#292. Marcus Johansson Should NOT Be Top 6 For Minnesota Wild

#292. Marcus Johansson Should NOT Be Top 6 For Minnesota Wild

Hard 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. What’s going on everybody? Barown beauties episode 292. Jesse Pierce, Kirsten Croll in full hockey swing. Minnesota Wild in action a ton this week. You’ve got backtobacks. You’ve got a week and a half of travel, Kirsten. It feels good, though. It just feels right. It does. I mean, it it’s feels like hockey is back now. I mean, because it is back. Cuz it is backed for a second. I realized that was like so like underwhelming. My response, I just heard a ding and I was like, did my mic become unplugged? And I got very self-conscious for a second. So, as I was talking and I was listening and not than what I gave you. I mean, I guess that’s an explanation. This is true. I’ve seen you in-game. I’m loving the new in-game stuff. I love that you move around. In case you guys haven’t been, excuse me if you have not been there or did not make it to the opener on Saturday. I just I like the new vibe. I like the new video intro. It goes so hard. Goes so hard. I said to Ryan Ryan Goss, shout out to him cuz he makes those intro videos every year. He’s done it for at least what I can remember the last three years. I stopped him and I was like, I need to let you know this is the sickest, best one you have done yet. I agree. I agree. There’s just something about it. It just You guys can check out my Twitter, Jesse_pierce. Small thing there. Shameless plug. Um I couldn’t think of the words for that, but I think it’s so good. Like it just it does it makes me want to run through a wall. And maybe it’s because it feels so different than the past few years that I was just excited because it just has this I don’t know this vibe about it. I’m I’m obsessed and it’s just intense when you did that. Next level indeed. You know what? Talking and speaking of next level, Kirsten, as we just found out today, Marcus Johansson, and I don’t mean next level of play, I mean next level as far as lineups go, he is on the second line alongside Juel Erikson and Vladimir Terasenko. I’m going to say this um audibly. I am frustrated. Like I just I don’t understand I cannot understand watching him during Saturday’s opener. Again, I don’t want to harp too much on Saturday. It’s a second game, still early in the season, but I don’t know what more we really need to see. Like, we’ve seen what we are going to get from Marcus Johansson. We have seen and it’s just it’s we’ve seen it as meh. Again, I’m just I’m mad. The thing is that’s frustrating to me about Jojo too, Kirsten, is he can move. He he gets the puck down the ice and he’s like, “Well, what do we do do now? Like, what are we going to do?” I mean, I think that he had to have had at least four turnovers on Saturday. Like, I’d pull up the actual stat, but it felt like an enormous amount. And one of them leading to a direct goal, the other times just bad, bad play. And I don’t see how that performance now gives him the opportunity to be on the second line. Four, I would rather see our young guys make those kinds of mistakes because that means they’re getting an opportunity over a man we signed to a one-year league minimum contract. I’m sorry, a league. You’re you’re playing a league minimum player on the second line. As we discussed last week, Felino up there felt a little odd, right? Like Felino, in my opinion, isn’t necessarily a top six forward either. Makes more sense than Johansson because FO seems to be going. I hate you because Felino seems to be going. I hate to say you guys know this if you’ve been a longtime listener. I hate suggesting that a player is not working hard. I really do because I find that to be very, very insulting. But there is something and I don’t think it’s necessarily he’s not working hard but I feel like Marcus Johansson is almost too like eh okay like just too chill like too chill when it comes to moving the puck passing the puck just do something. This isn’t like I’m just going to sit here I’m going to figure this out and always a top six forward again. Can’t say I’m surprised. I feared this would happen. It is not something that shocks me. Nothing shocks me anymore. This is why I’m a pessimist because I mean fair I guess. Do you think that this is something that sticks like again and this kind of because nothing surprises me anymore. I mean you are going to miss Matt Zukarella and even Nicom much earlier than I think we anticipated. Right. Uh for an update Matt Zukarella skating on his own has not changed the timeline at all. Still at least what five weeks out I think. Nicom don’t believe has been doing anything as of yet. Um but the fact is you’re going to miss those guys. That absence is going to become very very obvious uh throughout these games because they’re jamming in all these games before the Olympic break. Um and I think this weekend for sure you’re