Where’s Rolston going if he leaves?
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 – 1:34 PMBy Michael Russo
OK, I can’t believe it’s the offseason. I’m bored already.
And I am getting unbelievably antsy for two Game 7’s tonight. I may be going out of my mind tonight.
Think the NHL’s ecstatic right now? The Rangers in the second round. Pittsburgh in the second round. And potentially Ovechkin in the second round.
To save face, I need San Jose to win since I picked the Sharks to win the Cup.
So I was just playing GM because after all, I am a know-it-all.
I was looking at all the places Brian Rolston could potentially go if he doesn’t re-sign here. This, of course, is discounting whether or not these teams would be even interested because obviously we don’t know that yet.
Essentially, I was looking at cap hits for the next couple years and who would have the space to give Rolston the $4-5 million he’d probably be offered to leave here.
The two best teams no doubt would be the Rangers and Canadiens.
Now, the Rangers, who could probably only afford him if Jagr’s gone, will have the room, but would Rolston make the mistake so many players make and go to the Rangers for more money that at the end of the day would be equivalent if not less than here?
After all, you don’t get the same bang for the buck playing in Manhattan due to taxes (like city taxes), etc., as you do in Minnesota.
However, it just occurred to me Rolston once told me his wife is from somewhere in New York.
The Canadiens would be nice. It’s a skating team, so Rolston could be a monster there. But their top six seems to be set.
The other teams that could throw piles of money at him are teams that missed the playoffs, so would Rolston really leave here for there?
The Islanders have tons of cap space and Rolston is very, very good friends with Bill Guerin, who’s got another year left on his deal. But does Rolston really want to play on the Island (which pains me to say because I grew up 10 minutes from the great Nassau Coliseum)?
Columbus will have tons of room, and I know he’s respected there. In fact their GM is the old Oilers’ assistant GM, and the Oilers made a run at Rolston as a free agent back in 2004.
Lastly, there’s Atlanta. The Thrash has lots of room because they’ve gotten rid of Marian Hossa, will lose Bobby Holik and Steve Rucchin and may buy out Alexei Zhitnik.
You know Todd White would love to land Rolston.
However, they do have two top-line left wings with Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov, so there might not be a fit.
Just some thoughts. Nothing scientific here. Just a bored sportswriter with nothing to do. The question is if the Wild offer Rolston, say, $3.5-4 million on a three-year deal, would Rolston stay for that? I think there’s a good chance even though somebody’s bound to offer more after July 1.
The one thing I’d say, the Wild has to re-sign him before July 1. If it gets to free agency, I think he’ll be gone because dollar signs will understandably be flashing in front of his eyes.
– If Jacques leaves, the Wild will no longer get Barry Trotz. The Nashville coach signed an extension there. That would have been a natural fit here. Same type of coach, very smart and obviously you have the history with owner Craig Leipold.
OK, I’m outta here for now. I’ll try to keep the blog fairly fresh during the offseason, although the posts will be a little less frequent.
Good day. Watch tonight’s Game 7’s. No better drama.
341 Responses to "Where’s Rolston going if he leaves?"
If it only costs 4-5 million to keep Rolston, it seems like a no-brainer to do it. Add a third year if incentives are met. Viola!
You should make a trip to Houston this week, Russo, and take in some prospect action…
Russo:
What about Ramsey? Would he be considered?
With the offseason officially upon us I’d like to offer up my suggestions to Russo for his “Summer Road Trip” as in last year’s jaunt to….If I can read this correctly, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan… really I mean Regina for Boogey’s Fight Camp.
- Trencin, Slovakia - Topic: Marian Gaborik’s impact on the youth hockey and community with his new rink, camps, and quality time given back to the city.
- Sherbrooke QC - Topic: The Bouchard Family (didn’t PMB’s little bro jsut sign with someone?)
- Houston, TX - Topic: I think A in H could help with this one, but it would be neat to get a little deeper look at the history of the Aero’s such as JL playing there in the 50’s, the players on their off time, how the community helps foster the growth of the players…
- The Rolston Family House, MN -Topic: Is it possible to be a father and an NHL player and not pass those booming slapshot and hockey IQ genes to your offspring?
Just a few I rattled off the top of my head….any others from the great patrons of Russoville?
No Barry Trotz huh? Oh well, I prefer coaches with necks anyway. 
I’m liking Lapper’s story ideas.
Russo-
You were brilliant last night on the radio with Dark*!!!
Very cool to hear you live. Nice to hear your take on the playoffs. I’m bored without another game queued up.
Thanks for keeping us informed and enlightened.
Lapper:
I like the Slovakia suggestion. Didn’t realize that he holds hockey camps.
How about Turku, Finland with the Koivus: training, parents, brother, there is so many things.
Great one Sunshine….
Ever see this goal Mikko scored in the 2007 Worlds? Single handedly eliminated the hometown Russians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zd7VRKD-Fs
Two notes-
1. I don’t understand a word of Finnish (and what’s the deal Suomi? Is that Finland in Finnish?) But holy crap is that announcer excited. Pure joy at the :30 mark.
2. The looks on Ovechkin and Malkin’s faces…Priceless.
Yeah. Suomi is Finnish for Finland. I think literally it’s “swamp”. (-:
I have seen this video and was hoping for a repeat against the Caps but … you know what happened in that game.
If Jacques leaves, the Wild will no longer get Barry Trotz. The Nashville coach signed an extension there. That would have been a natural fit here. Same type of coach, very smart and obviously you have the history with owner Craig Leipold
Thank God! I hate that coach!
Good stuff Ms Conduct.
Time to check for Aeros Audio updates. I’m really interested to see where Pouliot gets played. I think Colton Gillies could make Pouliot look really good.
Whoever mentioned putting together a kid line next year for the Wild could be on to something. Sheppard and Pouliot have always been more of the finisher type and from what I’ve seen Gillies can make some nice passes around the net and get the puck out of the corner.
Pouliot is a natural left wing and Gililes and Sheppard are both natural centers. I think all three are a left handed shot so I’m not sure how that works or doesn’t work? I guess with Sheppard’s experience he would stay at pivot and Gillies would slide over to RW.
That line could be a lot of fun, a dangler/sniper with Pouliot, Sheppard is a bit of a sniper/playmaker and then Gillies as the power forward. All three of them can skate.
Nice! Lift the goalie’s stick, tap the puck in the net! Can’t get any easier right?
From the last Blog: Sergei Gonchar deserved more consideration for the Norris. He should have been a finalist over Phaneuf.
Nice link Lapper. That announcer was freakin’ excited!!
Great video! It is fun watching international hockey!
If Jacques leaves, the Wild will no longer get Barry Trotz.
That sucks - Trotz is an excellent coach. Would the Preds GM be a possible replacement if DR goes Toronto way?
Suomi is Finland in Finnish Lapper.
Sissu is another interesting word. There is no real English translation. More or less it means “not to quit in spite of horribly ridiculous odds for success”.
Sissu is a trait that has served the Finns well.
If Poile and Trotz follow Leipold to St. Paul, the good citizens of Nashville may revolt.
PS: I’m telling you - Pat Burns.
Pouls seems to prefer center though… at least that’s what he’s said in all the interviews I’ve seen of him. But Gillies seems like a guy you could put anywhere and he’ll make something happen. Agreed though, that Pouly and Gilly tonight could have some pretty sweet results. Need a third man with some grit running with them though. Clutterbuck or Kassian (though I’m not sure Kassy could keep up)?
Okay, now I’m getting excited.
Are you skating after the game Friday? That’s a nice little treat (even though they’re making us pay, which is damn cheezy… but I’ll never turn down ice time).
NiNY - if JL retires and/or DR bolts, isn’t it fair game to go after people with a proven track record? I agree that if CL fired either of them and grabbed the NSH counterpart it would look bad but, esp. if DR went to TOR, what is a new owner to do?
Adam: All I’m saying is the people in Nashville would freak out. I’m not saying it’s not kosher.
Sisu = stubborn. Very very very stubborn.
Your probably right - I didn’t follow the sale of the team that closely but I did see some 
reaction from NSH after the Wild sale. However, ultimately the team stayed and was transfered to local hands - and they had a good season despite the salary related trades - so I am not sure why NSH fans shouldn’t let it go.
Ms Conduct - I would hate to move around Hamilton because he has played so well, but it would be nice to get a strong two way player out there with Gillies and Pouliot. Maybe Ward? But if Gillies and Pouliot played the wings then you could slide anyone in there, Kelly, Foster or even Payer.
I think Pouliot was just saying what the Wild wanted to hear about playing center. But who know, maybe he loves it?
I haven’t decided on the post game skate. I did the post game skate with the players a couple months back. I need to get my skates sharpened first but I’m scared to do it in Houston.
Sheppard is a “finisher”? The dude scored 3 more goals than Wes Walz this year. LOL. You best put the word “potential” in front of “finisher”…
Thanks all for the Finn language tips. Seems like it would be a neat/tough language to learn. Lots of redundant letters in the words though.
I agree Iceman. Having Sissu is a trait we all could benefit from and apply to our daily lives. Sissu pretty much sums up the intestinal fortitude, attitude, and pure will to succeed of any Finland Team or Finnish player I’ve ever seen.
My 15 month old daughter’s already got a lot of sisu.
Adam - to be fair, I saw about equal numbers of fans who were happy to have local ownership and wished Leipold the best with the Wild as people who thought the NHL conspired to “let” him get out of a bad deal in Nashville and buy the Wild.
isn’t it fair game to go after people with a proven track record?
those nashville cats don’t exactly have a stellar track record. one could argue the change wouldn’t change anything.
was pat burns last seen prowling the leaf’s bench? or was that someone else
Maybe on Pouly. Seems like I’ve read an article from when he was drafted where his juniors coach did a similar thing to what KC did, where he kept him on the wing until he was defensively responsible enough to play center, and that he preferred center even then. I’ll have to dig that up. (Here it is: http://www.nhl.com/futures/2005draft/pouliot_blog.html)
Take your skates to Jiri (Yiri) at the Aerodrome pro shop up in Willowbrook. He’s good.
Check out the photo gallery on wild.com: http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=MediaGalleryPlayer&galleryId=6103
Some great shots in there!
Austin-Hards and Burns sure look like they could get into a ton of trouble together There are some great shots in there.
Thanks Conduct, I will be sure to do that!
That would be fun to just to go have a photo shoot with the guys being natural and having a good time.
http://www.sisugrp.com/sisuis.htm
Hey, I could swear that was Terhaar who made the call on that Koivu World Cup goal!
agreed kgopher. Who’s the kid in the Blue jersey? Is that Benny? I think he cut off his douchey facial hair.
The absolutely menacing look on Simon’s face in the pic with Tremblay and Boogie is priceless. Simon is a guy who became a victim of circumstance. It sounds like he adds a lot to the locker room. Alas, we hardly got to know ye.
I think the blue is Vellieux
Depending on what he costs, I wouldn’t mind holding on to Simon for teams such as the Ducks, canucks and flames.
thanks Joey. I couldn’t tell without the red beard!
The MR said jokingly last night over dinner, “Rolston’s about the right age to be signed in Detroit isn’t he.” Lot’s of grey beards on the Wings so I got a good chuckle at least.
Can we stop playing up the Lemaire is leaving talk Russo? Do you actually believe some of the stuff you write or is it just a test to see how foolish your readers are?
Jacques is not going anywhere. But I’m sure he is tired of some of the slugs on the lower tier of the team. He wants team work — Wild needs team work. The new ownership is not going to lose any of what is arguably the best franchise management in the league. Roli needs a contract extension that provides a happy ending. He is a huge character guy and, a fierce competitor, a skilled winger, the Wild should build on that.
