Good day from San Jose
Posted on March 19th, 2008 – 4:24 PMBy Michael Russo
Hola.
Kent Youngblood may have to fly west to pick up the rest of the trip because I’m contemplating surprising the powers-that-be at the Strib and not leaving San Jose.
Sorry, but the weather is insane. Youngblood, if you can stop playing brickbreaker for two seconds, you better start pricing out what a last second Minny to Vancouver to Calgary to Edmonton back to Minny trip would cost our paper.
I forgot what fresh-cut grass smelled like.
Sooooooooooooooo, here’s your pregame skate update:
Uno: Sean Hill is in for Keith Carney. We should have seen this coming after Carney logged a miniscule 5:42 of ice time Monday vs. the Lanche. Chris Simon, Aaron Voros and Matt Foy are also scratched.
Dos: Asst. coach Mike Ramsey, still unable to fly due to eye surgery last month, will be on the Wild bench tonight. Or, at least a picture of him will be. Coach Jacques Lemaire and assistant coach Mario Tremblay will tape up a picture of Ramsey on the glass tonight behind the visitors’ bench.
Tres: Lemaire said Simon was only acquired in case Derek Boogaard couldn’t return from a back injury, and since Boogaard’s back, Simon’s out. He’ll play some games, but clearly he’s an extra. I’ll tell ya, seems to me management spent an awful lot of time telling the local media about how much playoff experience it picked up in Simon at the deadline (73 playoff games, three Stanley Cup championship series, one Stanley Cup, yada, yada, yada).
Cuatro: Lately, the Sharks’ scratches have skated with three-inch fins attached to their helmets with their numbers on them. Each day, there is a star of the practice and they’ll accumulate points with a winner getting something at the end of the season. The scratches lately have been guys like Ozolinsh, Roenick, Semenov, Clowe, etc.
Think that’s it. And no more questions. No way I can answer that many.
Adios.
78 Responses to "Good day from San Jose"
well it would seem that the wild are sending a clear message to voros that he doesn’t fit into their plans.
You know, Don, there’s words for people like you, bragging about what great weather you’re in while so many of us are stuck in mucky, snowy, depressing areas…
But if I type any of them I’ll be censored.
It’s a different ballgame in the playoffs. I don’t think Voros has been playing well enough to consider sitting someone else in favor of him. I am not happy about Old Man Hill playing tonight. I rarely see him doing any good out there. Hopefully I am wrong tonight and he lays some sharks out.
Russo! What about Fiala and Gillies?
Tonight’s game will come down to if Backs can make the HUGE save when needed. This will be a 3-2, 2-1 game. Backs makes the critical save midway through the third and the Wild can somehow poke home a PPG it could squeeze a point out of the Sharks.
Austin, I replied to your post in the last thread if you haven’t seen it.
I am also concerned about Hill getting the nod but maybe the fact that this might be his last chance to impress JL will help. Yes, I have some green Kool Aid left over from Monday and it still tastes good - Oh Yeah!
oh boy, Russo…no one who knows calls them the ‘Lanche anymore! It’s the Avs man!
Based on how well Carney seemed to play and to fit in last year, it’s disappointing to see him contribute so poorly this year. Sure seems like even Nummelin would offer more than Carney or Hill if he were healthy, even if only for what he can do in the SO.
It’s also disappointing that no Aero defensemen have done enough to merit a chance to play up here. Sure would like to see more evidence of good development by hearing promising young D names mentioned more often, especially pushing for NHL roster & ice time.
Voros plays with nice enthusiasm & edge. Unfortunately, he also plays with sub-standard judgement and talent.
Sure won’t miss Simon around here next year — nor Foy or Voros or Hill. These last 9 games should sure be fun, and I really hope (against hope, it seems) for a good playoff run. But I’m also quite eager to see what if anything they can manage to do in the offseason.
Glad to know it only took this long to figure how out get Ramsey out on the road given his present travel restrictions!
Horse apiece between Hill and Carney, IMHO. Neither adds much.
HD–agreed. Both a little slow and sometimes Hill gets out of position trying to make a hit. We need a good game out of Backs and also get the early lead.
Perhaps the Wild can cycle 5 D-men, leaving Hill on the bench?
Voros plays with nice enthusiasm & edge. Unfortunately, he also plays with sub-standard judgement and talent.
