2019-2020 Wild Season

[Vegoe]

$ - https://theathletic.com/992102/2019/05/ ... il-kessel/

Apparently they're waiting on Kessel to waive his no-trade teams!

I'd love a PP1 with these guys on the ice!

Kessel - Parise
Dumba - Donato
Spurgeon

Kessel and Dumba and Spurgeon should all be dynamic enough to do switches on their off wing sides. Parise would excel as a off wing net presence pest. Maybe Donato could be a one-time option on the other side or Fiala could be another dynamic player over there.

[ScoobyDoo]

For Zucker though? Why would they want to get older?

[Bonin21]

Phil the Thrill? Now you have my attention and could maybe get some dough from me, Wild.

[team22tank]

For Zucker though? Why would they want to get older?

Because Kessel would bring tremendous offensive upside. He is so much more of a hockey player than Zucker. Passing ability, which the Wild could use and which Zucker doesn't have much of. Power Play, huge plus, Zucker does nil there.

If we got J. Johnson for Raask tossed in there, even better.

[team22tank]

Phil the Thrill? Now you have my attention and could maybe get some dough from me, Wild.

Yes! I was wondering how The Bonin would respond.

[ScoobyDoo]

I bet if he comes he doesn't score here. Every time they try it it blows up in their face. It's not like he's not going to be another year older.

[Slap Shot]

I bet if he comes he doesn't score here. Every time they try it it blows up in their face. It's not like he's not going to be another year older.

Then you should be extremely pleased if they do nothing since no matter what it will backfire.

[ScoobyDoo]

I bet if he comes he doesn't score here. Every time they try it it blows up in their face. It's not like he's not going to be another year older.

Then you should be extremely pleased if they do nothing since no matter what it will backfire.

That's not true at all. There are moves I have been onboard with and moves I disagree with. This one I disagree.

[team22tank]

I bet if he comes he doesn't score here. Every time they try it it blows up in their face. It's not like he's not going to be another year older.

Parise scored 28 and is always banged up, that's his issue.

Staal just had a great 3 year run, even a down year for just about everyone and he scored 22. On a side note I would love a guy like Kessel with Staal. Zucker really doesnt distribute the puck in any significant way.

Phil would get lots of PP time and can RIP it off the left side. If Zucker had any PP acumen we would have at least seen a glimpse by now.

Kessel and Zucker don't really compare heads up.

And yes playing in Pitt might benefit Zucker's production getting to play with Crosby or Malkin

[Don Adams Wheel of Justice]

Remember when Thomas Vanek was the answer to Wild fans prayers? How'd that turn out.

[team22tank]

Remember when Thomas Vanek was the answer to Wild fans prayers? How'd that turn out.

Are you comparing Phil Kessel to Thomas Vanek when they were both 31? Kessel laps him.

Not to mention we are talking about flirting with 40-50 points Jason Zucker, can't add anything to the PP.

[team22tank]

One thing is for certain Zucker will not be with the Wild next season.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yep, just another fast (probably fastest on the team) player on a slow team who has no fit. I hope whoever is scouting and developing players now is better than whoever they had before.

Meanwhile they get slower. Which is just what they need.

[team22tank]

Yep, just another fast (probably fastest on the team) player on a slow team who has no fit. I hope whoever is scouting and developing players now is better than whoever they had before.

Meanwhile they get slower. Which is just what they need.

What was Zucker doing that was so great for this team that they can't trade even for a player that out produces him by leaps and bounds?

[ScoobyDoo]

Just keep getting slower.

[team22tank]

Just keep getting slower.

60 point season, 2 in 40s, and 2 in 20s.

My oh my what could Fenton be thinking.

[ScoobyDoo]

Just keep getting slower. That's what the NHL is doing right now.

[glenhogan21]

Kessel is worst trade target of all the ones Russo wrote about getting Marchessault or Trocheck would be way better.

[Vegoe]

Kessel is worst trade target of all the ones Russo wrote about getting Marchessault or Trocheck would be way better.

The Wild doesn't have the assets to get Marchessault, Russo has reported that Fenton has tried to package Zucker for Marschessault multiple times.

Trocheck would be interesting, but it's not like he's a sure thing all-star center at $5M a year either.

[Slap Shot]

Madano named executive adviser for the Wild.

[team22tank]

Madano named executive adviser for the Wild.

Scooby pissed it's not Broten.

[ScoobyDoo]

Madano named executive adviser for the Wild.

Scooby pissed it's not Broten.

I have a Modano North Stars Jersey in my closet. So, no.

