Dan Wallace: Pretenders to Contenders? Wild Host Caps

The trade deadline is now just under 2 weeks away. What will the Wild do if anything. Chuck Fletcher said that he is going to be active working the phones, but also made the comment that they Wild cap situation is going to be much better this Summer. That is an interesting statement, considering he will have to resign Matt Dumba and Jason Zucker who have earned the right to command significant raises.

So what does Chuck have in the works to free up the necessary cash and who is on the move?

Chuck is blowing a ton of smoke up our bums. Chuck isn't lighting up anyone's phones because he knows he is stuck with what he has and has nothing in the works in the off-season because he has backed the club into a corner.

Signing that Koivu deal last year was the icing on the "I'm in over my head" cake.

It will be the Devan Dubnyk show or no show at all. Hopefully they are ready and this team will have to create some offense soon from the forwards.

Measuring stick game. I'm not getting my hopes up considering the Mild's history against the Caps. The only trade that Chuck would make that would net us any value would be trading Coyle.

Measuring stick game. I'm not getting my hopes up considering the Mild's history against the Caps. The only trade that Chuck would make that would net us any value would be trading Coyle.
- mnMild

Why would we trade Coyle, maybe we should just have the coach play Coyle with Staal and Niederreiter and waive Ennis (Anus) Coyle would bring a nice return and he would probably find himself a lock in the top six somewhere else. Dumba with a pair tonite.

Why would we trade Coyle, maybe we should just have the coach play Coyle with Staal and Niederreiter and waive Ennis (Anus) Coyle would bring a nice return and he would probably find himself a lock in the top six somewhere else. Dumba with a pair tonite.
- joegreif17

I didn't say SHOULD trade Coyle, I said that he would be the only trade chuck COULD make that would net us any valuable return. Trading Stewart, Ennis, Foligno, Cullen, Winnik, etc. wouldn't bring much back that would actually be helpful to the team.

I would love to see Coyle with Nino and Staal, I've said it before on here. That line was a force last year when they were together.

I would love to see Coyle with Nino and Staal, I've said it before on here. That line was a force last year when they were together.

Only problem there is you are putting your best 3 BIG skill guys on 1 line. I think you need some muscle spread around the lines. I know Zucker, JEE and Foligno do throw their weight around, but Zuck and Jee are a little smaller, and Foggy isn't as skilled.

I think the only way the Wild have a chance to win tonight is if they stay out of the penalty box. If they have to kill some penalties, the PK should just assign someone to stick to Ovi like glue and let the other 3 play against the Caps other 4. Ovi seems to score from that left side EVERY game against the Wild on the PP.

I will say that it is nice to see Parise is getting back to his old self somewhat now. That cheesy goalie he got was vintage Parise, back-checking hard and disrupting the breakout.

Chuck is blowing a ton of smoke up our bums. Chuck isn't lighting up anyone's phones because he knows he is stuck with what he has and has nothing in the works in the off-season because he has backed the club into a corner.

Signing that Koivu deal last year was the icing on the "I'm in over my head" cake.
- bmgarvert

CF is not going to get ANYTHING back in return for what he needs to trade away. Ennis, Stewart and Reilly will net nothing. The only thing he can hope for is to basically give Ennis away (maybe packaged with Reilly) for a career minor leaguer. That is about the only good way to open up cap space for this summer...and give the Wild the ability to sign Zucker and Dumba to bigger contracts. The Wild really need to work something out with teams like Arizone, Carolina, The Lanch or Vegas.

Only problem there is you are putting your best 3 BIG skill guys on 1 line. I think you need some muscle spread around the lines. I know Zucker, JEE and Foligno do throw their weight around, but Zuck and Jee are a little smaller, and Foggy isn't as skilled.

I think the only way the Wild have a chance to win tonight is if they stay out of the penalty box. If they have to kill some penalties, the PK should just assign someone to stick to Ovi like glue and let the other 3 play against the Caps other 4. Ovi seems to score from that left side EVERY game against the Wild on the PP.

I will say that it is nice to see Parise is getting back to his old self somewhat now. That cheesy goalie he got was vintage Parise, back-checking hard and disrupting the breakout.
- Gusrichards

I hear you there gus, hence the reason ennis is playing on staal line. Also, agree 100% on your penalty take. Ovie lights the wild up like a christmas tree from that left circle. Hopefully these more balanced lines keep gelling and they can finally get a W against the caps.

CF is not going to get ANYTHING back in return for what he needs to trade away. Ennis, Stewart and Reilly will net nothing. The only thing he can hope for is to basically give Ennis away (maybe packaged with Reilly) for a career minor leaguer. That is about the only good way to open up cap space for this summer...and give the Wild the ability to sign Zucker and Dumba to bigger contracts. The Wild really need to work something out with teams like Arizone, Carolina, The Lanch or Vegas.
- Gusrichards

Vegas would probably love to work with the Wild after they hooked them up at the expansion draft.

Vegas would probably love to work with the Wild after they hooked them up at the expansion draft.
- bmgarvert

Yes and they made quite a Haula haha