Twins/Vikings/Wild/Wolves Championship appearance drought tracker

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Kraken will not make the Conf Finals (or SCF) this year. So at least the "State of Hockey" can still claim to not be worse than Seattle.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Kraken will not make the Conf Finals (or SCF) this year. So at least the "State of Hockey" can still claim to not be worse than Seattle.
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Unfortunately though Minnesota is behind the hockey "hot beds" of Nevada, Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Some day.

Amazing that the Golden Knights have only existed 6 seasons, but have advanced to the Conference Finals 4 times. 2021 with the temporary Division shifts while dealing with Covid, it was actually the "NHL Semi Finals" instead of the Conference Finals. Regardless they have been one of the final four, more often than not.
 

The Chicago Blackhawks and San Antonio Spurs won their respective NHL/NBA Lotteries. Connor Bedard and Victor Wembanyama are both viewed as franchise transforming talents.

Since the Wild and Wolves are in the same conference as both, the challenge got tougher to break this streak.
 
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Bad Gopher said:
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Hell Yeah!!

11 wins down, 5 more to go

GO KNIGHTS GO!!!

Note: Not to nitpick the tweet but this is actually the VGK's 6th season, not their 5th. But VGK did miss the playoffs last season for the only season in their existence.
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
Hell Yeah!!

11 wins down, 5 more to go

GO KNIGHTS GO!!!

Note: Not to nitpick the tweet but this is actually the VGK's 6th season, not their 5th. But VGK did miss the playoffs last season for the only season in their existence.
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Back with a vengeance.

Obviously they're one of the most successful expansion franchises in history, if not THE most. Other than saying some variation of, "they've done a fantastic job," what's specifically been their secret? What are they doing that others haven't figured out and could learn from and emulate?
 

Bad Gopher said:
Back with a vengeance.

Obviously they're one of the most successful expansion franchises in history, if not THE most. Other than saying some variation of, "they've done a fantastic job," what's specifically been their secret? What are they doing that others haven't figured out and could learn from and emulate?
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Honestly, luck played a big role, especially in the beginning. Basically, if they made (arbitrary number) 20 deals/trades at the time of the expansion draft, they struck gold on about 18 of them. Some of the other NHL GM's made some really stupid deals, trying to protect the wrong guys, letting guys go that blossomed in Vegas, etc. They got really lucky.

Early on, embracing the "Golden Misfits" label, branding themselves as a team of cast-offs that nobody wanted, they really rallied around that, and so did the fans.

Since then? Not batting an eyelash at swinging for the fences. Every major star acquisition possibility that came up, they were in on it whether they landed them or not. Landing players like Mark Stone (easily one of the most unheralded 200-ft players in the game), Alex Pietrangelo, Pacioretty, Jack Eichel, they just don't give a shit. Do whatever it takes

Lastly, just a commitment to winning from the top down. It's super cliche, but there are absolutely a number of teams that don't truly care about winning. I've said it before, as a lifelong Minnesota sports fan, the VGK is really the first/only team that I can remember cheering for that was 100% absolutely ALL-IN on winning. Bill Foley is committed and will do whatever it takes. Anything.

Dumping Pete DeBoer last year and somehow landing Bruce Cassidy was the ultimate coup. Holy shit, why did Boston let him go. I thought early in the season, this VGK team is the best suited for playoff success. Under Cassidy's system, they are built to grind out wins, low scoring games, much more so than previous VGK teams that scored more goals.

I think better days are ahead for the Wild; it seems every NHL Top Prospect ranking has a handful of prospects from the Wild.
 

Bad Gopher said:
Back with a vengeance.

Obviously they're one of the most successful expansion franchises in history, if not THE most. Other than saying some variation of, "they've done a fantastic job," what's specifically been their secret? What are they doing that others haven't figured out and could learn from and emulate?
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This is going to sound like I am taking away something from them, but with the amount of money they spent to get in the Vegas Owners demanded (and received) the most favorable Expansion draft rules ever, maybe of any sport.

Existing teams only got to protect 8 FWDs, 3 Defensemen and a Goalie. Teams like the Wild did not want to give up a Top 4 D guy (would have been either Brodin, Spurgeon or Dumba exposed with Suter having a "no move" clause) so they offered up an extra player (Tuch) to entice the Knights to take Huala.

They accumulated a boat load of assets with similar moves which are still paying off.

en.wikipedia.org

2017 NHL expansion draft - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Also unlike most Expansion dispersals, they were not competing with any franchises either and were still exempt from giving up a player when Seattle's turn came up in 2021.
 



Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
Honestly, luck played a big role, especially in the beginning. Basically, if they made (arbitrary number) 20 deals/trades at the time of the expansion draft, they struck gold on about 18 of them. Some of the other NHL GM's made some really stupid deals, trying to protect the wrong guys, letting guys go that blossomed in Vegas, etc. They got really lucky.

Early on, embracing the "Golden Misfits" label, branding themselves as a team of cast-offs that nobody wanted, they really rallied around that, and so did the fans.

Since then? Not batting an eyelash at swinging for the fences. Every major star acquisition possibility that came up, they were in on it whether they landed them or not. Landing players like Mark Stone (easily one of the most unheralded 200-ft players in the game), Alex Pietrangelo, Pacioretty, Jack Eichel, they just don't give a shit. Do whatever it takes

Lastly, just a commitment to winning from the top down. It's super cliche, but there are absolutely a number of teams that don't truly care about winning. I've said it before, as a lifelong Minnesota sports fan, the VGK is really the first/only team that I can remember cheering for that was 100% absolutely ALL-IN on winning. Bill Foley is committed and will do whatever it takes. Anything.

Dumping Pete DeBoer last year and somehow landing Bruce Cassidy was the ultimate coup. Holy shit, why did Boston let him go. I thought early in the season, this VGK team is the best suited for playoff success. Under Cassidy's system, they are built to grind out wins, low scoring games, much more so than previous VGK teams that scored more goals.

I think better days are ahead for the Wild; it seems every NHL Top Prospect ranking has a handful of prospects from the Wild.
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I appreciate the thoughts. Even the less particular stuff is meaningful and, I think, true. There is something to be said for a commitment to winning, which, as you say, isn't as universal as one would think. This is where this convo is better suited to this thread than to the Wild off season thread. Some have questioned how serious the Twins can claim they've been when they brought Pagan back and declined to make enough moves to patch the holes in the boat:


It does seem like the Wild have more than their share of good, young talent, so fingers crossed at this point, but a lot can and does go wrong between that origin and the intended destination of big-league wins. It sometimes resembles the plot of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Because of how conditioned we've become to non-success around here, most of us would be surprised if the club DOENS'T fuck this up efficiently and spectacularly.
 

Bad Gopher said:
It does seem like the Wild have more than their share of good, young talent, so fingers crossed at this point, but a lot can and does go wrong between that origin and the intended destination of big-league wins. It sometimes resembles the plot of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Because of how conditioned we've become to non-success around here, most of us would be surprised if the club DOENS'T fuck this up efficiently and spectacularly.
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Just need to find a Goalie to get HOT in April/May. See Florida Panthers.
 

Ope3 said:
Also unlike most Expansion dispersals, they were not competing with any franchises either and were still exempt from giving up a player when Seattle's turn came up in 2021.
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I'll refrain from my typical defensive stance regarding the expansion draft rules for the VGK vs previous expansion teams. Like I said, they made a bunch of deals that happened to pan out. Also, I would argue what benefit is it to anybody in the NHL for an expansion team to absolutely suck ass for half a decade or a decade? The new rules I think were a good change.

I only quoted the following above, for a specific response. VGK and Bill Foley paid a pretty good number to be exempt from Seattle's expansion pickings; as an agreement with the NHL, Vegas gave up their portion of Seattle's $650M expansion fee, something like $16-$20M.
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I'll refrain from my typical defensive stance regarding the expansion draft rules for the VGK vs previous expansion teams. Like I said, they made a bunch of deals that happened to pan out. Also, I would argue what benefit is it to anybody in the NHL for an expansion team to absolutely suck ass for half a decade or a decade? The new rules I think were a good change.

I only quoted the following above, for a specific response. VGK and Bill Foley paid a pretty good number to be exempt from Seattle's expansion pickings; as an agreement with the NHL, Vegas gave up their portion of Seattle's $650M expansion fee, something like $16-$20M.
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Absolutely no reason for you to be defensive. To be clear, I had NO problem with the rules that were set up for the Vegas Knights (and the Seattle Kracks).

I think the Disbursement rules were completely justified given the expansion fee and I think it was in the NHL's best interest as a whole to at least let them have the opportunity be a playoff contender.

My only point was they were given a much better chance at success than any other NHL Expansion team since the NHL/WHA merger. Knights management made incredibly astute moves with that opportunity which led to on ice success. Maintaining it into Year 6 is incredibly impressive.

The other 29 teams did not have to aid them with all the additional trades, but that was free will. In hindsight the Wild would been way better to just expose Dumba and hang on to Tuch (and Huala).

I hung out on the TMobile Plaza for G1 vs the Caps in 2018 and was in the building for G2. It was a blast.
 



Ope3 said:
The other 29 teams did not have to aid them with all the additional trades, but that was free will. In hindsight the Wild would been way better to just expose Dumba and hang on to Tuch (and Huala).

