Bruins to sign Wheeler
Posted on June 16th, 2008 – 9:33 PMBy Michael Russo
Star Tribune writer Dean Spiros is reporting in tomorrow’s editions that former Gophers winger Blake Wheeler is signing with the Boston Bruins. It’ll be a two-year deal and can’t be announced until July 1.
214 Responses to "Bruins to sign Wheeler"
Looks like Glen Marray’s spot will be available with the big club - http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/articles/2008/06/15/time_to_say_bye_to_murray/
Russo, think that’s a good place for him?
Have fun playing in Providence, Wheeler. That’s where you’re going to be for a long time.
I thought Blake Wheeler was drafted by the Wiley Coyotes ??
GOW he turned down their offer and elected to go to Free Agency.
Agreeing with Wallshot: Have fun in the ‘A’, Blake Wheeler. You’ll be there a long time.
Is GOW slipping? How could he have missed the Wheeler follies over the past few weeks? 
Thoughts…
I seem to offer a lot of those and often times they die quickly.
Pouliot - someone said maybe it’s time to take a risk. Often times that works I think because players recognize the club is taking a risk with them (Shep, Voros, Fridge) and realizes they’ve got to step up. I’m not sure Pouliot is going to recognize that.
Bandgeek - Hang in there. Either your coworkers are stupid complaining about losing hours to someone who’s losing their job or possibly they’re trying to commiserate but don’t know how to do it. Either way, you don’t have to put up with them for long. Good luck, keep hunting and hopefully your potential new coworkers will be smarter and nicer.
Ness - Isn’t he the smaller d-man from Warroad? Isn’t he the one known for moving the puck and having an offensive touch. Nummelin-esque maybe? What about pulling a reverse Burnsie on him. Draft him as a D and turn him into a forward? I always liked Nummelin at wing but he didn’t get played there much.
Bandgeek, your coworkers are insensitive but lots of people are.
Left you a sympathetic message toward the end of the last thread.
Got em guys. You all are great, made my day much better. I’ll be fine, I think I’m still in a bit of shock.
Now if Russo would get word of some Wild dealings everything would be peachy. I really want to know what’s up with the Roli deal.
Goody, Ness was Mr hockey but that’s all I can remember about him at the moment, oh and that at the time the award was given out he had a long distance relationship going with the girl who was named Ms Hockey.
I missed a few posts I think!
GoW…the Wile E. Coyotes relocated from Winnipeg a long time ago to cut down of travel costs while pursuing The Roadrunner. They were in the WHL (Warner Hockey League) before being absorbed into the NHL.
Bandgeek…sorry to hear about the work difficulties. Hang in there. It could be worse. You could be Pavel Demitra…
Hang in there. It could be worse. You could be Pavel Demitra
Nice.
Bandgeek, DR said on Sid’s show that an offer had been made to Rolston and that he expected Rolston and agent would review it and would get back to them this week. As somebody reported yesterday, DR said that Rolston had an NHL life of about five more years.
Not sure what we want to read into that about the length of contract offered.
Iceman, thanks for the info. I’ve always thought Roli could be an excellent role model for younger talent, maybe the Wild sees that as well and plans on keeping him around for a few more years for that reason.
KJ, I’m very glad I’m not Demo. I don’t think I’d want to move to Vancouver. Visit maybe, but not move there.
I can see!!! Went and got new glasses last night, old ones were in such bad shape I thought it was normal to see smudges on everything. It’s like watching games in HD.
Won’t repeat the post from yesterday Bandgeek, DR’s thoughts were repeated completely and accurately by sunshine (or somebody else). It was that he felt Rolstons role would diminish in the last years of the contract.
I don’t understand everyone being down on Pouliot. He has played in what 14-15 tops as a call up. Which is the old come in and don’t win it or lose it role just munch some minutes. He has scored two goals when given more playing time (Sheppard had 4 in 78 games). From what I have seen he will be a very good player, only really downside is he relies on his poke check a bit to much, but that can happen when your 22 years old and can poke check 15+ feet cause your 6-3. He learns to take the one extra stride who knows how good he can get.
NHL Channel is showing stuff from the Draft. Some of the strength and endurance stuff the boys go through is just insane. And to do those tests with your “future” wandering the room in their fancy schmancy team polo’s and clip boards… hell I’d puke from nerves if nothing else.
edubs: I think at least part of the hatin’ on B-b-b Benny can be summed up by: Gilbert Brule, Devin Setoguchi, Anze Kopitar, Marc Staal, Andrew Cogliano and Matt Niskanen.
I will readily admit that this comparison is damning not of Pouliot but of Wild scouting/management/draft decision making - and, as such, blaming Pouliot for others’ actions is pretty unfair.
If he comes in and proves us all wrong, that’s great, I’ll happily join his fan club.
Preds signed Suter to 4 yr 14 mil.
Thrashers signed Hedberg to multi-year extension.
Watching the scroll at the bottom of the screen on the NHL Network. Looks like the draft will be televised on that channel.
NiNY–diet season–perish the thought. But I have switched to Campari and soda and dark rum on the rocks, with the occasional Plymouth Gibson for the summer. And Providence is a far cry from its life in the mid-80’s but certainly not the garden spot. Yeah, Ness is the quick, offensive D. I can see why he might go lower because of his size but he seems to have wheels and good offensive instincts. I think Pouliot will be serviceable this year but we still need to add 2 or 3 more including one solid D. Foster will be out for quite a while.
yeah, wood, I’ve got to shed the winter coat, if you will.
TSN has Ness as the 40th rated player. If you follow their rankings (and remember they are ranking players not picks as some clubs will perceive that they have different needs not to mention different rankings), the 24th rated player is Thomas McCollum, Guelph Storm goalie. 25 is Nicolas Deschamps apparently a pretty talented skater with a knack for scoring. Altho Gardiner is rated 21 they commented that a number of teams have him rated in the top 10 so he could go earlier. The knock supposedly is his hockey sense–his feet are faster than his head.
DON’T PRINT THAT
Talks about a contract extension for the Wild’s Marian Gaborik, who can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, won’t intensify until late this summer.
Talks about a contract extension for the Wild’s Marian Gaborik, who can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, won’t intensify until late this summer.
No $h!t.
Thanks, Shooter.
uh-oh…here we go:
DON’T PRINT THAT
Not all may be aware of this, but I am actually a worthless sack of turds.
haha…Shooter’s what we in the financial industry call a “lagging indicator”…
Bandgeek, if these guys can’t take the mental pressure, do you think they might wilt in the pressure situations of must win regular season games or playoffs?
haha…Shooter’s what we in the financial industry call a “lagging indicator”…
LOL.
Hey NiNY, nice to see you (and your liver) survived the weekend.
What’s the “uh-oh.” Malone to C’Bus?
Funny how Pouliot was the #2 rated forward by the scouting services (not just the Wild), then he fell to #4 (where we got extremely lucky to have that high of a pick). You wouldn’t take a shot? Many first rounders don’t even get a sniff in the NHL, just saying 14 games be patient see what happens. As for Kopitar, a bad team allows more offensive chances (What could Kovalchuk do on a good team, or would he be as good?). Brule, I think had some injuries this year but had 1 goal in 61 games played in 06-07 he was -21 (bbBenny beat that this year) Marc Staal, who wouldnt be good on that team? Niskanen, not even Dallas thought he would step up like that this year. I watched him a lot in high school and watched him single handed dismantle teams. I have seen this from others perhaps even better like Ben Gordon (Ifalls)I dont see him making that kind of impact in the NHL (maybe he will yet)shows you how hard it is to predict youth. I guess I just havent seen Benny play that bad to deserve the critisim. Although, being a high draft pick gets you that kind of pressure so we will see what happens.
