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Paul Martin + for Niederreiter, Coyle or Pomminville!

Paul Martin + for Niederreiter, Coyle or Pomminville!
- Barnaby36

NO

NO
- Tony Dean

Tony don't you think Martin, a hometown player, would be good for Minn? He would make your D-line instantly better, no doubt.

Tony don't you think Martin, a hometown player, would be good for Minn? He would make your D-line instantly better, no doubt.
- Barnaby36

Maybe but not for Nino or any the players you mentioned.

Welcome back, I was starting to worry about you.

Closing out games, Power Play, consistent goaltending. If this team can address these issues, they shouldn't have any worries about making the playoffs. Yes, it's up to the players to raise their game another level and to take care of the sloppiness but Yeo is going to have to do a hell of a job of coaching to help get this in gear, and thus far, many of his decisions have perplexed me to say the least.

Tony don't you think Martin, a hometown player, would be good for Minn? He would make your D-line instantly better, no doubt.
- Barnaby36

A)Our D, when healthy, is the least of our concerns.
B)This team has enough locals as it is. Hometown guys do not equal success
C)Your proposal is complete crap (although my excitement for Coyle has quickly faded)

Russo reported Vanek was with Granlund and Parise, not Pominville. I'm not sure that is going to work. I believe Yeo feels that Vanek needs to work harder and playing with Parise will help him do that. But I think he will play the right side instead of the left if that is going to be the line combination and I thought one of his reasons for his slow start was that he wasn't as comfortable on the right. We'll see. I just don't think you can magically turn Vanek into a worker.

(although my excitement for Coyle has quickly faded)
- SotaPopinski

What is up with that guy? Just won't engage physically and never seems to have the puck. I wonder if he is 100% healthy.

Welcome back, I was starting to worry about you.

Closing out games, Power Play, consistent goaltending. If this team can address these issues, they shouldn't have any worries about making the playoffs. Yes, it's up to the players to raise their game another level and to take care of the sloppiness but Yeo is going to have to do a hell of a job of coaching to help get this in gear, and thus far, many of his decisions have perplexed me to say the least.
- SotaPopinski

I would say our center depth, once thought to be deep, is also cause for concern. The contending teams have great depth down the middle and at least one center that can put the puck in the net with regularity. The Wild dont have this, at least not yet. So until the PP, goaltending and center play picks up, they will be hovering around that 8th seed wild card spot.

Maybe but not for Nino or any the players you mentioned.
- Tony Dean

Really? A top pairing puck moving D man that can QB the PP is not worth a 3rd line player?

Really? A top pairing puck moving D man that can QB the PP is not worth a 3rd line player?
- sammy87

A top pairing d man who is an FA at the end of the year and will probably command a price the Wild cannot afford to pay.

Congratulations T! My wife and I also had challenges getting pregnant! After much struggle and a small fortune we finally had twins! Good luck and god bless!

Really? A top pairing puck moving D man that can QB the PP is not worth a 3rd line player?
- sammy87

We need Jesus Christ to fix our PP, not Paul Martin.

A top pairing d man who is an FA at the end of the year and will probably command a price the Wild cannot afford to pay.
- mnhockeyguy

All of this would be assuming he would resign in Minn.

All of this would be assuming he would resign in Minn.
- sammy87

The Wild's top four right now (and signed for next season) are Suter, Brodin, Scandella, and Spurgeon. It's a viable top four and I'm not sure that at the price Martin would command he would bring much more than any of those defenseman. Besides, his age is also something that is likely to make the Wild shy away. To move a guy like Spurgeon or Scandella, who are much younger and likely cheaper, isn't going to be a good move for the Wild. Especially if it means giving up a young winger.

I'm not sure Martin would come hear anyway. There was talk the Wild was after him a few years ago and he said no.

I would say our center depth, once thought to be deep, is also cause for concern. The contending teams have great depth down the middle and at least one center that can put the puck in the net with regularity. The Wild dont have this, at least not yet. So until the PP, goaltending and center play picks up, they will be hovering around that 8th seed wild card spot.
- mnhockeyguy

Bingo! This team is very weak offensively down the middle.

The Wild's top four right now (and signed for next season) are Suter, Brodin, Scandella, and Spurgeon. It's a viable top four and I'm not sure that at the price Martin would command he would bring much more than any of those defenseman. Besides, his age is also something that is likely to make the Wild shy away. To move a guy like Spurgeon or Scandella, who are much younger and likely cheaper, isn't going to be a good move for the Wild. Especially if it means giving up a young winger.

I'm not sure Martin would come hear anyway. There was talk the Wild was after him a few years ago and he said no.
- Chinaski

I don't like the idea of bringing in another uber expensive D man, although I'm willing to listen to a good argument in regards to doing so. But not at the expense of any core players, especially the young guns. Maybe Coyle, but then again, I'd like to see this young corps stick around and gel together for a long term run.

I'm still holding out hope that Coyle is going to become a bonafide power forward on this team. If the Wild can sign a Paul Martin as a UFA I'd be fine with it, but in no way do I think it would be a good move to trade for him.

