WildHBcommunity: Chuck Fletcher the Gate Keeper of MNWild's Future #VanekWatch
Here in the State of Hockey there has never been a situation that equates to the #VanekWatch because this franchise since coming into the National Hockey League has been flyover territory for top tier talented unrestricted free agents. This franchise has never in it's now over 10 years in existence had as much depth and talent on it's NHL roster or in the system. The man behind creating this depth of talent throughout the organization and the true gate keeper for what the future holds for the MInnesota Wild is general manager Chuck Fletcher.
I think Wild fans need to take a breath and a long look at the bigger picture of what will go into Fletcher's decision making process on how to improve this team and if that includes signing Thomas Vanek in July. I think no matter the financial concerns or apprehension about his age creating a Dany Heatley-esq deterioration of his skating and production, Wild fans have to know that Vanek does the thing fans have identified as this team's greatest flaw and that is score goals.
I have previous written about the range of money and term(5 years $28-$30 Million Dollars) I believe would allow Fletcher to add Vanek to the Wild without hindering his ability to retain his young core come 2015 and beyond. I think instead of getting wrapped up in the huge hype factory that has become Vanek's performance or lack there of in this Eastern Conference Finals, Wild fans should realize this is playing right into Fletcher's hands should he have Vanek in his sights.
Take a Look For Yourself Fletcher's Roster and Salary Cap Situation
This year has been a whirlwind for Vanek to be sure, he has played and scored goals for 3 different NHL franchises this season. Vanek has stood firm to his intention to choose his future in July and been up front and honest about it. No player has been picked apart more during this season in my opinion because of what his unrestricted free agency will mean not only for him individually but for the entire NHL. Throughout this season and even into last season the perception of Vanek's thought process has been his intention to return to Minnesota is the worst kept secret in the entire league.
If I'm to believe everything I've heard in the last 24, Vanek has a broken bone in his hand and a shoulder injury. #whoknows #pointless
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) May 22, 2014I for one have not wavered from my take that Vanek's skill set is something missing from the Wild who truly have been without a sniper/pure goal scorer since Marian Gaborik walked away from the franchise via unrestricted free agency. Vanek returning to Minnesota SHOULD be viewed in a similar esteem as Zach Parise and Ryan Suter's decision was in my opinion. Vanek becoming a member of the Wild will not be him chasing a big payday or coming here to be the #1 guy superstar type because anyone that truly knows this team realizes that just wont be th reality.
Fletcher has put together a special group of young forwards in his five years as the Wild's top personnel decision maker. The right hand man of Fletcher assistant general manager Brent Flahr has proven to be masterful at identifying young players that have been overlooked by other teams. Mikael Granlund was the 9th pick in the 2010 NHL draft that has become the young core of the Wild who now also have acquired the 5th pick in that draft Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle the 28th pick, to go along with 2nd round selections Brett Bulmer 39th overall and Jason Zucker 59th overall.
Fletcher has found ways to add significant veteran scoring wingers at the trade deadline the past two seasons without including any of his young forward group except Johan Larsson the 56th overall pick in that 2010 draft who as we have come to realize was eclipsed in potential and expendable because of the presence and development of Erik Haula who had been selected in the 7th round of the 2009 draft.
Literally nobody has a better idea of how bringing Vanek into the fold will affect the Wild's long term future and the ability to retain this young core than Fletcher. I believe Fletcher and Flahr have proven over and over again since taking over this franchise they are truly ahead of the curve with regards to amassing young talent and addressing how their NHL roster will require reinforcement.
Is the Blue Line Truly a Need that Requires a Big Splash?
Wild fans need to look no future than then depth of young defensemen prospects at Fletcher's disposal into next season to see the perceived needs of this team are most likely being misdiagnosed by all of us. I believe there is 90% better chance Vanek ends up in a Wild sweater than ANY of the unrestricted free agent defensemen Wild fans would list on their list of players they want Fletcher to pursue INCLUDING the top guy and MN native Matt Niskanen. The Wild's blue line is near locked in without any additions whether it be re-signing Clayton Stoner or Nate Prosser or Jon Blum.
The Wild defensive corps already has Suter, Spurgeon, Scandella, Brodin, Folin, Ballard under contract for next season with Blum as an RFA. If they bring back Stoner or Prosser that is 8 Dmen on NHL roster. Maybe they buyout Ballard or maybe he retires but as of now not even taking into account any of those veterans 5 of the 6 spots in the defensive pairings can be penciled in by guys already on the roster.
Between the Pipes for Wild Three Goalies Lots of Questions!
The goaltending situation is a HUGE variable in what will happen for the Wild this offseason and Fletcher has been very forth coming that he does not have all of the information right now that will be required to make his decision on what occurs between the pipes. In acquiring Ilya Bryzgalov at the deadline and riding him into the 2nd round of the playoffs, that spoke volumes about how Fletcher and Flahr view Kuemper. There should be little doubt that Kuemper is viewed as the organizations goaltender of the future.
The question now will be whether Kuemper is joined in the rotation by Josh Harding and/or Niklas Backstrom or very possible it could be neither. Backstrom's contract is such he will have to be traded as no buyout would make sense and even if he retired he would count against the salary cap. With Harding it truly is a very sensitive multi-layered decision making process that will heavily involve doctors and his own personal view of what the future holds.
I think the most realistic scenario is Kuemper will open 2014-15 as #1 with Backstrom as his backup while Harding is either traded/buyout/Long Term Injury Listed. Still so much information not known so obviously it will be fluid but I just don't see Backstrom being someone another team is going to want to take on in a trade with 2 years left at his age and with his injury history and slip in performance last year.
MNWild’s Young Core Changes Fletcher's Offseason P ... - http://t.co/isGQegX4bG #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/OqWRpduhjK
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) May 22, 2014This will surely be a dramatic and decisive offseason in the State of Hockey and around the NHL especially in the Western Conference. Every single team in the West will be pushing to improve their NHL roster as the changed playoff format and overall strength of the conference has put decision makers and coaches on notice. This year's group of unrestricted free agents is not considered to be a strong class in general but that wont stop a free agent spending frenzy.
If the top guy in this class with local ties wants to come home and is willing to leave money and years on the table to do so I think Fletcher will make that happen. I trust that Fletcher has a number of years and cap hit in mind that makes a marriage between Vanek and the Wild happen without sacrificing the opportunity to retain his prized young core.
Just My Take, Tony Dean Follow Me on Twitter @TonyDeanTHW Also Like the WildHBcommunity of FaceBook here: WildHBCommunity on FaceBook