That’s funny.
I wouldn’t mind bringing Voros back next year, however. Also, I’m not so sure if I were JL that I would commit to playing DB over Simon. Simon, for all his baggage and other deficiencies CAN actually skate with the puck. Of course, Boogie’s been hurt this year, but he has taken big backward steps as a hockey player (and not mere goon) this season, IMHO.
Ok, so I hate to be me too again but I also think I agree on that. I’m certainly willing to give AV another chance but I could easily imagine him losing his job in camp. And on Simon while I was not happy to get him I agree that he seems to be a bit more of a hockey player than Boogie but then again DB has been plagued by his back problems so not sure what he can do if he’s healthy–altho he sure isn’t PMB.
Thanks for the tip Kevin!
Sure thing. I was too lazy to re-write that in this one. I wanted to make you go through the bother of checking the other thread.
Is it just me, or has everyone in Russoville been googling for photo’s of the SJ scratches helmets?????
I too would like to see Voros given anotehr chance next year. He could grow into a very usable 3rd line player.
I too agree that Simon should not be left eating popcorn for the rest of the year, as the guy certainly has more offensive talents than Boogie. The guy only played and a handful of games since coming back from his suspension, so I’m sure he needs more icetime “to get up to speed with” his new teammates.
Of the other current “non-skilled” guys with contracts ending this year, I’d most like to see Fedoruk and Foster back.
Move Rolston to center and put Simon on the wing next to PMB. He’d protect the little fella and clog up the front of the net like I use to do!
yeah, I was thinking about those helmets with the shark fin …. I’m a Parrothead and those might make nice head gear at a Parrothead Phlocking sometime(Fins Up!).
GoWP, that is not a bad idea IMO. Although I would pick someone other than Roli there… maybe Shep?
Did anyone find any pics of the shame helmets?
I love the Plettster…he could kick arce!
Simon?, in the short term we’ll see how DB’s back does but if Simon can eventually bring what Fedoruk does, I think we should keep him for extra grit.
Austin, Shep would be good. Move Roli to defense where he can use his slapper. Just don’t pair him with Scuba or they be a LOT of goals against.
LOL good thing they took Ramsey with them! Now i have a better feeling about the game. LOL
There must be something behind it since they haul a pic of him across half the country.
Okay, so I posted this question in the Don’s question section… but does anyone know why rolston and bouchard are BFF’s? Why doesn’t butch ever go out on a line with Gabby?
follow up to last post - even on the power play they’re on different squads…
“Tres: Lemaire said Simon was only acquired in case Derek Boogaard couldn’t return from a back injury, and since Boogaard’s back, Simon’s out.”
Yay!!! our 2-minute-muncher is healthy again!!!
I have to ask the question regarding Boogaard: Why is everybody so enamored with this guy, is it the potential of him possibly knocking someones block off in a scrap? That’s pretty sad if it is. Because it sure as hell isn’t the potential of what he can do in a hockey related instance. He can’t skate, can’t stickhandle, can’t shoot, can’t pass, his positioning is poor, his hands are mush, easily knocked off his feet, poor timing on most of his checks resulting in penalties……………………………………..But he sure can FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!(and considering his results this year to date on this, that’s also questionable.)
WHAT A F!@*#@! JOKE!!!!
I hope we get to see more of the butch-pouliot-rolston line tonight!! they played well in the third last game
Rolston can be a bit shakey on the blue line. How many times has the puck jumped his stick?
I don’t think we have really seen anything from Simon. It’s like the guy is frozen and afraid to play. He’s obviously out of shape (so says JL)and sitting with the Don and eating popcorn aren’t going to hone his skills.
Now that they have him, I don’t think the Wild really know what to do with Simon.
Boogie will be a factor. Just wait…..
Here’s my take on why Gabby and Butch can’t be on the same line. Way too little defense. Much more so than Gabby and Demo. Plus, two little bodies (height and weight).
They have been on the powerplay though. I think we should play Simon a little more. Maybe he needs better conditioning? Or are they punishing him for his remarks re: Pronger suspension? Focus on the game and not on outside distractions.
Good afternoon from sunny (no, I’m not making that up) Seattle, where it’s 52 degrees and in the middle of rush hour already…
NiNY: The Avalanche even went as far as putting out a press release saying ‘Avs’ was the proper nickname, not ”Lanche” as has been apparently written earlier.
