Thursday’s extended thought; interesting Backstrom, Burns stats
Posted on October 11th, 2007 – 3:10 PMBy Michael Russo
I don’t know where this is going to go, but I’m a little ticked off right now, so we’ll see.
I began covering the NHL in 1995 at age 21. I became a full-time NHL beat writer in 1997 at age 23. And when I was young, I wanted to pursue every single thing that was written about the Florida Panthers. If it proved to be true, I wanted to write it and if it proved to be wrong, I wanted to write it.
After about the 10th article that I wrote that began with the words, “Contrary to reports,” my editor, Brian White — the man who went out on a limb to convince the Sun-Sentinel highers-up to give this raw, inexperienced reporter the Panthers beat when several bona fide, high-profile NHL beat writers were willing to fork over one of their limbs to cover professional hockey in South Florida – called me at home.
Actually, I think he beeped me (remember those days?), and I called him back.
He said something like, “Mike, if people are writing stuff that is wrong about the team you cover, there is absolutely no reason to refute in the paper what they’re writing. I don’t like when we refute stories.”
In other words, what he was saying to me was two-fold. 1) Refuting other’s information only lends credence to what they were writing in the first place and 2) You’re going to be the voice of the Panthers and whatever you write, people will know to believe because you’re the one who’s plugged in.
Ever since, I’ve refused to refute stuff if I know it is not true. I didn’t go to school to be a journalist. I learned on the job (I worked at the Sun-Sentinel starting at age 16), so Brian White and every other sportswriter at the Sun-Sentinel were pretty much my teachers and that’s one of the lessons that stuck with me.
Accuracy and objectivity are the two most important things at a newspaper.
This is why you don’t always read the juiciest Wild rumors in my stuff. I don’t throw stuff against the wall and pray it sticks. In Florida, I wrote a ton of stuff that did stick because there was always something happening with that team — firings, hirings, trades, locker-room dysfunction.
Here, there is rarely that kind of stuff because the Wild is as stable a professional sports franchise as there is.
So to get back to the point, simply, I write what I know.
If I find out something — and I speak to several people in the NHL daily — and I believe it to be true, I report it.
That’s why you didn’t read 50 Manny Fernandez rumors. You just heard the one at the draft that I was 100 percent confident of — that Boston wanted him. Last year, you didn’t read 50 names of free agents the Wild was pursuing. I wrote on July 1 about the one name I knew it’d pursue that day — Mark Parrish.
Where am I going with this? The Pavol Demitra being unhappy in Minnesota rumor, the one I tried to quash the other day the moment I saw people on message boards were calling Demitra a “scumbag.”
Now I see people on this very blog are questioning why I just don’t go up to Demitra and ask him if he’s unhappy. Why?
Two reasons: I’m the one who walks through the Wild locker room daily, talks to players and gets a gauge of the climate, not a reporter north of the border. And, because I refuse to refute a story that I know is 100 percent false.
Now, I’ll tell you the genesis of the rumor in a couple of seconds, but I can promise you, even if I didn’t know the genesis of it, I would still not go up to Demitra and try to refute this. Why?
Because I have common sense, and if I would have just read this rumor Sunday rather than knowing the story previously, I’d realize it’s completely illogical.
You know the old adage, don’t believe everything you read? Well, before just believing everything you read, think about it first. Use common sense and then determine if the rumor makes sense.
As I said the other day, in no particular order, Pavol Demitra makes $4.5 million. He plays on the same line as his best friend in the entire world, Marian Gaborik. He’s so respected by the coach he reportedly hates, the coach gave him the captain’s C. That same coach gives him all the freedom in the world (other than Demitra’s desire to play with the same center all year). He plays for a contender. And he lives in this great state of ours.
A lot to be unhappy about indeed!
But unfortunately, another reporter writes something, and it catches fire because of the infinite amount of sites out there that just rip stuff off and post it on theirs.
Wow, Fox Sports and Spectors and the wild.com message board — and RUSSO’S RANTS!!! – picked up the original story, and now it’s got to be true?
That’s just the day and age we live in — infinite cyberspace.
Now, the genesis: I really don’t want to get into specifics here because the reporter that wrote the original rumor is a good friend of mine.
But basically, each Thursday/Friday he sends out an email asking for rumors. As a joke, another reporter wrote back that Demitra’s unhappy in Minnesota and Peter Forsberg would sign with LA.
I got wind of this exchange last Thursday/Friday and called the jokester, who’s also a close friend, and said please make sure you call this other reporter and tell him you were joking because I think he’s going to write it and I don’t want to deal with the aftermath.
