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Wild Offseason


archerystud

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I would imagine if he retired due to injury that there would be some sort of insurance policy to cover his remaining salary (at least part of it). I know that is how the NBA operates, does anyone know about the NHL?

They'd likely get the cash back through insurance, which will help Leopold's wallet, but it wouldn't change the cap hit for Backstrom at least. The wild are already getting an overage penalty next season because so many of their young guys hit their performance bonuses (good problem to have I guess) so even though the Wild has some cap room, hate to see it burned on a player who isn't on the roster.

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Listening to Walz yesterday, he was saying that he felt Vanek's skating would hinder him in the Western confernece that is full of speedy guys. He knows Vanek is good around the net, but he likes the youth and Speed that we are currently building with.

He also noted that the Wild will have ~11 million in free cap space this Summer.

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why wouldn't you sign Bryz again?

No way! System or not, Bryz isn't a stanley cup goalie, he isn't even a starting goalie imo. I say let Miller test the free agent waters and if he doesn't get signed then offer him a reasonable deal

I agree with trying to sign Niskanen, he's a MN boy who could help us with a few goals and add depth on the D. His +33 last year looks pretty good too.

I'd like to see Moulson back, if he has a healthy season he could score 30 goals on the right line.

Heatley, is an addition by subtraction, I'd say his NHL days are over.

Nino, no brainer

Brodziak, either come back as a 4th liner or pkg him in a deal.

Stoner, good 3rd pair D imo that brings toughness which we lack

Fontaine, I'd like him back but I bet he goes.

Zucker, pkg in a deal

Prosser - keep him for depth and the press box

Ballard - that's a tough one. looking at it now, I'd say it didn't work they way we had hoped.

Dumba- I'd like to see him get some time with the Wild next year. In no way do you trade him unless it is a BIG return. You don't give up 19 year old NHL prospects.

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I'd like to see Moulson back, if he has a healthy season he could score 30 goals on the right line.

I thought I heard or read somewhere that he was scheduled for ankle surgery, something similar to what Koviu had.

Yes I would like to have him back. Him, Nino and Hula that is one heck of a third like and any one of those players can step up to the first or second line and produce when their are injures.

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He also noted that the Wild will have ~11 million in free cap space this Summer.

Not sure how he came up with that figure, but it is half what I have seen. I realize he is closer to the pulse of the team than I am, but perhaps he is figuring in signing some guys with that figure?

http://www.capgeek.com/wild/

I fully admit that I was all over bringing Vanek here, but those feelings have tempered a bit considering how the youth played this post season AND seeing him play in the post season. He hasnt excelled in the post season and has been getting a ton of negative publicity this playoffs.

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I'd like to see Moulson back, if he has a healthy season he could score 30 goals on the right line.

Ballard - that's a tough one. looking at it now, I'd say it didn't work they way we had hoped.

Dumba- I'd like to see him get some time with the Wild next year. In no way do you trade him unless it is a BIG return. You don't give up 19 year old NHL prospects.

I don't see them re-signing Moulson....hope they don't...he's got too much Heatley in him IMO. But they may be forced to if they can't afford a replacement....but not the goal scorer this team needs.

Ballard - showed some signs of ability in playoffs but we've got others in the stable that are better IMO.

Dumba - still an unknown IMO but good upside thus far...I say keep him for now.

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No way! System or not, Bryz isn't a stanley cup goalie, he isn't even a starting goalie imo. I say let Miller test the free agent waters and if he doesn't get signed then offer him a reasonable deal

That's my point... I don't think Miller is anymore either, and if you're signing a vet as an insurance policy - which is what Bryz was this year, he just happened to be a policy they cashed in - Bryz is a cheaper option who would probably sign for less money and less term. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy about him.

All that having been said, it's a moot point with 3 goalies on the roster as it is.

I'd be shocked if they keep Moulson.

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Bryz had a couple of decent playoff games for us this year, but his history shows he is not a guy to go deep into the playoffs. Pass. Which means we are still looking for a #1 goalie as I'm not sure you can give it to Keumps all season.

