Wild off season

[yakfisher]

He you go. What tweeks are needed in the off season to capitalize and improve upon this seasons successes? I say we need to improve at the blueline in net and find a sniper that can skate with speed, get in front of the net and capitalize on the opportunities that Parise will create.

[maros91]

1. #1 Goalie

2. More size

3. D help

[Bear55]

Was just going to start one of these. I think adding any kind of additional scoring is a luxury at this point unless we buy someone out. Even then I think the need for D is more important at this time. Cap is going down about 6M and that leaves us 9M in space.

UFA's

PMB - Likey gone.

Backs & Cullen? For the right price.

RFA - Clutterbuck, Spurgie, Falk

Buyouts - Heatley? Gilbert? Harding? Brodz?

No clue what is going to happen but it should be an interesting summer. A full season with Pominville is going to help our scoring. I also expect Zucker and Coyle to make bigger contributions this year. Those 3 players alone could really help boost our offense.

[crothmeier]

I don't see them buying Harding out. I think they will bring Backstrom back if the price is right, they will bring Cullen back, he's the veteran glue that holds the young team together.

Clutter=probably, Falk=no, Spurgeon=maybe

Need to pick up a few guys to help on the blue line.

I'd guess they would buy out Heatley, he is due to make too much, but as we saw down the stretch he's the only guy we have to camp out in front of the net and not get pushed around. But he looks like will ferrel in old school and would get beat in a foot race by frank the tank.

PMB was one of our better players down the stretch but was non-existant the first part of the season... Due to no camp and shortened season?? so does he rightfully get a second chance??

I'm content with this season... we improved, we got our young stars some good game/playoff experience, and can look forward to next season.

there's my two cents take it or leave it.

[PierBridge]

Good Stuff guys~~~~

I hate to by-pass this next coming season but the Vanek rumors have me really stoked! I hope it's not just my Golden Gopher allegiance to him that intrigues me and he has something left in the tank if "Big if" we get him!

[Bear55]

Getting Vanek would be sweet, not going to get my hopes up because a lot can happen in a year but wow what a lineup we would have. Or are you hearing trade rumors Pier?

[yakfisher]

I like the Vanek option as much as you guys liked Parise last year. I think he would be a great addition.

[fishing tech]

I would like Vanek. He is a Heatley with younger legs.

We need Dmen. I like Spergoun but his size hurts. I think Cullen stays with a home town discount. Backstrom made 6m this year I think. He will have to cut that in half or more to stay.

Tough call to buy out Harding. I couldn't do it. He is to nice of a guy and played well in the playoffs.

Clutterbuck I think re signs. July 1st we will start to see.

[Improvedarock]

Sign Willie Plett, Bobby Smith, Dino Ciccerilli, Dennis Maruk, Craig Hartsburg, Brian Bellows, and ogie Oglethorpe. That will bring grit needed to compete in the playoffs! We also need new jerseys, and a name change back to the northstars. There's nothing wild about Minnesota except for the [PoorWordUsage], farmland, mining, and a tree-hugger park called the b[PoorWordUsage]e." It's now a gay state 2! Hmm wow!

[10,000 Casts]

Heatley's buyout is $1.666,666 million with a cap hit of $4.1m if they do it on June 15. He was due to make $7.5m next year which is way too much.. The team would save $3.3m. So can we get a big bodied scorer for less than $3.3m??? I'd say go for it. Brodziak's buyout is is about $1m a year, that would save us $2m a year. That's a tough one.. Gilbert would have a $2m buyout cap hit so we'd save another $2m there. Harding's savings would be about $1.4m, that's also a tough one to me not because of his MS but because he might be a good back up next year and then buy him out.

I'd like to see Falk become more physical and fight 15 times a year. We need a big nasty Dman. Then we can get rid of Kenopka who didn't impress me at all. Spurgeon is another tough one, he's still young. I don't think we need to cut anyone, we need to add 2 top 4 guys.

As far as goalies, depending who is available and who is interested in Backs, i.e can we resign him for $3-$4m. Then send him to goalie camp to learn how to block high shots.

How about bring in Jordan Leopold? Vanek would be awesome but he will be expensive.

[Bear55]

Saw this a few days ago, Wild sign 2nd rounder Bussieres.

http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=669898

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=122594

Looks like another solid 2nd round pick by the Wild. He took a nice step forward this year in jrs. Decent size, skates well, plays with an edge and there is some offensive upside there.

[Bear55]

I don't see them buying Harding out.

I don't think they do it either, just kind of throwing it out there. There were a lot more questions before his playoff performance.

I could also see the Wild hanging onto Heatley, even with those grandpa legs he can still pot 20-25 goals and those guys don't grow on trees.

[bbfenatic]

I could also see the Wild hanging onto Heatley, even with those grandpa legs he can still pot 20-25 goals and those guys don't grow on trees.

The only way Heatley could get 25 goals next year is if they abandon off-sides and let him just stand there in front of opposing team's goalie LOL...I'd rather they let some young legs that can play both ways and throw their body around get a chance.

