Wild cuts loose Fiala
Posted on June 1st, 2008 – 4:27 PMBy Michael Russo
The 4 p.m. deadline has passed to sign 2006 draft picks, and the Wild has opted not to sign 2006 second-round pick Ondrej Fiala. According to assistant GM Tom Lynn, the Wild was concerned about injuries.
More tomorrow.
As for the other draft picks that year, James Sheppard and Cal Clutterbuck were signed previously, Europeans Niko Hovinen and Julian Walker don’t have to be signed because they’re on “defected” status and Kyle Medvec and Chris Hickey don’t have to be signed because they’re on ”college” status.
As for 2004 fourth-round pick Julien Sprunger, his “defected” status has technically expired today, but his status is in limbo pending IIHF negotiations.
The Wild has not yet met with Brian Rolston’s agent as Steve Bartlett’s meeting with several Minnesota-based clients (guys like Vanek, etc.) this weekend. Lynn goes to Toronto for the Willie Mitchell arbitration hearing Tuesday and Wednesday, but that could last months.
The Wild will soon announce where the beginning of training camp will take place this September. The Wild has been displaced because of the Republican National Convention at the X.
182 Responses to "Wild cuts loose Fiala"
Wait, “defected” status? What the heck is that?
“Defected” as in Soviet-style ‘defected’, or as in physically ‘defected’ like perenially injured? Nice way for the Wild to clean house.
Any insight from anyone on where training camp will start? Somewhere her in the Twin Cities area or in ‘Greater’ Minnesota?
Hmmm…
It concerns me that half of our second picks are busts.
I think it’s Soviet-style defected, WRT. But that’s just a guess.
Stupid RNC messes every thing up. Wasn’t there a rumor that the Wild could be doing camp over seas (like Slovakia)? Probably wouldn’t use Mariucci, campus will be hopping with the start of the school year. They could use Parade since they practice there anyway, or Wakota in South St. Paul if they want to stay in the Metro. Pleanty of options out state, for example, they could use the Mini-Ralph in Thief River Falls.
Well, Duluth was a mention as a possibility.
Ok Minnesota, what the hell is going on? I move away for a couple years and the RNC is displacing the Minnesota Wild? What’s next, former Democrat Norm Coleman wins another term as a Republican Senator?
Don’t make me come back up there and start kicking some ass. I’m looking at you Tim Pawlenty.
Well, Pawlenty might be McCain’s Vice-President candidate. That is the speculation.
When exactly was the last time Minnesota went Republican for the presidency?
20 hours… time to pop in some Miracle and see if the magic of Herbie does any good.
Hahahahaha, they won’t sign Fiala because they’re worried about injuries, but Gaborik will get an extension. I know they’re in different leagues talent wise, but still. I think Fiala’s going to be a winner somewhere, but not in MN (to my dismay).
The last Presidential election that Minnesota voted Republican was in 1972 for Nixon. He won all the states except for Massachusetts and DC.
I think its because of Gaborik that they won’t sign Fiala. Having one injured star is enough for one team. I don’t know about Fiala’s play but I kind of feel that they might have missed out.
Granted there haven’t been too many “deep” drafts since the team was born, and they have been just “successful” enough to pick out of the depth (such as it was) more often than not, but I agree that the Wild certainly seems to be having some trouble getting it’s picks to pan out.
This has seemed to have made the injuries we HAVE sustained (ie the playoffs) harder to swallow.
We have five more months of politics from every source imaginable, lets not degrade this blog with it too.
Lets see, Gaborik, Schultz, Koivu, PMB, Burns, Harding, Boogie, Shepard, Foy, Pouliot et al, and “the Wild are having some trouble getting its picks to pan out”?
Compare that to our beloved North Star picks and see which is more impressive.
Ice: I didn’t say all it’s picks.
Do you really think the team has depth commensurate with the number of actual picks they’ve made?
Plus, Foy? Pouliot? Give me a break.
Comparing them to the N*s is completely academic.
I’ve had said before that they’ve done a pretty good job with their TOP picks (Thelen notwithstanding), and that I think they’ve put a good core in place that I can get behind as a fan.
But the soon-to-be Stanley Cup Champs have shown us exactly how important those mid-to-late round picks are - and those are the rounds in which the Wild has a very spotty record to date.
nice typing, Nick.
“I’ve had said”…that’s just great.
iceman: The only result I want to see from the RNC at the ‘X’ will be cup holders on the upper-level seats. Other than that: hold your nose, folks…
The Wild don’t do very well with late-round picks because they felt they didn’t have to. The Red Wings, on the other hand, their success means that they would always draft late in rounds, so their scouting staff works that much harder to find that player who may have been overlooked by every other team. And, let’s face it, success breeds success. The Red Wings system is a successful system.
Maybe its time to look at our scouting staff. The Wild cannot afford to go a couple more years of draft picks not panning out.
Well maybe Leipold puts more money into scouting? He can’t do anything about salary cap, but with the 2nd highest per ticket revenue in the US he could higher a couple more scouts.
Detroit had 14 people involved in scouting, 17 for the Rangers and it looks like the Wild have 13 staff members involved in scouting. Just three of those are involved in European scouting, one of which is a Branislav Gaborik.
