Rolston news
Posted on May 29th, 2008 – 10:38 PMBy Michael Russo
111 Responses to "Rolston news"
Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…Please come back…
What is Plan B if Rolston and Wild can’t reach a deal?
If they don’t sign Fiala, I’m going to be one sad panda. http://youtube.com/watch?v=UCohe5ZvxW8
He looks like the kind of player that would fit in well with the Wild system, someone who charges the net and buries rebounds, but he doesn’t just camp there. Seems to have a great hockey sense.
Slowly the wheels start to turn….The Rolston signing/losing is the real lynchpin of the entire off-season. Sign him at a reasonable price, and you can improve the team. Lose him, and you’ll probably overpay for someone to take his place (if you can even find someone), and have little left to improve the team.
Unfortunately for Wild fans, he has most of the leverage. Someone will be willing to throw three years/$13.5 mil at him, and three years/$10 mill is closer to his true value to this team, IMHO.
He’ll have to take a haircut to stay here, and there probably isn’t a lot of willingness to do that, since he’s taken a considerable haircut the past three seasons to be here.
On the other hand, how much better can your life be if you make $14 million the next three years vs. $10 million? And what about the intangibles? Do you want to fight NYC traffic all the time and have your kids grow up in that atmosphere? Ditto for Philly, or SoCal. Where are you going to have fans like these who appreciate how hard you work each night?
If it’s about money, then it’s 80/20 he leaves. If it’s about life, we maybe have a 50/50 shot.
Just my thoughts.
Where have you been Russo! We have been worried sick. We want updates! What are you doing? What are the Wild players doing? Were are thy now? How does Burns feel after being named top defenseman in the Worlds? Where can I get cool stuff to bring with to the Wild Road Tour to sign…nice photos…etc..?
Goalieguy, I think you nailed the essence and that is … “at a reasonable price you can improve the team”.
If he commands too much money so it handicaps other key signings you need to let him go.
This is a year that maybe we will see the effect of poor cap management by anyteams who have overspent for individual players.
Welcome back Don…you been missed
since he’s taken a considerable haircut the past three seasons to be here.
Only hindsight says this is true. I’d say at the time of his signing of the last contract, it was probably fair. He has had career best years here which I don’t think even himself would have predicted.
Russo, you’re alive! Good to have you back buddy. How about a little more dirt on the rest of the players the WIld have left in limbo right now. It would be great if you could do a rundown on what you know about each guys status and some predictions.
Only hindsight says this is true.
While this is true…perception is reality in many cases, and I would not be surprised if it were for Brian in this one.
I can report that Nick Schultz is still in town and will be leaving soon for Calgary, his off-season home. He and his wife will be christening their son over the summer.
How do I know? He was on 93X and said all the above info. He is a weekly guest on the morning show and this week was his last appearance of the season.
I’m with Ogle, give us a bone Russo!
We need INFO.
Brian likes it here, that is a big intangible that will work in the Wild’s favor. If they make a realistic offer, I can see him taking it and finishing off his career here. Especially in a system where he can shine.
If Rolston is re-signed I will jump for joy. His value to this team amazing and he’s a great player. His years of dedicated, hard working service should not go unnoticed durning the negotiations. I hope he is rewarded with the proper terms of Salary and Years.
I also have to give my condolences to the Bourdon Family. Luc played 23 games for Cape Breton in 06-07, which would have made him a teammate of James Sheppard.
