Not bad. I guess we'll see how it turns out. Still need to create cap space.
- Chinaski

Hey guys, hows Clutterbuck?

Hey guys, hows Clutterbuck?
- NYI44

He's a solid bottom six guy. Very good skater and hitter. Elite trash talker. He's got a good shot but he misses the net a lot - loves shooting high. You guys will like him.

He's a solid bottom six guy. Very good skater and hitter. Elite trash talker. He's got a good shot but he misses the net a lot - loves shooting high. You guys will like him.
- Chinaski

Do you think he plays with JT? They used to play together before. Also, I heard that he will be great come playoff time because of his physicality. Martin and he were the top hitters s it would be very interesting to see them together. Any real negatives except missing the net?

Do you think he plays with JT? They used to play together before. Also, I heard that he will be great come playoff time because of his physicality. Martin and he were the top hitters s it would be very interesting to see them together. Any real negatives except missing the net?
- NYI44

I don't think he will play with Tavares but that's up to Capuano. Tavares is an elite offensive player. Clutterbuck should only play with him if they have no other options. He's not really a possession guy. He could fill a depth scoring role in a pinch, but I don't think it would be reasonable to expect him to put up big numbers.

I don't think Clutterbuck is a dirty player. For as many hits as he dishes out, he is a pretty clean player. But I always thought he pushed the envelope in terms of the timing of his hits - many of them come after a guy has gotten rid of the puck and are very close to late. So his hitting doesn't necessarily separate guys from the puck, but it likely gets the opposing team to get rid of pucks more quickly than they otherwise might as the game goes on and he is on the ice.

The latest... Wild will likely seek to buy out Tom Gilbert and will also likely not re-sign Matt Cullen as it appears he's looking for a 3 year deal that the Wild feels might be too long and to expensive under the current cap conditions. Sounds like Fletch is also seeking out more trades throughout the summer, possibly before free agency starts. Wonder who is next to go??? Possibly and most probably Seto?!

Also wonder if Koivu is a possible trade target if they get the right deal. Either way it begs the question if Koivu's days in a Wild sweater are numbered if he doesn't step up his game next season. Being a great 2 way center(which are hard to come by) he's making too much money for his offensive output the past couple of seasons. Especially in regards to his less than mediocre post season performance this year.

Anyone know if Neiderreiter needs waivers to be sent down?

Hey Brad. Where are u?

Anyone know if Neiderreiter needs waivers to be sent down?
- Chinaski

It's my understanding that players still under they're rookie contract(depending on how many games they've played in the NHL and their age) are waiver exempt until either the age of 23 or x number of games played or in Ninos case, until he's played 3 years or 160 games in the NHL. As far as any newly accquired players go, I think they can be assigned to the AHL affiliate immediately without going through the waivers process up to 12 days before the start of the season. Don't quote me on this, but I'm fairly certain of it.

Here's a link that somewhat explains the waivers process.

http://www.mcsorleys-stic...l-waiver-rules-explained/

Hey Brad. Where are u?
- shinpad10

Gone fishin' with VERY limited internet access in BWCA. Sorry. Too bad alot of hockey stuff goes down during my family time. I will recap everything when I get back next week. Until then, GO WILD!

It's my understanding that players still under they're rookie contract(depending on how many games they've played in the NHL and their age) are waiver exempt until either the age of 23 or x number of games played or in Ninos case, until he's played 3 years or 160 games in the NHL. As far as any newly accquired players go, I think they can be assigned to the AHL affiliate immediately without going through the waivers process up to 12 days before the start of the season. Don't quote me on this, but I'm fairly certain of it.

Here's a link that somewhat explains the waivers process.

http://www.mcsorleys-stic...l-waiver-rules-explained/
- MnGump

Thanks. Russo's first depth-chart had him as needing waivers, which didn't seem correct. His latest one showed him as not needing waivers. That's good.

Assigning Grades to team based on Entry Draft Selections

Before you e-mail or PM me angered by my disrespect and misjudgment of your favorite team's choice, let me one make it clear concerning this specific draft: All team GMs and fans could say how they did great. Or how poorly they did. Because of the depth this draft class at the first four tiers (See Draft Tier explanations elsewhere on DraftSite…),this draft class, from pick 1 to pick 211, may bring major contributors and impact players to many NHL teams. Whether they admit it or not, NHL teams hope that the high character youngster they select not only graduate to the pro game, but develop into high impact stars, no matter which slotting there are chosen in. This draft provides MANY chances of unearth those type players.

