Any hockey fans out there?

[cedahm]

Ok so why two more pieces required? Rossi and buium alone, both with 2.5 years left on contract is a steal for 1.5 years of Hughes

Yep, that’s why I think VAN ‘won’ it (at least so far, with 0 games played since the trade)

But 2 playoffs worth of Hughes is a pretty good deal even if he doesn’t re-sign.

As an Avs fan I absolutely hate it.

 

[sneakypete]

Yep, Sharks down 5-1 in third to Pittsburg and win 6-5 in OT. THE SHARKS are young and learning to WIN.

 

[seeth07]

I wouldn’t be shocked if Hughes resigns with the Mild. Obviously he wants to play with his brothers, but if they have success in MN I could see him staying. Sounds like he’s got a good relationship with Billy G from their Team USA work.

This has me thinking that perhaps there is more to the trade. Maybe Billy G in conversation with Hughes has more in mind - likr maybe there is a contract extension on the horizon. That isnt uncommon in trades like this. That would change how this looks big time

 

[SAJ-99]

This has me thinking that perhaps there is more to the trade. Maybe Billy G in conversation with Hughes has more in mind - likr maybe there is a contract extension on the horizon. That isnt uncommon in trades like this. That would change how this looks big time

I was hearing that Van wanted a certain amount regardless of Hughes agreeing on an extension with the new team. That turned a lot of teams off. But to your point, Wild paid too much if they don’t get an extension. I would bet on an extension being announced before the end of the year, but odds at 60/40 maybe 70/30.

The play-with-my-brothers thing sounds warm and fuzzy but NJ has zero cap space now. 2027 it opens up but they have to replace more than half their team, and part of that is because of money going to the Hughes family.

 

[Bonasababy]

Reporters claiming the wild can't extend Hughes until after this season. Guerin's been quoted as saying he believes Hughes will love MN and agree to stay.

Of course he would say that but it sure is a good hockey town with due hard fans, good ownership, and the team has real potential with him in the mix.

 

[seeth07]

Reporters claiming the wild can't extend Hughes until after this season. Guerin's been quoted as saying he believes Hughes will love MN and agree to stay.

Of course he would say that but it sure is a good hockey town with due hard fans, good ownership, and the team has real potential with him in the mix.

Correct, he isnt eligible for an official extension until June or July 1st. Unofficially sometimes things are said before that.

 

[seeth07]

Welcome to MN Hughes. The team has set the standard sure high for you after one game and you set the standard high for the fan base with that first game performance. Could be a fun ride the second half of this season

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Welcome to MN Hughes. The team has set the standard sure high for you after one game and you set the standard high for the fan base with that first game performance. Could be a fun ride the second half of this season

Fun game to watch tonight. Setting the stage for a great rest of the season!

 

[Bonasababy]

Imagine what Hughes will look like when he gets comfortable and teammates react to work with his advanced game!
Buium had a great first game for the Canucks as well.

 

[SAJ-99]

Reporters claiming the wild can't extend Hughes until after this season. Guerin's been quoted as saying he believes Hughes will love MN and agree to stay.

Of course he would say that but it sure is a good hockey town with due hard fans, good ownership, and the team has real potential with him in the mix.

True. I should have been more clear. He can't officially sign until July 1. My point was there needs to be an "agreement" between team and player before then that gets "leaked", if that makes sense. Rantanen's situation last year was a black mark for the league.

Vancouver is a dumpster fire, and has been for a few years. Hard to know exactly why but I think Hughes has contributed to that, as captain and the way he handled his situation. Some of those guys he might not have got along with in the locker room for one reason or another. I hope it is all behind him and he can move forward. His skill is undeniable, but if it doesn't the Wild will be facing the same thing come June. Another quick playoff exit and the rumors of going to NJ will start.

 

[Wild Bill]

If his mind is made up and he won't sign an extension you just trade him for the best deal you can get, and cut your loss. He has no trade protection. I like taking the swing.

 

[Capt Jason Dozier]

GO bolts

 

[seeth07]

If his mind is made up and he won't sign an extension you just trade him for the best deal you can get, and cut your loss. He has no trade protection. I like taking the swing.

I'm starting to like the swing now. Especially after reading a few articles from knowledgeable people in the league. My favorite was an article praising Billy for the willingness of a GM to be bold and do whatever it takes to make their team better EARLY in the season when it can have the most impact on the overall season. In the salary cap era for really all professional leagues, this isnt something that typically happens due to fear of it tanking and killing the future of the franchise. It obviously happens a lot in MLB and that is why those teams end up in the post season every year

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I'm starting to like the swing now. Especially after reading a few articles from knowledgeable people in the league. My favorite was an article praising Billy for the willingness of a GM to be bold and do whatever it takes to make their team better EARLY in the season when it can have the most impact on the overall season. In the salary cap era for really all professional leagues, this isnt something that typically happens due to fear of it tanking and killing the future of the franchise. It obviously happens a lot in MLB and that is why those teams end up in the post season every year

i’m still an overall fan of the trade obviously we gave up some good future prospects but the near term gains are huge. Even if it’s only for a season and a half if it enables us to be a better contender it was well worth it.

