Wilderness Walk: Offseason Limping Along

The Athletic did have a nice recap of the weekend for the Wild development camp. For those who have access, definitely worth a read.

22 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

The Athletic did have a nice recap of the weekend for the Wild development camp. For those who have access, definitely worth a read.

Would you care to hit the highlights? Since I'm not a subscriber and twitter locked me out for that very reason, I'm flying blind here!

Of course, I still have strong opinions 😎

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Would you care to hit the highlights?

Well, Joe Smith is quoting the coaches much of it, and they speak glowingly of virtually everyone. If there is anyone you want specific information on, feel free to ask, but the article is lengthy. Caedan Bankier suffered a leg injury(unspecified) training in the offseason, so not many notes on him other than that. His season start will be delayed.

One of the comments that particularly caught my attention was them talking about Milne's speed. They suggested that in the latter half of the year, there were multiple nights where he might have been their best forward in IA. He only posted 13 points in 57 games, but good that he had some solid nights. He also played the PK in Iowa.

A note on Yurov is that they will start him at wing, but that with his talent, they may also try giving him time at C when he makes the move over next year. “Love his game, love his up-and-down speed. The creativity of his game." - Bombardir

Excitement over what Khusnitdinov has been able to do in the KHL and what he might bring when he comes over to the Wild. From Brad Bombardir, "We’re excited about him. He can skate. He’s got a really good motor to him. He can create.”

He hinted at Faber possibly playing with Brodin, but that seemed to be pure speculation with Dumba unlikely to be back with the team and leaving a top 4 spot open across from Brodin, but Faber has been working hard to be ready for it.

Also indicated that Daemon Hunt wasn't far off from a callup late in the year, if the Wild needed him. They were happy with his progress in one of the few healthy seasons he has had recently.

Coach McLean on Lambos, "What our scouts are seeing, is that he can play against anyone in junior hockey and they have a really tough time playing against him. He’s got offensive gifts and instincts as well. He’ll be an all-around, very solid defenseman. The fact he can play and handle all the best players is a real good quality.”

What I wish Bombardir said, "We really wanna get these guys on the grit-injections. There's gonna be a grit-injection mandate for all Euro players to be administered by Hendricks and McLeod. Seeing great flying-elbow progression with Yurov. Knudi-the-Rat has been watching Brad Marchand clips and classic Tie Domi sucker-punches. Milne is cranking out the box jumps & sprints and his RPMs are super-high and he might need to have a governor installed. Defense prospects are being indoctrinated with propaganda to cultivate hatred and psychosis. They're planning to grab Suter after a game and give him a mega-wedgie, swirly, draw a weener on his face with a sharpie, and finally tossing him into the dumpster. We're really excited, they're taking some nice steps."

😁

My fave part about the Athletic article is them sending Peart back to St. Cloud. Sucks for him, but does make it seem like they are finally prepared to move one of the AHL defenseman up a level beginning next season. Based on the article, that's likely going to be Hunt which will be nice to see.

MOAR SIZE ON THE BLUELINE. 

Not sure how to feel about Milne being described as the best forward most nights. Dude was a 1st year pro. Sounds good for him but not so good for the other forwards, which might explain why we don't seem eager to move Beckman or Walker into the NHL? Or I'm just reading too much into it..

1 hour ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

A note on Yurov is that they will start him at wing, but that with his talent, they may also try giving him time at C when he makes the move over next year. “Love his game, love his up-and-down speed. The creativity of his game." - Bombardir

Ugh. We're going to make him the Russian Hartman? No thanks, just let the dude play wing. 

1 hour ago, Protec said:

There's gonna be a grit-injection mandate for all Euro players to be administered by Hendricks and McLeod. Seeing great flying-elbow progression with Yurov. Knudi-the-Rat has been watching Brad Marchand clips and classic Tie Domi sucker-punches.

Of course, the grit injection will be advertised as a Covid vax update, so as to not draw any attention! 😜

32 minutes ago, B1GKappa97 said:

My fave part about the Athletic article is them sending Peart back to St. Cloud. Sucks for him, but does make it seem like they are finally prepared to move one of the AHL defenseman up a level beginning next season. Based on the article, that's likely going to be Hunt which will be nice to see.

MOAR SIZE ON THE BLUELINE. 

Not sure how to feel about Milne being described as the best forward most nights. Dude was a 1st year pro. Sounds good for him but not so good for the other forwards, which might explain why we don't seem eager to move Beckman or Walker into the NHL? Or I'm just reading too much into it..

What was the full extent of the Peart comment? To my memory, wasn't he scheduled to return to St. Cloud anyway? I thought last season was his sophomore season, I wouldn't expect him in Iowa until after his jr. season. I'd also expect him to be filled out, not tiny.

A comment on Milne, he only had 13 points all year, but, he was starting to get those points down the stretch. Walker's play really fell off the 2nd half as he hit the wall. Beckman was injured down the stretch. When he returned, he made a difference. Also, several, at the end of the season got called up. But, this might be an indictment against Petan and Fogarty.

The Wild did not finish the season strong, and Rossi was one of those forwards, though, I would assume the author was talking more about wings.

Huckleberry wins the home run derby post of the day! Very nice post, wish we could turn some of these green!

4 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

A comment on Milne, he only had 13 points all year, but, he was starting to get those points down the stretch.

They commented on how Milne's speed was standing out late in the year and that he was learning how to use it more effectively. It will be interesting to see how he progresses. I don't think many of the guys outside of Rossi, Walker, and Beckman will get much, if any, time with the Wild, but the AHL roster sounds like it will be a bit more competitive and hopefully that leads to growth for everyone down there.

12 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I don't think many of the guys outside of Rossi, Walker, and Beckman will get much, if any, time with the Wild, but the AHL roster sounds like it will be a bit more competitive and hopefully that leads to growth for everyone down there.

I'm hoping the new coach gets these guys ready faster. He's got to insist on more strength and taking those gym days seriously. A players tend to get a lot of days off in a row, so they can do that + they're young, they rebound much faster.

I anticipate that Iowa will be a fun team to watch in the A.

19 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Milne's speed. They suggested that in the latter half of the year, there were multiple nights where he might have been their best forward in IA

It's happening people.

Hey Mikey, he likes it!

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

It's happening people.