Phoenix Coyotes GM search
Posted on May 7th, 2007 – 6:23 PMBy Michael Russo
First up, former Columbus GM Doug MacLean. He flew there today.
Former Penguins GM Craig Patrick and former Rangers GM (and Islanders GM for a month) Neil Smith will be interviewed.
135 Responses to "Phoenix Coyotes GM search"
Wow, with those lousy candidates, they should have just kept the guy they had.
But, if you suck bad enough for long enough you’ll get good eventually. Just ask the Ducks…
Here is what Russo said in the Star-Trib.
Wild: Talks to bring Backstrom back should begin soon
Re-signing the goalie might put the Wild in a salary-cap crunch, but team management feels he’s worth it.
By Michael Russo, Star Tribune
Last update: May 07, 2007 – 9:02 PM
Niklas Backstrom was so good for the Wild, the team plans to begin negotiations in the coming days in hopes of re-signing the goaltender even if it results in salary cap peril.
“Both [General Manager Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire] have made it clear they’d like to have Nick back next year, so we will be talking to his representation and to him,” assistant GM Tom Lynn said. “We feel we can bring Nick back without having to do anything else at the same time.”
Or, in layman’s terms, Lynn said, “We feel we can sign Niklas without trading Manny [Fernandez].”
Still, Lynn added, “I’m not saying something else won’t happen,” and there is no doubt the Wild would at least shop Fernandez if Backstrom is re-signed.
Bringing back both goaltenders would put the Wild close to the expected $47.5 million salary cap without even filling out the rest of its roster.
Including Fernandez’s $4.33 million cap hit, the Wild has 12 players signed at a little more than $31 million. Seven other restricted free agents, including goalie Josh Harding, would cost about $10 million.
If Backstrom is re-signed for about $3 million, the Wild suddenly would be at close to $44 million with, as Lynn said, “four or five left to sign. Four or five with $4 million or $4.5 million to go is not prohibitive.”
But it would mean the Wild couldn’t go after any impact players — at least dictated by salary.
“As far as the cap goes, it’s not a worry right now because we’ve got a quarter of the team together,” Lynn said. “If we were a team in need of three top-six forwards and two top defensemen, we’d be more nervous. But we have a better core than most teams. We just want to add some parts to help our playoff chances.”
But freeing up $4.33 million (Fernandez) would give the Wild a lot more flexibility on the payroll.
The Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes are two teams in dire need of a No. 1 goaltender.
The Coyotes are in a state of flux because they’re without a GM — they are currently interviewing former Columbus GM Doug MacLean, with former Penguins GM Craig Patrick and former Rangers GM Neil Smith coming in next. They are expected to interview nine candidates.
The Panthers were hoping to pursue Backstrom via free agency July 1, but if the Wild signs him, it could spur the Panthers to inquire about Fernandez.
Backstrom, 29, who led the NHL with a 1.97 goals against average and .929 save percentage, and Fernandez, 32, will soon attend a Stanley Cup Finals awards presentation to accept the William Jennings Trophy for pacing the Wild to a league-low 191 goals against.
Hey Russo is your job safe with the cuts coming at the Strib?
Yeah Russo…with all the dough and perks you get? Oh wait…Grandpa Sports would just retire, right??? 
Can they cut Souhan?…………..Please!!!
Cut Sid the fossil.
Cut Reusse, he’s kinda a tool.
Wow, if our only major move in the offseason is re-signing Backstrom, I will be dissappointed. Hopefully, someone is interested in taking Fernandez.
If the Panthers really wanted Backstrom, who’s to say they still won’t ask DR how much the Wild want for him. With Harding as the future #1 (there’s never been ANY doubt of that) I think DR would entertain offers for either of the other goalies. No doubt Backstrom will be cheaper and therefore more attractive to other teams, and with Harding really ready to step up his presence in the net, if someone makes DR an offer he can’t refuse we’ll just have to see what happens.
It is a long time until next season, I think there is plenty of time to address team needs. No need to panic.
Methinks it is doubtful the Wild would sign Backstrom but then trade him. If Backstom signs it will be because he likes it here or is paid more.
Backstrom would probably not take kindly to signing if he was to be traded right away and insist on a clause in the contract to prevent that.
I may be wrong, but I don’t think DR puts in no-trade clauses.
I know their are only a handful of people who are technically qualified to be a GM of a pro sports team, but you have to believe the Coyotes could have found better candidates than who they are interviewing. When will teams learn to stop going to the re-treads for positions?
Hey Willow: I know the court order says you can’t go within 500 feet of Keith Carney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t own a game-used stick of his that he autographed, right? I mean, it might still smell like his gloves!
