Wild 2013-14 season

[fishing tech]

Backstrom has been weak in nets, Heatley terrible, the D unstable, The team intensity has been average.

What gets me is the weakness/lack of toughness the team has. I know Konopka has fought in every game, but when Pommer got knocked around after the whistle there was NO ONE jumping in to stand up for him.

Viellew? should help with that and Rupp when he gets back.

I would like to see Yoe get a little fired up on the bench once in a while.

[hoppe56307]

I would like to see Yoe get a little fired up on the bench once in a while.

Apparently you were not watching when Harding got hit in the last game, he was pretty red in the face yelling at the ref about the Wild not getting a powerplay out of it.

[Bear55]

Sounds like a little line juggling.

Parise Koivu Nino

Pommers Granlund Heatley

Cooke Brodz Fontain

Spurgie Ballard

Stoner Dumba

[Musky Buck]

Boy Bear55 if that's the lineup we are thin on toughness. Noticed the 4th line wasn't on it but we're a bit soft.

[CaptainMusky]

Same old thing...can't score. Spurgeon's goal was very nice but other than that not too much to be excited about. Agree Heatley is a liability, only time he is effective is when on the PP and others doing the work to get him the puck. My guess is Leopold has Yeo on the hot seat and if they don't get at least one win in the next two he'll pull the plug on him. I am surprised they have not sent a few down and brought a few up, other than Zucker who had to fill Coyle's spot. I'd like to see Yeo go to send a message we cannot tolerate this level of performance.

Those are some lofty ideas there for only playing 3 games. You honestly think that players would be moving up and down purely based on play (no injuries) at this point already?

The team as a whole has not played poorly. In fact, they really have held the edge on play for the lion's share of all three games, but come away with only one loss. I would hard call that an "ugly record". Granted you do need to win at home, but who they lost to were no slouches.

Aside from that, i have predicted it until I was blue in the face. Backstrom is a liability on this team. He is an above average goal tender who is injury prone. We can NOT put too much pressure on him night in night out and expect him to be healthy.

For crying out loud its an 82 game season and you are seriously thinking Leopold will give Yeo the ax after 5 games? Get real.

Its expectations like those expressed above that constantly set MN professional sports fans up for disappointment. Far too high of expectations.

This team should make the playoffs (finish 6 or 7), should hopefully make the second round this year and the big push will be 2014-2015. Heatley gone and some new iron stepping up. BOOM!

[bbfenatic]

Those are some lofty ideas there for only playing 3 games. You honestly think that players would be moving up and down purely based on play (no injuries) at this point already?

The team as a whole has not played poorly. In fact, they really have held the edge on play for the lion's share of all three games, but come away with only one loss. I would hard call that an "ugly record". Granted you do need to win at home, but who they lost to were no slouches.

Aside from that, i have predicted it until I was blue in the face. Backstrom is a liability on this team. He is an above average goal tender who is injury prone. We can NOT put too much pressure on him night in night out and expect him to be healthy.

For crying out loud its an 82 game season and you are seriously thinking Leopold will give Yeo the ax after 5 games? Get real.

Its expectations like those expressed above that constantly set MN professional sports fans up for disappointment. Far too high of expectations.

This team should make the playoffs (finish 6 or 7), should hopefully make the second round this year and the big push will be 2014-2015. Heatley gone and some new iron stepping up. BOOM!

HaHa, changes are already coming regardless of injuries so get up to date and look at tonight's lineup!!! And as far as only 3 games in.. they also under performed last year so it is not just 3 games for Yeo. Look at Laviolette in Philly, the guy has been to the playoffs 6 times in 12 years, won the Cup one year and he got the axe the other day after 3 games. We'll see....winning will solve everything but I'd put a bet on Yeo being gone if they don't win one of the next two and go on some sort of a streak. He was close to being fired after last season, that was no secret.

As far as Backs...I agree, he flops down and gives up the roof way too much. With that being said, if you are supposedly out playing teams, out-shooting teams, and only giving up 2-4 goals a game you should be able to out score your opponent and that has not happened enough under Yeo IMO. I like the changes they made for tonight, they have told players there "should be a sense of urgency" so we will see how they respond. I like Yeo as a person and he seems to be a smart guy...just may not be the leader this team needs. And last year it was "wait till 2013-2014!" now we have to wait till 2014-215??? If we have to wait then fine...but Yeo won't be coaching by then at this pace. And expectations....my passion is hockey, I could not name one other player than Mauer on the Twins, Wolves none....oh I guess Love, Vikes are dismal...but when it comes to hockey, yes I have high expectations with the quality players they have in the entire organization.

