Brad Ratgen: Game Day Preview: Oilers at Wild. State Tourney Week! A look at tonight's match-up.

Brad Ratgen: Game Day Preview: Oilers at Wild. State Tourney Week!
A look at tonight's match-up.
- Brad Ratgen

Hall served his suspension, that should be end of story.But knowing Shannahan the wild could come out and delibertly run Hall and take him out for the year. Walking away with a 10k fine.

Wow. Just got done watching Hawks-Wings. Up next for the Wild after tonight? @CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hall served his suspension. The very fact that there is Bertutzzi like retaliation threats/atmosphere still says a ton about the Minny org.

You guys act like he hit Parise or something. It was our top player hitting your version of Eager. Get over it.

If anything you should send out Parise to hit Eager. That is the similar play involving comparable players.

If Hall was able to go, he'd go. There's not contrived, sudden injury. There would be no consideration of protecting him. He's a big boy, and as a further note I'd like to think that the Wild are above stupid poop like revenge (in terms of physical injury).

I'll bet the Wild come out with the intention to hit hard, hit legally and beat them on the scoreboard. At least I'd hope that - that's what real athletes do.

Hall served his suspension. The very fact that there is Bertutzzi like retaliation threats/atmosphere still says a ton about the Minny org.

- yaktalksback

Nothing of the sort is coming out of the Minnesota organization.

Hall served his suspension. The very fact that there is Bertutzzi like retaliation threats/atmosphere still says a ton about the Minny org.

You guys act like he hit Parise or something. It was our top player hitting your version of Eager. Get over it.

If anything you should send out Parise to hit Eager. That is the similar play involving comparable players.
- yaktalksback

Show me where anyone affiliated with the Wild has made such a comment? For frank's sake, some of you Oil fans get butthurt over the stupidest things...

Show me where anyone affiliated with the Wild has made such a comment? For frank's sake, some of you Oil fans get butthurt over the stupidest things...
- SotaPopinski

They didn't, but your blogger did. and it was my understanding, based on wild fans reactions to cloutier saying clutter should have had his head up, that bloggers speak for the entire franchise. i must be mistaken

They didn't, but your blogger did. and it was my understanding, based on wild fans reactions to cloutier saying clutter should have had his head up, that bloggers speak for the entire franchise. i must be mistaken
- Morris

He should have had his head up, Hall should have kept his knee in, I should be dating supermodels... only idiots that don't know the game think Konopka or Rupp will try to fight Hall whenever he faces the Wild again.

He should have had his head up, Hall should have kept his knee in, I should be dating supermodels... only idiots that don't know the game think Konopka or Rupp will try to fight Hall whenever he faces the Wild again.
- SotaPopinski

You know what pal, you're allll right.

Ok guys we suck but you don't have to score on your selves. If you guys don't win this, even I will be up set.

Ok guys we suck but you don't have to score on your selves. If you guys don't win this, even I will be up set.
- al3535

We felt bad for you
Finally, we've found our lines... for now

We felt bad for you
Finally, we've found our lines... for now
- SotaPopinski

LOL.

Hall served his suspension. The very fact that there is Bertutzzi like retaliation threats/atmosphere still says a ton about the Minny org.

You guys act like he hit Parise or something. It was our top player hitting your version of Eager. Get over it.

If anything you should send out Parise to hit Eager. That is the similar play involving comparable players.
- yaktalksback

Hey, pudding head... the only one saying this garbage is the guy writing the blog. THere has been little to no talk whatsoever around the Minnesota media about Hall since the week of the infraction. No one really cares about it at this point. (except for maybe Clutter)

I listen to local sports radio every day, read the papers etc... No one but no one is saying anything like this... That being said, we all know that things like this do happen in this league (vendettas). So obviously even pure speculation can have some bit of possible truth to it.

However, I don't think anyone on the Wild roster is dumb enough to pull a Bertuzzi. I think if anything Hall will take a few extra hits next couple times he plays against the Wild.

Okay, so I feel a bit vindicated for my comments last blog. Yeo goes back to the lineup he had in Phoenix and the Wild have another great performance offensively. Honestly, I think last nights game could have been the most complete by the Wild yet this season.

We finally got to see that "outstanding" play of Falk. By far his best game of the season. In all honesty I think the Heatley, Granlund, Bouchard line could be the most dynamic of the top 3. Granlund had a very good game and is starting to show some of those nifty skills he was so well known for in the Finnish elite league.

Russo was on KFAN this morning filling in for that DB Paul Allen and he read an excerpt from a Finnish reporter who is emedded here in Minny and it was regarding a quote from the kid himself. More or less stating that he's having to re-invent himself due to the vast differences between the NHL game and the Finnish elite league.