going to be like, man, I really wish Matts was back in this lineup. Well, I mean for me it’s not even this weekend and I already miss Nico Sturm. So bad. Oh my gosh. Faceoffs were so bad. 38% won on Saturday and I don’t know that that’s going to get any better. I think there was one stretch where they lost eight straight FA faceoffs. Um Nico Sturm, yeah, he was that guy, right? Like that was the role he was supposed to be playing. And it doesn’t appear you have anybody else. Julics said to us postgame like, “Yeah, we need to figure it out. The biggest problem with faceoffs, too, is and I’m going to give them a little grace on the PK, but you need to figure out how to win those in your defensive zone and dump it out.” Like that’s all you have to do. There’s there’s a lot there’s still some tweaking. There’s those details. Um but you know, what’s your first impression now of the Wild? We’re two games in heading into a big week this week. What do you think of the squad so far? Sorry, I needed to take a pause just to process because opening night against St. Louis, everyone was excited. Everyone was like, “What a strong showing. First game, you get a five nothing shut out. Then you go into home and have the game that you did against Columbus, which the best way I can put it is just sloppy. It was sloppy play. It you didn’t look like you’re ready, which also now raises the concerns. Are we going to have history repeat itself where we’re at home? I don’t understand that either. And now granted, in most situations, a team that scores four power play goals and puts like 52 shots on net, odds are you’re winning that game. Like that’s a very rare step. But then again, 38% faceoff wins. Uh, and Columbus people shouldn’t sleep on them, right? Uh, I actually said that in the breakdown of the St. Louis game that that game was not indicative of who the Minnesota Wild are. You got Jordan Bennington struggling and St. Louis just looked bad, right? Like they didn’t look good. Like 5-0. Yes, that’s a good win. It’s not a statement win by any stretch of the imagination. Like there were still a lot of inconsistencies there. And this week you are heading into again two backtobacks. You’ve got the Dallas Stars on the road. You’ve got Washington on the road. We got Philly on the road. You can’t be making all these mistakes. Again, your team’s They’re still feeling it out, right? Like, I do give them a little bit of that. They’re still feeling it out. I’m not worried about the team, but I’m not thrilled with the team either. You piqued my interest when you said don’t sleep on Columbus and I need to hold you accountable cuz I said do not sleep on them in the East. I said playoffs. You mentioned Montreal. I love me some Montreal. And I said if you even watched, which I shouldn’t say that. I’m not saying that you didn’t see it, but I was like, when you look back to last season at the playoffs when it was Columbus, not even sorry, let me I’m talking too fast for my mind to catch up. You’re so excited and passionate about this into the playoffs. It was down to three games for Columbus and it came down to like Montreal, Columbus for that wild card spot and Columbus almost had it and I said, “Don’t sleep on them.” And I feel like you just disagreed with me because you’re like, “Yeah, Montreal and now you’re saying don’t sleep on Columbus.” I don’t think I ever disagree. Columbus, for whatever reason, in my mind, they’re similar to Ottawa. Those two teams in the East, I just overlook all the time. There’s nothing in particular. It’s not that I think they’re bad. I don’t think I just forget about them. Like, they’re just kind of always there. You know what I mean? Like, I don’t ever think like, and to be fair, Columbus in their entire 25 year existence has done one great thing, and that was sweep a really, really good Tampa Bay Lightning squad, right? Like, they haven’t done a heck of a whole lot. Um, and I think I’m so stuck in that mindset sometimes that I just I forget about them. Like, it’s not that I think they’re bad. I just am like, “Oh, yeah, that team is is there. They’ve got, you know, I think their backup goalie, Jet Greavves, is even better than Elvis.” Um, but I think you have Dino in the right position. I know you have some good friends in there with Adam Fantelli and some younger guys. Um, certainly. So, I wouldn’t say, yeah, I don’t want to say sleep. I just think going into Saturday, I reminded people I’m like Columbus is better than St. Lewis, like that’s going to be for sure, right? Like there was just no reason to assume like I usually do. So you’re right. