Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinkfloyd
Their lineup next year is not that impressive.
Parise-Koivu-Heatley (definitely good top line)
Bouchard-Brodziak-Setoguchi (this is not that good)
Mitchell-Cullen-Clutterbuck (solid offensively but not good defensively)
Powe-Konopka-Kassian
Suter-Gilbert
Scandella-Spurgeon
Falk/Stoner-Prosser
Backstrom-Harding
Their 2nd and 3rd lines are simply not that good and their blue line depth is young and/or inexperienced. The goaltending solid but generally nothing special. They may make the playoffs based on what happens to Phoenix, Detroit, and Nashville but they are no sure thing and they will not challenge Vancouver for the division, I feel.
They do have a very solid pool of prospects but one big issue that has plagued Minnesota for a while is development. A lot of what they draft and develop do not live up to expectations. Sheppard is an example. Bouchard is an example. Thelen hasn't even played. Pouliot and Gillies had issues. They pretty much gave up on Leddy.
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Wild fan here, I come in peace. Just want to clarify what the lines will probably look like.
Parise - Koivu - Heatley
PMB - Granlund - Seto ---possibly switching PMB with someone else. We are unsure.
Cullen - Brodziak - Clutter
Mitchell - Konopka - Powe
Kassian/Veilleux
You had the defense right, except most of us expect Brodin to make the club and play top four minutes.
Also want to clear up the whole prospect issues we have had in the past. In the old Douge Risenborough regime, they drafted horribly, and then stuck the kids in the NHL. There was no development.
The new regime has done the opposite, put a huge emphasis on the draft and having a deep pool, and refining their game in the minors (ala 6 kids turning pro this summer). Hockeysfuture spring ratings gave us the 2nd best pool in the league. It's something. We have two legit elite prospects in Granlund and Brodin. Past that, we have sub-elite, but with high ceilings like Coyle, Larsson, Phillips, Hackett, Dumba. Plently of mid rating prospects like Bulmer, Zucker. While half of prospects never turn out what people think it's nice to have a large pool so that 3-4 do.
IMO, the Wild trade for another defensemen before this summer is over. Many people think the Wild are a shoe in for the playoffs, many think they are borderline. For the owner and fan expectations going into the 12-13 season, it is a MUST. Anything less than making them is a failure and I think Fletcher is going to make a trade to bolster that backend. The future is bright.
BTW, don't think for a second you Sharks fans shouldn't be in the discussion as Cup favorites. Your roster is stacked.