Tony Dean: MNWild Opening Night Roster 2014-15 Still Work in Progress MNWild Opening Night Roster 2014-15 Still Work in Progress


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Nice to see Dumba is staying up, like to see what the kids got

What is Harding's status? Do you expect him to play this year?

What is Harding's status? Do you expect him to play this year?
- Leafsandbolts

He is currently suspended for a Non-Hockey Injury(Altercation with teammate then kicked a wall) BUT I doubt he ever suits up in a Wild Jersey unless Kuemper or Backstrom are injured long term.

He is currently suspended for a Non-Hockey Injury(Altercation with teammate then kicked a wall) BUT I doubt he ever suits up in a Wild Jersey unless Kuemper or Backstrom are injured long term.
- Tony Dean

My understanding was that Harding's suspension is only valid while the ankle injury lasts, after that he has to be put back on the roster. Going to be interesting how Wild juggle the 3 roster wise if they are all healthy at the same time.

Anyone know with Vellieux on waivers if he's out will Haula change back to his college number of 19? or a different number or does he plan on sticking with 56?

Anyone know with Vellieux on waivers if he's out will Haula change back to his college number of 19? or a different number or does he plan on sticking with 56?
- Spikiekj

Couldn't tell you for sure. I imagine he stays with 56 due to his sudden rise in popularity among fans and out of respect for Vellieux, if ever he gets the call back up here.

My understanding was that Harding's suspension is only valid while the ankle injury lasts, after that he has to be put back on the roster. Going to be interesting how Wild juggle the 3 roster wise if they are all healthy at the same time.
- Antilles

Don't think there's any real mystery. Only one of the three that doesn't have to clear waivers is Kuemper. Although I'm not so sure Backstrom would be claimed if they were to send him down.

Don't think there's any real mystery. Only one of the three that doesn't have to clear waivers is Kuemper. Although I'm not so sure Backstrom would be claimed if they were to send him down.
- MnGump

If he were claimed, it would be a HUGE blessing. Bye bye $3.5 mil
If Kuemper is playing lights out and Backstrom is his usual average self, Fletch and company will have quite the conundrum on their hands when Harding is healthy.

If he were claimed, it would be a HUGE blessing. Bye bye $3.5 mil
If Kuemper is playing lights out and Backstrom is his usual average self, Fletch and company will have quite the conundrum on their hands when Harding is healthy.
- SotaPopinski

True. But I'm guessing there's no way Fletch is willing to pay $3.5 million in cap hit for a goalie playing in the AHL.

I think Darcy is automatically the default send down. Either that or Fletch will be forced to try to trade Backstrom plus something more for a bag of pucks

Don't think there's any real mystery. Only one of the three that doesn't have to clear waivers is Kuemper. Although I'm not so sure Backstrom would be claimed if they were to send him down.
- MnGump

I bet Harding goes on waivers. No longer yo-yo health issues. Wild was more than understanding with him last year but its not fair to the franchise or his team mates.

I bet Harding goes on waivers. No longer yo-yo health issues. Wild was more than understanding with him last year but its not fair to the franchise or his team mates.
- Tony Dean

Not sure about that. I still think Winning is the overall top priority for Fletch and Yeo. They may have been understanding and sympathetic to Hards, but part of it may also be that he's still the best goalie of the 3.

I don't think they give up on Harding even in light of his recent goings ons.

Not sure about that. I still think Winning is the overall top priority for Fletch and Yeo. They may have been understanding and sympathetic to Hards, but part of it may also be that he's still the best goalie of the 3.

I don't think they give up on Harding even in light of his recent goings ons.
- MnGump

Agreed. Way too much history and his recent play has been nothing short of excellent

Been out of touch for awhile and you guys may already have touched on this, but I come back to:
Cooke-Koivu-Vanek on the 2nd line
Carter-Brodziak-Zucker on the 4th line

Is Yeo kidding? We have three years of Vanek to help fix the goal scoring issue and it starts with Matt Cooke on the other wing? I have no words that wouldn't be changed by the Hockeybuzz censor. Is there no other winger in this organization that would fit better on that line to create more offense? In Russo's blog Yeo gives some horesbleep rationale for Cooke on the line. Does Zucker not bring all those things but with even more speed and goal scoring ability?

