Walz: “It’s Official” & Rolston sorta-update
Posted on June 24th, 2008 – 12:12 PMBy Michael Russo
As I reported in this story June 16, retired Wild center Wes Walz was named assistant coach in Tampa Bay today. New Lightning coach Barry Melrose made the announcement today at his news conference that Walz and Phoenix Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet will be assistants in Tampa.
The contract is signed, Walz just told me, and he’s in Tampa looking for homes. Owner Len Barrie told me in Ottawa that, “It’s done. We still have to sign the contract, but we’ve talked and he’s coming.” But Walz asked me to keep it quiet until he signed on the dotted line.
And here is an article after Walz retired with your memories: For Fans, Walz was the Wild
Onto Rolston, Wild is quiet right now. Not returning emails or calls. It’s been made clear they’ll update when there’s an update. Exchanged texts with Rolston, he says not much is happening, but he doesn’t think its over. So there’s likely at least conversation right now.
204 Responses to "Walz: “It’s Official” & Rolston sorta-update"
Good for Walzy! (See my long term “plan” for him at the end of the last thread.)
Russo, news about Walz is great and all but anything on Fridge or Voros or PMB? Throw me a freakin’ bone here, need the info.
Good luck Wes!!!
Congrats to Walz. I think he will do very well as a coach.
Band,
DR has extended qualifying offers, but there may be arbitration yet, which is down the road a bit.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241462&lid=sublink04&lpos=headlines_nhl
Wonder where this ball of trouble goes?
Congrats to Walz!
I hope Fridge comes back this year.
Good Luck Walzie!
So, Tocchet have any early wagering lines on how the Lightning are going to do this season and if so, has Mrs. Gretzky played the over or under on number of wins? 
I like that plan, BG. Hadn’t considered him coming here, though I dunno about KC in Minny… Though I did kind of envision Troy Ward taking over here when KC moves on. Maybe Rammer taking over for JL and Walz coming into his spot? That was kinda my vision.
Wish I’d gotten to know Walz, but he was on his “am I retiring/am I not retiring” break when Voros came up and I started watching the Wild. I wish him well.
Right on, El G.
I got a ‘C’ note on the ‘over.’ I heard it’s 40.
Thanks bfw. I just think everyone is so caught up in other drama that the other UFA’s have gotten overlooked. I happen to like Voros and Fridge and PMB. I really hope they take the offers and stay.
Ms.C your idea has merrit as well. Although many will tell you they don’t think Rammer would be a good head coach. I think when JL retires Tremblay may retire as well. So there would be room for Walz here no matter what.
If I remember correctly at the beginning of Gaborik’s career he was listed as a left wing. Does anyone know why he was moved to the right wing originally?
What is the status on Bouchard? Didn’t DR supposedly offer him up in an attempt to get Jokinen? Hope there are no hard feelings…
Bones,
DR retained his rights to PMB by offering him a Qualifying Offer (QO).
Here’s some more info from DR regarding QO’s:
http://boards.wild.com/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=2&showentry=225
I think Gaborik can play either RW/LW but he prefers RW or something like that. He shoots left.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241539&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_nhl
Wow.
I guess 77gp+10g+22a= $2.25 million.
That’s $225,000 per goal!
Per the better half’s suggestion I am coming back from the grave but with a cool moniker like so many of you all - Six Goalie System - a homage to both JL and the no nothing JL detractors!
And by looking at those numbers BFW, Malone will easily net $5+ million.
For those that have been tossing around “balance” and “Detriolet”… keep in mind that you have to draft well in order to excute that plan. The Wild haven’t and so they need to act in Free Agency to get those players.
We need guys who can put the puck in the net, plain & simple. It’s been the problem with this team for years now and we have made feeble attempts to fix it.
Another blog I participate in is passing the time by guessing whether or not the big-name FAs will resign with their current teams, and if not, where they will land. My picks:
HOSSA = no, Chicago
SUNDIN = no, NYR
JAGR = yes
HUSELIUS = no, Minnesota
LANGKOW = yes
AVERY = no, Chicago
MALONE = no, Columbus
NASLUND = no, Pittsburgh
ROLSTON = no, NYR
DEMITRA = no, Vancouver
VRBATA = yes
CAMPBELL = no, Vancouver
REDDEN = no, Toronto
STREIT = yes
MICHAEL-LILES = yes
ROZSIVAL = no, Chicago
HAINSEY = yes
HUET = yes
THEODORE = yes
RYDER = no, Carolina
STUART = no, San Jose
KOLZIG = no, Toronto
Anyone else?
TheFourthPeriod.com has this:
It has been widely reported that the Leafs have been discussing a move with San Jose involving Sharks captain Patrick Marleau, with Kubina and Wellwood rumored to be heading the other way
Like OJ, Marleau is a C that can play the spot in the Six Goalie System (!)and has 2 years left on his current deal. However, the cap hit is $6.3 million, or $1.0 million more than OJ. The main question is would SJ take Johnson? His cap hit is slightly less than Kubina’s.
Sorry!
The Leafs just put Wellwood on the waivers.
I agree that the NHL salary cap has failed to keep the sport’s economy in check. All it has done is prevent teams from keeping their roster intact. It’s too bad they couldn’t have instituted a cap on the amount of money an individual player could get, but there is no way the NHLPA would’ve agreed to that…
Hey, good discussion going this morning! One of the disadvantages of being out west is that I’m always late and have to catch up. Anyway, just wanted to make a few comments. Don’t remember who said this above, but there was a lot of stuff about the cap and being competitive and spending money, etc.
There is indeed a maximum salary in the CBA, 20% of the cap.
I also saw something along the lines that the new CBA was going to level the playing field, yet here we are with the same teams winning so the CBA has failed… No, I think that is incorrect. For one, the cap has indeed leveled the playing field. You’re never going to have a perfectly level field, but it is now better. Not all of the same teams are winning. Montreal and Pittsburgh had been in long droughts for the most part. Same goes, even more so, for Washington. Carolina and Tampa, two recent cup winners, didn’t make the playoffs. The Ducks lost in the first round this season. Long time perennial powers Colorado and New Jersey have only been modestly successful recently.