But something to keep in mind is that you can only really scout raw talent, character and intelligence, it takes a strong minor league coach and system to develop the player. That system was lacking in Houston but seems to be on track again.
Perhaps the Rob Daum era that ended with K.C. arriving has made the apperance that the Wild blew their 2nd and 3rd round picks of the ‘02 to ‘04 time frame. When in fact the coach was to blame?
can we send lemaire back to houston for a while?
AiH…I beg to differ.
If a team is drafting well, their key players do not spend a lot of time in the minor leagues:
Datsuk - 6th round choice/0 AHL games
Franzen - 3rd round/0 AHL games
Holmstrom - 10th round/6 AHL games
Zetterburg - 7th round/0 AHL games
Kronwall - 1st round/102 AHL games
Lidstrom - 3rd round/0 AHL games
Ericsson - 9th round/67 AHL games
Filppula - 3rd round/77 AHL games
Given their success in later rounds, I would say they not only kick the Wild’s arse on the ice, but in the front office and scouting departments as well.
They might not have played in any AHL games but how many played in their elite league games before jumping to the NHL. The Swedish Elite League, I hear, is comparable to the AHL.
You could say that Koivu would have likely skipped the AHL also except for that it was the lockout year.
kj - are you saying the only good draft picks are the ones that go straight to the NHL? Or are you arguing the minor leage system is pointless?
Regardless, isn’t it great to always have someone around to point out what happens 1% of the time?
The Wild don’t do very well with late-round picks because they felt they didn’t have to.
boy, I sure hope you’re wrong about that, WRT. It would boggle my mind if they really thought that they didn’t need to stock the cupboard with all picks available, being a new franchise and all.
Agreed on Detroit’s organizational system being great, though.
Gopher fans - I just read that Goligoski just got called up for tonight’s game (for the Pens). That should make the difference.
The Red Wings had many poor years, nearly every year the North Stars were in Minnesota they stunk. The transistion arrived about the same time Scotty Bowman went to the Red Wings.
The Wild are a new franchise. They do not have the same contacts established all over the world. Give this some time.
Hold the Wild to a higher standard but also be realistic about what they have accomplished in a short existence.
Liepold can help in widening their scouting staff and building a wider and deeper farm system. But, there is a limit to that too. Having too many prospects or too many opinions only complicates the selection and development process.
Sometimes there is nothing more scientific involved than just plain luck involved in getting a key draft choice to the NHL and more of it to be an impact player.
NiNY, yes Foy and Pouliot. Though not impact players, they did work their way onto the teams roster. There were others previously in that category as well.
Detroit seems to concentrate on Swedish players. They do not have a mix of Europeans. But, we cannot all be Detroit either. They no doubt have a key contact placed there who is an exceptional evaluator of talent.
But, maybe having essentially one foreign ethnic group instead of several maybe makes it easier for them to understand each other.
NiNY: My point was that since they (the Wild) had so many picks in the upper rounds, they didn’t have to concentrate on the lower rounds, which usually become ersatz trade bait for other lower-level players (the ‘throw-ins’ or ‘player to be named later’ in other deals.)
Detroit, on the other hand, knew that their success would not allow them to get the better players in each draft round, so they scout that much harder to find the ‘hidden gem’ player that everyone else overlooks for some reason.
Do the Red Wings scout better than the Wild? Yes, especially in Europe, where the Wild are also saddled with having Gaborik’s father as a so-called ’scout’. IMO, they should cut the Trencin Connection, stay away from Central Europe, and concentrate on Northern Europe where more and better players are found. (Koivu, Backstrom are two such examples.)
The Wild are a new franchise. They do not have the same contacts established all over the world. Give this some time.
wait…couldn’t the same be said for their ability to sift through the potential coaching ranks and attract established candidates…as a new franchise, that is?
Hold the Wild to a higher standard but also be realistic about what they have accomplished in a short existence.
Statistically I wouldn’t be surprised if they have not had to give up on a higher percentage of picks than any other team over the last 7 seasons.
But realistically they had a narrower margin for error than all but 28 of the other teams in the league in that they were new and thus their cupboard more bare.
If Foy is evidence of a pick panning out, then all pretense of holding the team to a high standard is thrown right out the window. Jury’s still decidedly out on Pouliot.
My point was that since they (the Wild) had so many picks in the upper rounds
really? I just checked on hockeydb.com and the Wild has never had more than 1 pick per year in the first and/or second round.
AiH…wow…I thought you were Mr. Positive?
My point was to acknowledge Detroit’s uncanny ability the over past few years to find a stud in the late rounds. And those studs didn’t develop in the minor leagues.
I am saying if a draft pick doesn’t contribute in the NHL, it wasn’t much of a pick. I mean, isn’t that the point of the Entry Draft?
And for those of you who think I’m crazy for saying, ‘Stay away from Central Europe’…the two defensemen whom Wild fans have loved to hate (Filip Kuba and Martin Skoula) are both from Central Europe. They both have shown to be human pylons. The Wild have an opportunity to get rid of Skoula and his bad attitude, as he is entering the last season of his contract.
