Brad Ratgen: Judging the Wild by October and Looking Ahead to November. A look back and a look ahead as the Minnesota Wild are concerned.

**FIRST**

last night was redemption....although I did tell you that I like the pomminville signing...

and once brodin is healthy, your D will be better...

solid young d corps with suter, brodin and dumba....

now if only you can teach some manners to prosser

**FIRST**

last night was redemption....although I did tell you that I like the pomminville signing...

and once brodin is healthy, your D will be better...

solid young d corps with suter, brodin and dumba....

now if only you can teach some manners to prosser
- ChicagoDave

Twas funny how that little Hawk guy tried getting in on the Prosser action. Classic 3 stooges material there: Why I Oughta..... Hold me back, hold me back.....

Brad first I would say I hope you are completely incorrect but I can also very clearly see how you generated your take and although I dont hold that same perspective I definitely wont attempt to dismiss it as unreasonable or unrealistic.

On Mikko Koivu I think we agree whole heartedly and I also found it rather entertaining that just today on Twitter a photo surfaced of all 4 MN untouchable major sports face of the franchise types (Koivu, Mauer, Peterson, and Love) all in the same room. Who would have thought all 4 of the major sports Unrippable savagely defended by Rube Nation players could fit their Non-Existent in homer perception only EGOs in one room haha. Ripping Koivu to Wild Rubes is like Ripping Mauer to Twins Rubes. I been there and it leads down a blackhole of No-Wins-Ville Agree to Disagree land haha.

I think people arent giving the kids enough credit on this Wild team and when Coyle returns they will put their BEST ever Top6 on the ice. Hopefully Heatley can be stashed on the IR or somethin cause he is flat out the worst player on the ice for the Wild every single night.

Nice Article Sir Respect the Take hope the prove you wrong.

Kind of over reaction we never know were Colorado is going to go. It's not like we are playing terrible either well besides last night. Chicagos coach said don't feel like spelling his name. That was their first full sixty minute game and was obvious it was probally going to happen after beating them on saturday. Patience just like I said the goals will come which they did so will consistency and will have coyle in month of November also.

Considering the amount of injuries this team has had to deal with already, I am satisfied. I think the return of Brodin, Ballard and Coyle will be huge, along with no more significant injuries. The top line is a mess most nights, and if anyone playing the Wild was smart, they would simply look at game tape vs Chicago from last night and during the playoffs. Secondary scoring is still so inconsistent with this team, that if you shut down the top line, a victory is all but assured.
I would be a little more upset that the Wild choked just as I, and I'm sure many of you predicted last night but with the amount of injuries, I'm willing to give them a break. I still think this team has quite a ways to go to hang with the likes of a Chicago, St. Louis, San Jose in a 7 game series.

Considering the amount of injuries this team has had to deal with already, I am satisfied. I think the return of Brodin, Ballard and Coyle will be huge, along with no more significant injuries. The top line is a mess most nights, and if anyone playing the Wild was smart, they would simply look at game tape vs Chicago from last night and during the playoffs. Secondary scoring is still so inconsistent with this team, that if you shut down the top line, a victory is all but assured.
I would be a little more upset that the Wild choked just as I, and I'm sure many of you predicted last night but with the amount of injuries, I'm willing to give them a break. I still think this team has quite a ways to go to hang with the likes of a Chicago, St. Louis, San Jose in a 7 game series.
- SotaPopinski

Gotta make the dance to dance!

Just listened to Louie on KFAN... He's now a bit skeptical on the Vanek to Minnesota move next season, but said all things considered that the move is still very much a better than average possibility. Doesn't think the Wild will be willing to match what NY will be offering him, but thinks that they may not have to as long as the the offer is reasonably competitive.

Louie also said that he still thinks Vanek would be more attracted to finishing his career in Minnesota due to his history here and the fact his wife is also a Minnesota native.

At this point, depending on how the Wild finish this season, they may not need to pursue him. According to Lou, the Isles will have the financial ability to generously over pay him next season and will most likely do so in order to keep him. I guess the bottom line for me is, if the Wild have to overpay to get him, I would just as soon seek out younger talent.

Well Brad I see your transition to one blog a month is almost complete!

I think it would be terrible for the Wild's future to sign Vanek. He will come with a huge price tag that would even further limit the team from any type of modifications if they become a contender someday. Also, who knows how Vanek would do in the stronger Western Conference? I admit that I don't see much of him since he plays out East, but I'd be reluctant to hand him superstar money.

