Hopefully. There is plenty of season left and we aren't in a hole. It can only get better.
I'm hoping that Yeo realizes that he needs to split up the top line by game 10 and we aren't already in the basement by then.
The Tippett coached Coyotes will check the hell out of Parise-Koivu-Heatley, just like Anaheim did. The entire reason why that line was "invisible" is that the Ducks played that line hard. Last change? Yeah, Boudreau used it effectively. Tippett will too.
Ten games in, I hope that Yeo will realize that he really needs to not be a one line team, which is what the Wild currently are...
Shut down that top line... game over.
Which is why I advocate moving Heatley to the 2nd...
Drop the following into the question marks; Setoguchi, Granlund, Brodziak, Cullen, Mitchell.
Play to the strengths of the question marks;
-Setoguchi still has a wicked wrister, but no one to get him the puck.
- Granlund is being out muscled, but still a gifted play maker.
- Brodziak is a strong defensive center and isn't scared of going to the net.
- Cullen is primarily a defensive center but with greater N-S speed than Brodziak
- Mitchell is also faster, and I would argue, underutilized.
Parise-Koivu-Setoguchi. Parise and Koivu could play the cycle game with the option of Setoguchi coming in from the RW side with his wrister. Seto is way more accurate with that shot than Miettinen ever was, and Brunette-Koivu made Miettinen a “first line option” in a barren system.
Heatley-Brodziak-Bouchard. Bouchard setting up Heatley and Bouchard picking up the rebounds from Heatley’s shot would add a significant secondary threat. Brodziak as the more defensive minded player on that team who can go cause havoc in front of the net makes this set up even more appealing.
Clutterbuck – Cullen – Granlund. This gets Granlund off out of the Center responsibilities, while providing Cullen with the backup in the faceoff. Inverse of what Yeo has tried in the first few games. This would also open up some time and space for Granlund, as most teams would be worried about what Clutterbuck was up to rather than focusing on Granlund 100%.
Powe-Konopka-Mitchell. While I still think this is a waste of Mitchell’s talents, this is really the only place for him.
For the games which would warrant scratching Granlund, Mitchell slides up to the third line RW, and Kassian or another grinder slots into the fourth line RW.
Just letting my brain run while typing this out.
/shrug
__________________
Minnesota Wild | 31,345 Air Miles in 2013 | 9 Back to Backs
Fourth line = get pucks deep, give the other three lines a breather, don't give up goals
You can do those things with scorers as well as grinders. Just in a different way.
Now the "don't give up goals part"...
That's exactly the problem. And while you can do the other aspects of a 4th line with scorers, they've had like two days to prepare for it. That's why I see the other three lines playing way more than this one. This line is not trustworthy.
I'm hoping that Yeo realizes that he needs to split up the top line by game 10 and we aren't already in the basement by then.
The Tippett coached Coyotes will check the hell out of Parise-Koivu-Heatley, just like Anaheim did. The entire reason why that line was "invisible" is that the Ducks played that line hard. Last change? Yeah, Boudreau used it effectively. Tippett will too.
Ten games in, I hope that Yeo will realize that he really needs to not be a one line team, which is what the Wild currently are...
Shut down that top line... game over.
Which is why I advocate moving Heatley to the 2nd...
Drop the following into the question marks; Setoguchi, Granlund, Brodziak, Cullen, Mitchell.
Play to the strengths of the question marks;
-Setoguchi still has a wicked wrister, but no one to get him the puck.
- Granlund is being out muscled, but still a gifted play maker.
- Brodziak is a strong defensive center and isn't scared of going to the net.
- Cullen is primarily a defensive center but with greater N-S speed than Brodziak
- Mitchell is also faster, and I would argue, underutilized.
Parise-Koivu-Setoguchi. Parise and Koivu could play the cycle game with the option of Setoguchi coming in from the RW side with his wrister. Seto is way more accurate with that shot than Miettinen ever was, and Brunette-Koivu made Miettinen a “first line option” in a barren system.
Heatley-Brodziak-Bouchard. Bouchard setting up Heatley and Bouchard picking up the rebounds from Heatley’s shot would add a significant secondary threat. Brodziak as the more defensive minded player on that team who can go cause havoc in front of the net makes this set up even more appealing.
Clutterbuck – Cullen – Granlund. This gets Granlund off out of the Center responsibilities, while providing Cullen with the backup in the faceoff. Inverse of what Yeo has tried in the first few games. This would also open up some time and space for Granlund, as most teams would be worried about what Clutterbuck was up to rather than focusing on Granlund 100%.
Powe-Konopka-Mitchell. While I still think this is a waste of Mitchell’s talents, this is really the only place for him.
For the games which would warrant scratching Granlund, Mitchell slides up to the third line RW, and Kassian or another grinder slots into the fourth line RW.
Just letting my brain run while typing this out.
/shrug
I think your thoughts are pretty rational and there is justification for the lines you listed.
With that said, once the top line is broken up (seems inevitable), I would like to see Coyle there first. I am sure it is becoming a broken record at this point but his game is made to play with Parise and Koivu. He is better on the boards than Heatley, is a right handed shot, and is strong enough to play in front of the net.
If he does not get an opportunity, then I wouldn't mind seeing how Seto could do coming in for one-timers as Koivu and Parise set him up from down low.
Parise - Koivu - Coyle (Cycle - Crash Net)
Heatley - Cullen - Butch (Butch and Cullen to gain entry and look for Heater for shot)
Clutter - Brodziak - Seto (Clutter and Seto both good N/S speed. Forecheck and shoot)
Powe - Konopka - Mitchell
Could swap Coyle or Seto on top line. Seto has a little bit more speed and a better shot from beyong the circles. Coyle would be similar to what Nick Johnson was his first month with the Wild when he and Brodziak were very effective in the cycle and creating scoring chances.
Parise - Koivu - Coyle (Cycle - Crash Net)
Heatley - Cullen - Butch (Butch and Cullen to gain entry and look for Heater for shot)
Clutter - Brodziak - Seto (Clutter and Seto both good N/S speed. Forecheck and shoot)
Powe - Konopka - Mitchell
Awesome. I wanted to leave Granlund out and send him back to Houston. Seems you did.
brodz hasn't been the same guy...anyone else thinks he looks gaunt and tired?
Yeah he hasn't looked great this year. He's not getting to pucks or winning battles. Don't know what the deal is. I think part of it has to do with Clutterbuck. Those two are like oil and water and have never played great together.
I would like to see the Bouchard-Brodziak-Heatley line. Brodziak has played well with both of those guys.
oh, I forgot Cullen. I have no idea where he fits. Wouldn't mind to see him go. If not, then he can take a 3/4th line wing spot.
Pray tell, who wins battles down low and keeps the puck in the zone on this line? Sure, if they can set up play in the offensive zone, they might be effective, but the chances of that are slim right now.
Granlund better figure it out quickly and be the 2nd line centerman or Larsson has to be way better then even i'm expecting because I'm so freakin' tired of seeing Cullen getting top 6 minutes. Sorry Cully, you are still a good player, but you playing top 6 is a nasty reminder of our lack of true depth right now.
