#293. The Minnesota Wild Have NO Scoring Depth

#293. The Minnesota Wild Have NO Scoring Depth

Far down beauties with Jesse Pierce and Kirsten Croll. Two hockey minds trapped in bodies that can’t skate. They may have never laced them up, but they’ll break it all down with sharp takes and plenty of laughs. This is hockey talk the beauty’s way. Hello everybody. Bard down Beauties episode 293. Jesse Pierce, Kirsten Croll, your favorite hockey hosts. Uh good morning. Hi. How are you, Kirsten? What’s going on, girl? Uh, you know, there’s there’s a lot going on. It’s we’re full-fledged. It’s feeling like it in the midst of hockey season. I wish the Wild weren’t on this big of a road trip. Not only road trip, like what is it? Six game road trip, but a lot of backtobacks, which feels more than normal. And I just wish, you know, we could dabble in sprinkle in some more home games because kind of getting bored. Like I’m trying to stay as busy as I can with fall stuff, but like it’s hockey season and I want to be at the rink. We get this weekend, right? We get back tobacks this weekend again. But it is and we’ll talk about this uh this condensed schedule is is a whole thing. Um but yeah, I agree. It’s I’m up north in International Falls if you guys are watching. That’s why I have a halfass mo shrine behind me because my mom loves her some Miko Ko. So it is freezing up here. I woke up it was 35 degrees I think. Uh, no snow yet. Yeah, no snow yet. So, we’re rocking and rolling. The kids don’t have school today or tomorrow after MEA break because you know who needs education. I guess there was some involved. MEA break. So, they had Thursday, Friday off and they get Monday, Tuesday off and they get Monday, Tuesday off. Well, we have conferences because they have conferences even though conferences today which we’re recording this on a Monday like we do aren’t until the afternoon. Like tomorrow they have conferences during the day. Like we have to go meet the kids teachers at like 8. But today I don’t think is an all day thing. I believe it’s just evenings. So I don’t know. It makes no sense. That doesn’t make any sense. No. But nonetheless, I love my children and here we are. We did a lot of good outdoors things today. We enjoyed a little bit of fall. We watched some hockey. It was all good. Um I did get to watch too though the Marcus Felino calling to say good night to his teammates. He called Brock Faber, who knew right away what the gig was. Matt Baldy, who I love that Marcus calls him Matthew. Um, Brian Hartman, which answered in the most Ryan Hartman way. Jared Spurgeon answering with a what’s up and asking Marcus how many beers he’s had because he was like, why are you doing this? But I feel like we missed out. Like, who do you think you would have wanted Marcus to call? Like for me, I would have loved a Carill just for because you know Carill has no idea about Tik Tok and has no giggled, right? Like does Carell even have a phone? Yes, he has a phone. I don’t know. I don’t know if Carill has a phone. Like why would you not call Carrill then? Maybe he was the one that didn’t answer. Baldi didn’t answer right away but then he did call him back. I think was the deal if I recall correctly. I feel like he needed a Carell. Obviously I would have wanted a Jonas Brodin. Obvious I I would wonder what his him or Eky like what their response would have been. Callie. He did call Ekki. Did he? Yeah. Did he call Bogo? I thought he did. Hartman told him to call Bogo, but he didn’t. But I kind of did want that because it was like, are they together or like I would be curious as to Yeah. What bogo? I bet that also you have to play that very safely, right? Like do you give them kind of a heads up like hey we’re recording something like don’t go off the wall or you just Oh yeah, cuz Baldi and Hartman were together. Yes. Yeah. But they still didn’t or Yeah. Yeah. I don’t know. It’s very fun. I loved it. I That’s the kind of content I want. Give it to me all season long. No. Shout out to our girl Grace who’s running socials because I think they’re doing a tremendous job. Like, did you see last week, too, how somebody was like, “Can you take this seriously, please?” And their admin response was like, “Do you want us to,” it was when they were losing pretty badly to the Cavs, I think, or one of the games that they’ve been losing very badly to. Um, and it was they were like, “Do you want us to lace them up and get on the ice? Like, what do you want us to do?” Like, it’s a hockey game. Hey, there’s only Yeah, there’s props to social media. When your team’s down and down bad, there’s only so much you can do. People are crashing out. Speaking of, let’s talk about the Minnesota Wild. Uh again, they’re on the road for a five-game road trip. They are at the