The key here isn’t that the cap itself is going to solve everything, but when you look at a team like Detroit, you see that success across this time span has more to do with a really well-run organization that understands both the hockey side and the business side of the equation. The draft and develop players well and they make smart free agent signings. You can look at their page on nhlnumbers.com and see not one player where you think “overpaid” or “untradable”.
Whoever made the comparison to the NBA (actually there were a couple of different ways) I think has the right idea. The two CBAs have a lot of similarities. The Red Wings remind me a lot of the Spurs, a team that continues to be successful year after year without top draft picks or making big free agent signings. And I’m not sure the Wild comparison to the Timberwolves isn’t invalid, either. Yeah, the Wolves didn’t generate a whole lot of excitement leading up to their conference championship season, but that was because they went out in the first round the previous seven(!) seasons. I think it’s human nature to be fickle, and if the Wild follow a similar pattern, I think eventually the honeymoon ends. I don’t see it happening this year, but I think it’s getting to the point where fans are going to start getting restless.
Fair enough, BG. I know little about Rammer other than the team went in the toilet when he wasn’t with them. 
But if his magic touch is best served in an assistant role, that works for me.
I just wonder if KC’s approach and system is a better fit for younger players. Not sure he’s a good diva coach. But then, JL isn’t a great diva coach either, judging by his relationship with Gabby.
They waved Raycroft as well.
So the Bolts dump a coach with a Cup and hire a 6-yr “Mullet ‘O The Year” champ, a bookie and a quitter. Yeh, i see great things in store for South Florida.
Bones,
NYR can’t afford to sign Sundin, Rolston and Jagr. I also don’t see Chicago being a big player in free agency. They’ve got a pile of young talent that I’m pretty sure they’d like to keep together as long as possible, and signing free agents other than supporting role players will get in the way of that.
Oh, and bfw, I don’t mind the idea of Vasicek for a couple of years at $1.2MM at all. That would be a good value, IMO.
Ouch, that’s harsh DB.
I think the hiring of Barry Melrose has more to do with who he is and less to do with his coaching ability. The new ownership in Tampa are desperately trying to reinvigorate their franchise and spark some interest in the team. Even casual sports fans know who he is…
Is there such a thing as a “good diva coach”?
Good point toivo. Scratch Sundin off that list (besides, the Rangers already have a pair of 1 and 1A centers in Drury and Gomez)…
I still think Chicago will throw a lot of cash at Hossa…
The way to deal with diva players is to not treat them like divas. JL has done that with Gaborik: no sign of favoritism or bending because he is the best player.
Gaborik knows he gets no quarters from JL and I think the other players appreciate that. There are no real perceived double standards on the team.
right treat your stars that way, and watch them bolt. so that should work out well.
“There are no real perceived double standards on the team.”
Except the JL man-love for Skoula.
They might bolt anyways if they become a cancer in the locker room with their diva attitude.
where any other team welcomes them with open arms during their honest pursuit of a Stanley cup.
JL’s man-love for Skoula is that the remaining defensemen are a little worse than Skoula and can’t put up 20 minutes a game. If we had better d-men, Skoula would’ve been out of the line-up alot more.
sunshine, I am not convinced of that. JL seems to really like Skooba… even if we had Chara, Phanoof, Schultz, and Burns, Scooba would find a way to crask the top 4.
Reid… There is no room in the dressing room for a Drama Queen. Letting the coach control the drama. I don’t care how talented a player is, if they create friction throughout the team, they are not worth the price.
maybe then the team can go get another player or two to lead them to a SCP. One star alone can’t get the SCP. Its a team effort.
I could see DR claiming Wellwood.
I could see DR claiming Wellwood.
Ish. Yeah, that sounds like about DR’s speed. Sign other teams cast-offs.
SGS, I would actually be okay with him picking up Wellwood. He is a C, and he put up some decent numbers his first two years.. although he had a less than stellar season last year. He was also a + in his first two seasons. That dropped this year, but was he injured or something?
THAT’S IT!!! Wellwood is the answer. I am taking a page from kj as I forsee a whole army of Wellwood jerseys covering bodies at the “X” midway through the season. He is just the putty to fill the gap on our roster.
No Wellwood, please. There’s better out there.
What is so bad about Wellwood? I would just like to know. It would appear to be injuries given his stats, but I don’t really know.
Yeah, groin surgery this year, Austin. I’m guessing that might have something to do with him being waived.
He’s a 3rd/4th line center at this point, but not really useful in that capacity because he doesn’t play physical at all. I don’t think that’s what the Wild needs at this point, so I’d pass.
Of course, I’m not DR either. 
On a side note, he does have a very good faceoff percentage. So there’s that.
I thought we agreed on Duct Tape DB?
Wellwood, let me introduce you to Dr. Rosenrosen of the GTRCMBSHP!
Except he’s not Slovakian!
nice pull, El Gato…Dr. Rosenrosen accepts the Euro, Wellwood’s covered.
I think he is a good puckhandler as well, so he would QB fairly well. But I am in agreeance over the groin injury being a problem. We do not need another problimatic groin in MN.
Good luck Wes, keep Tocchet in line (not setting lines) and stay 20 feet back from Barry’s hair and you’ll be fine. Light a fire under the collective arses of that team, you aren’t to far away from the playoffs in that division!
Oh, and bfw, I don’t mind the idea of Vasicek for a couple of years at $1.2MM at all. That would be a good value, IMO.
Heck, no. I agree, that is pretty good value. My point was that that is more the caliber (sp?) of signing we’ve seen, no real blockbusters. That’s all.
But glad you agree on those numbers.
Enjoy the f-ing cash, Hossa. Pittsburgh’s a situation to bolt, y’know, ’cause they suck and have no one good.
(I’m back in the anger phase.)
locker room cancer is bad, true. Did we determine someone to be locker room cancer?
every team needs one dynamic offensive player. otherwise you can shut down lunch pail guys.
