On today’s episode of Locked on Wild, we preview the 2023-24 season for both Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton. We look at the impressive numbers they put up together, ranking as one of only 8 defensive pairings to log over 1,000 minutes together in 2022-23. We look at the stats projections for Spurgeon and Middleton, and discuss why Spurgeon should be able to hit double digit goals again this season. We discuss what makes Spurgeon and Middleton such an effective regular season combo, and why they’ve struggled in the postseason to replicate that same level of play. We also discuss potential concerns for Spurgeon, with his age and ponder whether or not we will start to see regression or if he can continue to match his output to his salary!
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7 Comments
Spurgy is overrated by MN Wild fans and underrated nationally. Realistically, he is just outside top 20 Dmen in the league, which isnt bad by any means considering there are a couple hundred Dmen in the league…..He's a 30 point scorer and very sound defensively. You rarely catch him out of position. He tends to get rag-dolled when it matters (playoffs). He's been on the team since 2010 and will be until 2028 😳. His age and that contract really aren't a concern, until they become a concern…….
Midsy is a throwback Dman. Don't get scored on and get the puck out of our damn zone, and don't take no shit. You want/need a guy like that on D.
Spergon is ranked number two in the West
Only makar is better in Analytics as Travis pointed out he's very steady
In the playoffs where hockey rules change, he needs to be a 3rd liner
Again since evason doesn't make adjustments. In game it is what it is
As for your speculation , on contracts
Idle speculation means nothing,
Middleton was a savvy trade
Again Judd Bracket thank you
Just think of where the Wild would be
Without Judd
I could see Midds catch a nice extension if his production meets or exceeds expectations this year. I think he would fit nicely on that 2025-26 roster, either top or 2nd line pairing.
The three amigos who already commented, hit this one on the head already. My two cents, the Wild need to get bigger on the back end, like Vegas. Faber is more of a Spurgeon replacement long term, not Dumba, so, we need at least one more BIG nasty boy back there in due time. Middleton is a great acquisition, perfect old time D. I do love 46’s play, as anyone at his size that can survive the NHL is one hell of a player. Just concerned come April as you see the same pairings over and over that he wears down.
The biggest issue for me is Spurgeon's size does not make well for holding our blue line, he collapses and often becomes more of a screen to shoot from behind, I think the goaltenders do not compensate for this enough. Spurgeon cannot stand up an attacker so he fades back, caving the blue line instead of pushing wide or forcing a turnover more often than not. In the playoffs, he gets rolled on the boards and in the corners. His size becomes more of a deficit at that point. He works the angles well but when players barrel right past him and break the corner you get the scoring on you like we saw Dallas unleash last year in the playoffs.
Middleton is tge classic D man, good size, no fear of the corners, able to push players and move them. Seems able to not take any crap and will drop the gloves if needed. I think he needs to add a little more nasty to his play, glove to the face washout, timely instigational shove.
When was the last time the Wild had a weapon on D?
Comment before ad break. I would argue Jonas is the shutdown guy. Spurg is clutch AF for sure (like that crazy OT Anaheim diving stick check *faints at the thought*) but if i were to put any D pairing out to stop, say McJesus, I would put Jonas + Merril (Merril for the sake of the point, id take Faber all the time every time for all time) over any personal on the team to stop him from getting points in any situation. I think Brodin is THE premier DEFENDER on the team and the only guy that gives him a run for his money is Spurgey. No hate to Mids tho. He has been an absolute steal in that trade and a very underappreciated asset in his own right.
TLDR: I love all the non 3rd pair Dmen. Stoked for the next D pairing episodes. Especially Addisons. I think the kid can turn the corner and solidify his D game while keeping true to the promise he has offensively. He's no Karllsson or anything but could be the bread winner from a production standpoint amongst our Ds. Hope he takes notes on Spurgeons game this year and incorporates it into his own.