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

Kessel is worst trade target of all the ones Russo wrote about getting Marchessault or Trocheck would be way better.

marchy is going no where

[glenhogan21]

Probably not, and I still have zero interest in Kessel. A older guy that famously doesn’t take care of himself, and has issues with effort. No thanks

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

Probably not, and I still have zero interest in Kessel. A older guy that famously doesn’t take care of himself, and has issues with effort. No thanks

no interest in phil either

[Vegoe]

Probably not, and I still have zero interest in Kessel. A older guy that famously doesn’t take care of himself, and has issues with effort. No thanks

You know who has played every game in the NHL since 2010?



He won't have Crosby or Guentzel on the power play, but he was darn productive in Toronto without them and Kessel certainly isn't afraid to shoot the puck. He's only 31 and his contract expires before the Parise and Suter contracts expire. And it wouldn't hurt to have someone not afraid to speak their mind to anyone.

[team22tank]

Probably not, and I still have zero interest in Kessel. A older guy that famously doesn’t take care of himself, and has issues with effort. No thanks

Famously doesn't take care of himself?

Has played in every single game in 9 straights seasons, thats 704 games and racked up just a shade under a point/game with 642 One of three active players with an iron man streak of 500+ games going

Out of a possible 1,032 games he could have played in his career, has only missed 36, played in 996

Phil Kessel and his talent for Jason I go hard after the whistle Zucker? Any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[glenhogan21]

I didn’t say he is injury prone, but he is certainly prone to slowing down as he ages given he doesn’t train hard, or hardly at all.

[J22]

I didn’t say he is injury prone, but he is certainly prone to slowing down as he ages given he doesn’t train hard, or hardly at all.

Are you sure that you even know who Phil Kessel is? Because your takes couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

[glenhogan21]

Wrong how?? You think he trains hard?? they guy who said he skated 10 times in offseason, eats McDonalds and Hot dogs. If he is so great then why does Pittsburgh want to deal him?? You must know him better than Sullivan and Malkin.

[team22tank]

Wrong how?? You think he trains hard?? they guy who said he skated 10 times in offseason, eats McDonalds and Hot dogs. If he is so great then why does Pittsburgh want to deal him?? You must know him better than Sullivan and Malkin.

They need to free up $. They dont have a choice. And they aren't dealing Crosby or Malkin.

[Slap Shot]

Everyone knows lack of training is known to help stamina, resistance to injuries and avoiding the ire of the coaches that choose the lineup.

[scubasteve2727]

I didn’t say he is injury prone, but he is certainly prone to slowing down as he ages given he doesn’t train hard, or hardly at all.

Are you sure that you even know who Phil Kessel is? Because your takes couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

Do you know who Phil Kessel is? He is the guy that was -19 last year. Scored almost half his points on the power play. Everyone who has watched him has seen him lose a step and conditioning every season.

[J22]

I didn’t say he is injury prone, but he is certainly prone to slowing down as he ages given he doesn’t train hard, or hardly at all.

Are you sure that you even know who Phil Kessel is? Because your takes couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

Do you know who Phil Kessel is? He is the guy that was -19 last year. Scored almost half his points on the power play. Everyone who has watched him has seen him lose a step and conditioning every season.

Pretty sure that he's the guy that hasn't missed a game in a decade and is coming off of the 2 highest scoring seasons of his career. Does that sound like a guy that -
Doesn't take care of himself?
is slowing down as he ages?

[Thirty-Four]

Contracts and mileage say the Wild have to rebuild or retool to win now. Kessel is an acceptable risk to me.

[glenhogan21]

The move doesn’t jive with Fenton’s goal of getting younger, if we were a team that was a player away, with a short window it would make more sense.

[scubasteve2727]

Listen, I like him. Just think this is a bad decision. If you want to actually read my points they are below. If you want to just keep blindly saying the same thing over again go ahead.

31 years old
Lost his speed.
Played on a top pp and scored 44% of his points on it.
7 mil cap hit for 3 more season.

If we were signing him as a free agent that would be one thing. We would be playing our best trade card for him. If we do it I hope it works out. I have hesitations he would produce as well in Minnesota.

[team22tank]

Listen, I like him. Just think this is a bad decision. If you want to actually read my points they are below. If you want to just keep blindly saying the same thing over again go ahead.

31 years old
Lost his speed.
Played on a top pp and scored 44% of his points on it.
7 mil cap hit for 3 more season.

If we were signing him as a free agent that would be one thing. We would be playing our best trade card for him. If we do it I hope it works out. I have hesitations he would produce as well in Minnesota.

