“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Here’s something that you never gonna forget B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet” by Bachman Turner Overdrive really hits home with the bold moves the Minnesota Wild have been making this offseason thus far. It has been a fairly lazy and relaxed July 3rd, where I would click refresh on TSN’s UFA tracker and see only a pittance of moves. In fact, there were just 4 acquisitions for today and that includes the Wild signing Hastings, Minnesota and former Minnesota Golden Gopher center Jeff Taffe (more on him later). It was such a lazy and relaxing day I took a late afternoon nap and figured there was no other big news. The most shocking thing that occurred was a painfully one-sided (salary dump) trade by the Nashville Predators who dealt Matt Lombardi and promising blueliner Cody Franson to Toronto for Brett Lebda, Robert Slaney and a 4th round pick. Ugly deal, but Nashville is clearly positioning itself to throw all it has towards franchise defenseman Shea Weber. The only other eventful part of the day was Novak Djokovic beating Raphael Nadal in 4 sets to take the Men’s singles title in Wimbledon (great match by the way). Still, nothing too crazy right? That was until about 9PM; when I saw a curious post on the wild.com message boards. It stated “Wild trade Havlat to SJ for Dany Heatley” and at first I said “yea right, no way that happened.” I check Twitter and sure enough I see a tweet from TSN‘s Bob McKenzie who’s still breaking news despite being on the lake (nice job Bob) on ‘vacation.’ Soon there was a tweet from Minneapolis Star Tribune‘s Michael Russo and then TSN‘s Darren Dreger and it was obvious it was official and just like that I had to deal with the reality that Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher swung a 2nd straight blockbuster with the San Jose Sharks as he dealt streaky winger Martin Havlat for hard shooting Sharks’ sniper Dany Heatley.
I have to admit I’m still in disbelief and so are a lot of fans across the State of Hockey. After watching message boards and my twitter feed (StateofHckyNews) light up the effect the deal still hadn’t hit me. On my computer sits a hockey stick framed autographed photo of Martin Havlat that I got as a gift from my father, it looks a little awkward there sitting next to my autographed Cal Clutterbuck puck but I don’t think I’ll look to get rid of it though. I really thought this summer was going to be fairly bland and boring and we’ve been one of the most active teams this summer. I think its safe to say that despite the fact its July, hockey is creating some discussion in Minnesota again. Pardon me for using a Martha Stewart expression, “It’s a good thing.”
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So, what do Wild fans think of the trade? Here are few posts from wild.com message boards.
From HockeyFanFaceoff: “What?! Hot damn. Fletcher really isn’t sitting back any more!”
From Melrosemulllet: “Crazy! DR would’ve been too busy stuffin’ his face with hot dogs & drinkin beers on the porch like the rest of us on a Sunday afternoon…now we actually have a GM that makes trades!?!? My mind is officially blown.”
From kcm: “CF’s approval rating with me is pretty high right now for sure. Not getting caught up spending in a weak free agent class, building at the prospect level, not afraid to shake things up with trades. Really, we’ve lost a lot of guys who were key players the last few years, but does anyone think this team will be worse than last year? Definitely not, and we’ve profited some nice talent in the dealmaking. This is all pretty exciting.”
From Mk-9: “If he’s able to get his head on straight, we just picked up a guy that has 40-50 goal past / potential. Crazy. Things just got really really interesting.”
From Nugarifik: “I cannot explain how much I love this trade for the Wild.”
From Ms.Conduct (Aeros / Wild fan, via Twitter): “Seriously, if I’d submitted a wish list to Fletch for the off season: 1. Lose Barker. 2. Lose Havlat. 3. Sign a hot backup goalie.”
The level of shock was not just confined to Minnesota fans, as NHL fans across the league were chiming in with their thoughts about the mid-summer shocker. Here are a few gems from non-Wild fans from wild.com or at the HFboards.
From KeiththeGreat (an Oilers’ fan): “And just when I was starting to feel good about the Oilers chances in the NW division…”
From GCM (a Canucks’ fan): “This is awesome. Over the next three years (the remaining term on Heater’s contract) Heatley will be the better player than Havlat (even though Havlat might have some nicer numbers thanks to Thornton & company). Then he’s off the books and can be extended for cheaper or shipped out. Havlat is a playmaker and there’s enough of those on the Wild (Koivu, Cullen, Bouchard). Some finish was needed and now they have Seto and Heater. I want to see Heatley in a Wild jersey already. And as for you guys, I think Heatley was a Canuck killer so you can probably enjoy that, lol.”
From Jee (a Canadiens’ fan): “I like this deal for you guys.”