Which gives me even more reason to call them the ‘Lanche whenever they are discussed in this format… 
Anyhow, the weather is surprisingly good for the gloom capital of the USA (Of course, all Russovillians know that the gloom and doom capital of North America is Vancouver after the ‘Nucks lose at home…which we hope ‘da boys’ can engineer on Friday night…
As for tonight…hopefully, the Sharks victory 2-1 over LA last night at STAPLES Center got the Edmonton loss out of their system…
soooo, Randy what your saying is you don’t like Boogaard?
Wow, hate Boogie much?
The beauty of Boogie he isn’t fooled into thinking he has offensive skills. He is on the bench/ice for one reason. If you think the boys don’t play differnt when he suits up, your not watching close enough.
Boogie is a goon, and he plays like one. Are we the that offensively inept that we are waiting for Chris Simon to be our offensive answer? For me, one goon (Fridge) turned hockey player is enough. In the 5-6 games that Simon has played for the Wild I haven’t seen him land a hit near the intensity that Boogies did in his FIRST shift against the Avs.
DB brings a whole different dimension and he’ll kick your you know what if anyone is dumb enough to drop’em.
I obviously don’t know the guy personally, seems like a good guy and all from what I’ve read and seen in interviews. But as a hockey player, I believe he should be in the WWE, not the NHL.
Bandgeek’s not going to be happy with Randy.
Kevin, you are not kidding with that statement. BG will defend Boogie to the ends of the earth.
I like Boogie. He makes the opposition go *boom*. He also punishes eye sockets.
“Boogie is a goon, and he plays like one. Are we the that offensively inept that we are waiting for Chris Simon to be our offensive answer?”
No, but why did Simon play upwards to 7-10 minutes a game and get some time on the PP? and why does Boogaard only play 2-3 minutes per night, and doesn’t even sniff the ice in the third period of a tight game? Because Boogaard IS a liability when he’s on the ice.
MLB and retard Randy,
the Boogie man IS the reason the wild received so few fighting majors last year.
adding another proficient scrapper will lead the wild further into the playoffs (of course adding an experienced center would have helped a little too DR).
Seriously, does anyone think even the favored son pronger is going to take liberties with Boogie AND Simon in the game??
We should try to warn her, Austin.
I have to ask the question regarding Boogaard: Why is everybody so enamored with this guy, is it the potential of him possibly knocking someones block off in a scrap?
AustinTXwildfan -
I like Boogie. He makes the opposition go *boom*. He also punishes eye sockets.
Atleast you admit to it.
steve -
Retard, huh, that’s cute.
from the last thread: is the RIM browser materially different from the browser on my Q? It just seems to take forever to load the page, etc.
the bit about Simon in the blog way up there annoys me on several levels.
first off, they let Simon believe he was getting a fresh start, when all they were doing was screwing with him. I really hope they told him straight up what the deal was so this news wasn’t a surprise, but I doubt it - that’s Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough for you.
second, Boogaard is a lovely person, but his hockey skills are severely lacking, and I don’t think they’re going to improve anymore. he’s come a long ways since Louisiana, but I think he’s hit a wall. and these days, there just is not room on a roster that can’t score or only scores in spurts for a player who… can’t score ever.
third, why waste all that energy explaining why we should give Simon a chance when they’re not even willing to give him a chance?
Randy, I like Boogies physical play for sure. I agree he isn’t what I would call a skilled hockey player. But having a slugger like him around does benifit the team in a way, even if he only skates a handful of minutes a night. He hits fiercely and that makes the other team look over their shoulders when they see him. I don’t love Boogie, but I love watching him hit people. Every team needs that physical presence, and really without him we don’thave much of one. Sure Fedork can throw some checks, and Voros will toss his body around, but Boggie’s hits are consistiently harder than those two guys combined.
NiNY, I’m not sure. Not too familiar with the Q. My Media Net browser (I also have a second browser which is what I use to actually surf the net) works a lot faster on my BB than it did on my Razr so speed might depend on what kind of plan or network you have.
“He hits fiercely and that makes the other team look over their shoulders when they see him.”
Really? How did calling out “Pinky ‘n the Brain Twin’s” work out for him this year?