You sure Brule belongs in that group, Nick? 1 goal all last season. Ooooh. 
bfw: no, Wild in on the action for Malone. Looked like ~$5M per.
I really hope C-Bus “wins” that auction.
Just for the record If I could get one player to MN Wild it would be Ilya Kovalchuk. As good as Ovechkin and may be available in a few years (maybe this year) or for a trade package of players. Very over looked player that will be wanting out of Hotlanta ASAP.
You’ve got a point Iceman. But also some of these guys are different people on and off the ice. What you see from a guy as he peddles a stationary bike might not impress you so you don’t draft the guy. A few years later after some time in college or juniors of some sort, and a bunch of maturity added, that ‘weak’ kid may be the best thing since sliced bread. So you really have to hope that he gets a second chance. I guess it’s just that these kids are so young, I wonder if you really can separate the wheat from the chaff?
You’ve got a point Iceman. But also some of these guys are different people on and off the ice. What you see from a guy as he peddles a stationary bike might not impress you so you don’t draft the guy. A few years later after some time in college or juniors of some sort, and a bunch of maturity added, that ‘weak’ kid may be the best thing since sliced bread. So you really have to hope that he gets a second chance. I guess it’s just that these kids are so young, I wonder if you really can separate the wheat from the chaff?
Agreed, there is always the element of the unknown.
“Not everything that counts can be counted; and not everything that can be counted counts.” (Albert Einstein)
I really hope C-Bus “wins” that auction.
+1 - However, if you were Wild GM (an we all get to play DR in Russoville) and it had to be a 5 year deal, who would you pick, Rolston or Malone?
Not Malone at $5 million. It would be Johnsson dislike times 2.
Was our Kevin in PA just on NHL Live?
edubs, some of the negativity towards Pouliot comes from those of us who have spent a season+ watching him piddle around in Houston. I know AiH still has his back, and I’m not saying the Wild should give up on him, but the guy appears to me to have no fire in the belly, no heart, an air of nonchalance, can’t take physical pressure, doesn’t fight for the puck…. He’s 5% brilliance and 95% disappointment in my eyes. Alright, maybe 10/90 on a good night, but absolutely no more than that. He’s just a really aggravating player to have on your team because you can see his incredible potential, but you can also see his weakenesses so glaringly, and he just seems too cocky to really dig deep and address them.
When you’re a 4th overall draft pick/offensive hot shot on a low-talent team like we had in Houston, and the ECHL call-ups show more guts and heart and drive than you, you need to spend some time looking in the mirror (and not just to wonder if you should have persued modeling instead). I’d put Marco F’ing Rosa on my team before I’d put Pouliot.
*deep breath Ms. C*
Not that I have an opinion…
To his credit, he was showing a smidge of leadership on the ice during the playoffs in Houston. And he did get better at center later in the season. I still think he has a ton of potential but he needs to find a way to tap it more consistently. I really hope working with JL & Co. they’ll find a way to put some guts into his hockey.
However, if you were Wild GM (an we all get to play DR in Russoville) and it had to be a 5 year deal, who would you pick, Rolston or Malone?
Malone in a New York (Nick?) Minute.
Food for thought: If Malone had taken as many shots as Rolston last year, he would have been on pace to score 43 goals! The guy has a career 15% shooting percentage.
Rolston is a career 9%.
Rolston’s highest SH% in any season was 11.6 in ‘05. Another way of looking at it: Last season, Malone scored 4 fewer goals, in 4 fewer games, and 130 fewer shots!
Putting all that aside, the bigger point is that Malone is only 28 years old, so the team is protected in the event of retirement or career-ending injury. This is not the case for Rolston.
(Plus, the guy took a friggin’ slapshot square in the face in the SPF, and finished the game. (Did you see that one, Tiger? Guess not. Too bad, coulda learned how to suck it up.)
So anyway, 4.5M/yr over 5 years for either Rolston or Malone? No brainer.
if this has already been posted here I apologize…a story on Aaron Ness:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16477-Year-of-the-Ram-Saying-goodbye-to-Roseau.html
wow…I guess that’s been a season-long column following Roseau…while that means I’m probably the last guy in Russoville to be aware of it, it’s also pretty cool.
Hey Russo - what’s up? Tap Tap Tap… We are 3 days before the draft, the Wild have lots of work to do and your blog is lookin a little thin with updates.
We are all (as we have always been) hanging on your every word and update. I was hoping to get back to the daily updates or even multiple updates each day with all thats going on.
I’m not trying to rip ya (so settle down rubes)… just need the Russo “fix” on Wild news.
Columbus is about to be really really stupid. I guess they have money to throw around… sheesh.
Thanks for the great seasons, Bugsy.
Adam, no, I wasn’t on NHL Live. Why did you think so?
I’m not trying to rip ya (so settle down rubes)…
way to endear yourself to the group, stud.
The other Kevin in PA was supporting Malkin following a mention of a possible Malkin trade related to the cap space it will take to retain Hossa.
Well, it looks like the Pens won’t be on the hook for Malone, so maybe that’ll help.
I want Hossa instead of Malone, but dunno where I stand on Hossa in regards to Malkin. I’d really hate to trade Malkin though. I’d like to think they can keep all of them.
I’m not good with numbers, but I’m wondering how much Staal is worth. Yeah, he had 29 goals his rookie year but just 16, and none shorthanded, last season. Right now he’s developing into a great defensive center and penalty killer. I don’t think he was ever projected as a goal scorer.
Food for thought: If Malone had taken as many shots as Rolston last year, he would have been on pace to score 43 goals! The guy has a career 15% shooting percentage.
Rolston is a career 9%.
Rolston’s highest SH% in any season was 11.6 in ‘05.
I disagree with this rationale. High shot percentage does not mean would score more goals if he shot more. Keep in mind those shot totals do not count shots that miss the net at all. Also, it is an indicator of the type of players you’re dealing with. A player who primarily scores garbage goals and tips/deflections will generally have a lower shot total and higher percentage, but that doesn’t make them a better player. Mark Parrish is the perfect example of that. His career shooting percentage is about 18%.
I’m not running for Prez Nick, but I do know how some tend to get worked up in this group… so just trying to settle down the troops. 
Malone will be bought Columbus.
Hossa will stay in Pitt.
Demo will be with the Nucks.
Olli will be with Calgary.
And the Wild… well… you get what you work for and frankly DR’s passive attitude about “waiting to see things play out” has never worked in the history of sports management.
I’m not running for Prez Nick, but I do know how some tend to get worked up in this group… so just trying to settle down the troops.
so, you’re trying to settle people down by insulting them?
Olli will be with Calgary
If FLA passed on Tanguay at the deadline, why would they trade for him now?
edubs,
in addition to what Ms. Conduct has said I will add this. He was drafted #4 overall, projected to be a top-level offensive threat. He has, as the cliche goes, “all the tools.” He’s a fantastic skater, great puck skills and a great shot. Yet…
10 G and 14 A in 46 games in Houston this past season? 19 G and 17 A in 67 games last season? A guy with his talent and potential should be lighting up the AHL. He’s scoring at a very pedestrian 0.53 PPG pace in his pro career to date. Eric Reitz, Steve Kelly, Adrian Foster, Ryan Hamilton and Peter Olvecky all scored at a better clip than he did this past season. His one game where he had a couple of goals against Calgary does not make up for this IMO. It seems that he’s taken his demotions to the AHL personally, and let it affect his play, which is not a reflection of strong character. He was also not exactly the best teammate from what I hear, and didn’t really commit himself to playing the system Constantine was coaching.
