we'd love to have Koivo. how about Spezza for Koivo straight up?

we'd love to have Koivo. how about Spezza for Koivo straight up?
- ...sbs138...

How about Bobby Ryan instead?

For the record, I'm not suggesting they simply dump Koivu, but I think the conversation needs to be had among the management team. Also, I'm not suggesting that he's worthless. I just like having the conversation of what if.

Here's the issue that I see with Koivu. He brings an absolute ton to the table and there's no denying that. I see his downfall as being so unwilling to shoot the puck. You can start seeing teams cheat a little bit because they know he isn't going to do it. We had a 3 on 4 PP in game 6 against Chicago because he and Suter would not shoot the puck. I'm not the guy yelling in the stands for them to shoot every time the puck is on their sticks, but when you simply don't shoot, you are killing the special teams. Another flaw I see is he's a dump, but not chase guy. He'll do it on occasion, but when is the last time you've seen him hustle into the back boards as the first forechecker? It rarely happens. He's excellent at reading plays defensively and picking off passes. You actually saw a bit more aggressiveness out of him in the OT of game 6 vs Chicago, but that's really the only time I remember seeing that aggressiveness in his offensive game. As a guy that put up quality points with Bruno and Mittens, my thought was that it would continue to increase with better offensive players, but if he's not willing to shoot, of course that makes it more difficult.

If the right deal doesn't come along this offseason, I'm not willing to buy him out because I don't think he's a throwaway player. However, if he doesn't produce, the window to trade him may have closed and I think that's what Wild fans fear the most.
- arvinb316

All good points and I think we're in agreement on Koivu. It's totally fair to talk trade with him. I don't think there's any doubt Fletcher would entertain the idea if a good deal was presented to him.

How about Bobby Ryan instead?
- Tony Dean

hmmm, I think we might try to resign him rather than trade him.

4.5 months to go til I can feel alive again... Summer blows dogs for quarters

4.5 months to go til I can feel alive again... Summer blows dogs for quarters
- Tweaterben

Haha Awesome.

I happen to think this will be an insane NHL offseason. Look at how crazy competitive the Western Conference was this year. Realignment has forced teams especially in our Division to press to get better. Stay tuned it will be crazy!

I am almost certain Trader Chuck moves and shakes starting at the draft!

Comments like those are why you won a Super America bag filled with doughnuts instead of Wild apparel!
- arvinb316

Probably. Reverse Karma, eh? But I did win Koivu's game worn jersey on Jersey's Off Our Back Night and gave it to my 11 year old who was with me at the Boston game. 2 years earlier, he and I AND my sister in-law all won team autographed jerseys. So, we have had our share of good luck too.

Hopefully everyone picked up on my comment being made tounge in cheek. Just didn't want Tony to go through withdrawls for not getting trolled!

we'd love to have Koivo. how about Spezza for Koivo straight up?
- ...sbs138...

Done!

Comments like those are why you won a Super America bag filled with doughnuts instead of Wild apparel!
- arvinb316

Hopefully everyone picked up on my comment being made tounge in cheek. Just didn't want Tony to go through withdrawls for not getting trolled!
- Brad Ratgen

I cry on the inside unless it is about the officiating then I cry all over the INTERWEBS

Probably. Reverse Karma, eh? But I did win Koivu's game worn jersey on Jersey's Off Our Back Night and gave it to my 11 year old who was with me at the Boston game. 2 years earlier, he and I AND my sister in-law all won team autographed jerseys. So, we have had our share of good luck too.

Hopefully everyone picked up on my comment being made tounge in cheek. Just didn't want Tony to go through withdrawls for not getting trolled!
- Brad Ratgen

I took it as a joke and figured if you can bust horns, why can't I?

One of my goals is to get you more involved, Ratgen!

I took it as a joke and figured if you can bust horns, why can't I?

One of my goals is to get you more involved, Ratgen!
- arvinb316

Awesome. Just wanted to clarify in case anyone thought I was actually trolling Tony

Done!
- Brad Ratgen

Whoa...easy on the trigger there, pally.

I'm not sure Spezza does it for me, but in all honesty, I don't know much about him. I know that hefty minus he's carrying around isn't going to work.

For the record, I'm not suggesting they simply dump Koivu, but I think the conversation needs to be had among the management team. Also, I'm not suggesting that he's worthless. I just like having the conversation of what if.

Here's the issue that I see with Koivu. He brings an absolute ton to the table and there's no denying that. I see his downfall as being so unwilling to shoot the puck. You can start seeing teams cheat a little bit because they know he isn't going to do it. We had a 3 on 4 PP in game 6 against Chicago because he and Suter would not shoot the puck. I'm not the guy yelling in the stands for them to shoot every time the puck is on their sticks, but when you simply don't shoot, you are killing the special teams. Another flaw I see is he's a dump, but not chase guy. He'll do it on occasion, but when is the last time you've seen him hustle into the back boards as the first forechecker? It rarely happens. He's excellent at reading plays defensively and picking off passes. You actually saw a bit more aggressiveness out of him in the OT of game 6 vs Chicago, but that's really the only time I remember seeing that aggressiveness in his offensive game. As a guy that put up quality points with Bruno and Mittens, my thought was that it would continue to increase with better offensive players, but if he's not willing to shoot, of course that makes it more difficult.

If the right deal doesn't come along this offseason, I'm not willing to buy him out because I don't think he's a throwaway player. However, if he doesn't produce, the window to trade him may have closed and I think that's what Wild fans fear the most.
- arvinb316

I like this guy

I like this guy

- SotaPopinski

Nice having a Wild fan speaking from the brain and not the heart!

That Smith-Pelly kid looks like he's going to a force.

