Wonder if we will get a new thread

-Fitzy didn't give much of an answer as to whether Ruff is staying as the head coach or not, pretty much gave a non-committal non-answer. Seems like they're still evaluating that situation.

-Fitzy confirms its Mukhamadullin time! He's on his way over here, just got his visa and is on his way to Utica. May even play in the playoffs.

-Also said when it comes to the defense, "I want to get bigger, i want to get more mobile, I want to be tougher to play against."

-Supports Blackwood and wants him to be 100% healthy. Believes there's still a lot of development to be had. Says there's a clean slate and Blackwood wants to be the goalie here.

-Doesnt know if Bernier will realistically be healthy for next season, still wants competition in net for next season.

-Is looking at all potential options available with our upcoming first round pick, including moving it.

-Chase Stillman won't play for Utica in the opening round due to injury.

-Talking about Zacha it sure seemed like he is gone. Talked about how he's a good player but he needs to look at the bigger biggest and go through the process: 'where does Pavel fit', 'what do we need, does he fit that', ect

-Talked about not having Woody in the lineup hurts a lot, because of how he plays.

-Talk about how great of a leader Nico has become and the "humongous steps" hes taken in regards to being the captain and leading the team.

-Back onto Ruff, Fitz says Ruff was brought in to be his partner and they will decide on new coaching hires together. "My goal is to bring in people who think the same way as me and believe in the same things as me."

Not part of the media availability, but Luke Hughes will be playing for USA at the World Championships.

-Fitzy confirms its Mukhamadullin time! He's on his way over here, just got his visa and is on his way to Utica. May even play in the playoffs.
- vlongo4419

This is what I was looking for.

https://mobile.twitter.co...AuC-3DXs3l2SAOEjD6Uw&s=04

Sounds like ruff to front office with new coaching staff?

https://mobile.twitter.com/AlexC_THW/status/1522243067960561667?t=b9AuC-3DXs3l2SAOEjD6Uw&s=04

Sounds like ruff to front office with new coaching staff?
- dmarsden2988

To me what it seems like is that they will be actively looking for a new head coach, but don't want to commit to getting rid of Ruff because there might not be a good selection available for whatever reason. You don't know what coaches will be available since some might be fired after the post-season or some of the other potential candidates don't fit the mold.

To me what it seems like is that they will be actively looking for a new head coach, but don't want to commit to getting rid of Ruff because there might not be a good selection available for whatever reason. You don't know what coaches will be available since some might be fired after the post-season or some of the other potential candidates don't fit the mold.
- Pomegrant

Torts baby!

Torts baby!
- shvingter88

Does he wanna coach in Quebec?

Wonder if we will get a new thread
- dmarsden2988

50/50

Russo was on Mareks show today and they discussed how he thinks the Wild will trade Fiala at the draft. Went through how they probably can't trade other guys(eg: Dumba's NMC) and they would likely want to move him before offer sheets can happen. Specifically mentioned NJ as making a ton of sense here and being a good fit, especially if we're willing to move our 1st.

Russo was on Mareks show today and they discussed how he thinks the Wild will trade Fiala at the draft. Went through how they probably can't trade other guys(eg: Dumba's NMC) and they would likely want to move him before offer sheets can happen. Specifically mentioned NJ as making a ton of sense here and being a good fit, especially if we're willing to move our 1st.
- vlongo4419

Hopefully he wants to play here

Hopefully he wants to play here
- shvingter88

I'm sure he would. Him and Nico are pretty close.

I'm sure he would. Him and Nico are pretty close.
- vlongo4419

I just still don’t see him as a top like guy to give big money to. I’d rather take our chances with 5th overall. If it was 10th overall I’d feel differently.

I'm sure he would. Him and Nico are pretty close.
- vlongo4419

He’ll convince him to request a trade

I just still don’t see him as a top like guy to give big money to. I’d rather take our chances with 5th overall. If it was 10th overall I’d feel differently.
- MartysBetter88

I wouldn't trade 5th overall for him either, but if we fall to 7 and the top 6 guys are off the board then I'd move it. But there's probably a deal to be had without the 1st involved. He's the best realistic top line forward option we could trade for, and he'd instantly become our 2nd best forward behind Jack.

I wouldn't trade 5th overall for him either, but if we fall to 7 and the top 6 guys are off the board then I'd move it. But there's probably a deal to be had without the 1st involved. He's the best realistic top line forward option we could trade for, and he'd instantly become our 2nd best forward behind Jack.
- vlongo4419

It just feels like settling to me. Idk. I gotta watch more of this Wild series. Kaprisov is the top line guy you wanna spend big money for, not settling for Fiala. I’m not saying Kaprisov is an option, just comparing 2 types of players. Fiala is a B-level forward that I don’t wanna give A- money to.

