Minnesota Will Have To Adapt To A Chaotic Schedule

Wild always seem to have a rough schedule

I haven't checked other teams' schedules and I'm certainly biased, but the Wild do seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to their schedule. They're not the only team to have to manage packed schedules and long roadtrips, but they seem to have received more than their fair share of them over the years.

Anyone know of a schedule difficulty metric for the NHL? I'd be curious how the Wild compares to other teams.

Couple of thoughts:

You forgot one key part of the "Fall Schedule", that I'd argue divides it into two distinct parts:  The Wild travel to Sweden in mid-November for games against the Senators and Leafs (coincidentally, games 16 and 17). That will be its own transition point, as we see how the team goes into and comes out of that travel experience. 

Otherwise, is the Wild's schedule that much different from any other team's?  They open the season on October 12, two days later than six teams and a day later than another 11(Chicago has a B2B the first two nights), and they end the season on April 18 with 11 other teams (so 20 teams finish before the Wild).  So, we start late and finish late.

3 more weeks and preseason starts.  I am anxious and curious to see how the summer has gone for players.   I think this is a better roster than what we had last September.  Hopefully we can come out of the gates playing well and put ourselves in the positive category right away.  I'm also curious to see how are special teams transitions this year.  That has been a big weak point the last few years.  

This may seem odd.  But one of the players I am really looking forward to watching this fall is Dewar.  I thought he played some solid hockey for us last year and he got quite a bit of ice time and I thought he improved as the year went by.  Ek has improved every year and summer and I expect him to take another step and assume that 1C role.  If Dewar could up his game a bit he could be a viable 2C/3C and turn a team weakness into a strength of the Wild... especially if Rossi makes a case to be in MN. Build from within... IBGIT.

I like the early heavy schedule. I've thought we've been at a disadvantage having to close the season with the heavy schedule. I think this will give us some more rest when the season is closing.

B2Bs are hard, and 3/4 is exhausting, but, with younger legs, shouldn't we be a little better for wear?

If we are having some issues with players being banged up when we travel to Sweden, what if we called up Ohgren for his debut and played him those 2 games and then just left him back in Sweden? It might be doing the kid a solid so his parents don't have to travel to watch his 1st games.....and, who knows, maybe he shows enough to gain a seat on the ride back?

I've noticed some new names writing for HW. Any chance you guys want to introduce yourselves? Was there turnover, or just expansion? What does our current writer lineup look like, and what are their specialties?

Kalisha, you are unpacking a lot of speculations and questions. (The highlights)

1. Can DE be more creative, I believe that creativity is limited, but I'm willing to see what happens. It's not so much his creativity, its staying with it longer that 3-5 shifts. Usually, it's a result of injuries, so he's forced to make a move. it rarely seems to be play related as he always wants to stick with what has worked.
2. Fall Schedule - Not worried about the schedule and we need to respond and be ready for whatever the schedule brings us. I've yet to be surprised by stretches of tough or easy as we seem to find a way to lose easy games and win games were not suppose to and go on unexpected streaks.
3.  KK, Boldy, Faber and Rossi. Again the first three will rise to the occasion if healthy. I'm not factoring in Rossi in any of my expectations and if he doesn't work out I'm ready to give Beck and Walker some long leashes.
4. Winter Schedule - Again, not a concern with the schedule. At this point I'm hoping for a somewhat healthy lineup in Hartman, Zuccarello, and  Foligno and I'm NOT looking for any trades, but willing to be patient for next years Russian invasion.
5.  Spring Schedule - At this point if we have stayed healthy, are still a fringe playoff team, we will see if Gus has the physical stamina to be the guy still at this point. I have no expectation for the Flower, we get what we get. Our PP was not that bad last year, until the injuries and playoffs hit and a fresh set of eyes could do us good. I expect King to have an impact for the positive.
6. Finally, my expectations this year are limited for playoffs/success this year.

