He's closer than Gump may think but I believe it would be in the Wilds best interest to keep him in Iowa all year unless of an emergency.
- SotaPopinski

I think barring the catastrophic loss of one of the Top 4 Dmen, the plan will be for Dumba & Olofsson to play a majority of their minutes in Iowa. Good for all involved.

Well closed circuit to coversations going all the way back to the begining of last season and even to last off season, I said it was not in the Wilds best interest to keep him past his 8 games so that his rookie contract would not go into effect. Especially when it became clear he was no where near ready for the NHL.

And I still don't feel he has matured enough or done enough to warrant consideration on the roster when Yeo clearly has more depth at the defenseman position than he has in his previous 3 seasons. Granted Folin has yet to prove himself, but he still looks to be more NHL ready than does Dumba and I still believe that Blum could be a diamond in the rough should he finally get the chance to prove his value.

Although I don't think we agree on his current level of development, I agree with Sota in that Matthew should be kept in Iowa for the entire season unless they have a rash of injuries of course.

Well closed circuit to coversations going all the way back to the begining of last season and even to last off season, I said it was not in the Wilds best interest to keep him past his 8 games so that his rookie contract would not go into effect. Especially when it became clear he was no where near ready for the NHL.

And I still don't feel he has matured enough or done enough to warrant consideration on the roster when Yeo clearly has more depth at the defenseman position than he has in his previous 3 seasons. Granted Folin has yet to prove himself, but he still looks to be more NHL ready than does Dumba and I still believe that Blum could be a diamond in the rough should he finally get the chance to prove his value.

Although I don't think we agree on his current level of development, I agree with Sota in that Matthew should be kept in Iowa for the entire season unless they have a rash of injuries of course.
- MnGump

I think after seeing how Fletcher's plan for Dumba played out it was BRILLIANT keeping Dumba past the 9 games max that activated the first year of his entry level deal. Having the leverage of just keeping him in MN forced Red Deer to play ball on a deal sending him to Portland and allowed Fletcher to puch to have him play a significant role on Team Canada WJHC team he had NEVER been selected for. This kid is sooooooooooooooooooo young still. He was literally the best player on a bad Red Deer squad so the opportunities for experience and development last year were so savy IMO.

I think after seeing how Fletcher's plan for Dumba played out it was BRILLIANT keeping Dumba past the 9 games max that activated the first year of his entry level deal. Having the leverage of just keeping him in MN forced Red Deer to play ball on a deal sending him to Portland and allowed Fletcher to puch to have him play a significant role on Team Canada WJHC team he had NEVER been selected for. This kid is sooooooooooooooooooo young still. He was literally the best player on a bad Red Deer squad so the opportunities for experience and development last year were so savy IMO.
- Tony Dean

I'll give Fletcher all the credit for that, not sure if it was all in his plans the way it turned out but I tend to believe if your'e good at your job, good luck comes that much easier.

I think I'm giving you the wrong idea T, I'm not an opponent of having Mathew Dumba on this Wild squad, but more so of allowing him to stunt his development by trying to rush him, and I don't care what anyone says, he wasn't ready last season nor is he ready yet. Given the way the D looks at present, whether he's close or not, I'm more than okay with him staying in Iowa until the 2015/16 season.

I'll give Fletcher all the credit for that, not sure if it was all in his plans the way it turned out but I tend to believe if your'e good at your job, good luck comes that much easier.

I think I'm giving you the wrong idea T, I'm not an opponent of having Mathew Dumba on this Wild squad, but more so of allowing him to stunt his development by trying to rush him, and I don't care what anyone says, he wasn't ready last season nor is he ready yet. Given the way the D looks at present, whether he's close or not, I'm more than okay with him staying in Iowa until the 2015/16 season.
- MnGump

I think we agree on what is best for Dumba slow play this kid dont let him flame out or be in over his head at NHL risking his star potential. I am just saying Dumba was basically a point a game player w/ Winterhawks and his possession ability and offensive play has been dynamic. He is a ways away from putting together a complete game but he will contribute at NHL level this year I know it.

I hope he dominates and plays a TON of AHL minutes this year. Setup right now atleast to not rush him for anything with NHL roster covered for this year at least.

I getcha Gump!

...I said it was not in the Wilds best interest to keep him past his 8 games so that his rookie contract would not go into effect.
- MnGump

He's going to be a bargain on his second contract. I really think that's why they did it.

He's going to be a bargain on his second contract. I really think that's why they did it.
- Chinaski

But is that really a good thing? Doesn't that pretty much mean that he hasn't played to his potential then?

But is that really a good thing? Doesn't that pretty much mean that he hasn't played to his potential then?
- MnGump

They need to stagger contracts and pay all of the 20-somethings already graduated to NHL full time makes it a great thing.

intersting to see Fontaine get 2 years..1 million a year.

But is that really a good thing? Doesn't that pretty much mean that he hasn't played to his potential then?
- MnGump

Not necessarily. That first year pro will be all of 11 games or whatever he played. I just think his entry level deal will be up before he's had time to really establish himself and it will make his next contract pretty simple. If he plays the year in the Iowa, he'll probably have at most 1 year in the NHL on which to base his negotiations. So it won't break the bank. Brodin, on the other hand, is probably going to get a pretty big raise on his second deal.

intersting to see Fontaine get 2 years..1 million a year.
- KxKodiak47

It will be interesting to see how he is utilized. Russo filled in for Barreiro yesterday on KFAN and had Fletcher on. Fletcher spoke about Fontaine's versatility giving the coaches more options. But I also remember hearing reports in previous years that Fontaine made big gains in some of the off-seasons with his physical strength. He does sound like a guy that realizes his weaknesses and will work hard on them. So maybe he comes back more improved.

It will be interesting to see how he is utilized. Russo filled in for Barreiro yesterday on KFAN and had Fletcher on. Fletcher spoke about Fontaine's versatility giving the coaches more options. But I also remember hearing reports in previous years that Fontaine made big gains in some of the off-seasons with his physical strength. He does sound like a guy that realizes his weaknesses and will work hard on them. So maybe he comes back more improved.
- Chinaski

Here is hoping all the kids do.

Justin Falk?

Justin Falk?
- MnGump

Just a depth move. He's mobile, he's got size, and he's familiar with the system. I think this is more of an insurance move than anything else. If a few defensemen get hurt at once, they can plug him into the bottom pairing. I'm OK with it.

Just a depth move. He's mobile, he's got size, and he's familiar with the system. I think this is more of an insurance move than anything else. If a few defensemen get hurt at once, they can plug him into the bottom pairing. I'm OK with it.
- Chinaski

I get it, he's like that other 20% filler Taco Bell puts in their taco meat...

I get it, he's like that other 20% filler Taco Bell puts in their taco meat...
- MnGump

That would be the soy product
(The company I work for actually sells it to Taco Bell).

So can we just call them... 'The Soy'.

That would be the soy product
(The company I work for actually sells it to Taco Bell).

So can we just call them... 'The Soy'.


- mngopherguy

Justin "the Soy" Falk!

Justin "the Soy" Falk!
- MnGump

A handful of the 'Soy' players skating together would be called what?

How do you 'pluralize' Soy?

When they march down the ice and score...is it safe to say the opposition got 'soiled'?

I crack myself up...well, not really.