OT: MN Wild

F#CK!  So who the hell is Kevin Fiala?  Hope it works out, but I like Mikael.

What the fuck?  Is this a give up sale?

They needed to blow this up, get faster and younger.  I'm surprised they didn't deal Staal.  I would have traded Brodin too.  This core has had their chances and not gotten it done.  Coyle, Niederreiter and Granlund were the poster boys for that.  All three completely disappeared in the playoffs last year.

They also now have $10M to spend in free agency.

@"JimmyinSD" said: What the fuck?  Is this a give up sale?

Fiala will add some speed and skill to a very slow club. Granlund is what he is, a guy who makes plays but rarely shoots and always turtles in the playoffs.

@"JimmyinSD" said: What the fuck?  Is this a give up sale?

@"Purplewhizz" said: They needed to blow this up, get faster and younger.  I'm surprised they didn't deal Staal.  I would have traded Brodin too.  This core has had their chances and not gotten it done.  Coyle, Niederreiter and Granlund were the poster boys for that.  All three completely disappeared in the playoffs last year.

They also now have $10M to spend in free agency.

Exactly.  It's a "Hey we can lose in the first round again or miss the playoffs entirely for a lot cheaper than this" sale.

They're blowing the team up.  Might as well.  This current group isn't going to get it done.  Sadly, the ones who OUGHT to be traded away are too expensive (overpaid); no one else wants them.

@"pumpf" said: They're blowing the team up.  Might as well.  This current group isn't going to get it done.  Sadly, the ones who OUGHT to be traded away are too expensive (overpaid); no one else wants them.

@"Purplewhizz" said:

@"pumpf" said: They're blowing the team up.  Might as well.  This current group isn't going to get it done.  Sadly, the ones who OUGHT to be traded away are too expensive (overpaid); no one else wants them.

Who would that be?  The three they  just dealt were the most overpaid vs what they are producing.  I guess I would throw Koivu in there too but he’s injured.

I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

@"HappyViking" said:

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

The Wolves are nothing like the Wild.  The Wild have
had really good teams, and have as many or more playoff appearances than the
Wolves.  The Wolves have been around 10 years longer than the Wild, and
also have been consistently crappy most of their existence.  In their 30
year history, 20 of those seasons have been sub .500.

The Wild have been around 19 seasons and have had only three seasons below
.500.  Two of those losing seasons where their first two NHL seasons.

While the Wild haven't had the success of a top contender, they haven't been anywhere near a
league doormat like the Wolves have been.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

The Wolves are nothing like the Wild.  The Wild have
had really good teams, and have as many or more playoff appearances than the
Wolves.  The Wolves have been around 10 years longer than the Wild, and
also have been consistently crappy most of their existence.  In their 30
year history, 20 of those seasons have been sub .500.

The Wild have been around 19 seasons and have had only three seasons below
.500.  Two of those losing seasons where their first two NHL seasons.

While the Wild haven't had the success of a top contender, they haven't been anywhere near a
league doormat like the Wolves have been.

maybe not, but they are both examples of franchises that have been largely held back by a lack of leadership that has and displays a passion for winning.  the wolves lost that when they traded KG away (although his contract really handcuffed the teams efforts to build talent around him (much like the twins and mauer))  and the wild put all their eggs in Parise and Sutter and neither seem like the type that will rally the locker room around them when the chips are down... maybe ZP, but he is injured so much I dont know how much his voice resonates with his teammates.

@"HappyViking" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

The Wolves are nothing like the Wild.  The Wild have
had really good teams, and have as many or more playoff appearances than the
Wolves.  The Wolves have been around 10 years longer than the Wild, and
also have been consistently crappy most of their existence.  In their 30
year history, 20 of those seasons have been sub .500.

The Wild have been around 19 seasons and have had only three seasons below
.500.  Two of those losing seasons where their first two NHL seasons.