One can only hope…
NiNY: Yes, the Wild have always had a pick in the first and second round. The middle runds, the Wild sometimes have had multiple picks, sometimes not.
Do the Wild need to upgrade their scouting? Yes, I’d believe they do. As I said earlier, get Gaborik’s dad off the payroll and you’ll improve it right there.
not to put too fine a point on it, but I think they did not have a pick in the second round last year. 
My point was that one pick in the first and second round doesn’t seem like “so many” higher round picks to me. Or at least not enough to justify playing fast and loose with the rest of your picks.
NiNY…fast and loose = inferior scouting!!!
kj: that’s one way to describe it!
How was the gig?
I believe they will regret the Fiala decision, it will go up there on the list of mistakes with O’Sullivan, Brunette, Michalek et al. Fiala will be a star with another team. Dino Cicarelli was written off because of injuries too.
Goligoski has been insane for the Baby Pens and creating a nightmare for the Wolves. He is what the Parent pens are missing from the blueline. He will be exactly what they need!
I hope to god that we don’t come to regret the Fiala decision. However, its understandable from the Wild’s point of view. Maybe the injuries were a main factor but I am sure that there were other stuff.
I would hate to be Gillies, though. He and Fiala play on the same junior team and the Wild signed him. Awkward.
Will Goligoski actually play tonight? Who would he be replacing?
And I have another question…
Is the NHL going to allow Third Jerseys, oh excuse me, I mean Reebok Edge Uniform Moisture Management Systems - Alternate Model? (REUMMS-AM)
And if they do, will the Wild bring back the Greens? I think a jersey with the Harvest Gold as the main color would be cool. Not a metallic gold, and not the flat Mustard color of the Nashville Predator jersey, and not so much Old Gold, but somewhere in between….like the Notre Dame Gold jersey.
Goligoski will likely replace Letang, who was at Bourdon’s funeral yesterday.
I would rather see a Wheat jersey than a gold jersey.
Maybe they’ll get a chance to take Fiala in the draft again, but I doubt it. I think it will be a MAJOR mistake as he’s a big talent at center, which is what the Wild need. Cripes, Steveie Y played his whole career on bum knees. Maybe they think that Adrian Foster is over his injury trouble enough to fill that role but I’ve heard no other issues with Fiala and he didn’t seem to have any problems scoring on that bad knee this year.
Why would they waste a pick on Fiala again?
How much money would they be losing if they sign Fiala to an entry level contract? Isn’t it just the signing bonus that they have to pay out? He’s old enough to play in Houston… so that might money going there.
Can someone clarify? Thanks.
Gabby’s brother, not father.
Later pick, lower signing bonus, lower salary. Players almost never get re-drafted higher, especially if they have been tagged with an injury problem. Also, older players get shorter term ELCs. Lots of reasons for re-drafting. Not saying that is something the Wild would do, just saying that is a strategy that could be employed. If he is around in a later round it could be feasible to maintain exclusive rights.
Gabby’s brother, from what I understand, only scouts in Slovakia, Czech, Austria, and occasionally in Russia.
If there are only two European scouts and Gabby’s brother is one, the other must be in Sweden or Finland.
We need one in Sweden, Finland, and Russia. These are the hockey power houses across the pond.
If he’s there in the 7th round, I wouldn’t mind picking him up again.
I wonder if by the 6th or 7th round, the Wild should just pick a Swedish player. You know how when you take a multiple choice test, if you don’t know the answer, pick C.
I mean by the 6th round, there are slim pickings, why not go for the best bet — a Swedish or Finnish-born player.
NiNY…the gig went great.
Been a while since we played so there was a little rust, but overall it was fun.
Zero attendance from Russoville. I am beginning to wonder if there is another house band that I don’t know about… 
Here’s a theory:
Fiala is Czech. Iirc, the Czech Republic withdrew from the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement. The new CBA requires that 20-yr olds sign a 3-yr deal.
What are the chances the the Wild is skitish about signing a Czech player to a 3-yr deal, knowing that he could “jump ship” at anytime, without notice or compensation?
Just thinkin’ out loud…
BFW, I agree with your thinking. I think the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement is going to have some major implications for some time. Unless the player is skilled enough to play for big club immediately it is likely to lose them. Which would basically waste your draft/development time.
Fiala does not fall under the IIHF/NHL agreement I am assuming or he would have been in “defected” status as Sprunger.
Maybe because he is playing the Canadian leagues and not in the European leagues.
Here’s another thought, if they were unsure about Fiala earlier this year, which I am assuming was not an overnight decision, why didn’t they trade him for somebody… anybody.
DR and Co. are not utilizing draft picks to get better players. And I don’t want to open up the Demitra trade issue again. Its just a little disheartening that they are willing to let assets walk without getting some compensation. I don’t know if any team would have like Fiala but if Federov was traded for a fourth pick college guy. We could have traded Fiala for a top 6/7 defensemen at least.
Fiala does not fall under the IIHF/NHL agreement I am assuming or he would have been in “defected” status as Sprunger.
Not exactly.