Sounds to me like he's adapting and starting to persevere.

Only qualms I have with last nights game is the PP lines. Not sure why Brodziak is out there over a guy like Zucker, and if I'm not mistaken I believe I even spotted Tori Mitchell on a PP shift last night. That is extremely puzzling to me.

Well, next up.... Chi-town... Although I'm certainly not expecting a win, I think the Wild will be their toughest competition in their next several games until they meet up with Anaheim next week. Wild usually play Chicago very tough and currently have a 3 game win streak against them(going back to last season), one of them being the measily 3 losses they have so far this season. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that the Wild could be the first team to chalk up a regulation win against them, but the way that team is playing right now, I'm not going to hold my breath.

Okay, so I feel a bit vindicated for my comments last blog. Yeo goes back to the lineup he had in Phoenix and the Wild have another great performance offensively. Honestly, I think last nights game could have been the most complete by the Wild yet this season.

We finally got to see that "outstanding" play of Falk. By far his best game of the season. In all honesty I think the Heatley, Granlund, Bouchard line could be the most dynamic of the top 3. Granlund had a very good game and is starting to show some of those nifty skills he was so well known for in the Finnish elite league.

Russo was on KFAN this morning filling in for that DB Paul Allen and he read an excerpt from a Finnish reporter who is emedded here in Minny and it was regarding a quote from the kid himself. More or less stating that he's having to re-invent himself due to the vast differences between the NHL game and the Finnish elite league.

Sounds to me like he's adapting and starting to persevere.

Only qualms I have with last nights game is the PP lines. Not sure why Brodziak is out there over a guy like Zucker, and if I'm not mistaken I believe I even spotted Tori Mitchell on a PP shift last night. That is extremely puzzling to me.

Well, next up.... Chi-town... Although I'm certainly not expecting a win, I think the Wild will be their toughest competition in their next several games until they meet up with Anaheim next week. Wild usually play Chicago very tough and currently have a 3 game win streak against them(going back to last season), one of them being the measily 3 losses they have so far this season. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that the Wild could be the first team to chalk up a regulation win against them, but the way that team is playing right now, I'm not going to hold my breath.
- MnGump

Maybe, but we have to remember that it was against Edmonton... a team that could not manage a single shot in a period.
Now that Yeo has his lines set, we can focus our anger on his crummy PP. I agree with you, the personnel he uses at times is simply mind-boggling.

Maybe, but we have to remember that it was against Edmonton... a team that could not manage a single shot in a period.
Now that Yeo has his lines set, we can focus our anger on his crummy PP. I agree with you, the personnel he uses at times is simply mind-boggling.
- SotaPopinski

Good point, it was only Edmonton.... Although I thought they played equally as well in the last half of the game vs Anaheim the other night. Either way it's a step in the right direction. How bad is Edmonton though? right! 0 shots in the 2nd?! Wow.

My question now is what happens when Clutterbuck comes back? Who get's the healthy scratch? My only guess would be Mitchell or Rupp. And does Clutter get moved down to the 4th line w/ Brodz? I actually don't think that's a terrible idea because as I said, the 3rd line is by far the most intriguing at this point. The 2nd(Seto,Cullen, Zucker) line is a close second. Mitchell is a good energy guy and penalty killer, but Rupp actually brings a bit more to the table with his size and offensive ability.

Good point, it was Edmonton.... Although I thought they played equally as well in the last half of the game vs Anaheim the other night. Either way it's a step in the right direction. How bad is Edmonton though? right! 0 shots in the 2nd?! Wow.

My question now is what happens when Clutterbuck comes back? Who get's the healthy scratch? My only guess would be Mitchell or Rupp. And does Clutter get moved down to the 4th line w/ Brodz? I actually don't think that's a terrible idea. Mitchell is a good energy guy and penalty killer, but Rupp actually brings a bit more to the table with his size and offensive ability.
- MnGump

Maybe another couple #1 picks will get them up to mediocrity, who knows...
A fourth line with Clutter, Brodziak and Mitchell/Rupp would be insane, but I think he ends up on the 3rd line with Granny and Heater. This is if Coyle and Zucker continue to impress and keep their respective spots. A part of me still wants to see Seto on that first line with Parise and Koivu though..