The Gabby situation is the key to this offseason, not the signing of a 35-yr-old free agent. If the Gabby situation is handled poorly, it could have a negative affect on this organization for the next few years. Hopefully by now, the team has an idea of whether it will be able to resign Gabby or not so when the July 1 date rolls around, we either get the news that he has signed a 5-yr, $42.5 million dollar deal; or, that he has been traded. Can’t let that situation fester into the start of the ‘08-’09 season.
rolston should be signed with no questions asked…he is the best free agent out there. sign him, bring up colton gillies and try and find a 15-20 goal scorer to replace demitra…hindsight is 20/20 but it would be nice to have o’sullivan now huh?
perception is reality in many cases
agreed. here’s what i see though, it appears that Rolston’s numbers were in decline. went from 31 goals and 62 points to 19 goals and 40 points in 2 years, the last of which was his contract year. that summer that the wild signed him, it was what, 2 years removed from an unexpected run for the cup and still known to be a “cheap” club. If rolston back then was taking less than market, why would he be sign here? you usually sign for less to be with a team that seriously has a chance, not a team growing up.
I certainly believe he is due for a raise, no doubt. I just don’t think he has leverage by complaining about signing for less than value on his last contract.
It says in there that he is “looking for a signifigant pay increase”. That may not bode well. I would love to have him back though, huggy bear and all.
Hey Kevin, I was just stirring the pot with that comment yeasterday, no offense. I would definitely be doing the same thing you were doing if the Wild were in the Pens shoes. 
Greenstar is correct, inflation balances long-term contracts for producing players.
He was paid market value at the time.
It does seem to like it here, remember he moved here prior to the non-season. And, he seems to thrive under JL.
The problem RiFB, is: the future performance of a young player given in a trade (who continues to grow) will be judged against the declining performance of the player received.
Maybe PD has not been as valuable as hoped, but he was key in getting Gabby resigned last time around.
So, you need to consider all of the implications involved of that entire deal when you pine for O’Sullivan.
Chances are that O’Sullivan will be good and for some years. It does not matter, we got what we needed at the time.
G*: totally agree. I’m just saying that the “what have you done for me lately” mantra works both ways (which I don’t think you’re NOT saying). And, while factually or anecdotally he might not have that as leverage, it wouldn’t stop him from using it anyway.
O’Sullivan has more upside than Demitra but that trade was a stop-gap measure. Demitra was a proven player that could entice Gaborik to re-sign. He could put up at least 20 goals. With the exception of this year, he has put up 9 seasons of 20+ goals, 50+ points.
I think they were hoping that Pouliot would be ready by this year to take over for Demitra. That didn’t happen.
The Gabby situation is the key to this offseason
Agreed.
Just leave enough left over to sign Vinny next summer!!!
Hardly anyone has noticed, but that’s ex-Wild forward Pascal Dupuis on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby-Marian Hossa line.
I agree that the Wild should make a legit attempt to sign Huggy Bear, which they will do. But, if I am not mistaken, the list of FAs NEXT summer is a hell of a lot more enticing than this year’s batch. If Huggy is looking to get ridiculous dollars, let him go. Sign Gabby to his 5-yr, $42.5 million extension, give PMB a 3-yr extension, bring in a serviceable center and then make a run at some of the better FAs next summer. Get two younger players locked up this summer (Gabby/PMB) then make a legit play for a top FA next year. This, of course, is all predicated on Rolston wanting more money than the team is willing to cough up.
Roli likes it here, do what you can to get him to stay. More importantly, does Roli’s wife like it here? He’s a family man, if his family is happy here and they can compromise on his price, he’ll stay. If he steps up in the locker room he could be a good mentor and leader for young guys like the Pool-boy, and Colton.
Nice to hear from you Russo, we thought you’d maybe run into trouble from another ‘family’ out there in the east.
Hardly anyone has noticed, but that’s ex-Wild forward Pascal Dupuis on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby-Marian Hossa line.
LOL
Typical “scoop” from “Shooter.” What a douche.
But, if I am not mistaken, the list of FAs NEXT summer is a hell of a lot more enticing than this year’s batch.
DB,
For your review:
2008-09 UFA Centres:
Sakic
Federov
Sundin
Forsberg
Holik
Weight
Straka
Morrison
Conroy
Langkow
Rucchin
Smolinski
Avery
Prospal
Williams
Gratton
Perreault
Peca
Kelly, Chris
Yelle
York
Reasoner
Take alook at some of THESE names:
2009-10 UFA Centres:
Lecavalier
Koivu
Lang
Horcoff
Sedin, H.
