May as well start with the hot topic. Vanek and GM Chuck Fletcher have met, had a "good, frank" conversation to see if term (short-term deal) and fit will align with Vanek's wishes. That is not known yet mostly because Vanek has to see what offers come in. He will certainly get more money and term elsewhere. So how much does he want to play in Minnesota, and could things change from Minnesota's perspective if it makes a trade before or gets in on another free agent? Eight teams have contacted Vanek so far, probably four or five serious, and it's subject to change.
It's the other way around my friend
I think some would be upset, some wouldn't. It's cooled
I don't sense a true concern because so many wild players are locked in for awhile and the young kids with skill are on the team. But you're right, there wasn't a lot of skill in Iowa and the Wild would like to address that and maybe that's why they're also signing some junior free agents like Brassart and Mitchell and Europeans like Karanen. But Graovac and Bussieres are young and should get better and Bulmer just needs to stay healthy
Winnipeg, mostly because flights always border on 1K to get up there, which should get me in trouble and let's add Phoenix, LA, San Jose or Anaheim (selfishly)
Fletcher says he's working on the assts this week. Everybody is in town I believe but Bob Mason, so he'll be the last one. Trainers were complete in early June
I don't know, and my guess it the Wild was only offering a short-term deal in the $2 million range, so he felt he may as well look at free agency and probably will like what he sees. I'll be very interesting to see what he comes in at
In the short term, probably Haula would move to wing
Let's put it this way, both those scenarios I believe will be the end game. Just the chatter I hear from league sources is the Wild's looking to trade him. So it could very well happen tonight. If not, it could be like Devin Setoguchi last year. The Wild couldn't trade him at the draft, but after some teams, including the Jets, missed on free agents on the first day of free agency, Fletcher got calls
The Wild is looking to skate at Braemar (during some renovations) on days it can't be at the X. This is the last I heard at the end of the year and the Wild did move from St. Thomas Academy to Braemar in the second half and it worked out well. It's rare it's not at the X
Skilled European forward who had a tremendous year in the Finnish Elite League. He will get a good shot to make the team. If he doesn't, it now looks like he will go to Iowa initially. If it looks like he'll never have a chance for a promotion, he has the option to return to Europe.
I don't think it'll be able to trade Backstrom, so this is kinda moot. But if it did, I think the Wild would need to get another goalie because it obviously would need insurance with Harding's situation. If Harding is healthy, let's be honest, he could be Minnesota's best goalie. But the Wild is real optimistic Backstrom will be good to go. We shall see
I hear in four or five years, we're going to look at this draft and see a decent amount of "players," particularly in the top 10. But the Wild's feeling of lack of depth may be why it looks to move back and gobble up more picks. Sometimes, the more picks, the better chance on hitting on something. I do think Fletcher will try to acquire a second-rounder today or early tomorrow
Yes, but you've got to stay healthy
I haven't seen him enough...He's very intriguing and if you don't know about him, read the link on one of yesterday's blogs. Steve Simmons wrote a terrific piece on the kid. I will say this, Fletcher says of the interviews at the combine, he didn't sit on Ho-Sang's. With the potential red flags, I would assume the GM would want to meet him if he's in the cards. But, Fletcher was also dealing with Yeo's contract, so maybe he got out of there and I know he trusts the judgment of his scouts, especially Brent Flahr, Guy Lapointe and Paul Charles. So who knows what that means if anything. (talk about couching a statement, eh?)
I'd guess (not debut, but Dumba) and Kurtis Gabriel for now. Remember, if it's true the Wild will have 3 goalies on its roster opening night and all are healthy, that would mean one less position extra on the team. 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, 3 goalies, which means there could be more of an Iowa shuttle when there are injuries or needs
I think this is the year you do provided your knees 100 percent.
I think he would if he's offered one
It probably means eventually down the road somebody gets moved
As of now, I don't get the sense they're trying to move Zucker. But I don't know the offers either
I think it's a loss. Judging from the reaction by some folks when I say that, not all agree. I really do believe if Stoner's gone, Willie Mitchell's destined to return depending on what term and money he will be offered elsewhere. But the Wild has definitely contacted him and he's definitely open to returning, per an enormous amount of sources
I was hoping to chat with Yeo last night, but I wound up meeting up with some agents. I'm hoping to see him today to talk about some of this stuff