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever thought low. I just don’t think of them, which is probably worse. I keep receipts and I take notes and I’m here to hold you accountable and remind you with a smile on my face. I just I don’t think of them. I That could change this year. That could change. I think them a lot. I think probably too much. Like some might argue you think about Columbus too much. Like weird. I do. It’s weird. I wouldn’t say it’s weird, but I think about them a lot. It’s weird. Straight up. It’s not weird. It’s not Columbus. Like, nobody thinks about Columbus. It’s not weird. It’s wild. Maybe I’m gonna move to Columbus. I don’t think anybody. Although, you know, in speaking past life, speaking with Charlie Coyle when they were in town cuz I forgot. Also forgot Charlie Coyle played for the Columbus Blue Jackets until he came up and said hi. Me. Yeah. He uh plays for them, but he was saying he really likes Columbus. He’s like actually it’s kind of like a hidden gem. They have like this foodie section of it and he’s like downtown’s kind of fun and then you get the college with Ohio State as well rolling. So I don’t know. He said he doesn’t hate it. I mean it’s no Boston or Minnesota obviously. I’ve heard Columbus is fun. Should we check it out? Like now I feel like this is Columbus. This is lending itself. That’s again a city that I never imagined I’d be like let me go to Columbus and watch I want to go to Columbus, Ohio. I do want to experience the cannon. Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that’s I heard that’s pretty good. But we’re we digress. This is a Minnesota Wild podcast, not a Columbus Blue Jackets podcast in case you forgot. Um, we’ll tie it back. We’re both celebrating our 25th anniversary. Both celebrating the 25th. Exactly. I do love I got to talk to Jacqu Lamir, which was a highlight of my life. Like I always told you, I love oldtime hockey. Like everything about past hockey, it’s just excites me. What a guy. What a gem that man is. Like I just he he still got it. We asked him what it would be like to coach in today’s day and age where as we all know Jacques is a defensive first man doesn’t care for the offense. He said it’d be very hard. He said he doesn’t think he would do very well in today’s NHL. I respect man though that puts defense first. I mean he made the league change the rules because of his his version of the trap. Like it just it’s Yeah, he uh he was one of a kind. That’s for damn sure. I love it. I absolutely love it. I love it. Um, have we vented enough about Johansson? I can’t decide. I mean, I What else is there to say? Every exact same thing. Like I wish and I cuz I know if I pose the question to John Hines about like why like why are we moving him up in the line? Cuz I I’ll admit I’m too chicken to like ever probably do it, right? Cuz it just cuz when you ask those type of questions, the coach knows that you aren’t agreeing with what they’ve decided, right? Like I just feel like that’s very telling as to You have no problem asking Bill these questions. Well, Billy and I have a special relationship or at least I think so. He loves to give it to me and I’ll give it right back to him once in a while. Usually I think of a better comeback after we’re done speaking unfortunately. But I don’t know. I just I want to know why like what what are we seeing? Like why what warrants him being in that position? Like why do we keep giving him these opportunities? Why are we not giving a Liam Ogrren that opportunity? Why are we not? Because again, not that Ogrren has blown me away and he’s he only played I think again five minutes the other night on the fourth line. Marcus Johansson hasn’t done anything to blow me away either. Like I don’t understand what the discrepancy is. Why there’s a what’s the difference? Like I need I need to know because I don’t understand it. I don’t I just want to understand, you know, like I’m I’m a learner of the game. I love we talked fa I talked face offs with uh Hines today like hey so what needs to change and am I overexemplifying the importance of these faceoffs which probably sounds like a stupid question but sometimes it it’s true right am I like am I focused too much on this and he’s like no I mean faceoffs can determine obviously the outcome like if you win all your faceoffs you should win the game but that’s not always the case and blah blah blah but I just need to know why the only thing I can think of is that veteran presence. Only thing I can think of. You have enough though. I mean, I just And you’re right. I think you’re absolutely right. I think and I think that’s the easy answer. Well, you know, he’s been there before. He knows how to do nothing else makes sense. There’s no other reason. It It just It’s so frustrating. It’s so frustrating. Like, why would you rather have a player who is on a one-year league minimum contract who might not even be in a wild sweater come trade deadline for? I’m just throwing that out there. I have no reason to believe that. I’m not saying that’s going to happen. I’m just throwing it out there. You have no idea if he’s even going to last a full season in Minnesota, let alone if he’s going to be on the team next year even. So, it’s like, why do you have a guy given that