Comrie
McDonald
Cammalleri
Connolly
Madden
Kovloz
Marchant
Stumpel
Sillenger
Niedermayer
Reinprercht
Antropov
Axelsson
Arnason
Brylin
Armstrong
Pahlsson
Bonk
Bates
Malhotra
Laperriere
Franzen
Charley - did you notice that ex-Wild Adam Hall scored the 3rd/clinch goal for the Pens on Wed. Great scoop, huh?
I thought I was thinking clearly about NEXT summer’s FAs. Don’t see any reason to overspend this summer. Wild isn’t one player away from the Cup anyway. Just don’t think the team needs to overspend on anyone now. Secure Gabby and PMB, offer Huggy a reasonable deal and take it from there.
The Wild booked revenues of $1.1M per game from ticket sales this season. 8th highest in the league, and 2nd highest among American teams.
Typical “scoop” from “Shooter.” What a douche.
+1
Next year’s FAs will always look more enticing at this stage in the game. Let’s see who gets extended before making that comparison. If I were a betting man–and sometimes I am–I’d say that Vinny, Saku and Horcoff won’t hit the open market. Take those three off the list and it starts to look a lot less juicy.
NiNY - thanks for the link - nice to see some real numbers for a change.
I’m bored. Is it time for training camp yet? Training camp…. makes it sound like a bunch of boy scouts training to get badges (patches, whatever they’re called), and singing songs around a camp fire. I’m bored.
Wow - glad Tortorella will not be Avs coach!
Report: Melrose returning to coach Lightning
The Wild booked revenues of $1.1M per game from ticket sales this season. 8th highest in the league, and 2nd highest among American teams.
Now, that is a great scoop, NiNY! It does throw a bit of fuel on the “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, other-than-lose-the-first-round-of-the-playoffs?” fire, though.
Ouch!
Next year’s FAs will always look more enticing at this stage in the game. Let’s see who gets extended before making that comparison. If I were a betting man–and sometimes I am–I’d say that Vinny, Saku and Horcoff won’t hit the open market. Take those three off the list and it starts to look a lot less juicy.
+1
And what about the intangibles? Do you want to fight NYC traffic all the time and have your kids grow up in that atmosphere? Ditto for Philly, or SoCal.
This is very subjective. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I would pick living in NYC or SoCal over MSP.
You may be on to something as Rolston’s got something like 3 years left in the tank and he might be looking at some kind of permanence in his life that begins before retirement, but from the article it looks like he wants that at the right price. I think he’s got some leverage because he can become an UFA and let the bidding begin, but then he’s also over 35, so I think any multi-year deal cannot be for too much money. I’d say one year at $5MM, 2 at $8MM or three years at $10MM. If he wants more than that, I’d offer than, or maybe even a bit more to Huselius instead.
I am somewhat puzzled by the blurb about the Wild not having made a final decision on Fiala, though. I’m not sure why they wouldn’t. He had a solid career in juniors, and while there are some knocks on the guy that I’ve seen, I don’t think there was anything that would warrant letting him go. It seems like getting him into the system for a few years would be a no-brainer.
This NHL/IIHL transfer agreement stuff is really getting confusing to me, btw.
Franzen in 90′/10′. Do it.
That would be 09′ - 10′…. do it.
Could someone please explain the implications of not signing Fiala or Sprunger (or Wheeler by the Coyotes), what it means or results in for the player and the teams?
Toivo - I agree that living conditions are subjective. What I was thinking of in Rolston’s case was an article I read a while ago (Larry Wigge perhaps, but I’m not sure) in which Rolston was talking about the pleasure he got building a backyard rink for his kids. It really seemed to be something special for him (and I’ve seen his kids around the X…very high-energy, and I’m sure they love the rink.)