Look to see gaborik have an incredible year in his contract year this year. that is the way today’s athlete does it.
Wellwood was one of the worst forwards on a bad Maple Leafs team. One decent half-season isn’t a player you want to really take a chance on IMO, even if he would come at a bottom of the barrel price. The Wild don’t have to be THAT cheap. He’s also too small and the injuries aren’t exactly confidence-inspiring. Like I said, there are better options out there.
What is so bad about Wellwood?
Oh, and bfw, I don’t mind the idea of Vasicek for a couple of years
Yeah, let’s settle for castoffs and never-weres. Sheesh…I threw out the name Vasicek as a joke.
We NEED a #1 C. We need a top 4 D. We need more scoring.
The ‘conditioning’ of the masses to accept being competitive is alarming. Deep and schmidty get it.
No, I am not being negative. I am imploring DR to ADD TALENT
Agreed Toivo… a pig with lipstick on is still a pig.
yeah, in hockey, there are only a couple cases of another mans trash becoming someones treasure. most of the time there is a reason they were cut free.
(I’m back in the anger phase.)
Next comes bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
kj, we also need to fill holes. I never said I would be super happy to get Wellwood. Now that I know about his injury problems I am definitely hoping DR passes on him. I don’t think anyone was implying on picking up either of those guys as a #1. They would just be cheap pick-ups to fill the gaps.
And it’s not conditioning. I like seeing a team that is building solid foundations and making the playoffs. When the time is right, and when the right players are available, go for it. Now is not that time for the Wild and we all know it. So, in the meantime, try to keep the team solid and build around that until the time is right. And with the FA pool being much deeper at the end of next season… who knows.. maybe that will be the time to go for the Cup.
there is a good chance that many of these players will be re-signed before they become free agents. I love that how everyone always talks about next years pool being so much better.
Thanks KJ… the complacency in here was starting to get to me.
Hell, if you aren’t imploring DR to do more then its those folks that have given up on the team. They are the ones “just happy with nice guys and maybe a playoff appearance or two”.
You ain’t going to do that with Vasicek Pickles, Tall Drinks from the Wellwood or any of those other clowns. This team lacks scoring. Putting the puck in the net. Lighting the lamp. Biscuit in the basket.
Sign me a few of those players please.
Who are a few of “those” players you want realistically? I think you guys are hoping for a run at the Cup every year, and that is just not going to happen. You are just as dilusional as us who like to be “competitive”.
Good for him! I can’t wait until the Wild play Tampa this upcoming season!
I thought we agreed on Duct Tape DB
Schmitty, don’t you mean Duct Tape DR?
Yeah, let’s settle for castoffs and never-weres. Sheesh…I threw out the name Vasicek as a joke. The ‘conditioning’ of the masses to accept being competitive is alarming. Deep and schmidty get it.
kj, I agree with you.
We need to add talent.
Perhaps you’ve misinterpreted me. Just because that’s the type of move we’ve seen by DR in the past, and could expect in future, does NOT mean that I’m advocating that.
I certainly get it, along with DB and Schmitty and other.
Next comes bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
I’m doing something new with this. I’ve been in a random rotation. Already went through those three. I’ve started the cycle over again.
Kevin:
So maybe by the second or third time through the cycle…the situation will be better? It’s not like your ownership group will do something completely stupid, like trade Malkin to the Wild for a bag of pucks, no matter how we whine for it.
KiPA, but won’t you still have Malkin? At least you’ll have 2 stars next year compared to the Wild’s 0 when Gabby’s gone (OK, let’s count Burns as a .5 star).
Beadwench: that’s the plan. In fact, I’m back into acceptance just like that. Maybe I won’t go through a third cycle (or I might until he actually goes elsewhere).
El Gato: Sure, but with Hossa we’d have three. Otherwise I’m going to have the Colby Armstrongs, Max Talbots and Pascal Dupuis’ of the world playing on a wing with Crosby (and I LOVE the first two, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not goal scorers.)
ATX - Athlete’s go to where the money is.. it’s that simple.
So… “realistically” anyone is available for a price. Look at the Free Agents and sign the guys who put the puck in the net.
(not to put you in another phase KiPA)
Looking at the list, Hossa is the best talent on the market.
Offer him $8 millon for 5 years.. he says no? How bout $9 million for 4 years? Even these players have a price and unlike the “clowns” listed earlier Hossa isn’t a Lottery Scratch-off. You know what you get, and that’s scoring.
And about signing those “fill-in’s”, DR already covered that with by saying he would fill in those gaps with players from Houston. That said, we don’t need those. So, 12-14 million for 2-3 scoring players. Shouldn’t be hard to attract some good talent with that kind of cash.
not to put you in another phase KiPA
No worries, acceptance lasts at least 10 minutes for me before I revert to anger or depression.
KiPA, remeber Warren Young? Early 90’s linemate of 2 superstars in Pittsburgh, I think he scored 40 goals one year. Signed a multi-year big contract with someone else and flopped miserably. Moral, when you have 2 superstars, it doesn’t take much to turn an average player into a 30 goal scorer!
The trick is finding that average player.
The trick is finding that average player.
Easy to find. Just head on over to the Wild’s locker room.
The hits just keep on comin’, WS.
lol.
Schmidty, that money needs to be spent wisely. You can’t just toss all that dough around without the possibility of damaging the team in the long term. I admire your passion for trying to “improve” the team, but it’s not realistic. I wasn’t trying to say we should fill the team with those “clowns”. I merely wondered why Wellwood was not an option. I mention one name and the whole blog goes freakin’ ballistic. Sheesh.
Still, say we don’t get Hossa (which is very likely given what we know)… who do we go after then? Where is the next stop? You can’t go after the Cup every year ya know.
The hits just keep on comin’, WS.
I get an assist.
That was a nice set up Kevin.
Ha, BG, speak of the devil: http://www.aeros.com/team/news/index.html?article_id=1819
My favorite Aeros coach, Troy Ward, finally gets a title for the job he was already doing. Glad to see him get some nice recognition there.
