Judd Zulgad

Host, Mackey and Judd and Columnist at KSTP-AM (Minneapolis, MN)

Mackey & Judd, Purple Daily and Judd's Hockey Show podcasts for SKOR North. Find my columns and analysis on Minnesota teams at https://t.co/7HYLQflKz5.

Articles

Bravo, Byron: Healthy Buxton is now causing pain for Twins' opponents

1 week ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Byron Buxton jumped all over Jordan Hicks’ first pitch in the bottom of the first inning Friday night at Target Field and hit the ball high off the wall in right-center. It caromed past San Francisco right fielder Mike Yastrzemski and was retrieved by center fielder Jung Hoo Lee. Most runners would have stopped at second base upon seeing Lee get to the ball.
On sports media: Wolves TV voice could land NBA gigs with Amazon and NBC

1 week ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Michael Grady/InstagramJudd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The decision not to retain Dave Benz as the Timberwolves’ television voice three years ago surprised many when it was made. Benz had been calling games alongside analyst Jim Petersen for 10 seasons and the two had garnered plenty of positive reviews.
Minnesota Hockey Magazine

1 week ago | minnesotahockeymag.com | Judd Zulgad

Bill Guerin finally was able to hold a season-ending press conference this week that didn’t include the Wild general manager trying to explain how he intended to operate with $14.7 million in dead money counting against the salary cap. Those days are finally past.
Wolves coach knew exactly what he was doing in calling out Anthony Edwards

1 week ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Anthony Edwards’ ascension to become the Timberwolves’ leader has been a frequent topic this season. Edwards might be only 23 years old but he’s already an NBA star and knows that it’s his responsibility to hold his teammates accountable. With some that means a gentle reminder of what they need to do and with others tough love is necessary.
Royce to the rescue? The Twins need their slugger to lead the way if they are to recover from a miserable start

1 week ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The Twins are 35 games into what has been a mostly miserable spring. Following a late-season implosion in 2024, they picked up where they left off and were 7-15 on April 20 after being swept in Atlanta. The Twins have gone 8-5 since and are 15-20 entering a six-game homestand that begins with three against the struggling Baltimore Orioles.
Could Marc-Andre Fleury sell Sidney Crosby on ending his career with Wild?

1 week ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Marc-Andre Fleury’s decision to play for Canada in the upcoming World Championship makes for a great story. Fleury’s 21-year career appeared to have ended last week when the Wild lost Game 6 of their first-round playoff series to Vegas, but Fleury then decided he would play in the tournament for the first time.
There should be no cap on how far Wild can advance in playoffs next season

2 weeks ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In the aftermath of the Wild’s latest first-round playoff ouster, it was pointed out by some that the six-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights had a different look than the franchise’s previous one-and-done exits. What looked different? That’s easy.
Wild's loss to Vegas in Game 5 comes down to Gustav Nyquist's carelessness

2 weeks ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Mistakes are inevitable in sports and, unfortunately, many occur at the worst possible moment. But there’s a big difference between a mistake and carelessness and the two should not be confused. What Wild winger Gustav Nyquist did Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series was an inexcusable case of the latter. It cost the Wild the game and could end up costing them the series. This might seem harsh. It’s not.
On sports media: Anthony Edwards' star power plays role in Wolves-Lakers ratings

2 weeks ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

The Timberwolves’ 116-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday was the second-most watched opening round Game 4 ever on ESPN platforms, averaging 7.345 million viewers on ABC. That was up 32 percent from last year’s comparable playoff Game 4 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
No backing down: Playoff Ant has the Wolves on verge of first-round victory

2 weeks ago | juddzulgad.substack.com | Judd Zulgad

Judd’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Anthony Edwards is a phenomenal talent but that doesn’t mean he isn’t maddening to watch at times. Edwards might not believe in load management but there are games when you wonder if he’s really there. This can occur during the regular season when the Wolves face a subpar opponent.