Then ask yourself: How many cities afford you the opportunity to have a natural-ice rink in your backyard, and still be only a 20-minute drive to the arena? I don’t know if that really matters to Rolston, but if it does, it takes a large number of NHL cities out of the equation.
NiNY - nice find on the ticket revenues
I understand Bettman’s arguement that growing the sport in the US is the best way to grow the NHL as large as possible. But let’s be honest here, in the meantime there is money to be made with a team or two relocated.
Sorry Russo, but I’m going to nominate the Panthers. They can leave and there is still a team behind in Florida. The Coyotes are probably a candidate for the second team. I know that would leave Arizona without the NHL but the dessert southwest isn’t that populated and it is expansive. Slide Vancouver into the Pacific Divison?
Not signing Fiala allows him to re-enter the draft.
Sprunger is slightly different in that its a bigger contractual problem with the NHL and IIHF. Since some countries have opt of the IIHF agreement, it could be like the Russian league. NHL contracts would not be enforceable similar to the Russian players. It makes NHL clubs wary about signing contracts.
Rolston 1 year $5 million? Are you crazy? I wouldn’t do it. Rolston is not worth $5 million - $4 million yes, but not $5 million. We don’t have that money to throw around if we want to get a top 4 d-men and a top 6 d-men.
I *think* this is correct.
If Fiala is not signed he would re-enter the draft.
Wheeler, because he left school and now is four years since he was drafted becomes an UFA, and I think Phoenix gets a compensatory pick since he was a first-rounder.
Sprunger would have needed to have been signed by June 1 under the NHL/IIHL transfer agreement that was in place, but the agreement was re-opened for negotiation this past season and hasn’t been figured out yet, so that whole situation is up in the air until that gets figured out.
I think Phoenix gets a compensatory pick since he was a first-rounder.
PHX gets the 35th overall pick in this draft.
Or yeah, what sunshine said about the draft pick stuff.
OK, I should’ve said $4MM with incentives. Rolston will get an offer above that if he hits the open market. There’s really a small number of players who can score 30+ goals in the NHL. I agree that it’s probably too much, but I’m just putting out what kind of numbers I think it’s going to take to keep him on board. Maybe I’m erring a bit on the high side, but I don’t think by much.
anyone have any experience with these synthetic ice surface products?
I’m considering outfitting my basement/garage with it, but I’d sure like some first hand testimonials first.
calgary is tight to the cap this year but has a good amount of salary falling off for 09-10. something to look out for…
if TB was thinking of moving vinny, i don’t see him being a lock to extend.
anyone have any experience with these synthetic ice surface products?
how do you spray the goalie is what i want to know.
Rolston and his wife seem to be really happy living in Minnesota near Burnsie and some of the other players in Woodbury. They are treated well in public (not hassled too much from what I have heard) and both Burns and Shultz took undermarket deals to stay here so why wouldn’t Brian? The fact that his family likes it here and he actually likes and respects his coaches and teammates makes me think he signs a reasonable deal very soon.
(At least that is what I am hoping for)
how do you spray the goalie is what i want to know.
that’s the method to my madness! 
Goalieguy-
FWIW, I think Rolston likes MN, and you may be right that in his case he’s looking for stuff like that backyard rink and easy commute. It just sounded kinda like you were trashing on NYC, Philly and SoCal as bad places to live in general.
if TB was thinking of moving vinny, i don’t see him being a lock to extend.
It’s kind of like the Gaborik situation, no? No way does TB let Vinny walk away next summer with nothing in return. If he doesn’t get extended this summer, I’d sort of expect him to get dealt to a team that would extend him.
anyone have any experience with these synthetic ice surface products?
Just curious, but what’s the reason you want to create a basement rink? It can’t be possibly be big enough to do some real skating on, can it?
Burns and Schultz took under market contracts but they still have time to earn more. Rolston doesn’t.