From Backlund (a Flames’ fan): “Can’t imagine Heatley in a Wild Jersey.”
From RussianShark (a Sharks’ fan): “You guys are officially my 2nd favorite team now. Taking Seto and Heatley in a month? Wow. Anyways hopefully Heater gets his game back with you guys. Your 1st line is stacked now.”
From keslerburrows (a Canucks’ fan): “I think you guys won this won. Heatley has the talent, and i feel in a lower market like Minnesota he can atleast get close to what he had in Ottawa. I for one am scared of the Wild as a Canucks fan. Also this is the best skilled guy you guys have had since Gaborik! Be happy minny fans!”
From Iamok (a Senators’ fan): “So how do you feel about the Wild now? 
Sorry guys, but as a Sens fan, I’ll no longer be cheering for your well-being. I hope you understand.”
From ‘John Cena‘ (a Jets’ fan): “Why not be stoked? Heatley is a superstar. I followed his career forever and he is going to drop close to 50 goals with Koivu.”
Overall pretty positive initial reviews. Yet it was not without some apprehension as well as some negativity.
From BlackhawkswinCup (a Blackhawks’ fan): “Heatley is also really slow and his defense sucks”
From GopherState (a Wild fan): “From a fan standpoint, **** you Chuck Fletcher. Hate Heatley, think he’s toxic and I’m legitimately pissed off.”
From Caior89 (a Wild fan): “OMG! I very stunned.. I am a big fan of Martin Havlat and WOW.. this sux..”
From cnshockey (a Flyers & Kings fan): “I liked the Wild until now…sorry but I hate Heatley. I feel for you guys. Tough it out. Hopefully its only a few years.”
So that should give you a fairly good cross section of fan opinions across cyberspace, its time to objectively look at this big deal for both clubs. First, let’s look at what we know the best that being Havlat going to San Jose. Havlat gives the Sharks another effective playmaker to go along with San Jose captiain Joe Thornton. While the Sharks’ are touting Havlat’s speed I have to admit I am a bit baffled by that claim. While Havlat is a decent skater, I would never have lauded his speed as being elite level. Havlat can be an elusive player and when motivated has the ability to create opportunities on his own and can be a very dangerous player. I think most Wild fans got the vibe that while I think he was ok with playing in Minnesota he wasn’t really all that comfortable. The Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic-native had his best year with the Wild last season, scoring 22 goals, 62 points in 78 games where he showed more assertiveness in the 2nd year of playing within then Wild head coach Todd Richards‘ system. If the Sharks are expecting Havlat to be a game-breaker I think they’ll be a bit underwhelmed by Havlat if he plays as hesitantly as he did in his first season with the Wild. The hope for San Jose and their GM Doug Wilson that being surrounded by quality talent like Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, Ryane Clowe and Thornton that Havlat will raise his game and be the assertive and offensively dangerous player he can be. No matter what, the deals to acquire Havlat and Burns are all about winning now, a near all or nothing proposition. So why would the Sharks move a scorer like Heatley? Cap space, and most likely to create room to offer newly acquired defenseman that big contract extension he will be demanding. Let’s face it, if Doug Wilson can’t make the space to sign Burns long term the heavy price he paid for the Wild blueliner on draft day looks that much more costly as the Sharks realize their time to win a Stanley Cup is sooner rather than later. The Sharks now have about $6.19 million in cap space according to capgeek.com.
So most importantly, to me at least (and to Wild fans), what did the Wild get? The Wild got a 6’3″, 215lbs power forward of a left wing who has wicked release and has the 3rd most goals since 2001 (326). The former Wisconsin Badger has a bit of a reputation for being a bit brooding at times but he has undeniable skill and scoring ability which is something the Wild sorely need as they were 26th in the league in goals last season. Pessimists point out that his 26 goals, and 64 points were his lowest totals since 2003-04. Yet it should be noted he played part of that season with a broken hand. As if you needed to hear anymore positive comments about the deal, Wild owner Craig Leipold seems to be beaming about the transaction saying, “I believe we have two legitimate scoring lines now and think we have added some excitement to our team.” I’d have to agree, not often you see people chatting rather intensely about the Wild on Twitter at midnight on the 4th of July. Heatley, 30 also fits with the team’s attempt to be younger and that still means that Matt Cullen is the team’s elder statesman at 34. The former 2nd Overall pick (2000), is a bit more expensive than Havlat’s cap hit of $5 million per season, with a $7.5 million price tag, but Heatley puts the team on the hook for 3 more seasons while Havlat is on San Jose’s payroll for four. Heatley has reasonable mobility, but he’ll never be seen as a player with tons of speed. His best attribute is his shot; both in terms of the speed of his release as well as his accuracy as he loves to pick corners on opposing goalies.
