Pre-emptive strike against idiocy; things I’m hearing with Rolston
Posted on June 28th, 2008 – 9:51 AMBy Michael Russo
Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn wrote a very informative “blog” on signing other team’s restricted free agents to offer sheets. Here’s the link.
My favorite line: “Desperate times require desperate measures.” A common belief is that desperate teams warrant the same. However, a logical approach would assume that if one is in a sinking ship, blowing another hole in the side is not the best approach toward saving one’s self.
Lynn mentioned the time Doug Risebrough tried to sign Teemu Selanne to an offer sheet. A few weeks ago at the media luncheon, Risebrough was telling us that story. AP’s Dave Campbell asked if Winnipeg’s GM (either Mike Smith or John Paddock, can’t remember) ever talked to Risebrough again. Risebrough humorously said, “Yes he did, yes he did. I think it was the way I tentatively handed him the offer sheet. ‘Oh by the way, … ‘”
Here is the compensation chart for offer sheets that was on the last hockey ops’ blog:
* $863,156 or below: No Compensation
* $863,156 to $1.3 million: 3rd Round Pick
* $1.3 million to $2.6 million: 2nd Round Pick
* $2.6 million to $3.9 million: 1st and 3rd Round Picks
* $3.9 million to $5.2 million: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Round Picks
* $5.2 million to $6.5 million: 2 1st Round Picks, 2nd Round Pick, 3rd Round Pick
* $6.5 million and above: 4 1st Round Picks
On another note: Nothing’s changed on the Brian Rolston front.
As I wrote a few weeks ago, the risk of the Wild waiting this long was the enticement July 1 would have in Rolston’s mind. You wait this long, you start to wonder, “Hmm, who’s going to come after me, what will they pay me?” It’s hard to blame Rolston for that at all.
(And trust me, don’t think these agents don’t talk to teams and figure out who’s coming after their clients and what they’ll pay — even though that’s not permitted until July 1. Tampering is rampant. This is why teams take a big risk by leaving the UFA’s they want back for the offseason).
I hear Tampa’s going to go hard after Rolston/Ryan Malone with the hopes of snagging one. (UPDATED) Tampa’s just acquired Ryan Malone’s rights, so this will be interesting. He did say he planned to go to free agency. We’ll see if that changes, especially since new Lightning Director of Hockey Ops Brian Lawton is former partners with Malone’s agent, Mike Liut.
If Tampa eventually goes after Rolston, it’ll be tempting because 1) Team with tons of star power that is four years removed from a Stanley Cup; 2) Team that finally feels like it has a No. 1 goalie in Smith; 3) Walzie; 4) You live in Tampa; 5) No state income tax, so $4.5-5 million is a helluva lot more than $4.5-5 million somewhere else.
And trust me, Tampa won’ t be the only team that goes after Rolston.
As for the Tomas Mojzis inqueries, the Wild is expected to sign the European defenseman to an NHL two-way contract, but it can’t be announced until July 1.
84 Responses to "Pre-emptive strike against idiocy; things I’m hearing with Rolston"
Even though he had a decent season, the Dustin Penner signing was a mistake. A team trying to rebuild can’t give up the first half of its draft. It just doesn’t make sense.
Rest assured Rolston is waiting for July 1 to see ‘what the market value’ for him is….just like all the other UFS’s are doing. Let the bidding begin July 1.
For those with anger to him, please revisit Russo’s view.
I think we all know that that any player about to enter UFA waits to see what is offered.
Who knows what the Wild has offered him?
Even so, as has pointed out by some savvy blogger earlier,
said, smart players wait to see the salary cap number, and have some knowledge of his teams salary structure within.
Rolston is not the first player to lay low/no comment, while the agent is the mouthpiece..albeit frustrating.
The future does not look good that he will return, as many have pointed out, his house has been on the market
for some time.
Perhaps at a point in the year, he made the decision that based upon what he sees from mgt he wishes to move on. None of us can fault him for that. He is responsible for his family and their future. Look at his career and it reflects a very solid, very consistant player.
We can not fault him for trying to maximize
his worth by testing the market.
He would look good in a Dallas Stars sweater, but based on what I have read/seen on him, my guess is an eastern team..not sure I buy into Detriot, but anything is possible.
Thanks for the link Mike. That was very cool inside info.
I don’t fault for Rolston for testing the FA market and I don’t think anyone else does either. I fault him and his agent for not even making a counter offer after receiving not one but three offers from the Wild.
If he wants to test FA, just say so.
Let me be the first to say this (at least I think the first). Minnesota sports fans do not appreciate someone who seeks the highest dollar possible. See Johan Santana, see any number of examples from the Wolves. For all the fan here cares, they can pack up and go to NY, or LA. Have a great life.
