Hello from the nation’s capital
Posted on June 18th, 2008 – 1:19 PMBy Michael Russo
Canada, that is.
Good day from ugly Ottawa. I’m referring to the weather, certainly not the city, which is one of the most underrated NHL cities out there. Back in my Eastern Conference beat writing days, I fell in love with this city quickly.
You see, the Panthers had training camp/rookie camp just over the river in Hull, Quebec, four or five years in a row, and I learned, this place has a lot of cool stuff to do.
Speaking of that team from South Fla., it wouldn’t be a draft if the Panthers weren’t going to make a blockbuster, and it certainly appears Olli Jokinen’s a goner. I just ran into one person in the know in the lobby, and he guesses “90 percent.”
As for Panthers’ draft day deals, in 1999, Bryan Murray acquired Trevor Kidd. In 2000, Bryan Murray acquired Jokinen and Roberto Luongo for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. In 2001, Bill Torrey traded Rob Niedermayer to Calgary for Val Bure (Mr. Candace Cameron) and Jason Wiemer. In 2002, Rick Dudley traded the first overall pick to Columbus in a flip of picks because he knew he could get the guy he wanted, Jay Bouwmeester, at No. 3. Columbus took Rick Nash at No. 1. In 2003, Dudley traded the first overall pick to Pittsburgh in a flip of picks because he knew he could get the guy he wanted, Nathan Horton, at No. 3. Pittsburgh took Marc-Andre Fleury at No. 1. In 2006, Mike Keenan traded Luongo and Lukas Krajicek to Vancouver for Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alex Auld. In 2007, Jacques Martin acquired Tomas Vokoun from Nashville. This is off the top of my head. There is more.
I listed this for two reasons: 1) to show you the trades. 2) to show you how many different GM’s they’ve had.
As for Jokinen, the person in the know says Minnesota’s one of several teams that has inquired, but winning the division didn’t help in this case. Florida wants a higher first-round pick than the Wild’s No. 24, so this is a longshot.
Some other news from here: Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting Columbus is hot after Patrick Marleau. Pierre LeBrun of Canadian Press will be reporting the Los Angeles Kings is getting a lot of interest in the No. 2 pick.
As for the Wild and Ryan Malone, I’ve gotten a ton of emails from you all, and I can tell you, there’s no chance the Wild would give up a pick or player just for the prayer of signing a player. Remember, in the old CBA, if the Wild acquired his rights and didn’t sign him, it would get a compensatory pick in return from the NHL. That’s not the case anymore. If you lose an unrestricted free agent, well, sorry.
So the Wild will wait until July 1 and join the fray with everybody else. I wouldn’t get your hopes up for bigtime moves. There’s such little quality in this draft, the top-end guys — who aren’t top-end guys in most years — are going to get a lot of money.
I don’t see the Wild getting into heated negotiations against other teams driving up the prices to exorbitant measures.
Things are quiet on the Brian Rolston front. I exchanged texts with him yesterday, and he said there were no updates, which leads me to believe he didn’t accept the Wild’s Friday offer. Still, I wouldn’t freak out, if I were you. This is part of the process — offers, counteroffers, this is how it goes.
For your amusement if you’re paying attention to this New York Mets circus, here’s the front and back pages of today’s New York Post.
109 Responses to "Hello from the nation’s capital"
Augh! re: Rolston
I agree ms. conduct.
You could see this two ways:
1. The Wild was low-balling him
2. The Wild was right on the money and terms for his worth but Rolston wants more
What does this mean? Move to option #2: Demitra?
Rolston will get signed.
Don’t anyone get excited about the Wild making an significant trades. It’s not going to happen.
What does this mean? Move to option #2: Demitra?
It just means further negotation. Offer, counter-offer, rinse, repeat.
As for Jokinen, the person in the know says Minnesota’s one of several teams that has inquired, but winning the division didn’t help in this case. Florida wants a higher first-round pick than the Wild’s No. 24, so this is a longshot.
Makes sense to me, I will now officially turn my hopes to Holik and that Martin’s Bertuzzi colored glasses prevent any trade to CGY for Tanguay. On the Malone front, wouldn’t any trade with the Pens be contingent on a deal with Malone being reached. I thought the PHI/NSH deal was last year but I could be wrong.