Oh, one last thing. Roli needs to fake his slap shot and move up in the slot more often. Especially when playing against a team like the Avs with players who like to fall in front of slap shots.
One thing about Roli and his contract: He wants to play with a winner, as he was quoted in Russo’s article. His kids are starting to play hockey, I think he likes it here and I hope he will be back!
I think Rolston would have a very hard time turning down a reasonable 2yr deal from the Wild.
Jacques seems to really enjoy the teaching aspect of the game. If Gaborik signs a big extension it will force the Wild to use many of those young players Jacques loves to mold.
I was reading through Pouliot’s draft day blog Ms Conduct posted. Pouly certain seem excited to learn a great two way centerman game from Lemaire.
Don’t you get the impression that he sees himself as a center from that, and has for a long time?
And don’t you love the hair? Damn near Flock of Seagulls there…
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting read, even though it’s old. I wish the kid well but I’m not letting him break my heart anymore.
I’ll put my plug in again. With all this talk of the youth in Houston - won’t it be nice to take a short 3 1/2 hour drive to Des Moines and watch the Jr/Future Wild players in person? Would the people of Russoville enjoy that? The AHL Iowa team is currently affilated with Dallas and Dallas has already stated they are going to relocate the their AHL to a site in Dallas. The possibility of calling players up and having them at the X in a few hours has to be a draw to the Wild management. Russo how about seeing what the Wild management thinks on that one.
So much optimism from Pouliot. Hopefully, he really gets a chance to make it with the Wild this season. I think its time to give him a chance.
Also, hopefully, he talked to Sheppard about what is expected of him year round. I think he can learn alot from the maturity, poise, and work ethic of Sheppard.
Minn in Iowa. Dallas’ AHL team is moving to Cedar Park TX. That is right here in Austin! I hope the Aeros play them often! I would like to see some Aeros games.
AiH: absolutely agreed. Gonchar is so underrated.
Conduct - great hair! Barely recognized him.
A lot of fans get down on Pouliot in Houston because of the expectations, but this is his second year of professional hockey after a single season in the OHL. Give the guy a chance. I’ve been trying to say that all season long on this board.
I was just looking through all the drafts for the last 10 years. It looks like the guys drafted in 2003 started to break out this season. Pouliot was drafted in 2005. You need a solid few years of professional hockey under your belt to really break out.
Mikko Koivu was drafted in 2001 and it wasn’t until this season, maybe pieces of last that Wild fans said, “wow, this guy is valuable.”
Austin, I’m not sure how the AHL expansion and relocation is going to shake out. I would be stunned to find out the Iowa Stars are free to leave that new arena in Des Moines.
Regardless, a team will be added to the league. So even if one is moved to Austin another one still has to be created to give the AHL 30 teams, one for each NHL team.
I think you would be hard pressed to come up with viable reasons to move the Aeros from Houston to Des Moines. The argument that the minor leaguers would be closer for a call up is very weak. On any given day of the season the Aeros and Wild could be on opposite sides of the country.
Gonchar is underrated and it is sad that he isn’t a finalist, especially when Phaneuf seems like such a throw away finalist.
Seriously, what is this, Phaneuf’s 3rd season? That team has all kinds of quality blue liners and a top notch goalie. Phaneuf is very good, I’ll give him plenty of credit, but I think Gonchar deserved the credit and gets none.
I would be totally okay with them jsut throwing an expansion team down here in Austin. I just know the papers here reported that the Dallas team is supposed to move here, thus ousting the Ice Bats. I don’t think the CHL gets quite the respect that the AHL does, so it would be nice to get some AHL hockey here in Austin.
I have to admit I would love to do a road trip to IA to see an Aeros game, esp. in the playoffs. I still appreciate that the Wild brought the Aeros here for a game during the lockout. However, unless the Aeros are drawing Moose like crowds, why would you move a team from a huge city like Houston? My guess is that IA’s only chance to get the Wild’s AHL team would be if an NHL team moved/expanded (gasp) to Houston.
Tonight it’s “Lets go Caps!!” in our house. Like I’ve said before, the Mr has a unacknowledged man crush on Ovie-wan. Just because I know some of you find them a tiny bit amusing I thought you’d want to know I had another hockey dream last night. There was a large group of us skating at the X with some of the players, I think Burnsie, Shepp, Mikko, Schultzie, and of course my Boogie were all there. The funniest thing was that all the non-player types were wearing t-shirts that said Russoville on the front and the Don was there. Apparently Russo got this skate with the players thing set up for us as a thank you for being so loyal. I know for a fact NiNY was there, although I couldn’t see your face because Hards was letting you try on his mask. You guys were talking about pizza and I heard you say as I went skating by that there was this place you knew growing up here and then you found it again in New York… I couldn’t see anyones face. But one guy was talking about how he and the Mrs flew up from Austin to take part. It was a bit trippy because only the players, myself, the Mr, my friend H, and the Don had clear features. Russo looked funny on skates in a suite. I thought the dreams would stop when the season ended for us but I guess not. Oh well.
You know how we talked about the last game being the last time we will some of these players in a Wild uniform. Yet, we never talk about that that game might the last time we see Gaborik in a Wild uniform.
I don’t see Gaborik with the Wild at training camp if he refuses to do an extension. Because as soon as he steps in at camp without an extension, the media swarm and speculation will be in earnest. DR will likely move him before training camp, don’t you think?
Yes, Captain America, that would cut down the number of Ave shots considerably.
About one of Roli’s shots would probably get a message out to at least five Ave’s.
The owners of the Iowa AHL franchise have the ownership of a team in the AHL it is not tied directly to the Dallas Stars. If the ownership does not have a team the have to pay several millions of dollars (prorated downward for I think the next 4 or 5 years) to the Polk County - Des Moines- if no team to play in the three year old Wells Fargo Arena. There will be a team here following the move of the Dallas players back to Texas. May as well associated with Minnesota - maybe just wishfully thinking on my part, but as much as I hate to watch the Stars (for leaving Minn all those years back) it is fun to see the players I have been watching play for the big club - Lou Erickson, Joel Lundquist, Fistric, etc.
also the greater Des MOines area is around 600,000 people and with proper marketing a competative hockey would do great around here. The Iowa Cubs have been here for around 30 years - no major university (Drake won;t be so good next year) - it’s the only show in town
Minn living in Iowa-
The Wilds management has already stated it prefers Houston over Iowa for several reasons. Among them - 1) Houston has a great arena and fan base that easily supports the team down there. 2) There are direct flights from Houston to every NW division city.
Next year, the CBA will be tweaked and extended 4-5 years. Following that, the league will announce that it’s expanding to 32 teams and reverting to only 4 divisions. Chances are, that would be Winnipeg (Central Canada needs a team) and Houston (largest city without a team, rival w/ Dallas, only didn’t get a team last time around for lack of an arena plan - since solved). THEN, we would have to re-locate our AHL team (Oklahoma City? Kansas City?).
AiH, given that Houston is bigger than Dallas and that the Stars have already established a presence in Texas … someday might they covent their own NHL team as Adam has also suggested?
Aeros 1 - Ice Hogs 1 as the 3rd gets underway - Got the audio going with the Caps/Flyers game on the tube!
I hope some of you are watching this Flyers-Caps game. Game 7 OT! How great is that? AO got a great goal to tie it in the 2nd.
I am not convinced that Winnipeg can expect an NHL team and that comment is not related to either the passion or fan support that exists there.
The often stated problem with the Nashville NHL franchise is that there is no corporate support … (ie: why Liepold sold his interest).
The entire province of Manitoba and Sasketchewan must be +/- 2mil. The business size of Winnipeg is really not very large at all maybe half the population of Manitoba nor do I think it is as large as Des Moines.
The issue is: where do the buck come from for a franchise to make a $55mil player payroll each year and then the rest of the cost of running a franchise too?
It is a damn shame, but I think the annual cap numbers make Winnipeg a difficult location for any NHL hockey team.
Wasn’t Des Moines a North Star farm team way back when? In fact, when the Twins first moved to MN, wasn’t Des Moines their AAA team for a few years?
I am not convinced that Winnipeg can expect an NHL team and that comment is not related to either the passion or fan support that exists there.
The often stated problem with the Nashville NHL franchise is that there is no corporate support … (ie: why Liepold sold his interest). I think that would be a real problem for Winnipeg.
The entire province of Manitoba and Sasketchewan must be +/- 2mil. The business size of Winnipeg is really not very large at all maybe half the population of Manitoba nor do I think it is as large as Des Moines.
The issue is: where do the buck come from for a franchise to make a $55mil player payroll each year and then the rest of the cost of running a franchise too?
It is a damn shame, but I think the annual cap numbers make Winnipeg a difficult location for any NHL hockey team.
Wasn’t Des Moines a North Star farm team way back when? In fact, when the Twins first moved to MN, wasn’t Des Moines their AAA team for a few years?
Is there any way of deleting a double post?
Not a good year to be a 3 seed I guess - this Flames v. Sharks game has all the makings of a classic as well.
wow…Flyers prevail in OT…is there anything more awesome in sports than a hockey game seven in OT?!?!
Too bad for AO and crue. But I think that team is on the upswing.
I still hate the Flyers.
I still believe in “Winter-peg” Maybe it was growing up in TRF, maybe it’s propaganda (jetsowner.com). Mostly, I think the league (and the players - they have interest in the league’s finances too, see CBA) will WANT any expansion to include a team in Canada, and the Leafs will block Hamilton (which is a whole different rant).
A full house in Winnipeg, at full price, has to beat 8,000 fans with $10 tickets. Also, I think the cap will HELP Winnipeg, and with the right management, they could be the Twins of the NHL
As much as I dislike the Flyers and as much as I would like to see Ovechkin/Semin/Backstrom in the playoffs, there is a just God that made sure Matt Cooke didn’t make it any further in the playoffs.
I still hate the Flyers Too
Bloody non-hockey bastards at work. I sort of caught the first two periods of Flyers-Caps, a few minutes of period three, then tried to get home in time for overtime, and it ends as I pull in.
Aeros lose to the Ice Hogs 2-1
hadn’t thought of it like that, Stoned…a good point.
Sharks draw first blood.
Catching up a little…
Lots of redundant letters in the words though.
So Finnish is like English.
AiH: Regarding Gonchar. Everyone thinks his only thing is his offense and that he has no defense. Well, he was a +13 and gets matched up against the opposing team’s top line, plus he’s gone through three defensive partners (two guys got hurt) and didn’t miss a beat. And christ, he had 65 points and only Kovalev had more on the PP. I hope he was at least fourth in the voting.
Neil Smith just said Kiprusoff didn’t have a chance on that goal. The puck went off Kipper’s glove! He absolutely had a chance on that.
tied in San Jose
KiPA: one thing that has crystalized for me this playoffs: Neil Smith is a jackass.
I think he was almost hired (or at least was a candidate) for the Pens GM spot after Mario let Craig Patrick go.
I think I’ll say several prayers (and I’m not a religious person) that he wasn’t. He’s not just a jackass but a doofus.
Anyone have a rooting interest in this one? I am kind of pulling for Thorton more than the Sharks or against the Flames.
He’s not just a jackass but a doofus.
You’ll get no push back from me on that.
Adam: I don’t really care who wins this one. But, for some unknown reason, as I watch, I find myself rooting for the Flames. I really can’t explain it.
Good Old Wally feels the same way Nick in New York. I want the Flames to win, and I cant explain it either
DITTO Wally
Now that they mentioned a Sharks win means the Avs will play the Wings I am more for the Sharks given the CO/DET history. Despite Keenan and Sutter, I like the makeup of the Flames though.