The only reason the Transfer Agreement doesn’t apply to Fiala is because he is not under contract professionally with another league [See NHL CBA, Section 10.2 (b)(i)(B).]
So, if he were to sign with the Wild, (a 2-way deal would be required by the NHL CBA), and be upset at any time about not making the big team, he could just skip out and play in the CR, which opted out of the Transfer Agreement.
No one would trade for an unproven Major Jr. player.
Gaborik’s brother, father, whatever…get rid of him. We need a scout who is more a student of the game, and less a shirt-tail relation to our current superstar/headache…someone who can actually SPOT talent, not just get his name on an NHL payroll…
‘Fast and Loose’, NiNY? No, if they were fast and/or loose they would have better players (and more of ‘em) in the pipeline. On the contrary; the Wild are like the Federal Government…slow to react and overpays for what little they get. If their scouting department were ‘fast and loose’ they would have players who would be more in demand by other teams.
Something from the rumor mill:
Panthers C Olli Jokinen: Armed with a contract extension, GM Jacques Martin is getting ready to move his captain. The asking price will be high, but so is demand. The Flames, Canucks and Wild may all have an interest in making a deal.
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2008/06/01/5736266-sun.html
NiNY, Foy is in the NHL. I do not predict how long he will be here or how much he accomplishes.
Not many players drafted by any team will be as good as Modano.
If you must have draft choices that are that elite, and less is a failure of the staff, then perhaps you will be disappointed more often than not.
Ice: who brought up Modano? Elite? Don’t forget, having an allegedly higher standard is your phrase, not mine. At no time have I said that all picks should turn out to be elite players, so lets not make this into something it isn’t. Did you not see the part where I said I thought they have spent their high picks wisely (Thelen notwithstanding)?
You still haven’t answered my earlier question of whether or not you think the team has depth commensurate with the number of actual picks they’ve made?
Not elite, mind you. DEPTH. And since you’re hung up on Foy, I’ll even give you him.
Foy is in the NHL. I do not predict how long he will be here or how much he accomplishes.
* As a note, Foy is a Group VI Free Agent this summer.
Wild entry draft picks by round:
1st
Gaborik, Koivu, PMB, Burns, Thelen, Pouliot, Sheppard, Gillies
2nd
Schultz, Wanvig, Harding, O’Sully, Voloshenko, Kassian, Fiala
3rd
Heid, SRV, Mike Erickson, Brust, Irmen, Olvecky, Stoner, Westblom, Clutterbuck
4th
Cavosie, Virta, Ryan Jones, Bordeleau, Sprunger, Bailey, Madsen, Medvec, Falk
5th
Sushinski, Berzins, Kolusz, Jean-Claude Sawyer, Anthony Aiello, Hovinen, Almond
6th
Reitz, Foy, Kopriva, A. Boogaard, Walker, Ilvonen
7th
Passmore, Bartos, D. Boogaard, Eckerblom, Misharin, Courchaine, Rizk, Khudobin, Emmerson, Hickey, McMillan
8th
Sekeras, Johansson, Riddle, Brandner, Melanson
9th
Tyulyapkin, Hannula, Bolduc, Wilson
All I can say after looking at that group, after the SRV draft in the 3rd round is…
…yuck.
Personally, NiNY, I am just fine with where the team has drafted and what they have accomplished.
They make better player decisions and have gotten better faster than their closest competition (those other new franchises). They are stable and are competitive with nearly the entire NHL.
Now, they still need to get better, to make another step.
But, I won’t waste my time trying to out-think the team or second-guess all the decisions they make.
We don’t know whether Fiala was asking for an unreasonable sum of money or not. We do not know what the team knows about him. No point in being upset with the non-signing.
No one would trade for an unproven Major Jr. player.
…Indeed, but NYI got a 6th rounder for Simon.
our scouts suck.
I know it was an injury thing with Fiala, but what’s the point of even drafting in rounds 2-7 if one player every other year from them get signed?
But, I won’t waste my time trying to out-think the team or second-guess all the decisions they make.
but, isn’t that what we as fans are supposed to do?!
And I could say that one doesn’t have to waste any time trying to out think or second guess the team when one thinks every decision they make is the right one.
I don’t happen to think that a dose of skepticism, coupled with high-but-reasonable expectations is a bad thing.
Maybe that’s because I haven’t physically lived in Minnesota for all these years, though.
I’ll be shocked if Goligoski plays tonight. Yes, he has been lighting it up in the Calder Cup playoffs (when coupled with what I saw in his three NHL games earlier, I’m pretty excited for next year) but reportedly he was recalled on emergency basis because, as pointed out, Letang is at Bourdon’s funeral. However, Letang was a scratch before Bourdon’s unfortunate accident. Darryl Sydor was playing, and I don’t see Gogs replacing Sydor. I’m not sure why he was even recalled, unless they were worried a D would get hurt during game-day skates.
NiNY:
I think we have a depth problem and not signing Fiala will be a problem. I don’t know why the Wild thinks we need third line grinders more than we need scorers. Don’t they understand that unless the Wild tanks, we can’t get top 5 picks anymore. They need to spend more money on scouts who can maybe find gems among rocks.
