Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Nice Win Against Talented Team Enough to Fuel Huge Push? WildHBcommunity: Nice Win Against Talented Team Enough to Fuel Huge Push?


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You guys need dion

The best thing the Wild have going for them with regards to making the playoffs is the inconsistency of the teams they are chasing. Winnipeg, Calgary, Colorado and even San Jose have been or are starting to become inconsistent like years past. Did anyone think Winnipeg could really sustain their incredible success in the second half of the season with that lineup? It isn't another Colorado situation. The talent just isn't there on Winnipeg and they will regress to be battling for the 8th spot. Calgary is also having an incredible season with poor underlying metrics. They too have been coming down to earth the last ten games. If the Wild can win 2 for every loss, coupled with the regression of the teams in front of them which is beginning to happen I'd say they have a decent chance to at least pass Calgary. My prediction is it will come down to Dallas, Colorado and Minnesota for the last two spots.

You guys need dion
- jake24242

You need Koivu . Give us Kadri with Dion and you have a deal.

You guys need dion
- jake24242

Or NAW haha contract not a good idea for anyone. I am so intrigued by Leafs next moves. They are talking Nonis is done for Rob Blake so what will that mean for the roster?????

Or NAW haha contract not a good idea for anyone. I am so intrigued by Leafs next moves. They are talking Nonis is done for Rob Blake so what will that mean for the roster?????
- Tony Dean

Disregarding his contract, do you think Phaneuf could help the Wild?

Disregarding his contract, do you think Phaneuf could help the Wild?
- Chinaski

Yes

The best thing the Wild have going for them with regards to making the playoffs is the inconsistency of the teams they are chasing. Winnipeg, Calgary, Colorado and even San Jose have been or are starting to become inconsistent like years past. Did anyone think Winnipeg could really sustain their incredible success in the second half of the season with that lineup? It isn't another Colorado situation. The talent just isn't there on Winnipeg and they will regress to be battling for the 8th spot. Calgary is also having an incredible season with poor underlying metrics. They too have been coming down to earth the last ten games. If the Wild can win 2 for every loss, coupled with the regression of the teams in front of them which is beginning to happen I'd say they have a decent chance to at least pass Calgary. My prediction is it will come down to Dallas, Colorado and Minnesota for the last two spots.
- mnhockeyguy

Agreed. Calgary has some nice young talent and a lot of energy... Sounds eerily familiar! I have no doubt they will at some point be a playoff team, and they may even manage to get in this season, but I personally believe they're playing above their own heads so far this season. I wouldn't doubt if they end up being this years version of Colorado last season.

As far as Winnipeg is concerned, they finally have some decent goal tending and it's amazing how far even a mediocre team can go with a legit top line center... but I feel they will fall to the back of the pack as usual.

For obvious reasons I have my doubts about this Wild squad. But if there's a will there's a way and if they continue to stay energized and play that puck possession game, I have no doubt they'll hang around for a shot at the post season.

Yes
- Tony Dean

I have to admit, I'm curious what he could do here. I think there's good and bad. But when it comes right down to it, I just don't see these two teams being good trading partners in a deal for Phaneuf.

You guys need dion
- jake24242

fletcher needs that contract like he needs a hole in his head.... Leafs are stuck with that one I'm afraid.

Wild need a legit top line center before they go spending on an over paid defenseman.

I have to admit, I'm curious what he could do here. I think there's good and bad. But when it comes right down to it, I just don't see these two teams being good trading partners in a deal for Phaneuf.
- Chinaski

Fletcher would never take on that deal with current blue line group and prospects in the pipeline. Olofsson will be so good in future that kid is big/talented. Phaneuf will be an albatross around neck of Leafs or other team that acquires him IMO.

For obvious reasons I have my doubts about this Wild squad. But if there's a will there's a way and if they continue to stay energized and play that puck possession game, I have no doubt they'll hang around for a shot at the post season.
- MnGump

The thing that bothers me most about this season is what Parise has done on the ice while dealing with all the off-ice stuff. He's openly admitted it has been a very difficult year for him and even said that at times his head wasn't in it. Yet he is clearly, by a mile, the hardest-working, most caring player on this team. To have that example put in front of this team day in and day out and yet we still have passengers...it's just disheartening.

