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Forums :: Blog World :: Alan Bass: The Crazy, Wild Finances!
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MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 12 @ 9:58 AM ET
I understand how happy Wild fans by getting Parise. The only thing is I am not sure he will lead your team anywhere.Do not get me wrong,Zach is a great player playing his style but 1 player can not do everything by himself.Just because he had a success in NJ there could be totally different story in Mini.
I do not know if any of you watched him play on the regular basis,but he is not a game changer.He never was and probably never will be.
And no I am not jealous you guys got him. In my opinion 7.5 mil its just to much.You will see what I am talking about it when season starts.
Good luck to you!

- NJD
Gee thanks for the great insight, most of us have watched Zach play since he was at St.Marys Shattuck. We're well aware of what kind of player he is and what he brings to the Wild roster. But I think you're wrong, Zach is much more of a game changer than the fans of NJ seem to like to give him credit for. He was the heart and soul of the NJ devil team. And to sell him short now that he's no longer a Devil to me is a bit disingenuous.

I respect your opinion, but I whole heartedly disagree with it. Zach will be every bit as big a cog with Minnesota as he was with NJ. He may or may not be worth the kind of money the Wild are going to eventually pay him, but that is yet to be seen, and sometimes you just can't put a price on leadership and intangibles, not every cent spent need solely be based on stats alone, and I think that's a point a lot of the nay sayers are missing. Besides, a player like Zach doesn't just lose his leadership abilities or heart or skill just because he changes teams.
Antilles
St Louis Blues
Joined: 10.17.2008

Jul 12 @ 12:58 PM ET
I don't understand that last logic. They don't think they are cup contenders and they did not sign them for an 'all in' year for next year. This is about the next 5-8 years. It is undeniable that the Wild have about more talent in the pipeline than any other team. That talent starts making its' way onto the roster this season, and progressively over the next five years. Will all the prospects pan out? No, but that's why there are so many solid ones. Next, Parise and Suter give the Wild a reason for other UFA's to come to MN.

Tell me again why it was stupid to sign both of the top free agents? One, who is by MANY ranked in the top 5 defensemen, and other other a top 10 LW in the league. 15(ish) million is coming off the books next season.

What im getting at is the Wild WILL be a Cup contender in the next four years. I think they are a playoff team already, not a Cup team. Same with next season unless something drastically changes on the defense. I think two years from now and on is where the Wild see something special start happening.

In the next two years leading up to that, Leipold will get his money back and be on the + side.

- Nsjohn130


I think some outside perspective may be needed... the Wild are in the bottom half of the league prospect wise. Hockey's Future has them ranked 17th. The "It is undeniable that the Wild have about more talent in the pipeline than any other team." is just plain false. There multiple teams already better than the Wild with better pipelines of talent coming in. The Wild have prospects on the way... but no better than the Blues, Predators, Blackhawks, or Red Wings; which were all teams already ahead of the Wild in the standings and likely to be in the Wild's division after next year.

Yes, they will have some salary coming off the books... but they still have to replace all of those people. Let's say the cap actually near 70 million next year... would leave the Wild with like 17 million to sign 7 players. Doable? Yes, entirely. But you don't sign core players for 2 million a year in free agency. Meaning the Wild will fill out their roster, but not be adding major pieces.

That's why this is an all-in move for the Wild. They aren't likely to improve their core more than other teams due to young talent coming in, or due to free agency, beyond these players.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 12 @ 3:46 PM ET
I think some outside perspective may be needed... the Wild are in the bottom half of the league prospect wise. Hockey's Future has them ranked 17th. The "It is undeniable that the Wild have about more talent in the pipeline than any other team." is just plain false. There multiple teams already better than the Wild with better pipelines of talent coming in. The Wild have prospects on the way... but no better than the Blues, Predators, Blackhawks, or Red Wings; which were all teams already ahead of the Wild in the standings and likely to be in the Wild's division after next year.

Yes, they will have some salary coming off the books... but they still have to replace all of those people. Let's say the cap actually near 70 million next year... would leave the Wild with like 17 million to sign 7 players. Doable? Yes, entirely. But you don't sign core players for 2 million a year in free agency. Meaning the Wild will fill out their roster, but not be adding major pieces.