While the Wild haven't had the success of a top contender, they haven't been anywhere near a
league doormat like the Wolves have been.

maybe not, but they are both examples of franchises that have been largely held back by a lack of leadership that has and displays a passion for winning.  the wolves lost that when they traded KG away (although his contract really handcuffed the teams efforts to build talent around him (much like the twins and mauer))  and the wild put all their eggs in Parise and Sutter and neither seem like the type that will rally the locker room around them when the chips are down... maybe ZP, but he is injured so much I dont know how much his voice resonates with his teammates.

Not sure I agree.  Parise is a very exciting, firey player; especially his first couple of years in MN.  He's a hustle and full effort type a player that isn't afraid to dig for pucks in front of the net or corners.  I've been a fan of his since the Sioux days.  Injuries and age have slowed Parise down, but he still gives it everything.

Sutter seems more low key, but again, he's still very good too.  Smart player that seems to be able to skate, skate, and skate some more.  Unfortunately he seems to be slowing down too.

Where these two enough? Nope, but they had a couple killer seasons with those two, but Chicago kept knocking them off and then winning the cup.  Those Blackhawk teams have been great.

I loved the North Stars, and they never won a cup either.  It doesn't make that team historically bad like the Wolves have been.

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"Purplewhizz" said:

@"pumpf" said: They're blowing the team up.  Might as well.  This current group isn't going to get it done.  Sadly, the ones who OUGHT to be traded away are too expensive (overpaid); no one else wants them.

Who would that be?  The three they  just dealt were the most overpaid vs what they are producing.  I guess I would throw Koivu in there too but he’s injured.

I am thinking this is about Parise and Suter but their contracts are absolutely ridiculous. Parise and Suter will be a free agents in 2025. Koivu will be a free agent in 2020. They are in rebuild mode now. 

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

The Wolves are nothing like the Wild.  The Wild have
had really good teams, and have as many or more playoff appearances than the
Wolves.  The Wolves have been around 10 years longer than the Wild, and
also have been consistently crappy most of their existence.  In their 30
year history, 20 of those seasons have been sub .500.

The Wild have been around 19 seasons and have had only three seasons below
.500.  Two of those losing seasons where their first two NHL seasons.

While the Wild haven't had the success of a top contender, they haven't been anywhere near a
league doormat like the Wolves have been.

maybe not, but they are both examples of franchises that have been largely held back by a lack of leadership that has and displays a passion for winning.  the wolves lost that when they traded KG away (although his contract really handcuffed the teams efforts to build talent around him (much like the twins and mauer))  and the wild put all their eggs in Parise and Sutter and neither seem like the type that will rally the locker room around them when the chips are down... maybe ZP, but he is injured so much I dont know how much his voice resonates with his teammates.

Not sure I agree.  Parise is a very exciting, firey player; especially his first couple of years in MN.  He's a hustle and full effort type a player that isn't afraid to dig for pucks in front of the net or corners.  I've been a fan of his since the Sioux days.  Injuries and age have slowed Parise down, but he still gives it everything.

Sutter seems more low key, but again, he's still very good too.  Smart player that seems to be able to skate, skate, and skate some more.  Unfortunately he seems to be slowing down too.

Where these two enough? Nope, but they had a couple killer seasons with those two, but Chicago kept knocking them off and then winning the cup.  Those Blackhawk teams have been great.

I loved the North Stars, and they never won a cup either.  It doesn't make that team historically bad like the Wolves have been.

well like I said,  Parise might be that guy,  but he is hurt so much its really hard to make the team his... and I wasnt knocking Sutters abilities... just that he is such a quiet low key guy he isnt really going to be the one to pull the team together and tell them its time to go,  or call out those that are half assing it or not focusing on the games.

again... dont look at lack of over all success... just why they arent able to be successful.  the current wolves roster has talent,  but again they are paying their top guys but they arent really leadership type players.... just very good at what they do individually.

