Wee-hour of Monday morning hello; Demitra to Vancouver?
Posted on May 5th, 2008 – 1:11 AMBy Michael Russo
Good evening or morning or whatever. I’m so hyped up, I figured I’d blog as I wait for the fourth overtime of this classic Dallas-San Jose Game 6.
I’ve watched every second, and the last three hours spent virtually every moment text messaging back and forth with a buddy of mine in Montreal, who’s clearly on the edge of his couch like me and probably waking up his new daughter.
For the record, we have a gentleman’s bet going: I have San Jose winning on a Patrick Marleau winner; he’s got Dallas winning on a Brad Richards winner.
If Dallas wins, I pick Brenden Morrow. If San Jose wins, he’s got Jeremy Roenick.
TSN’s putting on a heck of a telecast considering it can barely use any camera angles because the Dallas diehards have literally been standing for five hours so far.
Of course one big reason TSN’s shining is because of the tremendous job by play-by-play vet Chris Cuthbert and analyst Glenn Healy.
Cuthbert’s one of my favorites in the business. Man, he’s a pro. And Healy just said it best — This should be a lesson to the NHL (especially us scribes) who complain and complain for more goals. A 1-1 game can be just as exciting.
Goalies Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov have been beyond sensational. Turco has made a flurry of game-saving stops to this point — San Jose has controlled much of the play in OT — and Nabokov stone-cold robbed Brad Richards a couple hours ago with a miraculous glove save.
Mike Ribeiro’s rang the crossbar, Dallas survived a power play and players are still pounding each other into oblivion.
Check out the game sheet, especially the ice time, shots and hits. Look at Morrow’s line. Through 3 OT’s, he’s approaching 50 minutes and has 19 hits (and they’re legit, just ask Milan Michalek). Look at Brian Campbell’s ice time.
This is one heck of a game.
I can’t even imagine how many IV’s and power bars and banana’s are being consumed right now. And the equipment’s got to be slosh. You wouldn’t believe the energy these guys are expending.
OK, back to the fourth OT.
As you probably have guessed with the lack of blogs lately, I’m out of dodge taking some time off.
But I haven’t missed too many games and will try to keep Russo’s Rants pretty fresh.
Monday morning update: Well, I called it sorta. Brenden Morrow on the winner.
Man, what a series for Guy Carbonneau’s son-in-law, eh? Fitting that he had two goals disallowed in Game 5 — one bogus one in my opinion — and gets the series-clincher.
Hope you all checked out the game sheet. How about Morrow’s line? Fifty-one minutes, 19 hits, an NHL record.
Other notables: Mike Ribeiro, whom Nick Schultz once told me this season is the strongest little guy on his skates he’s ever run into. Ribeiro played 52:43, took 34 draws. Brad Richards took 38 draws. Sergei Zubov, playing in his fifth game since January, played 53:50.
Mike Modano only played 32:58.
How about Bloomington’s Toby Petersen? (see article on bottom) Here he is again. Two years ago with Edmonton, now with Dallas. I’ll tell you what, he only played 14:16, but every shift he was noticeable. Energy, hits and scoring chances.
For San Jose, its best defenseman was Christian Ehrhoff, which I only point out because I thought he rebounded last night from a terrible series.
Brian Campbell played a game-high 56:23, which was about three seconds too much. Unfortunately his penalty led to Morrow’s winner, but boy, Campbell also rebounded the last three games from a tough postseason. He was terrific.
Should be a good conference finals in both the East and West. I know I mentioned it the other day, but Pascal Dupuis continues to play great. He assisted on Marian Hossa’s series-clincher yesterday.
Hossa turned out to be a pretty good trade-deadline pickup, eh?
Oh, and lastly, this is unconfirmed by me but being told to me by a Vancouver reporter, but apparently Pavol Demitra was in Vancouver over the weekend being given a tour of the area by Canucks captain Markus Naslund.
As I’ve intimated here, the chances of the Wild even attempting to bring Demitra back is slim to none, and there’s a question whether he’d even want to return.
Demitra signing with Vancouver makes sense. His agent — or now, I guess, former agent — is Mike Gillis, the now-GM of the Canucks. Naslund is also now a former client of Gillis.
Both are unrestricted free agents, and you can bet Gillis may very well take care of his former clients. In fact, maybe Pavel Bure comes out of retirement 
and returns to Vancouver.
If Demitra thought Jacques Lemaire was defensive, wait til Alain Vigneault gets hold of him — if Vigneault is back.
Obviously, nothing can come of this until July 1.
I don’t see Demitra being so highly-sought that the Canucks would try to acquire his rights prior to free agency, like Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell last June by Philly.
P.S., two years ago, the Strib sent me to cover the Edmonton-Carolina Stanley Cup Finals. Here’s a feature I wrote on Petersen during that series. It ran June 16, 2006. Just an fyi, I noticed it had to be trimmed in the paper, so I’m posting the original unedited article from my laptop files.
PETERSEN USED TO OVERCOMING ODDS
By Michael Russo
mrusso@startribune.com
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - If the Oilers rally to win the Stanley Cup for the sixth time in franchise history, Bloomington’s Toby Petersen likely won’t get his name on the prize.
NHL rules state a player must dress in 41 regular-season games or at least one game in the Finals to be engraved.
But that disappointment is the furthest thing on the former Jefferson High star’s mind.
After spending the past four years bouncing around the minors, the fast, skilled forward is back on the NHL radar map after playing two games in the conference finals against Anaheim.
Petersen, 27, played all season with Iowa in the American Hockey League, scoring 73 points in 79 games, and was called up to provide depth and practice with the team in May.
When injuries thinned the Oilers last month, coach Craig MacTavish tossed the forward into the lineup, and he didn’t disappoint. He scored the first goal in a 5-4 win over Anaheim in Game 4.
“It was unbelievable,” Petersen said. “I never ever, ever expected to get into a game when I came here May 1. But I was thrilled to get the opportunity, and that goal was one of the biggest things I’ve done in my career.”
Drafted in the ninth round by Pittsburgh in 1998, Petersen played 91 games from 2000-02 before getting bounced out of a job.
