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Wild Player Grid | Day 13: The One That Got Away

  • September 25, 2024


With the worst record behind the bench, Todd Richards claims the spot as the worst coach in franchise history. Even Creed took us higher!

For day 13, which Wild player gets your vote as “the one that got away”?

To recap:

Most Underrated: Joel Eriksson Ek,
Most Overrated: Zach Parise,
Best: Kirill Kaprizov,
Worst (Top 3 Lines): Victor Rask,
Most Potential: Brock Faber,
Most Wasted Potential: Benoit Pouliot,
Best Defender: Jonas Brodin,
Best Goalie: Niklas Bäckström,
Fastest: Marian Gaborik,
Most Clutch: Mikko Koivu,
Worst Coach: Todd Richards

22 comments

  2. Brent Burns or Nick Leddy.

    The draft is too volatile to consider non-drafted players as “got away.” Who knows if Todd Richards and Mike Yeo ever develop those stars. Remember the prospects having to “earn it” when they were clearly out playing vets?

  11. Burns easily. Tuck as a close second. Fiala imo doesn’t count as we got pretty fair compensation for him especially considering we couldn’t afford him anyways

  13. Others have already said it and it’s definitely Brent Burns. I’d like to provide a list of those that got away. Here’s how I’d rank them:

    1. **Brent Burns**
    Burns is the clearest case of “the one that got away.” After leaving the Wild, he evolved into an elite defenseman with the San Jose Sharks. Winning the Norris Trophy (2017), being a consistent All-Star, and his offensive production from the blue line make him a player Minnesota likely regrets trading the most. He could have been a franchise cornerstone for years.

    2. **Nick Leddy**
    Though Leddy was traded before even playing a game for the Wild, he became a key defenseman for the Blackhawks, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2013. His consistent presence as a top-four defenseman in the NHL, especially during Chicago’s dominant run, is a strong case for him being a missed opportunity.

    3. **Alex Tuch**
    Tuch has developed into a powerful and versatile forward. His breakout with Vegas and current success with Buffalo highlight what the Wild lost in a player of his size, skill, and potential. While not quite as impactful as Burns or Leddy yet, Tuch’s trajectory could make him a long-term regret for the Wild if he continues to grow.

    4. **Darcy Kuemper**
    Kuemper’s success came later in his career and he wasn’t a top goalie during his Wild tenure, he was picked up by the Avalanche for the sole purpose to get the team the Stanley Cup in 2022, though losing him isn’t as significant as Burns or Leddy.

  20. Burns makes sense, but I think Gaborik deserves some votes here too. We lost him for nothing in his prime.

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