I'm not sure it would happen, but if a team called on Brodziak does anyone think it would be a good idea to trade him? There's probably more value in holding onto him now.
- Chinaski

At this point the Wild current depth level is paramount with Cooke and more importantly Zucker out. Brodziak is a key depth player IMO at the moment plus he can pretty much play anywhere. So I'd say no. Unless it's a to good to be true deal.

At this point the Wild current depth level is paramount with Cooke and more importantly Zucker out. Brodziak is a key depth player IMO at the moment plus he can pretty much play anywhere. So I'd say no. Unless it's a to good to be true deal.
- MnGump

Yeah I would agree unless they could get something like a 2nd rounder.

I'm not sure it would happen, but if a team called on Brodziak does anyone think it would be a good idea to trade him? There's probably more value in holding onto him now.
- Chinaski

Never thought I would say this, but you gotta hold onto him. No one else on the roster provides what he does. It'd be nice to see Graovac develop into a more offensively-capable version of the Brodz, but in the meantime, he will be a nice piece to have come playoff time.

Yeah I would agree unless they could get something like a 2nd rounder.
- Chinaski

Any chance Fletch offers him a contract after the season? I'm starting to wonder

Any chance Fletch offers him a contract after the season? I'm starting to wonder
- SotaPopinski

I wouldn't say it is totally out of the question. It might depend on trade options available between the end of the season and free agency. If they moved a guy or two and needed center depth, he'd be an option that would make sense.

But I could see a team in need of better defensive forwards being interested and offering more than the Wild could. I heard some comments from Edmonton media this season that seemed to indicate they thought Brodziak would have made a lot of sense for the Oilers this season just to give them some more reliable defensive forwards and better depth down the middle. I could see him being targeted for that by a few teams.

What's everybody's take on Bergeheim so far? I've liked what I've seen so far. Seems to be a good fit.


How bout that new look 4th line though?! Never thought I'd see the day we were rolling 4 lines that can all be a scoring threat!

What's everybody's take on Bergeheim so far? I've liked what I've seen so far. Seems to be a good fit.


How bout that new look 4th line though?! Never thought I'd see the day we were rolling 4 lines that can all be a scoring threat!
- MnGump

I'd like to see some more games but I basically like what he brings with his style of game - fairly straight ahead player. And I'd like to see if he could develop some solid chemistry with Koivu. I just think a lot of our wingers don't fit that well with him. It would be nice to find someone who does.

A couple of things on the 4th line - Haula just seems to be working harder these last few games and that has made a difference. The guy just looks like he has his speed back. I also think having Fontaine play on that line allows Haula to play a more effective two-way game and vice-versa. They look good because they are both pretty decent two-way players and they are playing with each other instead of two defensive-only players. Not sure if that is clear but I've always thought Haula's game got better when you play him with better players.

What's everybody's take on Bergeheim so far? I've liked what I've seen so far. Seems to be a good fit.


How bout that new look 4th line though?! Never thought I'd see the day we were rolling 4 lines that can all be a scoring threat!
- MnGump

His hit on MacKinnon alone is worth the acquisition
He'll be a better fit than Moulson was, that's for sure

His hit on MacKinnon alone is worth the acquisition
He'll be a better fit than Moulson was, that's for sure
- SotaPopinski

Agreed!


Btw, Dumba and Haula suck

Schroeder has been a nice surprise as well!

Agreed!


Btw, Dumba and Haula suck
- MnGump

On a side note, I cannot believe the current level of disdain these 2 fanbases have for one another. Throughout comment sections and different forums, the Wild/Avs rivalry is becoming nasty!

You need to up your Dumba bashing, he has been f'ing up a little more often as of late.

On a side note, I cannot believe the current level of disdain these 2 fanbases have for one another. Throughout comment sections and different forums, the Wild/Avs rivalry is becoming nasty!

You need to up your Dumba bashing, he has been f'ing up a little more often as of late.
- SotaPopinski

I know! That's my motivation at this point!

Sounds like Fletch interested in Hedja!

I'm not sure how accurate this is for each team since the last few days of trades but someone at ESPN outlined what draft picks each team has in 2015 - 2015 NHL Draft Picks by team

I'm not sure how reliable this is either but Wikipedia has some info on 2016 draft picks already traded.

From what I can gather here's the picture for the Wild:
2015
1 1st
1 2nd
0 3rd
1 4th
1 5th
1 6th
2 7th (VAN)

2016
1 1st
0 2nd
0 3rd
1 4th
1 5th
1 6th
2 7th (FLA)

This might give us an idea of how much draft pick currency Fletcher has to work with for this year and next year. I also think he needs to move a player under contract in order to take one back in trade.

I'm not sure how accurate this is for each team since the last few days of trades but someone at ESPN outlined what draft picks each team has in 2015 - 2015 NHL Draft Picks by team

I'm not sure how reliable this is either but Wikipedia has some info on 2016 draft picks already traded.