“I was in the minors a little longer than I thought I’d be,” Petersen said. “The last four years I was wondering if I would ever get a shot again. It was just a little adversity.”
Adversity is nothing new to Petersen. Besides overcoming two severely broken legs while playing at Colorado College, Petersen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was five years old.
To eliminate insulin injections, he wears an insulin pump 24 hours a day. It attaches to his abdomen or hip, and he plays with it.
“All my memories are being diabetic,” he said. “I don’t want to say there’s any bright side to getting it that young, but it’s all I know. I don’t remember what it’s like to not be diabetic.”
As a child, Petersen met former Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson, who is also diabetic. He looked up to Wilson, realizing there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish athletically.
Today, Petersen tries to be a role model to diabetic children. He and his wife, Alexa, who is seven months pregnant, volunteer at children’s hospitals and Petersen returns letters from diabetic children.
“Every player gets quite a few letters,” Petersen said. “But the ones that really strike me as the most important because they’re so important to the kids are the ones where they write in and say they’re diabetic.
“They ask lots of questions, and I just try to give them a little hope that they can do anything. Those letters mean a lot to me.”
Four years ago, Petersen returned a letter to Bill Taleen, a school teacher in Minneapolis. Taleen’s son, Gavin, now 8, has juvenile diabetes. Petersen wrote Gavin a letter and enclosed an autograph picture.
“Gavin even brought it to school the other day for show and tell,” Taleen said. “I just wanted my son to know that he could do anything, that he could be active or an athlete. And that’s exactly what Toby told him. It’s been a struggle sometimes for Gavin, but Toby’s been an inspiration.
“Gavin plays youth hockey, and that letter will be on his wall for a long time.”
Hurricanes forward Matt Cullen, a Minnesota native, feels this latest opportunity for Petersen will help earn him a full-time NHL job in the future.
Cullen’s brothers, Mark and Joe, played with Petersen in college, and Matt got to know Petersen when he stayed with his family while attending the Gophers’ Model Camp as a teenager.
“I think the new rules will help a guy like Toby,” Cullen said. “I watched that game he scored in last round, and I was really impressed. He’s good with the puck, makes a lot of things happen offensively and he’s really quick. In the new NHL, there’s a premium on skilled guys who can skate.”
143 Responses to "Wee-hour of Monday morning hello; Demitra to Vancouver?"
I still say it’s a 2-1 final, even with a fourth OT and more tired bodies.
Wow, Don, you called it.
Congrats to Dallas, good PP movement for the winner.
I should have stuck to my prediction of Dallas winning it if the Sharks don’t score in the first 5 minutes.
Or taken my prediction advice.
Or taken you advice. I was in the process of putting my new prediction out — the Team that wins will start with S and with S (Stars, Sharks)
That would’ve been a good one!
Gee Don, Don’t you get tired of being right all the time?
Good night guys. This was fun.
It was suppose to read “starts with S and ends with a S”
I think that’s how I read it, sunshine. Besides, it’s late, we’re all entitled to a typo here and there.
And Chilly Willy is right. Russo must do this kind of thing for a living.
an nhl classic; then the f…… ref decides the winner; how weak was that call?!
Let’s ease up a little on the game being a lesson for the NHL wanting more goals. How many games during the regular season will go into 4 OTs and have the potential to end a season for a team? This game was as exciting and epic as it was because it was game 6 of the SC Quarters and SJ was playing for it’s season. Not exactly the same as the Panthers and Bolts heading to a shootout tied 1-1 in a critical October matchup.
Guh….I think Healy’s a total dink, so I tend to agree with deep on his point about regular season games not going to 4OT. But that does not mean that I’m in the “more goals = better product” camp either.
I have been working hard out of town lately so have been away so forgive the tardiness of my first 2 comments (and have been busy with other things as well).
Hopefully Gaby recovers quickly and well. Hopefully it takes care of his groin issues (since it was rumored that the hip issue may have been contributing to his groin issues). We need a healthy Gaborik (and one who contributes on both ends of the ice every shift).
Congrats Kevin on your team beating the Rangers!
Congrats to the Stars for beating San Jose. So who do we think will make it out of the next round for the West. Detroit or Dallas? I am kinda hoping Dallas. I don’t want Detroit to win.
I don’t want to see more goals either. Close games are definitely more fun to watch.
I tend to agree with Deep. I’m satisfied with an exciting game that is well played, rather than a no-defense 8-7 matchup.
Good luck to the South Stars. They will need it against the Wings.
Nothing But Crosby should be happy too. Sidney vs the Big, Bad Flyers.
Any of the 4 teams left will make for a great Finals this year.
Oh…and I guess those big trade deadline moves (Richards, Hossa) prove once again that those kinds of deals never work.
Just finished watching the highlights on, “NHL: On the Fly: Final”, on the NHL Network. All I can say is…
…what a game! Both goalies (Nabokov, Turco) were spectacular; the shots were even thru the OT’s; and the goal was a legit goal (on a deflection) rather than one of those ‘let’s go to Toronto for review’ plays which seem to permeate these games. Feel bad for the Skarkies, though, they played hard after blowing both Games 1 & 2 in SJ.
At least none of the Conference Fianls game will start after 8 PM…!
…uh, that should be Sharkies, not Skarkies. Oops!
Oh..How can ANYONE in Minnesota Congratulate the STARS?? They are not OUR team. They are the WORST enemy in hockey..worse than Colorado or Vancouver. When we lost that team to Dallas..they were no longer ours. And NO Minnesotan should EVER root for them.
They are SCUM….from the number 9 on down.
Uh, Missy, you do realize that the players had zero to do with the franchise leaving town? Repeat after me: TURN THE PAGE.
paging Dr. KiPA. Dr. KiPA, please pick up a white courtesy phone.
paging Dr. KiPA. Dr. KiPA, please pick up a white courtesy phone.
KGopher, so far I have been wrong on most of my predictions, including San Jose not getting into the finals.
So, maybe this will jinx two more teams but I see Detroit getting the win over the Penguins in the end.
Probably, the 4ot’s will take the starch out of Dallas.
Missy, I am with you. When we have at least as many Cups as Dallas, maybe I can look at them as just another team but not now. It was just yesterday that Norm Greed …
NiNY, I think Dr KiPA has been up late the last two nights, look at his late night posts on the last thread.
