The Filip Gustavsson Situation Highlights Something About Calen Addison

Good article

There are some broad similarities between Addison and Dumba. Both are/were exciting offensive defensemen with problems early on with defensive lapses. As a result, their value and place on the team was called into question. 

Dumba fought (in some cases literally) to stick with the team, developed his defensive game, and became one half of the Wild's shutdown defensemen pair. Yes, Brodin is the 1a of the duo when it comes to disrupting the other teams, but Dumba carried his weight too.

Addison may not be able to grow enough to overcome the defensive lapses to become a regular contributor on this (or any) team. He definitely won't be able to if he isn't given a chance to learn and grow. As pointed out in the article, the next two years are house money when it comes to NHL experience for developing the Wild's prospects. Let them make mistakes and learn because the risk is minimal when we have basically no chance of contending.

I like Evason but I would suggest he keeps the prospects and young players on too tight of a leash, at least given the current circumstances of the team. Mike Yeo was guilty of that and I think that contributed to players like Niederreiter, Zucker (at least for his first few years), Coyle, and Granlund never making the move to fullblown leaders on the team. The dynamic with Suter and Parise was also a major factor, of course.

All that to say, give Addison a chance to screw up and learn. Worst case, he cements himself as a power play specialist and the Wild draft slightly higher next year.

"Longtime NHL coaches like Bruce Boudreau generally agree that it takes around 200 games to learn the position and execute as the complete package"

This is where, in my opinion, Deano needs to give a little more time and leeway. He seems to pull rookies out of the lineup as soon as they have a down game and it is not conducive to the development of that player. He will let a player like Greenway or Foligno be anemic for long stretches without consequence but our rookies are consistently under a microscope. Rossi played 21 games last year and was expected to produce immediately. Addison played 80 games and was expected to completely round out his game in that time. 

IMO, now(also last year) is the time to give our prospects time to develop. If we want to hit that window in stride, we need our rookies to be well versed in our system and ready to play at that faster pace when we go after the cup. Keeping them buried in the A or not giving them time to develop in the big show before sending them down is not going to work to our advantage the next couple years. I can see many of our prospects being sold for not much to go on to have good careers in other franchises because of the attitude towards them.

Stop backfilling with veteran on term contracts. Gaudreau(resigned), Foligno(maybe resigned this year), Zuccerello(next year), Maroon(this year), Reaves(last year), Delaurier(2 years ago), Johansson(last year), Nyquist(last year) and Klingberg(last year) were all opportunities to let our prospects grow. Defensively, we didn't have many people to step in, but 3rd and 4th line guys(offense), we have oodles of waiting for their shot in the A.

Chasing a cup right now does us no good in 2 years. I know Guerin and Leopold are hungry for a Stanley, but I hope this year they are looking at it pragmatically instead of the usual "we can get a cup with 15mil in cap hits". We will never get there this year, let's start developing so we have that opportunity when it makes sense.

So I'm all for giving Addy an opportunity and not bailing on him.

The one issue that I keep falling back on his who are you going to pair him with to protect his defensive lapses and on the job training. His best asset is the power play minutes and it is obvious we were not the PP1 without him when he did disappear from the lineup or got benched. I never saw a combo I liked after that.

So back to who? Spurgeon...NO! Middy...NO!...Faber...NOT! Brodin...ABSOLUTELY NOT!...Merrill...possibly...Goose...nothing long term. All I hear and see is liability...liability....liability on "D". 

I agree with Justin on obtaining value and it is obvious BG is on board after Addy had his lil fit last year or he would be gone already.

In regard to Gus on his rebound, it was right place right time. No one is going to win in Ottawa with their "D" core and I believe Talbot found that out as did Murray. I'm not complaining, I'm overjoyed for Gus' success, but we're not their yet 40 sum games in.

There's a chance this is all for not as I could see Addy going to IA and Hunt replacing him and our new PP Coach Jason King figuring out a PP solution. 

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The team is not winning a Stanley Cup with $14 million in dead cap space in the next two years. 

This is likely, but if the Wild could pull it off, it might be one of the greatest FUs to the league ever done. Wouldn't that be something! We should root for this just for the ability to show the league we're #1!

