Whatever day this is update
Posted on February 25th, 2008 – 1:43 PMBy Michael Russo
I’ve lost track of the days. I know it’s Friday, Sunday or Monday because airport security was packed this morning.
I just know we’re 24 hours and 30 minutes to the deadline, and I hear crickets. It’s that quiet. Nothing is happening.
I was just talking to an NHL front-office type and he said his team’s not even getting callbacks. Is it possible that tomorrow’s deadline may only have a dozen or so trades?
I just had deja vu to what might have been my last time in Washington. It was about a week or so before the ‘04 deadline and I was moseying around the White House when I got the call that Viktor Kozlov was traded to Jersey for some guy named Christian Berglund.
I hope I get a call like that again because I’m bored. I also couldn’t believe that old Northwest Airlines/Air Tran/Midwest terminal is still around at Ronald Reagan.
I remember flying from Detroit to D.C. during the ‘98 Stanley Cup Finals sweep and landing at that old terminal. I get to baggage claim and the first piece of luggage out? The Stanley Cup. I just it was cool that I was flying with Lord Stanley.
OK, now you really know how bored I am.
By the way, the team is late to DC, so 3 p.m. practice has been pushed back. So I’ll be back on later this afternoon. It is nice to finally be on a Southeast Division jaunt again, my first since 2003-04.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m getting excited for the trip down to Florida in a few days.
Anybody notice the Wild is winless in three since Mike Ramsey’s been away from the team? Just saying.
For the person on the last blog that asked about whether refs have to talk to the media, I was in contact with head of officials Steve Walkom (great dude) last night and he said it’s not mandatory, but encouraged. I think he’d like his refs to be accountable for their calls. I wasn’t aware of that Meier-Lemaire rift because I didn’t cover the team. I’ll ask Jacques about that today.
As for Forsberg, the Philly writers today hear he skated, feels good and plans to sign somewhere. I have not confirmed that through any of my people, and the Wild is mum.
254 Responses to "Whatever day this is update"
I guess Tanguay won’t waive his NTC - good for us and him!
So you’re blaming all this on Rammer, Russo?? That’s like saying the price of seafood in Broward is going up this week, just because you’re coming back down there… 
Russo - Are you hearing anything on Forsberg? I don’t understand why that one is dragging on so long?
Russo: I was wondering the same thing about Ramsey but I thought I was putting too much stock into it.
That’s like saying the price of seafood in Broward is going up this week, just because you’re coming back down there
increase in demand, increase in price
kj, we’re still getting Forsberg right? Then we have no worries!
Green*: So should we expect a price spike in Pampers when Marney delivers??
Sheesh…
The increase in seafood demand will hit Broward about 12 Noon Thursday, when the wife and I leave the airport… 
Bob Gainey’s #23 became the 13th retired by the Canadiens.
His No. 23 joined Nos. 1 (Jacques Plante), 2 (Doug Harvey), 4 (Jean Beliveau), 5 (Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion), 7 (Howie Morenz), 9 (Maurice “Rocket” Richard), 10 (Guy Lafleur), 12 (Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer), 16 (Henri Richard), 18 (Serge Savard), 19 (Larry Robinson) and 29 (Ken Dryden).
With 2009 being their centennial, will we see Jacques Lemaire’s #25 raised to the rafters next season?
Special to NiNY: Check your e-mail…
kj has foreseen it.
So say the Wild don’t pick up an impact center. Where does that leave us in the offseason? Blow off Demo and Rolston to go after a #1 center for Gabby?
I don’t eat seafood. I updated the blog with some answers to some of your questions.
AO - They can retire #25 for both Lemaire and for Vincent Damphousse. Oh wait…
Looks like the Flames are going to roll with the team they have: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230548&hubname=
does anyone know why guy carboneau was there in sweater, sitting with the legends? i know he was called out by gainey but so was doug jarvis who was in a suit.
I’ve had just about enough of all this Christian Berglund bashing.
You don’t eat seafood, Michael? And you lived in Florida? How in the heck did you survive? You obcviously did well, but no seafood?? We need to talk…
…and for AO: If they were to retire #25 for JL they would have done it in 2003 on the night when they honored JL, DR, Guy Lapointe (Wild scout) and Mario Tremblay prior to the Wild drubbing the Habs 6-3 at Bell Centre…
Welcome back to DC Russo! You should enjoy it here there are Starbucks on every street corner so you should have no problem finding coffee.
El Gato, from last thread. I definitely do not believe everything or much of anything that D&D’r say. I was just throwing that out there.
“there are Starbucks on every street corner so you should have no problem finding coffee.”
Name one city in the US taht DOESN’T have a starbucks on every corner!! 
I can’t wait until after the deadline. I find the anxiety and anticipation unavoidable even though I am almost certain to once again be disappointed by the lack of action the Wild takes.
Tuesday afternoon just can’t come fast enough for me - just to get it over with. Anyone else feel this way?
Name one city in the US taht DOESN’T have a starbucks on every corner!!
Duluth
WRT - I heard it’s because Russo’s great grandfather Vito was saved by a marlin when he fell off a boat while deep sea fishing. In return for his life, seven generations of Russos had to abstain from seafood. If they break the agreement, they will be stricken with unspeakable food poisoning.
But it’s just a rumor, so take it with a grain of salt.
Thanks for the Forsberg update Russo. That is still tops on my list of improvements for this team.
Wallshot - I’m with you. I just want it to be over with.
Ditto Wallshot and I think even Duluth has 2 Harbucks now.
I think we will end up watching quietly as the deadline passes with no movement for the Wild.
