I just don't think it's going to happen. The Wild have what they have and I think they will just have to work through it. The guys that are probably available are either questionable #1's, like Reimer in Toronto, or guys with bad contracts. Any deal that Fletcher makes for a goalie would likely mean Kuemper goes the other way. And I'm not sure they would be ready to give up on him yet.

It may be time to just start Backstrom a lot more. Kuemper appears to lack focus. He can't keep getting starts and getting yanked. They need to do something to get his focus back and maybe reducing his playing time will do it. I'm not sure there's anything else they can do.
- Chinaski

I disagree. I think the writings on the wall here in regards to Kuemper. You've either got the chops or you don't. Darcy doesn't IMO Only thing he's proven is that he can play extremely well behind a very good defensive effort. I think trading him while the rest of the league still see's his potential is a good move.

It's also become clear that if this team wants to be more offensive and score more goals there's going to be a defensive tradeoff. Which doesn't exactly jibe with the abilities of Kuemps. That is why I think the biggest missing link on this team is now a true number one goaltender. a true number 1 center man after that.

I wouldn't mind seeing Fletch put together a trade offer for one, he's still got a few nice prospects in his back pocket to barter with as well as picks and a handful of top 6 young up and comers like Coyle and Nino and even Koivu.

I think Backstrom has played fairly well lately and I think if he starts last night the Wild win. These softer than silk goals Kuemper is giving up are inexcusable, I don't care if he's not fully developed. Those can't happen at any level.

I disagree. I think the writings on the wall here in regards to Kuemper. You've either got the chops or you don't. Darcy doesn't IMO Only thing he's proven is that he can play extremely well behind a very good defensive effort. I think trading him while the rest of the league still see's his potential is a good move.

It's also become clear that if this team wants to be more offensive and score more goals there's going to be a defensive tradeoff. Which doesn't exactly jibe with the abilities of Kuemps. That is why I think the biggest missing link on this team is now a true number one goaltender. a true number 1 center man after that.

I wouldn't mind seeing Fletch put together a trade offer for one, he's still got a few nice prospects in his back pocket to barter with as well as picks and a handful of top 6 young up and comers like Coyle and Nino and even Koivu.

I think Backstrom has played fairly well lately and I think if he starts last night the Wild win. These softer than silk goals Kuemper is giving up are inexcusable, I don't care if he's not fully developed. Those can't happen at any level.
- MnGump

Well, that may be the case, but you're not going to turn Kuemper into a stud #1 goalie via trade unless you're willing to part with more assets. Besides, you still have Backstrom with another year on his contract at almost $3.5 million and Fletcher still has some guys to sign with not a ton of cap space. It's going to be tough to have a lot of cap space tied up in goaltending.

I just think given the cap situation and what it would take to trade for a top level goalie Fletcher would be forced into a deal that would likely be bad for the team in both the short and long term.

One guy I'm curious about for the future though, Adam Wilcox. I believe because he didn't sign with Tampa Bay he is a free agent after the college season. Could they maybe look into signing him into the organization and see if they can band-aid the goal for a couple of years while he develops?

Well, that may be the case, but you're not going to turn Kuemper into a stud #1 goalie via trade unless you're willing to part with more assets. Besides, you still have Backstrom with another year on his contract at almost $3.5 million and Fletcher still has some guys to sign with not a ton of cap space. It's going to be tough to have a lot of cap space tied up in goaltending.

I just think given the cap situation and what it would take to trade for a top level goalie Fletcher would be forced into a deal that would likely be bad for the team in both the short and long term.

One guy I'm curious about for the future though, Adam Wilcox. I believe because he didn't sign with Tampa Bay he is a free agent after the college season. Could they maybe look into signing him into the organization and see if they can band-aid the goal for a couple of years while he develops?
- Chinaski

Is Wilcox really that good though? Not one Gopher goalie to my knowledge has ever made it to the bigs and done anything. Wilcox plays and has played behind a fairly blue chip studded roster, so even though he appears to be a descent prospect, there's no guarantee he'll be anything special.

