They have already gotten that (they think) in Larsson.
- Gusrichards

No PC said he was still looking for that even after signing Larrson, because Larrson isn't a points getter.

From Russo:

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Boudreau mentioned Parise-Staal-Coyle as a line a couple times. Confident Staal can be the Eric Staal of year's past #mnwild

No PC said he was still looking for that even after signing Larrson, because Larrson isn't a points getter.
- mnhockeyguy

And Fayne is their only other RHD. Chiarelli seems intent on having the left-right combinations on the back-end.

And Fayne is their only other RHD. Chiarelli seems intent on having the left-right combinations on the back-end.
- Chinaski

The quotes from Fletcher doesn't make it seem promising that a trade is in the works...

The quotes from Fletcher doesn't make it seem promising that a trade is in the works...
- mnhockeyguy

I don't think Fletcher wants to trade any of the defensemen right now.

I think he wants to give Boudreau and Stevens a chance with this group and then see who benefits the most. Then he'll decide who the best trade candidate is.

I don't think Fletcher wants to trade any of the defensemen right now.

I think he wants to give Boudreau and Stevens a chance with this group and then see who benefits the most. Then he'll decide who the best trade candidate is.
- Chinaski

Just hope that his candidates are still there when he finally works up the nerve to do a trade.

I don't think Fletcher wants to trade any of the defensemen right now.

I think he wants to give Boudreau and Stevens a chance with this group and then see who benefits the most. Then he'll decide who the best trade candidate is.
- Chinaski

Agreed, and if Stevens is able to help Dumba figure things out defensively, it only makes his trade stock that much higher for a center.
Dumba, Brodin and Scandella are all coming off less than impressive years. Giving them a chance to turn things around seems be the best scenario for this team at the moment.

From Russo:

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Boudreau mentioned Parise-Staal-Coyle as a line a couple times. Confident Staal can be the Eric Staal of year's past #mnwild
- mnhockeyguy

obviously, it's a new team for BB he'll most likely try all kinds of combinations before he decides what's most effective.. you can't possibly know your lines in july.. BB moved stewart to the getzlaf, perron top line last year and ignited their offense.. that's one area BB is good i just hope he can get over the game 7 jinx he has

obviously, it's a new team for BB he'll most likely try all kinds of combinations before he decides what's most effective.. you can't possibly know your lines in july.. BB moved stewart to the getzlaf, perron top line last year and ignited their offense.. that's one area BB is good i just hope he can get over the game 7 jinx he has
- gopherwildfan

A lot of the game 7 stuff is just pure bad luck. the GAA of the goalies his teams faced in games 7's are ridiculous. Hopefully we can win a round or two without going to a game 7...

Agreed, and if Stevens is able to help Dumba figure things out defensively, it only makes his trade stock that much higher for a center.
Dumba, Brodin and Scandella are all coming off less than impressive years. Giving them a chance to turn things around seems be the best scenario for this team at the moment.
- SotaPopinski

i think signing dumba and trading brodin for goals is the best scenario.. dumba's upside is way higher than brodin's once he figure's out the defensive part

i think signing dumba and trading brodin for goals is the best scenario.. dumba's upside is way higher than brodin's once he figure's out the defensive part
- gopherwildfan

I agree and would love to see Dumba stay here. We all see the spurts of offensive potential he has. More than any of our other dmen have shown, so it would make sense to trade one of the more defensively sound dmen who also happen to carry higher cap hits.
I just do not see Fletch getting as big of a return with Brodin or Scandella, unless they have monster years and Dumba does not show any improvement.

I agree and would love to see Dumba stay here. We all see the spurts of offensive potential he has. More than any of our other dmen have shown, so it would make sense to trade one of the more defensively sound dmen who also happen to carry higher cap hits.
I just do not see Fletch getting as big of a return with Brodin or Scandella, unless they have monster years and Dumba does not show any improvement.
- SotaPopinski

we could get a higher quality wing than zucker with brodin i think.. just needs to get more than 23pts a season.. hell trade both for one winger

I know most of you guys don't care about a Penguins fan chiming in, but I actually enjoy watching your team play.

I have to say, your GM REALLLLY dropped the ball today. I'm truly puzzled. I'm sure most of you would agree that Center is your biggest weakness. Now, I'm not saying you guys didn't attempt to bring in Backes or Nielsen, but you guys should have outbid other teams by $1M over 3 years of E. Staal.

