Tony Dean: MNWild: Will Wild Find Their Scoring Touch? How many times can the Wild dominate puck possession and shots on goal while coming away with nothing to show for it? When does the window for explaining let down away close? I am not sure anyone can completely explain how the Wild’s 2013-14 season has been so impressive with regard to style of play and effort while being so disappointing in the standings. I am usually hyper-critical of hope sellers and explaining away shortcomings but in the case of this Wild team I am still very confident they can be competitive THIS season. The Wild will need to work on how to turn their dominate puck possession and aggressiveness into dynamic scoring chances.

Johan Gustafsson is the goalie of the future in my opinion, he is going to be special. Also how is Dany Heatley doing these days, lol. Will Dumba remain with the team after game 9 or will he go back to Red Deer. Fans in Red Deer would love to have him back. Personally not a lot to prove going back but another year down there and next year he will step right in and contribute every night. If they keep him this year do not rush him and let him get stronger as the year goes on.

Johan Gustafsson is the goalie of the future in my opinion, he is going to be special. Also how is Dany Heatley doing these days, lol. Will Dumba remain with the team after game 9 or will he go back to Red Deer. Fans in Red Deer would love to have him back. Personally not a lot to prove going back but another year down there and next year he will step right in and contribute every night. If they keep him this year do not rush him and let him get stronger as the year goes on.
- flyerdude17

Dumba has not impressed so far. Personally I think even though he has little left to learn at the Jr. level, I think rushing him in this season might prove to be more detrimental than helpful. I still think he needs at least one season in the AHL starting next year in order to acclimate better to the NHL game. For the most part he's looked pedestrian at best. He seems to have a difficult time knowing where to be and/or where to go at key times, he's had a few mental break downs which have resulted in big turnovers, at least two of which resulted in breakaways and odd man rushes. Granted these things are to be expected with a 19 year old kid, but as far as being ready to step in and develop at the NHL level on the fly? I don't think he's ready for that...

Dumba has not impressed so far. Personally I think even though he has little left to learn at the Jr. level, I think rushing him in this season might prove to be more detrimental than helpful. I still think he needs at least one season in the AHL starting next year in order to acclimate better to the NHL game. For the most part he's looked pedestrian at best. He seems to have a difficult time knowing where to be and/or where to go at key times, he's had a few mental break downs which have resulted in big turnovers, at least two of which resulted in breakaways and odd man rushes. Granted these things are to be expected with a 19 year old kid, but as far as being ready to step in and develop at the NHL level on the fly? I don't think he's ready for that...
- MnGump

Dumba has played like a 19 year old kid scared to make a mistake. Dumba's opportunity to stay on the Wild roster beyond 9 games this year and begin his NHL career hinges on the idea he can use his skill set to affect the outcome of games for the Wild THIS season. Dumba has not yet had a breakthrough moment in his regular season playing time and unless that happens in the next game or two well then he SHOULD be returned to Red Deer. The idea being the Dumba should not have his first year of his entry level level contract activated if he isnt ready to be a star.

Defensemen in particular have more developmental risk involved with early graduation to the NHL than forwards do. Dumba needs to get physically stronger and smarter positionally in the defensive end. Dumba needs to have confidence in his risk taking whether it be his offense or lining up an opponent for big hit. Dumba has not been dynamic in a Wild sweater and as result he is proving it is very clear he needs to safeguard of AHL play that him joining the Wild next season would provide.

I love his shot from the top of the circle, but he turns the puck over at the most inopportune times. Like Dean said, he is trying too hard not to screw up, that he cant settle down and play his game. Then again, pairing him with Stoner isnt exactly the best opportunity to succeed. I think he will be playing fulltime in the NHL at some point next season. Hate the age rule, just to make myself clear. He could be learning so much more in IA right now

I love his shot from the top of the circle, but he turns the puck over at the most inopportune times. Like Dean said, he is trying too hard not to screw up, that he cant settle down and play his game. Then again, pairing him with Stoner isnt exactly the best opportunity to succeed. I think he will be playing fulltime in the NHL at some point next season. Hate the age rule, just to make myself clear. He could be learning so much more in IA right now
- SotaPopinski

I think Dumba would get it going in Iowa this year and build his confidence and momentum towards truly being apart of the Wild later in the year. Because of the age rules he wont have the chance which is a shame for Dumba specifically but does protect players for the most part.

Dumba's shot plus his ability to get the puck to the goalie through traffic are both things the Wild needs more of right now.

Not trolling but when did the Wild have a scoring touch?

Not trolling but when did the Wild have a scoring touch?
- AlexF

When did anyone say they did?

When did anyone say they did?
- SotaPopinski

It's the blog title.