Well, it got written and I’m dealing with the aftermath. So there, that’s how it started.
I am refuting it, which is against my personal journalistic policy and that of Brian White’s. I pray this ends this.
As for today’s practice, the team is preparing for its mother-son trip. The Star Tribune didn’t invite my mom, which has her a bit ticked off, by the way.
Lots of talk today about getting off to a good start on the road, as opposed to the 13-game road losing streak in the middle of last season. In fact, Doug Risebrough said it was a Nov. game in Phoenix, coincidentally enough, where he first felt the (road) wheels were coming off.
As I worked ahead today, there was lots of talk today about the first game in Anaheim on Sunday.
There was talk today about how good Minnesota’s defense has been — no even-strengthed goals in the first three games — how great Martin Skoula’s been the last two games and how Keith Carney was scratched for the first time since what he believes is his rookie year.
So as you can see, I was busy getting to work on stories you’ll be reading over the next two, three, four days.
And you’ll be happy to know Pavol Demitra was in the locker room very visibly smiling and cracking jokes left and right.
HE APPEARED SO VERY HAPPY!!!!
Here are some great Nik Backstrom stats dug up today by the Wild:– Nik Backstrom is 24-1-2 when leading at any point in a game — lone regulation loss coming Feb. 6 vs. Dallas when he led 2-0 and lost 4-2.
– Backstrom is 16-0-0 when leading after two periods.
– Since officially taking over starting role Feb. 1 for Fernandez, Backstrom ranks first in the NHL in wins (21-3-3), first in shutouts (six), first in goals against average (1.80), first in save percentage (.933) and second in win percentage (.833).
– He’s 22-3-3 in his last 28 decisions.
– He’s 13-0-1 in his last 14 decisions since March 6.
– Has allowed two goals or less in 15 straight regular-season starts.
On Brent Burns, he leads all NHL defensemen in goals since March 11 (six). He has four winning goals in that span, tied for the league lead among forwards and defensemen (Milan Michalek and Mike Comrie).
136 Responses to "Thursday’s extended thought; interesting Backstrom, Burns stats"
Very few people actually practice journalism anymore. Its called rip it off the internet and sensationalize it. That is what sells adds. Rome is the masses.
Wow…
Mike, on behalf of your faithful readers, I apologize for our role in exacerbating this situation.
No problem, I got some steam out. I feel MUCH better.
MRusso…
I heard that Sidney Crosby requested a trade to the Wild. D’ya think he would look good between The Dynamic Duo??? LOL
Seriously, I saw that Spector column and laughed. You said it was bunk. Good enough for me.
A good road trip would be welcome. It could give them even more confidence and a strong hint (2 weeks into a very long season) that this could be a special year.
BTW…any info coming out of Beantown regarding Manny (I don’t mean the outfielder either)?
Mike-
I’ve read and loved this blog for 2 years running. I’ve always yearned to post something but I’ve realized now is the time. I’ve gotten a feeling here that you really have put your soul on the line and I really respect it, especially in this day and age of internet journalism. Keep on reporting the truth as you see fit and I’ll keep reading and commenting on it. The Internet has more than enough rumor graveyards. I remain here because I respect you and your reportings and because I truly love the Wild.
Even if I wasn’t a Wild fan I’d be reading here due to your great writing and insight about hockey. Keep it up.
Again Michael, thanks for clearing the air.
Side questions, I have a couple of questions for your Q&A. What do you want me to do with them, just post them up or e-mail them?? Might not be good newspaper questions, but some good geeky hockey/nhl questions.
Nick- to answer your question from the end of the previous thread, If FSN allows it I don’t why you would have to.
This whole Demitra thing reminds me of something my mom told me when I was a small lad, There are some things you just shouldn’t joke about. This could be one of them.
That rumor must have been covered in gasoline and lit on fire the way that it spread.
Mike you are doing an outstanding job, keep at it. Sorry to hear your mom didn’t get invited on the road trip.
Excellent response, way to go Mr. Russo. I never doubted your honesty and swift reaction to debunk that bunk Demo rumor.
Nick I just noticed you there is a link to your blog
Russo, would you dump Joe Corvo and pick up Brent Burns for your fantasy team?
Sorry everyone that I asked if anyone had heard that rumor. I have been out of town the past week and I hadn’t heard the rumor…which I never believed…or that Russo had refuted it.
I know I don’t post on here as much as some but I hope everyone has seen over the past two years that I do have a little insight into the game and that I am not a troll looking to cause trouble.
