Wild 2013-14 season

[fishing tech]

Heatley cannot keep up with Haula and Fontaine. Wild are playing well. I hope Boston doesn't come out in the second and start playing physical.

[CaptainMusky]

Brodziak is completely useless ! Bench him , cut him I don't care that P O S shouldn't hit the ice again. So tired ofthat guy.

[Bear55]

Welp ran into a better team tonight, threw everything we had at them in the first, many scoring chances,the B's bent but didn't break. Then like good teams do they come back in the 2nd and take advantage of scoring opportunities and just lean on us in the 3rd until we break. Like CM said, we are close but just not quite there yet.

The good news is there is some time left to get hot at the end of the year, we aren't playing bad but we aren't playing great either. Saw something extra out of Koivu tonight so hopefully he can keep that up, Granlund flashing some amazing skill as well.

[10,000 Casts]

A good team that is almost unbeatable at home and bigger, more physical and better coached. And that's not criticizing the Wild, it's complimenting the Bruins.

On to the Isles, we need a win bad to try and get a little cushion in the playoff race.

[OnAFly]

Either the first or the second goal was totally on Brodziak. He failed to clear the zone despite having ample opportunity. He just stood there while a guy comes in a pick his pocket. 5s later it's a goal. For being a defensive specialist, the guy has been making some pretty bone headed plays lately.

Another of their goals came off of a failed clearing attempt. Really, if we were stronger on the breakout last night, we might have brought that to OT. Koivu had one good chance and one that 95% of the time goes in. His give-and-go with Moulson was beautiful, just didn't end up in the net this time. They keep that up and we'll see more production out of Koivu.

[bbfenatic]

What a great game; they played really well just came up a little short. They will be much better next year. It is just so nice to have a team in Minnesota...they are so fun to watch....and just think, if 3 of our close chances would have gone in we would have at least obtained one point, darn.

[Bear55]

bb you should just cheer for the #1 seeds in the conference every year, it would be easier and you could win multiple cups.

Kind of a must win tonight, Phoenix sneaking up on us.

[10,000 Casts]

Quote:

Either the first or the second goal was totally on Brodziak

The first one was Kuemper watching the man and not the puck and Iginla surprised him with a screened shot. I know the 2nd one was Brodziak, the 3rd one was Koivu.

This will never be a Stanley Cup team if they don't learn how to finish their checks and play physical in front of their net..

[CaptainMusky]

Either the first or the second goal was totally on Brodziak. He failed to clear the zone despite having ample opportunity. He just stood there while a guy comes in a pick his pocket. 5s later it's a goal. For being a defensive specialist, the guy has been making some pretty bone headed plays lately.

It was the second goal. A shift in which Suter and Spurgeon had been on the ice for nearly 2 minutes and desperately needed a change. This was the cause of my "bench Brodziak" post above. The guy is absolutely worthless. I wish we could trade him for a 4th string goalie. Pathetic.

[CaptainMusky]

What a great game; they played really well just came up a little short. They will be much better next year. It is just so nice to have a team in Minnesota...they are so fun to watch....and just think, if 3 of our close chances would have gone in we would have at least obtained one point, darn.

So much for stopping "stirring the pot".

[Bear55]

Please switch Brodz and Haula, this needs to happen!

[Bear55]

Starting to wonder is bb is just trolling us for entertainment. He is either blinded by some form of hockey passion or high end troll, can't decide which one.

[bbfenatic]

bb you should just cheer for the #1 seeds in the conference every year, it would be easier and you could win multiple cups.

Kind of a must win tonight, Phoenix sneaking up on us.

No thanks...I'm a homer and I am changing to your mindset....no matter how they play I am happy just watching it unfold no matter what happens. I feel so much better now that I have no expectations whatsoever.

[CaptainMusky]

I have expectations, just not lofty ones like you appear to have. Expectation #1 make the playoffs this year without a collapse into the playoffs like last year. If they collapse and do not make the playoffs or still are able to make the playoffs, I expect changes.

[bbfenatic]

Starting to wonder is bb is just trolling us for entertainment. He is either blinded by some form of hockey passion or high end troll, can't decide which one.

I still think it would be fun to get together at a sports bar somewhere and banter in person, I don't drink so no need to worry about that on my part.... but you might be surprised with my knowledge and history of my hockey and connections I have in the NHL...it would be fun....plus we could talk fishing which is a passion of mine as well...at least chasing crappies...never have gotten into the walleye thing....my best crappie days are starting now with the melt coming (if that ever happens!)

[bbfenatic]

It was the second goal. A shift in which Suter and Spurgeon had been on the ice for nearly 2 minutes and desperately needed a change. This was the cause of my "bench Brodziak" post above. The guy is absolutely worthless. I wish we could trade him for a 4th string goalie. Pathetic.

Agree 100%...Brodz is a major liability and that is part of my problem with Yeo, getting the right players on the ice, regardless of how much they make, how nice of a guy they are, whatever they have on you or whatever...the coach has to make better personnel decisions....it's not like the cupboard is bare...plenty of good players in the system that could bring better results and it is never too late to make some changes, we need a spark from someone very soon IMO.

[TomWehler]

Fun x 100 when not forced to listen to the FSN crew of any kind.

Wild missed some chances but Bruins missed just as many so they mean nothing except on the bench to build something on.

Capt. K still not moving his feet like he can but doing better. Fun to watch .

Bruins far stronger, larger an talent deeper, but Wild did ok as enjoyed the game.