Good point re: who is a good diva coach. Maybe we should just send our divas packing.
I get an assist.
Done.
I mention one name and the whole blog goes freakin’ ballistic. Sheesh.
Just a little off-season tension, it would seem, although some of the pontificating could be (mis)interpreted as haughty blather. Meh.
Once upon a time in a magic kingdom known as NHL (National Hockey Land), there was a young GM named DR. DR would go through the NHL at night looking for bargains left out by the curb of the other GM’s of the land. One evening, he found a large pumpkin that he heard say ‘DR, pick me up, I will solve all of your problems’. DR was excited at the prospect and picked up his ‘magic’ pumpkin and brought him back to his town. He went to the mayor named CL and said, ‘This magic pumpkin will solve all of our problems’ and mayor CL asked ‘How much does it cost’ and DR replied ‘very little’ and the mayor said fine, take it to wizard JL and see if he can work his magic on it’. DR took the magic pumpkin to JL and said ‘this is going to solve all of our problems’ and the wizard JL said ‘what the F, I can’t work with this, it’s too big and slow and is without talent, but maybe if it is magic, I can do something’. Then the wizard used all of his magic, but the pumpkin proved to be worthless and not magic, and created more problems and solved none. So the wizard put the pumpkin up in the highest room of the castle where it made popcorn until it shriveled up into almost nothing. The wizard went to see it one day and found a decaying mess and told young DR, ‘your pumpkin is toast, put it out by the curb’ so DR sadly put the shriveled pumpkin out by the curb. The End.
The moral: Don’t trust the garbage of other teams to solve your problems, especially if you don’t check with the wizard first!
(ATX) Well, you’ve also lost your chance with Rolston… and most likely Demo.
So based on goals -
Sundin
Riberio
Vrbata (mentioned by someone)
Naslund
Just throwing names out there. But I will continue to make the exception for Hossa. He has a price. And if DR gets Demo to resign, that price comes down a bit… but he has a price that he’d play here.
lol, love it El Gato!
Gonna tell that one to my kid tonight when I lay him down for bed.
Once upon a time in a magic kingdom known as NHL (National Hockey Land), there was a young GM named DR….
The.
Funniest.
$h!t.
Ever.
——
El G, that’s an instant classic. That’s gotta get documented somewhere…
outstanding El Gato!
(just, next time give us some heads up so we can all go roll a couple doobies before we start reading)
“And if DR gets Demo to resign, that price comes down a bit…”
I honestly think you are dreaming there. From what we know, other teams are bound to throw a ton of cash Hossa’s way… and even if we match that, and have Hossa’s BFF, I don’t think he will come here. I hope I am wrong, because I would love to have him. But I just don’t see it regardless of if we keep the groin twins around.
Riberio? As in Mike? Didn’t he just sign a huge deal in Dallas? Vrbata is the only one from that list that I think we would have a shot at.
I added that to the Russoville Cultural Dictionary. I don’t have a HoF of posts yet, so this is the first. We’ll worry about how to chronicle them later.
Great work, El Gato.
that story was great. but I don’t think that DR and JL talk to each other. and probably loath each other. since the one won’t play any of the garbage the other one picks up.
Thanks, I forgot to add to the wizard’s comment ‘and it doesn’t fit in my system’.
El Gato - you should put that on Dominic Moore’s Wikipedia page
and hall, and simon.
bfw…I didn’t mean to isolate you on Kool-Aide Island. I know you get it. Hell, most everyone that contrbutes here ‘gets it’. The difference is expectations. I hear about how horsecrappy the North Stars were. But Louie made things happen. And the core of that lousy franchise WON a Cup in 99. He WON the Bellows sweepstakes. He maneuvered to draft Lawton and Modano.
DR talks about building for the future. The future hasn’t arrived and they are already rebuilding.
I will support the club. I’ll live and die with every game. But, eventually, your emotions are drained by an indifferent front office and you just don’t care anymore.
As long as the franchise remains a cash cow for the ownership, what motivation is there OTHER THAN TO WIN A CUP???
Wallshot…you’re having an amazing run!!!
El Gato…too funny!!!
I half expected Aleksandr Medvedev to be pushing a cart around National Hockey Land at the end, saying:
“Bring out your dead…bring out your dead”
Simon: “But I’m not dead yet.”
DR: “Here’s your ninepence.”
Medvedev: “But he says he’s not dead yet.”
DR: “His career here is.”
Gaborik
to Buffalo (e3) Hold your hats Sabres fans. According to three sources the Wild are shopping Gaborik and the Sabres are offering up the best package out there.
Hossa
The Canucks are very much in this one as well, but a new team that is making lots of waves here…The Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are a hell of a fast team and some players have told me that they may be the quickest team in hockey… Hossa would be a great fit and may enjoy the offense that the Oilers like to play
This could all get intereristing.
Who would we get from Buffalo for Gabby? Where is this rumor from? Eklund?
Yes, sorry forgot to give the credit where it was due!!!!
Probably Vanek to satisfy the Gopher crowd, and maybe some of those tasty buffalo wings and a picture of Niagra Falls (which I think is the deal breaker).
Yeah, let’s settle for castoffs and never-weres. Sheesh…I threw out the name Vasicek as a joke.
We NEED a #1 C. We need a top 4 D. We need more scoring.
The ‘conditioning’ of the masses to accept being competitive is alarming. Deep and schmidty get it.
No, I am not being negative. I am imploring DR to ADD TALENT
Whoa, whoa, whoa… I am not one that accepts being just competitive. I think my track record of posts would bear that out. Hear me out on Vasicek.
Vasicek had 16 goals last season. OK, it’s not 30, but it’s not bad, either (FWIW, it would have put him 3rd on the Wild). This for a team that scored 30 fewer goals than the Wild this past season and he was also a plus player on a team that had a goal differential of -49. He’s got nice size at 6′ 5″ and 214 lbs. He also had a 55% FO%. I think he’s a clearly superior player to someone like Wellwood. Or a lot of other players as well.
