Tuesday’s practice update
Posted on March 25th, 2008 – 4:08 PMBy Michael Russo
FYI, Kent covered practice but had to run home, so he asked me to give an update.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard practiced today. Pavol Demitra did not, but Jacques Lemaire was optimistic he’d play tomorrow. We will see on that.
Derek Boogaard was also given the day off, and considering he played eight minutes, that seems weird. One wonders if his back is bothering him again.
Kent did a notebook for tomorrow. Wild had a season-high 22 giveaways last night, led by Martin Skoula’s six.
I wrote a feature on the Oil on the planeride home.
FYI, Kurtis Foster continues to improve. I communicated with him last night, and he’s gotten to watch all the Wild games online from his hospital bed.
Talk to you more tomorrow.
187 Responses to "Tuesday’s practice update"
I hope both Boogie and Pav are good to go soon soon. Glad to hear PMB is feeling better. Hope the team does much better tomorrow night.
Skoula Stinks,Skoula Stinks,Skoula Stinks,Skoula Stinks,Skoula Stinks,Skoula Stinks,
Hopefully Foster was blasted on pain meds last night watching that disaster!
Desperate teams call for desperate measures and when you’re desperate you play like you’re desperate, and let me take that a step further..when you’re desperate every game looks desperate so you play desperate…
My D&D impersonation…did I get ‘em right from last night?
BNAG, that is a precision guesstimate… 32.7 ticks left?
ATX - If I call it, I’m on the red-eye to Vegas….
I hate to say it, but this team is circling the drain.
Where does Foster get the online feed from? Would be nice to know since I am on the road a lot.
Is this something the Wild set up for him?
Hope Boogie is ok, we could use his toughness down the stretch.
phil - they sound like the “coach” on those commercials on the NHL channel.
“The blue line is the last line of defense. Like drawing a line in the sand but there is no sand because this is hockey….”
ballgame - they just don’t have that killer instinct. Maybe the “Minnesota Nice” thing has worn off on too many of them ooooorrrrr they don’t give a sheit…
Off-topic but interesting story on Roy.
http://www.news1130.com/news/sports/article.jsp?content=s032585A
Deep Breath, from the last thread, I also agree that the glass is half full, not half empty.
Every game from the beginning of this road trip is pivotal.
I’m no more disappointed about them now than I was excited after last Friday night. They are still what they have been all here - inconsistent. Just as every other team in this division has been, fortunately.
In spite of their inconsistency, they don’t often get blasted like that - at least not since the early part of the year when they were hammered a few times. Makes me think the poor effort last night was more of an aberration because they’re play had picked up quite a bit since the home SJ game a few weeks ago. We’ll see more tomorrow night. If they come out ready, play their game and, most importantly, win, then maybe last night was more of an “off night.”
I don’t know - pass the Kool-aid.
Oh, and just so I don’t give the wrong idea, I have no illusions about any sort of cup run this spring. Possible, sure, but no reason to think they have it in them.
One reason we won’t likely make a cup run is that we don’t have the goaltending this year to make that run. We actually have the talent that if they all played together, which is always possible in the playoffs, they could possibly make a run. But to do that they would have to get lights out goaltending like we had in 03 or the Oil had when Roli got them to the cup. No sign of that this year.
BNAG, you better play the lottery if you get that one right on the money.
One reason we won’t likely make a cup run is that we don’t have the goaltending this year to make that run.
so true
You know gang…. it goes to show you just how hard that playoff hockey is on players like Demitra and PMB
“You know gang…. it goes to show you just how hard that playoff hockey is on players like Demitra and PMB”
Huh? PMB had the flu. Demitra is out for a game or so–not uncommon in the NHL–don’t understand what your point is.
oh geez, the hospital staff should take away the remote. Foster wants to get better, not worse. watching the team “play hockey” with no emotion, no heart, no passion is enough to make any hospital stay an extended one.
Woodcock, easy on the Beaver ! Mister Woodcock I will ask you a question, when you get sick is it when you are feeling healthy, strong and vibrant or is it when you feel beat up and bruised ? Now please dont patronize the Beaver. PMB came off a couple of rough games, no argument right Mister Woodcock ?
Woodcock, you kind of hurt my feelings
I dont understand your argument
1) everything was good for Demitra until he played two playoff type hockey games = sore leg= like last year when it got rough Woodcock…. oh yes now you remember
2) Flu- when your body is beat up and run down typically you have a better chance of getting flu
Thanks good old Wally ! your like a big brother to me
Woodcock: Looks like it’s time for our daily check in with Larry and his brother Darryl. I wonder what happened to the other brother Darryl…wait, strike that…I don’t care.
Boys will be just fine, more positive than negative. They will remain in the hunt.
Every one of us has bad days where we are not at our best.
I hear you Iceman. I think the Wild will roll at home much better. A little home cookin right Iceman !
Nick From New York ? in plain english I dont understand
It really wasn’t an argument. I was asking what your point was because I was mystified. I still don’t get it. You imply that no one can get hurt so therefore Pav is dogging it? That PMB didn’t have the flu but was just beat up by those tough old NW teams. I’m sorry boys loose speculation like this just doesn’t cut it. So, if we kick the Oil tomorrow, does that mean we are now tough. We stunk yesterday. No doubt. Not ready to give up yet though and get tired of folks questioning the heart when they just showed a lot in Vancouver and elsewhere. I am pretty happy that our expansion team has done as well as it has–even tho according to some JL and DR are dimwits who ought to be fired. Now after we lose in the first round, ask me again. Beav and Gow, you’d better exchange addresses–you may need to get a room.
