Player Discussion Jacob Middleton

[Minnewildsota]

Could just be a rotation thing. Bring out Kulikov against an "easier" team in the Nucks? Maybe Kukilov needs a maintenance day?

No idea. just postulating.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Could just be a rotation thing. Bring out Kulikov against an "easier" team in the Nucks? Maybe Kukilov needs a maintenance day?

No idea. just postulating.

Possibly. Minnesota got some depth now

 

[P10p]

Kulikov could also be banged up a little and they are just giving him some rest for all we know.

 

[57special]

Idk I can’t see a world where we trade Dumba over Fiala. But tbh I’m really stoked about the idea of Middleton playing with Spurgeon and re-signing at under $3m for a few more years.


Doesn’t work, forgot to include buyouts. We’re unable to make it under the cap even adding a minimum contract. Maybe trade Talbot and try to re-sign MAF for like 2.75 and bring up Hunter Jones as the 2nd goalie. Then you barely make it. Hell trade Gaudreau and make a run at Meyers and save another 300k. But you need to also figure in Rossi. Fiala has to come in 6.5 or less or it can’t happen. Or Middleton needs to come in at 2.5.

Hunter Jones is completely unready to be a NHL goalie.

 

[57special]

Kulikov could also be banged up a little and they are just giving him some rest for all we know.

That would be my guess.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Yeah, Kulikov has been great for his role this year, we will be seeing rotations throughout the lineup from here on out to get players rested stay as fresh as possible for the playoffs.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Possibly. Minnesota got some depth now

You better watch yourself saying those words.

 

[AKL]

You better watch yourself saying those words.

We're probably fine. I think if Anson Carter picked a fight with an HFBoards user, that would probably be the end of his career, so I don't think he'd risk it.

 

[ShortPeter6]

What's the point of having Kulikov come out when Merrill and Goligoski have both been awful

Absolutely, ultimately Goligoski should be the man out. He is so slow and weak these days. Kulikov better be banged up or this is the dumbest decision I have seen.

 

[TwiztedHeat]

Hunter Jones is completely unready to be a NHL goalie.

I completely agree. I’m just saying that’s what it’d take to get Fiala signed. So essentially I’m saying “he gone”.

 

[57special]

As he settles in and gets more familiar with the team systems and players, I am getting to like this guy. He is clearly tough and strong out there, but he also has a good stick, and is very good covering out in front of the net, which IMO is a weakness of the Wild D. He's not got great feet, so you don't want him taking over from Brodin in covering McDavid, but he gets to corners in reasonable time, and seems reasonably effective there, unlike some of our D. Not the greatest puck handler, but at least knows his limitations. We don't need another giveaway machine.
Overall, i am impressed. The fact that he can fight is WAY down the list of things that he can do that makes the team better, but I'd rather have him fight than Dumba, or Kulikov(that was ugly).

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Hope we keep him but we have 7 d-man signed next year already (including Addison)

 

[BagHead]

Hope we keep him but we have 7 d-man signed next year already (including Addison)

Makes me think Guerin has started talking about extensions with either Dumba or Middleton or both, and one of them will require a raise greater than the Wild can afford. That's just my own speculation, but I have to think they'll move someone. They could run 8 d-men, but I've only rarely seen teams do it.

 

[57special]

From what i have soon so far (and it's really, really early), I'd rather have Middleton than Merill for sure, Maybe(probably?) Goligoski as soon as next year, and Addison. Kulikov and he are about equal in value if the both have the same cap hit. Kulikov is better with the puck, Middleton more physical and better D...somewhat of a wash, but I think Middleton might be a better fit.

 

[Mattb124]

Wild fans, Sharks fan here wanting to know how are you liking Middleton thus far? Saw he scored a goal last night which is a nice bonus with the other things he brings on the ice. My sense is that he was always given too much credited for being big and physical and not enough for his sound defense/positioning and simple but effective outlet passes.

 

[BagHead]

Wild fans, Sharks fan here wanting to know how are you liking Middleton thus far? Saw he scored a goal last night which is a nice bonus with the other things he brings on the ice. My sense is that he was always given too much credited for being big and physical and not enough for his sound defense/positioning and simple but effective outlet passes.

I think he's been getting better each game. He started off with us by falling over a few times and throwing the puck off the boards haphazardly to break it out. Since then, he's gotten physical, played really good defense, has started making those little outlet passes, and is even showing a willingness to occasionally jump up into the play. I'm liking him quite a lot!

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

He has been quite solid and brings a good steady defensive game, pretty much exactly what we needed on the back end. You can tell he is getting more comfortable with the team as well as he has been jumping up in the play more recently as Evason preaches. Very happy to have him and hope he sticks around.

 

[Mattb124]

Glad to hear. He jumped into the play a surprising amount with the Sharks so glad to hear that is part of the scheme in MIN.

 

[TaLoN]

Glad to hear. He jumped into the play a surprising amount with the Sharks so glad to hear that is part of the scheme in MIN.

I don't think Guerin would've wanted him if he didn't think he could jump in offensively.

Even Benn tries to do so when he plays, and he's terrible at it... which is one of the many reasons we don't want him playing.

 

[Nino Noderreiter]

So Middleton or Soucy?

 

[BagHead]

So Middleton or Soucy?

If contract price were equal, Middleton.

 

[Minnesota]

Kahkonen and a 5th is looking pretty good.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So Middleton or Soucy?

Soucy for me.

 

[57special]

So Middleton or Soucy?

I think i might like Middleton a bit better, but I need to see more.

 

[57special]

Wait...this guy is a rookie?
And Guerin would rather have Goligoski than him?