Dumba has played like a 19 year old kid scared to make a mistake. Dumba's opportunity to stay on the Wild roster beyond 9 games this year and begin his NHL career hinges on the idea he can use his skill set to affect the outcome of games for the Wild THIS season. Dumba has not yet had a breakthrough moment in his regular season playing time and unless that happens in the next game or two well then he SHOULD be returned to Red Deer. The idea being the Dumba should not have his first year of his entry level level contract activated if he isnt ready to be a star.

Defensemen in particular have more developmental risk involved with early graduation to the NHL than forwards do. Dumba needs to get physically stronger and smarter positionally in the defensive end. Dumba needs to have confidence in his risk taking whether it be his offense or lining up an opponent for big hit. Dumba has not been dynamic in a Wild sweater and as result he is proving it is very clear he needs to safeguard of AHL play that him joining the Wild next season would provide.
- Tony Dean

I just hope that whatever decision they make on Dumba that it is the right one. He has potential to be an explosive high end dman in the nhl but it takes a lot of hard work and and the maturation factor. He sure has the talent and since I drafted him in my keeper league I want him to succeed very much so. I also drafted Gustafsson in the sixth round and he is looking real sweet. Good posts Tony and McGump.

It's the blog title.
- Chinaski

Dean just asked if the Wild will ever find its scoring touch. Doesn't have to mean it ever had one.

Dean just asked if the Wild will ever find its scoring touch. Doesn't have to mean it ever had one.
- SotaPopinski

I was trolling a bit with the title, figured I would start some buisness here before I spent all night on Twitter SAVAGING the Vikings/Frazier/Musgrave. Frazier and Musgrave make me feel so much better about the Wild and Yeo hahaha.

Oh and the Fanucks are terrible By The Way #2GirlsNoCups

I was trolling a bit with the title, figured I would start some buisness here before I spent all night on Twitter SAVAGING the Vikings/Frazier/Musgrave. Frazier and Musgrave make me feel so much better about the Wild and Yeo hahaha.

Oh and the Fanucks are terrible By The Way #2GirlsNoCups
- Tony Dean

Not a big fan of the NFL. Watching the Vikings play a few times probably didn't help...

I was trolling a bit with the title, figured I would start some buisness here before I spent all night on Twitter SAVAGING the Vikings/Frazier/Musgrave. Frazier and Musgrave make me feel so much better about the Wild and Yeo hahaha.

Oh and the Fanucks are terrible By The Way #2GirlsNoCups


- Tony Dean

I guess this ends the theory that only politically correct bloggers who wouldn't ruffle any feather were now being hired here.


Wild haven't won poop either by the way, we both suck.

haha I tend to ruffle feathers with my takes and I like to mix it up especially with Fanucks fans. Stop enabling Burrows you know what he does. haha You gotta have a sense of humor sir!

haha I tend to ruffle feathers with my takes and I like to mix it up especially with Fanucks fans. Stop enabling Burrows you know what he does. haha You gotta have a sense of humor sir!
- Tony Dean

It's all good. I actually have read and enjoyed your blogs.

But seriously, Torts has this team playing a lot better in terms of no more of the diving/whining BS. I was embarrassed by it myself so I'm very happy to see he's changed the culture.

So what's with the same old lines again? From practice yesterday, it sounds like we're back to:
Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

Is this as much tinkering as Yeo will do? It's not that Koivu and Parise are terrible together, but I think having each one on separate lines could give them a more balanced attack. He needs to at least give it a shot at some point. For all the time they've played together since last season, I haven't seen anything outerworldly about this combination.

I'd also like to see Fontaine get a chance with better offensive players. He's threaded the needle several times with some of his passes and he looks to be very defensively aware. I think he's being under utilized on a team that's struggling to score.

It seems to me Yeo has many more options than he's willing to try that may generate more offense without compromising defense. Go in the back and get out the Jacques Lemaire XT2500 3-speed line blender. Dust that bad boy off and give us something different. Or at least whip up a few margaritas for us so it's easier to sit through 70 more 2-1 games.

So what's with the same old lines again? From practice yesterday, it sounds like we're back to:
Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

Is this as much tinkering as Yeo will do? It's not that Koivu and Parise are terrible together, but I think having each one on separate lines could give them a more balanced attack. He needs to at least give it a shot at some point. For all the time they've played together since last season, I haven't seen anything outerworldly about this combination.

I'd also like to see Fontaine get a chance with better offensive players. He's threaded the needle several times with some of his passes and he looks to be very defensively aware. I think he's being under utilized on a team that's struggling to score.

