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  • Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek Return To Run Chaos

    Image courtesy of © Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
    Thomas Williams

    By Thomas Williams -

    That's Wild

    We all imagined what the first game back from injury would be like for Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov. Maybe it was going to be an emphatic win over a division rival, or stomping all over one of the worst teams in the league. We can probably bet that no one guessed that if they returned against the San Jose Sharks like they did last night, that it would be as chaotic of a game as it was.

    In an 8-7 overtime win, the Minnesota Wild welcomed back their two returning stars with open arms. Maybe it was just excitement to get back to playing hockey, but Eriksson Ek ran the offense with four goals and Kaprizov wasn't too shabby either with two goals (including the overtime game-winner) and three total points. That's right, the two players playing their first game in months had six of the team's eight goals. 

    As exciting a game as it was -- since those pesky Sharks and Macklin Celebrini wouldn't stay down -- it is certainly one that doesn't leave you with a whole lot of confidence heading into this tight fight with the Calgary Flames for the last Wild Card spot. And look at that, the Wild face the Flames in Calgary on Friday night. That's a big one.

    • More on the chaotic overtime win at home against the Sharks: [NHL.com]
    • Now that Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek have returned, what should the Wild's playoff lineup look like with an almost fully healthy roster? [Hockey Wilderness]
    • Longtime NHL executive and member of the Wild's front office, Ray Shero passed away at the age of 62. [TSN]

    Off the trail...

    • 'That's just Ovi': How a once-in-a-lifetime star broke the goals record. [ESPN]
    • It wasn't just the Wild that had their best player return to action. Connor McDavid made a triumphant return for the Edmonton Oilers. [NHL.com]
    By Thomas Williams  

    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.

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    raithis
    11 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    assuming that Midsy is ready. 

    It was mentioned that he was practicing, so that's a good sign.  I take that to mean he's more day-to-day than week-to-week.

    I feel like he plays in the next game or two.

    Considering how he went into the boards, just hearing that he's skating is good news.  Practicing is great news.

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    MNCountryLife
    16 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

    I also finally saw the lack of speed that the Bogosian-Merrill pairing has. For me, they've been great soldiers for the full marathon off the season, but I think we'd be better served with a Buium-Chisholm 3rd pairing assuming that Midsy is ready. 

    I really like Bogo's style of play.  But I fully agree with your assessment on these two players.  They clearly lack the necessary speed to be an effective D-pairing.  Next season should be Jiricek, Buium and Chisholm fighting for playing time.  See who has the best summer.

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    mnfaninnc
    6 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

    I really like Bogo's style of play.  But I fully agree with your assessment on these two players.  They clearly lack the necessary speed to be an effective D-pairing.  Next season should be Jiricek, Buium and Chisholm fighting for playing time.  See who has the best summer.

    We shouldn't be sleeping on Lambos either. You'd think that you could get a decent 3rd pairing with 2 of those 4 guys!

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    raithis
    5 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

    I really like Bogo's style of play.  But I fully agree with your assessment on these two players.  They clearly lack the necessary speed to be an effective D-pairing.  Next season should be Jiricek, Buium and Chisholm fighting for playing time.  See who has the best summer.

    Same.  I like Bogosian on this team, but Jiricek needs to come in next season in training camp and put Bogosian on the bench for when someone is injured.

    Chisholm I don't have real high hopes on.  Buium I think overtakes him fairly quickly.  It probably makes more sense to move on from Chisholm this off-season.

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    MNCountryLife
    2 minutes ago, raithis said:

    Chisholm I don't have real high hopes on.  Buium I think overtakes him fairly quickly.  It probably makes more sense to move on from Chisholm this off-season.

    Merrill will be gone as an UFA.  I would like to see Bogo traded.  His speed is only going to get worse next season.

    I always forget about Lambos (Thanks for the Reminder MnFaninnc).  I thought Chisholm has had a tough stretch and not played well the last few months.  But I think he has the ability to raise his game (only 25 years old).  I would think Jiricek, Lambos, Buium and Chisholm would all have a shot at starting next season and it is up for grabs as to who has the best summer.  If I had to guess... Buium is likely to fill one of the two spots.

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    Patrick
    5 hours ago, Protec said:

    MN woulda lost 7-2 to the Sharks is pretty much what woulda happened. 

    Fred, NoJo, Boldy, and Rossi had some minor offensive contributions but nearly all of em ended up minus for the game despite all the MN goals. Kaprizov gets more slack/cushion in his first game back on the defensive side of things. Merrill and Bogo, not great either and Celebrini/Smith made some nice plays to make Faber look pedestrian.

    Good win, but not impressive. 

    Fleury allowed 4.2 goals above expected.  That's likely the worst game by a goalie in the NHL this year. I wouldn't overreact. 

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    Imyourhuckleberry
    1 hour ago, MNCountryLife said:

    Merrill will be gone as an UFA.  I would like to see Bogo traded.  His speed is only going to get worse next season.

    I always forget about Lambos (Thanks for the Reminder MnFaninnc).  I thought Chisholm has had a tough stretch and not played well the last few months.  But I think he has the ability to raise his game (only 25 years old).  I would think Jiricek, Lambos, Buium and Chisholm would all have a shot at starting next season and it is up for grabs as to who has the best summer.  If I had to guess... Buium is likely to fill one of the two spots.