Perhaps the biggest winner apart from the Wild itself (and maybe its fans) is Chuck Fletcher. I’d say by a safe 5 to 1 margin he’s getting major kudos for another bold move. In many ways these two moves with the Sharks seem like near ‘perfect’ deals as he shed a potential ugly contract dispute with Brent Burns who was going to command big time money as well as the enigmatic Martin Havlat for two proven goal scorers in Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi as well as very promising youngster in Charlie Coyle and a 1st round pick (Zack Phillips). Since all of these players were 1st round selections you could say the Wild traded two 1st round picks for five 1st round picks. I won’t admit to being all that good at math, but getting 4 for 2 is a pretty damn good turnaround. The team made these moves without giving up any picks or prospects means they did not gamble away the future to be better for the here and now. It is exceedingly rare to be able to get better in the short-term without mortgaging the future let alone improve your standing in the long term as well, on the contrary he strengthened the team’s prospect pool by netting an additional 1st round pick as well as prized prospect Coyle and so far it looks as Fletcher has accomplished just that, a most impressive feat on his part. Heatley had a limited no-trade clause where he listed 10 teams that he would not allow himself to be traded to, the Wild were not on that list and it was smart of Fletcher to discover this and take advantage of it.
The Wild certainly look far more dangerous on paper, offensively than they were just before the entry draft. There certainly is a segment of the fans that are not happy the team parted ways with well-liked veteran Andrew Brunette but even his most staunch supporter had to admit his game had some considerable limitations and adding Setoguchi and Heatley ostensibly to replace Brunette and Antti Miettinen is a major upgrade. Heatley and Setoguchi combined for 48 goals last season while Bruno and Miettinen just 34 goals between them. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune‘s Michael Russo, Setoguchi is giddy at the thought of playing on a top line with Heatley and centered by team captain Mikko Koivu. That may or may not happen, but its still intriguing to think about. This possible line has even been given a name by one Wild fan, calling it “Two Sharks and a Finn” line. It should be noted that there are rumors the Wild’s moves may not be done yet, as the team is said to be interested in free agent defenseman Tomas Kaberle. After Heatley’s contract is added to the Wild’s payroll, according to capgeek.com the Wild have just over $13 million left in cap space and 18 players under contract.
Wild finish shaping its coaching staff
The Wild coaching staff 2011-12 season. (Top) Head Coach Mike Yeo, (Bottom row from left to right) Darryl Sydor, Darby Hendrickson, Rick Wilson and Bob Mason
The Wild also finished shaping up its coaching staff this week, adding its last piece in former NHL defenseman Darryl Sydor to be on the Wild bench along with Rick Wilson, Darby Hendrickson and goaltending coach Bob Mason. Sydor was Mike Yeo‘s assistant in Houston this season and its obvious the two have earned each other’s trust, and the former blueliner could serve as a great teacher / mentor to the teams stable of young blueliners who will be given a more prominent role this season. Defensive guru Rick Wilson was given a lot of credit for toning up the Wild’s defense to be more consistent than it was under Todd Richards‘ first season as bench boss. Darby Hendrickson will not be on the Wild’s bench but instead will watch from the press box and help the staff make adjustments. The team still has not selected a coach for the Houston Aeros.
Wild add center Jeff Taffe to two-way deal
Taffe, the former 1st round pick (30th Overall in 2000 of the St. Louis Blues) was an integral part of the 2002 Minnesota Gophers team that won a national title. It was after this national championship that Taffe decided to pass on his senior year and he turned pro. Since going pro, Taffe has bounced around the league playing for 5 different NHL teams (Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Florida, NY Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks). The 30-year old center has played in 175 NHL games, scoring 21 goals, 44 points and 40 penalty minutes. Most of his time has been in the American Hockey League where he’s been a fairly effective scorer including last season where he played 74 games for the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate the Rockford Ice Hogs putting up solid totals of 30 goals, 67 points and 22 penalty minutes.
The former Hastings Raiders’ star, and Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey (1998-99) award winner as the state’s top prep player could perhaps win the 4th line center spot if he has a good training camp, but will also be a source of quality depth if he is sent down to play for the Aeros. He combines good size, 6’3″, 191lbs and ok speed with some good hands. If he’s listened at all to what Wild GM Chuck Fletcher and Head Coach Mike Yeo has been saying about what they expect to be a competitive training camp, if he battles well he’ll get a shot to show what he can do with the Wild. As a person who remembers watching Taffe play in high school and at the college level I’m rooting for him to get that 4th line center position.
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