(frank)ing Vanek. I remember at least twice where he passed up shots in the high slot. What in the hell is wrong with this guy? Shoot the puck dipsh!t. That's what you were brought here to do.

I don't think playing Vanek with Parise is a good idea. Parise looks really frustrated with the way some shifts just die in the offensive zone because other guys aren't working hard enough. And his comments publicly lately indicate he is really not happy with his teammates. Play him with Zucker. And I don't even care who plays center with them at this point. Those two guys look to be the hardest working wingers on this team and seem to care the most. Put them together and see if it lights a fire under the collective, sleep-walking ass of the rest of these passengers.
- Chinaski

It's alarming to say the least. I was okay with the Vanek signing, hopeful that he had a little left in his tank...but this is downright disgraceful. I'm sick of seeing him pass up primo shots and then slam his stick or sulk on the bench. Do something about it, you schmuck!
Also, I have noticed exactly what you mentioned about Parise being frustrated. His 2 linemates are incapable of winning puck battles due to size, speed and a lack of hustle. He looks like he is about to snap sometimes. Maybe he should.

Starting to wonder if part of this teams problem is that they're just to passive?! Seems like where most teams are finishing checks, the Wild players seem to be trying to avoid throwing checks all together.

Maybe they need to start playing with a chip on their shoulders.

Starting to wonder if part of this teams problem is that they're just to passive?! Seems like where most teams are finishing checks, the Wild players seem to be trying to avoid throwing checks all together.
- MnGump

I think that's a legitimate concern. Several guys do seem to avoid contact. But several of these guys are really not built for it either, so to a degree I'm OK with sensible self-preservation.

In the case of a guy like Granlund, I believe they wanted him to be less physical since it was getting risky with the concussions. But I wonder if that is affecting his play. Is he still trying to figure out how he needs to play in this league, be successful, and stay healthy and is that leading to his lack of production? When he took off last year, to me he seemed to engage more physically. But I don't think he can play that way all the time and have any longevity.

From Youngblood's Twitter:
Today's practice lines include: Haula with Parise and Vanek; Coyle with Fontaine and Niederreiter; Koivu with Pominville and Zucker.....

Likely due to Granlund not being in practice, but maybe we see if Haula and Parise have some chemistry.

From Youngblood:
Maintenance day for Granlund. Yeo said he will play tomorrow

Guess no Haula/Parise.

From Youngblood:
Maintenance day for Granlund. Yeo said he will play tomorrow

Guess no Haula/Parise.
- Chinaski

Never no. Maybe if Yeo see's something in practice he'll give it a chance? I highly doubt it, but something needs to be done to get Haulas speed into play and playing on the 4th line sure isn't going to accomplish that.

Never no.
- MnGump

Well played. Was that intentional?

Well played. Was that intentional?
- Chinaski

Play on words is usually not my specialty...

Maybe if Yeo see's something in practice he'll give it a chance?
- MnGump

You crack me up

You crack me up
- SotaPopinski

He will!......?! :

Wild picked a bad game to take a period off tonight! Thought they would have figured that out last season... Wonder what Yeos positive takeaways will be?

Wild picked a bad game to take a period off tonight! Thought they would have figured that out last season... Wonder what Yeos positive takeaways will be?
- MnGump

He actually thinks one borderline call cost them the game. Apparently one good period followed by one horrrible period followed by one "great" period (according to him) deserved better. I had tourettes the whole game largely because this team is basically a bunch of perimeter players.

When in the hell is Yeo going to play Pominville with Vanek? For Christ sake, Pominville is the one guy who has a vague idea of what Vanek will do with or without the puck and they've spent almost no time together on a line. How stupid do you have to be to not play these two together? God forbid he breaks up the juggernaut line that Pominville is on now to play him with Vanek.

He's wasting Vanek, but worse, he's wasting Parise too.

He actually thinks one borderline call cost them the game. Apparently one good period followed by one horrrible period followed by one "great" period (according to him) deserved better. I had tourettes the whole game largely because this team is basically a bunch of perimeter players.

When in the hell is Yeo going to play Pominville with Vanek? For Christ sake, Pominville is the one guy who has a vague idea of what Vanek will do with or without the puck and they've spent almost no time together on a line. How stupid do you have to be to not play these two together? God forbid he breaks up the juggernaut line that Pominville is on now to play him with Vanek.

He's wasting Vanek, but worse, he's wasting Parise too.
- Chinaski

Yeah, I honestly wonder if losing to Buffalo last season wouldn't have been a good thing?!?

Yeah, I honestly wonder if losing to Buffalo last season wouldn't have been a good thing?!?
- MnGump

Well, it's not all on him. These players have to play more inspired hockey. When Seabrook scored that goal it just fell apart so quickly like they had no confidence in their ability to stay with Chicago. Parise said it weeks ago - they have to be better at absorbing a goal against and not letting things snowball.

Koivu had an opportunity where I thought he could have cut more to the middle of the ice for a shot and he chose to stay on the outside of the net. Pominville had that one chance where he basically waited for Raanta to come out and square up to him after he received a pass in the slot before he shot. He basically waited for the defenseman to get over too. He has to rip that shot right off the pass instead of holding it and waiting like he's doing some kind of drill for the goalie.

I just don't see chemistry with these guys and it looks to me like it's getting worse.

It seems like so many guys are struggling this year; Coyle, Granlund, Pomminvile, Vanek, Koivu and I put that directly on Yeo's inability to find the right combinations. If a guy is struggling, put him on a line where he has a chance to succeed in order to build his confidence back up. It's as if Yeo had his lines set before training camp even began and he refuses to simplify. Or maybe we just have so many players struggling that there are no sure fire lines to go with.
Either way, I have such little faith that this team is making the playoffs that I am now cruise shopping for April

Holy poop man. How is it possible to have that kind of offensive zone domination and not even accidentally get a goal? Only the Wild...

Holy poop man. How is it possible to have that kind of offensive zone domination and not even accidentally get a goal? Only the Wild...
- MnGump

Hit the pipes 6x now? I love the energy, but yet again cannot finish....and the PP

PP's and 4on4's, this team is terrible on

This team is in trouble.

Vanek terrible tonight. I watched him for a good portion of all 3 periods. I'm not even sure what the hell he was doing half the time. Wonder how long Parise stays quiet about his lack of effort. Because it's soooo obvious that he just refuses to exert himself.

Vanek terrible tonight. I watched him for a good portion of all 3 periods. I'm not even sure what the hell he was doing half the time. Wonder how long Parise stays quiet about his lack of effort. Because it's soooo obvious that he just refuses to exert himself.
- MnGump

Agreed. Loved what Milbury had to say about him after the game. Lord knows are asskissing announcers would never dare to say it.

Vanek terrible tonight. I watched him for a good portion of all 3 periods. I'm not even sure what the hell he was doing half the time. Wonder how long Parise stays quiet about his lack of effort. Because it's soooo obvious that he just refuses to exert himself.
- MnGump

Looked like he didn't even want to play. Inexcusable. He just needs to be scratched.

American hero and legend Ryan Miller for Nino seems totally fair.

Wow, I just watched Parise's post game interview. That looks like a defeated man there.

And what's with Yeo on the 5-on-3, "It's not personnel and it's not X's and O's." Really? It's been mostly the same 5 all year in those situations standing out there stationary and generating nothing. He calls it a mentality issue and sounds like he just wants the whole unit to crash the net. Does he realize he doesn't have a lineup full of net crashers on this team?

American hero and legend Ryan Miller for Nino seems totally fair.
- Nucker101

I think Coyle would be a much better fit for your squad. Kid is going to be a star