From what I can gather here's the picture for the Wild:
2015
1 1st
1 2nd
0 3rd
1 4th
1 5th
1 6th
2 7th (VAN)

2016
1 1st
0 2nd
0 3rd
1 4th
1 5th
1 6th
2 7th (FLA)

This might give us an idea of how much draft pick currency Fletcher has to work with for this year and next year. I also think he needs to move a player under contract in order to take one back in trade.
- Chinaski

I'd be fine of we at least got a second back in 16.

I could be wrong on that having to trade a player under contract bit. NHL Numbers has the Wild at 51 players, but Harding is listed twice. I'm not sure if Almond's contract currently counts against the 50 they can have. So, they might have one contract spot available.

I cringe as I type this...but what about a player like Downie for a playoff run? He can actually put the biscuit in the basket from time to time (23 pts +7), and not many guys would try these horse crap antics when he's on the opposing team. I hear all of this talk about a depth defenseman, or adding a tougher defenseman. Don't ya think that our defense could continue to play aggressive (both physically and offensively) knowing that a 'Downie' has their back when push comes to shove? He's not a real offensive liability, and can skate a regular shift, and has that presence on the ice that commands respect.

Not even to send out there as the aggressor...but to just have that on ice presence.

Just a talking point...not trying to discount adding defense.

I cringe as I type this...but what about a player like Downie for a playoff run? He can actually put the biscuit in the basket from time to time (23 pts +7), and not many guys would try these horse crap antics when he's on the opposing team. I hear all of this talk about a depth defenseman, or adding a tougher defenseman. Don't ya think that our defense could continue to play aggressive (both physically and offensively) knowing that a 'Downie' has their back when push comes to shove? He's not a real offensive liability, and can skate a regular shift, and has that presence on the ice that commands respect.

Not even to send out there as the aggressor...but to just have that on ice presence.

Just a talking point...not trying to discount adding defense.
- mngopherguy

Personally, I'm not a fan of Downie because he seems to be easy to agitate to the point where he does something foolish. He's gotten a little better but I don't think he'd be as much of a deterrent to playing more physical against the Wild as he would be a liability to the Wild.

I also think the chemistry thing plays a role here. This team is playing pretty well right now and even though they may be able to use some depth I'm not sure bringing someone else in that they would need to use in the lineup is the best idea. It could be more disruptive. I like the idea of a depth defenseman but not for anything more than like a 4th rounder or later.

We are who we are at this point. And I just don't see anything major happening with the Wild today. My opinion, they don't have anything they are willing to give up that anyone else wants to trade for.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Downie because he seems to be easy to agitate to the point where he does something foolish. He's gotten a little better but I don't think he'd be as much of a deterrent to playing more physical against the Wild as he would be a liability to the Wild.

I also think the chemistry thing plays a role here. This team is playing pretty well right now and even though they may be able to use some depth I'm not sure bringing someone else in that they would need to use in the lineup is the best idea. It could be more disruptive. I like the idea of a depth defenseman but not for anything more than like a 4th rounder or later.

We are who we are at this point. And I just don't see anything major happening with the Wild today. My opinion, they don't have anything they are willing to give up that anyone else wants to trade for.
- Chinaski

I think you're right China. Chemistry is huge. It would be tough to contain him from being such an instigator.

I just really wish we had a little more toughness to just make our opponents
'think twice' a little more frequently.

I just really wish we had a little more toughness to just make our opponents 'think twice' a little more frequently.
- mngopherguy

I won't disagree with that, but this team would need several players to deter most teams from taking liberties. It's tough to watch but our guys just need to be smart about teams that do that and try to take advantage of them. If our PP was better it might be a much bigger deterrent than any one player would be.

Pretty cool

Down Goes Brown ‏@DownGoesBrown 1m1 minute ago
A very awful part of me kind of hopes the Wild flip Leopold somewhere else right before the deadline just to destroy the Internet.

Wicked sense of humor.

BREAKING NEWS:

The wild trade away every player that isn't a finn, a Minnesotan, or a former sabre.

Can't say I'm thrilled about the Stuart acquisition. Fletch isn't going to have any draft picks left come 2017

Can't say I'm thrilled about the Stuart acquisition. Fletch isn't going to have any draft picks left come 2017
- MnGump

I think I am more confused by it more than anything else. I (a lot of us, actually) have been clamoring for more size and physicality, and this trade certainly addresses that. The biggest issue is that now Yeo is forced to take a Schroeder, Haula, Fontaine or Brodziak out of the lineup, and those players have all stepped up and are playing pretty damn well as of late. On top of that, when Carter and Cooke come back it becomes even more complicated... not to mention Zucker, if they can somehow make it out of round 1.

I have been seeing more and more comments from people thinking that Cooke may not return this season, which doesn't sadden me one bit.