at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers tonight. Luckily, the Rangers can’t score at home. So, maybe it will bode well for your Minnesota Wild who are two three-1 losses in four of five. um 26th in goals against per game at 3.67, 24th in the league in goals four at 20 two excuse me 2.67 22nd in faceoffs with just a 47.7% and last in the NHL Kirsten with five on five goals with only six and according to natural statick Minnesota is last in scoring chance percentage at five on five with a 35.71% 28th in expected goals percentage of 43. So my the big question, Carson, are the Wild bad or like is it just early in the season? Are there things that you’re panicking about or is there reason to panic or again do we just have to take a breath and say we’re only six games in? My panic level will increase this weekend with the backtoback at home. That is when if we’re not winning games by then, then my panic level is going to be like then then it’s going to start going up. Like right now, I guess I’m not like super concerned because it is so early, but I’m frustrated. I’m like, what are we doing here? Like, yeah, we can’t score five on five, but hey, at least we can score on the power play. At least we have that really working for us right now. Um, no, I and this is going to get I’m trying to like tiptoe into what I was going to say because I think we’re going to talk about it in a little bit. Uh, my concern right now is just kind of more I don’t know what we’re doing. I that’s exactly what I feel like too. Like it’s not necessarily there’s not an identity formed, but I just I don’t get it. I don’t understand. There’s zero consistency from game to game. There’s zero consistency between periods. And the bigger issue is beyond just the lack of five on five scoring chances where you had two straight games uh in Washington and Philly where you it’s a total of 32 shots, which is not great. like at least in the earlier games when they were just scoring power play goals, they were putting 35 shots on net and your your high danger shots and your your opportunities were there where the last two games against two teams that they’re fine. I mean, the Caps are are fine and Philadelphia’s fine, but they’re not great. Like, they shouldn’t be they’re not that defensively structured where they’re they should be shutting you down, but it’s the lack of scoring depth. Like for me, Kirsten, I don’t know that they should be missing Matt Matt Zukarelloo this bad. Like we know that he is a contributor, right? We know the chemistry he has, but I am worried how badly they’re missing Matt Zugurl because again, I think that speaks to just the general lack of talent on the roster. I think it does a little bit as well. Obviously, we knew coming into this the team is better with Matt Zukurella than they are without. I don’t know. I think I just need more of like a sample size to realize how bad like are we really missing him that bad or are we just still figuring it out. I need to see a few more games before I make like a a vindictive statement on it. That’s fair. I mean, you see Vladimir Terasenko finally gets his first goal in a wild uniform where he has a couple assists prior to that. um is for Terasenko in particular again who I didn’t mind the addition because if you can squeeze like I said 20 goals out of him that would be great but now I’m getting a little worried that you’re not even going to get that production from him. He just hasn’t done a heck of a whole lot out there. Now granted it’s a new team. It’s new faces. So that being said, one are you do you think Terasenko’s contribution is going to be higher or lower than what we expected or what maybe the Minnesota Wild needed? And what is your patience level for him in particular because he is this new guy that as you just alluded to is still trying to kind of figure it out with this team which is hard because they don’t get the practice time because there’s so many games right now in this shortened condensed time that they’re probably not being able to work on some of the systems and find some of that chemistry that maybe you would have in a regular season. I’m patient up until Thanksgiving with him in particular just because he has that veteran presence. We know, we’ve seen how good his game can be. So, I I feel obviously, yeah, get adjusted to the team, to the systems. He needs that a little bit more. But I would give him I’ll be patient till around Thanksgiving, but also too, I I do think I’m trying to remember what entirely your first question to this was. So, I think we So, I believe we both kind of agreed like we were hoping for a 15 20 goal season, which isn’t a lot. That’s really not, you know what I mean? that for an elite sniper that he was which we haven’t seen in a while. Do you think