Wilderness Walk: Loser Points In Sweden

Sad thing about the whole experience was the Wild probably played its best defensive game since the opener against Ottawa.  They also fought back against Toronto.  Close doesn't count when trying to win though.  I'll remember two plays: Kaprizov and Zuccarello failing in OT against Ottawa, and that Nylander goal against Toronto.  Other teams are burying their chances with ease: Minnesota is not.  That's why they are losing.

6 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Other teams are burying their chances with ease: Minnesota is not.  That's why they are losing.

If this is all it is, good news, that stuff usually evens itself out. However, I don't think that's all it is. 

I'm questioning the confidence the team has in the current coaching staff. They don't look like a confident team. I realize that winning changes things, but it just doesn't look like they are buying into the coaching this year. 

It seems like many have jumped off the Evason bandwagon after last year's playoff loss. Could it be that some of the players did that too? I'm wondering if Evason did a lot of standing on the flight home, because the seat warmers should definitely have been on High. 

All that is missing right now is a viable replacement. But, we are entering the area where "interim" may be getting some capital letters. Has anyone looked behind Evason's collar to see if we are past his expiration date? Calling Aunt Bonnie, could you check please!

One thing I did like in the Ottawa game was seeing a lot of Ottawa players on the ice after hits or after trying to hit our guys. IMO, this team has to play that way to win.

2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

If this is all it is, good news, that stuff usually evens itself out. However, I don't think that's all it is. 

I'm questioning the confidence the team has in the current coaching staff. They don't look like a confident team. I realize that winning changes things, but it just doesn't look like they are buying into the coaching this year. 

It seems like many have jumped off the Evason bandwagon after last year's playoff loss. Could it be that some of the players did that too? I'm wondering if Evason did a lot of standing on the flight home, because the seat warmers should definitely have been on High. 

All that is missing right now is a viable replacement. But, we are entering the area where "interim" may be getting some capital letters. Has anyone looked behind Evason's collar to see if we are past his expiration date? Calling Aunt Bonnie, could you check please!

I feel like a broken record every time I bring DE up. This team has all the hallmarks of a team that no longer listens to the coach. All coaches have a sell by date when they are hired. A GM can't fire the whole team so the coach moves on. Having read where BG felty he had to have a GM coming to Jesus talk with the whole team makes me wonder even more of BG isn't getting closer. I know in my jobs in the past if my boss would have needed to come in and chew out my crew I would have been looking for a new job.

19 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

Having read where BG felty he had to have a GM coming to Jesus talk with the whole team makes me wonder even more of BG isn't getting closer. I know in my jobs in the past if my boss would have needed to come in and chew out my crew I would have been looking for a new job.

I'd say the whole staff's seats are getting very toasty. Even the goalie coach may be feeling the pressure.

9 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Even the goalie coach may be feeling the pressure.

Russo and the Wild on 7th podcast both are saying that a goalie coach may be the first sacrificial lamb in an upcoming blood letting to wake up this current team.

BG's closed door 'scream fest' prior to Sweden didn't do the trick as we saw against OTT.  The whole closed door players only meeting card can only be played a couple times before everyone gets bored with it.  That card has been played 2-3 times now.

I think what we've got is a complacent group with all the long term no-move contracts for our bottom six players, and if 97 is unable to put this team on his back AGAIN this season is going to look alot like the Koivu + Antti Miettenen years.  Sprinkle some Setoguchi on top of that to taste.  Yuck!

Why does Kaprizov look like his skating posture is different, his turns aren't crisp and his balance looks off? Specifically, when he goes 10-2, he is having trouble maintaining balance and puck possession. That used to be a strength of his. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he get slightly injured in preseason? I wonder if that has had lingering affects?