[CaptainMusky]

Yeah they have quality players but most of them are young and you don't get 19 year old stand outs like Brodin often so these players need time to develop.

I have said all along it would be 2014. They should be improved this year but big push next year with a cpl big name free agents. IMO. So many people get all wound up up praise and Suter and the money they get thinking its should be instant championship. That's not how it works.

[yakfisher]

I've been saying 14-15 as well. Personally, I felt playoffs last year (almost blew that), second round or conf finals this year and conf finals or better in 14-15. Gotta shore up the D and develop the youngins, it takes time. And I wasn't big on signing Backstrom took money from the kids for what has turned out to be aslightly above average net minder.

This however is the best product I've seen on the ice ever.

[bbfenatic]

All around good game for the Wild last night, they looked very solid. Let's hope they can keep it up.....change can be good and a motivating factor...seems to have been the difference last night.

[CaptainMusky]

I am impressed with El Nino so far this season and I think he had a great game again last night.

Brodin has two goals already? Really impressed there too. Far too many penalties last night though. Throw in a couple 5-3 chances. The game could have been in complete control if they were more disciplined and we didnt get a few phantom calls too.

I sure would love to have Byfuglen (however the hell you spell it) on our D corps. Man is he a beast.

[RK]

Pretty good game last night but honestly, not a lot different than the earlier games... They just got rewarded for it this time. They keep generating chances like they are, they will start going in.

Nino looked very good on the top line. Big guy who can skate and goes to the net. 2nd line looked a lot better with Pomminville too. I swear though, Heatley's hands are gone. He shanked shots and missed passes all night. Had some good moments too but man I have no faith in the guy.

Granlund is light years ahead of where he was last year too. Kid looks like an NHL player this time around. He was very good last night.

Looks like Dumba is really making a case for sticking around past 9 games too. Almost have to wonder if that makes either Scandella or Prosser trade bait. If Dumba sticks, they won't carry 8 D all season I wouldn't think.

Amazing stat last night was how much they dominated faceoffs. They won 45 of 61 I think. That's insane against allegedly NHL caliber centers. Allowed them to control the game, and you didn't hear names like Settoguchi, Wheeler or Kane very often as a result. Jets just could never get going because they chased the puck all night.

Hope we can do the same to Dallas on Sat...

[echotrail]

Being at the game last night I couldn't help but notice the fans seemed kind of quite for what you would think will be a great division rivalry. The Wild's winless start to this point probably had them down a little. A few fights and some give and take cheap shots should build the rivalry by seasons end. It seemed Wild fans put more effort into booing when Jets fans were chanting "Go Jets Go".

My sons friend is from Winnipeg and says tickets for Jets home games get $300 to $350 and it's cheaper for their fans to drive to St. Paul to see them play. A group of 3 or 4 can split travel costs and save big $.

[Bear55]

RK, I like what I am seeing out of Granlund too. Totally different player than last season. I seriously just want to drop heatley when Coyle gets back, he's just lost his game. With that said he will probably come back and score some goals for us this season but man he is just not getting it done out there.

[BartmanMN]

I agree with everything RK posted as well. Granny looks amazingly better this year. Not getting tossed around like a rag doll.

[OnAFly]

Anyone know what the compliance buyout rules are for during the season? I don't remember if there was something in there about a time limit on using them. It would be nice to get Heater off the books and create some room.

Trade Scandella...to who? Prosser too. I have to think that if Prosser is involved with a deal it will be for "future considerations."

Scandella we might get something, but I can't think it will be much.

[RK]

No buyout during the season, and Heately's a UFA after this season so buyout is a moot point. They couldn't buy him out this summer because he was hurt. So he's on the team. I think he'll score some, but I'd be happy to see 20 goals out of the guy honestly.

My pet peeve with Heately is "The Heately Forecheck" - skate into the middle of the zone then point your stick at the other team's d-man as he skates by you with the puck. You can almost hear him saying "There he is! Get 'im! Get 'im!" Watch sometime... Makes me crazy.

I think you could trade Prosser for a mid-round draft pick or two. Like the guy but it's almost to the point where giving him a shot in another organization would be doing him a favor. I don't think you're going to see him jumping ahead of guys like Dumba or Stoner on the depth chart. I think he needs waivers to get to Iowa, so you'd imagine they'd try to get SOMETHING for him before the floated him over the waiver wire. A team that needs an organizational depth defensemen may give up a 5th rounder for him.

