Player Discussion Justin "Fonzie" Fontaine

[Dr Jan Itor]

McCormick is pretty useless..it just took Yeo and Wild fans a few games to realize that. Why do you think Buffalo(the team that has taken Anyone, to play for them this season) wanted rid of his contract.

Wasn't more of us wanting to rid ourselves of Mitchell's? McCormick was just there to balance the deal.

 

[Beegoalie]

Wasn't more of us wanting to rid ourselves of Mitchell's? McCormick was just there to balance the deal.

It was both, I read somewhere(can't remember, will find for you if I can) that they wanted rid of McCormick's contract as well, and he was a throw in and the only way they would take Mitchell.)

 

[Victorious Secret]

It was both, I read somewhere(can't remember, will find for you if I can) that they wanted rid of McCormick's contract as well, and he was a throw in and the only way they would take Mitchell.)

I thought that was a poster saying that and not actually backed up. McCormick's pro-rated contract for the rest of the year would not have been much bigger than the person they replaced him with. Plus, Buffalo has so much space anyways. I think it was they just wanted rid of him, not so much about the contract.

 

[GoWild]

Why do we scratch Fontaine?

Justin Fontaine provides so much potential offense. He did exceptional on the line with Moulson and El Capitain. I think that is much better than dressing McCormick...

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Justin Fontaine provides so much potential offense. He did exceptional on the line with Moulson and El Capitain. I think that is much better than dressing McCormick...

Or Heatley....

But in all seriousness, read russo's blog today, Yeo talked a little about Fontaine. Saying the last few games he's been a little off.

In the Fontaine player discussion thread I was bringing this up, seems to have left the front page now..

 

[EXTRAS]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering how Fontaine has been playing this season. What do you think he tops out as in terms of points over the next couple years? Could he be a 50 point guy? Or is he a career 2nd/3rd line tweener?

 

[Avder]

Personally I see him topping out as a third liner. Not sure what I would guess as his point totals, but lower than 50 for sure.

 

[Wild11MN]

Playing for us probably limits his upside. I think he could put up a bunch of points on one of the top two lines.. the problem is he has almost no chance to stick there for us without injuries.

 

[Jarick]

I bet he could score 20 goals and 40 points in the top six, but I bet that team wouldn't finish anywhere near the playoffs. See Kyle Brodziak a few years ago.

 

[Wild48]

Personally I see him topping out as a third liner. Not sure what I would guess as his point totals, but lower than 50 for sure.

I hope on this roster, he tops out as a 4th liner.

To answer the question about why he's scratched... He's mediocre. He does nothing exceptionally well. He's really old considering how little experience he has. I'm very hard on Fontaine, part of that may be having to listen to Bulldog fans overrate the hell out of the guy. I'd rather see a true grinder play on the 4th line than Fontaine, and I'd rather see a more talented scorer play on the "third" line.

He doesn't hit well, he doesn't pass well, and he's a decent skater. He benefited from a ridiculously high shot % last year that will never happen again.

 

[MNWILDFAN001]

I hope on this roster, he tops out as a 4th liner.

To answer the question about why he's scratched... He's mediocre. He does nothing exceptionally well. He's really old considering how little experience he has. I'm very hard on Fontaine, part of that may be having to listen to Bulldog fans overrate the hell out of the guy. I'd rather see a true grinder play on the 4th line than Fontaine, and I'd rather see a more talented scorer play on the "third" line.

He doesn't hit well, he doesn't pass well, and he's a decent skater. He benefited from a ridiculously high shot % last year that will never happen again.

I agree with all of this.

 

[Randy BoBandy]

I hope on this roster, he tops out as a 4th liner.

To answer the question about why he's scratched... He's mediocre. He does nothing exceptionally well. He's really old considering how little experience he has. I'm very hard on Fontaine, part of that may be having to listen to Bulldog fans overrate the hell out of the guy. I'd rather see a true grinder play on the 4th line than Fontaine, and I'd rather see a more talented scorer play on the "third" line.

He doesn't hit well, he doesn't pass well, and he's a decent skater. He benefited from a ridiculously high shot % last year that will never happen again.

He has great offensive awareness. The guy can mesh well with first line players. He has great vision and passing skills and some finish. He drives the offense on whatever line he is on because he can carry the puck through the neutral zone better than a lot of guys on this team. You are underrating a lot of things he does well that this team needs. Guy just produces and that is what matters. He isn't big, he doesn't hit, but he creates scoring opportunities despite his ice time and role.

 

[space321]

Fontaine's great. Dunno whats with that guy bashing him. He's not soft like you'd expect with his size, and he has some really great skill for his bottom-9 forward role. He's an ideal guy to have in your team.

 

[FVM]

Yeah, he's a great depth forward. Can be moved up and down the lineup and has the advantage of his offensive awareness to be productive on a skill line. Just a guy who gives you options in your forward lineup, a bit of a luxury for a quality team. Not so outstanding alone but versatile.

 

[Bookman]

I been digging his play of late - he has energy to burn, and skill. I think he is the perfect old-school "bottom 6" guy, even though I'm more of a top 9 guy.

 

[Spurgeon]

I've been seriously impressed with this dude. Guy makes himself noticeable every game.

9 G, 20 A, 29 P, +14 for a guy who is often referred to as "depth/utility player" is pretty damn good.

Loving his contract too. 2 yrs/$2 million, so we'll have him cheap next year if we hold onto him.

I guess he's just a "late bloomer."

 

[Wild11MN]

He's been playing great. That line is clicking right now for sure.

 

[BigT2002]

He's been playing great. That line is clicking right now for sure.

Helps when you are no longer facing the top D pairings and 2-way forwards. It is a perfect line if Coyle can really figure out faceoffs. Fontaine should never leave this team though. Very rare to find someone with good vision who will play Bottom 6 minutes.

 

[Minnesota]

He's healthy!



Our PK has missed him dearly.

 

[Wild11MN]

Underrated player. Glad he's back. Should give the third line a boost finally playing with someone who has offensive skills.

 

[Minnesota]

Underrated player. Glad he's back. Should give the third line a boost finally playing with someone who has offensive skills.

Agreed.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have the money to re-sign him once his contract expires.

 

[Wild11MN]

Agreed.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have the money to re-sign him once his contract expires.

Yeah I think there's a very low chance we can re-sign him. Seems like the ideal bottom-six player.