OK - Go Flames - I don’t want to go against GOW and the Beav.
No Kevin, Finnish is much different than English. But, they use double letters.
Sissu would be different that Sisu if there is such a word. The pronouncement would be to hold the s longer on the double.
The language is not at all like Swedish and Norwegian except you have some vowels with diacritical marks on top that are nearly unpronounceable.
Emotionally, I think Winnipeg ought to have an NHL team. But, where do the dollars come from? That is the only reason they no longer have the Jets.
No matter the passion of the fan base, there is a limit to what the city can afford.
Just like I will not be buying a home in Malibu, or a Porsche like Gabby’s anytime soon.
I still hate the Flames. Go Sharks.
Talking about the Porsche, isn’t it a little excessive $450K?
At least he has something to console himself with the loss.
Maybe he is both a jackass and a doofus?
Owen Nolen strikes again - Russoville ripping all grey beards must have motivated him!
I think that was JR’s goal - make it 2 for the oldsters!
Iceman, I was just making a joke about the redundancy of the English language.
JR again (according to me)!
Kipper’s out after giving up a fourth.
*sigh* Sorry for that miserable excuse of a first AHL playoff game for you, AIH. That display is why I wasn’t pumped for the game. This team is so bipolar. I appreciate that you still believe in Pouliot, but I sure don’t. If he doesn’t learn to work through the physical play, he’ll never make it. He folds like a cheap lawn chair if you put even the slightest pressure on him. I’d rather have Kassian in. *GRRRRRRRRR* I’m so frustrated. I like this team SO much better without him. I’ve never wanted to climb over the glass and beat up my own player until tonight.
Wow, 5-2 now. Turning into a laugher.
Wow, sounds bad, Ms. C.
Can’t count the Flames out but this is close - I bet Russo is thinking about what Mad Mike is going to say in the locker room - hide the women and children!
I’m probably overreacting, Kevin… It’s my MO when it comes to Pouliot.
I need to unclench my jaw. They should have been handing out valium as we left the building.
And now the Flames are big chokes. Great. At least there’s a big blue box over my screen saying the game is blacked out on VS (but I can still see it around and behind the blue box). That’s an awesome way to watch hockey. *sigh again*
Okay. Done being a drama queen. Pouly wants his tiara back.
No worries, Texas Girl, You sound like me about Ryan Whitney.
He pummeled a guy in Game 1 who went after Sid, and I gave him a one-game-free pass where I wouldn’t criticize him at all. I nearly bit my tongue off before Game 2 was over. Even my friend, who bears my Whitney-criticizing like a cross, was harping on Whitney. So I think I know where you’re coming from.
To those rooting for the Flames: BITE Thine Tongue(s)!! Go Sharks…is Mr. Bandgeek for real? Or is someone teasing Bandgeek?
Oh and Kevin, in case you missed it on the other thread..I’m down with Russo for Malkin!
Yeah, every time Pouly gets a puck in the net, he gets a game where I’m not cursing his mother’s loins. But it happens SO rarely in spite of his “incredible talent”…
It was so quiet (because the arena was EMPTY… shame on you Houston, and yet, good call) and he was skating right past me. It took all I had not to just rip into him.
They need to make him practice skating through the whole team just throwing fists and whacking and shoving. He’s GOT to stop wilting under pressure. Or he needs to hang up the skates and go be a male model. Give Zoolander a run for his money.
Wait. I said I was done. Oops. Sorry.
I saw it but didn’t have a chance to respond. Does the Don know he’s been traded?
(Nodding knowingly.)
Let it out. It’s no good keeping these things in.
He’ll be informed….besides, he can run the blog from there
What’s all these rumors about Russo leaving the Strib to work for ESPN or the NY papers?
Sure, but it’ll all be Pens stuff. He won’t be around the Wild anymore.
Uh oh. Flames uprising. Sorry Phil, they were my first NHL team… still have a little spot in my heart for them. Though my deep hatred for their AHL team has tainted them somewhat.
Ms Conduct, it sounds like watching a hockey game if the guy ahead of you is wearing a ten gallon hat.
Kevin, I thought maybe you wanted a language lesson.
Looks like San Jose
Just wanted to remind you that we won…you lost!!!
Bring on the Red Wings!
karma
Main Entry: kar·ma
Pronunciation: kär-mə
Function: noun
Etymology: Sanskrit karma fate, work
1. often capitalized : the force generated by a person’s actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person’s next existence
Thanks mark, but we’re not as stupid as you, we don’t need to be reminded..Good Luck with the Wings, you’ll need it.
Kevin,he could moonlight on the Wild!
I tell ya, I’ve spent the whole season hating the Wings, but Avs fans have made it incredibly easy for me to be 100% behind the Wings in Round 2.
How’s the offseason taste?
I want the AVs the team to win, yet somehow for their fans to lose..don’t know how to work that though..
Mark, you’ll know in about 10-14 days, then you can tell us…
Like chicken?
AvDork - You’ll find out in four games. FIve tops.
Sissu would be different that Sisu if there is such a word.
Sisu is the correct spelling of the word you’re thinking of. I may botch my habs trivia now and then, but I know sisu.
Whoever asked, the North Stars did have an affiliate called the Iowa Stars of the CHL, Tom Reid played there in 1969 which I think was their only year of existence. Their primary affiliate for the longest time was the Kalamazoo Wings or Michigan K-Wings of the IHL.
If the Wild replace Risebrough as GM I would look to Brian Lawton as the primary candidate for heir apparent.
FYI, since this was just Earth Day, if you want to sign up for the MN Energy Challenge you can join a team called Hockey Fans Fighting for the Environment! http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/ Just a little off-topic environmentalism.
And this little bit will likely go into everyone’s “who cares” file, but perhaps one or two of y’all remember a while back when I was saying I didn’t really like the Wild’s chances in the playoffs because of their Pythagorean winning percentage… Anyone? No? Well, here’s a little bit of something to chew on. All eight first round series were won by the team with the higher Pythagorean.
FWIW, the next round favorites with this indicator are Dallas, Detroit, Montreal and Pittsburgh.
Can you explain the Pythagorean winning percentage again? I must have missed it the first time yo did.
Phil (re your 10:56), Mr Bandgeek is my Mr. He gets all worked up when people start talking about teams moving or expansions blah blah blah. And sometimes when I’m not looking he slips his leash and instead of doing dishes like he’s supposed to, he posts on a blog or two. 
He’s got it all worked out in his head who should have teams and so on. His biggest beef is that Winnepeg doesn’t have a team. He grew up in Thief River Falls, which isn’t to far from the Canadian Border, so he “feels their pain” or something like that. Don’t even get him started about the Leafs and their Dr Evil like moves to block a team in Hamilton. This is way to much thinking before breakfast, I’m going back to bed for half an hour.
Hmmm, if DR leaves for Toronto, maybe we look at this guy. Seems like he probably knows a bit about hockey, maybe even played a little.
But Messier has expressed an interest in becoming an NHL GM in the past. He’s ready to do less promoting of the NHL and more working in it.
“I’m definitely ready to get back in the game,” he said. “It’s been four years now and I’m anxious to get back in some capacity and help a team win.”
while winnepeg is a larger city, same size as pittsburgh i believe, the knock is they lack corporate support which is important for a successful franchise. That and what is their arena situation?
I really think the opposition to hamilton was more than toronto. buffalo is right there and detroit isn’t too far either. but if it is all toronto, that city can support 2 teams. LA does. besides, toronto could use the competition.
Toivo, explain Pythagorean to me too, I missed it.
Your right Toivo, one s.
Probably I ought to stop predicting for awhile, but it would seem to me a lot of things would need to be aligned for DR to leave right now.
Greenstar, The entire population of Manitoba is something over 1.2 million.
When teams had a $20mil payroll it worked but I personally think a $55mil payroll would be very hard to cover.
If I was the NHL expansion committee, I would look up the lake from Toronto toward Oshawa or beyond. But you can go from Maple Leaf territory to Senator territory pretty quickly.
I don’t know if it was all Toronto G* but they kicked up a huge fuss when Buffalo was added and have been the loudest opponents to Hamilton getting a team. The Mr knows this stuff better than I do but apparently they don’t want a team in Hamilton because it would steal their fan base. HA Bloody HA! If they think that then they don’t know their fans very well. Every Leafs fan I have ever met is …. umm…. rabid is the word that comes to mind.
why are we considering expansion at all? Relocation I would understand. But I don’t get expansion when some (several?) of your current franchises are having trouble already. Why would futher-diluting the talent pool be a good idea?
Band: “sucker” is another word that comes to mind with regards to Buds fans.
Oshawa has a junior team (I think it’s juniors anyway) the Generals.
Nick how would it dilute the the talent pool when more kids than ever are playing hockey, and with Europe being a viable place to pick up players I don’t think thats the problem. The Mr’s ultimate plan calls for two more teams, and moving one of the Florida teams. He also had it all figured out on how we should redo the divisions so that it goes back to four so they can go back to the named divisions.
there is a lot of parity in the league but i don’t know if the NHL can handle 2 more teams right now.
i don’t think the league is high on relocation either since it really didn’t want nashville to move to hamilton.
Band: Voros, Boogaard (sorry), Simon, Radio, Hill, Carney, maybe Fozzie…none of those guys have jobs if we’re back at 24 teams or whatever. I realize we might not have a TEAM so I’m not advocating contraction either. But the BEST players get the jobs. I think it’s easy to say there are more jobs than good players - why does Matt Cooke have a job? If there were 2 fewer teams in the league I can guarantee you Skoula is a #6 defenseman on any but the very worst teams in the league.
If you expand, the Wild makes those kinds of guys available and then loses a couple of them. That leaves holes in the active roster in St. Paul that we may or may not want to fill from the “talent pool” currently in Houston.
When you are forced to play people who wouldn’t have a job otherwise, you’re diluting the talent pool.
No doubt more humans are playing ice hockey around the world than ever before. And that can only have an accretive effect on the overall talent pool.
But A) how many 12 year holds are able to hold down NHL spots today, or even in three years, and B) if anything, the relationship between the stronger hockey producing countries across the pond and the NHL is deteriorating right now. That could (and probably will) be addressed and fixed.
SRV wouldn’t have a job. Foy never would have gotten a sniff. fedoruk, not likely. demi moore, not likely.
Hell Nick I don’t really care. It’s the Mr that should be discussing this with you, and since he has now left for work and can’t have me write things for him, whatever. The biggest thing I want to know is why the smurf does Florida have 2 teams? One should move, but where? My vote would be Hamilton, plenty of corporate support to go around in that area, and plenty of people who feel to removed from Buffalo or Detroit to follow either of those teams, and at the same time hate the Leafs, so instant fan base. But I have to go to work now. I expect lots of good discussion form all to read on my lunch break all right?
add 2 more teams and that means you have to find 12 defensemen and 24 forwards, just for the NHL roster. unless the minors is overflowing with NHL talent. you are going to have to play less talented players.
exactly, G*.
G*’s point is why I said before that I could understand relocation more than expansion, Band - because I agree that two teams in FL is excessive. I just feel like the league should try to get the current teams on terra firma before adding more fledgling upstarts.
One thing I should point out for the Mr is that he thinks moves in the next few years, add two teams well in the future (like 10 years from now or so). By then those 12 year olds you mentioned will be ready to play… like I said ask the Mr, not me.
Why exactly are we debating expansion over relocation?
We are bored DB. At least thats my excuse. This isn’t getting my lunch made or my shoes on…….
Deep: what’s on your mind, brother?