Go Wild!
I appreciate your journalistic integrity and your uncanny ability to separate truth and rumor, Russo.
I don’t know where FSN ranks in terms of credibility, but really? Really? Most pros would relish the opportunity to play alongside a best friend and countryman, in front of 19,000 screaming homers, wear the C, earn 4.5 mil, etc. Demitra unhappy? Really?
Guess now we know how to wind Russo up 
Hail Russo! Thank you for that post. My level of respect for you has just been raised a couple of notches (in part, because I am impressed with your career path and such early success, except for the fact you made me feel really old).
Earlier today, I went and read the Fox Sports column that repeated the rumor - I wanted to find Russo’s immediate “no story there” post when that rumor first hit Russoville so I could send it to the guy. The amazing/upsetting part of the column is how the guy runs with the rumor (apparently, only because the Ottawa Sun printed it) and then spends several paragraphs about when/where/if Demo gets traded. In effect, pushing forward one unsubstantiated rumor with another completely unsubstantiated layer to it. Man, I know these guys need to fill space, but c’mon.
Of course, the Sun journalist who originally went with the rumor should also be taken to task (fried of Russo’s or not). It’s THAT easy to get something in the paper?! Man, fortunately, we’re just talking about professional sports, a relatively unimportant industry in the great scheme of things. Do news journalists have similarly low standards?
Mr. Russo, thank you for a fantastic blog. You give us all a fantastic chance to get the info that we crave about our favorite club. Anything that you write is very well written by someone that is tied in very tightly with the club. I just want to say thanks for all your hard work and for the best blog there is.
Hey Russo,
Does any of the above brown-nosing ever result in free tickets for the residents of “Russoville?”
If it does result in free tickets i think it would be a good wedding gift for the other half and I…haha
I’m out of the continent until January but free tix are free tix
OK, who saw this one. Mike Comrie is dating Hillary Duff? She was in attendance for the battle of NY last night. Comrie took a huge hit and the camera panned to her immediately and she had her hand over her mouth like she couldn’t believe people get hit that hard. It was priceless.
I’m sorry to go off-topic in this thread, but I just have to ask: has anyone here ordered a Boogaard Fight Camp shirt from Trevor Lakness and actually received it? I sent him a check almost two months ago and I’m still waiting.
Russo’s Rants is going to become the US Weekly of hockey if we aren’t careful. Bring it back in guys!
I just hope Comrie keeps scoring when guerin passes him the puck or tips in his rebounds. Makes my late round selection of guerin look very smart.
Dave I thought a few threads ago Russo mentioned something about Trevor having problems getting the t-shirts shipped into our fine country. I myself keep forgetting to put a check in the mail so I havent ordered one yet.
Thanks, Chris. I did see that post by Russo. I guess I’ll just keep waiting.
give it 2 more weeks and if you still don’t have a t-shirt, find someone with a telegraph and call the mounties.
everyone gotta blow off a little steam and if you can’t do it with friends, who can you do it with?
it’s all good.
As I’m winding down my 13 hour workday, I was surfing nhl.com and came across this: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=339777&page=NewsPage&service=page
I heard that Demitra asked Risebrough to package him and Gaborik in a deal to Montreal so that the flights back to Slovakia were shorter.
sounds like someone needs a beer and quick. good thing i have a fresh 6 pack of newcastle…
well I don’t really see how that helps me…..
Good column Mike,one question, how long did you have wash your hands after pushing throu all the crap to set us straight (not that I believed it in the first place).
Thanks and keep the good words coming.
i see russo’s rant is a feature on the basketball blog. hope he didn’t go “postal” in the office before burning the keybord…
not to poke the sleeping bear, but it just dawned on me that this was arguably the first REAL rant by Russo on Russo’s Rants.
They say you always remember your first, Mike.
Cheers.
NiNY - you’re right, this really was the first rant. It’s healthy to rant a little now and again, so here’s to that.
Russo - was this the “bizarre incident that had you fuming” that you blogged about (but didn’t share) before the Columbus game? I am guessing it was probably about Saturday afternoon that you would have learned of the little “jokester’s” Demo rumor.
BTW, not that it matters, but did any Russotans really start hammering Demo (e.g., calls of “scumbag”) when that rumor was posted? I don’t remember the feedback - I just remember that Russo quashed it so quick I didn’t even two seconds of thought.
i didnt see any russotans call demo a scumbag, I assumed it was on message boards elsewhere.
Tom Lynn posted another piece on wild.com. Actually, a very interesting read about how teams can get a competetive advantage by knowing the ins and outs of the CBA (no mention of the rules relating to faxing immigration paperwork to the league office on time, though).