That said, Rolston would be a huge loss on the ice. Apparently the loss off the ice is not as big as we thought it would be. Leadership has multiple facets, and one of them is not hanging your team out to dry, regardless of the point in your career, or the contract status.
I have been a huge fan of Rolston’s for his entire three years here, and will miss the presence on the ice. At this point however, se la vi. Have a good life Roli. I hope your millions treat you well. even at this point, you have already betrayed and alienated the greatest hockey fans you will ever play in front of.
I don’t see him coming back, and I don’t see the standing ovation that players generally receive in their first visit back either.
Good riddance.
- sunshine: well said at 10:41
- As for the Lynn article, I put this on the last thread:
Tom Lynn’s bit has this:
Has the Wild ever signed a player to an Offer Sheet?
No, but its General Manager once did, while General Manager of the Calgary Flames under a prior CBA, signing Teemu Selanne from the Winnipeg Jets. The offer was matched and the return to the Flames was a net negative, as the media and fans then expected even wilder “bold moves” thereafter.
So the moral of one DR move in CGY is “can’t win, don’t try.”
- In no way did I mean to imply that the Wild should go after signing RFAs, the prices for the top end ones are very high. And if teams don’t have a need for their low end RFAs (Stoll perhaps?), a trade probably could be worked out. The Oilers pursuit of Vanek and Penner is probably the best example of when to do it: the team has a lot of picks from trades and recent picks are contributing. Here in Russoville, I think we all know that the Wild does not have enough picks to be going after high end RFAs - give us some credit! What many of us die hards don’t like to hear is that there will never be any “bold moves,” not that the Wild are nver going to give up a Mike Lynn basket of draft picks.
Be able to recognize talent be it in the draft, trade, or free agent signings.
The fans pay their hard earned money to see a good product,so it is management’s responsibility to do just that.
Desperate times call for desperate measures? Its never been desperate times for Risebrough, Lynn, Tommy Thompson and crew. I am a Wild season ticket holder, but I am not from Minnesota. The Wild management has been living off the “I’m so glad professionial hockey is back in MN mentality that they can put an inferior product on the ice foreever!” Well, 10 years in, a new owner, talk of rebuilding. etc., this is no longer a new organization, who can get by on the cheap. I doubt the Wild ever get past the first bullet point on the compensation list. How many times, just like recently, are the Wild going to try to get foreign players with 50 games or less in the NHL who are back in Europe, on this team? I cannot remember anyone but Nummelin who has even made it through 1 year, and he hardly played last year. Or how many re-tred 4th line players?
Desparate times are right now, because all that goodwill has been lost as far as I am concerned. Counting on the warming house? I bet some people won’t be able to pony-up the bucks because of high gas prices, utilities, food, etc.
Come-on Leopold, its not as if you earned your money, you married into it. Likely most season tickets holders had to earn the money to get there tickets. Like me.
DR was/is considered a joke in Calgary, and he is vast becoming that here (already made it in my book). If Leopold is going to re-build, he needs to start with managment as this organization is becoming a joke just like the TWolves, Detroit Lions, etc.
I don’t get the beef from the Wild and fans that Rolston’s agent won’t even make a counter offer. Why would he? He doesn’t know what the market is yet. What happens if he makes an offer that the Wild accept and then 2 weeks later he finds out somebody else was willing to pay $1M more? The proper approach is to go to the market, solicit some offers and then if you really want to play for the Wild, come back to them with the offers in hand and give them a chance to offer a contract that you are comfortable with. That way, you are not leaving big bucks on the table. Of course, if Rolston and agent already know there is no way the Wild pony up anywhere near what he can get elsewhere, they would just be wasting their breath with an offer. DR has had 3 chances to come close and obviously hasn’t. Also playing their hand to other potential suitors with what they have in mind is dumb. Better to just sit tight, keep your mouth shut and see what some desperate GM is willing to throw at you. Rolston has changed teams how many times? At this point in his career it is no big deal. It is also his last shot and he already is on Lord Stanley’s Cup. If it were me and my family, I would squeeze every last penny out of the remainder of my NHL career.
Russo, can you confirm that the Wild picked up Tomas Mojzis from… eh, somewhere in Europe? Haven’t seen anything on the US side about it. Not very exciting but I’ll take anything right now.
SotB-
The problem fans and the team have with the tactic is that it is just not the way things are done by people who say they want to return to the team.
If he really wanted to stay, he would negotiate. If he wants to test the market, that means the money is the motivator, not the game, not the fans.
