Live from Draft Headquarters
Posted on June 20th, 2008 – 1:52 PMBy Michael Russo
Sounds official, eh?
I just spent a couple hours over at the Westin. Funny moment at the end of lunch in a restaurant filled with agents, GM’s, owners, scouts, etc.
I was sitting with Jeff Rimer, the Columbus play-by-play voice, and Bobby Orr, who you know. Orr is now a player agent, coming off double knee replacement surgery and is as nice a guy as you’ve ever meet.
We’re sitting at the table, and three of the cutest “old ladies,” as they referred to themselves, came up to Bobby for autographs. Joan, Janice and Shiela. “We watched you growing up,” they said to Orr, which I found hilarious.
Orr happily signed. “You’ve made our day. Wait til our husbands see we met Bobby Orr.”
I’ve got lots of nuggets for you that you’ll read tomorrow and later tonight on the blog.
AS for Olli Jokinen, the Wild is trying bigtime. I’ll have more for you soon. I can tell you the Panthers are not interested in Benoit Pouliot. Like I said yesterday, they want a prospect the Wild is not interested in parting with.
Things are quiet right now. Carolina and Columbus are trying to make significant moves. Ottawa’s put Ray Emery on waivers, which I haven’t seen reported yet but I’ve been told by his organization. And like I said, I’ve got some other good stuff later for you and more on Jokinen soon.
129 Responses to "Live from Draft Headquarters"
I assume you’re looking into the Malkin thing like I asked you yesterday. That’s sort of a big deal, y’know.
(I may go cry somewhere.)
The only prospects that I see the Wild viewing as untouchables are Sheppard and Gillies. And I agree with most that it’s probably Sheppard. I wouldn’t trade him for Olli, either.
yep, catch-22. stuck either way a person does it. they roll the dice with demitra, and get very little positive with a giant salary cap hit difference. but we all complain if they don’t do anything. and the demitra thing will be hilarious if gabby bolts. Even a guy who you think would love minnesota in Rolston, seems to be all about the money now. whats another million on top of 3? this is the part that frustrates me. Cheering for Laundry.
more stuff later, more stuff later… Your killing me here. 
KiPA:
I would worry less about a trade and more about that offer from the Russian league. I know that the head of the NHL or IIHF agreement body said that while there is no current agreement all parties should honor current contracts. Malkin still has one year left on his contract.
I don’t believe in any of the trade talks and maybe that is why Russo is not giving it serious consideration for a story.
Why can’t Russo just share all now rather than give us drips at a time?
Brian Biggane in Florida has something similar to Russo on post on his Panther blog regarding Olli…
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapanthers/index.html
“Buffalo is interested in Brian Rolston and could be trying to acquire his rights to negotiate with him.”
I say let him go and trade Gabby while we are at it! I am sick of losing in the 1st round. We deserve better.
Wild Fan in DC… Just wondering where did u hear about that?
It has always struck me that if you put one of those white paper hats on Demitra and a white apron, you have your local butcher.
Thanks for the update Russo!
If the Wild are trying hard for Olli, that means Dougie is going to over pay. Look for the deal to be:
1st round pick
PMB
Gillies
WAY TO MUCH for OJ which amounts to a wash in points. Arrrggggh!
Russo, could you plant a bug in DR’s ear that FL is looking for a defenseman named Johnsson and that we have one that we’ll trade instead of PMB? 
Ecklund is also reporting that Buffalo is after Rolston. go to hockeybuzz.com for more info.
I’m glad Ecklund is reporting that Buffalo is after Rolston, that means he is a lock to resign here! 
I am reporting that I think Rolston is going to the Blackhawks at $5M per year and will instantly make them a playoff contender. If I’m wrong it’s because my ‘magic 8-Ball’ is broken.
Gato, you might be on the right track. The Magic 8 Ball is right way more often then Ecklund.
Hell, a broken clock is right more often than Eclund, and it’s only right twice a day….