@"HappyViking" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

The Wolves are nothing like the Wild.  The Wild have
had really good teams, and have as many or more playoff appearances than the
Wolves.  The Wolves have been around 10 years longer than the Wild, and
also have been consistently crappy most of their existence.  In their 30
year history, 20 of those seasons have been sub .500.

The Wild have been around 19 seasons and have had only three seasons below
.500.  Two of those losing seasons where their first two NHL seasons.

While the Wild haven't had the success of a top contender, they haven't been anywhere near a
league doormat like the Wolves have been.

maybe not, but they are both examples of franchises that have been largely held back by a lack of leadership that has and displays a passion for winning.  the wolves lost that when they traded KG away (although his contract really handcuffed the teams efforts to build talent around him (much like the twins and mauer))  and the wild put all their eggs in Parise and Sutter and neither seem like the type that will rally the locker room around them when the chips are down... maybe ZP, but he is injured so much I dont know how much his voice resonates with his teammates.

Not sure I agree.  Parise is a very exciting, firey player; especially his first couple of years in MN.  He's a hustle and full effort type a player that isn't afraid to dig for pucks in front of the net or corners.  I've been a fan of his since the Sioux days.  Injuries and age have slowed Parise down, but he still gives it everything.

Sutter seems more low key, but again, he's still very good too.  Smart player that seems to be able to skate, skate, and skate some more.  Unfortunately he seems to be slowing down too.

Where these two enough? Nope, but they had a couple killer seasons with those two, but Chicago kept knocking them off and then winning the cup.  Those Blackhawk teams have been great.

I loved the North Stars, and they never won a cup either.  It doesn't make that team historically bad like the Wolves have been.

well like I said,  Parise might be that guy,  but he is hurt so much its really hard to make the team his... and I wasnt knocking Sutters abilities... just that he is such a quiet low key guy he isnt really going to be the one to pull the team together and tell them its time to go,  or call out those that are half assing it or not focusing on the games.

again... dont look at lack of over all success... just why they arent able to be successful.  the current wolves roster has talent,  but again they are paying their top guys but they arent really leadership type players.... just very good at what they do individually.

 I guess we'll agree to disagree.  I'd be more inclined to lump the Wild in with the Vikings and North Stars as pretty sucessful organizations that just hasn't ever been the best team.  While the Wild have never made it to a Championship game like the Vikings and North Stars have, they've really never been a crappy team either.

The Wolves on the other hand...

@"SFVikingFan" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the Wild have a on ice leadership problem... like the Twins had with Mauer.... they have locker room alphas that dont inspire those around them to bring it up a notch when needed.   To calm of demeanors that only really show fire when its easy to be fired up.  I see some of the same in the wolves with Kat and Wiggins... no real fire day in and day out... once in a while they show something, but not really the types to get their team mates fired up... thats what the big money should be paying,  those that can elevate those around them and still bring it at a high level.

Not that I follow either team that closely, but reading through this thread I was just thinking about how similar the T-Wolves and Wild seem to be.  You always hear a lot at the beginning of the season regarding their youth, talent, potential, etc. but yet every year seems to be full of the same disappointment.

And I completely get your Mauer analogy BTW.  You need guys like Torii Hunter and Brett Favre in leadership positions on your team, not the guys that have the talent but little to no fire to inspire those around them.

@"Jor-El" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"Purplewhizz" said:

@"pumpf" said: They're blowing the team up.  Might as well.  This current group isn't going to get it done.  Sadly, the ones who OUGHT to be traded away are too expensive (overpaid); no one else wants them.

Who would that be?  The three they  just dealt were the most overpaid vs what they are producing.  I guess I would throw Koivu in there too but he’s injured.

I am thinking this is about Parise and Suter but their contracts are absolutely ridiculous. Parise and Suter will be a free agents in 2025. Koivu will be a free agent in 2020. They are in rebuild mode now. 

The Wild could go through 2 rebuilds by the time Parise and Suter's accounts end..