Wild done with free agency?
Posted on July 3rd, 2008 – 5:11 PMBy Michael Russo
Now, I want everybody to sit down, take a couple of deep breaths and try not to lose your minds and not hurt yourselves because I’ve been scrolling through the blog posts the last couple of days and I know many of you are not going to be happy with what I’m about to write.
But the Wild might very well be off the active free-agent market after today’s three-year, $7 million contract with right wing Antti Miettinen.
The deal came right after LW Markus Naslund announced he was signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Rangers.
Now, the Wild might very well be done. That’s what Doug Risebrough indicated to me.
You can have 23 players max on your roster. The Wild now has 21 guys on one-way contracts. That leaves two spots left (although, in reality it’s three because D Kurtis Foster will start the season on injured reserve).
Risebrough wants the other two spots to be filled by kids.
So right now, Risebrough says the team will take a step back and watch for a bit.
I just got off the horn with him and this is what he said.
“We’ll watch how things shape up with [free agents] that haven’t made a decision, but I want to open up at least two spots for younger guys,” Risebrough said. “So if we sign one more player, that two spots becomes one.
“So it would have to be very tempting to take away some spots for some younger players. I think it’s time to find out if some younger players can play here and contribute.”
He’s obviously referring to Colton Gillies and Cal Clutterbuck as the leading candidates for likely one wing spot.
Why don’t I include Benoit Pouliot there? Because Risebrough all but anointed Pouliot on the team (for now).
I pointed out that Mikko Koivu, James Sheppard and Eric Belanger are the only three NHL centers on the team and that’s pretty thin.
Russo: “Don’t you have to still get a center?”
Risebrough: “The spot is Pouliot’s. I feel it’s more prudent right now just to give Pouliot an opportunity and see what he can do.”
He said a fifth center spot would be a two-way contract, meaning likely a veteran NHL/minor-league center ala Serge Payer or Steve Kelly that would start in Houston barring injuries.
It’s fair to say as the roster currently sits, there is a fairly astonishing lack of depth on this team. That’s why deep down I think they’re going to wait a bit, see who’s still out there and then grab one of them. Or, and this is a definite possibility, work the trade market.
But right now, with the alarming lack of scorers on this team, Miettinen better score. One injury to one of the top guys, and hello lottery pick.
As for Miettinen, he does have tons of talent. Won a bunch of awards when he played in the Finnish League. He just hasn’t scored consistently in the NHL, although he had a career-high 15 goals and 34 points last year (but that was playing with Ribeiro and Morrow, so that’s fairly modest).
I talked with somebody I respect greatly for a scouting report:
Fast, works hard, great penalty killer.
“He tries hard. He seems to have a lot of talent. But he played the power play, played a lot on the top line with Ribeiro and Morrow and they couldn’t find a way to get him to be a consistent goal scorer. I think it had a lot to do with confidence. He just seemed to be pressing himself to take advantage of the opportunity.
“He got every opportunity to be a scoring winger and that didn’t work. They just said he’s either going to have to be a fourth-line winger here or he’s not going to play here because they want to punch some kids through now.
“Put it this way, they now only have one right-shot right wing and they still didn’t want to keep him. They’re willing to have a bunch of guys play out of position.
“Now I think he needs a fresh start. He’s got tons of talent. He scored in the Finnish League. Maybe he’ll go there and be a perfect fit and become the next [Mike] Ribeiro. But in Dallas, and I think with him, too, they just decided to part ways.”
He’s a great athlete, this guy says, soft spoken, great defensive forward, solid penalty killer, can create his own shots.
Three times in the last two seasons he had nine shots in a game. But hasn’t performed offensively in the playoffs and has been a healthy scratch in six playoff games in the past two years.
Hey, just so you know, unless something major, major happens with the team, I’ve got the next two days off.
Kent Youngblood has got the controls.
Have a good Fourth everybody! In fact, give yourself a mental day away from hockey. It’ll do you good. I’m certainly going to try to.
251 Responses to "Wild done with free agency?"
This has been exhausting.
All of Russo’s analysis supposes that they don’t trade PMB or Parrish.
t’s fair to say as the roster currently sits, there is a fairly astonishing lack of depth on this team. That’s why deep down I think they’re going to wait a bit, see who’s still out there and then grab one of them.
But right now, with the alarming lack of scorers on this team, Miettinen better score. One injury to one of the top guys, and hello lottery pick.
And there are those that think the local press is soft on management?
Seriously, though, enjoy the holiday Russo.
Thanks for all the hard work.
#2, long time no see!
*Serge Payer or Steve Kelly that would start in Houston barring injuries.*
Just threw up in my mouth a little at the idea of Steve Kelly coming back. You just mean a veteran/journeyman type AHL center? Not specifically SK, right? Please?
What happens if we grab one of them? Where does that put Gillies or Clutterbuck?
We’re stuck wit Pouliot. He better take his chance and run with it. Making the best of the situation.
It’s fair to say as the roster currently sits, there is a fairly astonishing lack of depth on this team.
Yes.