I wish DR would have used Demo against Rolston to help our negotiating position. Basically tell them both we want you back but only have enough money for one. Make an offer to both and say “first come, first serve”.
And from Russo’s update Sunshine, it appears Marleau is the new OJ/Ryan Malone and the price will be too high again for the Wild.
Prediction:
New Center - Bobby Holik
I love the stuff Russo adds in after we’ve had our “WTF” reaction to whatever he’s posted. “don’t freak out”
Okay. Not freaking.
And honestly, if Roli doesn’t get signed, I still don’t think Demo is the way to go. Seems like it’d be kinda awkward at this point, wouldn’t it? He’s shopping for houses with Nazzy in Vancouver, we’re slobbering on Roli. I mean, really, this relationship is pretty much over isn’t it?
Makes sense to me, I will now officially turn my hopes to Holik
Guys - don’t forget Dominic Moore is available…
::duck/run::
Schmidty: You are right $35 million for 14 players. I forgot to add Reitz and MAB.
Assuming minimal cap of $54 million.
14 players $35 million
Flex Cap space $2 million
Marleau $6.3 million
Rolston $4.5 million
Gillies $1.2 million (guessing here)
Pouliot $1.4 million
SRV $.750 million
Fedoruk $.600 million
PMB $4 million
Total = $56 million and we still need 2 more players
Marleau is overpaid and just isn’t going to work.
Give me a Top 4 defensemen over Marleau any day.
Okay, at least we agreed on Marleau not working. Not bad idea — just not in the Wild’s cards.
I would *love* to have Marleau here. I think he needs a change of scenery. He’s got the speed to skate with Gaborik, and he’s capable of putting up points.
I don’t see that happening, unfortunately. :-C
Sunshine, I think the number for the Wild is more like $33MM and those 14 players include Pouliot and Clutterbuck. Gillies cap hit, assuming he plays in the NHL this season, would be just over a million.
No new PMB rumors, eh? I wonder what the Wild’s true intentions are with him. Do they really want to keep him? Or dangle him like chum in the trade waters in hopes of attracting a bite?
(Cue Jaws theme as DR casts his line and Wild fans avert their eyes in horrific anticipation of the next Chris Simon deal…)
Sheesh, Sunshine, we can’t scrape more than .6 for Fridge? Come on. Throw my boy a bone, will ya?
Nevermind–you had it right the first time.
New Center - Bobby Holik
Agreed. I’ve had him pegged at `$2M/yr for awhile, and he’s been ommitted from discussion as of late.
Also, although I agree with your negotiating strategy re: Demo, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work like that, since NHL teams have to submit what’s known as a “bona fide offer”, which is open for acceptance for 30 days.
Potentially, then, you could end up with both players agreeing to the sum of money that you had soley intended for just one of them. Yikes!!!
(See Section 8.6d, as well as Exhibit 18, in the NHL CBA.)
I think the Wild are hoping someone signs him to a large offer sheet and they’ll take the picks.
Nope, its 14( Gaborik, Koivu, parrish, Belanger, Sheppard, Boogaard, Johnsson, Burns, Schultz, Skoula, Reitz, MAB, Harding, and Backstrom) at $35 million. Using DR’s info from his blog and nhlnumbers.com
I don’t think DR has included Pouliot and Gillies in yet until they officially make the team. Reitz is included because he has a one-way contract.
Accordding to DR on the Sid show Sunday, Ms Conduct, the ball is in Rolston’s court right now. From Russo’s remarks, it just seems like there is a counter.
DR also made the point that to the others, it was negative enought that Rolston was the first priority without adding what next. So, you are correct that how would Demitra feel about coming back now?
No, NiNY, Gabby is not ready to receive the maximum allowed.
And, it does not make any difference what Florida wants, can’t give the sun, the moon and the stars for Ollie. They won’t get that much anyway.
5MinuteMajor, DR said, also on the Sid show Sunday, that PMB would get a multi-year offer. PMB could accept, reject, decide on only one year again, (or perhaps make a counteroffer too)?
Just think if someone offers PMB a $4 million offer sheet, we can get a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks on top of ours.