Getting back to Fiala –I remember reading that the owner/coach of the Saskootoon Blades, where Fiala and Gillies play on, is a good friend and teammate of Riseborough/Thompson. So he might have provided the team with inside info about Fiala.
Draw your own conclusions, but here is a breakdown for the draft years 2000 to present.
Since Detroit has been a subject of discussion, I’ve compared their drafts with ours, based soley on the origin of the player, not round, etc. At the very least, it can be argued that there is a distinct philisophical difference in the approcach of the two teams, based solely on the empirical numbers:
Det % Min %
Fin 2 3% 4 6%
Swi 0 0% 2 3%
Swe 21 32% 3 5%
Rus 6 9% 4 6%
Slk 1 2% 2 3%
Pol 0 0% 1 2%
Czk 4 6% 3 5%
Ger 0 0% 1 2%
Bel 1 2% 0 0%
NA 30 46% 46 70%
oops, that’s hard to read, sorry.
In summary, 32% of Detroit’s picks within that time are from Sweden. 5% for MN.
Less than 50% of Detroits drafts have been from North America. 70% for MN.
Less than 50% of Detroits drafts have been from North America. 70% for MN.
At least the homers will now cease and desist on “DR loves Euros over North Americans” rants 
I’m bored…
sometimes when past draft stuff comes up, all I see is “Blah, blah, blah…. DR’s a dirty slut…” I know, I’m losing it.
So the Twins pitcher, Blackburn, got hit in the face with a ball last night. Maybe Foster should give him a call and give him some advice about dealing with broken noses and black eyes. He’s got to be a pro at dealing with those by now.
Looks like its Ron Wilson for the Leafs - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239553
Poor guy. What’s worse — baseball or a puck? The outcome is the same but if you were to have a choice and “neither” is not an option.
I’d like to know how Foster is doing. Russo, can you give us an update? Something as simple as he is on schedule in his rehab.
NiNY, my opinion does not have anything to do with whether every move the Wild makes is right or wrong.
But, it takes time and history to prove either. In the meantime every move the team makes is severely criticized by half the fans contributing here.
Interesting, BfWi. But, it is not only that Detroit is taking Swedes, they have built with the right Swedes.
It may be also that their own Swedish players offer some keen insights and inside information that they can take advantage of at draft time.
So with letting Fiala walk I was wondering at what point to we start weeding out players in Houston that aren’t working out? Shawn Belle for example.
How stupid of the Leafs not to pick up their own alumus John Anderson as their coach. They’ll regret that!
I think Goligoski will replace Ruutu tonight Kevin. He hasn’t played enough minutes nor had enough of a physical impact to warrant a position in the lineup and the upside offensive spark, especially on the power play and in transition game Goli can provide definitely does. All depends on whether Michel liked what he saw in practice today enough to trust him.
iceman…
I think the undeniable pattern is that the Wild do not draft well beyond the 2nd round.
They have drafted good core players in the 1st. They have built depth in the 2nd.
Not much to show past that.
Compare with other expansion teams and I suspect you’ll see that we aren’t much better than their drafts.
Where the Wild are MUCH better than their counterparts is coaching. No one does better with less than our own JL.
But…can JL coach a talented offensive team? We don’t have enough firepower to find out as of year 8.
I think sunshine has some good points about Fiala. First, yeah he could up and go to Europe, but how is that not true of anyone? I don’t think the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement had anything to do with it, but making the financial committment with his injuries did. However, if that’s where they were going, they should have traded him. They’ve known about the injuries for some time, and they probably could have gotten something for him, or they could have at least used him to sweeten any deal. Letting assets walk out the door for nothing is never a good thing, IMO. Time will tell if they made the right call.
I think overall, the Wild have done OK drafting. Not exceptionally well, not exceptionally bad.
Wow what a horrid call on Datsyuk. The quality of officiating has really gone down this series.
Sunshine, the way the Mr and I figured it, it’s about the same (puck vs. baseball). Small hard object going very fast. It’s gonna do some damage. That’s why I’ve always thought goalies are a bit round the twist, and you got to admit, it takes a ’special’ kind of person to get in front of a puck on purpose.
Bandgeek:
Thanks. It was a burning a question - just as how many licks it takes to reach the tootsie roll pop.
The Wild has always said that they will build the team through the draft. If the cupboard is going to be bare soon, they better start working on their belief.
OUCH. That’s all I have to say about that!
*biting tongue*
NiNY, my opinion does not have anything to do with whether every move the Wild makes is right or wrong.
Good for you. Neither does mine. Nor, I suspect, anyone else’s here. I mean, how could one even quantify that?
But, it takes time and history to prove either. In the meantime every move the team makes is severely criticized by half the fans contributing here.
Well, seeing as how this is a forum for learning about and discussing the minutia surrounding the team, I think that’s probably natural.
I would submit, however, that history happens every second. I mean, what’s the minimum amount of time before we can start judging the team? 10 seasons? 20?
Me, I don’t think anyone - from JL to DR to (Lord knows) myself - is infallible. I also don’t presume that anyone in the organization reads what I write here, so I am under no illusion that I have any kind of voice with the team. Maybe that makes me a coward. But I think it really just makes me a fan.
