Wild off season

[bbfenatic]

They did not even offer Benn Ferriero a contract so all they got for Faulk was a 6th rounder. As for Vanek, that is an entire season away and as you can see everything drastically changes year to year. Fletch has to be on the hotseat after last year's sub-par performance and I am really surprised with moves so far....and I bet Parise and Suter are scratching their heads as well...Yeo won't say a word...he's still giddy that he was not fired!

[CaptainMusky]

Sub-par season last year? Are you serious? Homer MN fans do it to themselves with comments like that. Way too high unrealistic expectations.

The Wild finished where they should have IMO. They tumbled at the end when they could have jumped up a couple spots and avoided the Hawks, but overall I think the season was successful from a management perspective.

Far too many people think that signing Parise and Suter = Stanley Cup. That is preposterous.

They havent made the playoffs in several years, finished several spots higher and made the playoffs this year.

I expected playoffs this year. Sub-par? Ummm, I dont think so by any stretch.

[10,000 Casts]

call it what you want, they ended up average and snuck into the playoffs. That means they ended up in the 16th spot and almost got swept in the playoffs. I'm happy with the improvement but that is still average. It was nice to have playoff hockey back even if it was short lived..

I can't believe they let Falk go for almost nothing.. He was worth more a 6th rd pick unless they find a way to package that pick with a player to get a trade done.. I almost threw up when Russo reported that he figured we were doing the Rangers a "favor"...

This El Nino trade is interesting. He is in a contract year and in a new system, he'll need to produce.

[bbfenatic]

Sub-par season last year? Are you serious? Homer MN fans do it to themselves with comments like that. Way too high unrealistic expectations.

The Wild finished where they should have IMO. They tumbled at the end when they could have jumped up a couple spots and avoided the Hawks, but overall I think the season was successful from a management perspective.

Far too many people think that signing Parise and Suter = Stanley Cup. That is preposterous.

They havent made the playoffs in several years, finished several spots higher and made the playoffs this year.

I expected playoffs this year. Sub-par? Ummm, I dont think so by any stretch.

Glad you are happy they got the last spot in the playoffs and as far as Parise and Suter....I could care less who they have on the roster...it could be Crosby and Vanek or whomever as far as I am concerned but to consistently be average AT BEST is Sub-par and not a stretch in any way IMO. Ownership may be happy....they fill the stands every game but I bet if you asked the good players on the team if we, as fans, need to lower our expectations and just "be happy" as a middle of the pack franchise....they'd laugh you off your chair.

[Bear55]

If you really aren't happy with the direction of the wild look at our roster 4 years ago. The only names worth anything that we could use right now are Burns and Gabby and we all know why they aren't here any more. Our prospect pool at that time was non-existent. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0023312009.html

You don't just step into the NHL playoffs and start winning, it just doesn't work that way. We had a nice year and got some experience. We have a strong core of vets (Koivue, Parise, Suter, Pominville) and a very good looking core of young talent (Coyle, Brodin, Dumba, Nino, Zucker, and Granlund). And of course those tweener players that might come or go over the next few seasons.

Until the kids are ready to step up and play a larger roll over the next 1-5 years then don't expect any magical cup runs. Their progress will determine our success. Parise and Suter certainly raised expectations but they can't carry a team. We need young talent and depth to get us over the hump.

I wouldn't expect any magical cup runs next year either, unless some of the kids explode. If you can't handle waiting for some young talent to mature then jump on the Hawks, Kings, Penns, or B's bandwagons.

[CaptainMusky]

Bear, you nailed it. They have been BELOW average for several seasons and last year they took a step in the right direction so calling that result is ridiculous IMO. The cupboard was bare in the minor system and under Fletch it has been vastly improved to one of, if not the best pool in the league.

Am I happy with "average"? Absolutely not. Of course I want them to go deep in the playoffs and contend for the cup, BUT, that isnt going to happen overnight and certainly wasnt an automatic by just signing Parise and Suter, which some people think it should have been.

[bbfenatic]

I wouldn't expect any magical cup runs next year either, unless some of the kids explode. If you can't handle waiting for some young talent to mature then jump on the Hawks, Kings, Penns, or B's bandwagons.

Not expecting a Cup run this year either that is for sure....but sure would be nice to be at the Hawks, Kings, Penns or B's level. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the playoffs this year, great hockey after that first round. My point is we have missed the playoffs in 6 of the last 9 years and lost in 1st round of the other 3 yrs. Wild fans who pack them in every night deserve better. But you pin your hopes on "the kids" and keep on waiting for that next year, or that next, or that next.