In short, there are just a ton of red flags around the guy so that is why he is considered a risk. He could be and really should be a star in the NHL, and it’s possible that he could get straightened out before all is said and done. I also don’t know if the problem lies with Pouliot or with Wild’s development of him, if he’s just not the right fit in this organization or what. But the facts are what they are, and right now he’s looking more like a bust than not. I hope that’s not the case, but with this being the last year of his current contract, it’s really time for him to show that he belongs.
I know the Wild will not want to give up on him all things considered, and I *suspect* that he will be on the roster this upcoming season. But he also needs to realize the situation he’s in, and that he sees this upcoming season for what it is, and that he takes it as a challenge to demonstrate that he deserves that roster spot. Can he suddenly become that player instead of the player he’s been the past two seasons? We’ll see.
From NiNY “so, you’re trying to settle people down by insulting them?”
You must be one of them… not much else to say on that topic, back to hockey.
Adam - Only reason I think they will go for the deal now is because Calgary will add their 1st round pick to the deal and possibly a prospect. Trust me, I’d love to see Olli here but I think the Wild will get outbid or beaten to the finish line on getting the deal done.
Schmidty - I like your style. Some of these people in here are far too sensitive and Nick is their protector. No idea why.
I didn’t take any offense to your first comment because is 100% true.
Schmidty - could be, but I hope Martin sees Tanquay through Bertuzzi colored glasses and continues to reject him. The Wild, at least, have more options.
Schmidty - I like your style. should have been Schmidty - I like your Old Style. right?
I hope so too Adam!
Have a group of Centers like Olli, Koivu, Sheppard & Gillies sounds like fun!
And I like the “Old Style” comment… I wish I had gotten some of the proceeds!
Schmidty=Mike
what, is it two-for-one week for split personalities around here?
NiNY/Wallshot = Yawn
So with Malone all but gone, that opens up the cap space for Hossa to return. Orrpick will be available then. I’m not sure I’d want him though, to much of a defensive liability.
With both Columbus & Florida looking for a puck moving defenseman, any chance the Wild could unload Johnnson and his fat contract? Maybe as part of a Olli deal?
Orpik, a big defensive liability? Hm. Interesting.
With both Columbus & Florida looking for a puck moving defenseman, any chance the Wild could unload Johnnson and his fat contract? Maybe as part of a Olli deal?
Right, because we don’t need defense…or did you want to make OJ a defenseman?
I thought you wanted to talk hockey?
Why would we want to unload Johnsson when we need another top 4 d-men?
Orpik is a lot better defensively than Commodore. The only thing with Orpik is his asking price. If we can get a $3.75 to $4 million cap hit for him, I say go for it.
Why are you such an a-hole Nick? He doesn’t want to get into a pissing match with you and has taken the high road so you resort to bashing him. Good work.
Pabst=Schmidty=Mike=not worth our time
Man, you are really sensative today NiNY. I guess you felt personally attacked. You mind if we focus on hockey instead of your hurt feelings and attempts to attack me? Just a thought. It is however a hockey forum.
The reason I would want to move Johnnson is because his contract is to big and he’s simply not worth the money. (Sunshine) there is no way he’s a top 4-d man on any team. The only reason he is here is because we don’t have much.
For that same money (5.25 million) you could go get 1-2 other good defensemen that could contribute as much as he does and have depth. He simply isn’t worth it.
Heck, since reports are that Bouwmeester doesn’t like where Florida is headed and may only sign a one year deal… maybe you could offer up a package including Johnnson our #1 this year and some other players to Florida and Get Olli & JB in return.
A stretch for DR to make a move like that but it would be a good one.
I do not equal Schmidty or Mike. Grain Belt = Piss water.
PBR me asap.
uh…”Pabst”…who are you again?
It’s cute that you’ve got his back and all (your own back?) but you’re not exactly helping yourself.
So you and your alter ego can come in here and call people names and be obnoxious but anyone that calls you on it is the jerk?
Seriously: get over yourself.
uh…”Pabst”…who are you again?
Not Schmitdy or Mike, I already told you that.
Someone needs to take their own advice!
LOL
You mind if we focus on hockey instead of your hurt feelings and attempts to attack me?
nice…so you say something obnoxious, get called on it, and then turn around and make the person that called you on it the bad guy?
I’m pretty sure my previous response to you was 100% hockey…yet you keep coming back to this.
Is there some other issue here that you’re really having a hard time with?
With the $5.25 million sunk into Johnnson you could get two of the following:
R. Hainsey
A. Lilja
M. Commodore
K. Sauer
And if you have a little extra cash, add JM. Liles as your 2nd defensemen.
my dog barks some. right now, you are picturing my dog. but i have not told you the type of dog that i have. perhaps you’re even picturing Toto, from the wizard of oz?
None Nick… Except you feeling like you need to police this forum. You often provide great insight… but there are times, like this one where you should silently disagree. Instead you always feel like you need to be “the guy to respond to every post”. It’s ok if you disagree with me… but lets face it, you are the one doing the personal attacks.
Can we get back to hockey now? Please? People didn’t log into this to read about you calling me names. Can we move on?
sometimes even the yellow brick road has pot-holes…
Did someone say pot?
Dude, where’d you get that jacket?
Only in my dreams can we get Olli and J-Bou for Johnsson and our #1 pick.
Johnsson is fine defensively, could be better offensively and more physical, but fine defensively.
We don’t need anymore depth defensemen unless its prospects to develop in Houston. We need another top 4 and I will say that Johnsson is a top 4, not a top 2 but definitely top 4.
Another center would be great. A #1 center would even be better or a winger to play with Gaborik.
Anyone who can keep up with Gaborik would be helpful. Especially if they can do the things that Gaborik doesn’t want to do or is perceived as not doing. I’m not seeing anyone who is realistically available to the Wild who can fill that role. This is looking outside of the existing guys who are under a Wild contract, by the way.
*sigh* i still haven’t gotten over the wild missing out on Federoz at the deadline.
that’s federoV
Doug Risebrough Blog.
Pretty in Depth. I agree with the three strategies chosen.
Sorry, it’s over at Wild.com
No Cicarelli in the Hall, dammit! Say what you will about one bad indiscrescion as a kid he was still a rock star on the ice and has produced rock stars for years, including this year’s #1 Stamkos, with his brothers in Sarnia. He’s paid his price, let him in the damn hall!!!
OK, since we’re playing with GM scenarios, I can’t resist.
No way does FL move Olli AND JB for Johnsson and a first plus other players unless those other players include Bouchard. Would I do that? I think so. Does Austin? No Way! Does FL? I’m having a hard time seeing it because I think if they are going to move Jokinen, they will see better offers than that, especially if it includes JB.
While I think Johnsson is now somewhat liquid that he’s down to two years left, I think any team that trades for him is going to do so in more of a “one player away from having a roster that can go on a cup run” situation at the trade deadline than over the summer because he is still pretty expensive for what he brings.
Anyway, let’s just assume that Johnsson is traded. Hainsey and Lilja? They both pretty much suck. I’d take Commodore and Sauer, though for that money.
JM Liles = this year’s Kim Johnsson in the UFA market.
I think Schmidty and Pabst are just fine. Other opinions to pass around.