DC Fan: I thought you said US city, not US large town. Unless you’re talking about Duluth, Georgia…
Wafer: Yeah, but when you live in an area bounded on three sides by seafood, it’s the last place you go for a steak dinner (at least one would think…)
Hopefully the Wild will ‘warm up’ to the surroundings and start playing better (or at least put a biscuit in the basket occasionally)…
DC Wild fan, I said “city”.
The Wild side is strong with him.
I have been concentrating my efforts on repairing his wonky foot.
Forsberg will be here…I have forseen it.
Wafer, great story. You should help write the Sopranos movie when they start working on it.
Remember WRT…you cannot blame ME for any losses during the road trip.
Thank God I didn’t go yesterday…
maybe we can channel the late mr miyagi and do that rubbin of the hands together thing he did to daniel san to heal foppa ankle?
kj: How many people I sent the original e-mail to back in August? About 16. How many are coming with us to Tampa & Sunrise? Zero. I have no one to blame but myself if they go South (literally) this coming week. Still glad I am skipping the DC game, though. That game will be a bear, especially the way this team is performing right now…
You should have come yesterday. You had your chance. Tsk, tsk…
All together now:
WON-KY ANK-LE
clap . . clap . . clap clap clap
Chant aside, if Forsberg can be near 100% by the playoffs I believe signing him is the best trade deadline move the Wild can make.
Forsberg will win his 1st face off in the crane position (with wonky foot up in the air).
Latest Eklund Rumors:
Hossa to Detroit, Jokinen to Habs.
Eklund is killing me. He makes up more horse manure than well… horses.
DP: Remember, always take Eklund with not a grain of salt, but a truckload of it!
I definitely don’t put much stock in it, but I thought I would throw it out there.
Also found this, kind of funny:
It is totally quiet here in the Twin Cities. Mark my words…Doug Risebrough will not part with young talent. Falling into 2nd place behind Calgary…don’t be surprised if the Wild are sellers, not buyers (which, by the way, is starting to anger season ticket holders). If they sell or do nothing before tomorrow’s deadline, the sports pages and sports radio shows here will be noisy for sure.
To say nothing of the rioting in Russoville!
That would be interesting… but I have the felling that that Eklund fellow is full of it.
Another thing that drives me nuts about him is the fact that 90% of all his postings start with “My inside scoop”, “I got a call from someone very important”, etc… It’s like name dropping, only without dropping the names. He annoys me.
Re: Eklund Rumors
The Habs and Flames were rumored to be in discussion, but the Flames GM said he isn’t looking to trade anyone. So that would free up the Habs to look elsewhere?
Forsberg is not at the top of my wish list except he is free. He is a beat up, worn down, old hockey player.
Though I assume his minute total would be small, I am certain he would score some key goals.
What I really do not understand is that a week ago his ankle was way too sore to come back this year. Once I was told the ankle joint is a very complex joint.
My question is: How can there be such a miracle recovery in just a week? Or, is the joint improvement related to contract dollars?
The Eklund Salt Co. strikes again.
is that eklund as well, DP? the uneducated sports writers will be up in arms that is for sure. souhan and powers have already said the wild must make a trade or become irrelevant, even though souhan know as much about hockey as I know about knitting a sweater. some cat on cco, maybe eric nelson said the same thing. although he did say the wild must trade for OJ and the reasoning was simply the fans will stop coming if the boys don’t go deep in the playoffs. i think the local media is driving the need for movement.
Well, just confirmed today that I have my tickets at will-call. I should be there pretty early, so I’ll be keeping my eye out for Russo, if given the chance.
NiNY, you said earlier that you might make this game. Any chance of that still happening?
Greenstar, why not chananel Mr Myagi for SRV to become a shooting sensation or Belanger out of his slump?
@ DC Wild Fan and Russo: actually if you are downtown, there are a fair number of Caribous around as well. Not nearly as many as Starbucks, but I’ve seen a few. There’s one right outside the Metro Center exit at 13th street…practically walk right into it. And it’s a short walk from there to the Verizon Center.
BTW, I’m not a fan of VZC. I miss “the X”.
maybe his girlfriend is going to dump him if he doesn’t come back to the NHL. Then he would have to be like Ovenchicken and find a girlfriend on the internet.
i don’t know if rubbing the hands together cures that kind of thing but it fixed daniel son’s shoulder and wonky leg
I totally agree Greenstar, I just put that quote out there because I thought it was amusing (it came from here btw), I think the idea that the Wild will be sellers is ludicrous.
I don’t watch the East much so I don’t know much about OJ other than what I have read here, but I am sure he will be way too expensive. Even if he could be had for PMB+Benny (which I doubt) I would be nervous about that.
I would much rather they pick up a Holik or a Federov for relatively cheap.
See how it works!!!
I use the Wild side to bring Forsberg here and Green* cures him Miyagi style.
Wow.
Mr. Myagi - ‘SRVson, sand the floor’ ‘Belangerson, wax the floor’.
Ms. Shue - wax my (comment being moderated).
A Quick Guide to Ecklund Rumor Classification:
(e1)= Divined through the ancient method of interpreting the symbolic shape of snot on a discarded tissue
(e2)= Read it on NHL fan(Eastern team) message board/forum in the thread entitled “What trades do you want your team to make?”
(e3)= Labeled a handful of darts with players names, and changed the numbers on the board to NHL team names.
(e4)= Happened in a dream or simply just invented on the spot
(e5)= Actual trade that has already been announced by legitimate media sources or it completely made up and was never even in the works.
News: Legwand has been charged with driving under the influence, police say.
Hey Niveous - DC wild fan - I’ll be at the game tomorrow as well, just an FYI. Probably will be somewhere up in the upper section, my fiancee and I got free tickets to any Caps game when we were last in DC, so obviously we saved em for this one!
Just received an interesting response (as follows) for my email to Murphy regarding Brad Meier’s disallowed goal yesterday.