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 Klingberg replaced Addison as Minnesota’s power-play quarterback. Even after Kirill Kaprizov returned for the playoffs, Klingberg’s power plays were anemic compared to those Addison ran. 

It is pretty obvious that the 2 most important players on the Wild PP are JEE and Kaprizov. Without 1 of those guys, our PP struggled. I don't think it had anything to do with Klingberg, I think it had a lot to do with that PP being intact for a couple of games and there was still unfamiliarity with Klingberg and what his tendencies were. He seemed to be much more willing to shoot the puck than Addison was.

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NHL power plays require crisp passing and quick decisions, which Addison consistently delivers on time and accurately. Stickhandling and passing don’t typically decline with age. If Addison can execute a better power play than Klingberg, it’s probably because of his own talents rather than an issue with Klingberg’s. 

Honestly, my eye test in comparing the 2 point men did not show that much difference in the crisp passing. Addison got all of training camp and preseason to run this PP. I'm pretty sure that Dallas and Anaheim's PPs had different looks they tried to get. I was disappointed in Klingberg's play and believe he was a liability defensively. Yet, that liability was better than Addison who was "cover your eyes awful" in his own zone.

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 Addison has holes in his game, too, mostly his 5-on-5 defense. He struggles to play his game at times because it’s hard to generate offense when you can’t win back the puck. 

Here is where I think we get to the heart of the matter. If a defender doesn't have much interest in winning the puck back, or canceling out an offensive player with his body, or gets crushed behind plays where he needs a couple of seconds to regain his wits, that team often ends up skating slowly to the bench as the twine has poofed behind them. 

Addison has several holes in his game. 

1. Desire to actually defend
2. Short, which limits his reach
3. Finesse, which makes even middleweights dominate him physically
4. Light, which means he's like a pesky mosquito not a bulldog
5. Breaking out, which was the only similarity to Dumba's game
6. Lack of Understanding which explains his comments after the benching
7. Dedication to Getting Better which was purely on the defensive end and constantly pointed out by the coaching staff
8. Gym day, which should have made him stronger but he looks younger than Spurgeon.

I'm not expecting him to suddenly come into camp looking like Mids, but he's got to put the same kind of effort in that Goligoski and Spurgeon put in. Goligoski isn't particularly good on defense either, but he tries and he crashes into people and competes. Addison doesn't. And quite honestly, with the guys behind him, I think you get some film on him that's good and flip him, unless he has changed his attitude. 

Keep this in mind during the evaluation: Addison was demoted to 3rd pairing in the A before it was deemed he'd learned everything he needed to down there. We still don't know if this was performance related or if he was fighting and injury. But, if it were because of also a lack of interest in defending, then what use is he? It was very clear that in 2 games, Faber had jumped him on the depth chart. 

Now the puck is in Addison's corner. How did he spend his summer? It's been said he's working hard. Here's what I believe we should expect from him:

1. He did not skip leg day, he's got a lot more power
2. He doubled up on upper body day and gained 10 lbs. up there
3. He took power skating lessons from Andy Ness for a more powerful stride
4. He doubled up the skating lessons with edge work
5. He starts to initiate contact instead of being crushed shying away

I'm willing to give him the 200 games spoken of by BB, and I can forgive mistakes. What I cannot stomach is shying away from contact and a lack of effort. If I see those things again this year, get him some PP tape and sell, sell, sell.

I believe Addison will be given the opportunity to shine from the 3rd line as the top PP guy again this year. Whether he remains on the team after the trade deadline is up in the air, but I believe he will be a regular on PP1 through the trade deadline.

His defensive improvements will dictate how the Wild feel about Addison long term, but the development of guys behind him, like Hunt and Lambos, probably will play a role in whether the front office keeps him around or moves him for a nice return in the form of pick(s) or prospect(s).

I should have mentioned David Spacek in my comment above as well. He might be nearly as gifted as an offensive defenseman as Addison, with better size, and may bring better defensive instincts. His development could also be meaningful.