I’m trying to get an accurate picture of the Martin Skoula game-used stick to see just how big the hole in the blade is.
LOL Nick you kill me, man. 
hahahaha…nice Nick.
Nick…great one about the Skouba stick…wonder how close to the truth that really is?
About the Coyotes GM job…let’s face it, in Phoenix the real GM is the Great One…anyone else is window dressing. Although hiring a John MacLean would mean years of mediocrity in the desert, and I’m not sure how well Neil Smith would do, either. Craig Patrick was hamstrung by the Penguins’ precarious pre-strike financial condition. Lets’ see what Gretzky says in the next few weeks. then we’ll know if the Coyotes be more like the Suns (winners) or the Cardinals (losers).
So Scott Gomez has announced he is going to test the UFA waters. He’s an interesting player. Solid two-way guy with decent offensive upside. Tendency to score big goals. Possibly a replacement for White, Walz and Smith?
also, Eklund has us in the running for Jason Blake. Again, take it with a grain of salt, and it’s pretty much a no-brainer that we’d be mentioned alongside him.
He also has us in the Jan Bulis discussion.
but…if there’s one Devils FA that I’d like to see us go after, I think it would be Rafalski. Talk about a guy who is perfect for our system, and can do everything on both ends of the rink.
More grist for the mill: Do you guys think we’ll be involved in Saku Koivu talks at all?
He’s got faceoff, leadership, balls, and the obvious family ties.
You hear that they’re looking at using him as trade bait for Vinny. We obviously don’t have anyone in Vinny’s league that we can afford to part with - unless they covet PMB.
PMB, Manny, 2007 1st rd pk for Vinny?
In a heartbeat.
My thoughts:
Sign Backstrom. Let Walz and White go. Bring up the BIGGEST players in Houston to replace them.
PMB, Manny and a puck bag to Montreal for Souray. Or sign Rafalski.
Sign Gomez as an UFA.
What Risebrough SHOULD do:
Give JL ANYTHING he asks for. If he feels like he is not being given enough to compete, he’s retire to his fishing boat…
I am still on the fence about PMB but they give Skoula to anyone interested with a bag of pucks and maybe some pizza or something.
Montreal is not going to be in the market for a goalie like Fernandez. I don’t think we have much of a chance of getting Souray.
As for Gomez, I imagine he’d be pretty pricey- he’d be less as a UFA? Still probably expensive. Rafalski would be great.
Any upgrade we can get for White and Walz is going to be helpful.
Hmm. Actually, Montreal might go for Souray for Pouliot and PMB. I know they were interested in Pouliot earlier this year. I don’t see us making that deal.
I’ll be sad to see Walzy go. I think he’s given MN his best. I still think he should have been the ongoing captain of the Wild team.
I’m sorry, but Mark Parrish is overrated. I don’t care if he’s from MN! I’m not a fan. I’m not buying it!
On that note, I do wish hearty good-riddance to White and Skoula. Buh-bye.
Gomez would be nice, but I agree, he’s expensive. As far as PMB, I think I’m on the fence too. It all depends on whether or not we want a real shot at the Cup, or if we will remain satisfied with “another winning Wild season.”
Vinny. Oh, please don’t tease me like that.
Can’t get rid of Walz. He’s the heart and soul. Yea, he’s getting older and there are better players out there but don’t underestimate his impact in the locker room. Gaborik might be a better player but he’s no leader and it’s kinda all about him. Walz’s is all about the team.
We need more grit. We have players that can score that’s not the question. The question is are they going to show up when it matters. Non of our scorers showed for the playoffs except for 1 game and it IS a best of 7 series. We need players that can score, check and take a check and not turtle because they’re playing against bigger players and the refs are crap.
Great point slapshot6. Walz IS the man in the locker room. And that is why I think our confidence tanked in the playoffs. Mark Parrish is not a leader, by example on the ice, by knowledge of the game, or the playoffs for that matter. But you are right.
We need grit out of EVERY player, not just one or two. Everyone needs to show up and contribute, especially in the playoffs. I’m not happy with how we got pushed around. It still makes me sick.
We brought Parrish on board to get the dirty goals in front of the net. He does do that. When the other players are not taking shots on net, all we have is Parrish standing in front of the net. We need more people to take a shot and let Parrish do what he does best, screen the goalie and tip shots. What we need is a couple more people like SVR but with a little more finishing power to them. He goes in, gihts for the puck, stands up for his team, he just doesn’t get the goals. I thought most of the season the lunchpail line was one of our best lines (except for the scoring part). the did all the things they needed to do to get some good scoring chances. They just don’t have that finishing touch to get the puck into the net.
