Don't see him being moved; we only have three NHL centers as it is. With a new coach it just doesn't make sense to move a good defensive center. Return would probably be a second rounder.
As an impending UFA, much of the thought around here is that he'd be a trade deadline mover for something around a 2nd round pick. It's possible we'd be interested in a prospect instead, but we're not really looking for the sort of prospect that we could get in return for him. As for roster players (since we're at the start of the season) we're again full up on the caliber of player that he'd be worth, though a team desperate for a quality 3C who has an extra 2C (don't know that that exists) would be a good match.
tl;dr
Brodziak for a 2nd
Any deal that's Brodz+ is probably a no go.
Don't see him being moved; we only have three NHL centers as it is. With a new coach it just doesn't make sense to move a good defensive center. Return would probably be a second rounder.
If Almond can cut it as 4C, we can likely move Powe to center and slot Gillies up on the third line. The other possibility is if Wellman can somehow make the leap, we can slip Cullen back down to 3C and Wellman into a top 6 role. It's certainly doable, but I think it's unlikely this early in the season. I fully expect to see Brodziak moved at the deadline, but I'd be surprised if anything happened earlier.
If Almond can cut it as 4C, we can likely move Powe to center and slot Gillies up on the third line. The other possibility is if Wellman can somehow make the leap, we can slip Cullen back down to 3C and Wellman into a top 6 role. It's certainly doable, but I think it's unlikely this early in the season. I fully expect to see Brodziak moved at the deadline, but I'd be surprised if anything happened earlier.
Should have clarified he could be moved at the deadline if we're out of it; but I don't see going with Almond and Powe as two of our centers early in the year.
Should have clarified he could be moved at the deadline if we're out of it; but I don't see going with Almond and Powe as two of our centers early in the year.
Agreed, although if Wellman or Almond knock our socks off in preseason play, or an offer is made that blows us away, I think we'd do it now. I also don't know that we necessarily have to be out of it at the deadline to make the trade. If Fletcher isn't going to re-sign them, I think both Brodziak and Zanon will get moved as long as there are buyers out there.
Yay, but that isn't happening. More likely Brodziak stays on for the season (as we don't have other centers) and is let go after the year.
Clutter on the 2nd line and Bouchard on the 3rd? No way does that happen, switch em' back to where they are now. I don't like to admit it but I don't think we'll see the day where both Heatley and Parise are on the Wild. If we somehow manage to sign Parise we won't have enough money to improve our defense which is our weakest point right now by far. If Parise signs, I think we'll see the departure of either Heatley or Bouchard, Heatley being the more likely one. I'd love to have Parise but improving our defense is more important right now. In our current situation I'll take Doughty over Parise.
Clutter on the 2nd line and Bouchard on the 3rd? No way does that happen, switch em' back to where they are now. I don't like to admit it but I don't think we'll see the day where both Heatley and Parise are on the Wild. If we somehow manage to sign Parise we won't have enough money to improve our defense which is our weakest point right now by far. If Parise signs, I think we'll see the departure of either Heatley or Bouchard, Heatley being the more likely one. I'd love to have Parise but improving our defense is more important right now. In our current situation I'll take Doughty over Parise.
Parise has a semi-realistic chance of signing with the Wild. It's probably not the most likely outcome, but it's not completely absurd. Doughty, Suter, Weber, and others of that sort are just a pipe dream. We're more than likely going to be growing our own talent at least until Granlund, Brodin and the rest of the kids are done with their ELCs.
Brodziak was one, if not the only, pleasant surprises last year for us. I think Wild management would like to see what he can do this year again for us. I'd think it'd be unlikely for the Wild to trade him.
Brodziak is neither a problem/distraction nor will he garner a high return. I just can't see anyone "knocking our socks off" or bumping him off the depth chart. He still has value even at fourth line C.
I agree that we need a Dman like Suter, more than Parise.
HOWEVER, if we go after Parise, it's because Latendresse can't carry the 2nd line and it makes more sense to sign Parise, than re-sign Latendresse as a RFA.
I agree that we need a Dman like Suter, more than Parise.
