Russo reporting big line shake up for Friday.

Potential line combos as reported by Russo;

Parise/Coyle/Fontaine

Nino/Koivu/Brodziak

Cooke/Granlund/Pominville

Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley

Suter/Spurgeon

Scandella/Prosser

Stoner/Ballard

Personally I'd rather see Granlund on the wing vs. Brodziak. Losing a top face off man moving him to wing. I also I'm not thrilled about Stoner and Ballard being paired. Both seem to make major bone headed decisions with the puck and both seem to contribute to back breaking turnovers.

None of those lines excite me, but it's good to see Yeo trying to be a little more creative. Where the hell has Brodziak been so far!? Aside from completely pissing away breakaway attempts...

Russo reporting big line shake up for Friday.

Potential line combos as reported by Russo;

Parise/Coyle/Fontaine

Nino/Koivu/Brodziak

Cooke/Granlund/Pominville

Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley

Suter/Spurgeon

Scandella/Prosser

Stoner/Ballard

Personally I'd rather see Granlund on the wing vs. Brodziak. Losing a top face off man moving him to wing. I also I'm not thrilled about Stoner and Ballard being paired. Both seem to make major bone headed decisions with the puck and both seem to contribute to back breaking turnovers.
- MnGump

Granlund not going to the Wing is a mistake in my opinion especially since Coyle has not established that he can play center in the NHL but they are pushing it so heavily. I would have rather seen this:


Parise/Coyle/Niederreiter
Granlund/Koivu/Pominville
Fontaine/Brodziak/Cooke
Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley

Granlund not going to the Wing is a mistake in my opinion especially since Coyle has not established that he can play center in the NHL but they are pushing it so heavily. I would have rather seen this:


Parise/Coyle/Niederreiter
Granlund/Koivu/Pominville
Fontaine/Brodziak/Cooke
Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley
- Tony Dean

I'll second that...

Granlund not going to the Wing is a mistake in my opinion especially since Coyle has not established that he can play center in the NHL but they are pushing it so heavily. I would have rather seen this:


Parise/Coyle/Niederreiter
Granlund/Koivu/Pominville
Fontaine/Brodziak/Cooke
Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley
- Tony Dean

I don't get this... you say that Coyle isn't an established center in the NHL, yet you think he should be inserted as the #1 center. All the while, Granlund has been our best center in Coyle's absence. I would leave Granny and Pommer alone, seeing as they are our one productive line at the moment.

Hey Manchester, how about those last two games in November on the Wild/Avs calendar? Think they'll still be crushing everyone by then?
- Brad Ratgen

There's no way the Avalanche are able to repeat their October performance and even if they did, I don't see them being able to take two from the Wild in back-to-back games. I predict a split but I would say that no matter what happened the first dozen games. The Avs and Wild play pretty close, even when one team is doing considerably better in the overall standings. I also think, for whatever reason, that the Avs and Wild play some pretty boring hockey when they face each other lately.

Two years ago I had tickets on the glass at Xcel for a 1-0 win by the Wild over the Avalanche - worst game of hockey I have ever seen.

Russo reporting big line shake up for Friday.

Potential line combos as reported by Russo;

Parise/Coyle/Fontaine

Nino/Koivu/Brodziak

Cooke/Granlund/Pominville

Mitchell/Konopka/Heatley
- MnGump

This is a (frank)ing turd in a punchbowl. Christ Almighty!

I guess this is one of those "Watch out what you wish for" moments. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.

I don't get this... you say that Coyle isn't an established center in the NHL, yet you think he should be inserted as the #1 center. All the while, Granlund has been our best center in Coyle's absence. I would leave Granny and Pommer alone, seeing as they are our one productive line at the moment.
- SotaPopinski

I know what I said haha and I meant it. I just am not sure Coyle is an NHL center men BUT YEO/FLETCHER sure want him to be and Parise has on multiple occasion dropped hints he wants to play with a Center other than Koivu. I think Parise and Coyle have chemistry and they want to play together. Granlund has been very good but I dont think it is necessary to keep him at center if he still plays on same line as Pommer. Koivu and Brodziak on a line is a waste and seems very likely to get nixed right away. Same too with why it is not a good idea to breakup Cooke and Brodziak.

I know what I said haha and I meant it. I just am not sure Coyle is an NHL center men BUT YEO/FLETCHER sure want him to be and Parise has on multiple occasion dropped hints he wants to play with a Center other than Koivu. I think Parise and Coyle have chemistry and they want to play together. Granlund has been very good but I dont think it is necessary to keep him at center if he still plays on same line as Pommer. Koivu and Brodziak on a line is a waste and seems very likely to get nixed right away. Same too with why it is not a good idea to breakup Cooke and Brodziak.
- Tony Dean

I don't think both Coyle and Granlund should be playing center if all the other centers are healthy. If they want one to play center, the other one should go to the wing. Being this is Coyle's first game back after injury and he's missed quite a bit of time, I think it might be better to leave Granlund at center and start Coyle on the wing.

