Nummelin a Swiss Elite Leaguer again
Posted on May 8th, 2008 – 10:18 AMBy Michael Russo
Hola, from South Florida, where I’ve been soaking up the sun and been one of about three thousand in the stadium watching the scorching-hot Marlins.
The Brewers are slumping.
Wild defenseman Petteri Nummelin’s NHL career officially ended Thursday when his long-reported contract with Lugano in the Swiss Elite League was finally announced.
Remember, his agent, Larry Kelly, told me in February that he had signed a long-term deal to return to Lugano, where he spent five seasons before signing with the Wild in 2006.
Nummelin, 35, scored five goals and 29 points in 78 games over two seasons with the Wild. He also went 8 for 10 in shootouts.
92 Responses to "Nummelin a Swiss Elite Leaguer again"
Best of luck Nummi - the Wild should retain you as a SO consultant!
So long Nummy, I for one will miss him.
That you tube clip posted at the bottom of the last thread is really well done. Some very good clips from games.
Here is the youtube clip again.
Russo: Have you heard any movement on Julien Sprunger, a 2004 prospect, who I think also played in the Swiss league and now on the Swiss National team?
If nothing else Sprunger has a fun name to say… Sprunger… hehehe…. ok, I’m easily amused today.
Would be Sprunger rhyming with hunger or
Sproon-jay French-sounding?
Either way its still a fun name not as great as Cal Clutterbuck.
I’m guessing the more Germanic pronuciation. At least it’s more fun the Germanic way (rhymes with hunger). And yes Clutterbuck is fun to say as well. The Mr always gets a chuckle out of the name Bonk. But Hamerlik still takes the cake.
The Road Tour is being announced next week and there is a promotion where you can send an email or letter stating why the road tour should stop at YOUR HOUSE.
How cool is that?
Check it out: http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page…rticleid=362848
Dang, Nummi’s gone. But Demo’s departure will be a much bigger dissapointment to me. He will join the likes of Jimmy Dowd, Andrew Brunette, Willie Mitchel, Pascal Dupuis, and other talented Wild players who were let go, but are having great success elsewhere.
What other former Wild players (active) do you guys miss? (e.g., Richard Park?)
Sprunger will be a UFA if not signed by Ausgust this year. Sprunger finally put up decent numbers in the NLA this year and has seemed to have started to use his size. He could be like Mikko Koivu who didn’t put up anything early in his career in Finland so who knows what will happen if he’s signed and brought to Houston for a year. Sprunger has been more physical and has been scoring in the WCs too as he knows the scouts are watching and wants to earn his job. Remember he’s under the 2004 CBA though, so a little different terms with signing bonus.
wildgopherfan… Dupuis…are you kidding me???
What other former Wild players (active) do you guys miss?
none really
seriously, does anyone here really bemoan the loss of richard park?
The only one I miss is Brunette. Heck I don’t even miss Willie Mitchell anymore.
Yeah Russo,
Get the scoop on Sprunger! What are the Wild gonna do?
Would Sprunger be more inclined to turn down Wild offers in order to become UFA, in the hopes of landing a better deal with another team? Maybe a team that would be willing to assure him of NHL ice time (as opposed to a year in the ‘A’)
Grimicoh: NO. I’m not kidding. There’s a good chance Dupuis will be hoisting the cup in a few weeks. The Penguins obviously value his skills, even if the Wild didn’t.
The point of my question wasn’t to have you incredibly like-minded, cool aid drinking bloggers pick apart the names I listed. I just thought it might be an interesting post-season discussion to suggest some names that people miss from the roster…. I guess not.
Well Therrien certainly likes what skills Dupuis learned from Lemaire.
The Penguins obviously value his skills, even if the Wild didn’t.
Neither did ATL or NYR. Outside of Brunette, can anyone make a case for a Wild UFA/Pending UFA (like Willie) that should have been retained? After watching him for 2 years in VAN, I am beginning to see the Mitchell deal as a wash. It looks like Belle is a bust (but correct me if I am wrong Houston fans) and Skoula has been serviceable at his cap number (here come the flames!) which - in part - allowed the Wild to sign Johnsson and re-up Schultz and Burns.
What about Lubomir Sekeras?
Belle was a healthy scratch all season long.
Nice youtube video link. Some great moments this season for sure. I wish the new season started tonight.
In regards to Dupuis I’ll say this: a barstool with a left-handed shot would put up numbers with Malkin and Crosby at center. Am I calling Dupuis a barstool? Perhaps.
