Player Discussion Jared Spurgeon

[Velmeran]

Jared was pretty solid when he was with the team last year.

I assume he's currently penciled in as the 5th dman on this team, however given the pool of young players potentially ready to make the jump I think he'll need to have a good showing at training camp.

Or in other words, basically I feel the job is his to lose at this point.

 

[saywut]

He's an incumbent on the 3rd pairing, meaning someone would have to supplant him. Don't mind him playing 15 minutes a night, any more and I'll be concerned.

 

[this providence]

He's an incumbent on the 3rd pairing, meaning someone would have to supplant him. Don't mind him playing 15 minutes a night, any more and I'll be concerned.

Pretty much my thoughts summed up as well. He's passable in the role he was used in last season for the most part. The more ice time he sees, the more his deficiencies will come to the forefront, in my opinion.

I did get a good chuckle from Russo putting Spurgie on the second pairing in his latest blog about the depth chart...

 

[Fel 96]

Russo's kid crush.

Seriously, Spurgeon looks so young considering his age. Man, he's young but still..

 

[jaredspurgeon]

As many of you have pointed out he isn't very big, however he can move the puck somewhat. He will be on the team but not as a top pairing. I think that will be Schultz and Zidlicky, or Shultz and a UFA.

I agree about his size, which I think is used to his advantage because he knows how to move the puck. I don't think he would excel as a forward; his shots aren't very strong.

 

[Jarick]

I agree about his size, which I think is used to his advantage because he knows how to move the puck. I don't think we would excel as a forward; his shots aren't very strong.

Does he have multiple personalities that post here?

 

[jaredspurgeon]

Does he have multiple personalities that post here?

Ahhhh sorry. I'm in my iPod touch :/

 

[llamapalooza]

Ahhhh sorry. I'm in my iPod touch :/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3876149363/

 

[GopherState]

Spurgeon highly reminds me of the finnish word "spurgu" which means... Well picture is worth a thousand words they say, so how many words does video equal to?



As you can see in the title it says "spuge" which is acronym for spurgu (not shorter, but gives finnish R is strong so it is often left out in such a manner, scrap that its not a fact just an [un]educated guess.)

Well I learned something new.

Pretty much my thoughts summed up as well. He's passable in the role he was used in last season for the most part. The more ice time he sees, the more his deficiencies will come to the forefront, in my opinion.

I did get a good chuckle from Russo putting Spurgie on the second pairing in his latest blog about the depth chart...

I did too but then realized there really isn't anyone better and got depressed.

 

[Fel 96]

Speaking of him, how come we got him? He was drafted by the Islanders in 2008

I can't seem to remember that. Was it by a trade or something? (FA market?)

 

[rynryn]

Speaking of him, how come we got him? He was drafted by the Islanders in 2008

I can't seem to remember that. Was it by a trade or something? (FA market?)

they cut him loose. he was invited to our camp and impressed.
I'm not the biggest fan of the guy and i clearly remember watching him in camp and saying "Wow look at that little guy! Wow, he can play hockey!"

 

[Fel 96]

Ha!

Makes total sense since I've never heard of him involved in a trade or FA market.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Bookman]

It's kind of like the Wild pitching Michalek to the Coyotes for Westrum. Similar kind of player that is easy to overlook.

 

[ghjkfdhgfd]

he looked like a lil porn star from the 70's in the documentary.

 

[Fel 96]

he looked like a lil porn star from the 70's in the documentary.

Indeed.

 

[Fel 96]

So, I was doing a little research and I found a nice video about him.



And from that video...

The Prototype New Era Defenseman...

Jared Spurgeon embodies everything the modern era defenceman should be. He is highly skilled, ideal for running the powerplay, and deceptively quick, excellent for sneaking in from the point for the tap-in one-timer. He compares well with current NHL defencemen Ian White, Kris Russell, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Brian Rafalski and Francis Bouillon. His gap control is excellent, he displays excellent anticipation, and he plays a physical game that belies his size.

@haleylaverne509 He's on the Minnesota Wild now, even though he's a rookie, he's way better then Brent Burns, the person wild fans consider to be our top defenceman. I'm proud to say that im possibly the first minnesotan to have a Spurgeon Wild Jersey.

