If Pommer going to Minny is a precursor to future dealings for Vanek, who do you guys feel comfortable trading? Do you think Coyle, Setoguchi, and a pick is too much?

Injured. He fell against the boards at the end of the game against St. Louis. Out at least 2 games, maybe more. Haven't heard any more since...
- MnGump

I heard Fletcher on KFAN last night say Cullen will miss a couple of weeks. He said they were reporting a couple of games on Tuesday so that if they were trying to deal for a center they wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Not good.

I heard Fletcher on KFAN last night say Cullen will miss a couple of weeks. He said they were reporting a couple of games on Tuesday so that if they were trying to deal for a center they wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Not good.
- Chinaski

No, that's not good at all. Hope Pominville can provide a stop gap until he's back. Funny, I remember back to the first few weeks of the season when people were clamouring for a Cullen trade! Not that Koivu and Parise arent' equally as valuable, but with Cullen out, the Wild could be in a heap of trouble.

I agree with Gump. Why in the world did Fletch decide to neglect the D? An upgrade is sorely needed. Gave up a lot for Pomminville. Hope he plays well with Parise and Captain Koivu.
- Mersch

Take a look at this list and note the defensemen that were traded.

TSN Trade Tracker

Who do you think is a significant enough upgrade to deal away assets for?

I'd say the only real impact defenseman traded was Bouwmeester. And he had a no trade clause, so not even sure he would have waived to go to Minnesota.

Just because they didn't upgrade their D doesn't mean Fletcher didn't try. It's likely the better defensemen weren't for sale or cost way too much.

If Pommer going to Minny is a precursor to future dealings for Vanek, who do you guys feel comfortable trading? Do you think Coyle, Setoguchi, and a pick is too much?
- Pierceme69

I'm guessing the Wild would wait until he's a UFA before dealing for him. But, if they had to make a trade for him, I don't think Seto and Coyle would be giving up too much. The only issue would be the difference in salary. I would do it though. No 1st rounder this time though!

No, that's not good at all. Hope Pominville can provide a stop gap until he's back. Funny, I remember back to the first few weeks of the season when people were clamouring for a Cullen trade! Not that Koivu and Parise arent' equally as valuable, but with Cullen out, the Wild could be in a heap of trouble.
- MnGump

I don't think he will. He won't be playing center. Unfortunately, I think this is just going to be a problem for a couple of weeks they will have to fight through.

have fun with Pommer out there in Minny!!!!

he is a great player and you guys will be very happy with him!!!

take care of him, we're gonna miss him!!!!

he was a good soldier!!!!

Fletcher on HNIC Radio

I don't think he will. He won't be playing center. Unfortunately, I think this is just going to be a problem for a couple of weeks they will have to fight through.
- Chinaski

I didn't mean in Cullens place, moreso to provide enough offensive spark on the first line to alleviate the loss of Cullen on the 2nd line. As well as on the PP and PK. If Granlund and Coyle can step up there game a bit and the Wild D can somehow pull themselves together for a few games, maybe it's enough. I don't know though.

I didn't mean in Cullens place, moreso to provide enough offensive spark on the first line to alleviate the loss of Cullen on the 2nd line. As well as on the PP and PK. If Granlund and Coyle can step up there game a bit and the Wild D can somehow pull themselves together for a few games, maybe it's enough. I don't know though.
- MnGump

Got it. You could say they may really lean on the first line to score over the next several games. But you never know. The young guys may seize the opportunity.

Honestly, I think this team is totally worn out. A lot of games, a lot of travel, and guys like Suter playing almost half the game. There's a reason he looked ordinary last night.

Any idea how you guys are going to manage to stay under the cap next year? Things are looking really tight for you at the moment.

No offense but Regehr is a pylon these days.
- Dwight K. Schrute

he'll be fine tonight... he was on a losing team... needed motivation ... sc champ team... cmon ....

I'm guessing the Wild would wait until he's a UFA before dealing for him. But, if they had to make a trade for him, I don't think Seto and Coyle would be giving up too much. The only issue would be the difference in salary. I would do it though. No 1st rounder this time though!
- MnGump

I was thinking more like a 3rd.

I hope you play Chicago in the playoffs and Emery is in goal. This was one of my favorite goals Pommer scored. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEpr8moQBPs

Any idea how you guys are going to manage to stay under the cap next year? Things are looking really tight for you at the moment.
- HonkFortheGoose

I should really just copy and paste this response for whenever someone questions the Wilds cap issues....

Wild have just over $8 mil in cap space for next season. Buying out Heater will give them another $7.5, which gives them nearly $16mil to re-sign Cullen, Clutter, Backstrom (though I would be in favor in seeing who else is out there), along with upgrading the D. Cullen will most likely accept a 1 or 2 year deal similar around $3-$4 mil. Clutter at $2.5, Backstrom/other goalie $4mil = $10mil. Add Granlund at 2.1, Scandella at less than a mil and possibly Dumba at 1.6 and they are still a mil or 2 under

I should really just copy and paste this response for whenever someone questions the Wilds cap issues....

Wild have just over $8 mil in cap space for next season. Buying out Heater will give them another $7.5, which gives them nearly $16mil to re-sign Cullen, Clutter, Backstrom (though I would be in favor in seeing who else is out there), along with upgrading the D. Cullen will most likely accept a 1 or 2 year deal similar around $3-$4 mil. Clutter at $2.5, Backstrom/other goalie $4mil = $10mil. Add Granlund at 2.1, Scandella at less than a mil and possibly Dumba at 1.6 and they are still a mil or 2 under
- SotaPopinski

One other note - Russo is reporting that Buffalo is picking up part of Pominville's salary, so the Wild don't incur his full cap-hit. He is speculating around $900K.

I would agree that Heatley is a likely amnesty buyout which will basically solve their cap issues.