Buddha,
I get as wrapped up in the Team of 18,000 and all of that marketing happy horsehockey as much as the next guy, but when I clear my head, it all comes down to business. Naegele came in here, got gov’t assistance to help him build him an arena, created this ungodly patient and enthusiastic fan base and then sold the team at an extraordinarily opportune time from a financial point. The only thing better than robbing someone is robbing them and making them feel good about giving you the money which is what slick Bob did. I am a player’s guy. You spend your whole life developing a craft that has a limited life span. You take every penny you can get from Bettman and his owner group cuz those guys don’t bat an eyelash at taking money from guys like us.
So if someone signs Rolston.. do we get picks or how does that work.. can someone clarify that?
thanks-
Bamer, in the old CBA, the Wild would get a compensatory pick. In the new CBA, the only way it would is if it traded his rights.
Ms. Conduct, I’m trying to confirm whether Tomas Mojzis was an AHL, NHL deal. The team hasn’t announced any signing yet, which typically means it’s an AHL contract or the contract hasn’t been officially signed yet.
Saladin you hit the nail right on the head! This team is fast becoming the Minnesota Twins of hockey. DR set the tone after last years end saying he won’t be able to sign all of our own players. We’ve already overpaid to many of our players so it makes it tough to sign new players (free agents).Our scouting is mediocre and how about getting a coach who attends the draft. I saw Gretzky,Trotz,Carlysle & others there. Did I miss Lemaire? Let’s get involved!
We get nothing if we don’t sign him or make a deal for the rights to him with someone like Tampa Bay (which is highly unlikely given that FA is so close now). 30 goals, walking right the door. Go Team!
Good Old Wally is on record as saying Rolstin is worth around 3 million dollars to the Wild, anything more than that seems a bit excessive, I would say that if the Wild went another $ 750k, it would not be a big deal to Good Old Wally.
Rolston and his agent didn’t need to wait for the market. That is just an excuse. He knew what he wanted and he knew that the Wild would not be willing to pony up $15 million for 3 years. The team shouldn’t either.
Rolston should have just said, “sorry, I am going to test the market and you have the right to match.” He hadn’t made the big bucks yet and is not willing to take a discount.
In the past, he was an average player but wasn’t putting up the numbers to earn big bucks until he came to the Wild. His last attempt at free agency netted him a $8 million contract for 3 years from the Wild. He is now 35 years-old and trying to make up for loss income. Go for it. All the best.
The Pio reported that JL was at the draft on the first day and since they were not likely to make any trades the second day, they didn’t need his expertise. Also, since JL hadn’t seen any of the draftees skate or play, he wouldn’t have much to say in who was picked.
Lest we forget, the Wild in the last two years have spent close to the cap. It was not wise to spend lots of money in the first few years because they hadn’t developed their youth and would have likely excessively overpay FA to play for the Wild. The standings would have been the same maybe a win or two more.
Edmonton had so much YOUNG talent and draft picks from trading vets, they could AFFORD to give up the compensation for signing Penner.
Besides, wouldn’t you like to ’stick it’ to Delta Burke?
As we inch closer to Tuesday, I am reminded of the anticipation leading up to the trading deadline in Feb. Wondering, wating, hoping and then…boom…Chris Simon.
I have no hope whatsoever that the Wild will do anything significant on July 1st. They’ll grab their players on the 7th or 10th. Or maybe re-sign some of their RFAs and tell us how those ‘desperate sinking ships’ tried in vain to steal our players. Only through their vigilance were the Wild able to keep Voros and Fedoruk.
Yay.
Also…Penner is signed for 4 more years at 4.25 mil. Something tells me his contract will seem Rolston-like 2 years from now.
Speaking of sticking it to Delta Burke, why don’t the Wild take a run at Corey Perry? Delta is having cap issues and would be in a fix if someone flash the cash at him. Oh yeah, the good ship Wild isn’t taking on water yet.
I am not expecting the Wild to get an elite player on July 1st. If you are, then you are living in some dream world. We need good, hardworking character players, who can score at least 20 goals, to supplement our core.
Thirty goals might leave but I think its better that we spread the goal scoring like in the 06-07 season where 5 players scored more than 20 goals. We earned more points that way then depending on two guys to score all the goals.
i guess rolston is heading out, but that is ok because now we can go after a couple of free agents like langkow or huselius, and orpik or streit. through in trading pmb for a real sniper and thing aren’t looking so bad.
of course DR is sooooo freaking conservative i’m sure he’ll lose rolston, sign nobody, have pmb not resign and leave for nothing next summer…and wait for every game to sell out yet again while the team “rebuilds”…
Good Old Wally has produced a list of free agents. I was up all night producing it for you all in Russoville.
