Goalie situation put to rest
Posted on March 12th, 2007 – 7:40 PMBy Michael Russo
There is no controversy anymore.
Niklas Backstrom is your No. 1 goaltender.
That was the news of the day coming after this afternoon’s practice from gorgeous Vancouver.
Read tomorrow’s story, but basically, Jacques said the team is playing too well to fiddle with it. He says he wants to see how far this team can go with Backstrom at the helm. Obviously things can change if the team goes south.
But Lemaire said Manny Fernandez will play when the Wild can’t gain any more and/or the teams around the Wild take off either direction.
He also alluded to his dissatisfaction with Fernandez’s effort in practices recently. Manny wasn’t in the talking mood today.
Injury updates:
Wes Walz (back) didn’t practice, won’t play vs. Vancouver but says he plans to play this trip; Derek Boogaard (back) practiced and is able to play vs. Vancouver. He also isn’t happy with Jeff Cowan allegedly telling people he refused to fight Cowan last game. Ex-Wild D Willie Mitchell (groin) is doubtful.
Look for guys like Matt Cooke and Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa to be hitting hard tomorrow. Canucks lost to Anaheim last night, and has been called out bigtime in the press and by their coach for being pushed around.
47 Responses to "Goalie situation put to rest"
Fire Riseborough!
Manny is a headcase, name a great goalie that wasn’t. I’m not saying Manny is great yet, I just feel he’s superior at his best than Backstrom!
Dougy just spent millions on a goalie who’s replaceable by injury? Not professional in my opinion in any way, shape or form.
So, instead of spending millions on a injury prone headcase goalie, we could’ve signed Backstrom anyways this summer, picked up another “tough” forward, and maybe had cap space at the deadline for real defenseman (Nummelin?) for the playoffs…
I fell strongly about having an experienced NHL playoff goalie ready for April. This isn’t Europe is it?
Always go with the hot goalie until they cool off. SOP
Great, we stick with the guy that needs the defense to be a full time babysitter. Backstrom can’t clear his own crease, he’s a total Nancy when it comes to that, he loses sight of the puck and is out of position routinely. I want some of whatever JL is smoking, it will at least kill the pain when Backstrom doesn’t have that big save we need in the playoffs.
Ok, I know Headcase has been playing bad, but talk about coming out of left field!! What brought this on?? Thank God Backstrom has a ton of playoff experience in Finland, or I’d be worried. (Yes, before all of you flip out, I know it’s not the NHL, but it’s still a high pressure grind, and he’s gone through more than Manny.)
Trade Manny for another D-Man and promote Harding to full time backup next season! Manny’s moody as a b*&ch, and I’m over it.
They better play Boogaard tomorrow night!
That’s all I’ve got to say…
How tradeable is Manny next summer? Will we have enough cap room to resign Backstrom?
I for one think they are making the best decision. Nobody’s saying that Manny can’t play, but if he comes back and reinjures himself he’s worth nothing in the offseason. As far as all the whining about Backstrom’s play you’ve got nothing to stand on. I like Manny but from a stand point of what is best for the team, Backstrom has the confidence of his teammates. Manny is a good goalie but he’s not the savior of the world. I think the two goalies are a wash skill wise so it comes down to who’s hot and who team is plaing well in front of. Thats Backstrom.
Meanwhile, Manny still has a high perceived value around the league and is worth something in a trade. Unless we resign Backstrom we get nothing when he leaves at season’s end. Trade Manny and thank him for the memories. Sign Backstrom and start him until Hards is ready to take over.
Russo - read both of your pieces. My first thought is… you need help. First off, you blog on your night off and then when given a choice of writing a piece on the plane vs. going to practice and writing about practice you do… both.
So Mr. “Hardest Working Man in the Blogosphere”, do you feel somewhat prophetic with some of the comments above? Seems that a goalie who hasn’t played for a month is still the missing piece to a championship. Mr. Sandness, you’re even blaming the wrong guy - this is Jacques decision, not Risebrough’s. Sometimes I cringe when I think I’m lumped in the same group with some of these guys (not you smuggla, Nick & RogueGopher).
As to your “Ready for a Rush” piece, Amen. Nail on the head. Nice work. (I think you may have answered my second question in the Q & A post) Required reading for everyone before they post again. You hear that Mike?
You gotta go with the hot hand, too close to crunch time to ditch Backstrom now. But the hook will be quick - I can’t help thinking that JL is working on Manny’s head now, trying to get him fired up and ready for the playoffs.
