Brad Ratgen: Glass Half Empty or Half Full at 3-3-3. Trade Winds Blowing? A look at the Wild so far and what it may take to turn their ship around.

Brad Ratgen: Glass Half Empty or Half Full at 3-3-3. Trade Winds Blowing?
A look at the Wild so far and what it may take to turn their ship around.
- Brad Ratgen

Wow....

put a package of Backstrom, Spurgeon and Koivu to Buffalo for Miller, Stafford and Vanek.

What are you smoking to think Buffalo would want to take those players back in a trade....????

Way to soon. Many minnesota sports fans have problem with being patient. I think the goals will come with patience. Which I think is part of the problem. I believe they feel a lot of pressure and that they are stressed. We also may not be taking about this if Harding was in net for all those other games. He has only let in one 5v5 goal.

Trading koivu what would are face-offs be like then.

As a Sabres fan who isn't named Santa Claus... I'm asking myself, why don't you dump Heatley's contract on us at the same time? Honestly, I'd rather see both Miller and Vanek walk for nothing that get those players in return. I honestly don't think Koivu would agree to a trade to Buffalo unless the Wild got him drunk first and I don't really want him holding back the progress Hodgson is making on our top line this year anways. That's about the only thing going right for the Sabres this season. If you are not going to let go of some players that actually help the Sabres in their youth movement (we're talking names like Coyle, Brodin, etc. - not saying it has to be all your young guys, but if NONE of them are included... then good luck getting both Vanek and Miller)... no dice. You have to do more than just a salary match in a trade... Sabres may stink something awful this year, but Regier does get value for his trades (whether they work out or not is another story). Maybe you think he owes you from last year's trade? Those draft picks and Larsson will be just fine 2-3 years from now when Pominville becomes overpaid for you guys. Your window is clearly now... pay the price to make it happen, before that window closes.

Moving Koivu is bad. IMO.

To Minny- Vanke, Miller

To Buff- Backstrom, Heatley, Zucker, Grandlund, Maybe Olofsson and a 2nd rounder or two.

We'll take Heaters contract off your hands so you can have Vanek, no problem.

But, beyond that, it'll cost you.

I'm sure Brodin is untouchable, yes?

How about 2 of Niederreiter, Granlund or Coyle, then?

im completely and utterly confused as to why buffalo would take on such salary commitments?
koivu is a solid player but 6.75 mill a year???? for 6 years?!?!
let me just remind you that GIROUX is getting paid just above 8 million.

Buffalo would be receiving NO star players and taking on salary at least in terms of length of contract.

if minny wants to trade the only trade bait they have besides the "untouchables", is coyle, zucker, granlund, and nino. (and u could easily argue those being untouchable)
Although i dont understand why you would trade such young, cheap, and potential filled players.

When teams decide its time to sell there will be MANY better options available then rupp, koivu, and backstrom.

just wait for the fire sale in philly.

Vanek and McNabb

for

Heatley, Zucker, and a pick (2nd?)

With Vanek allegedly wanting to sign in Minny, I think it makes sense. Zucker is a quality forward prospect that I think Minnesota can live without and McNabb is a big, tough D prospect that Buffalo has a bunch of (Ristolainen, Zadorov, McCabe, Pysyk, etc).

Trading away Vanek also helps the Sabres lose more (which is their goal, right?).

Wow....

put a package of Backstrom, Spurgeon and Koivu to Buffalo for Miller, Stafford and Vanek.

What are you smoking to think Buffalo would want to take those players back in a trade....????
- Ur Not Me

A cheaper Miller, a good offensive defenseman prospect, and a 1a center?

Yeah, definitely not right?

Buffalo would take that if offered, I don't see any reason they wouldn't.

A cheaper Miller, a good offensive defenseman prospect, and a 1a center?

Yeah, definitely not right?

Buffalo would take that if offered, I don't see any reason they wouldn't.
- Viktory

I'll give you a reason, Darcy Regier.

Out of personal interest, if I were to inquire about Koivu, what would you guys be looking for? I would assume a top-6 C to replace him and maintain the tough minutes to help shelter Granlund as well as a shutdown defender that will be an upgrade on guys like Stoner and Scandella. Is that about right? From a team like Edmonton, would something like Gagner and Smid for Koivu pique your interest as a framework for such a deal?

just because you win more faceoffs and control the puck more, that does not translate into goals or wins. The next step for the Wild is to learn how to attack in the offensive zone and get alot more goals. However, they may not have the personell for such a jump this season.
- Brad Ratgen

I'm not convinced they don't have the personnel to score more goals. My own opinion is they don't have the proper line mix right now. But I also think they are focusing too much on possession and not enough on attacking the net.
Also, losing Coyle early does make it a little more difficult to evaluate this right now.

