WildHBcommunity: Lots of Red Flags in a Miraculous Win and Blues on Tap
Parise Plays Hero in Colorado Putting Entire Wild Roster on his Back
I am going to try and write this as gently as possible so as not to hurt anyone's feelings or stir up a dead horse argument, Zach Parise does not need a "C" on his sweater to lead this Wild team. In fact because Wild bench boss Mike Yeo has documented history of avoidance with his veteran players, why waste one bit of energy or effort typing or talking about whether or not you believe Mikko Koivu should be the captain of this squad.
Instead I think Wild fans should focus in the idea that Koivu is going to be responsible for influencing his teammates with his efforts in the defensive zone and eliminating opponents opportunities. If the Wild is going to win with their roster as it is currently constructed, I believe they must skate a 200 foot 5 skaters in the lanes and with sticks on the puck type of system consistently. There are some things that the Wild's current roster will leave to be desired and in my mind carrying the puck and creating their own shots is a major area of concern.
I was really encouraged by Tyler Graovac's training camp and performance in Colorado because I have significant worries about the pivot position for the Wild. Obviously the Wild is expecting more from Erik Haula who had a disappointing step back sophomore season. Realistically I think Charlie Coyle is a hard working kid with and NHL frame so if he needs to fill in between the circles that is fine but he belongs on the wing. I also worry about how little Koivu has shown interest in parking his frame in the paint whether it is on the power play or at even strength. Koivu's skating is a definite concern but even more so I think an evolution of his game and role must be top of the agenda.
Another topic that seems to create a divide between Great Hockey Minds and Wild fans has been what to reasonably expect out of the young core as far as improvement and increased roles. I have been very vocal in my concerns that Yeo has been sold as a young player development type coach while most of the young guns under his tutelage have stalled out growth wise. Mikael Granlund is a prime example of a player with sky is limit potential offensively underachieving and under producing given his skill set and role. Granlund has made a concerted effort to play a two way game and up the physicality in the defense zone. Granlund's lack of goal scoring while slotting in as a top six center can not again be the case in 2015-16 in the Wild are going to make the western Conference playoffs.
I also am very skeptical that the pieces fit together here in Minnesota as the roster is currently constructed. Thomas Vanek was invisible in game one, Koivu noticeably struggled to make an impact offensively and defensively, and Devan Dubnyk looked to be fighting to find his focus. In the home opener this evening, I expect a faster start by the Wild and more of a puck possession heavy effort which was the key to their tremendous start last season. The Wild is built on their skating so tonight is going to provide a clear indicator of where their minds and legs are with St. Louis in town. The Blues are looking to impose a more aggressive system than previous seasons focusing on their blue liners looking to choke point the opponents at the blue line.
Very Happy to Have Dan Wallace Join HB Team
I am going to work very hard this season to contribute to the Wild coverage in 2015-16 but admittedly (Here comes the excuses) I am spread very thin between my career and new addition to the Dean Family. Dan has already contributed to the community here and is a great addition to the HB Family!
The WildWednesdayShow Live Every Wednesday at Bennett's Chop and Railhouse is BACK!
I am very excited to announce that Alive and Social Network along with Joe Bennett have agreed to return our #WildWednesdayShow again this season. Please check your schedules and try to make it down to a taping to meet the crew in person and talk hockey with us. Bennett's Chop and Rail House is the type of establishment that the locals hide from the outside world to keep it all to themselves. The Bennett Family is true blue hockey people or probably more accurate maroon and gold being that they are the Twin Cities home of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.
Our crew Scott Schwietz, Sarah Sheeley, and I look forward to featuring many local internet writers and content contributors like we did last season in addition to special guests. Please add us to your ITunes or Podcast listening apps to get your regular #WildWednesdayShow downloaded. The brand new episode is available now find it here:
WildWednesdayShow Page
@MNWildWednesday
Three Things To Watch Tonight for Minnesota Wild:
1.) The Defensive Pairings for Yeo lasted less than three periods before he reverted back to his old familiar pairs from last year. I have begged and pleaded for Ryan Suter to be paired with Matt Dumba. I really believe the way to best take advantage of Suter's ability to blanket opponents and contribute to the offense with his passing is to pair him up with Dumba. Suter with Dumba would allow the younger defensemen more opportunity to activate with the puck and get into areas of the offensive zone where he booming shot and ultra competitive nature will translate into production. I also believe Jonas Brodin and Christian Folin compliment each other complete both skill and size wise. The pairing of Brodin and Dumba is something Yeo has been pushing hard but in Colorado they struggled when the Avalanche sent bigger more physical fore checkers at them. I think we can all agree Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon belong together.
2.) The forward lines are locked in but that does not mean that they are perfect or here to stay. The top line allegedly has been Jason Zucker/Mikko Koivu/Nino Niederreiter which offers an opportunity to the two young wingers an elevated role and increased ice time which is something everyone had been banging the table for. The line of Zach Parise/Mikael Granlund/Jason Pominville has been the constant for the Wild and they continue to produce. I think we all look at the line thinking they are too small or finesse to compete with some teams out there but as Parise proved in the opener that he will always compete. The third and fourth lines are a bit messy so until we have a larger sample size it is hard to give an answer on who fits best there. I will say Graovac's skating and energy jumped off the screen in game one.
3.) The special teams play left a ton to be desired in game one and really all of last year. With the personnel changes this off season, the Wild will need to have young players step up and fill the roles vacated on the penalty kill. As far as the power play goes, until Yeo can get out of his own way ego wise and mix up the veterans and young players, it is going to continue to be a major weakness. I am not sure how anyone in the organization can justify the lack of productivity while refusing to address the elephant in the room. Koivu and Suter should be either on the 2nd Unit or not at all. Pominville should be playing on the 2nd Unit or not at all and definitely not playing the point or in front of the net.
Enjoy the game tonight I will send out some tweets! I enjoyed all the hindsight tweets I received from Wild fans who just knew a four goal rally was in the works.
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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