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  • The Wild Are Throwing Up the Matt Boldy Bat Signal Again


    Image courtesy of Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
    Luke Sims

     

    On Thursday night, the Minnesota Wild played without Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Foligno, Jonas Brodin, Filip Gustavsson, and Vinni Lettieri. Over half of the team's collective salary cap was unavailable to play. 

    The Wild have had horrible injury luck this year. They’ve lost captain Jared Spurgeon and Brodin, another elite defenseman, for long stretches, and  Zuccarello for a month. But Minnesota initially warded off their injury luck with the “new coach bump” after hiring John Hynes. 

    However, last weekend, the Winnipeg Jets dealt another blow to the battered Wild roster. The Wild lost Kaprizov, Lettieri, Foligno and starting goaltender Filip Gustavsson. Lettieri and Gus are on IR, and Minnesota is calling Kaprizov week to week with an upper-body injury. Foligno’s status is still uncertain. Injuries have already cost the Wild tremendously. With a tough stretch of games that includes contending teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes, the Wild must lean on their other superstar. 

    Matt Boldy.

    The Wild are in their darkest hour. The city and team are hurting, and Hynes must look to his young bucketed Bostonian to save the team in their time of need. As bench bosses past have done, the grizzled leaders cast the vaunted signal into the sky. The Boldy Bat signal is lighting up the sky again, and he must answer the call. 

    When Kaprizov suffered an injury against the Jets at the end of last season, Boldy stepped up in a big way. 

    Boldy before the Kaprizov injury: 

    • 64 games played 
    • 17 goals
    • 25 assists 
    • 42 points 
    • 0.66 P/G

    Boldy after the Kaprizov injury: 

    • 17 games played 
    • 14 goals 
    • 7 assists 
    • 21 points 
    • 1.24 P/G

    Boldy became an impact player when Minnesota needed him most. Stepping into the role Kaprizov vacated, Boldy became a driving force once the Wild acquired Marcus Johansson and put him on Boldy’s line. 

    During Kaprizov’s absence before the playoffs began, the Wild were 10th in the league in points with a 10-4-4 record. They solidified a playoff spot and locked up the third spot in the Central division with 103 points. 

    Once Kaprizov returned, the Wild offense largely failed to click in the playoffs, mustering only three goals over the final three games. Dallas came back from down 2-1 to close out the Wild in six games. Boldy only recorded three points and zero goals in those six games. Boldly has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 29 games this season and will have to turn it on again. 

    But can he? 

    Earlier this year, Boldy was injured and struggling. One of Hynes’ priorities upon arrival had to be to get Boldy going, and now Boldy has 13 points in 17 games since the coaching change. Healthy and confident, Boldy will be getting time on the top line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Johnasson until one of the Wild’s premier scorers returns to the lineup. 

    Eriksson Ek is a valuable two-way center with a great presence in front of the net and in transition. Johansson is a fast playmaker who can occasionally make a good play. Boldy has done more with less. 

    Boldy is seventh on the team in GF% at 60.37%, first in CF% at 53.74%, and fourth in xGF% at 56.1% at even strength. That means Boldy is the most offensively dominant player on the team in puck possession, and he’s scoring at a clip a little higher than expected. 

    Boldy’s GF/60 is also fourth on the team at 3.16, while his xGF/60 is slightly less but second on the team at 2.8. That suggests that Boldy is a dominant offensive force but is currently outproducing his expected metrics. Recently, he’s been relatively quiet offensively. While he’s playing well, his shooting percentage is only 9.29% since the Wild hired Hynes, 14th on the team. 

    Without Kaprizov and Zuccarrello in the lineup, opposing defenses will focus on Boldy to hamper Minnesota’s scoring. That was true when Kaprizov went out last year, and that did not seem to stop the Boston native from scoring goals like a madman (0.83 goals per game). 

    While there is room for Boldy to reach the next level, it will be more difficult this time. At the time of Kaprizov’s injury, the Wild were among the best teams in the Western Conference, competing with Dallas for the top spot in the Central. 

    The Wild still had a healthy Zuccarello and Foligno, a productive Johansson, Brodin, and Gustavsson. They also had a more offensively-inclined blueline with Matt Dumba, John Klingberg, and Calen Addison. With the pair of Gus and Fleury in the net, the Wild were still in a good position to offer depth contributions with Boldy leading the way. 

    But Boldy faces more pressure to perform this year. Spurgeon is not 100%; Brodin, Kaprizov, Gustavsson, Zuccarello, Lettieri, and Foligno are out. To recap, arguably the team's top defensemen, starting goaltender, top-six winger, and two key depth pieces are not at full strength or not playing.  

    However, there is a positive. The Wild have a youth insurgence, with Brock Faber and Marco Rossi stepping up to play critical roles. Rossi is a huge asset in the 2C spot and can contribute to the power play. Faber produces some defensive stability to *woof* this… 

    image.png

    Boldy stepped up in Kaprizov’s absence last year to carry the Wild into the playoffs. But the Wild are in an even dire situation this year, with more setbacks to overcome than the last time Boldy needed to be the hero. Can No. 12 come fully alive and carry the Wild through this plagued era? 