If you look at Demitra and Rolston, Demitra got a contract worth $4 million a year a couple of years ago. Rolston is just getting it now. Demitra could still command a $4 million a year contract for 3-4 years. Rolston is looking to cash in and I don’t fault him for it. I just don’t want the Wild to pay him $5 million when we have other pressing needs such as getting a couple d-men. And we will likely overpay them, too, just like Johnsson, since we don’t have much in Houston.
toivo: no it’s not, but all I need is enough space to create a goal crease plus a couple feet so I can slide around.
Oh, and more fuel for the Wheeler fire.
“The only thing I can think of is that he wants to sign with the Minnesota Wild because he’s from there,” one executive said.
NiNY,
Oh, so it’s sort of like that guy with the Flyers goalie “fantasy” commercial, eh? I think the synthetic surface will serve you just fine there. Your pads should prevent any *rugburns*.
Am I missing something?
I thought multi-year contracts would be avoided for the older players (ie: Rolston) under the cap?
In event of premature retirement or injury isn’t the team still liable for the salary in its cap numbers?
Wow on the Wheeler revelation. Although I am not a “the Wild needs to have MN/Gopher players” guy, as the article points out, adding Wheeler without using a draft pick is a nice bonus for any organization. I think even fans of other WCHA teams would have to admit that.
Hm, apparently Pens’ defenseman Kris Letang was a close buddy of Luc Bourdon. Letang called Bourdon his best friend. There’s a story on ESPN that Letang talked to Bourdon just three days ago and planned on buying a motorcycle this summer so the two could tour and vacation together.
They were teammates for two years in the QMJHL and on Canada’s two gold-medal winning world junior teams. Roommates too apparently.
NHL’s going to have a moment of silence before Game 4 the article says.
Never have I understood why the clammoring to get the Wild out of the Northwest?
Great competition, passionate knowledgable fans throughout every city in the division. Every game is important. What more could we ask for?
This year we had four away games against Vancouver, and two against San Jose.
The number against Vancouver in the future drops by one doesn’t it?
To me, that is not really much of a hardship for us to be red-eye three times a year.
With Columbus and Nashville squarely in the middle of the Central area, it seems like we will be in the Northwest because of our geographic location.
The NHL could do like the WCHA and assign primary out of division opponents so that we got extra games against the old North Star rivalries of Chicago and St Louis.
toivo: that’s my feeling too, but my concern is that these companies talk about the pressure of the blade into the surface of the “ice” triggering some kind of chemical compound in the synthetic makeup of the hoobideeblablah that creates a reaction not unlike skating on ice.
Which is awesome and all…but my leg pads don’t have blades. I’m wondering how “slippery” the surface is on it’s own - and in lieu of being able to see it in person before I buy, I am left with testimonials.
NiNY,
I think it’s just HDPE, which is pretty slippery, especially if you put some kind of teflon spray on it.
I’m still not sure if it’s that critical for this sort of thing, though.
Nick, there are several synthetic ice demos on youtube. Have you looked at any of those?
Where did Fabian Brunnstrom sign? I was looking for news about it, and Ican’t find anything.
Nevermind. I see it now. Dallas FTL 
Is there any indication that Wheeler wants to play for the Wild or that the Wild were interested in him? I am sure that the Wild will have some interest now that he is a free agent.
How does he compare to Ryan Jones?
Hey, Gaborik is back in town according to Walters column:
“Marian Gaborik and Derek Boogaard of the Wild and Bernard Berrian of the Vikings are scheduled to appear this afternoon at Bootleggers Bar for the Minneapolis Police Activities League Explorers’ fundraiser for teenagers interested in law enforcement careers.”
The Wild should not want Wheeler. He is a clear bust plain and simple. He has no heart to match his skill and his toughness isn’t there either. The best fit for him would be to play for the Capitals so he can avoid getting run over by Joe Finley since they’d be teammates….though that’d probably happen in practice because the two hate each other.
