Brad Ratgen: Playoffs or Bust? Reasonable expectations that the Minnesota Wild have to meet or there may be changes.

In all honesty, I don't see the Wild making the playoffs. If they do, it will be because so many things went according to plan, and that never happens with this team. Injuries must be few, newcomers and youngsters have to contribute significantly and Backstrom has to have one helluva bounce back year. It could happen, but my expectations are reserved for this season.

However, when will they finally stop looking to next season as a way to placate the fans? Why can’t this season be the season that everyone recognizes as the season the Wild’s realistic expectation is to no longer be a bubble team, but to be a team that starts fast, finishes the regular season well and qualifies for the playoffs before the last day of the regular season?
- Brad Ratgen

Personally, I think that next season is when they should legitimately have much higher expectations. It's not out of the question for them or the fans to have high expectations this year. But, I think the one valid reason that this year could be questionable is that they are still a pretty young team and have not had the stability or depth in personnel over the years that it takes to build a cohesive team that is a true contender.

This is probably the first year where all the guys on the team are all Fletcher's guys. He's finally free of all the bad deals Risebrough made. Any bad deals he is dealing with at this point are his own doing.

When Fletcher started here in 2009, he did not have a lot to work with in terms of prospect depth and he lost one of the most talented players they had in Gaborik for nothing to free agency (and Fletcher had nothing to do with losing him). Not exactly an ideal blueprint for rapidly building a contender. He had to draft well and he was forced to make some deals.

Take a look at this link from Wild.com - How the Wild was built. Everything from 2009 forward is Fletcher's doing.

Now take a look at these links of the 2009-2011 drafts (courtesy hockeydb.com) and scan down the list of these players. Note the number of games played.
2009 draft
2010 draft
2011 draft
How many of these guys are impact players in the NHL right now and how many are still developing? I would argue that most of these guys are still developing and it is difficult to expect players drafted in these years to have a huge impact for their teams.
It's probably time to start to see steady progress from the '09 class, but there are still quite a few from that draft class that are just starting their NHL careers. It's going to take time for them to realize their potential or wash out.

The point is that what Fletcher has been faced with building since he got here in 2009 was always going to take time to materialize into a legitimate contender. He hardly had a foundation on which to build so he was basically starting from scratch with both the Wild and the prospect pool.

And now look what they are putting on the ice - some pretty legitimate high-end guys in Koivu, Parise, Pominville, and Suter. Several promising prospects that were drafted or dealt for by this regime are poised to begin making contributions. And the guys who aren't quite ready are getting close such that the coming years are going to provide quality depth, competition for spots, and/or leverage for trades.

And this is the first year that all of these guys, coaching staff included, have been able to come together and have a full training camp together.

Based on all that, I'm OK giving them another year to go through some growing pains. But I do expect improvement this year and substantial improvement next year.

And just to show I won't give Fletcher a pass on everything - I still hate the Matt Cooke signing. (frank)ing unforgivable.

Brodin was a slam dunk, but other than that there remain many question marks with the prospects. I'm still disappointed that Zucker is in Iowa while people like Konopka, who contribute absolutely nothing, will play most nights.

people like Konopka, who contribute absolutely nothing, will play most nights.
- SotaPopinski

C'mon, that's not fair. The bunny pictures on Twitter are the best!

C'mon, that's not fair. The bunny pictures on Twitter are the best!
- Chinaski

I am so tempted to tweet him a photo of me enjoying a rabbit dinner.
Seems like every season the Wild has someone I cannot stand. Congrats Z, this season, you are that guy!

I am so tempted to tweet him a photo of me enjoying a rabbit dinner.
- SotaPopinski

You make good rabbit, pilgrim.

You make good rabbit, pilgrim.
- Chinaski

Image saved
Great movie, btw

Personally, I think that next season is when they should legitimately have much higher expectations. It's not out of the question for them or the fans to have high expectations this year. But, I think the one valid reason that this year could be questionable is that they are still a pretty young team and have not had the stability or depth in personnel over the years that it takes to build a cohesive team that is a true contender.

This is probably the first year where all the guys on the team are all Fletcher's guys. He's finally free of all the bad deals Risebrough made. Any bad deals he is dealing with at this point are his own doing.

