Will the Wild Have To Consider Long-Term Injured Reserve With Jared Spurgeon?

Re: last nights game, I thought the team looked very good and played and aggressive and effective game.

Re: Foligno, this is not my standard Foligno hate.  I think at his age he's lost a full step (speed) making him no longer effective at the "tough to play against" game.  He's still a big strong guy who's good at puck battles along to boards but that's about it any more.  His core surgery may be part of the problem.  It's become more pity than hate for Foligno for this fan

Re: Trenin, this guy looks like the kid who is a good athlete but started hockey in 6th grade (much later than the others).  Did Guerin watch any game film on this guy before extending a contract.

13 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Re: Trenin, this guy looks like the kid who is a good athlete but started hockey in 6th grade (much later than the others).  Did Guerin watch any game film on this guy before extending a contract.

Don't much remember his time on the Aves but if I recall he gave the Wild fits on the forecheck when he was on the Preds. 

He's been effective at getting pucks out of the d-zone and has made some slick passes after winning battles along the walls in the o-zone.

Honestly if he was separated from Foglino and paired with a more speedy winger I think he would look quite a bit better. Too often Foglino goes for a knockout punch taking himself completely out of the play when they are both battling below the goal line leading to quick outs and both of them not being fleet of foot it causes them to chase. 

52 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Re: Foligno, this is not my standard Foligno hate.  I think at his age he's lost a full step (speed) making him no longer effective at the "tough to play against" game.  He's still a big strong guy who's good at puck battles along to boards but that's about it any more.  His core surgery may be part of the problem.  It's become more pity than hate for Foligno for this fan

Re: Trenin, this guy looks like the kid who is a good athlete but started hockey in 6th grade (much later than the others).  Did Guerin watch any game film on this guy before extending a contract.

At least only 1 goal has been scored against the Wild with those 2 both on the ice at the same time. They've each been on the ice separately for 1 other goal allowed, but when they were both on, there's been only 1.

So, they have been on the ice together for 1 goal allowed and 1 goal scored for the Wild, a Rossi goal they both assisted on. The 3rd line isn't losing the Wild games and the 1st and 2nd lines are winning.

The 4th line has not scored any even strength goals, but Lauko and Khusnutdinov have been pretty solid on the PK and connected on the Lauko SHG.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

We could ceremoniously pass the Kaptain torch to Ek, and let Spurgeon ride off into the sunset....but not too far, maybe just to Des Moines as a legitimate defensive coach. All the while he would be taking up LTIR money and helping the organization the best he can (after all, he's still employed by them).

This is interesting (not that I think it's a likely outcome, remotely)...within the bounds of the CBA (my understanding) is that a player is allowed to participate in team activities and travel with the team while on LTIR.

If the team was to entice Spurge with offer to coach in Iowa, I'd assume there would be some additional compensation that would come with that.  Spurgeon has 4 kids under the age of 10, and I'd assume he'd much prefer to spend time with his family in Edina than relocate them to Des Moines out of the goodness of his heart.  I'd imagine the compensation to do that may run afoul of the CBA.

But, from all the athletic articles, he seems like a guy who wants to be around the boys.  Could provide significant value as a mentor for the young guys who are bouncing back and forth, or even a newly acquired veteran.

That said, the dude is 34...I still think there is tread left in those tires.  He had two major surgeries in the past year, lets give him some grace in getting back to NHL form before we send him out to pasture.

4 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

The 4th line has not scored any even strength goals, but Lauko and Khusnutdinov have been pretty solid on the PK and connected on the Lauko SHG.

Freddy has played well too and needs to score one as he has had so many quality looks.  

7 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I know the team doesn't really give out many details, but do we know anything more than Spurgeon and Guerin knew that he'd need rest and maintenance this season (interpreted as this will not be the only time this happens)? Waiting until closer to the TDL is also not a bad strategy instead of replacing immediately.

