Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Chuck Fletcher Handles Josh Harding Situation Perfectly WildHBcommunity: Chuck Fletcher Handles Josh Harding Situation Perfectly

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Well the Oilers claimed him, so we will see how this turns out.

It will be interesting to see if any team does put in a claim for him. If a team is in need of a goaltender, the problem with Harding is that he is not ready to play right now. It's probably going to take a few weeks of playing games before he is back to NHL game speed. So claiming him doesn't fix your problem in the short-term.

I kind of wonder if Fletcher's public comments were intended as a warning to teams thinking about claiming him. With the Wild's history of goalie injuries I think Fletcher would like to have Harding available to him at some point.

I just don't see why carrying three goaltenders is this big problem. 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, 3 goalies. Scratch an extra forward, defenseman, and goalie each game. What am I missing that makes this an out of the question solution?

Another analytics perspective that points out some things on the Wild, from ex-HB'er Travis Yost, now writing for TSN.

However much the numbers point to a solid team, I'm just not feeling great about where the Wild are at even if score adjusted Fenwick % is telling me to chill. My Captain Morgan adjusted eyesight seems to be playing a more dominant role in my analysis.

Another analytics perspective that points out some things on the Wild, from ex-HB'er Travis Yost, now writing for TSN.

However much the numbers point to a solid team, I'm just not feeling great about where the Wild are at even if score adjusted Fenwick % is telling me to chill. My Captain Morgan adjusted eyesight seems to be playing a more dominant role in my analysis.
- Chinaski

I feel ya. Eye Test and ADV Stats can conflict a lot. No better example than Mikko Koivu's statistical possession numbers and what he has actually accomplished in a game. ADV stats guys can paint picture of Koivu limiting opponents severely by simply not allowing them to possess the puck when he is on the ice BUT in watching the game I know I can lose my mind watching him CREATE nothing with the puck. Have to put each view of hockey into context with regard to perspective.

In multiple games this year the Wild have driven and dominated the play only to see opponents score quick fluky goals that meant a loss for the Wild. The shots on goal stat too is so misleading with regard to production in the case of the Wild who seem to love the quick flip wrist shot to the chest of the netminder with NO ONE in the dirty areas to get a rebound!

I feel ya. Eye Test and ADV Stats can conflict a lot. No better example than Mikko Koivu's statistical possession numbers and what he has actually accomplished in a game. ADV stats guys can paint picture of Koivu limiting opponents severely by simply not allowing them to possess the puck when he is on the ice BUT in watching the game I know I can lose my mind watching him CREATE nothing with the puck. Have to put each view of hockey into context with regard to perspective.

In multiple games this year the Wild have driven and dominated the play only to see opponents score quick fluky goals that meant a loss for the Wild. The shots on goal stat too is so misleading with regard to production in the case of the Wild who seem to love the quick flip wrist shot to the chest of the netminder with NO ONE in the dirty areas to get a rebound!
- Tony Dean

I'm no advanced stat guru and honestly I don't really know much about all the numbers. I'm really just starting to learn. But I think there may be some that are going to try to start incorporating some kind of metric in terms of shot distance. My big argument against the Wild being this great team is that their possession is largely on the perimeter and for all the possession they have, they draw very few penalties which is an indication they are not possessing the puck in the real dangerous areas of the ice. It looks good in the numbers but it just doesn't look as good on the ice.

I agree with you on Koivu too. His possession number are good but he is frustrating to watch when it comes to creating offensive chances. And that's why I think playing him with the more highly skilled wingers is a mistake.

I feel ya. Eye Test and ADV Stats can conflict a lot. No better example than Mikko Koivu's statistical possession numbers and what he has actually accomplished in a game. ADV stats guys can paint picture of Koivu limiting opponents severely by simply not allowing them to possess the puck when he is on the ice BUT in watching the game I know I can lose my mind watching him CREATE nothing with the puck. Have to put each view of hockey into context with regard to perspective.