Note the not-so-subtle jab at the Fowl at the end of the article - Lynn suggests a way around the salary cap is for a team to (wink, wink) allow a veteran (”or two”) to take a good chunk of the season off by “retiring,” only to allow them to come back - say, after Christmas - when their prorated salary will be easier to squeeze under the cap and their fresh for playoff run.
A couple observations. First, Greenstar would make a sharp analyst.
Next, for a gift, I bought Nanne’s book today. It ain’t half bad from what I have seen. Normally, it is not the sort of thing I would ever buy but it looks well done.
Finally, maybe it is just people talking about pet peeves but any subject discussed on these blogs has at least one of the regular contributors PO’d.
Whether we discuss Barry Melrose, Marti Gellner, Greenlay, Skouba, the cameraman, etc, it hits a hot button for someone. I donno, I would just say lighten up boys and girls. It is supposed to be fun.
These people are are all the best we have got at the present time and are doing the best they can.
In general, the camera work for Wild games is better than is available other places, including Hockey Night in Canada.
I watch HNC quite a little because of Wild games not on Fox. They do have some rare insights which I appreciate. But, I don’t really find anything to complain about in our own broadcasts.
Russo, I wish every journalist had your attitude. That is commendable.
I am somewhat shocked that Mike Comrie is dating Hilary Duff, and extremely amused. He had become somewhat of a joke between my friend and I, ever since he was the top center on our Phoenix Coyotes season on NHL 06. Don’t get me wrong, though. He’s a good player (at least, he has worked well for Ottawa. He was better in the video game than in real life for Phoenix. You should have seen him! He was a rocket).
Anyone - ANYone - who had seen Demitra during pre-season or the first games in the regular season would know that the ‘rumor’ was garbage. Spector is as full of it as Ecklund. They’re a pair of competing sewer treatment plant operators. Which also means you know what they are full of!
Mike Russo: enjoy ‘Beanie Night’ in Phoenix (think ‘touque’). With all the players’ moms on the road trip, one of them ought to get a ‘quote machine’ trophy for best quotes on their son!
The ‘Yotes smoked Nashville tonight 6-3 at Sommet Center. It was an ugly game, to say the least…
Wild broadcasts better than HNIC??!?!?!?!
Dude, pass that stuff this way. Actually, on second thought… no, don’t.
Mike,
Want to say sorry, and Thank you. Great blog entry. I truly respect.
And Nick…I had NO idea that you had a blog and it links from your name. I am a complete idiot.
The camera work is as good. It depends on from which arena.
Nooo. And don’t get me started on the lines washing out in Wild broadcasts.
Mike, nice article on Sheps mom. Nice quote from JL on the trip too. Lucky for James she came since he packed so lightly.
My schedule sucks for blogging. I usually can’t post until about forty in. That being said, Russo’s been pretty good recently reading down a few posts on the blog.
Russo - I really appreciate the post and the insight you provided about your background and your job. And even though you probably didn’t have to, you went out of your way to make sure that every blogger here and their opinion, whether right or wrong, has been validated. Actually, you do that with most of your posts - whether you’re answering questions, chiming in from time to time, or acknowledging that you’ve had your chair kicked. I think the thing that keeps the Russotans here and keeps the conversation relevant (with the occasional Christina Aguilera or Hillary Duff reference) is the connection we have with each other and the connection you have made with us. Thanks.
Go Wild!
“Now that’s what I call a$$hole journalism.”
Bonus points if you can name the former coach in town here who uttered that classic phrase…
coach burns?
from JL’s quips in russo’s work today i get the sense he is in a pretty good mood. good sign the coach is enjoying himself.
could it have been mason?
smuggla: That’s a non-starter, bud. It was Denny Green that uttered those famous words…
We’ll see how JL is enjoying himself sfter the SoCal weekend…
Greenstar, maybe Demitras mom had a little 1 on 1 chat with him
congrats Wild RoadTripper, it was the Sherriff, you get the bonus points!!!
JL does seem to be a little bit more upbeat this season.
ballgame
In reference to your question #1 on the Q & A.
Water has a better chance of running uphill than JL commiting to ANY set line. This isn’t anything new, it’s been stated a million times that JL juggles, mix & matches line combo’s due to production and match-ups on a shift by shift basis.
Nobody(captian, center, winger, defenceman, goalie) is going to be annoited #1 anything with JL. Keeping you on your toes is JL’s gig.