It does not change anything but I did not expect any response and so I am impressed with the personal explanation.
“”Thank you for your email .
It is important to understand that the referees only get one split second to see and rule on any play.
First and foremost the video replay rule, Rule 39, clearly states that the Video Goal Judge can NOT review a play on the ice when the referee has ruled that a goal has been disallowed because of goaltender interference ( Rule 69.6 ).
The Referees have been schooled to ask themselves ” could the goalie do his job? “………in this case the referee decided that Kiprusoff could not play his position because of the interference caused by Voros / Phaneuf / Vandemeer.
Once the referee has waved off the goal because of interference on the goaltender…………….. there is NO video review allowed !!
It is easy to second guess the referee especially when you have the luxury of replays . The Referee could not clearly see where the puck was nor could the 18568 fans who were watching the play/ game live.”"
So anytime the puck is close Burnsie should just take out Backstrom and then we never allow a goal because Burnsie didn’t allow Backs to do his job.
Just over 23 hours to go! I’m going CRAZY with the suspense! Who’s going? Who’s staying? This is INSANE!!!!
Heh, just kidding.
I like all this trade stuff…it makes me forget about wanting to kill Brad Meiers…oh wait, nevermind
that’s BS! The refs need to communicate and look at the replay before they rule it out! We need to bring in Ref’s from Australia or something. Stupid canadians!
iceman - My issue with that response then is don’t empatically wave it off then if that’s the rule.
toivo, it really is distracting though. I have a hard time doing any work because I am constantly checking here and refreshing tsn looking for REAL trade news.
Notice he worded it:
interference caused by Voros / Phaneuf / Vandemeer
Meaning it was all Voros’ fault.
Ugh. They CAN make it read any way they want it to!
Murphy, as I said before, is a liar…Voros did not interfere, but Murphy is running interference for Meiers…that much is certain. If replay can be used in other situations it sure as h3ll can be used here - it simply would be viewed as a tool the refs could use to get the play right.
If the League rep was reading from the Referee’s report (required to be filed after every game) he repeated it to iceman as Meier reported it to the League operations office in Toronto.
It still was a goal, IMO, but my opinion doesn’t mean much 24 hours after it happened. It sure didn’t wake up the Wild much, did it?
You notice that Murphy had over 24 hours to get their story right.
That non-goal wouldn’t wake up the dead.
Even though he waived it off, he said that he lost sight of the puck. Couldn’t they review the play to see if the puck was in the net BEFORE he waived it off? It did seem to take some wind out of the Wild sails after that and I could sense a quick goal from Team Iginla soon after.
You guys are still on that non-goal?
Per Ecklund (I know, I know) Wild closing in on Jokinen.
They’re still on the non-goal. I’m waiting for a rehash of trades that may or may not happen involving most of the known hockey universe. Otherwise known as there is no Wild game tonight and the trade deadline is coming up soon.
I find it interesting that in the goalie interference situation the ref’s judgement is completely trusted but in any other situation (did it cross the line? kicked? thrown? high stick?) they could be wrong.
You guys are still on that non-goal?
Not still on but back to.
So what number will Dan Boyle wear on Wednesday when he takes on his former team?
I guess looking at last year when the division was lost by 1 point and there were a couple of non-calls last year then maybe you may see why people are still discussing.
Seems to me the topic today should be around the question “Should the Wild make a significant deadline move?” Or put another way, what does everyone think about this year’s model? I don’t think anyone thinks they are contenders as-is, but are they a serious team that’s just missing that one key piece or two in order to really start clicking or are they pretenders that would be wasting assets by going after somebody? And if the latter is true, then why not be a seller? I think they could get a real nice return on guys like Rolson and Demitra, and maybe they could even manage to dump some junk as well. I’m not suggesting that should be what the Wild do, but as sort of a Devil’s Advocate, if you’re not serious about going for the Cup, then why wouldn’t you sell?
I guess looking at last year when the division was lost by 1 point and there were a couple of non-calls last year then maybe you may see why people are still discussing.
Yeah, but that’s making an assumption that Vancouver never got the short end of any stick, or at least less so than the Wild. Even if that were the case you could look to a lot of other more important reasons why the Wild came up a point short.
FORSBERG JUST SIGNED WITH THE AVS!!!!!!
Also, expanding on Goody’s comment. He interfered with Kiprusoffs ability to do his job, but not enough to call a penalty? Which is it?
Are you serious or joking about Forsberg?
I REPEAT: FORSBERG JUST SIGNED WITH THE AVS!!!
suck….
toivo, sellers are asking too much and buyers aren’t offering enough. Right now it’s that simple. The best thing that can happen is if Fosberg Wonkyfoot can bring his act to the Wild starting tomorrow.
ACK!! FOppa to COL! SUCK!
Oh Crap
Russo - can you find out if the Wild made a play for Foppa?
Too late. Ummm…9th place could be a reality soon if what they’re saying is true.
Too late El Gato
Time to destroy kj’s crystal ball.
Welll… I guess we are not looking good for the Division title now.
AiH, I want to know the same thing. Damnit!
Now we have to hope Eklund is right about us closing in on Jokinen. Is there any hope of that? He had the Wild and Philly as the only one in the Foppa race
It is now imperative for the Wild to decide, and quickly, if they are going to be a buyer or seller. Cannot stand pat. If they don’t think this is their year, have to shop Rolston for whatever you can get; resign Gabby and Demitra to extensions this summer and make a play for a legit FA center. Cannot do nothing between now and 2 pm cst tomorrow.
Yes toivo, but it easier to blame someone else if you lose by 1 point than yourself. Vancouver also mailed in the season finale last year when they knew the division was wrapped up.
Looks like we have to find a center from another source.