I’m not saying I have any information, inside or otherwise, but don’t you think Mike Yeo and Chuck Fletcher hit the hot seat if they can’t turn this scoring-challenged team around and soon? Also, if the Wild can’t break out of their scoring slump, I can’t help but think that Fletcher may attempt to orchestrate a trade of some sort, even with being severely constrained by the salary cap.
- Brad Ratgen

Yeo will be on the hot seat if they can't score. I think Fletcher will be OK. But if Yeo has to go, Fletcher will have a short leash.

I don't think Fletcher tries to trade his way out of this either. I think the only guy in the lineup right now they don't want on the team is Heatley and no one is taking Heatley in a trade unless he comes with a Brodin or Coyle. And Fletcher isn't doing anything like that.

If the Wild go the trade route to try to help improve their scoring, what do they have for trade bait? Besides some young prospects and/or draft picks, what about Koivu? Spurgeon? Backstrom? One could throw out Heatley’s name or Rupp’s name or Stoner or Prosser, but really? I’m talking about big fat juicy trade bait.
- Brad Ratgen

I think they have three legitimate trading chips in Zucker, Niederreiter, and Granlund.
I don't think any one of those guys, on their own, brings back very much in a trade, though. A couple of them packaged together maybe nets you a decent return.
I just don't think the Wild is ready to move players like that this early.

Guys like Spurgeon, Stoner, and Prosser aren't out of the question, but I only see guys like that as sweeteners for a bigger deal.

As for Backstrom, I'm not sure what the details of his no-trade clause are, but I would guess there would be a list of teams he could be traded to. I'm not sure there is a good market for trading him either. Probably wouldn't get too much in return and they need to be careful with their goalie situation. Harding's health will always be a question mark and they can't have Kuemper developing in the NHL as a backup playing 20 games. He needs to play a lot in the AHL right now. My guess would be that if the proper deal came along and had to include Backstrom (and could), they would do it.

We'll take Heaters contract off your hands so you can have Vanek, no problem.

But, beyond that, it'll cost you.

I'm sure Brodin is untouchable, yes?

How about 2 of Niederreiter, Granlund or Coyle, then?
- Powerslave

Brodin is untouchable. Coyle may be close to untouchable.

No way Fletcher is trading two of Niederreiter, Granlund, or Coyle to get rid of Heatley and get Vanek now. It's just not a smart thing to do.

I could see Niederreiter and/or Granlund being moved under certain circumstances, but I don't think it happens this early in the season. I see those guys as potential trade chips in another deal to possibly get a very good defenseman.

At this point, I don't see any deals with Buffalo working for either team.

Out of personal interest, if I were to inquire about Koivu, what would you guys be looking for? I would assume a top-6 C to replace him and maintain the tough minutes to help shelter Granlund as well as a shutdown defender that will be an upgrade on guys like Stoner and Scandella. Is that about right? From a team like Edmonton, would something like Gagner and Smid for Koivu pique your interest as a framework for such a deal?
- MaximumBone

It's just my opinion, but no. Trading Koivu creates a hole that is tough to fill. I don't think Gagner gets that done. It's possible that trading Koivu would be entertained, but I don't think that happens unless the Wild are sure a guy like Coyle can fill that #1 center spot. If they were comfortable with Coyle and Granlund down the middle as #1 & #2, it's possible they would try to trade Koivu. But that can't be established right now.

I'd say any deal with Edmonton where Koivu is involved, the framework is going to need to include Klefbom and possibly another quality defensive prospect. But I'm not sure I see these teams as good trading partners.

First I don't see how this works for Minny moneywise...Vanek, Miller and Stafford are 17.4 mil roughly so I would think if Minny would want Buffalo to hold some of that money like they did with Pomer then Minny is going to have to sweeten the pot big time. Maybe they take Koivu but Buffalo is looking for youth. I think other deals have to happen prior to a deal like this ever taking place and that entails trading Heatley and getting not much in return. I don't know how Heatley's play has been but looking at his stats I would say his talents are on a downward spiral and age and salary are going to make it hard to trade him and get a good return.

If we take Backstrom back with Koviu I think a young talent such as Coyle and conditional drafts picks both ways are added mattering how far into the playoffs Minny goes and the resigning of Miller and Vanek after this season I guess it could happen. I think the key is dumping Heatley if possible.

