Bergeron ecstatic, Reitz signed
Posted on June 11th, 2008 – 2:37 PMBy Michael Russo
– As I mentioned yesterday, the Wild signed defenseman Erik Reitz to a one-year, $500,000, one-way contract today, meaning he should make the squad next season.
– As for Marc-Andre Bergeron, I talked to him a few hours ago. He was on the golf course yesterday and didn’t have his cell, so he missed call after call from the Ducks. Finally, the trade had to be made and both teams announced it, meaning he found out he was dealt to Minnesota when his mother saw it reported.
He was very, very happy and said it will be a good change. He says he wants to become a more complete player and has the qualities to help the Wild. You’ll read more in tomorrow’s paper, plus, if you come back tonight, I’ll throw some bonus stuff on here that you’ll be interested in.
– After trading its third- (Bergeron), sixth- (Chris Simon), and seventh-round picks (Aaron Voros), the Wild owns four now — 24th overall, 55th, 115th and 145th.
– This was sent to me by Minnesota Hockey Journal’s Fiona Quick as a follow to that Tiger Woods link I had up a few days ago. It’s courtesy of the Detroit News:
Tiger Woods loves hockey.
Woods said Tuesday at Torrey Pines he’s “gotten a lot of grief” over comments last week that “nobody watches hockey anyway.”
“I love the sport,” said Woods, in full retreat. “I love watching it but I don’t like watching it on TV. In person, it’s absolutely incredible, what they’re able to do and what they can do. TV doesn’t do justice to that. A lot of sports are the same way.”
Woods, in San Diego for the U.S. Open, said of the criticism he’s received, “It is what it is.”
He added: “I said what I said and I was trying to be funny about it but people didn’t perceive it that way.”
That’s because in Detroit, hockey is serious business.
Wednesday June 11 by Vartan Kupelian The Detroit News.
Like I said, come back later tonight for a nugget you’ll be interested in. Hey, it’s the offseason. I want to build up traffic again 
49 Responses to "Bergeron ecstatic, Reitz signed"
This is the fifth or sixth post in 2 or 3 days, I love it! Keep going Russo. I have missed the blog after the season ended.
I hope he is willing to work with the coaches. That is something some Oilers fans has said that about him or its going to be a long year in the JL’s doghouse.
Nice to here that Queen MAB is eager to come here. Sometimes I think the Wild gets cast as the red-headed step child of the NHL. Maybe thats just me however.
Aaron, from last thread. There is nothing wrong with Elizabethan England. I got an A on my senior thesis paper on Elizabethan marraiage contracts of the nobility and how they influenced politics of the time (old English legal docs are a biznich to read, and I had to look up the odd Latin phrase every so often). But hockey is much more fun to talk about.
(old English legal docs are a biznich to read, and I had to look up the odd Latin phrase every so often
Try gettin’ through the NHL CBA! Ack.
Russo’s really got a flair for the dramatics. Is it sweeps week for the internet?
I don’t have a problem with Shakespeare, Its just that I come to this board for mindless chatter and I was slapped in the face with an advanced english lesson.
It is hard enough getting through a NiNY post the way it is with the odd French tossed in let alone Old English.
I liked the “flick of the thumbs” line. Think Teerhar could pull it off?
Is it sweeps week for the internet?
LMAO!
This post is for Russoville traffic: is it “old” or “olde” English?
Adam: it’s Ye Olde Englishe.
That a boy Russo. I’m always looking for reasons to come back here. Nice to see Wild news again.
Holik @ $2M/year? A Fox Sports suggestion:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8227516/Sakic,-Sundin-head-list-of-free-agent-centers
———-
…And let’s face it: The Don is playing us like a fiddle. We’re all dyin’ for some off-season speculation, and so all he has to say is, “I’ll also have some other news later tonight” and the blog blows up with 150 posts! Gotta love it.
We’re not called the State of Hockey for nothing!
Keep it coming, DCMR Russo…
Can we agree to use the Queen’s English?
HABS INSIDE/OUT my site says your organization sucks, and we should get all your good players here. BTW, Greg, what aare you wearing??
I thought it was:
Colt 45 “It Works Every Time!”
I’ll agree to using my olde Iron Range accent, but that’s as far back historically as I’ll go with my language.
Colt 45 “It Works Every Time!”
Classic!!
…But if we’re talkin’ “40’s” (and you know we are!), then I’m goin’ with Olde Eight Ball!
This post is for Russoville traffic: is it “old” or “olde” English?
Actually, it would be “Middle” English… 
Actually, it would be “Middle” English
Give me Olde English 800, or give me death!
Give me Olde English 800, or give me death!
Isn’t that redundant?
Give me Olde English 800, or give me death!
Isn’t that redundant?
Perfect!
He shoots, he scooooooores!!
I knew I could count on the regulars to finish that one off! Nicely played.
its only ecklund, but…….maybe????
Hossa:
The Sabres and Wild are hot on Hossa I am told today…
.
I think Ecklund might right this time, especially the Wild not being hot on Hossa.
This is a first.
English Literature Blog?
Ie: “Bandgeek issued an angry missive directed toward NiNY to the effect whether William Shakespear’s ulterior motives …”
You get the picture.
(sung to the tune you think it is)
Got it bad
Got it bad
Got it bad
Wild hot for Hossa…
Got it bad…so bad…Wild hot for Hossa.
The fact that Gabby basically said, “No way would Hossa come here” pretty much tells me there will be no Hossa in Minnesota. I mean, I’d welcome him for sure, but I don’t see it happening.