I would like to ask the Austins how the good people of Motown fit into their mold of “bandwagoners = bad fans”.
The Wings have had tons of trouble selling tickets to regular season (and early round playoff games) the last couple seasons. The thought is that the flagging economy makes it pretty hard to justify shelling out big money to go to a Wings game - that is most likely televised anyway. There was that silly article earlier this season that said that their claim to the Hockeytown moniker was dead, blahblahblah.
Yet, the Joe is certainly rocking tonight.
Bad fans?
I think saying the economy is the reason behind the poor sales is pretty weak personally. But the ‘Fans’ in Detroit maybe do not completely fill the arena every game, but it’s usually pretty full. I am more upset when I see a team playing on TV and I think to myself “wow, that place is really empty!”. I am not sure that I have ever had to say that about Detroit. But then again, I don’t watch them that often. It does anger me that they were not selling out the playoff games. That is absurd to me. Maybe there is more to it than I know… But Nick you are right about tonight, they are rocking the Joe.
Nice snag by Marc-Andre. Beauty.
I think saying the economy is the reason behind the poor sales is pretty weak personally.
That was just one theory I’d read.
I think part of it to me is that Detroit hasn’t tried lowering ticket prices as far as I’m aware of. I don’t have the same knowledge with Detroit as I do Pitt, so I could be wrong, but I get the impression that there are no $20 tickets available no matter how empty the Joe gets.
And I think I’ve read that Detroit’s tv ratings are usually pretty good for the games. Another thing for me is that getting people to watch the games on tv in Pitt was like pulling teeth.
That was just one theory I’d read.
I heard that somewhere too.. I just don’t like it.
You knew that goal was coming sooner or later. Lots of pressure by the wings.
what a pass/tip combo for the goal there.
Fleury will want that one back though. His stick was in the right position…but it was off the ice as he came across.
Hey Kevin, the wife wants to know that handy shortcut for getting to the bottom of the page on a Blackberry. If you feel like typing it that is.
Therrien (sp?) needs a TO
Wow, this looks a lot more like the Red Wings usually play. They are buzzing!
Malone looks horrible. That takes a lot of guts to get out there in that condition. It hurts me just looking at his face.
WildinATX: I think it was Helena St. James who I heard on HNIC radio talking about the fact that the team had to roll out a marketing campaign and some ticket package deals this season for the first time in a loooong time. I don’t know if they had to reduce ticket prices per se, yet, though.
If this is typical of “Western Conference” defense, then I’m done watching the NHL. This obstructing is ridiculous. Then to call us? Come on. How many guys have we had tackled right in front of the net tonight?
Hit the spacebar. That acts as Page Down. Hit shift and space and that’s Page Up. Or do Find for ssomething down low.
I didn’t see that one go in. I thought Fluery snagged that one.
I’m blaming the referees for this one. Unbelievable. Detroit doesn’t need the help. I’ll concede they’re better but gee, I wonder what it would be like if the goddamn rules were enforced.
Thanks Kevin.
Yeah Nick, I had been hearing things about Detroit having lots of issues… It just seems like a weak reason. Fans usually find a way to make it work, even if it isn’t the most fiscally responsible thing to do
There is a difference between standing up the puck carrier at the blue line and blatent interference. I’m not sayin’… I’m just sayin’.
I’m going to go on record right now as asking my fellow Russotans to join me in letting KiPA vent all he needs to.
Kev, here’s one on the house for you.
Nick, Even the most broke hockey fan will find the money to go to the game that could or could not be the final game of the SCF. So yes the Joe has been a little empty of late, but on a night like tonight, it’ll be rockin’ even if you have to get a second mortgage to buy the tickets.
I won’t poke the hornet’s nest anymore. Promise.
Cheers, Kevin. It’s not over till it’s over!
Are you allowed to hand pass in the defensive zone? I ahve seen Pitt do it a few times, and I am jsut curious.
Austin: we run a Michigan state-specific muni fund, and one of our portfolio managers tells a funny story about it.
He says that when he goes out on the road, one of the ways he pitches the fund is to say that it’s a civic pride thing too, that when you invest in munis from your state or county or town, you’re doing your part to help your community.
He says that always goes over very well with the locals…
…except in Michigan. He said it’s the only place he’s been in America where the reaction to that is along the lines of “why the hell would I want to support this place? I hate this place, it’s a dump and I’d leave if I could afford it.”
Not the best environment - economically or otherwise (Red Wings pride notwithstanding) right now.
I’m for letting Kevin vent. Damn refs.
Detroit lowered playoff ticket prices over last year http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=353370.
Interesting blogger take on Red Wing atendance woes here: http://www.behindthejersey.com/2008/01/06/detroit-red-wings-attendance-woes/
Guess we’ll have to hope the Calder Cup isn’t over this quickly. At least the Kelly Cup is all knotted up at two games each.
I can see that for sure Nick. I lived in Michigan for a year when I was young and I couldn’t wait to leave that place.