My grades will be based NOT on the amount of picks, but on the possibility of the drafted prospects making contributions on NHL rosters FIVE years from now.
I will start by saying the upside of this class is by far one of the finest, but I and NHL teams cannot accurate predict NHL success for them at this juncture, just draw on my opinions of the player's canvass at this particular juncture in the journey.


Of, course I will bump up grades for team where they took my favorites, or prospects are clearly ahead of the curve towards NHL long term advancement and domination. Value in the players picked and where they are picked will also be key factors.
At first glance, I like a lot of team boards.
http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/draft-history/2013/

Minnesota Wild
Grade C -



The Wild didn't select until the start of the bottom half of the second round when they picked Gustav Olofsson a developing stay at home defender. After that the Wilds selection were based on projection and promise, with far too little indication any can advance to the NHL. I am not saying they can't just that at this point they seem to me to be just so far form that objective, So much so, that I cannot grade they favorably.

The latest... Wild will likely seek to buy out Tom Gilbert and will also likely not re-sign Matt Cullen as it appears he's looking for a 3 year deal that the Wild feels might be too long and to expensive under the current cap conditions. Sounds like Fletch is also seeking out more trades throughout the summer, possibly before free agency starts. Wonder who is next to go??? Possibly and most probably Seto?!
- MnGump

Given the current situation, I'd think Cullen is unlikely to re-sign. As Russo pointed out, if you give him a three year deal, it could block some of the prospects from playing with the Wild.

However, I could see them re-signing Cullen for three years if they can trade Brodziak. Cullen could slot into the #2 center spot for this up-coming season and play 3rd line center his final two years. I'm not sure I like that idea, but I see that as a possibility.

The other factor with Cullen is how much do some of these other free agents like Lecavalier and Briere hitting the market reduce his opportunities. It's prudent for him to seek out a good contract with term right out of the gate. But if no team gives him what he wants, he may have to accept a one or two year deal which could put the Wild back into play.

I'm not sure what they do about the blueline. Russo mentions Ballard as a possibility, which I think would be a decent pickup for a 3rd pairing guy. Maybe Komisarek is an option as well. They do need someone with a physical element to their game. Fletcher may have to wait a week or so to see what's left and who's going to have to take a cheaper deal. There's not a lot of money out there for this free agent class so it will be interesting to see how the initial signings affect the pool.

Assigning Grades to team based on Entry Draft Selections

Before you e-mail or PM me angered by my disrespect and misjudgment of your favorite team's choice, let me one make it clear concerning this specific draft: All team GMs and fans could say how they did great. Or how poorly they did. Because of the depth this draft class at the first four tiers (See Draft Tier explanations elsewhere on DraftSite…),this draft class, from pick 1 to pick 211, may bring major contributors and impact players to many NHL teams. Whether they admit it or not, NHL teams hope that the high character youngster they select not only graduate to the pro game, but develop into high impact stars, no matter which slotting there are chosen in. This draft provides MANY chances of unearth those type players.

My grades will be based NOT on the amount of picks, but on the possibility of the drafted prospects making contributions on NHL rosters FIVE years from now.
I will start by saying the upside of this class is by far one of the finest, but I and NHL teams cannot accurate predict NHL success for them at this juncture, just draw on my opinions of the player's canvass at this particular juncture in the journey.


Of, course I will bump up grades for team where they took my favorites, or prospects are clearly ahead of the curve towards NHL long term advancement and domination. Value in the players picked and where they are picked will also be key factors.
At first glance, I like a lot of team boards.
http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/draft-history/2013/

Minnesota Wild
Grade C -



The Wild didn't select until the start of the bottom half of the second round when they picked Gustav Olofsson a developing stay at home defender. After that the Wilds selection were based on projection and promise, with far too little indication any can advance to the NHL. I am not saying they can't just that at this point they seem to me to be just so far form that objective, So much so, that I cannot grade they favorably.
- wiz1901

Fair enough.

I found this article from CBC's Tim Wharnsby pretty interesting from about a month ago. It doesn't list where every player was drafted, but for those that it does, there are several guys that were key contributors to both teams that weren't very high picks.