Idk, I think the schedule is a vastly overrated talker. A lot of fans and media alike spoke about the grinder that was February into March last season. I'm just not worried. Until the NHL goes back to the mini-series schedule where guys and get rest in each city, I don't care. On to the next game. You play what's in front of you.

31 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Kalisha, you are unpacking a lot of speculations and questions. (The highlights)

1. Can DE be more creative, I believe that creativity is limited, but I'm willing to see what happens. It's not so much his creativity, its staying with it longer that 3-5 shifts. Usually, it's a result of injuries, so he's forced to make a move. it rarely seems to be play related as he always wants to stick with what has worked.
2. Fall Schedule - Not worried about the schedule and we need to respond and be ready for whatever the schedule brings us. I've yet to be surprised by stretches of tough or easy as we seem to find a way to lose easy games and win games were not suppose to and go on unexpected streaks.
3.  KK, Boldy, Faber and Rossi. Again the first three will rise to the occasion if healthy. I'm not factoring in Rossi in any of my expectations and if he doesn't work out I'm ready to give Beck and Walker some long leashes.
4. Winter Schedule - Again, not a concern with the schedule. At this point I'm hoping for a somewhat healthy lineup in Hartman, Zuccarello, and  Foligno and I'm NOT looking for any trades, but willing to be patient for next years Russian invasion.
5.  Spring Schedule - At this point if we have stayed healthy, are still a fringe playoff team, we will see if Gus has the physical stamina to be the guy still at this point. I have no expectation for the Flower, we get what we get. Our PP was not that bad last year, until the injuries and playoffs hit and a fresh set of eyes could do us good. I expect King to have an impact for the positive.
6. Finally, my expectations this year are limited for playoffs/success this year.

Right on Von I’ve been waiting for someone to say it. Next season’s Swedish and Russian invasion with Ohgren and the two Russian stars coming to the Wild. We just need Faber and Rossi to get better this year so next season we can legitimately compete for the Cup

Honestly, I’d rather have thus schedule than it back loaded. At least this way we’ll be well rested to lose in the first round of playoffs lol

26 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

Honestly, I’d rather have thus schedule than it back loaded. At least this way we’ll be well rested to lose in the first round of playoffs lol

IF we make the playoff....fringe baby!!

27 minutes ago, TCMooch said:

Honestly, I’d rather have thus schedule than it back loaded. At least this way we’ll be well rested to lose in the first round of playoffs lol

At this point, I'd rather have a 16-17-18th pick to bargain with later and rock next year with all the dead weight gone!

2 hours ago, Ice Creeps said:

Right on Von I’ve been waiting for someone to say it. Next season’s Swedish and Russian invasion with Ohgren and the two Russian stars coming to the Wild. We just need Faber and Rossi to get better this year so next season we can legitimately compete for the Cup

Faber will definitely push the envelope beyond expectation of anyone who hasn't followed him the last three years. Rossi. I got no hopes one way or the other 🤷‍♂️

14 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

IF we make the playoff....fringe baby!!

I don't believe the WC placements are where we'll be competing, I think it will be 3rd in the division. And, 3rd in the division might be behind the WC teams in points. On paper, the Wild should finish 3rd in the division pretty handily.

Just now, mnfaninnc said:

I don't believe the WC placements are where we'll be competing, I think it will be 3rd in the division. And, 3rd in the division might be behind the WC teams in points. On paper, the Wild should finish 3rd in the division pretty handily.

Not worried about St Louis or Chicago, but Nashville has a veteran presence and a new leadership group and coaching that if it clicks will be a problem for the Wild come playoff finish. 

21 hours ago, bisopher said:

Couple of thoughts:

You forgot one key part of the "Fall Schedule", that I'd argue divides it into two distinct parts:  The Wild travel to Sweden in mid-November for games against the Senators and Leafs (coincidentally, games 16 and 17). That will be its own transition point, as we see how the team goes into and comes out of that travel experience. 