I like Parrish too, Russ. And your right if they don’t shoot the damn puck it can’t get tipped or get to the back of the net for that matter. I also agree with your assessment of the “lunchpail line”. That’s my point about Walz. It’s not about him and his stats, he could care less. It’s about the team for him and that what the likes of Gaborik need to see on a nightly basis. Gaborik’s job is to score goals, Walz job is to dig the puck out so he can. With the amount of goals scored against Anaheim, it seems pretty clear who was doing there job and who wasn’t. SRV may not be the best player in the league but, damnit when he’s out there his in their faces and let’s them know he’s there to play. Who did you notice more when they were on the ice, SRV or PMB?
sorry about the spelling, ugh.
It’s no wonder we aren’t respected in the league. We’re not really “considered”. Oh other teams say things like, “You know their a fast team or you have to watch them they’re strong skaters” blah, blah, blah. That’s for the reporter or the quote in the paper. I look at the way other teams play against us. Anaheim really didn’t throw us around, they didn’t have to. Games 1,2,3 and 5 we didn’t show up. Game 4 we showed a little spunk and they roared back and what happened in game 5? We didn’t go in the corners, nobody shot the puck, everybody was too worried about getting hit. We got b**ch slapped. Long story short, Yes Nicole we need more grit and blood and sweat and tears out of ALL the players not just a couple. We need to stop cowering in the corner and step up.
good thought y’all, somma my thoughts:
Gomez = probably too much $$$ for us, Backstrom is more attractive to *us* because he is cheaper, forget about other teams showing a bit more interest in him. plenty of teams (fla, phx, la, boston, tb) nead a goalie so there will be no prob shipping manny somewhere, some gm is desperate enough to take his salery. i like manny to fla for horton, and that rumor is being tossed around now. our free money needs to be spent on a #1 d-man like Rafalski or Souray. and, some of these highly touted prospects need to finaly step up to replace the likes of white and skoula…
oh, ps (to stay on topic for once) - wayne needs a fall guy in phx, so i’m betting on smith (when they still suck after two seasons under him they can say “oh, we gave him a fair shot but oops he really does suck” and wayne is blame free)
No, the court order was dropped! “lack of evidence” That’s just KC’s way of showing his true love for me. We are meant to be. He knows it, I know it, the state of hockey/team of 19,000 pretty much knows it.
I would never buy a game used stick, but I will dig through his garbage–no problem!
To each her own psychosis, I suppose, Willow. ;P
Who do we like in the sabers-sens match up? I’m thinking that top line on the Sens to be just the ticket for a crushing defeat for all comers.
I think I’ve been pretty clear on my hatred of the ducks, coupled with a lukewarm admiration for the Wings. Come on, Hasek out of retirement for this? Wings in 5! (although to see the Ducks advance and then get crushed by the Sens? That would be fantastic, too.)
Willow, to see the Ducks crushed by anyone, anytime, anywhere would be fantastic. How ’bout Game 7 of the finals in OT, with Neidermeyer/Pronger in the box for something stupid. Oh God, I need a moment……….
ECF - Ott over Buff in 7
WCF - Anh over Det in 6
SCF - Anh over Ott in 6
I hope Anaheim makes it to the finals this year so they lose their first-round pick next year.
Hasek needed the money, that’s why he came out of retirement. Bad business decisions.
I know this pic won’t be up for much longer, but WOW, Wings fans–way to phone it in.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=FrozenMoment
Willow - no kidding.
There’s been a lot of whining about how (use whiny voice here) The economy’s bad in Detroit and No one wants to go downtown and There are too many good teams playing now. Boo friggin Hoo.
I’ll fill one - who wants to road trip? Wait a second - they play in Detroit, right? Mmmm, on second thought, no thanks.
http:/www.wild.com/multimedia/PhotoGallery.html#
Go to Round 1 game 4 and go in 20 some pictures. I still love this one of Backstrom and Selanne.
Excellent picture, kgopher.
Quit being such a wuss ballgame. The Joe is in a better part of town than the Olympia was. Suck it up, I say roadtrip!!!
Hey! I’m up for a road trip to Detroit. I’d give anything to watch those stinkin Ducks get roastedin person!
I think Ottawa is going to take the series agaisnt Buffalo in six. They may slack off a game, but that is it.
I don’t know how I feel about a Ducks/Sens final. Let me think about it. Something tells me the Ducks won’t find it as easy slapping around the Wings though.
Agreed Nicole. The Wings won’t tuck tail and hide if the game gets chippy. I think we’re in for a wild ride with this one! (no pun intended)
Yay or Nay #2
Mikko Koivu, Center, 23 yo
$903k last season
*I say hard core YAY. This kid really grew up this year. I think he has the ability to anchor our second line for years and years to come.