that he is going to kind of meet those expectations that we already had or do you think that’s even that was overselling it? No, I think I think he will definitely meet the expectations that we had. Like maybe it’s just like a little bit slower to get going, but to be fair, the entire team has looked slower to get going for the most part. So yeah, I’m not worried. I do think he has been very impactful in a lot of different areas for the Minnesota Wild, but then there are some areas where it’s like, okay, we want to see more. So, yeah, I’m patient through Thanksgiving just to see and fingers crossed we see more. You get your one line going, right? You have Carell Capri off and Matt Baldy and now this is going to be maybe a hot button issue because I’m not necessarily suggesting that they’re not doing enough, but are they doing enough? They had that hot streak, but also they’re kind of and and granted they’re getting the extra coverage. Teams are aware of them. and they know you shut those two down, it’s going to eliminate any offense for the Minnesota Wild obviously. But are they doing enough to help mount those comebacks or to bear down and hold leads or, you know, in particular, should we have even high speaking of expectations, it’s maybe the theme of this episode, apparently, are we are we getting enough from them in other instances, too, not just in the, you know, the power plays of the game. Are we getting enough from them in those moments where they need to help lead the team to a comeback or where they help need to help lead the team? Do you think that they’re doing their role in that respect? It is very hard cuz I’m trying to be fair, but my mind immediately goes to when you look at because I’m just going to call those two a tandem, right? You got your 1A, your 1B. That’s what I’m going to just say about those two. When I think of solid 1A 1Bs who are able to really help rally their team back, I and it maybe it isn’t a fair comparison, but it’s in the conversation. Maybe I think of Conor McDavid and Leandre Cidle. like those two really can get their team back in it or they can hold them down and just the way I have seen this team the last couple of games blow leads kind of especially too and this is also recency biased the last home game when we were in the shootout against the LA Kings Carrill goes first I remember seeing that and looking at who I was standing next to and we were like what was he doing with that shot just Like things like that, like little minor things where it’s like I expect more from you in these situations. Not saying that they’re not doing enough cuz I don’t think that’s fair, but there are moments where I shake my head. Yeah. Like I just I think you need them to be productive in all assets. Like if they’re your two top guy because Conor McDavid still finds a way, right? Leandraidle still finds a way as you had just pointed out. Like you need them to be those guys. They want to be those guys. certainly getting paid like those guys. Like he’s getting paid more than those guys. Exactly. Right. Like you need them to take that next step. And Matt Baldy in particular because as I still remain adamant that this is a 50 goal season for Bolds and I am looking forward to him being that true secondary scorer that Dressidal to the McDavid, right? I really see that being fruition. But then he needs to take that next step too. He needs to be able to really help push the team and lead the team in in that direction. And yes, it’s not going to be easy because you are going to be shut down. You are going to be nered in, but good player, elite players, superstar players find a way. They still find that way. And I think that’s going to be a testament. And Carill for the most part generally has, right? Like Carill is used to shaking off two defenseman and used to to finding the back net or passing his way out of it. But I think I need to see a little bit more of that from Baldi as well this season. Um, that being said, the lack of shots the past two games, as I I mentioned, 31 in in two games is terrible. They need to stop just looking for the perfect pass. Like, they’re going back to the pretty plays. They’re going back to, “Oh, well, I’m just going to try to find the right pass here, and he’s going to pass, and we’re going to take four freaking passes before we take an actual shot.” Like, I despise the shoot when you hear it in the in the crowd. I really do because it’s not it’s not always as simple as that. But for whatever reason, Kirsten, in five on five situations in particular, because I asked John Hines, I said, “What what’s changing?” Because on the power play, they’re quick to shoot, right? They are so quick to put that puck on net, get that puck low. And for whatever reason, they’re not doing that. They’re