Of course, we would lose a good player but we will be able to stock up on prospects. Is next year going to be deep again or will it be a 2004 all over again?
Is there any canadian city, with the possible exception of Edmonton, which Russo does not describe as ‘underrated’?
Didn’t DR’s blog include the value of the restricted FA’s thought? I maybe wrong on that but when comparing http://nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=MIN and DR’s blog the numbers from a player perspective aren’t adding up.
Either way, Marleau was chum thrown in the pool with Olli & Malone. 
Boy, Russia’s really taking it to Sweden, but got only one goal.. the Swedes ended the first half well. Wonder if the Russians will rue their missed chances.
Oh, by the way, Adam Hall’s a free agent too.
*also ducks and runs*
Just think if someone offers PMB a $4 million offer sheet, we can get a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks on top of ours.
Oh goodie–We can get another set of picks like Pouliot, Kassian, and Westblom! Or Thelen, Volo, Olvecky (to whom you already alluded).
I’d rather keep PMB, the known quantity is worth more in my opinion. MAYBE if it was two first rounders.
Is there any canadian city, with the possible exception of Edmonton, which Russo does not describe as ‘underrated’?
It’s the exchange rate. If those cities were in the U.S., they’d be overrated.
Ah, that joke never gets old, no matter what’s happening to the U.S. dollar…
DP: Detroit?
I mean, I know it’s still technically an American city, but it’s A) hanging by a thread and B) I’m sure Windsor, etc wouldn’t mind at all if we just…gave it to them.
Couldn’t agree with you more Wallshot, I’d rather have the known player in PMB.
Ok all, looking at the RFA page, here’s one from right field. How about Jeff Carter? RFA, haven’t looked up how much he makes so don’t know what compensation would be, but seems similar to Malone.
Is there any canadian city, with the possible exception of Edmonton, which Russo does not describe as ‘underrated’?
Dog River, maybe?
Ok all, looking at the RFA page, here’s one from right field. How about Jeff Carter? RFA, haven’t looked up how much he makes so don’t know what compensation would be, but seems similar to Malone.
Carter would be great! I’d say he has way more potential than Malone. I think we’d have to throw a fairly hefty bundle at him not to have it matched though.
wow…nice pull Lemmi…I like Carter a lot.
Boy another pretty goal by Russia, up 2-0 now. Could probably stick a fork in Sweden.
Carter would be great to have, but you can bet Philly would try to keep them. I think he made just under a million last year.
I don’t know if Umberger’s a free agent or not, but please try to get him regardless.
Again, I agree with Wallshot that it would take a pretty solid number to get Carter. There was talks during the trade deadline last year when Philly was trying to get tough of a Boogie for Carter trade (which in hind-sight I would have taken given the amount played at the end of last year).
Could be a tough year if we are just adding Duct Tape to fill our holes and based on Russo’s comments, it sounds like that is what we are about to add.
(Duct Tape = D. Moore, A. Hall, E. Belanger, Radio)
Regina.
With all due respect to Boggie. Regina, Sask in mid January may as well be the armpit of the world. Reminded me of Grand Forks. I was there in jan 2001. the temp was cold enough it was the same Celsius or Fahrenheit. Never felt cold like that in my life, and I’m native MN!
Would anyone trade PMB or Pouliot and this years’ #1 for Olli?
looking at the RFA page
Won’t happen.
Offer sheets to date have not proven to be an effective tool for teams to use in adding players. All but one have been matched. To date, offer sheets have succeeded really in just one area: rapidly increasing the compensation for young players. Agents, realizing this, are using the threat of offer sheets as a tactic in negotiations and in the media.
–Doug Risebrough
The other downside to Carter is if we take him, we have to offer up picks. If you sign him, here’s the cost in draft picks:
2-3 million - a 1st and a 3rd
3-4 million - a 1st, 2nd and 3rd
4-5 million - TWO 1st, a 2nd an a 3rd
Not that we’ll sign him for $4+.. but after looking at what we’d have to give up he’s not such a great deal at that price….
Philly is going to re-sign Carter and will match any offer sheet at least that is what is being reported.