I guess we can let him sleep. He will need the energy.
good point, ice.
Eight days off will be too much rust to shake, especially the way the Stars are playing. Dallas wins game 1.
Not only do the players have nothing to do with the Stars moving, it’s hard not to still cheer for Modano. When he hangs ‘em up, then I can be indifferent to the Stars.
kj says:
“Oh…and I guess those big trade deadline moves (Richards, Hossa) prove once again that those kinds of deals never work.”
I bet the Pens are also just as happy with Hal Gill’s 20:31 avg ice and +3 in the Rangers’ series. We wouldn’t have had any use for that, would we?
My two cents on that game…. I don’t think I’ve seen a team miss as many open nets as Dallas did last night. Holy crap, they could have ended the game like 4 times.
Did anyone else see local boy Toby Peterson almost end the game in the 2nd OT?
I had to have the volume down, so I missed all of the great commentary by Cuthbert and Healy, but man if that shot hadn’t have hit Erhoff’s rump, Toby would have beaten Nabby high blocker. I wonder how Russo would have taken to that bet? I was thinking to myself after seeing a few spot shifts from the Ott-Peterson-Morrow line that Peterson was a classic fit for the winner. (Third liner, busting his butt, gets on open shot in OT and buries it!) Anyways….I digress….just good to see him contributing. Every shift he takes he seems to be one of the faster guys on the ice, and he’s played well in the playoffs. Too bad he was in Des Moines most of the season. He’s getting his chance in the playoffs due to injuries and I’d say he’s made the most of it.
Just my local boy “nice” rant for the day. I guess that wouldn’t really be a rant at all…more of an observation? No?
I’ve been really hard on Dallas since they ceased to be the North Stars and became the Stars. You have to give them some major props though…..they are having one hell of a playoff run. This team is showing the heart and soul I wish we’d see in the Wild sometimes.
San Jose also did a fabulous job trying to come back from 0-3. Kudos to them as well.
Its just amazing what great goaltending does to a series. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two goalies stand on their head as much as Turco and Nabokov did in those 5 hours….Wow.
I don’t mind more goals but I also enjoy great saves by goalies. That was what was exciting about this series. The players had chances but both goalies just stood on their heads, especially Turco.
For every Hossa and Richards, there is a Forsberg, Tkachuk, and Smyth. The team has to be ripe for a long run. The Wild had too many holes missing. We probably wouldn’t have made it out of the second round.
I’ve been thinking. DR needs to pick up the right people in the FA market during the summer since JL doesn’t trust any of his tradeline pickups. JL goes with who he knows unless its a big time name like a Hossa or a Foote.
I should also mentioned that after last night, I don’t mind it if the Stars took it all.
Plus, more goals for the Wild and less goals for our opponents — that is the only time I will be 100% in favor or more goals in a game.
Does anyone realize that the Sharks were basically stolen North Stars too? And you can’t root for the Islanders because they beat us in 1981, nor the Pens because of Lemieux and 1991. Sheesh! The Dallas/Pens 1991 rematch would be nice but Dallas looks to be running out of steam. They’re going to have a VERY difficult time against Detroit’s offensive juggernaut. They need to watch some Nashville film and see how they did it. Turco will help and the Stars’ physicality will help, but they need to figure out how to play a little less casually at times, put down the hammer a little harder if they are going to get past the Wings. Pens are going to have a little trouble with the physicality and frustrating tactics of the Flyers too, just like they did with that style from the Rangers. If they can neutralize Umberger, Upshall and Briere they’ll be fine, but that’s no easy task right now, and neither is beating Biron. Then again, if anyone can do it, Crosby, Malkin and Hossa can. I still think its going to be the Pens, but not sure which side comes out of the West anymore. Would be fun to see the 1991 rematch though.
And for those that still hate the Stars, look at it from this perspective, there are more Minnesota players on Dallas than any team remaining in the playoffs.
And its Toby PETERSEN. In Minnesota you’d think you’d know the difference between the Ens and Ons. He’s the former linemate of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr with the Pens, how would that be for sweet irony if the Stars played the Pens in the Final. If I remember correctly, Petersen’s best friend was Modano’s billet family when Mike first started playing for the North Stars too or some sort of connection like that. Good kid, has been through a lot of ups and downs in his career. Was amazing for the Oilers in their Cup run too. He’s a gamer. That game had to have taken its toll on him though, especially with his diabetes.
Thanks Claire…should have known the difference. PeterSEN!
Yeah, Modano lived with Mack Family in Bloomington his rookie year. Bill Mack is the artist who sculpted the Hobey Baker award. I think he also had a hand in the redesigned North Stars jerseys when they went to black and gold look a few years before they were went to Dallas. His studio is Camelot, on the NE corner of Hwy 100 & 494.
I played on a few summer league teams with Toby growing up. He always played a year or two up in age level. Yes he does have diabetes, ever since he was a kid. Definetly a model athlete in that regards. He also broke both his legs in college at CC, back to back years. Truly an inspirational story. He’s never given up, or said woe is me…
Generally its not so much about the score as about chances. A game that has both teams getting great chances is much more exciting obviously than one they don’t even if the scoring is low. Too many games end up being stuck in the middle of the ice because the stack up at the blue line - something every team does not just the Wild.
When did NHL fans start standing for the entire game? Must be in Dallas.
I thought the standing bit was for college basketball. Why do you need to stand constantly at a NHL game? The X is as loud as it gets and we don’t need to stand for the entire game.
I liked Toby Petersen. He got called up one year, skated with Lemieux, and scored a hat trick in his first game (that season, it wasn’t his first NHL game).
Nick, you paged?
Claire, yes I realize that the Sharkes are a ’stolen’ Minnesota team as well. The Mr has those splits and mergers and more splits memorised. He’s one guy you don’t want to play trivia games with. His brain is a good storage facility for useless and not so useless knowledge.
KiPA: would you shoot me an email with a way for me to email you? (I can’t remember if we already did this…) TY
Let’s Recap Mr. Madono’s infamous statement “gee..I guess hockey can’t make it here.” Regarding MN.
