Article: Can A Healthy Wild Team Get More Out Of Vladimir Tarasenko?

[Pewterschmidt]

8 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

And so it begins.  This team is performing the way it is because of injuries.  Ek must be hurt.  97 is hurt, I saw him wince that one time, spurge is a warrior playing hurt… Bob lob law …we need an investigation re why Wild are only nhl team who’s players play hurt

Foligno and trenin chasing Ben Jones no-point streak means they must be playing hurt…or it means they are terrible at executing a hockey play

[mnfaninnc]

8 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Ek must be hurt.  97 is hurt, I saw him wince that one time, spurge is a warrior playing hurt

I also believe Spurgeon is playing hurt. I think it's lower body, his skating stride just looks choppy and off. But why are you thinking Ek is hurt? 

And, yes, they are injured, but not enough to take them off the ice. Every team has got them. If you'll notice, some guy had 2 chops at Kaprizov's arm, and another one took it the other night. Why aren't we chopping guys arms off? Seems to me you just identify who their best player is and tomahawk them as a 4th liner. 

[MacGyver]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

And so it begins.  This team is performing the way it is because of injuries.  Ek must be hurt.  97 is hurt, I saw him wince that one time, spurge is a warrior playing hurt… Bob lob law …we need an investigation re why Wild are only nhl team who’s players play hurt

I think I heard it was chronic leg weakness.

[mnfaninnc]

Looks like Rossi is also hurt and maybe out with an LBI.

Why not give Yurov a deserved promotion up to line 1 and see what he can do? It is probably the least disruptive thing to do. Bring up Haight to center 4th line.

Edited November 14 by mnfaninnc

[Imyourhuckleberry]

3 hours ago, MacGyver said:

I think I heard it was chronic leg weakness.

Oh no, is it bilateral?

[Aust]

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Looks like Rossi is also hurt and maybe out with an LBI.

Why not give Yurov a deserved promotion up to line 1 and see what he can do? It is probably the least disruptive thing to do. Bring up Haight to center 4th line.

Since 18.10. - that'd explain the invisible Rossi effect of the last few games (yes, he scored one, but he didn't have the presence he had earlier in the season)

[Citizen Strife]

Deserved...right.

Hartman: 18 games, 6 points

Yurov: 13 games, 2 points

Both guys have had to deal with people who have squat for points (Mojo aside), so Hartman should get the first crack.

 

Edited November 14 by Citizen Strife

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

Deserved...right.

Yes, deserved. It's not just about the points, it's also about how he's played. He's been getting better and better. If you put Hartzy up there, and he's been there before, you're not developing the kids. It is paramount at this time that those are the guys that get 1st shot. 

I believe it will happen as you said, though, and I'll be tossing sand in the air and ripping garments! 

[Citizen Strife]

Koivu, Ek, and Rossi all played 3rd and 4th line early on. It's not some crime that Yurov is there.

 

[hydguy75]

21 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

If you'll notice, some guy had 2 chops at Kaprizov's arm, and another one took it the other night.

At the Sharks game, KK was behind the net against the boards when the 1st period whistle blew.  The Sharks player was slashing KK's left forearm, leading to a little scrum but no penalty.  Are the Wild trying to avoid more PIM this season?  Actually, I don't understand the Wild's short term or long term plan.  Game to game.  Season to season.  It seems experimental to me.  What is our consistent strength to build on?  

[Pewterschmidt]

14 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

and I'll be tossing sand in the air and ripping garments! 

Is this a movie reference? Cultural reference?

[Pewterschmidt]

13 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Koivu, Ek, and Rossi all played 3rd and 4th line early on. It's not some crime that Yurov is there.

 

Best case scenario Yurov effectively drives the 3rd line and in turn gets a few auditions on 1st line over next 10-15 games. 

[mnfaninnc]

30 minutes ago, hydguy75 said:

Are the Wild trying to avoid more PIM this season?  Actually, I don't understand the Wild's short term or long term plan.  Game to game.  Season to season.  It seems experimental to me.  What is our consistent strength to build on? 

It's one thing to cut down on PIMs, and it's quite another thing to let someone take liberties with your best player. Not responding strong enough would add evidence that there might be some animosity over the new contract, though, I don't think there is. Not all PIMs are the same, and who cares if they are coincidental penalties, 2s or 5s, as long as you don't get an extra one, you're fine. But, you don't start hacking the guy who did it to Kaprizov, you start hacking Celebrini's arm hard.

