Brad Ratgen: Game Day Preview: Wild at Oilers. Also, Wild MVP? A look at tonight's game, other action around the Western Conference tonight and who is the Wild MVP?

Brad Ratgen: Game Day Preview: Wild at Oilers. Also, Wild MVP?
A look at tonight's game, other action around the Western Conference tonight and who is the Wild MVP?
- Brad Ratgen

Nice write up.

I gotta assume a college educated guy like Schultz knew that this would be a process. In the mean time, he gets to go drinking and golfing with a bunch of tools his age as soon as the season ends. Bittersweet, but probably right up a 22 year-old's alley.

Strikes me that Cal Clutterbuck has been kind of underutilized by the wild this year. Any interest in moving the pending RFA? What would be the asking price?

You know it's funny, earlier in the year I didn't think that Clutterbuck and Hall would ever want to be in the same building together, let alone the same room, but I can't help but feeling a guy like that would be a great acquisition for the Oilers. You know the saying: "time heals all thighs".

Games to keep an eye on tonight? Vancouver at St. Louis and L.A. at San Jose. If the Canucks beat the Blues and the Kings beat the Sharks, the Wild would be tied with San Jose at 51 points making their game against oneanother all the more interesting on Thursday night, especially after how the last game in San Jose ended with Vlasic injuring Heatley and ending his season. Fun times folks, fun times (but, only if you’re winning this time of year).

- Brad Ratgen

I guess you're assuming the Wild will win tonight?

Nice write up.

I gotta assume a college educated guy like Schultz knew that this would be a process. In the mean time, he gets to go drinking and golfing with a bunch of tools his age as soon as the season ends. Bittersweet, but probably right up a 22 year-old's alley.

Strikes me that Cal Clutterbuck has been kind of underutilized by the wild this year. Any interest in moving the pending RFA? What would be the asking price?

You know it's funny, earlier in the year I didn't think that Clutterbuck and Hall would ever want to be in the same building together, let alone the same room, but I can't help but feeling a guy like that would be a great acquisition for the Oilers. You know the saying: "time heals all thighs".
- Morris

I don't know. I think it's all going to depend on how big of a contract Clutterbuck is going to be asking for. I would assume the Wild want to keep him, but personally I don't think his value is over $2 - 3 million a year. He's a glorified grinder, he's got some offensive talent, but he likes to take a lot of ill-advised shots from low percentage areas, IMO. I like what Cal brings to the Wild line up, but personally I'd part with him for a solid 3/4 defensman like Smid or maybe a prospect like Musil or Marincin.

"I wonder if he regerts not signing with the Ducks right now or the Wild for that matter?"

He enjoys playing with Edmonton. :

I guess you're assuming the Wild will win tonight?
- MnGump

Ya won't. Edmonton will.

Ya won't. Edmonton will.
- Oilers4Life14

Based on what exactly?

Ya won't. Edmonton will.
- Oilers4Life14

Gee, thanks for the tantalizing supportive insight! Must suck to have 20/20 vision yet unable to see... Edmonton will lose interest after they go down by 2 and phone it in.

Meh, sometimes good teams lose to inferior teams. Sometimes teams get energized by stuff like a new sheriff in town, and new linemates. It should be interesting to watch anyway.

Meh, sometimes good teams lose to inferior teams. Sometimes teams get energized by stuff like a new sheriff in town, and new linemates. It should be interesting to watch anyway.
- Morris

I was more irritated by his lack of supportive imput, I don't think for a second the Wild can't lose tonight. I just think with a playoff spot on the line or even an 8 seed(which no one wants) the Wild will be up to the task. New management can certainly bring a breath of fresh air into an organization, but it's only been A day and if I remember correctly, the fans their hated McT as the coach, what makes them think he'll be a better GM?

On a side note to your comments, I don't necessarily think Edmonton is an inferior team, certainly have as much if not more skill players than does the Wild, they just need some better personnel management.

Based on what exactly?
- Brad Ratgen

Hope to make the playoffs

Gee, thanks for the tantalizing supportive insight! Must suck to have 20/20 vision yet unable to see... Edmonton will lose interest after they go down by 2 and phone it in.
- MnGump

And what if they do win?