A power play goal counts as 1 on the scoreboard doesnt it? It's not a handicapped goal.

That still leaves him at approx 45 5on5 points. That alone is Zucker's wheel house. And are people forgetting we are taking about Jason Zucker?

Holy crap if there were ever a situation to give it a go on a big trade this would be it.

We arent talking about trading for a 35 year old for a 25 year old here.

[trixR4kids]

I hate the trade from the other side. The NHL trade machine at charting hockey has it as dead even.

Idk as much about Zucker but Kessel’s passing ability is underrated and part of his issues last year had to do with a blue line that can’t skate with or move the puck worth $h!t (think gopher hockey last year). He isn’t good defensively but he’s never been, that hasn’t really changed. He should still be good on the PP and his shot when he gets it on net is still above average.

If the penguins were somehow dumping Johnson and not taking on Rask or the wild retained some of his salary (and Rutherford used that salary on something useful which isn’t guaranteed by any means) then I might be for it but as it stands it’s a dumb trade.

Sounds like Kessel doesn’t want to waive for MN though so this might just be a moot conversation.

[team22tank]

The move doesn’t jive with Fenton’s goal of getting younger, if we were a team that was a player away, with a short window it would make more sense.

Kessel 31 for Zucker 27 doesnt really do much in regards to the whole younger older thing.

His contract is beyond reasonable in cap hit and term.

We have 5 forwards under 23, Kaprizov in the mix 12 months away makes 6.

[team22tank]

Sounds like Kessel doesn’t want to waive for MN though so this might just be a moot conversation.

There are 8 teams the Penguins can trade him to. And some of those teams are interested. It sounds like Phil is waiting to see what else might develop as he should.

No reason for him to waive for MN right this second.

But technically you are correct.

[scubasteve2727]

Listen, I like him. Just think this is a bad decision. If you want to actually read my points they are below. If you want to just keep blindly saying the same thing over again go ahead.

31 years old
Lost his speed.
Played on a top pp and scored 44% of his points on it.
7 mil cap hit for 3 more season.

If we were signing him as a free agent that would be one thing. We would be playing our best trade card for him. If we do it I hope it works out. I have hesitations he would produce as well in Minnesota.

A power play goal counts as 1 on the scoreboard doesnt it? It's not a handicapped goal.

That still leaves him at approx 45 5on5 points. That alone is Zucker's wheel house. And are people forgetting we are taking about Jason Zucker.

Holy crap if there were ever a situation to give it a go on a big trade this would be it.

We arent talikging about trading for a 35 year old for a 25 year old here.

Of course a ppg counts the same. I think that will drop here. Then you have an older player that is a bit of a defensive liability

[trixR4kids]

No reason to make this trade either

[team22tank]

Listen, I like him. Just think this is a bad decision. If you want to actually read my points they are below. If you want to just keep blindly saying the same thing over again go ahead.

31 years old
Lost his speed.
Played on a top pp and scored 44% of his points on it.
7 mil cap hit for 3 more season.

If we were signing him as a free agent that would be one thing. We would be playing our best trade card for him. If we do it I hope it works out. I have hesitations he would produce as well in Minnesota.

A power play goal counts as 1 on the scoreboard doesnt it? It's not a handicapped goal.

That still leaves him at approx 45 5on5 points. That alone is Zucker's wheel house. And are people forgetting we are taking about Jason Zucker.

Holy crap if there were ever a situation to give it a go on a big trade this would be it.

We arent talikging about trading for a 35 year old for a 25 year old here.

Of course a ppg counts the same. I think that will drop here. Then you have an older player that is a bit of a defensive liability

You would need a massive down swing from Kessel and a massive up swing from Zucker just to meet in the middle.

Zucker has never done squat on the PP so for the Wild to not get net production from Phil would be slim.

Zucker is no D wizard either.

[team22tank]

Not to mention Zucker maybe more than any Wild player, especially those they need to produce, goes MIA in the post season.

[scubasteve2727]

I’m not comparing Zucker to Kessel. You can only trade Zucker once. I’m saying I would rather see us get any of the other guys Russo mentioned in his article. JM, trocheck, Nylander, Huberdeau.

I think we would all love the chance to trade Nino again

[J22]

I’m not comparing Zucker to Kessel. You can only trade Zucker once. I’m saying I would rather see us get any of the other guys Russo mentioned in his article. JM, trocheck, Nylander, Huberdeau.

I think we would all love the chance to trade Nino again

Zucker doesn't get you close to any of those names. Maybe Marchesault

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

I’m not comparing Zucker to Kessel. You can only trade Zucker once. I’m saying I would rather see us get any of the other guys Russo mentioned in his article. JM, trocheck, Nylander, Huberdeau.