Yeah, it’s pretty hard to knock Backstrom when he’s near the top of the goaltending stats and has a very good record. Not having seen Manny play in a long time, I’m not sure what to expect from him at this point. Honestly though, I think Harding should get the nod after the way he’s played when given the shot. He’s been nearly perfect. Something just tells me that this is his time.
Russo:
Thanks for the column. I’m often confused by the amount of disdain for this team, coach and organization. It is an organization that is respected and in many cases envied by hockey experts and fans around the country. I watch all the games on Center Ice so only about half (maybe fewer) are on FSN North. One thing is certain, this team has the respect and attention of its opponents.
I also get sick of people accusing Wild fans (or gopher) of being “homers”. Of course we are! Who cares if I have an objective opinion of my favorite team. They’re my favorite team! This team is exciting and although it gets outplayed from time to time, you cannot argue with the record over the last couple of months. So keep given me the Koolaid, it tastes soooo good!
Rogue & Ballgame you are the only ones that get it! We are trying to get the best playoff position possible and people are saying Manny should play even though he hasn’t played in a full game in over a month and Backstrom has been as solid as you could ask for. Kate whatever you are smoking I don’t want any of it!
Great comments everyone! While we don’t agree, I love this blog….
By the way ballgame. Who you callin Mr. Sandness, that’s my Dad! ouch! Please don’t refer to me as Mr. Sandness, dude will suffice.
When I think of the playoffs and the Wild in 03, I remember Manny stopping a breakaway in OT right before Bruno’s goal.
That’s my take, I’m sticking with Manny.
I don’t get the surprise about going with Backstrom, either. JL would be a fool not to ride this guy for as long as he can. All in all, I think Manny is the more talented goalie, but if I were JL I would absolutely leave Nik in at this point. Hey, if he falters, then Manny can always come to the rescue - that worked pretty well between Manny and Roli in the 03 run, didn’t it? But right now, I would be more than a little nervous to simply re-insert a healthy Manny (who can be as cold as he can be hot) for this last push.
Kate - what are YOU smoking? I don’t know who you’ve been watching in net the last couple of months.
Russo - funny how one of the points of your column (i.e., the irrational fans) is made for you in the first few posts here.
People enjoy what we have going here - it looks like fun.
Hey - if nothing else, the goalie news got this blog buzzing again. Been a little boring lately.
purplcheez - I think you’re somewhat on to something about JL playing Manny’s mind. I think JL is merely looking at the situation and saying we’ve got a pretty good thing going so I’m not gonna mess with it until I have to. And, should I have to, maybe I’m getting Manny fired up and focused if and when we need to bring him in. Manny’s the type of fighter who will come in with a chip on his shoulder, and hopefully a laser focus, wanting to show everyone he should’ve been playing from the get-go.
BTW, Anyone know which team first had the song we play after a goal? Phoenix plays it also and I think I have heard it in the background of other teams.
I think Hockeydad hit it on the head. This decision is not completely about who’s better. Its a combination of who’s hot, who’s ready and how the players need to be managed. You start Backstrom when Manny’s healthy you are going to give Backstrom the extra boost of confidence you need to make a run while showing your team that its your performance that dictates your playing time. Meanwhile, you piss Manny off a little and get him fired up for when he’s needed.
I never thought there was a goalie controversy and I doubt the fans or the team thought there was.
Jacques was compelled to say that Nikilias Backstorm, who has done very well since last month, will be the starter. He said that to end the talk. I still think Manny Fernandez will have a role when all is said and done. He will get his shot if Nikilias falters. It will be similiar to what Jacques did in the Wild’s playoff run in 2003 when he used both Manny and Dwayne Rolosson in the playoff games so I am banking on him to do the same with Nik and Manny.
I just hope Manny handles this well. He did not handled himself well when he had to share a role with Rolli. It’s unfortunate for him that it happened, but what can Jacques do about it. How do you sit down the hot goaltender? Manny just have to be patient. He will likely start next year when Nik leaves as a free agent.
Let’s all keep in mind that Manny is not now, nor will he ever be Martin Brodeur.
Too bad Harding is getting lost in all of this, he could very well be the best of the bunch. Sure, he lacks the experience, but the guy seems to put up a shutout in the NHL every 3 games played.
How many Wild Minnesotans will watch tonight’s game at 9 p.m. even to see how Niklas performs? 
Heck, I’ll be lucky to stay awake in the MDT zone!
Guess what: We’ve got three good goalies.
Go Wild.
