Of all the prospects that had big potential, Coyle so far looks to be the one that has not yet realized much of his. Doesn't look like he's ever going to a scorer... At least not in Yeos system.
- MnGump

It sure looks like they plan on him playing center. I think they are trying to figure out if he could be a viable replacement for Koivu so they can figure out how to handle that situation here in the next year or two.

It sure looks like they plan on him playing center. I think they are trying to figure out if he could be a viable replacement for Koivu so they can figure out how to handle that situation here in the next year or two.
- Chinaski

I think this Charlie Coyle as a center push is coming from multiple directions. The first being that he APPEARED to be a ton more skilled given his Saint John's Season production than he has proven to be at NHL level. There was a time very recently where 20+ goals as an NHL power forward looked to be the under for him as a prospect.

Now it appears that 20 goals is the over and to have him be more productive and valuable his size and skillset is better dispatched as a two way pivot. The other thing has been how far off the cliff Erik Haula's play has fallen. Haula has just recently gotten some of the confidence and speed back to his game but he has been muddling through a nasty Sophomore Slump.

Coyle has a long long look in the Top 6 as a winger but that only proved that he is better deployed in a more defensive obligated complementary role on the 3rd line for now. Coyle is still so young he has plenty of opportunity to improve his handle of the puck and matchup his skating with speed and offensive tools to the NHL game. His role has certainly evolved from years 1 and 2 with Yeo

I think this Charlie Coyle as a center push is coming from multiple directions. The first being that he APPEARED to be a ton more skilled given his Saint John's Season production than he has proven to be at NHL level. There was a time very recently where 20+ goals as an NHL power forward looked to be the under for him as a prospect.

Now it appears that 20 goals is the over and to have him be more productive and valuable his size and skillset is better dispatched as a two way pivot. The other thing has been how far off the cliff Erik Haula's play has fallen. Haula has just recently gotten some of the confidence and speed back to his game but he has been muddling through a nasty Sophomore Slump.

Coyle has a long long look in the Top 6 as a winger but that only proved that he is better deployed in a more defensive obligated complementary role on the 3rd line for now. Coyle is still so young he has plenty of opportunity to improve his handle of the puck and matchup his skating with speed and offensive tools to the NHL game. His role has certainly evolved from years 1 and 2 with Yeo
- Tony Dean

Haula hasnt seemed to recover from the concussion he sustained at the beginning of the season. The Wild are now paying Coyle to be a grinder, which is okay, but for what they are paying him verses his production, Haula depsite his poor play is probably the better value. If they can find a trade partner who is still enamored with Coyle's size then I'd include him in a heartbeat. With Graovac doing well in the minors and not looking lost when he's played up with the big club and with having Haula, Coyle is expendable.

Haula hasnt seemed to recover from the concussion he sustained at the beginning of the season. The Wild are now paying Coyle to be a grinder, which is okay, but for what they are paying him verses his production, Haula depsite his poor play is probably the better value. If they can find a trade partner who is still enamored with Coyle's size then I'd include him in a heartbeat. With Graovac doing well in the minors and not looking lost when he's played up with the big club and with having Haula, Coyle is expendable.
- mnhockeyguy

Agreed for the most part. If a high pick or prospect could be had for Coyle from one of the teams still enamored with him I'd say do it! But Fletch has far too much invested in him to cut his losses now if they can't.

I'm not certain what's going on with Haula. He looks lazy at times and either disinterested or possibly even afraid to engage. I guess I'm not sure how one game he can conjure that burst of speed that we saw in last years playoffs and then other games he's losing races and battles for the puck like he's Mike Rupp.

I can't remember where I read this but I was reminded that Haula got his jaw broken in the World Championships last year, courtesy Malkin, I believe. I wonder if that had an effect on his off-season training and maybe why there have been comments made about his conditioning level.

I think this Charlie Coyle as a center push is coming from multiple directions. The first being that he APPEARED to be a ton more skilled given his Saint John's Season production than he has proven to be at NHL level. There was a time very recently where 20+ goals as an NHL power forward looked to be the under for him as a prospect.

Now it appears that 20 goals is the over and to have him be more productive and valuable his size and skillset is better dispatched as a two way pivot. The other thing has been how far off the cliff Erik Haula's play has fallen. Haula has just recently gotten some of the confidence and speed back to his game but he has been muddling through a nasty Sophomore Slump.

Coyle has a long long look in the Top 6 as a winger but that only proved that he is better deployed in a more defensive obligated complementary role on the 3rd line for now. Coyle is still so young he has plenty of opportunity to improve his handle of the puck and matchup his skating with speed and offensive tools to the NHL game. His role has certainly evolved from years 1 and 2 with Yeo
- Tony Dean

I still don't like him at center. He doesn't look to me to have that vision that makes a great center. I just like his size and his ability to win battles and protect the puck on the wall better. He moves pretty well too so he can be an effective forechecker from the wing. If he could throw a move to the net in there he could have at least wreaked a lot of havoc around the goal. In the middle, I'm just not sure we'll see a whole lot from him.

