Brad Ratgen: Wild Training Camp: Battle for Jobs and Projected Starting Line Up A look at who's battling whom for positions on the Minnesota Wild during training camp and my projections on the Wild's starting line up come opening night.

Likely you have accurately forecast it with Rupp situation one to monitor as he could be an injury stash and Konopka could be on the way out. Wild lack toughness and physicality but both Konpka and Rupp have proven to be liabilities rather than assets. Dowell is a player we didn't see much of last year. Cooke and Mitchell were very good together today accounted for 2 scores. It looks right now contracts numbers game has Granlund and Zucker pitted against Nederreiter and Coyle which is a shame because Heatley should be on the third line with Brodziak and Zucker maye but like you wrote it looks like the 3rd line is set which is too bad because the Wild got very little from Konopka and RKrupp last year on the 4th line and it will be similar this year.

Likely you have accurately forecast it with Rupp situation one to monitor as he could be an injury stash and Konopka could be on the way out. Wild lack toughness and physicality but both Konpka and RKrupp have proven to be liabilities rather than assets. Dowell is a player we didn't see much of last year. Cooke and Mitchell were very good together today accounted for 2 scores.
- kieferaw

Rupp is just a bad fighter for the most part to. He has had a few good fights but for the most part he just isn't that good at his job.

Rupp is just a bad fighter for the most part to. He has had a few good fights but for the most part he just isn't that good at his job.
- blizzzard

Ya comments posting on a blog of a team that F-all care about is welcome.. ..


USA

Where's Nino?

Where's Nino?
- jimmc7722

Mother land??

Where's Nino?
- jimmc7722

Nino played well today but was very complimentary to Heatley finding him for shots all over the ice. kinda interesting because I expected him to be more shot first type. He showed nice vision and touch playing on a line with Heatley centered by Coyle. Definitely the largest in stature line the Wild has featured in a very long time if ever.

On the second line, the Wild are pitting Coyle against Granlund at center while both are more than serviceable at wing and, in my opinion, are better wingers than centers. Also on the second line, it appears the Wild have Niederreiter and Zucker challenging one another for the other winger position. Heatley appears to have his spot locked down at the present time.

So, who wins out at each position and why? Who knows, but here’s my shot at it:

I have Coyle at second line center and Zucker and Heatley as his wingers to start this season;

Granlund and Niederreiter will be the extra forwards ...

- Brad Ratgen

If Yeo keeps Heatley-Coyle-Niederreiter and Fontaine-Granlund-Zucker together for several more days, I think we may be seeing the Wild's second line and Iowa's first line. I just don't think they would keep Granlund or Niederreiter up here as extras - those guys need to play a lot.

If Granlund shows some improvement at center I could see him being sent down to get major minutes in that spot and get groomed to be the 2nd line center here next year. I'd think Heatley won't be back after this year which would likely move Coyle back to the wing as long as they have someone who can slide into the 2nd line center position.

Yeo did say he would try a bunch of different combinations, though. So maybe we see Coyle get a few pre-season games centering Heatley and Niederreiter/Zucker and then Granlund gets a few.

If Yeo keeps Heatley-Coyle-Niederreiter and Fontaine-Granlund-Zucker together for several more days, I think we may be seeing the Wild's second line and Iowa's first line. I just don't think they would keep Granlund or Niederreiter up here as extras - those guys need to play a lot.

If Granlund shows some improvement at center I could see him being sent down to get major minutes in that spot and get groomed to be the 2nd line center here next year. I'd think Heatley won't be back after this year which would likely move Coyle back to the wing as long as they have someone who can slide into the 2nd line center position.

Yeo did say he would try a bunch of different combinations, though. So maybe we see Coyle get a few pre-season games centering Heatley and Niederreiter/Zucker and then Granlund gets a few.
- Chinaski

My only difference of opinion is that I think Zucker would get the first shot with the Wild and Nino would have to wait and earn it like Jason has already.

That first line sounds deadly.

My only difference of opinion is that I think Zucker would get the first shot with the Wild and Nino would have to wait and earn it like Jason has already.
- Brad Ratgen

I definitely think it is up for grabs, so whoever earns it will get it. But you can tell Yeo likes the big body and drive to the net style Niederreiter can bring. All things being equal, I think Niederreiter's size might give him a slight edge over Zucker's speed in Yeo's mind. But that's just a guess. A lot more camp to go to fully evaluate these guys.