    Time to find out. 

    All stats and data via NHL.com, Evolving Hockey, and Hockey DB unless otherwise noted.

     

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    Boldy's got to get a little more selfish and start shooting more in volume. I wonder if replacing Johansson with Zuccarello will help? It wouldn't be immediate, but it sounds like Zuccarello is about ready to return.

    If Boldy were to get hot, that means that the rest of the team would have to play almost perfectly even in scoring and our PK would have to get really, really hot!

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    A quick look at the standings reveals that the Wild are losing ground to the pack. It's as if they are in the pits trying to fix an issue during a green flag. People say it's only a couple of weeks that we're without these guys, but in that couple of weeks, we may fall too far behind to catch up. We are closer to the also rans now, than we are to the elites in the division. We are 3 points behind the pack of midlings. We're far enough back to hear the sucking sound in the drain. 

    So, this is a serious question: If the Wild are out of it by February and sell, will the crowds still come to watch the younglings? Poor crowds definitely get OCL's attention.

    By the end of 2 weeks, we could be looking at drafting 4th!

    Edited by mnfaninnc
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    44 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    Boldy's got to get a little more selfish and start shooting more in volume. I wonder if replacing Johansson with Zuccarello will help? It wouldn't be immediate, but it sounds like Zuccarello is about ready to return.

    If Boldy were to get hot, that means that the rest of the team would have to play almost perfectly even in scoring and our PK would have to get really, really hot!

    The Russo/Smith article mentioned that Boldy 'spent a long time in the trainers room' after the Lightening game...like everyone else, sounds like Boldy needs to get healthy first.

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    1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

    If the Wild are out of it by February and sell, will the crowds still come to watch the younglings?

    Who could the wild sell? Maroon, Dewar, Duhaime?  With all the contract clauses we really don't have a lot to offer other teams.

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    48 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

    I think Boldy has a bum shoulder. He is just playing like a guy trying not to get hurt worse.

    Boldy looked great during the first two periods of the Calgary game, and then in the third he looked not-engaged, and he looked that way the entire Tampa game.  If he is hurt, shut him down so when everyone is healthy, and ready to play at 100%.  

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    2 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

    I think Boldy has a bum shoulder. He is just playing like a guy trying not to get hurt worse.

    I sure hope this doesn't turn into the Rask syndrome!

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    1 hour ago, viper3119 said:

    Who could the wild sell? Maroon, Dewar, Duhaime?  With all the contract clauses we really don't have a lot to offer other teams.

    There will probably be 6 teams to sell to 26 (and If I'm Ottawa, I'm not selling much). 

    Don't worry about the designations. They can be worked around. The compensation might not be that much, but the benefit is opportunity.

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    12 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    There will probably be 6 teams to sell to 26 (and If I'm Ottawa, I'm not selling much). 

    Don't worry about the designations. They can be worked around. The compensation might not be that much, but the benefit is opportunity.

    Opportunity for what?

    Tell me which of the Baby Wild we've seen in the past couple of weeks looks like they want to stay skating with the big club?

    As old as they are, the past couple of games Maroon and Bogosian have both been more noticeable and impactful than any of the callups.

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    3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    So, this is a serious question: If the Wild are out of it by February and sell, will the crowds still come to watch the younglings? Poor crowds definitely get OCL's attention.

    By the end of 2 weeks, we could be looking at drafting 4th!

    Has this team ever failed to sell out season tickets? Or played in front of a half empty Xcel Center? Not that I'm aware of. Minnesota fans don't dare stop going to games they still have PTSD from when the North Stars left. Leipold knows this. 

    The worse thing Leipold needs to worry about is hearing some boos from the crowd but they will still come and still spend their money. 

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    1 hour ago, MacGyver said:

    Has this team ever failed to sell out season tickets? Or played in front of a half empty Xcel Center? Not that I'm aware of. Minnesota fans don't dare stop going to games they still have PTSD from when the North Stars left. Leipold knows this. 

    The worse thing Leipold needs to worry about is hearing some boos from the crowd but they will still come and still spend their money. 

    I usually go to 4-5 games a year. I've been to one this year and likely won't go to another one. Not because they're having a down year, but, because it costs me $400.00  a shot (I go with a nephew and will usually buy his ticket). For me, they've priced themselves out. I like going to games but at that price point, I'll watch them on Bally's. 

    The crowds are getting out of hand and I really don't like the surroundings going to and from parking areas. Just don't feel safe.

