Rolston optimistic; goalie equipment to shrink
Posted on June 11th, 2008 – 10:26 PMBy Michael Russo
– Back again. Lots of blogs lately, probably because I have a broken foot and am pretty much relegated to making calls and writing.
Speaking of which, as I mentioned earlier, I had something else for you. I talked with Brian Rolston today, and he said he’s “optimistic” he can get a deal done with the Wild.
Last week, Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn and Rolston’s agent, Steve Bartlett, met in St. Paul and apparently made headway, according to Rolston. He said the Wild is willing to meet his term — at least more than one year — and it’s just a matter of making the dollars work.
Obviously, nothing’s set in stone, but if you’re a Wild fan hoping Rolston re-ups, this is a positive sign. See Thursday’s article.
– Also, as you can see in this TSN article, Doug Risebrough’s committee meeting in Toronto went well if you want goalie equipment trimmed. Take a look at the story for details.
89 Responses to "Rolston optimistic; goalie equipment to shrink"
Russo, you should come work for a Pittsburgh paper.
Oh, and sorry to hear of the broken foot.
Broken foot, did I miss something? Was it Raymond?
Ouch. Maybe Belanger will share his magic foot-healing fairy dust with you…
IF I HAD WRITEEN TWO MINUTES EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEAT RUSSO TO THE PUNCH ABOUT GOALIE EQUIPMENT
ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK THOUGH
Who you sign in the off season has allot to do with goalie equipment/changes that need be made so smaller players can play. I think the NHL is hoping this makes the game more open to smaller players, Thus whom the Wild will want to sign
Think about it, if the only way you can score is crashing the net, that wil take the value away from a Bouchard type player. I think that shrinking the goalie equipment has the spirit of scoring behind it, and that will translate well for the smaller skill players
The Wild I think will have a great defense next year, easily the best thus far in the Wild history. They need to get the team speed with the forwards back to what it was.
I dont know about signing Rolston. If he gets too much money like over 3 1/2 I would rather spend that money elsewhere
I think the team misses Wes Walz the most. What he was 2 seasons ago. I say find his replacement
Good Old Wally
Your a Damm genius- You still might want to take an english class or two during the Wilds offseason though
“Your a damm”
Beaver: as an English major, I’d just like to point out that should’ve been “you’re a damn.”
Ah…hockey in the air. Good Old Wally along with his toadie the Beav.
September isn’t all that far off. Especially weather-wise.
It sounds like Rolston is being reasonable regarding his contract. That is a good sign. Keep HuggyBear.
A broken foot Russo? Someone must have stepped on it trying to get past you to get Romano’s autograph… 
Nugget delivered - at the same time as my last post no doubt. Let’s hope that Rolston considers the hometown discount, but Risebrough offers him enough anyways.
Broken foot? Let me think… perhaps Brad Garrett stepped on your hoof while you were making a wager on Belmont at the sportsbook?
Russo, you should come work for a Pittsburgh paper.
Kevin, didn’t you hear this was in the works?? Eklund already called this one.
Russo to Pittsburgh for Malkin (e4)
Wait a minute, maybe that wasn’t Eklund… kj, maybe.
Well they’re both equally reliable, aren’t they?
Wallshot, actually I think phil and I agreed to that trade some time ago. Maybe before the playoffs even.
Yay, Rolston. While not the most physical player, you can’t argue with his numbers.
Smaller goaltender equipment - help or hurt MN goalies?
I don’t think it will necessarily help the MN goaltenders but overall I think it will help the team. As noted above by GOW, smaller equipment will lead to more goals off of shots from outside the slot - exactly the type of shot MN seems good at. As we know, we aren’t a ‘crash the net’ team and that is why in some games goals were so hard to come by.
I don’t think it will hurt our goaltenders because I don’t think either really wears oversize equipment like say Giguerre or Luongo.
Nice to hear they are reducing the size of the goalie equipment. That situation has gotten out of hand (see J.S. Gigure).
With Beaver and Good Old Wally posting again I think we can declare the 2009 campaign underway!
Smaller goaltender equipment - help or hurt MN goalies?
I don’t think it will be that big of a deal. As long as it’s not less-protective (no way they do something than endangers the goalies.)
Unless they make the leg pads like 6 inches wide or something.
I really don’t think this is going to cause a marked uptick in goals being scored.
Whose idea was it to make the goals 6 x 6 a while back? That was a great idea.
wait a second…GoW is saying the smaller pads are to embolden the wee little players to crash the net?
So, in other words, the only reason guys like PMB weren’t crashing the net before was becase the goalies were so well-padded?
