Wild Re-Sign Marcus Johansson Before He Hits Free Agency

1 hour ago, 0 Stanley Cups said:

The Wild brass realize how much they mistakenly gave up for Nyquist at the trade deadline, which is why they resigned JoJo already for depth, and it's quickly becoming apparent how shallow the UFA market is this offseason for everybody, which is also why Colorado resigned Nelson before the market opens.  Definitely not signing Boeser now, no spots available.

There are spots available.

I'm operating under the assumption that Johansson is injury insurance and motivation for Ohgren to show he deserves a spot more than Johansson.

Let's say that Rossi gets traded for something.

We'd have:

Kaprizov/ Ek / Boldy

Zuccarello / Yurov / _______

Foligno / Hartman / Ohgren

Trenin / Gaudreau / _______

Johansson and Hinostroza should be outside looking in, meaning we have space for a FA or prospects to make a case for themselves.  I'd like to see at least one prospect show they can make the 4th line, and I still think Bankier is the one that's best suited to take that next step.

The only way we don't really have space is if we get a legit top 6 player for Rossi, and even then I'd be more inclined to push Hinostroza to the AHL and try to get a good FA who pushes Gaudreau on the bench as injury insurance right next to Johansson.  I'm not talking 4th liner either.  I'd be searching for middle 6 offense and push someone down to the 4th.

6 minutes ago, raithis said:

We'd have:

Kaprizov/ Ek / Boldy

Zuccarello / Yurov / _______

Foligno / Hartman / Ohgren

Trenin / Gaudreau / _______

Hmmm.  I agree with most of what you say.  You are expecting a lot from Yurov.  Zuc would be a good stabilizer for both Ogs and Yurov.  I would prefer to see all 3 on the 3rd line.  It would be a good 3rd line....not so good 2nd.  If we don't have Rossi I think we are missing the entire 2nd line.  Hartman, Trenin and Foligno would make a great 4th line.  Freddy needs to be traded or play down in the A.  We need 3 quality players.. unless we can snag a big time player on the wire... or trade for one.. I don't think the 2nd line will be effective.

1)  Boldy, Ek, Kirill

2) Bennett, Marner, Ehlers => I can dream can't I

3)  Ogren, Yurov, Zuc

4)  Hartman, Trenin, Foligno

36 minutes ago, raithis said:

I'd like to see at least one prospect show they can make the 4th line, and I still think Bankier is the one that's best suited to take that next step.

I don't think I'm even thinking 1. You could let a guy like Bankier get 1st shot at it, but if he doesn't do anything for 5 games, look at Haight, look at Milne, look at Heidt. I have no problem giving these guys some opportunity there and see if they can catch up. Recycle the chances until the TDL and see if someone can seize the opportunity. 

If any of those guys get called up for 5 games and then sent back down, you do them a huge favor. An NHL paycheck is 10 times what they get in the A. Sure, they may not stick, but at least they got a little extra pocket change! It's also a nice thank you for hard work and a carrot for them to have a chance.

21 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

We need 3 quality players.. unless we can snag a big time player on the wire... or trade for one.. I don't think the 2nd line will be effective.

1)  Boldy, Ek, Kirill

2) Bennett, Marner, Ehlers => I can dream can't I

3)  Ogren, Yurov, Zuc

4)  Hartman, Trenin, Foligno

In this scenario, what happened to Rossi and what did we get for him?

50 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

In this scenario, what happened to Rossi and what did we get for him?

I was quoting from Raithis who made the comment "Let's say that Rossi gets traded for something."   Personally I hope we keep Rossi.

IMO:  If we lose Rossi we don't have any 2nd line talent to start the year.   We would need at least 1 UFA with 2nd line talent.  I would welcome Marner, Bennett or Ehlers... but that is a stretch and would likely result in us overpaying for them.  That always hurts.

If I look internally:  Ogs, Yurov and maybe Bankier on 2nd line... it will be a difficult first 20-30 games for them.  Heavy minutes and fast learning would be needed.  If it works it is a great way to save money for the TDL.  If the Wild end up on the outside looking in we look like a team unwilling to spend the money to win.  

BG will probably come away with a blend of the scenarios.  Your thoughts?

Side Note:  Hope you are feeling better.  Never easy to battle health issues... especially heart issues.

57 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

If any of those guys get called up for 5 games and then sent back down, you do them a huge favor. An NHL paycheck is 10 times what they get in the A. Sure, they may not stick, but at least they got a little extra pocket change! It's also a nice thank you for hard work and a carrot for them to have a chance.

Agreed.  Good motivation!

21 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

BG will probably come away with a blend of the scenarios.  Your thoughts?

Side Note:  Hope you are feeling better.  Never easy to battle health issues... especially heart issues.

Many of the GMs started there roster fixing around January the last couple of seasons. 20-30 games in, the GMs should know what they have. This would be a great way to showcase guys almost ready (Haight, Bankier) and to provide TOI to OgZ and Yurov. Then, you see where they're at and fix it. 

This may be where I disagree with what Guerin's done over the past few seasons. While marinating the kids and plugging in vets in the N, the kids haven't been exposed to the N. It has kept pressure off of them, but at the same time, the kids have been training to compete in the A not the N. 

Shooter could have saved a bunch of money by not signing some of the value contracts and giving the kids an opportunity in the N with the intent of shuffling them back and forth. Instead of having to play with such a tight cap, this strategy for 20-30 games could have helped us loosen up cap for the stretch run and shown the kids how much they needed to improve, specifically in the strength area. 

Leaving a couple of spots on the 4th line for them to get a cup of coffee and a pastry would have been a good idea.

I am feeling better and am way ahead of the last heart attack I had. Family history and genetics plays the largest role in many of these diseases, and I know I was dealt a tough hand. The difference for me has been I made it to the hospital while my ancestors did not. It also helps that I didn't ignore the signs, and went to somebody who knew before a big one happened. 

I really hope everyone else reads and takes away that sometimes you need to be humble and just get checked out instead of being a tough guy and toughing it out only to have disaster happen in the weeks following. I guess, my key to surviving is when I don't feel right, I go to someone who knows and get help. Also, I have gone to the emergency room twice before with symptoms and everything has been ok, but it was bad enough to stay overnight once. This time I had an artery cleaned out that was 85% blocked, so it could have been disastrous in just a few weeks, or if I did anything strenuous.