Rebuild in Minnesota going according to plan
Mar 2, 2021 14:33:57 GMT -5
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Post by Canucks GM & Co-Commish (Tony) on Mar 2, 2021 14:33:57 GMT -5
The future in Minnesota is undoubtedly bright as general manager JTro continues to rebuild the Wild franchise, aiming for future success.
JTro selected the Wild 24th in the inaugural team draft, passing on teams and players like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby, and the Dallas Stars and Tyler Seguin.
"I really like their young prospects as well as guys like Kirill Kaprizov, and Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno,” said JTro.
In selecting the Wild, JTro was taking on a team that could have been steered in two different directions: to a rebuild, or to a competitive team that with a few players mixed in could contend in a Central division that is proving to be very top heavy.
He chose the former.
“My team is definitely built for the future, but I still like not to be a team that people walk over in the meantime,” JTro said. “As far as that goes, I think I’m doing well there. My young guys seem to be carrying me, so that’s a positive sign.”
The Wild have been a surprise team so far in the NHL’s Honda West division. Although he’s only played in eight games, Mats Zuccarello is averaging over a point per game, and Joel Eriksson Ek leads the team with 17 points in 19 games.
JTro traded both Zuccarello and Eriksson Ek away as part of his rebuild this past offseason.
"I don’t regret this at all because the rest of my leagues I am in, I am competing to be a top team. I wanted this team as my own—start at the bottom and work my way to the top with an exciting farm hand picked by me. For me, in fantasy I really enjoy watching young raw talent grow into NHL stars,” he said.
Even in a season where the goal is planning for the future, JTro’s Wild haven’t been an easy opponent to take down on a week-to-week basis.
“I do regret trading Eriksson Ek though,” JTro said. “That was one that was a surprise even to me.”
A big part of the Wild’s success in the NHL, and a big part as to why the future is bright for JTro’s Wild has been because of what Kaprizov has shown in his first 19 career NHL games.
“His speed, his puck skills and the fact that he already looks like a season vet. Most importantly though, when he is on the ice, he drives his team and they seem to follow his flow which is a big reason the Wild are such a surprise this year,” said JTro. “If he is already doing this in his first year, I see him being the superstar a team needs.
From Matthew Boldy, to Thomas Harley to Justus Annunen, JTro’s pipeline is full of promising young talent. Young talent that he hopes can make an immediate impact as early as next season, helping the Wild get themselves into a playoff spot.
“After a full year this year, I will have a ton of cap to work with. So I believe I will at least be a playoff team next year,” he said.
JTro selected the Wild 24th in the inaugural team draft, passing on teams and players like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby, and the Dallas Stars and Tyler Seguin.
"I really like their young prospects as well as guys like Kirill Kaprizov, and Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno,” said JTro.
In selecting the Wild, JTro was taking on a team that could have been steered in two different directions: to a rebuild, or to a competitive team that with a few players mixed in could contend in a Central division that is proving to be very top heavy.
He chose the former.
“My team is definitely built for the future, but I still like not to be a team that people walk over in the meantime,” JTro said. “As far as that goes, I think I’m doing well there. My young guys seem to be carrying me, so that’s a positive sign.”
The Wild have been a surprise team so far in the NHL’s Honda West division. Although he’s only played in eight games, Mats Zuccarello is averaging over a point per game, and Joel Eriksson Ek leads the team with 17 points in 19 games.
JTro traded both Zuccarello and Eriksson Ek away as part of his rebuild this past offseason.
"I don’t regret this at all because the rest of my leagues I am in, I am competing to be a top team. I wanted this team as my own—start at the bottom and work my way to the top with an exciting farm hand picked by me. For me, in fantasy I really enjoy watching young raw talent grow into NHL stars,” he said.
Even in a season where the goal is planning for the future, JTro’s Wild haven’t been an easy opponent to take down on a week-to-week basis.
“I do regret trading Eriksson Ek though,” JTro said. “That was one that was a surprise even to me.”
A big part of the Wild’s success in the NHL, and a big part as to why the future is bright for JTro’s Wild has been because of what Kaprizov has shown in his first 19 career NHL games.
“His speed, his puck skills and the fact that he already looks like a season vet. Most importantly though, when he is on the ice, he drives his team and they seem to follow his flow which is a big reason the Wild are such a surprise this year,” said JTro. “If he is already doing this in his first year, I see him being the superstar a team needs.
From Matthew Boldy, to Thomas Harley to Justus Annunen, JTro’s pipeline is full of promising young talent. Young talent that he hopes can make an immediate impact as early as next season, helping the Wild get themselves into a playoff spot.
“After a full year this year, I will have a ton of cap to work with. So I believe I will at least be a playoff team next year,” he said.