Miller could be interesting if his price comes down. I think he could thrive in our system, but he's probably not worth the initial asking price.

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Quote:
That's my point... I don't think Miller is anymore either, and if you're signing a vet as an insurance policy - which is what Bryz was this year, he just happened to be a policy they cashed in - Bryz is a cheaper option who would probably sign for less money and less term. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy about him.

I see what you're saying. How about Jonas Hiller or Halak? Both would be better options than Bryzgalov imo.

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We need to figure out what to do with Backs and Harding before we think about signing another goalie. We can carry 4 goalies on the 23 man roster.

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When does free agency open?

July 1, answered my own question. I'd say they need to have Backstrom/Harding/Kuemper figured out by then unless they have a decent goalie they can trade for.

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Thank you everbody for being part of the Hockey discussion here.

We absolutley DESTROYED the Football forum in veiwership the last 6 months!!!!

Not bad for a so called niche sport!.. smile

Well done and great stuff guys/gals..$

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If both Backs and Harding retire, I hope the sign Bryz. The guy would be a good backup and seems to be awesome in the locker room. Not bad to have a positive influence for our young starting goalie.

I hope Stoner is back too...and he plays like he did during the playoffs. He's the kind of player we need, a big guy who will push people around.

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Onafly, I really wonder what the real chances of Backs and Harding retiring are? I know Backs is over 35 and has had a flurry of health problems the last few seasons and Harding has MS, but I really wonder if that would lead them to retire. I would hate to see Harding retire, but not knowing when/if he will be able to return he would certainly be helping his teammates out if he did to give someone else a roster spot and a shot.

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If we can get Vanek at a reasonable term/price I think we should take the risk, any time you can add 30 goal scorer you are making your team that much better. He would make us a scary deep team to deal with up front and probably help out the PP.

We also have a very unique situation, our old core of vets is aging fast and they might only have 2-4 years before they start to tail off, can signing one more stud help push us over the top? We also have that young core and you only get them for cheap so long, I say make the move now and see what happens. We might have to make some hard decisions down the road but they way things are playing out I think our time is now so lets go for it.

I'm guess the Wild make a reasonable offer that favors their future cap space and Vanek will take it or play somewhere else for more $$$. I'm cool with that.

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If we can get Vanek at a reasonable term/price I think we should take the risk, any time you can add 30 goal scorer you are making your team that much better. He would make us a scary deep team to deal with up front and probably help out the PP.

We also have a very unique situation, our old core of vets is aging fast and they might only have 2-4 years before they start to tail off, can signing one more stud help push us over the top? We also have that young core and you only get them for cheap so long, I say make the move now and see what happens. We might have to make some hard decisions down the road but they way things are playing out I think our time is now so lets go for it.

I'm guess the Wild make a reasonable offer that favors their future cap space and Vanek will take it or play somewhere else for more $$$. I'm cool with that.

Agree and IMO they shove all in this year with signings as the window with this group is closing fast and they were so close this year as we saw. Spend to the max now, win the cup, then ride that wave and rebuild after that. Sounds simple but..... grin

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Guess I'd rather keep a team together that makes a playoff run every year than stacking for one year and then having to dismantle because of Cap issues. Chances of winnng a Cup even with a stacked team are pretty remote (16 teams!!). But chances of winning with a strong group that can stick together for 3-5 years is far improved IMO. Yes the Parise's, Suter's, Koivu's, and Pominville's are not getting any younger. But the young guys will hit their peak in the next 3-5 years if they stick around.

I maintain that our forwards are pretty good as is. Look at all the late injuries we had this year with Coyle, Moulson, Pominville, Koivu, etc. I would hope that would not be the case every playoff year. Dmen are not excellent outside of Suter, but are fairly deep with decent young talent. Get a netminder that can make a playoff run and I like our chances a lot.

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I'm with Solbes. You can always get "rental" players whose contracts are coming up near the end of the season to put you over the top.

