Dan Wallace: Streaking Wild Return Home to Host Flames

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Dan Wallace: Streaking Wild Return Home to Host Flames
- Dan Wallace

I think you meant "Streaky" Wild didn't you Dan ?

Well that was one ugly game... By all rights I think the Wild are very lucky to come away with a W.

Couple of things...

Very good puck possession on the PP, but might want to consider getting actual shots on net. So many prime one timers that were never on net.

Still struggling with discipline and too many penalties.

Did Cullen decide that he's going to start being apart of this years squad?? I haven't looked, but his ice time had to have almost doubled last night.

It's absolutely amazing that Calgary couldn't win that game in OT, holy smokes how many odd man and yawning/open net opportunities did they have??? WOW!

Lastly, Gaudreaus' shoot out goal in my mind should not have counted. He was no longer skating towards the net while dragging the puck backwards with him. League needs to look at this one IMO and make sure they get it right next time.

Yeah, that Gaudreau SO goal should not have counted. But I think the league is scrambling on it, as they probably never considered someone doing that. But it really depends on how they interpret how the rule is written.

My thoughts on the game last night. For Cullen, I tweeted out before the start that Cullen was going to score first for the Wild. Kudos for me on that one. As for his time on ice, over the last 5 games, he has been 8 minutes (roughly) except for last night (12 minutes) and the Kings game (almost 13 minutes). He is averaging about 11 minutes TOI, so there is the start of an uptick, though only slightly. But he did seem more engaged last night then he has for most of the season.

And even though Suter had 30 minutes of TOI (Dumba has over 31), I was happy to see that Suter had the least amount on the PP. Murphy led with 2:32, Dumba @2:02, Brodin @ 1:58 and Suter with 1:28. That is a move in the right direct if you ask me. And when it came to PK, Suter in Dumba were at 4 minutes, where Brodin and Prosser were at 2. Dumba is young enough to play a lot of minutes, but I am glad to see Suter being used more defensively on special teams then offensively.

Even Koivu was used more on the PK then on the PP, although he was still 3rd on TOI for the PP, behind Staal and Granlund. I really think Coyle and Nino should be getting more TOI, along with JEE, then Koivu. I really can't wait for Parise to be back playing. But in the meantime, I wish they would keep Kunin up here so he can learn the game better. His last 5 games he has 2 goals and 1 assist, but I really believe he would be better server up with the big club. I would like to see these lines running now...

Kunin - Staal - Granlund
Nino - JEE - Coyle
Zucker - Koivu - Mitchell
Winnik - Cullen - Foligno/Stewart

Actually, the more I look at this, it's going to be a real mess when Parise comes back. Ennis on the bench last night was good, and I guess Kunin stays in the AHL (just put Parise's name in place of Kunin)...they still have to decide among Stewart/Foligno. But for the 4th line, that would be an ok problem to have.

I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but Foligno and Ennis... Oye vey... Foligno like Ennis seemingly works his butt off but really never makes much of a difference. Not unike Ennis he seems to be snake bitten when getting prime scoring chances and tends to bobble or lose the puck at key moments in the offensive zone.

I like his physical play but IMO that his the only thing keeping him on the ice.

So 2 years @ $4.6 and $2.9 for a combined $7.5 mill against the cap for 2 players that basically skate up and down the ice for a living.

Beg's the question would any other GM be dumb enough to take a flyer on either player if they were placed on waivers? Can't imagine either one has any kind of NMC in their deal.

I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but Foligno and Ennis... Oye vey... Foligno like Ennis seemingly works his butt off but really never makes much of a difference. Not unike Ennis he seems to be snake bitten when getting prime scoring chances and tends to bobble or lose the puck at key moments in the offensive zone.

I like his physical play but IMO that his the only thing keeping him on the ice.

So 2 years @ $4.6 and $2.9 for a combined $7.5 mill against the cap for 2 players that basically skate up and down the ice for a living.

Beg's the question would any other GM be dumb enough to take a flyer on either player if they were placed on waivers? Can't imagine either one has any kind of NMC in their deal.
- MnGump

No more trading with Buffalo.....please?!

I am wondering if Arizona would do a trade for Hjalmarsson? Say, Ennis, Olofsson and Justin Kloos? Ennis helps them keep above the cap floor, Olofsson gets the time to develop, since Arizona isn't going anywhere at the moment, and Kloos is a future project. Again, my dream world.....

I am wondering if Arizona would do a trade for Hjalmarsson? Say, Ennis, Olofsson and Justin Kloos? Ennis helps them keep above the cap floor, Olofsson gets the time to develop, since Arizona isn't going anywhere at the moment, and Kloos is a future project. Again, my dream world.....
- Gusrichards

I'd be willing