Comments on: Should the Minnesota Wild be worried?

By: theyarecalledbreezers

theyarecalledbreezers — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:18:25 +0000

Prepare for more raking.
So… you “summarized” that a team, which was expected to finish in the bottom half of the league, wasn’t going to be able to stay on top of the NHL?? Way to go genius. TSN should hire you as an analyst for your gutsy predictions and groundbreaking insight. Way to take a chance on that one. What people don’t want to hear is the same boring statements about why teams will ultimately fail. 29 of 30 teams “fail” every year. To make your predictable “told you so” statements, is not only lazy, but simply uninteresting. You’re taking the side of the argument that is correct 97% of the time. Who cares if a team does what you think they will? What’s interesting about sports is when teams break the law of averages. Giving an analysis on why a statistical “blip” actually is happening, rather than why it will stop, is impressive, compelling and shows knowledge of the game beyond the stat sheet. Do that, and people might care about your opinion.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:43:43 +0000

You totally missed the point.

Yes, you DO prepare to fill the line…even if it’s not of equal talent.

Detroit was still winning without Datsyuk…not as much… but they didn’t tank.

That’s the point.

By: elguapo12

elguapo12 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:18:30 +0000

Heatley eventually mangles every team he’s on…no exceptions.

By: davebabychreturns

davebabychreturns — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:59:29 +0000

Careful. A couple of weeks ago I posted a comment summarizing just how unlikely it was that the Wild had the record they did and I got raked over the coals for it. Whether it's true or not that the Wild have been due for a correction, people just don't seem to want to hear it. Still, obviously Koivu is a big loss and they have been missing several other contributors for awhile. As much as their early season record was unsustainable, the amount of losing they've done in the last couple of weeks is unsustainable as well. At the end of this year if they can get and remain healthy this team should be a lock for a playoff spot.

By: ThatGuy

ThatGuy — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:25:12 +0000

There really isn’t much to prepare for in case of a Koivu Injury. At the moment, there is literally no one in the NHL or AHL to pick up the slack of what he does on the top line. Next year, and future years when Granlund, Larrson, Phillips, Zucker and Coyle are on the team or in the AHL it shouldn’t be as big of a problem because they project as top 6 players. But there is not one AHL player or player outside our original top 6 that plays that style of game.

It leaves the Wild running a 2nd line as a first line, a third line as a 2nd line and two AHL lines masquarading as 3rd and 4th NHL lines. It just doesn’t work.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:50:05 +0000

Appears to be true…and that’s the problem. The Wild’s ‘Achilles Heal’ is lack of depth.

If a team tanks this hard with one or two guys out, coaching is also an issue. Preparation for injury is part of their job.

Somebody should be stepping up and they’re not.

By: rainyday56

rainyday56 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:36:18 +0000

Teams that are supposed to beat them are starting to beat them now. Nature is taking it’s course.

By: greatminnesotasportsmind

greatminnesotasportsmind — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:20:25 +0000

Koivu is the glue, the Wild slumped in March last year when he was out.

By: canucks18

canucks18 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:36:46 +0000

It’s good to see these guys playing well (before the last 6) cause this is a hard working very underrated team. Hope they make the playoffs!!! Good luck

By: gbiscottagecheesefatties

gbiscottagecheesefatties — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:00:13 +0000

also….

this should tell everyone how important Koivu really is to this team and how great of a defender he is in the slot. How many goals have we let in to top lines since he hasn’t been in the lineup. He is worth every penny. There is more to this game than just goals folks, hope it is clear enough to see now. Koivu, hurry back!!!

By: gbiscottagecheesefatties

gbiscottagecheesefatties — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:59:53 +0000

not about the season but about these injuries… this is getting depressing… we need our top guys back but it’s not looking great… Koivu should be back after xmas and Seto is out with an undisclosed knee injury (I assume ACL sprain) … and who knows if we ever see Latendresse again in a Wild sweater.. UGH!!!!

“If” we make the playoffs and are healthy then, that’s all that matters