Wild's Jesper Wallstedt Reflects On Getting First NHL Win

What was the difference? Was it playing lowly Chicago instead of Dallas? NO! Obviously, it was the fact that his mama was in attendance!

I thought The Wall was a little shaky in the 1st period but with each save gained confidence. It was nice to see him pitch a shutout especially against the most hated franchise from our perspective. And, Bedard was held off the scoresheet.

In fact, both Rossi and Faber outplayed Bedard who had pretty much nothing in this game. And, one could say that even rookie Wallstedt outplayed him! Now, if the voting writers were paying attention (which they weren't), they should have noticed Faber's outstanding drop pass as he goated the Chicago players, especially the trailer, to catch him leaving Kaprizov all along to convert. They should also have noticed the nice one-timer that Rossi got off making the score 2-0. And, they had to notice that the Wild players were a + in rating. 

I think the difference this season has been a downfall in talent for the Wild. Previously, they had problems with the top 10 teams in points in the league. But, the bottom 2/3rds they handled well. This season, they've had problems with the top 15 teams in the league, but have pretty well handled the bottom 10. If they want to regain their playoff spot, they've got to handle those middle 10 teams again, and the main reason for that, I believe, were the lack of depth due to injuries. 

Wall looked much better in goal yesterday... although not a true test by any means.  Chicago is a joke.  I hope their tank goes down in flames for a decade.  

Betard might just end up being another version of Zegras.    A few sick moves in a year doesn't not warrant a crown.  Calen Addison roughed up the lil tyke to put things in perspective.   Maybe he will become something special in a few years but anointing him as a rookie is premature.  It looks like hype to be honest.

Faber is definitely wanting the Calder.  He is still inspired even though the season is over.  If the trophy wasn't a marketing tool, he would win it by a wide margin.  Who gives out trophies to blue collar blue liners?

1 hour ago, Will D. Ness said:

might just end up being another version of Zegras.

I think Bedard is a special talent, but I'm not sure Chicago is doing him any favors by putting him with that roster. Might have been better off dominating the AHL, and working on his strength, but that doesn't sell NHL tickets and who would want to watch that team without him on the roster?

I just hope their tank doesn't get them another #1 pick this year. Bedard with Celebrini could be really scary a couple of years down the road.

I was looking back at the Yurov pre-draft analysis and thought it was worth sharing this note, particularly as he has been playing center this last year:

Quote

“Danila Yurov is a player with good two-way ability who can dish passes like crazy. It would be better if he was playing in the centre position rather than a winger as he’s so positionally sound, whether it be on the offensive or defensive side. I can see a top 6 forward who can be a terrific set-up man in Yurov who has the ability to make a line much better. I can project Yurov to get around 60-70 pts a season in his prime and possess excellent defensive metrics. My player comparison for Yurov has to be Elias Pettersson, as they are Dynamic forwards who can drive a line and are excellent with stick checking. both can distribute the puck effortlessly and possess a high level of IQ.” – Rayan Tubecc, Recruit Scouting

(this was written before Pettersson exceeded 70 points in a season)

1 hour ago, Will D. Ness said:

Might just end up being another version of Zegras.   

I made the same comparison when my girlfriend and I were talking about Faber and Calder possibilities.  Chicago fans seem to think he's the next Crosby or McDavid.  He'll be a good offensive player, but he's neither of those two and I really doubt he will ever even be close.  He'll be better than Zegras, and he'll show up in the highlight reel, but I feel like he's all flash and little substance, kind of like Zegras.

18 minutes ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

I think Bedard is a special talent, but I'm not sure Chicago is doing him any favors by putting him with that roster. Might have been better off dominating the AHL, and working on his strength, but that doesn't sell NHL tickets and who would want to watch that team without him on the roster?

And here is the rub on the young player. It was NHL or bust for him. He was too young to play in the A. Now, had he been European, he could have played there, but NA players have to be 20. So, if he didn't make the roster, he'd have been dominating jr. hockey which would have been another disservice to him.

4 minutes ago, raithis said:

He'll be a good offensive player, but he's neither of those two and I really doubt he will ever even be close. 

Until he learns to play defense, and bulks up, he won't be nearly as effective as he could be. Bulking up will need to come first. 

Nobody will remember Stramel's struggles if the first time he hits the ice vs. Chicago he sends Bedard into Tuesday of next month!

Anyone see the post-game video from the locker room?  Wallstedt got the viking helmet thing they do and you could see Gustavsson behind him.  Most players would be genuinely happy for Wallstedt.  I'm sure Fleury gave him a big hug.  Gustavsson did not look happy.

Part of me feels like Gus's inconsistent play is because he's looking over his shoulder worried that Wallstedt's going to pass him rather than just focusing on his game.

If Wallstedt shows he is ready, I'm not sure what we do next year.  I could go either way on keeping Fleury.  What I don't want to see is for Gus to go full-Talbot in 1-2 years because he wants to be the starter.

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Until he learns to play defense, and bulks up, he won't be nearly as effective as he could be. Bulking up will need to come first. 