That's why this is an all-in move for the Wild. They aren't likely to improve their core more than other teams due to young talent coming in, or due to free agency, beyond these players.

- Antilles

Granlund 9th, Coyle 18th, Brodin 29th. 3 in the top 30, I'd say that's pretty promising for Wild futures, not to mention Zack Phillips, Johan Larsson, Jason Zucker, Matt Hackett, Tyler Cuma, Mario Lucia, Erik Haula, Chad Rau, Jarod Palmer, all rated 7.0 in prospect talent. btw the team rankings you're refering to were for last season, and I'm fairly certain the Wild have moved up considerably since then with the additions of Dumba and Bussieres.
Antilles
St Louis Blues
Joined: 10.17.2008

Jul 12 @ 5:59 PM ET
Granlund 9th, Coyle 18th, Brodin 29th. 3 in the top 30, I'd say that's pretty promising for Wild futures, not to mention Zack Phillips, Johan Larsson, Jason Zucker, Matt Hackett, Tyler Cuma, Mario Lucia, Erik Haula, Chad Rau, Jarod Palmer, all rated 7.0 in prospect talent. btw the team rankings you're refering to were for last season, and I'm fairly certain the Wild have moved up considerably since then with the additions of Dumba and Bussieres.
- MnGump



Meh, believe what you want. This blog outlines that even with the increased tickets sales, they probably need to be cup contenders for it to make business sense. You're basically arguing there is a chance in a few years it will do so. Is there any team that doesn't think they have a chance at a cup in a few years?
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 12 @ 7:27 PM ET
Meh, believe what you want. This blog outlines that even with the increased tickets sales, they probably need to be cup contenders for it to make business sense. You're basically arguing there is a chance in a few years it will do so. Is there any team that doesn't think they have a chance at a cup in a few years?
- Antilles

Obviously they'll be much better in a few years, but I don't think the Wild have to go straight to the SCF in order to make this move a smart business decision. Playoffs, yes, but finals, no. It's not rocket science, this is not a short term fix, if it was then yes, they would need to make it to the cup finals and win a cup within the next 2 seasons. But this is a long term investment. Sure the first few years are going to be the toughest if they don't make it deep into the playoffs, but that's a risk that I think most businesses(teams) would take if the they were offered up 2 of the leagues premiere players for 13 years 98 million.
I don't think the Wild need to win the Cup in the next few years for the move to make "business sense". Within the next several years? Yes, because this is a long term investment.
laughs2907
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Wuhan, China
Joined: 07.18.2006

Jul 12 @ 8:16 PM ET
With a statement like that, look like you skipped hockey AND school dude.
- Tweaterben


I'm one semester away from my degree, douche.

Oh, and if you want to insult someone, please learn how to form a proper sentence.
dgutzman
Nashville Predators
Location: Nashville, TN
Joined: 06.22.2007

Jul 13 @ 7:03 AM ET
I think the Wild will be a good team in the West for the next 7-10 years and expect to make the playoffs and at least win a round or two every season... The bar will be set high and it should be. They did get two great UFAs this summer and I am happy for them. Their prospect pool is sick as well and if they end up trading Backstrom (I am looking at TO for this trade for Franson, and a 2nd) they can give the ball to Harding who seems ready.

But Minni better not ask for revenue sharing money because they can't afford their player salaries!

- riceroni


With the 2nd highest payroll in the league, they wouldn't qualify for revenue sharing. Minny will be paying, not receiving.
dgutzman
Nashville Predators
Location: Nashville, TN
Joined: 06.22.2007

Jul 13 @ 7:15 AM ET
Granlund 9th, Coyle 18th, Brodin 29th. 3 in the top 30, I'd say that's pretty promising for Wild futures, not to mention Zack Phillips, Johan Larsson, Jason Zucker, Matt Hackett, Tyler Cuma, Mario Lucia, Erik Haula, Chad Rau, Jarod Palmer, all rated 7.0 in prospect talent. btw the team rankings you're refering to were for last season, and I'm fairly certain the Wild have moved up considerably since then with the additions of Dumba and Bussieres.
- MnGump