*I’d like to see a 4-5 year deal of about $2M per on him with big incentives for performance as needed.
I’m with Nick, a definite YAY.
Mikko Koivu did exactly what was expected of him this year. He basically doubled his numbers from last year. He also showed he can play tough. The boy has a mean streak!
I expect him to be signed for sure. I’ve said it before, Mikko should shoot more than he passes. I trust this kid to score goals, especially if he is shooting from the left. He has great hands. I look forward to cheering him on next year. Maybe I can get that jersey at season’s end!
They should be able to afford anyone they want…with a little creative cap maneuvering and bonuses.
Why you ask? If any season ticket holder out there has checked the prices for next year, it’s Stanley Cup or BUST! Section 115 tickets went up $8 per seat for 07-08. I’m sure all seats are going up a nice chunk.
As far as I’m concerned, they better win the Stanley Cup or lose in Game 7 of the Stanely Cup next year to justify this ridiculous increase.
Neagele must be planning to sell the team and once again loyal Minnesota hockey fans get screwed. What a joke!
Sorry…to clarify…ticket price went up $8 per seat/per game.
Yay to Mikko.
Yep, Mikko’s gotta stay.
Club seats didn’t go up in price, but that could be because we locked that price a while back with a promise to renew.
I appreciate Russo’s efforts to keep readers informed about events within the Wild organization as well as elsewhere — that’s more than his competitors are doing. I just wish he’d attribute his information more and speculate less. Of course, he’s certainly not alone in this…
YES…keep Koivu.
Heck, I’d settle for a direct link to the blogs right now, guys…
Keep Koivu. This is a no-brainer.
Another no-brainer: Dump Skouba!!
And yet another: Sign Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski as UFA’s. Spend your $$ where you NEED to, not where the money stretches ’til it screams. You’re already extracting another $20-30 million from the fans next season! You gotta spend some $$ to be successful!
After all, this is the ‘new’ NHL, not Wal-mart…
Yay to Koivu. It’s hard not to like a guy like that. He’s got the take no shit attitude. Look for him to his the punching bag during the summer and post his first fight sometime next year - a la Brett Burns in 2007.. The Wild need more guys like Koivu.
Koivu: game winner in OT to beat the Ruskie’s - Big Time Yay.
Like where you’re head’s at Smuggla, but I don’t see that happening.
I’ll wait to comment on everyone else until Nick unveils his next segment.
Yay or Nay #3
Derek Boogaard (LW, 24 yo)
$525k last year
Interesting case here. I bet that going into last season not many people would have thought we should be resigning him this summer. He just hadn’t made much of an impact. What a difference a year makes, eh?
I think he’s an indispensable part of our team. Not only is he the only guy who hits with any kind of combination of authority, regularity and physical domination, but he’s also the only guy who instills fear in the opposition on our entire team (Burns might have turned into the #2 against Anaheim).
He’s better than he gets credit for (just ask Ducks fans) and since we play the Grease 8 times he’s good for 16 points right off the bat.
You have to sign him. Make him stickhandle all summer long, I don’t care. But if we can turn him into even a 20-point guy he could be our MVP next season.
I say 4 years, average $850k. YAY.
Ok, my 2 cents which aren’t worth much since I still am learning Hockey. PMB, still on the fence (he really does need to toughen up, yhrn I would say yay). Koivu yay, he looked really good this year. Boogaard-GOTTA HAVE HIM!! Without Boogaard our team will get totally steamed rollered because we will lose the one guy that actually sticks up for us on a regular basis. Besides, like Nick said, we play the Oilers enough to make it worth it right there. Let’s have Bouchard and Boogaard get together in the off season and have them room together next year. Bouchard can teach Boogie stick handling, and Boogie can toughen up Butchie. That is just my humble opinion though.
Hasek just made an unbelievable save on Getzlaf early in the first. Sick.
Also, I call a vote on whether or not kgopher needs to continue posting the newbie disclaimer.
I say no. kgopher, you’re one of us. Hockey fans. Wild fans. Your opinions are as valid as any of the rest of ours.
BTW: It looked like Hasek threw his stick on that crazy save. Could have been called a penalty shot. Wasn’t. Cue the whining from Ducks fans and the umbrage from Wings fans.
5 on 3 going into the 3rd and the Wings are looking gooooood. Yesssssss.
Yay to Boogard. Obviously everyone knows what he brings to the table, I just wish JL wouldn’t be so stingy with his ice time (like when he sat out the last 5 minutes of the game 4 against the Ducks - assinine move btw which our boneheaded announcers praised right before all hell broke loose - idiots).