not playing north to south. They’re not getting the pucks low. And then when they do get them low, you have nobody there at the net front. Like, how do you change that? How do we get the guys to buy into that mentality when they’re at even strength, too? I don’t know. I really do not have an answer to that. I just I don’t know. I I think maybe they’re just trying to do too much and they just need to simplify it. Exa. I 100% agree with that. That’s all I can think. Just they’re trying to do too much. Just play simple hockey. You don’t have to be pretty. You don’t have to be I mean, you just need to get the puck on net. Get pucks deep. Get pucks. That’s honestly that I paused when you first asked me because the first thing that came to my mind was get pucks deep bodies to the net. That’s all. It’s a simple game. It’s a simple game. That’s all you have to do. So, that was going to be my answer. Um, it’s but it’s true. Like I think there it’s you always hear coaches, not just Hines, but other coaches in general like is simplify your game. Just that’s all you got to do. It’s it’s not easy. I understand that because you’re going against other elite talent. This is the National Hockey League. This isn’t some men’s league, right? Like, I get that. But my goodness, boys, like you got to just sometimes send the puck to the net. That’s all you got to do. Juel Eric’s neck, you know, he’s down there. He’ll always be there. He’s there. He’ll buried in Marco Rossy does a great job with some net front presence, but there’s sometimes a lack of that. Um, switching down to the blue line now. Kirsten, I I talked about it last week. My concerns kind of remain. There just seems to be structural problems within the defense. Like I’m not saying necessarily it’s players, but structurally the defense is kind of all over the place. Now, Zach Begoian is dayto-day. I again, we’re recording this on a Monday. I believe he might slot in against the Ranger Snakes. It sounds like Uric was getting bagged at MSG this morning. Um, but I I can’t figure out what’s going on with the defense. It’s not like they’re terrible, but they’re just not as structurally sound, not as structurally shut down. And again, going back to the lack of shots offensively for the Wild. They’re allowing a ton of shots on the Golders this year. Yeah, they have not been making Gus or Walstead’s jobs very easy. And especially, I’m sorry, I keep referring to the LA game because it’s the last one, the last stretch that I really got to watch close up. But just even seeing some of just the broken plays right in front of the goalender, it was frustrating. It was frustrating. Like some just cut one was like a bad screen with then followed up by a bad bounce that just slots right back into the back of the net. But it’s you gota it frustrates me to no end as of right now in this moment when we are recording. It’s uncharacteristic again like it just seems uncharacteristic of the Broaddians, of the Spurgeons, of the Middletons, of the Fabers, you know, and Z Williams out there learning his way, but it just there seems to be too many and too frequent defensive lapses and breakdowns. And luckily for the Minnesota Wild though, switching gears, they’re getting good goalending. Like, you’re not just getting it from Philip Gusson. I want to talk about Yesper Bellstead, too. We had questions coming in. But yeah, he’s been he’s been solid. He has been solid. I’ve been very impressed with him. He’s been looking good. I think whatever happened last season where he really struggled, I think he really did what he needed to for a mental reset and he came back in and he’s looking pretty sharp right now. He’s seeing the puck. He’s moving well. Um, and he’s seeing a lot of puck. You know, it’s it the defense unfortunately is allowing that. But I think we might have we talked about it in a few episodes. It’s good to have two goalies. You can have a good goalending tandem. No, it’s fantastic. It’s what we wanted. This is what we were preparing for for two seasons. We’re finally getting to see Yesper up here on a nightly basis. And I’m I’m pleased. I’m hoping it continues to upward trajectory. Well, that’s just it. I mean, for better or for worse, you have the the backtobacks that you’re going to see. You have to be having him in net way more frequently than maybe you would have, but I think that’s a good thing. And I I hope he gets even without the backto-backs, you start playing them a little bit more equally um as well. Do you think that’s a possibility? We had talked about heading into the season he was going to be that very sure thing backup, right? He was going to be that capable backup and Gus was going to do it. But with the way that he’s playing, do you think it would be wise? Because you’re seeing the NHL