Tony Dean: MNWild Yeo Knows Best But Maybe........ WildHBcommunity: MNWild Yeo Knows Best But Maybe........

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Dany Heatley in the cover shot of the blog.


That's what's missing here.


I'd bet anyone Heatley out scores Vanish this year!

$50 anyone?


Good blog by the way

Haula with that speed... At which point of the season Wild fans start to place Koivu as 3rd line center?

Nice write up T! Getting excited for the season to get underway! Looking forward to listening to you and Doobers today! Wish he could get another paying gig on sports radio in the TC, love his hockey talk and knowledge!

Kudos man.

Haula with that speed... At which point of the season Wild fans start to place Koivu as 3rd line center?
- OnIceEnforcer

Still love Mikko, but Haula and Granlund are clearly the future of this organization! Go Finn-power!

Dany Heatley in the cover shot of the blog.


That's what's missing here.


I'd bet anyone Heatley out scores Vanish this year!

$50 anyone?


Good blog by the way
- Byfuglien Ate Me

I'll take that bet any day of the week and twice on Sunday. You been watching Heater much over the past 3 seasons?

I'll take that bet any day of the week and twice on Sunday. You been watching Heater much over the past 3 seasons?
- MnGump

Echo that!

Well done Tony nice write up of where the team is at currently. I wanted to point out that I am very much on board with swapping Nino and Coyle. As of late I think Nino would be great on that line with Koivu and Vanek, with the option of swapping back to Coyle if it doesn't work out. Also I absolutely think Zucker deserves to play along side Haula on that third line, he has proven that he wants to play with the big club and shown that through playing with a little more grit and stepping his defensive game up. With a big winger like Coyle or Nino on the other side that line is young but would be effective.

"I have to admit I was highly skeptical and very critical of Yeo until the stretch run and playoffs during 2013-14 NHL season for the Wild. Now I trust that he is the right guy to lead this bunch because all you have to do is ask them and they will tell you so. This team rallied around Yeo last season making sure it was know that he is their guy."
My thoughts exactly. I still don't get why he wants to separate Vanek and Pommer, though I will hold judgement until reg. season is underway.

Dany Heatley in the cover shot of the blog.


That's what's missing here.


I'd bet anyone Heatley out scores Vanish this year!

$50 anyone?


Good blog by the way
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Interesting bet. I think Vanek will do well here, especially if Yeo bumps him up to the Pommer/Granny line. But seeing Heater on a line with Getzlaf and Perry is crazy. He could have one heck of a bounce back year if that line clicks.

Well done Tony nice write up of where the team is at currently. I wanted to point out that I am very much on board with swapping Nino and Coyle. As of late I think Nino would be great on that line with Koivu and Vanek, with the option of swapping back to Coyle if it doesn't work out. Also I absolutely think Zucker deserves to play along side Haula on that third line, he has proven that he wants to play with the big club and shown that through playing with a little more grit and stepping his defensive game up. With a big winger like Coyle or Nino on the other side that line is young but would be effective.
- Minsoh

I think Haula is a better center match for Nino than Koivu. I really hope we get to see a Zuck/Haula/Nino line. Nonstop excitement right there

Interesting bet. I think Vanek will do well here, especially if Yeo bumps him up to the Pommer/Granny line. But seeing Heater on a line with Getzlaf and Perry is crazy. He could have one heck of a bounce back year if that line clicks.
- SotaPopinski

Although Getzlaf and Perry did help resurrect Penners career for the better part of last season, throwing a plodding flat footed skater like Heatley into that mix seems like a completely different animal.

Based on his overall career I'd say Wow! That line is going to rock... but after bearing witness to what Heatley has left in the tank over the past 3 seasons... I think I can say with confidence that Heatley will not last on that line very long and could possibly be cut by the mid point of the season.

That's my prediction.

As for any Vanek/Heatley comparisson? Heatley is pretty much non-existent in comparisson to his career numbers after dropping off the face of the earth while Vanek, even playing on some very bad Buffalo teams as well as 3 total teams last season alone... his numbers have very little drop off compared to his career numbers.

I think Vanek will score 30 this season with 40 assists and Heatley (if he stays healthy and starting) will score 18 with 20.

I'm sticking to my prediction... PAIN.

Heatley will play with the intensity of Clubber Lang this season and outscore Vanish by 20 pts and Clarkson by 50.

