The Wild issued a statement in response to the Slovakia National Team announcing Gaborik won’t be playing in the world championships due to a hip injury:

“Marian has a hip deficiency attributable to overuse. He will not participate in the world championships. No treatment decision will be made until Marian undergoes further medical consultation.”

Russo note: The Wild doesn’t think there’s anything serious wrong with Gaborik, so don’t worry. I should also point out he told us he wasn’t playing in the world championships BEFORE his physical, so read into that what you want.

In other news, Niklas Backstrom (although Wild has not been told this officially) is expected to play for the Finns, while Mikko Koivu is committed.

Brent Burns was added to Canada’s roster.

Petr Kalus is in for the Czechs (I got an email that he was cut, but that was news to Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn). Demitra, Rolston and Johnsson have said they’re not playing.

In other news, the Central Scouting Service has put out its final rankings for the 2008 Draft.

Minnetonka’s Jake Gardiner is ranked 23rd among North American skaters and Roseau’s Aaron Ness is ranked 27th. Eastview’s Corey Fienhage is ranked 36th, Cloquet’s Justin Jokinen is 54th, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Derek Stepan is 58th, Shattuck-St. Mary’s David Carle (brother of San Jose Sharks’ Matt Carle) is 60th, Shattuck-St. Mary’s David Toews (brother of Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews) is 79th, Brainerd’s Drew Olson is 102nd, Edina’s Anders Lee is 112th, Burnsville’s Tyler Barnes is 114th, Edina’s Marshall Everson is 117th, Intl. Falls’ Jake Youso is 152nd, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Alexander Fallstrom is 159th, Rosemount’s Luke McManus is 161st, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Jordan Murray is 173rd, Burnsville’s Jake Hendrickson is 174th, Edina’s Joe Gleason is 178th and Anoka’s John O’Neill is 194th. 

I don’t see any Minnesotans on the North American goalie list.

To be preemptive, if I forgot anyone, please send an email and I’ll add. It doesn’t mean I — or the Star Tribune – hate your kid’s high school. I just missed it

Dino Ciccarelli-owned Sarnia Sting’s Steven Stamkos is of course No. 1.

———————————————

Thursday afternoon addition:

I’m at a coffee shop (shocking, eh?) catching up on returning all (OK, most) the emails I have not returned in the last couple weeks.

I got three emails so similar that it makes me wonder if this has been a topic of curiosity lately. I’ve been so busy the last month, I haven’t been keeping up with the blog comments, so I figured I’d clear it up if this has been a long-time observation. 

The question I got from three different readers: Why is Rolston quoted so much more than Gaborik? The readers wondered if Gaborik — the captain — was avoiding the press, or if Rolston was more apt to talk to the press, or does the media dislike Gaborik or something?

There’s a simple explanation really. One big reason Gaborik’s been able to keep so healthy this season is because he’s so cognizant toward taking care of his groins well before and well after practices and games.

So basically, unless Gaborik makes a huge impact in a game, Rolston usually gets quoted more often because he’s moseying around the locker-room area. 

Gaborik usually begins treatment in the trainer’s room immediately after games unless requested (Wild media relations guys ask the beat writers at all home games which players we definitely need). 

The way deadlines are these days, if we don’t ask Gaborik to stay immediately after, we don’t have the time  to wait out Gaborik unless absolutely necessary. But trust me, Gaborik has never declined to talk to us that I know of.

If you’re observing Rolston getting quoted more, it’s basically because the reporters have gotten into the habit of letting Gaborik go do his treatment.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.