He tallied a lot of points in the QMJHL and U-20 championships last year. Likely will not join the Wild at any point of this season, but I imagine they'll keep an eye on his progress under the new Iowa coaching staff. David Spacek signed a 3 year, $2,625,000 contract with the Minnesota Wild on Mar. 6, 2023.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

This is likely, but if the Wild could pull it off, it might be one of the greatest FUs to the league ever done. Wouldn't that be something! We should root for this just for the ability to show the league we're #1!

Or it could lead to us not being in a good position when our shot is most likely and we watch our talent go elsewhere with a better shot at the cup. 

This endless optimism that somehow we can muddle through missing two A caliber players is a disillusion that hurts our chances in the future.

22 minutes ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Or it could lead to us not being in a good position when our shot is most likely and we watch our talent go elsewhere with a better shot at the cup. 

This endless optimism that somehow we can muddle through missing two A caliber players is a disillusion that hurts our chances in the future.

I''m kind of with you on this but at the same time we are not in any sort of tank mode either.  I don't think we should go out and give away high draft picks for rentals and I also don't think we should sign vets over giving rooks time.  

With that said, take a look at what Florida did.  If things are rollin' and the opportunity is there, you gotta go for it.

1 hour ago, Will D. Ness said:

I''m kind of with you on this but at the same time we are not in any sort of tank mode either.  I don't think we should go out and give away high draft picks for rentals and I also don't think we should sign vets over giving rooks time.  

With that said, take a look at what Florida did.  If things are rollin' and the opportunity is there, you gotta go for it.

Florida wasn't struggling with a 15mil cap hit.

Just so the record is clear, Talbot's failure in Ottawa is explained by his injuries after being traded there.

Out five to seven weeks with an upper-body injury that is believed to be a cracked rib.  Oct 4, 2022

Out 4 weeks with a lower-body injury Jan 24, 2023

Out three weeks with a lower-body injury. Mar 8, 2023

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

This is likely, but if the Wild could pull it off, it might be one of the greatest FUs to the league ever done. Wouldn't that be something! We should root for this just for the ability to show the league we're #1!

It is pretty obvious that the 2 most important players on the Wild PP are JEE and Kaprizov. Without 1 of those guys, our PP struggled. I don't think it had anything to do with Klingberg, I think it had a lot to do with that PP being intact for a couple of games and there was still unfamiliarity with Klingberg and what his tendencies were. He seemed to be much more willing to shoot the puck than Addison was.

Honestly, my eye test in comparing the 2 point men did not show that much difference in the crisp passing. Addison got all of training camp and preseason to run this PP. I'm pretty sure that Dallas and Anaheim's PPs had different looks they tried to get. I was disappointed in Klingberg's play and believe he was a liability defensively. Yet, that liability was better than Addison who was "cover your eyes awful" in his own zone.

Here is where I think we get to the heart of the matter. If a defender doesn't have much interest in winning the puck back, or canceling out an offensive player with his body, or gets crushed behind plays where he needs a couple of seconds to regain his wits, that team often ends up skating slowly to the bench as the twine has poofed behind them. 

Addison has several holes in his game. 

1. Desire to actually defend
2. Short, which limits his reach
3. Finesse, which makes even middleweights dominate him physically
4. Light, which means he's like a pesky mosquito not a bulldog
5. Breaking out, which was the only similarity to Dumba's game
6. Lack of Understanding which explains his comments after the benching
7. Dedication to Getting Better which was purely on the defensive end and constantly pointed out by the coaching staff
8. Gym day, which should have made him stronger but he looks younger than Spurgeon.

I'm not expecting him to suddenly come into camp looking like Mids, but he's got to put the same kind of effort in that Goligoski and Spurgeon put in. Goligoski isn't particularly good on defense either, but he tries and he crashes into people and competes. Addison doesn't. And quite honestly, with the guys behind him, I think you get some film on him that's good and flip him, unless he has changed his attitude. 

Keep this in mind during the evaluation: Addison was demoted to 3rd pairing in the A before it was deemed he'd learned everything he needed to down there. We still don't know if this was performance related or if he was fighting and injury. But, if it were because of also a lack of interest in defending, then what use is he? It was very clear that in 2 games, Faber had jumped him on the depth chart. 