Hardly looking over their shoulder, they called him out by saying, “Let Boogaard play all he wants, we’ll skate around him anyway”
Yeah, enough with the weather man skit already. Does anyone give a rats wrinkle what the weather in San Jose is?
Austin - let Bandgeek take care of Randy. It will be like Boogie hitting Cooke….;)
- chewly - I also hope Simon was told that his playing time would depend on DB’s back as well as how DB effective played if he could play. Secret Squiral - I mean DR - could have told fans that as well.
- Randy - you are alone in your opinion right now probably because your a bit over the top. Several blog participants here agree that DB has not done enough to prove he can play enough minutes to have a spot on the 4th line. However, it looks like he is going to get a chance over the next few weeks so we should know more by the final homestand.
I generally agree with Randy. But, I think we’ve established that in the past…
Randy, let Good Old Wally sprinkle some wisdom to your comment about why Boogy is so valuable question that you asked
if this is high school or college, I agree what is the big deal, but this is the NHL and skill players need protection, its good to have a big body to create room for the skill players to move, He is fast for a big guy, and he is the only guy I hvae seen just cream Getzlaff in a game. I think you get the point
Trying…to…stay…out…of..the… discussion…
I think you are wise beyond your years Wally! I don’t believe that JL believes Simon is only there unless Boogy is hurt. Beaver thinks that JL is just trying to fire him up.
I will believe JL if he leaves Simon out of the line up against Calgary, otherwise I think JL is full of Bull. I absolutely believe Simon, Boogy and Fedoruk will all play against Calagary. I will admit I am the one full of Bull if Simon sits in Calgary
Boogys Value to the team
You might as well not even try to play against teams like Flames, Ducks, Canucks, the Black Hawks now and Dallas now without an enforcer. They will beat Gaborick up until he cries for his mommy
He opens up ice in a close checking game. It can be very valuable to skill players to be out on the ice during and after shifts when Boogy is on the ice.
Beaver, you make some great points, and thank you for the compliments about my wisdom.
Good Old Wally is calling JL out for his full of Bull Comment about Simon being Boogys back up
I am going to qualify what I am saying by telling you that I am sure JL truly wants more from Simon, but now after saying that Good Old Wally is going to challenge JL that I can predict the starting forward roster against the Goon Flames.
These will be his 12 forwards
Gabby Demo Fedoruk
Koivou Branko Velliux
Sheppard PMB Rolston
Pouliott Boogy Simon
One fighter is not enough against a goon squad team like Calgary. Goddard zeros out Boogy
What does a girl have to do to get people to leave her boy alone? Thank you to those of you who stood up for Boogey while I was away for the day fixing my sick car, and sitting through boring meetings. Now where was I…
No Boogey will never score 20 goals a season, no he won’t skate more than a few minutes a game, he probably won’t win the Lady Bing or anything like that, but my Boogey does his job. Just sitting on the bench Boogey has the ability to make players (and a few coaches i.e. McTavish) go stupid. He doesn’t make cheep or dirty hits, he doesn’t go out of his way to pick fights, he’s very disciplined, and doesn’t fight if JL says not to. Some don’t think he can fight, but I’m sure Fridge would tell you differently. So lay off the Boogey-man.
Only thing else I have to say is wow, I have street cred in Russoville. Now if you’ll excuse me I slipped on a patch of ice and twisted my knee so I need to be icing it about now.
Hate to make Kevin mad, but….
any chance Wild can land Malkin this summer? Is it possible even to trade straight up for Gabby? Just seems Wild and penguins have some interchangable players. Lots of possiblities, Hossa, Gabby, Malkin, Demitra, Rolston. Penguins looking for good vets and Wild looking for some more franchise type youth. Pens can’t keep em all and neither can we.
who gives a crap if we win- lets kick there a@@ with boogey,simon,glass jaw. Thats the way to think and you will win games. The power of intimdidation.
I’m sure this comment will get ripped, but Boogey does realize his role and knows how he fits in. He also seems to know how to fight - he usually doesn’t start ‘em, and he’s certainly had it drilled into him how much less he’ll play if he does so unnecessarily - and be a presence in the way JL wants him to be.
Simon theoretically should add more than Boogey, but he hasn’t really done much at all yet.
It was also evident at the time that the reason they got Simon was because they weren’t sure if Boogey would make it back before season’s end.