Russo,
I really liked your article today about how well the Wild are doing and that fans need to relax a little bit. Everyone around the sport nationally has even started saying that this is the team everyone thought we would be seeing for the entire year. I have read many articles from GM’s, whose teams are in the playoffs, and they have all agreed that the Wild are a team you do not want to meet in the playoffs. This team does have some weaknesses, but so do the other 8 Western Conference playoff teams.
Dude (M.S.) - Sorry, just being respectful. You never know with all of this anonymous blogging. I mean right now there’s this van across the street from my house that’s been there since 9:25 pm.
Funny goalie story (I hope). Like I said previously, went to Sunday’s game. The whole time we were there there were these two girls / young women. Definately dressed like they were not going to a hockey game - perhaps returning from a Paris Hilton look-a-like convention. They were bouncing from seat to seat. They obviously did not have tickets. They even decided to jump into the empty seats two rows in front of us during the OT causing a few people to suggest out loud to sit their skinny butts down.
Well after the game we decided to bring the kids down to the ice to shoot a puck or two (with street hockey sticks??? Whatsup with that?) courtesy of Red Baron Pizza. After returning to the concourse we run into the two gals again, however each one was attached to a certain Mr. Josh Harding’s arms.
It’s nice to know he’s getting out and meeting some of the locals.
It’s also nice to know that we can ride out a hot goalie into the playoffs and if and when he fizzles out, we’ve got a playoff caliber goalie with something to prove in the wings.
In Jacques I Trust.
I would agree that most of this is Lemaire teaching Fernandez a lesson. One that should have been learned long ago. Lemaire has always rewarded good, consistent play. It’s what got Fernandez the #1 job at the end of last year. He should know that.
Lemaire is not sure what he is going to get out of Fernandez right now if he puts him in net and he is sure of what he will get out of Backstrom and Harding.
The other thing I find a little interesting is Mason’s comments in Souhan’s column about Backstrom.
“He’s calm, collected. He doesn’t have a lot of dips mentally, or technically. He brings the same game every day, to games and practices”.
We all know those words have never been used to describe Fernandez. If ever there was knock on Manny it has been with his mental game. I think this may be another way to say to Manny, “We are looking for consistency and that is not what we are getting from you right now”.
Ultimately, it is a clear message - shut up and work hard. No one gets anything handed to them on this team and no one should expect it. Everyone needs to earn it.
I have always found the relationship between Lemaire and Fernandez interesting for the simple fact of their family relationship (JL is Manny’s uncle (JL’s sister = Manny’s mom). You almost never hear about it and JL certainly doesn’t seem to treat him any differently (maybe more harshly at times?). I guess if there’s anyone who knows which of Manny’s buttons to push, it would seem to by JL.
Russo,
Great article today bud! Way to put it all into perspective.
I still think we should play Boogaard every game!
He’s gonna destroy the Canucks tonight!
RougeGopher…
Please don’t confuse criticism with disdain. There is a difference between blind faith and critical observance. I know the Wild are (is) a good team. I just think their weaknesses are more glaring than other teams in the West. Vancouver pushes us around. Vancouver got pushed around by Anaheim. JL has said it himself. When we’re playing well, the forwards are tough and battling through checks. When they don’t do that (San Jose game comes to mind) they do not generate scoring chances. That is even true of Demitra/Gaborik/?.
Our defense is inconsistent. When they are good, they’re really good and well, you know the other side.
I want them to do well (yep, $1650 down the drain) so give Moore ice time and get Foster healthy.
I think there will be a heavyweight bout tonight. Boogaard has been called out.
ballgame, thanks for being respectful! At the tender age of 37, Mr. Sandness me feel old!
Call the cops, check out the van.
Quick story, I once had the chance to meet Tony Esposito. While we were talking, a fire truck raced past, sirens at full blast! He must have fliched 2-3 times…said something like…I always hated that sound. Point being, all goalies are headcases!
GO WILD!
Settle down - riding a hot but inexperienced goalie through the playoffs is Stanley Cup tradition - remember Ken Dryden? I know JL remembers.
I forgot to mention Patrick Roy.
kj,
I’ll take “getting pushed around” by Vancouver since we’re 4-1-2 against them this year.
For the comment about Lemaire being Manny’s uncle, you got it right… Burns was asked in an interview (Hockey Unplugged in January) if Manny gets special treatment because he is Lemaire’s nephew. Burns said it is the opposite and Lemaire is harder on Manny than anyone else on the team.
I have seen manny ferhasbeen duck away from a shot that he could have easily made an attempt to save. It resulted in a goal, and it made me lose a lot of respect for manny. The only thing I like about manny is the way he protects his crease and gets on the opposition in front of the net. He’s just not consistent. Backstrom has stepped up bug and put out team in a position to win games. Its not a coincedence that the Wild have been getting more points since fernandez was injured than any other time this year or last.