Enjoy
Mats Sundin
Rob Blake
Ladislav Nagy
Marian Hossa
Jason Williams
Mark Streit
Radim Vrbata
Mark Recchi
Marty Reasoner
Bryan Berard
Ron Hainsey
Dan Ellis
Bobby Holik
Steve Montador
Niko Kapanen
Michal Rozsival
Miroslav Satan
Michael Peca
Ruslan Fedotenko
Dick Tarnstrom
Andrei Zyuzin
Chris Gratton
Yanic Perreault
Jassen Cullimore
Josef Vasicek
Mike York
Sergei Fedorov
David Vyborny
Martin Straka
Daymond Langkow
Ryan Malone
Sean Avery
Brendan Shanahan
Patrice Brisebois
Kevyn Adams
Cristobal Huet
Andrew Brunette
Steven Rucchin
Mike Johnson
Ryan Johnson
Michael Ryder
Paul Mara
Marek Malik
Bryan Smolinski
Brian Campbell
Pavol Demitra
Brian Rolston
Markus Naslund
Jose Theodore
Jeff Finger
Pascal Dupuis
Brendan Morrison
Jaroslav Hlinka
Brad Stuart
Dmitri Kalinin
Brooks Orpik
Jarkko Ruutu
Adam Foote
Georges Laraque
Kristian Huselius
Nolan Pratt
Glen Metropolit
Aaron Ward
Vaclav Prospal
Sean Hill
Keith Carney
Niklas Hagman
Karel Rachunek
Antti Miettinen
Aaron Miller
Andreas Lilja
Wade Redden
Teppo Numminen
Mattias Norstrom
Jay Pandolfo
Brad Isbister
Branko Radivojevic
Stu Barnes
Owen Nolan
Keith Aucoin
Craig Conroy
James Vandermeer
Trevor Letowski
Arron Asham
Doug Weight
Randy Robitaille
Stephane Yelle
Chris Kelly
Mike Commodore
Erik Rasmussen
Jaroslav Modry
Jason Smith
David Hale
Mark Giordano
James Dowd
Luke Richardson
Jan Hlavac
Martin Lapointe
Shean Donovan
Martin Gelinas
Jody Shelley
Jesse Boulerice
Martin Rucinsky
John-Michael Liles
Brian Gionta
As we inch closer to Tuesday, I am reminded of the anticipation leading up to the trading deadline in Feb. Wondering, wating, hoping and then…boom…Chris Simon.
Yeah, and don’t forget last year. All that anticipation and then… boom …Steve Kelly.
Thirty goals might leave but I think its better that we spread the goal scoring like in the 06-07 season where 5 players scored more than 20 goals. We earned more points that way then depending on two guys to score all the goals.
Yeah, but we also had that THIRTY goal scorer at the same time. You tell me which is more 20 times 5 plus 30 or 20 times 5?
Does GOW remind anyone else of Bob Dole? He’s always referring to himselves in the third person.
Oy, kicking myself for even bothering with this blog’s comments section. Nada, nada, nada…you’d think the Wild had just finished in last place for the umpteenth time. Sure, of course…most who peruse this stuff want the Wild to win, big time. Well, ok…and what happens? They did win the division…not enough for many (division too weak, didn’t win by 30 points, didn’t clinch by New Year’s, etc., ad infinitum). Also, fine. No, they went quickly in the playoffs, the rants will proclaim. So did others. When the Wild tank this year, be sure and strut your stuff. But even if they don’t, the sport of hockey will be left in the dust in the analyses here. So what am I whining about anyway? Mostly it’s just a message to myself to place a mountain of salt, not just a grain, next to me when reading the shrieking and wailing emanating from this blog’s comments section.
I guess Tampa Bay might not be going after Rolston just yet.
The Pens just traded the negotiating rights for Malone and Roberts to the Lightning.
Ouch I am kind of hurt that someone would compare the Wild to the gawd awful Twins. There is a difference between spending your cap money wisely(we do live in a cap era people we cannot buy an all-star team) and being so cheap that you never sign any of your stars you just trade them away. And if your b!tching about Demo and Roli leaving understand that we need to be careful here with players that are getting older. Within the next couple seasons we are going to see more and more teams handcuff themselves with bad signings and poor contract choices. I know it sounds like a big dose of kool aid but we do need to think about the future.
You know what - When I look at the free agent list. I like George Larouqe to play with Boogy.
Brian Gionta- I likey
Demitra- See if you can get him to a 1 year deal
Thanks for the Mojzis info, Russo.
Tampa’s bold this year. Wow! What’d they lose to get Malone’s rights??
