Dan Wallace: So You Think You Know...

Wild should make a play for Point, solidify the 1C...and really challenge in the West.
Offer sheet if need be.

The Wild Gm's have consistently lacked imagination and initiative to make a trade that actually benefits the team. They just make lateral moves and remain stuck in neutral or regress. Look at what Dubas has been able to pull out of his hat. Fenton had a more valuable trade chip in Spurgeon than did Colorado in Barrie and he sat on his hands. We could have had Kadri and finally had a true #1 center. Instead the Wild are left in the dust. Even with BB's fantastic coaching the Wild will be hard pressed not to finish in the basement of the division, despite Dan somehow thinking that 35 year olds that have already been in decline will magically rebound to play like 27 year olds? I like Fiala and Donato but our center situation is so bad that who is going to get them the puck?

Couldn't agree more MNHG. The gathering of LWs on this roster is completely confusing to say the least. Hopefully, Fenton is still trying to work on something to bring a #1 C in. I'm not reading much (if anything) out there that this is happening, but we can still hope that it is.

And GASP!!! Dan, you wrote a negative paragraph about the Wild?!? How could you?

But seriously, great take on how we fans already know everything about every team and that the regular season should just be skipped. I, for one, am really hoping to see some major growth from players like Greenway, Kunin, Donato, Fiala, Sturm and Belpedio this year. I'm excited to see what Zuccarello brings to the Wild dynamic. And I am really hoping to see a look of bewilderment on BB's face when he does something with the lineup that doesn't make any sense and it works!

The Wild Gm's have consistently lacked imagination and initiative to make a trade that actually benefits the team. They just make lateral moves and remain stuck in neutral or regress. Look at what Dubas has been able to pull out of his hat. Fenton had a more valuable trade chip in Spurgeon than did Colorado in Barrie and he sat on his hands. We could have had Kadri and finally had a true #1 center. Instead the Wild are left in the dust. Even with BB's fantastic coaching the Wild will be hard pressed not to finish in the basement of the division, despite Dan somehow thinking that 35 year olds that have already been in decline will magically rebound to play like 27 year olds? I like Fiala and Donato but our center situation is so bad that who is going to get them the puck?
- mnhockeyguy

Barrie basically had 2 back to back 60 point seasons and is two years younger

Barrie basically had 2 back to back 60 point seasons and is two years younger
- Avalanchephenom

He's also unrestricted after this season where as Spurgeon is controlled for this season and next. He's also significantly better defensively and not far off from Barrie offensively. He had 43 points last season playing on the second pairing half the season.

Dan Wallace: So You Think You Know...
- Dan Wallace

Is there anyone here who can help explain the Kirill Kaprizov? He was the best player on the Russian squad that included OV and Kovy. 30 goals in 57 khl games is no joke, especially at 22. Apparently you guys have his rights but is he simply refusing to leave his KHL contract to come play for the Wild?

Is there anyone here who can help explain the Kirill Kaprizov? He was the best player on the Russian squad that included OV and Kovy. 30 goals in 57 khl games is no joke, especially at 22. Apparently you guys have his rights but is he simply refusing to leave his KHL contract to come play for the Wild?
- bikeguy99

He signed a 3 year contract a couple of seasons ago, if I remember correctly? Russo seems to think there is a very good chance he is in Minne after this upcoming season.

He signed a 3 year contract a couple of seasons ago, if I remember correctly? Russo seems to think there is a very good chance he is in Minne after this upcoming season.
- mnhockeyguy

Good to know. Thanks. The kid looked fantastic at the international level. Many guys said he was better than Gusev, and at 22 years old is lighting up the low scoring KHL. Good prospect.

Thanks for the blog Dan, i do have to disagree a little with your take about youth and not needing the guys who have "been there before". In my mind there is still a balance needed for any team to get to where every team wants to be, and that includes core veterans that have indeed "been there before".

Retooling can be an exciting time, but not so much when the pieces being retooled are not the pieces that this roster really really need. Minnesota fans in general i think are pretty much jaded from years of supporting our local pro teams, it's fairly easy to see what's been going on here and decide it's not and most likely will never be good enough.

Couple of things to ponder that I read today. First off, how mad would the Wild fan base be if Zach Parise was traded away today? I know it's an extremely improbable scenario, and the Wild would not get back much in return...and would probably have to eat about 50% of the remaining contract. Would it actually be worth it?

Secondly, is Fenton kind of stalling on the resigning of Spurgeon since Toronto is still having problems resigning Marner? Is this some "behind the curtains preparation" for a BIG trade with the Leafs that includes multiple players from both teams, but with the end game being cap relief for the Leafs and the Wild getting a haul? I am pretty sure this is a pipe dream with the ideas of players I have running through my head, but just like Dumb and Dumber..."chances are 1 in a million....so you're saying there's a chance".