Dan Wallace: Culture Change Needed In MN

Trade Koivu and Staal.

Aging veterans that will add value to a contender.

Keep Parise.

I don't buy that it's culture issues.

A wounded team that got beat by one of the cup favourites shouldn't result in drastic changes.

I think one good question would be with Vegas going so well as a first year team, so much has been written about the leadership with the Wild, what does Vegas have as a one year term that the Wild do not in respect to leaders?
Maybe there is more to this and maybe not however back to back 100 point seasons isn't transferring over to success in the playoffs. Wonder why that is?

Trade Koivu and Staal.

Aging veterans that will add value to a contender.

Keep Parise.
- buddzy

Dont think they have a choice anyways.

Vegas success is really Gallant and the players buying into the system and executing it more often than not. Keeping there heads in the game and not worrying to much about the losses. The fact that its an expansion team probably helps this more than anything. Everyone has something to prove as an expansion team.

The Vegas situation is a team full of talented cast offs who are buying into a common goal, and are playing with a chip on their shoulders.

The Wild is a team full of complacent veterans. I see some guys commenting on here as fans of others teams around the league, if you watched this team as much as us you'd see the issues we see. They lack the level of compete that these younger hungrier teams have. Game after game we see them lose board battles and loose pucks, only to hear them spew out the same old cliches ("we need to be better", "we need to play 60 minutes"). Its gotten stale as a fan. Some of these guys need to be taken down a peg or two, they're basically locked into their roles, and there's no threat for them to be bumped down the lineup.

There's also been rumors over the last couple seasons that there may be a rift in the locker room between the vets and the younger players. Not sure how valid the rumors are/were, but there must be something if it keeps coming up.

Hoping the new GM can shake things up, and hopefully stops mortgaging the team's future to try to "win now" with a team full of under achievers.

I do believe that there has/is a rift in the locker room. And I am starting to think that it might be Koivu to a degree. He just might have a chip on his shoulder that since he has been here through all the bad times, he should be treated as the top dog in the locker room and on the ice. I have also gotten the sense that Suter is a part of the problem as well, with his dictating when he plays (always) and who he is going to partner with. And I have no problem with trading both of them away. With Koivu, I would suggest that the Wild are trying to give him the best chance at winning a cup, albeit with another team.

And as good as Suter is (or can be), if he is being a problem that is not allowing the team to gel, I am pretty sure there are plenty of teams that will line up for his services. And trading those 2 would open up about $12 mil in cap space, minus whatever they get back in return. That would definitely benefit the Wild moving forward. And as for Parise, I take him like I take Joe Mauer...too much "Minnesota Nice" in them to really broach anything in the locker room.

On a side note, mnMild, what's wrong with Duluth? I live here and like it quite a bit. Or are you just saying that it's actually a COLD city and not cool?

From what I hear and read between the lines, it's Suter. He's friends with the owner and does things with the owner's kid. That said, I believe it was the Dallas series a few years back where he and Koivu apparently had a heart to heart. However, Suter doesn't lose shifts for making mistakes and was instrumental in Yeo losing his job. Koivu has been the ultimate captain imo though many believe that it takes numbers to be a captain. He was dropped in the lineup to 2nd center (hold the he should actually be 3rd or 4th because it's not an option right now) and we heard nothing. Do that to Suter when his game goes to hell and see how he responds. As it relates to the younger guys, I can see why they'd be upset for not getting opportunities when they've outplayed the vets and still didn't get a shot on PP or top line minutes. This is well documented if you read between the lines on some stuff. And no, I do not claim to have any insider knowledge.

Trade Koivu and Staal.

Aging veterans that will add value to a contender.

Keep Parise.
- buddzy

I'll give you a 2nd round pick and the rights to Bozak for Staal (Yes I'm trying to underpay for the guy)

A bit of both Gus, haha. The winters up here are just a little drawn out for me. I love ice fishing, but when we get the 2 months straight of below 0, i get a little tired of it.

I've said it before on here, I'm not a Koivu or Suter hater. I believe they both can play good roles on this team. That being said, Koivu needs to be 3C, not 2C. And i do not like Suter on the PP. I get that this year we didn't really have another option there, but i hate seeing him sit out there for the entire PP and not be a threat to shoot.

Wishful thinking. How about the wild trade a D to the leafs for Kapanen or Nylander? They need D, Wild needs scoring. Just a thought. Im willing to move just about anyone on roster at this point.

Wishful thinking. How about the wild trade a D to the leafs for Kapanen or Nylander? They need D, Wild needs scoring. Just a thought. Im willing to move just about anyone on roster at this point.
- mnMild

I'm listening....

Specifically I want Spurgeon and E. Staal (Assuming Tavares doesn't come to the Leafs)

I'm listening....

Specifically I want Spurgeon and E. Staal (Assuming Tavares doesn't come to the Leafs)
- Aaron_85

Its still humorous that Leafs fans think Tavares will even be an option.

Its still humorous that Leafs fans think Tavares will even be an option.
- poisondhearts37

I'm on a hockey forum while I'm at my office. If I'm not entertaining myself here about hockey in May then what purpose is there?

As I said, assuming Tavares isn't coming I'd take Staal.

Matthews
Kadri
Staal

I'm on a hockey forum while I'm at my office. If I'm not entertaining myself here about hockey in May then what purpose is there?

As I said, assuming Tavares isn't coming I'd take Staal.

Matthews
Kadri
Staal
- Aaron_85

Staal and Spurgeon for Kapanen and Nylander?

Staal and Spurgeon for Kapanen and Nylander?
- mnMild

What about Gardiner and a first round pick?

Staal
Spurgeon

Kapanen
2018 first round pick
Gardiner
Bracco

(Some money has to go back too)

Paul fenton?

Tempting. But the Wild still need a C if Staal goes anywhere.