well, here's my take on his take:
I would be an inside observer, season ticket holder, devoted rube, etc.
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Originally Posted by BobbyClarkeFan16
Just an outside observer here. I really like the way Minnesota has stock piled young and talented players. My own personal opinion though is that Lemaire is going to neuter those players of any offensive ability. Let's face it. O'Sullivan and Voloshenko should have garnered a call up for at least the last 10 games of the season. As well, they've screwed up the development of Brent Burns by having flop back and forth between forward and defense.
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True, we have indeed accumulated a pretty decent amount of talent that is waiting in the wings, but we have also gotten incredible mileage out of mediocre players and reclamation projects also- credit is due for that imo. O'Surly, and to a lesser extent Voloshenko did deserve a cup of coffee; however, we were very fortunate with few injuries this year, and when the opportunity was afforded, those call-ups were for people "ahead in line" than those two- dont get me wrong, I'd love to see a #89 wild sweater sniping goals left and right at the X, but in the end, a full year of AHL seasoning was exactly what those two kids needed- and they are in the midst of prepping for a calder cup run.
Burns I agree on, as does everyone else in Minnesota.
As for Lemaire, I wouldnt say he neuters them anymore- after all its a team game, and the system they use works- remember that right now the team is chock full of overachievers who live and die by it because we wouldnt win a game if we went run and gun. And to further negate the argument, Brian Rolston is at a ppg pace, (76 points), and Gaborik has 60 points in 60 games, 34 being goals. With the influx of talent, I think you're going to see more output from Minnesota...and with them playing a team game, they are going to be very very dangerous for years to come.
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As well, Doug Risebrough took the heart of the team (Willie Mitchell) and got rid of him simply because he wouldn't pay what Mitchell is worth. With all the money the Wild have, there is no reason that they couldn't have signed Mitchell. Risebrough tried to go on the cheap, not what was fair. That will ultimately be his downfall.
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The whole issue of mitchell and his contract demands are pretty much
: , so I wont go ad nauseum...I agree they could have signed mitchell, and he was the unquestioned leader of the team, perhaps Wes Walz deserves mention for that, but with the amount of top 4 d that will be hitting the open market this summer made it easier to trade him. Do we miss him? hell yes we do. They offered up a 4 year 12 mil deal, and his agent (keywords: His agent) said they wouldnt do anything under 3.5 mil a year- well, a spade is a spade, and willie's spade just isnt 3.5 mil a year...I am sore about losing the 2nd rounder next year, but I think Skoula and Shawn Belle can flourish in the Minnesota system.
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For the most part though, and as much as I despise Lemaire for re-introducing the trap to the league, he's been very good for Minnesota. But he needs to open his game up a little more. Gaborik should be a 50 goal scorer in this league. Let him loose. If Lemaire opens things up, I could see Minnesota being just a scary good team. You know that every player on the team will know how to play defense, so that should never be an issue.
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Lemaire has loosened the reins on Gaborik...but what is the worse that can happen playing for hockey immortality? he makes you a better player. He has made Gaborik into a player that can play in any situation, and be dangerous anytime he is on the ice...as for the system, everyone employs a form of it, and to say that the other 29 teams are all run and gun and we arent is bogus. Remember the other teams have more talent than us, playing this way is the only way we can compete. And come playoff time, bet your bottom dollar you see the trap from every team out there. Gaborik should be a 50 goal scorer..he is on pace for 48 goals if he wasnt hurt at the beginning of the year. He'll hit 50 in due time.
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As well, the only other question I have is about Benoit Pouliot. I'm wondering if Minnesota may have reached a bit. He hasn't been very impressive this year and looks like he might have taken a step back in his development. As well, the team could also afford to draft not a good, but a great defenseman. I'm not convinced AJ Thelen and Brent Burns are the guys to be the number one guy on D in Minnesota. They need to hit a home run in that department. Other than that, their forward prospects are very impressive. Kudos to a great scouting staff.
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Pouliot, to me, seemed bored when he was returned to Sudbury after the preseason...I think that he doesnt have much to prove there anymore, and pretty much played like it- bad penalties, etc.
He is absolutely on a tear in the playoffs right now tho, playing like the kid we drafted. He's got 11 points in 7 games so far, 8 of them goals, 3 game winners...There is no doubt in my mind he will sign if and when Sudbury is done, and will be in camp with a legit shot at making the team next fall. He was very impressive in the preseason, and the fans here are salivating at the prospect of a top six line up of Gaborik-Rolston-PMB-Koivu-O'Sullivan-Pouliot.
as for D, I agree...Burns will continue to improve into a top 3-4 guy, and Thelen is still a question mark, although I think he still can reach top 4. Look for the Wild to go shopping and land a big time d this summer, and using 1 of their 1st round picks on a D also.
we're comin, we're comin...