We didn’t lose hockey because they lost hockey fans. We lost it because Bettman let Norm go to Dallas. And it doesn’t matter whose fault it is..it is not a team we should root for. There have to be principles here. For years Washington DC fans were angry about the Twins..and when the Vikes move to LA (if you build it they will come..) do you think Vikes fans will be rooting for the Los Angeles Vikings?
Besides the Sharks have nothing to do with us. But New Yorkers are still mourning the Brooklyn Dodgers going out west.
Just 2 things Missy from your posts. 1st is the fact that when the North Stars moved, Bettman wasn’t the commissioner. The NHL at that time hadn’t appointed a new commissioner yet. 2nd fact is, The Gunds were granted the San Jose franchise the first time there was talk of moving the North Stars. The Gunds were also allowed to take half of the players on the roster and in the farm systems with them to make a team. And if memory serves me, San Jose also participated in the amateur draft instead of the North Stars.
Sure. How do I go about emailing you?
If they move to LA, the Vikings would become the Ink Blots or Lattes… 
KiPA:
Just an FYI from the previous thread:
The “yellow stripe” along the bottom of the boards is actually called a kick plate.
The league requires that the kick plate be light yellow in color (Rule 1.3, NHL Official Rules), although they are available in an assortment of colors through distributors.
Logically, it is there for protective purposes, since a kick plate is defined (Google) as “a protective plate applied on the lower rail of a door to protect against the door being damaged.”
Hope that helps.
Yeah, it does bfw. It’s one of the things that becomes a curiosity at 1 am after a series of long days. 
It’s one of the things that becomes a curiosity
…like why do we park on a driveway, and park on a driveway? LOL.
Did you mean, why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?
…uh, yup.
Long weekend, what can I say?? LOL!
Ha. Yeah, I feel where you’re coming from. Like I really should’ve known the kick plate, I did play.. just never really thought about it. Maybe I was wondering if it had to be yellow.
KiPA: click on my name and you’ll find it.
Yeah, Nick, I sent you one. I think. Should’ve sent anyway.
Brenden Morrow is Carbonneau’s son-in-law? Wow! (Russo added an update)
I hope Demitra doesn’t go to the Canucks, that would be bad.
I really would not have a problem seeing Demo in a Nux, Flames, Grease or Avs sweater next season. He might get a little extra amped up when he plays the Wild, but if he plays like he did for the bulk of this season - regardless of whether or not he’s used “appropriately” - then he really won’t be that much of a threat. I’m sure Backs or Harding will know to look for him to shoot from the side boards, right around the dots.
I really would not have a problem seeing Demo in a Nux, Flames, Grease or Avs sweater next season
Agreed. Or any other team for that matter.
More than happy to clear that cap space after a career-low season. The sad irony, of course, is that if/when he leaves, that will effectively close the chapter on the Sully trade, after he provided so little in exchange for one the NHL’s up-and-coming young stars. *sigh*
Oh well…
Yes, that trade to get Demo here, while I think it went a long way to Gabby signing his 4-yr deal, is looking more and more one sided in favor of the Crowns every day.
Or any other team for that matter.
More than happy to clear that cap space
great points, both.
Do you guys remember where you were on that Draft Day when they announced that trade?
I remember being in a SRO BW3, a psuedo Draft Party put on by our Wild folks. They annouced the trade over the PA system, and the whole place cheered…except for me. I swore profusely, and was shocked. (So, I just ordered another beer. But aaaaaaaanyway…)
Looking back, I understand the need to “grease the skids” for Gabby’s re-signing, but I just can’t believe there wasn’t a way to acquire Demo without giving up on Sully. Why not try a 3-way trade?
With the kind of luck the Wild have, Demo will be signed by someone in our divison and have a fabulous year. Which means next year we’ll hear “Fire the GM, he should have known Demo was going to have a good year.” Of course, we resign him and he has to retire due to injury. There is no good way to look at this. Maybe he’ll sign out East somewhere.
Wouldn’t be ironic if he went back to the Kings? That would really make the Demo-Sully deal suck for the Wild.
I have to say that one thing that impressed me about DR on the Sully trade was that he called Sully personally and reassured him that it was not because they didn’t think he was a good hockey player, but it was because the team was ready to be a bigger player in the playoff sweepstakes.
Well, FWIW, the Hockey News designated Pavol as the Wild “Go Away Player” before next season. Based on comments above, some of us could have done written that piece.
Just a question: If we had not dealt for Pavol, does anyone think that O’Sullivan would be on the team now?
Like sunshine, I see the Wild as having a lot of holes to fill, and after watching the Sharks vs. Stars last night, I wonder where in the hell we’re gonna get the players we need to compete against top teams.
Russo, thanks for blogging and giving us a chance to post our views.
If anyone is interested, Julien Sprunger, the Wild’s 4th round pick in 2004, scored the only 2 goals against Belarus. Sprunger is playing for the Swiss team at the World Championships. The Swiss went to win the game 2-1.
I understand from posters on the Wild board, if the team doesn’t sign him soon, he could go back into the draft this year.
Beat me to the punch Sunshine…
I was wondering if anyone else has been watching the Worlds out there. Team USA has a huge game tomorrow afternoon against Canada.
Mikko and his fellow Suomi’s with their “Sisu,” are taking on Team Norge as we speak. (2-2 after 2 periods) Koivu looks good wearing an “A”. He’s playing even better.
Sprunger did have an unbelievable goal today.
Brent Burns is playing great for Team Canada. Roving on the PP, and generally playing solid.
Wonder where I could pick up a #9 Suomi retro jersey?
http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship/vintage-jerseys.html
Why would Naslund or Demitra want to resign/sign with Vancouver and with Monsieur Viggy on the bench? Because their goals would increase by playing left wing simultaneously?
The X is as loud as it gets and we don’t need to stand for the entire game.
i seem to recall standing a lot of the 1st 2 periods and 95% of the 3rd + OT for game 1 of the aves series. same thing for game 2.
i did notice the upper level sat most of the time.
and as for the TSN play by play cat. him and the main HNIC guy are well ahead of anyone in the business.
Hockey News designated Pavol as the Wild “Go Away Player” before next season
Can you provide the link? Thx.
