Wilderness Walk: Let's Go Camping

The more I think about it, the more I'm liking Spurgeon-Brodin as a pair. However, I don't believe this will last a long time, as I believe Spurgeon will need to be dealt as the cavalry of defenders come of age.

I absolutely hate the idea of a World Cup of Hockey right in the middle of a season in February. It's a dumb idea to break up the season like that, and, expect the "stars" to skate an extra few games hard. Hockey is hard enough, and the playoffs are demanding enough to make this just a bad idea.

I would suggest any World Cup of Hockey talk to be played at the end of August/early September when players are itching to get back on the ice after a 2 month vacation. Plus, at this point, what are they going to do with the Russians? Does Kaprizov just get some time off? Who wants to see Eriksson Ek risk getting injured with the type of game he plays? Just do it in the offseason!

While we're on the subject, I still believe my plan to kicking off the regular season later would be a great success. If you did this and finished up the hockey season later, you could do a World Cup in October. My proposal is kicking the regular season back to November 1st. Why?

We all know that the NHL has to compete with other sports franchises for entertainment dollars. Running completely parallel to the NBA season is like splitting the fanbase in 2. This would allow the NBA to get started and going, allow for MLB to pretty much wind down, and allow for 1/2 the NFL teams to be pretty much eliminated before starting up. That takes out some of the entertainment dollars competition. 

ESPN/TNT are heavy NBA broadcasts. I think there would be enough NHL interest at the end of the season about who is going to make the playoffs to compete with the NBA's 1st 2 playoff rounds. But, while the NBA finals are being played during the 2nd round of NHL playoffs, they're done while the NHL still has 2 rounds left and can get full exposure. You play games further during the NFL offseason taking advantage of that quiet time, and who really keeps track of MLB until after the All Star break? I would think all of this schedule adjustment would bring in far more $ for NHL owners, and spotlight the sport better. 

From a seasonal perspective, with so many southern teams in the league now, pushing it back to where summer's over in the south could be a good thing. It'll never happen for Phoenix, but most of the country will be ready for hockey when the temps get cooler. I know we've always done 10th of Octoberish for the start of the season, but times have changed and the heat seems to be lasting longer. 

I will now stand down from my soapbox and melt back into the crowd of people incognito. 

Mn Wild prospect update.

Yurov 5 KHL Games 2 goals 2 assists

Vlad Firstov 5 KHL Games 3 goals 1 assist 

M Guskov  5 KHL Games 1 assist

Marat Khusnutdinov 2 KHL games 0 pts

Last year Yurov started the same having 4-5 pts in the KHL in his first 5-6 games but was relegated to the 4th line quickly after.

I hope he finally gets the playing time he deserves.

Firstov has been really impressive the last couple of years, especially last year.

12 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

Firstov has been really impressive the last couple of years, especially last year.

Does anyone have any insight on where we stand with Firstov? I thought he was a solid prospect that, last I heard, fell out of favor with the Baby Wild coaching staff. Since X/twitter made changes, I haven't been able to keep up with Russo and am too cheap to get an Athletic subscription.

Also, it seems like Joe Smith has become more of our beat writer as Russo has taken on a bit more of a national role. I see him getting quoted for several other clubs too. Is that how you guys see it?

12 hours ago, Mateo3xm said:

Marat Khusnutdinov 2 KHL games 0 pts

On Russo’s straight from source podcast he said that Dino is not getting any TOI this season and that it’s’ very concerning’.  Stay tuned 

this may keep us out of Russia in future drafts. 

PTOs are now starting to happen, but to my knowledge we have not invited any. One PTO of note was Kieffer Bellows trying out for the Canes. Can we just bring Kieffer home?

I'm believing Bellows will not make the Canes' squad and the Canes do not have an A affiliate this season. Most here know I was heavily rooting for him to be taken in the Kunin draft. I'm not sure why he hasn't made it yet, but I'd have to guess that he was never a real good fit with the Islanders. 

So, I'd just like to see him come home and play in his home rink. I'd see him as a call up from Iowa in case of injuries. I think he's got more in the tank than he's shown so far. 

58 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

On Russo’s straight from source podcast he said that Dino is not getting any TOI this season and that it’s’ very concerning’.  Stay tuned 

this may keep us out of Russia in future drafts. 

I get the politics of wanting the guys to resign, but at some point, a coach has got to want to win. If the politics trumps winning, the team has already lost.

Perhaps Russian KHL players need to put TOI stipulations in their contracts?

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I get the politics of wanting the guys to resign, but at some point, a coach has got to want to win. If the politics trumps winning, the team has already lost.

Perhaps Russian KHL players need to put TOI stipulations in their contracts?