But Brodziak on Koivu's wing? Unbelievable. If I tried to come up with 25 different line combinations for this team, putting those two together never would have crossed my mind. Yet this is the first thing that comes to Yeo's mind when "mixing up the lines"? Really? This is what he thinks makes the lines more balanced? This could be a fireable offense. In fact it almost was today when I read Russo's blog and almost screamed "(frank)" really loud at work.

I don't think both Coyle and Granlund should be playing center if all the other centers are healthy. If they want one to play center, the other one should go to the wing. Being this is Coyle's first game back after injury and he's missed quite a bit of time, I think it might be better to leave Granlund at center and start Coyle on the wing.

But Brodziak on Koivu's wing? Unbelievable. If I tried to come up with 25 different line combinations for this team, putting those two together never would have crossed my mind. Yet this is the first thing that comes to Yeo's mind when "mixing up the lines"? Really? This is what he thinks makes the lines more balanced? This could be a fireable offense. In fact it almost was today when I read Russo's blog and almost screamed "(frank)" really loud at work.
- Chinaski

At least that will be a defensively sound line with 2 very good faceoff men. Other than that, I do not understand the rationale behind this move. Maybe 2 underachieving centers can find their game together...but probably not.

I know what I said haha and I meant it. I just am not sure Coyle is an NHL center men BUT YEO/FLETCHER sure want him to be and Parise has on multiple occasion dropped hints he wants to play with a Center other than Koivu. I think Parise and Coyle have chemistry and they want to play together. Granlund has been very good but I dont think it is necessary to keep him at center if he still plays on same line as Pommer. Koivu and Brodziak on a line is a waste and seems very likely to get nixed right away. Same too with why it is not a good idea to breakup Cooke and Brodziak.
- Tony Dean

I hear you, but just dont think Granlund would have as much of an opportunity to set Pommer up from the other side of the ice. From the naked eye of a casual fan, Granlund simply seems more comfortable at center (this season) and much more effective. I just don't want Fletch or Yeo messing with his solid start in any way, shape or form.

At least that will be a defensively sound line with 2 very good faceoff men. Other than that, I do not understand the rationale behind this move. Maybe 2 underachieving centers can find their game together...but probably not.
- SotaPopinski

Maybe it's a message to Koivu - play better.

I'm not sure he could stick three other players together on a line that are less complimentary of each other from an offensive perspective.

I hear you, but just dont think Granlund would have as much of an opportunity to set Pommer up from the other side of the ice. From the naked eye of a casual fan, Granlund simply seems more comfortable at center (this season) and much more effective. I just don't want Fletch or Yeo messing with his solid start in any way, shape or form.
- SotaPopinski

This is a good point and one I also heard Nanne make yesterday on the radio. He liked Granlund's playmaking coming down the middle of the ice. I'm not sure he has all those options from the wing.

Maybe it's a message to Koivu - play better.

I'm not sure he could stick three other players together on a line that are less complimentary of each other from an offensive perspective.
- Chinaski

That would be one f'd up message, if that's what it is. I mean, he hasn't been good but he hasn't been a detriment to the team like Heatley... who may just land on the 1st line.

Good thing the Avs have a competent backup... Varlamov arrested

That would be one f'd up message, if that's what it is. I mean, he hasn't been good but he hasn't been a detriment to the team like Heatley... who may just land on the 1st line.
- SotaPopinski

The only way I'd be OK with Heatley on the 1st line is if it's with Coyle and Koivu. Coyle and Koivu can probably keep possession long enough for Heatley to get into the zone and work himself into a shooting position. Or just stand in front while those two play keep away along the wall. Maybe get a rebound or two.

If that doesn't work, time for Heatley to go to the 4th line. One thing I heard yesterday - Heatley has a no move clause and may not be able to be sent to Iowa. So, that may only be an option if Heatley agrees to go down.

The only way I'd be OK with Heatley on the 1st line is if it's with Coyle and Koivu. Coyle and Koivu can probably keep possession long enough for Heatley to get into the zone and work himself into a shooting position. Or just stand in front while those two play keep away along the wall. Maybe get a rebound or two.