I say if we are to go for any RFAs, Perry is the likely one, though he is not a center. Most other teams have cap space to match offer sheets for their RFAs unless of course they don’t care to.
Actually, of all the teams to try to snag an RFA from, Philly might make a realistic target. If the numbers are correct, they are already 48.2 million cap-committed and have 5 or 6 RFAs whose contracts are up. Plus - does anyone know if they were going to try to re-sign Prospal?
Still, I don’t get the feeling that DR is the type of GM that would try to sign someone to an offer sheet based on what the opinions he’s previously expressed about it and his general lack of boldness in most of his transactions.
Would anyone trade PMB or Pouliot and this years’ #1 for Olli?
If Rolston is retained, PMB’s value to the Wild is even higher but I would do the Benny and the pick trade in a second. However, although Russo is reporting OJ will be traded, FLA wants to pick higher than the Wild’s pick in the first round.
Would anyone trade PMB or Pouliot and this years’ #1 for Olli?
Yes, especially if it was Pouliot!
But, Schmidty, at least Radio and Belanger are a good grade of Duct Tape.
Is it probable that we can trade PMB when we do not have him on a contract? If we do not, who will be willing to take the risk of him signing?
(Duct Tape = …Radio)
I think that’s just his knee, Schmidty.
Without considering who else you may have signed, who would you rather have and why?
a superstar center
a superstar wing
Personally, I’d go for the center. A good center is hard to find (as DR undoubtedly knows). There are twice as many players playing wing as center.
Is the cost in draft picks what a team signs him for or what the previous salary was?
Prospal’s rights was traded back to Tampa Bay for a 2008 7th pick and a conditional 4th 2009 pick.
http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=366257&page=NewsPage&service=page
lol.. Ice
I think Duct Tape is all that’s holding Radio’s knee together right now.
I don’t think FL will do either trade, but I’d move Pouliot before PM. And I like both, so no ill wills toward Pouli, I just know what I have with PMB.
Schmidty, dear being a noob and all I should warn you, talk of trading MY BOOGIE anywhere (your 2:58 post) makes me angry, just ask. I’ll let it go this time, but for further reference keep your greedy trade happy hands off my boy. 
Now if you’ll excuse me, reading Russo’s, no matter how entertaining, is not getting the eggs boiled for the potato salad I have to make. Later!
Wall beat me to it on the Knee Joke 
The team signing the RFA gives up draft picks equal to the players new salary.
Thanks sunshine - so teams can do conditional and non-conditional picks in trades for the rights to negotiate with pending UFAs.
Still, I don’t get the feeling that DR is the type of GM that would try to sign someone to an offer sheet based on what the opinions he’s previously expressed about it and his general lack of boldness in most of his transactions.
bfw: I know. I just said that.
wallshot: I know you just said that.
bfw: Okay, I’m not sure where you’re going with this.
wallshot: Well, I’m not sure where *you’re* going with this.
bfw: That’s what I said.
wallshot: That’s what I’m saying to *you*.
bfw: All right.
wallshot: …TouchÈ.
Np Bandgeek - was more just referring to the fact that Holmgren and DR already cut that road once and so it would seem more likely we’d do that then try to sign him away as a RFA and give up those picks plus make another GM mad.
Wallshot said it best, DR isn’t the type of GM to make to moves like that.
Good, because my Boogie’s not going anywhere.
Ok calmer now. Stupid eggs didn’t all fit in the pot. Question for the masses, is Fridge an RFA or a UFA? I wasn’t sure and since we picked him up off waivers I couldn’t remember. And frankly I’m just to lazy to look it up today.
bfw: I know. I just said that.
wallshot: I see that now, but that post was not up at the time that I was typing my post on the same subject.
bfw: Oh… touché.
WS, just a li’l “Dodgeball” reference for ya there. No harm, no foul, lol.
Wallshot said it best, DR isn’t the type of GM to make to moves like that.
Thanks for the props, Schmidty, but let it be known that BFW was the first to make this statement lest another imaginary argument ensue between us.
lest another imaginary argument ensue between us.
LMAO!
Stupid eggs didn’t all fit in the pot
Dang, BG, that’s either a he!! of a lot of eggs, or one small @ss pot.