I don’t trust DR to get good value when he trades - he overpays or gets swindled every time.
If DR re-signs Rolston he is going to pay to much and if he signs Gabby it will be for too much and those two guys have not got the team past the 1 round. Why not trade them or their rights and try to retool?
My personal opinion is that if OJ becomes a Wild, we will not overpay for him. If we were going to overpay, that would have been done.
OJ looked awesome when we played Florida just before the trade deadline, look at those game stats.
“I say let him go and trade Gabby while we are at it! I am sick of losing in the 1st round. We deserve better.”
Yeah great idea! Let our best player go and get rid of Rolston, that will show em! I bet that would get us past the first round for sure!
“Yeah great idea! Let our best player go and get rid of Rolston, that will show em! I bet that would get us past the first round for sure!”
Why overpay for guys that can not get us out of the 1st round? Trade them get some picks/players and try with a different group of guys becasue this group has underachieved!
I would rate Gillies as untouchable. Same with Sheppard, Koivu, Burns.
If DR deals for Jokinen and it involves one of those 3 he is making a huge mistake.
Huggy Bear in Buffalo? Chicago?
Maybe the Wild can get Lang for Rolston’s rights??? 
I’m officially firing up the Let Rolston Go bandwagon.
We all agree he is a professional guy, but let’s be honest here. He has already won a Cup and is looking for one last score before retirement. What does he have to play for? He won’t have to kill himself for a new contract. If he doesn’t win another Cup, no big deal, his name is already on there.
Imagine if you’ve had a good career in whatever profession you’re in and retirement is around the corner. You have nothing left to prove. Are you going to bust your a** to the end? Or are you just collecting checks at that point?
It is time to focus the money in younger players.
And don’t forget the disaster scenario - serious injury early in year one of his deal and the Wild will be taking a cap hit for a guy that might not play again for the entirety of the contract.
OJ would be our best player immediately. Only Koivu, Burns and Gabby would be out of question in my opinion.
I hope the Wild can get Jokinen for the first pick and Pouliot. That would be perfect!
Dump Rolston
I wrote that back in Feb…
WildfaninDC, I know that’s waht you meant… but the way you said it sounded more like you wanted to give them away and start over… which we all know is not a good plan. Personally I think Gaborik is money. I would like for him to keep playing here. Rolston I like, but I think if we could get someone else in his place I would not be crushed.
I could not agree more Aaron! That is why I am saying get what you can for him (a pick) and say thank you for three good years.
Ryan Malone in a Wild Uniform?????????????
WF in DC,
Why is it that those are the two guys that couldn’t get us out of the first round? Why isn’t it Demo or Burns?
Slash and burn isn’t the way to build a solid franchise….
I’m not sure what to think of the Jokinen rumors. It does seem familiar though - Demitra/O’Sullivan.
Considering we don’t have a lot of pure prospects and the outcome of the Demitra trade I would like to see the Wild pass on any deal involving Gillies.
Let’s be honest here folks, with Rolston on the fence this team is not a Jokinen away from the Cup.
And keep in mind that Gaborik might be gone after this season. I don’t think you can trade prospects away until you know Gaborik is locked up long term. What good is Jokinen without Gaborik?
Gaborik for a pick? Geez, why don’t we give the whole team for a bag of pucks.
If we are to move Gaborik, we need more than just a 1st rounder.
Geez, I hope Benny isn’t getting an inferiority complex (I don’t want him you can have him he’s too bad for me). It’s the Pool Boy Polka!
Oh to be a Red Wings fan right now… *sigh*
From the FL blog: “Word is the Wild has been offering LW Benoit Puliot, a 6-3, 199-pounder who was the team’s first-round pick (fourth overall) in 2005 but has so far played in only 14 NHL games. Pouliot has excellent skill and would fit in nicely with Florida’s cadre of up-and-comers. That would be in addition to a first-round pick”
If FLA bit on Benny plus our 1st, I would be stoked to have Oli on the team… that would be a good deal for the WIld. However, you never know about Benny… he could breakout in a full season of NHL hockey.