Nice having a Wild fan speaking from the brain and not the heart!
- MnGump

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

I learned long ago that objectivity is much easier to have a conversation with. I try to stay away from emotionally charged thoughts without merit. I wouldn't say that I'm 100% correct on anything/everything, but I simply try to present my views based on what I see as we all try to do. Isn't that why this site exists?

One more swing at the Vanek dead horse - Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts

When speaking in terms of percentage of the cap your top players take up, if Fletcher does have some kind of number in mind he wants to keep below, that may affect what he could offer Vanek if they are truly interested. I'd say there's also a possibility Fletcher doesn't mind sucking up that much cap space with few players if it's only for a few years, but not over a long term.

But even without signing Vanek, the Wild's top three cap hits would be Parise, Suter, and Koivu which is still about 32% of a $70 million cap. If Vanek were to be signed around Koivu's cap number, four guys would take up about 40% of their cap space. And they would all be over 30. Risky.

One more swing at the Vanek dead horse - Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts

When speaking in terms of percentage of the cap your top players take up, if Fletcher does have some kind of number in mind he wants to keep below, that may affect what he could offer Vanek if they are truly interested. I'd say there's also a possibility Fletcher doesn't mind sucking up that much cap space with few players if it's only for a few years, but not over a long term.

But even without signing Vanek, the Wild's top three cap hits would be Parise, Suter, and Koivu which is still about 32% of a $70 million cap. If Vanek were to be signed around Koivu's cap number, four guys would take up about 40% of their cap space. And they would all be over 30. Risky.
- Chinaski

Yep, as much as I would love to see Vanek on this roster, I just don't think it's in the best interests of the organization long term. However.... if he truly does want to come to Minnesota, maybe Fletch will have a little bit of flexibility to get creative.

Like maybe a 4 year deal worth around $25 million or if he wants a longer term deal, offer him something in the ball park of 6 years $35 million BUT without allowing any sort of no movement clause. Any no move clause of any kind to me would be a deal breaker unless he's willing to settle for a 3 to 4 year contract.

Aside from that, Wild are no longer at the point of desperation they once were when it comes to finding goal scorers.

Yep, as much as I would love to see Vanek on this roster, I just don't think it's in the best interests of the organization long term. However.... if he truly does want to come to Minnesota, maybe Fletch will have a little bit of flexibility to get creative.

Like maybe a 4 year deal worth around $25 million or if he wants a longer term deal, offer him something in the ball park of 6 years $35 million BUT without allowing any sort of no movement clause. Any no move clause of any kind to me would be a deal breaker unless he's willing to settle for a 3 to 4 year contract.

Aside from that, Wild are no longer at the point of desperation they once were when it comes to finding goal scorers.
- MnGump

Or just trade Koivu

Or just trade Koivu
- SotaPopinski

You unbelievable bastard

Or just trade Koivu
- SotaPopinski

Would you be OK including one of Brodin or Coyle in a package with Koivu to unload him? I guess for me it depends on what is coming back, but I think it may take something of that magnitude to find a trading partner that could make it a decent deal for both sides. If not one of the young roster players, it may take multiple prospects. I'm not saying Carolina would do it, but say something along the lines of Koivu + Brodin for Eric Staal?

Would you be OK including one of Brodin or Coyle in a package with Koivu to unload him? I guess for me it depends on what is coming back, but I think it may take something of that magnitude to find a trading partner that could make it a decent deal for both sides. If not one of the young roster players, it may take multiple prospects. I'm not saying Carolina would do it, but say something along the lines of Koivu + Brodin for Eric Staal?
- Chinaski

Though there is no such thing as an untouchable, I would be reluctant to trade any of our young "core" unless you are switching for young "core" players. In other words, are you going to get a top 6 offensive player for Coyle that has a different makeup than he does (and I think bigger, physical players are a much rarer breed) and a top 2 defenseman in Brodin? I think that's doubtful. Also, I wouldn't trade Koivu and a top young player for Eric Staal as I don't really think a 2 for 1 helps the Wild. All things aside, are we trading for what we deem may be too much of a cap hit or are we making a sensical trade for Koivu? As for the trade listed, I wouldn't do it. It just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Though there is no such thing as an untouchable, I would be reluctant to trade any of our young "core" unless you are switching for young "core" players. In other words, are you going to get a top 6 offensive player for Coyle that has a different makeup than he does (and I think bigger, physical players are a much rarer breed) and a top 2 defenseman in Brodin? I think that's doubtful. Also, I wouldn't trade Koivu and a top young player for Eric Staal as I don't really think a 2 for 1 helps the Wild. All things aside, are we trading for what we deem may be too much of a cap hit or are we making a sensical trade for Koivu? As for the trade listed, I wouldn't do it. It just doesn't make a lot of sense.
- arvinb316

Only way I'd offer up any deal sweetner with Koivu is if we were getting back a player of equal or greater value than what Mikko already brings to the line up. Say if Kessler were the prime target, I would offer up Zucker with Koivu. Would love to see how Zook actually develops, but obviously he's got some sort of bad Ju Ju going on with Yeo, so maybe a good time to bounce him and get something good in return.

Would you be OK including one of Brodin or Coyle in a package with Koivu to unload him? I guess for me it depends on what is coming back, but I think it may take something of that magnitude to find a trading partner that could make it a decent deal for both sides. If not one of the young roster players, it may take multiple prospects. I'm not saying Carolina would do it, but say something along the lines of Koivu + Brodin for Eric Staal?
- Chinaski

Maybe for Pavelski or Kesler, not too sure about Staal and that $8 mil salary. That's a steep price to pay, though. If Koivu is as good as so many say he is, why must one of our best prospects have to be included to move him?