Guillaume Latendresse skated on his own on Friday but is very far away from returning to action. He is still experiencing post concussion symptoms and has not been cleared for strenuous activity
I'm just going to assume he never plays for the Wild again. That way my hopes aren't raised.
Would much rather he recovers 100% than anything else. Don't care if he doesn't play again for us if he has any long term damage. Concussions are awful.
Does anyone have an update on Zids? Granted I've never cared for the guy but I am starting to miss that slapshot of his from the point on the PP. His +/- is 0 but it's still better than Seto's (team worst -5) and Scandy's (-4) along with a few other players on the - side of it.
Sounds like both Lats and Zidz are skating on their own, but neither is doing anything more than that. Also, neither is expected to appear on the upcoming road trip.
Sorry, didn't want to create a separate thread, but is there any update on Clutter? I'll admit, mostly for fantasy reasons, but I've been watching a few wild games the past few weeks and he looks like a beaut. Clutter and Koivu look like a great duo on the pk.
Still concussed. Some are speculating he won't even be back this season.
If I could create a trade speculation thread (damn rookie user rules!) I'd put one in there about bringing in a top 6 winger at the deadline if Gui is down for the season. I know this is a Wellman crowd... but if the wild are still top 4 or 5 in the West I want the Wild to buy.
If I could create a trade speculation thread (damn rookie user rules!) I'd put one in there about bringing in a top 6 winger at the deadline if Gui is down for the season. I know this is a Wellman crowd... but if the wild are still top 4 or 5 in the West I want the Wild to buy.
If wild is buyibg its likely a dman, even with wellman not in t6 we have clutter
If I could create a trade speculation thread (damn rookie user rules!) I'd put one in there about bringing in a top 6 winger at the deadline if Gui is down for the season. I know this is a Wellman crowd... but if the wild are still top 4 or 5 in the West I want the Wild to buy.
i understand the "win now" mentality and we might actually end up doing that but temper your excitement by realizing anything we "spend" in assets (picks, prospects) to get that top six winger (likely on an expiring contract) will be that much less we have to spend for next season. If lats is still gone at that point then he likely won't be re-signed. the guy we pick up will likely be no sure thing either (he's a rental). So we fill that space with...Coyle or Bulmer or someone and we have multiple spots open for rookies who may or may not work as well as we hope BUT our pool is suddenly very depleated. I'm guessing we'd get a top six winger from a non playoff team looking to rebuild, so I would imagine they'd take up to two prospects along with a pick. Larsson and Zucker, lets say.
I'm fine with rolling with what we have this year (even with Lats out) because if we're still in the playoff picture at the deadline Yeo's system is still working (without Lats) and I don't want to hurt our chances in the future, when most of us were expecting to have a strong team for years with our great prospects.
i understand the "win now" mentality and we might actually end up doing that but temper your excitement by realizing anything we "spend" in assets (picks, prospects) to get that top six winger (likely on an expiring contract) will be that much less we have to spend for next season. If lats is still gone at that point then he likely won't be re-signed. the guy we pick up will likely be no sure thing either (he's a rental). So we fill that space with...Coyle or Bulmer or someone and we have multiple spots open for rookies who may or may not work as well as we hope BUT our pool is suddenly very depleated. I'm guessing we'd get a top six winger from a non playoff team looking to rebuild, so I would imagine they'd take up to two prospects along with a pick. Larsson and Zucker, lets say.
I'm fine with rolling with what we have this year (even with Lats out) because if we're still in the playoff picture at the deadline Yeo's system is still working (without Lats) and I don't want to hurt our chances in the future, when most of us were expecting to have a strong team for years with our great prospects.
I agree with the gist of your post.
Trading prospects at the deadline for a playoff rush is only viable if you are already at a sustainable level of excellence. I don't think the Wild are there yet.
Also, our system is strong now, but in all likelihood not all of these prospects are going to pan out. You'd hate to trade the wrong ones until you have a real surplus. One or two more good drafts, and a couple of playoff appearances and I'd be ready to make those kinds of moves.
Buy now mode is stupid. If we get to the 2nd round of the playoffs, this year will be a success.
This off-season, there are some good UFAs. Even if went can't land say Parise, we could still grab a solid player like say Ruutu.
I think we would be capable of challenging any team in the west in a 7 game series. There still is a lot of season left and things can change a lot by then, but right now they look that good to me. I don't see us getting to the SCF or anything but we would put up a big fight against anyone IMO.
Just making the playoffs would make this season more than a success. I don't know that we'd win a 7 game series though. On one hand, Yeo seems to pick apart opponents' weaknesses, but I'd compare our team this year to Phoenix last year. They were strong through the season, winning with hard work and determination, but when playoff time comes, the more skilled team wins because there's no lack of drive and determination so Phoenix's advantage dissipated.