“Why is it that those are the two guys that couldn’t get us out of the first round? Why isn’t it Demo or Burns?
Slash and burn isn’t the way to build a solid franchise….”
Demo is not going to be back and Burns wnats to be here(by signing the new deal at a good cap hit) Gabby has already said he wants to play out east. If he is not signed to an extension this summer tthen next summer will be nothing but a huge disappointment. All Russo will write about is Gabby rumours and the team will struggle.
Why not trade him when his value is higher then it will be at the deadline?
I’m glad no one wants Pouliot because I’m not ready to give up on the kid.
You can only slash and burn if you have solid prospects waiting. We don’t. Nashville was able to do it because they had decent prospects.
Austin - thanks for the Florida blog
I feel like I’m the only one that is concerned by the fact Florida is so willing to trade Jokinen.
I believe Russo vouched for his abilities back at the trade deadline but what kind of character guy is he? Why is Florida done with him?
I’m not sure about giving up Pouliot or PMB and a 1st rounder. Any idea on what Hossa wants? If we don’t resign Rolston or Demitra, doesn’t that get us about $6M back for next year? And what about the money we’ll have after next year when Carney and Johnsson come off the books??
I like Jokinen, but I don’t want to mortgage too much of our future for him..
I hope Benny isn’t getting an inferiority complex (I don’t want him you can have him he’s too bad for me).
LOL…best. polka. ever.
Johnsson is on for 2 more years, Carney is gone already (and probably not worth much).
If we lose Gabby and PMB next year we have about $9M to throw at Malkin. Just a thought!
Olli has a $5.2 million cap hit for two more years. Johnsson still has two more years at $4.8 million cap hit or so.
Carney’s salary and cap hit is going towards paying for MAB and Reitz.
I think for DR if its PMB, Pouliot + #24 for Olli, he would’ve done it. Florida wants Sheppard or Gillies instead of Pouliot. That is what Russo is hinting at.
I’m curious why people are not more vocal about the Wild giving up PMB?? I wuold try to lock him up long-term ASAP.
“I’m curious why people are not more vocal about the Wild giving up PMB?? I wuold try to lock him up long-term ASAP.”
I agree I think the way he is going he is going to be a star! I put him in with Burns, Koivu, Schultz, etc as the core of this team.
Ned19er, I have voiced my opinion on him many times. I love PMB and he should be locked up. I think trading him would be a mistake. All the regulares here can attest to my man-love for the little bald wonder. I only participate in the trade talks because it’s fun.
I’m with you, AiH, on the Jokinen concerns, but they’re just based on what people are saying. Not on actually watching him play. I think the only thing I’ve seen his when he sliced Zednik’s neck open. Skates go on the ice, Olli…
Where are people hearing about the Pens giving up on Malkin??
Pens aren’t giving up, there is only so much money to go around and you can’t have both Sid and Malkin earning $9+M on the same team, unless you are going to stock the rest of the squad with AHLer’s. Malkin’s contract is up next season, that’s when you throw the money at him.
There is no doubt that Oli is a solid player. I think FLA jsut realizes that Oli is not the key to their success… so they are giving him the boot and trying to bring in some young cats to build a team around. I would probably be with them on that idea if I were a die hard fan… losing all the time sucks and it’s time for a change.
Ned, there is a love/dislike (I wouldn’t call it hate) relationship with PMB. He is a very talented puck handler and play maker, but he is also fairly soft, looks to pass more than shoot, and he has trouble against many teams in our conference. He is also our most valuable, tradeable asset. DR could have locked him up long term, but signed him to 2 consecutive 1 year deals (and probably a 3rd if he’s not traded), so that shows a lack of confidence from the organization. Without Rolston they would need to move him to the 1st line to play with Gabby or else his numbers will suffer this year.