But I think FLetcher is in a catch 22... either he stays status quo and hopes Kuemper or even Gustafsson is the guy and possibly wastes another 2 - 3 seasons of the viability of players like Parise, Suter, Pominville and Vanek, or he takes a chance on moving some pieces in order to bolster the goal tending situation now which would mean losing some core pieces.

As far as cap space is concerned, I don't think it would be an issue because we'll more than likely have to give up a higher cap player in order to make any kind of deal anyway, or I would hope Fletch would at least work that into any deal made.

Edit; Not that Hackett has turned out to be anything special so far, but how'd the WIld go from having an embarrassment of riches at the goalie position to cupboards bare and no one to fill the number one spot right now?!

Effing Harding! Would really have liked to see him stay healthy. I think the Wild are at minimum in the top 3 in the division if Harding starts this season healthy.

What a shame.

Is Wilcox really that good though? Not one Gopher goalie to my knowledge has ever made it to the bigs and done anything. Wilcox plays and has played behind a fairly blue chip studded roster, so even though he appears to be a descent prospect, there's no guarantee he'll be anything special.

But I think FLetcher is in a catch 22... either he stays status quo and hopes Kuemper or even Gustafsson is the guy and possibly wastes another 2 - 3 seasons of the viability of players like Parise, Suter, Pominville and Vanek, or he takes a chance on moving some pieces in order to bolster the goal tending situation now which would mean losing some core pieces.

As far as cap space is concerned, I don't think it would be an issue because we'll more than likely have to give up a higher cap player in order to make any kind of deal anyway, or I would hope Fletch would at least work that into any deal made.
- MnGump

With goalies, it's hard to tell. I think Wilcox has shown he has potential to be a good goalie. But I think it would take time for a guy like him to develop into a regular NHLer, which is the case for many of these guys.

So who is a goalie you think they could maybe swing a deal for that would be a significant upgrade now?

The thing that bothers me about trades right now is that all the guys that other teams are going to be interested in are guys that are big contributors and/or I think the Wild are going to need long-term - Brodin, Scandella, Granlund, Niederreiter, Zucker, Coyle, Olofsson.

Coyle is somebody I could live with getting traded but he does give them one less big body on a team I think we all agree is a little too small already.

Niederreiter I may be OK with moving too if they got a good return.

But I guess the thing that makes me most uneasy about trades right now is that I don't think we've seen the best from this lineup and I obviously think the wrong guys are playing together. I'd like to see the lines shuffled a bit more and see if it's still stale. If so, OK, then maybe it's time to make a deal.

I just don't think it's going to happen. The Wild have what they have and I think they will just have to work through it.
- Chinaski

Well that's a little depressing if true. While I still think Kuemper has the potential to be an above average goalie, I don't think it is happening anytime soon. It has gotten so bad, that we are now hoping for more starts from Backstrom...whose #'s have been even worse, though the team does seem to play better in front of him.
They may not have much of a choice, but I don't see the veterans accepting that "wait around and wait for it" approach for very much longer.

Is Wilcox really that good though?
- MnGump

He's better and offers more hope than a guy like Curry. The goalie depth is a major concern and needs to be addressed both at the NHL and AHL level, imo.

Effing Harding! Would really have liked to see him stay healthy. I think the Wild are at minimum in the top 3 in the division if Harding starts this season healthy.

What a shame.
- MnGump

I think that's exactly what Fletcher & Co. thinks. I really think they wanted Kuemper in the minors making these kind of mistakes where it wasn't going to be magnified and scrutinized as much and he would get a heavy workload. A Harding/Backstrom tandem had a chance of getting them through the season with better than average goaltending.

With goalies, it's hard to tell. I think Wilcox has shown he has potential to be a good goalie. But I think it would take time for a guy like him to develop into a regular NHLer, which is the case for many of these guys.