opportunity instead of a younger player who can make those mistakes? Like we I don’t see the difference. Marcus Johansson had one shot in 18 shifts and 16 minutes and 26 seconds. Liam Ogrren had one shot in seven shifts in 6 minutes and 55 or 6 minutes and 55 seconds. Like comparables like technically he would say that’s a better odds for because he did more with his limited ice time than Marcus Johansson. Like it just it’s beyond is not meant to be a player that plays bottom six. He’s not. No, I didn’t. I just I don’t get it. Although I haven’t heard you mention that this is a contract year for Marcus Johansson technically because it’s the second game of the season. He doesn’t need like he can I He doesn’t need to show up until later still. That’s when the contract year kicks in. When it’s in fresh in people’s minds. This is true. This is very, very true. Um, interestingly enough, I keep playing with my dog’s squeaker that he ripped out of one of his toys. So, that’s me just fidgeting. Sorry y’all. I hadn’t heard it and now you now you mention it. Um, Danilurov making his debut tonight. Uh, I have to give a shout out to Carrill Capri off because not only do I just adore this man, speaking of, there is a giant poster uh outside the window on the entrance of Grand Casino now starting tonight as well. Like if you’ve ever questioned the importance of this man, it is full display at gate one. It looks great. It’s just just Capri off like nobody else Capri off. And well, he’s the highest paid player in the entire National Hockey League. It’s fair. But uh so Danilla, who we’ve spoken with a little bit, and his English isn’t terrible. Like he he gives it a go. He’s never had a translator like Carill had a translator on the phone um or sometimes in person. Danilla hasn’t had that. And I’m sure the team would make that accommodation if he ever asked for it, but he hasn’t. And so today we go and talk to Danilla about his debut. And you know, Carrill relays the question to him. And I think Danilla took that as, “Oh, I can do it in Russian.” And Carrill’s going to translate. So Danilla looks at all of us and responds in Russian. And Carrill’s face is like, “No, no, no, no, English. You talk in English.” And Danilla just kept going in Russian. And so then Carrill, you know, translated for him. And it was just kind of funny. And so then Janilla did the rest of it responding in English, but getting clarification from Carrill. And I just I don’t know. I thought it was a really cool Carill’s like a big brother now. It was it was kind of a cool moment. Like at f well and when we all get there, of course, Carell’s like, “No, no, he doesn’t speak English. Just tell them that he doesn’t speak English.” And I was like, “Yep, that is the trick.” But it was it was a cool moment. Like Carill was like, “No, talk to them in English.” cuz Carill’s not going to want to be that role for uh for the entire season. And again, Danilla did a a good job. He did admit that he’s a little nervous, right? Like this is going to be a different situation than all the games that he played in the KHL. What are your expectations? Again, he’s centering the fourth line. Faceoffs up and down the lineup have not been good. I’ve not been overly impressed with Danilla’s faceoff presence. Um he’s working on it. I do see him working on it every practice. like it’s something that he’s constantly focused on and again Bill Garren has told us they see him as a centerman. I still would rather see him debut as a wing but what are your expectations for Mr. Europe? My expectations for him I and this is giving him grace too. I think he’s going to start off slow. I think it’ll probably you know I mean there’s just I say this because there’s been so much hype and excitement surrounding him. Like we have this idea of the player he’s supposed to be. I don’t think it’s going to happen as quick as people want it to because it’s just going to take him a minute to get adjusted. But I think he’ll make that adjustment maybe like in like November. We’ll start to see that a little later on. And when he clicks, I think he’s going to get it. And I’m excited and I’m still hopeful for him. I just think it’s going to take a little bit longer than Wild fans would like because, you know, as a fan base, we’re we don’t believe in delayed gratification. We all want the instantaneous. We just don’t get either very often. We don’t. It’s just it’s a constant problem and a constant struggle. Yeah, I I would agree with that. I think they’ve been doing a really good job working with him and trying to acclimate him to the NHL versus the KHL. And I think tonight will be very, very telling um as to how that looks. It’s going to be his first kind of taste aside from the preseason, which is going to be great. And what a good game to do it against. LA’s very defensively stout, so he’s going to really have to penetrate that offense, you know, in the minimal time that he’ll