Tony Dean: MNWild 2014 Development Camp Edition: Good, Bad, and Ugly WildHBcommunity: MNWild 2014 Development Camp Edition: Good, Bad, and Ugly

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Speaking of goalie prospects, whatever happened to Dennis Endras?

This was a very good read from an outsiders opinion

Speaking of goalie prospects, whatever happened to Dennis Endras?


- ThatDarnCat

Like a lot of European players he did not want to play in the AHL and he probably made more money to return to play in Elite Leagues across the pond.

This was a very good read from an outsiders opinion
- ClarksonDavid

I appreciate the kind words Sir!

Good (frank)ing Article as usual Tony.

Nice wrap up of the kids to this point T. Excited about the seemingly embarrassment of riches at the defense position but as you ever so subtly pointed out, not much has changed for the Wild in the way of harboring anything resembling a true goal scorer which has pretty much been the norm since the inception of the franchise. Never anything in the pipeline in the way of dynamic goal scoring and I agree with you 100% on this years pick. Would much rather have seen Fabbri or Ho Sang as part of the Wilds future prospects.

Side note: resigned Curry to a 1 year 2 way contract. I assume to be the 4th string, but just adds to the ?????? about the other 2 g's and their future.

I know many fans are down on Dumba after his sketchy debut, but I really hope the FO continues to show patience and not give up on him. While I like the little that I've seen from Folin and Olofsson, neither brings the physical element or the absolute bomb of the shot that Dumba brings. Keep him in the AHL all year and have him focus strictly on his defensive fundamentals... the rest of his game is ready for the next level, in my opinion.
Not surprised to see what you had to say about Tuch. Sounds like he's just another boring, steady type of player that we have been accustomed to around these parts. Wish they would have taken more of a gamble on this year's 1st round pick, especially since the stables are filling up with legit prospects.
Damn, this summer needs to end already

I know many fans are down on Dumba after his sketchy debut, but I really hope the FO continues to show patience and not give up on him. While I like the little that I've seen from Folin and Olofsson, neither brings the physical element or the absolute bomb of the shot that Dumba brings. Keep him in the AHL all year and have him focus strictly on his defensive fundamentals... the rest of his game is ready for the next level, in my opinion.
Not surprised to see what you had to say about Tuch. Sounds like he's just another boring, steady type of player that we have been accustomed to around these parts. Wish they would have taken more of a gamble on this year's 1st round pick, especially since the stables are filling up with legit prospects.
Damn, this summer needs to end already
- SotaPopinski

Right?! As much as I don't want it to start getting cold again, I can't wait for Hockey to start. gigity.

Any thoughts on the departure of Prosser? I don't think the Wild will miss him all that much but I also don't think that should under cut his value to the team over the past couple seasons.

Good luck Nate!

Very telling that Fletcher had interest in bringing Stoner back before him a Sh*t ton of money to become a Duck but wouldnt even offer Prosser a one way deal.

Curry deal means very little about solving Backstrom/Harding/Kuemper mess because he is on a AHL two way and can be sent to Orlando.

Unless Fletcher has identified a top pairing swing for the fences type Dman to pair with Suter voa trade I bet any other adds will be two way type vets to play in Iowa.

I am not sure how or where Justin Fontaine and Jason Zucker fit in MN & Yeo's system I could see either moved in a deal very easily.

Any thoughts on the departure of Prosser? I don't think the Wild will miss him all that much but I also don't think that should under cut his value to the team over the past couple seasons.

Good luck Nate!
- MnGump

I'm a little surprised there hasn't been any action on him since free agency started. To me he seems like a decent bottom pairing guy that could be had for a reasonable price.

As far as the Wild not signing him, Russo's take on his most recent blog about Fletcher wanting to retain roster flexibility makes sense. But I also think Fletcher sees what Prosser brings and figures he can get that out of someone like Blum, Olofsson, or Dumba. I think Prosser would be the 7th d-man here, so if the Wild are in a pinch and need to call someone up, one of the guys in Iowa will suffice.

I am not sure how or where Justin Fontaine and Jason Zucker fit in MN & Yeo's system I could see either moved in a deal very easily.
- Tony Dean

I've been wondering about Fontaine all along. No idea where they see him slotting in on this team. I'd like to see Zucker play on a scoring line if he earns it (Parise-Haula-Zucker), otherwise, go down to Iowa and play a lot. I'm not sure getting limited minutes here on a 3rd or 4th line is going to be best for his development.

I've been wondering about Fontaine all along. No idea where they see him slotting in on this team. I'd like to see Zucker play on a scoring line if he earns it (Parise-Haula-Zucker), otherwise, go down to Iowa and play a lot. I'm not sure getting limited minutes here on a 3rd or 4th line is going to be best for his development.
- Chinaski

Yeah, I like Fontaine but don't really see where he really fits in on this roster.

I'm okay with a 4th line of Cooke/Broz/Fontaine. I actually like that line quite a bit. That's a pretty soft team top to bottom, but not too many people seem to worry about that anymore in today's league.
Zucker may require another year in Iowa, simply because the depth on this team is so strong finally. Hopefully his psyche is strong enough now that if he were to not make the team, he wouldn't pout about it and allow it to affect his play. This is a huge year for him, Phillips and Dumba.

Pretty cool to see the Wild/Avs game 7 was voted as the best game of this years playoffs. Game will be shown tomorrow at 7 on NHL Network.
I know what I'm doing tomorrow night

Very telling that Fletcher had interest in bringing Stoner back before him a Sh*t ton of money to become a Duck but wouldnt even offer Prosser a one way deal.

