wild/nhl

This will be a challenging year for any GM to decide if they are a buyer or seller because I dont think you are going to see the typical standings seperation that you usually see late in the year. It's going to be a tough call. Fletch's comments though lead me to believe he might be leaning toward being a seller?? I wouldn't neccesarily be against that either. I think most observers realize the club is still a couple of seasons away from a Championship window...

Ovetchkin needs a change of scenery; we have a prospect and maybe next years first pick; he's done with the Caps. Koivu, Parise, Ovie, nice first line; laugh if you like; but think about it!

Yeah, there you go. Bring in another wrought-out end his career 'veteran'.

I hope this is the last year we see Holey-Goalie Backstrom in the net; Pierre Marc "gotta play with the puck til' it gets taken away" Bouchard needs to be cut loose . . . FINALLY! And losing Cullen would be just another HUGE mistake in a long line of HUGE mistakes that have been made over the years. I think we all seen what players make up the REAL first line last night against Chicago and it didn't include Koivu. And on that note, why is Koivu on the first line anyway?? His play last night (and in several games now) has been abysmal. He was skating in mud again last night. Maybe HE should get demoted until his game improves. Why not? Just because he's captain?? Who laid out the red carpet for this guy anyway?? How is HE the center of the Wild universe? There are FAR more talented (and fast!) skaters on this team. Too bad they can't put him up on trade.

Strib1991, if you are going to knock Koivu, then I ask, why is Parise on the first line? Why is he wearing an "A?" Last I looked Koivu has more 3-4 more points this year than Parise, and Parise is the annointed savior? Koivu is above his career average ppg, Parise is 16% below Mikko has as many even strength goals this year as Parise. Even though he is from Minnesota, in most games this year he has been a non-factor. Suter was the big signing this off-summer, not Parise. There is not a single media member willing to call-out Parise for his pathetic play, he gets a free-pass because he is from Minnesota, plain and simple. Trade Koivu, just make sure you trade Parise first. Time for a homer response!

Who thinks we should trade Koivu and Parise? Saying a guy doesnt belong on the first line doesnt mean to trade him! The Wild have always "given" positions to some players, Koivu and Backstrom for sure. No matter how poor they play, they are both still #1. What kind of drive does that give them to play harder? NONE. I agree, move them down to #2 line and let them prove they deserve to be on the #1 line!

I can't believe any of these posts, I will try to look for a simpler view point.... All right I have it, look at Grandlund on the ice for 3 goals last night, Koivou and Parise glued together, Parise not doing anything. This articles relevance to anything is very small in the meaning of what the truth is.... Another simple way to explain is this,hockey is a kids game. Parents don't have control whether their kids perform or their attitude..... this gives you all a little ball to hit if you read between the lines

If we're not firmly in the playoffs, don't be afraid to sell. I'm worried that Fletch is going to say, "we owe it to our fans to make a run at the playoffs," and then we miss by 4 points, end with a later draft pick and no extra picks acquired from trades, but all the while talking about the "momentum" we built up for next year and how we are developing a winning culture.

Sign Cullen to a one year deal, Get Heatley, Backstrom, and PMB off the books. Malkin, Vanek, and Kessel are all free agents in May?

Sign Cully, they need a hard working vet like him.