Team USA has a huge game tomorrow afternoon against Canada
Team Canada is loaded! This will be trouble.
Everything I have read seemed to indicate that Naslund would NOT be back with the Canucks.
Lapper,
Thanks for the jersey link. Those retro uni’s are cool! Where can you buy them, do you know?
I was looking at the stats for Team Canada and Brent Burns has the most ice time of all players. The next one is Mike Green, almost 3 minutes less than Burnsie.
Mike Green > AJ Thelen
(sorry, Deep….couldn’t resist)
I think that the bad ice contributed somewhat to the game going 4OT. The puck did not sit down well, causing alot of missed passes, and comparitively weak shots. Alot of odd man rushes fizzled with the puck jumping around, and the space behind the net was like mush. The goalies were great however, but I still think the game would have ended earlier.
Just to make something clear….
California or Oakland (depending on the year) Golden Seals, became the Cleveland Barons (only lasted 2 yrs). In 78 the Gund’s purchased the North Stars and combined the two teams. In 91 they wanted to move the Stars but instead they were allowed to split the teams back apart and moved half to San Jose as an expansion team (owned by Gund’s ) and left half in Minnesota, selling ownership in the MN half to the brilliant minds who later sold out to Mr. Greedy McHappyhands.
Thus ends todays history lesson.
A mid day update from Russo and he doesn’t mention the Panthers signing Luke Beaverson? Maybe that kind of name deserves a headline that the Don is still drafting.
They also signed Kreps and Belak. According to NHL numbers Kreps was a RFA but Belak was a UFA. I thought UFAs weren’t available until July 1st?
Mr. Greedy McHappyhands.
LMAO
AiH: wasn’t Belak a Panther at the end of the season? I think you can re-sign your OWN pending UFAs before 7/1 since they’re not technically UFAs until then (and are thus still your property).
Anything for a chuckle Nick.
Thanks Nick.
When will we start to see some news out of the Wild front office? Not until June?
I’ve been out of town for a while, have we had the PMB discussion yet? Will he be back and for how much?
Nick I looked it up and yes Belak was on the Panther roster at the end of the season, so I think your right, they could sign him because he was their property already.
Isn’t Belak part of the Panthers team? They can negotiate with their own UFAs but have to wait until July 1st to sign other teams’ UFAs.
That was how I though it worked.
We haven’t had the PMB discussion yet. I think we are waiting to see how much they are going to offer Rolston.
They have tender him an offer by June 25th, right?
BFW - I don’t know where they can be purchased, the IIHF website only had the “current” jerseys for sale. Maybe the individual teams website would have them. I would assume Team USA and Team Canada has theirs online.
A #8 team Canada jersey would be sweet as well. Not the ‘76 one on that link, but their “retro-futuristic” ones for the whole tourney.
FYI:
Later of June 26 or Tuesday after Entry Draft = RFA may make contact with Clubs regarding potential interest but may not sign new Standard Player Contracts until the opening of FA Signing Period.
July 1 = RFA/UFA Signing Period Begins.
(NHL CBA).
The problem with trading for Demitra was not what we gave up. It was probably understood that we were giving up high potential with Sullivan and a #1.
The problem is that Demitra has not delivered what was expected.
It has always struck me that if you put a white apron and one of those paper hats on Demitra he could easily be your butcher.
Mikko just assisted on the game winner in OT against Norway.
Fake shot/pass from the left half wall off the rush, to Tuomo Ruttu.
Goal scored on the First offensive rush for the Finns in OT.
Koivu’s shot was deflected by T. Ruutu to give Finland a win in OT. Two huge assists by Koivu today.
Demitra hasn’t delivered because he doesn’t like Lemaire’s system. Demitra wants the green light to go on offense. Playing center in Lemaire’s system is restrictive.
It was tough watching Demitra in the corners… clearly he’s nervous about getting hit… he doesn’t want a concussion.
If he’s gone, I don’t have a problem with it. Frankly, I’d like to see more guys like Ralston or Koivu. I’d love to see someone like Thornton or Brunette come back… someone who is good down low in tight spaces, digging out the puck. Lemaire likes to dump the puck, those are the guys that are going to survive. Possession guys like Demitra aren’t going to do as well.
FWIW I’m pretty sure I saw Demitra fairly early Sunday morning in a park in mineapolis with his kids and wife. So if it was over the weekend it was a quick trip.
Demitra is going to be concern about getting hit wherever he goes.
Again, don’t give a Rolston a pass on not wanting to play center. Neither he nor Demitra relish the idea of playing center in Lemaire’s system. That is why they were both more effective on the wings.
Demitra was able to stick out longer in the center position that Rolston. Even though he hated to play center, he did a good enough job that JL trusted him in that position over Rolston. Even for playing out of position, he put up some points. Rolston also complained about being placed there.
The Rolston and Bouchard line is the cushiest line on the team. They don’t get checked by the top checking lines and top d pairings. They actually have a real center in Belanger or Koivu.
Who does Gaborik and Demitra have? Fedoruk, Voros, or Boogaard. How many points do these 3 have combine versus a Koivu or a Belanger?
i am only focusing on the center position here.
I think to a point JL has implimented a system based on the players we have, and who we have is who was available.
If a player can’t be effective in the corners they will not be real effective in the NHL.
You can have a player or so on a roster that can’t handle play in the corners but if you have a gaggle of them you start off with a major handicap I would say.
Fedoruk is just fine in the corners, Voros seems to be too, and a player would need a death wish to go in with Boogey.
I see that International competition has 3 points for a W,
0 points for a L,
2 Points for an OT W,
and 1 point for an OT L.
Is that the point system people want in the NHL?
If the Wild players are so effective in JL’s system, why aren’t they contending for the cup?
Bottom line, with the free agent losses, Houston having next to nothing to offer, and Risebrough not being able to make the moves necessary to move beyond the first round, next year could be a very long year for the Wild. I hope somehow they can free us salary dollars and pick up a few top notch free agents, but it sure doesn’t look that way. And they have too much salary locked up in Johnsson. That is one long term signing the Wild could have done without…or at least paid much less.