    My guess is Chisholm leaves in free agency. Lambos is about ready for 3rd pairing and the Wild may need their dollars to go elsewhere considering they already have Buium, Brodin, and Middleton.

    Faber, Jiricek, and Spurgeon on the other side. Bogo press box, ready to fill in where necessary. Lambos continuing to develop in AHL and elevate if they need a LHD. Spacek developing to replace Bogo's role for the following season. Wild should have a really solid defense even if they lose Chisholm and Merrill.

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    Protec
    2 hours ago, raithis said:

    If it's a team game, why focus on the forwards specifically.

    None of the players you listed include Faber completely letting Celebrini make him look foolish on two goals. 

    None of those players are Chisholm giving away a pass directly in front of the net to Toffoli, and later completely getting beat by a Shark (I forget who) like he just got called up from the AHL.  Rossi jumped into the play to help and drew a tripping penalty for doing so.

    None of those players are Fleury flailing around and whiffing on a few very stoppable goals.  Yes, the defense was pretty sloppy in front of him, but it wasn't like picks were getting tipped in front of him.  On many of those shots he had a clear view and just didn't react fast enough.  It's been clear for a while that he isn't what he used to be, but if there was a game to tell a goalie he needed to retire, that was a good example.

    I didn't focus on forwards only. My first post in the thread called out three defenseman specifically including Faber. 

    I just think it was a sloppy game with a ton of goals which is great and all, but coulda been a shelling by the Sharks and apart from Ek and Kirill there was indeed some pretty chaotic hockey that will NOT work against good teams. I.e. Wild are gonna lose. Playoffs are 4-3 or 2-1 games more than 6-5 or 8-7. 

    Wild aren't totally screwed but they need to reign it in and clean it up or it's gonna be golf and fishing in a few weeks. 

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    SkolWild73
    2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    Also, on this topic, I'm thinking Chisholm gets qualified and gets to be the 7th D unless offersheeted. 

    You think they are going to keep Jiricek in the A?  Or get rid of Bogo?

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    Neutral Zone Dangles
    2 hours ago, raithis said:

    It was mentioned that he was practicing, so that's a good sign.  I take that to mean he's more day-to-day than week-to-week.

    I feel like he plays in the next game or two.

    Considering how he went into the boards, just hearing that he's skating is good news.  Practicing is great news.

    The organization has been saying day-to-day since it happened. Given their track record with injury updates and transparency, it could be any length of time imaginable…

    Until he’s suited up at game time, I don’t hold much stock in their timelines. Glad he’s skating though. Hope he’s back at it soon. We need him on D after last night. 

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    M_Nels
    19 minutes ago, SkolWild73 said:

    You think they are going to keep Jiricek in the A?  Or get rid of Bogo?

    They'd be better off keeping a vet like Bogo as 7th D in his last contract year IMO. I don't see Jiri staying the A next year.

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    mnfaninnc
    6 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

    I would like to see Bogo traded.

    I would too. I like his style but the kids are ready, IMO. Guerin has been at this point before and I'm sure he'll find him a good landing spot. IMO, Bogo has earned the respect to pretty much pick his next opportunity.

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    raithis
    20 hours ago, Protec said:

    I didn't focus on forwards only. My first post in the thread called out three defenseman specifically including Faber. 

    I just think it was a sloppy game with a ton of goals which is great and all, but coulda been a shelling by the Sharks and apart from Ek and Kirill there was indeed some pretty chaotic hockey that will NOT work against good teams. I.e. Wild are gonna lose. Playoffs are 4-3 or 2-1 games more than 6-5 or 8-7. 

    Wild aren't totally screwed but they need to reign it in and clean it up or it's gonna be golf and fishing in a few weeks. 

    I stand corrected, but yeah, it was a team defense issue.

    I continue to believe that after a couple months of having to play defensive hockey, everyone on the team was itching to play a game skewed hard towards offense.  I feel like tonight's game should be a lot more balanced.

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    M_Nels
    23 minutes ago, raithis said:

    I continue to believe that after a couple months of having to play defensive hockey, everyone on the team was itching to play a game skewed hard towards offense.  I feel like tonight's game should be a lot more balanced.

    Add in the excitement of Kaprizov & Ek being back back, think they just wanted to open it up and let it fly. Don't think they expected the Sharks to bite back as hard as they did but Flower didn't do the team any favors either.

    Kinda worried about tonight's game, not because of the SJS game but we'll be playing a team fighting for their playoff lives and they always play the Wild extremely tough. 0-2 against them this year.

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    mnfaninnc
    1 hour ago, M_Nels said:

    Kinda worried about tonight's game, not because of the SJS game but we'll be playing a team fighting for their playoff lives and they always play the Wild extremely tough. 0-2 against them this year.

    Calgary is the final team still alive in the West that is outside the playoff line. Whereas in the East, 4 teams share the life support room. 

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    Protec
    4 hours ago, raithis said:

    I stand corrected, but yeah, it was a team defense issue.

    I continue to believe that after a couple months of having to play defensive hockey, everyone on the team was itching to play a game skewed hard towards offense.  I feel like tonight's game should be a lot more balanced.

    Fleury had some nice stops but had sat out for most of the recent games. That could be rust cause he has had a good year overall. 

    It's been a good year for MN despite injuries. Can they gel for the most important games now? Stay healthy? That's the big question.

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