I think we would all love the chance to trade Nino again

Zucker doesn't get you close to any of those names. Maybe Marchesault

marchy any day over zucker

[Bertogliat]

If we lose Zucker, we lose Carly. We can’t let that f*** happen!

[J22]

If we lose Zucker, we lose Carly. We can’t let that f*** happen!

I don't think the "if" is needed any longer. Zucker is as good as gone.

[Bertogliat]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

No!

[bearpaw28]

If we lose Zucker, we lose Carly. We can’t let that f*** happen!

Carly won’t be moving away, but if traded Jason will (during the season). She has a child living in MN from a previous relationship, so she’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

[Bertogliat]

Whew!

[bearpaw28]

I’d trade Zucker & Rask for Kessel & Jack Johnson. Kessel playing on the half wall in the PP is the type of player the Wild need desperately. Even Suter wouldn’t look as bad on the PP....feeding Kessel

[bearpaw28]

I’d trade Rask for a bag of pucks, but no one would take him with his awful contract

[Snowcool08]

Jack Johnson has just as bad a contract. The Pens probably aren't interested in getting a bad contract in return.

[Slap Shot]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Hey...

If we lose Zucker, we lose Carly. We can’t let that f*** happen!

Carly won’t be moving away, but if traded Jason will (during the season). She has a child living in MN from a previous relationship, so she’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Crisis averted!

[g-manpuck]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

No!

The best bit on the Common Man Show this week. He has fished soo many people in on that.

Okay...back to bitching about Kessel. My thing with this is that the Wild don't have Crosby or Malkin to center the line that Kessel will play on.

[davescharf]

This is turning to Part II of As the Kessel turns.

[frozen4champs]

As much as I would love Phil on the team, just can't make that trade. Phil plays defense like Vanek, and he needs to be on a winning team or I'm afraid he will turn back into Toronto Phil.

[Bertogliat]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

No!

The best bit on the Common Man Show this week. He has fished soo many people in on that.

Okay...back to bitching about Kessel. My thing with this is that the Wild don't have Crosby or Malkin to center the line that Kessel will play on.

I don’t listen to Common so this was just good timing, I guess.

I was going straight Animal House pep talk.

[Vegoe]

If you are counting on your wings to play shutdown defense all of the time, then you have bigger troubles on your roster. They obviously have some responsibility in the defensive zone as you can't play 4 on 5 there, but those are your talents that you have to let loose a bit. I think the problem with Vanek was that he wasn't able to sustain much offense without lots of helpers. Kessel won't have that issue and he will make other players around him better.

Also Kessel only played with Crosby on the PP. Most of the time he was out there with Malkin and Aston-Reese or Hagelin or Pearson and sometimes with Brassard and Pearson.

http://corsica.hockey/line-stats/

His history in Toronto and Boston suggests that if he was out there with half-decent centers and defensemen the narrative he gives up a lot of high quality shots kind of falls apart.

https://www.pensburgh.com/2015/7/13/892 ... h-penguins

[team22tank]

As much as I would love Phil on the team, just can't make that trade. Phil plays defense like Vanek, and he needs to be on a winning team or I'm afraid he will turn back into Toronto Phil.

Phil put up 394 points in 446 games, an average of 72 points per season, 3 out of 6 seasons were point per game seasons. This was part of a Leafs organization that was running like the Oilers are now.

The Wild have been sound at D for the last 7 years always in the top 10. Adding a pure producer like Kessel who only has 3 years on his contract so not getting locked into anything crazy for Jason Zucker?

Zucker
23 years old, 26 points
24 years old, 23 points
25 years old, 47 points
26 years old, 64 points
27 years old, 42 points

People do realize we are taking about Jason Zucker right? Not Jason Zucker and our next 3 first rounders. Just Jason Zucker.

[J22]

That's the part that I can't figure out. I get that Kessel has some red flags, and that his age isn't ideal, but we're talking about getting him for Jason Zucker. That's as easy of a decision that you could ever have to make.

[g-manpuck]

If you are counting on your wings to play shutdown defense all of the time, then you have bigger troubles on your roster. They obviously have some responsibility in the defensive zone as you can't play 4 on 5 there, but those are your talents that you have to let loose a bit. I think the problem with Vanek was that he wasn't able to sustain much offense without lots of helpers. Kessel won't have that issue and he will make other players around him better.