Reported today that Tank is skating and hopes to catch the last couple games of the road trip, but I have doubts about that.

On 10/23/2024 at 11:43 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

Re: Foligno, this is not my standard Foligno hate.  I think at his age he's lost a full step (speed) making him no longer effective at the "tough to play against" game.  He's still a big strong guy who's good at puck battles along to boards but that's about it any more.  His core surgery may be part of the problem.  It's become more pity than hate for Foligno for this fan

Re: Trenin, this guy looks like the kid who is a good athlete but started hockey in 6th grade (much later than the others).  Did Guerin watch any game film on this guy before extending a contract.

Can Foligno regain that step? I'm with you, I think the core surgeries are affecting him. I think he's behind most of the guys mainly because of time missed. I don't know if he can regain the full step, but maybe half of it should come back. Ask Vince Dunn if he still has enough speed?

I don't think Guerin paid much attention to Trenin. But, he had inside information, and Kaprizov likes him and Heinzy likes him. That's probably a good enough reason to go get him.

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Heinzy likes him. That's probably a good enough reason to go get him.

This may be the explanation.  So far this looks like another example of an unforced error.  Every penny spent (especially in cap hell) has to be spent wisely

Just now, Pewterschmidt said:

This may be the explanation.  So far this looks like another example of an unforced error.  Every penny spent (especially in cap hell) has to be spent wisely

I haven't been disappointed in Trenin's play at all. He and Foligno appear to be working well together, and I really liked Hartman as that center. I think Freddy has been better between them than Dino was. However, it takes a little time for players to gel with each other, and I think learning Trenin's tendencies is also a learning process for his linemates. The thing most apparent about him is that he plays hard. Perhaps that is the motivation for others to do the same?

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

However, it takes a little time for players to gel with each other, and I think learning Trenin's tendencies is also a learning process for his linemates.

I will try to take this view on trenin (I really will). But the more excuses I hear for why a player is not effective (inj, time zone, lack of opportunity, razor burn) the bigger the red flag gets.  Look at the little Rusky.  That little bulldog is 5 foot shit giving up 5 feet and 30 lbs on the competition, but he finds a way. 

2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Look at the little Rusky.  That little bulldog is 5 foot shit giving up 5 feet and 30 lbs on the competition, but he finds a way. 

He's also been with this group for 25 games. Give Trenin some adaption time.

30 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

He's also been with this group for 25 games. Give Trenin some adaption time.

So this is the latest excuse.  Trenin is a league veteran who's been thru a full training camp.  But P-slaps he's still learning Hynzy's system...Bull shizzle...the game is the game.  If you can play, you create opportunities.  If you can't, you can't.  So far Trenin is a longer, slower Foligno.  At this point his only saving grace will be if he goes unbeaten in all his fights.  Even then that's not worth 4x3.5M...looked up his AAV and 3.5 is easier to stomach than the 4.5 i thought he was making...ok i'll lay off trenin for a bit.

It's okay to want more from Trenin. I've been a fan of his from his previous teams. He's not a prolific scorer or playmaker so we knew that. He had a rebound chance against FL that almost went in. He's in the boat with vets like NoJo, Fred, Foligno, and Fleury, who all get noticed for their lack of productivity cause they've set the bar previously in the NHL. They are not granted the excuse-factor of a rookie or league-minimum guy. 

Fred & Bogo/Merrill are the closest things to that in MN and they're rarely factored into the discussion. 

Trenin for me, was a player who gives you Foligno and Russian insurance, plus some scoring potential. In that order. You've got Knudi and Yurov who will need a buddy if Kaprizov was to leave. Does it help with #97, I don't know but overall Trenin was a role guy.

I think GMBG and Brackett have found talented guys and future scorers for the Wild. They may appear to be over-paying on vets but in the big picture there is better balance and redundancy than MN had before. Are we seeing that play out? Maybe, we'll see in another 5-10 games. So far, it's kinda working out. If the veteran guys begin chipping-in more offense and nothing else changes, Minnesota will really be at the top of the league with Dallas, WPG, etc.