It is my understanding that most of the KHL clubs are owned by oligarchs who allegiance to the Russian government hierarchy. Winning is important to them but maintaining their status is even more important. Coaches do what they are told. It is a very real different world than the West.

On 9/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, mnfaninnc said:

The more I think about it, the more I'm liking Spurgeon-Brodin as a pair. However, I don't believe this will last a long time, as I believe Spurgeon will need to be dealt as the cavalry of defenders come of age.

I absolutely hate the idea of a World Cup of Hockey right in the middle of a season in February. It's a dumb idea to break up the season like that, and, expect the "stars" to skate an extra few games hard. Hockey is hard enough, and the playoffs are demanding enough to make this just a bad idea.

I would suggest any World Cup of Hockey talk to be played at the end of August/early September when players are itching to get back on the ice after a 2 month vacation. Plus, at this point, what are they going to do with the Russians? Does Kaprizov just get some time off? Who wants to see Eriksson Ek risk getting injured with the type of game he plays? Just do it in the offseason!

While we're on the subject, I still believe my plan to kicking off the regular season later would be a great success. If you did this and finished up the hockey season later, you could do a World Cup in October. My proposal is kicking the regular season back to November 1st. Why?

We all know that the NHL has to compete with other sports franchises for entertainment dollars. Running completely parallel to the NBA season is like splitting the fanbase in 2. This would allow the NBA to get started and going, allow for MLB to pretty much wind down, and allow for 1/2 the NFL teams to be pretty much eliminated before starting up. That takes out some of the entertainment dollars competition. 

ESPN/TNT are heavy NBA broadcasts. I think there would be enough NHL interest at the end of the season about who is going to make the playoffs to compete with the NBA's 1st 2 playoff rounds. But, while the NBA finals are being played during the 2nd round of NHL playoffs, they're done while the NHL still has 2 rounds left and can get full exposure. You play games further during the NFL offseason taking advantage of that quiet time, and who really keeps track of MLB until after the All Star break? I would think all of this schedule adjustment would bring in far more $ for NHL owners, and spotlight the sport better. 

From a seasonal perspective, with so many southern teams in the league now, pushing it back to where summer's over in the south could be a good thing. It'll never happen for Phoenix, but most of the country will be ready for hockey when the temps get cooler. I know we've always done 10th of Octoberish for the start of the season, but times have changed and the heat seems to be lasting longer. 

I will now stand down from my soapbox and melt back into the crowd of people incognito. 

The World Cup proposal should happen after the season is over or not at all. You don't want guys getting hurt or worn down prior to the season or worse during the season. Doing it after the season allows for recovery time. 

4 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

On Russo’s straight from source podcast he said that Dino is not getting any TOI this season and that it’s’ very concerning’.  Stay tuned 

this may keep us out of Russia in future drafts. 

They just want him to resign again like KK.

I would hope that we continue to take the players no one else wants to draft (Yurov) as the KHL in the end is a better proving ground than the AHL, WHL or NCAA. I'm willing to wait for 2-3 years, no different than the other leagues if they can walk in sooner and contribute. 

Dino will be here next year and if the don't play him as many minutes, less wear and tear, he's still gonna be a tough lil' stud for us!

1 hour ago, Up North Guy said:

It is my understanding that most of the KHL clubs are owned by oligarchs who allegiance to the Russian government hierarchy. Winning is important to them but maintaining their status is even more important. Coaches do what they are told. It is a very real different world than the West.

Unfornately, a little known fact is it follows them to the States and they are still indebted to the underground world of the Russian government here.

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Does anyone have any insight on where we stand with Firstov? I thought he was a solid prospect that, last I heard, fell out of favor with the Baby Wild coaching staff. Since X/twitter made changes, I haven't been able to keep up with Russo and am too cheap to get an Athletic subscription.

Also, it seems like Joe Smith has become more of our beat writer as Russo has taken on a bit more of a national role. I see him getting quoted for several other clubs too. Is that how you guys see it?

I believe that is some of the reason why we had a coaching change. He is doing well and there's really no reason to push him to come back right away as he's getting playing time which may be an issue her for his development.

We lost another Russian the year before (Alexander Khovanov – 86th overall in 2018), but he ate himself out of a job and did not take to Army's style.

3 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

I get the politics of wanting the guys to resign, but at some point, a coach has got to want to win. If the politics trumps winning, the team has already lost.

Perhaps Russian KHL players need to put TOI stipulations in their contracts?

It's not the USA, they get what they get and they dont have a say or a choice unless they are a superstar and then its understood, Country first!

8 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

Does anyone have any insight on where we stand with Firstov? I thought he was a solid prospect that, last I heard, fell out of favor with the Baby Wild coaching staff. Since X/twitter made changes, I haven't been able to keep up with Russo and am too cheap to get an Athletic subscription.