Bruno-Koivu-Gabby
Antti-Sheppard-Butch
SRV-Belanger-Parrish
Gillies-Pouliot-Weller
(Clutterbuck, Boogaard)
Burns-Shultz
Johnsson-Zid
Skoula-MAB
(Foster, Reitz, Kelly)
Backs-Hards
Eh. Not awful, but could’ve been better. Hossa, miss.
Huselius, miss.
Naslund, miss.
Miettinen, ding!
This is a 10th place team if they overachieve. This team as it currently stands is pathetically put together and we, the wild fan base, deserve a lot better then this garbage.
Risebrough has deserved to be fired for a few years now, and when this team finishes well out of a playoff spot, I hope he gets the pink slip he deserves so much.
if Pouliot runs with the chance they’re giving him, he too will be a rule 6 UFA next season. Ouch. Gabby, Pouliot, Backstrom, Bergeron, Skoula (Thank God), Foster and most likely PMB, all would be UFAs. Harding a RFA, Reitz an RFA. Awful lot of players in contract years again for JL…
i wonder if we can get paul holmgren as GM, oops just wondering about life after DR when he gets fired cuz the team doesn’t make the playoffs…
the team doesn’t have much depth, isn’t gonna score many goals, has very few real prospects in the system, and has spent almost to the cap? none of that reflects well on DR…
i still like MZ and bruno, but it’s going to be an interesting year…
I hope this free agency was just guys wanting to go other places rather than DR being too afraid to pull the trigger…he always spouts the “wait and see” refrain. If it turned out he made a “bad trade” and people were on him about it…boo-hoo, that’s why he gets paid the big bucks…to take calculated risks…but DR seems to be all calculation and no risk (and even some of his “calculations” turned out to be busts so it wouldn’t hurt to take a flat out “risk” on occasion).
This was the same mantra at trade time last year..he said he wanted to have “flexibility” to make a move. Well he had it and what did he do??? Not much, just Chris Simon. Some will argue that maybe he tried…well based on his history of “waiting” I don’t know if I believe he tried hard at all, but we’ll never know.
Oh, when is the Don’s surgery, does anyone know?
Can’t say I am keen on seeing Benny playing center. I would rather him be on the wing so he can try to spark some scoring. Maybe it will work out, but I am cautiously optimistic for this upcoming season.
Have a nice few days off Russo. Thanks for the great info!
I think it’s VERY good that Riser is throwing his support behind Pouliot. He’s absolutely right. Show the kid you’ve got his back and send him out there with real responsibility on his shoulders.
And if this is it for the roster, even +1, there’s going to be opportunity for Clutterbuck to come up. They pretty much need to decide on Gillies at training camp, right? Well, I guess they can send him back to juniors during the season.
I’d love to hear from JL, now that we have a fairly complete roster, how he plans to use these guys. I can’t bear to search through the Wild board to see what line combinations people are coming up with, but I’m a little boggled by who will be on the ice with Gabby…
Russo - thanks so much. Enjoy the fourth.
Good to know not to check back for info.
Well! Thanks for asking about the center situation too. Good to say “hey - doug. Do you see this giant crater?”
Man…. Im, lost.
Have a happy fourth everyone! I’m going to find some Canadians and make them celebrate with me!
Pathetic free agency run for teem.
I and my family never will buy season tickets for this team until Risebrough will be fired.
Patience kills in pro sports. Risebrough has been using the “wait and see” approach ever since the Wild’s first season.
How many more years can we be expected to put up with this?
It’s frustrating when Rolston signs with New Jersey for a mere $5 million per year. Another guy courted by the Wild, Kristian Huselius, signed a medium sized contract with the Blue Jackets.
Why can’t the Wild offer something competitive? Why be so cautious year after year?
Sports are not like other industries. Teams that have specific visions and plans accompanied with the necessary determination to implement them are the clubs that win championships.
Risebrough appears to lack both a plan and any sort of determination.
He’s run out the string at this job methinks.
in 11 games for the wild last year pouliot took 10 shots, so penciling him in at the number 4 center with two checking wingers makes me think he’ll do almost nothing this year…
and i still don’t get how veillieux is still on the team, my least favorite player of ours now hands down…
ppl like shep and PMB (if he’s not traded) need to step up big time…
Penguins Signed left wing Ruslan Fedotenko and right wing Miroslav Satan for low money. Risebrough just doesn’t know what he is doing or nobody taking him serious as GM.
Russo - You are doing a grate job.
good mark, there are hundreds if people waiting in the warming house for those tix.
“Rolston signs with New Jersey for a mere $5 million per year.”
I’ll take some of what you are smoking. It must be good.
Players lost (goals):
Rolston (31)
Demitra (15)
Voros (7)
Branko (7)
Fedoruk (6)
Foy (4)
Hill (2)
Nummelin (2)
Carney (1)
Total (75)
Added:
Bruno (19)
Miettinen (15)
MAB (9)
Zidlicky (5)
Weller (3)
Total (51)
Making an assumption that those new players will produce similar results, to match last season’s output, they’ll need to get 24 additional goals from:
Koivu (11)
Burns (15)
PMB (13)
Parrish (16)
Sheppard (4)
Pouliot (2)
I would expect bigger numbers from Koivu, Sheppard and Pouliot, but I don’t know if they’ll make up 24. Maybe close. And likewise, I do think the team got a bit better defensively, so…
It seems like it could be a year in neutral, but then things like chemistry could make things go north or south from there.