Wow - TB gives up a 3rd round pick if they sign Malone and a 4th if they don’t. Should be interesting to watch this unfold over the next few days given Malone’s comments that he wanted to take bids on July 1. After stepping up for Vinny, this is another “bold move” from down Tampa Bay way. Might not be smart, but rolling the dice with a 3rd or 4th pick isn’t as risky as an RFA offer.
Ok This article… Brian Lawton is Ryan Malones former agent. Brian Lawton is now in Tampa Bay as everyone knows. Take Ryan Malone off the market
Pens trade negotiating rights for Malone, Roberts
Saturday, June 28, 2008
By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Penguins have traded the negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts to Tampa Bay for a conditional draft choice.
The draft choice is supposed to be a fourth-rounder unless Malone signs with the Lightning, in which case it becomes a third-rounder.
Malone and Roberts are two of 12 players from the Penguins’ major-league roster who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Tuesday
You know, it’s not all gloom and doom here…yet.
The Wild are turning over a rather large number of players on their roster this year. How they deal with it (just how far under the cap will they be for 08-09?) by adding to the roster will be key.
My biggest complaint is people not holding the management accountable for mediocrity. And I say that because even though they won their division, they did not improve where it matters - in the playoffs.
The elite NHL teams do not have a roster full of second and third line role players. The current Wild roster does.
When does the future arrive?
Just. One. Player.
Lucky
If that’s the case let’s not be talking of signing the Andrew Brunettes & Bobby Holiks of the NHL. The Red Wings are loaded with young talent but are also always players to some extent in the free agent market. You always here that some of the top teams are looking to sign big names while staying within the cap. I’m just saying I don’t think the Wild are serious about getting to the cap with quality players. It’s always middle of the road guys. You can always think of the future but let’s someday reward the fans of the present!
Meh, I’d rather the pick remain a fourth-round.. although malone’s going to be overpaid, i don’t want him (or any of our other big-time UFAs) staying in the East. Roberts I don’t mind if he leaves.
KJ
You are right on!!!!!!!!!
I think its a great deal for the Pens. They weren’t going to sign Malone or Roberts anyways. They get a guaranteed pick regardless if Malone or Roberts sign.
Agreed, sunshine. Forgot to say that. I’m happy we got something for them.
By the way, ms. conduct, in response to your question from the last thread: I’m a nightowl, I’m always up way late, even when I’m not agonizing over free agency.
Brunette and Holik are nice stop gap measures with two year deals but I doubt they are going to help convince Gabby to re-sign much less give Doug Smugborough his discount.
All this talk of betraying the fans of the Wild by leaving is disgusting. If the man can make more money now, retire sooner, and afford to send his kids to a better school by making the move…
Wish him luck! Don’t curse him because he didn’t take a hit financially for the team! Cripes! When people do take the hit its a noble thing but don’t *expect* everyone to do it.
If you still are stuck on stupid that he should, go to work Monday and tell your boss “for the good of our team and our company, please pay me less for the next three years…with no raises.”
Let us know how that works out.
Oh I 100% agree that we as fans deserve to have an elite team but we’ve just shed the expansion team label and I really believe we are heading in the right direction. I feel like the Wild have put a good product on the ice and have built a winning team. Should we spend big money on key players? Hell yes we should. I just don’t think this class of free agents is as deep as previous years. I just don’t see anyone being worth top dollar that would make a huge difference on our team.
Lucky…
EVERY FA class is a crapshoot. Just because a player is reaching UFA status, doesn’t mean that they will test the market.
If the Wild leave 5-10 mil of cap money on the table, we should STORM their offices and demand they lower prices.
You cannot ’say’ you’re an elite organization without producing on the ice. Otherwise, you’re just smug.
Oh yeah…unspent cap dollars are LOST salary dollars.
Money that could have been spent to improve the team goes directly to ownership’s pocket.
They shouldn’t spend to the cap for crap or give out outrageous contracts either just to satisfy the fans. That is stupid.
Look at Nashville, they didn’t spend alot of money and still made it to the playoffs just like the Wild. Detroit didn’t spend the cap and they won the SCP.
Spending to the cap for the sake for saying you did, is not the wisest move. Its not quantity but the quality of players you are spending it on.
KJ, I do not disagree with you about holding mgmt to a high standard in the future. But, I am satisfied with what they have accomplished so far, and do have confidence in their ability to get us a stronger team.
They do need to find some key players this year. Whomever they add do not need to be overpaid former marquis players. They can be either guys with promise or just the right role players like Fedoruk was last season.
Putting together a team does not require having all the best players, it means having the right players so the team is in harmony with each other and plays off each others strengths.