When Fletcher started here in 2009, he did not have a lot to work with in terms of prospect depth and he lost one of the most talented players they had in Gaborik for nothing to free agency (and Fletcher had nothing to do with losing him). Not exactly an ideal blueprint for rapidly building a contender. He had to draft well and he was forced to make some deals.

Take a look at this link from Wild.com - How the Wild was built. Everything from 2009 forward is Fletcher's doing.

Now take a look at these links of the 2009-2011 drafts (courtesy hockeydb.com) and scan down the list of these players. Note the number of games played.
2009 draft
2010 draft
2011 draft
How many of these guys are impact players in the NHL right now and how many are still developing? I would argue that most of these guys are still developing and it is difficult to expect players drafted in these years to have a huge impact for their teams.
It's probably time to start to see steady progress from the '09 class, but there are still quite a few from that draft class that are just starting their NHL careers. It's going to take time for them to realize their potential or wash out.

The point is that what Fletcher has been faced with building since he got here in 2009 was always going to take time to materialize into a legitimate contender. He hardly had a foundation on which to build so he was basically starting from scratch with both the Wild and the prospect pool.

And now look what they are putting on the ice - some pretty legitimate high-end guys in Koivu, Parise, Pominville, and Suter. Several promising prospects that were drafted or dealt for by this regime are poised to begin making contributions. And the guys who aren't quite ready are getting close such that the coming years are going to provide quality depth, competition for spots, and/or leverage for trades.

And this is the first year that all of these guys, coaching staff included, have been able to come together and have a full training camp together.

Based on all that, I'm OK giving them another year to go through some growing pains. But I do expect improvement this year and substantial improvement next year.

And just to show I won't give Fletcher a pass on everything - I still hate the Matt Cooke signing. (frank)ing unforgivable.
- Chinaski

Wow and I am really impressed with Cooke's hockey ability. Of course will take a wait and see on the character issue stuff but he has shown more skill than he gets credit for and should be productive in a Wild sweater.

Brodin was a slam dunk, but other than that there remain many question marks with the prospects. I'm still disappointed that Zucker is in Iowa while people like Konopka, who contribute absolutely nothing, will play most nights.
- SotaPopinski

AGREE

Brodin was a slam dunk, but other than that there remain many question marks with the prospects. I'm still disappointed that Zucker is in Iowa while people like Konopka, who contribute absolutely nothing, will play most nights.
- SotaPopinski

would you rather have zucker play 20 mins a night in the AHL to develop or play konopka minutes in the bottom 6 tho?

would you rather have zucker play 20 mins a night in the AHL to develop or play konopka minutes in the bottom 6 tho?
- rangerdanger94

Zucker belongs on 2nd Line or 3rd Line and would play there consistently if in MN. Konopka is less the issue and more his contract and Rupp's contract on the bottom of the roster creating a numbers game.

Great movie, btw
- SotaPopinski

A true classic.

Wow and I am really impressed with Cooke's hockey ability. Of course will take a wait and see on the character issue stuff but he has shown more skill than he gets credit for and should be productive in a Wild sweater.
- Tony Dean

I've never questioned his hockey ability. He's always been a capable player that could contribute without all the cheap stuff. He just chose not to do it that way and that's why I've always had an issue with him as a player.

Which brings up an interesting point. If the Wild put out a lineup void of Stoner, Rupp, and Konopka, will other teams try to goad him into doing something stupid? Games that get a little testy, he's going to have to be a guy that responds to it. Who else do we have? I could see teams pushing the limits to see if he snaps.

Zucker belongs on 2nd Line or 3rd Line and would play there consistently if in MN. Konopka is less the issue and more his contract and Rupp's contract on the bottom of the roster creating a numbers game.
- Tony Dean

I'm not so sure. With Rupp on IR, which I believe he is, they have room for Zucker right now. But they're not comfortable enough with his game to play him over Niederreiter, Fontaine, Granlund, or Mitchell. So he goes to Iowa to play, for now, instead of being scratched.

Actually, I think it is Fontaine that is really the reason Zucker is not on the team right now. And Fontaine has 0 games in the NHL. We'll find out quickly if he can stick. If not, Zucker will have a spot.

I am so tempted to tweet him a photo of me enjoying a rabbit dinner.
Seems like every season the Wild has someone I cannot stand. Congrats Z, this season, you are that guy!
- SotaPopinski

You may wind up loving him by mid season. Team first guy, character player. Good on draws.