We’ll see.
Reitz can score, too. Not afraid to put the puck on the net like some of these guys.
Good Old Wally likes everything DR did in free agency thus far. He did it smart, I think he greatly improved the defense, and went back to the blue collar mentality at forward with its new signings. Dumped a couple of old guys in Rolston and Demitra. I will miss Demitra.
I think we will enjoy the Wild this next year. Its obvious the the team will need someone like Pouliot or Kalus to help in the scoring department. I dont doubt that the Wild can keep most all of its games close, my question is who can break the 1- 1 tie ? who scores the overtime goal ? just Gaborick by himself ? That is why it would have been nice to keep Demitra- overtime combo with Gabby
Yeah, I kinda forgot about Reitz there. He might get a couple, too. I think it will depend a lot on how much he plays, you know? I guess I’m kinda expecting a fair share of scratches with him.
I kinda keep waiting for Nick Shultz to score more than 2 goals in a season as well.
Good post toivo. I agree with you 100%. We should play a game with this. How many goals do you think the following players will get this year? I will say goals for those guys will be as follows:
Koivu: 20 (hopefully no injury)
Burns: 18
PMB: 16 (he will have to shoot more)
Parrish: 15
Sheppard: 8
Pulliot: 10 (more if he moves to wing)
“who scores the overtime goal ?”
Bruno of course! 
Bruno-Koivu-Gabby
Antti-Sheppard-Butch
SRV-Belanger-Parrish
Gillies-Pouliot-Weller
(Clutterbuck, Boogaard) as scratches
Burns-Shultz
Johnsson-Zid
Skoula-MAB
(Foster) as a scratch
Backs-Hards
Well, not to sound the alarm bells for nothing, but for sh!ts and giggles, I plugged this lineup into EA NHL08 (with a few of the other notable trades, not a lot of them though) and simulated a season. 32-34-6-10 for 80pts and the #11 spot in the conference, 14 points out.
You can count on Foster for a few hard slappers to hit the back of the net too.. once he gets back that is.
True enough, Toivo. I’m eternally optimistic about my Houston boys though. 
MuN, the results are less than stellar.. but that is AWESOME! I do love that game.
ATX, yeah.. I’ve been playing GM in dynasty mode lately. Made the 1st round playoffs in yr 1, then dismantled my team and made the 2nd round yr 2 15M under the cap.
Anyway, the weird part is you can run the exact same lineup again, and get different results. Waiting for the second run to finish now.
I don’t know if Foster will top the 7 he had last year, though ATX.
Its weird that Bruno is going to be the oldest at 34 years-old. The only real veteran voice, I guess.
This year’s team has to have strong leadership and boots to the ground attitude to go far this season. I am really hoping that Schultz, Koivu, Gaborik, and Bruno really set the team down and get everyone to buy into the system quickly. This is a back to the basics team with a circumspect defense. If Schultz, Johnsson, and Reitz can play shutdown defense and give Burns, MAB, and Zid a little freedom to pinch, I think we can make it.
“I don’t know if Foster will top the 7 he had last year, though ATX.”
Good point.
MuN, if it’s consistently bad we may want to be worried… although the game can’t determine the team’s chemistry… and we all know how important that is.
WOW, with absolutely no scoring punch, there is no way this team will even make the playoffs this year. What a dissapointing offseason. “The plan” is officially over.
Looks like Weller took up Clutterbuck’s roster spot, can’t really see the wild sending back a player in Gillies who’s physically ready to play and with a style that doesn’t really need polishing up in the minors (too young, correct?)/junior team.
Also, very excited to see a line combo with Koivu and Bruno rolling together. Stick parrish in front and see a 40 goal season
Isn’t the game a couple years behind on the programming of how well the players are as well? Even though it’s 08, isn’t it taking data as of the 06-07 season?
z
40? How much vodka did you put in your Kool Aide today?
Well Wild fans, how many more years are you going to take it in the kester from these management clowns???????
“40? How much vodka did you put in your Kool Aide today?”
+1
Toivo, you forgot to mention the projected production of clutterbuck/gillies. If each of them scores 12, you’re right back where you started.
I don’t think Gillies is ready physically until he puts on 15 lbs. He’s thin for his height and gets shoved around in the AHL… in the NHL he’ll get clobbered (but won’t think twice to clobber back, which I like). Hockey-wise, he’ll catch on quickly.
The Houston boys should pick up the system pretty easily since KC’s system is rather over the top defensively. Can’t speak for our new FAs.
whoa. DUDE. just popped in from my CELL PHONE! wzup?
If Burns scores 18 he wins the Norris.
Jesus, Mike. If you’re gonna keep regurgitating that line, at least spell keister right.