I just don’t see what Risebrough can do right now. I’m not making excuses for him but what options are open? How do we make this team better at the moment without throwing away our future?
Thanks for the update Mike.
And thank you DR for not interupting my weekend with news about signing…. anyone….
DR has become the new McHale Jr. Do nothing and get paid for it. KJ, you are right on with your assessment. The Wild will do nothing July 1st and then cry about a tough mean ole market.
We’ll grab Holik & Bruno (with thier walkers) and listen to them try to polish the turd like those idiots who just gave away a future career hall of famer in Minneapolis.
Looks like I should start looking at doing some more Ice Fishing this Winter.
I think Russoville’s on the verge of lacing its Kool-Aid with cyanide.
I agree with Iceman.
“It means having the right players so the team is in harmony with each other and plays off each others strengths.”
Gaborik needs a player that can help him score, rather than a superstar out to take care of himself. Maybe that’s Shep or Koivu, maybe not. But don’t overspend on a brand name.
Everyone take a breath. The season does not start until October, so the death keels can wait a few months. I’m sure before the ‘02-’03 season, we were not expected to compete either…
Let’s see…
New owner (Leipold) comes in, says ‘I want a winner’, yet doesn’t even prod DR into re-signing his second-best goal scorer?
Who’s kiddin’ who here, anyhow?
The easiest way for pro sports teams to maximize their investments…
WIN.
Nothing else matters. Winning does.
Kevin-
I’ll skip the cyanide, thank you very much. Although some vodka might be called for…
My biggest complaint is people not holding the management accountable for mediocrity. And I say that because even though they won their division, they did not improve where it matters - in the playoffs.
then there should be an awful lot of people burning down their teams management’s houses becuase they didn’t improve in playoffs. ottawa, anahiem, buffalo, vancouver, calgary, carolina, TB…
Oh yeah…unspent cap dollars are LOST salary dollars.
if they are all one year contracts, maybe. another question is would you rather have management sign old star power to fill the cap or play younger talent to get them experiance? It certainly depends on where your team is right now as to which way you answer that question. I think you look at your team over maybe 3 years and when you have salary falling off and when FA’s are scheduled to appear. when you have projected talent scheduled for extensions. you make a mistake with a salary this year and it doesn’t just have impact this season but many in some cases.
New owner (Leipold) comes in, says ‘I want a winner’, yet doesn’t even prod DR into re-signing his second-best goal scorer?
didn’t the wild make 3 offers, all rejected? wasn’t it reported they were looking for a counter offer? I think unless the wild offered outrageous money, rolston never intended to resign here.
We’ll grab Holik & Bruno (with thier walkers)
people at the deadline were begging for holik. people still beat up DR for not resigning brunette and now he is getting beat up for maybe signing him now.
can’t win.
Band: I just picked up a handle of Sky. What’ll it be? White Russian ala Big Lebowski or a Bloody? It’s getting a little late in the afternoon for Bloodys, but hey! It IS Saturday!
Funny, Pittsburgh able to trade away the rights to two players to Tampa Bay. I guess useless DR much be watching the women’s US Open in his hometown.
By the way:
1) No need to print-out who the RFA & UFA’s are for the DR & cronies. You can find them on the Internet anywhere. Also, if DR & other part of mgmt don’t know who they are any time of the year, 365 days, 24X7, then what are there job requirements?
2)Also, think of it this way. If the Wild don’t have money to spend, or very little because of contracts signed in the past, that again is another sign of mis-management. In other words, DR screwed up again (and again, and again…). If anyone of us screwed up as much as that guy, we would have been fired long ago IMO.
Add’s Green* and MNWildfan to the “CtC”
(Content to Compete)
WRT - spot on… Once the Honeymoon is over (which it is because we AREN’T an expansion team anymore), the only way to maximize investment is to win.
Green* - Why is the ONLY thing DR is working on is Rolston who is long gone? Why? One phone? He even said they aren’t talking and so what per sey is DR up to?
I didn’t know the NHL only allowed you to talk with one soon to be UFA at a time. Maybe we can send DR a book on Multi-tasking. And getting Holik LAST spring would have been great, getting him now that 7 of your players are gone and you’ll need to lean on him more than he leans on his cane… not so good.
Let’s face it, several in here get it. (WRT, KJ, a few others) but most of you are going to be fooled by DR again as you wait and wait and wait for him to save the team. And when he produces two-three “mid-level” to “low-level” guys to fill the HUGE holes left by those who have gone… you’ll finally catch up to the rest of us that have seen this coming…. again.
If the Wild goes into next season with Gabby still as a pending UFA, ticket prices should be rolled back to post lockout year levels.