By the way, anyone who thinks Risenbrough should be fired does not know much. Look at Moore, Hall, Demitra, Johnsson, all the other acquisitions this year. Doug made the best moves that he could for this organization and they are paying off. We have a serious shot at the cup this year and your calling for people to be fired?!?!? Your worse that simon cowell or whatever his name is.
Yes all goalies are head cases, I’m the parent of one. But the key is to get control of that. Never let ‘em see you sweat. Manny let’s everybody know he’s freakin’ out. I don’t think he’s a very positive force on or off the ice. He can’t seem to play 3 games in a row without falling apart. Sorry but I never thought he was the goalie to keep. I saw Roloson/Harding as the perfect combo last year. The experienced veteran mentoring the new kid. I just don’t see Manny in the mentor role. It’s too much about him. And I think his temper tantrums are proof of that.
Good column today Mr. Russo, but you really need to learn not to let the blogtrolls and whiners get to you like that. A blog like this brings those types out of the woodwork, but for the most part the discussion on this blog is positive and informed, it really is pretty good compared to many (look what happened to the Vikings blog).
While I am glad that JL but the goalie “controversey” to rest, but I am interested as to what people think is going to happen after the season. Backstrom will be a free agent and he would really have to like playing in Minnesota (or get a sweet deal) in order to not want to test the market.
I don’t know what all the hoopla is about. Why WOULDN’T we stick with the goaltender who playing well? That is commom sense.
Kate: Seriously. Babysitter?
A Nancy? WTF? Have you actually watched this guy in net? He has made some spectacular saves against some pretty high profile teams.
The defense is not babysitting. The defense needs to do their job on a consistent basis and not just stand around and screent heir own goaltender.
Place the blame where it belongs and lay off the goaltender.
And so what! Manny is passionate, why the headcase reference and BS?
What’s wrong with showing your displeasure? I’m sick of hearing people complain about it on here and in the media.
Manny has every right to be irritated. He got hurt and has pretty much lost his job! Unfortunately for him, his replacement has been stellar. I’d want to kick someone in the teeth too!
JL’s confirmation is just that, confirmation and should NOT have been a suprise. We need to stick with the guy in net who can best give us a chance, and I agree that is Niki.
Now, if we can do something to improve our soft, hot-and-cold defense, we may actually be getting somewhere. Ugh!
Agh, Mr. Russo. it is interesting you commenting in a fashion as to say you don’t appreciate comments that are questioning of the Wild, and the decisions made.
These other opinions are what keep the blog hopping. i think we have done a decent job of sharing opinions, and not attacking individuals. I think that makes this blog fantastic. too many others devolve into flame wars.
I think diverse opinions strengthen any debate. So cheers to all who have contributed, and GO WILD!
Rogue you get it.. we are FANS - we can be blindly optimistic about our team or realistic - that is what makes it entertainment.. I must admit that being overly negative and calling yourself a fan seems oximoronic (sp?)..
Russo - thanks for the balanced clear headed assessment of the team since Gaborik rejoined. I am psyched for the playoffs to begin! Thanks also for the Q&A opportunity. Even reading the Q’s is fun!
DISAGREE! - I DO believe that backstrom is DUE the acknowledgement and merit of his performance over the last 15-20 games but was naming him the no. 1 goalie a good thing for THE TEAM??? NO…all that’s happened now is put pressure on him to BE the starter instead of just doing a hell of a job as our backup. Bad move Jacque…we all knew he was one and so did he in the back of his head…Why did you need to go an put all the pressure on him?
Meh, count me in the this is by far the best option. Some folks here seem to think they have one up on the guy thats won how many cups? 9? Some of you folks with the constant questioning need to simply calm down, Jacques knows what he’s doing. If you did, you’d be coaching somewhere. Since you and me (I, all of us) are instead schlepping whatever it is we schlepp for work and not coaching, just watch and enjoy the run. Its going to be fun.
Simply put, Manny is streaky. Akin to the way Jon Casey was. Both are head cases and perform poorly when they aren’t mentally in the game. Obviously with the way Fernandez has been skulking and apparently not busting his butt, he shouldn’t be playing. You really think the team would have confidence in someone like that right now? Why take the risk? These points are going to be near impossible to come by right now until the final whistle blows for the end of the regular season. Don’t fix what ain’t broken.
Lets go Wild! Division lead here we come…?…!
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