Also wish JL wouldn’t put him in street clothes so much. Is it because Boogey can’t hang for a whole 82 games? (Or even 3/4 of that…)
When Boogey is ‘on’ he can really be a force, but those times seem few and far between- mostly because he is healthy scratched so much. I think a media-person (RUSSO) should try to find out the answer to the question about why Boogey isn’t given more opportunites to shine, and why he is in street clothes so much…
He shouldn’t be too expensive to resign, I’m guessing in the 600k range.
YES for God’s sake sign Boogie!!!!!
DuckWings got to OT.
You can put Chelios on the list of guys that take advantage of their stature as “untouchables” to do something dirty every time they’re on the ice. It was pretty funny watching him and S. Nieds abuse each other.
OK, Nick, no more newbie stuff. Just my humble opinions. Still think we need Boogie and Koivu. Skoula still needs to go but you haven’t gotten that far yet.
much better kgopher…you’ve been on this blog as long as I have…no reason to qualify your comments.
Hasek’s had an interesting game tonight. At times brutal, at times looking like, well, Hasek ten years ago.
Dux win…great road game by them. I know some of you are going to castigate me for this, but I simply can not root for the Wings as a former North Stars rival. And the bottom line is that the Ducks are a team that I’d like to see the Wild emulate. All whining aside, I really like the way they play the game.
There, I said it. Now cast me out.
About Boogaard: I agree with the majority on this board. He has improved his game markedly during the past season. His skating ability improved as the season went on, as did his judgement on when to (and when NOT to) get into a scrap with someone. A few of you say we should keep him for games just against Edmonton — and granted, he drives the Oilers absolutely nuts — but remember, Edmonton is not the only team he drives over the edge. Remember the Oct. 14 game vs. Columbus, as Boogaard basically stood there and single-handedly caused the Jody Shelley meltdown? And, geez, what team was Todd Fedoruk on when Boogaard landed the best single punch of the season? And then there’s the George Parros antics from the playoffs. Anyone heard from Parros since?
JL should use him on the power play occasionally (face it: who’s going to move 6′9″, 270 from in front of the net, anyway?) as a relief forward for Parrish, etc., when they have long (4 minutes) PP’s, if he can work on his stick handling a bit more.
With all the Boogaard lettered clothing out there, he probably has already PAID FOR any salary increase. And then some. He should be re-signed.
Yay on Mikko. Nuff said there.
Yay on Boogaard. He really started to play good at the end of the season. JL started to play him more and he was involved in some really good plays and almost netted a couple of goals. i think if you can get him some more game time he will really start to excel. Besides, overall our team is fairly small, and we need that big person presence that DB brings to the table. After watching as much playoff hockey as I have, if the cheap shots and runs that some of these guys are taking on each other keep up, we will need the big guy to go out and knock some heads together.
Nick: YAY to Boogaard - BUT he needs to do more I think. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love his presence on the ice and off. (He is a classic gentleman, beleive it or not!)
However, we need him to improve his skating AND score a few goals. He can definitely cause some havoc in front of the net. I’d like to see more patience (and skill) from him with the puck in front. He may be able to earn more ice time by adding a little depth to his game. Then he’d be the ultimate Enforcer.
OT Win for the Ducks: Booooo. I hate those Needer-cryer brothers just as much as I despise the Sardin twins. Detroit can do better. Bertuzzi needs to start punishing people. How about smacking Selanne around a little!
Did anyone else hear the Mic’d Up episode? What a bunch of bullys! Threatening Datsyk?! I hate the Ducks!
Keep Boogaard too. Maybe he’ll win the Lady Byng next year…:P
Give credit to the Waddlers. They found all those BIG dudes that can skate like the wind. We have little to medium sized dudes that skate as fast. Big vs Little. Big wins in 5 every time…:)
I am rooting for the Ducks at this point as well. When the Wild played them last month, the Ducks looked like they could take The Cup and I still think they will.
The threat of Boogaard wiping the ice with the opposition is worse for the opposition than the actual whipping.
So, he does not need to fight to be valuable to the Wild, just the threat of being so tough is good.
I think it would be a mistake not to sign him and like many have said not signing Koivu would also be a big mistake.
But, even our other more marginal players, if you can’t sign someone better then you better keep what you have.
Maybe if Skoula had a diminished role so that he was not being required to play important shifts against the best players in the NHL, he would look better to us.
So, the key is to find a stud defenseman and we would not need Skoula for so many important minutes. That one addition would make the entire team better.