I agree that he’s not a #1 center, but I don’t think they necessarily need to add that #1 center via free agency, and to be honest I don’t really see many out there that I like. I’m with you on the need to add talent. I’m just not locked into it having to be a #1 center. They have other needs to address as well, and I think they can upgrade at other positions maybe easier than they can at center.
My hunch with Vasicek is that he’s going to be a good value to whoever signs him. I also think Koivu and Sheppard are the future of the club at center on the top two lines. If the Wild sign Vasicek for something like $1.2MM over two seasons, I think that would be a good move until Sheppard develops into his eventual role.
The point here is that not every player you sign is going to be a Hossa or Sundin. I don’t really see those players happening and beyond them, it starts getting into questions of value. We start talking about Ryan Malone and $5MM. This is where we start talking about Kim Johnsson. Not every signing in this range is a mistake, but a team needs to be very careful (and get a little bit lucky) here. You can really screw up your cap with a bad move or two here, you know? Toronto dug themselves a several-year hole signing slightly above average players to too much money.
Gabby to the Sabres? Even if he don’t go ther ebut ends up somewhere else, I will be pi**ed. If Gabby is gone, they don’t resign Rolston, Demo or give up on PMB, who is going to score for the Wild? This team could really go backwards in a hurry. I understand builind around young guys like Koivu and Burns, but COME ON!
Minnesota sports though I guess.
Pretty much the point I was trying to make toivo. Thanks.
I am assuming those Gabby rumors are complete BS coming from Eklund.
And Gato, Vanek is the first name that popped into my mind too. But honestly I would rather hang onto Gabby if it were Vanek. Throwing in that picture of the falls makes the offer tempting though!
ATX, I would too. I always thought Vanek to be a little slow, although he has some size and is pretty adept at scoring, but I don’t believe he would be an elite player like Gaborik.
UMMMM…BUFFALO WINGS!
i hope not. no vanek for me. specially not at a 7.1m hit till 13-14
If that rumor is true, I hope it is Vanek +1 at the very lest. But since it’s Ecklund I won’t hold my breath.
Russo:
Any update on Rolston-Wild talks? Should we just assume that Rolston is heading to free agency?
I am cool with Vasicek as the #2 C since it has to be Shep’s job next year or the year after.* However, let’s have JL give his blessing on this one DR!
* Assuming reasonable $ is spent on the wing and for the #3 d-man.
I’m skeptical of Ecklund, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Gabby is traded this summer.
The point here is that not every player you sign is going to be a Hossa or Sundin.
I’d settle for just one player.
One.
Last night on wcco radio, Russo seems to think that the Wild will not trade Gaborik until the trade deadline if there is not an extension in place this summer.
I think its foolish for them to do that. If you can’t come to an agreement before the season starts, its unlikely that you will come to one anytime afterwards.
sunshine…see Marian Hossa/Penguins for increased market value at trade deadline time…
Hey NiNY, don’t forget Bandgeek’s prayer to the Hockey Gods on your list. Where can us residents of Russoville access the dictionary?
The reason I say just one is with the amount of dough they have available, they can sign an impact player on July 1.
I won’t slam Douggie Do Nothing until after I see what’s in the cart.
“I’d settle for just one player.”
We have ONE. His name is Gaborik. And don’t give me any crap about him not being on the same level, because you know he is. Gabby’s injuries have definitely held him back.
But Gabby is one guy in one line, shut him down and who scores then? I think we need another to put out two lines that are a threat to score.
hmm..seems like the new owner smell is wearing off our beloved leader:
I know about the value at the trade deadline. I just don’t want the added distraction that it will generate.
Sure he is ATX…but his cap hit is already factored into this year’s available dough.
Next year is another year.
14 mil comes off the cap after the 08-09 season. Some might get re-signed. Some might not.
Just one…that’s all I ask.
I know kj, I was just sayin’ we got a top teir guy. I would enjoy having another real scoring threat on the team as well.
Great… what does that mean for the Wild? On the face of it, Leipold’s actions look shady. And that’s an understatement.
NiNY…wow. The Emporer Has No Clue!!!
there was some rumbling that CL had a sweetheart deal with the league and Naegele to come to St. Paul if he could divest himself of The Nashville Problem. This will only lend credence to those rumors.
NIce find Nick. Pretty sketchy dealings by CL.
for those of you with Sirius, you can hear a conversation about this with the author of that article on the HNIC Radio replay tonight. I’d tune in around 7:20 ET to catch it.
NiNY: can you give us a summary of the interview? If not, hopefully, it will be on the CBC on demand audio.
Just one…that’s all I ask.
I hear you. I’ve said before I’d rather see him take the money that he was giving to Demo and Rolston and go after Hossa. I don’t see it happening though, and I get frustrated with that thought as well. Especially when it’s looking like both Rolston and Demitra could be gone. You can’t replace guys like that with bargain basement signings. Sheppard isn’t there yet, nor should we expect it to come from Pouliot or Gillies, at least not this season.
So then, yeah, what the plan? Risebrough has been babbling about his flexibility, but I wonder if he didn’t paint himself into the corner putting his free agents in the drivers’ seat this summer. Now Rolston has him at his mercy, and if that doesn’t work out, he’s going to have to do some scrambling, which rarely works out well.
Now, if you’ll remember back to the trade deadline I said that if DR didn’t think he should make a move to improve the team — and no way could anyone realistically see them as a real cup contender at that point — he should have been a seller at the trade deadline, and I suggested that for this very reason. They weren’t going anywhere as is. I’ll bet they could’ve landed a pretty good price for Demitra and/or Rolston at the deadline, no?
Yep toivo, and I coulda saved some 1st round playoff dough!
The situation this summer, that situation last Feb could end up on Mike’s Mistake list.
Toivo — you nailed it. If DR was going to wait for Shep, Pouliot, Gilies, etc. then you have to be a seller at the deadline. If you didn’t make a run to get you over the hump to make a real run, then unload the UFAs. This middling ground is not going to work.
FIRE RISEDUMP NOW !!