The Wild's top four right now (and signed for next season) are Suter, Brodin, Scandella, and Spurgeon. It's a viable top four and I'm not sure that at the price Martin would command he would bring much more than any of those defenseman. Besides, his age is also something that is likely to make the Wild shy away. To move a guy like Spurgeon or Scandella, who are much younger and likely cheaper, isn't going to be a good move for the Wild. Especially if it means giving up a young winger.

I'm not sure Martin would come hear anyway. There was talk the Wild was after him a few years ago and he said no.
- Chinaski

I'm not as high on Spurgeon as others are. He is good offensively and sound from a position stand point but I think we are seeing teams bully him more, especially in front of the net where he cannot move out bigger forwards screening the goalie. His - numbers are worse, and I thought last year during the playoffs his lack of size was really exposed and that seems to have continued this season. His stock will never be higher than it is now, so I wouldnt be opposed to moving him out, especially if it was for a center who can score!

I'm not as high on Spurgeon as others are. He is good offensively and sound from a position stand point but I think we are seeing teams bully him more, especially in front of the net where he cannot move out bigger forwards screening the goalie. His - numbers are worse, and I thought last year during the playoffs his lack of size was really exposed and that seems to have continued this season. His stock will never be higher than it is now, so I wouldnt be opposed to moving him out, especially if it was for a center who can score!
- mnhockeyguy

OK, I can get on board with that. But who is trading a center that can score for Spurgeon? I think Spurgeon is one of those guys that you'll never get that much from in a trade and losing him is probably going to be worse. He's a guy that is more than serviceable and at his price in a cap system he's good to have. But if there's a team that is willing to trade a good player for him, I'm certainly not opposed to that. But I would think many teams have the same concerns about him that you've pointed out.

Pretty good news for the Wild:

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris 27m27 minutes ago
Next season's salary cap number is still very speculative, but NHL governors were told $71M at worst case and $75M at best case.

Should emphasize that the "worst case" involves the Cdn dollar plummeting even more than economists are predicting. So the cap is going up.

- Chris Johnston's Twitter (@reporterchris)

Could give them up to $15 million more to fill out the roster for next year (currently at 15 players for $59.7 million per CapGeek)

OK, I can get on board with that. But who is trading a center that can score for Spurgeon? I think Spurgeon is one of those guys that you'll never get that much from in a trade and losing him is probably going to be worse. He's a guy that is more than serviceable and at his price in a cap system he's good to have. But if there's a team that is willing to trade a good player for him, I'm certainly not opposed to that. But I would think many teams have the same concerns about him that you've pointed out.
- Chinaski

One team I was thinking of was Phoenix. If they end up trading Yandle they will need to replace his offense which Spurgeon would to some extent. He is also very good at zone exits and driving the play forward. Id see if you could put together a trade of Spurgeon/Coyle/and perhaps a second for Boedker or Hanzel. I dont like to entertain trade hypotheticals typically but with Phoenix tanking, and ready to start the transition to young guys they might be a good trade partner?

I'm not as high on Spurgeon as others are. He is good offensively and sound from a position stand point but I think we are seeing teams bully him more, especially in front of the net where he cannot move out bigger forwards screening the goalie. His - numbers are worse, and I thought last year during the playoffs his lack of size was really exposed and that seems to have continued this season. His stock will never be higher than it is now, so I wouldnt be opposed to moving him out, especially if it was for a center who can score!
- mnhockeyguy

I'm not necessarily "high" on him, but I do think Spurgeon plays a key role on this team as an offensive defenseman, his size(or lackthereof) leaves much to be desired, but his keen hockey IQ is an intangible that cannot be quantified IMO.

For as small a player as he is, I think he plays the position well, very well. He's certainly not afraid to dive right into the dirty areas and is more than willing to give and take a substantial hit. Not an ideal guy on an already smallish team, but a key role player nonetheless.

I don't think he hurts the team, but I do think the lack of size on this roster amplifies his smallish stature.

I'm not necessarily "high" on him, but I do think Spurgeon plays a key role on this team as an offensive defenseman, his size(or lackthereof) leaves much to be desired, but his keen hockey IQ is an intangible that cannot be quantified IMO.

For as small a player as he is, I think he plays the position well, very well. He's certainly not afraid to dive right into the dirty areas and is more than willing to give and take a substantial hit. Not an ideal guy on an already smallish team, but a key role player nonetheless.

I don't think he hurts the team, but I do think the lack of size on this roster amplifies his smallish stature.
- MnGump

Yep I completely agree! But I would be a lot more comfortable keeping him if they were playing him on the 3rd d line where they could shelter him a little more. Being on the second line exposes him to a lot of heavy weights in the West. I do think he is replaceable though. Folin might have his offensive upside and hockey IQ, but with more size.

Yep I completely agree! But I would be a lot more comfortable keeping him if they were playing him on the 3rd d line where they could shelter him a little more. Being on the second line exposes him to a lot of heavy weights in the West. I do think he is replaceable though. Folin might have his offensive upside and hockey IQ, but with more size.
- mnhockeyguy

Agreed. I do like the looks of Folins point shot! Not necessarily a bomb, but he looks like he could be surgical with it given enough time.