Jump to content
Hockey Wilderness
  • The Wild's Extended Veterans Must Buy Into New Roles


    Image courtesy of David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports
    Justin Wiggins

    When general manager Bill Guerin decided to extend a few key veterans last season with one year remaining on their contracts, many people who follow the Wild met the decision with angst. Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Hartman, and Marcus Foligno received their contract extensions before the start of the preseason, a full year before they were set to hit the market.

    The fan base was uneasy. Ten months later, that unease turned into concern, and concern was warranted. Injuries hampered Foligno throughout much of his age-32 season, and Hartman and Zuccarello no longer thrived when they weren't on Kirill Kaprizov's line. Instead, John Hynes delegated them down the lineup in less impactful roles.

    How damaging will those trigger-happy deals become? At the time and in hindsight, it looks like the Minnesota Wild were unwise to execute those deals so quickly. However, there’s no putting the toothpaste back in the tube. The player and team have signed on the dotted line. Still, that doesn’t mean each player can’t return to form and bring value.

    Marcus Foligno

    Let’s start with the man they dub “Moose.” Foligno’s contract extension wasn’t necessarily a surprise. He’s a true heart-and-soul leader of the club, as shown by the ‘A’ on his sweater. Teams around the league covet his physical playstyle at his size, and his two-way abilities enable him to make an impact across every square foot of the 200-foot sheet of ice.

    But kicking in an extension for four years at a $4 million AAV beginning with his age-33 season? That was a concern last fall and was only exasperated by a second straight season failing to reach 66 games played due to injury. Foligno has only played over 60 games twice in the last five seasons.

    What must Foligno do to create value equal to his contract extension? He must manage his body through a season to be at his best in the playoffs. Expecting a player of his age who brings the physical presence he does to remain healthy for an entire season is unattainable. However, that style of play is crucial under the bright lights of the playoffs.

    For the Wild to see value in his extension, they need Foligno to monitor his workload through the regular season to ensure he makes an impact in the playoffs. It’s as simple as that.

    Ryan Hartman

    I may have been cheating there with Foligno. He isn’t necessarily changing his role, just his workload. But Hartman, who will likely play on a line with Foligno, may need to change his role for the upcoming season.

    The days of Hartman centering Minnesota's top wingers are likely over. The Wild have entrenched Kaprizov and Matt Boldy into the top six. With the arrivals of prospects Danila Yurov, Riley Heidt, and Liam Ohgren, Minnesota will likely lock Hartman into a bottom-six role until his three-year, $12 million extension ends in 2026-27.

    It's a role that began last year. However, Hartman struggled at times, leading to the depth of their lineup having problems contributing. The Wild rewarded Hartman with an extension after his work as a top center on a bargain deal. But starting this season, he’ll have to prove his game is more versatile than that of a scorer.

    The 2013 first-round pick must adjust to life as a full-time checking forward. It’s a familiar role for him, though. Hartman's previous teams had stuck him lower in the lineup before he found a home in Minnesota. However, it’s time to fully embrace a role that could likely extend his career beyond his contract expires in 2027.

    Hartman has the chance to be a perfect third-line driver for a team that prioritizes defense and forechecking. However, his inconsistency can be a problem. It is sometimes difficult to tell if he wants to be that player or the one he was in his first few years in Minnesota when his offensive upside befitted from playing with Kaprizov and Zuccarello. For Hartman, he must commit himself to being a checking forward.

    Why? Because while the Wild appear to have written their top two lines in permanent marker when their top-six is healthy, John Hynes will likely pair Hartman with many different teammates on the third line. We’ve already touched on Foligno’s injury history and the likelihood that he will miss significant parts of the regular season. Beyond that, Hartman’s linemates will primarily be an ever-changing mix of young prospects and veterans who the Wild move around the lineup in an effort to find a spot for them (looking at you, Freddy Gaudreau.)

    It will be important for Hartman to lead by example and become the tone-setter on a line that the Wild will rely upon to handle difficult matchups every night. Hartman will still find his opportunities to play up in the lineup and return to a scoring role when injuries inevitably hit the top six forwards. However, when the lineup is at its best, Hartman must adjust to being fully committed to excelling in his new role as the de facto leader of their high-energy checking line.

    Mats Zuccarello

    Perhaps no proposed role change outlined here will be as difficult or crucial as Zuccarello's. The Norwegian forward has thrived alongside his Kaprizov, mentoring him since the Russian arrived in the State of Hockey. Zuccarello's production peaked at a career-high 79 and 67 points, respectively, in his age 34 and 35 seasons alongside the Russian star.

    But Zuccarello's age started to show last year. His five-on-five production plummeted, and the Wild demoted him to the second line. As more prospects graduate to the pros, his time on the top power play will also come to an end. Starting this year, it’s probably time for Zuccarello to contribute in an area he hasn’t in quite some time.

