Ek insinuating Wild moving up near front of pack on Lupul(according to rumor chart).

He's showing Wild 2nd behind Toronto.

Ek insinuating Wild moving up near front of pack on Lupul(according to rumor chart).

He's showing Wild 2nd behind Toronto.
- MnGump

Which Wild players are on his chart as in the mix to being moved? They would have to move at least one guy under contract to deal for Lupul and it would more than likely need to be a guy with term. They don't have much cap space to work with next year and still have guys like Granlund, Haula, and Folin as RFAs. I just don't see how they swing a deal for Lupul given their current situation with personnel and the contracts those guys have.

Which Wild players are on his chart as in the mix to being moved? They would have to move at least one guy under contract to deal for Lupul and it would more than likely need to be a guy with term. They don't have much cap space to work with next year and still have guys like Granlund, Haula, and Folin as RFAs. I just don't see how they swing a deal for Lupul given their current situation with personnel and the contracts those guys have.
- Chinaski

Maybe Toronto eats half his salary like they did with Winnik... for the next 3+ seasons

Which Wild players are on his chart as in the mix to being moved? They would have to move at least one guy under contract to deal for Lupul and it would more than likely need to be a guy with term. They don't have much cap space to work with next year and still have guys like Granlund, Haula, and Folin as RFAs. I just don't see how they swing a deal for Lupul given their current situation with personnel and the contracts those guys have.
- Chinaski

None...

None...
- MnGump

Ek's magic trading dust allows the Wild to get Lupul. Sweet.

How exactly does Bergenheim jump right into the first line? I think the chemistry of the lines over the past few games has really been a big plus.

I'm not sure I like Yeo not giving the guy a bit of a transition period to see where he might best fit.

Ek's magic trading dust allows the Wild to get Lupul. Sweet.
- Chinaski

Yup! Good call

How exactly does Bergenheim jump right into the first line? I think the chemistry of the lines over the past few games has really been a big plus.

I'm not sure I like Yeo not giving the guy a bit of a transition period to see where he might best fit.
- MnGump

I think it's because he may fit better with Koivu and of all the players the Wild have, that's about the only guy he has actually played with in the past. In addition, the other lines probably got better with this switch. If it flops badly right away I'm sure he'll switch it up. He could simply switch Bergenheim and Fontaine and see if that works better.

I think it's because he may fit better with Koivu and of all the players the Wild have, that's about the only guy he has actually played with in the past. In addition, the other lines probably got better with this switch. If it flops badly right away I'm sure he'll switch it up. He could simply switch Bergenheim and Fontaine and see if that works better.
- Chinaski

If only I had a million dollars for every time I have heard this

If only I had a million dollars for every time I have heard this
- SotaPopinski

It's Meat-tin all over again.

It's Meat-tin all over again.
- Chinaski

Am I wrong for wanting Fontaine and Vanek to be reunited? I thought they showed some great chemistry together.

Am I wrong for wanting Fontaine and Vanek to be reunited? I thought they showed some great chemistry together.
- SotaPopinski

Nope. So far I think Fontaine has shown that he is one of the better fits with Vanek. And that frees up our other forwards for better combinations that don't get slowed down by Vanek. Actually, I won't be surprised to see it tonight. I'm not sure Bergenheim will be able to handle all the ice time a Koivu line usually gets. He hasn't played in a couple of weeks.

Nope. So far I think Fontaine has shown that he is one of the better fits with Vanek. And that frees up our other forwards for better combinations that don't get slowed down by Vanek. Actually, I won't be surprised to see it tonight. I'm not sure Bergenheim will be able to handle all the ice time a Koivu line usually gets. He hasn't played in a couple of weeks.
- Chinaski

Yeah I don't see him staying on that top line for too long. Do you recall who was centering Fonzie and Vanek for that short stretch? For some reason I do not like the idea of Koivu in between those 2

Yeah I don't see him staying on that top line for too long. Do you recall who was centering Fonzie and Vanek for that short stretch? For some reason I do not like the idea of Koivu in between those 2
- SotaPopinski

Coyle, I think.

Coyle, I think.
- Chinaski

Crap, that weakens my "move Coyle to the wing" argument

Crap, that weakens my "move Coyle to the wing" argument
- SotaPopinski

He should be there. But I think they're concerned about their size down the middle and they definitely are trying to figure out if they have the horses down the middle to unload Koivu.

Man this Clarkson-Horton trade is going to be entertaining for awhile - http://www.thescore.com/news/708730. I can't wait to see the pictures from what will likely be a Rob Ford style party in TO.

He should be there. But I think they're concerned about their size down the middle and they definitely are trying to figure out if they have the horses down the middle to unload Koivu.
- Chinaski

Trading for & signing Vermette would make it a little easier to trade away the Captain, but not for a 1st rd pick. I'm beginning to think Koivu may be here for the long haul, with his latest resurgence.

Am I wrong for wanting Fontaine and Vanek to be reunited? I thought they showed some great chemistry together.
- SotaPopinski

Listening to Parise the other morning on PA' show he said the one player he's been impressed with lately and enjoyed having on his line was Fontaine. So much for what Zach wants...

Listening to Parise the other morning on PA' show he said the one player he's been impressed with lately and enjoyed having on his line was Fontaine. So much for what Zach wants...
- MnGump

Huh, that's interesting to hear. For what he lacks in skill, he definitely makes up for with hockey IQ and being able to foresee where the puck is going to end up. I haven't noticed him as much on Zach's line so much as I have Vanek's

Listening to Parise the other morning on PA' show he said the one player he's been impressed with lately and enjoyed having on his line was Fontaine. So much for what Zach wants...
- MnGump

Yeo could do it easy enough.

Lines from Russo's blog:
Bergenheim-Koivu-Vanek
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Niederreiter-Coyle-Schroeder
Haula-Brodziak-Fontaine

Could go to:
Vanek-Koivu-Pominville
Parise-Granlund-Fontaine
Niederreiter-Coyle-Schroeder
Bergenheim-Haula-Brodziak

Yeo could do it easy enough.

Lines from Russo's blog:
Bergenheim-Koivu-Vanek
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Niederreiter-Coyle-Schroeder
Haula-Brodziak-Fontaine

Could go to:
Vanek-Koivu-Pominville
Parise-Granlund-Fontaine
Niederreiter-Coyle-Schroeder
Bergenheim-Haula-Brodziak
- Chinaski

I can't find too much to complain about with those lines. Small second line, but 3 smart players who see the ice very well.

Huh, that's interesting to hear. For what he lacks in skill, he definitely makes up for with hockey IQ and being able to foresee where the puck is going to end up. I haven't noticed him as much on Zach's line so much as I have Vanek's
- SotaPopinski

Those were Zachs comments pretty much. He was amazed at the level of Fontaines hockey IQ, his positioning and how he finds space in tne offensive zone.

Holy poop! Already sick of hearing how great the (frank)ing Preds are! I think Strader and Engblom want to tag team Weber with some manly love

Yeo might has well just go to Loviolette in between periods and concede the game. Wild don't have a chance in hell even with a one goal lead according to Strader. I have a feeling the Preds entire roster will most likely be one of the all-star teams by themselves next season