The easy answer is DBF is that we needed one or two more players to help round out this team. The fans and the players knew it –didn’t we all talk about wanting to get a center or a d-men.
DR could have addressed it last summer or at the trade deadline. He tried these “fit” players but they didn’t fit the the holes that needed plugging. Our defense was one of our biggest holes.
As of the moment we about $34 million tied up with 13 players not including Pouliot or Gillies. If the cap goes up to say $53 million. DR has about $20 million to work with to sign RFAs and UFAs. That money goes quick.
If we are assuming $4.5 million for Rolston and $2 million for flexibility, we are down $13.5 million. Do we go for 1 big name player and give him Johnsson money? Do we go for 2 mid range players for Johnsson money? What about PMB? Do we play more rookies so we can spend more money on a quality UFA?
I would love to know who you would have been willing to give up for the center or defencemen that we needed either last summer or at the trade deadline.
It would have had to be Koivu, Sheppard (trade deadline), Bouchard, Burns, or Shultz. Forgive me if you disagree, but those are not players I would have given up just for a 2 round playoff run this season.
And please don’t say Benny, as no one wanted to trade for someone who had a reputation as a headcase with no NHL experience.
Although it’s possible that he could do very well with the club in the future based on what we saw at the end of the season, under JL’s supervision.
Oh, and top notch free agents cost money. There’s no way we’re dumping Johnnson’s salary or Parrish’s.
So this is what we’re left with. DR has to do what he can with that. I’d really like to see you do better, since you clearly believe that you could.
some interesting conversation tonight on HNIC radio about Sundin maybe not wanting to go back to TO next year, and the Habs (among other teams) looking a lot like a team in need of a right handed center. They put a hypothetical $8M price tag (IIRC) on him.
That’s a heckuva lot of cash and I don’t see DR making a move that spends that kind of dough - even for 1 year - so I’m not saying this is something we even consider….
but with the way Mats likes to hang onto the puck, ostensibly making room for Gaby to get open in the corner where he can dish him the puck so Gaby can curl out in front for that quick wrister…yowza.
That would be spectacular. But not for that money.
of course, the problem with a center that likes to hang onto the puck is that doing so usually takes place down low - which is the one place a center in JL’s system can’t get caught on a turn over.
WiATX: that was my point. Getting what and who we want is not as easy because or asking price and budgetary constraints.
DR did tried to find these “fit” players. They just didn’t work out. His past two years track record on trades haven’t been the best.
My other point is that DR has to look beyond the rumors out there. We always come back to Salei, Gill, or Huet deals. These smaller deals that made a big impact. Sometimes asking doesn’t hurt.
And maybe the Wild has to pay a premium to attract UFAs. Being an expansion team, playing a defensive style of hockey, cold weather, or practices every day (Sean Hill didn’t like that) make it harder.
On the Sundin thing, I agree. Not for $8 million.
I was thrilled with the Gill deal, and that was before the Hossa deal went down.
Russo probably didn’t mention Beaverson signing because he signed an ATO in late March and has been played with the Rochester Americans, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, since Alaska ended the season. Wasn’t exactly new news that they were going to sign him.
DR should not be allowed to set trade values, he cannot seem to judge properly, he hasn’t received long-term equity from a deal since getting Willie Mitchell from New Jersey for Sean O’Donnell. O’Sullivan would certainly have been playing with the Wild. He would have been playing with the team last year. This club has been desperately seeking a strong centerman for years and they traded him away, likely for nothing now if they let Demitra walk, and they threw in two those juicy draft picks too! Personally I think Snow is part of the problem, misleading him on cap numbers and other players’ salaries and what players SHOULD be getting and cap projections (part of the problem with the Johnsson deal). He needs a better cap guru, but someone also needs to do better in judgement calls on players received for deals that need to be done or players dealt. He needs to step up to that plate himself or get rid of Tom Lynn if that’s the advice Lynn has been giving him.
Yes, because getting Gabby to sign for another 4 years is nothing. Sure, Gabby’s decision was immature, but he wouldn’t have signed if we hadn’t signed Demo. At least I have no evidence to the contrary.
And if DR hasn’t made any good deals in the past, I’d hate to know how you view signing Rolston, Koivu, Burns, and Shultz to long term deals for below market value. It’s easy to judge DR on what he didn’t do. But if you’re going to do that, then you also need to judge him on what he did do.
On a slightly different topic, have you guys read Reusse’s column comparing Naegle to Pohlad. Essentially, he says that we should respect Pohlad more because he stayed in MN and invested while Naegle is going to cash in and move to Florida.
Who really cares about that comparison? The interesting thing was that Reusse is estimating that Wild’s annual profit is $30 million, totaling $168 million over 7 years.
Forbes estimated the Wild’s annual profit to be around $12 million.
Anyways, the bottomline is that Naegle’s rate of return is 276%.
Here is the link to the article:
This year’s attempt to re-sign Gaborik will not be about Demitra or getting a buddy. It will come down to two things.
One, money. Two, if he has faith that DR and JL will make the appropriate moves/corrections to become a cup contender. If he doesn’t believe in the future of this team, he will not re-sign.
I think that these two things weighed heavily on his mind in 2006. Playing with his best friend and mentor, was too intriguing to pass up and plus, DR actually opened the purse and got decent UFAs that year.
Exactly WildinATX says, the people who continually write about all of DR’s mistakes never ever take note of the positive points to his tenure.
We have Gabby, Koivu, PMB, Burns, Sheppard playing regularly, and Pouliot getting time at the end of the year. That is pretty impressive.
So, of the #1 choices only Thelen is not here and who can say he is a washout yet.