see from the fourth line. But I’m excited to see what he can do. David Uraichek. We’ve talked about him and I’m so tired of talking about it, but I feel like we need to I need to remind myself that he is very young as well though, right? Like he is I think he’s 20. He’s only 21 too, I believe, right? Somewhere in that 21. So David Yurichek is also only 21. So the same amount of grace I keep giving Danilov for his transition, I need to remember to give to David Uric as well because they’re the same age, similar position. But the interesting the reason I bring him up again, he scratched, but Alex Golagoski was sitting with him in the press box the other night and I just think that’s going to speak volumes as Goose, you know, knows his defense. He’s part of the team now as in a player development standpoint, but I have to imagine even just making sure Euro is okay with a press box presence right now. Like I think that still continues to be his struggle. When do you think we finally see Euro in the lineup though? I have to imagine at some point, right? because again it goes to veteran status where Bosian’s playing over year now that Jonas Broaddian is back. Um but with the amount of games it would be nice to get him in here this week. Yeah, it would be. I Here’s the thing because you don’t want them a player like Uric to just be sitting in the box for that long of a span consistently. If you know you’re not going to play him, send him down to Iowa to at least just keep them in shape, keep them moving. Um, but also too, like even having Jonas Broaddin back when he was for home opener, like I didn’t think anyone expected him to be back that soon based on earlier reports. Yeah. So, I don’t know. I honestly I think sooner than later, but also too, it just you never know injury-wise, health-wise, especially with our little defense. I worry I worry. Let’s get into that, shall we? The defense. So, if I’m dating the Minnesota Wild, right, which basically we are. We’re in a very tumultuous relationship with the Minnesota Wild as we cover them and as we’re fans, everybody, we’re all it. We’re committed. We’re committed. We’re very committed to them. You know, I sometimes I d you we sometimes you go and see others like the Columbus Blue Jackets. For me, that’s maybe sometimes the Dallas Stars or the Winnipeg Jets. I don’t know. I got some side pieces. No, that’s not even dabbling. That’s cheating and that’s wrong. So they have they’re in our conference blue jackets. It’s like I’m like batting my eyes across the bar and being like, “Hey, but I’m going to go back home to where I belong. I’m not going to act out. I’m not going to do anything I’m not supposed to.” But yeah, I’ll bat an eyelash to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Minnesota coming home to you. I’m always looking for what’s better. I’m always keeping an eye out. And Dallas is better. They’re in the midst of their downfall and I’ve prayed for it. That window’s closing. I’ll admit it. It’s It’s closing. But that being said, if we’re dating the Minnesota Wild, I’d say my number one red flag to not be in that relationship anymore is faceoffs. Number two, shockingly enough, has become the defense. Like I, again, three games in now or soon to be three games. I’m not sounding alarms, but I’m not I’m very surprised at how poorly the defense has been through these two games, right? Not not only the seven goals allowed, but even in St. Lewis like there were some huge huge mistakes made up and down the lineup and even the more noticeable like Zilliam again gets the grace he’s a rookie he’s learning he will make some egregious defensive turnovers or just and we’ve started to see his offensive prow too first NHL goal against Columbus for sure and I think sometimes he gets too caught up in the offensive end that he forgets about the defensive aspect which has also been the knock on your check right like he gets so excited to jump into the play push it in the offensive zone that he forgets the other side of of the hockey game. But the one that’s surprising me the most and because we talked a little bit about how hard he was on himself in the offseason is Brock Faber. Like he looks a step off again this year. And granted it’s, you know, another transitional season for him where he’s trying to probably find that balance of playing 27 minutes a night to maybe taking that down a little bit. Um, but what do you make of Faber defensively so far and even just in general the Wild’s defense as a whole? Are you surprised that they’re at where they at considering the depth too because you have Spurge now you got Broaddin back. Jake Middleton is now down as a third pair which is surprising. We haven’t seen that in a while um as this team’s fully healthy. But defense concerning you a little bit too? Not as much yet. It’ll concern me if this carries on into like late October, but I don’t think it will. I think there’s just like a little bit