Otherwise, is the Wild's schedule that much different from any other team's?  They open the season on October 12, two days later than six teams and a day later than another 11(Chicago has a B2B the first two nights), and they end the season on April 18 with 11 other teams (so 20 teams finish before the Wild).  So, we start late and finish late.

A back to back in Sweden with 5 days off before and 4 days off after kind of scrunched up the Fall part of the schedule. This is kind of a breather half way through the Fall. A travel day over and a travel day back still gives the boys a bit of a break.

34 minutes ago, Sviginak said:

A back to back in Sweden with 5 days off before and 4 days off after kind of scrunched up the Fall part of the schedule. This is kind of a breather half way through the Fall. A travel day over and a travel day back still gives the boys a bit of a break.

It will be like having 2 bye weeks in a season. Teams usually only get 1.

44 minutes ago, vonlonster67 said:

Not worried about St Louis or Chicago, but Nashville has a veteran presence and a new leadership group and coaching that if it clicks will be a problem for the Wild come playoff finish. 

I'm really only worried about Dallas and Colorado in the division. I think Nashville will be a distant 4th. They'll be a good series between the 2 clubs, but they don't have the firepower to stay with the top 1/2 of the league. I also believe that being without Ekholm will cost them some. They had so much turnover of their stars, I see chemistry being a major factor early on in the season. Don't be surprised by a slow start. I also think their stellar D is more reputation at this point.

Creed Bratton er Dean Evason has to be more adaptable.

1 hour ago, Sviginak said:

A back to back in Sweden with 5 days off before and 4 days off after kind of scrunched up the Fall part of the schedule. This is kind of a breather half way through the Fall. A travel day over and a travel day back still gives the boys a bit of a break.

That's an excellent point and observation. This is not only a good rest break, but a homeland energy boost for the Swedes on our roster.

On 9/6/2023 at 8:42 AM, mnfaninnc said:

I'm really only worried about Dallas and Colorado in the division. I think Nashville will be a distant 4th. They'll be a good series between the 2 clubs, but they don't have the firepower to stay with the top 1/2 of the league. I also believe that being without Ekholm will cost them some. They had so much turnover of their stars, I see chemistry being a major factor early on in the season. Don't be surprised by a slow start. I also think their stellar D is more reputation at this point.

Besides O'Reilly, Forsberg and Nyquist, their entire front end is under 30. If they get some good play from their young guys they could be really dangerous knowing how steady their D and goaltending is. There is a lot of unknowns in that offense, which could work to their advantage.

On 9/5/2023 at 3:30 PM, vonlonster67 said:

Can DE be more creative, I believe that creativity is limited, but I'm willing to see what happens. It's not so much his creativity, its staying with it longer that 3-5 shifts. Usually, it's a result of injuries, so he's forced to make a move. it rarely seems to be play related as he always wants to stick with what has worked

Deano was the kid in school that NEVER colored outside the lines lol

16 hours ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Besides O'Reilly, Forsberg and Nyquist, their entire front end is under 30. If they get some good play from their young guys they could be really dangerous knowing how steady their D and goaltending is. There is a lot of unknowns in that offense, which could work to their advantage.

You're right, there are a lot of unknowns. But, they are having an organizational turnover where Trotz is taking over the GM duties. I anticipate that their identity will change and that they are in transition. I'm not so sure that David Poile drafted for a Trotz identity team. 

Losing Johansen and Duchene will be hard for them to replace. That's 2 players who had the capability of Fiala at putting up points. We saw how losing Fiala affected our offense, multiply that by 2. Forsberg had a down year mainly due to injury, so he'll pick up some slack. Betting on the young guys to do the rest doesn't always turn out like you hoped.

As for their defense, like I said above, I think it is more reputation at this point. They used to be stellar as a group. I don't see that same play anymore, there are cracks in the foundation. However, their goaltending probably will be even better with both Saros and Askarov in goal. 

I certainly like our prospects coming up, especially with the skill we have compared to theirs.