"I have to admit I was highly skeptical and very critical of Yeo until the stretch run and playoffs during 2013-14 NHL season for the Wild. Now I trust that he is the right guy to lead this bunch because all you have to do is ask them and they will tell you so. This team rallied around Yeo last season making sure it was know that he is their guy."
My thoughts exactly. I still don't get why he wants to separate Vanek and Pommer, though I will hold judgement until reg. season is underway.
- SotaPopinski

I think the reason to separate Vanek and Pominville is why screw with the chemistry that is already there. Sure, Vanek and Pommy had it in Buffalo, but that was a few years ago. Though they could get it back, I think the idea is to stick with what works and get some other guys rolling. This is the first time in team history where they have enough depth in their top 9 to move guys around if they aren't playing well so it wouldn't surprise me to see that Vanek and Pommer together at some point.

I'm sticking to my prediction... PAIN.

Heatley will play with the intensity of Clubber Lang this season and outscore Vanish by 20 pts and Clarkson by 50.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Personally I think we saw the maximum level of his "Clubber Lang" intensity last season. He was playing for his last big contract, what more incentive could he possibly have needed?

Well we see how that worked out for him, a one year deal worth pocket change for him.

I think you're way off the mark here. Heater has nothing left including his integrity. Let's make the bet though. I'm in!

MnGump - You bastards stole Prosser back. Poor management of resources by Army in this case mostly due to a bad contract clause with Lindbohm (can only got back to Finland, not the AHL so he had to stay longer vs Prosser).

Should have just done nothing and eventually sent Lindbohm back to Finland and kept Prosser until Gunnarrson was healthy. Ugh.

MnGump - You bastards stole Prosser back. Poor management of resources by Army in this case mostly due to a bad contract clause with Lindbohm (can only got back to Finland, not the AHL so he had to stay longer vs Prosser).

Should have just done nothing and eventually sent Lindbohm back to Finland and kept Prosser until Gunnarrson was healthy. Ugh.
- stljam

Wow, this is the first I've heard. Not sure why though, all I keep hearing from the local media is how "stacked" the Wild are on Defense this season. We'll see about that. Prosser is good bubble guy though. Solid soldier but not really a big loss either way in the grand scheme of things.

Blues D is pretty solid with or without him. But like I said, he's a nice bubble guy to have around in case of emergency.

Wow, this is the first I've heard. Not sure why though, all I keep hearing from the local media is how "stacked" the Wild are on Defense this season. We'll see about that. Prosser is good bubble guy though. Solid soldier but not really a big loss either way in the grand scheme of things.

Blues D is pretty solid with or without him. But like I said, he's a nice bubble guy to have around in case of emergency.
- MnGump

The guy was so solid and consistent in the two games I saw. It was unreal, like watching Mike Weaver at his best and exactly what you want in a bottom 6/extra d-man guy. Old reliable that can eat 12-15 minutes and not get you in trouble.

Our depth is not good from a numbers standpoint, just from a quality stand point. We have 7 definite nhl caliber defensemen, one of which is hurt. We believe Lindbohm is as well but is unproven. After him, we have nobody that can eat NHL minutes without being a huge risk. Chris Butler and Prosser were supposed to be those guys but Butler has been awful and Prosser was claimed. Too many injuries and they will be forced to make a move as the next line of D prospects are not anywhere near NHL ready. There is a gap in our farm system right now in this area.

Side note

The guy was so solid and consistent in the two games I saw. It was unreal, like watching Mike Weaver at his best and exactly what you want in a bottom 6/extra d-man guy. Old reliable that can eat 12-15 minutes and not get you in trouble.

Our depth is not good from a numbers standpoint, just from a quality stand point. We have 7 definite nhl caliber defensemen, one of which is hurt. We believe Lindbohm is as well but is unproven. After him, we have nobody that can eat NHL minutes without being a huge risk. Chris Butler and Prosser were supposed to be those guys but Butler has been awful and Prosser was claimed. Too many injuries and they will be forced to make a move as the next line of D prospects are not anywhere near NHL ready. There is a gap in our farm system right now in this area.

Side note


- stljam

Thats funny!

Fletch got lucky with Prosser. The whole reason they didn't re-sign him was because he wanted a one way deal and Fletcher wanted a 2-way deal. Well I guess Fletch ended up with the last laugh anyway.

Now they've got the guy they wanted on the deal they wanted. Feel a little bad for Nate, he's a Minny Native that didn't want to leave and now it's almost like he's a dog getting his nose rubbed in his poo for poopting in the house!

I'd say I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight, but it's not being televised here. (State of hockey my ass)!

But that's why we've got you to scout it for us!!! Enjoy!