Good points by IceMan. Also WildRoadTripper brings up a great point. Why isn’t Boogey out there on power plays (and regular shifts for that matter) parking himself in front of the net knocking over defensemen???
Ice: great point about Skoula. No doubt that if he was getting 5th defenseman ice time he wouldn’t be as potentially troublesome. Great point.
Is it because if Boogey routinely got physical in front of the net, we’d end up putting our opponent on the power play to often as a result?
Little bit on JL on SI.com.
Pretty much on target with everything being said now.
SI.COM truth & rumors section.
Also a little bit on Manny.
I think the PP issue is largely because our PP is not a “throw it on the net and crash” PP.
It’s more of a “zing it around the perimeter and set up Rolston/Foster for the big slapper” PP.
I think we need to be grittier in general if we’re going to go anywhere in the playoffs. And that’s not one or two guys we bring in through trade/FA, but getting guys to be a little nastier in general. If that comes from getting a guy like Blake whose style rubs off on people that’s fine. As long as we get that guy, and he has that effect.
Ryan Smyth would be HUGE to a team like ours.
thanks for the heads up Jeff…
Here’s the article it’s quoting:
http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_5889793?nclick_check=1
Of particular note:
“Supposedly, ex-Gopher Danny Irmen is ready to join the parent club and add some determination on the wing.”
Smuggla, remember at the end of the season, DB was playing alomst regular shifts and he was directly resposible for 2-3 goals and helped the rest of the lunchpail line get some outstanding chances. Unfortunatly he only has 1 assist to show for his work. I think he just needs to see more game time. but the flip side to that is the refs really need to call a good came. Db gets alot of questionable penalties just because of his size. I think that is one of those things that is always in JL’s mind.
Smuggla-I think you just hit the nail on the head. Since the refs call penalties on him just for being on the ice somedays, I think you have a very valuable point. If we could get the refs to stop calling hiim for being 6′9 we might be able to have him play more often. Great points too IceMan.
Yay or Nay #4
Adam Hall (RW, 25 yo)
$975k last year
I like his size…but that’s about it.
Maybe he could make a bigger contribution if he got some consistent playing time, and maybe he’ll be better next season after he’s had more time to get used to JL’s system.
The thing is that we need guys like him to make us tougher overall.
To me it would all come down to two things. First, if he’ll sign for very close to what he made this year, then I’d welcome him back.
Second, and this has nothing to do with him, but I think we need to fish or cut bait on several of these third/fourth liners. In other words, if we go with Hall, then I want to see one of those other pikers go bye-bye (Smith?) because I think we need guys to either earn a job or not. We have too many fourth liners in St. Paul.
I am not sure where to go on this one. If his price is close to what he is getting now, i say stick with him. he is a good lunchpail guy. Unfortunatly, he is also one of those guys who needs some finishing power. But he is a hitter and a grinder, and that is something that we need. If the price is right, I say we stick with him. He wants to much money, we can get the same energy/hitting out of Foy for alot less money. Plus we also have Irman in the wings for alot less.
I saw Hall play his first game as a Wild. He played an inspired game, he hit, he skated hard, he was aggressive and had chances. He really looked good and looked like a good addition.
Unfortunately, he did not keep it going.
So far as I saw, he never played like that again, his play diminished and he was never quite as involved in the game again.
Ryan Smyth would be a marriage made in heaven for us. From what I have seen, Blake might also be a nice addition.
Boogey — no question. Keep him for all of the reasons already stated.
Adam Hall. That’s a tough one. He doesn’t stand out either way. However, I think one of the reasons the Wild played better during the second half of the season was because everyone was finally getting used to each other, in addition to having everyone back healthy. So, there’s something to be said for allowing enough time to build team chemistry. If we’re always changing, that simply isn’t going to happen. How guys play also depends on their lines. Some combinations bring out better results than others. Have we seen Hall’s best? I don’t know.
Nick — next?
Adam Hall is an overpaid player for what he contributes. He could be a contributing third/fourth liner, but he needs to step it up in practice, from what I’ve heard. Needs to prove to Lemaire, etc., that what Michel Therrien is saying about him from Pittsburgh (not good) is untrue. So far, it hasn’t been, as I understand it.
Nay to Hall, unless he promises to use his size to his team’s advantage.
When we first acquired Hall, (like IceMan pointed out) he looked like someone who could really contribute and a real upgrade from the shrimp he replaced. Hall looked like the kind of guy who could knock a few guys over on his way into the attack zone and put the biscuit in the basket, maybe throw a few body checks in the corners, make a few guys piss their breezers, stick a glove in the face, stand in front of the net and knock over a few defensemen and maybe send a couple guys to the penalty box bloodied and battered.