If I had as many bad days at my job, as the Wild have had bad games I would no longer be employed.
Inconsistency, and lack of effort sums up this season. It’s that simple. I enjoyed watching this team more when hungry guys like Zholtok, Dowd, O’Donnell, Bruno, Mitchell etc. were playing.
As I have said before-After we (they)are Golfing after the first round: No Wild team has done less with more. If I’m wrong I’ll have a crow sandwich with a smile, but I have no aspirations this group will do squat in the SCP.
After that huge missed check, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boogaard hurt is back again.
Kirk - don’t forget Walz.
Kirk, liked those guys, too. Course we got our butts kicked.
Biggest mistake was not refeshing the team enough this offseason. Same team as last year, but with Belanger. Now maybe Hill that he is playing more. These guys have heard the same message for 2 or 3 years. Not that the message is wrong (because it isnt hockey is hockey) But a new location, new coach, new chemistry make a difference. Im afraid the chemistry aspect is what is lacking in this team. It surely isnt talent or coaching. Dont most teams try to have about 20% turn over each year just for this reason?
Pyatt and Vandermeer 5 seconds in and then my CI cut off. Vandermeer pounded him. Probably glad not to have to fight Simon,
Beaver makes a really good point.
Good Old Wally IS like a brother to the Beav.
Now all we need is Ward and June and the entire cast of the Brady Bunch will be accounted for!!!
Wally…go back to selling beer.
Beaver…get stuffed.
Well I was going to include Walzy but I’m still kind of bitter over his departure. In retrospect he absolutely deserves to be in there. He was still one of my favorite players to watch. He busted his tail every night because he loved the game. That’s what I miss. Watching guys play who love to play.
We did lose a lot back in those days but most nights we were competitive. I don’t care much for what this team has evolved into. I envisioned this team continuing to play lock down D, but adding more skill players that can score. Instead DR tried to mold this team into a European style skilled team. He lacked the vision to see the direction the league was going (big & skilled). I lay a lot of blame at Gary Bettman’s feet as well. The new rules were supposed to even the playing field so a skilled team could play with a more physical team.
Then the playoffs come, and the Ducks are allowed to get away with every brand of interference the game has ever known.
I can’t help but feel that if this team CHOSE to put forth a more consistent effort they could be an elite team.
Knight you nailed it. No Wild team has done less with more.
So, this will be the summer of our discontent??? 
Is GoW for real?? I am baffled by his comments. But hey, at least you are positive and that is rare in these parts right now. I think these guys can still win the division. Play like they did in Calgary from here on out and things will likely look pretty good. The game in EDM was indeed a stinker, but all is not lost. Come and have some Kool-Aid and watch the game through iron-range-red colored glasses!
Less with more…how about less with less. The Wild’s roster isn’t exactly loaded with stars. I wouldn’t mine having White and Dupuis back on the roster. And give me some physical defensemen.
1-0 Canucks. Sloppy clear by Sarich on PP and Naslund scores. Preds cruising.
Geez KJ–azt least let’s get Lumpy Rutherford and Eddie Haskell. How about Whitey?
I don’t think Demo and Belanger would (on paper) be viewed as less skilled than White/Dupuis. But, you may be right. They played with more heart.
2-0 Nucks.
Just watched a guy win the Dodge Red Hot Ram in Calgary. Talk about Pimp My Ride.
BT…forgot about the miss hit by Boogie. He was really cooking when the Oiler got out of the way and he crashed into the boards.
Austin, I know there is more negative than positive, but it is hard to be optimistic when they took such a beating last night.
Roloson and Manny were solid goaltenders. Backstrom is proving to be a one year wonder and not a true starter. He works well in the JL rotation system, but with Harding not being able to hold his half of the deal, the team is looking to Backstrom.
To be positive he looked awesome till JL replaced him for Hards in the Flames game. Either he asked to have that game off or JL gave it to him. Either way, it did not help. Yes, he had no, zip, nada support from his defense.
I think the Wild will maybe survive the first round of the playoffs if they are lucky, but nothing more. If the match with Calgary in round one, as is predicted, it will be an early exit.
They can not figure JI or that team out.
If this happens, JL and DR will be shown the exit and I think that is what the players want, along with most fans.
I believe the fans weren’t the only ones upset with the Simon aquistion. The players know how much of a black eye it put on this organization. I understand he wants to prove himself, but honestly guys like him, Holiweg, Pronger, and Downie will never change.
Tomorrow night should show if they really care anymore. I am hoping they do, because I would love to see a solid game at the X.
I was about to write a novel of discontent, but I think you guys are covering the bases quite nicely. I’ll sit and watch what happens.
Beav and Gow, you’d better exchange addresses–you may need to get a room.
Line of the day - Go Nuks (yuck) but its 2-1 now.
We’re a rather manic depressive lot here in Russoville, aren’t we?
Given the way dallas has slid recently, i’s no longer a sure thing that the NW champ will play a division foe. I would love to see the Ws win the NW and match up with the Stars, the Flames play Anaheim (ought to be a physical series), the Nucks get wiped by SJ, and the Oil slip ahead of the Avs to face Detroit.
Cam - to answer a question earlier…
You can watch the games online from a website called http://www.myp2p.eu. It’s peer sharing feeds. You’ll need to download a player or two or three. I’ve downloaded three free players: Sopcast, VLC, and TVU. Sopcast and TVU show live tv across the globe and VLC is a media player.
