Tony Dean: Minnesota Wild GM Fletcher has to Pay'em or Trade'em Young Core Forwards

Seems as if you guys need a goalie...We may be able to oblige for one of these guys.

I wouldn't trade Haula.

Seems as if you guys need a goalie...We may be able to oblige for one of these guys.
- dps0610

Why does everyone think the Wild needs a goalie? They have three.

Amazing collection of young talent!
It's a wonder if Vanek will even be offered a contract, seems they really don't need him.

I wouldn't trade Haula.
- Chinaski

Markov, Plekanec + pick for Coyle, Niedereitter + pick. Minnesota signs Markov and Vanek. Montreal signs Niskanen. = perfect world.

End of dream.

just a small correction in regaurds to Charlie Coyle, him and Phillips did win a memorial cup in 2011 and it was with the Saint John seadogs, not Saint John's which is in Newfoundland. Saint John is in New Brunswick

Markov, Plekanec + pick for Coyle, Niedereitter + pick. Minnesota signs Markov and Vanek. Montreal signs Niskanen. = perfect world.

End of dream.
- habfanforever

That's one hell of a wacky dream.

Markov, Plekanec + pick for Coyle, Niedereitter + pick. Minnesota signs Markov and Vanek. Montreal signs Niskanen. = perfect world.

End of dream.
- habfanforever

A dream for a Habs fan and a nightmare for a Wild fan. Sheesh.

Amazing collection of young talent!
It's a wonder if Vanek will even be offered a contract, seems they really don't need him.
- puckhead17

I see them shoring up the D before adding a big name forward like Vanek. I think they'd be better served signing a more mid-level scorer like Vrabata

Sign them all ,ditch the deadwood.

Jealous canuck fan here. What a plethora of young talent up front. The Wild don't need a plug like Vanek. They are gonna need the cap space for Granlund, Coyle and Haula next summer. I see the Wild at the top of the west standings over the next 5 years if the three kids keep improving.

I wouldn't trade Haula.
- Chinaski

Agreed. 7th round gem that most likely won't command the super star contract for at least another 4 years(should he continue to wow) with a ton of flexible upside! Decent at the dot, as much speed as you want and a nose for the net. No way I would trade him at this point.

Sign them all ,ditch the deadwood.
- top shelf 15

I don't necessarily disagree with this. As wierd a relationship Zucker has had with Yeo and the Wild, I still see him being the Wild card of the bunch.

The kid is only 22 years old. I think I'd be more patient with him, he's got Haula like speed and knows how to score, plus he's got a hell of a wrist shot. I'd like to see Fletch keep this kid around another couple years.

Only problem is that none of these guys are going to agree to a 2 way deal. So someone is going to be moved. Of the players mentioned, Fontaine, Zucker and Nino are the 3 RFA's going into this off season. Without a doubt all 3 will be signed, with Nino being the biggest contract of the 3. I'm guessing Zook and Fontaine will settle for somewhere around $1.5 - $2 million per year while Nino will most likely end up somewhere around $3 - 4 million.

just a small correction in regaurds to Charlie Coyle, him and Phillips did win a memorial cup in 2011 and it was with the Saint John seadogs, not Saint John's which is in Newfoundland. Saint John is in New Brunswick
- coopjack

Thanks Sir I corrected it. I always lose my mind and confuse the two. I knew they won the Memorial Cup it was just late when I finished it!

I could see Fletcher KEEPING all these young forwards instead of including any of them in a trade BUT when I put a "Trade 'em" label on Zucker it was because I could see another team evaluating him as a plug in Top 6 winger now which doesnt seem to be the Case with Yeo here. The return on Zucker in a package could very well be worth risking that he will blow up elsewhere.

Same thing on Haula too I definitely dont want him to be anywhere but Minnesota next year but he could return a major asset to the Wild from a team that evaluates his stretch run and playoff performance translating into him being a Top 6 center right now.

Fletcher and Flahr have to Project and Evaluate their current young core accurately to maximize their value now and safeguard the future. Trading kids that the fans have fallen in love with is part of that.

Hey guys, apparently the Wild will sign Guillaume Gélinas who played for the Val-D'or Foreurs at the Memorial Cup in London this year.

Link is in french though.

http://tvasports.ca/mikae...linas-recompense-17062014

Guy had 92 pts as a 20 yo in the 'Q as a D. He did play with the best junior sniper in the world in Mantha, but he's very dangerous on the point and is not afraid to engage physically even if he's not that big at 5'9''. He's a long shot to make the show though.

Hey guys, apparently the Wild will sign Guillaume Gélinas who played for the Val-D'or Foreurs at the Memorial Cup in London this year.