Now the puck is in Addison's corner. How did he spend his summer? It's been said he's working hard. Here's what I believe we should expect from him:

1. He did not skip leg day, he's got a lot more power
2. He doubled up on upper body day and gained 10 lbs. up there
3. He took power skating lessons from Andy Ness for a more powerful stride
4. He doubled up the skating lessons with edge work
5. He starts to initiate contact instead of being crushed shying away

I'm willing to give him the 200 games spoken of by BB, and I can forgive mistakes. What I cannot stomach is shying away from contact and a lack of effort. If I see those things again this year, get him some PP tape and sell, sell, sell.

I thought Addison did better right before being passed over for Klingberg--who was terrible--than Dean gave him credit for.  He upped his Give-A-F*** factor, stayed back more and cleared the zone better.  He initiated hits more often (although they weren't much to look at, very Brodin like hitting).

But the bottom line is he never learned to play D and he's not going to learn at the NHL level.  I blame Billy for being one of those GM who goes after the offensive defenseman who--wait for it--can't play D because he's never had to. Hoping for the next PK, Brent or Eric.  You'd think he'd have learned something being around another one of them, Matt Dumba.

It too late for Addison--he needed to stay in the AHL to learn the game. He did not. Maybe that's where he should spend those 200 games. (Never happen).

But Billy wanted to say he got something out of the Zucker Trade, and Addison's it so to the NHL he went.

Or Carson Lambos...

18 hours ago, TheGoosesAreLooses said:

Or it could lead to us not being in a good position when our shot is most likely and we watch our talent go elsewhere with a better shot at the cup. 

This endless optimism that somehow we can muddle through missing two A caliber players is a disillusion that hurts our chances in the future.

I'm talking about a Stanley Cup. I'd think you'd take those any time you can get them.

15 hours ago, jabuyer said:

Just so the record is clear, Talbot's failure in Ottawa is explained by his injuries after being traded there.

Out five to seven weeks with an upper-body injury that is believed to be a cracked rib.  Oct 4, 2022

Out 4 weeks with a lower-body injury Jan 24, 2023

Out three weeks with a lower-body injury. Mar 8, 2023

I would think you'd have to dig deeper in this. Was it the injuries that derailed him, or was it the age that caused the injuries that derailed him? I would suggest he was much like that used car you get rid of just before a lot of problems start.

15 hours ago, jabuyer said:

I thought Addison did better right before being passed over for Klingberg--who was terrible--than Dean gave him credit for.  He upped his Give-A-F*** factor, stayed back more and cleared the zone better.  He initiated hits more often (although they weren't much to look at, very Brodin like hitting).

I saw him actually get in the way of 1 lightweight player near the end. Every other time there was contact with Addison, it seemed like he was getting thrown around like a rag doll. I'd have to disagree with the interested in defense thought. I think Addison pays attention to it for awhile and then, even with coaching reminders, let's it slip. 

1. He is poor at regaining possession of the puck
2. He has no bodychecking instincts whatsoever
3. He lacks compete level
4. He can't clear the front of the net
5. He also can't slip bodychecks very well and when he receives them he gets hammered
6. His gaps are very loose
7. He won't hustle back if he's stripped rushing the puck up
8. He won't hustle back if he's stripped on the PP either
9. Addison is an extremely weak player

Some say it was simply bad luck that the goalie's sv% was so low with him on the ice. I'd suggest there are very good reasons for that sv% being so low. At this point in his career, he looks more like a Ryan Murphy than a Jared Spurgeon. And, this is embarrassing, because he gets to watch Spurgeon every day! And then to be so out of touch with his situation, he says he just needs to keep doing what he's been doing to get back in the lineup. No! You need to do something different!

22 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I saw him actually get in the way of 1 lightweight player near the end. Every other time there was contact with Addison, it seemed like he was getting thrown around like a rag doll. I'd have to disagree with the interested in defense thought. I think Addison pays attention to it for awhile and then, even with coaching reminders, let's it slip. 

1. He is poor at regaining possession of the puck
2. He has no bodychecking instincts whatsoever
3. He lacks compete level
4. He can't clear the front of the net
5. He also can't slip bodychecks very well and when he receives them he gets hammered
6. His gaps are very loose
7. He won't hustle back if he's stripped rushing the puck up
8. He won't hustle back if he's stripped on the PP either
9. Addison is an extremely weak player

Spot on here about Addison’s weaknesses.

