Tuesday morning checkin
Posted on March 13th, 2007 – 10:45 AMBy Michael Russo
Good morning from the coolest city in Canada. As I watch a plane land on the water, I figured I’d say hello.
Last chance to ask questions in the Q&A two posts below. IF I get a chance this afternoon, I plan to go through and answer.
I felt a little guilty writing that column today because I do respect all your opinions, and I don’t want to alienate my peeps (or is it peops?). But I can promise you, very few teams are excited about the potential of playing the Wild in the playoffs (at least the version that’s been showing up on the road lately, not so much the one you’ve been seeing at home).
But man, the second I read Kate’s post this morning, woah, did I hit it on the money today, or what?
Kate, being a goalie coach/scout is not your forte. Can’t control his rebounds, out of position, “nancy”? Thanks for exemplifying my column today. Do you know why Backstrom rarely ever has to make a sprawling save, why when he’s in net everything looks so routine? Because he’s usually in perfect position. Goalies that hit the highlight reel every night are cool, but it’s usually because they lost a rebound, they’re out of position or they fell on their stomach.
It’s clear to me you’re a big Manny fan, but come on now, be a little objective.
Also regarding the first comment from Michael Sandness about Risebrough, you actually make a point I meant to clear up a few weeks ago. The Wild was only allowed to sign Backstrom to a one-year deal last summer; he had to sign an entry-level deal and for players 24 and older, that HAS to be one year. So the Wild couldn’t have signed him to a multi-year.
And let’s be honest, nobody knew Backstrom could have done this (he never played in the NHL before), so even if the Wild could sign him long-term, it would have been a little reckless to get rid of Fernandez, who lets all remember is a great goalie when on his game, and sign Backstrom to some big deal.
Also, this has nothing to do with professionalism. This is about riding the hot guy during a critical stretch here. It would be awfully risky to throw Fernandez in and just pray he rediscovers his game. Look, it stinks that Manny got hurt when he did. He’s worked a long time to get to this point, and was playing tremendously when he was injured. But this was the obvious move. And again, anything can happen to change it. A couple bad games by Backstrom, another injury, etc. It’ll be interesting to see how Manny handles this.
As for tonight’s game, I’ll update after skates, but if Boogaard’s healthy, you’d think they’d have to play him. Vancouver’s going to be an angry team tonight after getting pushed around by Anaheim.
Here’s something interesting that would make Reusse’s head spin: The Wild claims its record against Vancouver is 4-1-2. Vancouver claims its record against the Wild is 3-3-1. Both are right. Only in the NHL.
45 Responses to "Tuesday morning checkin"
Ok, I’ll bite, how are both records true?
To save you reading, I copied this from yesterday’s comment area:
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!
So much for MN hockey knowledge - a good coach will always ride the coat tails of a hot goalie. Backstrom stays in goal until his game fails at some point. Manny will get over it and work his way back in. Can you see a two goalie rotation in the playoffs?
Thanks Michael for the blog - I love reading your perspective and life humor as you follow the WILD.
HRFG - 7 games. We beat them in regulation 3 times and in OT / SO once so we have 4 wins. We lost once in reg and twice in OT / SO. We’re 4 - 1 - 2. They, on the other hand won 3 total (1 in reg and 2 in OT) lost 3 in reg and 1 in OT. Mean’s they’re 3 - 3 - 1.
Slam! Poor Kate…
I noticed the same thing this morning about the MIN-VAN head-to-head records this season when someone on the other string mentioned that the WIld was 4-1-2 against Van. How can it happen, HRoF Guy? The Wild have beaten Van. 3 times in regulation, once in OT, and has lost to Van once in regulation and twice in OT, for a total of 10 points. From Van’s perspective that’s 3 wins (2 of which were in OT), 3 regulation losses, and 1 OT loss, for a total of 7 points.
Yeah, Reusse would love that.
Sorry - ballgame beat me to the punch
Boogs has to play tonight(if he can) but not to fight. If he does, I’ll enjoy it. But he’s most effective when he’s sending a parade of Canucks to the p-box cause he’s become a big distraction. With the attitude that Van is bringing tonight, its prime opportunity for Boogs to get under there skin and begin the parade.
Wow, just read my comment. I’m illiterate.
Manny indicated how he’d handle the situation in comments he made in your goalie article published March 3rd or 4th. In fact, he alluded to coming in as relief during the play-offs, if need be. He also talked about doing what’s best for the team — and he would support that.
In fact, it wouldn’t be fair to the team OR to Manny to throw him into a must-win situation at this point.
However, as a goalie mom, I can assure you nothing makes goalies more nuts than having to sit out and not be able to actively contribute. Intellectually they know it’s for the best of the team and they support that, but emotionally it’s really tough. Don’t plan on many interviews unless things do change.
I tried to make a point about the Wild’s record in the previous entry.
Doogs said he’d like to be pushed around by Vancouver since we’re 4-1-2 against them. Yeah…we got 10 points and they got 7. However, when the Wild have had the chance to move up (when it matters most - the previous 2 games) they’ve lost ground.
