Lemaire You Know: Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About Kuemper and Niederreiter?
We’re so close. There’s hockey being played right now. Hockey with players sporting Wild jerseys even. And it’s in Michigan. That’s practically Minnesota!
While the Wild and the NHL aren’t streaming that tournament at all (why?), the home stretch is upon us. We’re really close to seeing some Wild hockey.
This past week the Wild got Nino Niederreiter signed and KHL threats kept the still unsigned Darcy Kuemper in the news. What I can’t understand about this signing and non-signing is why it’s not being talked about. It’s like no one even noticed that they didn’t have contracts and no one has an opinion about it. If you wanted an opinion piece on the situation
Ok. Onward. Here’s what’s been cooking this week while you were out.
Minnesota Wild News
As mentioned, Kuemper is still without a contract. The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo interviewed his agent, because Kuemper is considering his options in the KHL, where he’d probably make more money than he will in the NHL or AHL this season. Kuemper’s agent says he’s looking for a one-year one-way deal, which general manager Chuck Fletcher is likely not biting on since he’s got two goaltenders already on one-way deals this season. Reports have stated that Fletcher is offering a two-year deal that is two-way in the first year and one-way in the second.
Hashtag Hockey has just launched the third season of their podcast.
The Rotowire fantasy hockey preview for the Minnesota Wild is out.
Chris Ray Boyd takes a look at why losing Dany Heatley might be addition by subtraction. I agree, but the deal the Ducks got on him at $1M for one year is pretty good. If he can be a third line player who scores 15 goals at that pay scale, that’s not too bad.
Speaking of the third (or fourth) line… How important is Kyle Brodziak?
Mikko Koivu talks about his brother’s retirement. Saku Koivu is hanging up his ice cleats.
The fellas over at Hockey Wilderness have launched a series called “25 Under 25,” listing the best Wild under 25-years old. (You might have guessed that’s what they were doing with a series title like “25 Under 25.”) So far they’ve talked about Guillaume Gélinas, Zack Mitchell, Adam Gilmour, and Johan Gustafsson.
The Hockey Writers has published a list of rookie sleeper candidates that includes a little talk about Christian Folin and Michael Keränen.
A guide to the key training camp battles in the Western Conference. It’s a good piece, but the Wild’s part in this is Erik Haula vs. Michael Keränen. I think that’s not all that fascinating or not that much of a battle even — though Keränen is talented and could certainly surprise. The battle for spots in the third pairing of defenseman (or, if it’s not strictly the third pairing, the final two opening night spots on D for players not named Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, Marco Scandella, or Jonas Brodin) is a little more interesting to me. Lots going on there, a lot of options, some veterans, young players with experience, and a few prospects who all have a shot at those spots. Who gets them may say a lot about what the defense will look like to start the year. Having Matt Dumba on the blue line seems like a different game plan than if Stu Bickell somehow grabs a spot. There’s also Keith Ballard, Christian Folin, Gustav Olofsson, Jonathon Blum, and Justin Falk, as well as a couple dark horse candidates like Colton Jobke and Guillaume Gélinas battling for a place on the blue line.
Around GPW This Week
The NHL has outlawed the spin-o-rama. We lament its untimely death.
Nino Niederreiter signed a three-year deal with the Wild this week. Alex talked about why this is a good deal for the Wild. Early in the week Derek noted why this deal needed to get done.
Managing Ryan Suter’s time on ice, the first piece from new GPW contributor Andrew McCormack.
Here’s our recap of the first two days of the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. The Wild won a game! That’s the first time they’ve won a game in this tournament since 2011. High five.
The tournament is almost over now, but here’s seven Wild prospects that we thought you should keep an eye on at the Traverse City Prospects tournament. Since I’m at it, here are 12 more from all the teams in the tournament. (Though you can subtract Sonny Milano (face) and Brett Ritchie (hand) from that list, because they’re out of the tournament now due to injuries.)
The Wild will have one training camp practice that is open to the public.
The Wild announced a new ECHL affiliate, The Alaska Aces. Farewell Orlando Solar Bears. I always enjoyed saying your name out loud to strangers who assumed I was kidding.
Around the League
In addition to brutally murdering the spin-o-rama, the NHL announced other rule changes too.
ESPN takes a look back at Saku Koivu‘s career, now that he’s announced he’s retiring.
How will Nathan MacKinnon perform in his sophomore year?
Is Sidney Crosby the best franchise player in the NHL? I’d say no. I think I’d probably take Jonathan Toews over Crosby. Claude Giroux, if you’re curious, would pick himself.
Barry Trotz will move Ovechkin back to left wing to start camp. Former Caps coach Adam Oates had him on right wing for the last two years, but Trotz believes Ovechkin can play better defensive hockey from left side. I like Barry Trotz, but I feel like we’ve seen this movie before. The one where a coach comes into Washington with designs on making Ovechkin play defense. Remind me how that ended the last couple times?
Vladimir Tarasenko is poised for a breakout year.
Could the NHL expand to Europe?
On Minnesota
Wes Walz will coach the East Ridge boys high school hockey team in Minnesota.
Amanda Kessel will miss her senior season due to lingering concussion issues. It’s a terrible loss for the Gophers and an unfortunate situation for Kessel, who is an exciting player to watch. It’s also a sad situation because there aren’t many high profile places for women’s hockey outside of the international stage and the NCAA Frozen Four is one of them. Kessel will be missing out on a chance to lead her team on the big stage.
(a partial) Because (this week)
Son Lux – “Lost it to Trying (Mouths Only Lying)”
Daniel Lanois – “Opera”
May the Lemaire be with you.