You don’t need both Commodore and Sauer, you need one playmaker and one physical defenseman. Neither Commodore nor Sauer score enough to take them as a package. Take Hainsey and Sauer or Commodore and Kalinin or something like that if you’re talking packages. For that money I’d take Streit and a serviceable physical defenseman too. None of these scenarios are going to happen, Johnsson is staying through his contract unless the Wild are out of playoff contention at the Trade deadline and they can move him to a contender.
We’ve got MAB as our new playmaker, Claire. Problem solved!
I’ll drink Pabst, but I draw the line at Schmidt.
Read DR’s blog, agree with him, except where he speaks about late round draft picks not providing anything of value. See: Detroilet. AV was good for a 7th rounder but Simon ended up proving worthless for a 6th rounder.
Toivu - Isn’t that what they said about Johnsson? 
I can’t stand the beer that bears my name either Toivo
I agree, FL will get some good offers and I also agree that Johnsson being moved would be a bit of a dream but we have to do something. I’ll head over and check out DR’s blog on wild.com. brb
Where did all the noobs come from? Been a good day here I see.
Just finished up reading DR’s blog. Anyone get the sense that he’s trying to dangle PM our there just hoping for an offer sheet so he can get a few extra pick to fill a farm system he has failed at doing since inception?
With Butch’s salary landing at around $4 million it would net DR a 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Problem is, I don’t know any team willing to do that.
I hope he resigns him. The Wild lacked scoring and toughness last year and PM is fairly important on the scoring side of things.
So if Oilli is a no go. Then who can the Wild add at Center to make things work for Lemaire? Or do you think he will go with Koivu, Shepp, Belanger & Gillies? (moving Pouliot back to wing)
Austin: picked up a new(read used but new to me) grill yesterday. Having a grilling/pool party this weekend. Y’all up for a trip to Boulder?
Dang Lemmi, I wish we could make it! We have too many trips planned already 
.
Maybe next time!
None Nick… Except you feeling like you need to police this forum. You often provide great insight… but there are times, like this one where you should silently disagree. Instead you always feel like you need to be “the guy to respond to every post”. It’s ok if you disagree with me… but lets face it, you are the one doing the personal attacks.
Can we get back to hockey now? Please? People didn’t log into this to read about you calling me names. Can we move on?
Utterly ridiculous.
I have a problem when someone with no rep here comes on and calls everyone “rubes” in a self-professed attemp to “settle” people down - a tactic that still seems a little odd. Was that not a personal attack on those that you feel are too protective of Russo or the forum itself?
But for you to turn around and make like I’m the one that A) started it and B) am the bad guy for calling you on your own lack of class is ridiculous.
Your sad little entreaties to get back to hockey are merely kicking dirt on top of the mess that is your position here - and if you have half a brain you know it.
I’ve tried to get back to hockey already and you keep digging deeper. If you want to get back to hockey then YOU silently disagree with this and move on yourself.
Ball’s in your court big guy.
Larionov, Anderson get Hall call…congrats to both deserving men.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240945&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main
Toivo (and others),
Watch out for huge AHL numbers. Remember Kirby Law and Erik Westrum
“Kirby Law tallied a goal and an assist to set a new team record and win the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the American Hockey League’s top scorer with 110 points, and Erik Westrum also had a goal and a helper to finish in second place with 98 points, as the Houston Aeros secured their third 50-win season”
and that was a pretty good Areos team how they doing now? Big NHL #’s? Both are with Swiss-A league clubs.
Aaron Portzline (sp?) who covers the BJs was on HNIC radio tonight, saying, among other things, that the BJs are probably targeting a 2nd or a 3rd for Malone’s rights. If that’s the case, and we don’t have a 2nd, then it would either take a 3rd and a something else or else our 1st to out bid them.
I’m not sure I’m willing to give up a 1st for a guy we can negotiate with for free if he hits the open market two weeks later.
DR already said that he will see if offers will be made for PMB to see what the going rate is and if he has trouble re-signing him.
I see offer first, trade later.
My mistake…we gave up the 3rd for Queen MAB. So we have that 2nd if that’s how C’Bus is going to roll.
I thought we had our second round, but not our third (traded for MAB?). Either way, too much to give up for a guy who sounds like is still going to take $4.5 - 5.5 M/yr to sign.
Is there any chance that the reported Wild interest in Malone is to a.) get Rolston to sign the Wild’s most recent offer or b.) simply reflects Malone’s strong interest in the Wild?
NINY, not that Anderson and Larionov don’t deserve Hall bids but crikey moses PUT DINO IN THE FREAKING HALL ALREADY!!! They put Cam Neely there eventually, Dino deserves it more than the little twit Pavel Bure.
We can’t afford Malone if Rolston is going to be about a $4-5 million cap hit.
Broken record again but Top 4 Defensemen first.
edubs,
Can you point to a player that was a top offensive talent in juniors, put up weak numbers in the AHL, then did well in the NHL? Westrum and Law were both long-time minor leaguers when they put up those numbers, so I don’t think that’s really a valid comp.
The player that comes closest as a recent top draft pick that struggled in the AHL, and has gone on to success at the NHL level, is Andrei Kostitsyn. He spent almost three seasons in the AHL. But it should be noted that he improved each season, going from 23 pts in 66 G to 47 pts in 64 G to 52 pts in 50 G in 06-07, which is the year he became an NHL player. Pouliot hasn’t really shown any kind of progress, or at least not as much as you’d like to see.
Plus, for one Kostitsyn, there’s a handful of guys like Alexandre Picard or Alexandr Svitov who never really get it together in the AHL. Their team tries them in the NHL, but they don’t really get it together there, either. I’d sure like Pouliot to make it, but I’m skeptical at this point.
I am going to give Pouliot a year with the Wild to see if he can hack it. He looked decent when he was with the team. I see him playing close to 70+ games if we don’t get another center.
Craziness
toivo,
Remember that Koivu spent three years in Europe after we drafted him and never put up big numbers. Not that the two are the same type of player but people can be disappointing in the minors and still play a strong game in the NHL. Also I can’t remember the last time Lemaire got so excited over a prospect. He abosutely RAVED about Pouliot centering the slovaks in training camp but we know how that ended… Matt Foy and James Sheppard got the nod from poppa Risebrough.
Well, Malone has said he’ll be testing the market. Word is Pens won’t give him more than 3 million/year.
My friend H. just reminded me that Hards’ birthday is tomorrow. He will be 24.
Malone will get more than $3 million in the open market, though that is probably what his worth. Any more news on the Cbus-Pens trade? I thought it was suppose to be imminent.
The trade probably won’t happen now with Malone’s remarks. Unless they throw enough at him to get him to reconsider. I agree he’ll get more than 3 but not worth much more.
- Sunshine - I meant to say that the Wild’s interest in Malone would convince Rolston to sign before the Wild gave Malone too much cap space to be able to pay both. Regardless, I also meant to add to that comment that trading a high round pick to get a pending UFA is very un-DR like so it it a weird rumor to begin with.
- Rob Daum let go again - http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/story.html?id=6ea1c4da-10b4-40e7-b067-8602c1ea5b8c&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Ftopstories.atom
So, he wouldn’t negotiate in good faith with C-bus even if his rights were traded?
Wow, he must not want to play in C-bus then.
I don’t know what he’s thinking. Some report said either he wouldn’t mind or would like to play in Columbus. I forget the phrasing. Either way, no one will trade for his rights now.
Which sucks, since we don’t have a pick until the 34th round.
