You are right, they have been D first for so long, which is why most people I know hate watching them.

To me, it also comes down to how hard the team is pushing. Some teams/coaches are motivated (by their own career situation) to go hard in the regular season and push and they don't have another level left to take it to come playoffs. This Wild team have never shown the ability to step it up really come playoff time.
- breadbag

I know I must be becoming redundant but your bolded is my point, besides the cap giving every team unfillable holes.

As much as the core gives us daily reasons to scratch holes in our heads as fans they are the most seasoned and pedigreed group in this league, and that includes coaches. What they have between their ears is every bit as important as the talent they have been given.

They know they have to prepare for the playoffs and will play that way. The question of whether the core still has it simply can't be answered until playoff time.

JJ, IIRC you have spoken of having back troubles. I'd also assume you've bowled too....... If so would you even think of bowling if your back was giving you trouble?
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not JJ but have had my own back problems (once you have them, you only "manage" the problem, it NEVER goes away). Bowling is one of the absolute worst things you can do with a bad back -- having a 14/16/18 lb ball being held onto by a few fingers and swung from one side of your body is one of the most excruciating things I can think of doing.

About the only thing worse might be flipping telephone poles for fun.

While Kane is not noted to be the genetic freak like Keith, he is one of the guys that impresses me every year with his effort over the off-season to make himself a better/stronger player.

Unlike others that will remain nameless . . . you know who they are
- savvyone-1

agreed and good to see you. I ttook some time off to see what we had here and now try to post a little more frequent.

Kane has really grown into a valuable leader on this team, and seems to be a great quote post game telling it how it is. I couldn't quite read his lips after the buzzer sounded and showed the hawks walking towards the room but whatever he said he wasn't happy.......

Yes, and he didn't have a "job" on this team. He's a center, better than a 4th line center. the other three center jobs were taken.

I know some get all gushy over his points, but Danault is not nearly in Kruger's class as a shutdown guy—to play against Getzlaf, Carter, Kopitar and guys like that. Like it or not, that is a "job" on this team, and has been in good years and bad as this team has won 3 Cups.

So the team made a decision and dealt him. Did it work out in terms of a Cup last year? No, but I will not fault the GM for going all in and dealing a guy who was not going to be a 2nd line center on this team. And was probably too good to be a 4th line guy playing 6 minutes a night. Again, please don't tell me "he's better than Kruger' because he scores more points. That is still, still, not the job they pay Kruger to do.
- John Jaeckel

Ha. You will never hear me say that JJ. I fully see what Kruger brings to this team.

You know I am a big Danault fan and I know there wasn't really a spot for him at centre, but he could have been an option at wing as well in a pinch and gave them depth down the middle in case of injuries.

Just not sold on Kero being the next great defensive centre, still see a lot of holes in his game and would love to have Danault in the roster today.

I'm not JJ but have had my own back problems (once you have them, you only "manage" the problem, it NEVER goes away). Bowling is one of the absolute worst things you can do with a bad back -- having a 14/16/18 lb ball being held onto by a few fingers and swung from one side of your body is one of the most excruciating things I can think of doing.

About the only thing worse might be flipping telephone poles for fun.
- savvyone-1

Two of the worst things one can do, even with a healthy back, is bend at the waist or twist at the trunk. Both are unavoidable when bowling.

Ha. You will never hear me say that JJ. I fully see what Kruger brings to this team.

You know I am a big Danault fan and I know there wasn't really a spot for him at centre, but he could have been an option at wing as well in a pinch and gave them depth down the middle in case of injuries.

Just not sold on Kero being the next great defensive centre, still see a lot of holes in his game and would love to have Danault in the roster today.
- TyCamScore

I like what we've seen so far from Kero. It's hard to say the type of long term player #67 will be, but he's off to a good start.

Eklund and his rumors, just say no to Vanek, please.

I like what we've seen so far from Kero. It's hard to say the type of long term player #67 will be, but he's off to a good start.
- DarthKane

Me too, he's got some promise

Two of the worst things one can do, even with a healthy back, is bend at the waist or twist at the trunk. Both are unavoidable when bowling.
- Mr Ricochet

Was the one who saw him bowling and said he looked pretty nimble. Couple of pics for you bowlers, in the event it actually looks like he is favoring an injury.





Looks like he and Keith are both working on mobility/flexibility.

https://www.youtube.com/w...ab_channel=Dr.AndreoSpina