[Bear55]

But you pin your hopes on "the kids" and keep on waiting for that next year, or that next, or that next.

It's just the reality of our situation and most everyone else in the NHL, if they don't pan out we are screwed. You can't buy a team of free agents and win anymore. You can't trade you depth for a few stars either, look at the rangers this season. They traded their depth for Nash and then traded Gabby to get some depth back.

[Bear55]

Just saw Tom Gilbert was bought out for more cap space.

[bbfenatic]

Just saw Tom Gilbert was bought out for more cap space.

Good move! Any chance you think Cullen will stay for less?

[10,000 Casts]

Gilbert was put on waivers and will be bought out tomorrow. There's $4m of cap space to work with. And I thought there would be a second chance to buy out Heatly and they figured he would be healthy enough for that one. Did that come and go already???

PMB is a goner too.

Alot of our success will be on Pominvill's shoulders next year. If he gels with Parise and Koivu, look out.. But Fletcher put alot of eggs in that basket.

I'd say if we can pick up 2 solid Dmen, we'll be ok. They seem to be saying that their will be quite a few availible and we should be attactive for them to want to deal. I'd still like to see them package Seto and a prospect/pick and get another big name in here. It's still early and Fletch and still pull this together.

[CaptainMusky]

The Wild are really not that far off from being a serious contender. If Heatley wouldnt have gotten injured before the playoffs I think we would have made that Hawks series considerably more competitive.

For next year I think I would rather have Pominville center with Parise and Coyle vs Koivu. I think the more physical presence that Coyle can bring will help free up space for the killer p's.

It would have been nice to buy out Heatley, but I wont be heartbroken if he comes back because he was serviceable when healthy. He isnt going to score 40 goals again, but he is strong in front of the net.

[Bear55]

The Wild are really not that far off from being a serious contender.

I think its one of those close but still kind of far away deals. I think we have the skill to get there but a lot of that skills need some time to get better.

That or clone 4 extra Brodin's to shore up our D.

[Bear55]

Good move! Any chance you think Cullen will stay for less?

Who knows for sure, I'm guess if Cullen gets a good offer he is gone. If not we might be able to keep him on the cheap. I also would mind us taking a shot at Ballard (Vancouver buyout) if he is reasonably priced.

And there are those rumors of the Wild shopping Seto again. Maybe looking for help at D but who knows for sure.

[CaptainMusky]

I think its one of those close but still kind of far away deals. I think we have the skill to get there but a lot of that skills need some time to get better.

Very true. They would need things to go very well, but they do have a lot of young talent. Even Parise and Suter are not on the decline in their career by any means.

They need Coyle to keep progressing. Zucker to show the flashes he had last year with greater frequency and more stability at D after the top 2.

[10,000 Casts]

Sounds like Cullen wants 3 yrs and over $3.5m a year. I say let him go if that's true. I'd rather have a quality D.

[bbfenatic]

Hmmmmmm. They have to think about that real hard...my guess is we will wait to see if other teams show an interest at that amount and hopefully Cullen has given the Wild the ability to see if they can match or get close. I think $3.5m for this next year is reasonable but he does not have 3 good yrs left on those old legs....tough decision cuz we need him.

[fishing tech]

Wild agree to terms with Ballard. I like this deal, haven't seen the numbers yet but it is a 2 year deal.

[10,000 Casts]

Russo tweeted its a 2 yr $3m deal so I think it's $1.5m year? Either way I really like it. It sounds like he wants to play another 10 yrs and this is the way to re-establish his career. This offseason is looking up already. Now to just get rid of Kenopka and either upgrade that 3/4 line or get another D for depth.

Sounds like Cullen will be a goner. Fletch didn't even give him an offer.

[bbfenatic]

I am really puzzled with Fletch....Ballard was terrible in Vancouver and they consider him a big bust...his game has really gone downhill last couple of years....and then to not even offer Cullen a deal????

[OnAFly]

CF told Cullen long ago that if he were not in the position to submit a legitimate offer, he would simply not submit one. Classy move in my book.

[10,000 Casts]

Cullen signed a 2 yr deal with Nashville and PMB signed a 1 yr deal with the Isles.

[OnAFly]

Cullen got the same $3.5M he was making here. Still too rich for our blood.

[fishing tech]

Seto traded to the Jets for a 2nd round pick next year.

[bbfenatic]

Seto for a 2nd Rounder and now Matt Cook???? Things are going from bad to worse IMO. Fletch better have something up his sleeve (and maybe he does) or this could be a real disaster in the making IMO.