I hung out on the TMobile Plaza for G1 vs the Caps in 2018 and was in the building for G2. It was a blast.
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That one might hurt for a while. Haula was a huge part of the original team that ran to the Cup Final and Tuch is a fantastic player. Hated, HATED giving up Tuch as part of the Eichel trade. Tuch had 36 goals and 79 points in 74 games this year for Buffalo. Ouch. And the other pieces in the Eichel trade aren't bad either; Payton Krebs and a 1st round draft pick that is looking really good in Noah Ostlund.

Gotta give something up to get something...

One final thing; as a result of all their swinging for the fences, the VGK farm system is not exactly brimming with star prospects. There are a few pieces that I like but I think right now they may have one (1) 1st round pick still in the system? It has cost them some young talent. Even this year, they gave up one of their most recent 1st round picks, Zach Dean, for a rental player in Ivan Barbashev; but Barbashev has turned out to be a very very good player for a guy making $2.75M
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
That one might hurt for a while. Haula was a huge part of the original team that ran to the Cup Final and Tuch is a fantastic player. Hated, HATED giving up Tuch as part of the Eichel trade. Tuch had 36 goals and 79 points in 74 games this year for Buffalo. Ouch. And the other pieces in the Eichel trade aren't bad either; Payton Krebs and a 1st round draft pick that is looking really good in Noah Ostlund.

Gotta give something up to get something...

One final thing; as a result of all their swinging for the fences, the VGK farm system is not exactly brimming with star prospects. There are a few pieces that I like but I think right now they may have one (1) 1st round pick still in the system? It has cost them some young talent. Even this year, they gave up one of their most recent 1st round picks, Zach Dean, for a rental player in Ivan Barbashev; but Barbashev has turned out to be a very very good player for a guy making $2.75M
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Not to bring up a sore memory on your part, but somehow the 2on1 break in G2 the shot from Tuch somehow found Holtby's stick. One of the most amazing clutch saves ever.

Not a good memory for me either, I had an OVER ticket on 5.5 in a game that wound up being 3-2 with a scoreless 3rd period.


Uffda. That was the side of the arena we were at.
 

Ope3 said:
Not to bring up a sore memory on your part, but somehow the 2on1 break in G2 the shot from Tuch somehow found Holtby's stick. One of the most amazing clutch saves ever.

Not a good memory for me either, I had an OVER ticket on 5.5 in a game that wound up being 3-2 with a scoreless 3rd period.


Uffda. That was the side of the arena we were at.
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I would have bet my life that Holtby was the weak link going into that series; he was not outstanding late in the season and into the playoffs.

I debated going to the clinching game for Washington, didn't want to see another team celebrate on our home ice, but at the end of the day, how often do you get to see someone win the Stanley Cup? I was okay with it; stayed through the end and after, recognizing our team for what they accomplished and Washington for winning the Cup.

Hopefully a different story is written this year....
 

Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I would have bet my life that Holtby was the weak link going into that series; he was not outstanding late in the season and into the playoffs.

I debated going to the clinching game for Washington, didn't want to see another team celebrate on our home ice, but at the end of the day, how often do you get to see someone win the Stanley Cup? I was okay with it; stayed through the end and after, recognizing our team for what they accomplished and Washington for winning the Cup.

Hopefully a different story is written this year....
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Good luck to you and all the "long suffering" Vegas Knights puckheads. ;)
 

I don't know if this does already or will leak into the other sports, but in NBA apparently the thing to do is to not true too hard in the regular season. Just do enough to get into the playoffs. Protect your best players, "de-load" them in the regular season.

Then come out guns blazing in the playoffs.


Why grind yourself down in the regular season, when it doesn't really matter? Everything's about the playoffs.
 

Gophers_4life said:
I don't know if this does already or will leak into the other sports, but in NBA apparently the thing to do is to not true too hard in the regular season. Just do enough to get into the playoffs. Protect your best players, "de-load" them in the regular season.

Then come out guns blazing in the playoffs.


Why grind yourself down in the regular season, when it doesn't really matter? Everything's about the playoffs.
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In the old days, it was practically unheard of for a 7 or 8 seed to get past the first round. (Please anyone correct me or find an exception to that.) Things have obviously changed. An 82-game season of basketball is excessively long, and it only makes sense that you not burn yourself out before you get to the more important 28-game season. The thing you stand to give up is home-court advantage, but I'd rather be playing well enough to overcome that disadvantage than running on fumes at playoff time.
 