If Hossa walks, I’d rank the chances of the Pens trading Malkin (who still has a year left on his entry-level contract) between slim and none. This summer anyway. They’ll want to try to get him locked up, but it really depends on what happens with Hossa. Malone’s a UFA and he’ll be expecting a pay raise after a great season so far.
I’d guess management would try to sign all three, but certainly you’re right Edubs; they can’t keep them all. They still have some decent wiggle room under the cap so a trade in the future wouldn’t surprise me, but a trade this summer would.
But what do I know?
A line of Hossa-Sid-Gaborik though… not sure there’d be enough pucks on the ice though!
I have to more or less agree with Randy. Toward the end of last season, Boogie really came on and became a much more well-rounded hockey player. He was drawing a number of penatlies, he was throwing checks, he was creating some havoc in front of the opponent’s goal. In fairness to him, he’s been hurt in awful lot this year, but in the games he has played he seems to have reverted in his development. Some of that may be the result of being targeted by officials - some of which was brought on by himself, IMO - but it doesn’t matter. He has been sooo one dimensional this year and now that we have some other players who can fill that role and still contribute in other ways, I just don’t view him as a very important piece of the team right now.
I think Malkin will demand huge $ especially after lighting it up recently. They key will be Sid, will he be willing to widdle a way at his contract to keep his mates around. Many top notch athletes realize this and with Sids extra sponsors on the side he can afford it. If Wild do trade Gabby it will have to be to the East and the Pens look like the best dance partner right now.
BTW, someone above mentioned Willie Plett. We all love him for the enforcer that he was with the Stars, but I saw an interview with him in the last year where he basically said that he didn’t really like that role with the Stars. He had been much more of an offensive force before he came to MN and he was sorta saying that he felt like he was pigeon-holed here.
MN Brew, you know when they picked up Simon it was after the deadline which would suggest your right about picking up Simon in case Boogy could not make it back.
DR would probably not take a player for the reason of a back up unless no other teams wanted him (which is why they signed him after the bell)
What I dont get is this though. I believe that you NEED both Simon and Boogy. If you are in the Eastern Conference well then no. I have always said that you need two fighters if your going to play against teams like the Ducks- Flames etc.
Keep in mind the reason why you need two is this… Take the Ducks for instance, they just traded away McDonald whom was the last pure skill player they had (Now Selanne is back but 90 years old !) Just think about that they traded for Doug Weight ! What would they have done if they had PMB, Demitra ? The fact is Minnesota enjoys watching players like the skill guys and in other areas like California its not as bog of a deal
Sid’s contract is going to be an $8.7 mil annual clip (AO makes more). Malkin will be expensive for sure, but based on reports and local writers, I think management’s hoping no player tries to say he’s worth more than Crosby. GM Ray Shero’s been working the salary cap with the intention of putting money aside for all the key guys and there’s hope of course that players won’t take quite as much as they might make on the open market based on the situation going on here. Greed’s quite a factor though and this is real life, so we’ll see what happens. Malkin won’t come cheap at a new contract or in a trade.
I personally don’t think Gaborik will be any cheaper than Geno - Sid or no Sid.
To me the one x-factor would be if the Pens could figure out a way to keep Hossa. That might entice Gaby to play there for something less than “full market value”. That’s a big “might” though.
The Penguins have a great situation with Malone-Malkin-Sykora and Hossa-Crosby-RandomJoe. Or they would if Crosby was healthy…
But anyway, my point is they’re going to do whatever they can to keep that. And no offense, because I like Gaborik, but I’m not sure his price tag approaches Malkin’s. Gabby’s had a successful career for a while, sure, and his numbers would probably be better if he didn’t play in a defensive system. His injury history and the way Geno’s just exploded during Sid’s absence makes me think Geno’s worth more.
I don’t debate that Geno’s WORTH more, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gaby ASK for as much.
Ohh I see. No argument there.
Won’t argue that one either, HD.
… and, there’s probably a team or two that would be willing to pay Gabby that kind of money.
But, Kevin, how did you know I was going to make that point two minutes before I posted it?
I’m psychic, sir.
Magic number of points needed to be earned by the Wild to clinch a playoff spot: 11
Randy - Boogie just showed his worth. The man has a job and he does it well.
Hey Bandgeek, I’d say the Boogieman is back in town……