I think it’s huge if Mitchell misses the game tonight. It’s almost as if he wills them to victory over us.
Hopefully they can make their move tonight. It’s time.
Playoff Hockey Tonight!!! The Canucks are ripe for the picking tonight. They are wounded from the battle vs. Anaheim and are looking to reprove themselves tonight. My bet is that Mitchell plays; we all know he’s a warrior and Cooke, Cowens, Bieksa, & company will be hitting hard. Long story short, Boogey’s got to go and make a mess outta them!!!
I think a telling sign early tonight will be how the Wild respond to the rough treatment that Gaborik is bound to get. Gaborik’s teammates have to make it clear that he’s off limits. Everyone knows the importance of Gaborik remaining healthy. Too often in the last five or ten games there have been very few players willing to step in between Gaborik and the opositions big hitters. Gaborik should be treated by his teammates like most D treat their goalies, you don’t touch him.
I am very excited for tonight’s game! I love watchin playoff hockey and tonight will be a taste of what will be coming up in a few weeks! I’m gonna take a nap after work, just so i can be up and into the game without dozing off!!! GO WILD!!!
Rogue - I’m not sure if you have read Ross Bernstein’s book “The Code” (about fighting and retaliation in the NHL). If not, I recommend it for any NHL fan. Anyway, there’s a discussion in the book generally about how a team’s skill guys are supposed to be off limits and that if opponents take liberties with the skill guys, they’ll have to either answer for it or be prepared for escalation with their own skill guys.
However, the exception to his general rule, according to the book, concerns skill guys who sometimes create their own messes. Bernstein singles Gaborik out as a guy who frequently plays a little chippy (which is certainly true - he loves the stick play) and whose teammates have made it known to him that at least to some degree, he has to take care of himself if he puts himself in those positions. I forget the teammate, but I recall there was a quote from a Wild player confirming that with Gabby.
I don’t think that means Gabby is/should be free meat and that his teammates should never cover his back, but I thought it was a bit enlightening.
That’s an excellent observation HockeyDad. I also think Gabby doesn’t feel like he needs bodyguards. That said, I wouldn’t mind if Boogey knocked a little bit of sense into Matt Cooke tonight. (-:
I could do without Gabby’s stick work, but I do like that, for a skill guy, he plays with a bit of an edge and is not afraid to be physical from time to time. He’s a strong kid and can hit people. Sometimes he reminds me of how Forsberg used to play (withough the diving drama).
Cooke is always fun to run at and i wouldn’t mind him taking a few hard ones, but I want Boogey to land a few on some of those Nuck D-men, esp. Mitchell. The more those guys are worried about being hit, the better the forecheck will be.
That is a good point, and one thats hard to see when by the time the camera is on him he’s already been chipping and now has the puck. I would still like to see more agression out of his teammates though. When a skill player is as good as Gaborik and sets the tone for intensity (good or bad) I’d like to see some of the role players match that. When your leader goes in you better show up ready to take one for the team. I’ve heard about that book and will try to pick it up, however, we’re seeing a different Gaborik this year. He’s playing both ways with a lot of intensity. As a teammate, I’m more likely to let a player get pushed around if I’m frustrated by his lack of two-way effort. I think Gabby is finally realizing that deffense isn’t a waste of his time, rather an opportunity to exploit his foot speed. The Gaborik of prior years wasn’t contributing at this level. It’s time his teammates realize that whether Gabby deserves it or not, he’s their boy and if he gets knocked out, a simple “he was asking for it” won’t help them in a playoff run.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Matt Cooke. He loves to stir things up and then turtle. He has 58 penalty minutes this year and surprise, suprise ZERO fighting majors. Ray Emery (G) has two more fights than Cooke.
He is a PITA. But I guarantee he will run…not fight.
Good point, too, Rougue. There’s a difference between letting Gabby fend for himself when he slashes people up and down the ice versus when he’s just flying around on the forecheck, etc. and he still takes abuse after the whistle. I agree that he needs support for the latter ones, which I too have noticed isn’t there enough.
Nice read Russo. Thanks. Hey, maybe Kate is Manny’s sister. I’m not trying to steal away his love, I’m sure its hard for him. But, I like Niki in net, especially when our guys are solid. Good choice.
As for tonight, I’m excited, but a little peeved that I have to wait until the stinkin’ suck ass Timberlosers are done.
How they can choose to air this stupid, meaningless game over the Wild game tonight? I’m mad. But, I’ll stay up.
And, if this really is playoff type hockey, I better see it tonight.
We need to kick these guys where it hurts, and hard. Its time to send a message - get a little Wild. Go team.
Bingo, kj. Was it Cooke or Ruutu who made the 2-handed slash to the ankle of a Wild player in the mini-melee that followed the end of Game 2 in the 03 playoffs, and then literally ran away from the player he hit? Nothing but respect for the role of the agitator, but they have to show up for the fight, too. Cooke never does.