Mike Green lead the league last season with 18 goals as a defenseman.
Phaneuf and Chara each had 17.
Burns was 5th overall with 15.
He might get 18, not saying he won’t. But it would have to be in a Norris-caliber effort.
Matt Foy fell off of the face of the earth?
How this team is going to score?
What if Gaborik will have bad groin again?
How GM is going to sign good players if big names want to got to the team which can win Stanley cup (Naslund, Hossa ….)
this is very ‘being john malkovich’
the team is thin but i’m not sure they were going to be able to get depth.
koivu has 20 goals in him easy. PMB should if he would shoot.
If the wild reduce goals against by 15 then they won’t need to make up for as many goals.
he scored 15 this past year.. I think he can do it.
Gotta run! Later.
Ms. Conduct are you the spelling police for the site?
cya atw aka THE DUDE!
for all the complaining we do here, sure am glad i’m not in colorado. or vancouver for that matter.
Think about this for a second. A return to the early years of the team, where the emphasis is on defense, not scoring. The Wild having to try to win games 2-2, 3-2, etc. That is where DR has put us. So JL will have to play a very defensive game in order to win games. That then t’s-off Gabby, who is surely gone unless he is given monstrous bucks. Next summer, free agents are going to look at the Wild and say that there emphasis is on defense, and no one is going to want to come here (as hard as that is to believe I know). DR not willing to spend the dollars to get either Huselius or Naslund here. In addition, I would have to think that DR/Wild are viewed as trying to go the cheap way out. So another reason not to come here. We are screwed!
Well I hope we don’t get too much gloom and doom until October. FYI people Bettman has announced that the game will still be played on ice this year despite the request by Detroit fans to just play on paper.
It’s nice to see Pouliot get a fair shot at a full season in the NHL. I hope he take it and shows everyone how good he can be like his rookie year in the OHL.
Two players the might surprise us next season are Harding and Pouliot*.
*Yes, I understand I will be mocked for sticking up for Benny.
In addition, DR may have to suck it up and overpay for someone just to demonstrate the Wild will pay up.
Any chance the Wild still trades for Boyle? It appears there is trade rumors surrounding him. I know we might have solidified the D (I guess), but Boyle is a super star.
This is a do or die year for DR as far as the fan goes. The #1 center has been an ongoing issue with no resolution. The scoring punch has been a scoring slouch, no apparent change with the exception/perception of losing more than we gained. The plan was to be fast, then it was to be big like the Ducks…not sure what it is now. The X is the best arena and the Wild fans are some of the best. I look forward to the season beginning. Given the lack luster market this summer, I can give the team a pass. Heck if we are going to have a down year, lets play the heck out of the youngsters, trade for some draft picks, get a good draft pick and come out with a vengeance for 09/10 when the free agent market will be better.
DR trying? What GM isn’t at this time of the year. Its there job. He deserves no credit for trying like some are giving him. Try, try, try and you don’t succeed, then something different has to be tried. If that doesn’t work, come up with something else. Unfortunately with DR, its the same every year,
My15K: the weak market doesn’t give management a free pass. Every other GM has to deal with the same free agent market. Last year the team took 2 steps forward. This summer, they have taken 4 steps back.
*Ms. Conduct are you the spelling police for the site?*
Nope. Too big a job. Just your “kester” rant.
Ummm… do people read the blog posts by Russo or just jump on and bitch? The right players aren’t there via free agency. Risebrough won’t spend money just for the sake of spending money!!! You want to root for somebody that will do that cause Toronto just gave Finger a wickedly stupid contract and could always use more fans. You guys act like Risebrough went to the office looked at a chart of free agents then checked his online bank account and said nah I don’t like spending money. And all this talk about DR getting fired won’t happen. This would have to get real ugly first. Like North Stars before they moved ugly.
Who will he overpay? There is nobody left and it looks like we are out of the running for Sundin, Jagr, and Morrison. Even Demitra is not available.
There is no one left to overpay.
Lucky: I looked up Ugly and it had the Wild’s standings next year, and a picture of DR at the bank.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Saladin and Mike were the same person. I do recall Saladin using the patented “lemmings” yesterday …
Ok, finished getting my rosters updated. Ran 2 more seasons with all the changes and put in 5 min then shootout. Had that off before.
#1: 34-39-9-77pts, 11th in conference.
234 GF, 268 GA
Gaborik 52-45-97pts
#2: 40-34-8-88pts, 8th in conference.
231 GF, 247 GA
Gaborik, 47-41-88pts
Koivu, 41-43-84pts
We can only hope lol
Prediction:
Gaborik will not sign of for another stint and will be traded before the first puck drops. He will never have more value than on the night before the opener. If he’s not traded, then you might want to buy plywood for the X.
You all may want to start thinking about what Gomez/Humber/Mulvey/Guerra deals are out there for the Smug One to swing. Every day that passes after the first puck drops on the season reduces Gabby’s value. You can rip Billy Smith all you want but he took a handful of crap left by his predecessor and turned into something with some future to it. What would a Gabby deal look like if executed this summer?
