I don't think that's happened yet but it's likely.

If Oesterle goes to Rockford I hope Hinostroza gets the recall.
- DarthKane

I hope they recall someone to play center if Schmaltz is out a while. Like others here, AA looked better on the 3rd line so someone more like Schmaltz on the 2nd would be a better option.

Do we throw Kero up to that 2nd line to see if he can generate more transition speed?

Do we throw Kero up to that 2nd line to see if he can generate more transition speed?
- z1990z

That's what I proposed after last game, and it seems a few others agree with me. AA is being used as more of a shutdown guy, and that is part of why Kane has looked bad.

I hope they recall someone to play center if Schmaltz is out a while. Like others here, AA looked better on the 3rd line so someone more like Schmaltz on the 2nd would be a better option.
- matt_ahrens

Hinnistrosa for one

That's what I proposed after last game, and it seems a few others agree with me. AA is being used as more of a shutdown guy, and that is part of why Kane has looked bad.
- JRoenick97

AA has looked solid in that #3 role. If Schmaltz needs rest then let him sit. Let Kero try or bring up Kampf. He has good size and wheels and looked pretty darn good in the preseason.

That's what I proposed after last game, and it seems a few others agree with me. AA is being used as more of a shutdown guy, and that is part of why Kane has looked bad.
- JRoenick97

Coach Q gonna do what coach Q gonna do. Also, if AA stays with Kane, at least they are back home tonight and Q can get his match ups he likes more. I think that was half the battle in the last couple games on the road.

I don't think that's happened yet but it's likely.

If Oesterle goes to Rockford I hope Hinostroza gets the recall.
- DarthKane

Kampf to center the 2nd line, move AA back to 3C.

Quit screwing up 3 lines when one guy is out

Kampf to center the 2nd line, move AA back to 3C.

Quit screwing up 3 lines when one guy is out
- vabeachbear

Rational thoughts

First, you are Stan Bowman and you can do anything you want.

Second, for other GMs, if they wanted to get Oesterle into a game they could just sit another defenseman, there's no issue there. Since the roster is at 23 they'd need to send another player to Rockford before calling up anyone (like Hinostroza).

My guess is that they want to keep Forsling playing and learning. Oesterle was good in camp, but if somebody needs to go to Rockford it will be him.
- DarthKane

Gynostrozaaaaa!!! Sorry justvtryong to drop a comment so I can access the 'my threads' page via edit..

Rational thoughts
- Hawkjet

I understand Q knows much more than me, some days though, I wonder......

I understand Q knows much more than me, some days though, I wonder......
- vabeachbear

John Scott

Coach Q gonna do what coach Q gonna do. Also, if AA stays with Kane, at least they are back home tonight and Q can get his match ups he likes more. I think that was half the battle in the last couple games on the road.
- breadbag

My take is that if Anisimov stays with Kane on the 2nd line until Schmaltz returns, then get a more dynamic winger playing opposite of 88 similar to the prior two seasons when 15 and 88 had Panarin.

While I like the line of Hartman, Schmaltz, and Kane, Hartman isn't dynamic enough to make up for Schmaltz's offensive prowess that is missing from line 2. So if Anisimov is with Kane, swap Hartman and DeBrincat:

DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Sharp - Kero - Hartman

DeBrincat is no Panarin but he's more dynamic than Hartman.

My take is that if Anisimov stays with Kane on the 2nd line until Schmaltz returns, then get a more dynamic winger playing opposite of 88 similar to the prior two seasons when 15 and 88 had Panarin.

While I like the line of Hartman, Schmaltz, and Kane, Hartman isn't dynamic enough to make up for Schmaltz's offensive prowess that is missing from line 2. So if Anisimov is with Kane, swap Hartman and DeBrincat:

DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Sharp - Kero - Hartman

DeBrincat is no Panarin but he's more dynamic than Hartman.
- AEL_Fox

I'm okay with either that or having Kero center Kane and Hartman.

My take is that if Anisimov stays with Kane on the 2nd line until Schmaltz returns, then get a more dynamic winger playing opposite of 88 similar to the prior two seasons when 15 and 88 had Panarin.

While I like the line of Hartman, Schmaltz, and Kane, Hartman isn't dynamic enough to make up for Schmaltz's offensive prowess that is missing from line 2. So if Anisimov is with Kane, swap Hartman and DeBrincat:

DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Sharp - Kero - Hartman

DeBrincat is no Panarin but he's more dynamic than Hartman.
- AEL_Fox

Split up ADB and Kane to keep ADB away from higher QOC / defense men.

Hinnistrosa for one
- Colbyboy

Big jump from Rockford to 2C. Kero 2C/AA 3C/Wingels 4C would be realistic. Kampf would be second choice for 4C, Hino can play wing if/when he comes up.

DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Sharp - Kero - Hartman

DeBrincat is no Panarin but he's more dynamic than Hartman.
- AEL_Fox

With all due respect, I disagree as of right now. Perhaps with more experience/time in NHL.

Kampf to center the 2nd line, move AA back to 3C.

Quit screwing up 3 lines when one guy is out
- vabeachbear

I was really encouraged by what I saw from Kampf in the preseason. Hawks certainly seem to have the inside track on Czech players looking to move to the NHL.

JJ, any word on why Murphy was a healthy scratch?--Rarely post but always read the blog, thanks for what you do!

Split up ADB and Kane to keep ADB away from higher QOC / defense men.
- Slofire94

Good point.

I'm not saying this next part to be snarky or to attack your post, but more for our collective fan pre-game analysis. For tonight's game, who are the Wild's high QOC defensemen? Not sure if I am using that QOC term correctly, haha. Let's say there are only 2 and they're a d-pair, would they be deployed against Toews, Saad, and Panik rather than Kane's line?

I imagine at least Suter is one to worry about and probably even Brodin and Spurgeon. Not sure about the rest of them: Dumba, Reilly, Quincey, and Olofsson.

Just thinking out loud.

With all due respect, I disagree as of right now. Perhaps with more experience/time in NHL.
- Assman22

No worries! I personally would prefer not to pair Kane with DeBrincat either so just throwing out a possibility if the worry is Kane not having adequate linemates with Schmaltz still out.

Split up ADB and Kane to keep ADB away from higher QOC / defense men.
- Slofire94

Or it frees him up a bit to slip in to those soft zones as they will be more focused on Kane.

Well Kane was pretty much terrible the last two games, evidenced by both they eye test and the advanced stats. Last year is in the past, my friend....no more Lil Arty + Kaner connection on line 2.
- EnzoD

The other player on the line + deployment matter. For some reason, Q will not put Kero in the DZ against high QOC - he's only using Anisimov that way. Considering neither AA nor Hartman are great transition guys, it is not an ideal line to be in the DZ against other teams top lines. Add in that Kane looks completely lost in the situation, it's not a good look.

Q either needs to let Kero be the checking line center already or make some line changes - Kero with Hartman-Kane in the OZ or Sharp with AA-Kane. I can see why he might not like the latter simply because that means a line of young guns in Hartman-Kero-Debrincat but still. Kero isn't ideal for 2C but in short spans and deployment, he'd be fine.

Good point.

I'm not saying this next part to be snarky or to attack your post, but more for our collective fan pre-game analysis. For tonight's game, who are the Wild's high QOC defensemen? Not sure if I am using that QOC term correctly, haha. Let's say there are only 2 and they're a d-pair, would they be deployed against Toews, Saad, and Panik rather than Kane's line?

I imagine at least Suter is one to worry about and probably even Brodin and Spurgeon. Not sure about the rest of them: Dumba, Reilly, Quincey, and Olofsson.

Just thinking out loud.
- AEL_Fox

Good question, I'm not sure that I have an answer. I don't follow the wild closely enough.

Not always, most coaches throw their best defensively out against the other team's most dynamic player/line. For most of the Toews/Kane era, thats been wherever 88 has been playing (sorry Toews).
Maybe that changes this year with Toews getting Saad back and Panik's affinity for "banging top opposing defense men"

But if I were coaching the opposing team, I'd try to stop 88 with my top defense pairing and throw my best shutdown center out against the Toews line.

Good question, I'm not sure that I have an answer. I don't follow the wild closely enough.

Not always, most coaches throw their best defensively out against the other team's most dynamic player/line. For most of the Toews/Kane era, thats been wherever 88 has been playing (sorry Toews).
Maybe that changes this year with Toews getting Saad back and Panik's affinity for "banging top opposing defense men"

But if I were coaching the opposing team, I'd try to stop 88 with my top defense pairing and throw my best shutdown center out against the Toews line.
- Slofire94

Good question, I'm not sure that I have an answer. I don't follow the wild closely enough.

Not always, most coaches throw their best defensively out against the other team's most dynamic player/line. For most of the Toews/Kane era, thats been wherever 88 has been playing (sorry Toews).
Maybe that changes this year with Toews getting Saad back and Panik's affinity for "banging top opposing defense men"

But if I were coaching the opposing team, I'd try to stop 88 with my top defense pairing and throw my best shutdown center out against the Toews line.
- Slofire94

I think Panik has mostly been banging Leafs wives and girlfriends

I think Panik has mostly been banging Leafs wives and girlfriends
- Hawkjet

I think we gotta stop joking about this or more people will think it's true.