of adjustment period going on. Um but yeah, especially just Brock Faber too doesn’t worry me. Maybe just a couple games in, everyone’s still getting their feet back under them. I think it’ll just take a minute, but I think the defense will be fine. I just honestly I just worry about the health of our players on the defense. That’s it. That’s it. But I think they’ll find their groove sooner than later. Yeah. Like and I’m not saying like, oh no, Brock is this is his downfall. Like he’s still one of the best defenseman and is going to be one of the best defenseman in the national. It just seems there’s a couple again going back to Saturday not that I’m focusing and harping but that’s the most that’s recency bias right there were just a couple mistakes that I was like huh that seems very uncharacteristic like the mistakes I think it just comes back to Brock has been on such a pedestal deservingly so like he’s earned it he’s earned the praise that I think when he steps out of that or does make a mistake we’re like that’s not Brock just because he has been so solid for such a long time. Yeah. then you’re probably right. Like that’s probably the bulk of it is I’m just I’m used to the one side, the one era of Brock Faber that I’m just kind of like, “Oh, interesting. Very interesting.” Um, goending. How are we feeling about goending Gusb? Speaking of Gusb, before we get into that, don’t forget SodaStick and the Hockey Lodge collaborated. You can go grab your Gusbus shirt at the Hockey Lodge at Grand Casino Arena. Uh, check out all the other merch. Sodastick.com. Baronown Beauties for 15% off. We love them. Gus looking solid. Couple fluky goals. Saturday again being a weird game. I’m excited to see Yes, Prellstead tonight, though. I’m also excited to see the wall of St. Paul. Like, let’s let’s have a strong showing tonight coming off of the loss to Columbus. Let’s get that energy back in the building. No, I’m very excited. I Gus, too. Deserved the contract. Happy to see him. I think he’s also embraced like he’s embraced his role with the team. And also too, you talk about like fluky goals. Granted, I was running up and down the concourse all night, so I didn’t get to watch as closely, so maybe there’s things that I missed. Feel free to let me know. But even some of the goals that did get let in, they didn’t seem as fluky to me as we’ve seen before. Like it I think a lot more of that comes down to just broken plays, turnovers, a little bit on the defense more than anything on Gus. Yeah. No, I uh I agree. I think the Saturday’s game against just seemed fluky all around. It was hard to get any momentum going either way. Seven to four. I had to type out 11 goals. You know how hard it is to describe 11 goals in different manners? Like especially when four of them are on the power play. Like it just seemed beyond ridiculous, but here we are. Um yeah, I’m excited to see Yesper. I think I like that he’s getting tonight’s game. It’s it was a tough balance. I was talking about this with Kevin Gorg and Alex Stallock this morning, too. is it’s a backtoback, right? You want your number one goalender, Philip Gustin, to kind of get some of that mojo back after allowing seven goals. Granted, those weren’t all on him. It’s nothing to hang his head on, and he doesn’t seem like a guy that’s too worried about it, but part of you wants that. Part of you wants to get the easier of the two wins. I think the LA is going to be very tough, but on paper between them and Dallas, you feel like that’s probably your better chance at winning. So, you want to get the team feeling good heading into Dallas. You don’t want to come off a loss and put your other goalie in. But also, Yesper has, if I were, see, this is why I could never be a goalender. This is probably why I’m so harsh on them. I get two in the old nog in here. If I’m Yesper, all I think about is the last time I was in Dallas and the last time I just got shelled and I just wouldn’t be able to like go in there. I’d be terrified. Like with as porous as the Minnesota Wild defense is tending to be so far and you’re going up against the Dallas Stars and their potent offense, I would not be looking forward to that if I was Yes. would just be too much of a mind f. I agree with that. But also too, that is why I’m not a goalender, let alone goalender in the National Hockey League. I think he’s had the time. I think he’s done what he’s needed to, but also too, I would flip the script and be like, can’t be any worse than I was that night. I know. So, can only go up. I love it. Uh, let’s wrap up this week’s episode with a couple buy or sell ideas. My first one, buy or sell Kirsten. the idea that the Minnesota Wilds will retire Zack Perezy or Ryan Sudter’s number. One of the two. Just buying or selling the I’m selling it. That’s not going to happen. You’re not going to retire players number that you bought out of a contract. Like, you’re not going to Also, stop retiring