Maybe another couple #1 picks will get them up to mediocrity, who knows...
A fourth line with Clutter, Brodziak and Mitchell/Rupp would be insane, but I think he ends up on the 3rd line with Granny and Heater. This is if Coyle and Zucker continue to impress and keep their respective spots. A part of me still wants to see Seto on that first line with Parise and Koivu though..
- SotaPopinski

I don't think taking Bouch's spot on 3rd would be a bad spot for Clutter, but putting him on the 4th IMO, really rounds out this teams line depth nicely. Bouch is the odd man out if that were to happen, he's not playing all that well and really doesn't fit in on the 4th. As far as Seto on the 1st, I wouldn't argue with that. I'd like to see Coyle and Zuck on the same line and with Cullen centering, could be interesting. I don't see Coyle or Zucker going back to Houston this season. I mean it's certainly possible, but they both look like they're adapting nicely. I guess we'll see.

If Edmonton is willing to give up a 4th for Mike freakin' Brown, how can Fletch not get at least a 2nd for PMB? I think we see someone moved once Cal is healthy.

If Edmonton is willing to give up a 4th for Mike freakin' Brown, how can Fletch not get at least a 2nd for PMB? I think we see someone moved once Cal is healthy.
- SotaPopinski

Yeah, possibly. I guess I hadn't thought of that aspect.

Hey, pudding head... the only one saying this garbage is the guy writing the blog. THere has been little to no talk whatsoever around the Minnesota media about Hall since the week of the infraction. No one really cares about it at this point. (except for maybe Clutter)

I listen to local sports radio every day, read the papers etc... No one but no one is saying anything like this... That being said, we all know that things like this do happen in this league (vendettas). So obviously even pure speculation can have some bit of possible truth to it.

However, I don't think anyone on the Wild roster is dumb enough to pull a Bertuzzi. I think if anything Hall will take a few extra hits next couple times he plays against the Wild.
- MnGump

Trust me, it's more than me saying this. Did you even follow twitter last night before and during the game? Even other media members in the press box were commenting on how Taylor Hall was upstairs last night and wasn't even limping; how the groin was a long way from the heart; etc. The fans were worse calling Hall names I won't even put out there on here. Alot of the fans want payback for what happened to Clutterbuck. I had always maintained that Hall would not play in the next game against Minnesota. Guess I was right. And if that doesn't happen in this league, why do we even suit up semi-talented guys who can fight better than they play? It happens. Open your eyes!!!!!

Trust me, it's more than me saying this. Did you even follow twitter last night before and during the game? Even other media members in the press box were commenting on how Taylor Hall was upstairs last night and wasn't even limping; how the groin was a long way from the heart; etc. The fans were worse calling Hall names I won't even put out there on here. Alot of the fans want payback for what happened to Clutterbuck. I had always maintained that Hall would not play in the next game against Minnesota. Guess I was right. And if that doesn't happen in this league, why do we even suit up semi-talented guys who can fight better than they play? It happens. Open your eyes!!!!!
- Brad Ratgen

My eyes work just fine thanks. And I didn't say fans weren't barking about it. I just haven't seen nor heard anything in the local media coming from the Wild organization or players. (Social media outlets withstanding). Not a big "twitter" guy. Fans banter is meaningless as it pertains to what actually happens on the ice.

That being said, fans and the Wild organization are two different things. I've heard nothing coming from Wild members on KFAN or either of the twin cities news papers even hinting that Wild players had it out for Hall.

Like I said, we all know that vandettas do exist in the NHL and I don't doubt that Hall is going to need to keep his head on a swivel for the rest of this season. But not for a second do I belive Rupp or Konopka are going to try fight Hall unless he's sending the invitation. As far as Hall sitting out to protect him? Pure speculation. Yeah, I could see Krueger saying something like, well if he's not 100% than I don't want to risk someone taking a run at him and exsaserbating his existing condition, but in no way do I believe it was for the sole purpose of "protecting" him from getting jumped on the ice.

You are free to buy into that conspiracy nonsense, that's your right, but your speculation doesn't necessarily pass the smell test. A bunch of blood thirsty fans on twitter is not even remotely close to players or coaches coming out and saying they want a piece of Hall. Especially when you start throwing out Bertuzzi scenarios.

Rupp even went out of his way to say that any sort of revenge on Hall was the least of the Wilds worries. If fans are anxiously awaiting a Taylor Hall throwdown, they are going to be sadly disappointed

Rupp even went out of his way to say that any sort of revenge on Hall was the least of the Wilds worries. If fans are anxiously awaiting a Taylor Hall throwdown, they are going to be sadly disappointed
- SotaPopinski

From Russo's rants yesterday morning;

Not that anyone in the Wild dressing room was talking about getting even anyway.

After skating this morning, the Wild talked about winning, not getting a big hit on Hall. "We want to move on, focus on the game," center Kyle Brodziak said. "Just let it be."

Added Mike Rupp: "I'm not commenting necessarily on our situation, but generally you try to play within the rules, try to catch a guy legally. That's what you're looking to do. You can't go into a game like this thinking about that stuff the whole time. There is more at stake than that."

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