Contracts will again play a major role in shaping the opening game roster. With bottom of the roster fourth line types push will come to shove. Zenon Konopka is a big personality and player that started the season and ended it on opposite ends of the positivity spectrum. Konopka was largely ineffective in most aspects of his game last season and ended up in Yeo's doghouse. Konopka and Rupp were liabilities to the Wild last season and now it would not be surprising to see Fletcher attempt to shuffle them or filter them out before opening night. The addition of Matt Cooke and the one way contract Dowell is signed to would allow Fletcher and Yeo a safety net for Rupp and Konopka to be on waivers/traded/injuredreserve. Also the other key element is how Konopka and Rupp being on the roster will block the young players.

Heatley looks to be the proverbial fly in the ointment this season for the Wild. As much as I like his presence on the ice, he'll really need to elevate his overall play early this season in order for Yeo to justify the TOI he'll be taking away from a Zucker or Niederrieter.

I look for Heatley to either be a major part of the Wild offense this season or a possible early trade candidate in order to make way for one of the young up and comers.

At this point I would love to see the Heater of old come into his own with the Wild this season, but he's in the last year of his mega deal, he'll get paid regardless and might see his way clear to waiving his NTC if the Wild can find the right trade partner. I do think there are plenty of teams out there that would take a flyer on him without really having to give a ton back.

The cap space freed up alone is incentive enough for Fletcher and maybe even getting a prospect back in the deal. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think given the right offensive structure Heatley can still flourish. He's been near the top of the scoring stats since coming to the Wild, but unfortunatley Yeo's system and defensive play style is not condusive to the type of offensive system that Heater needs be more effective.

Contracts will again play a major role in shaping the opening game roster. With bottom of the roster fourth line types push will come to shove. Zenon Konopka is a big personality and player that started the season and ended it on opposite ends of the positivity spectrum. Konopka was largely ineffective in most aspects of his game last season and ended up in Yeo's doghouse. Konopka and Rupp were liabilities to the Wild last season and now it would not be surprising to see Fletcher attempt to shuffle them or filter them out before opening night. The addition of Matt Cooke and the one way contract Dowell is signed to would allow Fletcher and Yeo a safety net for Rupp and Konopka to be on waivers/traded/injuredreserve. Also the other key element is how Konopka and Rupp being on the roster will block the young players.
- kieferaw

Personally I thought Rupp was a great acquistion last season, at least until he became injured. The 4th line was looking good and eating up a significant amount of ice time for a good portion of the middle part of the season. Unfortunately that didn't last and Rupp getting injured and already at a disadvantage speedwise looked plodding and very slow for the remainder of his time. Konopka never really performed as advertised proving to be more of a hinderance than help for most of his season as well.

I am somewhat in agreement that one or both might need a change of venue, but I'm skeptical that Yeo would be willing to put developmental players like Zucker, Neiderrieter or Granlund on 4th line minutes. As it stands now, I think a better 4th line would entail Cooke, Dowell and Mitchell, leaving available spots on the 3rd line for the younger players.

Heatley looks to be the proverbial fly in the ointment this season for the Wild. As much as I like his presence on the ice, he'll really need to elevate his overall play early this season in order for Yeo to justify the TOI he'll be taking away from a Zucker or Niederrieter.

I look for Heatley to either be a major part of the Wild offense this season or a possible early trade candidate in order to make way for one of the young up and comers.

At this point I would love to see the Heater of old come into his own with the Wild this season, but he's in the last year of his mega deal, he'll get paid regardless and might see his way clear to waiving his NTC if the Wild can find the right trade partner. I do think there are plenty of teams out there that would take a flyer on him without really having to give a ton back.

The cap space freed up alone is incentive enough for Fletcher and maybe even getting a prospect back in the deal. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think given the right offensive structure Heatley can still flourish. He's been near the top of the scoring stats since coming to the Wild, but unfortunatley Yeo's system and defensive play style is not condusive to the type of offensive system that Heater needs be more effective.
- MnGump

I agree with you completely. Heatley's skating makes him no longer Top6 relevant but Yeo failed last year to identify that and assign him a role accordingly. Heatley cant get where he needs to be on the forecheck to make him effective in Yeo's system. Heatley needs players to feed him in the scoring areas. During yesterday's training camp scrimmage Heatley played with Coyle and Nederreiter which is a physically imposing line. Nederreiter I thought would be more aggressive getting his own shot but instead he fed Heatley the puck multiple times. Heatley is still a member of the Wild because he could not be bought out plain and simple. Now Yeo must not sacrifice the youngsters by refusing to simplify Heatley's role.