You don’t get every game, but you get a lot more than none. With this method, I’m holding off buying CenterIce for another year.
First period Nucks, second Flames. Bieksa beautifully fed Primeau but Primeau blew it. We don’t have the only D who screw up.
Just saw a big difference between us and the Flames. Flames D leave Pyatt completely alone in front of the net and he gets 2 shots and Kipper stops him. Point? Our goalies don’t usually bail our D out like that. All D make mistakes but in previous years our goalies often bailed them out–not as much this year.
woodcock, agreed on our goaltending. That and our PP are the two biggest differences from last year, IMHO.
I am only able to check the Nuks-Fire game on the iNternet box score - did the Fire just have a 5-3 for almost a full 2 mins and not score?
Ooops, spoke to soon - 2-2.
God, the last thing the Wild needs is a 3 pt game here.
Thanks Ballgame for the info.
flames scored again..now 3-2 Cows
Freaking Canucks take 6 straight penalties including two 5 on 3’s. Now 3-2 Flames. Just shows what a difference a key save can make. If Kipper doesn’t stop the 2 Pyatt shots it’s 3-1 and then Canucks probably win. Looks like we are headed to Calgary for the playoffs.
Nice job Burrows. Gets out of the box, and goes right back in after taking a delay of game for knocking the net off Cows score on their second 5-3.
Then the Nuk’s did their best Wild impression, and changed all 4 penalty killers with the puck in the neutral zone possessed by the Cows. Neon Dion walks in, and puts one past Bobby Lou.
Keep in mind one thing about the remainder of the Flames schedule - they finish with 4 on the road, I believe. I wouldn’t hand them anything yet. Also, as I noted above, Dallas and the 5 seed are very catchable. Seeds 3, 5-8 are completely wide open.
I think I’d just rather have the flames win outright than get the tie and then the canucks win in OT
40 SOG for the Flames and 30 for the Nucks with 2 minutes to go. Luongo is holding his own. Where is the defense?
they were inspired by the Wild, so the d took 5
Lames win - on the plus side, it was not a 3 point game.
There we go. We’re knocked down to 6. I agree. No ties. Better for one of them to win in regulation.
Canucks may blow themselves right out of the playoffs. Preds won tonight. Have to say now that Cooke, Ruutu and Bertuzzi are gone even tho I can’t stand Kesler or Burrows I dislike the Flames more.
Hope the Wild (89 pts) can go from #6 back to #3 tomorrow night.
Edmonton (83 pts) will play tough since they are only 3 pts behind both the Avalanche (86pts) and Canucks (86 pts)who match up tomorrow night in Colorado.
Wood-I’m with ya. I hate the Flamers now more than the Knuckleheads.
As woodcock said…Preds won, so they are in a threeway tie for the #7/#8 spot with the Nucks and Avalanche.
Guessing that one is going to a great game to watch tomorrow night.
Interesting take on Dupuis from a Buccigross column, ESPN.com.
All the hype for the Pens was with Hossa at the deadline, but what about Pascal Dupuis? Just wanted to know what you think of this guy and the impact he’s had so far for the Pens.
Steve Lautman
Pittsburgh, Pa.
He’s an average player, and there are hundreds of guys like him. Players like Dupuis are why the Penguins will probably be able to sign Malkin. Put average players like Dupuis and Malone with Malkin or Crosby and you have $2 million players with $4-million-a-year stats.
You guys read the nice feature on Aaron Voros on NHL.com?
Preds are alone at #9 right now, no?
Awfully late to the party, but Dupuis has been pretty terrific as a Penguin so far. Maybe it’s just a flash in the pan, but he’s producing points (though only one or two goals, but a bunch of assists) and some overall very solid play. I’ve been happy with that part of the acquisition.
…as the Quebec Justice Department announced soon after the suspensions that it ordered a police inquiry into the brawl.
One instance I think a police inquiry may be justified. From the video I saw, Roy was detained by the ref. then went and assaulted - yes assaulted the opposing goaltender. The other guy was not a willing participant. He stood there, Roy attacked him, ripped off his helmet and proceeded to beat the crap out of him. I don’t think the other goalie even threw a single punch in self defense.
Tonights game is perhaps one of the most important games this season. It is as close to a predictor of how the Wild might fare in a playoff series (if they get to the playoffs) as you might find. Two nights ago, they got schooled. Now, they have to come home and figure out how to win against the same team. If that isn’t playoffs, I don’t know what is. If they can figure this out and win, the playoffs may not be out of the picture and they may go further than a lot of people think. If they can’t and lose, things are going to look pretty grim for both getting into the playoffs and winning a series.
One thing for sure, and I hate to say it, you have to hand it to Bettman and crew. They wanted all games to be relevent and excitement about games to last all the way to the end of the season. Three point games and the parity in the league sure have made it that way.
Last post for a while. Sorry about the three posts in a row. I wanted to separate the three as they deal with three different topics.
Green*…6th place.
Hockeydad,
You are correct, Nashville is holding ninth place solely. They have 84 points, not 86 like I assumed. I added two points for their win last night because I didn’t believe the standings had been updated.
Edmonton can take that slot with a win tonight, but that won’t happen. I hope..
4 straight home games, and they darn well better come away with at least 6 points from these games. At the very least, they need to beat the Flamers next Thursday.
