Brad Ratgen: Welcome Back Bruno! A look at the recent hirings of Andrew Brunette and Wes Walz by the Minnesota Wild.

Great to be back brad

Great to be back brad


- pker2theend

First thing that came to my mind.

First thing that came to my mind.
- Nucker101

Nice! No job?

Nice! No job?
- Brad Ratgen

Thanks!


University student with a part-time job.

Any idea on who might be coming up from Houston with Kassian and Coyle going down?

Any idea on who might be coming up from Houston with Kassian and Coyle going down?
- HardPuck

It doesn't sound like the Coyle move was intended to free up a spot to bring someone else up.

It doesn't sound like the Coyle move was intended to free up a spot to bring someone else up.
- Chinaski

That means they will only keep 12 forwards up then...unusual...

That means they will only keep 12 forwards up then...unusual...
- HardPuck

I'm not sure how long they'll keep it that way. Russo has a good analysis of the situation here

Well it's not like Coyle was "lighting it up" so to speak. He definitely has some major potential, but I think he needs a lot more time in the minors to develop his game. Zero points in 5 games with the majority of his minutes on the 1st line probably didn't help either.

I have a feeling the Wild lose tonight, 3 - 1.

You guys are pathetic, our injury riddled team is close to last place and you play like that!? I want Seth Jones dammit!

Penguins-wild talking discussing Heatley

Penguins-wild talking discussing Heatley
- jchst22

Who is the rumor mill saying we get in return?

Penguins-wild talking discussing Heatley
- jchst22

Heatley for who?

Heatley for who?
- Mersch

Matt Cooke.

Matt Cooke.
- Scooby_Doo

Very good for Wild to begin to build a foundation around hard working retired guys like Walz and Brunette. For an expansion franchise to be pitted against the long standing traditions that exist around the NHL, it takes building a community around guys like these two. Reisbrough/Lemaire era failed to create new connection between Wild and MN hockey at all levels.

Penguins-wild talking discussing Heatley
- jchst22

Source?!

According to Russo, Pitt scout was looking at PMB and/or Seto. Nothing mentioned about Heatley or any other player.

Source?!

According to Russo, Pitt scout was looking at PMB and/or Seto. Nothing mentioned about Heatley or any other player.
- MnGump

At this point who cares about a source lets just hope either PMB or Heatley goes. Setogucci is player that the Wild doesnt have comparable replacement for in its system.

Wild are now officially pathetic. They manage to score more than 2 goals for the first time in their last 6 games(only the 6th time this season) and still can't manage to pull out a win against the lowly Av's.

While taking at least a point away from any game is obviously a secondary objective to taking 2, these are the games that should be considered "must wins" for this club. Squeeking out a point against opponents like Chicago or Vancouver is commendable, but Colorado?!

I admire the grit and tenacity of several of the Wild players, but it still seems like they are rushed on almost every play. Over pursuit, quick sloppy passes, ill-advised shots from low percentage areas, sending the puck around the boards or trying to clear our own zone without controlling the puck first all lead to stupid turnovers and/or higher number of opponents scoring chances.

They need to slow the game down, high energy is great, but what the Wild are lacking most right now is quality play. Any knob can go out and skate his ass off for 45 seconds to a minute at a time without really contributing anything positive in the way of scoring opportunities.

The Wild also very lacking in quality passing. They seemingly have very little ability to create the tic tac or nifty passing plays that lead to big goals. Game in and game out they have very few offensive possessions where they make any kind of decent passes to catch their opponents flat footed.

Defense still looking as pedestrian as ever. Again, the only defensmen making any kind of difference are Suter and the rookie Brodin. The rest? Could all be replaced by other skilless brainless bodies that can skate and check. And what the hell is Falk doing? I counted at least 3 times he skated up into the offensive zone last night apparently trying to channel his inner Brent Burns or something. He has to be the most pathetic defensemen of the lot. I believe he was directly responsible for 2 of Colorado's goals last night.

Russo saying now that Pitt GM Shero was at the game scouting, but main reason for being here is for attending a tournament his son is playing in at the X, so who really knows if anything is actually going on behind the scenes.

At this point who cares about a source lets just hope either PMB or Heatley goes. Setogucci is player that the Wild doesnt have comparable replacement for in its system.
- kieferaw

Naw, I think Seto is easily replaced. Coyle, Larsson, Zucker any one of those guys could step in and play as well or better than Seto. The question is what are you getting back for him? a 3 or 4 defensman hopefully.

Russo saying now that Pitt GM Shero was at the game scouting, but main reason for being here is for attending a tournament his son is playing in at the X, so who really knows if anything is actually going on behind the scenes.
- MnGump

Any idea who his son plays for?
Oh, and how dare you rip on Falk... I thought he has been "spectacular" so far.

Any idea who his son plays for?
Oh, and how dare you rip on Falk... I thought he has been "spectacular" so far.
- SotaPopinski

That was kieferaw that stated Falk has been "outstanding" this season. I've been saying how horsepoop he's been. Sheros son plays in the MWEHL U18 for the Pittsburgh Penguins elite team, but I could not find any tournaments in Minnesota. So I don't know what Russo was referring to.

That was kieferaw that stated Falk has been "outstanding" this season. I've been saying how horsepoop he's been. Sheros son plays in the MWEHL U18 for the Pittsburgh Penguins elite team, but I could not find any tournaments in Minnesota. So I don't know what Russo was referring to.
- MnGump

Yeah, I knew you were not the one that said that. Just nice to see someone else see how ordinary he really is.
Thanks for the info