Eddie Shore -
I know, I know, but figure that Jacques took Gabby’s advice that there was no chemistry with Moore and then put him on the fourth line. I know its an old (ancient) question, but I’m thinking that now that Gabby has more (perceived) pull with Jacques, there may be some consistency with that line.
Wild.com has started calling the Belanger line the BBR line - not that Wild.com is the expert (far from it) but that as long as they play well together, that line should stick around for awhile. I don’t see why that wouldn’t happen to any other line.
Jacques messes with his lines to keep the players on their toes, but it usually is the result of inconsistency on their part. So, if Koivu or anyone for that matter clicks with that group - and they start scoring points hand over foot - why wouldn’t they stick together?
Its old news that Jacques likes to tinker with his lines, but I think that Jacques is a little more nimble than we give him credit for. Everyone thinks they’ve got him pegged for certain habits, but he seems to be ahead of the curve on most of it. Consider the trap - most preseason publications bemoaned the fact that Minnesota is this low scoring (read: boring) club, when in reality, we just play defence first. Heck, we saw “high flying” Edmonton use a 1-4 on Wednesday (thanks GreenStar).
Conventional wisdom is something that is passe’ in Jacques’ world and when it comes down to it, aren’t we all living in Jacques’ world?
JL is indeed our puppetmaster. Why wouldn’t he be more upbeat? Belanger instead of White. Backstrom instead of Fernandez. Burns instead of Kuba. Need I go on???
smuggla…I HAD respect for you. Denny Green??? arrrrrgggghhhh!!! 
and hopefully soon a coke machine with a stick instead of nummelin
Ballgame I liked your last question on the q and a blog. hopefully he picks that one.
kj- on cbssports there power rankings have the wild #2 right behind the Sens
I just posted this on the Q&A page but I thought I would throw it out here for everyone as well.
If you were the commish, what one change to the league if any would you make?
I’d bet dollars to donuts that gabbys comments meant boo to JL regarding moore.
move the posts out 3 inches on each side so net is 78inches wide instead of 72 and make posts 3 and 3/8inches in diameter instead of 2 and 3/8 inches. i’d leave height alone.
DJ -
I’ll bite.
If I were commish,
1.) I’d rip up the TV contract with Versus and get on my hands and knees and beg for ESPN to take the NHL back. Even if it’s on ESPN2 or even ESPN50 for that matter.
2.) Bye-bye instigator rule.
3.) I’d work within the intrest of the NHL, not just the NHL owners.
eddie that’s three things, granted all good but only picking one makes things more difficult. you have to choose the one thing that you think will have them most impact. makes for a good thinking question.
ballgame -
Check it out: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_7153492
Eddie you put it perfectly, that waqs pretty much exactly what I was thinking.
Maybe even start fining players for diving in a game.
Instigator. Gonzo.
yeah if i had to vote for one, it would be instigator.
love the last line of that article from the press
Since I posted the question, I should answer it as well.
If I were commish,
1)I would stop tinkering with the game except for one thing and one thing only. I would make the nets one puck width wider on each side. It’s not a drastic enlargement but it would be enough to give shooters a chance to see webbing…which I would hope would start allowing players flying down the wing a chance to tee one up and go top shelf opposite corner (my personal favorite type of goal, a la Brian Rolston who is one of only a handful of players who can still pull that off right now).
2) I would market, market, market, market until people got sick of seeing the NHL shield. I would have ads running on every channel during every major show, all day everyday. Get your brand name in the face of people, it’s marketing 101. As it is the league only markets during their games to people who are already watching and are most likely fans. I am a fan, I don’t need to be marketed to. Get your message out there.
That’s what’d I’d do anyway.
Any thoughts?
I know I listed two but if I had to choose between the two as of this moment, I would choose my second thought.
I will say this though about the ads the NHL has run the past two years. They have been brilliant! I laughed until I hurt when I saw the new one with Jumbo Joe standing in the mirror checking himself out, then turns to the locker room attendent and asks if his breezers make his butt look big.
That is the type of commercial that gets people talking. Unfortunately the only people who get to see it are NHL fans.
I would insist that the ref’s consistently call the game as per whatever the rules were.
You can accept a ref blowing a call, but not calling the game different at the end of the third period or OT, or calling it different for each team.
I would replace helmets with Chef hats. Think about it: players melon’s are still protected by a poofy chef’s hat and, and who wouldn’t want to watch guys skate around in chef’s hats?