How can your significant others stand to live with you pukes? God you’re a whiny bunch of bitches on this site. I’m embarrassed for you. You people are ridiculous. Does this make you feel better to sit on here and bitch bitch bitch after the Wild lose a game?
You’ve said nothing new in the past 2 days. Just post after post of whiny bitching. You give a great name to Minny fans. Wow am I proud.
I’ve never seen so much bandwagon jumping in my life. Go find a new team. Real fans are sick of you pukes.
Flames haven’t beaten Van, Col or Edm on the road since Nov. 24. Wild will have a playoff spot clinched before they take the ice Sunday, here’s how: Wild win tonight and Friday night against Nux; Nashville loses Sunday at Detroilet, which starts at 2 pm and will be over by the time Wild faceoff at 5. So, by the time the opening video montage hits the screen with 5 minutes left in the pregame, the Wild will have its spot secured. Also, don’t discount the fact the Wild or Flames being the No. 5 seed. Dallas has been struggling of late and their schedule the last 6 games is a b!tch to say the least. Sunday’s atmosphere should be really sweet, leading up to the NW clinching game a week from tomorrow against the Flickers, where by my math, it will only take one point to clinch the division.
blind squirrel finds a nut, kj? not sure why one would be proud to predict negative outcomes but that is completely a minnesota mentality. probably why we are what we are around here.
I enjoyed watching this team more when hungry guys like Zholtok, Dowd, O’Donnell, Bruno, Mitchell etc. were playing.
you also enjoyed a lot of losing. wow. I was confused as to all of the negative energy around here but this explains a lot of it.
hey i loved going to games in the first few years too. it got old praying that the boys kept it within 2 each night though.
Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t feed the trolls.
seriously, you liked watching dowd skate laps with the puck in the attacking zone like he was skating at the rose oval? you actually liked that?
I think most fans thought the team in the first few years was cute and plucky and hard-working. But I have to go with G* on this one, I’d much rather follow a team that has a chance to win, go to the post-season and possible win a series or two……or three.
Bunch of lemmings you all are. Time to dump Risedump and get a real team. The Mild are going to choke yet again. But go drink your kool-aid and think it will be all right.
DB good point about the Flames winning on the road. But … they can beat the Wild at the X, which I absolutely DO NOT want to see when I’m there next week.
What I REALLY REALLY want is for the Wild to run the gamut to next Thursday, which could be JL’s 500th win as a coach. Wouldn’t that be sweet to get number 500 at home in the last home game of the season.
Green*…I’m not reveling in the fact that it was a negative prediction. I pointed it out because you were quick to refute it.
Inconsistency has been the mantra for this team. When they appear to be taking control of the division, they spit the bait. When they’re dropping like a prom dress in the standings, they recover and move back to a precarious division lead.
I hope they beat the Oil like a pinata tonight. I hope, I hope, I hope.
i only refuted it because you spoke of the wild being in 6th as if it were a done deal, hours before the flames game started.
Let me make this clear. I enjoy watching a team that puts forth a consistent effort. This team has not done that this season. That’s why they are in the position they are in. Just because other teams have the same issues doesn’t make it OK. That’s the kind of garbage management tries to sell to the public.
Versions of the Wild from years past worked harder game in, and game out IMO. Any team that takes the ice in the NHL has a chance to win. It comes down to effort. In 2003 this team went to the Western Conference Finals because they busted their tails. I just don’t see that from this team on a consistent basis, and it’s disappointing.
In 2003 this team went to the Western Conference Finals because they busted their tails
and because colorado and vancouver looked past us, especially when up 3 games to 1. oh and having a very hot goalie tandem helped. sure they played hard but playing hard wasn’t the only factor.
I think we also have to be careful to not chalk up everything bad that happens to a “lack of effort”. Sometimes bad things happen because of a lack of effort. That’s true. Sometimes, though, bad things happen due to mental mistakes (as JL said about Sunday night) or a bad bounce or a flat-out bad play not due to lack of effort. Sometimes the other guy makes a good play or the other team is just better. It happens.
What’s your point G*? They wouldn’t have been there if they would not have worked hard. Obviously there are other factors but the bottom line is the effort.
For instance, I don’t think you can blame all 3 of Iginla’s goals on Saturday night to a “lack of effort”. Iginla is just a great player. He scores on everyone. They’re not going to be able to shut him down all the time, and that’s not due to not trying.
what about the bogus charging call on blake, late in 3rd when the wild were down a goal to the aves in game 7. that led to the tying goal.
my point is effort isn’t the only thing. all the effort in the world doesn’t mean wins. sure you need effort but take away the other factors and effort alone would not have gotten that 03 team to the conference finals.
To piggyback on what G* is saying, I remember the team working as hard as it could against the Ducks in the finals that year. They still couldn’t score on Giguere. The other team was just better. Effort is not the be-all, end-all of a team’s fortunes.
Iggy is a great player there’s not doubt. But they rarely if ever shut him down. We should not be 1-5-1 bad against that team. Call it mental break downs, bad play, bad bounces, whatever. It still comes down to effort.
Dave, that is true. But I think the point that is tring to be made is that without effort you get none of the other things, wheather it be luck, penalties, goals, tight D, etc.
I tend to side with Kirk on this one… The bottom line is effort. I have been seeing the game differently than some others on here though. I see more effeort than others admit to seeing. The problem around here is, that when the Wild lose (regardless of how they play, generally speaking of course) it’s due to lack of effort according to many folks on this blog.