Bad Gopher said:
In the old days, it was practically unheard of for a 7 or 8 seed to get past the first round. (Please anyone correct me or find an exception to that.) Things have obviously changed. An 82-game season of basketball is excessively long, and it only makes sense that you not burn yourself out before you get to the more important 28-game season. The thing you stand to give up is home-court advantage, but I'd rather be playing well enough to overcome that disadvantage than running on fumes at playoff time.
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Right, and I would think a similar thing would then apply to hockey and baseball, which also have very long regular seasons and playoffs.
 

Bad Gopher said:
In the old days, it was practically unheard of for a 7 or 8 seed to get past the first round. (Please anyone correct me or find an exception to that.) Things have obviously changed. An 82-game season of basketball is excessively long, and it only makes sense that you not burn yourself out before you get to the more important 28-game season. The thing you stand to give up is home-court advantage, but I'd rather be playing well enough to overcome that disadvantage than running on fumes at playoff time.
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The 1999 NY Knicks made it to the NBA Finals as the 8th seed. That is seen somewhat of an outlier because the regular season was shortened due to Labor strife.

Interesting with both the Heat and Panthers runs, is this year they are both the 8 Seeds but last year as the 1 Seeds in their respective conferences they failed to make the Finals.

Gophers_4life said:
Right, and I would think a similar thing would then apply to hockey and baseball, which also have very long regular seasons and playoffs.
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Hockey is a bit different with roster size and all 18 skaters are expected to play at least some for every game they suit up. Note the Panthers had 92 pts this year to get the 8th and final spot in the East. 1 more loss and either the Penguins or Sabres pass them up. Any type of load management loss and they are done in early April.
 

Ope3 said:
The 1999 NY Knicks made it to the NBA Finals as the 8th seed. That is seen somewhat of an outlier because the regular season was shortened due to Labor strife.

Interesting with both the Heat and Panthers runs, is this year they are both the 8 Seeds but last year as the 1 Seeds in their respective conferences they failed to make the Finals.

Hockey is a bit different with roster size and all 18 skaters are expected to play at least some for every game they suit up. Note the Panthers had 92 pts this year to get the 8th and final spot in the East. 1 more loss and either the Penguins or Sabres pass them up. Any type of load management loss and they are done in early April.
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Looking forward to Panthers - VGK!

With the Stars being short Benn (suspension) and Dadonov (injury on Tuesday night), VGK needs to wrap this shit up tonight in Dallas. Other than being the 2nd best road team in the NHL this season (and 4-1 on the road this postseason), the VGK have closed out a remarkably high percentage of their franchise series wins on the road. They have closed out very few playoff series at home, interestingly enough.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Right, and I would think a similar thing would then apply to hockey and baseball, which also have very long regular seasons and playoffs.
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It remains to be seen, but I do expect the pitch clock to result in baseball players being fresher in the fall. Based on the numbers I've seen so far, that's upwards of 80 fewer hours total out in the hot, hot sun!
 

The Heat certainly made it historic by going up 3-0 but then subsequently having to win Game 7 on the road, but that they did. So completes a back-to-back run for the Miami/Florida market.

I would guess that Miami is the first team in any sport to make the Finals by having to win 13 games once the regular season concluded.
 

Ope3 said:
The Heat certainly made it historic by going up 3-0 but then subsequently having to win Game 7 on the road, but that they did. So completes a back-to-back run for the Miami/Florida market.

I would guess that Miami is the first team in any sport to make the Finals by having to win 13 games once the regular season concluded.
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I also wonder if this is the first time two 8-seeded teams from the same state have made the finals in the same season. Pretty wild.
 


Ope3 said:
The Heat certainly made it historic by going up 3-0 but then subsequently having to win Game 7 on the road, but that they did. So completes a back-to-back run for the Miami/Florida market.

I would guess that Miami is the first team in any sport to make the Finals by having to win 13 games once the regular season concluded.
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How s___y for both Dallas and Boston fans. Claw your way back, home games, only to lose it anyway.

Makes a person bitter
 

Nax5 said:
I also wonder if this is the first time two 8-seeded teams from the same state have made the finals in the same season. Pretty wild.
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Miami, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada


Ice hockey.


What a joke! :ROFLMAO:
 

Gophers_4life said:
How s___y for both Dallas and Boston fans. Claw your way back, home games, only to lose it anyway.

Makes a person bitter
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Every Boston based franchise has won a Championship this Century, and they are over double digits total for that market, no tears for that fanbase.

The North Stars snuck away from Bloomington to Dallas. I'm still bitter, so tough noogies to those bums.
 

With Denver winning the NBA Final, that has to provide some ray of hope that this market can somehow, someway bring a title here or at least make the Championship round for that sport. Especially that the current President was the architect for the majority of pieces for the Nuggets.

Toronto and Milwaukee are other recent examples.

On the other hand...Rudy.
 
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