If they re-sign Cullen, do you think Granlund plays on the Wild next year? If so, where does he slot in? I'd like to see Cullen re-signed to be the 2nd line center, but I think that pushes Granlund out. I think he needs to play in the top six or in Houston.

Take a look at this list and note the defensemen that were traded.

TSN Trade Tracker

Who do you think is a significant enough upgrade to deal away assets for?

I'd say the only real impact defenseman traded was Bouwmeester. And he had a no trade clause, so not even sure he would have waived to go to Minnesota.

Just because they didn't upgrade their D doesn't mean Fletcher didn't try. It's likely the better defensemen weren't for sale or cost way too much.
- Chinaski

True, but since Fletch was willing to pay a hefty price for a top F, I am surprised he couldn't swing a deal for a D.

Their second best goalie prospect and third best center prospect. Larssons overview I see of him reminds me much of a younger Hecht. Good 2 way forward, has some offensive upside but doesn't have first line talent. Uses his body well isn't afraid to go into the corners.

The goalie from what I'm hearing has nice raw talent but needs to work on consistency.
- Rally_Shots

Sounds like his Uncle Jeff. No consistency.

5 games, 4 losses. Team struggling mightily... Hope this isn't a repeat of last season... Per Tom Petty, Now I'm freeeeeeeeee, free fallin. If Cullen is truly going to be out 2 weeks. I'm starting to think this team may actually miss the playoffs. Everybody b*tches about Heatley, but the 3rd line looked terrible out there last night without him. Granlund still looks very raw. It's almost like he's trying too hard. He looks completely out of control half the time when he does get the puck. Wild looked like boys against men last night.

Feel bad for Pominville in his first experience as a member of the Wild. Everyone looked tired, slow and disinterested. Other than a few decent scoring chances, the Wild were never in that game.

Their second best goalie prospect and third best center prospect. Larssons overview I see of him reminds me much of a younger Hecht. Good 2 way forward, has some offensive upside but doesn't have first line talent. Uses his body well isn't afraid to go into the corners.

The goalie from what I'm hearing has nice raw talent but needs to work on consistency.
- Rally_Shots

TEST

5 games, 4 losses. Team struggling mightily... Hope this isn't a repeat of last season... Per Tom Petty, Now I'm freeeeeeeeee, free fallin. If Cullen is truly going to be out 2 weeks. I'm starting to think this team may actually miss the playoffs. Everybody b*tches about Heatley, but the 3rd line looked terrible out there last night without him. Granlund still looks very raw. It's almost like he's trying too hard. He looks completely out of control half the time when he does get the puck. Wild looked like boys against men last night.

Feel bad for Pominville in his first experience as a member of the Wild. Everyone looked tired, slow and disinterested. Other than a few decent scoring chances, the Wild were never in that game.
- MnGump

It's almost unfathomable to think that a single injury to Cullen could be a big derailment. I think his injury coupled with the grueling schedule and travel they're going through is what has them floundering a bit. If they weren't so worn out, I think the Cullen injury would be less impactful.

But the Cullen injury does expose a depth issue with play-making, two-way centers in the organization. That shelf in the cupboard is not full.

Wild sign Haula, but he is reporting to Houston; not the big club.

It's almost unfathomable to think that a single injury to Cullen could be a big derailment. I think his injury coupled with the grueling schedule and travel they're going through is what has them floundering a bit. If they weren't so worn out, I think the Cullen injury would be less impactful.

But the Cullen injury does expose a depth issue with play-making, two-way centers in the organization. That shelf in the cupboard is not full.
- Chinaski

Yeah, Not that Larsson was ready, but that's starting to look more and more like an unfavorable move for Fletch. Scouting staff not real happy with the decision to move Larsson.

I hate to rehash the Pominville trade, but everyone knows the most difficult players to find in this league are Top line centers. After reading and hearing more and more about Johan Larsson since the big deal was made, I'm wondering why they didn't offer up someone else, or if they did, why wasn't Larsson placed on the "no move" list along with the likes of Coyle, Zucker, Granlund etc... It seems to me like after all the hubbub about Granlund that this Larsson kid might actually turn out to be the better of the two.

I hope to god we aren't looking back at this move in a year or two ruing the day just like the Nick Leddy trade!!!!!

Yeah, Not that Larsson was ready, but that's starting to look more and more like an unfavorable move for Fletch. Scouting staff not real happy with the decision to move Larsson.

I hate to rehash the Pominville trade, but everyone knows the most difficult players to find in this league are Top line centers. After reading and hearing more and more about Johan Larsson since the big deal was made, I'm wondering why they didn't offer up someone else, or if they did, why wasn't Larsson placed on the "no move" list along with the likes of Coyle, Zucker, Granlund etc... It seems to me like after all the hubbub about Granlund that this Larsson kid might actually turn out to be the better of the two.

I hope to god we aren't looking back at this move in a year or two ruing the day just like the Nick Leddy trade!!!!!
- MnGump

Really? Really! This is so NOT the Nick Leddy trade. Pominville is not Barker. Here's the way I look at it: Fletcher got a team's TOP, TOP, TOP player. Did I mention he was the Sabres TOP player? Also, you get their Captain. A guy that plays both ends of the ice. Not too old (30). Proven goal scorer and playmaker. If the Wild can extend his contract, even better. If you can attract other TOP players with him, Parise, Suter, Koivu, etc., exactly what they are trying to do. Who knows if Larsson or Hackett will pan out? Most likely, they will be good NHL players. But to the level of Pominville? Time will tell. IF the Wild make the playoffs and IF they can win a round or 2, then the draft picks aren't as valuable. With Pominville, you get the sure thing. Larsson, Hackett, 1st round pick and 2nd round pick are no guarantees. End of story in my opinion.