???
jeez…my typing looks like a tornado went through it.
Must. Find. Caffeine.
NiNY, I think that is a perfectly loical argument :p
Good news about Rolston. Hopefully the Wild pull through with this one. He drives me crazy sometimes, but Rolston is a good asset to the team.
For those of you who are regulars and know how I feel about Boogie what I ’say’ next will come as no surprise…. I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!! I get to see Boogie today!!!……. Can you tell I’m happy about something?
Oh, yeah and sorry bout your foot Russo. Never broke my foot, but have damaged both ankles, crutches suck. Hope they gave you good pain killers.
I have my Boogie shirt on today… does that count for anything?
Austin wins cool person of the day award for having his Boogie shirt on today.
Woot! I r teh winnar!
wallshot…I am hurt beyond words.
Jeez…I make ONE prediction regarding a certain un-named Swede with a wonky foot and I am labeled as Eklundic.
The horror of it all.
On a another note, Bandgeek gets to have some face time with DB. The 2009 campaign is indeed, underway.
NiNY…you need a Dunn Bros. out there. Great coffee!
Don’t forget to check the Russoville house band schedule for a gig near you.
Man. I wish I had a Boogie shirt. I just have a Gabby shirt and he’s one of my least favorite players on the team but it was either him or Rolston, so, ever practical, I went with the longer contract. Though Gabby did score his 5 goals the day I ordered the shirt. I haz the mojo.
I feel your pain ms.conduct says, I have a Laaksonen shirt from right after he scored the Wild’s first hat trick.
As far as the goalie equipment is concerned, it is all relative. Unless a goalie relied heavily on the oversized equipment it ought to affect each GT the same amount.
When a player is willing to take a discounted figure, the contracts must not make a player feel cheated and decide to discount their effort too.
Jeez…I make ONE prediction regarding a certain un-named Swede with a wonky foot and I am labeled as Eklundic.
Surely, you had to know that would come back to haunt you at some point. 
I was at the 5 goal Gabby game. The only Wild game I made this year. Josh Harding’s parents were sitting behind me. It was the Mrs. first Wild game in person.
Pre-lockout goaltenders were getting run all the time. Pre-lockout goaltenders were still evolving as athletes. But now goalies are well protected by the referees and have become incredible athletes. There is no longer the need to give them an added advantage.
It is time to contour the pads back down to the shape of the body. But certainly not at the expense of protection. For starters, leg pads don’t need to extend much above the pants and the cheater needs to go.
Whose idea was it to make the goals 6 x 6 a while back? That was a great idea
Holy Hannah! You feelin’ ok, NiNY? I mean, other than the caffeine deficiency? 100mph slap shots from the point at the 6′ mark are bound to create quite a few Malone-esque broken noses…or worse!
Step awaaay from the O.E.
Hopefully this year I won’t giggle like a little girl when I get to see Boogie.
I don’t think different size pads is going to matter. All it’s going to do is give some of the whinier goalies something to whine about.
AiH, that’s awesome. Did you luck out or what? I’ve got to get up to Minny this season. I’m eagerly awaiting the schedule so I can start working on DH about it. That and when they play the Stars in Dallas. Yes yes…
I feel you on the giggling, BG. I was literally speechless when I got my picture taken with my favorite Aeros player. Yeah, I’m 32 and married for a bazillion years but this 26 year old minor league hockey player (and not even a very good one) has me about to pass out from adoration. I hate when I’m such a girl.
I was a little giddy at the season ticket holder post game skate two seasons ago. Benoit Pouliot was out there skating with Voros and others. I don’t care if you hate Pouly or think he is a bust. But when you’re skating and look over and see a guy drafted 5th overall skating next to you it is a pretty surreal experience.
The Mr picked on me for weeks about the fact that I (who normally always finds something to say) was speechless and giggly when I got my picture taken with Boogie at last years Bash. Of course last year as we walked away Parrish was picking on Boogie about making girls go all giggly. I’m going down there this year with my friend H and her roommate, H remember Shepp is to young for you. Voros, SRV and Hards are better suited age wise.
Bandgeek-Shep is legal even if he is a bit young. I think they put all the cute young ones on the tour just to make the girls all giggly. Benny, Shep, Hards, Voros, and Koivu are all cute (yes I know 2 of them aren’t on the tour). Can’t make it to summer bash this year 
Maybe next year…Have fun all who get to go.
True to true kgopher. They are all younger than me, and yes Shepp may be legal but there is just something ooky about almost a decade difference in age. I’m not cougar material.