HOWEVER, if we go after Parise, it's because Latendresse can't carry the 2nd line and it makes more sense to sign Parise, than re-sign Latendresse as a RFA.
or you sign parise and have the following
seto koivu heater
lats granlund parise
seems like an ok top 6
getting Parise is in on way hinging on Lats having a up or down year, you have a chance to add a top echelon player and all it costs you is money you do it.
as for value of Brodz, it hinges on this year and what he wants $ wise, if he has good year and wants reasonable money he will be kept if he wants a raise that wild won't give he's gone.
his return will be what people are willing to offer if some team needs a C he could return a 1st (versteeg got a 1st and a 3rd) however the most likely outcome is a 2nd
I do like Brodziak and he has certainly progressed enough with the organization to the point where he has earned a new contract. However, there are options coming up through Houston that I believe are expected to fill the type of role Brodziak currently fills. Any re-signing is probably depending on what sort of development track player like Almond and others are on, not to mention what type of term Brodziak would be seeking.
If the Wild were out of it by the time the deadline rolls around, I think it's a good bet he'd be shipped off. I think the Wild would definitely be seeking a second round pick. Whether they would get that remains to be seen but that's sort of the precedent already set for a player like him. If they couldn't get that, I think they'd be fine with a third round pick. Not sure that an equivalent prospect would interest them as I'm sure the team would much rather have a guy that they would personally select. One that would also come along with a few more seasons of team control.
If the Wild are firmly entrenched in the playoff race, however, I don't see how he'd be moved. Playoff teams need players like this. Not sure if this proposal would be based on right now or not, but there's zero chance of him being moved until the deadline nears.
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After Meaningless Win - 3/29/12 - Game 77 | SoH-"Who knows, that could have cost us a Cup tonight." | Dooohkay
I agree that we need a Dman like Suter, more than Parise.
HOWEVER, if we go after Parise, it's because Latendresse can't carry the 2nd line and it makes more sense to sign Parise, than re-sign Latendresse as a RFA.
There-in lies the question. If Lats doesn't perform do we go after Parise? And what happens if we let Lats go to sign Parise instead but Parise signs with someone else as well and we're left with nothing? Then we're REALLY screwed!!! All the Parise speculation is kind of pointless though in my opinion as I don't see the Devils letting him go at any cost. However, with all respect to Heatley I'd rather have Parise on my team instead of him.
Wild can afford both. Trade before/cut lose after heater's contract expires. I'd rather have parise than doughty. I would rather the team load up on offense and have 6 shutdown/good skating defensemen . Once backs is off the books, that's even more dough to spend as well.
I've said it a few times but Brodz for me has become the sort of benchmark for our offense like Schultz is for our D. Just the sort of "middle" guy who always plays the same way, every game. Consistently middle of the road. I find that strangely comforting when the rest of the roster could be swinging around from game to game or shift to shift all over the place--you can pretty much count on Brodz and Schultz to play exactly how you think they will.
This is a waste of energy. A worse Wild team last year was still in the playoff hunt at the trade deadline. This year's team is even more likely to be in the playoff hunt and so will NOT be UFA sellers. Brodziak stays.
This is a waste of energy. A worse Wild team last year was still in the playoff hunt at the trade deadline. This year's team is even more likely to be in the playoff hunt and so will NOT be UFA sellers. Brodziak stays.
I would agree but a lot can happen between now and the playoffs. (injuries etc.)
I would like a 2nd or a 2nd plus either a 3rd or a mid level prospect for Brodz depending on the team we trade with. This is assuming we trade him at the deadline as sellers.
Agreed, although if Wellman or Almond knock our socks off in preseason play, or an offer is made that blows us away, I think we'd do it now. I also don't know that we necessarily have to be out of it at the deadline to make the trade. If Fletcher isn't going to re-sign them, I think both Brodziak and Zanon will get moved as long as there are buyers out there.
"The only bad news surrounding the club is that Cody Almond and Casey Wellman have been limited by injuries. These games would be proving grounds for them as both have legitimate chances at making their way to the regular season opener."
Sounds like neither Wellman or Almond will be impressing anytime soon. Looking forward to seeing Phillips, though.
On topic: Brodziak will be gone if we're out of playoff contention, most likely for a 2nd rounder.
Koivu-Granlund-Coyle might work after Brodziak and Cullen's contracts end. But I think there still needs to be a stop-gap 3rd line center until Coyle is ready.
Yeah and it depends on how the kids develop. Also, are there a lot of teams that run rookies at the checking line center position? Seems that's where you want your vets who are used to the speed/pace of the game and have experience shutting down other teams. I know about J Staal but anyone else?