“so they are giving him the boot and trying to bring in some young cats to build a team around. I would probably be with them on that idea if I were a die hard fan… losing all the time sucks and it’s time for a change.”
This is what I am talking about only with Gabby!!
If PMB is not traded, DR has made it clear that he would give PMB a multi-year contract. Its in his blogs and in his remarks at the media pre-draft luncheon.
Sorry, El Gato, Russia’s throwing $15 mil at Malkin. Compete with that.
(I’m in a very bad mood and it’s in no way related to hockey.)
WildFaninDC… The Wild are not in the same Failboat (http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u224/SaneMadness/Failboat.jpg) as the Panthers are. We have no need to do what they are doing. We are not a losing team, and we do not need to rebuild.
ATX is really PMB posting on here…
Would someone, somewhere DO something???
Russo…put down your poutine and BLOG!!!
Plus, Olli and Martin do not get along. If we think Gaborik and Lemaire have a rocky relationship, Olli-Martin is alot worse. One of the only reason why Olli hasn’t traded sooner is that the owner likes Olli.
This time, if rumors are to be believed, Olli asked to be traded, which he hasn’t done before.
Unlike Olli, Gaborik has brought the Wild into the playoffs. Olli hasn’t done it with Florida.
“but signed him to 2 consecutive 1 year deals (and probably a 3rd if he’s not traded)”
I think DR said that he was going to look at locking up PMB long term if he doesn’t trade him by July 1st. He was also dangling him to see what his value is. I think Russo posted about that a few days ago… so I doub’t he will get another 1 year deal.
KiPA, where’s Nick, sounds like you need a stiff drink stat! Someone open the bar for cryin out loud!
I love the idea of being able to roll out Koivu and OJ as our main centers back to back. I posted this a couple of weeks ago and I think it still holds (the key is the Jokinen falling out with Jacques Martin):
-
Let’s trade b-b-benny and a no. 1 to Florida for Jokinen (who hates Jacques Martin who re-upped as GM - something has got to give there) We could fit him under the cap by saying bye-bye to Smilin’ Pav and Parrish. Assume $54 million cap next year.
Left wingers
Derek Boogaard, $875,000
Stephane Veilleux 546,700
LW Brian Rolston, 4,000,000
Colton Gillies 1,400,000
LW Todd Fedoruk, 1,750,000
Centers
Mikko Koivu, 3,250,000
JOKINEN 5,600,000
Eric Belanger 1,750,000
James Sheppard, $1.4 million
Right Wing
Aaron Voros 546,700
DannyIrmen 546,000
Marian Gaborik, 8,000,000
Clutterbuck 575,000
Pierre-Marc Bouchard, $3,600,000
Defensemen
Eric Reitz 500,000
Kim Johnsson, $4.85 million
Kurtis Foster, $1.025 million
Nick Schultz, $3.6 million
Marc-Andre Bergeron, $1.7 million
Brent Burns, $3.55 million
Martin Skoula, $1.8 million
Goalies
Niklas Backstrom, $3.1 million
Josh Harding, $725,000
But will PMB accept it or test free agency in 2009? He could always say ‘Nope, I think I can get more elsewhere’.
DR has given Rolston a multi-year contract, he hasn’t accepted, what makes us think PMB may be different?
kj, don’t give away my secret!!!
Yup, I do, El Gato.
Kj, Don’t be going after the Don. It takes a long time to get from point A to point B carrying his laptop and coffee while crutching or hobbling around on the broken foot….
KiPA, sounds like if Geno goes into a scoring slump at $15M his family might be in danger in that league, just sayin it might be a bit safer playing here.
I agree with not giving up Shep or Gillies for Oli. Without having Rolston signed or Gabby and PMB’s contract extended. It seems Oli wouldn’t be enough help, we aren’t going to be a contender next year. Perhaps trading Gabby away and getting a good package. With PMB, I’m not sure he’s worth more than 3mil. He just doesn’t seem to fit with the style of hockey that we are trying to play.