I agree Bangeek, it is a little steep on the age difference for me too but some people don’t mind that. They are all younger then me too except Fridge who has 2 days shy of a year on me 
Off Topic: what is the minimum age for a cougar?
Adam: I think it’s 1-year at least one year younger than the MILF next to her.
bfw: those masks are bullet proof man! I think 6 x 6 nets are a much better option than 4 x 8 nets or 4 x odd-shaped nets. And I think it has the potential to create more goals scored than smaller pads, too.
I don’t think he was worried about the goalies. I think he was worried about defenders and/or players screening the goalies.
If they’re old enough to be my kid, then it’s creepy. Fortunately, all the pro guys aren’t at that limit yet, but Shep really is too young. But Fridge… hey baby, teeth are overrated. I’m pretty sure I’d have to run the goalie if I was one of these kids playing street hockey with him.
http://wild.nhl.tv/team/launch.htm?type=fvod&id=19022&catid=103
AiH, I get that completely. Even now, I’m guessing my bitterness would subside a bit in that situation. I’ll admit that I still swoon a bit when I watch him skate.
Someone remind me why we need more goals? I’ve still never gotten a good answer on that. Some of the best games I’ve ever watched ended 1-0.
I don’t think he was worried about the goalies. I think he was worried about defenders and/or players screening the goalies.
In a word: Word! (Think Cameo).
They need to just leave stuff alone. I would hate if they changed the size of the nets. The goalie equipment isn’t that bad either.
If you want a game where points are scored every 20 seconds, go watch basketball.
Nobody watched roller hockey, and those had high scores.
hey baby, teeth are overrated.
Let me be the first to say:
Insert your own joke here!
DON’T PRINT THAT
Wild free agent Brian Rolston’s house on StoneRidge Golf Course in West Lakeland Township is for sale for $1.399 million.
oh…gotcha…yeah, well, tell your defensemen to aim better (Foster, that’s for you!)
Seriously, though, that’s a good point.
I am diametrically opposed to changing the dimensions of the nets, too. I also don’t think we need more scoring, per se.
My position on the 6 x 6 nets was more of: if they’re hell bent on doing something, I’d rather they did that than make the net wider.
Well, I didn’t mean it quite like that but I suppose I had that coming.
I was reading a blog or something the other day where a woman was going on about how disgusting hockey players are because of their missing teeth. Eh, there may be lots of disgusting things about hockey players but, come on, stopping a puck with your face is f’ing heroic!
who is this H and do I need to go to bash to find out?
Wild free agent Brian Rolston’s house on StoneRidge Golf Course in West Lakeland Township is for sale for $1.399 million.
I’ve golfed stoneridge a couple times but not in the last 3 or 4 years. always thought it was way too expensive for what you got. Don’t recall that many houses on it. actually don’t remember any at all. I’d think i’d remember a 1.4 million dollar house. must be a recent development.
H. is the friend of mine I’ve mentioned before G*. She’s to chicken to post on her own …. oh no I didn’t?!?!…. thats right H, chicken, you heard right.
Ok now I’m just getting silly, but can you blame me…. I get to see Boogie today!!!
i don’t remember who mentioned it or where i read it but i didn’t mind the idea of moving the posts out the diameter of a puck.
then again, i don’t think scoring makes good hockey. chances and speed make good hockey.
I think it’s 1-year at least one year younger than the MILF next to her.
I need a pop culture update class
H, shep is way, way too young for you. i’m thinking you should focus on the 32 to 37 range. Seasoned but not old.
i figured a cougar just needed to be older than her prey. now how much older, i don’t know.
I am diametrically opposed to changing the dimensions of the nets
Could NOT agree more. I would advocate almost ANY other option besides that. (Think: mandatory midget goalies. lol.)
Here are a few points that I think are inarguable:
1. Size of gear does not equate to better protection. (Think: bullet-proof vests).
2. Oversized (illegal) gear homogenizes lesser skilled goalies with the more athletic ones. It follows then, that well-fitting (legal) gear puts more of a premium on talented, athletic goalies.
3. Since a large portion of modern goaltending is “getting square” to the shooter and making the save by essentially “letting the puck hit you,” the more surface area the pads provide, the better. Conversely, the less surface area they provide, the more openings for pucks to get past/through.
———–
Well, I didn’t mean it quite like that but I suppose I had that coming.
I’m gonna let you off the hook on that one, ms.C.
i figured a cougar just needed to be older than her prey. now how much older, i don’t know.
So that old lady from Titanic would be a cougar for JL. Cool.