I expect the Smug One to eff this one up as much as he did his other admitted mistakes.
Mr. Leipold bought himself a pig dressed up in ersatz pearls and Halloween costume satin.
How bout them Wolves?
WildinATX: Yeah, I also noticed that multi-personality Mike is at it again.
Change your tune, Mike. Please. More people might listen if you freshen it up a bit.
GreenStar: I think you’re onto something (or, on something!) If the Wild improves it’s ‘D’ enough (which it looks like it has, despite Skoula still being on the roster) we might just squeak out of those 2-1 games with a ‘W’ more often than not.
Otherwise, it looks like a l-o-n-g season, boys ‘n’ girls…
Alex D.: Wolves? Who are they? Are they Chicago’s AHL team? 
If any one of us performed as poorly in our job as Risebrough, we would be fired. DR, you’re not working for the same old, same old boss anymore. I predict DR will be in Toronto as GM of the Leafs next year. Our new owner will take one look at the decrease in demand for sponsorships and suites (the common seasts will always sell out) and show DR the door.
Bring back Demitra and put him on the wing.
I’m sure Doug E Stale is already working on his trade deadine speech, talking about how that is the silly season and we couldn’t possibly overpay to bring someone decent in here. He will acquire either a penalty killer or a goon from a team that’s 10 points out of the playoffs and attempt to put lipstick on that pig. IF YOU’RE GOING TO BUILD FROM WITHIN, HIRE SOME DECENT SCOUTS!!!
Lucky: I can appreciate your optimism, but it has been 9+ months since Walz quit and Dougie Ballgame STILL has left us with 1 1/2 centers entering the 08-09 season. That is plain unacceptable for a GM. Whether it is paying too much in free agency or offering a little too much in a trade, the center position had to get addressed and it didn’t. Trading picks shouldn’t be a problem for this bunch since they seem to hand them away like poppies on Veteran’s Day.
Want Mike Modano for PMB?
(Just kidding Wild faithful)
Russo: “Don’t you have to still get a center?”
Risebrough: “The spot is Pouliot’s. I feel it’s more prudent right now just to give Pouliot an opportunity and see what he can do.”
Sucks.
Fast, works hard, great penalty killer.
Much needed but get ready for lots of SOs - how many games into the season until we start talking about pulling Backs at SO time again
Maybe when Gabby and Hossa were having coffee together, they agreed that Hossa would sign a 1 year deal, win the cup and then they would be free agents together next year and go to the same team together in 2009. By not signing any high priced free agents this year, the Wild will have cap space going into next year, the new owners should make some decent coin this season, and they should get a decent draft pick in the first round (unfortunately we may not have a lot of other picks because DR might have traded them away by then).
It should be fun to watch Detroit steamroll through the NHL next season, it will be fun to watch the Wild play hard and win or lose a lot of 3-2 and 2-1 games. It will be nice to know that the Wild are an over achieving bunch, because they have achieved more with less, because of poor draft choices and the lack of high profile free agents. 2008-09 should be a great year!
Or maybe Gabby will do the exact same thing as his pal Hossa. Hossa signs a longer term deal with Detroit after he wins a cup, but less than max, and Gabby does the one year deal with the Wings. Friendship works both ways.
i have to laugh at everybody complaining about DR not making a trade. anybody that is tradable is a core part of this team, so you make another hole on your roster to fill another. there is no one of any value to trade in houston, there leading scorer is an ahl veteran, with 41 points. ranks him about 140 in the league in scoring. and as far as signing free agents (among most “experts”) rolston was the second best fa out there. we couldn’t get out of the first round with him, so signing naslund and huselius would have. i hate to say it but this team is going to have to suck for a few years to rebuild a little.
I’ll bet a round at the Russoville Bar Grille that the Wings do not win the cup next year. President’s Trophy yes, SC no.
By the way, does anyone know how long it’s been since Walz quit the team and we needed another center? Anyone? Deep?
I can’t believe you guys are complaining. You think you have it bad? Try being a Canuck fan….. Now we have absolutely nobody. Naslund’s gone and so will Morrisson, Sundin won’t be coming, and all of the good UFA’s are now taken. We are going to piece together all of the fourth-line leftovers that nobody wants and try to make a team of it.
People in this town are already looking forward to getting a high draft pick in next year’s draft because everyone thinks that this team is going to be a bottom-feeder this season, which is going to make Luongo angry and then he will leave, and then even if we get a goal-scorer, we won’t have a goalie.
This is just to reassure you guys in Minny that you don’t really have it so bad.
I mean, you still have 5-goal-a-game Gaborik, don’t you?
Wow, when a Canucks fan is the voice of reason in Russoville……..
Alan - is the new GM just gutting the team to rebuild it himself? On purpose? Or did he just stumble into this type of situation?
