Chalk Talk Overview - Wes Is Back!!

Chalk Talk with Wes Walz 11.24.10
This is a new event the Wild are promoting this season with Wes Walz at the helm.  That's right folks, the Wild finally got smart and put him on the payroll.  This was a 'working' session with Wes drawing out offensive and defensive plays on the dry erase board.  He talked about how the Wild should play the Flyers, the best team in the NHL right now.  Wes was very much in his element and really didn't even need to be mic'd up once he got rolling.  He was worried about boring his audience of just about 100 of us.  He needn't have worried - we were eating it all up and eagerly wanting more.  I was desperately wishing for a notebook and pen to take notes.  Gotta get me a book on NHL plays...Coach Daggett, any suggestions? 

After Wes ran through 4 or 5 plays on the board he took questions that ranged from how his family is doing to what he felt is the reason behind the Wild's nasty case of absenteeism night and night out.  Wes is obviously very new to speaking on behalf of a corporation and this was clearly demonstrated by his completely honest and open answer: core team leaders not stepping up and making sure the rest of the team is on the same page.  He referenced the Red Wings who gut it out from the first puck drop to the last player in the shootout.  That's why they are a perennial play off team, because they all work towards the same end result.  Wes also acknowledged that this has been an issue for the Wild for a number of seasons, not just since Todd Richards came on board.  One thing Wes pointed out was that yelling at the team ("peeling the paint off the walls") isn't always the answer and can actually be very ineffective if used too often.  But he also admitted there are times when letting your team mates have it full force is needed.  The point Wes really drove home on this issue is that it's ultimately up the core team leaders to get themselves, and the rest of the team back on track.  Hmmm, so everything Vicki and I have been saying for how many years is confirmed?  This Walz guy must be a genius! 

I do have to respectfully disagree with Wes on the dump and chase question.  Wes didn't really think the Wild 1. rely on it too much and 2. fail at it miserably.  I humbly refer Mr. Walz to the ensuing game the Wild played against the Flyers in order to prove my point, along with the STH who actually asked this question. 

After the session Wes signed autographs, took pictures with everyone who asked and just chatted it up with folks.  Vicki and I were totally jazzed, ready to put our new found education into play from our seats where we can see the whole sheet of ice, just like on the play board.  We were ready to see the Wild force the face offs to the right of the net in our zone to counter the Flyers overabundance in left handed shooters.  We couldn't wait to see the Wild control the Flyers offensive rushes by cutting of their East to West passes coming into our zone.  We were excited to see our guys drive to the Flyers net and keep our shots low and hard.  We needed a win in order to soothe our open wounds from that Rangers whoopin'.   

Too bad the Wild didn't attend Wes's Chalk Talk. 
They hit the ice and promptly hit rock bottom in a 6-1 routing by the Flyers.  I would have to say this game rates up there in the top five most horrendous games in the 10 year history for the Wild.  It probably is tied with the game they played in Atlanta two weeks prior...I'm still waiting for a refund on my airfare, Mr. Leipold. 

After a reaffirming win at home against Nashville the Wild completely collapsed in Colorado.  Backstrom should have been pulled in the middle of the second period but Richards (who even questioned himself afterwards) left him hanging out there to dry behind a team that clearly didn't give a crap.  Don't be fooled by the 7-4 score.  The Wild were never in the game after taking a 2-1 lead in the first period.  Shocking, I know.   

Now we're in Calgary and guess what?  It's the same shit, different day for the Wild.  Good first period and then comes the 2nd period meltdown.  The Flames out shot us 10-7 in the second, getting two goals just 18 seconds apart off of Jose.  Eight of the Wild players with a -minus 1 or 2 and there's still one whole period to go.  Kipper is playing in his place of zen and peace, truly spot-on with his game.  Third period has the Wild figuring out they need to show some effort.  We out shot the Flames in this period but once again, too little too late.  Kipper is just that good, regardless of the Wild's attempts to throw everything but the kitchen sink his way.  Note to Backstrom: Review the game at the 10:20 mark of the 3rd period to see how to handle a 1-on-0 breakaway.  Nice save Jose!  

Here are some pictures from the Chalk Talk:


Wes In Action

 



Wes totally in his element here






Hoping Coach Daggett can figure this next play out...

 



Wes indicating how high off the ice the Wild will need to shoot on Flyer's goalie




 

From the Wild's Movember attempt to break the Guinness world record for most mustached men in one place for 10 minutes.  Nick and Brent Joining In...Note the cool shower slippers ;)





Old record of 151 mustached men shattered completey!