Also, it seems like Joe Smith has become more of our beat writer as Russo has taken on a bit more of a national role. I see him getting quoted for several other clubs too. Is that how you guys see it?

My brother follows Russo and the Athletic and I do to a certain extent.
I don’t think Firstov is coming over.  I hope he does, but he refused Iowa, and I don’t see a direct path to the NHL for him, unless he blows up in the KHL.  

3 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

I would hope that we continue to take the players no one else wants to draft (Yurov) as the KHL in the end is a better proving ground than the AHL, WHL or NCAA. I'm willing to wait for 2-3 years, no different than the other leagues if they can walk in sooner and contribute. 

I agree with this. If we are going to be picking in the middle of the first round year after year it’s a great way to get extra value but can be a little risky.

1 minute ago, Mateo3xm said:

I agree with this. If we are going to be picking in the middle of the first round year after year it’s a great way to get extra value but can be a little risky.

"IBGIT" with the Russian Connection.....he was the only one to get KK  out of Russia and he pulled some behind the scenes shit we may never hear about.

He's got street cred with these players, he's been there, won a Cup, seen all levels of B.S, in the league....I believe that is why KK trusted him to come over. One good situation rewards the next.....DIno...next...Yurov....next....

8 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

On Russo’s straight from source podcast he said that Dino is not getting any TOI this season and that it’s’ very concerning’.  Stay tuned 

this may keep us out of Russia in future drafts. 

What’s interesting is Russo said Yurov is also only getting 8-9 min of playing time and still almost a point per game.

Thats a fantastic fu to the guys that are jerking him around over there.

4 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

Unfornately, a little known fact is it follows them to the States and they are still indebted to the underground world of the Russian government here.

I am not in any way surprised by that.

We know players with NHL aspirations that are under contract in Russia for KHL teams risk punitive limitation of playing time. Same with young players. It makes sense, we just don't like it because its our guys. We're accustomed to the best players being put in to win at any cost. I'm not really surprised by it. A tactic by KHL teams to push players into a longer contract, perhaps? I'd not worry too much about it. They're loaning Michkov to Sochi too I read, so that's just how it goes. Sure it would be great to see Wild prospects leading scoring categories, but Sam Anas is in the top-100 KHL scoring mix with our prospects along with Radulov and Ryan Spooner, Jordan Weal, guys we have heard of but wouldn't tear up the NHL.

It's not a sprint, we just need to be patient with guys in the KHL. Firstov last season played a full time role under Head Coach Igor Larionov. No offense to Army in Iowa but Firstov isn't doing too bad for himself. I mean what does he owe the Wild since they drafted him? Just being honest, if he's looking at Iowa and being behind Petan, Walker, and other random guys GMBG picks up between seasons for the depth chart then wouldn't it be wise to look at your options? If the Wild don't have a place for him but he has another great KHL season, perhaps he's one of the players MN can package for a trade.

This has always been the apprehension with Russian picks, is that you don't know what's going to happen with them unless they're immediately coming to the NHL.

1 hour ago, Protec said:

Sam Anas is in the top-100 KHL scoring mix

Sam Anas is good on the whole

I realize that the NHL and KHL do not have an agreement with each other, but it seems to me that guys who are in the KHL and get screwed on playing time because they have 1 year left would rebel a bit. 

For instance, if Dino, who had a great season last year, was being pressured into the contract extension in St. Petersburg, and they decided to play him 5 minutes a game, 

1. it's not a good use of their money.
2. when does the player give the team the middle finger and take the 1st flight to the States where he'll be treated more fairly. 
3. Without the agreement, "under contract" seems to be a little gray.

Now, if 1 or 2 players did this, Russia probably cracks down on passports and other players in the league. But, if you got your family out and gf out, you'd be pretty safe. I'm sure it's not the same as it was in the '80s when you had to defect.

6 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

I realize that the NHL and KHL do not have an agreement with each other, but it seems to me that guys who are in the KHL and get screwed on playing time because they have 1 year left would rebel a bit. 

For instance, if Dino, who had a great season last year, was being pressured into the contract extension in St. Petersburg, and they decided to play him 5 minutes a game, 

1. it's not a good use of their money.
2. when does the player give the team the middle finger and take the 1st flight to the States where he'll be treated more fairly. 
3. Without the agreement, "under contract" seems to be a little gray.

Now, if 1 or 2 players did this, Russia probably cracks down on passports and other players in the league. But, if you got your family out and gf out, you'd be pretty safe. I'm sure it's not the same as it was in the '80s when you had to defect.

Russia cracks down on them in the States and their family in Russia, there is no negotiating.