Article: How Long Can the Centers Hold For the Wild?

[Tony Abbott]

View full article

[Dis-allowed display name]

I don't care if Yurov earned his chance to play with the top line or not because of injuries to other players, but I hope he gets a decent enough run to prove that he should not be on the fourth line.  I would like him to get a fair shot to prove he should be top six.  Let Ek be on the checking line.  The top six needs a little youth and speed.  He will still have some bumps in the road, but let him play some real minutes with skilled players instead of having to be a grinder.

[AKwildkraken]

I think it's important to mention we are also missing Sturm.  This team might actually be solid up the middle in depth as we are missing two or three of our starting centers.  We very well could have four centers who are capable of playing the 1C spot (Yurov still has more to prove, but looked capable last night).  With depth comes options for Hynes.  

If Trenin and BJ can hold strong at 3C and 4C, I think we can survive until the calvary returns.  

Oh yeah, solid goaltending is a must.

[FredJohnson]

We’re 10-11…I am skeptical.

[Willy the poor boy]

5 minutes ago, FredJohnson said:

We’re 10-11…I am skeptical.

Let me fill ya up. Yer glass is half empty...

[TCMooch]

I think we keep running with Yurov on the top line and see what he can do with the opportunity.

[mnfaninnc]

Running with Trenin at center scares me a bit. But, perhaps this is just until Sturm is ready? Hartman I've always thought is a wing who can play center. Shifting him out to wing isn't a big deal to me. But, if Yurov can be successful in a top line role, that makes our center depth look real. 

The perplexing thing to me is Jones up and not Haight or Bankier. To me, bringing in these guys for at least a cup of coffee and a donut would make sense. I realize that Hynes doesn't think we can spare any games, but Jones isn't all that experienced either. At the very least, even if it is 3 game stints, I would think that carrot before Haight's and Bankier's eyes would be huge and have them playing better when returned to the A. 

I thought Haight was solid during his 1st call up. Let's see if he's grown! The point is that Jonesy is not the future, but Haight and Bankier can be.

[0 Stanley Cups]

Via Russo w/PA on KFAN, Rossi has a broken foot

[MNCountryLife]

Eventually I would like to see Hartman and Trenin go back to wing.  Our centers should be Ek, Rossi, Yurov and Sturm when they all get healthy.  

Ben Jones has filled in admirably but just doesn't carry the skill to be more than a fill in upon injuries. (Similar to Pitlick).  

Kirill, Yurov, Zuc

Boldy, Rossi, Hartman

Foligno, Ek, Trenin

Vinnie, Sturm, Ohgren

[MNCountryLife]

Kirill, Yurov, Zuc

Boldy, Rossi, Hartman

Foligno, Ek, Trenin

Vinnie, Sturm, Ohgren

I sure like this lineup.  It gives you two strong lines that can check.  Ek and Sturm will add some skill to the bruisers and yet they are both still big guys that can be bruisers themselves.  Dependable 3rd and 4th lines that can roll out against anyone.

The top 2 lines are as creative as we get with this roster.  

[Up North Guy]

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Running with Trenin at center scares me a bit. But, perhaps this is just until Sturm is ready? Hartman I've always thought is a wing who can play center. Shifting him out to wing isn't a big deal to me. But, if Yurov can be successful in a top line role, that makes our center depth look real. 

The perplexing thing to me is Jones up and not Haight or Bankier. To me, bringing in these guys for at least a cup of coffee and a donut would make sense. I realize that Hynes doesn't think we can spare any games, but Jones isn't all that experienced either. At the very least, even if it is 3 game stints, I would think that carrot before Haight's and Bankier's eyes would be huge and have them playing better when returned to the A. 

I thought Haight was solid during his 1st call up. Let's see if he's grown! The point is that Jonesy is not the future, but Haight and Bankier can be.

per the Iowa Wild website Haight was recalled yesterday. Didn't play last night but is back with the big club at least.

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

Kirill, Yurov, Zuc

Boldy, Rossi, Hartman

Foligno, Ek, Trenin

Vinnie, Sturm, Ohgren

I sure like this lineup.  It gives you two strong lines that can check.  Ek and Sturm will add some skill to the bruisers and yet they are both still big guys that can be bruisers themselves.  Dependable 3rd and 4th lines that can roll out against anyone.

The top 2 lines are as creative as we get with this roster.

I see Johansson and Tarasenko missing in this lineup. Was that on purpose? Are they eating pizza in the Prossbox? And, that would mean we are carrying 23 with 1 extra defender.