Wild Head Into 4 Nations Break Feeling Good

It’s great to end on a high note. I think Khus and Ohgre are feeling better about their game. It’s nice that Trenin has also found his scoring touch. With Kap, Lauko, and Hartman out, you would think there would be room for Ohgren on the roster. I wonder why they are sending him down to Iowa..

At 70 points going into the break, a quick look at the math says if we play exactly .500, we get to 96 points which is usually right around the cutoff for a playoff appearance. This is not a high bar to accomplish. 

Hopefully, the Wild will not fall into the same trap it did 3 years ago by trying so hard to get home ice advantage, while the Blues simply rested up for the playoffs. We want a lot of gas in the tank when the playoffs start. 

I've written before how Euros think differently than NA players. I think we're getting a taste of that with Eriksson Ek going to play in the 4 Nations Tourney. Everyone can see that he's not right, and after missing the last game, he should be taking the 2 weeks to heal up and NOT be suiting up for Sweden. His allegiance should be with the Wild.

This is not the case for most Euro players who see playing for their country the greatest honor and goal. This trumps their employer's wishes. I had hoped that Guerin would have told him he needs the rest and recuperation from injuries earlier, and that he hasn't been playing up to his full healthy capabilities. He also needs to know just how much he means to this team and how irreplaceable he is. 

I can only hope now that Ek comes back without more damage done. Another on this list might be Brodin, but he looks like he's healed up from the shot off the ankle. 

The baby Wild do not have 2 weeks off, as they keep playing. My hope is that the writers on the site will take the next 2 weeks and start diving into our prospects playing in Iowa and other leagues. Neil seems to have a pretty good eye on Iowa, maybe he can give us some really good insight. 

Denver plays at UND and Miami of Ohio. Not sure if any of that gets televised? Perhaps even a dive into Prince George and Riley Heidt, or Medicine Hat and Ryder Ritchie? 

3 minutes ago, Sam said:

I wonder why they are sending him down to Iowa..

I would expect Ohgren and Shore to head to Iowa and try to gain some positive cap room over the next 2 weeks. Ohgren will be back, but he'll stay sharp getting to play some games.

4 minutes ago, Sam said:

It’s great to end on a high note. I think Khus and Ohgre are feeling better about their game. It’s nice that Trenin has also found his scoring touch. With Kap, Lauko, and Hartman out, you would think there would be room for Ohgren on the roster. I wonder why they are sending him down to Iowa..

To play more games during the time off.  I'm pretty sure the AHL is still playing during the 4 nations thing.

1 hour ago, Sam said:

With Kap, Lauko, and Hartman out, you would think there would be room for Ohgren on the roster. I wonder why they are sending him down to Iowa..

Build cap space. Should be recalled when team gets back together.

HEY ODC..Russo skeeted out that Boldy is playing on a line with B. Tkachuk!!

Looking good heading into the break.  Also, good timing based on our upcoming schedule.  Our first two games out of the break are Detroit, who had won 7 in a row before losing their last game.  The two weeks gives them some time to cool off.

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

At 70 points going into the break, a quick look at the math says if we play exactly .500, we get to 96 points which is usually right around the cutoff for a playoff appearance. This is not a high bar to accomplish. 

Hopefully, the Wild will not fall into the same trap it did 3 years ago by trying so hard to get home ice advantage, while the Blues simply rested up for the playoffs. We want a lot of gas in the tank when the playoffs start. 

I've written before how Euros think differently than NA players. I think we're getting a taste of that with Eriksson Ek going to play in the 4 Nations Tourney. Everyone can see that he's not right, and after missing the last game, he should be taking the 2 weeks to heal up and NOT be suiting up for Sweden. His allegiance should be with the Wild.

This is not the case for most Euro players who see playing for their country the greatest honor and goal. This trumps their employer's wishes. I had hoped that Guerin would have told him he needs the rest and recuperation from injuries earlier, and that he hasn't been playing up to his full healthy capabilities. He also needs to know just how much he means to this team and how irreplaceable he is. 

I can only hope now that Ek comes back without more damage done. Another on this list might be Brodin, but he looks like he's healed up from the shot off the ankle. 

The baby Wild do not have 2 weeks off, as they keep playing. My hope is that the writers on the site will take the next 2 weeks and start diving into our prospects playing in Iowa and other leagues. Neil seems to have a pretty good eye on Iowa, maybe he can give us some really good insight. 

Denver plays at UND and Miami of Ohio. Not sure if any of that gets televised? Perhaps even a dive into Prince George and Riley Heidt, or Medicine Hat and Ryder Ritchie? 

this tourney is a joke, ok fine if it's olympics and its a "real" best on best - go ahead. but this is for what? money? Yes $. no one is going to take this seriously, and if they do - they should have offered to compete against those from the rest of the world who were left out. if Ek or Boldy is injured - they should forfeit the money for the injury missed time to charity. this is completely voluntary nonsense. 

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

this tourney is a joke, ok fine if it's olympics and its a "real" best on best - go ahead. but this is for what? money? Yes $. no one is going to take this seriously, and if they do - they should have offered to compete against those from the rest of the world who were left out. if Ek or Boldy is injured - they should forfeit the money for the injury missed time to charity. this is completely voluntary nonsense. 

ODC woke up butt hurt this morning??

Just now, Up North Guy said:

ODC woke up butt hurt this morning??

a little!

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

At 70 points going into the break, a quick look at the math says if we play exactly .500, we get to 96 points which is usually right around the cutoff for a playoff appearance. This is not a high bar to accomplish. 

Definitely not a high bar to clear, particularly if healthy. I think they could reach 100+ standings points, but hard to say how quickly Kaprizov returns to full speed. It could take a few games for him to get feeling right after the time off he'll have had this season.

Certainly hope the Wild's participants come out of the 4 Nations tourney feeling at least as good health wise as they did prior to it.

3 hours ago, M_Nels said:

Russo skeeted out that Boldy is playing on a line with B. Tkachuk!!

and they're centered by JT Miller.

Looks like Faber is skating with Noah Hanifin as 3rd D pairing.

Jake Sanderson, last in +/- for Ottawa this season, but 1st in average TOI, appears to be the 7th D.

5 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

At 70 points going into the break, a quick look at the math says if we play exactly .500, we get to 96 points which is usually right around the cutoff for a playoff appearance. This is not a high bar to accomplish. 

It shouldn't be.  Also, there are really only nine teams left in the race for the 8 spots with Calgary on the outside right now.  Their schedule the rest of the way is not easy either with only 11 home games left.  They also play 16 of their remaining 27 against teams currently in the playoffs.  I think they will be lucky to reach 90 points.

2 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

ODC woke up butt hurt this morning??

He’s like Lady Gaga…