Tanking. 

Why does the KK contact make it impossible to tank?  You could argue right no this season is the ideal time to tank.  You have your core locked up for the next few years.  You have a young crop of prospects coming into the system.  One season of terrible standings and a top draft pick would make this team really good.  Add in the fact that one tanking season gets you that much closer to not having to pay Spurgeon and Brodin.  

If Tanking is going to happen with this organization this season is the ideal season for it to happen.