HD: I would have to check my old sports pages, but I’m almost positive Walz quit real, real early into the 07-08 season, making it a mere 9+ months since Dougie Ballgame has had to rectify the situation. The way it sounds, the Wild are back to the “Let the kids plays” mantra. Remember folks; the Wild started out with “Let the kids develop”; then went to “We need to get grittier and tougher in the corners”; then went to “We need to get more mobile and offensive on the blueline”; to “It’s time to see if the younger guys can play”. That’s 4 different team identities in less than 8 seasons. That seems to show me a GM without a real strong idea as to what the good f&%* he is doing.
Mr Bandgeek: I don’t think the Canucks GM ever intended to gut the team and rebuild. I honestly think he thought he would get an upgrade after Naslund & Morisson left. With $20 million to spend, I think that the Canucks really thought they could get a Hossa, or a Sundin, or even a Malone or a Hagman.
But for some reason none of the UFA’s wanted to come here, and they were all snatched up, so then the Canucks had to put everything into the signing Sundin strategy, which has now apparently failed.
Now, unfortunately, I think we may have no choice but to switch over to a gut and rebuild strategy.
Any team relying on Pouliot is doomed.
Russo’s the hardest working scribe in the NHL…I don’t have a prob with Dougie not making a trade I’m a little worried he thinks this is the promised land in Minny.
- I think its clear DR believes that while it would have been nice to add players prior to the Gabby negotiations, he didn’t have to go for broke. We will see soon because no extension means summer trade as you just can’t take that groin injury very far into the season, if at all.
- Also, I think DR is sending a signal to whats left at the C spot in FA* - the Wild has a good opportunity but you have to take a one year deal. Again, we will see how this works - the playing pending UFAs in their last years was a disaster but at least Demo was happy. Oh wait, he wasn’t because DR never got another C and even cut Moore.
- PMB and SRV are going to get solid deals, Matt Foy is milk carton material.
* Not knocking Benny, it is his time but I would rather see him at wing.
Great…. Vancouver beats us at The John Tavares Sweepstakes.
[quote]Great…. Vancouver beats us at The John Tavares Sweepstakes[/quote]
Well, that’s all we can hope for now!! Your Gabby will get you to the postseason.
Alan - thanks for checking in, you are a solid sport.
Well, whining is fun and if nobody wants to sign with us, what can we do as fans? To quote Todd Bertuzzi: “it is what it is”.
Maybe you Wild fans will drop the hate-on you have for us now, because you’ll feel sorry for us.
Ever have a hot date with a “10″ only to find out by the dessert tray that she’s a blockhead? That’s how I feel about this year’s trade deadline and FA season. Here I was looking forward to a crazy wicked bonk and all I’m gonna get is a monkey spanking. In the words of those two wild and crazy guys:
“This really bums me up!”
Word is, we could possibly get Demitra.
So, what’s he like, guys?
Maybe you Wild fans will drop the hate-on you have for us now, because you’ll feel sorry for us.
Not bringing back Cooke, Rhuttu or Bert is a start but if Mikko gets chopped this year, we’re really screwed
NEW YORK (AP) — Just as the New York Rangers ushered in the Markus Naslund era on Broadway, they turned out the lights on the Jaromir Jagr show.
Pen Demitra in to miss some games but I think his skills are as solid as they were two years ago. He hated playing C for JL and let everyone know it but he also had a point, he was better on wing here and in a contract year, DR didn’t help him get back in position.
The way I see it Puillot is one of the few bright spots on next years team.
Bruno-Koivu-Gabby is a playoff caliber first line that can skate with anybody (assuming Gabby isn’t afraid to get checked)
then things fall way off.
Antti-Sheppard-Butch If Antti becomes the player he was in the Finnish Junior Varsity league and Sheppard brings it up a level or three then this line can play. Shep was a solid OK. Granted he was 19, but I didn’t see much game changing promise in him. I saw a solid 2nd wing center for the next 10 yrs.
SRV-Belanger-Parrish SRV plays with alot of heart and Belanger is a solid 3rd line center but Parrish should have been on a milk carton the second half of the season. he ain’t getting younger either.
Gillies-Pouliot-Weller
Gillies is too young to know and Weller sounds like a journeyman. brings us to Benny Pouls. He showed flashes of Gretzky like craftiness at times. Other times he looked lost. My guess is that if he can develop the mental toughness to be a pro he’ll become a first line center some day.
Sure would be nice to have Ryan Jones in the system to play on a Gilles-Pouls-Jones line. Zidlicky better give us three 15+ goal seasons or the trade is a bust.
Alan, after dealing with Avs fans, I LOVE the Nuckleheads.
Demo. All I know is that he doesn’t like to play center for JL.
I think at a minimum, letting Benny and Gillies play on the big team means people will see their skill sets (and I’m going with the optimistic “and they’re awesome!”), therefore making them more easily tradeable. Assuming we’re then willing to trade either of them (go Benny go!).
I think I’m pretty pumped about MZ and Weller. And Bruno. Those are upgrades in my opinion. As for the rest, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
Where did/will the likes of Federov and Selanne land?
Crossing my fingers these “kids” will help the Wild win the cup this year…right.
It looks like us Wild fans will have to borrow a line from the Vikings fans, “Hey, there’s always next year.”