Everyone can throw out numbers.. However, you fail to mention the most important number. While all of those players may have a 7.0 or better rating for potential, Only Grandland and Brodin are ranked higher then a C in terms of probability of reaching that potential. Hockey Futures suggested you have 3 impact players and the rest are bottom line parings. Well, the 3 impact players will probably replace Heatley and Cullen and Brodin will replace one of your existing D. But your bottom pairings will be younger less experienced 3rd and 4th liners.
dgutzman
Nashville Predators
Location: Nashville, TN
Joined: 06.22.2007

Jul 13 @ 7:18 AM ET
Obviously they'll be much better in a few years, but I don't think the Wild have to go straight to the SCF in order to make this move a smart business decision. Playoffs, yes, but finals, no. It's not rocket science, this is not a short term fix, if it was then yes, they would need to make it to the cup finals and win a cup within the next 2 seasons. But this is a long term investment. Sure the first few years are going to be the toughest if they don't make it deep into the playoffs, but that's a risk that I think most businesses(teams) would take if the they were offered up 2 of the leagues premiere players for 13 years 98 million.
I don't think the Wild need to win the Cup in the next few years for the move to make "business sense". Within the next several years? Yes, because this is a long term investment.

- MnGump


Here is the catch. Can Lieopld's finances hold out 3 or 4 more years until you get to that point? As a NSH fan, we know all about Lieopold's finances. When his wife's company hits a bump in the road and the family starts tightening their purse strings, the money dries up. As long as he isn't loosing any money the next couple of years he should be OK. But 1 bad year and that changes the who equation. NSH had 1 bad year, the year we went after Forsburg. It didn't' work out, we lost about 12 million that year, and Lieopold was trying to sell the team that summer.
MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 16 @ 5:35 PM ET
I think the Wild will be a good team in the West for the next 7-10 years and expect to make the playoffs and at least win a round or two every season... The bar will be set high and it should be. They did get two great UFAs this summer and I am happy for them. Their prospect pool is sick as well and if they end up trading Backstrom (I am looking at TO for this trade for Franson, and a 2nd) they can give the ball to Harding who seems ready.

But Minni better not ask for revenue sharing money because they can't afford their player salaries!

- riceroni

If nothing else the Wild should ask for a larger cut of the revenue sharing! They're a mid-market team doing everything in their power to boost revenue and create a larger market in the midwest. Signing the top 2 UFA's is a move that indicates the Wild want to grow their fanbase and raise revenue accross the board, as well as secure a Winter Classic and possibly a Stanley Cup Championship for the state of hockey. The rest of the NHL should take notice and not just be satisfied with status quo. All the teams trying to stay just right around the cap floor should be the ones getting less revenue sharing. You gotta spend money to make money....
Chinaski
Minnesota Wild
Location: Lakeville, MN
Joined: 04.10.2007

Jul 17 @ 7:42 AM ET
If nothing else the Wild should ask for a larger cut of the revenue sharing!
- MnGump

I don't think they qualify. From what I can tell through minimal research, the first criteria for qualifying is that you need to be in the bottom half of the league in team revenue.

It looks like they have been 14th the past two years -
2010 - http://www.forbes.com/lis...y-valuations-10_rank.html
2011 - http://www.forbes.com/nhl...aluations/list/#p_1_s_d5_

There appear to be other criteria as well that would also eliminate them from participating.
Cure_for_pAIDS
Atlanta Thrashers
Location: AK
Joined: 03.30.2010

Jul 17 @ 4:24 PM ET
dgutzman
Nashville Predators
Location: Nashville, TN
Joined: 06.22.2007

Jul 18 @ 11:09 PM ET
I don't think they qualify. From what I can tell through minimal research, the first criteria for qualifying is that you need to be in the bottom half of the league in team revenue.

It looks like they have been 14th the past two years -
2010 - http://www.forbes.com/lis...y-valuations-10_rank.html
2011 - http://www.forbes.com/nhl...aluations/list/#p_1_s_d5_

There appear to be other criteria as well that would also eliminate them from participating.

- Chinaski


It's quite simple. The top 15 pay the bottom 15. The key, however, is what constitutes revenue. In this case, it is only hockey related revenue. So you could have a team that is losing money, but makes a ton of revenue in hockey related revenue and thus has to pay. On the flip side, you could have a team that isn't making that much on hockey related revenue, but their arena is used 300 nights a year and the owner is making money. They would receive revenue sharing.
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