One thing that really soured me toward Addison was an answer from Spuregon when asked if he’s seeking out help and tips from other players. His answer was along the lines of “no not really, just kinda keeps to himself” Not exact quote obviously but it was in an Athletic article from last season. 
 

Dude you’re getting press boxed and say you want to get back in the lineup but are not putting in the grinding work to do it. Addison CONSTANTLY got out-leveraged along the walls and didn’t have the stick skills to win battles. He has the ultimate small defenseman to learn from, Spuregon is excellent at leveraging even the biggest forwards off the puck and using his stick skills to strip pucks. If I was Addison I’d be shadowing Spuregon, working with him after practice every day. Help if Addison spent some time in the squat rack this offseason too. 

On 8/5/2023 at 9:23 AM, mnfaninnc said:

I saw him actually get in the way of 1 lightweight player near the end. Every other time there was contact with Addison, it seemed like he was getting thrown around like a rag doll. I'd have to disagree with the interested in defense thought. I think Addison pays attention to it for awhile and then, even with coaching reminders, let's it slip. 

1. He is poor at regaining possession of the puck
2. He has no bodychecking instincts whatsoever
3. He lacks compete level
4. He can't clear the front of the net
5. He also can't slip bodychecks very well and when he receives them he gets hammered
6. His gaps are very loose
7. He won't hustle back if he's stripped rushing the puck up
8. He won't hustle back if he's stripped on the PP either
9. Addison is an extremely weak player

Some say it was simply bad luck that the goalie's sv% was so low with him on the ice. I'd suggest there are very good reasons for that sv% being so low. At this point in his career, he looks more like a Ryan Murphy than a Jared Spurgeon. And, this is embarrassing, because he gets to watch Spurgeon every day! And then to be so out of touch with his situation, he says he just needs to keep doing what he's been doing to get back in the lineup. No! You need to do something different!

I also do not recall Addison having any success at shot blocking. It is a skill but more importantly a mind set.

2 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Spot on here about Addison’s weaknesses.

One thing that really soured me toward Addison was an answer from Spuregon when asked if he’s seeking out help and tips from other players. His answer was along the lines of “no not really, just kinda keeps to himself” Not exact quote obviously but it was in an Athletic article from last season. 
 

Dude you’re getting press boxed and say you want to get back in the lineup but are not putting in the grinding work to do it. Addison CONSTANTLY got out-leveraged along the walls and didn’t have the stick skills to win battles. He has the ultimate small defenseman to learn from, Spuregon is excellent at leveraging even the biggest forwards off the puck and using his stick skills to strip pucks. If I was Addison I’d be shadowing Spuregon, working with him after practice every day. Help if Addison spent some time in the squat rack this offseason too. 

Addison always reminds me of a guy I played with when i was a kid (a very long time ago). He could skate, shoot and stick handle. Hide also always thought he was too pretty to check or block shots. He was a one trick pony out of choice.

6 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

I also do not recall Addison having any success at shot blocking. It is a skill but more importantly a mind set.

UNG you are right on with both assessments. I had not really even thought about it until you pointed it out.

Pretty boy gonna get BG dirty and put sum FU in his game!!!!!!!!!

8 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Spot on here about Addison’s weaknesses.

One thing that really soured me toward Addison was an answer from Spuregon when asked if he’s seeking out help and tips from other players. His answer was along the lines of “no not really, just kinda keeps to himself” Not exact quote obviously but it was in an Athletic article from last season. 
 

Dude you’re getting press boxed and say you want to get back in the lineup but are not putting in the grinding work to do it. Addison CONSTANTLY got out-leveraged along the walls and didn’t have the stick skills to win battles. He has the ultimate small defenseman to learn from, Spuregon is excellent at leveraging even the biggest forwards off the puck and using his stick skills to strip pucks. If I was Addison I’d be shadowing Spuregon, working with him after practice every day. Help if Addison spent some time in the squat rack this offseason too. 

