Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Yeo Knows Best Shakes Up Lines Callups Gophers WildHBcommunity: Yeo Knows Best Shakes Up Lines Callups Gophers


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The Wild will win tonight - I'm headed to the game and, much to my disappointment, the Wild always win when I'm at the Xcel.

Can't we just blame everything on the mumps now? I see Corey Perry and Beauchemin got it too.

Isn't Zucker supposed to be the shooter? Pominville and Koivu did not work well together last season, and While Zucker and Koivu play well cycling the puck along the boards it's taken away Zucker's most valuable assest, his ability to shoot the puck with deadly accuracy while skating at top speed. I like that Yeo is trying to change it up, but rewarding Koivu with even more ice time after he's been one of the worst forwards on the Wild this season reeks of pandering to the vets. At this stage of his career he's a top not shutdown center with little offensive upside. Basically a rich mans brodziak.
- mnhockeyguy

From my view Zucker hass been doing everything in his power to protect his new found role and confidence with Yeo which has cost his offense

From my view Zucker hass been doing everything in his power to protect his new found role and confidence with Yeo which has cost his offense
- Tony Dean

I agree that may be some of it... but there are also too many instances of known goal scorers just drying up when playing with Koivu. Whether it's his style of play or what he wasn't good with Parise, Vanek, Gaborik, Heatley(who wasn't good with anyone)Pominville, Rolston, Dimitra ect... he seemed to only thrive with Mittens and Bruno two lesser skilled players. I too would like to see Nino or Zucker with Parise. I'd also like to see what Parise and Haula could do if paired together.

Isn't Zucker supposed to be the shooter? Pominville and Koivu did not work well together last season, and While Zucker and Koivu play well cycling the puck along the boards it's taken away Zucker's most valuable assest, his ability to shoot the puck with deadly accuracy while skating at top speed. I like that Yeo is trying to change it up, but rewarding Koivu with even more ice time after he's been one of the worst forwards on the Wild this season reeks of pandering to the vets. At this stage of his career he's a top notch shutdown center with little offensive upside. Basically a rich mans brodziak.
- mnhockeyguy

... he seemed to only thrive with Mittens and Bruno two lesser skilled players.
- mnhockeyguy

Exactly. Two workers.

From Russo's blog:
But Yeo said, “Granny needs workers with him. And he puts him with Coyle and Niederreiter.

Well, I guess Yeo wasn't even here when Koivu played with Brunette and Miettinen. But I'm pretty sure Brunette was and he's one of the coaches.

Don't be surprised if the boys drop another one tonight. I don't think this snow ball has reached bottom just yet.

Yeo mentioned that Granny needs to get back to playing north/south instead of east/west...My thought was the entire team needed to do that over the last couple of games...Not just Granny. Maybe Spurgeon and Parise are the two that really spark that behavior, but it seemed that the entire team was skating that style for the first several games. They need to get back to that 'Jam it down their throats!' style that has shown to be successful earlier in the year.

Don't be surprised if the boys drop another one tonight. I don't think this snow ball has reached bottom just yet.


- MnGump

Man, I don't care how bad it's going, they should not lose tonight. I will be surprised. If there is something going around the team, I can see a legitimate reason why they may not be bringing a full out effort. But they just should not lose at home to Buffalo tonight.

Yeo mentioned that Granny needs to get back to playing north/south instead of east/west...My thought was the entire team needed to do that over the last couple of games...Not just Granny. Maybe Spurgeon and Parise are the two that really spark that behavior, but it seemed that the entire team was skating that style for the first several games. They need to get back to that 'Jam it down their throats!' style that has shown to be successful earlier in the year.


- mngopherguy

It doesn't look to me like the lines and defensive pairings are playing as a cohesive, five man unit. It just looks like there isn't great puck support so a lot of times guys are kind of doing it on their own and don't really have a choice but to go east/west. If Yeo had the right combinations together, I think we would see better north/south movement.

Man, I don't care how bad it's going, they should not lose tonight. I will be surprised. If there is something going around the team, I can see a legitimate reason why they may not be bringing a full out effort. But they just should not lose at home to Buffalo tonight.
- Chinaski

I was wondering about this as well, once I heard about Scandella and Brodin. This team looks nothing like the team that came out flying to start the season off. The lack effort is not glaringly noticeable but the execution is and maybe this virus is part of the reason.
Geez, maybe Koivu has had the mumps for the past 3-4 seasons....that would explain his underachieving status

The Wild will win tonight - I'm headed to the game and, much to my disappointment, the Wild always win when I'm at the Xcel.
- manchester33

If this team makes the playoffs, I've got a seat just for you

I was wondering about this as well, once I heard about Scandella and Brodin. This team looks nothing like the team that came out flying to start the season off. The lack effort is not glaringly noticeable but the execution is and maybe this virus is part of the reason.
Geez, maybe Koivu has had the mumps for the past 3-4 seasons....that would explain his underachieving status
- SotaPopinski

I think guys like Coyle and Nino are the ones underachieving. Koivu is definitely not the player he was 3 years ago, but he's out there competing. I saw Coyle at times last game just floating around. Nino doesn't ever seem to be near the puck lately and is losing board battles galore.

Time for these 2 to step it up and start carrying their own weight.

... and I think it's time for Yeo to move the captain C over to Parise when he returns.

BTW, looks like Gorggy has gone off his Medi-fast diet.

Have fun in Iowa, Kuemper

Have fun in Iowa, Kuemper
- SotaPopinski

he's been pretty bad. Be nice to see Harding back soon!!!

Kaleta is pure trash.

Kaleta is pure trash.
- MnGump

Chops Suter on back of head and tries to go after Spurgeon. Quality dude right there.
This may be the worst team I have ever seen. Buffalo deserves better

Good for Nino! (even though he might have had 2 hattys had he buried a few more of the point blank chances he had)

Chops Suter on back of head and tries to go after Spurgeon. Quality dude right there.
This may be the worst team I have ever seen. Buffalo deserves better
- SotaPopinski

They are no doubt terrible, but somehow they were able to score 3 goals on this squad...

They are no doubt terrible, but somehow they were able to score 3 goals on this squad...
- MnGump

Kuemper is not that good, and Backstrom is well....Backstrom. It is imperative that Harding returns and stays healthy for this team to do well. I just do not trust either of our current goalies to perform at a high level when counted on most.
I feel like Fletcher should throw a pick or two to the Islanders for Nino. I love that kid

Kuemper is not that good, and Backstrom is well....Backstrom. It is imperative that Harding returns and stays healthy for this team to do well. I just do not trust either of our current goalies to perform at a high level when counted on most.
I feel like Fletcher should throw a pick or two to the Islanders for Nino. I love that kid
- SotaPopinski

Agreed on all points. Except the draft picks

...but somehow they were able to score 3 goals on this squad...
- MnGump

No kidding. I thought the Wild were horsesh!t tonight. That effort is getting them nowhere against the Western Conference

Geez, maybe Koivu has had the mumps for the past 3-4 seasons....that would explain his underachieving status
- SotaPopinski

Yeo has the mumps. That's why the lines are all (frank)ed up.