I think our biggest long-term loss is actually Buuim and that will take 5 to 7 years before we really regret that. But if Hughes re-signed with us it won’t be so bad

 

[SAJ-99]

i’m still an overall fan of the trade obviously we gave up some good future prospects but the near term gains are huge. Even if it’s only for a season and a half if it enables us to be a better contender it was well worth it.

I think our biggest long-term loss is actually Buuim and that will take 5 to 7 years before we really regret that. But if Hughes re-signed with us it won’t be so bad

I guess a fan has no choice button like it, but I don't understand being ok with only a 1.5 seasons. If I gave up that much and only got 1.5 seasons I better be guaranteed a Stanley Cup final and that is no guarantee given how strong the rest of the division looks. I also hope you don't plan on him playing 27min each game. You traded 3 guys averaging a total of 48min/gm so you might have to because your team is now certainly less deep. That is an area where teams typically get exposed in the playoffs. Like most transactions, this one will declare itself with time.

 

[seeth07]

You traded 3 guys averaging a total of 48min/gm so you might have to because your team is now certainly less deep. That is an area where teams typically get exposed in the playoffs.

That isn't necessarily a fair way to compare things by using the minutes. I would agree that the depth is a factor because we lose a 2nd/3rd line center in Rossi and so the center depth is lowered one notch. Ohgren is not a top 20 player for this club at the moment and is in there due to a pretty deep list of injuries. Yes, I guess that too does impact depth but a team also can't have contender mentality and strength with as many injuries as currently piled up for the Wild now.

Your assessment also doesn't consider that Faber now finally has a guy he can skate with and keep up. That top line D can now skate 24-28 minutes a game as they both have the stamina and strength to do so. That may not be the case every night right now in the middle of the season but in big games and in the playoffs, they will get 28 minutes and that will matter covering any lack of depth you speak of to some extent.

 

[SAJ-99]

That isn't necessarily a fair way to compare things by using the minutes. I would agree that the depth is a factor because we lose a 2nd/3rd line center in Rossi and so the center depth is lowered one notch. Ohgren is not a top 20 player for this club at the moment and is in there due to a pretty deep list of injuries. Yes, I guess that too does impact depth but a team also can't have contender mentality and strength with as many injuries as currently piled up for the Wild now.

Your assessment also doesn't consider that Faber now finally has a guy he can skate with and keep up. That top line D can now skate 24-28 minutes a game as they both have the stamina and strength to do so. That may not be the case every night right now in the middle of the season but in big games and in the playoffs, they will get 28 minutes and that will matter covering any lack of depth you speak of to some extent.

I get it. Just saying the coach has to manage the minutes and occasional off days. He can’t avg 28min with his game. My point more was you gave up a lot and you better hope you get more than 1.5 seasons. Also, fans seem to hate Rossi?

 

[seeth07]

I get it. Just saying the coach has to manage the minutes and occasional off days. He can’t avg 28min with his game. My point more was you gave up a lot and you better hope you get more than 1.5 seasons. Also, fans seem to hate Rossi?

I don't think fans do. The Wild surely do. He is worth the 5mil a year he is getting.

One thing that has always been missing from him is he has never seemed to find the chemistry on a line as evident by how many different combinations have been tried. I'm guessing this shows in practice and I wonder what the reason is.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I get it. Just saying the coach has to manage the minutes and occasional off days. He can’t avg 28min with his game. My point more was you gave up a lot and you better hope you get more than 1.5 seasons. Also, fans seem to hate Rossi?

I feel like fans always liked him and management hated him.


And you're 100% right. This move was to compete this year and next for the cup. After flailing for years on the cusp or never past the first round, I'll take one super star today to increase our chances this year and next

 

[cedahm]

If I gave up that much and only got 1.5 seasons I better be guaranteed a Stanley Cup final and that is no guarantee given how strong the rest of the division looks.

Late to the party - but given the top of the division, it's either push the chips in to compete now, or start the rebuild.

Billy G kind of already started down the former route when he inked 97 to $17M/year, so a rebuild wasnt in the cards.

A funny but interesting take I heard today. If the Wild win a cup, Hughes has more motivation to go play with his brothers somewhere for "fun". If they don't come close, still motivated to go play with his brothers and win. Basically, they need to lose in the WCF or thereabouts to have the best chance of resigning.

Like most transactions, this one will declare itself with time.

100%.

As I said earlier - as an Avs fan, I hate having Hughes in the division. But what an arms race between COL, DAL, MIN.