Wilderness Walk: Brock Faber Getting More And More Reliable

1 hour ago, Thomas Williams said:

 

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Two men enter, one man leaves.

- The Brocktagon

Quote

Bob Woods had been with the Wild since the 2017-2018 season and had mainly taken on the role of running the defense and the penalty kill. -- The Hockey News, November 27th, following the coaching switch.

Wild goalie Gustavsson had a phenomenal 41-save shutout to start the season. In his next 10 games he saw action, he went 1-6-2 with an .864 save percentage, and allowed 3+ goals in all but 1 game--a 0-1 OT loss in Sweden.

Since the coaching change, Guastavsson is 6-1 with a .954 save percentage. That's helped him reach a .908 for the season.

When Faber's been on the ice, Wild goalies have stopped 92.8% of shots on goal, best among Wild defensemen who started the season with the team--Bogo is at 97.1% through 12 games. I assume Faber is getting the most minutes against opposing top lines and still performing at a very high level.

Clearly the defensive changes Hynes has implemented are working much better for the Wild. I liked Evason, but it does appear that the staff was lacking in some Xs and Os, particularly when facing top competition.

The Wild have been able to maintain strong goalie results even missing 2 of their top defensemen. Thankfully, Spurgeon appears to be on the verge of returning, and the Wild appear to be on the verge of pushing into playoff position. Arizona is in the 8th spot, just 4 points up with 2 more games played, so the Wild are in a very realistic place to overtake them.

The Wild and Edmonton could both make the playoffs if they overtake Nashville, who haven't lost once in 5 games that went to OT(Forsberg, O'Reilly, and Josi have been a strong trio for bonus hockey). Catching them appears to be slightly more challenging(4 points ahead of Arizona with 1 more game played), but certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Faber has earned high praise.  We are lucky to have him.  

So you're saying Faber is good and he should stay here for many, MANY years?  Cause that sounds good to me.

I missed most of the game so can only go by what has been written. I find it very encouraging that Hunt has received some positive reports on his play. The little I caught Hunt looked good to me. He certainly will have rookie warts in his game but still a decent start. He appears to be a real upgrade from the bottom two who shall go nameless.

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Two men enter, one man leaves.

- The Brocktagon

Now I am imagining Brock Lesnar on skates playing for us.  That is both hilarious and utterly terrifying.  Maybe he could scare all other opposing players off the ice by threatening to F5 them.

Between Brockoli and Rossi finishing out their ELC (and Middsy), at this point it looks like most of the $14M of deadcap that will roll off after the next season appears to be mostly spoken for...

It's almost like Billy's plan to make it through these lean years leaning on the ELC's might work out.  If it doesn't, Billy can just tomahawk somebody in the head with a stick.

Sittin' on the Brock of the bay

2 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

When Faber's been on the ice, Wild goalies have stopped 92.8% of shots on goal, best among Wild defensemen who started the season with the team--Bogo is at 97.1% through 12 games. I assume Faber is getting the most minutes against opposing top lines and still performing at a very high level.

Let's just admit it now, trading out Addison and replacing him with Bogosian has really helped the defense of the team, and hasn't really hampered the PP. 

I thought, Huck, that you were going to go after how Woods' defense and PK has slid over the years. And it seems like Hynes' Xs & Os is really beating Woods' Xs & Os. While Evason had to fall on his sword, I think eliminating Woods may be the thing that is best for the team. 

Now, how is the coaching staff working? I know they brought in Patrick Dwyer, mainly due to his PK expertise from Iowa, but who runs the defense now? If I'm a defender, the guy I want to listen to is a fellow defender who had a very good playing career. I don't see that on this staff.

To me, the only position coach that Ryan Suter ever respected was Scott Stevens, and that might have only been out of sheer intimidation from Stevens! But throughout the era, I thought that Stevens was our best defensive position coach and that the foundation that he built has lasted this long with the guys. Last year it started to slip and it's been on Woods' watch that this has happened. 

It's the middle of the season, and most good coaches are coaching. So, where do we go find a reputable defensive coach? I might suggest major jrs. would have one. I'd also be open to looking internationally. My guess is Dwyer stays on the staff, so it might be Darby who's out. I also think Goligoski might be a good candidate, but would need time in Iowa and a little team separation before he could do it. 

Chris Chelios isn't doing anything right now, but, he is 61 and might not want to be doing anything right now. He's in the Chicago area with his family, and that's not far from Des Moines. He might be an excellent choice to run a defensive coordinator position for the team, and I'll just bet that Guerin has a relationship with him in some capacity.