I never said DR doesn’t make good free agent signings, or re-signings, my criticism has been in his lack of ability to make a decent trade that has brought any long-term value to the Wild, and he has been saddled with long-term contracts that are out-of whack with the value of the player more often than he has gotten it right (Gaborik and Koivu being exceptions thus far). Rolston actually got above market value at the time, Koivu and Burns are comparable to market value based on other players’ deals. Schultz is about the only long-term deal that has been made under a comparable to date. The one great deal he made, to get rid of Roloson for a # 1 pick was wasted for Demitra. I’m not saying the acquisition of Demitra was a poor move, but that the equity of the deal was certainly not worth the price. Getting Gaborik, a restricted free agent, to sign a 4-year deal, was not worth the 17th pick in the draft and O’Sullivan, who should have been a first round pick himself. They could have probably done the deal for less, and probably re-signed Gaborik without Demitra if they knew how to negotiate. What did the Wild end up with for Pascal Dupuis? The Thrashers ended up being able to package Dupuis in the Hossa deal, a key component of that deal for them it turns out. One can argue the Pens got the better of that deal (we’ll see if they can afford to sign Hossa) but the Thrashers at least got some bodies they can still use, young prospects, for Dupuis (and Hossa) the Wild have been left with nothing for Dupuis. This has played out over and over throughout the course of the Wild’s history. Look at Michalek in Phoenix, Wild got nothing for him and he’s a top four defenseman with them. Granted they were able to dump Fernandez’ salary, but did they get anything in return? Seems they’ll be ditching that “prospect” too. Again, trading isn’t DR’s strong suit.
Note that you have to once again read Pat’s hockey “analysis” before you get to his opinions on Pohlad vs. Naegele which are interesting. The “analysis” is complete as long as you believe injuries had no bearing on the outcomes of DET v. COL and COL v. Wild.
As for Pohlad vs. Naegele, I have no problem with what Pat wrote. However, he failed to point out that Naegele never:
- Offered to contract the Wild
- Made up interest in the team from Don Beaver (could he be our Beaver?) in NC.
- Offered to give 49.9% of the team to the public in a deal that was really a favorable loan for him.
- Created Victory Sports while trying to get a stadium
So for sure it is fair to say that Naegele might be overly sainted and Carl overly tainted but you can’t say Naegele was ever directly dishonest with the public. If I were Pat and hated hockey as much as he does but was lame enough to write opinions about it, I would focus my attention on why Naegele was rightly awarded a Turkey of the Year Award: for the incredible discrepincy between payroll and fan support that was the post lockout season.
We got Adam Hall for Dupuis. The Wild mad an offer to Hall but he wanted to be paid $900K. The Wild said no. Where did Hall end up? Penguins for one year $525K, about what the Wild was willing to pay him.
In his most aggressive trade (Sully-Demitra), it didn’t quite panned out the way we would like. The idea was great — Prospect and #1 pick for a proven veteran #1 center. However, if DR re-signs Demitra, we wouldn’t even be talking about this anymore. Since he won’t, it will be a topic.
The Penguins can’t afford Hossa with Malkin’s contract coming up soon. Or they will be like Tampa Bay.
Think about this, where would the Wild be without Gaborik if DR is so bad at trades? I would bet not winning the NW Division.
And the way we move these rookies through our ranks, we would likely not be in the playoffs.
We might not be able to sign Brent Burns, Koivu, or Schultz to long-term that might be close to below market deals.
We can hate the trades but they made an impact to the team. The Moore and Simon trade were for 6th round draft picks. Who have we gotten from there?
Adam: I was a little surprised by the numbers that’s all. That’s a heck of an investment.
The prospect given in the trade is where I take issue. If it was a deep prospect, someone that was a third or fourth round pick that was probable, or even another second round pick that wasn’t as sure a bet, just not a definite projection like O’Sullivan was (there wasn’t one scout who doubted his future ability to play at NHL level), I would have been fine with someone like Irmen, then maybe I would think it was a more equitable trade, but basically the Kings robbed the Wild, getting two first round picks, top notch centermen at that, for Demitra, an aging converted centerman with a history of injury and concussion issues and who is definitely on the tail end of his career. I hated this deal from day one (I literally screamed at the TV when it was announced) and still hate it today. I’ll stop ranting now, Demitra deal was just the last in a littany of trades where the Wild got the short end of the stick it is like pouring salt in the wound every time people mention Demitra leaving as a free agent. It just looks worse and worse the better Lewis and O’Sullivan play.
White was another bad deal, make a trade for the guy, and let him go as a free agent. Again, something traded for nothing in return. We get guys and we let them go as free agents and they turn out to be productive for other teams and we’ve really ended up with nothing and given up valuable draft picks and/or prospects for no long-term gain.
sunshine: I had no problem with what you noted about the article, I was only disappointed that I had to read Pat’s rips about this season again!
Matt Foy was a 6th round pick, Derek Boogaard a 7th round pick, Anton Khudobin was a 6th round pick, Eric Reitz was a 6th round pick, CHris Hickey was a 7th round pick & Lubomir Sekeras was an 8th round pick
Of our sixth round picks, Boogaard and Sekeras have played in more than 100 NHL games. Where is Sekeras now? We are likely to let Foy go this year. Reitz and Khudobin are the only ones that have a chance to make it to the big club. Hickey is too new to make an assessment yet.
We couldn’t trade White. He was needed in our playoff run. The Thrashers came calling and DR said no.
You can hate the Demitra trade but it got where we wanted. Isn’t that what trade deadline deals are for anyways… to push your team over the edge in the playoffs. Except in this case, it propelled us into the playoffs instead of further into them.
There are just some deals you can’t make like dealing Demitra, Rolston, White or Gaborik away in the middle of a playoff run. We do not need to get something for every player because there might not be a market for them or that the timing is not right.
Some just have to let go.
And 2006 might have been the year the Wild decided to bring in better veterans to help our young players. Carney for Burns, Schultz, and Foster (defense, physical and mental preparation, and building confidence.) Demitra for Koivu, Butch and Gaborik (playmaking abilities to see the ice better). Walz was there for Koivu (great two-way center.) Parrish to show them how to score ugly goals.
Now that they have imparted their knowledge to these young guys, we let them go.
We will see in the off season, but I am in the camp that believes that CL will have influence in making moves to strengthen the team.
Think about it…there is room on the roster for Reitz, Benny, Kalus and one more ‘youngster’. You cannot tell me that their salaries come close to the 20M room the Wild have in the cap.
They have room to sign a BIG UFA if they choose to. I am thinking that with the new owner’s mindset, they will.
Perhaps they make another bold draft day move and trade up to the #1 pick. I don’t know for sure what will happen, but I believe there will be a BIG splash this summer to sustain interest.