Belle was a healthy scratch all season long.
- Then it can’t be too soon for the bust label
- Sufferin’ Sekeras was a personal favorite in the happy-go-lucky days of Wild hockey
Wildgophfan:
Put me on a line with the kid or Gene-o and I’ll look like I have mad skillz also.
Even with my beer belly.
Russo-
Since you are basking in the sun at a ballgame, are the cold beverages still cold? It’s a thermodynamic thing.
Thanks for the update. Best of luck to Nummi.
Thanks for the back up on the Dupuis front fellow bloggers. The only regret the team should have about letting Dupuis go is that we didn’t get Kristan Huselius when Florida was offering him up…(right Russo). And also, Dupuis may hoist the cup, but a certain Skouba also has hoisted the cup. Doesn’t make them a superstar…
Well Adam Hall is in line to hoist the cup, you should probably mention that former Wild turned Penguin?
Dwayne Roloson is probably the only active player from the Wild I miss. He was a good guy and played some good goal. At the same time, he isn’t a guy I would want to see the Wild actively pursue.
Andrew Brunette seems to be the obvious mistake. I’m not worried about Demitra. Even if he goes one to have a great season I’m not convinced he would have had that same type of season in Minnesota.
Simon also hoisted the cup too. Just to add to your not a superstar remark.
i miss the north stars name. that’s about it. at least mn learned their lesson and now retained the name and logo of the twins if they leave in future years.
Grimicoh, and others: I’m not trying to make a case that any of the names I listed were “superstars”. Just wondered if there are any fan favorites that people miss from the roster. You guys get so hung up on trade details, salary cap, etc. Do you guys even enjoy watching this game anymore, or do you just use this forum to bitch about all sorts of things that are outside of your control? I’m simply a fan of the GAME of hockey here, and I miss a few guys who contributed to the enjoyment of watching the Wild.
And good call, Misco, I too would have included “Lickherass Suckherass” (as some of us used to call him).
I would miss Gaborik if we trade him.
“Lickherass Suckherass”
A little profane for me but still creative.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=237147&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_main
Who’s this Brunnstrom character? And how is this guy good enough to walk into a NHL job at $2mil/yr???
Hey WildGopherFan, I’m in. I miss Laaaaaksonen. Only because I dreamed of going to a wild game with a hardhat strapping a dorsal fin atop. Remember the “Iron Fin” when he never missed a game.
I miss Walz the most, but that was not your question.
I do miss Brono’s scoring. He sure looked good this year, but you usually have to give up some talent to get talent. I would not be unhappy if we got him back…but he is the only one I would want back of those that have left.
I miss Laaaaaksonen
The first Wild hat-trick ever…*sigh*
That was the bomb! The hats were flyin’!
The original forehand-backhand-topshelf Wild player.
Jeff - now that’s what I’m talking about: I forgot about the reliable old Finn, Anti-Laxative.
I also miss Walz. Seems like he deserves an honerable mention.
And I know some of you are gonna skewer me for this one: But I really miss Darby. Not the most talented guy, but he was decent on faceoffs and penalty kills; and fans like seeing a hometown player on the roster.
Some of Dupuis’ best value has been as a penalty killer for us, where he doesn’t play with Sid or Geno. *shrug*
Two more active player names to throw out there:
Todd White
Filip Kuba
Anyone miss these guys being in the lineup? I could go either way.
here’s a question for ponder - did Bouchard do well enough in the postseason this year to nail down a longer-term contract?
I’d love to hear some thoughts!
Do not miss either White or Kuba or Wanvig or Zyuzin or Alex Henry.
Good question, jimlove. I’ll answer that with another question - can the Wild AFFORD a long-term contract?
I think he’s a player worth keeping around but definitely NOT for more money than “Franchise” is signed for.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wild sign him again for 1 year, but I hope it is more like 3 years (for about 2.8-3.2 mil).
Dan Cleary starts a 5 year, $2.8 per deal next year. If the Wild can get Butch to sign a similar contract I would be all for it.
PMB already gets $2.8. He’s probably asking for $3 to $3.5 million.
I think he should receive $3.2 million a year for 3 years is not bad. He needs to get more goals though. Pass less and shoot more.
I miss Walz. Wouldn’t miss Gaborik if he went, won’t miss Demitra. Will miss Branko, he was really starting to find his niche. I thought Branko/SRV/Mikko line were very good this year. I did think Mikko was a little wasted on the line but he did do a great job.