Need to figure out the goalie situation. Did a little reading on retiring players. If I read correctly if Backs retires it really doesn't help the Wild from a Cap Perspective because of his age.

I can see Harding retiring if he can't play. He'd collect his salary and I believe because of his age the Wild recoup his money from a cap perspective. Also frees up a spot to carry another goalie. But if he can play at least half the season like he was last year I'll take him back.

I stated it before but he was practicing in early April and if they took Curry over him for a backup then I kind of doubt whether he can play. I think he retires if he feels as if he's a burden to the team.

If anyone else knows more on the cap details about retiring please correct me. I haven't take a bunch of time to research it yet.

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We'll see I guess, but The Parise's, Koivu's, Suter's, Pomniville's of the League don't come around all at once too often and with the rising stars currently under contract as well my hopes are management sees this as a "once is great while" opportunity and fills the couple of holes we have. IMO we will be getting too old on one end and too expensive on the other to replace or keep the talent they have right now. Going to be fun to see how it unfolds this off-season!

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I wouldn't think of it as going ALL IN, just lets do this and do it now while Pommer, Parise and Koivu have some milage left in them. After that short run you might have a transition year or two as the vets step aside but that doesn't mean we can't be competitive or have to miss the playoffs.

The only guys on the books past 5 years are Parise and Suter so its not like we are screwed, might get interesting in year 4 but then Koivu is UFA, Pommer is a UFA year 5 so there will be some wiggle room.

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My prediction Wild get to Stanley Cup finals next year, but lose in 6. Then win the Stanley Cup 2 of the next 3 years.

Yes, I drank the kool aid and LOTS of it. :-)

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Dang Cap'n. Clearing the Western Conference Finals three years in a row! That would net you about one zillion dollars if you put down $10 right now.

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The only guys on the books past 5 years are Parise and Suter so its not like we are screwed, might get interesting in year 4 but then Koivu is UFA, Pommer is a UFA year 5 so there will be some wiggle room.

In 5 years Suter will be 82 years old in Hockey Minutes and Koivu will be playing Old Timers back in Finland. laugh

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Dang Cap'n. Clearing the Western Conference Finals three years in a row! That would net you about one zillion dollars if you put down $10 right now.
Correction, 4 years in a row. Next year, lose in 6. Then win two of the next 3 championships. :-) A guy can dream. But if it comes true you heard it here first.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Yo Yo Yo 3 year deal for Yeo $

I do admit he has done a good job with the younger players....he'll make a good coach at Shattuck starting the 2015-16 season!

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I was losing my confidence in Yeo around February, but wow did he turn that around. If he steps up and sits those deserving of sitting, he'll be a good coach for years to come. Oh yeah, and find an assistant who can fix the PP!

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Agreed on the PP issues. The PP Specialist coaches Darby and Bruno are NOT cutting it. There was a time when the PP was hot, but absent in the playoffs. I think how they set up is too predictable and easily defended. They had a heckuva time against Chicago who just clogged up the middle. They seem to do better when teams pursue a lot and get the goalie moving from side to side alot, but disciplined teams (like the Hawks) do not do that.

Need to set up multiple looks. Perhaps front up a big body like Stoner in front. Goalies hate guys in their grill and he wouldnt be easy to move unlike Pominville, Granlund, etc. They have the players IMO to have a quality PP, but the execution is just a bit off.

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Just listened to C.Fletch on the Fan today. At this point, doesn't sound like he is talking about much change to our G situation. He expected both Harding and Backs to be healthy by camp. And talked about Keumps also. I see near zero chance of us keeping two of those 3 healthy throughout the season. And he probably does too, but can't say much at this point.

Miller will likely be back swimming in the pool, no thanks to the enormous price tag. Stalock will be an UFA (yes please). Who else is a UFA? Can we possibly stand pat with our history of injuries?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Waivers has begun....nothing worth taking yet.....and I see the early odds-makers for next year have Wild at 20-1 with Chicago at best odds of 7-1, Buff the worst at 200-1.

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