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Forums :: Blog World :: Dan Wallace: Fletch Went All In, For 1 Playoff win!
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Dan Wallace
Joined: 09.15.2005

Apr 25 @ 8:00 AM ET
Dan Wallace: Fletch Went All In, For 1 Playoff win!
VopatsRash
Nashville Predators
Joined: 07.06.2013

Apr 25 @ 8:54 AM ET
Suter lied to the Preds organization. I was at a radio interview where he told the crowd he was coming back to big cheers from the audience. Would have been traded had he been an honest person, after the fact tells people he hoped he would sign somewhere with Parise all along. Wild and Suter deserve each other
bmgarvert
Minnesota Wild
Joined: 07.15.2009

Apr 25 @ 9:15 AM ET
Now I am not saying that Fletcher needs to go....


I think you should.
Gerk
St Louis Blues
Location: say it aint so TARASENKO, YT
Joined: 01.07.2008

Apr 25 @ 9:15 AM ET
Suter is a rock = fair assessment

rock, pylon, cone etc
bmgarvert
Minnesota Wild
Joined: 07.15.2009

Apr 25 @ 9:16 AM ET
Suter lied to the Preds organization. I was at a radio interview where he told the crowd he was coming back to big cheers from the audience. Would have been traded had he been an honest person, after the fact tells people he hoped he would sign somewhere with Parise all along. Wild and Suter deserve each other
- VopatsRash


And yet at this point in time the Preds organization is having more success without him, so what's your point?
bcallaway
St Louis Blues
Location: The Clown may be the source of mirth - but who shall make the clown laugh?
Joined: 03.29.2006

Apr 25 @ 9:50 AM ET
"We were the best team!!!! We only lost four games the entire post-season."

Cephalopods
Joined: 10.24.2008

Apr 25 @ 9:55 AM ET
Suter is fantastic, but boy-oh-boy are the Wild gonna hate that contract 7 years from now.

MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 11:15 AM ET
"We were the best team!!!! We only lost four games the entire post-season."


- bcallaway


You still here whining about winning?
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 11:23 AM ET
And yet at this point in time the Preds organization is having more success without him, so what's your point?
- bmgarvert


Exactly... still butt hurt over Suter leaving, yet have been a better team every season since he left.

I can see Devils fans being a little more upset over Parise leaving because they've pretty much sucked since then.

Either way, lied, told the truth, or said nothing, the narrative no matter which sport is that "it's a business"... and when the organization plays the deception game that's exactly what people say... "it's a business". Yet when players do it, they're turned on, ridiculed and treated like scum of the earth.

HockeyHop
Nashville Predators
Location: TN
Joined: 07.30.2008

Apr 25 @ 11:34 AM ET

Exactly... still butt hurt over Suter leaving, yet have been a better team every season since he left.

I can see Devils fans being a little more upset over Parise leaving because they've pretty much sucked since then.

Either way, lied, told the truth, or said nothing, the narrative no matter which sport is that "it's a business"... and when the organization plays the deception game that's exactly what people say... "it's a business". Yet when players do it, they're turned on, ridiculed and treated like scum of the earth.

- MnGump


Except your narrative has no basis in reality. Predators missed the playoffs (13th and 10) 12-13 an 13-14 the two years after Suter left for farm and family.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 11:36 AM ET
Dan Wallace: Fletch Went All In, For 1 Playoff win!
- Dan Wallace


I think too much is being made of Hanzels performance in his short time here... and what I mean by that is even in light of his seemingly productive stats I think he hindered the team more than helped.

After his arrival, there was an immediately noticeable slow down on the ice whenever he was out there. Aside from face off wins, I thought his play was demonstratively slow and plodding. He loafed on every line change and turned the puck over a lot.

White started like he was shot out of a cannon, and fizzled rather quickly after his 5 points in his first few games.

All in all, hind sight being what it is and all, could possibly be the worst trade deal Fletcher has ever perpetrated on the Wild fans.... and that's saying a lot considering he orchestrated the trades of Burns and Leddy to name a couple of real stinkers.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 11:49 AM ET
Except your narrative has no basis in reality. Predators missed the playoffs (13th and 10) 12-13 an 13-14 the two years after Suter left for farm and family.
- HockeyHop

My narrative has nothing to do with how well or poor they played in the immediate years following his departure. My point is that the team is better now than when he was there.

The narrative is in reference to giving the organizations a pass when they lie to players and fans to get what's in the best interest of their "business" and indicting the character of individual players when they do the same.
MNHawksfan
Joined: 05.17.2015

Apr 25 @ 11:54 AM ET
But who do people around the NHL think about when they think Minnesota Wild?


