The Wild Just Got Linked to a VERY Interesting Name...

A new report has dropped an update on the future of John Hines with this Minnesota Wild team. As an extension seems to be incoming over the next couple of weeks, we're going to be breaking it down as well as going over a very interesting option with a PTO being on the table and how there are other options that may be way better than James Van Reemstey. Folks, we have a lot to break down here in today's video. Before we do get into it, if you haven't already, be sure to drop a sub here on the channel. The season is only around the corner. We have a lot of very exciting stuff coming. You will not want to miss it. Help us get to 6,000 subscribers. Appreciate all of you guys. Support all of the members here who have joined the channel. You guys are unbelievable. Appreciate all of the support once again over this offseason. We're coming down to the wire, folks, so be sure to stick around if you want to stay up to date with all of your Minnesota Wild news. Now, before we get into James Van Reemstey and the reports surrounding him, linking him to the Minnesota Wild, I want to go over the latest reports on the extension of John Hines. You see this here coming out just a couple of days ago from Michael Russo in the Athletic article speaking about Quinn Hughes. He said this. While they're closing in on extending Coach John Hines, who's entering the final year of contracting, per league sources who are speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss non-public negotiations, the extension is expected to be announced as training camp approaches. Camp opens September 16th, so players take the ice for the first time on September 17th. Now, this has been something I think we've all been expecting. Earlier in the offseason, we saw a report from Joe Smith and Michael Russo in the Athletic article kind of going over some burning questions about the season, and a lot of people were wondering if John Hines' job is safe, and they fully said yes. There is no worry for John Hines. He will very likely be extended, and there were also a lot of other reports coming from all NHL writers surrounding the extensions of John Hines and Marten Saint-Louis. Those are the two that seem to be guaranteed, and although we still do not have one just yet, it is coming accordingly. So, super exciting to see that. I know a lot of people are a bit iffy on John Hines. You gotta admit, you know, his career path has been, you know, a bit up and down, but when he joined the Minnesota Wild in 2023-24, you're looking at a very, very good resume with this Wild team. Although, it still is a much better team than the National Jersey, but 125 wins, 79 losses, 23 overtime losses, really is something good to see, and especially looking at the playoffs, may have not had the ultimate success in the postseason, but I think last year really showed us what we wanted to see, and proved that John Hines is the guy that will get us to, you know, at least a deeper spot in the playoffs, if not the promised land, but I also think that the team likes him. You know, it makes sense. He's done a lot of maneuvering around this lineup, a lot of different looks, a lot of different things, and it's worked out. Some stuff has, some stuff hasn't, but I think at the end of the day, players like him, that's important to consider, as well as the fact that he's building a great lineup here alongside Bill Guerin, and being able to put, you know, the ideas onto the ice, it makes a lot of sense. So, just an update there. Give me your thoughts down below about John Hines and this upcoming extension, you know, before training camp, but I want to get into this around JVR, and you see this here from It would not hurt the Wild to bring in another winger, just strengthen the depth. When looking at the remaining UFA boards out there, James Van Riems, that could be an intriguing option for the Wild to consider. Now, this is not just a free agent signing. Of course, he is a free agent, but this more stands as a PTO, and it's that time of the year, folks. If you were here this time last year, you know I love the option of PTOs, because it is a free contract for a couple of days. See how the player works out, and, you know, you've got the option for a full-time contract. Then, so, given an option like this, with James Van Riems, like, still a free agent with a PTO on the table, I'm all on board. The signing now is a little bit of a different question, because when we go ahead and look at James Van Riems over his career, quite a long career as well, from 1929 to the Philadelphia Flyers, and so forth back, but now over the past couple of seasons, he's been on a different team every single year. There's been one thing that has remained very consistent, and it is his play. Last year, 72 games, 31 points. The years before, 71 games, 36 points, 38 points. A little bit of a lesser production in the final year with Philadelphia. 61 games, 29 points, but also, again, taking into consideration the games played, but for the most part over his career, he's been very consistent. Hasn't been much of an injury-plagued player as of late, but has been just very, very consistent when it comes down to his point production and turning, you know, a bottom six role, middle six role into a good outcome, and I mean, Columbus, Boston, Philadelphia over those years as well, been some good teams, and you just have to get things rolled out, but if we're looking at an option for the Minnesota, I think we go back to look at the lines that we see right here. There isn't really a place for him, and I think that it would end up being probably like a depth signing, I think, more so than anything. It probably would be an extra board, but there's one thing that really kind of puts this into a bit of an issue, because right now, this Wild team, yes, you can sign JVR for not much money at all. Recent contracts have all been around that $1 million mark or less. You see that last year, one by one, but when we look at the Wild right now, I think there is not very many places to fit him, even with the options that are still in, I guess you could say, the Puck Media press box on this. Charlie Strammel's not. Hunter Haight is not. They have a lot of options that have been in the NHL or will be in the NHL available to slot in this line. So given that, is there a spot for James Henry? Like, not really. Once again, a PTO would not hurt, because you've given the option of what could be a power play tryout, a PP2, I think that is something that would be pretty interesting to consider, and that's what Michael DeRosa also says here. The offense, you know, the totals look like that. He could be a solid veteran for the Wild to take a chance on with a PTO. If he impresses during it, you know, earns a spot in the lineup, could be a bottom six, could be on their power play two, you know, they have options. Although, once again, I think that given the PP2, given the other options that the Wild have to consider, James Van Riemsel brings experience, and at least you know what his floor is. I think that's really the other option the Wild have to consider between younger players, prospects, and a long-time veteran in the NHL like James Van Riemsel here at 37 years old. But this power play, I think, still is, you know, it's not confirmed or anything, this is just a projected look, but Kaprizov, Eriksson, Hartman, Paulino, Yurok, Brink on the offense, I don't hate it. Especially when you have Nick Paulino there, a net front guy. You could also throw Marcus there, Faber and Spurs on the power play two on the defense, Boldy and Hughes on the PP1 defense as well. So, you know, maybe you do end up throwing James Van Riemsel on power play two instead of Nick Paulino. I mean, they have options, but once again, that would be all figured out in a PTO. If they don't work, Kaprizov, you can get rid of them, but signing like a pure free agent one, it's a bit of a risk there with that one. So, folks, let me know what you think about James Van Riemsel, but also, considering the other options that we have, these are options that you're going to see right now. I would probably prefer to play over James Van Riemsel. Is the chance really worth it? I don't think so, but Hunter Haight, Hayden Banks, Riley Haight, you know, I think three names there that could certainly crack an NHL lineup at not necessarily a full-time role, but play a big chunk of games and have a legit impact, and I think that when it comes down to names like this, if you see the momentum in the NHL, it's going to be hard to take him out. He ended up coming out of the lineup for the playoffs, but before that, he played some very good hockey. So, I mean, another opportunity this year I think is going to be good for him. Once again, over James Van Riemsel. I don't hate the idea of bringing him in on a PTO, give him a test, see if it works out. If he blows anybody out of the water, give him a go, but for the most part, I'm thinking these three names for me at least have a better chance than James Van Riemsel. So, folks, let me know what you think about this down below. Would you give James Van Riemsel an option on a PTO? Yes or no? And also, what do you think about John Heinz extension? Even if that's down below, that's all I got. If you did enjoy, give it a like, hit the sub button as well. I'm signing out. Thank you for watching. Hope you have a great day.