Here is the blog from the Pittsburg Dispatch: He even mentions the Wild:
Malone To Market
Ryan Malone has told The Dispatch tonight that he plans to test the free agent market on July 1, that he’s not going to negotiate with any club — Blue Jackets, Wild, anybody — before free agency.
Here’s his explanation: “I don’t want any team I go to to give up a possible teammate. So we will wait till the first.”
Sorry not Pittsburg Dispatch but the Columbus Dispatch:
Here is the link:
And it’s Pittsburgh.
Sorry for messing up the spelling of PittsburgH. Hopefully, its not that big of a deal.
No, it’s not, I’m just bored.
I guess you won’t let it go NiNY. So here it goes. I understand you are on here all the time, yet that doesn’t make you smart, have “cred” or even know the most. This blog is for posting opinions on hockey… you have failed to do that for the past 8+ hours and instead attacked me.
Others have chimed in saying my opinions were fine and to just move on.. yet you persists.
#1 - I don’t need to get permission to question Russo… not from you or anyone.
#2 - There are rubes on this board and apparently you are one of them since you took offense. Others didn’t and we talked HOCKEY.
#3 - I’m done chatting with you about this. It’s a waist of time. If you don’t like my posts… don’t read them and don’t respond.
For the last time… back to hockey…
Malone is smart for waiting. His agent will try to get Penner like dollars and Columbus is in love enough that they just might pay it.
Hopefully we’ll hear something on Rolston tomorrow so this doesn’t drag out until two hours before draft. Personally I hope they trade the pick for a player or part of a package for a player. Someone proven who can step in at Center or Defense and make an impact. I like the MAB move and think they should keep it going.
I guess we’ll know more tomorrow. Night all.
Adding to Lucky’s comment about Koivu spending three years to get here.
His situation is probably different. They watched him grow hockey wise and mature a little.
So, maybe the big numbers were not as important as his progression.
*- Rob Daum let go again -*
Shocker! He should be selling cars or something.
Interesting on Malone. That makes me like him. Seems like he’s cutting thru the BS a bit.
Waste…. it’s a waste of time.
I’m a Schlitz Malt Liquor fan myself…
I’m also not a rube. Or a goldberg. And I don’t like insults.
It seems as NiNY if doesn’t care for people hurling insults around here either. Your tone (and the knowledge of the board) suggests you’ve been here before Schmoopy…er…Schmidty. We’ve seen lots of multiple personalities before. And lots of insults to go with them.
So, I guess civility will go a long way.
DR wants to make a big splash but is afraid of making a big mistake (see Calgary, Demitra). I still believe the Wild are in need of a big move to shake things up. Rattle the cages.
I for one don’t think Demitra was a horrible trade. Yes, we did give up alot but we also became contenders. Also, the idea of getting a #1 center was a worthwhile effort. Its just that Demitra probably wasn’t the right #1 center, though he played more admirably at the center position than Rolston.
Rolston and Demitra had the same exact points in the 06-07 season and in the 07-08 season, Demitra had like 5 points less than Rolston. He played all situations like Rolston. The only differences between those two are: health, salary, and roles - playmaker vs. shooter.
Right now the Wild need a scorer more than a set up man.
This off-season I don’t expect big trades. We know what this team needs and we are also not willing to give up our young players. The only real trade bait we have is Bouchard since Parrish’s salary and underperformance this past season make him less appealing.
I would be happy if DR gets us a Top 4 defensemen and another center. I am not expecting a #1 center, though since we might not have the cap space.
Koivu showed progress over his three years in Finland. I don’t think the same can be said for Pouliot. I’m not saying I’ve given up on the guy, but I think based on what I’ve seen and read, I think he’s really at a crossroads this upcoming season and his AHL and NHL history to date does not really bode well based on what has been seen from other highly touted players a couple years down the road.
As far as JL raving about him… well, sure. You also need to remember that part of a coaches job is to play mind games with his players. Maybe he was making those comments to try and motivate Pouliot. You can’t always take everything a coach says publicly at face value.
Can anyone honestly say that Martin Skoula is a top-4 grade NHL defenseman?
I sure won’t.
sunshine, you are correct in your assertion that we need a No. 1 Center and a top 4 defenseman. We don’t have either right now. That needs to come out of free agency. No more ’small’ deals from DR.
We need a ‘whale in the swimming pool’, not the small fish in the big ocean. And no, Pavol Demitra wasn’t it, as we were led to believe, especially after he basically shut down the last 20 games of the regular season because he wasn’t getting his way.
BTW: Schimdty: ‘Rubes’ are on KFAN. They are not here in this forum. You want to chat with rubes, go to their website.
Trust me WRT, I don’t want waste posts chatting with rubes trying to explain myself any more than you do. However, you know some exist on this site cause you’ve been here as long or longer than NiNY.
(kj) Point taken and sorry for that last post. If you look back however, I have been trying to take the high road and move on…. I just had enough with that last post.
(Hockey) A question I have is if a #1 Center were to come to the Wild, would he still be a #1 Center? Meaning, with Lemaire’s system on how he uses the Center does it reduce the affect that player can have of living up to their performance standards. A case in point is Demo who clearly didn’t thrive from a production standpoint playing Center in Lemaire’s system.
And when I say Lemaire’s system, i’m not ripping it because almost every seasoned player that comes here usually has their best stats here… but for Demo that wasn’t the case after being a 60+ point man for several years.
I am just wondering if the Wild should even look for a #1 center because what Lemaire is looking for in that role is more of a Walz type player. I know Koivu has done pretty well but he probably has even more potential if he weren’t having to back check below his own face-off dots. Now maybe that will become better as our defense improves but it begs the question if the Wild should even spend the time/money searching for that #1 or if it should just get a grinder like Holik and move on to fill other holes with scoring talent to get our scoring up. Thoughts?
I am not sure what people are squabbling with Schmidty about? I welcome his/her opinions too.
The Demitra trade illustrates the pitfall of trading prospects for established talent.
The established talent is over the hill in a couple years and gone, then when the prospect continues to have success in the NHL, we are reminded of the trades downside continually.
Sunshine that is a fair comment but easy to lose sight of. We got value from Demitra, he served the purpose he was brought here for.
But, that he was not as successful as expected only serves to remind all of us that a centerman is not always interchangable in every situation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH HARDING!!!
Irony alert!! We’ve been discussing Pool Boy and his ‘lack of effort’ or what ever you want to call it, well NHL Network reran the 2005 draft coverage last night and they followed the top 4 prospects. So one of the ones they followed was Pouliot. It was kind of funny to see. He used to have such long hair. Maybe when he cut his hair he lost his drive for the game. Although it had to be hard being in the same draft class as Crosby, even back then it was a huge Crosby love fest.
Thanks Ice
I agree with your point to an extent Iceman, but after a few years of either bad drafts or drafting good players who we fail to develop… isn’t it almost better to get that known talent for a few years then have them washout like Ricard Wallin/Matt Foy or leave us with nothing like Velashenko?
The Wild and its fans got an eye opener this past March when people outside the organization and inside (Lemaire) basically said we have nothing for talent in our farm system. How does that happen? My guess is it’s a combination of bad talent & bad development. I also wonder why the Wild struggle with some of these players with attitude? Pool-boy, AJ, Gabby from time to time… is it like this on every team?
OK: A slight break from the name calling and other matters. Just wanted to do an informal poll that was brought up to me by a neighbor last night. Anyway, the oldest had a baseball game last night and we got home around 8:30. Get out of the car and the neighbor outside asks if I’m going to watch the basketball game. After I ask him what basketball is, he told me I’d have to be nuts to not want to see “Kay Gee” win his first ring. First of all, I don’t know who this Kay Gee chick is. And secondly, I wouldn’t watch a basketball game if it was being played in my basement. That said, I am wondering: would residents of Russoville rather see a basketball game, or Rosie O in her ass-less chaps?