I want the kind of job where the interesting part of my lunch isn’t the fact that I’m lunching with Bobby Freaking Orr, but that some ladies wanted his autograph. Dude.
Oh, I agree, EG. Don’t need to convince me that Geno shouldn’t go back to Russia. Too many rumors swirling around him for my liking (which I could handle easier if Hossa was under contract).
PMB has said many times this past year that he wants a long-term deal with the Wild. He also said that he doesn’t want to test the market. Take the comments for what they are.
I think he was fine doing one-year contracts because there were other Wild players on one-year contracts. Now, when he sees Koivu, Burns, and Schultz receiving long-term contracts, he wants that too.
This feels like trade deadline day all over again. A whole lot of talkin’ and not a lot of doin’.
sunshine, today will be the deciding factor, but I think his production will suffer without Rolston unless he plays with Gabby.
Gato, PMB has said on multiple occassions that he would like to plaey his entire career in MN. I think he would accept the offer.
Jarmior, I think that looks okay.. but not great. A little thin looking at RW. PMB and Gabby are the only ones I really trust out of that group. Irman and Clutterbuck are not proven, and Voros is reckless and takes dumb penalties.
Sign PMB to multi-year contract. Trade Jokinen - Pouliot and the first or if they won’t take that, make it Gillies. The Wild need an established center more than they need another winger with questionable scoring potential.
DO IT.
At least Chris Simon is out of the picture BNAG. Shipley wrote today that DR said Simon left for Russia due to ‘media outrage’ at his signing and figured it would happen where ever he signed. Sounds like Simon may have been gelded to control his anger, that comment doesn’t sound like it comes from someone who has a pair. Then maybe you shouldn’t clobber peolpe over their head with a stick repeatedly.
Irmen with the Wild next season? Wow. Full strength Kool-Aid must be in play.
The only Aero to take a bigger step backwards than Irmen this season was Voloshenko.
Enjoy the draft all, I will be home in time to hear that DR traded his one and 2 to Boston to move up to 16 and take a player ranked 40th in TSN’s rankings because he heard that Calgary was coveting this player at 17.
PMB’s assist might suffer but his goals might increase. There needs to be a balance between Rolston and PMB. If you have one passing less but shooting more, the other will have to compensate. If PMB takes all most of the shots but doesn’t pass to Rolston, we will say he’s selfish because Rolston has the better shot. The wingers generate the offense except for Demitra and Gaborik’s case.
I think in the Rolston-White-PMB case was that White was a good passer so there was more balance. This year, it was mainly Rolston and PMB because the center position was rotated so often.
To be a top tier team, given the cap, you either need your stars to take discounts (see Red Wings), or have young superstars who haven’t milked the system for all it’s worth (see Penguins). I still say trade for OJ and maybe Kalus, Olvecky or Jones will come out of the blue and provide some punch. (Fairy tales can come true - it can happen to you)
THANK YOU AiH…. all this Irmen talk, I feel like either I’m on crack or everyone else is.
I only know Irman is not the answer thanks to our Houston friends. Looking at Jaromir Blogger’s RW lieup made me cringe a bit. Would Clutterbuck even be a viable checking like RW? or is he not NHL material at all yet (or ever)?
My roster plan has includes Irmen strictly to fill out the roster (and sit in the press box) at the cap minimum. Since there is much Irmen hate, I’d be happy to throw him under the bus and plug Foy in.
Oh and all day long I have been waiting for something big to drop… and all we have so far are: Blues acquire Mason from Predators, and Maple Leafs acquire F Mayers from Blues… lame.
Oh and I won’t be on the blog tonight (got a bowling party to go to!) so if anything big goes down I will miss it :(.
Kalus is definately crack talk, the guy couldn’t even make his national team.
