Are you here to accept my Tuch & Spurgeon for Duch proposal?
- SotaPopinski

OH you tease, How do you feel ab out the Hawks as a Stadium Series opponent?

Lack and Hansen/kassian for Granlund
- Bieksa#3

I like Lack, but not sure I see him helping push this team over the hump. But I am all for moving Granlund, so long as it makes sense.

OH you tease, How do you feel ab out the Hawks as a Stadium Series opponent?
- DDM-Coga

Hawks have played enough outdoor games, and Dallas just pisses me off

Hawks have played enough outdoor games, and Dallas just pisses me off
- SotaPopinski

Blues would have been a nice match up with you guys, that's who i wanted for the avs originally but the wings rivalry with them, can't complain

OH you tease, How do you feel ab out the Hawks as a Stadium Series opponent?
- DDM-Coga

Hopefully the ice is terrible so we have half a chance to win.

Blues would have been a nice match up with you guys, that's who i wanted for the avs originally but the wings rivalry with them, can't complain
- DDM-Coga

Avs and Wings is perfect, but will never be what it was. We're still looking for that one true rivalry. Maybe the Jets after a few more years

glenX/Baert for coyle or dumba and a pick.

Or add ramo in there and make it both

So Russo reporting they're planning on having Hockey day the week before the Wild stadium series. Why not have it same day?

In my opinion, major missed opportunity not having Wild host the Stars in an outdoor game. No one else it makes sense for Stars to play, solid story lines, & lots of people would enjoy watching Wild beat up on the team that abandoned the state.

In my opinion, major missed opportunity not having Wild host the Stars in an outdoor game. No one else it makes sense for Stars to play, solid story lines, & lots of people would enjoy watching Wild beat up on the team that abandoned the state.
- Antilles

For once I agree with you. Makes perfect sense.

So Russo reporting they're planning on having Hockey day the week before the Wild stadium series. Why not have it same day?
- MnGump

Sounds like they want to use the stadium as the venue for Hockey Day Minnesota which typically includes 3-4 games. I doubt the league would allow that on the actual day of the NHL game. And they probably want the game to take place during the day, not at 8 PM.

OH you tease, How do you feel ab out the Hawks as a Stadium Series opponent?
- DDM-Coga

Eh its not the same as the North Stars/Hawks rivalry. The Hawks have pretty much owned the Wild. I would have preferred the Stars!

On to the culpability question: In my uneducated opinion, Fletcher is probably tied to Yeo, so if Yeo goes then Fletcher goes. I think he understands this, which would make his decision to keep Yeo despite the extremely disappointing season, understandable. Rarely to GM's in hockey get to hire more than two coaches before they themselves are fired. Leopold is not known for his patience, and it is also known that the Wild skate on a razor thin margin with regards to profits/losses. With all of the big money the Wild have doled out the last two seasons they need to make the playoffs just to break even! I cant imagine Leopold being too happy with how some of this money has been spent! That is all on Fletcher imo and if they miss the playoffs he's in all likelihood gone. The draft picks and trades have been so/so to subpar, and this team carries far too many questionable contracts.

On to the culpability question: In my uneducated opinion, Fletcher is probably tied to Yeo, so if Yeo goes then Fletcher goes. I think he understands this, which would make his decision to keep Yeo despite the extremely disappointing season, understandable. Rarely to GM's in hockey get to hire more than two coaches before they themselves are fired. Leopold is not known for his patience, and it is also known that the Wild skate on a razor thin margin with regards to profits/losses. With all of the big money the Wild have doled out the last two seasons they need to make the playoffs just to break even! I cant imagine Leopold being too happy with how some of this money has been spent! That is all on Fletcher imo and if they miss the playoffs he's in all likelihood gone. The draft picks and trades have been so/so to subpar, and this team carries far too many questionable contracts.
- mnhockeyguy

I don't know what Leipold thinks about all of this and maybe Fletcher has been able to buy some time with the combination of crazy things that have happened this year. But if Leipold is going to fire Fletcher if they don't make the playoffs then he should just do it now. There is still a significant amount of games to be played this season and things can be done to assess what direction to take next such that they can use the draft and free agency periods to begin to remake the team.

If Leipold just waits to see how this plays out in regards to making or missing the playoffs and then cleans house he will miss an opportunity to let someone else come in here and get a handle on the direction of the team from a personnel standpoint.

When Minnesota Wild Miss the Playoffs Who Pays the Price?

We the fans...Players get paid regardless.

I don't know what Leipold thinks about all of this and maybe Fletcher has been able to buy some time with the combination of crazy things that have happened this year. But if Leipold is going to fire Fletcher if they don't make the playoffs then he should just do it now. There is still a significant amount of games to be played this season and things can be done to assess what direction to take next such that they can use the draft and free agency periods to begin to remake the team.