Nothing on my mind, really, just didn’t know if somebody heard or read something where the idiot Bettman had uttered the “expansion” word recently. I hope to Gretzky he is not seriously thinking about doing anything quite that stupid. Let’s hope he’s worrying more about the pathetic attendance numbers in certain markets; the ridiculous instigator rule; and the insanity of awarding points for losing a game. I’d say he has other hooks to bait besides worrying about diluting the League even more.
do any of you techie’s have any info on the 2nd gen iphone?
i don’t really mind a point for losing in OT but i do mind getting an extra point for winning a SO.
I think there needs to be more separation between winning and losing. If teh League is adament about awarding a point for losing, it should award 3 points for a win. Create more of a separation between winning and losing.
I still think it should be the baseball W-L model. OT/SO, fine. A win is a win, a loss is a loss.
Agreed. Also, NiNY: A bunch of us are flying out to NYC the first weekend of August to see the Yankees and Angels. Wanted to see a game at Yankee Stadium before it gets tore down. Gonna want some info on places that need to be hit. Will be out there for three days. Will attand game on Friday night and then “Old Timer’s” game on Saturday afternoon.
Deep: lets be in touch. There’s a chance I may be down there for the same reason at that time, actually.
I have to say, though, that apart from the historical aspect, don’t expect The Stadium to be anything other than a complete dump.
Not saying it’s not worth going to (once), but it is a sh!t hole fo sho.
It’s funny you mention that. One of the guys that is going out with us works for Toughbook (laptops) and his headquarters is out there. He’s been to a couple of games and said the same thing, that the place is run down, so to speak. But, for historical value, I gotta believe it will be a good trip. Plus, the ‘Old Timers’ game on Saturday will be a lot of fun. Gotta believe the Yankees roll out the heavy hitters to come back and wave to the fans for that game. Plus, I’ve never been mugged in a subway or Central Park, yet, so I got that to look forward to.
My mother-in-law is a STH so I have been fortunate enough to go to many games over the last 10 years. It has a certain charm - but part of that charm is the crumbling walls, pervasive eau de urine, crappy concessions, and poor sight lines.
Not to mention the obnoxious new yoahkuhs yelling at you for stopping to help an old lady cross the street.
NYC is, truly, a helluva town. I love it. And the threat of a mugging/beating/both has come way down since Rudy (and Disney) first rode into town. That doesn’t mean you should plan a midnight trip to the yet-ungentrified sections of Harlem, mind you. But I don’t walk around town with one hand on my wallet and the other nervously fingering rosary beads.
It didn’t take the Strib long to take down the Blog link from the main sports page…
Why are there two teams in Florida?
Consider a reason why a decent NHL tv contract is so hard to come by … you probably have your answer why there are.
The NHL must develop a presence in big metropolitan areas … even where there is zero hockey tradition to attract national TV coverage.
Developing fan interest takes time. Some wealthy person needs to be willing to take financial losses if they think those losses are temporary. Maybe they are willing if there is a potential for gain in the long run which a large population offers.
My theory is that with the large population base in both Miami and Tampa means there is potential because of the population.
And, if one of those cities has a team maybe the other feels it needs to compete. And, if you have one team in each place then you generate a competitive spirit that is good for both.
The population base sets those cities apart from Winnipeg where there is a much more limited market for jerseys and other such items.
Miami and Tampa are way across the state from each other. The distance between Tampa and Miami must at least be equal to the distance from the Twin Cities to Madison.
How much fan support do you suppose do the Wild receive from Madison? Does anyone think that the number of people from Madison holding season tickets to a Wild game would equal a tenth of one percent of the Wild total?
Consider Houston, it is our nations 4th largest city!
I think Houston must a consideration for a team if some team needs to move. Dallas has had some success. There is a chance for competition between the two cities.
Who knows, if Nashville moved to Houston maybe Leipold would move the Aeros back there?
What do sportswriters do when their sport isn’t in season or the team doesn’t move on to the playoffs?
The draft is not for another two months.
Will we hear of any signings of Rolston, SRV, and others next month? Then the draft speculation… then FA speculation… then Gaborik speculation… then prospect camp, then training camp. Is this how we will mark our time until the start of the new season?
sunshine: yep.
Ugh, I thought the avs fans were done getting drunk and visiting late at night. Apparently I was wrong.
Read an article on Brian Burke as a candidate for Toronto. Any chance DR would go to Toronto and MN Native Burke would want to come back to MN? Good or Bad? The only thing I know about Burke is that the Big thug Bert acquisition didn’t go over as planned….
Yikes!
mnhockey32, if we get Brian Burke here I think several very loyal fans would go off the deep end. He is not very popular around here due to his love of thuggery.
I’m not promoting it, just wondering how it would play out if there is a chance it would even happen. (See, this is what happens when you get bored….)
I honestly don’t know much about him other than his bertuzzi deal and his whining during our series with the ducks last year.
You’re right though KG - he loves to have his built in thug Brad May follow him around. I forgot about that.
i’d guess it is somewhat like school teachers and summer.
having teams in the largest TV markets doesn’t = success. the NFL does just fine with a team in green bay and no team in LA. MLS, WNBA don’t draw shat and they are in large markets. i’d argue that teams in smaller, yet traditional markets to the sport, would register better because a higher pct of population would tune in. now to what extent, i dn’t know. i do know they keep saying how the cities is dead last in NBA viewership yet we are in the top 20 in market size.
Iceman,
I know you’re on a roll, but Tampa is 285 miles from Miami. About the same distance from Minneapolis to Green Bay.
Should the NFL move the Vikings because Green Bay is close enough? Should the Twins have been contracted because the Brewers are only 337 miles away?
Here’s a pretty decent map of the TV/Radio markets in the US. “Fan Support” for teams generally comes from the DMA where the team is located, and the DMAs adjacent to the DMA where the team is located. Once you get beyond that, the team is no longer a “local team”
Got ya Band, just didn’t know if someone was trying to be “funny”. And loosen up the leash sister! The man does the dishes, how bad can he be?
i’d guess it is somewhat like school teachers and summer.
Are you saying sportswriters have no class? - I hope Russo will be covering the SC Final in person - that would be cool for the blog.
What I’d like to know is why the NHL hasn’t come down on freaking Columbus for being a catastrophic failure of a team. They have been a miserable failure in attendance since joining the league and their revenue sharing will reflect it this year. Ditto for Washington DC and NY Islanders for that matter. Each of them have been in the bottom third for the past five years. Nashville at least has a core fan base, Columbus has the opposite, only corporate support. If I was a Nationwide stockholder I’d be screaming for the CEO’s head for that investment! Tampa Bay does much better than Columbus! I say move the Blue Jackets to Houston or Las Vegas and let the Wild go back to the Central Division where they belong!
It was awesome to watch the Sharks take out the flames..I just hate those guys, especially Phuckin Phaneuf. And chasing Mikka, liked it!
It should be a good series of SJ vs. the South Stars..I’ll be rootin’ for our prodigal sons.
Danny: The problem isn’t that the Bolts and Panthers are close together; much like the Packers and Vikings. The problem is that Florida is hardly a hotbed for the NHL. Can’t really compare the two situations because fans are rabid in the upper Midwest to say the least about the NFL. Don’t think you can say the same thing about the snowbirds down in FLA.
The Vikings sometimes have problems selling out here but thank goodness they have channel 9 to bail them out if there are only a couple thousand of tickets left.
What’s not helping the Bolts, Panthers, Blue Jackets, and Thrashers is that they don’t have a good team. BJs are probably on the upswing. The Capitals will do alright for the next couple of years with Green, AO, and Backstrom there.
Phil, the Mr has a longer leash than you think. It’s just that time of year when he starts to wonder off once in a while. Once the temp starts to get warm he can be hard to track down, and then I get no help around the house.
I think if DR left and Burke came here there would be a riot. I don’t think we have to worry about Burke coming here, Leipold doesn’t seem the type to hire a man who is know for putting together teams full of thugs and tools.
Danny, your example is better. Green Bay to Minneapolis is a good comparison. The two teams enhance each others success and generate more fan interest.
But, you would not expect a sizable number of Minneapolis residents to suddenly buy season tickets for the Milwaukee Bucks if the Timberwolves left Minnesota.
One other point to consider is growing the fan base of the NHL.
How do you grow the fan base in Canada? The fan support is already huge, maybe maxed out!
I would argue that establishing a new team in Canada dilutes the fan base for some existing team because of the widespread interest, it does not create additional fan interest.
On the other hand, if there are teams in Florida you can grow the entire NHL fan base because there is zilch there when you started and a big population of uninitiated potential fans.
Personally, I do not have an emotional attachment to whether there are two teams in Florida or none, or that there are none right now in Winnipeg … except I am in sympathy for them feeling like I did when Norm Green jerked North Stars out.
But, I think I see the reasons why you can justify two teams in Florida and none in Winnipeg. That is what my point was.
If the NHL is to ever hope to improve their tv standing, they need to have some presence throughout the US.
Greenstar, the Packer example is a major exception in may ways. It works because it is there and has been since the beginning of the NHL. It is a national phenomenon which makes it more attractive. It is also owned by the public.
But, right now today, I seriously doubt the NFL would be consider putting a team there right now if one did not presently exist.
All I am saying about Winnipeg is that the NHL requires a huge investment right now, and investors with deep deep pockets. There is a limit to how much money a small population center can afford even if they have a deep passion for the game.
If I had wagered on the SCPO opening round, I would be a poor man today.
The Wild, Ducks, Caps, and Devils would have done me in.
One would think that the Florida teams would try to capitalize on the visiting team. Partner with an airline and a hotel and try to get the visiting team’s fans down for a road game. Weekend in FL (plane & hotel) + a hockey game for $$ and a chance to win something? I bet more than a few fans would buy the deal.
Greenstar, the Packer example is a major exception in may ways
you weren’t talking exemptions before. you were talking of having teams in major markets to satisfy TV networks. and this is why there are teams in florida.
if there are teams in Florida you can grow the entire NHL fan base because there is zilch there when you started and a big population of uninitiated potential fans.
with this logic the NHL should be looking in mexico for it’s next franchise. there is zilch there but huge population of potential fans…
Good point Goody. Teams need to be smarter about attracting more fans and from unusual sources.
With your idea, if you decided to start a travel agency you might have figured out how to make a living.
with this logic the NHL should be looking in mexico for it’s next franchise. there is zilch there but huge population of potential fans…
LMAO!
Uuuuhhhhh… what? http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4704620&page=1
One way to meet and date hot models. He is preparing for his next career.
avery gets 2 mil a year? huh.
wait…do we now know what our draft position is?
There goes Martin Brodeur’s subscription to Vogue.
YOu can invest your money on that one Greenstar.
But, if you want a tv contract in the US you need to grow the game so it appeals in big areas of coverage.
If you don’t do that then don’t expect NBC will be conducive to the masses.
AFAIK: The draft order is
30. Stanley Cup Champ
29. Stanley Cup runner-up
28. other conference finalist, greater # of points
27. other conference finalist, fewer number of points
26-X. remaining division champs, fewest number of points = better ranking.
I guess the answer would be: no. We don’t know our draft position yet. Though I do note that we have the 2nd-fewest points among division champs, which would give us the 2nd-best ranking among the division champs. We’re going to be in the mid20s, though.
Adam: THAT is funny.
I read that we are somewhere between 22-25?
sunshine: yeah, I guess “low-to-mid 20s” is probably more correct given the above criteria.
The Aeros lost and Ms Conduct seems to be quite upset with Pouliot. You should sit with angry man in section 120, he hasn’t said one nice thing about Pouliot or Reitz all season long. I’m not sure why people expect him to be overly physical? Most of his mistakes seemed to have more to do with being away from the team than being a bad player. I thought he made a couple wonderful cross ice passes but the Aeros on the receiving end had stone-hands and blew the scoring opportunity.
