Brad Ratgen: Debut for Wild's Top Line and the Kids Continue to Shine. A look at last night's 4-3 shootout win over the visiting Winnipeg Jets.

I thought some of the young guys had good games - Coyle, Granlund, Fontaine, Haula, Niederreiter. McMillian even looks like he may be a fit on the fourth line if they go with a grinder line over a skill line.

Ballard continues to look good. I think Yeo is right that he will just get better as he gets more comfortable with the system. It will be interesting to see who they pair him with.

I thought Stoner had a rough game. He seems to make little mistakes and then pushes the panic button too quick. I think some of his mistakes he can negate with a more calm, simpler reaction.

I was disappointed to see Parise, Koivu, and Pominville get the shootout attempts. I would have liked to see guys like Granlund, Fontaine, and Niederreiter get a shot. Now's the time to see what these other guys can do. We already know what the veterans can do.

I think at minimum should the Wild continue to have Coyle, Granlund, and Niederreiter play like they belong, Fletcher will dump a one way contract and a draft pick on some other team to clear a spot. With what is shaping up to be a very skilled deep Iowa squad keeping Dowell/Konopka/Rupp is no longer necessity by any means.

Enjoyed your article nice stuff Sir!

I think at minimum should the Wild continue to have Coyle, Granlund, and Niederreiter play like they belong, Fletcher will dump a one way contract and a draft pick on some other team to clear a spot. With what is shaping up to be a very skilled deep Iowa squad keeping Dowell/Konopka/Rupp is no longer necessity by any means.

Enjoyed your article nice stuff Sir!
- Tony Dean

Thanks. Nice to have something other than the Vikings to talk about/look forward to.

Thanks. Nice to have something other than the Vikings to talk about/look forward to.
- Brad Ratgen

Vikings imploding #FrazierStatueMode was in full effect. Vikings get outcoached and out adjusted every game.

Fletcher will dump a one way contract and a draft pick on some other team to clear a spot.
- Tony Dean

I don't think that's going to be easy to do unless it's a higher value player. There's just not enough cap space out there among most teams to be trading 4th line type guys on one-way deals. Plus, there's arguably better talent available via free agency at this point.

I can see them carrying Konopka and Rupp as the extra forwards. There will be times when those guys will need to play. I'd really like to see a more skilled lineup out there, but with that kind of lineup, it concerns me that they could get physically dominated by some of the bigger, more skilled teams in the West, i.e., LA, St. Louis.

I don't think that's going to be easy to do unless it's a higher value player. There's just not enough cap space out there among most teams to be trading 4th line type guys on one-way deals. Plus, there's arguably better talent available via free agency at this point.

I can see them carrying Konopka and Rupp as the extra forwards. There will be times when those guys will need to play. I'd really like to see a more skilled lineup out there, but with that kind of lineup, it concerns me that they could get physically dominated by some of the bigger, more skilled teams in the West, i.e., LA, St. Louis.
- Chinaski

This! Agree completely. Nice take. Never thought of it that way. I absolutely love this comment section as you all bring many more ideas than even Tony or I are able to think of. Great job. (yeah, that goes for you too gump; you too oglethorpe)

This! Agree completely. Nice take. Never thought of it that way. I absolutely love this comment section as you all bring many more ideas than even Tony or I are able to think of. Great job. (yeah, that goes for you too gump; you too oglethorpe)
- Brad Ratgen

What can I say Brad, some days a crack shot, some days(most) a crack pot!

I don't think that's going to be easy to do unless it's a higher value player. There's just not enough cap space out there among most teams to be trading 4th line type guys on one-way deals. Plus, there's arguably better talent available via free agency at this point.

I can see them carrying Konopka and Rupp as the extra forwards. There will be times when those guys will need to play. I'd really like to see a more skilled lineup out there, but with that kind of lineup, it concerns me that they could get physically dominated by some of the bigger, more skilled teams in the West, i.e., LA, St. Louis.
- Chinaski

As I pointed out in the other blog, I don't think Rupp or Konopka would make it through waivers to end up in Iowa. Plenty of interest left in both these guys around the league for someone to take a flyer on them, especially Konopka with his skill in the face off circle.

Easiest way to dump those contracts would be to send them down. On the other hand, I agree that their presence on the Wild roster is still arguably necessary. Lack of skill or not, both are still servicable and both have a veteran presence and both are high profile locker room guys. Personally I think Yeo goes status quo with the 4th line. At least to start the season....

The Wild assigned forwards Raphael Bussieres, Josh Caron, Kris Foucault, Tyler Graovac, Erik Haula, and Zack Phillips; defensemen Corbin Baldwin, Colton Jobke, and Kyle Medvec; and goaltenders Johan Gustafsson and Darcy Kuemper to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Minnesota placed forwards Carson McMillan, Chad Rau, and Stephane Veilleux, and defensemen Jonathon Blum, Brian Connelly, Steven Kampfer, and Jon Landry on waivers for the purpose of reassigning them to Iowa on Wednesday if they clear waivers.

The Wild also assigned forward Kurtis Gabriel to Owen Sound in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).