This was against the Sharks. Perhaps it was the 1st time we played them, though, I think it may have been the Islander's game where it started. I believe he drew a penalty by shaking his arm and yelling OW! That's where the damage started and people have been targeting that area ever since.

It's pretty obvious that our consistent strength is supposed to be the '20-22 drafted players and ones we traded for in that window. Yet, that "strength" isn't a strength yet due to the coined phrase of the "medapod." Getting these guys up to the speed of the NHL should be priority #1. The longer you wait, the longer it will take. You do not get to skip this step. Yet, it seems like GMBG and HCJH are both trying very hard to eliminate this necessary step. 

We now have what appears to be 3 hits from the '20 draft: Rossi, Hunt, Faber. We appear to have 1 hit from '21: The Wall. I believe there is 1 hit from '22: Yurov, with Jiricek and Ohgren as maybes. There are more from these drafts that might play a role but are still developing. Ohgren is too good for the A and needs to think and read faster, and take the body more. It would seem to me that he is the type of player that if he can knock someone around early, his nervousness just goes away. 

So, that said, the "placeholders" need to be sold off. Right now, their roster spot is the biggest block to the kids playing. But, this means that we will be less competitive this year. If there is a year to be less competitive in the plan, this would be the year! This means OCL must be on board with a couple of learning years. To date, I do not believe this is so. Perhaps he is the one who does not understand the necessary step that cannot be avoided?  

[mnfaninnc]

31 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Cultural reference

It's a sign of both mourning and humility depending on the situation.

[mnfaninnc]

14 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Koivu, Ek, and Rossi all played 3rd and 4th line early on. It's not some crime that Yurov is there.

The "crime" is in the development part. It's the necessary step for the priority which is the kids. It has to happen, there is no skipping it. Rossi is out temporarily, so give the kid a couple of trial games and see if he can elevate his game. 

By now, Hartman has to realize he is one of the placeholders. The opportunities have to go to the kids. That's why Jiricek came back in when Bogosian went out. Had it been a guy like Kierstad who got it, that was misuse of the resources. 

At some point in the past, Kaprizov was very excited about getting to play with Yurov. Let's see if there is any chemistry?

[mnfaninnc]

58 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Best case scenario Yurov effectively drives the 3rd line and in turn gets a few auditions on 1st line over next 10-15 games. 

The time is now for the audition. This season has to be about acclimating the kids. Yurov has improved every game. Elevate him and see if he can rise to the occasion. OgZ couldn't, perhaps Yurov can. 

[Citizen Strife]

Hynes isn't as ironclad about his lines as Evason was.  We'll see how Hartman does.  If it's clear he or the line struggles, Ek or Yurov should quickly get the call in the blender.

Hartman's only a "placeholder" if you think of him that way.  This same placeholder amped up his game and was one of the more effective players in the playoffs.  

Much like Zucc, people tend to write Hartman off as if he completely sucks.  Those are the times he can surprise and go on a heater.

I understand wanting to "play the kids" but Hartman has evidence of scoring touch (in spurts yes).  Yurov has not.  Top lines are supposed to score, not "hold the line and not fuck up."

I see Yurov is the latter stage right now.  Buium and Wally can tilt the ice.  Yurov is "safe.". 

I agree with Pewter.  Show up and force the issue.  That or falter so much they are where Calgary is and they are too far gone.  2-4 points behind is not the place to put unprepared players in sink or swim situations.

Edited November 15 by Citizen Strife

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

The time is now for the audition. This season has to be about acclimating the kids.

While I agree with you, I predict this season will be 50 more games of duct taping this group of journeyman and ahl’rs to 97 and 12 and hoping we can stay within spittin’ distance of the last wildcard spot.  

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Hartman's only a "placeholder" if you think of him that way.  This same placeholder amped up his game and was one of the more effective players in the playoffs.  

Agree.  Hartman’s season has gone sideways since his hot start I predict our Rat 🐀 responds a breakout game today (1G, 1A) and those of us who like the 🐀 will say “see told ya so”

Edited November 15 by Pewterschmidt

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Top lines are supposed to score, not "hold the line and not fuck up."

PREACH!

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

I agree with Pewter.

Well fuck’n A

[1Brotherbill]

On 11/14/2025 at 8:47 AM, Dis-allowed display name said:

Where do you buy this weed that you smoke?

Look around the top six the Wild have are on par with other cup contenders.  The Bottom six are on par with some of the worst AHL teams.