In multiple games this year the Wild have driven and dominated the play only to see opponents score quick fluky goals that meant a loss for the Wild. The shots on goal stat too is so misleading with regard to production in the case of the Wild who seem to love the quick flip wrist shot to the chest of the netminder with NO ONE in the dirty areas to get a rebound!
- Tony Dean

This is where the Wild NEED a goalie like Harding. Harding is a goalie who steals games, he's a goalie that can play well and help hold his team in games by himself.
Backstrom is moderately less better in this area and IMO, Kuemper is the one goal tender on this roster that aboslutley NEEDS his defense and team to narrow the opportunities of opponents and minimize high percentage opportunities. Kuemper has proven to be very average at best when the game is left on his glove, less a handful of exceptional games, where I'm betting he had a ton of defensive support throughout.

I'm no advanced stat guru and honestly I don't really know much about all the numbers. I'm really just starting to learn. But I think there may be some that are going to try to start incorporating some kind of metric in terms of shot distance. My big argument against the Wild being this great team is that their possession is largely on the perimeter and for all the possession they have, they draw very few penalties which is an indication they are not possessing the puck in the real dangerous areas of the ice. It looks good in the numbers but it just doesn't look as good on the ice.

I agree with you on Koivu too. His possession number are good but he is frustrating to watch when it comes to creating offensive chances. And that's why I think playing him with the more highly skilled wingers is a mistake.
- Chinaski

Agreed. In years past before the influx of high end talent that started rolling in here in Minny, I thought Koivu was always more successful on lines with less talent and more grit and grinder style of play. Plus it gave him more offensive opportunities against lower line talent which I believed enabled him to be a little more free spirited and creative offensively.

Agreed. In years past before the influx of high end talent that started rolling in here in Minny, I thought Koivu was always more successful on lines with less talent and more grit and grinder style of play. Plus it gave him more offensive opportunities against lower line talent which I believed enabled him to be a little more free spirited and creative offensively.
- MnGump

Well, now Parise gets to play grinder with him. It's a shame. At least Haula and Zucker are getting a look together now.

This is where the Wild NEED a goalie like Harding. Harding is a goalie who steals games, he's a goalie that can play well and help hold his team in games by himself.
Backstrom is moderately less better in this area and IMO, Kuemper is the one goal tender on this roster that aboslutley NEEDS his defense and team to narrow the opportunities of opponents and minimize high percentage opportunities. Kuemper has proven to be very average at best when the game is left on his glove, less a handful of exceptional games, where I'm betting he had a ton of defensive support throughout.
- MnGump

I'm going to preface this by saying we all have different opinions on this team and hockey in general. Many, many years ago I was once a 'tender, and that's the position I watch and critique the most.

My opinion on Harding is that he absolutely can steal games - this is a point on which we both agree. However, up to this point in his career he has always been an extremely streaky goalie. He'll steal a few games - sometimes in a row - and then he'll throw in a few duds for good measure. He does not have the consistency to be considered a great goalie, yet. He absolutely has the potential, but he has the characteristics that plague many goalies - the most important being his mental state. Not only that, but he consistently has health issues, not necessarily related to MS.

Kuemper is showing signs of consistency at a young age, and I think he may very well turn into a great goaltender. Only time will tell on that. But at this point, I'd rather have a tandem of Backs and Kuemper than Harding tossed in the mix. I am a Backstrom sympathizer, though. The past few seasons he's been playing injured or playing out-of-practice - I feel he has the capability and mental fortitude to still be a very good goalie in this league.

One of the reasons I like keeping tuned in to the Leafs situation - this epic meltdown is great - Steve Dangle - LeafsNation.com

I'm going to preface this by saying we all have different opinions on this team and hockey in general. Many, many years ago I was once a 'tender, and that's the position I watch and critique the most.

My opinion on Harding is that he absolutely can steal games - this is a point on which we both agree. However, up to this point in his career he has always been an extremely streaky goalie. He'll steal a few games - sometimes in a row - and then he'll throw in a few duds for good measure. He does not have the consistency to be considered a great goalie, yet. He absolutely has the potential, but he has the characteristics that plague many goalies - the most important being his mental state. Not only that, but he consistently has health issues, not necessarily related to MS.