The Pens have gotten away with penalties too. Detroit does play good defense. The Red Divers though…maybe you all see this “tight-checking team defense” more so you’re numb to it, but I’m seeing all kinds of infractions. How was that Holmstrom slash missed? Pens got away with some obvious stuff too.
Having said that, the swarm Detroit’s put on is amazing and we missed some great chances. But I don’t see how anyone can say this has been a well officiated series. For either side (as an example, Roberts should’ve been called for charging a couple times in game 3.)
Just for you Kevin……
“REF GET OFF YOUR KNEES!!! YOUR BLOWING THE GAME!!!!”
Austin: yes you can.
It definitely has not been well officiated Kevin, I will give you that one. And I must say, you are exceptionally level-headed for this being such a huge game. I would be going ape-sh!t-crazy if I were you.
That last post by ‘WildinATX’ was actually me btw.
Defensive zone hand passes are legal as long as the recipient is also in the defensive zone.
It looks like a few of the Pens gave up. They were just standing around. That was close .
WOW!
Holy shit! Awesome!
Geno looks gassed.
HOLY KEEPING IT INTERESTING BATMAN!!!!
Wow, that was a great way to end regulation. What a fun game to watch. I am glad I am not Kevin… I would be having a coronary.
I’m swearing plenty off the blog.
That was awesome. I want multiple overtimes!
The Mr was wondering how many fans in the crowd yelled a naughty four letter word that starts with F when that puck went in for the Pens. I’m sure it was over half.
This is the most thoroughly entertaining finals I can remember in a while. Possibly because of my man-crush on Henrik Zetterberg (seriously, just give him the Conn Smythe already)
I am with you on the Zetterberg man crush Rock. He is a badass.
Bandgeek, I would have been one of them yelling that word if I were there.
I’m thinking Osgood for Conn Smythe. He’s been incredible this series.
Come on people, let’s rally around beating those diving, obstructing commie bastards! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Alright, no more watching Miracle for Kevin.
You know Kevin, that works so well against the Red Wings.. Every time I look at them I think Big Red Machine.
It is a bit like playing the Russian red machine.
Given the physical condition of the Penguins defense how much do you think Michel is wishing he played Gopher Alex about now? No Gonchar, 1/4 Sydor, banged up others and a useless Rutuu. I’m pretty surprised
Damn, Fleury saved the series right there… for now.
Wow. Ozzie with a beauty.
that’s for you KiPA.
Indeed Nick.
I think the Pens should feel lucky to still be in this one. That was a great OT period by the Wings, but I have a feeling that the Pens won’t play so tentatively in the second OT. They gotta know they got out of that by the skin of their teeth and they probably won’t let the Wings take it to them so hard.
What’s for me?
Claire: it’s easy now to say Therrien wishes he’d dressed Gogs now with Gonchar’s in-game injury. But did you really expect him to play a rookie defenseman in a finals elimination game?
Our PP sucks. Maybe Detroit being called for penalties wouldn’t have mattered.
MAF is standing on his head in OT. This is great hockey. I can’t speak for most of the game since I fell asleep — not because the game was boring but because I was tired.
Man, my blood pressure is going up.
Double overtime in the SC Finals. I LOVE IT!
wow…that’s doubly for you KiPA (the PP)
Another make-up call? That was pretty bad.
Everyone still up? I am not going to sleep until this is settled!
Yeah, I fully expected a Det PP but that makeup call was particularly weak. We had two chances before though and hit several posts, so…
God I’m tired. Someone score.
I’ll be up ’til the end.
Yeah this needs to end soon. It has been great hockey though. A little sloppy in the 2nd and 3rd OTs, but for the most art it has been good stuff. But I am getting tired.
I’m not a fan of either team, but this series has been fun to watch.
I had a nice nap this afternoon, so I’m good to go.
I’ll be here to the end. This is exciting stuff. I was up for the Stars-Sharks.
Ok… This is going to be the period where someone scores…
You must be tired Austin. Haven’t had the third OT yet.
Indeed Kevin. It just feels like 3. You knew what I meant!
How many more times are these announcers going to talk about how long it’s been since the teams have eaten? Is that really the best insight you can give?
Kevin: I’d rather have a healthy rookie defenseman who can score than a defenseman who can’t raise his hands above his shoulders or can’t skate due to injury or one like Rutuu who took very few shifs during first three periods anyway, and that was before the Gonchar injury.
That said these guys are playing admirably.
Whoo, hoooo!!!!
Whoo, hoooo!!!!
Wow. That was insane.
Sorry, strib did that double post, not me.
Wow. What a game.
Fleury was a beast in OT. Congrats Kevin. It must feel good.
Congrats Kevin - FUN game for us all!
The great Red Wings are capable of blowing a game they had won too.
Great game. Pens live to play another day.
Good night people! Good Game!
Great game.
Oy vey. Tired. We won. Whew. In depth analysis some other time. Blackberry low on battery and can’t put thoughts together.
Gonchar with an assist on that GWG Claire. Ruutu played well in OT. Not trying to bash Gogs. But still. Well I don’t care at this point. Got a long drive home now.
Congrats, Kevin…One of the most entertaining games I’ve ever watched, and I know the igloo will be jumping Wednesday. What fun! That’s a game we’ll remember and talk about for years and years.