Please stop using Eklund as a source. He is similar in vein to Shooter in the Pioneer Press: throw 927 things against the wall and then break your arm patting yourself on the back when one of them turns out to be true.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230555&hubname=nhl
Forsberg to Av’s
JJ: you’re like Sid, 10 minutes late and behind the times
Austin and Aaron, it was made known long ago that DR had a legit offer in the hands of Forsberg’s agent and the ball was in their court. I would have to guess that his history with the AVs and them getting their big three back in the lineup tipped the scales in their favor.
Damn…I’m dissappointed that Foppa chose the Avs.
Me too Greg. He would have looked pretty good in Iron Range Red.
Teams know we’re up a creek. I think prices just went up for anyone dealing with us. I don’t think DR makes a move now.
We all knew that it was a long shot to get Forsberg but we still hoped. It was always either going to be Philly or the Avs.
Cost of Hossa and OJ just went up exponentially. If the Wild is not going to make a serious run at either, they have to shop Rolston; sign Gabby and Demo this summer; give Butch his 1-yr deal and make a serious play for a legit FA center.
El Gato - I could see that, but we REALLY need a center.
Forsberg to CO (Eklund)
McFeely, it’s official. tsn.com reported it. Eklund is a douche.
DB–agree with you.
DAMN*T!
I got excited for Forsberg as DR and Co. continued to make headway but given last week’s setback I would have been more worried than ever about that ankle. However, for a 1 year deal, the Avs made a hug move with little risk. That said, the Avs Gs are still weak.
sure was hoping to see the real #21 in a Wild uni…
I think it’s going to be a quiet nite for trades. Maybe Foppa’s signing will get things moving.
It will be interesting to see if this finally stirs things up a bit.
St. Cloud only has 1 Starbucks (well, technically it is in Waite Park so really St. Cloud area has 1.)
kj: Forsberg you say…the Force is NOT strong with you, is it?
He sees mountains…mountains of cash…now, wither the Wild scenario, now that the case has changed from ‘buyer’ to ‘desperate buyer’…the Wild still need a center, and by tomorrow. Wednesday is too late…
Columbus Dispatch guy has the following:
Fedorov’s suitors are said to include Detroit, Ottawa and Washington. Ottawa and Minnesota are believed to have interest in Peca.
Meanwhile, the package for Richards is:
The Blue Jackets, according to multiple NHL sources, have offered forwards Gilbert Brule and Dan Fritsche and defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to the Lightning for Richards, 27, a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs MVP.
Greater CBJ minds should weigh in but PMB and a prospect(s)/pick(s) for OJ doesn’t look that far fetched.
True Adam, but if they win games 5-4 is it going to matter? That April 6 game in Colorado may be to decide who gets into the playoffs.
I realize now my vision of Forsberg being here was a flashback to the ‘03 playoffs. I’m better than Eklund…
Seriously, my vision means about as much as a Radio shot on goal.
time to go get some OJ
Damn. How many more times do we play the Avs this year?
Twice at home and the finale in Col.
I really was hoping that if Forsberg didn’t sign with us he would sign with a team in the East, so this daggered me twice! It would be interesting to know if DR knew this was coming?
Crap about Forsberg.. Clouded this boy’s future is…don’t take it too badly KJ…I still dig the SW references.
And Toivu so how much is enough complaining in your view? Or should we just take that atrocious call lying down so they can feel free to do it somemore, confident that the people in MN will take it in the supine position?
We play Colorado twice more…March 17, Monday (6 PM, Versus) at the ‘X’ and April 6, Sunday (2 PM, KSTP 5) at Pepsi Center in Denver…
Doesn’t Forsberg not fit with Colorado at all?
ElGato is correct!
3 games left with the Avs; the two I mentioned earlier and March 30, Sunday (5 PM, FSN North)…
WRT, also at home on March 30th.
He will fit in with Colorado just fine… another HUGE name on the IR
Sorry, now that he didn’t come here, I no longer will be nice to him… I hope I hurt his feelings
Wild will be fine … as buyers, sellers or by standing pat and gaining maturity.
“and the finale in Col.”:
I’ll be there for that one… maybe I will heckle Foppa…that is if he isn;t injured by then.
El Gato is right, we play the Avs twice at the X (3/17 $ 3/30) and at the Pepsi Center 4/5
I give up. We will likely make the playoffs and get bounced in the first round. With this group of players who are not willing to make the commitment to the team to win, I see us going no further.
( I reserve the right to feel different later)
jimlove & DC Wild Fan: I’ll be there, upper deck. I remember I’m in row K, but not the section. But we’ll be at center ice, one side or the other.
Floppa to the Avs? BORING. That’s got to hurt for the Flyers though, who seem a shadow of their former selves.
I wonder if our tank job last week had anything to do with his decision. We’ve suddenly become an extremely mediocre team in the West let alone the Division. Even if we get Jokinen will that depth be enough to make our other lines effective? Remember when we had 3 lines that could score?
Sorry WRT, cowboyed.
We need to get Pavol out of the center position, so we either need to pick up a center (now at a higher price) or get creative. I say move SRV to center of the checking line the rest of the year and put Fedorek in his spot on the wing. Move Mikko up between the Slovaks and keep the BBR line in tact. Unfortunately that puts Parrish on the 4th line with Shepp/Voros (unless Parrish can go checking line and Radio gets moved to 4th line or replaced by Foy).
Remember when we could hit the net on shots? Can we just have the guys sit in practice for an hour taking shots that actually hit the net? I know it’s probably more obvious when you miss (kind of like it’s more obvious when Skouba makes a mistake, rather than does something good), but still, too many times we wind up and miss the net completely. I guess i would rather take that then hitting the goalie square in the chest pad though…
I am with Phil on the waived off goal. It was an expensive call against the Wild, a regulation tie even with a loss would have given them a first place tie.