If that doesn't work, time for Heatley to go to the 4th line. One thing I heard yesterday - Heatley has a no move clause and may not be able to be sent to Iowa. So, that may only be an option if Heatley agrees to go down.
- Chinaski

I don't care who they put him with, that just seems morally wrong to put a guy, who has done so little and appears to give forth the bare minimum, onto that 1st line. Not to mention the negative impact it would have on Coyle and his development. He can coast around on the 4th line for the remainder of the season

Heatley has been the worst player on the ice for the Wild this season and I am not sure there exist a solution to what to do with him other than healthy scratch then waivers or an injury stash. His cap hit is crazy brutal and his skating and effort are unfair to the team and his line mates. Fletcher needs to step in as this shouldnt be on Yeo.

Heatley has been the worst player on the ice for the Wild this season and I am not sure there exist a solution to what to do with him other than healthy scratch then waivers or an injury stash. His cap hit is crazy brutal and his skating and effort are unfair to the team and his line mates. Fletcher needs to step in as this shouldnt be on Yeo.
- Tony Dean

What's Fletcher supposed to do? I couldn't find the details of his no move clause but I believe that will prevent waiving him unless he agrees to it. So Fletcher can't make that decision on his own. No one is trading for him unless they are complete fools or Fletcher gift wraps a top prospect or 1st rounder. I'd rather just stick it out for the season with Heatley than start giving things away as a prize for doing the Wild a huge favor.

At this point, it does appear to be on Yeo because he is going to have to manage the lineup. So, he's either got to find a line combination that works with Heatley or scratch him.

I thought Russo had an interesting take about scratching him. He doesn't think that's a good option this early because it would cause a soap opera for 60 games. I found that comment surprising because I think this is already turning into one by only shuffling him among the top three lines and not playing him on the 4th or scratching him.

According to Cap Geek Heatley DOES have a NMC. Which obviously means the Wild are stuck trying to figure out where to put him. Only option aside from playing him is scratching him.

Yeo tapped danced a bit around the Heatley debacle this morning on KFAN saying that giving up on players like Heater is not an option. He seemed to allude to the point that he needs to find the right fit for Dany and that the team is better with a confident Heatley in the mix. More or less finding the right fit on the right line for him. Pretty telling if you ask me. Yeo is afraid of what the ramifications might be if he starts phasing Heatley out.... That was what I took from the interview even though he didn't come right out and say it.

Good thing the Avs have a competent backup... Varlamov arrested
- SotaPopinski

At least he has a coach that will appreciate his "compete"

According to Cap Geek Heatley DOES have a NMC. Which obviously means the Wild are stuck trying to figure out where to put him. Only option aside from playing him is scratching him.

Yeo tapped danced a bit around the Heatley debacle this morning on KFAN saying that giving up on players like Heater is not an option. He seemed to allude to the point that he needs to find the right fit for Dany and that the team is better with a confident Heatley in the mix. More or less finding the right fit on the right line for him. Pretty telling if you ask me. Yeo is afraid of what the ramifications might be if he starts phasing Heatley out.... That was what I took from the interview even though he didn't come right out and say it.
- MnGump

Frankly, Yeo and Fletch are better off with Heatley in. They can just blame the bad luck on his injury at the end of last season and not being able to buy him out in hopes of saving their jobs should November or the rest of the season not go so well for them. It was Dany's fault! I can't hear it already.

What's Fletcher supposed to do? I couldn't find the details of his no move clause but I believe that will prevent waiving him unless he agrees to it. So Fletcher can't make that decision on his own. No one is trading for him unless they are complete fools or Fletcher gift wraps a top prospect or 1st rounder. I'd rather just stick it out for the season with Heatley than start giving things away as a prize for doing the Wild a huge favor.

At this point, it does appear to be on Yeo because he is going to have to manage the lineup. So, he's either got to find a line combination that works with Heatley or scratch him.

I thought Russo had an interesting take about scratching him. He doesn't think that's a good option this early because it would cause a soap opera for 60 games. I found that comment surprising because I think this is already turning into one by only shuffling him among the top three lines and not playing him on the 4th or scratching him.
- Chinaski

Waive him to Iowa. At least he'd be semi-competitive there. Let Zucker learn at the NHL level while Heatley flounders.

I don't care who they put him with, that just seems morally wrong to put a guy, who has done so little and appears to give forth the bare minimum, onto that 1st line. Not to mention the negative impact it would have on Coyle and his development. He can coast around on the 4th line for the remainder of the season
- SotaPopinski

Instead of the fans doing the "wave" at boring hockey games, maybe the Wild should consider 'waiving" Heatley. I here Des Moines is nice this time of year.

Waive him to Iowa. At least he'd be semi-competitive there. Let Zucker learn at the NHL level while Heatley flounders.
- Brad Ratgen

He would have to agree to be waived... Guessing that's not going to happen.