So that old lady from Titanic would be a cougar for JL
its all relative
As long as it isn’t my relatives.
H, shep is way, way too young for you
Unless you’re younger than 27, I’d have to agree.
Try the “1/2 your age + 7″ rule. 
Now now, lets not bring relatives into it, that’s squicky on a whole different level.
I have nothing to wear tonight. I can’t find anything good in my closet. I mean, what does one wear with a Boogie t-shirt to look good for pictures with hockey players. All my nice shorts are in the dirty clothes or going round and round in the washer at the moment. It’s frustrating. It’s just barely to warm for jeans….
As long as goalies keep getting more talented changing pad sizes is not going to lead to more goals. I think some of the most exciting games I’ve seen are low scoring. But of course we here are true hockey fans and find the joy in a nail bitter where both goalie stand on their heads. Joe Blow off the street may disagree and if more goals brings in more fans you know the NHL is going to do everything they can to make that happen.
bfw, the way you think a 22 year old would be fine for me. People I baby sat when I was a teenager are just now turning 22, that makes it a bit ooky for me. Good thing the Mr is only 5 months younger than I am.
If they’re old enough to be my kid, then it’s creepy.
Ms.C, I think that isn’t what you meant. I think you meant, if they’re young enough…
I think I made a pretty good case once before that scoring isn’t necessary as long as there are good chances.
Nobody wants to watch dump and chase hockey where neither team gets a shot on goal. Conversely nobody (except for basketball fans) wants to watch both teams score on every rush.
Try the “1/2 your age + 7″ rule.
I just ran those numbers for myself…and that’s depressing.
Thanks, BFW…
Gotta say, the bullet-proof vest argument for goalie gear rubs me the wrong way, though. There are two VERY different needs here: One is to keep you from being dead from a big hole in your chest. The other is to disperse the impact of the object hitting you so that you can take the hit and stay in the play. The physics and desired outcomes are completely different.
I’m not saying goalie gear can’t be smaller. In fact, I often hear goalies say they play better in smaller gear because they’re more mobile, so I’m not against it if the league feels something has to be done.
Though I still don’t understand why anything needs to be done. I’d guess that the shots goalies are stopping with the padding that will be regulated out are probably a VERY small percentage of the shots. Goalies are bigger, more athletic, better at positioning and angles… I don’t know that this is going to make much difference.
And as for Giggy, just shoot at his head. He’ll Duck!
Gotta say, the bullet-proof vest argument for goalie gear rubs me the wrong way, though. There are two VERY different needs here: One is to keep you from being dead from a big hole in your chest. The other is to disperse the impact of the object hitting you so that you can take the hit and stay in the play. The physics and desired outcomes are completely different.
I agree with your general point, but I would submit that the difference between being shot by a gun and the discomfort at best) of taking a 100 mph slapper to the sternum is going to be lost in semantics to most of us goalies - myself included.
scoring isn’t necessary as long as there are good chances
For cougars or in hockey?
Nice Adam.
I’m not sure I follow Nick. You’re saying 100 mph puck in the chest feels like you might as well have been shot by a gun?
See, this is not something I need to hear as an aspiring nearly-middle-aged goalie. Thank god I’ll only be playing against novice leaguers for quite a while…
ms.c: I’m saying it’s the goalie equivalent of it.
If you’re just getting started in goal, then you should not let that dissuade you.
I just started playing goalie four years ago (after a life of skating out).
It’s a total blast. I love it.
But, whatever you do, to paraphrase Phish, take care of your gear.
As my buddy (and fellow goalie) likes to say, all gear is good to have, but the pieces that cover your brain and your heart are by far the most important.
How long have you been playing goal?
Well, I’m still just learning to skate yet. I don’t have any gear but goalie skates and a stick. If you click on my name I’ve got a whole blog about my journey from pretty much never having skated in my life to eventually playing goal. I’m maybe 1/3 of the way there but obviously my skating needs to be quite strong before I start loading myself down with gear. But my power skating lessons are going well so far. I’ll hopefully be taking goalie lessons starting in about January.
But I’m pretty determined, even though I’m kinda old to be starting this up. But I figure I’m not going to get younger at any point, so I might as well take a leap and see where I land. It’s hard work but I’m having so much fun.
And no, the threat of hard shots doesn’t deter me at all. And yes, I’ve already picked out a helmet (Hackva). C/A will be harder since I’m a chick and I gotz boobz. That will be an adventure that will require a trip to Dallas, or if I can get up to Minny for some hockey this winter, that would be even better.