So who is a goalie you think they could maybe swing a deal for that would be a significant upgrade now?

The thing that bothers me about trades right now is that all the guys that other teams are going to be interested in are guys that are big contributors and/or I think the Wild are going to need long-term - Brodin, Scandella, Granlund, Niederreiter, Zucker, Coyle, Olofsson.

Coyle is somebody I could live with getting traded but he does give them one less big body on a team I think we all agree is a little too small already.

Niederreiter I may be OK with moving too if they got a good return.

But I guess the thing that makes me most uneasy about trades right now is that I don't think we've seen the best from this lineup and I obviously think the wrong guys are playing together. I'd like to see the lines shuffled a bit more and see if it's still stale. If so, OK, then maybe it's time to make a deal.
- Chinaski

Hanzal and Smith for Granlund and Kuemper. Smith is a beast in the playoffs, Hanzal adds size, grit and skill to the lineup.
I don't think Granlund's ceiling is much higher than it is now and I could see contract talks with him getting a little dicey.

Truth be told, there isn't a lot out there for immediate help. This team would either have to a) take on another big contract or b) give up a ransom in pieces to upgrade the position considerably.
The Vanek signing is going to hurt this team in more ways than one.

Hanzal and Smith for Granlund and Kuemper. Smith is a beast in the playoffs, Hanzal adds size, grit and skill to the lineup.
I don't think Granlund's ceiling is much higher than it is now and I could see contract talks with him getting a little dicey.
- SotaPopinski

Dude, c'mon. Smith is Backstrom all over again - 32 and a $5.67 million cap hit for 4 more years. But I'm sure Maloney would do it. I hear they are trying to shed salary and anything that gets them closer to McDavid is going to be good for them long-term.

I don't have the answer though. I don't see an obvious one out there, so that's why I think they will try to muddle through it.

Dude, c'mon. Smith is Backstrom all over again - 32 and a $5.67 million cap hit for 4 more years. But I'm sure Maloney would do it. I hear they are trying to shed salary and anything that gets them closer to McDavid is going to be good for them long-term.

I don't have the answer though. I don't see an obvious one out there, so that's why I think they will try to muddle through it.
- Chinaski

Yeah, I was mostly kidding about Smith but I'd be quite pleased to land Hanzal. But you know me, I'm willing to trade anyone on our roster under 5'10 and 170 lbs.

Truth be told, there isn't a lot out there for immediate help. This team would either have to a) take on another big contract or b) give up a ransom in pieces to upgrade the position considerably.
- SotaPopinski

Agreed. And the thing about goaltending is it's never a sure thing. So if you give up major pieces for a good goalie, there's still a chance he doesn't work out.

Agreed. And the thing about goaltending is it's never a sure thing. So if you give up major pieces for a good goalie, there's still a chance he doesn't work out.
- Chinaski

True, but I would put the chances at Kuemper working out to be comparable (though we lose no picks/prospects in doing so). Add in the fact that I want to punch him every time they show his clueless mug sitting on the bench after yet another unfinished game, I am more willing than you in taking such a gamble.

True, but I would put the chances at Kuemper working out to be comparable (though we lose no picks/prospects in doing so). Add in the fact that I want to punch him every time they show his clueless mug sitting on the bench after yet another unfinished game, I am more willing than you in taking such a gamble.
- SotaPopinski

Is there someone you think is gettable in a trade that would be a significant upgrade?

Is there someone you think is gettable in a trade that would be a significant upgrade?
- Chinaski

At this moment, I can't come up with anyone not already mentioned. I don't know enough of other teams #2's and goalie prospects to say for sure. I had hoped Fletch could have swung a trade for Bernier before Toronto got him, not sure if the Leafs are looking to move him.