Curry deal means very little about solving Backstrom/Harding/Kuemper mess because he is on a AHL two way and can be sent to Orlando.

Unless Fletcher has identified a top pairing swing for the fences type Dman to pair with Suter voa trade I bet any other adds will be two way type vets to play in Iowa.

I am not sure how or where Justin Fontaine and Jason Zucker fit in MN & Yeo's system I could see either moved in a deal very easily.
- Tony Dean

How did Stoner even get that contract? Must have a damn good agent.

How did Stoner even get that contract? Must have a damn good agent.
- Nucker101

So with Stoner he was savaged by Wild fans often the previous two season before last year because he was playing Top4 minutes and just not skilled enough to do so which often led to him being exposed whether it was his skating or puck handling. Last season b/c the kids have graduated and played major roles and minutes(Spurgeon, Brodin, and Scandella) Yeo was able to use Stoner as the stay at home on the third pair amd he was solid. Stoner is just an overachiever type in general so you never have to worry about effort or commitment with him. Stoner will take up for his teammates and protect his goalie.

Obviously ANA wanted to safeguard their more finesse offensive defensemen with a guy like Stoner and had to compete for his services. That $ & Term is kinda crazy to me but ANA has plentyof kids in pipeline and solid lineup so I guess.

How did Stoner even get that contract? Must have a damn good agent.
- Nucker101

For (frank)'s sake Nucker...really?

So with Stoner he was savaged by Wild fans often the previous two season before last year because he was playing Top4 minutes and just not skilled enough to do so which often led to him being exposed whether it was his skating or puck handling. Last season b/c the kids have graduated and played major roles and minutes(Spurgeon, Brodin, and Scandella) Yeo was able to use Stoner as the stay at home on the third pair amd he was solid. Stoner is just an overachiever type in general so you never have to worry about effort or commitment with him. Stoner will take up for his teammates and protect his goalie.

Obviously ANA wanted to safeguard their more finesse offensive defensemen with a guy like Stoner and had to compete for his services. That $ & Term is kinda crazy to me but ANA has plentyof kids in pipeline and solid lineup so I guess.
- Tony Dean

Solid breakdown

For (frank)'s sake Nucker...really?
- SotaPopinski

So with Stoner he was savaged by Wild fans often the previous two season before last year because he was playing Top4 minutes and just not skilled enough to do so which often led to him being exposed whether it was his skating or puck handling. Last season b/c the kids have graduated and played major roles and minutes(Spurgeon, Brodin, and Scandella) Yeo was able to use Stoner as the stay at home on the third pair amd he was solid. Stoner is just an overachiever type in general so you never have to worry about effort or commitment with him. Stoner will take up for his teammates and protect his goalie.

Obviously ANA wanted to safeguard their more finesse offensive defensemen with a guy like Stoner and had to compete for his services. That $ & Term is kinda crazy to me but ANA has plentyof kids in pipeline and solid lineup so I guess.
- Tony Dean

soooo....Nick Schults-esque?

I'm okay with a 4th line of Cooke/Broz/Fontaine. I actually like that line quite a bit. That's a pretty soft team top to bottom, but not too many people seem to worry about that anymore in today's league.
Zucker may require another year in Iowa, simply because the depth on this team is so strong finally. Hopefully his psyche is strong enough now that if he were to not make the team, he wouldn't pout about it and allow it to affect his play. This is a huge year for him, Phillips and Dumba.
- SotaPopinski

I could live with that fourth line, but Yeo just seemed reluctant to play him there a lot last year. So do you think they're thinking Niederreiter-Haula-Almond on the third line? Or would it be Cooke on that third line and move Almond down to play with Brodziak and Fontaine? And is Fontaine only an option on the fourth line?

The knock on him seems to be his wall play and lack of physicality. And Yeo just always seems to want that fourth line to dictate some physical play.

I could see him potentially putting Fontaine on a checking line with Haula, but I'm not sure who you put on the other wing in that situation. Maybe Niederreiter works there. But every time I try to think through this I can't shake the feeling that I'm cobbling together a spare parts third line with Haula as the pivot. And I think that may be a mistake with Haula.

As we've discussed previously, that Coyle-Koivu-Niederreiter line was a pretty good line and that looks like a very complimentary line in my opinion. They can check and they can hold possession in the offensive zone probably better than any other combination the Wild have. That would free Haula up to play with better offensive players, particularly Parise.

I just thought those two had great chemistry at times when he played them together in short-handed situations. If Yeo played these lines - Vanek/Granlund/Pominville, Parise/Haula/Zucker, Coyle/Koivu/Niederreiter - I think he could have three effective penalty killing forward units by just keeping them together - Granlund/Pominville, Haula/Parise, Koivu/Coyle.

I don't know. I guess we need to wait until camp to see who's going to make a push to make the team and what combinations may work.

Obviously ANA wanted to safeguard their more finesse offensive defensemen with a guy like Stoner and had to compete for his services. That $ & Term is kinda crazy to me but ANA has plentyof kids in pipeline and solid lineup so I guess.
- Tony Dean

Do you think Stoner was getting that kind of offer from more than one team? I was wondering why they gave him that and when I looked at their roster, the only thing I could come up with is that their more physical defensemen were getting older and they were basically going to lose them after next season. With some of their talented young blueliners, maybe they think Stoner can play up to the second pairing without being too much of a liability. In addition, they're in a favorable cap situation to pay Stoner that money. It looks crazy, but I don't think it hinders them with the cap, especially if it goes up.