I see on the PP units he puts Niederreiter on the wing with Koivu and Vanek but I guess that's not a good idea 5-on-5 where the majority of the game is played. At least he kept the first line together on the first unit. I never understood why the PP units were always so drastically different from the regular lines.

Game 0 and I'm already annoyed with Yeo over the lines. Might be a long season.

Don't think there's any real mystery. Only one of the three that doesn't have to clear waivers is Kuemper. Although I'm not so sure Backstrom would be claimed if they were to send him down.
- MnGump

I think if Kuemper is playing well he'll be kept on the roster and they'll just carry 3 goalies, 7 defensemen, and 13 forwards.

Don't think there's any real mystery. Only one of the three that doesn't have to clear waivers is Kuemper. Although I'm not so sure Backstrom would be claimed if they were to send him down.
- MnGump

Backstrom can be waived, but he can't be sent down, he has a no movement clause. Kuemper only has 14 more games played until he loses waiver exemption; so I guess some of it will depend on how many he plays between now and Harding's return... Harding, would have been my guess... but it seems like the team would have just terminated his contract when they had the chance, instead of suspending him, if they're going to waive him when he heals up anyways.

Backstrom can be waived, but he can't be sent down, he has a no movement clause. Kuemper only has 14 more games played until he loses waiver exemption; so I guess some of it will depend on how many he plays between now and Harding's return... Harding, would have been my guess... but it seems like the team would have just terminated his contract when they had the chance, instead of suspending him, if they're going to waive him when he heals up anyways.
- Antilles

I think Chi probably hit the nail on the head. Depending on the circumstances and overall health of the starting roster, they might just keep all 3 until a more permanant move can be made.

I had forgotten about Backs' no move clause. Another aspect of that deal that makes for much head scratching.

Been out of touch for awhile and you guys may already have touched on this, but I come back to:
Cooke-Koivu-Vanek on the 2nd line
Carter-Brodziak-Zucker on the 4th line

Is Yeo kidding? We have three years of Vanek to help fix the goal scoring issue and it starts with Matt Cooke on the other wing? I have no words that wouldn't be changed by the Hockeybuzz censor. Is there no other winger in this organization that would fit better on that line to create more offense? In Russo's blog Yeo gives some horesbleep rationale for Cooke on the line. Does Zucker not bring all those things but with even more speed and goal scoring ability?

I see on the PP units he puts Niederreiter on the wing with Koivu and Vanek but I guess that's not a good idea 5-on-5 where the majority of the game is played. At least he kept the first line together on the first unit. I never understood why the PP units were always so drastically different from the regular lines.

Game 0 and I'm already annoyed with Yeo over the lines. Might be a long season.
- Chinaski

At least WE are all in agreement that the initial line up is a little goofy. Yeo is acting like a veteran coach who knows more than any of us minions could ever dream of. Most of the time, the most obvious choices are the best ones. I don't see Cooke sticking on that 2nd line for too long, but we will see.

At least WE are all in agreement that the initial line up is a little goofy. Yeo is acting like a veteran coach who knows more than any of us minions could ever dream of. Most of the time, the most obvious choices are the best ones. I don't see Cooke sticking on that 2nd line for too long, but we will see.
- SotaPopinski

The most disturbing thing I read recently was that he never considered splitting up Koviu and Parise until last season when it was forced on him by injuries. Weren't we calling for that in Parise's first year here (the lockout year)? That's not to say we all know more about hockey than Yeo, it's just that he seems to overcomplicate some of these things that are so simple. That or his mind for offensive chemistry is the coaching equivalent of Brodziak with the puck on his stick at point blank range of the net.

MnGump - we are in the same division for HBSL...

MnGump - we are in the same division for HBSL...
- stljam

Ha ha! Good luck! I'll need it more than you!

I'm already down by 58. How can you see who's in what division? I hate the new software format by the way, have I mentioned that?

Is there hope for Yeo?

From Russo's notes column today:
“Sometimes get yourself in trouble when you overthink things,” Yeo said.

Is there hope for Yeo?

From Russo's notes column today:
“Sometimes get yourself in trouble when you overthink things,” Yeo said.
- Chinaski

Then quit overthinking everything!!!