Nobody will remember Stramel's struggles if the first time he hits the ice vs. Chicago he sends Bedard into Tuesday of next month!

Agreed.  For a lot his time in the defensive zone, I felt like I frequently saw Bedard camping out near the blue line, 20-30ft from everyone else basically leaving Chicago shorthanded.  It's not like he was getting breakaways because of it.  It reminded me of Gaborik a bit, sitting on the blue line too much hoping he wouldn't have to be on defense anymore and could race down the ice.

1 minute ago, raithis said:

Part of me feels like Gus's inconsistent play is because he's looking over his shoulder worried that Wallstedt's going to pass him rather than just focusing on his game.

If Wallstedt shows he is ready, I'm not sure what we do next year.  I could go either way on keeping Fleury.  What I don't want to see is for Gus to go full-Talbot in 1-2 years because he wants to be the starter.

I didn't see it but it shocks me to think he wasn't happy for his Lulea brother. They will be a good tandem. I wrote this on another thread, but I believe the right thing to do is to go with Goose and The Wall, at least to start next season. 

My plan would be to just switch them every other game to start and if one is hot ride him. The other part of the plan is to have Fleury invited to practice with the team and keep in shape. If this does not work out, The Wall can be sent down to Iowa without waivers. Then sign Fleury to a 1/2 year deal. 

If it's Goose that needs shipping out then do it. But, at least start the year with him and give him a chance to rebound. The funny thing with Goose is this: If he just minds his own game, and makes the adjustments that his coaches tell him too, including working out, then he has nothing to worry about. He's still a solid option. 

I think a tandem of both would be excellent for awhile and you just role them out every other game unless there's injury or one is hot. $3.75m each for a pair of goalies like this could be a steal. 

11 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

He was too young to play in the A.

I forgot about that aspect. He'll likely be fine, but they'll need to surround him with some additional talent before he gets too much punishment and perhaps some bad habits get ingrained. He's clearly a major talent to be leading an NHL team in scoring at age 18 at nearly a point per game, but he'll need help to make them competitive.

6 minutes ago, raithis said:

Agreed.  For a lot his time in the defensive zone, I felt like I frequently saw Bedard camping out near the blue line, 20-30ft from everyone else basically leaving Chicago shorthanded.  It's not like he was getting breakaways because of it.  It reminded me of Gaborik a bit, sitting on the blue line too much hoping he wouldn't have to be on defense anymore and could race down the ice.

If he continues having this attitude, Chicago may not be tough to beat. 

1 hour ago, raithis said:

I made the same comparison when my girlfriend and I were talking about Faber and Calder possibilities.  Chicago fans seem to think he's the next Crosby or McDavid.  He'll be a good offensive player, but he's neither of those two and I really doubt he will ever even be close.  He'll be better than Zegras, and he'll show up in the highlight reel, but I feel like he's all flash and little substance, kind of like Zegras.

He might just be a special talent like Huckleberry is saying but right now it is crazy to even mention him in similar context to McDavid or Crosby.  I agree he seems to have a little more raw talent than Zegras and unless he gets spoiled in Chicago, he probably will have a better attitude as well.  

Gus shoulda been traded last off season. 

the Wall was great but the pass Faber dropped to Kaprisov was a thing of pure beauty

23 minutes ago, NC Beach Bum said:

the Wall was great but the pass Faber dropped to Kaprisov was a thing of pure beauty

High hockey IQ. He went hard and it basically suckered both Blackhawks and left Kirill a layup shot. 

100% right, great play made by Faber there.

8 hours ago, Will D. Ness said:

I hope their tank goes down in flames for a decade

Preach Brother!

6 hours ago, Imyourhuckleberry said:

Might have been better off dominating the AHL

Except i don't believe he could go to the AHL. He played Canadian Juniors last year so if i am not mistaken he either has to play in the NHL or go back to juniors. I agree that another year in Juniors to get his body more developed would have been wiser.

6 hours ago, raithis said:

Anyone see the post-game video from the locker room?  Wallstedt got the viking helmet thing they do and you could see Gustavsson behind him.  Most players would be genuinely happy for Wallstedt.  I'm sure Fleury gave him a big hug.  Gustavsson did not look happy.

I think I would be hesitant to make a statement like that based on what my impression was of a brief video from the locker room. We can't know what Gus was thinking or what someone had said to him just previously or in fact anything at all. If it becomes repetitive or someone lets out that this is happening, then we can make judgements with maybe a little context.

Matthew's, or McDavid are the benchmark. Most #1 overall guys won't be that good or NHL ready right away. Faber was albeit a little older. 

Bedard having had an injury and still gets 60 points, he deserves it too. Not as much IMO.

16 hours ago, Up North Guy said:

I think I would be hesitant to make a statement like that based on what my impression was of a brief video from the locker room. We can't know what Gus was thinking or what someone had said to him just previously or in fact anything at all. If it becomes repetitive or someone lets out that this is happening, then we can make judgements with maybe a little context.

Fair.  It could just be Gus's demeanor in contrast with his teammates.  It just struck me as odd the way he was looking at him.