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I'd really like to know what Brodziaks role on this team is that's costing Leipold almost $3 million in cap space... I'm not sure who is less noticeable on this team, him or Heatley?!

I'd really like to know what Brodziaks role on this team is that's costing Leipold almost $3 million in cap space... I'm not sure who is less noticeable on this team, him or Heatley?!
- MnGump

Of course as soon as you start female doging about either of these (frank)ers they both tally a point....

Of course as soon as you start female doging about either of these (frank)ers they both tally a point....
- MnGump

And Yeo and Fletcher will explain how each of them responded and are playing sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better

I'd really like to know what Brodziaks role on this team is that's costing Leipold almost $3 million in cap space... I'm not sure who is less noticeable on this team, him or Heatley?!
- MnGump

I don't think they expect much from him other than to be solid defensively. He is awful offensively. That year he scored 20 was an anomaly. He got a lot of top minutes and power play time and he struggled to get to 20 with boatloads of offensive chances. He's just not an instinctive offensive player.

I've been trying to figure out who they see as a likely replacement for Brodziak. I think that's one of the reasons I was sorry to see Larsson traded. He seemed like someone who might be able to take on that role but provide a more polished offensive game.

Our guy Dany Heatley gets elevated to top line this evening so I guess hsi ability to be productive and make good on the expanded important role in Parise's absence is going to be crucial for the Wild. All eyes on Heatley again tonight as he gets more ice time and hopefully is productive which has not been the case so far this season.
- Tony Dean

Given the circumstances with injuries, this is where I think the Heatley situation becomes a real issue. With enough injuries the other night to force Rupp into the lineup with Heatley, Yeo had no choice but to move Heatley to a different line. Now with more injuries, we could very likely see both of these guys slot into the lineup on a regular basis and I could see that having a pretty negative effect on two lines before the puck even drops. With everyone healthy, they could hide and protect Heatley so it wasn't too much of an issue. Now, it's going to be a real problem.

Given the circumstances with injuries, this is where I think the Heatley situation becomes a real issue. With enough injuries the other night to force Rupp into the lineup with Heatley, Yeo had no choice but to move Heatley to a different line. Now with more injuries, we could very likely see both of these guys slot into the lineup on a regular basis and I could see that having a pretty negative effect on two lines before the puck even drops. With everyone healthy, they could hide and protect Heatley so it wasn't too much of an issue. Now, it's going to be a real problem.
- Chinaski

so much of a problem as he had the lone goal. A goal is a gaol

so much of a problem as he had the lone goal. A goal is a gaol
- Nharris31

Good to see him get a goal, but it hardly gives me confidence that he will now be a difference maker on the positive side.

so much of a problem as he had the lone goal. A goal is a gaol
- Nharris31

Here's the problem. Heatley played probably the hardest he's played all season so far because he saw being promoted back to the first line(undeservingly I might ad) as his chance to actually do something other than loaf around and get handed free money.

...and that's my big issue with him right now. It's the Randy Moss syndrome, "play when I want to play"... Rest assured this will not last and this team will not beat teams like Colorado, Phoenix, St. Louis and certainly not Chicago with Heater getting top 6 minutes.

was not being that serious.

was not being that serious.
- Nharris31

Right on! I figured that, I just chose your post to unleash my rant in the whole "Heatley" discussion! No worries.

It's uncanny at times this team just can't seem to score, even when point blank empty nets are staring them in the face.

It's uncanny at times this team just can't seem to score, even when point blank empty nets are staring them in the face.
- MnGump

I think they need to make more of an effort to create chances in the middle of the ice. Their possession time often leads to no chances or very low quality chances. It's OK to cycle a little, but after a few turns in the corner, it's time to force the issue and get to the net.