The money isn't even the big issue, but the term, just wow...

I know most of you guys don't care about a Penguins fan chiming in, but I actually enjoy watching your team play.

I have to say, your GM REALLLLY dropped the ball today. I'm truly puzzled. I'm sure most of you would agree that Center is your biggest weakness. Now, I'm not saying you guys didn't attempt to bring in Backes or Nielsen, but you guys should have outbid other teams by $1M over 3 years of E. Staal.

The money isn't even the big issue, but the term, just wow...
- Rinosaur

I know where you are coming from, but I for the first time, I agree with the Fletchers choice in this years free agency. Sure Nielsen would have been a good pick up, but the Wild are in a cap jam. I think they made the right moves today. Their only other option would be blockbuster trades, which could still happen. Most likely not, but who knows

I know where you are coming from, but I for the first time, I agree with the Fletchers choice in this years free agency. Sure Nielsen would have been a good pick up, but the Wild are in a cap jam. I think they made the right moves today. Their only other option would be blockbuster trades, which could still happen. Most likely not, but who knows
- Tweaterben

Then they should have stayed away. It's scary to think that this might be the type of contract you'll have to buy out after next year. Trust me, we had the Scuderi contract so this is coming from watching my team make the same mistake. The money isn't bad, but too long especially when you have Koivu already on the decline as well. Too much good young talent on your team to be bogged down.

I doubt this is even being discussed or if the rumors of him being shopped are even true, but it would be something to see Duchesne in a Wild uniform and what he could do with Parise. You'd clearly have to move one of your stud dmen, but hey, good luck to you guys. I hope Staal surprises everyone.

Then they should have stayed away. It's scary to think that this might be the type of contract you'll have to buy out after next year. Trust me, we had the Scuderi contract so this is coming from watching my team make the same mistake. The money isn't bad, but too long especially when you have Koivu already on the decline as well. Too much good young talent on your team to be bogged down.

I doubt this is even being discussed or if the rumors of him being shopped are even true, but it would be something to see Duchesne in a Wild uniform and what he could do with Parise. You'd clearly have to move one of your stud dmen, but hey, good luck to you guys. I hope Staal surprises everyone.
- Rinosaur

A lot of Wild fans agree with this assessment. I hope Staal can turn it around, but it's been two bad years in a row now and he's logged a lot of hard miles on him. Time will tell, but I think Fletcher might regret not trading for a center, especially if we do end up losing one of the young D for nothing at the expansion draft.

i'd rather pay staal for 3 than backes or nielsen for 5 or six and staal is a year younger than both.. staal will be 34 when this contract is over backes and nielsen will be 37 & 38

i'd rather pay staal for 3 than backes or nielsen for 5 or six and staal is a year younger than both.. staal will be 34 when this contract is over backes and nielsen will be 37 & 38
- gopherwildfan

Agreed. Either way I believe this off season will be make or break for Fletcher. Staal is a gamble for sure, but with being tight up against the cap ceiling this was his only real move. It's most likely going to be his 5th and final strike as the wild GM. His UFA track record is appalling. Havlat, swing and a miss. Heatley, swing and a miss. Setoguchi, swing and a miss. Vanek, swing and a miss.

Agreed. Either way I believe this off season will be make or break for Fletcher. Staal is a gamble for sure, but with being tight up against the cap ceiling this was his only real move. It's most likely going to be his 5th and final strike as the wild GM. His UFA track record is appalling. Havlat, swing and a miss. Heatley, swing and a miss. Setoguchi, swing and a miss. Vanek, swing and a miss.
- MnGump

i believe staal will have more points than all of them.. carolina is rebuilding, none of the centers we have would have gotten 35pts playing for carolina.. they are a desert of talent.. plus wether it's fletch or a new gm in two years koivu's contract is done, then buyout the final year on staal & pommer and you have 15mil to play with right when nino, coyle, and the rest of the young core are hitting their prime.. i think it was an extremely smart move to not sign a FA to a 5 or 6 year deal

Agreed. Either way I believe this off season will be make or break for Fletcher. Staal is a gamble for sure, but with being tight up against the cap ceiling this was his only real move. It's most likely going to be his 5th and final strike as the wild GM. His UFA track record is appalling. Havlat, swing and a miss. Heatley, swing and a miss. Setoguchi, swing and a miss. Vanek, swing and a miss.
- MnGump

Heatley and Setoguchi came via trades

Heatley and Setoguchi came via trades
- SotaPopinski

True. But still my point remains... The majority of personnel Fletcher has marched through the wild club house have been failed experiments. Guess you can throw Pominville in that mix as well then. add in a handful of average players like Coyle, Nino, Zucker etc... and this team is still relying on the back bone of Fletchers one and only true splash with Parise and Suter.