4 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I thought, Huck, that you were going to go after how Woods' defense and PK has slid over the years. And it seems like Hynes' Xs & Os is really beating Woods' Xs & Os. While Evason had to fall on his sword, I think eliminating Woods may be the thing that is best for the team.

Yeah, I was implying that without actually saying it. Guerin saw things he didn't like and decided that he had to change things up and the results have been startlingly different. Feels like it's moving well beyond coaching bump territory at this point.

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Feels like it's moving well beyond coaching bump territory at this point.

For some reason, I still don't think the change is done yet. We just can't get the last piece or 2 in place.

Plus, Guerin's front office staff has way too much....let's just say elbow room!

When the Wild begin their season each autumn, Brocktoberfest.

Man, I could sit around and tell Brock-Brock jokes all day.

You guys been playing any Christmas tunes? Here's a couple of my favorites, Brock'n around the Christmas tree, Jingle-bell Brock, Have a Brocky-Jocky Christmas, and Feliz Brockidad. 

Brockus Maximus says: "Are you not entertained?"

Guys, I wanted to step into something I don't even know that I should. So, I'll start from the beginning. A couple of weeks ago a magazine, addressed to me for reasons I have no idea, showed up in my mailbox: The Washington Examiner. Now, this is a conservative political magazine, so know right away from the source I'm citing that they're going to lean right. But, we don't have political discussions on this site and I will keep it non-political.

On the 1st page there was an editorial. The claim was that the Washington Capitals owner who also owns the Wizards was pulling out of DC and moving the team to Virginia. This would be news to me, has anyone else heard of these rumors?

2 other details caught my attention:

1. A Capitals' employee was assaulted in broad daylight, suspect arrested and let go.
2. The complex around Capital One Arena used to have a movie theatre, bowling alley, and many bars and restaurants. The theatre and bowling alley has left as has several of the other night life since Covid. 

So, I am an out of market fan, but at some point, I might feel like flying in for a game. I wanted to ask those of you who are in the market, what is safety like around the X and Target field? Is night life growing or is it closing up? Are there some areas where I definitely would not feel comfortable being in?

To me, it seems like there has been a never ending struggle of planning stadiums/arenas on the outside of a loop where you can have plenty of room for parking and night life will follow, or bringing the stadiums/arenas downtown where there isn't much room, but to try and encourage night life within the city center. It's looking like moving the stadiums/arenas to the outskirts is probably the thing moving now.

It wasn't that long ago where there was a huge discussion about moving the Vikings to an Arden Hills site, but that got completely shut down. I know that site, and it would have been a really nice site with plenty of room, you just had to really widen 96 and maybe 49. 

I used to come up periodically for nationals in broomball, but the last time I was there the tournament was in Blaine, so we were pretty far out. It was nice to drive in the snow again 😎

Thanks for the help!

Faber's Rooster: BROCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Guys, I wanted to step into something I don't even know that I should. So, I'll start from the beginning. A couple of weeks ago a magazine, addressed to me for reasons I have no idea, showed up in my mailbox: The Washington Examiner. Now, this is a conservative political magazine, so know right away from the source I'm citing that they're going to lean right. But, we don't have political discussions on this site and I will keep it non-political.

On the 1st page there was an editorial. The claim was that the Washington Capitals owner who also owns the Wizards was pulling out of DC and moving the team to Virginia. This would be news to me, has anyone else heard of these rumors?

2 other details caught my attention:

1. A Capitals' employee was assaulted in broad daylight, suspect arrested and let go.
2. The complex around Capital One Arena used to have a movie theatre, bowling alley, and many bars and restaurants. The theatre and bowling alley has left as has several of the other night life since Covid. 

So, I am an out of market fan, but at some point, I might feel like flying in for a game. I wanted to ask those of you who are in the market, what is safety like around the X and Target field? Is night life growing or is it closing up? Are there some areas where I definitely would not feel comfortable being in?

To me, it seems like there has been a never ending struggle of planning stadiums/arenas on the outside of a loop where you can have plenty of room for parking and night life will follow, or bringing the stadiums/arenas downtown where there isn't much room, but to try and encourage night life within the city center. It's looking like moving the stadiums/arenas to the outskirts is probably the thing moving now.

It wasn't that long ago where there was a huge discussion about moving the Vikings to an Arden Hills site, but that got completely shut down. I know that site, and it would have been a really nice site with plenty of room, you just had to really widen 96 and maybe 49. 

I used to come up periodically for nationals in broomball, but the last time I was there the tournament was in Blaine, so we were pretty far out. It was nice to drive in the snow again 😎

Thanks for the help!