Link is in french though.

http://tvasports.ca/mikae...linas-recompense-17062014

Guy had 92 pts as a 20 yo in the 'Q as a D. He did play with the best junior sniper in the world in Mantha, but he's very dangerous on the point and is not afraid to engage physically even if he's not that big at 5'9''. He's a long shot to make the show though.
- Jean_Perron

Thanks for the heads up Jean!

I don't necessarily disagree with this. As wierd a relationship Zucker has had with Yeo and the Wild, I still see him being the Wild card of the bunch.

The kid is only 22 years old. I think I'd be more patient with him, he's got Haula like speed and knows how to score, plus he's got a hell of a wrist shot. I'd like to see Fletch keep this kid around another couple years.

Only problem is that none of these guys are going to agree to a 2 way deal. So someone is going to be moved. Of the players mentioned, Fontaine, Zucker and Nino are the 3 RFA's going into this off season. Without a doubt all 3 will be signed, with Nino being the biggest contract of the 3. I'm guessing Zook and Fontaine will settle for somewhere around $1.5 - $2 million per year while Nino will most likely end up somewhere around $3 - 4 million.
- MnGump

I'm not sure why you have Nino pegged that high. He had a good playoff run, but his regular season was inconsistent. Giving him that big of a contract seems excessive to me. Sign him short-term and make him prove he's worth more.

I'm not sure why you have Nino pegged that high. He had a good playoff run, but his regular season was inconsistent. Giving him that big of a contract seems excessive to me. Sign him short-term and make him prove he's worth more.
- arvinb316

Yeah, I get what your saying, but my guess is that Nino knows his stock skyrocketed during the post season with his performances and I think Fletch will be under a bit of pressure to keep the kid and his agent satisfied. Probably a 2 year prove it contract something similar to the one Latendresse got back in 2010, I think it was 2 years 5 something million. I could see Nino getting something similar or even a bit higher.

Thing is, if he does take off and turn into an all-star player, $3+ million for 4 or 5 would turn out to be a steal!

I think Nino was asked to play specialized roles though during his first year here by Yeo which saw him matching up in a defensive role. I dont believe we have seen Nino fly free which should come over the next season or two. He is going to be so good. Maybe better than Coyle because of his hands!

Hey T, what are your thoughts on Ek's rumor chart? Any reason to believe this organization would really have any interest in bringing back Pouliot?

I think it's BS, he's not a good fit here and there really is no place to put him.

Hey T, what are your thoughts on Ek's rumor chart? Any reason to believe this organization would really have any interest in bringing back Pouliot?

I think it's BS, he's not a good fit here and there really is no place to put him.
- MnGump

I think its tough to have a good handle on WHO is on the MNWild's radar because they could go in a number of different directions. It really starts at the NHL Draft, we will begin to see the shape of what Fletcher and Flahr have in mind.

I think a major trade could be very realistic but if not maybe some minor deals to supplement the young core abd veteran core. Maybe Fletche rpulls major move or he dumps Backstrom, Brodziak, and/or Ballard off.

Pouliot could certainly be on the radar if the idea is to fill in around the kids with Bridge year veterans. I was never a fan of him or his game but he scored a bunch of dirty area goals this year with Rangers which Wild could use.

What I do know is Fletcher and Flahr have identified and added young free agents (Brassart, Mitchell, Folin, Keranen, and now soon Guillaume Gelinas) so they are backfilling at minimum to have young talent in Iowa should a major deal involving some of their young players become a reality.

I think its tough to have a good handle on WHO is on the MNWild's radar because they could go in a number of different directions. It really starts at the NHL Draft, we will begin to see the shape of what Fletcher and Flahr have in mind.

I think a major trade could be very realistic but if not maybe some minor deals to supplement the young core abd veteran core. Maybe Fletche rpulls major move or he dumps Backstrom, Brodziak, and/or Ballard off.

Pouliot could certainly be on the radar if the idea is to fill in around the kids with Bridge year veterans. I was never a fan of him or his game but he scored a bunch of dirty area goals this year with Rangers which Wild could use.

What I do know is Fletcher and Flahr have identified and added young free agents (Brassart, Mitchell, Folin, Keranen, and now soon Guillaume Gelinas) so they are backfilling at minimum to have young talent in Iowa should a major deal involving some of their young players become a reality.
- Tony Dean

Agree, don't really like Pouliot, but he has seemed to toughen up over the past couple seasons. Still don't know that he fits here though.

It's nice to see Fletch staying proactive!

Just curious who you do like for the Wild should they keep their number 18 pick.

I think they should go after a center, either Fabbri, Virtanen or McCann. Thoughts?