I guess I don’t remember that movie that well, BFW. Good one! I just thought you were off your rocker.
I figured it was just hockey withdrawal getting to you. LOL
All dozen I had. Having family over on Saturday and boiling the eggs is one of the few things I can get out of the way really early. Now if only my bathroom would clean it’s self.
Props to BFW then
And Bandgeek - Fredoruk is a UFA
Wallshot, hockey withdrawal is no laughing matter. I suffer from acute hockey withdrawal and it’s not a pretty site when the Mr comes home and finds me hugging my Walz jersey and watching Miracle on repeat. At least I’ve stopped taping, untaping, and taping my stick again and again while mumbling “must be ready for the season, must be ready for the season…..”
Russo is one of the few Americans I respect and he is the World Canadian Bureau’s (WGA) non-Canadian hockey writer of the year.
one of the few Americans I respect
Harsh. But then again… how many Americans do you actually KNOW?
Few - I rarely stray from Ottawa.
Props to BFW then
No prob.
I figured it was just hockey withdrawal
Toooootally!
See!!! BFW knows what I’m talking about. Hockey withdrawal is a bad bad thing.
Hey, I’ve been saying that the Wild will sign Holik since the trade deadline last year folks (and posted as such here). The Wild wanted him then but Atlanta wouldn’t deal as long as they had playoff shot. He’s been Wild’s sights ever since. He’s their first target as a free agent signing in my opinion and I think Bruno is on the list too. Not psychic, but that’s what I think. Wild can’t compete for Jokinen with that pick and little else to deal, others willing to give up more for him.
Few - I rarely stray from Ottawa.
Except for the occassional trips to Colorado, eh?
Of course, Colorado is where the Internet money is.
Hey, I’ve been saying that the Wild will sign Holik …
Gotcher back, Claire. I can attest to that. You’re analysis tends to be spot on, (and I did like when you went postal on the dude regarding ticket prices, etc!)
Agreed, DR won’t be in the market for the top of the UFA list, but Holik, Bruno, etc, may be available after the first of July (read his Wild blog for this hint and others, if you haven’t already.)
L8r!
Should we be concerned that Holik is almost 38? Could he still be effective for at least two years?
I’m not sure whether to yawn or groan every time I see Holik mentioned. That would be the typical underwhelming type of move one would expect from DR.
The Wild needs someone that can SCORE. But every year that extra scoring punch eludes us poor Wild fans (boo-hoo). Will that ever change?
Claire - if your vision comes to pass I am fine with it. However, since we need the center more, I would rather go younger than Bruno when adding to the wings.
Should we be concerned that Holik is almost 38? Could he still be effective for at least two years?
Well he hasn’t been effective for the last three, so…
I think Holik is good for a trade deadline pickup but I am nervous about a whole season. JL demands so much from the center position. If Demitra and Rolston, two guys use to playing that position, couldn’t hack at as mid-thirties, we are going to trust it to a guy almost twice as old as Sheppard?
I see value of him being a 5th centermen and mentoring Pouliot and Sheppard for $1.5 million but I can’t trust him to be our #1 center (not that we have a true #1 anyways with the way JL rotates them).
I don’t know how DR makes this team better without making a big move (which Russo has ruled out).
Let’s say you add Rolston, sign PMB and then Add Holik & as much as I love him the also very old Bruno.
That time ain’t better, it’s slower. And there is even less scoring punch then last year. Since Lemaire uses Center’s in a true two-way effort then sign a Holik to fill the void if Gillies can’t cut it and blow the rest on a high scoring winger to help put the puck in the net.
That line-up I listed above will lower our Goals Per Game down to .731
Would anyone trade PMB or Pouliot and this years’ #1 for Olli?
No. I’d do PMB straight up or Pouliot plus the first, take it or leave it (I’m guessing that FL leaves it as they will likely see better offers). I think Jokinen is good, but I think he’s also a bit overrated based on some of the things I’m hearing about in regards to trades for the guy. It will be interesting to see what actually goes down with him.
Just my two cents.
That time ain’t better, it’s slower. And there is even less scoring punch then last year. Since Lemaire uses Center’s in a true two-way effort then sign a Holik to fill the void if Gillies can’t cut it and blow the rest on a high scoring winger to help put the puck in the net.