Alan, if more Canucks fans were like you I wouldn’t dislike them so much. But if it makes you feel better, I have met Canucks fans I like, but I have never met a Fowl fan that wasn’t a douche (not to say there aren’t any out there, I’ve just never met any).
Well I’ll be out for a few days, smart me kept my part time position at another historic site from the one I had my 3 quarter job I just lost at. When the staff at the part time job heard about my layoff they started offering me hours they didn’t want so I’m working the next couple days, which I don’t mind since I’m going out of town next weekend instead of this weekend. Have a good 4th all. Remember to drink your kool-ade.
Wishing them the best! It is going to be a long season next year. With this roster, Gabby will be heading to a real team before the puck drops on the new season. Thanks DR…
2008-2009 Roster
Forwards:
25 Eric Belanger 6′ 0″ 185 Dec 16, 1977 30 Sherbrooke, QC, CAN
24 Derek Boogaard 6′ 7″ 258 Jun 23, 1982 26 Saskatoon, SK, CAN
96 Pierre-Marc Bouchard 5′ 10″ 171 Apr 27, 1984 24 Sherbrooke, QC, CAN
Andrew Brunette 6′ 1″ 212 Aug 24, 1973 34 Sudbury, ON, CAN
10 Marian Gaborik “C” 6′ 1″ 199 Feb 14, 1982 26 Trencin, SVK
9 Mikko Koivu “A” 6′ 2″ 200 Mar 12, 1983 25 Turku, FIN
RW Antti Miettinen
21 Mark Parrish 5′ 11″ 199 Feb 2, 1977 31 Bloomington, MN, USA
67 Benoit Pouliot 6′ 3″ 199 Sep 29, 1986 21 Alfred, ON, CAN
15 James Sheppard 6′ 2″ 210 Apr 25, 1988 20 Halifax, NS, CAN
12 Craig Weller 6′ 4″ 220 Mar 17, 1981 27 Calgary, AB, CAN
Defensemen
7 Marc-Andre Bergeron 5′ 10″ 197 Oct 13, 1980 27 Trois-Rivières, QC, CAN
8 Brent Burns 6′ 5″ 219 Mar 9, 1985 23 Ajax, ON, CAN
6 Sean Hill 6′ 0″ 204 Feb 14, 1970 38 Duluth, MN, USA
5 Kim Johnsson 6′ 1″ 193 Mar 16, 1976 32 Malmo, SWE
55 Nick Schultz 6′ 1″ 200 Aug 25, 1982 25 Strasbourg, SK, CAN
41 Martin Skoula 6′ 3″ 226 Oct 28, 1979 28 Litomerice, CZE
3 Marek Zidlicky 5′ 11″ 190 Feb 3, 1977 31 Most, CZE
Goalies
32 Niklas Backstrom 6′ 1″ 196 Feb 13, 1978 30 Helsinki, FIN
29 Josh Harding 6′ 1″ 197 Jun 18, 1984 24 Regina, SK, CAN
I wonder why they don’t have Reitz on the roster… And why Hill is still there.
I don’t know what all of you have been saying…I stopped reading after the first 20 or so posts — I couldn’t take any more. But like Don Russo said, take a deep breath.
(1) We lost names that were bigger than their future production, e.g., would you pay Demitra again for $4.5/yr for 15 or 16 goals a year?
(2) Would you have signed a 35-yr old Rolston for 4yrs/$20M?
(3) DR, for as much shit as he gets here, offered Hossa a long-term K for $8M/yr. You cannot turn around and bitch him out for not doing anything. Christ, the Pens, with all of their talent and the SCP run couldn’t re-sign him.
(4) Even second-tier talent like Huselius…if a guy like that gets $5M/yr from a team like the freakin’ Blue Jackets, do you expect DR to outbid them? The guy folds like a lawn chair in the second half of the season and playoffs and you want to be on the hook for four years at nearly $5M per?
What I am trying to say is that REAL options were limited and the Wild pursued and gave legitimate offers. No team signs every UFA it targets, the Wild are no different there.
Has DR made mistakes…sure. But this off-season, collectively speaking, has not been one of them.
Once the (limited) top tier signed elsewhere, the poo poo platter that was the remainder are not worth signing at the prices/term they are getting.
my $.02: miettinen is an upgrade over branko for sure (but pricey), weller should be at least as good as voros, MZ and MAB should be big upgrades over hill and carney, bruno is a nice replacement for demitra…but who scores the goals? and i think we all get sick of talking about how desperately we need help at center…
i’m officially back to hating DR, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride…
Deep - In my head, you have a clock next to your computer that counts the days since Walz went AWOL…
And I do agree with you in this respect - DR didn’t sell us a re-build a little and let the kids play in 08-09 (that was an 05-06 strategy, which I could tolerate). We clearly were not supposed to be flattening out at this stage, let alone taking a step back.
That said, I will be interested to see what Benny can do for a full season and how Shep, Koivu and Burns continue to improve. While I put the chances at less than even, it is reasonably possible (not probable) that these guys can step it up. Trying hard to look at my kool-aid glass as being half-full, this team may also be much more coachable for JL and we know he can get guys to over-achieve.