WildGopherFan - good points about this blog earlier. We do get a little caught up in all the other “stuff”.
sunshine - your right, Butch will have to get a little bump in exchange for the long term deal. Get it done DR!
Maybe do a 2 year $6.5 million and then re-evaluate at that time. 3 years might be a little bit too long. We save on one UFA year and he gets a choice afterwards.
Is it wrong to say that I wish we could swap Parrish for Demo? Demo is more versatile than Parrish.
Thanks Slapshot6. And others, sorry if I was a little defensive in my earlier comments. I had some sand stuck somewhere, but I got it out. 
If we don’t resign SRV, I’ll miss him. I like the energy he brings to the game. All the banging and crashing.
Not to mention SRV has a great sense of humor Beadwench. His bucky teeth during the playoffs is proof of that.
Yeah, we need to get it done with SRV. He might be the closest thing we get to replaceing Walz.
I wouldn’t miss SRV.
I have no idea who I should be cheering for, the Dead Wings or the South Stars? Either way my earlier prediction comes true.
It’s going to be Detroit and Pittsburg for the cup.
Can somebody hook me up with that that link to watch the game. I’m stuck at work………again.
No link available through hockeywebcasts.com.
Sorry. Only radio.
thanks sunshine.
Go Wings go … ?
no predictions regarding the pens advancing from this blog!
Kevin - look up
I know, ss6, take it back!
I am of the opinion that a Wings/Pens finals would be great for the NHL. The media darling of both conferences and all.
Although, as the Mr. points out, there are a lot of empty seats at the Joe, so people watching on tv may think that no one cares.
I’ll agree with that, Mrs. A, but no predictions! I don’t think this blog has a good history with predictions coming true. (No offense!)
I am sure our prediction rate is 50%.
I’m disinclined to cheer for any team at this point. All the teams that I have picked to cheer for have been put out that round. No need to jinx anyone else.
If your prediction rate is 50%, then, based on tonight so far, it looks like your call of Detroit will be correct, meaning Pittsburgh will not.
If Pitt can with stand the physical game of the Flyers, no problem.
Dallas doesn’t have the fire power up front to come out on top.
It will be Detroit and Pitt for the cup. WildinATX is right. The Penquins and Detroit for the cup, are you kidding me!!! Think of the ratings, this matchup is an NHL/Bettman dream come true.
It’s not that they don’t care in Detroit, they can’t afford the tickets. I still have family living there. My cousin is moving to find work. It’s pretty bad there.
Kevin - why so negative. The Pens are looking good. What’s the problem?
It’s not negativity so much as it’s being cautious. It’s not that I don’t have faith in my team, but anything can happen in any sport. I try not to expect my team to win because I don’t know that they will.
Besides, this series is going to be brutal, and Philadelphia owned us the first four meetings (though we won the next three). Anything in the playoffs up to this point doesn’t matter. What matters is how they play the next four to seven games, and there’s no way of knowing how that will turn out.
I never said it was that they didn’t care, it’s just that the casual viewer (are there any of those?) will think that’s the cause of the empty seats. Even if it’s not true.
Maybe the Wings fans are saving their money for the finals.
Bandgek: At this point, I just sit back and enjoy the games. No ‘rooting’ interest, just want to see some great hockey. And, of course, wishing the Wild were still in it.
Who knows? If Dallas wins it all, maybe someone will do Minnesota a favor and go to the 6th floor book depository in Dallas during the Stars victory parade, and then Norm Green will…
…nah. Couldn’t get that fortunate, could we?
The Wings fans aren’t saving their money for the finals, they are saving their money for groceries. Detroit’s economy is so far in the crapper I’ve heard rumor’s that the Wings lost a large number of STH’s and a few of their smaller corporate supports have scaled back to almost nothing. Not many people in Detroit can afford tickets. I feel sorry for them, most Wings fans I know are very loyal and this has to hurt on a lot of levels.
WildGopherFan, I guess in a way I miss all of them because they gave everything they had in the early years when the team was short on offensive talent.
Curt Lecy____ (alphabet soup), Gavey, Laaksoson, Park …
They all seemed to like it here and it rejuvinated their careers.
[…] first change to the Wild roster for next year is official: Mike Russo reports the Troll is headed to […]
Laaksonen
I tend to love anyone who’s finnish. But that’s just me.
Plus certain small french canadiens who are really good with the puck.