Fletch must still be wheeling and dealing....

And now it's time for the pipe dreams to come out. I am going to be very positive in what I think the Wild can do under BB and his system. Here is what I am projecting for a lineup that takes us all to the Cup.

LW-Parise (34G, 35A - 69pts)
C-Staal (31G, 41A - 72pts)
RW-Coyle (25G, 38A - 63pts)

LW-Zucker (27G, 21A - 48pts)
C-Haula (20G, 24A - 44pts)
RW-Niederreiter (27G, 23A - 50pts)

LW-Granlund (21G, 43A, 64pts)
C-Koivu (18G, 41A - 59pts)
RW-Pominville (24G, 37A - 61pts)

So far only Stewart on the 4th line netting a line of 11G, 13A for 24pts. I know that most of this is probably unrealistic, but I am trying to look positively at what has been assembled. The #s for guys like Parise, Staal, Koivu...they are based off of selective avgs over their careers. Same goes for guys like Coyle, Nino, Haula...but with the expectations that they all vastly improve, getting more ice time, leading to more ice time, ergo more scoring....chances. Then the old guys play a little less to keep them fresh, leafing to more energy to score.

Before every season starts, whether it is the Wild, the Twins, Vikes or even T-Pups, I have to have hope that this will be the year. Let's see come Nov-Dec if I should have followed the puff, puff, pass formula, or did I pull a little Nostradamus out of the air.

And now it's time for the pipe dreams to come out. I am going to be very positive in what I think the Wild can do under BB and his system. Here is what I am projecting for a lineup that takes us all to the Cup.

LW-Parise (34G, 35A - 69pts)
C-Staal (31G, 41A - 72pts)
RW-Coyle (25G, 38A - 63pts)

LW-Zucker (27G, 21A - 48pts)
C-Haula (20G, 24A - 44pts)
RW-Niederreiter (27G, 23A - 50pts)

LW-Granlund (21G, 43A, 64pts)
C-Koivu (18G, 41A - 59pts)
RW-Pominville (24G, 37A - 61pts)

So far only Stewart on the 4th line netting a line of 11G, 13A for 24pts. I know that most of this is probably unrealistic, but I am trying to look positively at what has been assembled. The #s for guys like Parise, Staal, Koivu...they are based off of selective avgs over their careers. Same goes for guys like Coyle, Nino, Haula...but with the expectations that they all vastly improve, getting more ice time, leading to more ice time, ergo more scoring....chances. Then the old guys play a little less to keep them fresh, leafing to more energy to score.

Before every season starts, whether it is the Wild, the Twins, Vikes or even T-Pups, I have to have hope that this will be the year. Let's see come Nov-Dec if I should have followed the puff, puff, pass formula, or did I pull a little Nostradamus out of the air.
- Gusrichards

I think this may be a tad over-optimistic. You have nine forwards (~45% of the roster) scoring a total of 227 goals which is 105% better than the entire team's goal total from last year (216). I believe Dallas led the league in goals for last year at 267. I just can't see Boudreau, any of their free agents, or internal improvement having that much of an impact on the offense.

Until the forwards, and even most of the defensemen, learn to get rid of their shots more quickly, this team will always have problems scoring. Even if they turn into a better possession team, they will still need to learn to get more shots to the net, otherwise possession most likely means nothing more than a little better goals against number.

I think this may be a tad over-optimistic. You have nine forwards (~45% of the roster) scoring a total of 227 goals which is 105% better than the entire team's goal total from last year (216). I believe Dallas led the league in goals for last year at 267. I just can't see Boudreau, any of their free agents, or internal improvement having that much of an impact on the offense.

Until the forwards, and even most of the defensemen, learn to get rid of their shots more quickly, this team will always have problems scoring. Even if they turn into a better possession team, they will still need to learn to get more shots to the net, otherwise possession most likely means nothing more than a little better goals against number.
- Chinaski

I think Staal netting around 15 goals and 25 to 30 assists is a lot more likely, but Im not even confident he will hit that...