It seems to me Yeo has many more options than he's willing to try that may generate more offense without compromising defense. Go in the back and get out the Jacques Lemaire XT2500 3-speed line blender. Dust that bad boy off and give us something different. Or at least whip up a few margaritas for us so it's easier to sit through 70 more 2-1 games.
- Chinaski

Yeo has presented the reasoning that he believes it a mistake to break up the Wild's 3rd Line which previous to Cooke being elevated had been their best line. I can get down with that and think that Koivu may never move off the top line while you Yeo is the bench boss. Its definitely not going to happen until Coyle is back in the lineup as he is the only player capable of filling the role as 1st Line center besides Koivu. They also are avoiding at all cost the reality that Heatley is a liability to the team and Top6 minutes for him just magnify how checked out he is.

So what's with the same old lines again? From practice yesterday, it sounds like we're back to:
Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

Is this as much tinkering as Yeo will do? It's not that Koivu and Parise are terrible together, but I think having each one on separate lines could give them a more balanced attack. He needs to at least give it a shot at some point. For all the time they've played together since last season, I haven't seen anything outerworldly about this combination.

I'd also like to see Fontaine get a chance with better offensive players. He's threaded the needle several times with some of his passes and he looks to be very defensively aware. I think he's being under utilized on a team that's struggling to score.

It seems to me Yeo has many more options than he's willing to try that may generate more offense without compromising defense. Go in the back and get out the Jacques Lemaire XT2500 3-speed line blender. Dust that bad boy off and give us something different. Or at least whip up a few margaritas for us so it's easier to sit through 70 more 2-1 games.
- Chinaski

Yeah, this is troubling to say the least. Granted they really haven't "played bad" (Florida game not withstanding) so far this season, but with Coyle out, I think Yeo needs to continue looking for the right line combos. I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but I truly believe if Cullen were still on this roster, Yeo could really do some fortuitous mixing and matching.

As it is, I guess the last game changes really didn't help all that much anyway...

It's all good. I actually have read and enjoyed your blogs.

But seriously, Torts has this team playing a lot better in terms of no more of the diving/whining BS. I was embarrassed by it myself so I'm very happy to see he's changed the culture.
- Nucker101

I've always been a fan of Torts. Now that Vancouver is in another division and having Torts on the bench, I actually don't mind seeing Vancouver win...

I've always been a fan of Torts. Now that Vancouver is in another division and having Torts on the bench, I actually don't mind seeing Vancouver win...
- MnGump

Yeah, this is troubling to say the least. Granted they really haven't "played bad" (Florida game not withstanding) so far this season, but with Coyle out, I think Yeo needs to continue looking for the right line combos. I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but I truly believe if Cullen were still on this roster, Yeo could really do some fortuitous mixing and matching.

As it is, I guess the last game changes really didn't help all that much anyway...
- MnGump

Currently this team and Yeo are hamstrung by Dany Heatley, if he had been bought out either Devin Setogucci or Jason Zucker are on the second line and even if they hadnt yet contributed scoring to this point it would still be less diseased.

Cullen is the biggest loss of the veteran departures but he got very good money to sign with a team that was dealing money like candy on halloween. Cullen was the MVP of the Wild last year but the previous 2 were nothing short of average at best. Cullen played his best hockey and got rewarded handsomely for it.

Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

I wish he would break up Koivu and Parise. If Koivu has to center the top line to pad his ego how about:
Fontaine-Koivu-Niederreiter
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Heatly
Mithcell-Konopka-Veillux

Keep Koivu on top line and give Fontaine an opportunity.

Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

I wish he would break up Koivu and Parise. If Koivu has to center the top line to pad his ego how about:
Fontaine-Koivu-Niederreiter
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Heatly
Mithcell-Konopka-Veillux

Keep Koivu on top line and give Fontaine an opportunity.
- Mersch

I agree that Koivu needs to play with a player capable of carrying and possessing the puck in order for him to get involved offensively 5 on 5. I think Parise has alluded to his style and skill set maybe being better suited to play with Coyle or now Granlund.

Parise-Koivu-Niederreiter
Heatley-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine
Mitchell-Konopka-Veilleux

I wish he would break up Koivu and Parise. If Koivu has to center the top line to pad his ego how about:
Fontaine-Koivu-Niederreiter
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Cooke-Brodziak-Heatly
Mithcell-Konopka-Veillux

Keep Koivu on top line and give Fontaine an opportunity.
- Mersch

Dude please, Koivu being on the first line has nothing to do with his ego! I still don't understand what makes anyone believe there is a suitable replacement on this roster that can truly center the top line better?!?!

Yes, I'll admit (as I have before) and will continue to admit that Mikko is not a true 1st line center. But once again, in the absence of a true first line center and/or anyone better on the Wild roster, why does it have to be Koivu's ego and just not the fact that the Wild have no other better solution?

I guess in the grand scheme of things, the top 6 really should be interchangable without any real big disparity in line success, but until Coyle returns, I just don't think Granlund is good enough to be a top 6 player, let alone #1 or #2 centerman....