Kuemper is showing signs of consistency at a young age, and I think he may very well turn into a great goaltender. Only time will tell on that. But at this point, I'd rather have a tandem of Backs and Kuemper than Harding tossed in the mix. I am a Backstrom sympathizer, though. The past few seasons he's been playing injured or playing out-of-practice - I feel he has the capability and mental fortitude to still be a very good goalie in this league.
- deslni01

I disagree with 64% of what you just said, but you should post more often

Just listening to Louie's segment on Barreiro from yesterday talking about Vanek. I'm cherry-picking the comments a little here:

DB: Name the two players that he should play with that in your ideal world to get the most out of what he has to offer.

LN:Well, the ideal player for him to play with is gonna be Granlund... Granlund's the best playmaking center on the team by a country mile.

A lot of Peterson talk in his segment but during that Louie had some interesting things to say about getting rid of star players before their performance declines.

TSN 1050 - Leafs Lunch Hour 2

Good story from McLennan about Manny Fernandez and shots on goal stats (41:15 - 42:00).

Then a funny Lemaire impression around 43:28 - listen from 42:55 for the context.

Just listening to Louie's segment on Barreiro from yesterday talking about Vanek. I'm cherry-picking the comments a little here:

DB: Name the two players that he should play with that in your ideal world to get the most out of what he has to offer.

LN:Well, the ideal player for him to play with is gonna be Granlund... Granlund's the best playmaking center on the team by a country mile.

A lot of Peterson talk in his segment but during that Louie had some interesting things to say about getting rid of star players before their performance declines.
- Chinaski

Yep I heard it live. That's the thing I love and hate most about Louie, he's always 100% honest and he's seemingly always right.

Yep I heard it live. That's the thing I love and hate most about Louie, he's always 100% honest and he's seemingly always right.
- MnGump

Lou Nanne is the most HONEST no politics or BS Hockey Mainstream Media contributor in MInnesota. Guy is a LEGEND though so the Wild can do nothing but grin and bear it.

No with me on the other hand haha #FrozenOut

Brand New WildWednesday at www.jeffdubayshow.com please give it a listen!

Yep I heard it live. That's the thing I love and hate most about Louie, he's always 100% honest and he's seemingly always right.
- MnGump

He didn't necessarily come right out and advocate for set lines though. But he did make it pretty clear that Vanek needs to play with someone who will get him the puck. Vanek basically said that a few weeks ago. It's evident that Granlund is best suited for that. They've just had little time together.

I wonder if Granlund's lack of production has something to do with a bit of a style change with his play. When he was most effective last year he was really engaged more physically and I think the organization wants him to be a bit more cautious with his physical play to try to avoid the concussions. It occurred to me when I heard Yeo say that he's playing a little too much east/west. Maybe he is but maybe it's by design and it will take him time to figure out how to be as effective offensively.

No with me on the other hand haha #FrozenOut
- Tony Dean

Tony, do you or have you tried getting a press credential from the Wild? They've always seemed reluctant to to include the blogosphere but Brad did have one for awhile I thought.

He didn't necessarily come right out and advocate for set lines though. But he did make it pretty clear that Vanek needs to play with someone who will get him the puck. Vanek basically said that a few weeks ago. It's evident that Granlund is best suited for that. They've just had little time together.

I wonder if Granlund's lack of production has something to do with a bit of a style change with his play. When he was most effective last year he was really engaged more physically and I think the organization wants him to be a bit more cautious with his physical play to try to avoid the concussions. It occurred to me when I heard Yeo say that he's playing a little too much east/west. Maybe he is but maybe it's by design and it will take him time to figure out how to be as effective offensively.
- Chinaski

The kid just broke out a bit last season, I think it's safe to say his development is no where near complete. As with many of these guys, he needs a bit more time to grow into the NHL and his respective role on this team.