[Musky Buck]

I like that falk 15 fights year 10,000 casts. Kenopka is a punching bag really, he rarely kinda owns anyone in a bout, usually holds his own somewhat. He's collecting checks and can't blame him at all. Suter like Chara, you can kinda have a guy log heavy minutes from the blueline if they are elite and can handle it. I'm always thinking like with Brodziak, we've kinda seen his best and the upside is topped out, same with Clutterbuck kinda, though there's some Essa Tikkinen in him which is nice, that's what you're gonna get from those guys, it's nice having a Zucker, Spurgeon Brodin, etc. we aren't quite sure where there ceiling is, that unknown is exciting kinda. It's those middle of the pack guys figuring out how they fit in, what kind of production we can get from em, etc. I like the Falk thing, but realize 10,000 yes it was a shortened season but 14 fights was the most by any player in the league this season and do you really want to be BJ Crombeen ? His fight record was 3 wins 5 draws and 6 losses, lol, I don't want that to be Falk's record lol. If you're bored go watch Matt Kassian vs. Crombeen it was like Bob Probert vs. like Dino Ciccarelli then again Dino had 21 NHL fights to his credit lol. Can't wait for "October" hockey next year!

[crothmeier]

I disagree with the Konapka hate here. He's the best best faceoff guy on the team. Win or lose he'll fight, if he keeps a level head he can draw penalties and not take stupid ones. Beyond that you don't hear his name. (Similar to Stoner, if you don't hear his name, he had a good game)

And plus, just look at that mug shot, you cant help but smile.

[Bear55]

The only way Heatley could get 25 goals next year is if they abandon off-sides and let him just stand there in front of opposing team's goalie LOL...I'd rather they let some young legs that can play both ways and throw their body around get a chance.

I think Heatly was on pace for or close to 25 goals this year if they played a full season. The shot and the skills are still there, we just need him pick up the pace a bit.

Konapka is fine, he fights, he wins faceoffs, and he plays solid D and knows his roll. He's a tad slow and as we saw this year probably has no business in a fast paced playoff game but during the regular season he is good.

[10,000 Casts]

Agreed, and unless he gets his legs back, I don't think he is worth the money or the spot. Even if he scores 25 goals next year, how many will get scored because he is too slow. We need wingers that can dig out pucks.

On Kenopka, yes he wins face offs and he plays his roll well but he is a floater and an agitator. He floats around jacking his mouth instead of making good hits and husling. If face offs are the only thing that count then he's our guy.

Falk needs to work on his fighting but I think be could be nasty and we need a big nasty D man or 2 that no one wants to play against. I like him and I hope he stays around for a while.

[Bear55]

Granlund just finished up playing in the World Championships and it sounds like he did well. In 4 games he picked up a goal and two helpers. Pretty much all NHL talent its just on bigger ice so he has a little more time/space. He might need a little more time to adjust to the NHL game but I still feel he is going to be very good for us over the long haul.

[Improvedarock]

Dump heatly and go after Bickel!!!

[Improvedarock]

Clutterbuck can go buy buy 2 he suxs!

[Bear55]

Wild sign Marco Scandella to a 2 year deal worth a million and some change a year. I like this, he still has some kinks to work out of his game but he looked good in the playoff and is only 23 so there is some room to grow there.

[Bear55]

Just kind of rehashing what Russo has been reporting but there should be some action soon. We are in cap trouble, can't buy out Heatley because of his injury, that punk Brodin hit every rookie bonus in his contract so that also counts against our cap next season (800K or so).

Rumors of Clutterbuck, Gilbert and Konopka on the trade block. If it happens it could happen before the draft (June 30th).

We all know PMB wasn't coming back, but this might mean Cullen is also gone.

We are talking to Backstrom so hopefully he comes back cheap, we also need to sign spurgie.

It should be an off season like no other, cap going down, several buyouts across the league and not as much $$$ to go around.

Short term the Wild are in a tight spot but after next season we will see even more cap relief so long term we are ok.

[Bear55]

Also as it stands now we have about 6M to spend, we need a goalie and have RFA Clutterbuck and Spurgie. I expect to see some trades and hopefully we can sign the little guy and keep Backstrom at a reduced rate.

[maros91]

I'm all about going after Luongo if he gets bought out by Vancouver. Would come cheaper than the salary he's making now.

[RK]

Going to be a very interesting offseason. They're going to have to handle the Heatly situation very carefully. They can't buy him out until he's medically cleared, but if they clear him and he doesn't think he's ready to play he can file a grievance with the PA and throw sand in the gears until they have a hearing. They can still buy him out later, but would be nice to clear the space up front. Good news is they can go over the cap in the offseason - just have to be at the cap by the time the puck drops on the regular season.

I have to think Clutterbuck is a goner. As much as I like him for the entertainment value, they needed more production from him. Two years ago he was looking like he could turn into a nice supplemental offense type guy along with the hitting, but he really plateaued. Would love to see Gilbert move on. Wanted to like the guy but he's just too up and down. Zk I can take or leave. He's a role player, and a fairly cheap one.

Do hope they can find a way to keep Cullen, but as effective as he was, and this being very likely his last contract, couldn't fault him for going elsewhere and getting paid rather than giving the Wild a hometown discount. Coyle has played a lot of center in his career and I'd kind of like to see what he'd do as a second line center.