I liked Souhan’s comment regarding Manny in yesterday’s paper: he alluded to the Wild keeping Backstrom and trading Manny for a couple of picks/players this summer. Nice. I’ve never been a huge Manny guy. Like him, yes, but he is more inconsistent than other NHL #1 goalies. And certainly more inconsistent than elite goalies (Brodeur, Miller, Turco). With the consistency that Backstrom plays with, Nik might be able to make that jump to a top-tier guy.
Hey Russo! Thanks for the special mention! Seriously though, I have sat right behind Backstrom and watched the Wild games, the last time was the Feb 25th game against the Oilers. It is frustrating to say the least when the goalie is allowing himself to be screened and doesn’t even attempt to do anything and instead tries to peak around Smyth while waiting for Burns to come check on him, meanwhile on the other side of the ice Roli was shoving Boogaard around. Manny has been well known to cross check and slash players to get them to move, and Harding was shoving around some players in the last Flames game and has been known to drop the gloves when playing in Houston. I prefer goalies that can take care of their own crease. As for positioning, every goalie must be in position or they will be scored on, the scrambling is necessary to get back in position to stop the rebound, Backstrom does not tend to do this, just watch the game highlights. Once Backstrom goes down, he just stays in that same place, or is very slow getting back to the front of his crease. Kiprusoff is pretty much a positional goalie but he has some good athleticism when it comes to scrambling, he knows you have to balance the two. Yes, I am a fan of Manny, but I am also a big fan of Harding and have enjoyed seeing his game improve.
I don’t know if i like the comment on Forsberg. He has thrown more checks than Gaborik ever will. and that is just how it is. He doesn’t do stickwork either.
Reid, I didn’t mean to imply that Gabby’s physical play was on par with Forsberg’s - I agree there’s not much comparison. I have always thought, however, that Forsberg was about as complete a player as one could be because he’s very skilled with the puck AND he is physical, too. Gabby has shown flashes of that this year, especially recently, but I’m not kidding myself into thinking it’s any where near as good as Forsberg.
By the way - does anyone know what it means when there’s a note by your post that says “Your comment is awaiting moderation”?
And, this blog needs a software patch to fix the clock for DST.
yeah, no kidding. the time deal in unacceptable in todays world. where is their IT staff?
one of my comments got flagged a week or so. someone who worked there said they get flagged. wasn’t profanity. I think mine got stuck for being back to back fast. I split a lengthy comment up and copy pasted it.
Matt Cooke will do what he is best at. Try to undiscipline the otherwise disciplined Wild. He won’t be that stupid to get into a needless penalty, especially in a game as big as this one is. The unfortunate thing — for him — will be that no one on the Wild (including Boogaard) will bite. They’ve all seen the full range of his tactics, and the coward in the #24 vancouver jersey will turtle tonight…just like he always does.
No guts, no glory…the battle cry of Matt Cooke…
Sorry Kate, but Russo’s got you on this one. You’ve been pretty far off with two posts like that now. Being close / behind the players in these games, doesn’t make you any more hockey (at least goalie) knowledgeable that standing in a garage makes you a car. Not saying I know all, but most folks here are pretty hockey aware and the majority just don’t see it that way.
Be nice to see Bogey keep with getting in their heads like he does. Be nice if Veilleux would step up like he did the other night. Just be a hell of a lot more smart about it. Theres a few guys that could easily get a bit more ‘nasty’ in their game and are big enough to back it up.
Kate, get over your love affair with Manny. We need to trade him while he is still worth something. Nobody thought we should have traded Roloson last year and it worked out fine. If Manny deserved to start, he would. Being JL’s nephew has gotten him this far, now he needs to step up and take on the role that you think he deserves. Slashing and crosscheckig in front of the net is stupid. Its a distraction and causes him to get out of position. It is the defenses job to clear the front of the net, not the goalies. Stopping the puck and staying in position, and WINNING games should be his only concern, (and keeping his job).
I have personally watched manny duck out of the way of a puck that led to a goal. ENOUGH SAID. manny ferhasbeen needs to get his mind right before I will ever trust him in the net. Its Backstrom’s time to shine, although Harding is showing that he wants more game time and can handle added responsibility.
Kate,you’re cracked.Don’t let the blue eyes fool you, girl. He’s not that nice of a guy. HockeyDad it was Matt “Moose” Johnson that took the two-handed slash from Cooke/Ruutu. I can’t remember which one it was either but I do remember they were both on the ice and Johnson was after on of them when he took the slash. Boogie got to play. He almost got his hands on Cooke the last game. I love this blog!!! Go Wild.
Michael, great ‘Ready to Fly’ article today! Way to give a shout out to us (Russo’s Rink Rat Rants) as well. And that last line about the 4-1-2 vs 3-3-1 is a real mind-bender!
THanks Hockeydad and ballgame for the explaination. I must admit, that I had to read it twice before I got it…
Brian: I have personally watched Manny steal games for his team because others hadn’t showed up to play.
You’re right - it IS the job of the defense to clear the front of the net. Problem is they don’t do it all of the time. And if you can’t see the puck, you probably can’t stop it. If you want to see a goalie who really clears his own crease, spend some time wathing Roloson. What’s more, Manny’s teammates will be the first to tell you being JL’s nephew is no bonus for him.
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