I see your point, ATX (and yours, too, Kirk). I’m not trying to say that I always see 100% maximum effort from every player, every game. I don’t. Sometimes a goal against or a loss can legitimately be attributed to poor effort. What you say about a loss not being exclusively due to lack of effort, ATX, is exactly what I’m trying to say.
Incidentally, I think they’ve done a pretty good job (for them) against Iginla this year. I’d have to go back and look at the games individually, but I don’t think he’d had a hat trick prior to Saturday. He’s a point-per-game player, so I don’t think it’s realistic to shut him out all the time. As they say, “You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.” I think they’ve done that for the most part.
I’m not trying to say teams from years past were the best teams ever or anything. I’m just saying that I saw more consistent effort being put forth. It’s disappointing when a team with this much talent isn’t more consistent.
We went through a period this season where we weren’t playing well but we were winning. Then we weren’t playing well, and losing. Now we’ve been playing a little better but those little break downs creep in, and cost us games.
Kirk: I agree that effort is neccassary, but the Wild won the two playoff series in ‘03 for the simple fact that the goaltending they got in games 5-7 in each series was borderline ridiculous. Effort was there this year when the team lost to the Devils in a SO a couple of weeks ago; as it was in the loss at SJ less than a week later. Team needs to give effort, but talent and a fortuitous bounce now and then can be just as important.
I think I see it more clearly now Dave. Even with a great effort things don’t go well sometimes. Even with effort you have a lot of other things that factor into a loss… bad penalties can be taken, someone named Iginla cannot be stopped no matter how hard you try, injury can happen, etc… That is definitely valid. I guess with a lack of effort, it is just easier to point out those kinds of things and balme them for the loss. Plus, when the effort is not there, you can blame poor passing, giveaways, sleepwalking defence, etc. a la Monday’s game.
One thing from Monday’s fiasco is the putrid play or Martin Skoula (remember, after his OT winner I vowed never to refer to him as Skouba). Anyway, I’m assuming that because we have no warm bodies left on the blueline that he will be free of 1 or 2-night stay in the JL’s Bow-Wow Palace. Where as a guy like Parrish; or Hill and Carney when our blueline corps was healthy, would have had to endure a lengthy stay in the Bow-Wow Palace. The question has been posed on this board many times, but why do you suppose JL has a different set of standards for Martin Skoula?
Speaking of bad bounces. I still have nightmares about Burnsie’s triple post bank shot against the Cows. That was in the Horrordome if I remember correctly.
It’s disappointing when a team with this much talent isn’t more consistent.
this is definately true. justifying it by saying i enjoyed the 00 to 03 teams better actually unjustifies it, IMHO.
For whatever reason JL sees more good than harm in Skoula. At least he’s been more willing to rip him lately. The only way I see him not playing is if Reitz gets called up, and usurps his playing time. Even then it’s probably a stretch because Skoula’s still a better skater than the “Grumpy Old Men”.
Any word on when Nummy will be healthy?? I want Hill out of the line-up.
DB, I think Skoula’s poor performance was magnified my the complete team breakdown. Still, the poor clear/line change move stands out as one of the dumbest plays he has ever commited… ya know, other than tripping over the line in the ice.
Kirk: That Willie Mosconi triple bank shot against the Flickers is the main reason I’d like to see the Wild avoid that matchup in round #1. Can’t win at the HorrorDome and lately the Wild can’t beat them at the “X”.
Is Nummi even skating?
Talent and hard work go together. A team that works hard will create their own luck and opportunities. A talented team can take advantage of that luck and those opportunities.
But none of that means a thing if your goalie is playing insanely well.
I’m not trying to justify anything. When I sit back, and think about teams past, and this team I think the frustration was different. Back then losses were frustrating but easier to take because of where the franchise was at that point in time. I feel more frustrated now due to what I perceive as underachievement.
” I feel more frustrated now due to what I perceive as underachievement.”
That is the biggest pitfall of setting your standards high. I think a lot of people set the bar pretty high for this Wild team, and rightfully so because there is a bunch of talent there. But setting a high standard and expecting greatness leads to big disappointments when the team does not perform up to expectations. Unfortunately that is what we have dealt with all year. I am still holding out hope that they will make a big run in the playoffs, but I am not getting too worked up about it. Cautious optimism is my path.
Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough……………. the tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!
Bluto summarizes everything right now. Everyone needs to stop whining and get behind the team for the stretch run. Remember, there are seven other teams on the outside looking in that would give anything to trade places with the Wild right now. In the words of Rick Pitino, “All the negativity in this town sucks!”
Let’s wait and see what they actually achieve or don’t achieve before we label them underachievers. If we make the playoffs, that’s a whole different season and that horrible loss on Sunday will be spilled milk under the dam (that one was for you, kj!).
Hows this… I enjoy watching a competitive and entertaining hockey game no matter who wins. Yes, it is nice when the Wild win. Many times this season, the Wild have not played competitively or been entertaining. I think (I forget who) was saying that overall the ‘03 team was more consistently entertaining even though they did lose quite a bit.
For some of us, winning isn’t everything. I’d find it incredibly boring to watch a team spank other teams by 5 goals every night.
Bulldog, that is what I like to see. Stand by the team regardless. Rah rah sis boom baH!!! Goooooooo Wild! 
Oops. I meant horrible loss on Monday, of course. The days all run together sometimes…..
Green*…what I said yesterday was:
By gametime, they’ll probably be in 6th place in the conference.
Probably…adverb…in all likelyhood.
Translation?