If Leipold just waits to see how this plays out in regards to making or missing the playoffs and then cleans house he will miss an opportunity to let someone else come in here and get a handle on the direction of the team from a personnel standpoint.
- Chinaski

I would say that rarely does a GM ge fired during the season. If they miss the playoffs there are close to 3 months before the draft, which would be plenty of time to hire a new GM. As unlikely as it may sound, I could see George McPhee given a shot here. One thing he was never able to do in DC was address the D. We have D, but cannot identify good offensive talent, something that McPhee and his scouts were able to do consistently. Once again this is all speculation, but Fletcher has been on the job for 6 years, and the teams prospects aren't panning out well and the cupboard is bare in Iowa, at least right now..

I would say that rarely does a GM ge fired during the season. If they miss the playoffs there are close to 3 months before the draft, which would be plenty of time to hire a new GM. As unlikely as it may sound, I could see George McPhee given a shot here. One thing he was never able to do in DC was address the D. We have D, but cannot identify good offensive talent, something that McPhee and his scouts were able to do consistently. Once again this is all speculation, but Fletcher has been on the job for 6 years, and the teams prospects aren't panning out well and the cupboard is bare in Iowa, at least right now..
- mnhockeyguy

That is a very good speculation though. Who would you see as a coach then?

That is a very good speculation though. Who would you see as a coach then?
- KxKodiak47

There may be any number of coaches let go after the season, so it would depend on who's available. If Fletcher stays, I would think Tippett would be given a look if he's fired in AZ. If the Blues flame out in the playoffs Hitch would probably be let go. One guy that intrigues me is McClellan from San Jose. He's a good coach who's in need of new scenery.

I would say that rarely does a GM ge fired during the season. If they miss the playoffs there are close to 3 months before the draft, which would be plenty of time to hire a new GM.
- mnhockeyguy

And I'm not quite sure why that is. Having the ability to evaluate your players during the season is much more valuable than just using the previous body of work the previous regime has given you after the season is over. A new GM and coach may want to see different line combinations, players in a different system, and maybe some players in different roles before they make a final judgement on them and that's not possible once the season is over. If that leaves you with unanswered questions in your evaluation you get a little cheated and you may not be able to or feel comfortable pulling the trigger on moves that present themselves in the off-season. The off-season is really the best time to try make the biggest impact moves.

I just don't see why you would keep people around now if you think they are the reason your team is not winning. What's the worst that can happen? They lose even more games and miss the playoffs? There's just no good reason to keep Fletcher at the helm right now if he is going to take the fall for not making the playoffs. They are not making it. If Leipold isn't convinced of that then he's just clinging to the mathematical possibilities that are realistically improbable.

Personally, I think Leipold is going to give Fletcher one more year.

There may be any number of coaches let go after the season, so it would depend on who's available. If Fletcher stays, I would think Tippett would be given a look if he's fired in AZ. If the Blues flame out in the playoffs Hitch would probably be let go. One guy that intrigues me is McClellan from San Jose. He's a good coach who's in need of new scenery.
- mnhockeyguy

Lots of speculation on McClellan if he's available. I hear Toronto would be interested. But if Babcock leaves Detroit would McClellan be targeted by the Red Wings? From reading that book by Tom Lynn I got the impression the Wild organization and McClellan didn't part on the most amicable terms when he left Houston. So if he has other offers I wonder how interested he would be in the Wild job if it's available.

And I'm not quite sure why that is. Having the ability to evaluate your players during the season is much more valuable than just using the previous body of work the previous regime has given you after the season is over. A new GM and coach may want to see different line combinations, players in a different system, and maybe some players in different roles before they make a final judgement on them and that's not possible once the season is over. If that leaves you with unanswered questions in your evaluation you get a little cheated and you may not be able to or feel comfortable pulling the trigger on moves that present themselves in the off-season. The off-season is really the best time to try make the biggest impact moves.

I just don't see why you would keep people around now if you think they are the reason your team is not winning. What's the worst that can happen? They lose even more games and miss the playoffs? There's just no good reason to keep Fletcher at the helm right now if he is going to take the fall for not making the playoffs. They are not making it. If Leipold isn't convinced of that then he's just clinging to the mathematical possibilities that are realistically improbable.

Personally, I think Leipold is going to give Fletcher one more year.
- Chinaski

I could see it this way too. But there's no way that Yeo survives if they miss the playoffs, and I have a hard time believing Leopold would allow Fletcher to hire a 3rd coach, especially another rookie. I think what everyone is waiting to see is how the team does for the first ten games after the all-star break. If they come out and win 5 or 6 in a row, then I can see Leopold riding it out until the end. If they come out flat then I could see Leopold clamming up for the rest of the season and then cleaning house. If Dougie R could survive to the off season under Leopold, I think Fletcher will...

