Phillips the Wild 1st round pick with what looked like a bad angle goal.
- ob18

Speaking of 1st round picks by the Wild whats the deal with Mikael Granlund? Is he going to play next year? Kid looks like a stud.

Could be a decent 2 way center, may not be a huge point producer.
- ob18

He gets dirty. He's a natural finisher. I think he's gonna be a decent 2nd line center.

Food for thought. Don't agree with everything in the article. But I certainly agree with Hextall's comments on Mike Richards.

http://www.winnipegfreepr...lion-heart-150592375.html

Speaking of 1st round picks by the Wild whats the deal with Mikael Granlund? Is he going to play next year? Kid looks like a stud.
- stveshdy

Basically already has a spot on the roster. Has been tearing it up over seas.

Speaking of 1st round picks by the Wild whats the deal with Mikael Granlund? Is he going to play next year? Kid looks like a stud.
- stveshdy

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...pected-to-be-signed-soon/

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/21/wild-prospect-granlund-expected-to-be-signed-soon/
- ob18

Thanks. I remember watching him during the World's and the kid has amazing skills. Very talented could be a superstar. He is only 20 years old I believe but he needs to be in the NHL.

Food for thought. Don't agree with everything in the article. But I certainly agree with Hextall's comments on Mike Richards.

http://www.winnipegfreepr...lion-heart-150592375.html
- MJL

Beat writers in Winnipeg have their finger on the pulse on what goes on in Philly and LA.

Thanks. I remember watching him during the World's and the kid has amazing skills. Very talented could be a superstar. He is only 20 years old I believe but he needs to be in the NHL.
- stveshdy

Wild have one of the most impressive prospect pools in the league. Their going to be a very, very good club in short order.

Wild have one of the most impressive prospect pools in the league. Their going to be a very, very good club in short order.
- mochoson

I dont know what they have in the system as far as goaltending but thats an area of need imo. Backstrom and Harding are okay.

Beat writers in Winnipeg have their finger on the pulse on what goes on in Philly and LA.
- PLindbergh31

I refuse to read an article that involves Richards/Carter. It's old news at this point and they no longer play for the Flyers. If the Kings win the cup they deserve it as they have been outstanding in the playoffs. The Kings are winning because of the team not one or two guys.

I dont know what they have in the system as far as goaltending but thats an area of need imo. Backstrom and Harding are okay.
- stveshdy

Harding UFA to be this summer. Backstrom still one of the leagues best at 34.

Matt Hackett was drafted in 08 or 09 I believe. This was his second full year in the AHL and the results were impressive. Also looked great in games he played with the Wild. Should back-up Backstrom this year and eventually be the new starter. Very, very technicaly sound goalie and really athletic.

Food for thought. Don't agree with everything in the article. But I certainly agree with Hextall's comments on Mike Richards.

http://www.winnipegfreepr...lion-heart-150592375.html
- MJL

it's a horrendous article. incomplete, biased, and flawed. there's no debating that richards is a terrific hockey player who brings a lot to the table. the flyers had their reasons for moving him, and judging the deal based on less than one full season is simply ridiculous. let's also not forget the kings squeezed into the playoffs at the very end of the year, after suddenly figuring out how to score, and have gone on an improbable run. the flyers once again were worn down to the nub with key injuries all season. by any standard, richards had a subpar regular season, and hasn't had a great post season to date either.

as of now, the deal was good for both sides. we'll see how it pans out over the next decade.

Food for thought. Don't agree with everything in the article. But I certainly agree with Hextall's comments on Mike Richards.

http://www.winnipegfreepr...lion-heart-150592375.html
- MJL

Richards definitely brings a lot to the table. But you can't judge the deals on the results of the first year. The Flyers have been eliminated in the first round with Richards, too. He's been important in LA, but Quick, Brown and Kopitar have been more important pieces to the Kings' run.

Beat writers in Winnipeg have their finger on the pulse on what goes on in Philly and LA.
- PLindbergh31

total joke.

Harding UFA to be this summer. Backstrom still one of the leagues best at 34.

Matt Hackett was drafted in 08 or 09 I believe. This was his second full year in the AHL and the results were impressive. Also looked great in games he played with the Wild. Should back-up Backstrom this year and eventually be the new starter. Very, very technicaly sound goalie and really athletic.
- mochoson

Harding is interesting, but I lean towards a guy like Marty Biron. He seems to be a perfect foil for Bryzgalov, and capable of starting if injuries arise.

Harding UFA to be this summer. Backstrom still one of the leagues best at 34.

Matt Hackett was drafted in 08 or 09 I believe. This was his second full year in the AHL and the results were impressive. Also looked great in games he played with the Wild. Should back-up Backstrom this year and eventually be the new starter. Very, very technicaly sound goalie and really athletic.
- mochoson

I'm not a fan of Backstrom. The Wild looked good early in the season then they started to fade but I think they could be a surprise team next season.

Nice breakaway goal by Huberdeau

I'm not a fan of Backstrom. The Wild looked good early in the season then they started to fade but I think they could be a surprise team next season.
- stveshdy

Their season was derailed by injuries. With a healthy line-up, they are a playoff team IMO.

Harding is interesting, but I lean towards a guy like Marty Biron. He seems to be a perfect foil for Bryzgalov, and capable of starting if injuries arise.
- Jsaquella

my stance on left-handed goalies is well documented. just say no.

my stance on left-handed goalies is well documented. just say no.
- hammarby31

I'd prefer a veteran who is not competing for the top job, has a level head and knows his job.

good. now that we've got the shutout out of the way.....

Harding is interesting, but I lean towards a guy like Marty Biron. He seems to be a perfect foil for Bryzgalov, and capable of starting if injuries arise.
- Jsaquella

Were talking back-ups for us? What's wrong with Bob?

Harding is going to get a starting job somewhere like Tampa Bay. Dude's not a back-up.

it's a horrendous article. incomplete, biased, and flawed. there's no debating that richards is a terrific hockey player who brings a lot to the table. the flyers had their reasons for moving him, and judging the deal based on less than one full season is simply ridiculous. let's also not forget the kings squeezed into the playoffs at the very end of the year, after suddenly figuring out how to score, and have gone on an improbable run. the flyers once again were worn down to the nub with key injuries all season. by any standard, richards had a subpar regular season, and hasn't had a great post season to date either.

as of now, the deal was good for both sides. we'll see how it pans out over the next decade.
- hammarby31

I agree. The conclusions the author draws are reactionary on the Kings looking like they're going to the Finals. It is way too premature to judge the Richards trade. However I love the comments by Hextall about Richards. And also the author's on Richards as a player. I think that part of the article is dead on. But I think Richards is playing much better then you give him credit for.

I'd prefer a veteran who is not competing for the top job, has a level head and knows his job.
- Jsaquella

shut your mouth and know your role!

Their season was derailed by injuries. With a healthy line-up, they are a playoff team IMO.
- mochoson

I think they we're expecting more out of Heatley this past year.

I really like Mikko Koivu.