[OnAFly]

Yeah Heater getting hurt at the end of the year last year was really bad timing.

I'd be cool with them getting a 5th or 6th for Prosser. Maybe they're waiting to see what they do with Dumba on game 9 of his.

I'll have to watch for the Heatley forecheck tomorrow

[Bear55]

Nice dominating win against Dallas, who is this Matt Cooke guy leading our team in points? I know that won't last but it sure is fun.

[bbfenatic]

Very impressive, they all played intense hockey, hit on all cylinders and executing like they are capable.

Time to give Yeo an extension!

[OnAFly]

Haha! That was a great game to watch. If this puck posession style of Yeo's keeps up like this, it will be a fun season I still have doubts about our D, though.

[schmitty3]

Good to see the young guys put their first goals on the board. They really haven't been outplayed yet this year. I'm excited, only thing that really concerns me is the goaltending.

[bbfenatic]

So happy to see Harding playing so well, hope they stay with him and move Backs in as the back-up now and then to give Harding a rest. Tough one tonight in Toronto, wonder who will play in the net tonight?

Yeo for Coach of the Year!

[10,000 Casts]

I hope they ride Harding for as long as they can too. That Cooke line sure is playing well and it was interesting how high that NBC Sports is on the Wild.

My takes so far,

Harding has about a 1.00 GAA

They are allowing the fewest shots in the league.

Their faceoff win % is #2 in the league.

Their power play is really clicking

All great things for an up and coming team that was pinned by the salary cap! I love watching them swarm in the nuetral zone, it sure can help a suspect D when the other team has trouble getting into your zone and it seems to lend itself towards our younger blue collar team. I've always like Yeo and I'd say he's doing the best with what he has right now.

[CaptainMusky]

Wasnt it just a week ago that people were calling for Yeo's head and how terribly underachieving the team was?

Its a long season boys. They are playing well now and are putting together a nice streak. A real test against Toronto. Buffalo has been struggling, but Dallas has been playing well of late too, so a couple good things there.

Agreed on Harding. It wouldnt hurt my feelings at all if they put Kuemper in to rest Harding instead of putting Backstrom back in. At some point they have to give these guys some experience.

I will admit. I wasnt too keen at first when I heard of the Cooke deal, but I did know he had changed him game from when I really saw him in Vancouver.

He is really playing well and a big boost to the team. We have guys playing well all over that just arent showing up on the stats sheet yet.

D is a bit of concern still. Stoner still sucks. Ballard has been inconsistent. A couple really good games, then a couple sloppy ones. Last night OK.

Overall very pleased with the play thus far. Love the tenacity and puck possession.

[RK]

About half way through the game I thought to myself "Man, this must have been what it was like watching your team play the Wild 3 or 4 years ago..." Not a ton of talent in Buffalo, and they spent a lot of the game sitting back in the neutral zone clogging things up and just trying to slow down the MN offense coming into the zone.

Not a great game by the Wild by any means but they play well enough in stretches to win against a bad team on the road. And I didn't think Buffalo was as bad as I thought they were going to be. Seemed like they'd get close to putting it together time after time then trip over their own feet somehow.

Couple random thoughts:

- Whoda thunk Cooke would be a fan favorite so fast? That third line is awfully, awfully good right now.

- Brodin: My God. What a talent that kid is. Already almost half his point total from last season, and no letdown in his defensive coverage. Amazing skater, and just a smart, smart player.

- Heately: My God. And not in a good way. I swear, his hands are gone. He can't connect with a pass, Grandlund puts a puck right on his stick at the goal mouth and he misses it wide on an empty net... Announcers tried to be generous and say he got clipped on his partial breakaway, but honest to God I think he just fell down. Right now the guy is a liability. At what point do you make him a healthy scratch? When Coyle comes back how on earth do you send Granlund down to the 4th line (or back to Iowa) and keep Heately on the 2nd?

- Granlund: What a difference a year makes eh?

- Harding: Looks very confident, which Backstrom frankly did not the first few games. Have to wonder if they ride him for a while. I sure would. If Harding locks down the #1, is Backstrom on the block at some point. That I suppose depends on if they think Kuemper is ready to be an NHL #2... But there are some teams that look to need a keeper. (*cough* Oilers *cough*)

- Koivu haters should watch the replay of Pomminville's goal 10 or 12 times. That was one heck of a sequence.

- Heck of a sales pitch to Vanek, eh?

Be interesting to see how tonight goes. Second night of a back to back, tough place to play, backup to the backup... I can see this one being a tough one.