Brad Ratgen: Wild's Hot Streak About to Be Challenged? 54 Points or Bust! Game Day Preview: Wild at San Jose. Also, my thoughts on the trade deadline as the Wild are concerned.

Well for starters, I'm glad the Wild didn't end up giving up a slew of high round picks for Ryane Clowe. Instead the NYR's gave away part of their future for what could turn out to be merely a rental in a season where they are barely a fringe playoff team. I was hoping like hell Fletch wasn't going to try and force something that wasn't going to be a good fit for one, and endanger current or future prospects.

That said, the Wild couldn't have lost Cullen at a more crucial time of their season. He has literally been the straw stirring the drink for the Wild on the 2nd line and the PP and PK. He's a huge loss at a time when the Wild need to be playing their best coming into this stretch of games. Hope like hell he's only gone for 2. And we can only hope that Larsson takes this opportunity to impress the hell out of everyone because I know their are many Wild fans wondering why Zucker was not recalled instead.

Wild need to come out gunning tonight and play 3 periods of shut down defense which has been difficult over the past several games for them. Huge question marks still floating around on this defense of theirs. After seeing Regher go to LA for as little as 2 second round picks, I'm a bit dissapointed the Wild did not make a run at him. But if Fletch does make any sort of noise today, I'm hoping it's to help shore up the short comings this team has defensively.

Well for starters, I'm glad the Wild didn't end up giving up a slew of high round picks for Ryane Clowe. Instead the NYR's gave away part of their future for what could turn out to be merely a rental in a season where they are barely a fringe playoff team. I was hoping like hell Fletch wasn't going to try and force something that wasn't going to be a good fit for one, and endanger current or future prospects.

That said, the Wild couldn't have lost Cullen at a more crucial time of their season. He has literally been the straw stirring the drink for the Wild on the 2nd line and the PP and PK. He's a huge loss at a time when the Wild need to be playing their best coming into this stretch of games. Hope like hell he's only gone for 2. And we can only hope that Larsson takes this opportunity to impress the hell out of everyone because I know their are many Wild fans wondering why Zucker was not recalled instead.

Wild need to come out gunning tonight and play 3 periods of shut down defense which has been difficult over the past several games for them. Huge question marks still floating around on this defense of theirs. After seeing Regher go to LA for as little as 2 second round picks, I'm a bit dissapointed the Wild did not make a run at him. But if Fletch does make any sort of noise today, I'm hoping it's to help shore up the short comings this team has defensively.
- MnGump

I say wait until the off-season to address those concerns instead of mortgaging the future. This Wild team is only going to get better over the next few years. This is not the year to deal during the deadline in my opinion.

I say wait until the off-season to address those concerns instead of mortgaging the future. This Wild team is only going to get better over the next few years. This is not the year to deal during the deadline in my opinion.
- Brad Ratgen

I don't necessarily disagree Brad, but I am a bit surprised they didn't find a way to move PMB and get a little something in return for him. I guess I shouldn't say I'm "surprised", because I know with his concussion issues there really wasn't a market for him, but I thought some playoff bound team out there might take a chance on him.

Wild definitely need to address the defensive side of things in this years draft and offseason. I didnt' want them to mortgage their future either, but a player like Regehr for only 2 second round picks seemed like a pretty good deal for LA. Like that team needed to get any bigger or more physical...

Hey Guys, I could use some advice, Its trade day in our office pool. I can pick up Backstrom, Niemi, Crawford or Bryz. I will need to trade Mike Smith. Is Backstrom the guy you would take??? Thanks!

I agree on Regher think 2 second round picks would not have been the end of the world for the Wild. I really wish swinging for the fences was possible here on a guy like Jack Johnson or Tyler Myers. Wild has NO size and physicality defenders in the organization besides undersized maniac Dumba. On the NHL roster Stoner should never play anything other than 3rd pairing minutes but he is forced to pair with Spurgeon in Top4. Stoner is a great guy all heart and only consistently physical defender for Wild but man his skating and puck handling are brutal!!!!!

Hey Guys, I could use some advice, Its trade day in our office pool. I can pick up Backstrom, Niemi, Crawford or Bryz. I will need to trade Mike Smith. Is Backstrom the guy you would take??? Thanks!
- Jimmy_wiener

Backstrom over Bryz or Niemi for sure.

