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  • Bill Guerin Is Looking Very Right About Matt Boldy


    Image courtesy of Matt Krohn - Imagn Images
    Tony Abbott

    Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin knows what a member of the 50/50 Club looks like. He spent his final season with the Pittsburgh Penguins during Sidney Crosby's only 50/50 season. Heck, Guerin even fed Crosby on 12 of those 51 goals and dunked in 12 more of Crosby's 58 assists.

    He watched another inductee into the club, Evgeni Malkin, while Guerin was in Pittsburgh's front office. It'd be shocking if Guerin's mind doesn't immediately leap to those two when thinking about a 50/50 player.

    So it raised eyebrows when Guerin pegged Matt Boldy as someone who could join the big center in that legendary 50/50 Club during the offseason. Saying that is like looking at Crosby and Malkin and going, "This guy is a lot like them." It seems ridiculous on its face, even if you believed in Boldy to make a leap from his 29-goal, 69-point season.

    But those big words are looking downright prophetic through 21 games. If it wasn't for Kirill Kaprizov contending for the Art Ross and Hard Trophies, the league in scoring, the talk in the State of Hockey might be all about how right Guerin was about Boldy.

    Boldy has 11 goals and 22 points through 21 games this season -- on pace for a 43-goal, 43-assist season that puts him within striking distance of the 50/50 Club. He entered Tuesday tied for 18th in goals with Connor McDavid, Brady Tkachuk, and Tage Thompson, among others. His 22 points put him just outside the league's top 30.

    And that's been with Kaprizov mostly getting top billing. Both players play on the top power play together, and John Hynes recently reunited them on the top line. But Kaprizov is the undisputed Big Dog on the team, getting nearly three minutes more per game than Boldy and the extra scoring opportunities that come with them. 

    Fortunately for the Wild, that system is staying in place. Kaprizov's knee-on-knee collision with Drake Caggiula forced him out of Saturday's Calgary Flames game, he was back in the lineup in Monday night's loss to the Winnipeg Jets. While Kaprizov's return denies Boldy a chance to go on a Sicko Mode run as the No. 1 option -- which he did in spring 2023 when he scored 13 goals and 19 points in 13 games with Kaprizov on the shelf -- playing alongside him on the top line is a bigger prize.

    Since John Hynes took over the Wild bench late last November, he's frequently played Boldy and Kaprizov together at 5-on-5. Boldy has managed to shine both with and without his star counterpart. Going back to December 3 -- his last 82 games -- Boldy has 38 goals (15th in the NHL over that time) and 82 points (23rd). If we count that as a full season, we already have proof of concept for a 40/40 season. How much more of a stretch is adding 12 goals and six assists on top of those numbers?

    Especially with Kaprizov taking the leap he's made over the last year. Despite a missed game, Kaprizov is on pace to score 53 goals and 138 points this season. And while a 130-point season might be a bit much, it's no stretch to think Kaprizov can hit a 50/50 season with relative ease. Heck, if you want to talk about last-82-game splits, Kaprizov has 55 goals and 118 points. 

    Kaprizov being on another level should raise Boldy's game, and even if he doesn't quite hit that 50/50 plateau, it's clear that Guerin's prediction wasn't bluster and hype. He's looking awfully right about Boldy right now, and he's establishing himself as the same level of second star that the Colorado Avalanche have in Mikko Rantanen, the Florida Panthers have in Sam Reinhart, or the Tampa Bay Lightning have in Brayden Point. Boldy is a true force to be reckoned with.

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    12 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

    https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/11/insider-5-or-6-concrete-offers-on-table.html

    Well, for those wanting bigger D, there you go...just keep your hands off Rossi dammit.

     Guerin has spent much draft capital on multiple high draft pick dmen in his time here.  Not to mention faber trade.  If Jiricek were a top 6 fwd prospect I could make sense of this but why ANOTHER unproven d prospect?  Aren’t there 6’+ d prospects in the draft?   Jiricek hasn’t cracked the cbj lineup so why are we willing to trade for this guy?  Not to mention we got Chizzy for free

    Edited by Pewterschmidt
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    It sounded from the reports that his issues were skating and defensive awareness.  That screams low ceiling to me, regardless of where he was drafted.  I think you gotta take a chance given Spurgeon is older than Brodin, but only for the right price.  