Besides, the Wild are supposed to have all these amazing prospects. The year they were tearing it up, everyone talked about how it was the Wild's time and that they'd be good for a while because of their youngsters. When will they be ready?

I think the Wild need a true first line center. Maybe Granlund can eventually be that and can switch with Koivu as they both age. Koivu could be one of the top 2nd line centers in the league, but I don't see him as a true #1.

I think it would be terrible for the Wild's future to sign Vanek. He will come with a huge price tag that would even further limit the team from any type of modifications if they become a contender someday.
- manchester33

I think it is risky for them to sign Vanek. However, if it's true that Vanek does want to play in Minnesota, and he would consider taking a 3-4 year deal for between $6-7 million, I'd welcome that.

Well Brad I see your transition to one blog a month is almost complete!
- MnGump

Hey Gump, no trolling the hometown blogger. Walk a mile in my shoes and you'd collapse!

Hey Gump, no trolling the hometown blogger. Walk a mile in my shoes and you'd collapse!
- Brad Ratgen

Plus, what are you complaining about? That's why we brought Tony in. I see you've been taking shots at other readers on his blogs.

Plus, what are you complaining about? That's why we brought Tony in. I see you've been taking shots at other readers on his blogs.
- Brad Ratgen

No, not shots. Just trying to rid the country of socialism one liberal at a time. Plus you should know by now I like to complain.

No, not shots. Just trying to rid the country of socialism one liberal at a time. Plus you should know by now I like to complain.
- MnGump

Good luck with that. I'd just stick to complaining. More fun.

Plus, what are you complaining about? That's why we brought Tony in. I see you've been taking shots at other readers on his blogs.
- Brad Ratgen

Totally bullying people around... can't believe Ek hasn't banned him yet

No, not shots. Just trying to rid the country of socialism one liberal at a time. Plus you should know by now I like to complain.
- MnGump

It's a lost cause, man... they're like the Black Plague.

I think it would be terrible for the Wild's future to sign Vanek. He will come with a huge price tag that would even further limit the team from any type of modifications if they become a contender someday. Also, who knows how Vanek would do in the stronger Western Conference? I admit that I don't see much of him since he plays out East, but I'd be reluctant to hand him superstar money.

Besides, the Wild are supposed to have all these amazing prospects. The year they were tearing it up, everyone talked about how it was the Wild's time and that they'd be good for a while because of their youngsters. When will they be ready?

I think the Wild need a true first line center. Maybe Granlund can eventually be that and can switch with Koivu as they both age. Koivu could be one of the top 2nd line centers in the league, but I don't see him as a true #1.
- manchester33

I disagree with you on Vanek and think if you were more aware of the current roster's skill sets and those of our current top prospects you would see why Vanek is so highly touted as being on the way to MN and what the Wild needs. Vanek is the goal scorer that just doesn't exist right now for the Wild and hasn't really since probably Gaborik. Granted the are not similar players in how they have come to be proven goal scorers but all the same they have the ability and physical gifts to put the puck in the net with consistency and in high volume.

Pominville looks like a genius right now playing with Granlund but can you imagine if it was Vanek he was setting the table for every shift every game? Granlund may evolve his game and be more decisive with puck looking to get his shot off but most likely he will be a complimentary player. Coyle is a shoot first type of mentality but he projects to be more of a power forward grinder type winger. Zucker sure has the look of 3rd Line speedster with a shot but maybe he just will not develop to be a Top6 player or sniper. Nino is still a very raw unproven commodity for the Wild. He is obviously talented and I think it is too early to tell atleast for me what his game projects to be.

If Vanek wants to play for the Wild he will take a deal similar to what Pominville got IMO and I dont think that is unreasonable. He gets it I am sure and I think he wants to come HOME and WIN. Wild will eventually trade a young forward or two for a Defensmen anyways. Its just the natural trajectory

I disagree with you on Vanek and think if you were more aware of the current roster's skill sets and those of our current top prospects you would see why Vanek is so highly touted as being on the way to MN and what the Wild needs. Vanek is the goal scorer that just doesn't exist right now for the Wild and hasn't really since probably Gaborik. Granted the are not similar players in how they have come to be proven goal scorers but all the same they have the ability and physical gifts to put the puck in the net with consistency and in high volume.
- Tony Dean

This is a good assessment as to the allure of Vanek playing here. The risk lies in the cost of retaining Vanek over a long-term, high-dollar deal if his goal scoring ability diminishes significantly.