The thing that bothers me most about this season is what Parise has done on the ice while dealing with all the off-ice stuff. He's openly admitted it has been a very difficult year for him and even said that at times his head wasn't in it. Yet he is clearly, by a mile, the hardest-working, most caring player on this team. To have that example put in front of this team day in and day out and yet we still have passengers...it's just disheartening.
- Chinaski

I think the passengers are few, but nonetheless one of the most obvious ones being Vanek. Could you imagine if he had Parise's motor and will?! Think of the possibilities. Outside of Vanek, I don't see a lot of guys gliding and hanging on to coat tails.

I think Coyle busts his ass, but I still don't think he has the raw talent to convert that hard work into success. Nino has been enigmatic if nothing else this season and Zucker looks to be on that cusp of greatness almost every game but just can't seem to wrap his hands around it consistently.

Fletcher would never take on that deal with current blue line group and prospects in the pipeline. Olofsson will be so good in future that kid is big/talented. Phaneuf will be an albatross around neck of Leafs or other team that acquires him IMO.
- Tony Dean

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to see the Wild take on that contract in its totality. Toronto would have to eat some salary in any deal.

So now that I'm curious, here's the rules for salary retention in trades, via The Globe and Mail:
1. Teams can only have three contracts on the books where they’ve retained salary in a trade
According to NHL Numbers, Toronto is currently retaining salary for one player - Carl Gunnarson. Gleason's hit is for a buyout. So on this point, they are eligible to retain salary in two other trades.

2. Teams can keep only up to 15 per cent of the salary cap in a given year
The cap this year is $69 million. 15% of that is $10.35 million.
The Leafs have one more year of Gunnarson retention for $200K.

3. Only 50 per cent of a contract can be kept
50% of $7 million (cap hit) would be $3.5 million they could retain.

4. A contract can only be traded in one of these deals twice
Phaneuf has not been traded under his current deal, so they're OK on this point.

Based on all of that, just assuming the cap stays flat, it looks like they could retain half his salary and still have one more deal and the lesser of $6.5 million or 50% of another contract they could trade.

So trading Phaneuf and retaining half his salary is possible. It just may not be very palatable for Toronto.

The question becomes, who else do they think they want to move and feel they need to retain salary on to make the deal? Would it be better for them to move those guys instead of Phaneuf? Do they just see Phaneuf as a bad contract or do they see value there and want younger pieces in return? Can they get another team to bite on a trade where they keep less salary?

Do I like Phaneuf (29 years old) for $3.5 million for the next six years? Man, I don't know. I think I just talked myself out of it.

I think the passengers are few, but nonetheless one of the most obvious ones being Vanek. Could you imagine if he had Parise's motor and will?! Think of the possibilities.
- MnGump

They wouldn't let him play. It would be unfair.

You guys need dion
- jake24242

Agreed, the playlist at the X has grown quite stale

I have to admit, I'm curious what he could do here. I think there's good and bad. But when it comes right down to it, I just don't see these two teams being good trading partners in a deal for Phaneuf.
- Chinaski

Are you kidding me? A top 4 d-man is the one area this team is set. Not saying he wouldn't help, but trading for Phaneuf does little to nothing to address this teams needs.

*edit: Nevermind, read the rest of your posts

Huge push.... just grab the seat and do it. Keep your eyes shut to avoid a popped blood vessel. Oh... another kind of push?

Agreed. Calgary has some nice young talent and a lot of energy... Sounds eerily familiar! I have no doubt they will at some point be a playoff team, and they may even manage to get in this season, but I personally believe they're playing above their own heads so far this season. I wouldn't doubt if they end up being this years version of Colorado last season.

As far as Winnipeg is concerned, they finally have some decent goal tending and it's amazing how far even a mediocre team can go with a legit top line center... but I feel they will fall to the back of the pack as usual.

For obvious reasons I have my doubts about this Wild squad. But if there's a will there's a way and if they continue to stay energized and play that puck possession game, I have no doubt they'll hang around for a shot at the post season.
- MnGump

So Calgary is going to win the Central?

Are you kidding me? A top 4 d-man is the one area this team is set. Not saying he wouldn't help, but trading for Phaneuf does little to nothing to address this teams needs.