CENTERS.. we need CENTERS! What are the chances that Gaborik will learn to play two way hockey like Stanley Cup finals hit leader Datsuk? yeah.. that’s what I thought. Sigh. how about learning to pass like the Wings? Short, quick and tape to tape? yah Sigh… well, at least we can watch good fights are our arena, if not good hockey.
kj - I’m feeling “Hot for Teacher”, but I gotta tell ya… You’re gonna want that cowbell on the track.
Unfortunately, I’m more in agreement with ms.conduct than kj.
The Wild play good hockey not at the level of the Red Wings but they are on a different stratosphere this year.
The Wild just need to learn to play consistent good hockey. After a good game, they tend to lay an egg the next.
Yes, more cowbell!
(sorry, I still find it funny)
I’m reading Todd McLellan (sp?) will be the new coach of the Sharks…anyone care to confirm?
FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MODEL DR.
Let’s trade b-b-benny and a no. 1 to Florida for Jokinen (who hates Jacques Martin who re-upped as GM - something has got to give there) We could fit him under the cap by saying bye-bye to Smilin’ Pav and Parrish. Assume $54 million cap next year.
Left wingers
Derek Boogaard, $875,000
Stephane Veilleux 546,700
LW Brian Rolston, 4,000,000
Colton Gillies 1,400,000
LW Todd Fedoruk, 1,750,000
Centers
Mikko Koivu, 3,250,000
JOKINEN 5,600,000
Eric Belanger 1,750,000
James Sheppard, $1.4 million
Right Wing
Aaron Voros 546,700
DannyIrmen 546,000
Marian Gaborik, 8,000,000
Clutterbuck 575,000
Pierre-Marc Bouchard, $3,600,000
Defensemen
Eric Reitz 500,000
Kim Johnsson, $4.85 million
Kurtis Foster, $1.025 million
Nick Schultz, $3.6 million
Marc-Andre Bergeron, $1.7 million
Brent Burns, $3.55 million
Martin Skoula, $1.8 million
Goalies
Niklas Backstrom, $3.1 million
Josh Harding, $725,000
As far as MAB saying he excited to play here, other then Cryin’ Ryan, has any one made a fuss/said oh crap, i don’t want to go there/not that team/etc when they have been traded? Not saying he isn’t happy to come or that he shouldn’t be excited if he is, just that what else do you expect them to say?
Ms. conduct…I pretty much agree but I needed to hear some Van Halen today.
Jaromir…you wouldn’t win in Russia with that lineup let alone a Stanley Cup. No place for rodents on this roster.
I got a fever…
Trevor Lindon from the Canucks retired today.
Trevor Lindon from the Canucks retired today. Reported on Yahoo Sports. Saw it on cell internet so can’t post a link.
I just read Russo’s article today re: Rolston, Bergeron, and Reitz.
I am worried that the Wild are going to do a deal more than 2 years with Rolston. Three years is even pushing it $4 or $5 million a year.
Oh, no I enjoyed your Van Halen. My post wasn’t in response to your VH. I’m hot for Hossa, too. And not even in my usual hot for hockey player way. But I’m realistic, at least about this.
Where’s that evening feeding you promised, Russo?
Irmen. You people need to Let. Him. Go. It ain’t gonna happen. He’s not even a stud on a team full of mediocrity. And that’s a hefty chunk of change for Fridge. He gets a million from me.
Good Old Wally likes the latest happenings on the blue line. I think Reitz will be good for the Wild and Bergeron is the right move. DR knows JL will get the best out of Bergeron.
Good call Good Old Wally. I likey !
“The Teacher - I gotta say I’m a bit confused.
A couple of corrections on the cap numbers.
Cap hit
Gaborik $6.33 million (though his salary $7.5 mill)
Bergeron $1.2 million (salary $1.6 million)
Totally agree with Ms. Conduct re: Irmen.
Let. Him. Go.
Irmen = career minor leaguer.
ms.conduct (I’m doing that thing where I point to my eyes and then point to your eyes and then point to my eyes) - I agree whole-heartedly. Irman is a ghost and Fridge is a great guy, but not a 1.7 mil great guy.
I just got back from the Eagle St. Grill (next to the X) figuring I’d check for the nugget. Where’s the nugget?
I gotta have more nugget!
I’m gonna go buy a lottery ticket. I’ve never had so many people agree with me in one day… though you kinda scared me with the eye pointing thing. 
Irmen is a decent AHL player, but I’ve seen no improvement this season over last and his stats reflect this (they’re quite a bit worse this year). I don’t mind having him on the Aeros as he’s not a liability at all, but he’s not progressing.
Does anyone else see Todd Fedoruk being out on the road tour as a sign he will be back next year?
Gosh I hope so. I’m rarely critical of DR because what the hell do I know, but if Fridge isn’t signed, it will be a big black mark on his record in my eyes. But yeah, I doubt they’d have sent him on the road tour if they didn’t have intentions of keeping him around. He’s clearly a fan favorite and contributes both on and off the ice in ways that I think have surprised and delighted everyone.
This blog fell of my daily list when it switched to weekly update format. So, I am a bit behind the times on this. But, according to Russo, the new kid,
“he can shoot like hell and skate, but he’s very unsure of himself, doesn’t have a lot of self-esteem, gets down on himself. He also struggles at times in his own end. He’s serviceable. He’s can play some reasonable minutes, but he’s prone to mistakes the more minutes he gets.”
With the exception of the shooting and the skating parts, isn’t this also a description of Skoula?
Scratch Irmen and add Brunette instead. Clutterbuck is still iffy too. And I still think they’ll go after Holik (or Langkow) before they can secure Jokinen, who is still a longshot for whom they’d have to give up more than Pouliot and a #1.