But, now at least somebody noticed our anger and acknowledged it so we can move on.
Reading between his lines I though he probably understood it was a hasty call.
I think its time DR takes some heat on not filling the need of adding a real centermen after Walz quit on the team. This team is much better when Demo consistently plays the wing. He probably doesn’t even want to be here if he has to be a center.
Folks I think everyone on this Blog is missing the picture. Do you realize that Calgary came into the X, in our Pond and kicked the skates out from under Gaborick, and basically intimidated the Wild ! forget about centers what is that all about .Was not the writing on the wall ? What about makeing a roster spot for someone who can protect the Wild players ? I dont understand. Fans should haev had bags over their heads
Wally neds spllig lssons.
El Gato, I can hardly decipher what he is trying to say. Why should fans have bags over their heads exactly??
Wally, I was not ashamed of the Wild effort yesterday. I did not see a Wild team getting kicked around.
Foppa’s deal is worth $5 mil over a whole season, prorated to $1 mil for the remainder.
I did find myself wanting to see one of our guys go out there, and just destroy a Flame. Any Flame. Nothing dirty just something to wake this team up yesterday.
I think a Wild/Flames game trumps every other match up on the boring scale. There is just no room to skate out there when you play that team.
From Eklund’s blog:
Due to remaining anonymous, I can’t reveal any sources here, but I know that a particular player on the Wild (not a star by any means, but one of their younger players) received a call from his agent late last night telling him not to be surprised if he was moved to Florida in the next 48 hours. That’s all he was told.
Sounds like we may really be in play for OJ. Who would the young player but not a star be? Shep? PMB would at least be close to being considered a star.
So I’ve spent the last hour or so crunching some numbers, sparing you all the gory details I have come up with the following conclusion:
“Nothing is f*cked here, Dude.”
AiH nicely done with the Lebowski reference.
MLB, Eklund is a douche. And he will always be a douche. After the Foppa thing I refuse to even take his incoherent babblings into account.
If he really is “not a star by any means, but one of their younger players”, I would think Shep first.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t other players packaged in the deal though.
If Eklund isn’t just blowing smoke, that player is most likely Foy or Foster
Or Voros Claire.
I think Shep first too from that reference, Cowboy, but would it be stupid to include a young center in their bid to fill the hole at center?? Upon further review, this is Eklund, so it’s complete bull that he just made up.
Not only is Eklund a liar and a douche, but he is really quite a poor writer.
Are we really so dilusional that we really think FLA would take Foy/Voros/Shep/etc plus picks/prospects for OJ?? I am not convinced. Eklund is a douche.
Foy or Foster? Who would want Foy? But Foster–maybe. Shep seems more likely but then hard to imagine DR trading a young’un like that. Who else could there be? Veilleux and Foster? On the other hand Fla sure has been scouting us according to Russo.
Just checking in to see if I need to talk anyone off the ledge because Forsberg isn’t heading to Minny.
I wouldn’t be happy about seeing Sheppard leave.
Its not shep, he is too much of their future. DR would not trade a 19 yr old for OJ. My guess is that its Foy, Foster, PMB or maybe Veilux
Hey Guys. stop speculating. You’ll just get urselfs worked up and be dissapointed tomorrow. Sit back and see what happens. Go have a beer…
To clarify, it wasn’t written by Eklund but by a blogger with knowledge of the OJ situation responding to his story. Take it for whats it worth, but this taken with the FL scouts living at our games, and Foppa going to the Avs, it is starting to add up that we will make a run at OJ. May also explain why JL thinks he is only getting 80% from the boys. If they are getting distracting phone calls from their agents, I can imagine their energy level may dwindle.
And Toivu so how much is enough complaining in your view? Or should we just take that atrocious call lying down so they can feel free to do it somemore, confident that the people in MN will take it in the supine position?
Before I answer this question, who is “they” and what is “it”, exactly?
Wild have an abundance of defensemen, most teams are looking for additional defensemen or gritty forwards so Foy/Foster would be more likely. Foster has been shopped all year, as has Boogaard who is another name who could be involved if medically cleared. No way the Wild trade Shepherd for what could be a rental in Jokinen. Foy and Foster both have attractive contracts for other teams and good upside so are good trade bait. Not sure they’re willing to give up Voros unless part of the deal is bringing in another physical winger with a centerman.
WL–it’s fun to spoeculate especially since it will all end soon.
Hey Kevin, I think we are okay. But thanks for checking on us! 
Oh and WildLover, that is the best piece of advice I have seen here in a long time. Mmmmm… beer.
“spoeculate”. Hmm. What does that mean? My typing is getting worse.
We need more than a few moves, we are a soft team with no solid leaders. If we can get Jokinen it would be great for future years and would help for this year’s drive. We need a shakeup. The way its sits we will always appear on the cusp on something great but will never take the next step.
Sure thing, Austin (or is it ATX?) I care about my fellow hockey fans. There are too few of us in the U.S. as it is.
I also vote “douche” for Eklund.
Beer does sound tasty. I think that should work for me.
Kevin, ain’t that the truth! We need more support in the states no doubt.
Greg, we should make t-shirts, “Eklund for Douche”… Anyone good with photoshop??
CBC HNIC radio program mentioned DR as a potential GM hire for the Leafs this offseason.
That’s the first time I’ve heard such, any insight, Russo?
I think Wally is right guys
guys but restart your DVR, and watch the games. Did Calgary out hit the Wild 2 to 1 ? did Gabroick get his skates kicked out from under him ? Did Gaborick or Demo play good ? Did Calgary play with any fear when considering knocking Gaborick around ?
Results is what matters. I seen Wild players being knocked all over the place. Austin Texas guy .. you understand what I am saying now or should we go back to what center the Wild should take in the 2009 draft ?