I didn’t have a lot of confidence in the Avs’ road acumen. Not that it was ‘a done deal hours before gametime’.
But, it does support my contention that this is a ‘pivotal’ game tonight.
Good point ATX. I did have my standards set high. I hope they can flip a switch, and be more consitent come playoff time. I’m 100% behind the team. I don’t think venting frustration constitutes bandwagon jumping. If I was a bandwagon fan I wouldn’t watch or listen to every game of the season.
Glad Kurtis is doing okay. I’ve been a fan since his Cincy Ducks days, hope he has a fast recovery.
Every game from here on out will be the new “biggest” game of the year.
Kirk that is very true. My road trip to Colorado on April 6th could prove to be veeerry interesting. I think it could be a game for a playoff spot… or it could be the game to clinch the NW division… or it could mean nothing because the division is already locked up by the Wild. I hope for the 3rd option. Although the other options would make for a very entertaining game.
Arghh! I can’t believe there’s only 5 regular season games left! And we still don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs or not!!!
Not only that but of 30 teams, only 5 teams have clinched a playoff spot!
See my earlier post about Bettman and crew getting their wish of every regular season game being interesting right down to the end!
What I REALLY REALLY want is for the Wild to run the gamut to next Thursday, which could be JL’s 500th win as a coach. Wouldn’t that be sweet to get number 500 at home in the last home game of the season.
Throw in nailing down the NW division and I’m right there with ya.
C’mon everyone, group hug! I’ll start the verse ‘Kumbaya, kumbaya, let pound the friggin Oil back to the stone age’, everybody with me now!
I envision the PSA of Reginald Denny and Rodney King Jr. ‘Can’t we all just get along!’
Goody - Bingo!!! You hit it right on the head.
All teams are going to lose games, players will go into slumps, but what’s so maddening about the Wild is the effort. IMHO the best game the Wild played this year, they lost. It was the game against Detroit. The Wild were awesome. Passing was crisp, the guys were all on the same page and you could see it. They played like a team. It was entertaining, exciteing, best game all season and they lost.
Lately they just don’t seem to care. And that’s what’s so frustrating, when you know what they are capable of and then you have to watch that mess we saw in Edmonton.
Miserable pukes, that about sums it up. Not for everyone of course but if you’re miserable, you know it. You’re the kind of fan that I absolutely loathe. All happy and glass is more than half full when they win but fire everyone and blow up the franchise if they lose. What a bunch of chicken little’s.
Boo hoo you frickin babies. Who needs ya. Turn in your tickets and be gone with ya.
my bad kj, i let the enormous amounts of negativity blur what you wrote.
Lately they just don’t seem to care
I was stuck on the tarmac at msp during the colorado game last week but from what I heard, they cared. so is lately just the last game?
This is why I said last night that we are one manic depressive lot here in Russoville. Everything was great following last week’s SJ and VAN games, and everthing’s terrible after the Flamer and Oil games.
Michael R, did you even read the comments?? Go back to your cave.
Nevermind Michael. I see your stipulation in there about “not everyone”. I think the mood in here this morning has been pretty positive.
ATX, though I might not characterize it in the same fashion perhaps, I tend to agree with Michael R’s general sentiment that we tend to lose a little perspective here from time to time.
Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t feed the trolls.
Michael R. - there are other blogs….
Hockeydad, I completely agree. People around here go bonkers when the team loses. I always try and keep a positive outlook regardless. So I guess, in a sense, I agree with the troll.. I mean Michael.
Does anyone have the link to a recent “study” that ranks teams’ success in drafting future NHL’ers (either with the drafting team or other team)? It was mentioned here just the other day, but I can’t find it. Thanks.
Agreed with the sentiment that one bad loss doesn’t mean that we have to lock down all roof access in the Twin Cities to keep everyone off the ledge.
Dallas’ big slide here has definitely opened the possibilities on potential 1st round match-ups. Any of the teams currently 6-8 can pass Dallas, which plays SJ twice and is at Anaheim (though also plays Phx 2x and LA)in its last 6 games. Not nearly so automatic that the Wild, even if they win the division, will play CGY. It’s also completely possible that the Wild could finish 2nd in the NW and end up facing the Ducks again.
A silver lining I see is that Colorado is 1-4 in their last 5, meaning they appear to be fizzling. I’m not worried about them at all. Dallas is 3-7 in their last 10 and have lost 4 in a row, which could be good or bad. Good if they continue to slide, bad if they get angry and snap out of it.
Of the 9 potential playoff opponents (include Nashville and Edmonton on the off chance they get in), the order in which I’d like to play them is
Colorado - Slipping
Nashville - Surging but still not that good
Vancouver - Luongo
Edmonton - The run and gun gives us trouble, but, Roloson
Dallas - Sliding
San Jose - We played well against them last time out
Calgary - Iginla + Kipper
Anaheim - JSG
Detroit - It’s Detroit
I think we can hang with all these teams come playoff time, but clearly there are better matchups for the W’s.
is tonight a must win for the Wild? It is for the Grease. Discuss…and if you don’t have anything nice to say, Michael R…
but don’t you think the mood swings along with the way ‘da boys play?
must win for grease, not enough games left for them to snatch 8th spot.
for the wild? i think if they lose they will still make playoffs and could still win division. my goal for the team is the make playoffs so not so much a must win for me. if your main goal is winning division, then it probably is.
still a lot can happen because of all the division games remaining.
It’s just Mike trying to be ‘creative’ again (Michael R/Michael Russo).