Personally I thought Rupp was a great acquistion last season, at least until he became injured. The 4th line was looking good and eating up a significant amount of ice time for a good portion of the middle part of the season. Unfortunately that didn't last and Rupp getting injured and already at a disadvantage speedwise looked plodding and very slow for the remainder of his time. Konopka never really performed as advertised proving to be more of a hinderance than help for most of his season as well.

I am somewhat in agreement that one or both might need a change of venue, but I'm skeptical that Yeo would be willing to put developmental players like Zucker, Neiderrieter or Granlund on 4th line minutes. As it stands now, I think a better 4th line would entail Cooke, Dowell and Mitchell, leaving available spots on the 3rd line for the younger players.
- MnGump

That was my point that the 4th Line of Mitchell/Dowell/Cooke would be capable of much more than just grinder minutes and enable young skilled players an opportunity to play 2nd and 3rd line minutes. Russo has been reporting the 3rd line set as Mitchell/Brodziak/Cooke which I think would push out 2 of the young guys ie; Granlund and Nederreiter to Iowa which would be a shame.

Also Coyle and Granlund are both better fits on the Wing right now so 2nd line center is still a position of need. If the top line is set as Parise/Koivu/Pominiville then I think the Wild needs to push Granlund to the wing on a second line of Heatley/Coyle/Granlund or Nederreiter/Coyle/Granlund or Zucker/Coyle/Granlund

That was my point that the 4th Line of Mitchell/Dowell/Cooke would be capable of much more than just grinder minutes and enable young skilled players an opportunity to play 2nd and 3rd line minutes. Russo has been reporting the 3rd line set as Mitchell/Brodziak/Cooke which I think would push out 2 of the young guys ie; Granlund and Nederreiter to Iowa which would be a shame.

Also Coyle and Granlund are both better fits on the Wing right now so 2nd line center is still a position of need. If the top line is set as Parise/Koivu/Pominiville then I think the Wild needs to push Granlund to the wing on a second line of Heatley/Coyle/Granlund or Nederreiter/Coyle/Granlund or Zucker/Coyle/Granlund
- kieferaw

I guess I just reitereated your original point, and I agree with your assessment on Coyle and Granny as well.

Great Minds right Sir? haha

Heatley looks to be the proverbial fly in the ointment this season for the Wild. As much as I like his presence on the ice, he'll really need to elevate his overall play early this season in order for Yeo to justify the TOI he'll be taking away from a Zucker or Niederrieter.

I look for Heatley to either be a major part of the Wild offense this season or a possible early trade candidate in order to make way for one of the young up and comers.

At this point I would love to see the Heater of old come into his own with the Wild this season, but he's in the last year of his mega deal, he'll get paid regardless and might see his way clear to waiving his NTC if the Wild can find the right trade partner. I do think there are plenty of teams out there that would take a flyer on him without really having to give a ton back.

The cap space freed up alone is incentive enough for Fletcher and maybe even getting a prospect back in the deal. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think given the right offensive structure Heatley can still flourish. He's been near the top of the scoring stats since coming to the Wild, but unfortunatley Yeo's system and defensive play style is not condusive to the type of offensive system that Heater needs be more effective.
- MnGump

I agree. He needs to play with puck control guys that can set him up.

I'd be interested to see him play with Koivu and put Coyle on the other wing and then let Granlund get some games between Parise and Pominville.

If Granlund doesn't look like he will work at center right away, maybe they could swap him with Coyle and go with Heatley-Koivu-Granlund and Parise-Coyle-Pominville.

I agree. He needs to play with puck control guys that can set him up.

I'd be interested to see him play with Koivu and put Coyle on the other wing and then let Granlund get some games between Parise and Pominville.

If Granlund doesn't look like he will work at center right away, maybe they could swap him with Coyle and go with Heatley-Koivu-Granlund and Parise-Coyle-Pominville.
- Chinaski

I'm not opposed to that scenario, however I think Granlund is going to be the odd man out for at least the start of the season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mikael starting out the season in Iowa.