Assigning Grades to team based on Entry Draft Selections

Before you e-mail or PM me angered by my disrespect and misjudgment of your favorite team's choice, let me one make it clear concerning this specific draft: All team GMs and fans could say how they did great. Or how poorly they did. Because of the depth this draft class at the first four tiers (See Draft Tier explanations elsewhere on DraftSite…),this draft class, from pick 1 to pick 211, may bring major contributors and impact players to many NHL teams. Whether they admit it or not, NHL teams hope that the high character youngster they select not only graduate to the pro game, but develop into high impact stars, no matter which slotting there are chosen in. This draft provides MANY chances of unearth those type players.

My grades will be based NOT on the amount of picks, but on the possibility of the drafted prospects making contributions on NHL rosters FIVE years from now.
I will start by saying the upside of this class is by far one of the finest, but I and NHL teams cannot accurate predict NHL success for them at this juncture, just draw on my opinions of the player's canvass at this particular juncture in the journey.


Of, course I will bump up grades for team where they took my favorites, or prospects are clearly ahead of the curve towards NHL long term advancement and domination. Value in the players picked and where they are picked will also be key factors.
At first glance, I like a lot of team boards.
http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/draft-history/2013/

Minnesota Wild
Grade C -



The Wild didn't select until the start of the bottom half of the second round when they picked Gustav Olofsson a developing stay at home defender. After that the Wilds selection were based on projection and promise, with far too little indication any can advance to the NHL. I am not saying they can't just that at this point they seem to me to be just so far form that objective, So much so, that I cannot grade they favorably.
- wiz1901

Gee, thanks for your opinion. Not sure anyone was asking for it though...

Bye bye Matty! Good luck, we'll miss ya! Cullen officially not coming back to Wild... Ballard agrees to 2 year deal. Hate to see Cullen go, according to Russo, Fletcher told Cullen yesterday they would not be offering him an extension due to cap restraints.

Bad news for Wild fans.

Pierre Marc Bouchard signed one year deal for $2 million with NY Islanders... Good luck Butch!

Spurgeon 3 years 2.6 million. Seems a bit high given his size and defensive abilities.

Pierre Marc Bouchard signed one year deal for $2 million with NY Islanders... Good luck Butch!
- MnGump

How is he? I don't know anything about him.

How is he? I don't know anything about him.
- NYI44

Good skater, good playmaker. Perimeter player and never shoots the puck.

Good skater, good playmaker. Perimeter player and never shoots the puck.
- Chinaski

Can he be a first line RW to play with JT? If so, do you think he can put up 60+ points with Tavares?

Can he be a first line RW to play with JT? If so, do you think he can put up 60+ points with Tavares?
- NYI44

Yes, he can, but it's hard to say how much success he will have doing it. He had a few very good statistical years here coming out of the '04-'05 lockout. That's when he was on the 2nd line playing with Rolston.

But if he plays with Tavares, teams will obviously key on that line and that may render him more ineffective. Ideally, I think he is better suited to a 2nd line wing with a good trigger man. Keeps him away from the top shutdown guys and probably gives him just a bit more time and space.

Yes, he can, but it's hard to say how much success he will have doing it. He had a few very good statistical years here coming out of the '04-'05 lockout. That's when he was on the 2nd line playing with Rolston.

But if he plays with Tavares, teams will obviously key on that line and that may render him more ineffective. Ideally, I think he is better suited to a 2nd line wing with a good trigger man. Keeps him away from the top shutdown guys and probably gives him just a bit more time and space.
- Chinaski

Ok. Thanks

How is he? I don't know anything about him.
- NYI44

If he can stay healthy he'll be a great playmaking contributor, preferably 2nd line. Since his concussion issues, he's been a bit squeemish about getting into the dirty areas and will noticably bail on a play if it means missing out on getting hit.

PMB is a fantastic puck handler and dishman. When he does shoot he's got a surprisingly hard slapper and a very quick and accurate wrister. Good shoot out player as well. Look up his top plays on youtube if you want a sense of what kind of player he can be.

Good shoot out player as well.
- MnGump

No more spin-o-ramas, though. Didn't the League make them illegal in shootouts?

No more spin-o-ramas, though. Didn't the League make them illegal in shootouts?
- Chinaski

Not that I'm aware of. I think they're still legal provided the player and/or puck does not stop forward mometum. I think the Patrick Kane type move where he almost comes to a complete stop while deking the puck is more of an issue than spin0ramas are.

But you could be right, I don't remember hearing they were banned, but I can't say for sure.