From a source, Backstrom and a late pick for Bryz as 1B could happen

This guy




Edit: Is a stud.
- dothedougie

As a Wild season ticket holder, I remember watching this guy in Edmonton thinking that if he had anything in front of him, how good could he be? I'm not ready to annoint him to the fast track of the HOF just yet, but I think that Fletcher and his staff clearly knew what Duby could bring given their structured system.

In the upcoming offseason, I think teams need to be wary of what he could potentially bring in FA. He could be a product of the Wild system as so many others have had success, which would limit teams going after him. If that's the case, I'd think Fletch could sign him to a modest deal given he doesn't have the resume to refer to when negotiating.

I just refuse to believe that was the real Blackhawks after two days in Vegas for the Super Bowl. They were vulnerable, the Wild had a good opportunity to win, and they took advantage of it. So good on them for doing that. But I don't think it's an indication of how it would typically go if we got their best.


Here's the thing with Dubnyk. He has been great and his number have been great. But I don't think they are winning because Dubnyk's a great goalie or has been stealing games. I think he's making all the saves he should be making and probably making more than half the ones that are shots that we couldn't really fault him for if those were goals. He definitely has allowed the rest of the team to settle into the system. It's good that he hasn't had to stand on his head for the team to make this run. If he was really outer-worldly during this run, I'd be less inclined to believe they could sustain this.
- Chinaski

You play more with more confidence as a team knowing that your goalie is going to make the routine saves.

I think this Charlie Coyle as a center push is coming from multiple directions. The first being that he APPEARED to be a ton more skilled given his Saint John's Season production than he has proven to be at NHL level. There was a time very recently where 20+ goals as an NHL power forward looked to be the under for him as a prospect.

Now it appears that 20 goals is the over and to have him be more productive and valuable his size and skillset is better dispatched as a two way pivot. The other thing has been how far off the cliff Erik Haula's play has fallen. Haula has just recently gotten some of the confidence and speed back to his game but he has been muddling through a nasty Sophomore Slump.

Coyle has a long long look in the Top 6 as a winger but that only proved that he is better deployed in a more defensive obligated complementary role on the 3rd line for now. Coyle is still so young he has plenty of opportunity to improve his handle of the puck and matchup his skating with speed and offensive tools to the NHL game. His role has certainly evolved from years 1 and 2 with Yeo
- Tony Dean

I think Coyle has the makings of a top 6 winger as he plays well on the half wall, digs pucks out of the corner, and all of the little things you want out of a big player like that. I think most thought he'd be able to do that and drop in 20-25 goals. Unfortunately his offensive game hasn't progressed and he doesn't really hit much, but I think he's still developing and he could be there in another year or two.

I think Coyle has the makings of a top 6 winger as he plays well on the half wall, digs pucks out of the corner, and all of the little things you want out of a big player like that. I think most thought he'd be able to do that and drop in 20-25 goals. Unfortunately his offensive game hasn't progressed and he doesn't really hit much, but I think he's still developing and he could be there in another year or two.
- arvinb316

He won't be top 6 if he doesn't score.

He won't be top 6 if he doesn't score.
- MnGump

That's only reserved for some guys. Him scoring doesn't necessarily catapult him either.

That's only reserved for some guys. Him scoring doesn't necessarily catapult him either.
- arvinb316

No but it would certainly help. I'm still holding out hope that he will be at least a Mikko type scorer. 40 - 50 pts I dont' think that's expecting too much.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! Ek now reporting that the Wild has dropped to the middle of the pack in the Vermette sweepstakes!!!! Still in the middle on Lupul as well!!!!!

Stay tuned! More to come!

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! Ek now reporting that the Wild has dropped to the middle of the pack in the Vermette sweepstakes!!!! Still in the middle on Lupul as well!!!!!

Stay tuned! More to come!
- MnGump

As a Wild season ticket holder, I remember watching this guy in Edmonton thinking that if he had anything in front of him, how good could he be? I'm not ready to annoint him to the fast track of the HOF just yet, but I think that Fletcher and his staff clearly knew what Duby could bring given their structured system.

In the upcoming offseason, I think teams need to be wary of what he could potentially bring in FA. He could be a product of the Wild system as so many others have had success, which would limit teams going after him. If that's the case, I'd think Fletch could sign him to a modest deal given he doesn't have the resume to refer to when negotiating.
- arvinb316

Given Minnesota's track record with developing young goaltenders, I think its safe to say it was a good move.

No but it would certainly help. I'm still holding out hope that he will be at least a Mikko type scorer. 40 - 50 pts I dont' think that's expecting too much.
- MnGump

Agreed. I'd enjoy secondary scoring.

Given Minnesota's track record with developing young goaltenders, I think its safe to say it was a good move.
- dothedougie

Yeah, if we can keep him healthy...

Yeah, if we can keep him healthy...
- arvinb316

Doing well so far!

Minnesota Wild accquire forward Sean Bergenheim from the Flordia Panthers along with a 7th round 2016 pick for thre the Wild 3rd round 2016 pick.

Minnesota Wild accquire forward Sean Bergenheim from the Flordia Panthers along with a 7th round 2016 pick for thre the Wild 3rd round 2016 pick.
- MnGump

Meh why the hell not. Curious to see who' Chuckie gets for depth D.

Unbelievable this team can find a way to take the night off on what should have been a (frank)ing gimmie 2 points.

Unreal.