If it was a low cost, I wouldn't mind seeing what Bergenheim could do here. Probably a fourth liner but could also slot into other lines if necessary. I think he would provide depth and versatility, but again, it would depend on the price.
- Chinaski

He might be servicable at a low rate. Something around 1.5 mill per max.

He might be servicable at a low rate. Something around 1.5 mill per max.
- MnGump

Yeah, a lot depends on the cap for next year.

Here's a recent story from David Shoalts of The Globe and Mail regarding the Rogers TV deal with the NHL and how the effect of the fluctuating Canadian dollar could actually lower the cap next year. Apparently, the TV deal is paid to the league in CAD.

If that's really the case, the Wild may be forced to just promote from within for these lesser roles on the team. I would imagine Dubnyk is priority #1 or #1A in the off-season. Then there are the RFAs - Granlund, Haula, Folin - who I would imagine are going to be re-signed. I think I had figured a few months ago that they have somewhere around $10 million in cap space for signings if the cap stays the same and they have about 9-10 roster positions to fill.

That's not going to leave them with much room.

Yeah, a lot depends on the cap for next year.

Here's a recent story from David Shoalts of The Globe and Mail regarding the Rogers TV deal with the NHL and how the effect of the fluctuating Canadian dollar could actually lower the cap next year. Apparently, the TV deal is paid to the league in CAD.

If that's really the case, the Wild may be forced to just promote from within for these lesser roles on the team. I would imagine Dubnyk is priority #1 or #1A in the off-season. Then there are the RFAs - Granlund, Haula, Folin - who I would imagine are going to be re-signed. I think I had figured a few months ago that they have somewhere around $10 million in cap space for signings if the cap stays the same and they have about 9-10 roster positions to fill.

That's not going to leave them with much room.
- Chinaski

With Dubnyks stellar performance and now a Vezina finalist, how much is he going to be willing to settle for? Too bad he hadn't had another year left on his current deal.

With Dubnyks stellar performance and now a Vezina finalist, how much is he going to be willing to settle for? Too bad he hadn't had another year left on his current deal.
- MnGump

No idea. All indications from what I've heard and read (mostly from Russo) are that Dubnyk is fully aware that his success isn't all on him and that a large part of it has to do with the team and the system in front of him. I'm hopeful that is a good starting point for getting something done that is reasonable for both sides. If I had to take a guess, I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 years, $3 million - it gives him some security and it gives the Wild a little cap flexibility.

But there's nothing stopping him from seeing what he could get from another team. If another team is willing to go high dollars and longer term and has a decent system in place, I couldn't blame him for going elsewhere. There is going to be a price point for the Wild where he won't make sense.

No idea. All indications from what I've heard and read (mostly from Russo) are that Dubnyk is fully aware that his success isn't all on him and that a large part of it has to do with the team and the system in front of him. I'm hopeful that is a good starting point for getting something done that is reasonable for both sides. If I had to take a guess, I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 years, $3 million - it gives him some security and it gives the Wild a little cap flexibility.

But there's nothing stopping him from seeing what he could get from another team. If another team is willing to go high dollars and longer term and has a decent system in place, I couldn't blame him for going elsewhere. There is going to be a price point for the Wild where he won't make sense.
- Chinaski

Agreed, but.... the further the Wild make it in these playoffs, the more lucrative the deal will be IMO. I don't want Fletch to make the mistake of overpaying another good but not great goal tender. On the other hand, say the Wild manage to make it to the big dance and god forbid they were to actually win it... How much is too much at that point?

As humble a fella as Doobers seems to be, at some point he(and more importantly his agent)is going to think to himself that this may be his one and only shot to get that mega deal... and with no real comparable UFA's in sight, how does Fletcher not try to accomodate Doobs and his agent?

If the Wild finish off the Blues today or even on Tuesday, I think they have a real chance at making it to the finals and possbily even winning, but all that aside, I think Dubnyk is directly in charge of his own destiny as far as new contracts go, if he fizzles out, or even plays just average throughout the rest of the playoffs, I think he gets $3 million per year regardless... if he happens to continue playing Vezina candidate like hockey, I think he could go pretty much anywhere for $4 - $5+ next season.

And regardless of how much he attributes his good fortune to the Wild play in front of him and to Yeos system, I'm pretty sure his agent will not let that get in the way of his perceived payday....

Agreed, but.... the further the Wild make it in these playoffs, the more lucrative the deal will be IMO. I don't want Fletch to make the mistake of overpaying another good but not great goal tender. On the other hand, say the Wild manage to make it to the big dance and god forbid they were to actually win it... How much is too much at that point?

As humble a fella as Doobers seems to be, at some point he(and more importantly his agent)is going to think to himself that this may be his one and only shot to get that mega deal... and with no real comparable UFA's in sight, how does Fletcher not try to accomodate Doobs and his agent?