At this moment, I can't come up with anyone not already mentioned. I don't know enough of other teams #2's and goalie prospects to say for sure. I had hoped Fletch could have swung a trade for Bernier before Toronto got him, not sure if the Leafs are looking to move him.
- SotaPopinski

I'd say they're not. From what I have heard out of the Toronto media, they all believe the Leafs see Bernier as their main guy going forward. Reimer was really on the outs with them last year and went so far as to publicly say he couldn't see himself with the team this year. But he did end up signing a two-year deal with them and has stolen a few games for them this year. There have also been times when he has not been very good. But I think last year he had a lot more bad games. There is talk that Reimer could be a #1 and deserves a shot somewhere, but no one is convinced he'll be successful based on what he has shown so far.

One of the reasons even Reimer may be hard to get out of Toronto is that they have like 19 back-to-backs this year. It's really important to have a solid 1-2 punch in net and he does give them that. So I'd think anyone would have to pay a decent price even to get Reimer this year.

Some other guys that could maybe be gotten but still be questionable as to whether they are an upgrade - Martin Jones out of LA, Antii Niemi in San Jose, Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner in Ottawa, Cam Ward in Carolina (but massive cap hit through next year), and I suppose either of the Edmonton goalies - Fasth or Scrivens.

Jones and Lehner have about as much of a sample size as Kuemper in their career and are about the same age so they're as much of a roll of the dice as sticking with Kuemper. Scrivens is a good example of good numbers behind a good defensive team in LA in limited action last year and then cratering when put behind a bad defensive team in Edmonton.

I'm sure there are other guys they could potential trade for, but given Kuemper's current contract and the fact that none of these guys may really be an upgrade, it just may be a better bet to stick with Kuemper and see if they can work him out of his funk. He is still young and he's a very big, athletic goalie. If they can get his head right consistently, they might at least have average goaltending.

It's a sh!tty problem to have, but they have it and I just don't think there's any easy answer outside of Kuemper magically turning his game around. That or Backstrom, finally healthy, gets more starts and gives them enough to get on a roll.

One name to keep an eye on is Bobrovsky. RFA after this season, already making close to $6mil. Obviously Columbus will look to lock him up but they were playing terrible before this recent surge. Missing out on a playoffs could impact the direction they take on him and vice versa.

Good stuff, Chinaski thanks for playing

I don't even agree with the call but the puck was clearly picked from underneath Rinne's pad at least 6 inches behind the goal line when he pulled it out. It's clearly a judgement call by the refs, but I agree that unless there is conclusive evidence (to steal a term from NFL replay) I don't think they can award a goal and there was never any visual evidence that the puck crossed the line before the whistle.

It did cross the line though at some point, that much was evident.
- MnGump

Yeah...I actually do think it was in the net. The problem is no angle could actually show it in there. I am just not sure how they could call it a good goal if they never actually saw it in the net...lol.

Yeah...I actually do think it was in the net. The problem is no angle could actually show it in there. I am just not sure how they could call it a good goal if they never actually saw it in the net...lol.
- nikoli1206

There was mention on the broadcast that the rule has changed where they are now allowed to make an inference without definitive proof, i.e., a camera shot of the puck over the line. Best guess is that when Roy fished it out that's what they used to logically deduce it was over the line.

There was mention on the broadcast that the rule has changed where they are now allowed to make an inference without definitive proof, i.e., a camera shot of the puck over the line. Best guess is that when Roy fished it out that's what they used to logically deduce it was over the line.
- Chinaski

I just wonder...had Roy just grabbed it and went to the bench...would it have been called a goal?

I just wonder...had Roy just grabbed it and went to the bench...would it have been called a goal?
- nikoli1206

Good question. If they used him grabbing it to deduce it was in the net then I suppose had he picked it up more subtlely and skated away with it, it may not have been called a goal. I saw a retweet from the NHL that claimed they had an explanation, but it was nothing more than the Fox Sports North broadcast and the referee's explanation. It didn't say how they determined the puck was completely across the line.