Judd Zulgad
@jzulgad.bsky.social
Part of the SKOR North podcast team producing Purple Daily, SKOR North Twins Show, Judd's Hockey Show and Flagrant Howls. I might be forgetting a few. Also avid collector of sports bobbleheads. Check out my Substack page at juddzulgad.substack.com
If Joe Burrow's unhappy in Cincinnati the Vikings would be a fantastic fit. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/if-joe-bur...
If Joe Burrow wants out of Cincinnati, Vikings would be the ideal landing spot for star QB
The quarterback's comments on Wednesday raised questions about his happiness with the Bengals and created speculation that he might want to play elsewhere.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If Joe Burrow's unhappy in Cincinnati the Vikings would be a fantastic fit. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/if-joe-bur...
Will the real Minnesota Wild please stand up. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-have-...
Wild have opportunity to prove that red-hot November wasn't a fluke
The Wild followed a terrible start to the season by losing only one game in regulation in November. So are the Wild really that good or is regression about to hit?
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Will the real Minnesota Wild please stand up. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-have-...
It feels like only matter of time before Tim Connelly makes his move. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/get-to-the...
Get to the point: History indicates Wolves basketball boss will make a splash trade
Tim Connelly has never been shy about making big moves, meaning he is likely to address his team's need at point guard before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
It feels like only matter of time before Tim Connelly makes his move. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/get-to-the...
On J.J. McCarthy's day and the baby steps he took. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/its-a-star...
It's a start: J.J. McCarthy takes small but important step in running Vikings' simplified game plan
The quarterback looked far more confident and at ease in the Vikings' 31-0 victory over Washington.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:58 AM
On J.J. McCarthy's day and the baby steps he took. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/its-a-star...
About that report that the Twins plan to keep Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan ... for now. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/twins-migh...
Twins might not "anticipate" moving Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan but does that mean they won't?
The report by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal should be taken with a large grain of salt given how the franchise has been operating.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
About that report that the Twins plan to keep Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan ... for now. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/twins-migh...
There is more to the Vikings' lack of success this season than J.J. McCarthy. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/nahshon-wr...
Nahshon Wright's success in Chicago shines a spotlight on Vikings' issues with evaluation
The decision to trade Andrew Booth Jr. to Dallas for Wright could have helped make the 2022 draft look a little better. Instead, the Vikings let Wright walk and helped a division rival by doing so.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:55 PM
There is more to the Vikings' lack of success this season than J.J. McCarthy. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/nahshon-wr...
Vikings need to put focus on draft and development in final five games. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-vi...
Vikings' victories at this point will only damage what could be an advantageous draft position
In a lost season, the Vikings should put their focus on hoping J.J. McCarthy shows improvement, working in their younger players and realizing they will regret every win come draft time.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Vikings need to put focus on draft and development in final five games. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-vi...
On Justin Jefferson's wasted season and where things might go from here for the star wide receiver. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/silent-tre...
Silent treatment: Justin Jefferson's decision not to talk after embarrassing loss spoke volumes
While there is a concern the Vikings' star wide receiver will ask out, it seems more likely he will want to have a say in who throws him the ball next season.
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM
On Justin Jefferson's wasted season and where things might go from here for the star wide receiver. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/silent-tre...
So who is going to take the blame for the Vikings' quarterback (and other) woes this season? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-la...
Vikings' latest debacle at quarterback raises more questions about how things went so wrong
Kevin O'Connell's reputation as a quarterback whisperer has taken a significant hit with the struggles of J.J. McCarthy and now Max Brosmer. How much blame will ownership put on their coach?
juddzulgad.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:53 AM
So who is going to take the blame for the Vikings' quarterback (and other) woes this season? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-la...
On Max Brosmer's first start for the Vikings. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/what-shoul...
What should the expectations be for Max Brosmer's first start with Vikings?
Brosmer's situation might remind some of Brock Purdy's with the 49ers, but expecting him to turn into this team's long-term solution is a major reach.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:31 PM
On Max Brosmer's first start for the Vikings. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/what-shoul...
It's Thanksgiving so I decided to find some positives when it comes to the Vikings' very disappointing season. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/finding-fo...
Finding four positives in an otherwise disappointing season for Vikings
Jalen Redmond's performance and Justin Jefferson's attitude top the list in what has been a difficult season.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
It's Thanksgiving so I decided to find some positives when it comes to the Vikings' very disappointing season. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/finding-fo...
Why the Wild are playing well now and why their awful start remains a concern. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wilds-turn...
Wild's turnaround has little to do with talent and a lot to do with hard work
After an embarrassing opening month, the Wild realized the formula it would take to win games.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Why the Wild are playing well now and why their awful start remains a concern. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wilds-turn...
How will the Vikings deal with the J.J. McCarthy situation? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
J.J. McCarthy situation goes from bad to worse, so here's what the Vikings need to do for 2026
After missing five games earlier this season, the quarterback has entered concussion protocol and could be out for Sunday's game at Seattle.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
How will the Vikings deal with the J.J. McCarthy situation? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
If you thought J.J. McCarthy's play couldn't get worse after last week's loss to Chicago, a new low was reached on Sunday in Green Bay. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
J.J. McCarthy takes another step back as Vikings' offense embarrasses itself at Green Bay
Coming off a poor performance against Chicago, the quarterback oversaw an offense that accounted for 4 net yards in the second half of a loss to the Packers.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:34 AM
If you thought J.J. McCarthy's play couldn't get worse after last week's loss to Chicago, a new low was reached on Sunday in Green Bay. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
Jesper Wallstedt has gone from struggling in the minors to looking like a No. 1 goalie. That's great news for the Wild. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-rooki...
