Guest Writer: Minnesota Wild 2013 Training Camp Good, Bad, and Ugly.

Great read!

As an Islanders fan I want a Wild's fan perspective on our two biggest offseason additions, Clutterbuck and PMB. I know clutterbuck hits and PMB is a crafty play maker but what should I expect out of these two guys?

I wouldn't call myself a Wild fan, but that was a interesting read. I know the wild have some incredible prospects and the commentary was clear and logical. Good stuff.

Guest Writer: Minnesota Wild 2013 Training Camp Good, Bad, and Ugly.
- Eklund

What would it take to get Heater and what is exactly left on his contract ? I would love to move a guy like Volchenkov and if Heater would of been the first compliance buy out it would make sense if a team is willing to trade for him you take what you can get.

Awesome blog, very well written and many valid points. I am a huge Dumba supporter and sure hope he makes the team. The Wild fans are going to love him.

Great read!

As an Islanders fan I want a Wild's fan perspective on our two biggest offseason additions, Clutterbuck and PMB. I know clutterbuck hits and PMB is a crafty play maker but what should I expect out of these two guys?
- Dgmilazz

Clutterbuck-The value of Cal is not necessarily measured in the usual statistics. Clutterbuck's greatest attribute to the Islanders will be energy, he is a menace every shift in every game. Clutterbuck is all one speed and its overdrive which can be to his detriment at time drawing ridiculous penalties or squandering scoring opportunities. He is not a big frame player mind you so a lot of his hits generate buzz but not damage or separate a player from the puck. Clutterbuck looked like a player capable of playing in all situations and scoring 20+ goals and maybe he will with the Islanders but Fletcher and the Wild believed his value to the organization was as a trade asset with young kids on deck and Clutterbuck a RFA.

Bouchard-Under the previous regime Pierre-Marc was viewed as a superstar caliber player and was paid accordingly getting a 5yr/$4.5MIL contract from Doug Resibrough. Bouchard has top tier talent in a small fragile body and he missed almost 2 complete seasons dealing with the effects of concussions. Upon his return to the ice Bouchard proved to be specifically a complimentary player who is a defer first type. Bouchard has awesome hands and very good vision with the puck to go with good skating. Bouchard for what it is worth held up to some very violent hits last year and was a healthy scratch rather than having any significant injury. Bouchard can be eliminated and neutralized in the offensive zone by marginal defenders apply physical play because of his slight frame which Bouchard was notorious for disappearing in the playoffs. Bouchard was at his most dangerous for the Wild setting the table for Gaborik so maybe he experiences similar success paired with bigger Islander players with scorer mentality

What would it take to get Heater and what is exactly left on his contract ? I would love to move a guy like Volchenkov and if Heater would of been the first compliance buy out it would make sense if a team is willing to trade for him you take what you can get.
- blizzzard

I think Heatley being traded will be more about what the Wild does internally this season than what the return will be. Heatley is in the last year of his last BIG contract and the actual money on it is only $5Mil with cap hit being $7.5Mil. Heatley has been a solid citizen here and it will also be a chemistry dependent thing at the trade deadline. Ultimately Heatley's cap hit is being forecast being used towards 2014 FA Thomas Vanek.

I think Heatley being traded will be more about what the Wild does internally this season than what the return will be. Heatley is in the last year of his last BIG contract and the actual money on it is only $5Mil with cap hit being $7.5Mil. Heatley has been a solid citizen here and it will also be a chemistry dependent thing at the trade deadline. Ultimately Heatley's cap hit is being forecast being used towards 2014 FA Thomas Vanek.
- kieferaw

Thanks !

Thanks for all the feedback! I am very appreciative to Hockeybuzz for featuring the blog.

My crystal ball says the Wild will still struggle to score, will finish outside the top 3 in the Central, and will be hard pressed to beat out someone from the Pacific to grab the 8th playoff spot.

If they do make it, likely another 1st round match-up with the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Good luck!

Guest Writer: Minnesota Wild 2013 Training Camp Good, Bad, and Ugly.
- Eklund

Hire this guy.

Guest Writer: Minnesota Wild 2013 Training Camp Good, Bad, and Ugly.
- Eklund

Suter is a liar. Great captain material at some point if you want someone at the front of your franchise that is blatantly dishonest.

Suter is a liar. Great captain material at some point if you want someone at the front of your franchise that is blatantly dishonest.
- predsfan97

I get the negativity towards a guy no longer with the franchise you root for. I have some similar feelings about players no longer in MN. Gaborik specifically haha.

I get the negativity towards a guy no longer with the franchise you root for. I have some similar feelings about players no longer in MN. Gaborik specifically haha.
- kieferaw

I am just bitter because I was present at an interview when he told the media that he loved Nashville and a deal would get done. The team approached the year as if he would sign, did not trade him when they could have had a nice return and included him in team decisions as they went thru the trade deadline and into the playoffs. Only after he signed with Minnesota did he bring up "wanting to be close to his inlaws". What goes around comes around-bad karma for him- Liar

I am just bitter because I was present at an interview when he told the media that he loved Nashville and a deal would get done. The team approached the year as if he would sign, did not trade him when they could have had a nice return and included him in team decisions as they went thru the trade deadline and into the playoffs. Only after he signed with Minnesota did he bring up "wanting to be close to his inlaws". What goes around comes around-bad karma for him- Liar
- predsfan97

Wild fans know what it feels like to come away with nothing for a star player as that is what happened with Gaborik. He leveraged his way out of town with no return coming back it was devastating for the Wild. Nashville got a very good player when Seth Jones fell to them this year!

I am just bitter because I was present at an interview when he told the media that he loved Nashville and a deal would get done. The team approached the year as if he would sign, did not trade him when they could have had a nice return and included him in team decisions as they went thru the trade deadline and into the playoffs. Only after he signed with Minnesota did he bring up "wanting to be close to his inlaws". What goes around comes around-bad karma for him- Liar
- predsfan97

Parise too for the Devils.

I was in attendance today for the training camp scrimmage. I also have submitted another article on the Wild's young players which I am just waiting on HockeyBuzz staff to publish. Lots of good things from this morning. I will write about it tonight at work.

I was in attendance today for the training camp scrimmage. I also have submitted another article on the Wild's young players which I am just waiting on HockeyBuzz staff to publish. Lots of good things from this morning. I will write about it tonight at work.
- kieferaw

How's Haula looking? Any chance he makes the starting roster right out of the gate?

How's Haula looking? Any chance he makes the starting roster right out of the gate?
- MnGump

Super Longshot. I even thought he should return to U of MN but he will get plenty of ice time in Iowa. Haula is a talented centermen maybe a better fit at center than Coyle or Granlund but he has to play the pro game in AHL first.

wrote about all the young guns here: http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=51964&post_id=15564