I hope the W’s don’t draw the W’s or we might not get any W’s in the playoffs. Anyone else see how obnoxious this is?
I am not certain tonight is a MUST win… but it definitely would not hurt them to win it! I think the games vs COL and CAL are much more important. All I know is that the boys better show up on time tonight (game starts at 7 guys! not 7:30 or 8!) or else things could get ugly again real fast.
but don’t you think the mood swings along with the way ‘da boys play?
swings further to the downside. when they win we are happy or still down on them ie the win over LA. When they lose, and it doesn’t matter how well they played, they are the worst team in the league and everyone must go or something like that.
I propose that we ban the use of W’s to refer to the squad. For the love of God you save typing one character.
W’s=Victories, not the team name.
G* - that is exactly what I was alluding to with people ready to jump off the ledge. Well put.
If the Wild want to win the division now, they pretty much need to win every game, because I don’t see Calgary slowing down any time soon. One of the things with them is Keenan. They Flamers seem to be responding well to his style of coaching. Maybe it’s the head wax, but he’s got them clicking.
Interesint ranking there, VoR. I least want to play SJ and then CGY. Not sure why, but Det doesn’t scare me as much, though I think we would have been a better match up for them with last year’s team than this year’s version. We’re more physical and therefore, IMO, maybe a better match up with Anaheim than last year.
BNAG, I knew you would be a ‘voice of reason’. 
Let’s just get to the playoffs, anything can happen then. We all need to be a little more Backstrom (calm, steady) on these boards and a lot less Luongo (hot headed, mercurial).
Seriously. Who cares what they’re called as long as they win?
You would think CGY would be on there way to winning the division, but they have been just as inconsistent as the Wild (unless they’re playing the Wild). I wouldn’t hand anything to the Flamers yet, especially because they finish with 4 roadies.
Don’t you think the group of people who post here regularly (and I would include myself) are a little more moderate in their opinions? People who just pop in once in a while tend to be more negative, but I don’t think the core group of posters is that extreme either on the positive or negative side.
“there” s/b “their”. Idiot.
Someone proposed that yesterday BNAG, I wonder who that was? It’s annoying as hell.
They don’t even have a W on their jersey for crise sakes…
NiNY, blow it out your ass. You’re statement could be for the entire city of Russoville. None of the bunch has anything good to say…hence my whole point.
Green*…with me they could always win better than they do…
Seriously, the downward spiral is always bigger than the giddiness from winning.
The playoffs are the #1 goal. Worry about seeding when you’re in.
I mean, if we start ripping each other about being too black-and-white, then the troll has done his job, IMHO. Right?
I confess, I use “Ws” (no apostrophe) from time to time.
Dave, you’re delusional if you think this board is moderate. JMO.
Can we push the trolls off the ledge? If people are going to be that negative, I can’t see any downside other than holes in the ground.
dave, there are some seriously negative regulars here. nothing wrong with that but i believe it is a fact.
Dave, you’re delusional if you think this board is moderate. JMO.
The regulars here are kool-aid drinkers who are usually very moderate. It’s the ones who pop in with “BACK UP THE MOVING VANS, DUMP RISEDUMP AND FIRE LEMAIRE” that are the negative ninnies.
Nice question NiNY. There’s about 3 million ways to analyze that.
Must win? I think it depends on your perspective.
If you would like the team to start gaining some momentum for the playoffs I think yes.
If you just want to make the playoffs probably no.
If you want to win the division probably no because all the other teams in the division are beating up on each other anyway.
I get the feeling this is a perspective gaining exercise. It’s a good one although I still would like to see more consistency from the boys. But as Mick Jagger once said “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find…you get what you need”. We need to make the playoffs because I’m not ready for our season to be over.
G*, like who? Maybe I’m just mentally filtering them out, but I don’t know of anyone who routinely rips the team or is openly a fair-weather fan.
Dave you are right. But that is no ordinary troll… that is Mike in disguise. Mike is… shall we say… ’special’.
I’ll rip the team if I think it deserves ripping. I think we all do that to some extent. I’ve never once said that we need to blow up the X with the team and the front office in it, though. Nor have I ever said after a big win that the league should save time by just engraving everyone’s names on the Cup now.
I think calling tonight’s game a must win for the oilers but not a must win for the wild, while technically true, is just something to point to tomorrow as a reason the wild didn’t win. As if that makes it all better.
These are professional athletes and shouldn’t need to HAVE to win in order TO win. How many times this season has there been a debate on this blog about “tonight’s game being a must win for the wild?” Too many, in my opinion. Shouldn’t we expect the wild to win games over all comers, whether the other team is good, bad, hungry, desperate, tough, fast, etc? Or at the very least, play each team as hard as possible? Personally, I’d rather the team play hard, for 60 minutes, and lose, than not show up and lose, as was the case two nights ago.
i guess it would depend on what you mean by negative. by saying move the team then right, not many regular negates.
“Personally, I’d rather the team play hard, for 60 minutes, and lose, than not show up and lose, as was the case two nights ago.”
I think everyone would perfer that. The fact is that there is not a single team in the league that could bring the higest level of intensity every single game of the season. It just doesn’t happen. However, at this point in the season playing at full tilt is something we should expect. The team did not give us that on Monday, and that is what stung most. Hopefully they are ready to get back on track tonight.
G*, I retract my question. There’s no point in trying to dissect it, and moreover, how do to define “regular” without it turning into a pissing contest?