Schmidty
You’re exactly right. Dr will try to pull the wool over our eyes again & I’m not buying. Put up or shut up. This is the NHL with a hard salary cap. It’s not like Major League Baseball where you can spend over the cap & pay the luxury tax. Let’s quit signing the low -mid level players & making it sound like we got some great talent! If we are cap bound it is because we overpaid guys like Johnssen, Parrish, Schultz etc.
Let’s face it, several in here get it. (WRT, KJ, a few others) but most of you are going to be fooled by DR again as you wait and wait and wait for him to save the team.
If Gabby is traded at the dealine* for a Hossa like package and the season was wasted and the GM is still telling you how great the organization is, I don’t think Doug Smugborough is going to have many supporters left. Perhaps a positive from a negative but I would still rather see this team start acting like a winner now. Don’t get all down because the OJ trade fell through, do something else or at least work on Gabby’s extension - every day that passes gets him close to his own UFA pot of gold!
* With Gabby’s groin, waiting to deal him at the deadline is riskier than going after RFAs.
For those obsessed with the Parrish and Johnsson contracts - and for all I know you are in DRs head big time - consider that Burns and Schultz’s favorable contracts make Johnsson, Burns and Schults all $4 million players - no GM in the league wouldn’t be fine with that. Further, if Parrish can get out of the press box, his contract is offset by the favorable cap hits for Mikko and Shep. In the big picture, DR has Kuvio and Burns already playing above “market value” and they are signed through 2011/2012! Also, tell me how saving future cap space and not overpaying for any UFAs ever makes sense.
/rant
Over paying is the name of game in free agency. That’s why Roli is looking to cash in on this fairly weak FA class. Just watch the contracts in the upcoming weeks. We all know Ryan Malone will find someone to give him $5M and probably for 5 years. You seriously think he’s worth that? If you do I’ll assume you’re related to him somehow.
Schmidty,
I am not “content to compete”. I am just saying that those saying we are going to be horrible this season should wait until October, or at least until after the free agency period has started.
I don’t think the Wild will be as competitive this year, as they stand now, but there are too many unknowns to write off the season already.
I know just making the playoffs is not good enough…As a Wolves fan, I sat through many a first round exit (and payed through the nose for tickets), but on April 17th, I was still happier to be a Wild fan than say a Leafs fan.
Seams the kool-aid is a wee bit tainted with a dab of disillusional when it comes to the fact that DR is thinking long term versus now when it comes to Rolston.
He wants 4-5 mil per year.
He wants 3+ years on said contract.
He’s 35.
I’d be pissed of he does give in to Rolston.
if not of
mnwildfan says:
June 28th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
but on April 17th, I was still happier to be a Wild fan than say a Leafs fan.
Careful now, yourself and many others are starting to SOUND like Leafs fans.
Randy - There is no chance DR would do that deal and there is no one here that wants him to. However, that doesn’t mean its fine for DR to do nothing except miss on what would have been a nice acquisition in OJ.
Why is the ONLY thing DR is working on is Rolston who is long gone? Why? One phone? He even said they aren’t talking and so what per sey is DR up to?
what else should he be working on? whose to say he hasn’t been working? it isn’t like you can talk in the press about other FA’s when it is just slightly illegal to do so before july 1st.
rolston was the big UFA that would be nice to resign. the wild made offers, maybe good, maybe not, we don’t know, and they were rejected. They also offered PMB and presumeably a #1 draft pick for jokinen that florida declined so they could get 2 defensemen and a #1 pick from phoenix. yup, DR’s hasn’t been working on anything but his golf game.
As for your content to contend bullshit…whatever you need to believe. I’d like to think we just have to different views of how to be successful.
exactly how does perceivably underpaying burns make overpaying for yawnson ok?
FYI, if parrish could figure it out, he isn’t overpaid.
we can offer #10 X amount of dollars. if DR makes that offer and #10 turns it down, is it DR’s fault? I’ll withdraw the question.
If the Wild are 10 million under the cap this year, they cannot use that cap space in future years. That is why they are lost salary dollars.
I am NOT bashing DR for not signing Rolston. If Rolston was offered a ‘decent’ contract and he still wants to go the FA route, more power to him.
However, I think Rolston was lowballed on the 1st offer and then stopped listening. It fits Smuggy’s M.O.
another question is would you rather have management sign old star power to fill the cap or play younger talent to get them experiance?
Is Marian Hossa ‘old’? Vrbata? Malone? How about a run at Corey Perry?
Andrew Brunette is old. Bobby Holik is old. But I guess if it is a ’stopgap’ move to get the Wild to the beloved ‘future’, then it is ok.