DUMP THE DUMPPER !!
The main reason why the Mild are not serious contenders (and by a large margin)?? Risedump. He’s a dumpster-diving hack.
As long as that moron around the Mild are a waste of time.
FIRE RISEDUMP NOW !!
DUMP THE DUMPPER !!
Ah…it wouldn’t be a DR b^tch session without Mike’s contribution.
Mike…are your posts sponsored by Waste Management? You’d think they’d be all over your dumpster-diving drivel!
meant to say :
The main reason why the Mild are not serious contenders (and by a large margin)?? Risedump. He’s a dumpster-diving hack.
As long as that moron is around the Mild are a waste of time.
FIRE RISEDUMP NOW !!
DUMP THE DUMPPER !!
It would be a good ad campaign right about now, kj.
…and if I see another post where someboy says they think the Dumpper is doing a great job, and that the Mild are a model franchise, blah…blah…blah..I think I’ll go vomit in Dickie-Dick’s soup.
The Mild’s front office is a joke. We can only hope the new owner will clean house soon.
Do we know for sure that Risebrough will wait until deadline and try to sign Gabby? If so then we are about to become this years Thrashers. Yikes!
sunshine: it was largely a re-tread of that article. CL didn’t get too much play in the interview, but they did mention that it would be good for the NHL to at least look into the backroom dealings.
It really makes Bettman look like a stooge, and the NHL, by extension, looks like a total morass of cronyism.
I think DR is doing a great job and the Wild are a model franchise.
If so then we are about to become this years Thrashers. Yikes!
Since the team made a solid effort to get OJ I guess I am going to be OK if DR holds the line on UFA contracts (assuming he is always taking calls about trades similar to the OJ deal). However, if we have a “Hossa situation” on our hands from September to February I am going to be a very ticked off ST holder rethinking my commitment. I sat through one season already where they had a decent team and punted. That year has paid some dividends but it is way too soon to do it again. It is one thing to not have the trade winds and UFAs break your way, it is very different to let the home grown superstar sour leading to a season of higher ticket prices wasted.
/rant
So all you who are “content”, what’s your solution? I’ve thrown mine out there no less than 100 times. (ok 26 to be exact)
Who’s your Wild savior now that DR has blown his chances with Rolston?
Bring up young guys and “hope”? (lottery scratch-offs)
Who in the Free Agent market are you going to replace Rolston & Demo with that will provide you even a “hint” of that production? Answer: None.
That’s why the Hossa option is an easy one and IMO the only one.
And what about trades? Keep your your talented core (which includes PMB) and start sending some picks over the wall to SJ for Marleau. Hell, we pissed away a 3rd rounder cause we couldn’t be patient. Why not offer up a 1 and 3 next year for Marleau and get the quality Center everyone keeps talking about.
Bold moves… that’s all we are asking.
Bold moves for Great Players… not ok ones.
Hossa
Marleau
Sundin
These are guys that should be on speed dial at 12:01 July 1st. That’s how you make your team better. All three are PROVEN. No need to “hope” or “guess”.
That’s all I’m saying ATX. If you have a better solution, I’d love to hear it.
Schmidty: what if Demo really has soured Hossa on playing for JL? Then what? What if $11.4M isn’t enough to over come that (and frankly, that would be refreshing)?
You have to admit, the Hossa situation is not 100% pure opportunity. There’s at least some question as to whether or not he even wants to come here - and DR has very little to do with that (if Demo’s got his ear, that is).
I like the Marleau option better than the Hossa one.. at least there is a chance he MIGHT come here. Hossa seems like he would not even consider us as an option. I don’t have a solution right now… I am leaving work and need to get home. Maybe I will come up with something later. Cheers peeps!
DR has very little to do with that
Could have done the PMB for OJ trade last year so Demo wouldn’t have had to play C*
* Posted only because its a Bash DR Tuesday in Russoville
point taken, SixGS. And it’s a valid one.
Bowman to Hawks??
That’s a really funny name and link, 6GS.
what’s your solution?
I agree with you that the Wild should be going after Hossa. I just don’t think it’s going to happen based on comments by Russo and Gaborik.
Here’s the thing. To some degree, I agree with Mike. I think he’s a dork with bad manners, but I don’t disagree with his general idea that Risebrough sucks (I said he’s doing a great job above because Mike vomit). The fact that Gaborik is talking about wanting to play in the East and Demo has supposedly soured Hossa on playing for the Wild and Rolston is playing hardball all kind of suggest to me that the front office is blowing it.
We could go down the list of things that happened, or should have happened but didn’t, over the past couple of seasons and while each in itself doesn’t amount to a failure, they start to add up to where we’re talking about things that could have made a real difference. My hunch is that his failures at the past two trade deadlines might have something to do with Rolston playing hardball. I said it then, and I’ll say it again: if I was a player on the Wild and in the playoff race knowing that my team needed help, and the only move made was a trade for Chris Simon, I’d be pissed at Risebrough and probably a bit soured on the organization. Why would I want to do him any favors when it came time to negotiate a contract when he hasn’t done anything to earn that favor?
Of course I’m just speculating, but I certainly think what I’m saying is within the realm of possibility. So we’ll see what he pulls off this summer. I’m hoping for something good, but not holding my breath.
There goes Woodbury’s future hockey team…Walz goes to Tampa and Rolston may be out the door also…what’s a school district gotta do? 
Mike does have a bit of a point, altho the way he says it is getting a bit old…(Mike: Change your tune, will ya?)
If you have an owner who’s truly in it to win it, you (the owner) must take DR aside and tell him, ‘Go get what we need’. You can’t nickel-and-dime your way to a Stanley Cup. You don’t save your way to the Conference Finals. You do it by getting good players to play (and stay) here.
The Wild need an infusion of top-line, veteran talent. Quality, first-line players. They will command top dollar. And DR will have to pay. If not now, he’ll pay later, when the Wild will be out of the playoffs and back in the also-ran category. Yes, you take a risk when you go after players like this. But what’s the saying? “High risk, high reward”?