    Edited by Citizen Strife
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    *Can't edit*

    Given Jiricek's track record, I don't get the sense Waddel is going to get someone like a Rossi.  He may have to settle for a lower line guy and some picks (Ohgren or Khusnutdinov and a 1st or 2nd), or someone like a Heidt or another Iowa guy right now.  

    I'd be a little leery if that was the case.  Ohgren struggled, but there's enough open space on the wings in the future that a middle six guy behind Kap or Boldy is pretty much waiting for him, Yurov, or other people.  Khusnutdinov is a solid enough 4th line guy already.  You have to think the scenario is, 'Bogo and Merrill are gone, we need another option other than Buium, and we don't think Hunt is that guy.  They'd be better off trading Hunt as part of the Jiricek package anyway.  That's what you'd be signaling with said trade anyway.

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    17 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

    They'd be better off trading Hunt as part of the Jiricek package anyway.

    This makes much more sense if Wild are truly interested in another Def prospect project.  Ogz projects to be a middle six NHL'r and Khuz has already proven (to me) he'll be a solid/dependable middle 6'r.  Sending Hunt + Bankier for Jiricek makes more sense.  Question is why CBJ is willing to move on from this 6'4" former #6 overall pick.  Apparantly they've seen enough.

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    2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    This makes much more sense if Wild are truly interested in another Def prospect project.  Ogz projects to be a middle six NHL'r and Khuz has already proven (to me) he'll be a solid/dependable middle 6'r.  Sending Hunt + Bankier for Jiricek makes more sense.  Question is why CBJ is willing to move on from this 6'4" former #6 overall pick.  Apparantly they've seen enough.

    I would think they would have to send Ohgren, Seravelli says they are looking for a prospect of equal value. Don't think Hunt moves the needle that much unless CBJ is willing to take him and a 2nd but would think Ohgren would have to be part of it. 

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    14 minutes ago, M_Nels said:

    I would think they would have to send Ohgren, Seravelli says they are looking for a prospect of equal value. Don't think Hunt moves the needle that much unless CBJ is willing to take him and a 2nd but would think Ohgren would have to be part of it. 

    Ok let’s play out this hypothetical.  If this deal happens that means that Guerin’s priority is to make Wild bigger and harder (which has been a deficiency since inception) AND that means ogz has shown Wild brass enough (not ruling this out) and they’re willing to part with him. 
    if this is the case we have to begin talking about brackett’s abilities, and ultimately replacing Brackett.  
    consider all the dmen Brackett drafted and now we’re sending a first round forward prospect for another D prospect

    Edited by Pewterschmidt
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    4 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    consider all the dmen Brackett drafted and now we’re sending a first round forward prospect for another D prospect

    Do not disagree with you there. I'm not foreseeing Lambos, Spacek, O'Rourke, Peart  being ready for a good while if at all. Don't forget about Johansson either. 

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    1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

    I'm not foreseeing Lambos, Spacek, O'Rourke, Peart  being ready for a good while if at all.

    After the horrific 7 straight losses to start the year, it's hard to see progress with the Iowa Wild, but Lambos and Hunt seem like they might be doing alright given that neither is in the negative in +/-. Based upon +/-, Peart and O'Rourke seem to be the least likely to make the NHL in the near future.

    Iowa Wild are 5-3 in November, but close out the month against a good team, so could end it at 5-5 for the month. Toporowski(Topper) getting healthy and Ohgren getting sent down seems to have given the offense a little punch.

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    3 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    Ohgren getting sent down seems to have given the offense a little punch.

    If ogz is getting it done/dominating in the A that’s good progress for a 20 yr old prospect.  I know he got a hat trick, but haven’t seen what else he’s doing.  Hat trick is a good start

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    5 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    I know he got a hat trick, but haven’t seen what else he’s doing.  Hat trick is a good start

    I don't watch, but I know that none of those goals were empty net goals. He had a goal and an assist in another game, and 1 goal in a 3rd game. So, he's at 6 points in 6 games and pointless in 3 games. It will be interesting to see how he does this weekend against the Charlotte Checkers, who are currently 2nd in their division.

    Topper has 6 goals in 5 games, so those 2 definitely have the best goal scoring pace and top points/game of the Iowa Wild players. Hunter Haight is tied with Topper for the team lead of 6 goals through 16 games.