I agree, but blow it on who? Hossa, and Jagr aren’t realistic options. Who’s left with any offensive talent? Demitra? Satan? Nagy? Nothing very impressive there.
As long as everyone is talking about over-the-hill centers as signing option–has anyone signed Fedorov yet? I’m sure he’d cost considerably less than the 6 million he was recently signed for.
Some rule changes:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241045&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_nhl
Demitra for Holik = Headcase for Headcase
IMO this is what all you who want Bobby Holik so much are asking for. Another Grade ‘A’ Euro-headache for JL from another ‘play when I want to’ forward.
You think you saw some dog times with Demitra? You definitely will with Holik! He’s been on one of the worst teams in the NHL two of the last three seasons (Atlanta) and before that he was turning MSG into a poop pit.
If we are talking about wasted roster spots, bring Fedorov in, like Wallshot said. At least he’d show the Slovaks how to behave in an NHL setting…and he’d be more apt to score than Holik ever would…
“Historically, the draft has been the Senators’ bread and butter. Of the 15 picks they have had between 1992 and 2006, only one player - goaltender Mathieu Chouinard - has never played in the National Hockey League.” http://www.tsn.ca
How many picks have the Wild had that have never sniffed the NHL?
Federov mailed it in Columbus. Why would we want that too?
I am assuming, Claire, that they are talking about #1 picks. We have had one in Thelen.
Gillies was just selected last year so you can’t count him yet.
Christ, i am just going to stop posting today…I didn’t see the ## of picks (obviously limiting it to 1st rounders, where the Wild have done pretty well). I got nothing to add today.
Federov mailed it in Columbus. Why would we want that too?
How do you know this?
“Historically, the draft has been the Senators’ bread and butter.”
I wouldn’t be too tickled with every 1st round pick(Daigle, Yashin) but they have done well.
It was reported in the Columbus papers and rumblings about it during the trade deadline. Some of it tied to his $6 million contract and not living up to it 9-19-28 in 50 games with the Blue Jackets.
He got life after he left Columbus and went to the Capitals.
[When The Washington Times asked Sergei Fedorov about his future, the former Blue Jacket said he wanted to talk to his family before he decided what to do next. He made it clear that he wasn’t happy with the way the past year had gone. “It was pretty gloomy in Columbus,” he said. “It was fun playing with the guys and everything, but as far as everything else was just average. I just tried to come to work and work hard. When I got traded, I was completely upside down. I had to remember a lot of things I have done well in the past.”]
KiPA posted the link (rule changes), but here’s the meat of it:
The first change will be for Rule 76.2 on faceoffs, placing the first faceoff of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
not a big deal, IMO
Second, a change to Rule 81.1 on icing will state that, “Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.”
Vengeance, thy name is Foster
The last change will be to Rule 85.5 on faceoff location, saying that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
same reaction as to the first one.
Also, the league announced Wednesday that the board endorsed immediate and long-term recommendations provided by the Goaltender Equipment Working Group and the league’s competition committee and will work with goalies and equipment manufacturers on standards for the maximum size of all equipment that a player can wear.
Just penalties on the icing rule — I say an automatic one game suspension since they specify unnecessary or dangerous contact. A hand in the back, unintentional as it was, is still dangerous contact at that speed. It broke Foster’s femur.
They should have gone a little further is what I am saying. Most will disagree with me but that is how I feel.
I’m with you sunshine. It’s pretty toothless as it stands right now. I mean, if the “contact” is deemed egregious enough the refs would have called a penalty before, no? So how is this really any different?
Am I the only one who’s gonna rip a Canadian city?Am I wrong about Regina?
I have a feeling we’re gonna slip this year. I see us finishing 3rd or 4th given the “tone” coming from management…
Holik would be Walz 2008.
Rolston??? His age scares me, but his 30 goals are hard to replace.
Parrish is needed to reappear or be bought out.
I’d consider offering Malone 4 years, 18 million.
What to do?
Sounds to me like they’re kinda just leaving it up to the ref’s discretion, which I think is okay. I’d hate for someone on MY team to get a game suspension just because someone’s a good actor.