I for one thought the Wild were one of the most dangerous clubs in hockey. We're always harder on our own teams but if you look at all the teams in the NHL, maybe only Washington had better over depth on all 4 lines. Having scoring and veteran players on all 4 lines is a luxury most teams do not have.
bcallaway
St Louis Blues
Location: The Clown may be the source of mirth - but who shall make the clown laugh?
Joined: 03.29.2006

Apr 25 @ 11:57 AM ET
You still here whining about winning?
- MnGump



Second round hasn't started yet. I'm bored.
MNHawksfan
Joined: 05.17.2015

Apr 25 @ 11:58 AM ET
The great defenseman that have won Cups, led by Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty are constants when it comes to Norris Trophy discussion before during and after the season. Something that you rarely hear Suter's name associated with. So is that because he is just overlooked playing in Minnesota, or is it because he is just not in that elite level, even though his contract states otherwise?

This is a very interesting point. In 2010 Duncan Keith was still an all world defenseman in Chicago. When Chicago played the Flyers, we learned that there is a difference between and all world or great defenseman and a Hall of Famer as we got to see first hand how good Pronger was even late in his career. This seems also to be true in a sense about Suter and to some extent Parise. A very good defenseman and very good player, but maybe not a difference maker.

I also agree that Hanzel hurt the team more than he helped. The Wild have always been a fast time. Adding a player that really made that line more ineffective than effective had extended negative impact on the other lines.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:02 PM ET
But who do people around the NHL think about when they think Minnesota Wild?


I for one thought the Wild were one of the most dangerous clubs in hockey. We're always harder on our own teams but if you look at all the teams in the NHL, maybe only Washington had better over depth on all 4 lines. Having scoring and veteran players on all 4 lines is a luxury most teams do not have.

- MNHawksfan


I felt that way before Hanzel and White were acquired. Wild had all 4 lines going pretty good. I thought Schroeder was more of a difference maker than Hanzel was and he definitely had the edge in speed. Then the wheels seemingly fell off coming out of the bye week. And it seems stupid to say because I do believe Hanzel was one of if not the top point getter over the last month of the season, but Wild suffered from the intangibles the he was lacking as well as any semblance of speed or intensity.

MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:03 PM ET
Second round hasn't started yet. I'm bored.
- bcallaway

Fair enough. What's your prediction for the series?
bcallaway
St Louis Blues
Location: The Clown may be the source of mirth - but who shall make the clown laugh?
Joined: 03.29.2006

Apr 25 @ 12:08 PM ET
Fair enough. What's your prediction for the series?
- MnGump



Can't come up with a feel for this one. Flip a coin. I could see either team winning this series. They're very similar teams right now.

I had anticipated Minnesota winning in six games, so I'll stick with the same mojo and pick the Preds in six.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:09 PM ET
The great defenseman that have won Cups, led by Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty are constants when it comes to Norris Trophy discussion before during and after the season. Something that you rarely hear Suter's name associated with. So is that because he is just overlooked playing in Minnesota, or is it because he is just not in that elite level, even though his contract states otherwise?

This is a very interesting point. In 2010 Duncan Keith was still an all world defenseman in Chicago. When Chicago played the Flyers, we learned that there is a difference between and all world or great defenseman and a Hall of Famer as we got to see first hand how good Pronger was even late in his career. This seems also to be true in a sense about Suter and to some extent Parise. A very good defenseman and very good player, but maybe not a difference maker.

I also agree that Hanzel hurt the team more than he helped. The Wild have always been a fast time. Adding a player that really made that line more ineffective than effective had extended negative impact on the other lines.

- MNHawksfan


I think it's Suters game in general that causes him to be overlooked. He's just an extremely all around solid d man. There's nothing flashy or nifty about his play. he always seems to look effortless while being extremely efficient and effecteive.

He doesn't stand out as an elite player in my mind but if you listen to analysts and hockey wonks around the league he's lauded as one of the top d men.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:15 PM ET
Can't come up with a feel for this one. Flip a coin. I could see either team winning this series. They're very similar teams right now.

I had anticipated Minnesota winning in six games, so I'll stick with the same mojo and pick the Preds in six.

- bcallaway


I don't think Chicago played well but I don't know if that's because the Preds looked like world beaters or the Hawks just didn't bring their A game.

Question in my mind is can the Blues keep up that level of defensive play and can Allen continue to stand on his head?

Laviolettes offensive scheme looks better than what Boudreau brought to the ice.
MNHawksfan
Joined: 05.17.2015

Apr 25 @ 12:23 PM ET
I don't think Chicago played well but I don't know if that's because the Preds looked like world beaters or the Hawks just didn't bring their A game.

Question in my mind is can the Blues keep up that level of defensive play and can Allen continue to stand on his head?

Laviolettes offensive scheme looks better than what Boudreau brought to the ice.

- MnGump


Take it from this fan that Chicago did not play well but Nashville played extremely well which is a big reason why the series was so one sided. As a result Chicago has fired 2 coaches. Chicago was outplayed and out coached. In the first game Nashville sat back and defended. The next game they hit everything that moved. Chicago had no idea how to respond and had no push back.
I feel Nashville is the deeper team but the Blues have better goaltending. I think the Blues 4th line is average at best while Nashville's first line is better then the Blues first line. Has the makings of a 6-7 game series.
bcallaway
St Louis Blues
Location: The Clown may be the source of mirth - but who shall make the clown laugh?
Joined: 03.29.2006

Apr 25 @ 12:41 PM ET
I don't think Chicago played well but I don't know if that's because the Preds looked like world beaters or the Hawks just didn't bring their A game.

