Dan Wallace: Wild Look to Build On Comeback Win in TO

Well, 2 in a row now. I caught bits and parts of the Ottawa game, so I don't have much to say about it. Tonight's game against a Canadiens team that should be fired up about the last game and the drubbing they took. Should be a fun one. It would be nice to see the Wild continue to win on the road.

Holy smokes these guys are terrible with the puck...

Just sloppy poopty hockey from both teams tonight...

Tell you one thing, Zucker is god awful with the puck on his stick, be it passing, shooting or even just plain skating with it! Point blank chance in the low slot and sends it 4 feet wide with no one but price to beat

And can someone please tell Anthony Lapants off that it’s DrouIN, not DrouANN...

Oh joy, theyre going to heat up now and squeak into the playoffs, only to win 1 or 2 games in round 1. I've seen this movie before. So much for getting a high draft pick

Oh joy, theyre going to heat up now and squeak into the playoffs, only to win 1 or 2 games in round 1. I've seen this movie before. So much for getting a high draft pick

Oh joy, theyre going to heat up now and squeak into the playoffs, only to win 1 or 2 games in round 1. I've seen this movie before. So much for getting a high draft pick
- mnMild

well i don't think it should be a surprise to anyone... we all know this team has enough talent to make the post season and no matter what the fans think the organization isn't just going to lay down so they can improve their draft picks when they're already up against the cap ceiling.

Moves can be made so that they can keep putting the emphasis on winning while restocking the cupboards, just going to take some savvy GM moves to make it happen.

What is up with Zucker? Was last season just a fluke? Or is he just struggling this season?

What is up with Zucker? Was last season just a fluke? Or is he just struggling this season?
- Videoj

I wouldn't be surprised if he was playing hurt right now... his skating is off and so is his release and stick handling.

well i don't think it should be a surprise to anyone... we all know this team has enough talent to make the post season and no matter what the fans think the organization isn't just going to lay down so they can improve their draft picks when they're already up against the cap ceiling.

Moves can be made so that they can keep putting the emphasis on winning while restocking the cupboards, just going to take some savvy GM moves to make it happen.
- MnGump

When have the Wild ever had a savvy GM willing to make bold moves?
I hope Fenton proves us wrong but when we hear the same story year after year including this year: "The GM is trying to make moves but its proving difficult," that tells me its the same old. There's not the creativity needed to change up the team. Once again I hope Fenton makes me eat crow!!

What is up with Zucker? Was last season just a fluke? Or is he just struggling this season?
- Videoj

I don't know, but he's been god awful over the past 2 months.

When have the Wild ever had a savvy GM willing to make bold moves?
I hope Fenton proves us wrong but when we hear the same story year after year including this year: "The GM is trying to make moves but its proving difficult," that tells me its the same old. There's not the creativity needed to change up the team. Once again I hope Fenton makes me eat crow!!
- mnhockeyguy

Because of all the high-priced long term contracts we have had on the books no one wants to make a trade. Minny either has to wait out some contracts or lose some deals...only way to make significant changes to this squad.

Because of all the high-priced long term contracts we have had on the books no one wants to make a trade. Minny either has to wait out some contracts or lose some deals...only way to make significant changes to this squad.
- bmgarvert

I still think there's trades to be made, especially with Coyle and Nino. We can't be afraid to take a player back who may be struggling this year similar to Nino or Coyle, but who in the past has been a proficient scorer. I think Nylander is a prime candidate right now. A one for one probably isn't possible but the Leafs also need defense. Would a Nino/Coyle and Belpedio get that done? Quite possibly...

I'm really hoping they don't use Belpedio in a trade. That is somewhat of the problem right now. There is no youth coming up, since CF traded away all the draft picks. It really has hurt the Wild's trading efforts with Dumba getting hurt. I honestly believe that Spurgeon was easily one of the best trading assets that the Wild had, but can't be traded now with Dumba out.

It is nice that Coyle seems to have found a new charge with playing hockey. It's making him a better trade asset. Now if they could just find a way to get Nino going again. I know that he has always been a streaky scorer, but get him to rattle off 8-12 goals over the next 3 weeks would be EXTREMELY helpful to his trade stock.

As it sits, I see Coyle and Staal as the most easy to shop in trades right now. Please don't use youth in trades, unless the trade is bringing back more highly skilled youth in return.

I'm really hoping they don't use Belpedio in a trade. That is somewhat of the problem right now. There is no youth coming up, since CF traded away all the draft picks. It really has hurt the Wild's trading efforts with Dumba getting hurt. I honestly believe that Spurgeon was easily one of the best trading assets that the Wild had, but can't be traded now with Dumba out.

It is nice that Coyle seems to have found a new charge with playing hockey. It's making him a better trade asset. Now if they could just find a way to get Nino going again. I know that he has always been a streaky scorer, but get him to rattle off 8-12 goals over the next 3 weeks would be EXTREMELY helpful to his trade stock.

As it sits, I see Coyle and Staal as the most easy to shop in trades right now. Please don't use youth in trades, unless the trade is bringing back more highly skilled youth in return.
- Gusrichards

Really wish Staal was having even half the season he had last year... Either he's not 100% or his age really caught up to him in the last 9 months...

Really wish Staal was having even half the season he had last year... Either he's not 100% or his age really caught up to him in the last 9 months...
- MnGump

I honestly believe it's an age thing. Not that Staal has been a speed demon on the ice the last couple of years, but his foot speed (or lack thereof) seems to really be apparent this year. Kind of like Koivu, another one that has never been fleet of foot. But this year, Koivu looks incredibly slow footed. But with Staal, he has always had the savvy to be in the right place at the right time, and generally always hitting the net with shots. Not so this year. Best the Wild can hope for is to trade him to a real cup contender, and give him a shot at the Cup for what could be his last season.