Lots of speculation on McClellan if he's available. I hear Toronto would be interested. But if Babcock leaves Detroit would McClellan be targeted by the Red Wings? From reading that book by Tom Lynn I got the impression the Wild organization and McClellan didn't part on the most amicable terms when he left Houston. So if he has other offers I wonder how interested he would be in the Wild job if it's available.
- Chinaski

Right. It really is hard to speculate on coaching changes during the season, because so many may become available during the off season.

But there's no way that Yeo survives if they miss the playoffs,
- mnhockeyguy

I'm not so sure about that. If you break down the numbers it becomes pretty clear that their goaltending is what did them in this year and Yeo really doesn't have any control over that outside of picking the lesser of two evils each night to start. But since neither guy was even close to the average, even picking the best one to start each game isn't helping. I can see a case being made where the problem wasn't coaching. In fact, it kind of already has and it's been reported Leipold is buying that explanation.

I don't necessarily buy it though. I'm no analytics guru and I haven't had time to look into all the Wild's numbers in great detail, but I think the system overall is failing them. Their possession just doesn't look to me like it's going to lead to several, quality scoring chances.

They don't break out and up the ice as one unit and many times the defensemen are either carrying the puck all the way to the offensive blueline or they are making a pass from their own end to the red line where a forward either tips it in or receives the pass with his back to the offensive zone and is not moving making him much easier to defend.

They supposedly have all these good skating, quality offensive players but I just don't see them using those guys to regularly gain the zone and put the defense on their heels. If you watch Pulkkinen's goal the other night in Detroit, I thought it was a good example of how a team should use shorter passes and more players on the ice to break out and create a chance. I rarely see the Wild execute like that. They tend to play so much more on the outside.

That's where I think Yeo is accountable and a case could be made that he should go based on his system and the personnel they have. Others here have pointed out how that doesn't seem to be a good match and I would have to agree. I think their reasonably good possession numbers, as they are measured today, is masking an underlying shortcoming of the team.

I don't see Fletcher being let go, he and Leipold seem to have a good enough business relationship that Leipold will give Fletch another year. I think he's earned that right.

The problems this Team has encountered so far this year is not really on anyone, other then the actions of a few players, and Yeo making some mind boggling in-game decisions. I don't think Yeo has the capability at this point to get this team to overcome problems without players losing confidence in themselves nor enough respect that when he demands better play on a more consistent basis that it only carries enough weight that may last for just a game or two. I think Yeo will be gone, but doubt Fletch joins him.

I had higher hopes going into this season than most, but in mid-December I looked back at all the weird and unfortunate events that had occurred that it became painfully obvious to me that this simply was not our year.

Lots of speculation on McClellan if he's available. I hear Toronto would be interested. But if Babcock leaves Detroit would McClellan be targeted by the Red Wings? From reading that book by Tom Lynn I got the impression the Wild organization and McClellan didn't part on the most amicable terms when he left Houston. So if he has other offers I wonder how interested he would be in the Wild job if it's available.
- Chinaski

Is there a single person left in the front office that was around when McClellan was with Houston? You would think a fired coach would listen to all offers.
I would be thrilled to see him or Tippett take over if Yeo does not return next season, but for some reason I am growing more and more weary of firing Yeo for this debacle.

I'm not so sure about that. If you break down the numbers it becomes pretty clear that their goaltending is what did them in this year and Yeo really doesn't have any control over that outside of picking the lesser of two evils each night to start. But since neither guy was even close to the average, even picking the best one to start each game isn't helping. I can see a case being made where the problem wasn't coaching. In fact, it kind of already has and it's been reported Leipold is buying that explanation.

I don't necessarily buy it though. I'm no analytics guru and I haven't had time to look into all the Wild's numbers in great detail, but I think the system overall is failing them. Their possession just doesn't look to me like it's going to lead to several, quality scoring chances.

They don't break out and up the ice as one unit and many times the defensemen are either carrying the puck all the way to the offensive blueline or they are making a pass from their own end to the red line where a forward either tips it in or receives the pass with his back to the offensive zone and is not moving making him much easier to defend.

They supposedly have all these good skating, quality offensive players but I just don't see them using those guys to regularly gain the zone and put the defense on their heels. If you watch Pulkkinen's goal the other night in Detroit, I thought it was a good example of how a team should use shorter passes and more players on the ice to break out and create a chance. I rarely see the Wild execute like that. They tend to play so much more on the outside.

That's where I think Yeo is accountable and a case could be made that he should go based on his system and the personnel they have. Others here have pointed out how that doesn't seem to be a good match and I would have to agree. I think their reasonably good possession numbers, as they are measured today, is masking an underlying shortcoming of the team.
- Chinaski

I believe there's something to be said for the fact that each and every season Yeo has been at the helm this team has experienced super highs followed by super lows. In fact I think there's a lot to be said for that which to me brings in to question his overall leadership abilities or lackthereof.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Yeo knows his X's and O's, of that I have no doubt, but to me focus should be more on his lacking ability to pull his players out of slumps and get them refocused.