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    Just so much winning with Billy! After 5 years I think the shine has worn off . He took a young hungry, hard working fringe playoff team that was fun to watch and turned them into old , slow, entitled, complacent team of friends an 30 yr old ahlers. 
        Billy  ruined this season when he did those stupid extensions. Now who do you sell that has any value?   No one. Injures have not been this teams problem. Lazy players with no character who didn’t show up for first 20 games are the problem. Bad gm , bad coaching an a majority of the team that can’t play nhl hockey . Then sprinkle in Billy’s culture change of entitlement and complacency. You have unwatchable hockey. 
        I’m not paying to go watch 35 yr old 10 th round draft pick Sammy walker. (Sarcasm). They  always talk these guys up with there hopes and dreams bs . Then when you see them play it’s obvious why there ahlers.. just because you score a few ahl goals doesn’t mean  sh_t in nhl . Petan is another example. 
       This year has been unwatchable hockey on ice for majority of season. The players don’t care . Management  has been more consumed with berating staff members than holding players accountable or fixing anything. It’s not worth paying to go to game and it’s terrible watching a game when all walz does is talk about how he knows everything about nothing. You can’t even turn volume down and listen to radio because time delay. Everything about the wild is a dumpster fire.  
       I’ve watched this team from. Day one and I can’t stand them anymore.. Everything about this organization is half ass . Just like the way the players approach the game. Billy needs to go 

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    The biggest fail by Billy this year is wasting another prime year of kappy. In 5 years he’s done nothing to help kappy only use him to grift off of. He runs around media telling them how successful he is. Billy is nothing without kappy. He’s not a good gm and has done nothing. 

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    5 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

    I usually go to 4-5 games a year. I've been to one this year and likely won't go to another one. Not because they're having a down year, but, because it costs me $400.00  a shot (I go with a nephew and will usually buy his ticket). For me, they've priced themselves out. I like going to games but at that price point, I'll watch them on Bally's. 

    The crowds are getting out of hand and I really don't like the surroundings going to and from parking areas. Just don't feel safe.

    Oh ffs.

    You can buy tickets to Monday's game for $50 on Ticketmaster right now.   As for safety, give me a break, downtown St Paul is fine. 

    Crowds sure, assholes are everywhere.  Out of hand?  Nah.  I have not seen a fight or anything other than drunk folks yelling at each other.  That was only one game, and that was when a drunk asshole was screaming racist shit about Dumba last year.

     

     

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    10 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    A quick look at the standings reveals that the Wild are losing ground to the pack. It's as if they are in the pits trying to fix an issue during a green flag. People say it's only a couple of weeks that we're without these guys, but in that couple of weeks, we may fall too far behind to catch up. We are closer to the also rans now, than we are to the elites in the division. We are 3 points behind the pack of midlings. We're far enough back to hear the sucking sound in the drain. 

    So, this is a serious question: If the Wild are out of it by February and sell, will the crowds still come to watch the younglings? Poor crowds definitely get OCL's attention.

    By the end of 2 weeks, we could be looking at drafting 4th!

    I certainly hope we just tank this year. Chuck can’t do anything about the team being devastated with injuries.

    this isn’t a competitive playoff hockey team even with everyone healthy.

    this coming draft seems to have some very talented players in it.

    id love macklin C but there are a lot of big defenders which is something every team needs.

    Artyom Levshunov, D

    Sam Dickinson, D

    Anton Silayev, D

    Carter Yakemchuk, D

    Zeev Buium, D,
     

    all these guys are 6’2 or bigger besides Zeev Buium who is 6ft but has 25pts as a freshman for Denver in 18 games.

    We all know this team needs size on the back end.

     


     

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    20 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

    Tell me which of the Baby Wild we've seen in the past couple of weeks looks like they want to stay skating with the big club?

    I would only suggest Hunt. He's still a bit raw, but someone I'd like to see more of. As for the others, I'd like an extended look at Walker, and I'd like a look at Beckman and Lambos. While it may be a long shot, Bankier might be an interesting look too. Thinking of the college ranks, Peart probably joins the organization after this year, a disappointing college one for him. I'd probably want Stramel in college 1 more year, but if he wants to play in the A for a year, I'm ok with that. 

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    Can No. 12 come fully alive and carry the Wild through this plagued era? 

    A helluva good start last night against CBJ. We have a ways to go to think about playoffs, but that is where we are. With 5 AHL guys in the lineup, none of whom are in our long term plans IMO, it is time to watch the games without big expectations and see how it goes. The young guns that are regulars (7, 12, 23) are in our long term plans and are starting to show up big time. 

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    On 1/5/2024 at 9:41 PM, Ivan said:

    Oh ffs.

    You can buy tickets to Monday's game for $50 on Ticketmaster right now.   As for safety, give me a break, downtown St Paul is fine. 

    Crowds sure, assholes are everywhere.  Out of hand?  Nah.  I have not seen a fight or anything other than drunk folks yelling at each other.  That was only one game, and that was when a drunk asshole was screaming racist shit about Dumba last year.

     

     

     

    Well Ivan, I don't want to pay $50 to sit behind a pillar in the nose bleed section. 

    There's a good police presence but there are homeless people all over arguing and fighting with each other and in case you haven't been paying attention the violent crime in the Cities has skyrocketed since the 'abolish the police' efforts.

    The last game I was at I missed 1/2 the game letting the drunks in and out of the their seats for whatever in the hell they were doing. They had no interest in the game just shouting and acting stupid. They didn't reign that in and I'm not paying that kind of cash for that experience.

     

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