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Is help on the way? Wild's goal-scoring drought appears to be more than an early-season slump

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 1d

The Wild's continued lack of scoring punch raises serious concerns only eight games into the season. So is there a chance that helps is on the way? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/is-help-on...

The punchless Wild completed a 1-5-1 trip on Wednesday with a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. That left them near the bottom of the NHL with only nine even-strength goals in eight games.

Vikings are playing it cautious with J.J. McCarthy for a very good reason

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 2d

J.J. McCarthy's continued absence is a far bigger concern than his early-season struggles and it's why the Vikings are being so cautious with him. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ar...

The QB will miss Thursday's game as injuries continue to impact his career. Once he returns, he needs to be able to stay on the field or his early-season struggles will be the least of his problems.

Making the case for Max Brosmer: Starting rookie QB could make most sense against the Chargers

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 4d

Carson Wentz is banged up and struggled on Sunday. J.J. McCarthy might not be ready to return. So what should the Vikings do Thursday night? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/making-the...

Carson Wentz's struggles and J.J. McCarthy's health, could combine to present the former University of Minnesota QB with an opportunity to be under center on Thursday night.

Here's why the Twins should hire Joe Maddon as manager

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 5d

Joe Maddon might not seem like a good fit for the Twins, but he would be perfect. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/heres-why-...

Derek Falvey's reported list of candidates is filled with names of guys who haven't managed in the big leagues. But the past two seasons have shown Falvey needs a veteran manager.

J.J. McCarthy won't return against the Eagles, so when will the QB reclaim the starting job?

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 6d

When will J.J. McCarthy return to starting role for Vikings? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...

Carson Wentz will get the start on Sunday and Max Brosmer will be the backup. McCarthy, coming off a high ankle sprain, will be the emergency third quarterback -- at least for this week.

Here's why Carson Wentz is likely to start over J.J. McCarthy for Vikings on Sunday

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 8d

Kevin O'Connell wouldn't say who his starting QB will be on Sunday, but it isn't too difficult to figure out. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/heres-why-...

While McCarthy was back at practice, all signs point to Wentz getting a fourth consecutive start.

Jorge Polanco's playoff heroics are something Twins never saw from him

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 9d

On Jorge Polanco's most memorable playoff moment with the Twins. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jorge-pola...

The veteran has been a force for the Mariners in their playoff run, but it was his crucial error in Game 1 of the wild card series in 2020 that helped bring an end to the Twins' season.

Will it be J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz? Projecting who will start for Vikings

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 10d

Kevin O'Connell didn't announce who will start at QB for the Vikings on Sunday but that didn't stop me from playing QB detective. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/will-it-be...

Kevin O'Connell didn't say which quarterback he intends to start in the Vikings' first game back from their bye, so I took a shot at figuring it out from what he said at his press conference.

Vikings' four-game stretch coming out of bye no longer appears to be as daunting

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 13d

On the Vikings' schedule coming out of the bye week. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-fo...

The Eagles are struggling on offense, the Chargers have been slumping without a key offensive lineman and the Ravens' defense is among the worst in the NFL. Only the Lions appear to be as formidable.

Five key factors for the Wild: It's time for a 50-goal season from the Kirill Kaprizov

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 15d

Items on expectations for Kirill, Hynes' need to play the youngsters, Filip Gustavsson's consistency and fixing the penalty kill. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/five-key-f...

The superstar winger got his big payday, now it's time for him to reward the Wild for their investment.

J.J. McCarthy's return as Vikings' starting QB is inevitable and it's the right move

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 17d

Carson Wentz led the Vikings on a game-winning drive Sunday, but he didn't show enough to want to delay the Vikings returning to J.J. McCarthy. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...

Carson Wentz impressed by leading a game-winning drive on Sunday, but coach Kevin O'Connell knows he must see what he has in the Vikings' 2024 first-round pick.

Do Vikings need to explore moving on from Jordan Addison after the season?

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 18d

Jordan Addison was the hero for the Vikings on Sunday, but he also reminded the team why it's difficult to trust him. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/do-vikings...