I’m not saying he had a good game, he was routinely frustrated going to the bench. He wants to be better. But there were great moments with him and Gillies on the same line. There were also a couple real close breakaway chances were his teammates couldn’t quite get him the puck.
Look, lets be honest here, the Aeros offense is geared towards getting the puck in the corner, banging away and pinching the defense. It is ugly hockey and it is the perfect hockey for a team not overly skilled. Players like Pouliot and Olvecky are going to suffer within that system. It is the same reason the Aeros are one of the worst PP teams in the league, there just isn’t a lot of skill.
That is the situation Pouliot is in, so to fairly judge the guy you have to look specifically at his skill set not his numbers. There were several times where Pouly would easily surprise a guy on the back check with his long, powerful strides. That tells you a lot about his skating ability. Other times he was making great passes finding guys wide open, which speaks to his on ice vision. He finds open ice at the top of the slot but most people don’t notice because his teammates have their head buried staring at the puck. He was incredibly creative and shifty with the puck resulting in a one on one scoring opportunity.
I notice all of these things because I routinely isolate my vision on Pouliot or Gillies when they are on the ice. Last year I would spend a lot of time just watching Josh Harding, especially on PKs.
The entire Aeros team didn’t play well in general but Barry Brust stopped 30+ shots to keep it 1-1 late in the 3rd. You have to win the 3rd period on home ice.
On to better news, Colton Gillies is incredibly good and there should be no debate (I’m fine with the Pouliot debate because at the end of the game he didn’t produce). It is an absolute treat to watch this guy up close for $20 some bucks a game. We are going to love this guy in St Paul! He is so good at using his body to create space along the boards, he hunts down and digs out loose pucks like a bloodhound, he has great vision and is good at getting himself and/or the puck to the front of the net. He had a brilliant shot go hard off the post that would have made it 2-1 halfway in the 3rd.
You really have to watch to see Pouliot’s value, but Gillies talent just slaps you in the face. Barring some setback I’m 99% sure this guy stars in Minnesota next season and plays a lot.
For the record, I don’t agree 100% with expansion, I just think it WILL happen. Bettman and the League have been dropping hints for two years now, and I think they’re just waiting until after the players tweak the CBA next year
If you don’t do that then don’t expect NBC will be conducive to the masses
i don’t. the NHL isn’t getting much from NBC as it is. i’d concentrate on a national cable network and scrap NBC.
AiH: thanks. Looking forward to seeing Gillies making the team next year. How was Reitz? Do you think the Wild should give him a chance next year?
AiH: great report of Gillies but help me out with this - someone noted that Gillies has to play with the Wild next year or go back to juniors so how is it he is with the Aeros now? I assume he ain’t playing for free!
Another tard that thinks he’s a hockey genius but never watched a game…
sunshine, Iceman,
Pythagorean % is something Bill James came up with for baseball, but it translates to hockey pretty well, and it’s pretty much what it sounds like. You take the number of GF squared divided by GF squared plus GA squared. That percentage is an estimated winning percentage for a team. I tracked it over the season and it ends up being pretty close at the end to actual winning percentage.
Of the 30 teams:
6 exact # of wins
5 one win off
12 two wins off
6 three wins off
1 four wins off
Using each teams end of regular season Pythagorean % alone, in previous seasons, you would have correctly predicted…
2007: 12 of the 15 series
2006: 7 of 15
2004: 9 of 15
2003: 9 of 15
2002: 10 of 15
2001: 9 of 15
That’s as far back as my data goes. So over the longer run, the past 8 seasons including this one, it’s about 56% correct. Not bad considering how simple it is.
What I find interesting is that in the past two season it seems to have become more accurate. It will be interesting (for me anyway) to see if this is a blip or a trend.
Adam:
I think because his junior team’s season ended, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Aeros along with a starting contract with the Wild. Next year, if he is not yet 20, he could either stay with the Wild or be sent back to his junior team. He can’t go to the Aeros because of his age. He will be like Shep.
so, here’s a re-treaded wild hair of mine.
Obviously the playoffs are extremely profitable to an NHL franchise. It’s also great hockey.
Instead of having draft order among the lower fourteen be determined by record and the lottery, why not have them play some kind of mini-playoffs to determine draft order?
I’m thinking best-of-three series, no national TV coverage (maybe put them on CI).
One of the problems right off the bat is how do you do a tournament with 14 teams?
Maybe take the bottom 6 teams by record and have them play for the first six picks (give the 30th and 29th overall teams the byes through the first round). Then have the remaining 8 teams play a 3-round tournament for picks 7-14.
Cameron, Wow, that guy can recite cliches pretty well.
I think we pretty much all agree that SRV took a flying leap and it wasn’t a smart thing to do and we don’t condone such actions.
Question for you all…
Now that the series is over did Burns take “cheap shot after cheap shot on his opponent’s injury-prone star player”? I don’t recall Burns taking any cheap shots. I recall him checking hard but I don’t recall any “cheap shots”. Is my memory faulty?
As far as the draft goes, I’ve never understood the system that awards the championship team with the last draft pick. I understand that it is about parity but shouldn’t winning be rewarded? Maybe give them the first pick of those that made the playoffs or some such.
Burns too busy to take cheap shots. However, I did see Forsberg throw a soft punch/slap at Burns face and it took all of Burns to not strike a blow in front of the Wild net. Can’t remember which game — two maybe?
sunshine - thanks - I forgot about the amateur tryout contract - I am sure that is it. If AiH thinks Gillies is showing a lot in the AHL playoffs I am sure we can pencil him in on the Wild’s roster for next year. Thanks to Delta Burke for making that deal with the Wild the so they could move up and snag him!
sunshine - exactly right. Since his season in the WHL is over he is free to sign an amateur try out contract and finish the year with the Aeros or even play for the Wild. But until a Canadian turns 20 he is obligated to play in the major junior leagues in Canada UNLESS he is on an NHL roster.
This essentially forced to Wild to carry James Sheppard all season. He probably wasn’t ready for the NHL but he would have been wasted playing another season of Junior hockey. I’m pretty sure the Wild will have similar feelings about Gillies next season.
Colton Gillies will turn 20 in February so he isn’t eligible to play with the Aeros next year until the Saskatoon Blades (his junior team) have finished their season.
I wonder if DR is in Houston? I should try to spot him.
Toivo, I am dense. GF=? (goals for and goals against)
Is this what the formula will be?:
GF*GF/GF*GF + GA*GA (or is one of those GF’s arguments incorrect?)
“”"You take the number of GF squared divided by GF squared plus GA squared. That percentage is an estimated winning percentage for a team.”"”
It’s a good fluke we had to keep Shepp here, he’s been really good, and unless he has a major sophmore slump, he will just continue to improve his game.
AiH - I heard DR on WCCO say he was headed down to Houston for all 3 Aeros games. Thanks for the further clarification on Gillies.
You got it Iceman.
Pyth% = GF^2 / (GF^2 + GA^2)
toivo, do you have any more info on where that comes from? I’m interested in the theory as to why that becomes a predictor of winning %.
It started with Bill James and baseball, but it works for hockey too. Click here for starters.
Thanks, my inner math geek is showing isn’t it.
Cameron -
thanks for the link. it’s amazing that a fan of a team as boring as the Avs (I would contend that the Avs and Sharks were the two most boring teams in the League this year, with that “box around the goalie” crap) would dredge up that old “Wild are boring” cliche again, especially since it’s not true anymore.
Unless Dougie Ballgame is able to sign 4 legit blueliners this summer (Hill, Carney, Nummi all gone and Fozzie out until at least Xmas), Reitz has to get a shot, simply on numbers alone. With the subtractions this club is going to see this summer, blueliners will be at a premium for us; i,e, unless Reitz is arrested at the airport with a Whizzinator, he gets a shot in September.
Did some one mention me?
DB,
Since Reitz signed a one-yr deal with the Wild last summer, he is technically unrestricted this summer. Unless I’m missing something, we would need to sign him to a contract before camp opens in September.
I would imagine we would sign him to an extension before July, if we are inclined to keep him around. Thoughts?
ballgame! What’s the good word, man? have you been lurking lately, or just not here?
Math is hard! Let’s go shopping!
Goody, there’s way more out there that goes beyond the usual stat stuff. Good times… for a math geek.
Build: Again, it will depend on what Douggie Ballgame does. If he has plans to sign a fistfull of blueliners, which I doubt, then the Wild will send a deal Reitz’ way and he almost assuredly will grab a spot in September. But if Mr. Ballgame has a master plan to bring in 4+ blueliners, than young Mr. Reitz will be peddling his wares someplace else in September.
Hey NiNY & Everyone - I lurk yet I usually don’t type. I always check in as a loyal Capo of the Don. I usually read the comments when I see the familiar names and today there’s a lot of the old guard in town. Most of the time I don’t have time to get involved, but today I’ve been stuck in front of the screen.
It’s good to see that everyone’s bounced back from the series. NiNY - I’ve been enjoying the podcasts. Good Work.
Nick: an NHL losers bracket, eh?
Re: Expansion.
Horrible idea. There’s too many teams in too many stupid locations as it is. Houston, population-wise and arena-wise may be a good fit, but do we really need another team below the Mason-Dixon line? The Aeros are there, but is it a hockey hotbed (emphasis on hot)? Not enough Canadian teams, too many American ones.
Toivo math IS hard, if it was easy I’d have some sort of math degree and make big money on Wall Street or something. Instead I have a history degree and make just enough to get by with a tidge left over for a game once in a while working at a non-profit historic site. Working at a historic site gives you weird nightmares.
Band: you knew what a Cabinet of Curiosities is, that’s worth something in my book.
I have met very briefly the man who has my dream job. I can’t remember his name but he is the official historian for the Wild. All the memorabilia displays around the X. He did them. I would LOVE that job. My two absolute favorite things, hockey and history.
well, good to see you, ballgame. I have to think it’s going to be mostly the diehards during the summer, so speak up when you get some time!
band,
You thinkin’ of Roger Godin? He’s super cool, and I agree, has maybe the coolest job ever.
He was previously the curator of the US Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, and we “recruited” him here early in Wild history.
I wrote a paper on them for my English history class my junior year at the U. Very interesting stuff. What to put in a hockey Cabinet of Curiosities, it’s usually really odd and morbid stuff…
Steve Moores jersey from the game his career ended….
The gloves Zoltohk (sp?) used the game he died from the lock out year…..
Some items are more like religious relics…
The puck from any of the Great Ones records…
The Stanley Cup…
Herbie’s whistle from the 1980 Olympics (or those groovy plaid pants he wore)
What would you include?
How ’bout the skate blade the split Malarchuk open like a grape?
Bandgeek - you would think the MN History Center would need some one like you to fill a room with Herbie-isms and State of Hockey artifacts.
NiNY - always my pleasure. Things have been moving so fast here lately. Now’s the time of year when Russoville slows down, but the offseason prognosticating gets interesting.
Loser’s Bracket: Couldn’t stand to watch the Southeast Conference for the first 80 games. Don’t submit me to any more.
Bandgeek: McGoo’s helmet?
YES thank you bfw. I could not for the life of me remember his name for some reason. Super nice guy. I went with a friend who is a member of the local American Museum Association on a tour of the exhibits at the X. He laughed when he saw the group, all middle aged women who asked lots of questions about preservation and artifact rotation. I was the only one who knew anything about hockey and I had my Wild sweatshirt on. He said I put him to shame because he wasn’t wearing anything Wild but I was. I was also the only one asking hockey questions.
Stompin’ Tom Connor’s Guitar.
A lock of Guy LaFleur’s flowing mane
John Harrington’s book of Herbie-isms.