But he really did any of that did he?
Honestly, the most memorable thing about Hall to me was that he was the guy that was involved with the two Ducks players that lead directly to the May-Johnsson incident.
per Becky: Yay or Nay #5-7
5. Mattias Weinhandl (RW, 26 yo, $800k)
Completely superfluous IMO. NAY.
6. Joel Ward (RW, 25, $450k)
Didn’t really impress, but is young and inexpensive. YAY, but strictly a two-way deal, and for not much more base if at all.
7. Matt Foy (RW, 23, $460k)
The most upside of these 3 IMO. YAY, but with the same caveats as Ward.
Nay ti Weinhandl, I don’t think he’s done a damn thing since he’s been here.
I though Weinhandl left the system all together, but I could be wrong. Either way, Nay. We don’t need any more 160lb players.
Joel Ward, if he is cheap and on a 2 way contract, maybe. Again, we have Irman and Poliot that might need spots.
Foy, same as Ward. If he can be had for cheap and has a 2 way contract. the biggest thing is that none of these guys have the scoring touch, and thats what we need.
Sorry I know we’ve moved to #’s 5-7 but I have a quick Boogard thought. This is coming from Risebrough’s season ending interview.
DR is confident the refs will be better to Derek next year. Yes he did get a few penelties for being 6-9 270 lb. Derek Boogard, but did anyone ever see him talk back to the refs? Was there ever a problem with Derek for getting an unsportsmanlike conduct?
Unlike some of the other “pests/agitators/fighters” I think Boogey is the most honest of them all. He takes his penalty, keeps his mouth shut ( at least towards the refs) and goes about his business back on the ice.
Didn’t we send Weenyhandle back to Sweden already?
Ward = No
Foy = Time for him to crap or get off the pot.
I hate to compare the Wild to Buffalo right now, but I think the Wild could eventually have that kind of speed and depth in a year or two.
In the Salary cap world home grown talent is a must, and we have some players that will be contributors. Irmen will, Voloshenko and Benoit need to just grow up and play like they know they can. It’s never an easy adjustment to the next level, but they can dig deep down and find what it takes to succeed. With a good core of younger players getting playoff success this year for the Wild that will only increase the overall “depth” of the squad.
Oh…and when will the Wild draft and develop a defensemen? It’s looking like Thelen has worn out his welcome. (Schultz and Burns (drafted as a forward) are about it for D-Men that have come through as draft picks)
I’m just going to throw this out there. I’m not trying to rush Nick but I’d like to hear a general, honest opinion of Gaborik.
MHO on Gaborik is that 1) He needs to stay healthy, 2) Needs to toughen up a little bit (not get chippy with the slashes, but do more checking and take checks well), 3) Be able to play a little more solid on defense (and not just wait it out for a loose puck to go take off on a rush), 4) Be more of a team motivator, and 5) Play his best with out complaining against and on any line that Lemaire puts him on. Mainly #1 and the rest may come. When he is healthy the team does really well so he is an obvious asset to the team.
Gaby might be the fastest player in the NHL and has the burst to get himself on a breakaway. He’s got decent one-on-one moves allowing him get a shot off with a defender facing him. He’s good on breakways and great at drawing penalties when being chased from behind. On penalty shots, however he does need to develop a wider arsenal of moves rather than relying on pure instinct. His effectiveness goes up tremendously when surrounded by equally talented linemates (See Slovikian National Team). He has missed time due to injury and hopefully he in on a good rehab program and that will be a thing of the past. As far as being a leader in the locker room, he certainly isn’t. He may grow into that role (he’s only like 24). I am also of the belief that just because someone is the best player on the team that doesn’t mean they automatically should be the leader. The Wild made a smart move signing him to the long term deal last year.
Is Gaborik the kind of player you want to build a franchise around?
1. Weinhandl — no
2. Ward — impressed JL, if not us. Was the last of the “future Wild” to get sent back to Houston. If the price is right and the two-way clause is in effect, Yay
3. Foy — I can’t even remember how he played. So, jury’s out…
As for Gaborik, keep him healthy and get him to truly be a team player then he’s worth what we pay him.
I think Gaborik is nearly the most dangerous gamebreaker in the NHL. I think he’s a couple years of maturity away from being mentioned among the top two or three scorers, if not players.
That said, he’s not without things to work on.
I think his scoring chances come off his speed, and the quickness of his release. Not off really any kind of moves. He can beat a defender better than he can deke a goalie. I think his output increasesin direct correlation to the development of his arsenal of moves.