Bruins coach is not one to hold back. You flub something up you hear it ...NOW!

Wild have to listen to the crowd of loyal old school over 55 fans who constantly mention for them to HIT SOME ON ALREADY!

When playoffs start a few of the Wild forwards are going to be beat on hard an shawdow'd into making miques big time.

Looks somewhat easy for the larger teams.

Enjoy reading you guys banter an take on things.

Keep on rocken.

Tommy

[Bear55]

I have expectations, just not lofty ones like you appear to have. Expectation #1 make the playoffs this year without a collapse into the playoffs like last year. If they collapse and do not make the playoffs or still are able to make the playoffs, I expect changes.

I think CM hit the nail on the head, its all about expectations. What are your expectations for this team BB? Cup? Conference finals? I posted earlier we prob get bounced in the first round this year, the team as a whole isn't ready yet.

To get anywhere near the cup we likely have to defeat 3 or 4 of the following teams in a best of 7 series. St Louis, Anaheim, San Jose, Chicago, LA, Pitt and Boston. Might as well add Colorado to that list because they aren't going away any time soon. We aren't better than any of these teams in the standings, we aren't better on paper, and its a long shot that we are better in the playoffs.

Next year I rachet up my expectations a fair bit more. No reason to get [PoorWordUsage] losing to the #1 team in the east, we didn't look horrible out there but didn't win, oh well move on and hopefully win tonight. I have no problem calling out the team or whoever when they play bad (see Edmonton and Brodz for examples). I just think we need to keep if reasonable.

[bbfenatic]

Just finish off w/o any serious injuries, have a good offseason...try it again next year.

Seriously though....they are under performing drastically and if you don't think that then I give up. Yeo needs to shake things up and find a player or combo who can put the puck in the net....possibly bench Koivu just to send a message, he can't put the puck in an ocean right now and defensively he's not up to standards either...just something to light a fire IMO.

[bbfenatic]

As far as expectations; just play up to the level they are capable (which they are far from doing) would be a good start; if they do that anything can happen come playoff time and who knows if Keumper gets hot again and they step it up I see them getting past the first round, maybe even the 2nd, its all about confidence and getting other teams leery about playing you...Big Mo...and we have none right now.

[10,000 Casts]

My hopes are that we make the playoffs and don't get swept! A first rd loss if fine by me.

[Bear55]

they are under performing drastically and if you don't think that then I give up.

Ok I think I see the problem here, you think we are better than we really are. Over 82 games these things tend to get sorted out, call it under performing if you want but the results and the production speak for themselves. Sure it would be nice if every player on our team had a career season but that is not realistic.

[CaptainMusky]

Underperforming compared to what? BB do you think they should be in First place? Where you your realistically think they should be right now since they are not measuring up? Its an honest question, not intended to blast you or anything, I am just wondering where you truly think they should be.

To me I dont think they are underperforming at all. I think they are pretty much exactly where I thought they would be at this point in the season this year if you are talking standings-wise.

Now on an individual game by game basis there are things that I can nitpick for sure, but overall I think they are playing fine and "are who I thought they were".

They havent been putting the puck in the net as much as I would like recently, but that really isnt their style of play. They are a team that gives few chances and is opportunistic when their chances arise. They try and command play by forecheck pressure and backcheck aggressively using forwards to limit defensive zone time which usually translates to fewer shots given up. They block a lot of shots too.

Watching the game last night we saw a different style of play from the Wild with FAR more frequent stretch passes. I know the broadcast was saying this is their style, but not to the extent they made it out to be. Last night it was apparent they were going to do it early AND often. Provided many good chances.

I think one of the things that messes people up is the run in the playoffs that Wild did in 2003. Too many people forget how overachieving that team was and then it was followed by the biggest mismanagement by a GM ever. Fletcher has made some great moves and positionally we are poised to explode.

I was kind of expecting a bit more out of Moulson at this point. He looked good the first two games, but the last 3? has not really shined at all. I hope he gets out of that funk because I think he could really help us down the stretch.

SUPER glad that Fonzy was out there last night!! The guy busts his butt off and is a great fit for that line. I would like him to stick around more and get Brodz out and bring back McCormick.

[bbfenatic]

Where you your realistically think they should be right now since they are not measuring up?

To me I dont think they are underperforming at all.

You can't be serious???? Just because you hid behind false pretenses all year and "are happy" they are where they are, does not mean they are where "hockey people" expect them to be at this point....playing like a bottom 5 team at present. Under performing compared to expectations set by Fletch, Yeo, Liepold....the real people held accountable. I get the fact you are fine with their play but if you think Mgmt/Ownership would have thought they'd be "on the bubble" at this time, after the moves they made..and especially after the high-level performances they've had this year pre-moves....I think you are sorely mistaking. Everyone has a different level of expectation thus our differences...and this is what makes the world go round.

As far as where they should be I am thinking in that 5th-6th place and at least get past the 1st round and put up a good fight in the 2nd round. Tough conference like Bear has pointed out but my gripe is the late season collapse again, the inability to score goals down the stretch here cannot be overlooked...can't win if you don't score...they certainly have been right in there with the number of shots and other key stats but stupid mistakes, not going the extra step, getting sloppy with the puck, lots of mental breakdowns one would not have expected in the crunch time from these guys. Let's hope they turn it around soon.

[fishing tech]

Haula out tonight, Brodz on 4th line. I get it but why?