Catching up on all things Avs, in addition to some speculation that Sakic will hang ‘em up, Dater had the following:
I think Andrew Brunette will be gone. I hope I’m wrong on that, too, because he’s a great guy to talk to about the game. He’d probably make a great coach some day. But I think he’s done here. He didn’t always see eye to eye with Joel Quenneville, and I think the Avs will try to get a little younger (and cheaper) with his roster spot, with David Jones the likely heir to his role. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brunette end up back in Minnesota, actually.
I think the Avs REALLY should make a run at getting Brian Rolston back. He just has been such a good player the last couple years, and I think he’d be great on this team this time. IF Sakic were to retire, the only good thing to come of it would be a lot of freed up cap money that they could use for a free agent or two like Rolston. How about Marian Hossa too?
Dater also thinks that Joel Quenneville, who does not have a contract for next season, could be in the mix for the Maple Leafs job.
I’d hate to see Rolston go to Denver.
I, like many of you, would love to see Brunette back in Iron Range Red.
Adam- thanks for the post from the Avs point of view. The Avs beat writer really liked Bruno in general and as a go to guy for popst game quotes.
That would be odd, Rolston for Burnette? Almost like a trade.
I have liked Quenneville, especially after seeing him against the Wild in the playoffs.
He would probably do a great job in TO. A stable coach with enough success to be confident in the decisions he is making.
Hmmm,
Rolston 81 games 31 goals 28 assists = 59 pts 2.4 mil last season
Brunette 82 games 19 goals 40 assists = 59 pts 1.6 mil last season
Assuming no cap issues I’d rather have Rolston. Right now we don’t have too many people putting the puck in the net. An assist guy might not help us too much. We’ve got several of those already. Now if we could have them both…
HELLO…Hello…hello…
ECHO…Echo…echo
Next season, Rolston would get at least $4 million and Brunette will get about $1.6 million.
Parrish was on KFAN the other day and was asked if he would feel threatened if the Wild brought Bruno back because it would mean that he might get move. I can’t remember exactly what his response was but something to the effect of we will see what happens.
I’m bummed about Nummelin’s departure. He had the magic hands, versitality, and a good work ethic. I was surprised that they sat him so much this season. I know he’s a smaller guy and he couldn’t take a hit but man was he fun to watch.
The age of Bruno is not an advantage. I like him but can we do better?
I honestly see Rolston staying here.
I think the Wild make a good offer and he doesn’t even get to the free agency madness. I really changed my mind about him during the tail end of the season and the playoffs. He really stepped it up.
The question is…does he like it here well enough to pass on those NY dollar signs???
When you factor in cost of living in NY and his contract, say $5 from Rangers vs. $4 million from Wild, it might all equal out.
Remember, Rolston moved here before the lost year. He was quoted as moving here because he wanted his family to be here.
I think if he wants to be here, and the club likes him they will figure out something that works so long as he is productive.
Their is the concern over being on the hook for long-term contracts is there but the same risk for all teams.
Their is the concern over being on the hook for long-term contracts
The concern w/Rolston and long-term contracts is that the money counts against the teams cap if the player retires or becomes injured. So, yes, ithe risk is the same for all teams.
When you factor in cost of living in NY and his contract, say $5 from Rangers vs. $4 million from Wild, it might all equal out.
While that may be true, there is just simply more money to be had in the Big Apple than here. Endorsement deals are more plentiful, and pay more there, etc.
On the other hand, NY might not be an ideal place to raise a young family. This may ultimately be the deciding factor, since a comparable deal with the Wild (i.e. “home town discount”) would alleviate the need to move to a larger market.
isn’t if a player 35+ years of age retires, his salary goes away. if they get injured, it still counts. Walz retired and his salary wasn’t counted against the cap.
It all comes down to where Rolston is in his life.
Is he playing for money?
Is he playing to support his family?
Is spending time with his family a high priority? Moving to NY and leaving them here an option?
Is keeping his family happy a high priority? Kids may love it here and not want to change schools/teams/etc. Wife may have good friends here?
Does he want to win another cup? Is winning what it’s all about for him or does he play for ‘the love of the game’.
Does he think he can do that in MN?
Being that he is an older guy I’d guess he’s comfortable with the money he makes - wouldn’t turn down more, recognizes hockey isn’t everything, wants his boys to play in the best associations possible, wants to be around his family and will re-sign here if given the chance and treated with respect in regards to a raise.
CL needs to buyout the remainder of Grumpy’s contract.
There. I said it. It’s off my chest.
Food
Just spotted from the Press Box at Metrodome Pav, Radio, and Voros accomponied by someone who works for the Wild for the first game of the Twins/BoSox series.