Herbie’s whistle from the post Norway skate.
I just saw this video yesterday of Dale Hunter’s OT goal vs. Philly in 79(?) - one of the Philly D-men two handed his stick over the goal and smashed it in half. That stick.
he wasn’t wearing anything Wild but I was
Funny!
tour of the exhibits at the X
Remind me to tell ya a little bit about a focus group I was in yeeeears ago, and how it influenced those exhibits.
You should see if they can’t work you into the payroll! I’ve got his biz card layin’ around somewhere, if ya want.
Forgot the Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rg2EiSBZ6Y
No repeat last night.
Very good suggestions.
How bout the breezers they had to cut off Fozzie recently…
If there was a shelf dedicated to the SoH…
Seat from the Met (they have one in Eveleth)
First puck dropped at the X
Puck from the first goal at the X
Gabby’s stack o’ pucks from his 5 goal night
How about some of the unsold playoff tickets from “the can”?
Foppa’s silk glove he used to slap Burns?
Any of McLeod’s missing mouth?
(I didn’t want to go there - I feel shame)
I’m a little confused. What is the difference between the artifacts a hall of fame would want and a cabinet of curiosities?
They both seem to need the same kind of stuff.
Maybe the regulars at the X can help me out here. I’m trying to figure out what one of the songs is they seemed to play quite frequently.
Usually it is played late in the third period coming out of a TV timeout. It has a long opening of what I guess is a keyboard before it gets to any lyrics. And I’m assuming there is some video or words on the scoreboard because the crowd seems to stand and get pretty noisy.
I know that isn’t much of a description but maybe someone can help me out. TIA.
Curiosities are usually of a more …. morbid and questionable nature. Tradition says it should be things like the skull from siamese twins, finger bones from martyrs and saints, etc. So to be true curiosities we would need bloody jerseys or a shin bone from a dead hockey player. We’re just throwing things out there right now.
Thanks Aaron… I looked across the rink and tried to guess which fella 7 rows up from the visitor’s bench was you… decided on the guy in the Hawaiian shirt.
You’re probably right about Pouly. Hate the system, not the player who doesn’t fit the system, I suppose.
I watch him a lot, too, with and without the puck and he’s a 10 as far as skaters go. I’d watch him play hockey by himself all day long weep at the beauty. It’s like he’s skating on angels wings.
He can dangle like… … something that dangles really well. But you look at guys like Rosa and Ward, who are as strong on the puck as anybody I’ve ever seen. They can have 4 guys circling like sharks trying to get that puck and half the time they manage to make it out of the swarm with the puck. That’s the kind of thing Pouliot needs to be able to do to round out his game, I believe. This isn’t grinding in corners or being physical… it’s just not folding under pressure. Keeping that puck on your tape as though your very life depends on it, escaping, and either passing to the open man or heading for the net (and since you’re swarmed, Pouly, PASS THE PUCK!)
And he does get swarmed. They know he’s hot sh!t if you give him room. But if you don’t give him room, he won’t fight for it.
I dunno. Maybe I’m too fond of my hard hitting, blue collar players here. But to me, the bottom line is that we need guys out there who contribute to the system that everyone else is playing in. He’s playing some other game. Reminds me of when I was in band in jr. high and high school and we had a joke where if you were marching out of step with the rest of the band, it was the rest of the band who was wrong, and you who were right. That’s how I feel about Pouliot. He may be a step ahead of everyone else, but HE’S the one who is out of sync with everyone else. His brilliance doesn’t elevate our game, it confuses it.
But of course, you can’t sit the guy. So I guess we’re stuck with it. If this continues, I’ll be watching the IceHogs celebrate clinching round 1 on my birthday Friday. What a bag of suck that would be.
Yikes that DR was at that game last night. Embarrassing team. Embarrassing turnout. You’d think they’d be playing their guts out with that guy in the building.
Do you suppose if next year the Wild average 2 goals against and 6 goals for, the stigma of a ‘defensive trapping team’ will still be recited ad nauseum?
Ugh.
I can’t argue with anything you said about Pouliot. He really doesn’t fit in here. I just like to keep stressing how talented the guy is because to the casual Wild fan his value is directly tied into point production.
“He can’t score in the AHL, he sucks” was the common theme on here. It was amazing at the trade deadline how willing some fans were to just toss him into a trade.
He probably is still learning the team game and that could add to the appearance that he is out of sync. One year of junior hockey + two years of professional hockey = not enough time to fully develop.
I want to know why Ryan Hamilton was a scratch. That guy has been key for the Aeros down the stretch.
Ah, so the stuff in the cabinet would make an average joe go “eww”. So someone’s teeth after they got knocked out during a game would go in the cabinet.
Now I want to see a real cabinet of curiosities. I like “eww”.
I believe his shoulder got banged up in the last game or two of the regular season. I recall him taking a hard hit, holding his right arm on the way into the locker room, and not coming back. It’s a problem not having him. The Hamilton/Ward line is as money as it gets on this team.
But yeah, Pouly is talented. I haven’t been watching hockey for too terribly long but I’ve watched a helluva lot of it since I started, and he’s the prettiest, nimblest skater I’ve ever seen (and for a 6′3″ guy, that’s saying something). I hope Jacques can be patient with him and I hope Pouly will listen to Jacques, who doesn’t seem to mind “project” players but only if they’re willing to listen and work hard.
I remember him leaving that game, but he played in Rockford in games 1 and 2.
Also, Pouliot missed a lot of time last season due to injury and some time this season. That can be tough on development. His skating stride is a thing of beauty though.
Do you suppose if next year the Wild average 2 goals against and 6 goals for, the stigma of a ‘defensive trapping team’ will still be recited ad nauseum?
Yep. People will atill wonder what the goal differential would be if only JL would loosen the reins.
atill = still. Idiot.
I suppose because I’ve only really watched the Wild with any regularity, I expect us to have good (if not great) defense. Anything less is unacceptable as far as I’m concerned. This leaves goal scoring as a sort of “Since the other team probably won’t score, we only need 1 goal to win.” I’ve never really followed a team that could score at will. I blame my age for this attitude as I never saw the North Stars play. My family always watched high school hockey not professional when I was growing up.
Oh.. hmm, yeah, you’re right about Hammy. Duh. Well, all they’re saying is “upper body issue” so… *shrug* I sure do miss him. I miss Awe rocketing those slappers into the visiting players legs, too. Talk about a guy who can clear some space.
Band: I didn’t know anything about CoCs until I read a fiction book that dealt with them in some detail. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child I believe are the authors, and the book itself was called “Cabinet of Curiosities” (maybe a “the” in there). Actually, that book got me started on those guys and some of their books are real barn burners (great airplane books, IMO).
I think Bandgeek just earned herself an official Russoville title: Director and Head Curator of Russoville Historical Society.
looks like Burke is staying in Anaheim:
My idea of what the new NHL should be: Can you say contraction? Can you say ‘O Canada’? Let’s go back to the magical 21 teams. (That’s such a stupid number it has a certain appeal.)
Atlantic
Philly, NYR, NJ, Boston, Tampa Bay
Eastern
Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Buffalo, Ottawa
Central
Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago, St Louis, Colorado
West
LA, San Jose, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton
Move Phoenix back to Winnipeg
Move Pittsburgh to Quebec (set up new civil war with Club de Hockey, plus lingering bitterness over ‘91 Stan Cup),
Contract:
Dallas (on general principle), Anaheim (two teams in So Cal, why?), Florida, Atlanta, Nashville, Columbus, NYI (don’t need three teams in New York, plus lingering bitterness over ‘81 Stan Cup), Carolina, Washington (we get first shot at Alex the Great in the disbursement draft as reparations for moving the North Stars).
We would agree to “retire” Jacques immediately, and promise to never play the trap again.
Losing the clutchers and grabbers on nine teams would improve the quality of play immensely. Abandoning the sun belt for hockey hot beds would mean that this better brand of hockey would be played in front of people who know which end of a hockey stick is the “business end”.
Wow, I feel so … happy. I go for a walk with the doggies and come home to find out I’ve been made Director of a Historical Society. I’d like to thank the Academy…. oh wait, that’s a different dream. And I’ll have to get my hands on that book Nick, that is after I finish the Jasper Fforde book I’m reading, and after that I have a book called “The Rebel League” to revisit, it’s about the WHA. I also have one other to read but that’s partially research for work. For as much as i read you would think I could spell better.
Pouliot’s beautiful skating stride didn’t keep him from floating offside as Demitra blistered a shot past JT in what was it Game 5? That would have put us up 2-1 and could have changed the whole series, but Benny brainfarts. He was looping around the right wing boards with no one on him and no possible reason to try and cut it close. And no, JT didn’t bail out because he heard a whistle. Demo plain out beat him.
Also, if you like listening to Lou Nanne, check out Barreiro on Demand at KFAN http://www.kfan.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=KFAN_Barreiro.xml
They talked puck for a few hours on the 15th and 21st of April and included Phil Esposito. Louie is always entertaining and has alot of insights into the Wild and NHL.
I also thought Jose had a delayed reaction to the offside, as in smilin’ Pav’s shot beat him clean and then he noticed the linesman. If b-b-benny had been onside we might be askin how many Cup rings JR and Thornton have, and begging them to do their annual disappearing act in the next round instead of contemplating who our 7th d-man will be next year.
per the Houston Chronicle:
Aeros goalie Barry Brust used many words to describe the Rockford IceHogs’ winning goal Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
But only the last 12 of them painted the kind of picture needed to reflect the kind of game the Aeros played in a 2-1, Game 3 defeat in front of an announced crowd of 2,289.
“It got squeezed like a zit in the back of the net,” said Brust, describing Derek Nesbitt’s goal with 2:46 left in the third period.
The Aeros looked passive throughout the game and watched the IceHogs take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven AHL playoff series that will continue Thursday night at Toyota Center.
Brust, who shut out the IceHogs in Game 2, looked strong again, but Nesbitt’s goal was a fine example of how a bad bounce can determine the fate of a playoff game.
“They made a backdoor pass, got a shot off and the puck went behind the net,” said Brust (32 saves). “I think I had it, but it was jammed up against my skate and the post.”
The puck spun into the net while Brust and the Aeros looked around, almost in amazement.
They were outshot 34-16 for the game, but Brust kept the team in it until Nesbit popped home the winner in the waning minutes.
“You have to have a sense of urgency and you have to have high standards for what you expect of yourself,” Aeros coach Kevin Constantine said. “We weren’t as urgent as we needed to be throughout the whole game.”
Marco Rosa gave the Aeros a 1-0 lead just 5:01 into the match when he whistled a shot past IceHogs goalie Corey Crawford (15 saves) after passes from Adrian Foster and Joel Ward.
But the joy was short-lived for the Aeros.
After a breakdown in their zone, the Aeros allowed the tying score when Troy Brouwer found a wide-open Kris Versteeg, who one-timed a shot past Brust at 11:06.
The IceHogs, who could not do so in Game 2, finally beat Brust as Rockford converted their fourth shot to make it a 1-1 game.
“We didn’t shoot the puck as much as we needed to,” Aeros captain Erik Reitz said. “I think we got too cute, too fancy down in the zone, and you can’t do that against those guys.”
Tom Reid was saying JT would never admit to it, but it was clear it beat him cleanly. I watched that play a dozen times. Demo cut loose at the blue line and Benny was way out of the play so JT wouldn’t be keying on him. The puck was in the net before the linesmen got a peep out of his whistle.
I’ve never liked JR because he’s such a mouth, but his concern over Foster and his game 7 last night have me pulling for SJ. Actually I could live with anyone in the west but the Av.
This sucks. I want to be watching more Wild games.