Maybe also replace the puck with a Jimmy Dean sausage (the puck-shaped one, not the hot-dog shaped one), and when you score, the goalie has to eat it.
come on mods…there was nothing untoward in my post at 11:49am…let it go through
Eddie Shore - I hear ya, but I stand by my post. I think that when Jacques finds the guy, he’s going to stick with him longer than six shifts. (say that five times fast)
Don’t hold your breath.
IMO, what hurts the NHL in popularity is a number of reasons.
1.) Out of all the other sports, hockey is by far the most expensive sport. (equipment & ice time the leaders)
2.) Kids or even adults for that matter can’t play a neighborhood pick-up game, in a park or backyard, of hockey like they can with say:
Football - all you really need is a football.
Basketball - all you need is a ball & hoop.
Baseball - most kids own a glove, bat & ball.
Soccer - all you need is a ball and some cones.
To play hockey at it’s best, it needs to be played on ice with the full array of equipment. Not cheep.
3.) The lack of American stars in the league(although this has vastly improved of late).
side topic: The Gophers’ press package for the Ice Breaker lists, as the team Athletic Trainer “Erik Rasmussen”.
As in, Erik Rasmussen?
Wikipedia says that he’s a free agent right now, having not received a contract offer from the Devils.
Has anyone heard anything about him coming home to roost, so to speak?
bsllgsme: I still like Original Fire by Audioslave for your cd. I think I have heard on occasion at the X
we used to play street hockey when i was a kid all the time. you just needed a stick and a ball. we used to make balls out of old hockey tape even. we made a couple nets but cones worked in a pinch.
i remember playing pickup boot and skate hockey at the local outdoor rink.
i also remember my mite years at phalen being mostly outdoors. we did have some inside time but we mostly used the 2 sheets at the park. is it all inside now? i’ve heard the city is looking into putting in 3 refridgerated outdoor rinks that can be used from november to march. maybe that will help keep cost down.
does it cost that much to keep a rink operating? i always thought the high cost was due to the scarcity of sheets which can’t be the case anymore.
Great idea! Get rid of the instigator!
the real issue is kids can’t go do anything without a parent watching them. as a kid i lived up the street from the little league fields. every day in the summer from 8 to 12, i went down there to watch games and hang with others. do you think that would happen today? kids lives are too organized IMHO. i also think that is because they have to fit around parents schedules.
Eddie Shore - my head is blue right now darnit.
To piggyback on your last one, I don’t think expense is that big of a problem otherwise golf would be out. I think #2 is far more likely especially because you need outdoor ice. (and it’s in pretty short supply right now) The array of equipment isn’t that big of a deal - skates, twig, biscuit.
I’m sure that a lot of us here who’ve played have memories of shinny at the park or backyard. Its part of who we are. (Where’s smuggla?) We were raised by a stick and a pair of blades…
Ok so I went and read some of the questions that had been asked of Russo, especially from us regulars and now I have nothing to ask because you stole my questions…
Speeking of fall out from the Pav rumor, they were spouting about it on 93X this morning, I was so mad I almost called (while I was driving which is something I almost never do) to chew them out. You keep writing the facts Russo and I’ll keep reading what you write. Could you do us one small favor though and remind Boogey to update his blog once in a while. Have from with the Mom’s and I’m sorry yours didn’t get to go with.
On the ice we cut our teeth…
NiNY: I’ll see if I can get my source at the U to cough up some details about Rasmussen, and whether it’s him.
sing it ballgame
NiNY, as I recall, Rasmussen is more of a grinder than anything else. My guess if anything he’d be another Wyatt Smith or maybe Moore/SRV.
we took our knocks in the penalty box…
I hate to say it, but someone brought up about former Gophers playing for the Wild. The truth is only a select few have the skill to make in the NHL. The wide majority of NHL players come from foreign countries and never played for an American college or university. The only gophers players who’ve made a splash in the NHL are Broten and Vanek…
(And Vanek came from a foreign country)…
GreenStar, I’m not sure what it costs to run a rink, but I wish I had that much.
I heard that the city of Minneapolis bought all the rinks in the city. That’s why Edison is now Northeast.
I agree that the NHL needs to promote on other channels. The only time I see NHL commercials on channels other than FSN is during NHL games.
I also think they need to start promoting alternative ways to play hockey. Street hockey, boot hockey and roller hockey are all a lot of fun, and could get more people into it. I have friends that never played a game of hockey in their life, and we started a boot hockey team a couple years back. Everyone loves it.
I couldn’t find if someone answered who said the quote: “That’s what I call a$$hole journalism.”
That would be Denny Green, who currently resides on 123 High Rd., San Diego, CA
When Russo was asked who started the rumor about Demitra being unhappy,
Russo replied: “They are who we thought they were!”