The wide receiver caught the winning touchdown on Sunday against the Browns, but he also was benched for the opening quarter in a disciplinary move by coach Kevin O'Connell.

As salary cap rises, Wild focuses on locking up core group with long-term contracts

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 19d

Filip Gustavsson's contract extension continued the Wild locking up core players with reasonable contracts that could become bargains. Unlocked for all to read. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/as-salary-...

Filip Gustavsson signed a five-year deal on Saturday, making him the latest Wild player under 30 whom general manager Bill Guerin has signed to a contract extension.

Vikings need to take a page from the 49ers playbook as they look to get back on track

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 19d

On why the Vikings should look to the 49ers for inspiration. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ne...

The Vikings' offensive line is ravaged by injuries -- and starting QB J.J. McCarthy remains out -- but San Francisco is showing that injury issues can be overcome.

Twins baseball boss Derek Falvey needs to hire a manager and get out of the way

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 21d

It's fun to speculate on who might be the Twins next manager, but the most important thing will be for Derek Falvey to get out the way. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/twins-base...

After missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years and firing Rocco Baldelli, Falvey should understand that he needs to change his approach or he will be the next guy out the door.

Wild eliminate concern and distraction by signing Kirill Kaprizov to record deal

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 23d

On Kirill Kaprizov's new contract and what that means in terms of expectations for the star winger. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-elimi...

Now the pressure is on the superstar winger to help deliver a Stanley Cup to Minnesota.

Rocco Baldelli's dismissal should only be the start of Twins' house cleaning

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 24d

The Twins' problems run much deeper than a manager who deserved to be fired. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/rocco-bald...

The manager deserved to be fired, but that move doesn't fix the team's front office or ownership issues that also need to be addressed.

Injuries to Vikings' offensive line leave Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy in peril

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 25d

Why Vikings' quarterbacks should be taking out good health insurance policies. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/injuries-t...

The Vikings' quarterback job has gone from being a plum assignment to one that requires a very good health insurance policy.

Vikings' Jordan Mason shows willingness to pack a punch out of the backfield

Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 26d

On the Vikings' running back who seems to welcome contact. Unlocked for all to read. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-jo...

The running back rushed for 116 yards last Sunday in the Vikings' first game without the injured Aaron Jones. That included two touchdown runs deep in the red zone.

Wild owner unwilling to discuss anything to do with Kirill Kaprizov negotiations

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 28d

Where do the Kirill Kaprizov negotiations stand? Wild owner Craig Leipold, for one, isn't talking. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-owner...

Craig Leipold said there was "nothing to gain and everything to lose,” by addressing the assumed ongoing contract talks between the team and superstar winger.

On sports media: Alan Horton adds TV duties to his Timberwolves workload

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · 28d

Alan Horton to work Wolves games as simulcast on TV when Michael Grady is on the national call. Also Frank Mazzocco to make brief return to Gophers hockey. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/on-sports-...

With Michael Grady set to call a limited number of games because of national TV duties, the Wolves will often use a simulcast format.

Many to blame for Twins' failures, but Rocco Baldelli is most likely to take the fall

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · Sep 24

Are the Pohlads paying any attention to the Twins? Here's one way to prove they are. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/many-to-bl...

Firing the manager might not solve many issues, but it would serve as a sign that ownership is paying some attention to the team.

Kevin O'Connell could end up weighing future versus the present in QB decision

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · Sep 22

Kevin O'Connell's responses to @SeifertESPN's QB questions on Monday caused me to write about where the McCarthy-Wentz situation might be headed. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/kevin-ocon...

The Vikings coach doesn't have to answer the question now, but he will have to make a call on whether to continue starting Carson Wentz or go back to J.J. McCarthy once he's cleared to play.

Isaiah Rodgers' record-setting game sets tone for Vikings' defensive dominance

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Judd Zulgad @jzulgad.bsky.social · Sep 22

On a dominant day for Isaiah Rodgers and the Vikings defense. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/isaiah-rod...

Veteran cornerback shows why defensive coordinator Brian Flores wanted him in free agency.