as a whole, I think, Kirsten, start to utilize the goalending tandem. You look at what happened with Connor Heluk when he played 80% of the games last year and then he’s dead come playoff. So you have to have a good tandem. Do you think with Yesper showing he’s got the the grit, the guts, and and the ability to do it, do you think that maybe the Wild have that approach a little bit more than maybe they were planning to? Maybe a little bit more. And I think it would be good for them to do so cuz yeah, you talk about resting your starting goalender. Yeah, the Connor Hely Buck situation was very hard to watch last year as Yeah, I Gus obviously will still play the upper hand, but yeah, why not? Why not? If you have, it will only help better develop, put the team in a better situation as a whole. You’re not running anyone down. Yeah, I think it’s great. I think it’s great. Speaking of goalending, shout out to our friends at Sodasick because Gus Bus is in the house. Swing through Hockey Lodge to get the first official SodaSick collaboration of the season. Plus, don’t forget to grab your Minnesota Wild ticket pack for the October 30th matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the exclusive Movember T. Also tossed on Bardown beauties at checkout for 15% off discount on all sodastick.com purchases. Shout out to our group over at Sodastick. Switch gears. Let’s look at the NHL Kirsten in general. The Colorado Avalanche who we could say had kind of a down year last year, right? Like they just didn’t look themselves. Currently they are 50 and one. They are back to five on five dominance. Um is this an October Mirage do you think? or are they built better than even the cup winning squad they had in 2022? I mean, they’ve got a plus 11 goal differential so far. Like the ABS, they are holy back, baby. I don’t know. We thought they were built different in the playoffs last year. And I don’t know. I don’t know. This is also where part of me comes in to say we could panic six games into the season or we can be over dramatic and excited six games into the season. And so all I’m going to say is we are six games into the season. I’ll believe it when I see it. So same thing for the Jets who have won four straight with a plus nine goal differential. I don’t believe in the Jets. I don’t believe in the Jets. I mean the Wild been a point of contention for me right now. But the Wild are dead last in the Central. Does that concern you at all? I mean, it will concern me if we get towards the end of the week come Sunday and we’ve dropped every game or forced overtime or an overtime loss. That then will concern me because then it’ll put us in a situation where it’s going to be really hard to dig ourselves back out of when you have teams like Colorado playing like they are right now. Do you think because and I I I don’t want to keep harping on, but I do think it’s important to continue to point out because of the condensed schedule though and because you’re seeing so many games that you do have to take a that smaller sample size more seriously than you maybe would in years past. You know what I mean? Like Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Like it just feels it just feels different. like it’s just cruising by because again and the reason for those of you that aren’t aware or don’t understand the reason that the schedule is so condensed and there’s so many backtobacks is because they are trying to jam in all of these games before you have a month off for the Olympic break which is is going to be great but it just it feels different like it feels kind of rushed and you’re just you’re turning around and you’re you know you’re flying out to Dallas and then you’re going to Washington you’re I mean this is three games in four days for the Minnesota Wild coming up here tonight on the east coast and it just I feel like, yes, it’s only six games, but because you’re seeing so much and in such little time that I’m kind of like, well, but they’re showing you who they are a little bit, too. They are. I But hopefully this just means we play better at home than we do on the road. Yeah, that’s uh let’s let’s hope. I guess that’s the only thing we have in our toolkit right now. only having played two games at home so far this season coming back from this road trip. Maybe it’ll be the reset we need. I mean, or is it a repeat of last year where home ice is not an advantage again? But the road was the advantage at this time last year. They’re just down at all at all arenas. Like there’s no home, there’s no road. Similar to me, no home, no road, just down. Oh, did you hear about, you know, again, for whatever reason, I have a soft spot in my heart for the San Jose Sharks and just them. Did you see their coach who said, “I would trade my effing kid for