Wheeler is a bust as a #5 overall, no doubt. But with a pick up cost of 0 draft picks and the rookie max (what is that $875,000?) he’s certainly worth some development time as a prospect, not like it would cost us what it has phoenix
oh be-have, toivo.
sat right behind gabby and radio at twins game tonite; GABBY IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE!
Wheeler would not likely do very well in a system like Lemaire’s or Constantine’s. His agent is Vanek’s agent so he could end up in Buffalo or maybe he could join Okposo in NY. A lot of teams will look at just his stats but those with good WCHA scouting may shy away unless they believe they can develop him more. His stock definitely fell the last two years, the Coyotes are happy with the compensatory pick rather than having to pay that huge signing bonus for a questionable prospect.
Ryan Jones has exponential upside compared to Wheeler, leadership, scoring touch, heart, skating. Only thing Wheeler has over Jones is height.
kjr:
Did you asked him if he was going anywhere?
I should have added a smiley face
definitely rooting for the Pens here…that crowd is nuts.
And I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that “LETS GO WILD! LETS GO WILD!”
is a much better chant than
“LETS GO WI-LD! LETS GO WI-LD!”
w. o. w.
what a pace to start this game.
it’s bad enough the Wings have a Holstrom…but now they have a Cleary, too?!
(that’s a kid I wouldn’t mind having in St. Paul)
have I mentioned that I think Osgood is a loser?
I honestly didn’t have a problem with him until he signed his extension with Detroit this year, and then I saw an interview with him where they asked him what the extension meant to him and he said he hoped that it meant he’d be able to break some record (I think it was the Red Wings career record or something).
It was probably an honest answer, but it just rubbed me the wrong way.
everyone must be at the Yankees game.
NinY, you should remember that even 3 years ago the people of Pittsburgh didn’t know that they had a hockey team, much less want to support them.
I need to see a few more years of support before I’d get too excited about the fans there.
Don’t confuse a lack of (gate) support with a lack of knowledge, though.
If the Wild gives us a prolonged period of suckitude, I would be amazed if the fickle sports fan of Minnesota doesn’t turn its attention (not to mention it’s dollars) elsewhere.
bad rebound there by Flower.
They were giving away tickets for $20 for the “best available” seats and they just didn’t care. Before Crosby came, I don’t think I knew a single person who could have named more than one player on the team. Getting people to watch games on tv was a battle.
I have no idea about their knowledge level, but only because no one was interested in talking about hockey, regardless of how hard we tried.
I’m not saying they won’t become good fans, I’m just saying that this isn’t enough time for me to give them that much credit.
The wife is right. Those Pitt fans were the very definition of Fairweather.
Oldest building in the league, shitty team for years, devout Steelers fans, deteriorating economy…I think the good people of Steel Town deserve some leeway in the fair weather department.
And, regardless, are you telling me the crowd right now is NOT awesome?
They were giving away tickets for $20 for the “best available” seats and they just didn’t care.
The North Stars were in the same exact boat before they left. Just sayin’.
Say what you want about the fans a few years ago when the only thing we had to hope for during games was to a) not get shut out, and b) to not give up a goal in the first two minutes, but the fans that do come are dedicated as hell and the fans this postseason have been incredible.
Yeah, the fans can be fickle, but what franchise’s fans like going to games knowing the team is unlikely to win? I mean, did anyone see Penguins games a few years ago?
The crowd is loud that is for sure. It’s just anoying to see all these “fans” come out of the woodwork when the team is successful. A real fan sticks it out through the worst of times. The N*’s were gone by the time I got into hockey, and I think the wife got into the sport after that as well, so we wouldn’t know about that. And I think you hit the nail on the head though with the Steelers comment. That is all that city cares about. The Steelers rule that town.
That was a great game. Osgood made some key saves and so did MAF. That 5-3 was an amazing kill.
Wow, the website was down the whole game. Unfortunate.