Thanks hockey stud for understanding my position. How hard could it be make a phone call to your farm system to protect your star players from abuse ?
One last thought on the non-goal call…If it happened the way the NHL guy says, then shouln’t the proper mechanics be to call it a goal, and THEN go look at the replay and wave it off if there’s interference? He couldn’t have been sure of the call, sicne he got it wrong, so why not make the call that allows replay to be used and get it right?
And I hope Foppa breaks his ankle first shift.
I could be way off base, but since we haven’t heard anything from Russo since the Foppa news was announced I’m going to speculate that other stuff is going down.
Either that or he’s somewhere that he can’t update from.
The former is more fun to think about though.
Hmmm… hockeystud and Wally have the same typing/spelling problems. I wonder how that could be???
Wally I do get what you are saying… I jsut disagree completly. The only thing you are right about is that result matter. The losses lately suck. But that does not mean the team is in turmoil.
Let’s look at the future…the immediate future…like tomorrow night…
Hopefully the boys will get over ‘trade jitters’ (or whatever else you wish to call it) and show up and play against Washington tomorrow night. Washington is like the Wild in that they are a skate-first team, with two Russian super-rockets (Alexander ‘the Gr-8′ Ovechkin and Alexander Semin) who will light up opposing defenses if they are caught snoozin’ (or pretend to be human pylons, a la Martin Skoula)…
This game scares me. This game could be bad. Really bad. Which Wild team will show up? The unfortunate, unlucky one of the last two weeks? Or the good one we had prior to the Detroit disaster?
I’m hopeful for a good showing tomorrow night. The boys have played fairly well on the road of late with the 2 losses to CHI and EDM in games in which they had lots of chances.
Yeah, WRT… AO8 is indeed great, and say he gets the puck in stride coming up the left wing and sees, say, Kurtis Foster in front of him (Marty usually plays the other side)… yeah that thought makes me nervous. I haven’t been terribly confident in the Wild’s ability to shut anyone down this season, and Ovechkin’s just playing at a level beyond right now. Although the Caps have cooled off a bit lately, I think the Wild still need to play a good game to get the two points. Hopefully they’re ready to bounce off the bottom of this latest slump.
TSN reports the teams in the Forsberg hunt that lost found out only 20 mins before he signed with the Avs
Speaking of young players in a hypothetical Jokinen trade, what about Josh Harding?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Harding. Actually, I like him more than Backstrom. He’s easily number 1 goaltender material, now or in the future. Do you think Florida has any interest there and would the Wild be willing to part with his talent?
I know FL picked up Vokoun this year, but Harding definitely is a future star. He also is under contract for at least next season, and the contract is cheap.
What do you guys think? You too, FL Panthers Nut.
It would be nice to see something done tonight if it’s going to get done so that the hypothetical player could be in uniform tomorrow.
Greg - Russo said the team was due in late for their 3pm practice so he might be busy with that. He also mentioned he had some questions for JL.
He should be back with an update once the Wild are done with their “Herbies”.
Send almost any one else you want to Florida but don’t you touch Harding!! Harding is one of my favorite players on this team, if not my favorite player. We need solid goaltending. Schaffer is injured right now so there is no one to bring up to back up Backstrom that can do the job so I just don’t see it happening even if I am clouded by not wanting to see it happen. I have had to suck up them trading Manny for all the right reason (and it was a good trade) but I don’t know if I could handle them moving Harding too and that wouldn’t be a logical move to make it better.
I guess I am to Harding what ATX is to PMB
Harding is our top prospect… I could see it. Maybe something like Harding, Bouchard, Foy/Voros/Irmen/Belle/Reitz/some other mid-prospect for OJ and a 2nd or 3rd pick? That’d be expensive…
I’m thinking with each passing minute and no comment from the Don that something is going on. In the post above he mentioned how bored he was.
I guess he may not have found a *bucks and dozed off as well.
McFeely-I sure hope not as that would be way too much.
As someone only vaguely familiar with the organization, I wouldn’t trade Harding unless Florida gave up a potentially bright goalie in return. I don’t know what the Wild has in the minors, but I’d say Harding’s value as Backstrom insurance is too high to part with him, even for Jokinen.
Unless management REALLY wants Jokinen, or there’s someone in the minors that can serve as a capable backup/sometime-starter, or JL, who seems to like his rotating goalies, has a change of heart and sticks with Backstrom through thick and thin.
Forsberg to Colorado? Meh. I don’t see that having a huge impact on the division.
You lemmings are a bunch of clowns.
Jokinen? You guys are stoned.
Risedump is a gutless moron who’s completely incapable of pullings off a meaningful trade to help the Mild
Risedump is probably trying to figure out how to get Adam Hall and Dominic Moore back. He’s in over his head and the club is sining like a stone.
Stick a fork in ‘em.
Oh goodie, Mike’s back.
DR is hamstrung, tho, in that Backstrom has a no-trade clause for this season in the contract he signed after last season. I really don’t think we can afford to part with goaltending right now in any trade no matter who(m) else is involved.
That Forsberg only gave 20 minutes’ notice to those clubs who were bidding for him says he’s not too sure about this. Call it a hunch, call it whatever, it’s just my own opinion…
Russo’s at the bar drinking Bill Braskey sized scotches.
McFeely, some glue-sniffer the other day wanted Butch, half of the Aeros franchise and a couple picks, and that was his starting point for OJ, so your offer is about what Panthers fans would want, but I’d say that’s about as realistic as Butch for OJ straight up (which I don’t think any Wild glue-sniffers have advocated either).
kgopher, I’m a fan of Harding too. I think he is more talented than Backstrom. But if we were able to trade him + something and not have to give up too much up front (ie Bouchard), I think it would be worth it for them. The Schaefer issue obviously makes that seem even less likely (thank you for reminding me of that). Anyhow, I was just talking.