Yeah, that one.
Darcy Tucker set to be bought out by the Leafs.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241569&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
yeah, with our current gm and coach combo, we aren’t going to be able to land any decent talent. Unless we give them a dump truck of money. Gabby hasn’t helped anything. people think the way JL coaches is dumb. what star hockey player wants to be treated like a little kid? why would anyone want to come here? i was hoping that JL would retire and we could get some players to come here. we have a good base, but we aren’t going to be able to grow on that. the only moves we make are useless, and JL treats them like lepers. you would think he and DR would actually talk about who to sign or trade for. no center in their right mind would want to come here.
mark my words, at the end of this season, either Gabby, or JL will be history.
It will be Gabby. JL isn’t going anywhere until he decides he is.
The rumor about Gabby to the Sabres is Eklund which means it was probably hatched by the use of a trained monkey and a dart board.
I have said for a long time if they move #10 this off-season Buffalo would be a great partner. Vanek and Stafford for Gaborik and a pick or player. Personally I would straight do the deal for MacArthur and Vanek.
Don’t get to excited about players holding out (example Rolston)
#1 especially older players are trying to lock down there last big contract short term (3yrs) big money 5 million. Younger players longer term contracts at the same money.
#2 Why in the world would you sign before the league announces what the salary cap will go up to? Players and Agents know exactly how much the team can spend and that helps your negotiations. Want a contract? No thanks I will wait untill I know how much you can spend next week.
#3 The new CBA has devalued older players. Now players who have paid there dues want the money like the younger players and are starting to dig in their heals a bit. Like Jagr how much is he worth? Proven get it done player for years and years. Teams should be all over him for a slightly gray hair discount. Especially those who are close to a CUP.
PMB vs Rolston
about the same amount of points last season. Although, Rolston has proved he can get it done longer. He has played almost twice as long as PMB. On the other hand PMB has at least twice as many years left. Who do you pay? CBA is designed to diffuse talent all over the league. There is no reason we should be having this much trouble keeping one of our own draft picks (PMB)6 years later.
edubs, is that a nod toward a Pitt/Jagr reunion??
a Pitt/Jagr reunion
You’ll see the Pens trade Crosby for Skoula first.
Lets see go back to the Pitts and play on a loaded team who can’t figure out which of their stud players to keep. For one more kick at the cup. If he plays next year it will be for a cup contender at the old man discount.
Eklund is Maggie the monkey. There I said it.
I guess that is why I give Vinny props for staying with one organization. It shows loyalty something that is lacking in the younger players. Now if your KG you can jump ship and win it in one year! Well done.
I have heard rumblings about a third jersey for next year. Anybody know?
if your KG you can jump ship
From what I know, that seems unfair. KG could have left the team or demanded a trade many times but never did. Maybe I’m wrong though, since I’m not there to listen to reports or anything. But I’ve always heard him described as too loyal and that the Timberwolves wasted his career, and that trading him was a favor to give him a chance at winning a title.
KiPA, I knew you would say something likt that about Jagr. I am with you on that point. He is definitely not worth the trouble.
Not sure about the third jerseys. I’m also wondering if the home white sweaters will be brought back. There was speculation last season that it could happen. Seems like most hockey fans I’ve chatted with want the home teams back in the whites.
Its just to show my point he was being paid “the man” money. When he went to the Celtics he proved he wasn’t the man. Still an important (Huge) piece of the puzzle. But still not the man. He was more like Denis Rodman. Rebound/Defense/15pts. What if he was paid 2nd fiddle kind of money in MN so they could have surrounded him with a better cast.
I’m one of the five people in town who don’t boo Jagr whenever he’s here (note: except during the playoffs when he kept whining and accused Crosby of diving; that changed things. But before that? No. He’s the second greatest Penguin in history.)
Even if he wanted to return, he’d have to take a big paycut. If idiots didn’t boo him all the time and likely sour him on the town (I cannot emphasize strongly enough how moronic it is to boo him) then it might be a possibility.
Yeah good thing the Wild didn’t have Jagr in the playoffs 5 goals in 10 games. Really not worth it I’d rather lose every game by one goal. Ok we got blown out one game but I try to forget that night.
Its just to show my point he was being paid “the man” money. When he went to the Celtics he proved he wasn’t the man. Still an important (Huge) piece of the puzzle. But still not the man. He was more like Denis Rodman. Rebound/Defense/15pts. What if he was paid 2nd fiddle kind of money in MN so they could have surrounded him with a better cast.
I can understand that. I’d argue he was somewhat better than Rodman except during the Finals, when he was certainly second or third best on the team.
Jagr is not worth much regardless of how much he is still scoring… especially since he is getting much older.
I perfer the IRR for the home jerseys. The Whites are ugly.
Yeah good thing the Wild didn’t have Jagr in the playoffs 5 goals in 10 games. Really not worth it I’d rather lose every game by one goal. Ok we got blown out one game but I try to forget that night.
Well, that is 5 more goals than Gaborik had!
>.>
I believe Lemieux winned about the trap and JL said if he no one hooked or held (like the guins did) in the NHL he could come back and play.
Kevin,
If he is not a Rodman, then a Pippen, but not a Jordan. Pippen couldnt get it done without Jordan. Thats why guys Like Malkin who renegotiate with the team in mind will have great careers. Take less $ to play with better players.
no one hooked or held (like the guins did)
Oh please. The Penguins didn’t even pretend to play defense, let alone hook or hold all the time.
Yeah cause they were stocking up on all those future draft picks….
edubs: You should check the the Wild’s message board with possible third jersey ideas. Some are based on what Wild personnel was showing at the Summer Bash. Some are people’s personal wishes.
Here is the link:
Yeah I have seen some of those. No wonder we can’t get anyone to sign here. Said you will have the Winter classic third jersey.
Oh sorry thought kevin sent that, thanks sunshine.
I think JL was talking about the league as a whole at that time: the hooking, clutching, and grabbing not specifically the Penguins.