The Wild need to identify his usefulness to the team if that goal scoring ability goes away. What else does he do well? With guys like Koivu, Pominville, and Parise, I think there are other roles they could still play if their offense dropped off. I'm not sure the same thing can be said about Vanek.

They have to determine if they feel it's worth the risk. For example, are 3-5 potentially good goal scoring years worth 3-5 years of potentially wasted cap space? If the Wild think those shorter-term positives will ultimately outweight the potentially longer-term negatives they will probably go for it.

Totally bullying people around... can't believe Ek hasn't banned him yet
- SotaPopinski

We need the posters. MnGump has free reign.

I disagree with you on Vanek and think if you were more aware of the current roster's skill sets and those of our current top prospects you would see why Vanek is so highly touted as being on the way to MN and what the Wild needs. Vanek is the goal scorer that just doesn't exist right now for the Wild and hasn't really since probably Gaborik. Granted the are not similar players in how they have come to be proven goal scorers but all the same they have the ability and physical gifts to put the puck in the net with consistency and in high volume.

Pominville looks like a genius right now playing with Granlund but can you imagine if it was Vanek he was setting the table for every shift every game? Granlund may evolve his game and be more decisive with puck looking to get his shot off but most likely he will be a complimentary player. Coyle is a shoot first type of mentality but he projects to be more of a power forward grinder type winger. Zucker sure has the look of 3rd Line speedster with a shot but maybe he just will not develop to be a Top6 player or sniper. Nino is still a very raw unproven commodity for the Wild. He is obviously talented and I think it is too early to tell atleast for me what his game projects to be.

If Vanek wants to play for the Wild he will take a deal similar to what Pominville got IMO and I dont think that is unreasonable. He gets it I am sure and I think he wants to come HOME and WIN. Wild will eventually trade a young forward or two for a Defensmen anyways. Its just the natural trajectory
- Tony Dean

You're right, Granlund and Vanek could be a dangerous combination. But two things: first, Granlund could evolve into an absolute superstar. He's 21 years old and already looks night and day better than he did last year. By his 4th or 5th season in the league, he could be an All-Star. Second, if Tavares and Vanek figure their game out, it might be difficult to pull Vanek away next season until he's guaranteed a top level center to work with.

Could it be possible that he signs a couple year deal (worth a ton) somewhere else before committing to a long term deal, or is this his chance at big money over the long term? Snow is going to do everything he can to save face and get Vanek to sign. If Vanek doesn't want a long term deal there, maybe the two sides come to agreement on a 2 or 3 year deal and Vanek gets the best of both worlds. He can see how the Islanders pan out (including the move to Brooklyn) and he still has options afterwards if he continues to perform.

Could it be possible that he signs a couple year deal (worth a ton) somewhere else before committing to a long term deal, or is this his chance at big money over the long term?
- manchester33

I think this is his best shot at big money. Guys in their 30s typically regress with their offensive numbers, so I think it's a long-shot that Vanek has another opportunity at really big money if he signs a short-term deal first.

The Islanders do have the advantage over all the other teams of being able to give him an extra year. But they have the same problem. If Vanek regresses significantly over time, how much of a drag is that on their team? I don't think Vanek will turn into Heatley at 32, but seeing what's become of Heatley is a good lesson for other GMs. Best way to hedge is a short-term deal. Best thing for Vanek is to parlay his perceived high-value right now into long-term security.

Totally bullying people around... can't believe Ek hasn't banned him yet
- SotaPopinski

You're right, Granlund and Vanek could be a dangerous combination. But two things: first, Granlund could evolve into an absolute superstar. He's 21 years old and already looks night and day better than he did last year. By his 4th or 5th season in the league, he could be an All-Star. Second, if Tavares and Vanek figure their game out, it might be difficult to pull Vanek away next season until he's guaranteed a top level center to work with.

Could it be possible that he signs a couple year deal (worth a ton) somewhere else before committing to a long term deal, or is this his chance at big money over the long term? Snow is going to do everything he can to save face and get Vanek to sign. If Vanek doesn't want a long term deal there, maybe the two sides come to agreement on a 2 or 3 year deal and Vanek gets the best of both worlds. He can see how the Islanders pan out (including the move to Brooklyn) and he still has options afterwards if he continues to perform.
- manchester33

Hey Manchester, how about those last two games in November on the Wild/Avs calendar? Think they'll still be crushing everyone by then?

We need the posters. MnGump has free reign.
- Chinaski