Actually, I think it is Fontaine that is really the reason Zucker is not on the team right now. And Fontaine has 0 games in the NHL. We'll find out quickly if he can stick. If not, Zucker will have a spot.


Fontaine can play on any line zucker can not. Well by tommorow he will probally have played one game in the NHL.

I'm not so sure. With Rupp on IR, which I believe he is, they have room for Zucker right now. But they're not comfortable enough with his game to play him over Niederreiter, Fontaine, Granlund, or Mitchell. So he goes to Iowa to play, for now, instead of being scratched.

Actually, I think it is Fontaine that is really the reason Zucker is not on the team right now. And Fontaine has 0 games in the NHL. We'll find out quickly if he can stick. If not, Zucker will have a spot.
- Chinaski

I 1000% agree that Fontaine making the team is why Zucker didnt but I think that there are very real issue with why that took place and ramifications going forward this season. This could be much ado about nothing of course. Zucker though finds himself on the outside looking in again for not playing within the system and not playing well in the defensive zone. I think given his skill set Zucker may not ever be a two way forward or good fit for Yeo's system. So then what he yo-yos between MN and Iowa this year? Doesnt Zucker's shooter mentality and speed provide the Wild with something it lacks even still? How much defensive zone effort does Heatley give game to game? Does Yeo ever address it?

Zucker is in Iowa and its been talked about up, down and side to side but I don't think this is as simple a thing as the team and Yeo are trying to make it out to be. Also I believe Fontaine if I not mistaken Fontaine would have required waivers this year too so maybe that is another element to all of this.

Also there is nothing stopping the Wild from having Kyle Brodziak center the 4th line performance wise as he has been BRUTAL dating back to last season. I think it would be a hit to Fletcher's ego given he extended Brodziak and gave him more money but he is not making a very convincing case for himself.

How would you play hockey After having pneumonia. Also why are we judging Fontaine without even watching him play he obviously EARNED it. I think him and Zucker had close numbers in the ahl.

How would you play hockey After having pneumonia. Also why are we judging Fontaine without even watching him play he obviously EARNED it. I think him and Zucker had close numbers in the ahl.
- Nharris31

I have seen Fontaine play and understand his capability. Let me ask you this, whick player has a greater impact on the game? Fontaine still profiles to spend most of this season and his career in the AHL unless he takes a pretty significant step forward which is unlikely. That is not to discount his college and AHL play, just don't think his ceiling is much more than a career AHLer. I think if it was as simple as Fontaine being the more talented of the two players but I don't believe that to be the case and can't imagine you believe it to be either. So basically this is a message sending thing to Zucker with Fontaine being used to prove a point which most likely has to do with buying into Yeo's system which has been a long standing conflict between Yeo and Zucker. So do I think Fontaine earned it with his play not completely no as he was just okay as you will see once he is in the opening game lineup. Fontaine is a more of a complimentary player and Zucker is the type to score goals and win games for the Wild being honest.


And as far as Brodziak goes last season he was a liability to the Wild and I hope he rebounds but the Wild didnt flinch in making Tom Gilbert a compliance buyout and he was afflicted by the same pnuemonia outbreak. Brodziak was arguably worse last year than Gilbert who was good for stretches. Just saying.

would you rather have zucker play 20 mins a night in the AHL to develop or play konopka minutes in the bottom 6 tho?
- rangerdanger94

That's some great thinking and all, but why then, is our supposed #1 prospect playing bottom 6 minutes after he looked absolutely lost/overmatched in nearly every game played last season?
Zucker is an aggressive goal scorer who seems to dread any defensive responsibilities. If the team cannot accept that, why did they draft him to begin with? It's not the worst thing, especially on a team that struggles to score goals, to have at least one guy like that.

That's some great thinking and all, but why then, is our supposed #1 prospect playing bottom 6 minutes after he looked absolutely lost/overmatched in nearly every game played last season?
Zucker is an aggressive goal scorer who seems to dread any defensive responsibilities. If the team cannot accept that, why did they draft him to begin with? It's not the worst thing, especially on a team that struggles to score goals, to have at least one guy like that.
- SotaPopinski

2 guys. Don't forget Heatley.

2 guys. Don't forget Heatley.
- Brad Ratgen

He's slow getting into both zones nowadays, but yes.