    While Zuccarello’s value at even strength and on the powerplay diminishes with age, he has the skill set to bring value to one of the biggest weaknesses the Wild have had for a few years now: the penalty kill.

    I know it seems odd that the answer to the Wild’s penalty-killing woes could potentially be a player who hasn’t seen more than 80 minutes in such a role since 2017-18. Still, Zuccarello has always had the ability to be an effective penalty killer; it’s just that his offense has always been his best value to his team.

    Now that age and internal competition have relegated him to less impact on the offensive side of the puck, Zuccarello can turn his attention to helping fix the Wild’s ever-struggling penalty kill. His long stick and high IQ should allow him to thrive in such a role. It’s up to the coaching staff and Zuccarello himself to realize such a role could help him remain a key piece for Minnesota throughout the remainder of his extension.

    There’s really no debating anymore, Guerin handed extensions to Foligno, Hartman, and Zuccarello too hastily. It was clear last season that waiting on those extensions was probably the smarter move. Still, each player needs to realize that while their extensions were a reward for past performance, it’s up to them to embrace their new roles to maximize them moving forward.

    Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.

    • Thanks 2

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Featured Comments

    I defended the extensions at the time, with the argument of they may still produce and the youngsters weren't ready yet. I will admit I am wrong on these. While the youngsters may not be ready I did not expect the drop off like they had.  My biggest concern is no Zuc. Hartman and Moose can still bring some grit and weight to their game.

    Towards the end of the year I thought Hartman was settling into the role a bit more, playing on the edge of in and out of control. This is where he thrives and can make an impact. Moose can still throw em, punish some bodies in corners and grind away at teams. My hope is they can still do this for a year or 2. Help mentor younger guys on playing with an edge to their game and frankly being tough s.o.b's. 

    Zuc now, doesn't bring a physical factor. He's been a good play maker but without Kap his numbers disappeared. Rask even had numbers when playing with Kap. His contract may end up aging the worst of these 3, because what else can he bring to the table. Maybe him with Marat could be something? Speed and skill pairing with a 3rd tbd? Ohgren? Rossi? Just gut feeling his game will disappear the most over the upcoming years.

    • Like 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    All three can provide value despite criticisms of their play: Hartman > Zuccarello > Foligno personally.

    Hartman is capable of anything on this team.  He's proven he's valuable on any line, any scenario, and is pretty much a perfect fill in for any injury issues a top 2 line could have.  He scored just as much as Rossi did last year, so he still has scoring punch in limited roles.  I think he'll be just fine doing whatever he's asked to do.

    Zuccarello's 5on5 concerns are definitely there, but he still put up 60 points last year.  He kills in on the power play.  Any issues he has slowing down are mitigated in that area, since he's not asked to move around much.  The Wild were smart to get him away from Kaprizov and their pass happy BS.  If he stays a power play machine, you can't tell me a 2 year deal at a reduced cost from before isn't still worth some value.

    Foligno's injuries worry me more than anything.  He and Rossi were very good early on at depth defense and scoring.  They were lugging Gaudreau around and (as we came to find out) pretty much did all the work.  If he can stay healthy, he's a viable third liner who can pull off a shutdown role.  Having him with Khustnutdinov and Ohgren doesn't sound like the worst idea.  Even having Hartman or Zuccarello down on third wouldn't be a terrible scenario.  That means whoever they sign in free agency and Heidt are doing their jobs better than expected.

    Hartman's better than he's given credit for, Zuccarello still has his uses, and Foligno has to stay healthy.  He's on glass cannon watch, kinda like Spurgeon.

    • Like 5
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    pred get stamkos. hearing potentiall marchy. crazy. wild are close to signing midds. fuck. preds will remain a playoff team. avs, stars, jets, preds.

    great job strategizing and executing thus far - billy. might as well bring back goli and cullen. 

    • Like 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    25 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

    pred get stamkos. hearing potentiall marchy. crazy. wild are close to signing midds. fuck. preds will remain a playoff team. avs, stars, jets, preds.

    yeah big additions for the Preds for sure. Old but good.

    They'll be tough to beat again next year. 

    Edited by B1GKappa97
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 minute ago, B1GKappa97 said:

    yeah big additions for the Preds for sure. Old but good.

    They'll be tough to beat again next year. 

    yeah add to that blues that seem to be still be relevant and hawks with their latest signings. i am thinking we may have a chance at no.1 next year! 

     

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

    yeah add to that blues that seem to be still be relevant and hawks with their latest signings. i am thinking we may have a chance at no.1 next year! 