Sorry Dice, I’ve been to Regina once and thought it was kinda pretty, but that was in early September. As I recall, the underwire in my bra broke out in front of the capital building while we were taking pictures. Plus, you gotta give props to the Sask Roughriders fans for sitting out in that stadium for games into November, eh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Taylor_Field.jpg
Dice: Saskatoon, yes. Edmonton: it’ll improve when the Oil move out of Rexall Place and go Downtown (2011-12). Regina? Not much going for it. Wheat and junior ‘A’ hockey and that’s about it.
Holik as Walz 2008, dice? Not gonna happen, as Dana Carvey would say. Nope. Not gonna.
Unintentional or not, I don’t care if they are on my team. I might rant for a little bit out of frustration but in the end, I know I will support the suspension because I don’t want to see it happen again. Defenders are in a vulnerable position and I cannot condone the action of Mitchell.
Its like obscene things — you know it when you see it and a majority of the average population will agree with you. Mitchell’s action was dangerous. A hand in the back. Dangerous… dangerous, even though it was unintentional.
ms. conduct, touché on said Roughriders! WRT, I hope your right on Holik, Old centers are risky, due respect to Bandgeek and Walzy.
Dice, the Mr and I got the Walz jersey because we wanted to get a green one before you couldn’t find them anymore. We decided to get one with a name and chose Walz because we figured he’s a respected player we liked and would most likely retire from the Wild and not leave to play on another team like many of the others we had the option of. And the Mr wouldn’t let me have a Boogie one because he says my obsession has creepy tones at times so he said no. Silly Mr, I’ll find ways to obsess with or without a jersey. So no need to apologize about Walzy, although his steady head and leadership skills are sorely missed in the Wild locker room.
So no need to apologize about Walzy, although his steady head and leadership skills are sorely missed in the Wild locker room.
And here I just thought he was calling you old…
If he was then I’ll have to go all Boogie on his a$$ but I think he was calling Walz and Holik old, so I skipped over the old part. Although I don’t think I’m old, is 30 old Wallshot? Do I need to have a ‘word’ with you about not calling ladies old?
By the way, Tiger’s owwie means he can’t play out the rest of the golf season (golf has a season? that’s just sick). If I remember right his injury is something that would take a hockey player out for a few games. Oh poor baby. Geeze Tiger, my advice to you is grow a pair.
Do I need to have a ‘word’ with you about not calling ladies old?
Ah ha ha, no, I’m nearly 30 myself. I just enjoyed taking his comment out of context. 
As for Tiger, I’m sure he has a pair, the problem is he pays someone else to carry them around for him, so it just seems like he doesn’t.
Based on the recent article, sounds like Rolston has DR over the barrel. DR shouldn’t have verbally send Demo packing. He’ll end up over-paying for Rolston cause if he loses them both he’ll be in hot water with Leipold. Mr. Nagale may have let you “tred water” but hopefully Craig won’t.
Building slowly through the draft only works if you make good picks and based on the status of our farm system, we are missing something.
Let’s hope something gets done soon one way or the other with #12.
Or it could be Russo generating or injecting anxiety for the fans about this deal.
The big question is how much does not having Rolston sign by the draft tie DR’s hands. He can’t trade Bouchard if he doesn’t have Rolston for example.
Let’s hope they get something done before 6pm EST Friday.
I’d take Gordie Howe over Holik. Just sayin.
I hope that DR avoids the ‘retread’ route and spares us the ‘he can help us’ spin.
Be bold.
Improve the team a LOT.
Trade for Jokinen. Sign Malone. Trade for Malkin.
DO…SOMETHING.
What happened to Stahl the center from the Oilers. I thought he was being shopped at the trade deadline?
I received my answer from the Pio regarding if Rolston not signing would tie DR’s hands. Here is the piece from the article
[he Wild and winger Brian Rolston are still apart on terms of a new contract. Risebrough would like to have a deal done before the entry draft starts Friday but said it’s not necessary.
“It would be better if he were signed,” he said, “but I don’t think it will hamstring us.”
The real deadline would be July 1, the day Rolston becomes a free agent.]
Jarret Stoll is a RFA. I wouldn’t trade PMB straight up for him, though.