It just feels like settling to me. Idk. I gotta watch more of this Wild series. Kaprisov is the top line guy you wanna spend big money for, not settling for Fiala. I’m not saying Kaprisov is an option, just comparing 2 types of players. Fiala is a B-level forward that I don’t wanna give A- money to.
- MartysBetter88

Fiala isn't going to get big money though, the rumor is he wants 7.5M lol. That's a very acceptable for a top line winger. He was 11th in the league in 5v5 points(9th in points/60) and 17th in 5v5 goals(17th in goals/60 as well)

If you think getting Fiala is "settling" then you have never watched him play lmao

If you think getting Fiala is "settling" then you have never watched him play lmao
- Pomegrant

I’ve watched him play. How many times? No more than 10 over a few years cuz when am
I watching a wild game outside of the playoffs or rare devils matchups? He never jumped off the screen to me. I said it feels like setting if it’s big money to put him on the top line where id prefer to take chances with 5th overall developing into an 80pt player.

But vlongo shared some solid stats. Idk. I’m indifferent.

I’ve watched him play. How many times? No more than 10 over a few years cuz when am
I watching a wild game outside of the playoffs or rare devils matchups? He never jumped off the screen to me. I said it feels like setting if it’s big money to put him on the top line where id prefer to take chances with 5th overall developing into an 80pt player.

But vlongo shared some solid stats. Idk. I’m indifferent.
- MartysBetter88

I totally get this. Like i said, i wouldnt trade a top 5 pick for him and i think a trade can be made without us giving up our 1st here. But Minnesota is in big cap troubles and its very rare that a 25 year old 80 point player is available for trade and could possibly be cheaper than expected to acquire because of said cap constraints. This team needs to add a legit top 6 winger, preferably a top line winger, and hes arguably the best available after Gaudreau(who will likely require 9.5-10M to sign). So outside of Gaudreau who are the surefire top 6 wingers available? I prefer Fiala to Forsberg, who will get massively overpaid because of a very unsustainable shooting bender this season.(I'd much rather have Fiala at 7.5M than Forsberg at 8.5-9M or possibly even more)Burakovsky/Nichushkin would be nice targets, but i still would prefer Fiala over them(and why would they leave the Avs to come to NJ unless theyre looking for the bag?). Theres other guys i wouldnt mind targeting for a bottom 6 role but thats a whole different discussion, so outside of those guys there is nobody else in free agency who is a forsure top 6 winger and isnt over 30 years old.

On the trade front theres a few guys who i would prefer over Fiala like DeBrincat/Tkachuk/Laine but the odds of any of them being moved isnt high, so thats unrealistic. Then you get into the Boeser/Garland/Puljujarvi/Dubois/Meier/Schmaltz territory, and while i like all of those guys and would love to trade for one, Fiala is just better then all of them imo.

So with all that said, i think it's almost guaranteed we add a top 6 winger this offseason and Fiala tops the chart as my #1 realistic target. Any of those guys listed above would be a nice addition to this team though tbh, so I won't complain if it's any of them.

If you think getting Fiala is "settling" then you have never watched him play lmao
- Pomegrant

I think maybe you’re watching him too closely.

I think maybe you’re watching him too closely.
- shvingter88

I've gotta find somebody new now that PK is gone.

Russo was on Mareks show today and they discussed how he thinks the Wild will trade Fiala at the draft. Went through how they probably can't trade other guys(eg: Dumba's NMC) and they would likely want to move him before offer sheets can happen. Specifically mentioned NJ as making a ton of sense here and being a good fit, especially if we're willing to move our 1st.
- vlongo4419

I guess Marek looked further into this, because tonight on 32 Thoughts he confirmed that sources have told him the Devils really like Fiala.

The penalty for a failed challenge remains beyond stupid. Refs make mistakes, do they not? A universal objective truth is they do. Why can’t teams be allowed one challenge per game... simply because refs make multiple errors per game? Instead it’s a penalty. Penalty for what? Coach, from his perspective saw a play differently than the ref did at real-time.. so it’s worth a look. Heaven forbid the coach didn’t see it as accurately as it actually was. How can you penalize someone for challenging one of multiple officiating mistakes?
The risk/reward for challenges should simply be when to use them in the game.. so use it earlier and risk not having it later.. instead of using it at all and risk being down a man for 2 minutes. Stupid.

I've gotta find somebody new now that PK is gone.
- Pomegrant