jersey numbers. Stop doing it. Like, it’s dumb. I hate I hate it. Stop. Do a Ring of Honor. But even then, I don’t I think it’s very debatable. I I don’t know. I just I’m sorry. I don’t I think you lose the opportunity or the case to be made. They did a lot of great things here in Minnesota, but I think your legacy just kind of in my opinion seems tainted when you were bought out of your contract early. But I think you also can’t erase what they did establish, right? They were the first big contracts. They were um But just being the first big contracts doesn’t do it for me. But the f sorry, not the necessarily the first big contracts, but the first big names. Like that was a huge decision for those two top free agents to choose Minnesota of all places, right? Like that was incredible. And they have put themselves in their own position for the Wild history record books, too. Like Ryan Sudter is up there. Zack Pereizy is up there. Funny note about suits, though. I forgot that he’s not with the St. Louis Blues, but they have another Suitor on that team. So, I was so confused in that season opener. I was like, “Wait, Ryan?” No, that’s a different Suitor. Like, what are the odds? Like, Ryan Sudter is technically still a free agent. I could see them retiring Zach Freezy’s number maybe. I don’t know. It’s hard for me. I just think their legacy has been tainted a little bit. It has. It goes with an asterric, right? But you still have the number one return. Also, I think Wild fans still have a distaste for those names because of the constraints it caused. Yeah, that’s true. Fair or not? I just think that’s the case. But also, last note, stop retiring numbers. Stop it. I mean, we’ve said that long and away. There’s not enough success for the Minnesota Wild to have a players number retired. Like that’s just bottom line, right? Like Nico, okay, fine. But that’s still not I my biggest argument and I will I’ll keep it brief. Unless you were going into the hockey hall of fame, you do not deserve to have your number retired. So certainly you have players in Boston like Zadano Char Zado getting his number retired. Absolutely. Like you have players in place in certain markets and certain teams that make sense. Minnesota doesn’t have any of that. Mark Andre Flurry is your Hall of Famer, but he’s not gonna have his number retired here, right? Like it just Ring of Honor would be fantastic. A Ring of Honor makes the most sense. 100%. Miko Quu was important to the franchise, but the franchise only, not to hockey as a whole and whatever. I just Yeah, that’s my take on it. Uh, do you buy or sell the idea that Brock Faber will lead the team in ice time and points among defensemen this year? I buy no notes. No notes. No notes test. I’m going to stand Brock Faber in this house. We do. And I I big fan of Faber. I was not meaning to suggest otherwise, but I didn’t get that from you. I think you just got a little nervous. I’m just I’m a little nervous. I’m a I’m I’m just questioning again. Like I was in that conversation I had with him in August for a USA Hockey story, which is out now, by the way. USA Hockey magazine.com. Um I just I was so I was surprised to see how critical he was of himself because while I think he did have an off year, I didn’t think he was that bad. you know, certainly not over a concerning level, but he was so hard. And so I was like, “Oh, he’s really gonna bounce back.” And so to see some of those mistakes still shine through because now he is he’s not a rookie, you know what I mean? Like now he’s he’s next up level. So very interesting. And then final buy or sell for this week’s episode. The NHL should bring back the Glow Puck. Buy or sell. The Glow Puck. Oh, you were you’re I don’t even know that you were born. So back in the 90s I pro. No, I think a they had a puck in an effort to like educate hockey fans and to like make it hockey a little bit easier. They had a puck that glowed and so you could see it better on the on the TV screen. Google glow puck, but you’re sell. Sell. I hate it. They went away for a reason. Sell. I don’t know. I kind of think buy it back. Bring it back. Give it a shot. I could see ESPN giving it a go. Maybe. No, possibly. All right, guys. That’s going to do it for us this week on Bardom Beauties. Uh don’t forget to check out all of our other Score North content. We love us on Score North. Don’t forget to check out sodastick.com. If you’re interested in advertising with us, reach out to us. Let us know. Score North. They’ve been awesome. You guys are awesome. Rate, subscribe, like. Love y’all. Uh big week this week. Beats previews and breakdowns coming through. Until then, go wild. [Music] [Music] I cannot

The Minnesota Wild season is underway and it only took three games for forward Marcus Johansson to be moved back into the top 6 — which Jessi Pierce and Kirsten Krull do not care for.

Plus, NHL debut for Danila Yurov and season debut for Jesper Wallstedt