As we look to next year though, it will be interesting to see who falls off and if any of the teams that haven’t made the playoffs for a few years (Chi, Stl, Phx, Edm) pass someone by. The West could be insanely competitive again next year. Here’s hoping we have a good team.
Maybe the regulars at the X can help me out here. I’m trying to figure out what one of the songs is they seemed to play quite frequently.
Right Now by van halen. if this hasn’t been answered. its on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Isn’t the West insanely competitive now? Or it feels like that because we are in the NW division?
Do you suppose if next year the Wild average 2 goals against and 6 goals for, the stigma of a ‘defensive trapping team’ will still be recited ad nauseum?
Apparently at least until the Avs franchise moves - that fan base really got spoiled by having a team with the young versions of Sakic and Foppa move there and someday soon #19 won’t be coming out of that locker room anymore. If any market needed to go through the pains of expansion hockey, it clearly is Denver.
Until JL leaves, the Wild will be known as the trap-happy, all defense, smothering offense, and boring.
The NHL in 2020: looking back over the last decade
In the summer of 2010, the NHL announced that two new teams would begin play for the 2012-2013 season: Winnipeg and Houston. “With five years of the CBA and salary cap as a guide, we feel comfortable adding the final two teams to the NHL family” said Gary Bettman after the announcement. “Having an even number of teams in each division and conference be easier on the schedulers too.”
As part of the expansion, the league was re-organized into four divisions, with eight teams each.
Smythe: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Colorado, San Jose, Phoenix, LA and Anaheim
Norris: Winnipeg, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, St Louis, Nashville, Dallas and Houston
Patrick: Columbus, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Florida
Adams: Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Boston, NY Rangers, NY Islanders and New Jersey.
In 2014, the Florida Panthers, after years of financial losses, relocated to Hamilton, Ont. and restarted the Tigers franchise, left dormant since the 1920’s. The New Jersey Devils were then moved to the Patrick division.
2015, The New York Islanders gave up on building a new arena in Nassau County and moved to the far west end of the island, joining the NBA’s Nets in Brooklyn.
Finally, in 2016, Gary Bettman retired and was replaced by Wayne Gretzky.
*** This is probably MUCH more likely to happen then contraction.
As much as some of you hate and loathe the sunbelt teams, chances are only one will give up and move north. The league knew the south would be a long-term investment. As much as it hurts me to say it, Dallas is there to stay. Ovie-wan personally saved the Caps. Hockey is catching on in North Carolina and Tennessee. Tampa Bay often has 20,000 fan in the seats. Miami, I’m not so sure (sorry Don Russo)
Oh, if you want to know why there’s TWO teams in LA, see Gretzky, Wayne and the 1989 trade involving the Kings.
Sunshine, I agree that it is pretty competitive, but with the year of seasoning the young guns got on some of the doormat teams, I think they could be really knocking on the door next year.
Crap, that trade was in 1988. (hey, I was 10 at the time)
Here’s another good write-up of the game. It’s a blog so it’s a little more Russo-esque.
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ballz/2008/04/aerosicehogs_rockford_now_up_t.php
Sunshine, it really does not matter what other media thinks about whether we are a trapping team or not. We can be smug about just how stooopid they are with those comments.
Blubbering Gretzky (no one stuck a pistol in his ear forcing him to lala land) led to the NHL going downhill for the next 15 years by going to LA, leading to moving teams south, leading to North Stars leaving (bra snapping also contributed), also leading to overexpansion (of the league that is), leading to boring 90’s hockey vs firewagon 80’s hockey. Then let’s throw in management giving away the shop so the players would play in the Olympics leading to a lockout/players strike when the owners finally wised up. And did I mention the conversion to the Garth Snow led Michelin man goalie equipment. (How could the league let that go on without putting there foot down. It all snowballed from the Great One being to big for Edmonton.
Toivo, if that theorum is 56% accurate, that is statisically about the same as a coin flip!
Speaking of goalie equipment, Phil Esposito was telling a story about how he went 5 hole from the slot on his brother Tony during a Bruins/B’hawks game. The puck disappears and as Phil is preparing to celebrate the goal, something comes whizzing back right at Phil’s head. Turns out it’s the puck. “What the hell was that??!!” he says to a guy on the bench. Tony’s wife had sewn some heavy duty elastic between the legs of his breezers. Phil said he let it go, but Eddie Giacomin of the Rangers called him on it next game. Old time hockey, eh! Where are you when we need ya!
Gaborik was getting an MRI on Tuesday. Why is no one reporting this?! What’s wrong?
Dr. Rosenrosen is discreet.
Gaborik was getting an MRI on Tuesday. Why is no one reporting this?! What’s wrong?
It was to explore for possible carpal tunnel in the fingers on his shifting hand as he prepares for video F1 season.
I’ve got another idea to ‘grow the fan base’ that doesn’t involve expansion. It’ll never work because it would probably cut revenue. Here’s the idea:
Take teams on tour. Similar to how the Wild have played a preseason game in Grand Forks the last few years. Set aside 4 home games a year and play them away from home. Maybe not make it mandatory because some teams wouldn’t have anywhere to go either because of the proximity of other NHL teams (Northeast) or lack of arenas (South).
The Wild could play one in Grand Forks, one in Duluth, one in St. Cloud, one in Mankato or maybe Des Moines. Revenue for these games would be less due to the smaller arena size but they may gain more fans overall. Promote the heck out of the games to ensure a full arena the first couple years. Do it year after year and people would most likely make it a yearly tradition to really, really look forward to.
Atlanta could play at the University of Alabama - Huntsville’s arena.
Thoughts?
In that second sentence ‘work’ should have been ‘fly with the owners’. I think it would work but it wouldn’t fly because of the loss of revenue.
Goody, they do play preseason games away. We saw an intrasquad game in Duluth a few years ago.
Iceman, I realize that. I think it would be cool if they were to play some regular season games like that too.
It was to explore for possible carpal tunnel in the fingers on his shifting hand as he prepares for video F1 season.
LOTY (line of the year)
Thanks Greenstar!
Goody - I thought it would be neat for the Wild to play a preseason game in Houston. Or even a Wild vs Aeros exhibition game.
Thoughts?
as long as the 4 games are 4 games I cannot attend, say opening of firearms deer season, during my annual march vegas trip, scheduled during a business trip, then I don’t care. But, if i have to give up a home game so the fine folks in des moines might attend, i’m not on board.
I buy season tickets so i can go to the games, not so i can say i own them but only go to 5 games a year.
So G* you’d be that upset to only get to see 36 games live instead of 40? I assumed in my scenario that season ticket holders would only be charged for the home games at the X.
I think the regular season games ought to be played at home.
They could extend the preseason to include Fargo, Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Duluth, or if there is a fan base in Wisky then Madison or Green Bay or even Thunder Bay.
Except for Grand Forks, there is no NHL size - quality rink in the smaller cities
Here is some food for thought for those contributors who are not happy with the Wild’s draft choices.
Taken from the 1990-91 North Star Media Guide … these are the #1 draft choices of the North Stars:
N*GamesPlayed
1967 - Wayne Cheesman 0
1968 - Jim Benzeloc 0
1969 - Dick Redmond 16
1970 - Buster Harvey 199*
1971 - Rod Norrish 21
1972 - Jerry Byers 24
1973 - Blake Dunlop 100
1974 - Doug Hicks 300*
1974 - Ken MacDougall 1
1975 - Bryan Maxwell 43
1976 - Glen Sharpley 318**
1977 - Brad Maxwell 471**
1978 - Bobby Smith 386**
1979 - Craig Hartsburg 570**
1980 - Brad Palmer 95
1981 - Ron Meighan 7
1982 - Brian Bellows 593**
1983 - Brian Lawton 303*
1984 - David Quinn 0
1985 - Stephane Roy 12
1986 - Warren Babe 162
1987 - Dave Archibald 20
1988 - Mike Modano 80**
1989 - Doug Zmolek 0
Notice how few were impact (*/**) players or stars! Some guys maybe never, or just barely, even made the team.
Possibly Glen Sharpley or Brad Maxwell was the first draft Nanne presided over and through Modano. Notice how much better the drafts were after he became involved.
The Wild’s first seven #1 choices have been:
Gabby **
Koivu **
PMB **
Burns **
Thelen
Pouliot
Sheppard *
Not too shabby I would say. Only with Thelen is there a question mark.
Gabby, Koivu, PMB, Burns are bonafide stars. Sheppard appears to be a future star. Pouliot looks like he will be here next year.
I would say that is damned impressive drafting from Risebrough and his crew!
It would be hard to beat!
goody, that would be correct. paying for 36, actually it would be 37 regular season games, is fine if the reason i am paying for them is because they ain’t playing those other 4 games. if i find out i’m am not paying because the wild will be playing detroit, dallas, colorado, clagary, vancouver…in des moines in front of 5000 fans, ya, i’ll be pissed.
Alrighty then. My thought was take the game to the fans that may not have hundreds (thousands?) of spare dollars to take a trip to St. Paul to see the boys play.
Goody: just to play Devil’s advocate, if they don’t have the money to go to STP to see the team play in the first place, then isn’t this sort of a limited upside endeavor? I mean, you’re going to play a regular season game up there…so they’ll buy a jersey at Dick’s?
I mean, there’s a reason there isn’t a NHL team in Sioux Falls. With all due respect to the good people of SD, the bottom line is that it IS a business. CL can make more money with a team in St. Paul than he can in Mankato. I have to think that’s a fact.
These fans in remote areas are going to support the team regardless of whether or not they play up there I would think. Sure, you might be able to capture a FEW more fans. But if they’re unable/unwilling to fork out a couple Gs to travel to the big city once or twice a year, their ability to line the owners’ pockets is negligible to begin with.
There’s a part of me that just thinks the NHL should accept that it’s a niche sport in America, go down to the 20 or whatever markets that will support a team and be done with it. Isn’t it better to have 100% of your franchises making money instead 25% (I made that number up)??
*note that I am all for growing the sport, because I think it’s a great sport. But maybe the NHL isn’t the right platform for that at this point.
I thought what the Wild did with the White Bear Lake thing was pretty neat. Hockey players had to write about sportsmanship and if they won, the team will practice and play a scrimmage game at their rink. WBL was able to sell tickets and programs for their hockey youth program. Tickets were only $10 and about 600 were sold. That garnered them $6000 for their program.
The Wild built loyal support there.
I just realized that I said yesterday that I don’t advocate for contraction either. Hmm…there’s really no way that statement and “go down to the 20 or whatever markets that will support a team and be done with it.” can co-exist.
I mean, Dallas is proof that expansion to non-traditional markets can work. At least as far as getting the sport into the grass roots (read: youth).
sooo…I guess I’m a hypocrite.
Gaborik was getting an MRI on Tuesday. Why is no one reporting this?! What’s wrong?
I know Gabby gripped the stick in the playoffs this year but an MRI? Wow.
Who is reporting that Gabby is getting an MRI? A link, please.
Okay, I saw it on Pio. MRI on his hip.
Here is another North Star fact:
The North Stars playedd 1818 games while they were here.
They won 663 games. That is a winning record of only .364 percent of the total.
The North Stars had winning records only against these teams (and some just barely): Red Wings, Whalers, Kings, Devils, Maple Leafs, Canucks, Capitals, Jets.
They had stinker years in 68-9 and 77-8 with only 18 wins, and in 69-70, 87-8 with only 19.
The NOrth Stars best year was 82-3 with 40 wins.
In the Wild’s first six seasons:
1 = 25 W’s
2 = 26 W’s
3 = 42 W’s
4 = 30 W’s
5 = NA
6 = 38 W’s
7 = 44 W’s
Even the first years the Wild have had more W’s and fewer L’s than the North Stars worst years.