a win, right?” Or, “I would trade a kid for an effing win right now.” I did not see that, but San Jose is going through it in multiple facets right now. Oh, I saw the screen. Yeah, that wasn’t good. That was real bad. I will admit it took me a minute to even understand it. Like I was like, “What is I don’t like cuz for for the message for those of you that didn’t see it that showed up cuz you know how teams have the text in your messages and it showed up during San Jose’s Pride night ironically as well where it said the Sharks love ice.” Well, I assumed it was hockey ice because I’m naive and dumb and we’re at a hockey game and that’s it didn’t click for what the intent was and what the uproar was as well. But yeah, San Jose man, I tell you, they’re going through it right now. Yeah, probably not going to do the text in thing anymore. Probably. I think most teams are now going to have to be on high because I’m sure whoever because that goes through hockey ops, right? Like you’re on that side of it. Like that goes through you to you guys usually or not to you particular but like your hockey ops running. I’m going to plead the fifth cuz I I don’t Yeah, but I’m saying like I imagine know if I were that person, they probably thought the same as I did at first. Like okay, ice. Yeah, like they love hockey. Like I maybe I’m just dumb, but I just that’s for sure what I thought at first. Like so I feel like maybe that was the mistake made. Like yeah, hockey and I don’t know. Naive. All I can say is I don’t know who’s down worse, me or San Jose right now. Oh man. Well, let’s uh let’s get you back up. Let’s do a little buy or sell. Let’s do a little buy or sell. I live buy or sell. Do you buy or sell the idea that Carrill Capri off and Matt Baldy need to be separated from one line? I’m going to buy it. Separate them. You need to spread it out. Share the wealth, man. Like who get more lines flowing. Who do you put uh with Capri off on the other wing? This is a big question right now for me because I’m trying. Do we try and see? I would do. I feel like they’ve had some good chemistry this season. So, yes, I would. And we know what Carrill’s capable of bringing out of other players. You know what I mean? Like it’s he can get that next level. So maybe I feel like you try a Terasenko and see what happens. Um, we saw Zukarelloo kind of have a resurgence when he played with Carrill. That Russian connection now with Terasenko. I mean, I say why not? Um, next. Do you buy or sell that this current slump could actually help the Minnesota Wild in the long run? I’m buying it because if you’re going to have struggles, having struggles early on is the way to do it. To figure it out early because you don’t want to figure it out later in the season. Little early adversity doesn’t hurt anybody, right? Like a little It’s It’s tough because we had talked about if this team gets off as hot as they did last year, then they’ll be sitting pretty. Well, news flash, they’re not getting off to a hot start like they did. No, last year. Not as great. Um, this one I really had on my back. I liked this one. Buy or sell. The condensed schedule will hurt the Olympics. And I mean that by way of injury. I’m just getting trauma from Four Nations when every player came back hurt and beat up. Yes. Like that’s the thing. I think you’re going to lose player because they’re playing so many games and the rest and recovery time’s not there. I’m worried you’re not going to have the right players available come the Olympic time. I worry about that as well. like this condensed schedule is going to do a number on players bodies because yeah, you don’t have that recovery time and you’re gonna just get worn down and if you are battling a minor injury, it’s just going to get worse. And then yeah, I mean it then as you mentioned from four nations coming back from that and going into play and so those players that are playing in the Olympics, which again I’m so excited for. I love that you have the NHL players once again being utilized in that best on best, but there’s the injuries and there’s the no rest. Like you have guys that’ll be able to take a month off and then you’ve got guys like Matt Baldy and Brock Faber who are going and Philip Gustoson and all the a bunch of the Swedes who not only are going to put themselves at risk of injury but don’t get to have that month of or even a week of rest, right? No. That’s going to be tough. Uh buy or sell the idea that Liam Ogrren stays in Iowa for the rest of the month of October. I’m buying it. I don’t want to buy it. I’m frustrated by it, but I’m gonna buy it. Do you think that this is kind of the end of the Ogrin experience a little bit? You know, like they clearly aren’t sold on the kid and it just seem like Ben Jones, he’s a center, so