Minnesota Wild General Discussion - 2023-24

[north21]

I would guarantee a cup if we could just trade kap and ek.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Who has said they are so so close to being a Cup team? I've seen fans over the years (myself included) saying we have potential to be competitive down the road with the prospects in the pipeline. I've seen that a lot over the last 25 years. But being optimistic is quite different from declaring they are THIS CLOSE to winning a Cup. Even going back to the old Wild forum in 2003, it was rare to see anyone say we are just "this close" to winning it all.

The only time I remember was near the end of Fletcher's term when they traded for Hanzel and White, they were saying that Minnesota was close to being a Cup contender.

 

[north21]

The only time I remember was near the end of Fletcher's term when they traded for Hanzel and White, they were saying that Minnesota was close to being a Cup contender.

That year and 21/22 we finished 2nd in the west, we were at least in the conversation.

 

[Digitalbooya]

So who do people want to target to help the second line?

 

[f7ben]

So who do people want to target to help the second line?

Yurov

 

[NHL1674]

So close , next year for sure

Seems to me that the only person who has been saying that is you.

 

[Wabit]

Random note....I just noticed that I joined on 8/8/08.

Just to be clear is that the standard US date (MM/DD/YY), or is it the Euro standard date (DD/MM/YY)?

 

[Digitalbooya]

Yurov

That would be ideal.

Kap-Ek-Boldy
Yurov-Rossi-Zucc
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-Hartman
Foligno-Gaudreau-Johansson


Fun fact for everyone: Zucc had 2 goals and 5 assists at 5v5 for the ENTIRE SEASON when Kaprizov was not on the ice. That's per the latest Worst Seats in the House podcast

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So who do people want to target to help the second line?

Still Konecny.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Still Konecny.

Even if it costs Yurov?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Even if it costs Yurov?

No, not unconditionally.

 

[Wabit]

So who do people want to target to help the second line?

I'd be kicking the tires on Henrique and Lindholm.

Arvidsson is a player I've always liked, but adding another small winger is probably a bad idea. He could be one of those guys that are left holding the bag as a UFA and take a small 1 year deal after missing most of this last season.

DeBrusk might be someone in MN's price range, but he's more of a middle-6er than a top-6 player.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

In the Russo podcast with LaPanta (my god, the arguing was such bad taste) Russo insisted they’re going to sign a vet to a 1 year deal

 

[Wabit]

In the Russo podcast with LaPanta (my god, the arguing was such bad taste) Russo insisted they’re going to sign a vet to a 1 year deal

This is a pretty safe general statement to make. It'll probably end up being a big, physical, bottom of the lineup, locker room type of player.

 

[f7ben]

That would be ideal.

Kap-Ek-Boldy
Yurov-Rossi-Zucc
Ohgren-Khusnutdinov-Hartman
Foligno-Gaudreau-Johansson


Fun fact for everyone: Zucc had 2 goals and 5 assists at 5v5 for the ENTIRE SEASON when Kaprizov was not on the ice. That's per the latest Worst Seats in the House podcast

I would do anything as GM to have Zucc out of that spot on the second line and get anyone competent there. Hartman for sure is an option but ideally someone who has some offensive upside.

 

[DANOZ28]

MSN

 

[Digitalbooya]

In the Russo podcast with LaPanta (my god, the arguing was such bad taste) Russo insisted they’re going to sign a vet to a 1 year deal

To be fair, Russo’s point is fairly valid that if they sign someone to term then they are essentially blocking Yurov or Heidt or Haight (the prospects he said) and should trade them. I think there is some validity to that. Not with Yurov, but maybe the others.

 

[keppel146]

Sign Kane.

 

[MuckOG]

Some interesting tidbits from Russo and Smith. In summary:

1. The Wild could be looking at trading Gus (no new news there). With the season he just had, shouldn't expect a huge return, maybe a 2nd round pick...but the Wild might want to see a roster player as well if the cap fit works.
2. Chances of Rossi being dealt are higher than many think. Speculates that the Wild were interested in Cutter Gauthier before Philly dealt him to Anaheim, and Rossi might've been a player they would've considered moving for him.
3. The Wild believe that Yurov will be a top 6 center. Since Ek and Yurov seem to be the top 6 centers of the future, they don't believe that Rossi would be best suited playing a bottom 6 center role and don't want to move him to wing. However, a top 6 wing is something they might want in return for Rossi.
4. Heidt really has a legitimate chance at making the roster out of camp.
5. They might be interested in picking up a RH top 6 wing this summer. If Perron doesn't re-sign in Detroit, he might be someone to consider.
6. Not likely that Merrill will be dealt this summer, but if a young guy like Hunt shows to be more worthy, they might bury Merrill and his cap hit in Iowa.

What could Wild get for Gustavsson? Will they trade Rossi? Mailbag, part 1 — trades, free agency and contracts

Also in the mailbag, if the Wild do indeed pursue a top-six forward in free agency, who are some options? David Perron? Patrick Kane?

theathletic.com

 

[f7ben]

And as I pointed out months ago. If the Wild think they have a legit top 6c in Yurov then Ek is the piece to move. Not Rossi. Rossi still has upside and Ek is far more valuable. Rossi fits the core age much better than ek. We would get a haul for Ek , not so much for Rossi.

 

[f7ben]

What if we signed Tank and expressed to Yurov he has a legit shot at centering Kap and Tank.

We run Kap Yurov Tank top line.

We then package Ek and Gus together for a legit 2nd line LW. Someone Jesper Bratt or along those lines. Money works and we instantly have two legit scoring lines.

No idea who has the type of LW that would make this worth it but it’s an idea.

 

[keppel146]

And as I pointed out months ago. If the Wild think they have a legit top 6c in Yurov then Ek is the piece to move. Not Rossi. Rossi still has upside and Ek is far more valuable. Rossi fits the core age much better than ek. We would get a haul for Ek , not so much for Rossi.

We should still keep JEE. You need him if you want to be a playoff team.

 

[f7ben]

We should still keep JEE. You need him if you want to be a playoff team.

I’m operating under the premise that management wants to move a C. I’d move Ek before I moved Rossi.

 

[MuckOG]

And as I pointed out months ago. If the Wild think they have a legit top 6c in Yurov then Ek is the piece to move. Not Rossi. Rossi still has upside and Ek is far more valuable. Rossi fits the core age much better than ek. We would get a haul for Ek , not so much for Rossi.

Given a choice, I keep Ek over Rossi. If we traded him, we would just end up looking for someone with his tools and skillset to replace him. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[DANOZ28]

is tank tarasenko? even if only for one year i think we'd make the playoffs with him.