BTW, looks like Hitch has an All-star line up going for the Blues tonight! It's only Pre-season, but I'm guessing the Wild will have all they can handle. Hope to turn the trend of losing EVERY game to your club this season!

Plus Vikings/Packers is on tonight.

Thats funny!

Fletch got lucky with Prosser. The whole reason they didn't re-sign him was because he wanted a one way deal and Fletcher wanted a 2-way deal. Well I guess Fletch ended up with the last laugh anyway.

Now they've got the guy they wanted on the deal they wanted. Feel a little bad for Nate, he's a Minny Native that didn't want to leave and now it's almost like he's a dog getting his nose rubbed in his poo for poopting in the house!

I'd say I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight, but it's not being televised here. (State of hockey my ass)!

But that's why we've got you to scout it for us!!! Enjoy!

BTW, looks like Hitch has an All-star line up going for the Blues tonight! It's only Pre-season, but I'm guessing the Wild will have all they can handle. Hope to turn the trend of losing EVERY game to your club this season!

Plus Vikings/Packers is on tonight.
- MnGump

My only saving thought is that when you guys get healthy and you put Prosser back on waivers, we can claim him if we have injuries and need him. I'll be watching the Pack/Vikings score on my phone tonight and I doubt we would agree on sides in that game either, lol.

Preseason hockey is not enjoyable imho. I'm having a meeting at the game and I'm using it as practice for game and assessment blogs. PM any thoughts on some of the stuff I have been putting up this summer.

As far as the all star lineup, not on D. If Leopold, Lindbohm and Cole are all in the lineup all year, our D won't be nearly as good as people claim it will be The forward fourth line sn't what the normal will be but the rest are close.

My only saving thought is that when you guys get healthy and you put Prosser back on waivers, we can claim him if we have injuries and need him. I'll be watching the Pack/Vikings score on my phone tonight and I doubt we would agree on sides in that game either, lol.

Preseason hockey is not enjoyable imho. I'm having a meeting at the game and I'm using it as practice for game and assessment blogs. PM any thoughts on some of the stuff I have been putting up this summer.

As far as the all star lineup, not on D. If Leopold, Lindbohm and Cole are all in the lineup all year, our D won't be nearly as good as people claim it will be The forward fourth line sn't what the normal will be but the rest are close.
- stljam

Sorry man, I haven't been paying that much attention the last couple months. I'll read your blogs post haste!

edit- Read todays, looks good so far. Lots more to read apparently as a scrolled down! Someone's been busy. I'll start paying closer attention. Even with my disdain for the Blues... Or at least for one of their fans! LOL

PS, I'm not that fond of pre-season either, but I'd rather be watching tonights game than the Vikings/Packers now that Bridgewater is officially not playing. Christian EFFING Ponder. Yuck

Sorry man, I haven't been paying that much attention the last couple months. I'll read your blogs post haste!

edit- Read todays, looks good so far. Lots more to read apparently as a scrolled down! Someone's been busy. I'll start paying closer attention. Even with my disdain for the Blues... Or at least for one of their fans! LOL
- MnGump

Have to finish one more thing and scramble for food and get to the game but wanted to share one thing. I wonder if Army did Prosser a favor and it wouldn't surprise me if he knew the Wild would claim him. Once all of the D are healthy, Prosser would get waived. The Blues are going to carry 8 (7 if Gunnar is on IR) to start the season because they want a longer look at Lindbohm and they can't send him to the AHL. They already had 7 before Prosser and Lindbohm. At some point in the near future Prosser was going to get waived because of the Lindbohm contract issue. I could easily see Army doing the stand up thing and essentially ensuring Prosser got an NHL roster spot now vs waiting another week. It wouldn't surprise me at all based on what I have seen personally, what I have heard, etc.

Have to finish one more thing and scramble for food and get to the game but wanted to share one thing. I wonder if Army did Prosser a favor and it wouldn't surprise me if he knew the Wild would claim him. Once all of the D are healthy, Prosser would get waived. The Blues are going to carry 8 (7 if Gunnar is on IR) to start the season because they want a longer look at Lindbohm and they can't send him to the AHL. They already had 7 before Prosser and Lindbohm. At some point in the near future Prosser was going to get waived because of the Lindbohm contract issue. I could easily see Army doing the stand up thing and essentially ensuring Prosser got an NHL roster spot now vs waiting another week. It wouldn't surprise me at all based on what I have seen personally, what I have heard, etc.
- stljam

Sounds Plausible
Enjoy the game