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  • Wilderness Walk: What Are The Remaining Roster Decisions?

    Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
    Thomas Williams

    By Thomas Williams -

    That's Wild

    The Minnesota Wild recently trimmed down their roster but there are a few wrinkles that should be mentioned when the total number of players left is discussed. While 19 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goaltenders looks like healthy competition remains, it all boils down to not a whole lot of spots up for grabs.

    Of the 19 forwards, there are three injured (Caedan Bankier, Mikey Milne, and Sam Hentges) who are just rehabbing with the team. So outside of the projected 12, it is Vinni Lettieri, Jujhar Khaira, Sammy Walker, and Nic Petan, all battling to be the Wild's 13th forward or impress enough to be the first forward called up in case of future injury.

    And then of course we know what the blue line and crease is going to look like, so there isn't really any juicy training camp competition at this stage of the preseason, unfortunately.

    • Do the Wild have some hidden strategy that will make them look really intelligent with the Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno contract extensions? [Hockey Wilderness]
    • On Tuesday, Mason Shaw got to stay within the Wild organization by signing a one-year, AHL-only deal with the Iowa Wild as he looks to rehab from his injury through this season. [The Hockey News]
    • Derek Stepan announced his retirement from playing professional hockey on Tuesday, but he will be working part-time in the Wild front office as his new job. [The Hockey News]

    Off the trail...

    • It's the start of the real hockey season so you know what that means -- it is also the start of fantasy hockey season! Here is a list of some sleeper picks to consider while drafting your team: [Yahoo Sports]
    • Matthew Coronato is making a strong case for making the Calgary Flames' top-six forward group after showcasing his wicked shot. [Sportsnet]
    • Should we be a little scared? Connor Bedard just had a three-point night for the Chicago Blackhawks in a preseason game. [NHL dot com]
    • There is nothing like a beautiful comeback story and there are going to be loads in the 2023-24 NHL season. From Jonathan Drouin being back with his junior teammate, to Jack Campbell trying to stay afloat in the Edmonton crease. [DailyFaceoff]
    By Thomas Williams  

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    MrCheatachu
    Quote

    So outside of the projected 12, it is Vinni Lettieri, Jujhar Khaira, Sammy Walker, and Nic Petan, all battling to be the Wild's 13th forward

    They might be battling but unless the wild do something (SEND BOLDY DOWN) they make to much to be the 13th forward.

    Wild Cap Space: $818k

    Kharia: $775k

    Lettieri: $775k

    Petan: $762k 

    Swaney: $775k

    Fogarty: $762k

    Walker: $855k 😭

    Beckman: $894k 😭

    Haight: $897k 😭

    Hentges: $855k 😭

    Bankier: $867k 😭

    Milne: $861k 😭

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    MrCheatachu

    To elaborate on why Boldy needs to be sent down to the AHL

    Cap is calculated daily and accumulates: https://puckpedia.com/salary-cap/8-team-cap-hit-calculations-accrued-cap-space#:~:text=Cap space “accrues” over time,the remainder of the year.

    Boldy is on a 1-way contract so being sent do the AHL on off days would not impact his checks.  Rossi/Brockli are on 2-way contracts so this plan would take money off their checks, I do not suggest stiffing the young guys as that would come back to bite you in the next contracts.  Boldy has 20 games this season where we could send him down (on off days, not missing games) to accumulate cap without having to put him through waivers. https://www.capfriendly.com/waivers-calculator/matthew-boldy

     

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    Pewterschmidt
    7 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

    They might be battling but unless the wild do something (SEND BOLDY DOWN) they make to much to be the 13th forward.

    Wild Cap Space: $818k

    Kharia: $775k

    Lettieri: $775k

    Petan: $762k 

    Swaney: $775k

    Fogarty: $762k

    Walker: $855k 😭

    Beckman: $894k 😭

    Haight: $897k 😭

    Hentges: $855k 😭

    Bankier: $867k 😭

    Milne: $861k 😭

    Mikey makes $861k per year.  Well I’ll be damned,  our boy is making it in the big city

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    Protec

    Good to see Shaw getting some time to rehab. He was doing well last year. Glad the Wild are taking care of him hoping he can get back.

    I think Khaira with size and experience is the guy. Walker and Lettierrii are the first call ups. Younger guys too, maybe trade pieces although I'd like to see Walker stay with MN. Khaira knows Chicago, big, and has been in the NHL for awhile. To me that seems like a good reason Guerin signed him to begin with. Walker was good last year too but not exactly dominant or automatic. Maybe this year but he'll need to show that.

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    MrCheatachu
    37 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

    Mikey makes $861k per year.  Well I’ll be damned,  our boy is making it in the big city

    2-way contract, so he makes a much more modest $82,500 in the AHL...

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    Imyourhuckleberry

    I wouldn't be surprised if just 12 forwards start in the NHL.  They have options to replace the type of player that they lose if someone should miss time with injury.  If Rossi misses time, Petan could replace him.

    If Johansson misses time, maybe they use Walker or Lettieri there.  If Duhaime or Maroon miss time, Kharia is likely filling in for them. I know Evason mentioned that he liked that they have options for different roles.

    KK97, Zuccarello, Boldy, and JEE are all types that cannot really be replaced by a similar Iowa Wild player, but many of the other guys have roles that they can elevate someone from Iowa to fill.

    In a pinch, they could probably use Goligoski or Addison as a 12th forward. Seems like they need to start the year with just 12 in order to open up some cap space to allow more freedom in the callups when they need them.

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    Up North Guy

    He is going to do a skating regime with Andy Ness for a while then go down to Iowa and start practicing with the team. They have a clear plan set up for him. His doctors are forbidding him practicing with the Wild while he is here.

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    vonlonster67
    On 10/4/2023 at 10:01 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

    Mikey makes $861k per year.  Well I’ll be damned,  our boy is making it in the big city

    He's injured along with Hentges and Bankier, only reason they are here.

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