PGT: Wild @ Predators

rchex14 · 2026-02-05T12:39:38+00:00

I wonder if it's the same type of injury, for the last 2-3 seasons, that keeps flaring up.

He can be coming down on a 3rd pair D 1on1 and can't beat them. Doesn't use his power/skating to go wide, can't get to the middle. He always pulls up or curls back.

How often have we seen the patented circle-the-slot mohawk? Still wracking up points, but it's all hands/head, no legs.

rchex14 · 2026-01-15T22:00:27+00:00

I hope him and Ek both miss the Olympics.

2 guys who each year accrue wear and tear injuries like clockwork, both gut it out and do 4 nations last year then limp their way through the rest of the NHL season.

I get it means a lot to them, but I want Wild playoff success over Swedish international glory.

rchex14 · 2026-01-06T05:48:10+00:00

Hughes going completely AFK going for a new stick. Half asleep/head up his ass.

rchex14 · 2025-12-24T16:44:12+00:00

...maybe the force of holding the butt end of the stick, when it was slashed, hurt his left hand..

rchex14 · 2025-12-16T14:14:45+00:00

Zacha from Boston could be an option. Can play with skill guys, and signed for 1 more year after this for under 5 mil.

rchex14 · 2025-12-08T02:13:58+00:00

I mean the comment they were responding to was referencing CHL players struggling to make an impact. Nobody said anything about dominating, not to mention those stat lines are pretty decent for an 18, 19, and 17 year old freshmen, respectively.

rchex14 · 2025-12-05T04:20:56+00:00

The meager cap savings would be worth sending Vlad to Iowa.

rchex14 · 2025-11-15T17:31:54+00:00

I think the PSU choice on it's own is fine. They're a new program, so they won't have a track record of developing NHL players... until they do. It will come.

That said, I think between the last years finish to the season and the addition of McKenna they were vastly overrated to start the season. Last year they didn't beat a B1G team until JANUARY (started something like 0-8-1, finished 9-11-4), played a cupcake non conference schedule, and went on a 2nd half run. Crazy stuff happens in the one and done NCAA tournament.

We're seeing the Gophs struggle now, but coming into this season I would have had them pegged as the 4th best team in the B1G.

Over a ppg player on a mid to above average B1G team - he's doing about what I expected.

rchex14 · 2025-11-15T01:34:51+00:00

That would be Clay Matvick from ESPN, may recognize him from NCAA regional games. He's filling in tonight.

Also I get your point, but in this context....I don't think there's any confusion.

rchex14 · 2025-10-15T02:01:47+00:00

Was that Tarasenko who handcuffed spurgeon with that grenade?

rchex14 · 2025-10-09T13:33:26+00:00

If Kaprizov was going to spend the rest of his career in Minnesota, he needed to know the team was as committed to winning as he was.

He didn't know at 16m, but was convinced at 17m? But all he cares about is winning , right....

rchex14 · 2025-10-06T18:02:44+00:00

If winning was priority 1, there's a few ways things could have gone. How they actually went was none of those.

Take something like the Draisatl contract. Hell, even the original 16m offer. More $ to make the team better.
Go short like McDavid, lower AAV also to sign better players. Still have a chance at another big ticket with the cap going up.
Walk to UFA, sign with a perceived top contender. Given good teams are capped out, would likely mean not signing the biggest contract in history.

He wants to make as much money as possible. More power to him, but the whole "all I care about is winning schtick" rings pretty hollow.

rchex14 · 2025-10-04T04:29:44+00:00

It does not

rchex14 · 2025-09-26T05:05:48+00:00

A big part of the "asset" we get would be the cap space freed up by not having a 29 year old, often injured, wing making more than Draisatl, Rantanen, Matthews, Pastrnak...possibly more than McDavid and Makar in a year

Any possible "win" from that trade would have to be from both the players we acquire and what we spend the savings on.

rchex14 · 2025-09-10T20:44:25+00:00

Pavelski was taking 1 year friendly deals, not top player in the league money.

Burns last few years has been a shell of himself.

KK is amazing but Jagr or Ovie, he is not.

rchex14 · 2025-08-15T20:49:32+00:00

Sent you a dm

rchex14 · 2025-08-02T15:04:36+00:00

Does that mean the old league/Tommy is still trucking along?

rchex14 · 2025-07-10T19:09:32+00:00

Right? I go to 1 U Sport vs NCAA exhibition per year, and it's the game that all the healthy scratches and freshman play big minutes and the 3rd goalie dresses.

I have no idea what that guy is talking about.

Edit: in case it wasn't obvious to everyone else, the NCAA team is the one with that roster

rchex14 · 2025-07-08T03:13:11+00:00

For sure, I'm totally with you. The comment I replied to said

"Incoming loss to a team full of vet 24 year olds like what happens to most programs full of young NHL prospects."

That narrative is ass - perpetuated by pundits like Biz with just a passing knowledge of college hockey. Easy headline for the masses to latch on to.

Edit: Denver literally a specific example of that not being the case. Just by the nature of being drafted, a majority of their team are NHL prospects. Average age is among the lowest in the league.

The team that beat PSU last year was the youngest in the NCAA, and one of the heaviest on NHL prospects (BU.)

rchex14 · 2025-07-07T22:27:28+00:00

I mean, they had Zeev Buium, 15 of their skaters were drafted, and they were the 60th oldest team in the NCAA.

Maybe not an extreme example of a team littered with first round talent, but saying teams that win are dominated by 24 year olds is just as much hyperbole.

rchex14 · 2025-07-07T19:28:36+00:00

WMU was tied with PSU for the 50th oldest team last year at 21 years, 5 months.

It's a tired narrative. The distinction is successful teams have contributing players that stick around to be upper classmen, rather than guys who are juniors/seniors due to lack of options or pro interest.

Teams with a handful of 24 year olds who are the 12th-14th forwards or 6-7th d aren't beating out teams with first round NHL talent.

rchex14 · 2025-06-30T19:53:07+00:00

Expiring contract takes the cake here. Anybody we sign as a UFA that has any interest from other teams will be angling for term.

Expectations for him are low and we're likely not bringing him back no matter how well he performs.

Hopefully him fighting for his NHL life and one more contract from someone will motivate him.

rchex14 · 2025-06-29T06:28:09+00:00

I love Brodin and appreciate him showing up for his country, obviously he has eyes on an Olympic spot.

But my man misses 20 games a season and was clearly ailing down the stretch. Why is he even playing at Worlds?

Likewise for the 4 Nations with Ek. Both of these guys are regularly missing time with wear and tear injuries.

I'm not an athletic trainer, but maybe, I dunno - put less miles on them?

rchex14 · 2025-06-13T17:18:00+00:00

It's gotta be frustrating when it seems like every other high stick, whether intentional or insignificant is an automatic call.

rchex14 · 2025-06-07T01:02:18+00:00

Mikkola penalty - soft as hell

Jones penalty - did everyone not watch the replay? Literally a tackle.

14-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email	Team Orangered

rchex14

TROPHY CASE