Dan Wallace: Wild Changes Coming

Dan Wallace, my man. Do you see any deal with the flyers that makes sense? lets hear what you got.

Team needs attitude change so out goes Zucker and in comes Kessel. Not sure that's moving the needle in the right direction

A 27 year old and 3 years of bad contract for a 31 year and 4 years of bad contract. Seems like a bad deal for the Wild, like Fenton is torn between the getting younger deals he's made so far, and the all in now deal this would be.

15/16: 57 games played, 59 points scored
16/17: 62 games played, 72 points scored
18/19: 68 games played, 82 points scored
17/18: 78 games played, 90 points scored

Malkin's games played, Kessel's points scored. Seems like his production is somewhat tied to having 2 of the best players in the world to draw all the tough assignments. Is he better than Zucker, yes. But considering one dimensional offensive players, when they decline tend to do so rapidly (Gaborik, as an example), I'm confused as to how it makes sense for the Wild. Their biggest need IS a game breaking forward. I'm not sure, away from Crosby & Malkin, Kessel qualifies. Seems like they should be trying to get younger, not older.

I feel like it’s a lateral move for both teams. Nothing that really gets either team over the hump.

A 27 year old and 3 years of bad contract for a 31 year and 4 years of bad contract. Seems like a bad deal for the Wild, like Fenton is torn between the getting younger deals he's made so far, and the all in now deal this would be.

15/16: 57 games played, 59 points scored
16/17: 62 games played, 72 points scored
18/19: 68 games played, 82 points scored
17/18: 78 games played, 90 points scored

Malkin's games played, Kessel's points scored. Seems like his production is somewhat tied to having 2 of the best players in the world to draw all the tough assignments. Is he better than Zucker, yes. But considering one dimensional offensive players, when they decline tend to do so rapidly (Gaborik, as an example), I'm confused as to how it makes sense for the Wild. Their biggest need IS a game breaking forward. I'm not sure, away from Crosby & Malkin, Kessel qualifies. Seems like they should be trying to get younger, not older.
- Antilles

Exactly. Dan is a bit effusive in his praise of the value that this deal would bring to the wild. Kessels production doesnt mask his deficiencies in other areas. Zucker is faster, a better two way player and younger. How about instead of trading Zucker, Fenton finds a way to bring in a better center that can elevate Zuckers game to new heights?

Not totally disagreeing with you here mnhockeyguy, but isnt that what makes zucker expendable? NEEDING to find a player to elevate his play. I like zucker as a person, but to me he's a bit of a one trick pony. He's a speedy guy who can score when someone else is carrying the load and setting him up. He doesn't offer much in posession or creativity, and really isn't much of a threat on the pp.

That being said, I agree with you about getting a center in here. This team needs someone that can take the pressure off staal and koivu and provide some everloving offense. Those players are tough to come by, when a team drafts one, they aren't too keen on letting them go. It just sad how many 1st round whiffs this organization has had on centers.

I think the biggest reason behind Fenton trying this trade is to get a right handed shot at RW on the team. The Wild are overloaded with left handed players, and they are all almost strictly LWs...Parise, Zucker, Greenway, Donato, Fiala, Foligno, Koivu, Staal, Eriksson-Ek....I'll even throw in Victor Rask and Nico Sturm. All lefties. Kunin is the only right sot forward on the team, and he is more of a center.

With that being said, I don't think I really want Kessel here though. Yes, BB likes to have a offensive team, but I don't think Kessel would score like he has in the past. There is no player one the roster that can pass him the puck. This is why I have been clamouring for Nylander and/or Kapanen. Flip some kind of package to the Leafs that includes Spurgeon and JEE. That would be the start of that trade. Then package Zucker and Rask to Anaheim for Corey Perry.