Onion seemed to pick up a step against Florida. I liked the output...hope he's warming up. I don't expect him to score at all but that allusive "hard to play against" needs to be apparent. I could have sworn he was touted as being a speedy guy but that's definitely not a thing.

Almost game time. LETS GO0O0O0O0O0O0O!!!

11 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

Onion seemed to pick up a step against Florida.

New nickname.  LFG!!

22 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

So this is the latest excuse.  Trenin is a league veteran who's been thru a full training camp.  But P-slaps he's still learning Hynzy's system...Bull shizzle...the game is the game. 

I would argue that Trenin knows Heinzy's system better than any other player on the team. He has been through a full training camp and has worked hard. However, team chemistry is a little different. That knowing where your teammate is going instead of just counting on the system is important. And, I think their line is getting better. I thought switching out Dino and putting Freddy there helped. This line has looked good with Hartman centering. I thought they looked good last night too, as Foligno started bangin' bodies hard again. 

I see Trenin as a mostly defensive forward, a guy you can count on shorthanded and playing with a lead late in the 3rd. I also see him as a hard worker who is very difficult to play against. His passing has been way off, as it seems he throws the puck into a certain place expecting players to be there, instead of looking for the player. Part of this could be having his head down more looking at the puck than looking for the player. At least, that's what it looks like to me. 

34 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I thought switching out Dino and putting Freddy there helped.

in accounting this is called the Big Bath.  Throw all your losses into one quarter (or third line) and write it off as a one time expense/loss.  Ok, I'll stop. 

Trenin did show some things where he added value last night.  Foligno was Foligno and Fred was, well Fred.

36 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

His passing has been way off, as it seems he throws the puck into a certain place expecting players to be there, instead of looking for the player.

In other words the most basic hockey play.  I'll stop.

3 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

In other words the most basic hockey play.  I'll stop.

Here's a potential debate:  Does Trenin bring more to the game than Duhaime?

I'm not sure at this point. 

8 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Here's a potential debate:  Does Trenin bring more to the game than Duhaime?

I'm not sure at this point. 

I think so.  Maybe not 3.5M more though.

Trenin is even at the moment while Fred, Foligno, and Hartman are all negative in the +/- department. 

I haven't been ragging on these guys so much but the Wild are gonna need Trenin and NoJo and the vets to contribute SOME offense. Ya know, like goals and assists and drawn penalties. They have like five goals between them, maybe. It's gotta get better. More shots, more traffic, more disruptive. 

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Trenin is even at the moment while Fred, Foligno, and Hartman are all negative in the +/- department. 

I haven't been ragging on these guys so much but the Wild are gonna need Trenin and NoJo and the vets to contribute SOME offense. Ya know, like goals and assists and drawn penalties. They have like five goals between them, maybe. It's gotta get better. More shots, more traffic, more disruptive. 

Trenin does not project any offensive instincts/abilities so far.  Same as Duhaime.  that's ok as long as you play an effective physical and defensive game AND you are the right price $.   We cannot do anything about his contract now, but we can demand that he make a contribution.  I say he needs to absolutely own the end boards and make the opposing D play scared.  He didn't finish his check a couple times last night which is not ok.  But P-Dingle do you want him to take penalties?  Of course not, but he needs to play on the edge because that's all he's equipped to do.

5 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Here's a potential debate:  Does Trenin bring more to the game than Duhaime?

I'm not sure at this point. 

I have not seen Trenin perform the Duhaime trick play, where you drop your stick in the crease, bend over to pick it up and tip the puck in with your skate while your backside faces the shooter. Bonus points for looking bewildered and wondering what happened.

3 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

He didn't finish his check a couple times last night which is not ok. 

I missed this during last night's game. Must Finish Checks!