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Glass Half Empty or Half Full at 3-3-3? Trade Winds Blowing?

October 21, 2013, 12:08 AM ET [29 Comments]
Brad Ratgen
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
9 games into the new NHL season and the Wild are 3-3-3 with 9 points of a total 18 possible, putting them at 17th of 30 in the league, 5th of 7 in the Central Division and 4th in the wild card seedings in the Western Conference where only the top 2 teams in the West qualify for the last 2 playoff spots after the top 3 in each division qualify for the top 6 seedings for the playoffs. The good news is that the Wild are only 2 points behind one of those last 2 wild card playoff spots. The bad news is that there are only 4 teams beneath the Wild in the Western Conference standings and all are within striking distance of the Wild being between 1 point behind and 4 points behind.

While the season is still young and a record of 3-3-3 isn’t so bad, I thought it was time to pose the question to those that follow the Wild: So far this season, do you look at the Wild’s glass as half full or half empty?

As for me, I wrote a blog on October 1st stating that I thought the Wild should be able to go 9-4 for the month of October, thereby garnering 18 points of a total of 26 available to them. With only 4 games left this month, the Wild could only top out now at 17 points. However, to most Wild fans, winning out the last 4 games in October would do a lot to cure the dissatisfaction that currently plagues this fan base. Then again, that will probably be easier said than done.

Why? Well, to start with, it’s hard to win games when you haven’t scored more than 1 goal per game in your last 3 games. Not to mention that, with the exception of 2 anomalies, every game the Wild has played have been 1 goal games. Officially 6 one goal games, unless you don’t count the empty net goal in Tampa at the end which gave them a 3-1 win, then 7 of 9 games. And, of those games not in the anomaly category, when the Wild do win, it’s by the score of 2-1.

Don't get me wrong. The Wild have come a long way. Starting as a franchise focused solely on defense and transition attack/trap and becoming a more puck control oriented offense. Frankly, it's about time. However, just because you win more faceoffs and control the puck more, that does not translate into goals or wins. The next step for the Wild is to learn how to attack in the offensive zone and get alot more goals. However, they may not have the personell for such a jump this season.

The next 4 games may well determine a lot for the Wild (home vs Preds, home vs Canes, at Blackhawks and home vs Blackhawks). I’m not saying I have any information, inside or otherwise, but don’t you think Mike Yeo and Chuck Fletcher hit the hot seat if they can’t turn this scoring-challenged team around and soon? Also, if the Wild can’t break out of their scoring slump, I can’t help but think that Fletcher may attempt to orchestrate a trade of some sort, even with being severely constrained by the salary cap.

If the Wild go the trade route to try to help improve their scoring, what do they have for trade bait? Besides some young prospects and/or draft picks, what about Koivu? Spurgeon? Backstrom? One could throw out Heatley’s name or Rupp’s name or Stoner or Prosser, but really? I’m talking about big fat juicy trade bait. Also, if Backstrom is thrown in to that mix, then the Wild need to get a starting caliber goalie back in return. I could see the Wild try another deal or two with Buffalo. Everyone knows we’re going to get Vanek next offseason anyway, why not get him now. Yes, I know we’d get him for nothing later, but next season may be too late for the Yeo/Fletcher tandem.

If nothing else, the Wild is learning what they need so that when next year does arrive, they know how and where to spend their money. Specifically, they need a shut down starting goalie, a quality backup, a sniper, a solid bottom 3+ defensemen, another pest/muscle/enforcer and guys that are good on the penalty kill. Coming off the books will be Heatley's $7.5 Million, Rupp's $1.5 Million, Stoner's $1,050,000 and Prosser's $825,000. The only guy I see them keeping is Konopka who, with his faceoff prowess and ability to enforce and fight, may be due a raise from his current $925,000.

That said, why not put a package of Backstrom ($3,416,667 x 2 more years after this season), Spurgeon ($2,666,667 x 2 more years after this season) and Koivu ($6.75 Million x 4 more years after this season) to Buffalo for Miller ($6,250,000 for only this season), Stafford ($4 Million for one more year after this season) and Vanek ($7,142,857 for only this year). Obviously, the money doesn't match up and while I haven’t explored the issue of no trade clauses (Koivu or Backstrom) and have not looked at the salary cap implications, it is an idea that intrigues me.

I know many will crucify me for suggesting trading captain Koivu, but if ever a time existed to test the market, now may be that time because you have to give up quality to get quality. Then again, perhaps it's a non-starter based on contractual terms.

What we will probably see is a lesser form of that kind of deal as Chuck Fletcher is and has been apt to do. Look for something in November if the Wild don’t turn this ship around and fast.

So, how do you see things so far for the Minnesota Wild? Glass half empty or half full? Also, how will you be if the Wild don't qualify for the playoffs this season?
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