Dan Wallace: Transitioning Wild Face Rangers

Thought Donato looked good. Aside from his 4 minute minor... in one game he did as much if not more than Coyles average game...

Oh God, we won! Holy poop! The Wild are now buyers instead of sellers! They're gunna make the playoffs and make a run! They are playing hot hockey right now! Oh wait... They beat the Rangers? That's it? Oh, never mind

Oh God, we won! Holy poop! The Wild are now buyers instead of sellers! They're gunna make the playoffs and make a run! They are playing hot hockey right now! Oh wait... They beat the Rangers? That's it? Oh, never mind
- Tweaterben

Jesus dude, is it impossible for you to just enjoy the game?!!

Jesus dude, is it impossible for you to just enjoy the game?!!
- MnGump

No, and my name isn't Jesus.

No, and my name isn't Jesus.
- Tweaterben

Please find another team to troll, you’re an idiot

I like the dynamic that Donato brings to this team. I didn't get to see much of the game, but i liked the little bit it did see of him. Ive seen some real "hockey geniuses" out there commenting that Donato shoots too much....Which, if they understood ANYTHING about this hockey team, is that is the EXACT type of player they need here. A guy who wants the puck on his stick and wants to score goals. Not another passive guy always looking to pass.

I know its only one game, but I think Donato will do good things here. I still hope they manage to slide down the standings a bit this year and get a decent draft pick. Maybe acquire a 1 or 2 more prospects that are in the league or are ready for it. Then come back next year with a revamped young core and see what happens.

I understand Tweaterben's frustrations. It isn't easy being a MN sports fan. We all know about the Wild, but then you have the Vikings get your hopes sky high only to rip your heart out in the NFC title game. Then if youre a Twins fan, there hasn't been a lot of good things going there since the mid 2000s. I hope i get to see at least 1 of our hometown teams win a title in my lifetime. I dont count the Twins last world series title since i was only 4.

I have lived in Minnesota for all of the championship games our pro teams have been in. Don't remember the '65' Dodgers vs. Twins or the '67" Chiefs vs. Vikings as I was to young. Got my heart broken by the Vikings in three Super Bowls and handful of NFC Championship games. Got to live the glory of the Twins two World Series titles and watch two great playoff runs by the North Stars to the cup final to get beat by two great teams. Then the great runs the Lynx have had the past few years. At one time I thought the Wild would be the next team to get a chance to be the best, but with this group the best years are behind us. I sure hope we are not the next Cleveland and it is 30 years before we get any Championship title.

Yeah, it does suck being a Minnesota sports fan. But eventually, one of them will become a champion again....they have to right?

I've been thinking on what BB said the other night about the team not wanting to go get the greasy goals, then watch Granlund finally out in front of the net, and what happens? He scores, granted it was done while he got hit to the ice, but he still scored. I see BB's complaint basically being the same thing that keeps Andrew Wiggins (I know T-Wolves, that basketball) from reaching his potential. I think it has to be with being soft. And by that I mean, guys don't want to take the punishment of getting beat up in front of the net (or going to the hole in the case of Wiggins). This new age of staying out of the hard areas and making a career last years longer, I kind of understand. But on the flip side, for Granlund in particular, I have seen him try to muscle up along the boards this season (more than ever before) and wish he would take that mentality to the front of the net. It's like this entire team has seen the price that Parise paid for living in front of the net and are afraid that the same will happen to them. The idea of Granlund setting up players like Karpizov and Donato (and maybe Sokolov if he gets his head screwed on right), who aren't afraid to shoot is nice. But if he's not willing to do the same thing as well, I'm just not that confident in him.

The bad thing about last night is that the Wild looked good, does it give that faint hint of promise. And now with Duchene traded off, I think that just increased the price for Staal. And who knows what is being offered for Granlund? I am starting to swing to the side of keeping Spurgeon (unless an overwhelming offer is made) and I am afraid of what selling low on Zucker is going to be. The good thing about last night's game is it looks like Dubnyk might have gained a little more confidence in himself. He needs to drop the Spicoli-ish attitude that everything is cool and get a little meanness in him. Maybe feed him raw steak and M&Ms for 48 hours straight and make him watch Ronnie Hextall the entire time.

Spurgeon to Tampa for Cal Foote+