On the night before #Parisewatch could come to a close I am inspired to lay out an opening game lineup look with explanation. I submit these ideas without the benefit of much information given that it is July 3rd but going to lay it out now.
OPTIMAL OPENING DAY LINEUP
LINE 1
LW-Parise/C-Koivu/RW-Heatley
LINE 2
LW-Cullen/C-Granlund/RW-Setogucci
LINE 3
LW-Coyle/C-Brodziak/RW-Bouchard
LINE 4
LW-Kassian/C-Konopka/RW-Mitchell
D-PAIRING 1
Suter/Gilbert
D-PAIRING 2
Scandella/Brodin
D-PAIRING 3
Spurgeon/Stoner
GOALIES
Backstrom
Harding
NOTE:Dream scenario Wild land Paise and Suter in free agency I think Clutterbuck could be traded for a defensemen. The Mitchell signing seems to allude to such a move but also Clutterbuck holds maybe the most trade value of any current NHL player on the roster the Wild would be willing to part with. Cullen is a veteran presence but is not a second line centerman option and is more of specialty type and really would only have value at the trade deadline. Bouchard is also obviously a huge question mark as he maybe should retire but will not. Bouchard flashes brilliance at different times and is as fragile as any player in the NHL. Making $4/mil and in the last year of his deal its very hard to see any team willing to take him in trade let alone give up anything of value. Also youngsters Zucker, Bulmer, Larsson, and Phillips are all knocking n the door. Powe is as good as gone. I think Zucker and Bulmer could be on the roster and used in a hot hand situation between 3rd and 4th line depending on injuries and clutterbuck/bouchard stuff just dont think they end up strictly 4th line guys and they will place Kassian in the lineup for specific situation games. If wild are chasing a defensemen wonder what it would take to get bogosian outta winnepeg? Wild need a defensmen functional in all areas but able to destroy guys that camp out and cycle(Sedin Brothers)
Just my thoughts!
you can pretty much already consider Suter a Wing, but you're still in there on Parise
They could go package deal on it. The Wild front office is selling them the come lead our team of young potential together for the next 10 years. Wild has cap to get them done this year more prospects than they know what to do with and money in the next 3 offseason. Could be a good sell.
Even with Parise and Suter that lineup doesn't strike fear.
Holy balls. Suter 13 years with Minny.
You should buy lottery tickets.
Called it and maybe the lineup above isnt super crazy dominant or doesnt strike fear as was commented but Wild have an abundance of nhl ready prospects at forward and drafted Brodin and Dumba on the backend with Hackett waiting in the wings in the net so the future is very bright for the Wild no question
Nice call on the signings....Now if Minnie actually had some decent D past Suter they might actually stand a chance out West but not with the same Tom Gilbert the Sabres wanted no part of 2 years back
Wild Brass will be hoping Jonas Brodin will do enough during developmental camp and training camp to make the roster and I think he would make very good fit with Scandella. Also like I mentioned above I think it very possible that Fletcher moves on a package deal with Clutterbuck anchoring it to get a physical defensemen