wild/nhl

I'm a hockey guy and understand schemes and tactics, so would somebody please explain Yeo's "system?" Playing hard, staying fit, working together, etc., these cliches don't describe a system. A system is what players do (or don't do) on the ice. So, exactly what is it they do in this apparently secret system? Are they to use a 2-man forecheck? Dump the puck in the corners and pin the D? What??? Any answers would be welcome.

Wow. Half a season complete and people already calling for Yeo's head. LMAO. When will unintelligent personal experts get it in their head changing coaches doesn't matter if you don't hve the talent to win consistently. Chilly was axed which tickled fans and now we see maybe he wasn't the problem. Twolves, last decade, need I say more? The Twins have had coaching consistency and good players (yet playoff chokers) and last decade was good times. Now you want the Wild to have a revolving coaching door. Well, Newsflash, hockey teams have to have more than one effective line to win. The Wild have one good line and then basically nothing. Get that, self proclaimed hockey experts? Stop blaming the coach and blame the players, the executives, maybe yourselves for not demanding more since the Wild was born. If you're happy with mediocrity, thats exactly what a team interested in making money will give you. DUH???

Who's the lady behind Yeo? She has been there as far as I can remember.

1) While it's 'only' half way into the season, the Wild's record is probably about what it should be. Even when they were winning during the earlier part of the season, I felt they were overachieving - basically NOT as good as their record would indicate they were ((having one of the lowest goal-scoring teams, and barely positive in goal differential). 2) IF some people are calling for Yeo's head (I haven't read articles/comments actually stating Yeo should already be fired), part of that might be because he talked so much about installing his "system" and creating a Wild brand of hockey. Clearly indicating that if the players buy into what he says, they will win (eventually, if not immediately). Kind of reminds me of Sherriff Dennis Green stating it was his offensive system that allowed any/all quarterbacks put into his system to be successful. 3) Amusing to look back and recall how a lot of the local pundits/'experts' were trying to state the Wild and Edmonton were two of the up and coming teams in the NHL. Heck, the Oilers were leading the Northwest division by a few points early in the season! Now, they are in last place; and if the Wild aren't careful, they could soon be battling Edmonton again - for last place.

So the Wild are roughly the same point as a year ago. If they can avoid a huge slide like last year it will be a net gain considering the young talent waiting in the wings. Yeo and Fletcher seem like committed young men and are gaining experience as they go.

They were never "unbelievably good" just unbelievably lucky and over achieving.

The Wild took the long road to get to where they probably should be. Sadly I expect them to continue to struggle and barely miss the playoffs. But that was to be expected as they retool for the youth movement. Like others I get frustrated hearing about the magical system. It's a 1-2-2 type of trap, not that far from what Lemaire did. It works great when players hustle and have their legs, but it also breaks down when players miss their assignments. Actually every system works that way...

davestrib - thanks for word on the 1-2-2. That seems to be what they're playing and when he has the need out there, he'll throw in an extra forard forechecker. A huge problem is the constant breakdown between forwards and the D on backchecking. Huge gaps lead to repeated close-in, good-angle scoring chances for the other team. I think this lineup lacks speed (not grit), and fatigue just magnifies the problem.

To answer the question about how the Wild can get there mojo back I scoured the internets and found an excellent article in Forbes magazine and here are some tips for the Wild so they can get there mojo back; (1.)Join networking groups you’ve been considering being part of, find inspiration in other women, or just reach out to those who know you. (2.) So much of our mojo is highly personal and individualistic. If you’re having trouble making sense of the point you’ve reached, schedule a session with a family member, friend or colleague. It’s hard to have mojo when you feel lost. (3.)It’s also hard to move forward if you’re plain stuck on what used to be. But the hard truth is, that was then and this is now. Embrace and learn from your feelings of disengagement and you can nurture them into something better than you had before. Copyright © 2011 technowild™ ☺

Granlund,Coyle,Zucker,Larrson,Brodin,Bulmer,Phillips,Hackett,Kuempher all reasons to have hope in the future. This team overachieved early in the season, as they are at best a 6-8 seed in the West. Obviously with that start missing the playoffs would be terrible, but this team is still a year or so away, when those young kids mentioned above get here. Granlund could be the equivalent of a big FA signing, kid could be a superstar. Plus Coyle is probably here next year now that he left BU and Larrson, if he plays like he did for Sweden in the WJC is likely here next year as well and should make an impact. Zucker,Phillips and Brodin are likely further out, but both have tons of talent. The Wilds prospect pool reminds me of the KC Royals in baseball. And even though the Royals were bad this year, you could tell with guys like Hosmer, that the future is very bright. Same with the Wild.