When Russo was asked why didn’t you call them out,
Russo replied: “We let ‘em off the hook!”
(Russo then stormed out of the press conference)
…. and when Russo was asked in which paper he first read the rumor, he said: “Well, I read the New York Times and the USA Today, so I don’t really pay much attention to the Ottawa Sun.”
If the rumor doesn’t stop, Russo should video tape a message to be posted here in which he threatens to sue the Strib for ownership unless everyone stops spreading the rumor. He could also blame the rumor on a small group of Russotans who have conspired to drive him crazy with rumor mongering so that he will leave town. Of course, the video would be recorded from deep in the bowels of the X.
Ahhh … Denny sure was entertaining….
Another barrier is that safety is so hammered on kids these days that they practically have to wear a helmet every time they step outside. Parents need to teach kids how to do things safely, not just keep their kids away from it.
For example, Mrs Wafer is due in early November (our first), and we plan on teaching the kid how to skate before we teach him to walk. Hopefully I can retire 18 years from now.
Wafer: Good luck with the first born man!
My first born will be three this December, she and I have been “skating” about half a dozen times (all last year).
She started out with the dreaded double-runners, and graduated to single-blade, kiddy skates by the end of the season.
My advice to you is to forego the double runners altogether. I don’t think they do much to help a kid learn how to skate, and they might just inhibit their learning how to trust the blade.
i think the calcutta clipper had something to do with it too
WildHooBear: On your Walz question in the Q&A, I thought I read (probably here) that what really impressed Walz was that DR went to him to present the offer and then said “if you decide to come back, the offer will be there”. Wes said something like it was the first time he hadn’t been presented with a “take it or leave it” offer, and that was how he felt the team respected him.
This is getting ridiculous. I can not get this particular comment past the censors, and I have no idea why.
I am saving the text of all three of my previous versions, and if one of the mods would like to contact me to explain what about them is objectionable I would appreciate it.
Nick, the mods are afraid of your insight.
Congrats Wafer, that’s awesome man!
I agree about the double runners.
Just get a folding chair or something along those lines and have the kids push them around. Push the kids around on the chair too, because they will enjoy it, and have more fun on the ice.
yeah wafer, congrats on the soon to be bundle of joy
DJ: Here’s the gist…
Daniel Negreanu (sp?) WPT star…tv commercial for his site…also has him playing street hockey…not NHL commercial…saw it on arrogant sports network based in CT…in middle of morning recap show that is their anchor program…very cool.
Wait, there is an arrogant four letter sports network based in CT? Huh, who knew?
Nick, that does sound cool. Sadly, I will never get to see it since I no longer watch said network.
I try to watch as little on that network as I can, but the ad caught my eye as I was flipping through channels this morning (honestly).
As you’ve pointed out, it’s not us the hockey fans that the sport needs marketing to. If Joe WPT fan identifies Negreanu and then sees him playing street hockey and thinks “hey that looks like fun” or “that looks cool” on said network, then that’s a win from a marketing perspective.
Why the NHL hasn’t capitalized on this angle already is beyond me, except that they seem to be so deficient in marketing savvy to begin with.
ESPN - if this gets through then it’s not the reason my posts got sent to the principal’s office.
could we at least get a set of rules or words/phrases that trigger the long arm of the moderators so that we know what not to say?
Yoke (from the Q&A thread):
“Can I have them?”
LMAO
Nick, I agree that would be a win from a marketing perspective.
Here’s my beef with the NHL and marketing…for the record I work in advertising, so I am probably a little biased when it comes to this subject, but I digress…
Last season SI.com did a sitdown Q&A with the commish, but they had us as fans write in and ask the questions in a blog…essentially what our esteemed Russo is doing right now. The biggest question that fans kept asking is why the NHL doesn’t get their message out more and to a broader audience…I wrote in and asked the question as well. The commish’s response was, non of the other leagues do it so why should they? He then went on to say he thinks they do a great job of marketing and that their message is getting out.
I wanted to scream when I read that. I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to say that. I can honestly say, any respect that I may still have had for him went out the window the second I read that. It is reasons like that and arrogance like that is why his league is on life support.
Sorry, about the rant.
DJ: Totally agree. And to think he tutored under Stern, whose league is incredibly well marketed in my opinion.
Many great questions posted today. I think Russo is going to have a tough time picking out which ones to answer.
I agree with you guys about the marketing. The past couple of years have had games on Versus on Monday and Tuesday, but it seems as if they have changed that this year. They need to get that sort of information out to as many people as possible.