Question in my mind is can the Blues keep up that level of defensive play and can Allen continue to stand on his head?

Laviolettes offensive scheme looks better than what Boudreau brought to the ice.

- MnGump


If Nashville continues to dominate at the level they did against Chicago, forget it. There's nothing to worry about. They'll go 16-0. What the Blues do won't matter.

They can't dominate at that level continually and Jake Allen cannot continue at his level. I expect some leveling off, so to speak.

It'll be a different series and I'll take it however it comes. I didn't expect the Blues to get to this point to begin with.

MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:47 PM ET
If Nashville continues to dominate at the level they did against Chicago, forget it. There's nothing to worry about. They'll go 16-0. What the Blues do won't matter.

They can't dominate at that level continually and Jake Allen cannot continue at his level. I expect some leveling off, so to speak.

It'll be a different series and I'll take it however it comes. I didn't expect the Blues to get to this point to begin with.

- bcallaway

Nor did I, but if they can keep up that level of defensive play I think they can get by Smushville. They've done nothing but ramp it up since Yeo injected his system into the Blues line up. Only thing I'd be worried about is scoring.

MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Apr 25 @ 12:52 PM ET
Take it from this fan that Chicago did not play well but Nashville played extremely well which is a big reason why the series was so one sided. As a result Chicago has fired 2 coaches. Chicago was outplayed and out coached. In the first game Nashville sat back and defended. The next game they hit everything that moved. Chicago had no idea how to respond and had no push back.
I feel Nashville is the deeper team but the Blues have better goaltending. I think the Blues 4th line is average at best while Nashville's first line is better then the Blues first line. Has the makings of a 6-7 game series.

- MNHawksfan


Hawks have been my second favorite team for the past several seasons even though I'm tired of losing to them!
It was almost surreal to see them swept... especially in that fashion. I can't remember the last time that team was unable to either turn their game up a notch to come back in a post season game/series or simply just shift into a higher gear to finish off a post season opponent.



Gusrichards
Season Ticket Holder
Minnesota Wild
Location: Duluth, MN
Joined: 02.22.2012

Apr 25 @ 2:28 PM ET
Ok, the Wild were bounced waaaay before any of their fans expected. It's over, it's done. What needs to be done now to make them better for next year? Does Fletcher need to go? If so, what GM would actually want to come to this supposed mess? Does the Wild trade Granlund away right now, selling high? I've never been a fan of Granny and still believe you need size when it comes to the playoffs. I don't believe that Fletcher needs to go. He made this mess, this off-season he has a chance to fix it once and for all. If he doesn't, then he is gone after next year. Here are some of the ideas that I think should be done, based on the idea that the cap is going to jump to $76 million for next year

- Convince LV to draft Spurgeon, setting up a trade that will send Zucker to LV as well. This open up a little over $7 million in cap space.
- Trade Pominville (along with M. Reilly) back to Buffalo for Evander Kane. Will open about $350k in cap space and Kane becomes a FA after this 1 year.
- Give Nino and Granlund their due raises on 3 or 4 year contracts. They haven't become superstars yet, and did nothing in the playoffs, so I see Nino at $3.8/yr for 4 and Granny at $4/yr at 3 or 4 years...maybe even 5.
- Resign Schroeder for $750k, Haula for $1.3 mil and Folin for $1mil prove it....again deals.
- Add in Stalock as the backup, won't be worse than DK, and a lot cheaper.
- Sign Brian Boyle ($2.25 mil or less), Karl Alzner ($3.50 mil) and T.J. Oshie ($5 mil) to round out the roster. After all of this, the Wild would be sitting at about $1.2-$1.3 left in cap space. Not great, but improving.
- Could also give an extension to Koivu for 2 more years...being $4mil and $2mil, with the idea that next year, he is still a #2 C, the year after a 3C and final year a 3C or 4C. I don't know if doing that would change his cap # to go down slightly, but I am assuming that it doesn't.

Then run these lines....
Parise - Staal - Coyle
Nino - JEE - Kane
Granlund - Koivu - Oshie
Haula - Boyle - Stewart (with Schroder being the pressbox guy)

Suter - Brodin (both seemed at their best while playing together)
Alzner - Dumba (Alz is decent, if not very good defensive D man)
Scandella - Folin (Carson Soucy can be pressbox. There is nothing he is going to learn at Iowa that he hasn't learned with 4 years @ UMD)

Dubnyk / Stalock

Yes, of course signing Oshie is a pipe dream, as is getting Buffalo to take back Pominville for Kane. But we have plenty of months to play things out now, possibly building our own resume for Fletcher's job.
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