Brad Ratgen: You're Mike Yeo: Change the Lines to Increase Scoring for the Wild! What changes should the Wild make to their lines, if any, to increase scoring production from all 4 lines?

What was Suter doing on that goal that Franzen was in front of the net helping him screen the goalie ? then gives him a cross check after the goal

Haha Nice concept. My first Blog will publish today at some point I specifically outlined how I view the changes that need to be made.

Haha Nice concept. My first Blog will publish today at some point I specifically outlined how I view the changes that need to be made.
- kieferaw

I would keep the first line in tact. They are doing fine. No changes needed. I would be tempted to make the 2nd line as follows: Cullen-Brodziak-Bouchard. 3rd line: Clutterbuck-Granlund-Setoguchi. 4th line, I would bring either Palmieri or Veilleux up and send Powe down, keeping Kassian as 13th forward for when you need his muscle. Palmieri is a horse and has something to prove and would be playing with a chip on his shoulder. Vielleux is a lot like Clutterbuck and brings energy to every shift he is on the ice.

Haha Nice concept. My first Blog will publish today at some point I specifically outlined how I view the changes that need to be made.
- kieferaw

Give me a link to your site/blog please. Would love to read your stuff.

Call up Zucker and play him with Granlund

Trade Suter back to Nashville for a 2nd round pick and Richard Clune..

What was Suter doing on that goal that Franzen was in front of the net helping him screen the goalie ? then gives him a cross check after the goal
- blizzzard

Your not going to find that Suter is your ideal person for moving someone out of the paint or anywhere else. He is great at positioning and puck control, but not for the physical aspect of the game unless he has the boards as his ally.

Heatley-Koivu-Granlund
Parise-Cullen-Setoguchi
Clutterbuck-Brodziak-Bouchard
Mitchell-Konopka-Powe

Here is the link to my First Blog at my new home:http://www.insiderrumors..../a-wild-state-of-affairs/

Heatley-Koivu-Granlund
Parise-Cullen-Setoguchi
Clutterbuck-Brodziak-Bouchard
Mitchell-Konopka-Powe
- Chinaski

I like this, but would love to see Zucker and possibly Coyle or Larsson taking spots on the 4th line. Aside from Konopka's faceoff skills and his lame fights, I haven't noticed a thing out of this line

I like this, but would love to see Zucker and possibly Coyle or Larsson taking spots on the 4th line. Aside from Konopka's faceoff skills and his lame fights, I haven't noticed a thing out of this line
- SotaPopinski

I'm not sure we'd see that. I don't think the Wild want to develop these guys by giving them limited 4th line minutes in the NHL when they can be playing top line minutes/roles in the AHL. It's what will be best for them now in order to play in the top 9 here in Minnesota in the next year or two.

Besides, I don't think we should expect too much from the 4th line. They're there to suck up about 6-8 minutes, bring energy and physicality, and just not be a liability on the ice. I also think guys like Mitchell and Powe can be moved to a 3rd line role without an issue in the event of an injury. Don't forget that these guys can all play the PK as well so it helps guys like Koivu, Cullen, and Parise not have to play too many minutes.

I like this, but would love to see Zucker and possibly Coyle or Larsson taking spots on the 4th line. Aside from Konopka's faceoff skills and his lame fights, I haven't noticed a thing out of this line
- SotaPopinski

Agreed!

I'm not sure we'd see that. I don't think the Wild want to develop these guys by giving them limited 4th line minutes in the NHL when they can be playing top line minutes/roles in the AHL. It's what will be best for them now in order to play in the top 9 here in Minnesota in the next year or two.

Besides, I don't think we should expect too much from the 4th line. They're there to suck up about 6-8 minutes, bring energy and physicality, and just not be a liability on the ice. I also think guys like Mitchell and Powe can be moved to a 3rd line role without an issue in the event of an injury. Don't forget that these guys can all play the PK as well so it helps guys like Koivu, Cullen, and Parise not have to play too many minutes.
- Chinaski

This is the correct NHL analysis in my opinion. Top 3 line guys need to start at whatever line they are projected or one lower. To start them on 4th line and then expect them to move up is very dangerous. The guys who are projected to be top line guys need to start/stay there. No way would I ever be happy with top prospects playing on the 4th line.

Yeah, having our better prospects playing on the 4th was a silly idea. Just frustrated with the lack of offense, but patience is needed with all the new faces. If the top line is still the only one scoring after another week, I may have to throw out some more idiotic ideas!

Parise- Koivu- Setoguchi
Zucker- Granlund- Heatley
Clutterbuck- Brodziak- Bouchard
Cullen- Konopka- Mitchell
Kassian extra

Suter- Gilbert
Brodin - Spurgeon
Falk- Stoner

Parise- Koivu- Setoguchi
Zucker- Granlund- Heatley
Clutterbuck- Brodziak- Bouchard
Cullen- Konopka- Mitchell
Kassian extra

Suter- Gilbert
Brodin - Spurgeon
Falk- Stoner
- siouxparise

Heatley and Parise are the only 2 that have shown any sort of chemistry, so I'd be wary about breaking them up, especially for Setoguchi. Since coming to the Wild, what has he done to earn a spot on the 1st line? I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded, which would free up even more cap room after the season.

especially for Setoguchi. Since coming to the Wild, what has he done to earn a spot on the 1st line? I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded, which would free up even more cap room after the season.
- SotaPopinski

I wouldn't be surprised either. Actually, Russo has some speculation on this possibility in the paper today - Russo's Sunday Insider

But if Setoguchi was moved, I wouldn't mind seeing Bouchard moved up to the top 6 for this year and then bring up one of the vets to fill out the 4th line.

Heatley-Koivu-Bouchard
Parise-Cullen-Granlund
Clutterbuck-Brodziak-Mitchell
Powe-Konopka-Dowell/Veilleux

I'm just not crazy about the idea of bringing up a guy like Coyle or Zucker, throw him into a top 6 scoring role, and expect him to produce. I'd be more comfortable with giving those guys a full camp/pre-season and trying different combinations to see what will work best with the core players.