Perhaps they make another bold draft day move and trade up to the #1 pick.
interesting…and who would Tampa be interested in from our current lineup? Interested in more than Stamkos, for example? You’re not, per chance, thinking of a certain french canadian coming back to St. Paul in a deal, are you kj?
45-degree question: are there sign and trades in the NHL?
180 degree answer…No idea! j/k NinNY
Happy Tuesday Russoville!!!
It’s USA vs. Canada day at the Worlds. We need all the help we can get. We should have been bombarding the NHL Network and especially NHL Live with Dom and EJ, the past few days with emails, phone calls orwhatever we could to get them air TSN’s coverage of today’s game on the NHL Network. Watching the games on the computer screen does them absolutly no justice.
Sidenote…(and this is a rant!) These Worlds are being played on NHL size rinks (200 x 85) instead of the standard Olympic rink size (200 x 100) as are the 2010 Olympics in Canada. I’m still severly miffed as to why and how the IIHF agreed to this. Both events are being played in Canada, and both are severe advantages to Team Canada. It takes away the skating and open ice element that makes Olympic or World Hockey so unique. I
f Canada does end up winning both, they should be given an (*) for the size of rink. In fact it makes me, think even less of Canada and their management for going that route.
In 2002 at Salt Lake the US built Olympic size sheets, so how in the name of Haakan Loob does Canada get away with this?
The O’Sullivan trade was terrible, no other way to put it. Demitra was NEVER going to thrive in Lemaire’s system. At least with O’Sullivan you had a fresh kid that could learn. The sooner Risebrough leaves the better for the Wild. But you certainly won’t see him back in Calgary;)
let me get this straight: the Wild has been in the playoffs twice since the Demo-Sully trade - and the Kings have not been to the playoffs at all. Even though we didn’t win the Cup either time, doesn’t that mean we were a better team than LA?
And, is there some rule I don’t know about that says that, if you trade a player, you are not allowed to re-acquire him in the future? In other words, if, down the road, we acquire O’Sullivan and he produces for us, will it have been worth keeping Gaby around for these couple years? Of course, the answer is you have no idea. And that’s the point.
Fortunately, DR and his GM colleagues don’t have to operate in the vacuum that some of you apparently do.
I’m not saying DR is the be all and end all GM, but lets try to widen our perspective a bit.
Canada looks scary especially the Getzlaf- Spezza-Heatley line.
The USA has great players, too. But I am not sure if they have enough to combat that line.
if, down the road, we acquire O’Sullivan and he produces for us
FYI: Sully’s a RFA ‘08–’09.
Let’s hope he doesn’t get a 6-yr deal like his teammate Brown.
What’s that saying about hindsight again? I always forget.
Hindsight or foresight, it appears Risebrough has neither.
And how far did the Wild go in the playoffs during that wonderful 2 season run. One and done, one and done. Yeah, great job Risebrough. Of course lappys will say it is better than not making the playoffs at all. Now that is the fan the Wild management really loves. But that same fan will not be so happy when the Wild miss the playoffs this upcoming year, or at the very most another one and done venture.
I would disagree that Demitra never thrived in JL’s system. When he was on the wing, that was where he was his most effective. He met his previous markers of scoring more than 20 goals. One of the best lines in the 2006 was the Parrish-Koivu-Demitra line, which was eventually broken up when Gaborik returned to the lineup.
What happened this year? We were short at center and Demitra had to play out of position for most of the year.
If Rolston had to play center for most of the year, what would his point totals be?
HockeyDude: wow, did you not get the point.
In spite of all of Risebrough’s mistakes (perceived or real), we still won our division. You can’t change the past and unless the CBA is changed, you can’t change the things under contract. For better or worse, we play the team we have now. Hopefully, we are competitive next year and we can make it to the playoff and win a couple of rounds. Before we go diving off the ledge, lets wait until the signing start. Then we can rip into Risebrough to our heart’s content as necessary. Hockey season isn’t even over yet, hold your horses, people. Have a beer or something. Sheesh
Take a Deep Breath is the phrase of choice, Beadwench. At least until the signing period comes and goes the Wild has done nothing to improve the roster. Then, let the flaming commence.
Well, I wasn’t going to step on you moniker. That isn’t polite. But yes, that is the sentiment. It just gets old to listen to the complaints when the future is fuzzy. If we had lost the division, didn’t make the playoffs and most of the team absolutely sucked, then I can see the complaining. You all need beer, in massive quantities. Our team did well, not great and we can do better but we should celebrate our milestone.
Okay, now I have “Always look the brighter side of life” stuck in my head.
No point in beotching until the deals are all done. I love that we’ll have a banner to raise in the fall, yes it would be nice to have a more but you always have to start somewhere.
Thanks Beadwench, now I have Monty Python stuck in my head. 
It’s only fair to pass it on.
I hadn’t thought about that song until Russo reported the Fridge playing in the locker room.
So what was everyone’s favorite event or part from last season?
I liked how well the Fridge did on the line with Gabby and Demo and what a pleasant surprise he was for us.
Agree on Fridge being a pleasant surprise, and he can dance.
But my favorite part of the season…. hmmmm….. has to be clinching the Division against the freakin’ Cows. Partially because I was at that game but it was such a fun game to watch. A close second has to be Giggy’s tantrum when the boys chased him from the game (I was at that one as well).
Favorite event?
Sitting ice level for #10’s Five goal game against the Rangers.
FOOD!!!!
Must be the possibility of sign-and-trade deals, Nick, since Backstrom made a point of including language in his contract that would prevent this from happening.
There were actually a lot of high points to the season. Watching Koivu continue to evolve as a key player was fun, especially after getting side-lined for part of the time.
Harkening waaaaaay back to an earlier post, remember Modano DID ask to come back to MN last (?) year, but DR turned him down. Not the right fit given everything else, apparently.
Modano didn’t ASK to come back to Minnesota. He just said he would consider it but he always wanted to re-sign with Dallas. Modano wouldn’t have been a good fit cap-wise anyway, you have to think flexibility when re-signing guys of his age. The Wild are going to have an interesting situation with Goaltending this spring, will be curious to see which netminder they trade, one of them is going to go, or perhaps one of them leaves at the draft this summer.