Too bad he didn't have a little... lil man syndrome on the ice, but I'm thinking he's a fit for another team at this point, but we need to give him an opportunity to mature and right the ship!

On 8/4/2023 at 5:51 PM, jabuyer said:

I thought Addison did better right before being passed over for Klingberg--who was terrible--than Dean gave him credit for.  He upped his Give-A-F*** factor, stayed back more and cleared the zone better.  He initiated hits more often (although they weren't much to look at, very Brodin like hitting).

But the bottom line is he never learned to play D and he's not going to learn at the NHL level.  I blame Billy for being one of those GM who goes after the offensive defenseman who--wait for it--can't play D because he's never had to. Hoping for the next PK, Brent or Eric.  You'd think he'd have learned something being around another one of them, Matt Dumba.

It too late for Addison--he needed to stay in the AHL to learn the game. He did not. Maybe that's where he should spend those 200 games. (Never happen).

But Billy wanted to say he got something out of the Zucker Trade, and Addison's it so to the NHL he went.

Or Carson Lambos...

And maybe get one over on his old boss...but BG is pretty no nonsense. ..I'm guessing he liked his offense and wanted to give him a chance after seeing what Spurgeon has done here.

What a better mentor, so far Addy's gotta want it and take head of the perfect example he's sees every night in his Captain.

Lambos is a stud, he'll knock your head off!

On 8/4/2023 at 5:33 PM, jabuyer said:

Just so the record is clear, Talbot's failure in Ottawa is explained by his injuries after being traded there.

Out five to seven weeks with an upper-body injury that is believed to be a cracked rib.  Oct 4, 2022

Out 4 weeks with a lower-body injury Jan 24, 2023

Out three weeks with a lower-body injury. Mar 8, 2023

And their "D", he was hurt here a lot also.

You wouldn't think it, the guy is a monster in the weight room.

On 8/4/2023 at 2:11 PM, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I should have mentioned David Spacek in my comment above as well. He might be nearly as gifted as an offensive defenseman as Addison, with better size, and may bring better defensive instincts. His development could also be meaningful.

He tallied a lot of points in the QMJHL and U-20 championships last year. Likely will not join the Wild at any point of this season, but I imagine they'll keep an eye on his progress under the new Iowa coaching staff. David Spacek signed a 3 year, $2,625,000 contract with the Minnesota Wild on Mar. 6, 2023.

Huck, he's got NHL pedigree and he could turn out be another Wild 5th round diamond on "D".

I watched him last year in International play and he was playing with some big name competition with Sweden, Slovs, Finland, Canada and the USA.

Cant wait to see this kid at IA!

On 8/4/2023 at 12:07 PM, vonlonster67 said:

The one issue that I keep falling back on his who are you going to pair him with to protect his defensive lapses and on the job training. His best asset is the power play minutes and it is obvious we were not the PP1 without him when he did disappear from the lineup or got benched. I never saw a combo I liked after that.

So back to who? Spurgeon...NO! Middy...NO!...Faber...NOT! Brodin...ABSOLUTELY NOT!...Merrill...possibly...Goose...nothing long term. All I hear and see is liability...liability....liability on "D". 

I actually wrote about this several months ago -- I don't think you should pair Addison with a safety net, but with somebody who can help him create offense. I think Merrill was a rough fit with Addison and vice-versa. 

It's a tough nut to crack when Minnesota has so little roster flexibility. Maybe in coming years a guy like Daemon Hunt could form a puck-moving pair with Addison. 

On 8/8/2023 at 8:53 AM, Justin Hein said:

I actually wrote about this several months ago -- I don't think you should pair Addison with a safety net, but with somebody who can help him create offense. I think Merrill was a rough fit with Addison and vice-versa. 

It's a tough nut to crack when Minnesota has so little roster flexibility. Maybe in coming years a guy like Daemon Hunt could form a puck-moving pair with Addison. 

 

Good point Justin, we'll need to see the experiment pan out and see if DE can forgive his hard headed immaturity last year. Attitude is the one thing that will follow him like the plague, word will spread to other teams through players and diminish the Wild's return if they choose to move on.

I absolutely love Hunt's potential being a third round pick. I think we have us a good one who I believe we'll see this year in some capacity.