Wild rookie Jesper Wallstedt making case to take over as Wild's No. 1 goalie
A year after struggling in the minor leagues, the Wild's first-round pick in 2021 is making it difficult for coach John Hynes to take him off the ice.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Jesper Wallstedt has gone from struggling in the minors to looking like a No. 1 goalie. That's great news for the Wild. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-rooki...
J.J. McCarthy sounds like a guy who is close to turning it around. But the Vikings need to see that starting Sunday in Green Bay. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
J.J. McCarthy has shown flashes of ability but that's not enough as QB's struggles continue
While McCarthy remains confident he's getting closer to playing better on a consistent basis, he must begin to show that his reworked mechanics are starting to click.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:16 AM
J.J. McCarthy sounds like a guy who is close to turning it around. But the Vikings need to see that starting Sunday in Green Bay. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...
Vikings don't have answers on the field, but will they have them for ownership? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ow...
Vikings ownership likely has plenty of questions in midst of disappointing season
From J.J. McCarthy's struggles to a high-priced free agent class that hasn't delivered the desired results, Zygi and Mark Wilf have to be wondering what happened to the plan they were sold on.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Vikings don't have answers on the field, but will they have them for ownership? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ow...
Now is not the time to bail on J.J. McCarthy. In fact, the Vikings must keep starting him. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-mu...
Vikings must stick with J.J. McCarthy for remainder of season no matter how bad it gets
The Vikings fell to 4-6 with Sunday's loss to the Bears as their QB had another bad day. But that actually makes it easier to leave him in the starting role.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Now is not the time to bail on J.J. McCarthy. In fact, the Vikings must keep starting him. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-mu...
The Wild needs to put less emphasis on puck possession in overtime and more on trying to score goals. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wilds-play...
Wild's play-it-safe approach in overtime has proven to be a losing formula
The Wild are now 1-4 in three-on-three OT, losing in part because coach John Hynes is putting too much priority on puck possession not scoring opportunities.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:14 AM
The Wild needs to put less emphasis on puck possession in overtime and more on trying to score goals. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wilds-play...
Justin Jefferson isn't only a great player, he's also the heartbeat of the Vikings. That's what made his performance in Sunday's loss to Baltimore so odd. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/justin-jef...
Justin Jefferson's off day was only a surprise because he's so unlike many star wide receivers
Jefferson's effort and attitude never have been questioned in his six seasons with the Vikings, but he didn't look like himself in the loss to Baltimore. How will he bounce back against the Bears?
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Justin Jefferson isn't only a great player, he's also the heartbeat of the Vikings. That's what made his performance in Sunday's loss to Baltimore so odd. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/justin-jef...
There might be a very good reason the Twins don't want to talk about their plans for the offseason. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/why-would-...
Why would Twins want to continue payroll purge this offseason? There might be a very good reason
Byron Buxton reportedly might be willing to waive his no-trade clause, meaning the All-Star center fielder and starting pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan could all be dealt this offseason.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:09 AM
There might be a very good reason the Twins don't want to talk about their plans for the offseason. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/why-would-...
The Vikings are a long shot to make the playoffs and that might not be a bad thing. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-mu...
Vikings must prioritize J.J. McCarthy's development over chasing long-shot playoff berth
The Vikings' already fading playoff hopes would suffer an enormous blow with a loss on Sunday to Chicago. But would that be the worst thing?
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The Vikings are a long shot to make the playoffs and that might not be a bad thing. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-mu...
Why it's time for Kevin O'Connell to hand over play-calling duties. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/kevin-ocon...
Kevin O'Connell would be wise to relinquish play-calling duties -- at least in the short term
The Vikings coach has held the role since taking over in 2022, but what he wants to do on offense and what J.J. McCarthy can do seem to be at odds.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Why it's time for Kevin O'Connell to hand over play-calling duties. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/kevin-ocon...
Karl-Anthony Towns shouldn't remain stunned by a trade that now makes perfect sense. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/julius-ran...
Julius Randle's performance and contract make Wolves the winner in Karl-Anthony Towns trade
Towns said he remains "stunned" he was dealt by the Timberwolves, but he shouldn't be. Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are key contributors for the Wolves and make less combined than Towns.
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Karl-Anthony Towns shouldn't remain stunned by a trade that now makes perfect sense. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/julius-ran...
The Vikings finally played to the identity we expected on Sunday. But is that what we'll see for the rest of the season? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/have-vikin...
Have Vikings found their identity or was performance against Lions just a one-off?
Eight games into the season, coach Kevin O'Connell's team finally looked like the one many expected to see when training camp opened. Will that continue on Sunday against Baltimore?
juddzulgad.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The Vikings finally played to the identity we expected on Sunday. But is that what we'll see for the rest of the season? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/have-vikin...