     

    xD I don't think we'll be that bad. Probably just a wildcard team though. I don't think we will close the gap against the Avs, Preds or Jets this offseason. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Just now, B1GKappa97 said:

    xD I don't think we'll be that bad. Probably just a wildcard team though. I don't think we will close the gap against the Avs, Preds or Jets this offseason. 

    stars will still be top 3 though. no chance we are in playoffs next year unless billy pulls something magical 

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Just now, OldDutchChip said:

    stars will still be top 3 though. no chance we are in playoffs next year unless billy pulls something magical 

    Naw, there's definitely still a good chance. They can't start as bad as they did last year though and we'll need Gus to bounce back and Wallstedt to be a clear upgrade on MAF. Which, statistically, isn't a high bar. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Overpaying bottom 6 guys again. Yeah we’re not making playoffs. Especially with division rivals getting better while Billy is adding to his collection of misfits.. good bye kappy 

    • Like 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Just now, B1GKappa97 said:

    Naw, there's definitely still a good chance. They can't start as bad as they did last year though and we'll need Gus to bounce back and Wallstedt to be a clear upgrade on MAF. Which, statistically, isn't a high bar. 

    there is higher chance of us signing suter and parise back then us sneaking into the playoffs. oh i actually want suter and parise back now! and cullen too. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Looks to me like Billy is doubling down on Jo Jo in top 6. God forbid Billy thinking outside the box and doing something smart. He just keeps pounding that square peg into a round hole.  

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 minutes ago, Dean said:

    Overpaying bottom 6 guys again. Yeah we’re not making playoffs. Especially with division rivals getting better while Billy is adding to his collection of misfits.. good bye kappy 

    😢 yes indeed

    and i just realized that coyotes are now a team in utah and got that pesky sergy too

    oh wow - i am no longer jokingly say - wild will be the last team in central next year

    if that is not a reason to just give up, trade Kap, and play all younglings we have, then i don't know what is. maybe trade Ek too. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    6 minutes ago, Dean said:

    Overpaying bottom 6 guys again. Yeah we’re not making playoffs. Especially with division rivals getting better while Billy is adding to his collection of misfits.. good bye kappy 

    Should help out with the PK. FA, if you want him you gotta get him. I don't mind it to much, I mean it's not like they had the money to make a big splash.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

    No...we got https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5608216/2024/07/01/wild-yakov-trenin-signing/

    Yakov Trenin for 4 years x $3.5AAV....Billy must ahve been reading these forums and wanted to make the sub $2M contracts we bitch about (FreddyG, MoJo, Bogo, etc) look great values...

    Yeah that's a weird move, unless he's about to move off of Freddy and/or Johansson.. or possibly not sign Middsy?

    As a bottom-6 C I like it. He'll take some pressure off Foligno from having to skate around being an enforcer too. Seems like an overpay in AAV though, unfortunately.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Trying to spitball here.

    Kap/EEK/Boldy (won't change, shouldn't change)

    Hartman or Heidt/Rossi/Zuccarello (at least for a while)

    Ohgren/Trenin/Hartman or Foligno

    Mojo/Khusnutdinov/Gaudreau

     

    My guess is they got Trenin to beef up a WOEFUL PK and have insurance if Foligno isn't quite healthy.  Ohgren and Khusnutdinov should be viable for 3rd/4th line spots, and Heidt might be that 2nd line scorer they are banking on out of camp.

    I'm not saying it is splashy.  It's probably a very terrible contract, but he fills a need they desperately need filled, and still have openings for the main younger guys available to hit that 2nd line.  This is barring any Laine trade or some such.  Would prefer it if they don't though.  Flashy names don't account for much if they never play healthy.

     

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    9 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

    Trying to spitball here.

    Kap/EEK/Boldy (won't change, shouldn't change)

    Hartman or Heidt/Rossi/Zuccarello (at least for a while)

    Ohgren/Trenin/Hartman or Foligno

    Mojo/Khusnutdinov/Gaudreau

     

    My guess is they got Trenin to beef up a WOEFUL PK and have insurance if Foligno isn't quite healthy.  Ohgren and Khusnutdinov should be viable for 3rd/4th line spots, and Heidt might be that 2nd line scorer they are banking on out of camp.

    I'm not saying it is splashy.  It's probably a very terrible contract, but he fills a need they desperately need filled, and still have openings for the main younger guys available to hit that 2nd line.  This is barring any Laine trade or some such.  Would prefer it if they don't though.  Flashy names don't account for much if they never play healthy.

     

    maybe trenin is a childhood friend of Kap? that is the only thing that could explain this stupidity. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    10 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

    maybe trenin is a childhood friend of Kap? that is the only thing that could explain this stupidity.

    This signing made such little sense to use up a significant portion of the Wild's cap space, I actually tried to investigate this a bit.

    Doesn't look like they played together on any pro teams(MHL or KHL), but possible they had become friends in earlier years since they are the same age(roughly 3 months apart).

    The towns they were born in are far apart(24+ hour drive), but no idea where they spent a majority of their youth. Interestingly, Trenin(#55 overall) was selected 80 picks ahead of Kaprizov in the 2015 draft.

    I thought the Wild were looking for a 2nd line guy, but looks like they've landed a 4th line guy.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...