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If this team goes anywhere in the playoffs it will be because the young guys under 25 of Boldy, Rossi, Yurov, Ohgren, Faber, Buium and Jiricek are bringing it. For that reason alone I would like to see big minutes for all of those guys this year.

I was going to say the same thing. Idk if he was elite when we had him but he was definitely on his way to being elite.

It will be fun to watch all of them play. Not sure if it will help our record with Zucc and Sturm both missing time, but at least the young guys will get to play and hopefully improve and perform. 7 guys 24 and under playing tonight. Can't wait.

Just to drive the point home, LOL:

Brent Burns could have been considered a unicorn the Wild had never had. Had the Wild kept him, he was very elite in his prime. He's still better than average, even at 40 years old. He's played all 82 games the last four seasons and has averaged 46 points per season over that stretch.

Just to recap, the Wild have significant injuries to Zuccy and Sturm, and Yurov just got beat out of the opening night lineup by Trenin, JoJo, Ohgren, Haight, and Hinostroza. Recalibrate the expectations for Yurov this season, I'd put the over-under at about 10 points this season, which unfortunately probably takes him out of Calder contention...which is fine for a young foreign player to take a little time, hopefully they're more patient with him than Khusnutdinov. I think Ohgy (19th) and Yurov (24th) will be often compared to Jimmy Snuggerud (23rd, first line STL).

Honestly he isn't here to be a lock down defense first guy. He is here to be a Norris Trophy winner. Nobody wins that trophy by playing solid defense they win that trophy by scoring a ton of points.

The Athletic mentioned he put on about 10 pounds. Without looking again, I believe they said he was around 192, and his trainer believes he can reach 200 without any concerns with losing speed or flexibility. I copied a very small portion of the overall article.

Likely not, but I admit to being interested that a player that was a borderline pylon during his entire (albeit short) time here managed a 2-0-2 scoreline in his first game in another sweater.

In his own words Ogz is saying he began to doubt himself the second half of camp. Crisis of confidence would be dramatic, but it looking like it’s in that ballpark and the eye test shows it too. The kid will get a 15-20 game run with big club but if he continues to fumble one timers and chase the play he’s down to Iowa for another long stretch. Everyone is getting tired of watching this same movie from ogz, regardless of what he can bench press

Hey, if you are in Iowa any chance you can keep the rest of us updated on the guys down there? We used to have a guy who followed the Baby Wild closely but he has moved on. I, for one, would greatly appreciate it and I am sure there are many others who would agree!

Ek's first full NHL season was 75 games with six goals, ten assists. Yurov instead of NoJo cannot be understated in terms of the overall way-betterness. Let's hope he and Trenin can play together and have great chemistry for a couple years til Yurov is established as an NHL guy.

Quick question for everyone. Would you rather have Eichel and Marner at $25.5M for the 4 seasons starting in 2026, or Kap and Boldy at $24M.

Brazeau is the best forward in the NHL. Sign him for 18 mil.

For those who are not happy with how much Kap got, I get it. It is more than I was hoping we would spend too, but I am going to move on because what is done is done. At least we have some good contracts for the next three years to help balance it out. Looking at the UFA's for next year and the year following, it will probably be the highest contract in the league until around 2028 when Mathews and McDavid are up for new contracts unless Kucherov gets more in 2027 at age 34.

It's just nice to finally see a prospect getting a chance on the big club. Even if they had no choice.

It's opening night. Finally the season is back. I'm excited!

They do, but Canada has higher taxes, in general. Most players no trade lists include all Canadian teams because of it. Well that and they haven't won a cup since 1993.

Lol the Wild have been lucky to miss out on players they WOULD have spent on. There will come a point where getting outside help will be necessary, but it needs to be higher end people.

Looks like Yurov might not play game one. Hynes says he has a few things to work on. Which is expected. He has to flash enough to make them not send him down.

I thought Canadian players got paid in US dollars because of the difference .