And, the North Stars never had 42 or 44 W’s as the Wild have now achieved in two of their first six seasons!
My point is that despite all the criticism toward Risebrough and some to JL, the facts say they are doing a hell of a job!
MRI on his hip.
I think this means that Demo is gone.
I mean, they must be checking to make sure the separation went smoothly.
NiNY: You crack me up.
Here is the report from the Pio. No comment from the Wild or Gabby yet:
According to an email from the Slovakian newspaper Pravda Daily, the Wild will not give permission to let Marian Gaborik participate in the World Championships because of a hip injury.
The newspaper quotes the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation as stating that “based on an MRI diagnosis, the team doctors of Minnesota have recommended to Marian not to participate … and the Wild have not agreed to let Marian participate. Marian is expected to undergo medical examinations of his hip joint to determine further treatment.”
We’ll keep you posted.
– John Shipley
YOu need a lot of patience for these non-traditional hockey markets to develop.
If you have investors in non-traditional areas willing to finance a team and willing to ride out rough years, then I say let them.
What drives expansion of sport is salary demands. If you have higher salary demands then the league needs to expand the sport to achieve a gilted tv contract. If you do not have the game available throughout the US then why would a network want to dedicate air time when they can sell soap operas?
It is not that there are not passionate fans developing in those areas, it is just that there are not enough of them yet.
That all takes time.
It seems unfair to require a city to invest taxpayer money in a fine ice facility and then contract the team doesn’t it?
Good one NickinNy! I think w/o Demo, Gabby’s broken heart will ruin the team. DR should deal them as a package. And in my fantasy, TB would be open to trading Lecavalier & St. Louis. Sign Rolston, PMB, Fedoruk, Voros, and make a deal with Hedican. Habs win the Cup and my summer is set. Is that too much to ask?
This NHL expert just updated his blog for the first time in a month:
Slovakian newspaper Pravda Daily
thought pravda was the moscow newspaper.
If you do not have the game available throughout the US then why would a network want to dedicate air time when they can sell soap operas?
If the game wasn’t on NBC would anyone notice? As it stands now, NBC doesn’t pick up coverage until late january and show a total of 9 games during a 6 month long season. and those games will never show, florida, tampa bay, phoenix, los angeles, nashville (unless they are playing detroit), carolina, atlanta, all the cities that you expanded to to nationalize your sport so you could get on a network.
I don’t think the network games move the bottom line one bit. the cable contract is much more important.
It seems unfair to require a city to invest taxpayer money in a fine ice facility and then contract the team doesn’t it?
seems is key here. first, the city shouldn’t commit to funding the arena without assurances that the team will be there for a certain length of time. i think that is only being responsible. next is if the team should get contracted and the remaining debt paid for the fine ice facility, then there can be no argument, IMHO.
Have to be careful when comparing win totals between Wild and North Stars. I’d have to check, but I don’t think the North Stars played in an era which had a shootout. I don’t know off the top of my head how many Ws the Wild has earned via the shootout, but I know it has inflated their win total compared to what their tie totals would have been.
sunshine - My kids and I were at the WBL/Wild thing. It was really, really cool. They wouldn’t let Gabby sign autographs, but everyone else did.
No there was no shootout, they did not play off ties. We are speaking about W’s only in relation to the total number of games.
Have we have more than two years of shootouts?
From Wild perspective one good and one bad.
My point is to remind people that in a very short period of time the Wild has been much more consistent and competitive than the North Stars were throughout.
In a perfect world….
Wild fire Risebrough…he can take the Toronto job.
Wild hire Burke…who is from MN and has the savvy and balls to make necessary deals to build a winner.
Looks like Burke isn’t going anywhere though…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3364193
make necessary deals to build a winner.
which he did so well in vancouver
Good to know the N*s were a below .400 team lifetime - that better explains the whole lack of support aspect of their history.
Not sure why you would fire Risebrough smallballs, is he too successful for you?
riser isn’t from here iceman, burke is. that is what i think small balls wants.
I think you guys are on the wrong track for league exposure. You seem to be falling toward the Chicago mess where none of the games were televised. The thinking there was if they are on television no one will actually pay to sit in the arena. As it turned out, because it wasn’t on TV, people ‘forgot’ about the game and no one paid to sit in the arena.
…that, and the team sucking for long periods of time didn’t help.
And the Bulls not sucking for a long period of that long period didn’t help either.
And da Bearsss not sucking for periods of that long period didn’t help either.
Does anyone have breakouts of total revenue, by revenue stream for a NHL team? I would think TV revenue is very small - even locally - but I can’t back that up. (Unless you have your own network, maybe?)
It’s a self fulfiller though. Team sucks so fans don’t go so team has less money to spend so team sucks… While I think some of their turnaround has to do with their fortunate picks of Kane and Teows, a lot of it also has to do with management change.
Should have been owner/management
but you can’t say that the reduction in capital leads to the reduction in talent and THEN say that Kane and Toews were “fortunate” picks - like they slipped to the second round or something.
Anyone see this from PiPress, yet! Marian may have a hip injury!
According to an email from the Slovakian newspaper Pravda Daily, the Minnesota Wild will not give permission to let Marian Gaborik participate in the World Championships because of a hip injury.
The newspaper quotes the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation as stating that “based on an MRI diagnosis, the team doctors of Minnesota have recommended to Marian not to participate … and the Wild have not agreed to let Marian participate. Marian is expected to undergo medical examinations of his hip joint to determine further treatment.”
Gaborik and Wild officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Don said: OK, I can’t believe it’s the offseason. I’m bored already.
Playoffs aren’t over - and there’s tons of info we still need, and you can provide!
NiNY, I think it is all related.
The revenue shrinks, they maybe lose some scouting or talent evaluation, FA’s lose interest in the team which can no longer pay the big bucks.
So, like Goody says it is a self propagating cycle.
That is not to say a team cannot get lucky. When they have enough premium draft choices the luck of the draw says that somebody will be a star.
I was at a North Star game vs Buffalo in the early/mid-80’s when there were more empty seats than occupied ones.
There were season ticket holders in our section who brought and did crossword puzzles during the game.
One tonic is if the NHL continues to have comptetitive seasons like this where every team is part of the dog fight and right to the end.
Nick, I only refer to them as ‘fortunate’ because we all know that high picks don’t always pan out in the NHL. How many years was CHI in the crapper before Kane and Toews came along? What happened to all their first round picks from those previous years?
Certainly the reduction in $$ does lead to a reduction in talent. If Chicago isn’t making any money would you expect them to resign Teows or Kane when they reach the magic UFA age anc command a lot more $? Certainly without income for the team they wouldn’t go out shopping for high caliber FA’s to surround Kane and Teows.
I think you guys are on the wrong track for league exposure.
having 9 games on NBC does not qualify as league exposure in my book.
to compare, WNBA teams play a 36 game schedule over 4 months. They will have 8 games on ABC. NHL teams play 82 games over 6 months and get 9 games on NBC. 10 if you include the winter classic. ABC also just signed an 8 year agreement.
I still believe that the NHL is more popular that the WNBA yet the WNBA is getting much more network coverage.
I don’t think being on network TV matters.
G* at that level I am inclined to agree that it makes very little difference. However, if NBC is offering do you turn them down? Some exposure (no matter how little) is better than none is it not?
I would say the one thing that breaks the cycle is the willingness of the owner(s) to pay for a winner.
If Chicago isn’t willing to pay to keep all these kids in a couple years, then they’re not going to get past the “maybe a playoff team, but one and done if they make it” level that the Grease, Sabres, Twins, etc are at now.
Obviously it’s all tied together at some point. You have to “invest” in marketing to get people to want to come to the building, so your revenue can grow to match the inflationary pressure on the salary expenses to keep these young kids under your roof long enough to make a run…but I don’t think Chicago would have garnered any more revenue from fans under Bill Wirtz if they’d farmed games out to South Bend, Milwaukee or Peoria.
What about a relagation division model? Could that either be an incentive to PAY to keep your team competitive or a de facto separation of the teams whose owners are and are not willing to pay to keep them competitive?
Any big football fans here that can describe in greater detail how that works?
mnhockey32:
Why wouldn’t they let Gaborik sign autograhphs? That’s strange especially if everyone else is signing them. I hope its not because its in his contract. I hate it when athletes do that.
i think, sunshine, players sign deals with companies like upper deck where they control rights to his signature. not 100% sure on this.
However, if NBC is offering do you turn them down?
never said this. my replies are to counter the argument that the NHL needs to be in florida, and phoenix and columbus and nashville because it needs a network TV deal. or not being on network TV somehow stifles the popularity of NHL hockey because keeping the hawks off TV in chicago, thinking they would then go to games, didn’t work.
If NBC says we want to show your product, i’m all for it. if they say we want to show your product but you need to be in more of the large TV markets especially in the south, I say F U.
AHHHH THIS SUCKS. No blog update for days! I’m freaking out!!! AHHHHH!
It does suck.
Iceman..Risebrough successful????? When was the last time the Wild won a playoff series? Give me a break. Risebrough sucks and is full of excuses. But you will find out soon enough when the Wild miss the playoffs next year
You cannot compare the North Stars wins to the Wild’s wins because the product is much more watered down now with the number of expansion teams added. The teams the North Stars were competing against were much stronger. Think Edmonton, Islanders & Canadiens legacies.
Greenstar, Burke isn’t from here either, he just lived here for a while.
DR is not as successful as some other GMs like Holland, but he is no Waddell or McLean either.
He is too prudent. I would like him to take a little more risk but I can understand not at the expense of trading Koivu, Burns, or Sheppard.
NiNY, they all can’t pay for a winner, there is only one in the end.
The big bucks theory falls apart and drives everyones costs up needlessly, ultimately those who buy season tickets.
Greenstar, I don’t disagree with you whether network or cable either. I was speaking generically.
The NHL needs to put a model together to appeal to television outlets, network or cable.
Hockeydude, they won two series in ought three. We all know they lost to the Cup winner last year. They may again this year, who knows?
This is only a seven year old franchise (six seasons!), they have a ways to go but they have come an awfully long distance already.
I think that is remarkable success. Though I do agree that we ought to have higher expectations in the future.
OK, trivia time. Name the NHL player from the land of Borat: Kazakhstan. (There’s on in the AHL/NHL, but we won’t count him).
“one”, not “on”
Can we have a comment preview function please?
If I recall, relegation / promotion would work like this: Every year, the two best AHL teams join the NHL, two worst NHL teams are forced down to the AHL. This works in europe, etc, because there are teams in all major, and some minor, cities. Over the years, your city’s team can move up the scale, all the way from rookie minors to the “premier” league. It’s never gonna happen here.
Claire, I do not think your dismissing the comparable records is valid.
It is all relative! There is more parity now, even before this last season.
Against the North Stars record there were fewer teams but also were not Russian and European imports on a wholesale basis in the NHL either.
And, I believe hockey has grown substantially since then in the USA and there are far more and better US players on rosters.
Yippee, there’s a little snack.
I don’t think you can compare records from thirty years ago in most any category. Just an opinion, but the game has changed so much that statistical comparison cannot be made. You cannot adjust for size differential of players, equipment change, ice size differential, rule changes, expansion draft changes, draft age changes, CBA changes, shootouts, etc all which affect the win/loss records and statistics of teams and players. Too many variables for direct comparison and too many variables to even draw an accurate correlations by any scientific or statistical standard. You MIGHT be able to compare the Wild with the Florida Panthers and their record as an expansion team but even then you have variables with the shootouts and the expansion draft rule changes for which to allow. It just isn’t a valid statistical analysis.