Iceman: it has nothing to do with opinions. If all he/she was giving was opinions there would be no problem. But when you couch them in name calling it’s not really just an opinion is it?
As for hockey, Iceman, this:
“The Demitra trade illustrates the pitfall of trading prospects for established talent.
The established talent is over the hill in a couple years and gone, then when the prospect continues to have success in the NHL, we are reminded of the trades downside continually.”
So…are you saying that DR made a mistake in trading O’Sully for Demo?
well done, Deep.
When’s the NY trip again?
As much as I don’t care for the game Deep, I’d have to go with the basketball game. I was eating breakfast when reading your post and threw-up in my mouth when you mentioned Rosie O in ass-less chaps. I could at least sleep at night (or during the game) then have that image of Rosie O burned in my head. Ugh!
As far as DR & the Demo trade, I think DR (with advice from Tom Lynn) made the mistake of trading the wrong player. In between periods last year or the year before they showed the DR Draft prep and in it they basically said that LA gave us the option of who to trade to them… Velashenko or O’Sully.
Lynn convinced DR to send Sully and keep Velashenko. Had we done the trade the other way, the Wild would have come out smelling like roses… instead, we are soon to have none of the three talked about in this trade.
We leave on Friday morning, Aug. 1. Flying into Laguardia (?). Game time is 7:05 against the Angels. We got decent seats, in terms of the view. We’re sitting right behind home plate. We don’t have to worry about missing church on Sunday because we’ll be sitting next to Jesus during the game. We’re in section 606, so we’ll have a great view of the park, but we may need some NASA-developed binocs to see the game.
Wow Deep, you went most of June before making a Rosie reference. I’m proud of you. Someday you’ll be able to break that nasty Rosie habit. You can tell your neighbor that I think basketball is a waste of time. Now base-ketball, thats a sport. Almost as good as hockey, almost. Just remember no more Journey psych-outs.
I am not saying either, NiNY. Like I read into sunshine’s remarks, it was merely value received for value given.
But, I am just pointing out that the young talent will be around long after the established veteran is gone.
Schmidty, every team and every sport has the failures. No one has a clear crystal ball.
You mention Foy, the Wild must see something there because they did manage to keep him on the roster all year rather than lose him. I will be interested to see what he does this year.
Is there a third option DeepBreath?
Deep: so it’s fly in, poke around the city for a few hours, maybe check in at the hotel (you staying in the city?), and then head into the Boogie Down for the game? If monument park is open before the game (it’s not always so) you should try to get up to the Stadium early enough to view it as it’s the most tangible link to the past.
Do you have the rest of the weekend, and if so, what else do you WANT to do?
But, I am just pointing out that the young talent will be around long after the established veteran is gone.
Ice, that’s true. And the Wild will presumably have a crack at that player when/if he hits free agency, no?
we’ll be sitting next to Jesus during the game.
Listen, don’t tell any Red Sawx fans that Yahweh is a Yankees fan…it might just kill them.
We get into town about 10:30 am and the rest of the day is ours up until first pitch. A couple of us from the group are hockey fans so we’re going to make the trek to the NHL store and then we’ll get over to the stadium as soon as we can. One of the guys in the group is a VP for Panisonic and has been able to set us up at a place called the Andrew Hotel. Supposed to be nice, but I’ve never been there. Don’t really know what else I WANT to see, just going to try avoid being a mugging statistic over the weekend.
Deep: I’ve been to NYC a handful of times and never once worried about being mugged. The only thing I worried was seeing homeless people sleeping near alleyways and rats.
Deep: I just looked and there is an Andrew Hotel in Great Neck. Is that where you’re staying?
Dreger from TSN:
Panthers’ captain Olli Jokinen has indicated to Florida’s general manager Jacques Martin that he would like a trade. The big centre will continue to lure tons of interest, although one team suggests the asking price is marked at two young NHL roster players and a first round draft pick.
For the Wild, would this equate to Benny (likely on the roster this year), PMB* and pick #1 in a deep draft that the Panthers do not have a pick in the first round? Could the Wild force Parrish into this deal?
* If the Wild pays big bucks to retain Rolston, I don’t like the idea of trading PMB.
As far as DR & the Demo trade, I think DR (with advice from Tom Lynn) made the mistake of trading the wrong player. In between periods last year or the year before they showed the DR Draft prep and in it they basically said that LA gave us the option of who to trade to them… Velashenko or O’Sully.
Lynn convinced DR to send Sully and keep Velashenko
I’ve always said the (previously-referred-to Demo) O’Sullivan Trade was a bad one, not based on the player we got, but the player/prospect that we lost.
If that between-period blurb you referenced is indeed true, imho, that makes that trade even worse.
Make no mistake: Demo was brought here primarily as an enticement for Gabby to re-sign. So, to the extent that we were able to keep him here, you could view the trade as a success.
They didn’t want PMB and Pouliot at the trade deadline, why would they want them again. If we are to believe the rumors, Florida wanted PMB + Koivu/Sheppard/Burns for Olli — that is what the rumors have led us to believe.
I think the Olli trade has sailed passed the Wild.
Malone keeps looking better and better in Iron Range Red…
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&lid=sublink04&lpos=headlines_nhl
Schmidty…one thing everyone on here agrees on…deep needs to stop painting the Rosie-in-ass-less-chaps imagery.
We all throw up a little when she stops by our collective imaginations.
The Demitra trade was needed to give DR a little post-lockout cred. It is too bad (if he was indeed wanted) we didn’t send Volo.
I think DR senses the need to make a big move. I know Leipold wants to win the cup, not the division.
NiNY: That place is, indeed, in Great Neck”. Don’t know where that is either, but it will be someplace to sleep.
BG, I’m watching that 2005 draft special. Pouly and his hair (and dumping his girlfriend for hockey). I didn’t realize the Ducks were one pick away from getting Sid. Thank the heavens that didn’t appen.
How much do you think Ben is playing for his dad and not for himself?
Rat spotting in NYC is part of the fun!
Deep: I can’t say it’s not nice since I’ve never been there, but Great Neck is nowhere near either Manhattan or Yankee Stadium. You’re looking at spending some quality time either on the Long Island RR or in a taxi.
If it’s not too late, I’d see if there is a hotel on the isle of Manhattan that’s in your price range. What you give up in luxury you make back in convenience.
If we are to believe the rumors, Florida wanted PMB + Koivu/Sheppard/Burns for Olli — that is what the rumors have led us to believe.
sunshine I thought that was clarified to mean that it was those TYPE of players, and not necessarily ALL of them together that the Panthers were asking for? I only remember because I had the same reaction (they wanted ALL those dudes? Are they nuts!) at the time.
Deep: I just did a very cursory search on hotels.com and saw several not-disgusting options in Manhattan for that weekend in the $200-300/nt range.