Eichel got 8 years 13.5M AAV

Eichel contact makes Kap contact look even more worse if that was possible…

Oh dear. The article invoked Mojo's name. Someone get the crosses, salt, and rosaries. Anyway If it takes time, it takes time. With nearly all the higher end guys staying with their teams, it is becoming less and less likely to just find a trade or free agency partner. You got a work with the players you grabbed. I'm just happy Yurov wasn't a man on an island. Rossi re-signed, so Yurov can work on bottom lines. For all we know, that's his ceiling. No sense forcing him to be what he clearly isn't right now.

Buium really shines in PP and 4-on-4 situations. Give this man any open lanes, it's almost like watching what Kap used to do along the boards. He just separated himself from people with ease. The issue is going to finding out when and where to do that. I do think he understands that more than Jiricek does. That or he at least has speed and agility to cheat and make up for his mistakes more often.

One thing that came out of the preseason was that Yurov doesn't win many faceoffs, 1/3 or a little better. But I do like him taking the responsibility of a center. Could he be paired with a wing who is good in the dot and can do that, but he then converts to center? That might be the way to use him this 1st year. I believe we are going to be very happy with this player. But, the button hooks are going to drive me crazy. I'll be looking for the 1st fake button hook where he slips past the defender for a cut to the net. Is there any news on how Daemon Hunt is acclimating?

I take issue with this because like Huck, I was under the belief he had put on 10-15 lbs. this offseason. 183 was his draft weight. He should be a lot closer to 200 by now. I do expect accurate information from the writers. Overall, I think Buium is still going to have to figure out the difference in speed at this level. Once the game slows down for him, we should have a real nice piece on defense. But, until that happens, he may look like he's behind a step.

I love this part of Buium's game. He feels like he can do anything regardless of the circumstance. Then the competition will gradually teach him what he can/can't do. Fiala had this mindset too. This is the opposite of what's going on in Ogzy's head right now.

Excellent Buium article in The Athletic today. Here are 2 excerpts: Faber had some really nice things to say about Buium, but the next part was talking about Buium's playoff experience:

I think by December we'll be seeing Buium start to impact games. I like him on PP1 even though I suspect we will have some Shorty's against from time to time.

Haight in over Yurov for the Blues game. Based on what I saw in preseason, I think this is the right move. Was really hoping Yurov would have been stronger out of the gate but at least it sounds like he's making strides.

Let's wait a month or two, or even a year or two, before making these kinds of assessments. He has yet to play a regular season game...

I predict growing pains from all the rooks. Defensively we are going to give up a few goals with Zeev and Jiricek learning where they can open it up on the NHL level, and where they should safely punt. Ogrez and Yurov were somewhat milquetoast in preseason. At least they were defensively responsible with their games. I'll be surprised if we see a real breakout year from either, but hopefully a little experience and confidence will have them turn the corner and be relatively productive and NHL calibre. Wally? No idea. He looked pretty good in preseason. I think Gus is going to have a strong workhorse year again and Wally will get the occasional game. I'm really looking forward to more rooks and less AHL lifers and less Nojo. (please don't let me down Heinz)

No, just no. Over ten years in the league, 22 goals as a high water mark. I am sure he is a grit guy, but why not have cap space for the deadline? If Guerin signs him he should be fired immediately but I think he will sign him to a 3 year, no-move deal.

Exactly!! The defense down here (Iowa) has been pitiful. Jesper will be just fine!

I don't see any reason why they cannot be a good battery for 5 years. The Wall isn't going to take away starts from Goose for at least 2 more seasons. If he does take some away, Goose is just more rested. The Wall isn't getting paid top dollar in his next deal. They can co-exist. In fact, they should thrive together.

No. Gustavsson had to be resigned. Were they going to let him walk, or be distracted all season? He's the better goaltender right now, so why wouldn't they commit to him? Like every player trying to make the team, go ahead and take their spot. It's up to Wally.