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

He'll probably get a roster spot but I still think he needs to bulk up quite a bit if he wants to become an NHL regular. It's not easy to be a defensemen when you're only 5'9". He's still got an uphill battle ahead of him but I think he has what it takes to stay with the Wild all year this year. To be honest though I'd be a little more comfortable with a bigger guy like Scandella or Falk.

 

[Fel 96]

The only thing I don't want to see is a Spurgeon-Lundin pairing.

That's all.

 

[firstroundbust]

He's good.

I'm eager to see what sort of step he'll take forward now that he's got 53 games under his belt- he is such a smart player, gotta wonder what he'll do with some NHL experience.

 

[Jarick]

That video was produced by his agent when he wrapped up his overage year in the CHL.

He looks like he may have filled out a little more but could still fill out some. I think he has some untapped offensive potential. He could be a fun part of the Wild's future.

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

Spurgeon seems to be adapting well but my favorite newer defensemen from last year who I hope is on the team this year is Stoner. Good size, can actually win a fight (I'm looking at you sawdust), and was one of the few Wild players to actually have a plus rating. I think the Wild would be crazy not to have him on the roster. BTW I can't remember, but who was Stoner's linemate last year? Or did Richards switch him around a lot?

 

[Fel 96]

He was playing with Spurgeon most of the time when Spurgeon played with the Wild IIRC.

Need to check some stats.

EDIT: Or Zanon...

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

He was playing with Spurgeon most of the time when Spurgeon played with the Wild IIRC.

Need to check some stats.

EDIT: Or Zanon...

Spurgeon seems about right. They both played a similar amount of games and Stoner plays left while Spurgeon plays right. I hope the defense looks something like this when the season starts (assuming no more trades/signings):

Schultz-Zidlicky
Zanon-Lundin
Stoner-Spurgeon
ex. Scandella

God when you look at it Zids is the only offensive defensemen we have, ugh. And of course he'll get injured at some point. Hopefully we can get a more offensive defensemen at the trade deadline or more likely next free agency. Who knows maybe Fletch will make another trade when he sees our defense isn't producing enough offensively. With everything that's happened already this offseason anything's possible.

 

[llamapalooza]

God when you look at it Zids is the only offensive defensemen we have, ugh. And of course he'll get injured at some point. Hopefully we can get a more offensive defensemen at the trade deadline or more likely next free agency. Who knows maybe Fletch will make another trade when he sees our defense isn't producing enough offensively. With everything that's happened already this offseason anything's possible.

Spurge isn't gonna be sniping a ton of one-timers or anything, but he can make a smart outlet pass and cycles the puck OK, so he can at least get the guys up front started. Also, we now have the forward depth to roll a forward at the point on the power play and not totally fail.

 

[BagHead]

Spurgeon seems about right. They both played a similar amount of games and Stoner plays left while Spurgeon plays right. I hope the defense looks something like this when the season starts (assuming no more trades/signings):

Schultz-Zidlicky
Zanon-Lundin
Stoner-Spurgeon
ex. Scandella

God when you look at it Zids is the only offensive defensemen we have, ugh. And of course he'll get injured at some point. Hopefully we can get a more offensive defensemen at the trade deadline or more likely next free agency. Who knows maybe Fletch will make another trade when he sees our defense isn't producing enough offensively. With everything that's happened already this offseason anything's possible.

Classy(upon reading my own stuff, that seemed sarcastic, it was NOT intended that way!). I actually like this defense. It's seriously missing Burnsie, but you guys aren't giving Spurgie enough credit. The kid was very good on the PP when he FINALLY got the chance last year. He started putting up points, and was very dynamic. In my opinion, he's the only other offensive D-man besides Zids on our roster. The kid will exceed last years totals in points, and will probably be solid defensively, at least as much as old Kimmy Johnsson ever was (and he probably will have the same deficiencies). He's small, but he's good. He reminds me of a very young Brian Rafalski, and that guy is money.

I'll put it this way. He's like having an extra Bouchard, only this one is SUPPOSED to circle at the blue line.