BTW…we have been giving the core groupt of ‘youngsters’ development time since 2004.
It is time to augment the roster and ‘be in it to win it’. If not now, when? In Koivu’s last year?
All of you in the CtC camp…when exactly IS the future???
Yeah, we should be thankful we aren’t Leafs fans…heaven forbid we get to be like Detroit fans.
exactly how does perceivably underpaying burns make overpaying for yawnson ok?
You have to overpay UFAs - if Johnsson is not signed, who plays all those minutes? Kuba? The minors have not put a d-man on the Wild’s roster for how long now?
This Just In: After 3 seasons in Colorado, Brunette eyes the Wild - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/22506714.html?location_refer=Sports
Russo notes that Brunette is “tight” with Gaborik so that is an indication they are serious about keeping #10. However, it Doug Smugborough thinks its enough for Gabby to give the MN Wild discount, I think he is sadly mistaken.
Six goalie
The problem is the Wild has no prospects due to poor management & poor scouting. Look at the Red Wings. They are loaded with young talent who they don’t have to pay excessive money because they are not yet restricted. They will eventually lose some of these players but in the mean time can still sign big names because they have cap space. (rafalski,schneider,rolston? etc.) When the time comes they will likely make trades of these young players to get more picks & or prospects who they develope better than we do! We talk of our plan of developing from within.As kj says we’ve been developing since 2004. When does it all come to fruition??????
On day 1, if it were to start tomorrow. Nothing and I mean nothing is mediocore about the Wilds Defense and the Wilds Goaltending
Lets assume that the Wild will get Demitra or Rolston. One will make it to the Wilds roster I am sure.
You have players like Fedoruk and Varos. These players are like who cares players. I think Fredoruk fits better on the Wilds roster however. Varos looks too unpredictable for Lemaires liking. I as a fan can only speculate this as I dont see and hear everything like the mighty JL does on the bench
The Goal for the Wild in the free agency… Make your team great on the power play !!!!!!
Everyone has been told that the Wild are giving 3 or 4 prospects a roster spot, and the Wild do have some strong character Wes Walz type players on that prospect list
Free agency should be about making the Wilds Power play better !
Free agency should be about making the Wilds Power play better !
Yeah, Hossa, Vrbata, Perry or Filppula wouldn’t help the PP.
Sounds as if Old Player #1 has bellied up to the bar. If Old Player #2 gets signed Smuggy can call it a day.
Yay.
Lets assume that the Wild will get Demitra or Rolston. One will make it to the Wilds roster I am sure.
What shred of evidence or history could lead you to this flawed conclusion?
GoW…I think the Beav better find something other than spell check for you.
Food!
If the Wild are 10 million under the cap this year, they cannot use that cap space in future years. That is why they are lost salary dollars.
kj, with all due respect, that’s an overly-simplistic view, IMO. If that $10M is for 1 year contracts, then I agree. If it’s tied up in 3-4 year deals, then using that $10M might just be stupid.
Kari Takko,
The Dustin Penner signing is a deal. his price is going to be less than market value as the cap goes up. its going to look a lot better than the moronic deal someone is about to give Ryan Malone who isnt much better than Dustin Penner points wise but is massively hyped because of a cup run (and he wasnt even good at ALL in the SCF). the Oilers had picks from the Pronger trade. they got their guy, Eberle, with their first round pick. so they missed out on their second and third round picks? big deal. they have enough depth in their talent pool to let those 2 picks slide for one year. theres PLENTY of teams that have traded off picks (Maple Leafs) and make buffoon decisions (3rd round pick for Jamal Mayers, etc, etc) over the Oilers offer sheet. lastly, the Oilers cannot compete in the UFA market because all the “good old boys” from Canada will NOT sign in these “marginal” Canadian cities… but oh how that might change as that Canadian dollar and market starts soars. take for example how Paul Kariya wouldnt sign in Edmonton even though they offered the house to him but then a crappy small market team like the Blues, who exists off the backs of the Canadian teams revenue to sweep him up from under them. and wow, just look at what it takes for Minnesota to keep anyone in that town even though they sell out every damn game. there isnt one player there other than Gaborik (for now) who has lasted their career who was any good. if plugging players into boring system hockey works for you and your fans, more power to you. but im sure some of the players (Demitra) have other ideas about it and are willing to ditch town to play in a system where theyre a little more autonomous to use their skills.
second, Dustin Penner’s deal is 1 million less than Jeff Carter’s who just signed for 5 million a year but never put up more goals than Penner in a season and will be behind 2 other centers in Richards and Briere. go harp on that deal stifling their cap hit.
Slow today.
