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

    2 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    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.

    🍻 thanks for checking on that

    argh - maybe we need a coup to get billy out before he does anything else? but how much more harm can he do? although - i wonder if midds is pushing term and price and grit on billy and that is the other zinger that will land upon us soon - 5X5 for midds.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    "While he’s effective in his role, $3.5M is a lot of money to spend for a Trenin-type player for a Wild team that had the 21st-ranked offense last season. With only $6.25M in projected cap space entering the day, this is likely their lone big-name free-agent acquisition."

    Guerin's off-season progress report is trending in wrong direction.  Sounds like Trenzy is a legit bottom six rough neck, but an expensive one.  Another Guerin unforced error??

    This was the big $ spend this offseason assuming Guerin hasn't found a sucker to offload some of the apathetic old core.

    Looks like Lauko and Trenzy are going to fill the skates of Mario Bros (letteri and Jake String bikini)

    #dontbedumbbill

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I'm going to predict that Mids gets dealt this offseason given the teams immediate offensive need for a middle six wing and the drafting of Z Bubble who arrives in couple years.  Hunt?  Lambos? Orourke?  Anyone?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The part that im confused about is the $$$ we have available to spend next year is where do you spend it if  a couple guys contracts end and are replaced by ELC guys  Faber gets some and i suppose Kaprizov the following year  just bank the rest unless you trade off a guy or 2  .

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    His long stick”

    We gotta come up with a new way of saying that… maybe long reach.

    P.s. How do I unhighlight my typing after I copy paste?

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The Athletic reported that Guerin had apparently indicated that adding players who can help the team rediscover a hard-nosed, defensive-minded identity would be more of a priority this offseason than adding a second-line winger. 

    Yakov Trenin, signed 4x$3.5M by MIN, is a defensive winger and penalty killer who forechecks and hits. Also played for their head coach previously. Supposedly has some skill with the puck although nobody scored on any of his passes last year.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    They are definitely trying to raise the floor first.  Defensive help looks to be the focus, rather than offensive flair.  If they still have openings for Heidt and Ohgren, it's possible they are hedging their bets they are going to fix that internally, while focusing on that shitty PK first.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    are we going to set the record for the least goals scored ever? i mean we only have ONE line. what if there are injuries? we have no depth! how many games will we go scoreless? we have MJ, Freddy, This trenin guy, Harty, Old man zuccy, two rookies, Foligno and then line 1. did i forget anyone? i wasn't this excited for season to begin since days mieteninen joined our top line. 😢

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Trenin is good at what he does… strong on the PK, throwing checks, chips in with good scoring for a 4th liner… can do shifts on the 3rd line. He’s a good pickup, and he’s definitely filling a hole in the lineup. 4 years at $3.5m seems excessive, especially with secondary scoring the top need. He is Russian, and Kap has often stated how much he enjoys playing with other Russians. This move really suggests that Guerin is looking at the trade market for scoring.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, Citizen Strife said:

    This is barring any Laine trade or some such. 

    I'd say that the Trenin signing probably takes out a Laine trade.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    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).

    Perhaps it was the WJC teams?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I like Lauko and Trenin additions. With the cap going up, so are player's salaries. Edmundson got $3.8m, Cole got $3.1m. Duhaime cashed in with $1.9m. 

    Middleton at 4 X $4m is coming in pretty much at market value, though, I think if you wait a year, Edmundson's deal will be the comparable. I do think Shooter's mentality is trying to get ahead of cap increases using today's value. 

    I believe players get a clean slate with Heinzy this training camp, and we could see some surprises. If we have guys like Milne or Bankier able to beat out Freddy or Johansson, I think we could see them on waivers, or traded to someone who wants them. 

    When we had the GREEF line going, we also had a large 4th line too. I think this is the way Shooter wants to retool this year, add size and strength in the bottom 6. Plus with that size and strength comes more tenacity with the smaller guys. They've got their big brother covering their back. 

    It looks like top 6 positions may be won by draft picks. If I'm penciling in right now, I'm seeing a Hartman-Rossi-Zuccarello 2nd line. I'd be very concerned if I were Johansson or Gaudreau, probably more specifically Johansson. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

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

    No doubt we got bit by the injury bug last year and it really affected us.  We had players missing games all over the place with our biggest loss being Spurgeon.  Although I am pretty sure Kirill started the year below 100%.  If Spurgeon and the rest are fully recovered we are a bubble team.  If we start with a bunch of players that are below 100% we will quickly be out of the conversation.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    17 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    Perhaps it was the WJC teams?

    Ding Ding Ding! Get this man a prize!

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1651/russia-u20/2016-2017?tab=stats

    He also played for Heinie when he was coach of the Predators.

    I know little of the player, but after defending the contracts of Mojo ($2M), FreddyG ($2.1M) and Bogo ($1.2M) and also being on the fence about everyone else making $4M (Moose/Hartzy/Zucc) it seems odd that I'm suppose to get excited about a 'solid 3rd line player' getting 4x$3.5M here.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    26 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    I'd say that the Trenin signing probably takes out a Laine trade.

    Unless Spurgeon goes out, I would agree, but I imagine Columbus is on the no-trade list for him, so I'm not holding out hope for Laine.

    Starting July 1, 2024: Player submits a 10 team no trade list. I'm sure every player could have a different list, but one might imagine Columbus to be on a lot of those 10 team lists that players submit.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, Sam said:

    His long stick”

    We gotta come up with a new way of saying that… maybe long reach.

    P.s. How do I unhighlight my typing after I copy paste?

    The cost of copyright infringement.

    (I honestly don't know, but I also now can't get your comment out of my head and "long reach" will be used in every situation now)

    • Like 1
    • Haha 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    14 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

    Ding Ding Ding! Get this man a prize!

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1651/russia-u20/2016-2017?tab=stats

    He also played for Heinie when he was coach of the Predators.

    I know little of the player, but after defending the contracts of Mojo ($2M), FreddyG ($2.1M) and Bogo ($1.2M) and also being on the fence about everyone else making $4M (Moose/Hartzy/Zucc) it seems odd that I'm suppose to get excited about a 'solid 3rd line player' getting 4x$3.5M here.

     

    wow just wow 

    can we get Kap's grandma a job too? 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

    Hartman > Zuccarello > Foligno

    Okay, it's really bugging me how much I'm agreeing with you! Stahp making sense!! It confuses me when I see rational comments.

    In all seriousness now...I think these 3 and Frauddie can provide value. They're overpaid, but they can provide value. I'm excited for the youngins and optimistic they'll knock these vets down to the 3rd/4th anyway.

    • Haha 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

    Supposedly has some skill with the puck although nobody scored on any of his passes last year.

    Based on the little bit i've read so far this guy better come in and be hitting everything but the brakes.  Not expecting any offense and that's ok if he knows his role and is a punishing forechecker.  If this guy is Duhaime 2.0 it's another Guerin misuse of assets.  Not saying that yet, but Tenin is giving me Foligno vibes.  We don't need another player to punish the end board glass.

    #dontbedumbbill

    • Like 1
    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...