I agree on Regher think 2 second round picks would not have been the end of the world for the Wild. I really wish swinging for the fences was possible here on a guy like Jack Johnson or Tyler Myers. Wild has NO size and physicality defenders in the organization besides undersized maniac Dumba. On the NHL roster Stoner should never play anything other than 3rd pairing minutes but he is forced to pair with Spurgeon in Top4. Stoner is a great guy all heart and only consistently physical defender for Wild but man his skating and puck handling are brutal!!!!!
- kieferaw

Yeah, Falk should be much more physical, but he's so hot and cold, up and down. He can look very decent at times and like a complete imbocile at others. I like Stoner, but yes his basic hockey skills leave something to be desired. Wild definitely need to get a couple of physical d men this offseason. Get rid of Gilbert, Falk, Prosser for sure. IMO

Dumba is physical, but I have heard he's a shoot first think second kind of player. Word out is he compromises himself to often getting caught out of position trying to line up big hits or skating up into offensive play to often.

Hey Guys, I could use some advice, Its trade day in our office pool. I can pick up Backstrom, Niemi, Crawford or Bryz. I will need to trade Mike Smith. Is Backstrom the guy you would take??? Thanks!
- Jimmy_wiener

Go with Crow

Russo reporting Wild intrerested in Buffalos Pominville. Thoughts?

Yeah, Falk should be much more physical, but he's so hot and cold, up and down. He can look very decent at times and like a complete imbocile at others. I like Stoner, but yes his basic hockey skills leave something to be desired. Wild definitely need to get a couple of physical d men this offseason. Get rid of Gilbert, Falk, Prosser for sure. IMO

Dumba is physical, but I have heard he's a shoot first think second kind of player. Word out is he compromises himself to often getting caught out of position trying to line up big hits or skating up into offensive play to often.
- MnGump

Kinda sounds like Burns hahaha. I love the Dumba kid just electric. Get a kid with that mentality you nuture it and adapt but he is not a big kid. Falk most frustrating of all Dmen because he just doesnt play big or physical much. Falk and Prosser first two defenders to fall off roster to waivers. Clark was decent in his debut but man Wild D corps is FINESSE.

Russo reporting Wild intrerested in Buffalos Pominville. Thoughts?
- MnGump

Rather have them swing for fences with Tyler Myers or Vanek

Rather have them swing for fences with Tyler Myers or Vanek
- kieferaw

I'm guessing we get Stafford from Buff

I'm guessing we get Stafford from Buff
- Brad Ratgen

Are you hearing something? Or just a gut feeling?

Are you hearing something? Or just a gut feeling?
- MnGump

Gut. Makes perfect sense. Julie Robenhymer agrees.

Thanks for the help Guys, Im going to trade Mike Smith and Ryan Miller for Crawford and Backstrom. Hope you guys can make a deal today, after those signings in the summer, Fletcher needs to be all in.....

Russo reporting Kuemper headed for Houston Airport. Which could mean one of two things. He's being traded or Matt Hackett is being traded and Darcy is headed to San Jose...

He thinks the Wild are going hard after Pominville.

Thanks for the help Guys, Im going to trade Mike Smith and Ryan Miller for Crawford and Backstrom. Hope you guys can make a deal today, after those signings in the summer, Fletcher needs to be all in.....
- Jimmy_wiener

Good luck and thanks.

Good luck and thanks.
- MnGump

Pommer Gone Wild????

Pominville to Wild for Hackett, Larsson and undisclosed "high" round pick(s).

well done minny. you got yourself a all around good player

Pominville to Wild for Hackett, Larsson and undisclosed "high" round pick(s).
- MnGump

Yessss!!! Always been a fan of Pom and this now gives the Wild one of the better top lines in the game.

Larsson has always been one of those prospects that everyone raves about, but I just don't see what it is that makes him so special. I think he'll be a solid 2nd liner, so long as he has a strong supporting cast. He's good at everything, and sounds like one hell of a leader so I'm disappointed to see him go... but Pominville is a gamer. Hopefully he can be re-signed, although I think this spells the end of Heatley regardless.

well done minny. you got yourself a all around good player
- joshs

Very steep price though.

Very steep price though.
- Nucker101

Haven't found any confirmation on picks, so stfu!!!

Haven't found any confirmation on picks, so stfu!!!
- SotaPopinski

Honestly, I wouldn't have minded if Gillis paid a similar price. If you're gonna buy, then go all-in.