No offense to you Kevin, but when I lived in PGH I was really annoyed by the fans. We went to see the Wild play once, and the Pens fans that were sitting next to us were just screaming stuff like “Try not to Suck!” the whole game. I am a big advocate of moral support for the team even when they are not playing well, so it really got on my nerves. We went to the Igloo a handfull of times (student rush tickets were cheap!)… it’s too bad Mario hung it up for good right before we started going… I never got to see him play :(. Sorry, sidetracked there for a sec… Oh, but there is a perfect example of people going to see a crappy team every game every year right up there in Minneapolis… Hellloooo Vikings!
Oh, and I am a Dolphins fan as well
Amazing kill? Yeah, Detroit did alright but the Pens didn’t show up for it. Officiating was terrible again (I’m convinced 40% of Detroit’s defense is uncalled obstruction) but there were at least three or four other factors why we lost. In no particular order: Osgood who was terrific; awful play all-around on the Wings’ second goal (another stupid blind pass to nowhere; works for the Wings not for us; and a softie by Fleury); Pens not taking advantage of the opportunities given to them (unlike Detroit, which did), that 5 on 3 and no shot - UGH; Pens were just not crisp at all, with passes or shots, and not much of a forecheck. Peaked in the first.
Detroit was better tonight and has been the whole series.
Radio guy says the Hudler goal hit the post first. Maybe it wasn’t as weak on Fleury as I thought. Still bad defensive play.
I wonder if the Pens are just worn out at this point. Not many have them have played a season this long.
Malkin and Sykora have been invisible. Wait no. Malkin’s been visibly terrible.
I had something else to say about Detroit but I can’t remember what it is. It was praise though. They’re just better.
I think that’s all I have to say. Little numb right now.
No offense Austin, but don’t try to suggest that Pittsburghers are the only ones who scream at their team negatively, and if you’re lumping the whole area’s fans based on a couple of guys then whatever.
Besides, “try not to suck” IS encouragement. It’s not “you guys suck.” It’s just another form of “let’s go Pens.”. (Thus ends the tongue-in-cheek part of this post.)
They can still make it a series Kevin. Maybe they just needed a kick in the pants?
And I’d LOVE to see Pittsburgh become a true hockey loving town. It just doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s all I was trying to say. If they are still enthusiastic in a few years, then bless you all.
(re: 7:17 & 7:28…)
Wouldn’t know Nick, our NBC affiliate has it showimg in the upper right hand side 1/8th of the screen while they assert their relevance in regards to severe weather.
Yeah, we can’t hear the crowd that is going nuts. Just the esteemed Jonathan Youhas blathering about strong winds.
I suggest contacting Lonnie Hartley - the Executive Producer accountable for this decision.
That person can be reached at 763 797 7215.
It had an impact on my experience of the game - basically that I DIDN’T experience the game, so I complained. I think I’ll pass this information on to the NHL and the FCC.
There are 4 other channels that I can watch if I need weather information. Total crap.
(^^^ written and saved while the blog was down)
Turns out KARE 11 only showed the radar with no game audio for the entire first period.
I guess we should be glad that they showed any of the game at all. I mean, its not like they make money off my eyeballs being directed at their programming or anything…
Dicks.
/rant
Kevin. I think a lot of teams fans fall suspect to the “our team blows, so I am not going to the games”. I wasn’t trying to single out PGH… it just so happens that they magically have fans again now that they are successful.. .and that bothers me. I have never been fond of the fairweather fan in any sport. As far as PGH goes, I blame the Steelers for stealing all the attention. That is definitely a football town. They would be totally okay without a baseball team or a hockey team… people in da’ burgh probably wouldn’t even notice if the ‘other’ sports were gone. Of course I am exaggerating that fact, but you can’t deny it is somewhat true.
It’s a Steelers town through and through. Always will be. Pittsburghers love their winners. I don’t think we’re the only city with bandwagoners.