A few years later they asked Lemieux about it and he laughed it off. I think the incident occurred shortly after he came back out of retirement… I even want to say within a month or so.
Oops, think there’s some misunderstanding here, edubs. I meant during Lemieux’s heyday there was no attempt made at defense. The few years before Crosby they tried to play defense but sucked at it.
I like some of those 3rd jersey options! G’night Russoville.
JEFFS468 says: This is solid info: Gaborick traded ? Just becasue Russo is not saying it, does not mean its not happening. I believe that is quite logical if you all think about it that Russo does not print everything right ?
HOW IS THIS RUNOR NOT COMPLETELY TAKING OVER IN THIS BLOG !!!!
Good Old Wally is not surprised by any stretch. I think the trade would make sense for Gaborick and the Wild.
Folks I think that most of you dont think this deep into it but you know… When Lemaire was given the nod as the coach after the season, that move alone should show that the Wild are not going to stand for any anti JL stuff from the players. You play JL hockey in 2009 or your not playing.
If a trade is made with Gaborick…. Rolston will be here… its about chemistry ! DRs Job is a nightmare. Give him credit
I agree Wally. You are a genius. And I wonder at times also if Russoville is in a Coma
I think the Russoville will be going hard and fast in July as fireworks will be flying with the Wild faithful. This off season will be extra Wild
GoW and the Beav are friends again and have full faith and confidence in DR. Meanwhile, I am thinking about a trade that involves Gabby and Eric Cole (also a year left before UFA and subject to trade rumors).
I see an ad for Patron at the bottom of the page. Somebody is listening!
If anybody is interested, the NHL Network is showing the top 10 draft picks of 2000, Gaborik’s draft year.
#9 is Nick Schultz
FYI - Brunette’s agent has not heard from the Avs since the season ended and Sauer’s agent has only had a brief conversation a few weeks ago - http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/24/liles-agent-hopes-for-deal-with-Avalanche/
Meanwhile, Dater reports that things are messy in Avs land because Sakic remains undecided - http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2008/06/24/still-no-contact-with-bruno-and-the-messy-sakic-situation/#more-294
Thanks sunshine - just changed the channel. Why is my bottom of the page ad for Medifast?
And I wonder at times also if Russoville is in a Coma.
We are all dumber because of that post.
GoW still needs spellcheck. Or Windsor.
DR’s job is hard.
Should we all have a Kodak moment singing The Wild Anthem as we raise our glasses of Rock-A-Dile Red up high to praise our GM with the difficult job?
It might be easier if he weren’t so smug.
Toivo (7:40pm Post) - Couldn’t have said it better!
As far as DR’s job being hard? Whatever. We have 28 GM’s on this board that would happily take his place. It’s a dream job to be able to manage and spend someone else’s money to try and win a championship. Many of us probably play Fantasy Football or some other sport. We manage our teams we some year we win and some years we don’t. If it’s to “hard” for Dougie, then he should leave and give someone else a try.
The ONLY reason he isn’t getting blasted more for his “inaction” is because the Meatheads that run the NBA team here in Minny about about to piss away a franchise player (all 3 will be) in what they will claim is a clever move. That’s the train wreck everybody’s watching in the local media.
6 days and counting….
No Rolston signed
No Demo signed
No Fridge signed
tick tock tick tock
Lawton lands with the Lightning:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241612&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_main
I like the wheat version of the current IRR jersey, fwiw. I would rather see that be the regular road jersey than the current whites, which are too trendy and generally just ugly, IMO.
HOW IS THIS RUNOR NOT COMPLETELY TAKING OVER IN THIS BLOG !!!!
The answer is simple. This “RUNOR” comes from Eklund. It will be a cold day in hell before a rumor from Eklund is ever worth anymore than a pile of horse dung.
Regarding those jersey concepts: I really liked some of the white jerseys featuring the current circular Wild logos. Why doesn’t the CURRENT away jersey already look like that?
We need to do away with the giant bearcat head logo. It’s tacky.
RE: Jerseys — I agree w/ HockeyDad. The green jerseys and the white (off-white?) versions of the IRR look pretty good. Much better than the whites we currently have. I still am disappointed with the nickname (going on 10 years now) so I have to try get happy w/ the jerseys.
How about the wild taking a stab at the recently bought-out Darcy Tucker? The leafs are paying him nicely anyways(2 mil for 2 or 3 years) and if he can be had for less than or around 2 mil/yr, why not?
Exactly, Wallshot. Bearhead logo is dumb. The circular logos are pretty sharp, IMHO.
Yeah, CW - from what I’ve seen the general consensus is that the circular logo is preferred by the majority of fans. And yet we still have those ugly away jerseys.
Hasn’t anyone in that organization heard of focus groups?
They had close to 4000 to survey their new ideas for a third jersey at the Summer bash from what Bandgeek was saying.
Sunshine…I missed that. Were there results released? Or just the info that a survey was taken?
No results were released, not that the team would either. Just that staff went around and showed 6 pictures of the jerseys and asked for the attendees’ opinion on them.
Rumor update
The Canucks are going to make Hossa an offer and might be willing to bid higher than $5MM for Malone. It doesn’t appear they can dish out the $8MM+ Hossa will likely get though. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Edmonton Sun reports that the Oilers are shopping Jarret Stoll.
Things remain pretty quiet for the Wild though. Perhaps contract signings are being kept tight to screw with other GM’s plans? You know, like a surprise Rolston signing announced at the last minute on June 30th?
KiPA, what are you smokin? Our GM is messing with other GM’s plans? I don’t remember delusional thinking as being a part of the grieving process!
Sorry, not KiPA, AiH. Reading problems and delusion stuff on my part. I will go to box for 2 minutes and feel shame.
Interesting - Wade Belak has been working on Sundin pretty hard to come to Florida where they need a top line center.
I see here that the Canucks will be able to offer a 5 year deal at $8MM per season to Hossa. It will be interesting to see if Hossa would be willing to play for the Canucks but not the Wild.
If you’re DR don’t you have to at least float a competitive offer out to Hossa?
YES YES YES!