If the Wild finish off the Blues today or even on Tuesday, I think they have a real chance at making it to the finals and possbily even winning, but all that aside, I think Dubnyk is directly in charge of his own destiny as far as new contracts go, if he fizzles out, or even plays just average throughout the rest of the playoffs, I think he gets $3 million per year regardless... if he happens to continue playing Vezina candidate like hockey, I think he could go pretty much anywhere for $4 - $5+ next season.

And regardless of how much he attributes his good fortune to the Wild play in front of him and to Yeos system, I'm pretty sure his agent will not let that get in the way of his perceived payday....
- MnGump

I can't disagree with the points you make. I would say that for the Wild to go on a run and actually win it all, Dubnyk would have to be good but the team would have to be equally as good for them to beat the teams they will need to beat. I don't believe Dubnyk alone could steal enough wins for them to win it all. So I don't think a scenario would play out where they win the Cup and it significantly raises the limits they're willing to go to retain him.

I just think there's a price they can afford and are comfortable with and if there's a much better deal for him with another team you just have to part ways. They are in no position to take a big dollar, long-term risk on any position at this point unless they can move significant dollars out in a trade.

At least that's what I think. Maybe they would be willing to go big to keep him if that's what he wants, but I think doing so puts them in a worse cap situation and they're already getting to a point where the cap is going to limit their flexibility.

But given how much of a roller coaster ride the goaltending has been as long as Fletcher has been here, it's entirely possible he overpays if he thinks it gives them stability there.

Agreed, but.... the further the Wild make it in these playoffs, the more lucrative the deal will be IMO. I don't want Fletch to make the mistake of overpaying another good but not great goal tender. On the other hand, say the Wild manage to make it to the big dance and god forbid they were to actually win it... How much is too much at that point?

As humble a fella as Doobers seems to be, at some point he(and more importantly his agent)is going to think to himself that this may be his one and only shot to get that mega deal... and with no real comparable UFA's in sight, how does Fletcher not try to accomodate Doobs and his agent?

If the Wild finish off the Blues today or even on Tuesday, I think they have a real chance at making it to the finals and possbily even winning, but all that aside, I think Dubnyk is directly in charge of his own destiny as far as new contracts go, if he fizzles out, or even plays just average throughout the rest of the playoffs, I think he gets $3 million per year regardless... if he happens to continue playing Vezina candidate like hockey, I think he could go pretty much anywhere for $4 - $5+ next season.

And regardless of how much he attributes his good fortune to the Wild play in front of him and to Yeos system, I'm pretty sure his agent will not let that get in the way of his perceived payday....
- MnGump

FYI. Game 7 would be Wednesday, not Tuesday.

Lets go WILD! Wrap this up today

FYI. Game 7 would be Wednesday, not Tuesday.
- stljam

Always busting balls!

The only team in the playoffs that don't get an HB game day blog?!


Effin Tony!

Allen's performance or lack of performance in games 5 and 6 are game changers.

Allen's performance or lack of performance in games 5 and 6 are game changers.
- stljam

I can't disagree with you.
Blues were lucky to get out of the first only down by one. Wild had some great chances, Allen stood tall.

Wild are terrifying to watch in 4 on 4 hockey?

This is some ugly hockey!
Edit:and that was one ugly goal.

This is some ugly hockey! Edit:and that was one ugly goal.
- MnGump

I'm all for NHL goalies making me feel better about my play but Allen really didn't need to do that for me today.

wish you had a camera angle to see where the puck hit dubnyk on the original shot since a lot of dubnyk was behind the goal line. if it hit his pants, it might have been in. if it hit his leg pad, it wasn't for sure.

Wild getting great push over the offensive line but failing to get scoring chances.

Sloppy play renders another ugly goal.

Elliot may just be what the Blues needed from the start.

Sloppy play renders another ugly goal.

Elliot may just be what the Blues needed from the start.
- MnGump

This series has been so odd in so many ways. Whoever comes out of this better step up their game in the next round, especially the consistency in their game.

This series has been so odd in so many ways. Whoever comes out of this better step up their game in the next round, especially the consistency in their game.
- stljam

Can't disagree with you. Neither team looking all that impressive.

Vanek is like a traffic cone out there.

Congrats boys.

I was hoping we would get the honor of disposing of St. Louis, but it wasn't meant to be. Good luck, you guys scare me right now. Should be fun.

Here we go Wild fans! Right back where we wanted to be! Looking forward to a better series than we've experienced the last couple of post seasons against the ever tough Hawks!

Congrats and good luck next round you all. Well deserved.

Congrats and good luck next round you all. Well deserved.
- bcallaway

Thanks bcall! Tough way for StL fans to go out again! My condolences.