If Rolston is so fired to stay in Minnesota, why is his Stillwater house for sale. I am sure Flint MI is much better place to raise a family right?
Sometimes people sell houses. Maybe he doesn’t like Stillwater, maybe the house is too big, maybe the house is too small… Lots of reasons why his house could be for sale only one of them is maybe he’s planning on not playing here.
Doesn’t worry me a bit.
ms.c: check out sportmask.com.
This is the mask (Mage II) I’m saving my hard-earned pennies for right now. (Tim Thomas of the Bruins wears one.)
The sight lines are incredible.
I believe that at least a couple manufacturers make female-specific equipment, including C/A, but I’m not sure who they are, or which are well-regarded.
Definitely try on as many different options as possible. But if the guy at the store gets anxious, you have to at least make him think you’re going to buy from him or they might kick you out. I guess it’s pretty common now to go to the store to try stuff on and then buy online - a practice that store owners (understandably) dislike.
why is his Stillwater house for sale?
Plan B?
strike that: Thomas wears a Mage (not a Mage II) I believe.
Maybe he figures if he is going to cash in, a bigger house to reflect the prestiege of his new contract is in order?
Nice, Ice!
Maybe he’s looking to buy next door to Burnsie so his kids can play with Burnsie’s animals and stop begging for a puppy - finally!
Sometimes people just decide to move, my Mr’s mom would move every couple years if she could. Goody’s idea has merit as well.
mmm…boobz…all this talk of cougars and giggling girls…and the 1/2 plus 7 rule…i think i need to book a trip to prague.
Thanks Nick, I’ll look into it but man, I can’t find a bad word about Hackva masks. No ringing, great service, rock solid, not too heavy, amazing price. But that’s another thing I’ll probably buy in the store so I can try it on. I have a big head and nothing pains me more than seeing goalies with too small of a mask on.
I figure if I buy a c/a, pants, and helmet in the store, I can get away with trying on a few pad sets (particularly trappers since I hear that they’re sometimes difficult for smaller chick hands) and then either buying used or online.
Ahh, but this is so far down the road. Still gotta learn to skate backward, stop on my left foot, t-push, etc. This has been a process of endless baby steps (sometimes backward, sometimes forward) with intermittent huge leaps of progress. I live for those leaps of progress!
mmm…boobz…all this talk of cougars and giggling girls…and the 1/2 plus 7 rule…i think i need to book a trip to prague.
ROTFLMAO!
ms.c: a couple tips, if I may be so bold
1. learn on sharpened skates. None of this dull skates for goalies BS. (You could use a wider radius if you want…I use a 5/8, FWIW.)
2. Overdrives = groin saver. Unless you plan on making a run at the 2010 Olympics it shouldn’t be a problem.
3. Maltesehockey.com is your friend. Specifically the GPS Combo. Replaces the dangler.
4. While I spend up on helmet and C/A, at the level I play at (adult, no check, pretty low overall skill level) I found “senior” trim level pads to be just fine (as opposeed to “pro” trim level). When you start looking at gloves and leg pads you’ll see what I mean.
Woulda thought you’d use a 1″.
Have you always used the 5/8″?
no…I started out at 3/8 and moved out.
All the tips you’ve got, I’ll listen to. I’m a sponge for goalie wisdom.
My goalie skates have a 1/2″ radius right now and I haven’t used them enough to get them dull yet. Aren’t OD blades illegal in USA Hockey leagues? They sound like a damn fine idea to me, but I don’t want to get in trouble either (though I’ve seen what people get away with in this league I’d be in, so I doubt anybody would notice besides the other goalie, who, after they see me play, will certainly know I’m not using them to cheat).
Thanks for the Maltese tip… so that doesn’t get crazy hot under there?
Yeah, I figure Sr. pads will be just fine for this league.
ODs are illegal in the NHL, but I was under the impression that USA hockey was either okay with them or hadn’t ruled on them. I believe 12 inch pads are still legit in USA Hockey as well.
The maltese is not hot at all, and they will work with you to customize yours. If you want more or less than a 2 inch neck raise, if you want the clavicle flap lower, etc. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the restrictive thing on my neck but I got used to it within minutes. (Of course, I don’t play in Houston, either…)
I hope it goes without saying both that I am not affiliated with any of these companies and do not stand to gain at all if you become a customer, and also that I am not a very good goalie. So, take up ye grain of salt.
LOL I think all that goes without saying. I appreciate your help. And if you’ve been taking pucks (and skating your whole life) then you’re way ahead of me already. Here’s the skinny on USA Hockey banning OD blades.
Snacks