I wasn’t saying you were Kevin. Sorry if it came across that way. I think I hear GTA IV calling my name. Cheers!
No worries Austin. I just needed to lash out and you’re just such a perfect target.
manhandle - how did you figure out the producer and the phone number? I am honestly so steamed about it that I was thinking of going into Golden Valley and shaving my head….. and then giving them the hair saying this is all thats left after pulling the rest out because you dolts felt the sky was falling!!!
Not that I’m mad or anything…
Called main switchboard –>
“We’re sorry, 9-5 etc…”
Called ‘tip line’ (I had a tip for them…)
“We’re sorry, 9-5 etc… But, if you would like to reach our news floor immediately…
..and I did sorta want to reach their news floor immediately, so I called.
Asked who was accountable for the decision. They told me. Told them I needed to speak with that person.
They (Ashley, condescending) were not helpful and not interested. They offered to take my name and number.
I offered to give them the finger.
(not really)
I just called back and requested that individual several times, and expressed my disappointment to the staff that did answer the phone but wouldn’t connect me.
They said to me, and said on the air, “FCC regs, have to show weather now…So sorry”
…might even be true.
I’d like to see the proof.
If it was proven to me, great. I was wrong. Sorry about all that. Carry on, etc…
But if they were just showing weather to compete with 4,5,9 I have zero patience for that.
They do not have a monopoly on weather today, just hockey. If someone in the path of the storm needs weather info I’m sensitive to that, but there are 5 other outlets I can think of in a half a second that can provide it that aren’t named KARE 11.
Because of their decision making and arguably weather relevance pandering, we missed 2/3rds of the goals in the middle game of the best Stanley Cup Playoff Final in the last several years. A DECISIVE game.
…and they don’t even kare.
Seems like nobody else on this blog cares either. You and me must’ve been the only ones hating this.
By the way, I’ve talked myself into paying Hossa $8 million a year. I’d rather have him over Malone right now.
manhandle: As much as I agree with you regarding KARE 11, I’m afraid you’re not going to win the arguement with them.
They need to justify (to their owners, Gannett) that they really DO need all the techy-crap that they throw up on the air. If they can do anything to prop up their sagging news ratings, they will do so, especially since their former anchor is working at their biggest competitor (WCCO), and that their sports department is a joke, headed up by a buffoon whose ‘claim to fame’ is getting his jersey number retired by an indoor lacrosse franchise which can’t draw flies.
I feel your pain, but KARE just doesn’t care.
manhandle…
I have to echo WRTs sentiment and add one other point.
Last weekend there was a deadly storm in Hugo. Obviously that had ’sky is falling, crying wolf, finger in the dike’ hysteria affecting otherwise rational thought.
I despise the weather paranoia of this area but when the NWS says tornado warning, the respective media outlets fall all over each other to cover it. Especially when (after the Hugo storm) they say sirens are ‘outdoor’ warnings only and to tune in local tv/radio.
I’m not as tore up about it as I would have been IF I had the opportunity to watch the game. Sadly, I was pre-empted by family…
NiNY, they did not have to give away North Stars tickets. We were drawing 92% capacity but Norm was getting pressured on his real estate loans and the local pols did nothing to solve the lack of suites problem. Without Norm we may not even have had the Wild as my Mpls pols were sitting on their hands like they did when the Jets tried to move here. Russo–we need more rumors.
Minneapolis “leaders” to the Northstars:
“We’d love to help, but we just built this shiny new Target Center, and a nicer Met might compete with it. Can’t you guys just move here?”
The fun part is that eight years later, their precious Target Center had to start competing with the brand new, better designed Xcel, instead of a renovated Met.
Go St Paul,
Norm Green still sucks….
Joining the discussion of fan support: it does not make any difference where you are located, if the team stays in the tank for a decade the fans are going elsewhere.
Teams need to provide fans with a fighting chance to win. Fans cannot have unrealistic demands like winning the Cup, but teams need to work hard and be competitive.