Jones needs a year in the minors for evaluation - looks good though.
Hamilton and Ward were solid two way players for the Aeros. I really like Hamilton.
Olvecky is a tough call. He needs help to produce, he can’t really create on his own.
Gillies is a stud.
I’m interested to see what Adrian Foster can do. High potential guy if he can get a chance and stay healthy.
Noreau and Stoner are the defense prospects. Can Albers bulk up?
Reitz? Eh. I’m happy the guy is getting a shot, but that is all I think it is.
Irmen and Belle = yuck.
Pouliot could explode with the right talent around him. Electric in the open ice.
Nolan Schaefer and Barry Brust are high quality back ups for Backstrom and Harding. It would have been interesting to see what kind of numbers Harding could have put up in Houston with good team defense being played for a change.
There is your rapid Aeros update. It was needed considering the whole message board is firing any name at will into a trade or Wild starting roster.
Oh and Clutterbuck - the best agitator I’ve seen in the Wild’s system.
I think Clutterbuck will be in the NHL, ATX, but I think he’s got some fine tuning to do. Bottom line, I just don’t see how a guy with his intensity and his knack for smart agitation will not land him with the big boys at some point. He’s the same size as Sean Avery, similar game, and actually seemed to take on a bit of a leadership role on the team, so good character as far as I can tell. He’s a special one in my book.
PHEW!!
Nicely done, everyone! I take Thursday off, and spend most of the day just catchin’ up. Love it! Good to see the speculation in high gear.
Some random thoughts:
1. Florida’s new head coach Peter DeBoer was Weiss’s coach in juniors, so it’s likely he’ll turn over the keys to the #1 center job to him. This is on top of the Olli Hate from Martin. There really is NO likelihood that Olli stays in FLA.
2. Someone earlier was comparing signing Rolston and PMB long-term. All things being equal (which they’re not, lol) the critical difference is age. Way too much risk involved for Roli, so let him walk if he won’t take 1- or 2-yr deals.
3. Malone might get overpaid, but if his number is close to Rolstons, considering they have virtually identical career G/GP, what’s wrong with $4.5/yr? At least your not giving up any assets (Shep, Gillies, etc.)…and it’s Craig’s money, not yours! LMAO!
4. If DR does not move PMB at the draft, he could still make a 1-yr qualifying offer and move him later. That’s assuming he wants to move him at all, which I’m not quite sure that he does.
5. The following HYSTERICAL comments were found earlier in the Russoville lost and found. Please come to the bar to claim your quotes:
“Bizarro Pouliot”
“…is right as often as a broken clock (paraphrase.”
Speaking of Avery, he is not being resigned by the rangers.
But it sounds like neither is about 5 guys, going into july 1st really thin.
Right on ms. conduct, toss in anything else you want but no references to Pouliot’s tiara please.
Yep. Ditto every thing AiH said. Well done. Though I’m not totally yuck on Belle… I think he needs to be in another system.
And I think Clutterbuck is the ONLY agitator in the Wild system. High time if you ask me, though I still kinda squirm wondering how all those Minnesota hockey purists will take to him.
Aaron, what do you think about Hamilton possibly making the big team. Ward’s a UFA, so I’m not sure he’ll be back with so little upward opportunity.
Alright - time to go home and set up draft cental. Can’t wait for what blatant backhanded comments Pierre Maguire lobs up this year at the draft. That guy really lets you know what he thinks and I love it.
DR is always active at the draft - lets see what he comes up with this year.
But his tiara looks so nice on him. Nah. I’m looking at Pouly in a very different light after watching the 2005 draft special on the NHL Network this week. If anything, I’m leaning more sympathetic now. I still wouldn’t cry if he wasn’t on my team anymore but I’m not so angry. I’m hoping he’s just a late bloomer in terms of the maturity and confidence he needs to back up his sick hockey skills.
May take me a while to remember that I’m not supposed to rag on him… hence the “Bizarro Pouliot”… oops.
