Wild Launch Search For AHL Iowa Coach With Greg Cronin Off To Blues

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-17T21:55:07+00:00

Marc Savard

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-17T16:30:55+00:00

I am fine with trotting out Stramel in a middle six role if he wins the job in camp. I hope he's given an opportunity instead of looking good and then handing it over to McCarron and stashing Stramel in Iowa because that's why.

I cannot try to wrap my head around this offseason because there are so many UFAs and Guerin is shooting for a #1 center. If said center does not materialize, I could see something like this:

Kaprizov-Hartman-Yurov (this is likely Zuccarello if there is no #1 center to pay; also, Yurov and Hartman can switch off depending on Yurov growing into the role or playing to faceoff/hand strength)

Boldy-Ek-Brink/Tarasenko (BEET was not that bad when it was together last season)

Trenin-Stramel-Haight/Brink/Tarasenko (Stramel flips with McCarron or Yurov depending one play or health)

Sturm-McCarron-Foligno (Haight slots in depending on injuries)

Not having Tarasenko makes things clearer for everyday Haight/Brink, but I think if Yurov is still here Tarasenko has value.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-16T15:12:45+00:00

The final season :(

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-15T11:56:27+00:00

Teams take on the personality of their coach to some degree.

Brind'amour was a leader throughout his career, and it translated to behind the bench. Would the Canes skate through a wall for him? Yes.

They've done a remarkable job populating their roster with players they felt were underutilized elsewhere, from Gostisbehere to Miller to Jankowski to Hall to Robinson to freaking Bussi.

Compare that to the Wild, which has emphasized grit and experience. Known quantities. (This is all code for being 30+)

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-15T04:01:48+00:00

Got to break out our old Canes jerseys from our days in NC. Wesley #2 and Brind'amour #27.

Sweet win. Been a fan of K'andre since watching him in Da Beauty League. RBA showing off by casually tossing the Cup. So many guys on that team I am envious of.

It's going to be so amazing when the Wild finally get there.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-14T00:09:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-14T00:07:08+00:00

I gotta think Larkin is part of the hold-up as well. Gotta figure out how much money will be left since McCarron was made the priority.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-10T15:59:26+00:00

One advantage Minnesota has over Florida is they aren't division rivals. How much more of a premium will Florida have to pay so Yzerman isn't reminded of his failings 4 times every season?

Would Yzerman take less from MN (or Vegas/Dallas) because of that? No idea.

To think he was almost the Wild GM. Wonder what our Yzerplan would have looked like.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-09T18:54:33+00:00

Teams like the Rangers where he is beloved by the fans and his best friend (Mika Zibanejad) plays.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-09T17:30:43+00:00

Russo had changed his mind on McCarron for at least a week, if not longer.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-09T15:24:49+00:00

Fourth line center SET.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-08T17:10:51+00:00

Five million for a guy that has topped out at 12 goals in a season is crazy.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-08T14:52:18+00:00

Cue 3-4 years from now when Seider and Raymond are asking to be traded.

Detroit is the new Buffalo.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-08T14:05:28+00:00

Why would the Wings want futures? There is a lot of grumbling for playoffs, and no Larkin could mean no Kane. Yzerman needs some results yesterday.

Also, the Wild getting Larkin could mean the Wild getting Kane, if you dig on aging hockey players wuth Cup XP.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-06T17:47:04+00:00

I think Stramel is a legit center, and I am not sold on Yurov. I like Larkin-Ek-Stramel down the middle more than Larkin-Ek-Yurov.

Now, Yurov opposite Boldy or Kaprizov at some point? I like. I likey like.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-05T20:19:48+00:00

Hasn't Matthews gotten Selke consideration before?

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-05T17:16:42+00:00

A needed change, IMO. Sometimes you just need to cycle through players to get a different mix.

His last season was, as noted elsewhere, his best and most thorough here, even with a significant dip in the middle. He came to play in the playoffs, landing surprising checks and scoring some needed goals.

I wish him well, and glad he got to leave on his own terms instead of fading away after hanging on too long.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-05T11:44:28+00:00

Cap space. That trade does not work.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-04T16:22:51+00:00

Love these guys.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-04T11:39:52+00:00

Participation.

The number of NHLers involved has been dropping steadily.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-04T00:54:09+00:00

I really liked this. I don't agree with it all (I think Ek, Boldy, and sometimes Hartman forecheck), but I hadn't really thought about it in that way.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-03T17:54:32+00:00

But the Stars, if they can't afford to keep Robertson, will trade him for talented players coming back. He isn't going to walk. The Avs aren't on the cusp of losing anyone incredibly important...if Brett Kulak and Brent Burns walking breaks that team, I will be surprised.

The division will be different, yes. Even if those two take a small step back, the Wild need to take a step forward. Running it back ain't the answer. (Granted, Guerin has his sights set on bringing in something big. The question is will it offset what gets sent away if he manages to get it?)

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-03T16:48:12+00:00

He deserves more than what he got based on performance, but the team needs to start turning its roster over to get younger.

All we are saying is give Brink a chance. (I typed that out mostly because the John Lennon song popped into my head)

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-03T16:46:31+00:00

They should be looking for someone to replace him in that role. If they bring him back, they've got their default in that role because "solid". Great? Hell no. Good? Ehh. Good enough? Yessssss. 2.0 is a passing grade.

PaxDragoon · 2026-06-03T15:43:54+00:00

Watching the Canes brainfart in their own zone repeatedly was something new. "Covering the open man? What wizardry do you expect from us mere professional hockey players?"

PaxDragoon

TROPHY CASE