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    3 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

     Guerin has spent much draft capital on multiple high draft pick dmen in his time here.  Not to mention faber trade.  If Jiricek were a top 6 fwd prospect I could make sense of this but why ANOTHER unproven d prospect?  Aren’t there 6’+ d prospects in the draft?   Jiricek hasn’t cracked the cbj lineup so why are we willing to trade for this guy?  Not to mention we got Chizzy for free

    Jiricek has a much higher ceiling than anyone not named Buium among Wild draftee defensemen.

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    8 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Guerin has spent much draft capital on multiple high draft pick dmen in his time here.  Not to mention faber trade.  If Jiricek were a top 6 fwd prospect I could make sense of this but why ANOTHER unproven d prospect?  Aren’t there 6’+ d prospects in the draft?   Jiricek hasn’t cracked the cbj lineup so why are we willing to trade for this guy?  Not to mention we got Chizzy for free

    Because 6'3" heavier RHS defenders don't grow on trees. We do not have a guy like this in our system. He's not a Bogosian, he's got quite a bit of offensive instincts. Bogosian is signed for another year. Someone will need to replace his size. This is Spurgeon's replacement in a year or 2. Spacek could develop into the 3rd pairing guy. 

    Now, what if we traded one of our lefty defenders who are undersized with a forward to get him? You're thinking Bankier + Hunt, I suggested Bankier + Heidt in a different thread, and earlier I suggested Peart + Bankier. This is a change of scenery play where you move prospects around. 

    Again, I'll say it, moving Rossi for this is far too expensive. Moving Rossi for Jiricek + another prospect who was picked fairly high might work, but that prospect better have some size and skill.

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    7 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Question is why CBJ is willing to move on from this 6'4" former #6 overall pick.  Apparantly they've seen enough.

    I believe Jiricek asked for the trade. CBJ lost a lot of goodwill telling him he'll be part of the team last year and then sending him down and scratching him. 

    It's a similar scenario to when we got Nino from the Islanders. He played one season up and then was sent down and played a full year in the A. He didn't like it and didn't feel he should have been sent down.  We got a real nice pickup for the price of a Cal Clutterbuck (who I don't see on their roster anymore) and a 3rd rounder. 

    Nino made an immediate impact for us and Fenton was a #$%^&*()(*&^%$ for trading him. 

    Jiricek probably takes a little longer to develop due to size/skating but that's what we have Andy Ness for. His teammate, Spacek, is on the same team so he'll see a familiar face. I think we can hit gold with him, but if not, it cost us a couple of prospects.

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    7 hours ago, M_Nels said:

    Don't think Hunt moves the needle that much unless CBJ is willing to take him and a 2nd but would think Ohgren would have to be part of it. 

    But, is this offer better than the other teams' offers? We're loaded with prospects. Personally, I'd send Peart too.

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    7 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Ok let’s play out this hypothetical.  If this deal happens that means that Guerin’s priority is to make Wild bigger and harder (which has been a deficiency since inception) AND that means ogz has shown Wild brass enough (not ruling this out) and they’re willing to part with him. 
    if this is the case we have to begin talking about brackett’s abilities, and ultimately replacing Brackett.  
    consider all the dmen Brackett drafted and now we’re sending a first round forward prospect for another D prospect

    But P-Shooter, what have I been screaming with our drafting dmen? They're almost all left handed, almost all undersized, almost all great puck movers and smooth skaters, and almost all are clones of themselves. Yes, I do think that Brackett needs a priority adjustment. 

    We've also got issues developing these kids. Most don't want to bulk up and don't have NHL strength. And, most importantly, we haven't invested in a decent defensive coach in the A. 

    How many undersized guys can you have on your team? Not that many is the answer. We're also way to out of balance in R & L shots. If we were developing these guys to eventually sell into a market hungry for puck moving defenders, that would be one thing, but we're not even doing that. 

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    5 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    It will be interesting to see how he does this weekend against the Charlotte Checkers, who are currently 2nd in their division.

    Just a reminder, the Checkers are not the Canes affiliate anymore, they are the Panthers.

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    5 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

    Jiricek has a much higher ceiling than anyone not named Buium among Wild draftee defensemen.

    And then that brings us to your next article 😎

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