Rutuu played well in OT because he didn’t play at all in the game! He was the only one with fresh legs! I was very happy Gonchar came back but man, that is one brutalized blueline. How they’re going to play a Game 6 I don’t know. I would guess some changes for sure on Wednesday but I doubt they’d take Goli away from Richards if they didn’t have to since the games are head-to-head. My guess is Letang is re-inserted unless Gonchar and Sydor are re-evaluated and can’t go Goli won’t play. Maybe Malone should get used to a shield this summer too, just a thought. Too bad Taffe didn’t get in a playoff game, won’t get his name on the Cup if they make it that far.
Rutuu played well in OT because he didn’t play at all in the game!
I wanted to overlook that part… but seriously. You’re going to insert a rookie defenseman with three games of NHL experience into the Stanley Cup Finals against one of the best offensive teams in the league? Ruutu, while he hasn’t had a very good finals (note: you can say that about a bunch of Penguins), he’s been a solid contributor for much of the playoffs and scored the series-winner against Ottawa. Were you one of the ones calling for the Wild to call up a defenseman for Game 6 this year when you guys were banged up? I can’t remember back that far.
Gonchar’s health is a concern, but why would Sydor be re-evaluated? What did I miss? And I’m not worrying about names on the Cup. We’re not in a position to win it.
Although Taffe would. He played in 45 regular season games. If I remember right, you need to play in 41.
Apparently falling asleep between the first and second overtime was a mistake, I was more tired last night than I thought. Congrats to your boys keeping this alive Kevin.
KiPA, don’t you need to play one game in the playoffs to have your name on the Cup?
burning question for KiPA: Do you have a stub for tomorrow night?
Hey NiNY,
As a goalie, what’s your favorite Flowers save from last night?
That toe save on Samuelsson in the 2nd was a series-saver. If this kid keeps playing like that, he could single-handedly steal this series.
Unreal.
Petr Sykora. Wow. A consummate professional that realizes how badly his team needs him, facing elimination he turns to his fellow warriors and tells them not to worry, tells them he’s got this one. To take that kind of leadership and deliver is inspiring to say the least.
At this moment I am a full blown Penguins fan and I might be in love with Marc-Andre Fleury.
Now, Pittsburgh needs to avoid the trap Dallas fell into. The Stars stopped playing desperate after their Game 5 win in Detroit and Game 6 was over before the 2nd period.
AiH,
Ditto. Did you see the Babcock quote on Sykora?
“Well, I thought he had some help,” Babcock said of Fleury. “They got down to five ‘D.’ Their ‘D’ battled real hard. They got off to a good start tonight. They had two goals early, and I hated to see Petr Sykora get that puck late. You just know it’s going in.
Amazing, amazing, game. Instant classic.
bfw: the toe save was incredible. He didn’t cheat to the pass and still had the ability to get over. And it was a good shot! It wasn’t like the shot was back to the middle of the net. Yeah sure, I could do that…once… (but then you’d need a forklift to get me off the ice and my Gaboriks would be flopping around on the ice like those damn Octopi) ;P
I said last night that he’d probably want the 3rd Detroit goal back, but then he made up for it with his incredible play in OT.
That was Rafalski’s point shot, right? I still don’t know where that one went, looked like low stick. Looked like he was screened, do you think?
Also, I disagree with all the whining by the Milbury and McGuire regarding goaltender interference. The refs were calling it by the book, and that’s definitely one area that you don’t want to get out of control with guys running goalies, etc. They bumped the goalie in the crease, end of story.
I just can’t believe the ‘rebound’ game that Flowers hand, after essentially giving the Wings Game 4 with that short-side softy. What a stud. Game 6 will be tremendous.
And poor, KiPA. The guy musta had 5 heart attacks by now!!
bfw: the one I’m thinking of was a shot from MAF’s glove side boards into the slot, where Datsyuk deflected it. MAF read it right and executed the butterfly slide perfectly, and he even had his stick blade centered between his knees…but it was off the ice and the puck went through five hole. He did 95% of the things right on that play, and that last 5% burned him.
NINY - I agree that the 2-on-1 save in the 2nd period was as big as it gets. My favorite part of watching the replay was seeing the fans behind the goal. The first three rows were already standing and putting their hands in the air because it looked like a sure goal. Amazing save!
bfw: now that I think about it, I think that was the second Detroit goal, you’re right about Rafalski’s goal being the third.
Goalieguy: definitely. Huge save, huge moment too.
Now we will see how well the Red Wings can lift themselves back up off the ice.
I think it will be a huge monkey for them having been so close to the Cup.
Now, I think the Pens have a realistic chance of drinking the champaign.
NiNY,
Speaking of kick saves, how ’bout Osgood’s stop on Crosby on that partial breakaway? I thought he shot it wide, but the replay showed he juuust barely got a piece of it.
With Geno getting an assist on the game-winner, I wonder if the Wings have awoken(?) a sleeping giant?
“I’d like to know how Foster is doing. Russo, can you give us an update? Something as simple as he is on schedule in his rehab.”
Here, here.