Mostly, I think it is less than 15% chance that the Wild move on Jokinen anyway.
You keep hearing that FL is asking for a lot, and I’m guessing the Wild would have to take one on the chin to get OJ. Harding, and/or Bouchard would proabbly have to go in order to land him. Saying Foster, Foy, and Pouliot would get us OJ is like saying trade Santana for Gomez, Humber, Mulvey, and Guererra(sp?), oh wait…
HI MIKE
Mike-Good to see you back.
McFeeley, nobody has said Butch for OJ straight up. Butch for OJ would be the starting point of a trade, and of course there would be considerations (picks and/or prospects) to make everyone happy.
That ok Wallshot, talk away, that is what this is hear for for. I would rather see Bouchard go (which I know alot of people on here don’t) than Harding. I think Bouchard has wicked skills, but I also think he would do much better in the East then he does here for the Wild. He has improved a great deal this year from last but I do still think he gets knocked off the puck too easily and tries to get too fancy on occassion. Plus I don’t know how sold the organization is on him since he keeps only getting 1 year deals. If he is going to end up having a market value of 5-6 mil like has been speculated, I think that is too much for him right now too. I am not a GM so I am trying to stay out of this whole thing. I don’t want to upset any one and I don’t want to get into the Why we should/should not keep PMB debate again. I just don’t want Harding moved even if it is for OJ.
i don’t see forsberg having huge impact either. i’d like to have him here but wasn’t expecting huge things from him. a lot of people here didn’t want to sign him because of his wonky ankle. now that he is in colorado, the wild better sell the ship to stay competitive? i don’t get it.
and for all this talk that foppa wants a two year deal and he signs a one year deal? WTF?
Ok, I can’t type today either I guess. It should be That is ok and here for not That ok and not hear for for.
Thanks for the welcomes. Been super busy. Just thought I’d chime in with my thought on how the local club stinks.
The Mild lads have no hope with Risedump in charge.
Fedorov + Holik + Orpik.
I can dream, right?
Everyone already knows what you think Mike. That horse has been dead for a long time now.
Wallshot, at least he attacks the organization and team (or the bloggers as a whole for drinking the koolaid). He thankfully doesn’t attack individual bloggers.
I would take Butch for OJ in a heartbeat, problem is that wouldn’t be enough. As everyone knows, OJ is under contract for 2 more years at an extremely affordable 5.25 mil cap hit. It’s not like FL has to trade him, they are in a very favorable situation. It’s going to take an awful lot to get him, so don’t be surprised if the deal goes down with 29 and 96 leaving the state of hockey.
Oh wallshot, give him a break. He’s like that stoner at the party who’s trying to convince everyone to grow hemp in their basement (”You can make SHOES out of in, maaaaaan”), except angry.
Yeah, lots of kool-aid gulping going on here. It’s a tradition. Not for me, but seemingly everybody else.
Sorry, McF, I just don’t see Fla having an interest in Hards unless they want to platoon him with Vokoun.
you can never have enough goaltending, plus Harding’s only 22ish
I like Tropical Punch. It covers the almond taste.
On another topic, tsn.ca has a question as to whether Foppa is still an impact player. I voted No because of who he’s with, and I think that’s the key. Had he landed in Vancouver, Detroit, or another contender, then I think he would be an impact player, but with Colorado 4 points out of a playoff spot in the West, and playing in the Northwest, I don’t see him lifting the Aves into SC contention.
One thing to keep in mind with Colorado is they’ve been playing for a long stretch of time without Ryan Smyth, Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny. Injuries are part of the game, certainly, but those are three of their best offensive producers. Now all those guys are back, plus Forsberg, they should improve. At least as long as their goaltending holds out, which sort of remains a question.
I was just reading on TSN that with Foppa signing with the Avs that they may be interested in moving Brunno. If we have to move a player to get a center, I would love to see Brunno end up back here. The guy seems to be as classy as they come and I think would be a good fit with what this team needs.
CanadaJetstoWild posts what we all seem to know and that is there must be a major addition to take another step.
A mature addition would help. Koivu speaks leadership to me, especially into the future, but I do not know that he is a captain yet. But, he is so responsible in every corner of the ice.
Of the guys available, it seems OJ adds more multi-year promise to our weakest position and with Florida scouts living in MN there no doubt is something brewing. Who knows if it will get done.
If OJ is being packaged, Florida must receive an exciting player for their fans.
That guy almost needs to be #10 or #96. Maybe something like 10 & 38, or 96 & 26 for OJ and somebody or some thing.
Nobody is speaking about Stoll these days, is he still in play or is he off the market or too expensive?
Andrew was a loss. It was a mistake to not keep him.
3 hrs since the Foppa news came out. Russo, give us something. Let us know that you’re stil alive in DC. It is a rough town and all!
Iceman-I agree as does DR. He has admitted that he didn’t think Brunno was suited for the more open NHL and that he was wrong.
he’s busy writing about the big move the Wild are about to make… wishful thinking
Wonder what the Wild really will do. Just wish something would happen soon so we can get on to speculating of a different kind. We have had the possible trades under the microscope for too long.
Agreed - Something needs to happen so that I can quite trying to see if anything has happened.
Heh, maybe the FLA scouts are working the angles on a Branko for Radek Dvorak blockbuster!
iceman:
I think OJ goes to habs or flames. I really don’t think we have much to offer. The other question is… Florida should really wait to deal Jokinen until the summer, they will be dealing with more buyers then and would consequently get more, its not like Hossa where he is a UFA or even a RFA OJ still has 2 years on his contract. Dealing Bouchard is probably a smart idea. The last thing I want to see at the end of the season is:
1) Bouchard being signed to an offer sheet a la Kevin Lowe and us getting back picks
& 2) Gaborik whining and forcing us to deal him.