If Hamilton keeps elevating his game like he did throughout the year last season he should see a call up. Especially if the Wild don’t resign guys like Foy or Voros.
Minnesota will love Clutterbuck. The rule on agitators is that you hate them unless they play for your team.
I would love to see another Clutterbuck stick breaking incident. Oh wow was that priceless. After a scrum with sticks and gloves all over the ice, Cluts picks up an opponents stick, skates it over to their bench and broke it over his knee. Best. Misconduct. Penalty. Ever.
El G.
You my friend have hit the proverbial draft nail on the head. You won’t miss a thing…well anything WORTH missing.
Irmen? Puhleeez.
NiNY…’Bizarro Pouliot’ needs to be cataloged!!!
My wife will be displeased if the Wild get an agitator. I am not a fan of them either… but I could see how they can be handy at times. Comparing him to Sean Avery makes me disllike him though… I HATE Sean Avery. Huge Douche.
Thanks for the infor Houstonites! Hustonians? Hustoners?
kj, with ya on that one!
and BNAG, good to see ya back. Where ya’ been?
Here is a better Panthers blog to check:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/
According to him, the Wild have upped their offer but there are apparently better offers still out there.
The whole point is that Florida wants someone other than Pouliot and the Wild isn’t prepared to deal that. I don’t think the Wild can and should compete with higher offers. Risebrough has played that game and lost too many times before. Go for the safer bet with Holik, who can help a lot, and look for good prospects at the draft, and undrafted free agents.
[I would love to see another Clutterbuck stick breaking incident. Oh wow was that priceless. After a scrum with sticks and gloves all over the ice, Cluts picks up an opponents stick, skates it over to their bench and broke it over his knee. Best. Misconduct. Penalty. Ever.]
I would have loved to see that. Not very cool but would have still been funny.
I bet they added Parrish to the deal.
Claire…is your last name Holik?
37 years old and 4.2 million last year.
He is a bigger contractural risk than Rolston.
We don’t need old, overpriced talent. Let him sign with the Rangers.
Go for the safer bet with Holik, who can helpUS SUCK a lot, and look for good prospects at the draft, and undrafted free agents.
Thanks GOD Florida saved us from making what would have been a stupid trade.
According to the new article, Dougie offered our 1st, Bouch and Pouliot and they said no cause they wanted Sheppard.
What a horrible trade that would have been. Thanks all those down there who can’t vote (only a joke)
Sheppard = untouchable.
Finally, a good move from DR…
What new article are you guys talking about?
On the Strib here, under the Sports-Wild main page
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/20611444.html?location_refer=Wild:highlightModules:1
Guess you were right about it being Shep guys and gals.
Thanks guys, i hadnt seen that yet.
I think our 24th pick + Benny + PMB for Oli would be very dumb. And yes, thank you DR for making Shep untouchable.
Wow, yeah I agree that would have been too much for Jokinen. Yes, thank you FL if that’s true. If there are truly better offers then someone else is even dumber or more desperate. Maybe they’re getting greedy or think that they’ve got DR so close he can taste it, that he’ll dig even deeper into his pockets. Hopefully not.
bfw, your point about Malone instead of Rolston for a long-term deal… I hadn’t thought of that, but maybe, just maybe… Though I’d rather it be more like $4MM than $5MM for him.
Look, its not over yet. Until the first round is over, PMB+Pouliot+#24 is still on the table.
So don’t celebrate too soon.
As long as Oli doesn’t land in Cow-gary I don’t care where he ends up.
Toivo, I hope you are wrong with this bit: “Maybe they’re getting greedy or think that they’ve got DR so close he can taste it, that he’ll dig even deeper into his pockets.” It sounds like something DR could get duped into… I really hope not. I do not want to see PMB go.
Yeah, I’m nervous, sunshine. That’s why when I read these stories that the Wild are working this Jokinen angle hard and FL has already said no to that deal, who’s to say FL finally shows their cards and says, “OK, we’ve decided to do it.” That could still happen, right?