Also Kessel only played with Crosby on the PP. Most of the time he was out there with Malkin and Aston-Reese or Hagelin or Pearson and sometimes with Brassard and Pearson.

http://corsica.hockey/line-stats/

His history in Toronto and Boston suggests that if he was out there with half-decent centers and defensemen the narrative he gives up a lot of high quality shots kind of falls apart.

https://www.pensburgh.com/2015/7/13/892 ... h-penguins

I thought Kessel had played more with Malkin at least, thanks for pointing that out. I'm still just a little bit worried about taking Kessel on though but that is the Wild pessimist in me that players come here to languish rather than flourish. But first Phil has to agree to come here.

[YoungEagle]

All this clamouring for a pure scorer and then when that could possibly happen it’s oh no he has flaws...

I mean Ovi’s game isn’t perfect either. Tarasenko’s game isn’t perfect. I’d rather have Kessel than Zucker.

Would Boston take Zucker for Bergeron? God I’d love to see him play here. Speaking of players without flaws...

[team22tank]

All this clamouring for a pure scorer and then when that could possibly happen it’s oh no he has flaws...

I mean Ovi’s game isn’t perfect either. Tarasenko’s game isn’t perfect. I’d rather have Kessel than Zucker.

Would Boston take Zucker for Bergeron? God I’d love to see him play here. Speaking of players without flaws...

It is amazing all the whining when they get knocked out of the playoffs about all the change the needs to take place. But then when a guy like Zucker is on the block who was the biggest playoff failure of them all, 4 goals, 8 points, in 31 games its NOOOOO! Not to mention his regular season production is nothing glamorous either.

[ScoobyDoo]

I didn't whine about them getting knocked out of the playoffs. Their health the last two seasons has been a dumpster fire. That had more to do with their downfall than anything else.

Can't stay healthy, can't win.

[g-manpuck]

I should say I have no qualms about the Wild trading Zucker. I'm fine with him on the team and also fine with the Wild trading him for something worthwhile. If this Kessel trade would happen I would be totally fine with it...

[frozen4champs]

As much as I would love Phil on the team, just can't make that trade. Phil plays defense like Vanek, and he needs to be on a winning team or I'm afraid he will turn back into Toronto Phil.

Phil put up 394 points in 446 games, an average of 72 points per season, 3 out of 6 seasons were point per game seasons. This was part of a Leafs organization that was running like the Oilers are now.

The Wild have been sound at D for the last 7 years always in the top 10. Adding a pure producer like Kessel who only has 3 years on his contract so not getting locked into anything crazy for Jason Zucker?

Zucker
23 years old, 26 points
24 years old, 23 points
25 years old, 47 points
26 years old, 64 points
27 years old, 42 points

People do realize we are taking about Jason Zucker right? Not Jason Zucker and our next 3 first rounders. Just Jason Zucker.

I guess I need to know what direction the Wild are going in. If they really think adding Phil will push then into a playoff spot ( not just a wild card) , I say go for it then. I just don't trust anything the Wild does. Last years draft is example #1. I really want them to succeed, but they need to hit the lottery with a trade sometime soon, and if it's Phill, that's would be awesome, but I have my doubts.

[Bonin21]

The Wild are not Phil Kessel away from contending. They are get rid of and replace at least three 5MM and one 7MM cap hit players away from a chance to contend with a new roster.

They are however Phil Kessel away from adding some goal scoring excitement for fans that could continue to produce decently into the rebuild above.

[team22tank]

The Wild are not Phil Kessel away from contending. They are get rid of and replace at least three 5MM and one 7MM cap hit players away from a chance to contend with a new roster.

They are however Phil Kessel away from adding some goal scoring excitement for fans that could continue to produce decently into the rebuild above.

No one has that kind of predictability with the NHL. Which makes it easy to make statements such as, "that team isn't winning the Cup next year" because yes 1 against 30 they probably aren't, its safe to make those types of claims.

If one of Zucker, Coyle, Nino was able to turn into a regular big time impact player over the last 7 seasons, who knows what they could have accomplished.

For the West, you need to get in and then it is literally a crap shoot. The East could very well be that now as well.

[Bonin21]

He's my favorite player. But just saying...

[team22tank]

He's my favorite player. But just saying...

I get it. But the point still stands, no team is a trade away from saying, Yup Cup is ours now (like the NBA). It doesn't work that way. Not even a current contender can make a blockbuster and say, "its ours now."

In the Wild's case it is really going to come down to how good the 5 young forwards can be, 6 if you include Kaprizov.

[J22]

St. Louis was in need of full rebuild about 3-4 months ago. Just about every team is a contender in the NHL.