I haven't been down there in a while but I don't think that it has changed too much. Covid hit both downtowns pretty hard from an office head count stand point but it really has not hurt the areas around the Target Field or the X. TF has the North Loop and there is a lot going on there. The Twins have not drawn as well as they should but it is still pretty busy in the bars and restaurants. The Wolves are really good now too and are drawing folks down to that area. The West 7th strip in St Paul is always packed on Wild game days. Lots of places to go there. As far as places to avoid, i don't think they have changed much in 50 years. As always, have your head on a swivel when you are in unfamiliar territory, but that goes for anywhere.

27 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I wanted to ask those of you who are in the market, what is safety like around the X and Target field? Is night life growing or is it closing up? Are there some areas where I definitely would not feel comfortable being in?

Probably best answered by those who frequent the games a lot, but in my experience, Excel is a safer area than Target Field. Some closures of places that didn't make it through Covid, but others have become popular in the area.

Target Field isn't necessarily dangerous, particularly when moving in the game time crowds, but you may not want to be out late in Minneapolis near Target Field well beyond game time. Minneapolis isn't quite as safe as St. Paul.

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Guys, I wanted to step into something I don't even know that I should. So, I'll start from the beginning. A couple of weeks ago a magazine, addressed to me for reasons I have no idea, showed up in my mailbox: The Washington Examiner. Now, this is a conservative political magazine, so know right away from the source I'm citing that they're going to lean right. But, we don't have political discussions on this site and I will keep it non-political.

On the 1st page there was an editorial. The claim was that the Washington Capitals owner who also owns the Wizards was pulling out of DC and moving the team to Virginia. This would be news to me, has anyone else heard of these rumors?

2 other details caught my attention:

1. A Capitals' employee was assaulted in broad daylight, suspect arrested and let go.
2. The complex around Capital One Arena used to have a movie theatre, bowling alley, and many bars and restaurants. The theatre and bowling alley has left as has several of the other night life since Covid. 

So, I am an out of market fan, but at some point, I might feel like flying in for a game. I wanted to ask those of you who are in the market, what is safety like around the X and Target field? Is night life growing or is it closing up? Are there some areas where I definitely would not feel comfortable being in?

To me, it seems like there has been a never ending struggle of planning stadiums/arenas on the outside of a loop where you can have plenty of room for parking and night life will follow, or bringing the stadiums/arenas downtown where there isn't much room, but to try and encourage night life within the city center. It's looking like moving the stadiums/arenas to the outskirts is probably the thing moving now.

It wasn't that long ago where there was a huge discussion about moving the Vikings to an Arden Hills site, but that got completely shut down. I know that site, and it would have been a really nice site with plenty of room, you just had to really widen 96 and maybe 49. 

I used to come up periodically for nationals in broomball, but the last time I was there the tournament was in Blaine, so we were pretty far out. It was nice to drive in the snow again 😎

Thanks for the help!

I go to 4 or 5 games a year. I'm a couple hours away so I leave after work get there about 1/2 an hour before game time and leave right afterwards. I never really feel safe and am always relieved to see my car in the lot after the game. Lol.

There is a big homeless contingent to deal with before and after, but I will say there is a large Police presence and so they tend to leave you alone. I usually go to parking lots that are about 1/2 mile away and as you get farther away there is def less of a police presence, so I'm always aware. Like Huck I would be wary being out to long after the game. I'm sure it's still patrolled well but also I'm sure the ne'er-do-wellers are out looking for marks as you walk to your transportation or hotel.

I couldn't tell you where to stay away from, as long as your in the venues your probably alright. An option would be to park farther away from the X in a safe area and Uber your way in and out.

5 hours ago, Protec said:

Man, I could sit around and tell Brock-Brock jokes all day.

Looks like hes really  "FABAR"  Fabulous Again Beyound All Rationale .

Brock and roll cuchie coo

Thanks guys for the feedback. It was helpful!

Would it be better to leave a car somewhere on the outskirts and take in the train? Does a train even go to the X?

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Thanks guys for the feedback. It was helpful!

Would it be better to leave a car somewhere on the outskirts and take in the train? Does a train even go to the X?

The green line stops about 4-5 blocks from the xcel, but you don't want to be on that train...and probably dont want to be parked near any of the stops to the west of it.  

I guess I've never felt unsafe in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, though I'm not really a night life type of person.  If I'm going to a game or a concert, I usually don't stick around for long afterward, but that's more because I mostly keep to myself and am not very social.  It has never been because I didn't feel safe.  I live closer to Saint Paul so I don't go to Minneapolis as much.  And even as much of as I'm not very social, it's not like I'm walking off by myself in the shadows either putting myself in situations where more risk might be involved.