I think he’s a better player for being made to play defense, and I love seeing him create offensive chances from backchecking. But there’s a difference between guys like Walz and guys like Gaborik. I’m not saying that Gaby should be allowed to just float in the neutral zone, but you wouldn’t make Randy Moss play linebacker, if you know what I mean.
The bottom line for me is that Gaby has top 5 potential in the league right now. I really don’t think any of these “issues” with him are ones that won’t be cured with time.
Staying healthy for an entire season (or two) would be the #1 thing for him.
Hall - NAY. He doesn’t bring anything outstanding to the game in my eyes. Yes, he can be gritty, and score a few garbage goals, but I think we can do better.
Gabby - YAY. I agree, he is young, but he is one, if not the fastest skater in the league. AND - he can score. Like Nick says, he has a lot of “issues” to work through, one of which is to stay healthy. I was not always a big fan of Gabby’s, but he has grown on me. His impact to the team when he is healthy cannot be argued.
Thank you for your opinions. All very valid. I haven’t been a big fan of Gaborik. Tired of Gabby this, Gabby that. He hadn’t really showed me much. Yea, he’s fast, he can score goals but I guess I’m kinda of a team player kinda fan and it’s about the team not one player. But he has grown on me too. Maybe the addition of the Slovak brethren has helped his attitude.
Well, if you are a season ticket holder, your view of Gabby usually isn’t a positive one. I myself am not a big fan. He does alot of skating between the blue lines by himself when the puck is deep in his own zone. There is a reason that he gets so many break out passes, and that is because he isn’t in his defensive zone helping out. I will give him mad props to his speed. Can’t knock that. He stick handleing abilities suck. he can score (if he is being chased and he doesn’t have to go through a defender). Any player that has watched tape on Gabby knows that he is going to try and slide the puck through his legs. That moved worked good 3 seasons ago, time for a new move. Like what has been stated above, he has his issues that need to be worked out, or maybe I need to quit going to so many games……. So is it really that bad when i notice that a player changes his skates or sticks??
Russ — No, it’s not bad. I call it an eye for detail! Don’t give up your season tix. You might never get them back again..
I’d kill to be able to go to more games to complain about Gaby.
Russ, those were exactly my complaints. We used to call it “cherry pickin’”. He skates out and waits for everybody else to do the work so he can get the breakaway. That is exactly why I get so pissed when people complain about Walz. If it weren’t for players like Walz, what use would Gaborik be? Somebody’s got to go in the corners and it sure isn’t going to be Gaborik.
I was under the impression I was the only non-fan of Gaborik. I’ve never thought he was the kind of player you build a franchise around, too selfish for me. I just wanted to know if I wasn’t seeing something.
Here are the top 10 picks from 2000:
1. DiPietro (NYI)
2. Heatley (ATL)
3. Gaborik (MIN)
4. Klesla (COB)
5. Torres (NYI)
6. Hartnell (NAS)
7. L. Johnsson (BOS)
8. N. Alexeev (TB)
9. B. Krahn (CGY)
10. M. Yakubov (CHI)
Of note: Marcel Hossa (16), I. Bryzgalov (44), JM Liles (159), Henrik Lundqvist (205)
I’d love to have Heatley. DiPietro had a great year until he got banged up. Klesla is a very good hockey player. Other than that, Gaborik is clearly the cream of the crop there.
I’m not saying he’s not the things you guys don’t like about him (triple negative!!) just sharing some information.
Like I said, I will never fault his speed or his ability to score. I really think that it is just something that you would notice about Gabby when you see the games live. The tv follows the puck and doesn’t show Gabby till he is on his break away. Now, do I think he is worth the 6+mill a year……
If he gets all of the “issues” taken care of………..and matures……and can be a TEAM player……….we’ll see.
That’s why we need to keep Walz for at least another year (provided he remains as committed to staying in his usual impeccable shape!). He’s often the one to feed Gaby AND he KNOWS how to play defense and does so. The Demitra/Gaborik/Walz line had to be one of our most dangerous this year. Not to mention all of the off-ice advantages to keeping Walz.
Call me sentimental, but that’s one of the reasons I’ve wanted to keep Manny, along with Walz and obviously Gaborik –they are the last three of the originals who remain with the club. I know it’s a business and we have to do what makes sense for the team as a whole (and us fans who are, after all, the true stakeholders). However, all are solid players. It would be nice to retain a few from 2000… Oh, well, so it goes with the new NHL.
Nick — are we done with our thumbs up/down on players? Projections for tomorrow’s game between Sens and Sabs? Pretty sure Sens are going to wrap this one up.
Sens in four. They are red hot right now. Sabres don’t seem to have anything. Their mentally defeated……at this point.
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