"Obviously, the money doesn't match up and while I haven’t explored the issue of no trade clauses (Koivu or Backstrom) and have not looked at the salary cap implications, it is an idea that intrigues me. "

Maybe next time focus your blog on the details so your trade makes even the slightest bit of sense. Koivu and Backstrom aren't going anywhere and if the Wild want to be impatient and pay for something they will get later for free then please do and what makes you think that Buffalo wants more old duffers like declining Backstrom and dead Heatley. Darcy Regier will probably make out like a bandit again making a trade with Fletcher.

Surprise, surprise, Minny can't score. Did any one else see this coming?

why would buffalo , a team who is trying to get young and regroup....trade with anything that involves the name danny heatley?

Moving Koivu is bad. IMO.

To Minny- Vanke, Miller

To Buff- Backstrom, Heatley, Zucker, Grandlund, Maybe Olofsson and a 2nd rounder or two.
- poisondhearts37

Yes, still don't understand Minne fans so willing to move Koivu. Dumb dumb idea... Koivu should not be punished for Yeos willingness to utilize him incorrectly.

Out of personal interest, if I were to inquire about Koivu, what would you guys be looking for? I would assume a top-6 C to replace him and maintain the tough minutes to help shelter Granlund as well as a shutdown defender that will be an upgrade on guys like Stoner and Scandella. Is that about right? From a team like Edmonton, would something like Gagner and Smid for Koivu pique your interest as a framework for such a deal?
- MaximumBone

I would do that deal for Granlund + but not for Koivu. The Wild would be getting even smaller at forward, which Fletcher must not do.

Yes, still don't understand Minne fans so willing to move Koivu. Dumb dumb idea... Koivu should not be punished for Yeos willingness to utilize him incorrectly.
- MnGump

I don't necessarily think it is such a dumb idea, so long as Fletcher gets good value in return and the team has a guy to take over #1 center duties, which they do not quite have at the moment. I believe Coyle has the potential to be that guy, but it would be unfair to him to give him those responsibilities right away.

"Obviously, the money doesn't match up and while I haven’t explored the issue of no trade clauses (Koivu or Backstrom) and have not looked at the salary cap implications, it is an idea that intrigues me. "

Maybe next time focus your blog on the details so your trade makes even the slightest bit of sense. Koivu and Backstrom aren't going anywhere and if the Wild want to be impatient and pay for something they will get later for free then please do and what makes you think that Buffalo wants more old duffers like declining Backstrom and dead Heatley. Darcy Regier will probably make out like a bandit again making a trade with Fletcher.
- AvsFanYeaa

What has Hackett and Larsson done so far that allows you to come to this conclusion? Feel free to check back in with us in a few years when one can say with certainty who won/lost that trade.
Having said that, I was a bit surprised with what Chuck gave up for Pommer. More than happy to have him on our team though.

Surprise, surprise, Minny can't score. Did any one else see this coming?
- manchester33

Colorado has been just as bad, if not worse in the scoring category over the past few seasons. Maybe we should suck for a few years to build up the prospect pool. Seems to be working so far for the Avs

I don't necessarily think it is such a dumb idea, so long as Fletcher gets good value in return and the team has a guy to take over #1 center duties, which they do not quite have at the moment. I believe Coyle has the potential to be that guy, but it would be unfair to him to give him those responsibilities right away.
- SotaPopinski

I think you alluded to my point though in your last post. Team is getting too small and Koivu's strength is physical two way play. I think if they could get a number one center for him in some sort of package deal, I'd be okay with it, but no one is giving up a number one center for Koivu and a prospect, and I don' t think the Wild can afford to keep trading away high draft picks.

So my point is, Koivu is more valuable to this roster than he is as trade bait for same or lesser talent. Yeo just has to bite the bullet and relagate Mikko to number two center position. Put Coyle on the top line and see what he can do. That is if he can come back soon...

"Obviously, the money doesn't match up and while I haven’t explored the issue of no trade clauses (Koivu or Backstrom) and have not looked at the salary cap implications, it is an idea that intrigues me. "

Maybe next time focus your blog on the details so your trade makes even the slightest bit of sense. Koivu and Backstrom aren't going anywhere and if the Wild want to be impatient and pay for something they will get later for free then please do and what makes you think that Buffalo wants more old duffers like declining Backstrom and dead Heatley. Darcy Regier will probably make out like a bandit again making a trade with Fletcher.
- AvsFanYeaa

Yup, even Lou Nanne has pretty much already said the same thing. Wild will not pursue Vanek in any kind of trade scenario because they are confident they will be able to sign him next off season.