Flames took Tanguay off the market, so acquiring OJ for them will be extremely difficult.
I think what FLA is doing with OJ is smart. They are dangling him at the trade deadline to see if some team will do something stupid. If they don’t get an offer they can’t refuse they’ll hold on to him.
Ok guys, now take this with a truckload of salt, but since we are already engaged in rampant speculation there’s this:
Nick Kypreos reported on Sportsnet 6:30PM edition that that the Pittsburgh Penguins are shopping one of their young stars.
Apparently, the Penguins have discussed moving forward Evgeni Malkin with an unnamed Western Conference team.
Kypreos noted the fact that Malkin’s entry-level contract is coming to an end after next year, and the Penguins may not be able to afford his next salary as the reason for shopping him.
I only throw this out there because his name has been mentioned here before.
Gabby for Malkin!
Malkin’s not going anywhere. Not this season anyway.
As much as I would hate to see Gabby go… Malkin would be a great player to get for him. I think Gabby would fit in very well with the Pens. I am not saying this is likely.. but it’s not an awful scenario.
i have been reading what has been said about trades in the remarks but is it just me or has anyone else notice that the wild are definitly NOT a physical team! watching gabby getting smacked in the face, voros hit in the back by the side of the goal AFTER the whistle, not to mention the overall pushing around this team has taken has made me wonder where some of the guys learned how to hit somebody!! their checks couldn’t knock down my 6 yr old grandson!!! to he77 with just getting a center for gabby get someone who says “NOT IN MY HOUSE JCKSS” i for 1 am tired of this cheap crap other teams do to ours with no retaliation!!!!!!!
The only fuel I’ll throw onto that fire is that the Penguins, I believe, have some concern about affording Crosby, Malkin and Staal, and the one likeliest to go would be Malkin. Though a trade at this point would be horrid from a public relations standpoint and from an on-ice perspective, since the Penguins can’t possibly let Malkin go until Crosby returns. Maybe in the off-season…
Malkin’s parents, who’ve been in town for a while, are reportedly interested in moving to Pittsburgh permanently, and the way Malkin played in front of them while they were here was impressive. However, I’m not sure that has much relevance to any possible trades.
I feel your passion, but a healthy Boogaard would help with that.
Dave we have all noticed. They do not hit. In the Flames game someone (read: a douchebag Flame) came in a gave Backs a poke in the glove hand… what did our guy do (he was standing literally right next to Backs at the time) but stand there and do nothing. The team needs to get a bit physical. I don’t want to be a carbon copy of the Ducks, but some physicalitly would do this team wonders. With the exception of Burns (and Boogie on IR) this team is not physical at all. Apparently Pecca is a “This is My HOUSE!” type of player. Why don’t we get him on the el cheapo?
I think the best indicator that something is happening with the Wild is that Russo is off the grid. One has to believe that he would have updated after the practice and it is coming up on 9pm EST.
Jeez…I mentioned Gaborik and Skoula for Malkin and Orpik back in October.
News travels fast on this interweb thingy…
elbruin-my point exactly. I think there would have atleast been a mention of the Forsberg signing…unless he knew we had it under control.
Right now I would be happy with the addition of most any center except for Dominic Moore.
Just because we havent heard from Russo doesnt mean anything is going down! Do you think Russo sits in on the calls and cant get away to post?? No
wild2274-I’ve said it before that it’s just my speculation about something happening since Russo has not posted.
…but here is what he said above to fuel that speculation (at least for me)
“OK, now you really know how bored I am.
By the way, the team is late to DC, so 3 p.m. practice has been pushed back. So I’ll be back on later this afternoon.”
Late to pratctice because they had to stop and pick someon up on the way eh? Make a little side trip down to FLA perhaps??
Ok if he was so bored and something was going down you dont think he would have mentioned anything by now? Like I said it is not like he is sitting in on calls and cant get away. Dont get your hopes up people this is Minnesota we dont make “big trades” at the deadline
Yeah, actually Wild2274 I do, if it was a simple after practice update it would already be up by now. He is not a rumor guy, he’ll wait until there are cold hard facts.
ATX (or is it Austin?), your optimism is astounding.
Could JL have canceled practice because they were late getting in? He has done that before and since there is no practice, nothing for Russo to update.
Just speculating here.
Elbruin you are setting yourself up for dissapointment my friend!What happened with Sundin will only drive up the price for a guy like Jokinen and Hossa etc. The Wild will not want to part with as much as Florida wants
I am not saying Hossa/Jokinen, I just believe “something” is happening. It could be another Dupuis for Hall for all I know.
I am afraid if the Wild make any move it will be for a guy like Peca which does nothing for me!
As much as I hate to say this - the wild will not make the playoffs this year. I think the northwest div. is going to place maybe two in and it’s going to be the flames and the avs.
sunshine…your speculation isn’t as fun. I think if practice would have been cancelled though he would have mentioned the Forsberg signing.
Feeding time!
Ovechkin hasn’t scored a goal in his last 5 games, the rule of being due says we’re in trouble tomorrow night
ovechkin will get a couple tomorrow night. wild lose 5-2. I think the last few games really point out the fact this team is lacking a gritty player who can actually score goals on a consistent basis. Someone who is a 30+ scorer and who can score at the right time.
FYI Russo’s updated the blog
Somebody suggested trading Harding to FL for OJ, I see tsn has Vokoun listed as the 14th best goalie right now. Why would they covet Harding?
By the way, Backstrom is listed as their #12.
im starting to worry that DR is going to do nothing at all. i hope i am wrong.