sure that is maybe helpful, but I don’t I I just kind of feels like Liam’s either going to be moved or yeah, he’s just not the NHL player they want him to be. I mean, I’m hoping that’s not the case because I still just don’t believe he’s had that fair of an opportunity at I mean, he’s had his opportunities, yes, but I don’t especially this early in the season, I don’t think he’s had as fair of a shot. No, I just I don’t which I I will never ever understand. Like, why are we not trying? And again, probably goes back to the condensed schedule. That’s the other theme for this episode cuz I wonder like you have to be so ready if the if the Wild weren’t slumping. I bet you John Hines is trying more things, right? He’s trying different wingers out at different positions or he’s not as nervous about it. But right now he’s in kind of win now desperation mode. You have to stop the bleeding. You have to get a victory. You have to be playing better. And there are so many facets of the Minnesota Wild that aren’t working that putting a young kid into high into your lineup, I think, is probably something that he’s like so extra nervous to do. But at the same time, what do you have to lose? Like you’re not getting that production from Terasenko or from Trenin or from Felino or from Marcus Johansson. Like what do you have to lose, too? So, it’s just I just don’t I don’t know. I don’t know either. I don’t know either. But this is what I was worried about that we’re going to play older players over our young guys and not see much from our young guys. Yeah. I feel we are forever bound to be a team of vets and no young guns. Speaking of vets, our final buy or sell of this week’s episode. Do you buy or sell the idea that Marcus Felino needs to get back to a more physical presence? Uh buy. I love a physical moose. I’m buying it. Let’s flinging bodies around. It feels like he’s back. the dude scores a goal and all a sudden he is only a goal scorer and not so much of the big heavy hitter, right? Like is that just me? Have I noticed that he’s more absent in that manner? No, I don’t think so. But yeah, I want to see I want to see feisty Moose back out there. Especially when you’re losing a game, man. Like we get at it. We need it. We’ve been missing it. We’ve been missing it. I want to see a more feisty Marcus Felino for sure. And I want him to call Carell Capri off and say good night next time. You know what? I want him to call me and say good night just cuz like listening to those calls I was like this is soothing. Like hey man, just wanted to tell you good. And like I love good night phone calls. Like yes please let me know like you want me to sleep well tonight. I had somebody tweet at me. He’s like now my wife wants a call from him too. So I feel like there were plenty of females that were like oh yeah can you give me a call? I just it’s too funny. Um yeah, we will see. Let us know what you’re buying or selling this week for your Minnesota Wild. That’s going to do it for this week’s episode. As always, shout out to Sod Stick, shout out to Score North. Don’t forget to check out all the other Score North content, Jud’s Hockey Show within the hockey division, plus Vikings, uh Timberwolves, all the good stuff. I also want to give out one shout out to the man at the bowling alley up here in International Falls, who is a big Bard down Beauties listener. So, I’m sorry I did not catch your name, but I thought that was really cool. I was like, “Wow, makes it all the way up here, huh?” Like he uh he was like, “I wanted to ask if the Bardown Beauties I like your guys’ episodes.” And I said, “Thank you.” And shout out to the shout out to them at the bowling alley. They were great. I’m obsessed. This was like my mini donut man experience over the summer. What’s your mini donut man experience before we go? Now we have to hear it. Well, we’ve told I’ve said this. this. I was at the Home Mstead County Fair and I went to go get Mini Donuts before I left and the guy working just said, “Bard down Beauties.” And I was like, and then me excited. I was like, “You listen?” And he goes, “Yeah.” I was like, “Sick. This made my day.” It does, right? Like I’m like, “Wow, good. Good for us. I didn’t know they had streaming up here.” I’m just kidding. I love you, International Falls. You guys are great. Um, yeah. We will be back next week. We got more games this week, previews, breakdowns, all that good stuff. And we’ll talk to you later. Bye. [Music]

The Minnesota Wild can’t score 5-on-5 because beyond Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, the goals are dried up. So which winger needs to step up? And why does the Wild defense continue to struggle in the system that they usually thrive in?

Plus: Buy or Sell the idea that Marcus Foligno should get more physical?