I don’t like to listen to Bettman anymore. He always has the arrogant smirk on his face, and he always refers to the game as a “product” which bugs the heck out of me.
On a side note:
Is anyone here going to the Bulldog game tonight?
GreenStar…
Phalen? You grew up near Phalen???
I am a JHS grad (’76). Who knows, maybe we know each other…:P
MNWildFan13, that is a perfect example. I sat down this past Monday to watch a game only to find out Bull riding or some garbage like that was on. I couldn’t believe it.
I just checked the Versus website, and it looks as if they will be showing games on Mondays and Tuesdays from now on.
They could do so much more for marketing. Remember when the All-Star game was here and the had the FANtasy thing that you could go to? They should have that go to cities all over the U.S. and Canada throughout the year instead of just one city per year. Have it so that it comes to your city once every 2 or 3 years. That would be a great way of teaching people the game and the history.
Nick, I’m getting the same moderation message on my question on why a certain CT based 4 letter sports station would cover pro hockey when ratings on card tournaments from the past are 3 times higher than the pro hockey league would pull at about 1 percent of production costs.
Also, thank you Mr. Russo for this forum and your journalistic credibility.
Anyone notice another Flyer got suspended 25 games?
Yes, I did toivo. Can’t say he didn’t deserve that.
NiNY - good advice on skipping the double runners. They’re a waste of time - the kids can go right to regular blades.
Wafer, the only advice I have on when to start the kids is that they need to have enough leg stregth and coordination to be able to at least stand on skates. In addition to a 7 year old, I’ve got twin 4 years olds. At the start of last season, it took the twins (then 3) a while to get used to standing up. Once they did, then I got them pushing a folding chair by themselves. With a warm winter, we didn’t get a lot of ice time last season to practice. So, this year, the goal is to get rid of the chair early. I’d like them to be able to start in our ass’n spring academy in the spring and start mites for real next fall.
It’s really pretty fun watching kids figure it out on the ice.
Bandgeek, I remember you saying you are from Rochester, have you tried talking to Charter about Center ice yet? I tried again tonight and they say they are still in negotiations with the NHL. Gettin kinda antsy.
From the Q&A blog - Wouldn’t the Wild be better off if they had tried to resign UFA’s Willie Mitchell ($3.5mil) and Andrew Brunette ($1.6mil) and not needed to sign Kim Johnsson ($4.8mil)and Mark Parrish ($2.6mil)last year?
Hindsight is 20/20. Riser already admitted that not resigning bruno was a mistake or at least pretty much said that. The thinking was his plodding style wasn’t going to work in the “new” NHL. He admitted he was wrong.
We are getting the better end of the Parrish contract. Johnsson will still provide more offense than mitchell ever would.
kj - you got some years on me. HHS grad 1991. grew up near parkway little league but phalen was the best playground program around.
JEFFS468: From Rochester yes, live there now … gosh no. I fled to the Cities as soon as the U accepted me (did my time at RCTC getting the generals done though). I live in So. St. Paul now. Besides that, the Mr and I have Direct TV so on the dish we get a little more, to broke to do Center Ice this year however.
I have the best sister ever, she managed to get me tickets to the Nov 18 game (its the day before my birthday). Nothing better than celebrating a birthday with hockey.
Congrats on the tickets,my wifes b-day is Nov 18 also!! I dont know if she would be as thrilled about tickets for a bday gift though!!! Thank you for the info though.
When my kids were learning to skate, I built them little sawhorses to push around the ice.
We lived in Duluth at the time, a guy stopped and watched us for awhile, he introduced himself as Tommy Williams dad or uncle and suggested that a small hockey stick would be better than the sawhorses because the kids could lean on it while developing a skating stride.
I figured Tommy Williams relative knew more than me so I took the advice.
Wild off to a rough start, but still have the lead. JL can’t be too happy with his team right now.
Mike,
I know what you feel….preach on, brother!
La Velle
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I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
National Transportation Safety Board recently divulged they had funded a project with the US auto makers for the past five years. The NTSB covertly funded a project whereby the auto makers were installing black boxes in four wheel drive pickup trucks in an effort to determine, in fatal accidents, the circumstances in the last 15 seconds before the crash.
They were surprised to find in 49 of the 50 states the last words of drivers in 61.2% of fatal crashes were, “Oh, Shit!”
Only the state of Texas was different, where 89.3% of the final words were, “Hey Y’all, hold my beer and watch this!”
Don’t Worry, Be Happy! =)