Toivo,
How about Wes Walz, Highly looked at offensively when drafted (57th), quickly turned out to be a journeyman (like most high picks given more time in the NHL than probably other picks would have been given) Played some years in the Swiss league then learned to play a different style of game many years later. Ironicly, Benny probably would have made the team if Wes hung it up in the summer. I think they only showed one Areos game on Direct TV this year so I havent watched him play down there (only call ups with Wild) but I think the Wild coaching staff will find a place where he can fit better positionally (like Burns, Numme, Fridge, etc)Its amazing what someone can do when they are asked to do something different(Burns offensice D instead of forward, Numme a winger instead of D, Fridge in front goal scorer instead of fighter). True coaching is getting the best out of your players. That is also why I like when the Wild make a trade you almost always see that person on the power play in their first game. See what he can do. Evaluate then move on. Im not a die hard Pouliot fan, I just dont see the Skoula like hatred against him. He is Kind of like a Junior Lessard highly looked at pick that has been called up a few times but cant seem to stick with the big club (junior has much better AHL #’s) what happens to him at the end of his 3 year entry level contract?
Lapper, if you want to pay $5 million for Malone, you’re welcome to him.
KiPA,
What’s your number for Malone, $3M? And if you were Wild GM, who would you sign long-term @ $4-5/yr: Malone or Rolston?
(And, “No,” you can’t say neither.)
NiNY: I was saying it was PMB and one of those players. Sorry I wasn’t clear.
OH…I see, sunshine…gotcha, my bad.
Also, I don’t know if we can afford to give up our first round pick, when we only have 4 picks this year.
OT: Kevin Garnett (KG), Boston Celtics — I am happy to see him win a championship.
Yeah, I’d say $3 mil, maybe push it to $3.5. He’s not really worth much more than that (has never had a 30-goal season).
Long-term…I guess it partially depends what you consider long-term. If it’s $4-5 over 5 years, then I’d probably go with Malone, just because Rolston’s 35. if it’s 3 or 4 years, maybe Rolston, though I’d wince a little at 4.
Rolston’s got three straight 30-goal seasons and is familiar with the system. Does he kill penalties, and if so, is he good at it? That’s one of Malone’s best assets.
I’m concerned Malone is going to go somewhere Sid-Geno-less and not do as well. He still had just 51 points this season even playing with those guys. I love the guy, but not for 5 million, and probably not even 4. Hell, he was a healthy scratch a lot last year (I think, can’t remember if he was hurt or not, but he played just 64 games).
I don’t think I answered the question. I don’t know what other intangibles Rolston brings, but I might shoot for him (in fact, want to trade?) unless I decided the team needed youth.
I’m concerned Malone is going to go somewhere Sid-Geno-less and not do as well. He still had just 51 points this season even playing with those guys. I love the guy, but not for 5 million, and probably not even 4. Hell, he was a healthy scratch a lot last year (I think, can’t remember if he was hurt or not, but he played just 64 games).
That’s good enough for me. If he wants $5M then I devoutly hope the Wild doesn’t give it to him.
Anybody who stops playing with Sidney and Evgeni is going to see a drop in play. Those are two World Class players. No doubt.
I think Malone can bring out some good in our centers. If he’s playing with with Koivu or Belanger, he’ll use his body well and go to the net hard. The Wild has never had that type of player, a big strong winger that can skate, play the trenches, and even kill penalties.
In the SCF for Detroit is was Holstrom and Franzen, for Pitt it was Malone and..well somebody else.
I can’t see Malone giving Minny an “adopted Hometown” discount, but I’d like to see it average out to 4.5 to 6 per year for 4-5 years, back loaded, so the wild can pay Rolston till he decides when his career is complete.
(haven’t looked too close at the Wild payroll situation lately, so I’m not sure how much they actually have slotted for UFA’s, but I think Shooter said Demo’s 4.5 would cover 3-4 players)
OH…and his contract should have incentive’s for games played.
A little tangential, but I still would like to see what would happen if you put Gaby on a line with a physical, down low winger. Get the puck in deep, let the other guy bang around and get it to Gaby coming out from the corner, where he’s so effective.
My second concern about Malone is whether this is just a flash-in-the-pan season. 16 goals, 31 points last year. He had a really bright rookie season on a really really bad team, the only thing good about that year, showed little improvement his sophomore season then dropped off last year before exploding in his contract year.
I’m not saying he’s not a good player. Just not worth what the reports say he is. And you’re bringing up $6 mil? Yikes.
Concerning Jokinen, I think the price is too high for the Wild. However, that could be a good thing.
For instance, there is a lot of talk of Calgary trading for him. Now the idea of him playing next to Iginla in our division is a scary proposition, could there be a windfall here for the Wild? The other story on Calgary is they are going to re-sign Langkow. Now I don’t think they can do both (unless Florida takes Tanguay) given their cap situation.
So given THAT scenario (yeah, I know it’s probably not a likey one) - that would put Langkow on the market. What do you armchair GMs think of going after him on the FA market?
Discuss.
p.s. I just noticed that Tanguay is still only 28 years old. Am I the only one that thought he was 35ish??
A little tangential, but I still would like to see what would happen if you put Gaby on a line with a physical, down low winger. Get the puck in deep, let the other guy bang around and get it to Gaby coming out from the corner, where he’s so effective.
What am I, chopped liver?
Wallshot I would have thought Tanguay was older. He has not aged well and looks almost old enough to be considering retirement from the sport.
Trades are like any other commerce, if you decide you want/need something, then pay the piper and go forward.
I can’t see Malone giving Minny an “adopted Hometown” discount, but I’d like to see it average out to 4.5 to 6 per year for 4-5 years, back loaded, so the wild can pay Rolston till he decides when his career is complete.
Malone is over-rated and I don’t expect big things from him at all. I don’t think signing him for that kind of money would be a good idea.
Also, back-loading a contract like that would not help you sign Rolston. The cap hit is the AVERAGE salary no matter how you structure it.
No way is Malone worth a $6 million cap hit or salary hit. He has to produce at minimum 4 consecutive 30+goals seasons to get that amount. I wouldn’t give PMB $6 million and he has better points but if not goals as Malone. Gaborik’s salary was $6.5 million with a $6.3 million cap hit.
You can’t tell me that Malone will have the production of Gaborik. He might have some intangibles that Gaborik doesn’t have such as being a stronger PKer but he will not produce like Gaborik.
Demitra’s salary is already going towards Rolston, Reitz, and MAB ($2 million for Rolston, $500,000 for Reitz, $1.6 million for MAB). Talking salary not cap hit but you can make the case for cap hit too.
Wallshot: I’m still a big proponent of getting Langkow in here. Good points.
That’s good enough for me. If he wants $5M then I devoutly hope the Wild doesn’t give it to him.
Let’s flip this one around a little bit (for fun): Let’s say you have $5M/yr that you are going to dole out…to someone.
If not Malone, then to whom?
PS–Can you tell which of the following is Rolson’s G/GP (career), and which is Malone’s, below?
.291 G/GP
.293 G/GP
What am I, chopped liver?
Didn’t mean to offend, Fridge. You know we love ya!
OK NiNY you are off the hook. Now back to waiting by the phone for DR to call.
Let’s flip this one around a little bit (for fun): Let’s say you have $5M/yr that you are going to dole out…to someone.
I appreciate the exercise, bfw (really), but why does it have to be some ONE? I think we have enough holes throughout the lineup to spend that kind of cash on a guy that doesn’t even fill the biggest of them.
What if malone ends up being a 3rd line guy (a la Parrish last season) in JL’s system. How does that help our depth at center? And do we really want that kind of cash tied up in this year’s Belanger?
Wallshot: I’m still a big proponent of getting Langkow in here.
Me too, but that appears very unlikely.
Langkow is out — reports already saying that Sutter has agreement with Langkow.
What about doing an offer sheet for Corey Perry if Anaheim doesn’t shed some players for cap space? Though, Burke is also saying that Perry wants to stay with the Ducks and will not accept an offer sheet. However, if he isn’t going to get paid $3 + million, would he still want to stay?