At this point Brad, MVP has to go to Suter. Hands down. If Cullen wouldn't have gotten hurt I'd say he'd be in the mix with Parise and Koivu.

My top 5 candidates in order:

Suter
Parise
Backstrom
Koivu
Cullen

And what if they do win?
- Oilers4Life14

Then they'll miss the playoffs by 7 points instead of 9.

Suter

Parise for team MVP IMO, he's the heart and soul of this team. Suter and Backstrom could easily make a strong case too, but I'd go with Parise.

it should also be noted that N Schultz is a defensive D man and Gilbert's value isn't in his own end. Bad season for him though. He'll pick it up.

You guys still think Parise was a good signing? 34P in 42GP at 7.5+ M a season in his prime is a little too hefty

it should also be noted that N Schultz is a defensive D man and Gilbert's value isn't in his own end. Bad season for him though. He'll pick it up.

You guys still think Parise was a good signing? 34P in 42GP at 7.5+ M a season in his prime is a little too hefty
- TheNugeIsHuge

Stats don't tell the whole story, blah blah blah....
Love his signing and Suters even more

"I wonder if he regerts not signing with the Ducks right now or the Wild for that matter?"

He enjoys playing with Edmonton. :
- Oilers4Life14

There is something to be said about being being part of the process,I think. It's probably great to be "the missing piece" too, and find instant success, but going through some tough years might make success sweeter down the road.
The Oilers club is in so so shape.It's not where it should be,thats for sure, but it's it's also not as bad as the team record suggests. They may have missed the playoffs for 6 straight years, which is sad, but it's not like they have been rebuilding in all that time. The first three years, they simply sucked.Now,they have a pretty good core of young players, but no supporting veteran cast. Tambellini was way to cautious these past couple of years, and maybe it will pay off down the road, and I expect Mac T to start bringing in better veteran players, anyway he can, and that includes perhaps, moving a young gun or 2. It's not a good team,seriously, of our 23 man roster, there is maybe 15 keepers on that team. Still a long way to go, but not the garbled mess some think it is.

Stats don't tell the whole story, blah blah blah....
Love his signing and Suters even more
- SotaPopinski

Good players, no doubt a big reason Minni is challenging for the division lead.

Gee, thanks for the tantalizing supportive insight! Must suck to have 20/20 vision yet unable to see... Edmonton will lose interest after they go down by 2 and phone it in.
- MnGump

No no, thank you for all your pointless views on hockey players you have never met OR never hang out with. Your life must be great wasting it on this site. Can you even skate......no?......didnt think so

Its a little offside how you find another man tantalizing.....but hey, its great how you embrace your alt lifestyle even at your old age

Have a nice day

No no, thank you for all your pointless views on hockey players you have never met OR never hang out with. Your life must be great wasting it on this site. Can you even skate......no?......didnt think so

Its a little offside how you find another man tantalizing.....but hey, its great how you embrace your alt lifestyle even at your old age

Have a nice day
- Muskoka88

Much needed wins give the Wild a little bit of breathing room. I really don't like the way they've sort of put themselves on auto pilot at the ends of these last two games.

This should be a major concern for Yeo. Resting on their leads and becoming complacent mid way through the 3rd periods in both games allowing multiple goals in garbage time is setting a dangerous precedent IMO. Teams like LA, Vancouver, Anaheim and San Jose will make them pay for that type of laziness come playoff time.

Much needed wins give the Wild a little bit of breathing room. I really don't like the way they've sort of put themselves on auto pilot at the ends of these last two games.

This should be a major concern for Yeo. Resting on their leads and becoming complacent mid way through the 3rd periods in both games allowing multiple goals in garbage time is setting a dangerous precedent IMO. Teams like LA, Vancouver, Anaheim and San Jose will make them pay for that type of laziness come playoff time.
- MnGump

I couldn't agree more. Giving up 3rd period goals is a bad habit to get into. Hope it is just a hiccup and not a trend.

Gee, thanks for the tantalizing supportive insight! Must suck to have 20/20 vision yet unable to see... Edmonton will lose interest after they go down by 2 and phone it in.
- MnGump

Half-right...