*edit: Nevermind, read the rest of your posts
- SotaPopinski

On its own, I would agree. He could bring more of a physical element to the blueline than we currently have and I wouldn't be opposed to playing him on the 3rd pair or move Spurgeon down to the 3rd pair. But it's too much money over too long of a term and his upside doesn't justify it.

I think the main reason that I was trying to think of a way he fit is because the Leafs have other assets that would fit here better and I was thinking a package deal might get us some of the things we need. But Toronto needs more than we do and I just don't see them giving up their valuable assets in any deal that would make sense to the Wild.

Huge push.... just grab the seat and do it. Keep your eyes shut to avoid a popped blood vessel. Oh... another kind of push?
- Panthers88

I probably shouldn't but I actually really enjoyed this comment haha.

On its own, I would agree. He could bring more of a physical element to the blueline than we currently have and I wouldn't be opposed to playing him on the 3rd pair or move Spurgeon down to the 3rd pair. But it's too much money over too long of a term and his upside doesn't justify it.

I think the main reason that I was trying to think of a way he fit is because the Leafs have other assets that would fit here better and I was thinking a package deal might get us some of the things we need. But Toronto needs more than we do and I just don't see them giving up their valuable assets in any deal that would make sense to the Wild.
- Chinaski

I'd rather have Franson and Kadri but I am not sure what we would have to give wouldn't be a lateral move

I think the passengers are few, but nonetheless one of the most obvious ones being Vanek. Could you imagine if he had Parise's motor and will?! Think of the possibilities. Outside of Vanek, I don't see a lot of guys gliding and hanging on to coat tails.

I think Coyle busts his ass, but I still don't think he has the raw talent to convert that hard work into success. Nino has been enigmatic if nothing else this season and Zucker looks to be on that cusp of greatness almost every game but just can't seem to wrap his hands around it consistently.
- MnGump

Frankly, I think it's evident most of the Wild are out there busting their ass each game. The problem is deviating from the system, so the efficiency of doing so isn't as beneficial. Coyle and Nino are two prime examples - you can't watch them play and say they aren't trying. But they aren't exactly playing the system as Yeo has it set, and as a result they aren't as efficient. In my opinion, the deviation from the system started happening exactly as our goaltending gave way, and now that the team is fairly confident in their goaltender, they're playing more efficient. Is it enough to save the season? We can only hope.

I'm in the boat that wishes Fletcher doesn't rattle the cages too much by wheeling and dealing this deadline and off-season. The team can flat-out play well when confident, and the only lack of confidence has been in the goaltending. Taking a good, hard look at goaltending in the off-season is something important, but the overall makeup of the team really doesn't need to change to go from where we are now to a decent playoff contender.

Disregarding his contract, do you think Phaneuf could help the Wild?
- Chinaski

He could help the team if he were to join it with no strings attached, but what the Wild would have to give up to get him would not be worth it, in my opinion.

Frankly, I think it's evident most of the Wild are out there busting their ass each game. The problem is deviating from the system, so the efficiency of doing so isn't as beneficial. Coyle and Nino are two prime examples - you can't watch them play and say they aren't trying. But they aren't exactly playing the system as Yeo has it set, and as a result they aren't as efficient. In my opinion, the deviation from the system started happening exactly as our goaltending gave way, and now that the team is fairly confident in their goaltender, they're playing more efficient. Is it enough to save the season? We can only hope.

I'm in the boat that wishes Fletcher doesn't rattle the cages too much by wheeling and dealing this deadline and off-season. The team can flat-out play well when confident, and the only lack of confidence has been in the goaltending. Taking a good, hard look at goaltending in the off-season is something important, but the overall makeup of the team really doesn't need to change to go from where we are now to a decent playoff contender.
- deslni01

I will clarify by saying that if Granlund, Coyle, Nino and Zucker don't step-up to the plate next season, then it would be okay to start dealing. The potential of these kids is very high, but the realization of the potential is clearly an important factor that can't wait. I personally feel the team's current placement is a result of the goaltending, which has negatively affected each and every player on the team. But if they are put in a position in which the goaltending isn't an issue and still can't perform, then dumping them is a legitimate action.