That said, most of the comments I read that were posted right after the game are probably influenced by a little (or a lot of) Liquid Opinion Enhancer (LOE). Most of the commentary the next day is pretty moderate, with the occasional appearance of a troll. There are ups and downs, but it doesn’t swing from “We’re gonna win the Cup” to “Fire JL/DR, Trade #10″. More accurately, it swings from “Yeah, they’re doing good” to “Yeah, they’re not doing so good”, or at most “They’re awesome!” to “They suck!”.
occurances of we’re gonna win the cup vs fire JL/DR are about 1 to 10
I would just like to state that I have never said anything about firing anyone or trading #10. Let the pissing contest begin! 
define “regular” without it turning into a pissing contest
i think it depends on how long you have had your season tickets and where they are located
Falness (Wild radio voice) is reporting that PMB and Demo should play tonight but SRV is a game time decision because he has flu-like symptoms.
Voros in, Parrish is out. He’s not sure about Pouliot. (What??) Hopefully, Russo can shed more light.
Austin: the point I in-artfully tried to make is that [many? most? some? alot?] of the wild losses this season seem to have come when the wild didn’t play up to potential. Could be my memory is foggy, and I’m sure there were plenty of games they played well and lost. This is the wrong end of the season to lose from lack of effort, though.
BTW: I was just reading on SI.com/truth&rumors about how Leipold will need to pay more for the wild if they make the playoffs, and even more if they go anywhere in the playoffs. One of the comments was from an Avs fan hoping the Avs don’t draw the wild. Another poster says the wild could be the surprise team this season.
Thanks for the update sunshine, not having SRV puts a dent in our checking line.
Maybe I’m one of the negative ones, I don’t know. There’s losing (as in the loss to SJ last week, and then there’s losing (as in Monday’s loss to EDM). Not so many negative nancys when we lose to SJ but play a good game and have a chance. Lots of negative nancys when we lose to EDM and are no where close to having a chance.
Tonight a must win? Yes! Not necessarily a must win for getting into the playoffs or for winning the division, etc. This is a mental must win. Winning tonight will let the boys know that they can lose to a team one night (by a lot btw) and come back and beat them the next (well 2 nights later). Knowing that (as I said earlier) is critical to winning a playoff series (had to fit in just one more set of parenthesis!).
SRV a GTD sucks. If he can’t go and Parrish doesn’t get his spot we can only conclude that the Mark Parrish Suite in Le Chateau Bow Wow will be occupied permentately.
My emotions with respect to this team are similar to those of my kids. I’m disappointed when they make a bad decision (play poorly), and I vent to my wife (blog) but at the end of the day I still love them, and nothing changes that.
“This is the wrong end of the season to lose from lack of effort, though.”
That is my main point about why Monday was so disappointing. There were certainly games during the regular season where the boys did not put forth the proper effort… but now, being so close to playoff time, they gotta be giving it their all every night no matter how tired they are feeling.
Sunshine… I would find it hard to believe if Pull-he-Ott was not in the game tonight… however, that would definitely be a JL thing to do.
chow time
Forgot a ) after ‘SJ last week’
**diclaimer: spell checky no worky, Bandgeek no spell good with out it, sorry in advance**
Geeze guys, are you really arguing over whether things are negative or not? Wow I’m glad I haven’t had internet for a while if that’s the case. I agree with Dave (your 11:47 post)ripping on the team is a way of venting our frustrations at a poorly played game.
I don’t think we need to have a fire sale on the team (management included) I do think they need to better prepare for games, mentally anyway. This is what I saw the other night. They watzed into Edmental thinking it was going to be an easy game, and when that was proven wrong they couldn’t get things going to get back in the game, couple that with vets that need to be reminded that even The Great One went to practice, and that spells a problem that is deeper than one bad game. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Boys, I love the team. I just wish for all the love the fans dish out the Boys would try harder to play a full 60 minutes a game. I think I’m starting to babble now.
Oh and Austin, on your rah rah earlier, If you tightened up your high V and ended with a standing back handspring I think that cheer would do better in compition.
Honestly Green*, I don’t think this would be a fun place if every blog entry was like this:
Wildfan#1foreverandever: It was really unfortunate that the (opponent name here) took it to our boys so early. That poor Skoula, he tries so hard but he never seems to catch a break. Buck up everyone, things will be better vs (next opponent name).
Why are we questioning our loyalty and our opinions because some troll drops in and voices an opinion? I think all the regulars contribute. Whether they are regular kool-aid drinkers or not. That’s the beauty of this blog and why we can have up to 500 posts on a topic because everyone just let’s it fly. I love that about this blog. So piss of MIKE. We are who we are, good and bad and if you we get too negative so be it. I don’t think the regulars who do from time to time get real negative (myself included) care any less about the team. We, like every other team fan on the planet want a winner and when we see “our team” not playing to their potential it gets frustrating. It’s an opinion, deal with it.
Right on, SS.
Don’t feed the trolls. They need to put down the LOE, quit chirpin’ and get Fedoruked. We can send them to the Troll Wing of the GTRCMBSHP, keep ‘em outta Russoville.
(Still waitin’ for some help on my 11:08 inquiry). =)
My brother is attending his first WILD game tonight, so they need to kick some but, or he will be an unhappy man.
damp, if they lose your brother is BANNED from attending games at the X again
wow! what happened to all of the earlier posts? they’re not shoing up for me.. skips from 1:24 to 3:59, oh well talk to ya fellas after the game or 2mmorow