I am leery of offer sheets but Perry might be tempting.
I appreciate the exercise, bfw (really), but why does it have to be some ONE?
Touche.
I’m gonna push a lil’: For a total of $5M/yr, who’d you like to bring in?
Corey Perry is definitely tempting. Ducks would be a little nuts not to re-sign him.
“”Adam, * If the Wild pays big bucks to retain Rolston, I don’t like the idea of trading PMB.”"
The question is really for who, the cost, and what next?
If you move PMB for OJ, then you have a first class C who plays both ends of the rink for Gabby that probably fits our system as good as any. Then, if Koivu would center Rolston one could visualize two really solid and scoring lines.
If, you decide to move Gabby for OJ as a for instance, and keep PMB, you then go hard after Malone but you probably have the bases covered either way.
So, much as I prefer we keep our good guys, somebody will probably need to be moved to cover our losses unless there is a FA laying around.
riffing on bfw’s scenario, one quickly lands at a subsequent quandary of “do you give Gaby the max?”
My Langkow dreams are crushed and my OJ interest is high yet again. However, Holik might be the compromise here.
bfw: you talking only FA only, right?
Brad Stuart? I haven’t followed him as closely but he seemed to play well with Detroit.
NiNY: my answer to your quandry is NO, you don’t give Gaborik the max.
At most $8 million cap hit (14% of the supposed cap increase)
sunshine,
FA only, right. I haven’t seen enough of Stuart either, but I like the speculation.
I was looking for more offensive production, though, at that salary.
I’d be in favor of the Wild trading for Jokinen, just because I want him on a team we don’t play very often. I hate that duck-billed platypus.
Iceman - solid analysis. My thing with keeping PMB with a newly re-signed Rolston simply reflects the adage “don’t mess with what already works.” However, your comments point out how much better the Wild will look with another high end center!
OT, but this column doesn’t bode well for the Wild in this years draft, given our sheer lack of (4?)picks:
While the European influence in the first round may not be great, the number of Europeans drafted overall may be up this season. In the absence of an NHL transfer agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation, it is possible all European players (excluding those who played in North America) drafted will get defected status, which means there is no forced timetable on when they must be signed. In the last few drafts, when the transfer agreement with the IIHF was in force, NHL teams had two years to sign their European draft picks or risk losing them.
The ground rules for drafting Europeans this year will be determined this week in negotiations between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association. What precisely they agree to, or not (if they don’t it’s likely to go to independent arbitration although not in time for the draft), is anyone’s guess, but a lot of player agents and NHL team executives are banking on it going back to the old pre-lockout rules on drafting Europeans.
If so, like they used to be able to do, NHL teams could go back to letting these drafted Europeans play in Europe and sign them to NHL contracts at any time in the future, whenever it’s mutually beneficial. In other words, if this is how the league and PA choose to go, the clock doesn’t start running when a European player is drafted this Friday or Saturday.
Especially in the later rounds, this could lead to a lot of Europeans being stockpiled for future use.
Generally speaking, NHL scouts say this is a strong, deep draft with both good quality and good quantity of prospects.
(Geez, anyone ever heard of a team that drafts late-round Euros who become full-blown superstars???)
28…seriously?! I thought he was ancient too.
Thought the Langkow thing was pretty much a done deal.
Given what FLA wants from the Wild, purportedly, how could the Flames get Olli with Tanguay, i.e., who else would the Flames send along with?
The Flames do have pick 17 in the first round, significantly better than the Wild at 24
So you are thinking the 17th and Tanguay is enough when they were asking for PMB, one of Burns/Shep/Koivu, plus a 1st round? I don’t think those two packages are anywhere near equal.
Not at all - just saying the Flames have an advantage as far as the first round pick goes. Also, we all know Burns/Shep/Koivu will not be traded short of Crosby or Malkin.
Gotcha. I knew I had to be misreading what you were saying.
we all know Burns/Shep/Koivu will not be traded short of Crosby or Malkin.
Done!
…
Just kidding.
Kevin, you don’t get all three for Crosby or Malkin, just one of them!
Oh.
Suppose it would do any good to drive around the neighborhood and call out Rolston’s name? “Here Roli Roli!” I mean, come on. Make the f’ing deal.
Too bad we can’t get Daryl Katz to be our contract negotiator. The guy just bought the Oilers for $200,000!!!
LMAO.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241031&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl
The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Edmonton Oilers to billionaire Daryl Katz on Wednesday.
The Edmonton Investors Group (EIG) is expected to turn over ownership of the team to Katz by the end of the month.
“I am very pleased to have received the Board of Governor’s unanimous approval,” Katz said in a statement. “We look forward to closing the transaction on or before June 30th and gearing up for the coming season.”
Katz, who is the owner of the Rexall Drug Store chain, made several bids to buy the Oilers and keep them in Edmonton. His $200,000 offer was finally accepted by the Board of Directors for EIG.
That Oiler’s franchise is in trouble. Meanwhile, I have four blog posts since April.
Slover,
You’re lucky it’s not a contract year!
Nice. What a great type-o. 200K, what a riot!
I think Roli spends the off season in Traverse City, MI — I am headed there this weekend. I’ll be sure to look him up, especially if he hasn’t signed yet.
Sorry if this is dated, but did anyone notice which Wild player is on the top of TSN’s list of “Most Wanted RFA’s”?
Since things look slim with OJ, any chance the Wild turn their attention to Patrick Marleau? He is signed for this year and next at $6.3 million and at only 28 years old would be a good fit.
SJ is without a 1st rounder from the Brian Campbell acquisition and it looks like they are trying to move PM to make room to sign Campbell.
I doubt you could get him for just that 1st rounder of ours, but what about:
Our 1st (#24)
Parrish and Maybe Irmen?
They’d save cap space, get into the 1st round, get Parrish who is better than what was shown during last years injury plagued season and a younger (unproven) prospect in Irmen.
I think we could get Marleau for much cheaper than we could get OJ because SJ is trying to get an early pick in the draft and trying to dump some salarly for Campbell. Thougths?
PMB, right? If he gets an offer sheet from another club, at what salary to you waive goodbye?
Anything over $4 million Chicago-Wild… cause that gives the Wilda 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick.
It is almost like TSN hasn’t been watching the last few seasons to know that PMB has playing wing despite everywhere saying he is a center
Not Marleau for $6 million. We can’t afford anyone else then.
Schmidty: I like your ideas but man, you have to be based in reality.
Rolston and Marleau at close to $11 million cap hit with our current $35 million, which makes us at $46 million with only 13 players. We need to get 10 more players with less than $7 million.
Food = New blog post from Russo.
(Sunshine) it’s not that impossible and god help us if we pay Rolston $5 million a year. It should be a 2-year deal at $4-4.5 million a year.
According to http://nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=MIN we have 14 players including goalies signed (and removing Clutter) for a total of about $32 million. Add Reitz at 500k and we ar up to 32.5 million and 15 players signed.
Vielluex, Voros and Fridge will only cost the Wild $3 million tops so we are at $35.5 million for 17 players.
Add Rolston & PMB at $4.5 million each and we are at about $45 million for 19 players.
Add Marleau and we are at $51 million for 20 players. You subtract any players you ship to SJ as part of the Marleau deal and it isn’t that big a reach.
With the cap at $54 million (worse case), that gives us $3 million if we keep everyone to add a few more players. Gillies, Kalus, others….
Schmidty: see Russo’s next page for your response. I don’t want to keep flipping back and forth