Yeah sunshine, they could announce it when it’s their turn to pick. Ugh, that would be awful. Please don’t mess up DR.
Unless we get Oli, and then win the cup… then I will eat my own shoe.
See what I mean? So many people think agitators disrespect the integrity of the game (and Minny fans seem to be a little more uptight about it than fans from other places). The first time Clutterbuck turtles because he’s pi**ed some guy off that he’s too small (and smart) to fight, Minny fans are gonna come apart at the seams. I nearly did when I saw that the first time, but then I got it. I got it big time. I love that guy. (AiH, it was that game against Milwaukee where he got Alex Henry all PO’d early on and Henry chasing him around the whole game looking for revenge. Scott finally fought him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AvYL79Wm70 Man, that was one of the more fun games of the season.)
And I wasn’t there for the stick breaking incident but I’ve made a movie of it in my head and it makes me smile every time I think of it.
Oh, and don’t let the Avery comparison throw you off. Avery is a douche on and off the ice. Clutterbuck really couldn’t be a nicer, more unassuming guy off the ice. He’s a major d-bag on the ice and was much hated in juniors (and probably has developed plenty of haters in the AHL).
I hope that’s not the case too, ATX.
Crap. I gotta go! Have a good night everyone! I will pray for PMB to still be a Wild player when I get home tonight! Cheers!
Minny fans just seem uptight about Matt Cooke, Alex Burrows, Jaarko Ruutu, and anyone else the Canucks have had as their pest over the last few years. Stick a Wild jersey on any of those guys and he’s like the cutest puppy evah.
(that was kind of a joke, btw, but not entirely — people did warm somewhat to Chris Simon)
I hope so, toivo. I’d hate to see Cal disparaged because he’s actually a very smart, “present” player who leaves absolutely everything he’s got out on the ice.
I wouldn’t label Simon as a pest. Thug is more appropriate. Pests piss off by words but rarely back them up. Thugs take cheap shots out of anger (often, but not always, as a result of pests’ actions).
nowhere in that article does Russo say the Wild offered the Panthers Bouchard AND Pouliot AND the #1.
I take it as either player AND the pick.
Oh, and I’m with you AiH, regarding that concern about FL wanting to trade him.
I’ll say it again. I think he’s a good player, but overrated. I think the teams looking at him are thinking that all he needs is a change of scenery, but I think that’s a pretty high-risk gamble. PMB can play. Pouliot… maybe. The #24 pick should be good. The Wild already are down to only four picks in this draft and a pretty thin farm as it is. Do they really think this move “puts them over the top” enough that they can leave the talent pipeline so empty? Doesn’t make sense.
I agree Kevin. I was only pointing out the whole “cheering for laundry” thing. (Whoever pointed that out to me at the time of the trade… I still love that! Just brilliant.)
Hey rooster9966,
Good point. You are correct. I didn’t actually read it until now. I just assumed everyone was posting legit info (usually the case here).
Schmidty, what article are you referring to?
Clutterbuck is no Avery. I talked to Cluts at the post game season ticket holder skate. He was extremely nice. I asked him about playing in Minnesota and his eyes lit up. He is a quality guy.
His agitation comes from finishing checks cleanly. Most of the juvenile antics went away quickly. He is far from a Carcillo in the dirty play department.
I swear Clutterbuck must be built like a brick sh*thouse. He is smallish but absolutely gets his money’s worth and rarely gets knocked off balance.
Um, sometimes pests take cheap shots strategically. Though with 2 refs instead of 1 as we have in the AHL, I’m sure they get away with a lot less of that stuff.
Ah, come on, you know Cal isn’t averse to throwing a behind-the-play elbow or two. But he’s smart about getting away with the dirty stuff.
little snack
jokinen to PHX for Ballard, Boynton, and #49