So, we’ll see. I’m disappointed in the summer, to be sure. Re-signing Gabby would help.
Chicago Wild - agree with all your points expect for the fact that DR’s decision not to talk contract with Rolston last season was a huge mistake that he is fully responsible for. Also, I don’t like where the Wild stands at C right now, but there is still a chance to make that better.
Re-signing Gabby would help.
No doubt
/JL accent
SGS - I agree that we should have locked up Rolston earlier…but that ship has sailed at this point. Maybe we can convince a C on a short term deal so we can move Pouliot to wing. I would be more comfortable then.
I guess, with a crap FA period where talent was limited, and with DR trying to get the top talent but failed..
Our 08/09 will rely on our rookies who will remain as wild cards.
More production from Koivu is expected as he was injured for large part of last season.
The rest will rely on Sheppard, Pouliot and Gillies, our 1st rounders. Will Sheppard improve? Will Pouliot talent finally show up? Will Gillies hands finally caught up with his speed?
This is going to be a fun season….
Wild general manager Doug Risebrough has no financial restrictions on how he builds the team, new owner Craig Leipold said.
“His responsibility is to build the best team he can,” Leipold said.
For overall value, the Wild seemed to get the best of the free-agent deals in which Brian Rolston departed and Andrew Brunette returned this week. That’s because Brunette, 34, is costing the team just $7 million over three years while Rolston’s new price tag ended up being twice that annually and for one more year with the New Jersey Devils.
As far as management goes I stick behind our guys so far. The next 7 years will define our franchise for a long time. Example Ottawa=can’t get it done in playoffs/stink. Sharks= always very competitive can’t win it. Florida=not good. Compare the Wild to the other recent expansion franchises and you will see we are doing ok.
Wild (wins each season)
25, 26, 42, 30, 38, 48, 44
CB
28, 22, 29, 25, 35, 33, 34
Sharks
17, 11, 33, 19, 20, 27, 34
Sens
10, 14, 9, 18, 31, 34, 44,
TB
20, 30, 17, 38, 32, 17, 19
Panthers (The Russo years)
33, 20, 41, 35, 24, 30, 43
Last few points
#1= notice the three year cycles? seems to go up up then down except for the sens.
#2= Dear god a 9 win season for the sens, I forgot about that and hopefully there fans have also.
#3= Only one of these teams has won the Cup (TB)not counting ottawas 1800’s win thats like counting the packers 1st super bowl
#4= TB was the worst of all the teams after 7 seasons and they got the cup first.
#5= after the 6th season they stunk and got the #1 pick and got Vinny which helped get them a cup.
#6= The key to success seams to be stinking it up in the right year and getting a franchise player. Jon Tavares anyone?
#7=The next few seasons may define the fans also. Honeymoon/expansion has worn off, Fair weather fans (see Mn Twins), Loyal die hards who will beat you in the streets because you wore a “fill in team of your choice” Jersey into a bar and that was your Childhood teams arch nemisis. As I recall Russo wrote an article about the last one which is a good sign.
Ok Im done for a few days, Dr. Russo’s orders.
It is depressing to read Russo’s latest blog. If this is it, we’ve struck out. For the Team of 18,000, in the State of Hockey, we have been pretty ineffective in retaining our best players and attracting really good players…..pretty sad and awfully disappointing. We should expect more and deserve better!
That’s it? Your big signing is Brunette? DR Sucks. Wave goodbye to Gabby - not like the Wild would spend any money for him anyways. Another craptacular year coming up - what time are Vikings on?
It would be interesting to see what the Wild offered Huselius. I have a sneaking suspicion that we offered him $4.5-$4.75 million for 3 years — something close to what we offered Rolston. The reason is that Bruno’s and AM’s contracts were only 3 years long.
I think DR is worried about doing a 4 year deal. He knows he will offer Gaborik a huge deal and in three years Bruno’s, AM’s and Parrish’s contracts will end. This will allow him to negotiate Koivu’s and Burn’s next contracts.
Why aren’t the Wild offering Demitra a one-year deal worth $5-6 million? If they are under the cap by $10 million or so they need to spend that money. This new owner sucks if he can’t spend to the cap.
We aren’t technically under the cap by $10 million because we still haven’t signed PMB and SRV. Though, we could sign Demitra to that amount and still have a little wiggle room under the cap.
Ease up folks, the Wild will be just fine.
I am excited about this coming season, simply because we are going in kind of blind. There are a lot of ???, particularly amongst the youth, and I would rather watch them than see old guys fade in the playoffs again.
Phoenix was not expected to compete last year, and they were in the race almost until the end. Sometimes youth surprises, and sometimes, they fail.
I say those of you that don’t want to listen to Russo, please bitch until Monday and then let go of the what-if’s and should-have’s, and start discussing the possibilities for next season.
Have a good 4th everyone. Drink some laced kool-aid…
- Solid insight on the 3 year deals sunshine. I wonder if where the CBA will be at then is also a factor.
- WilliePlett, you are on a line with GoW and Beaver.
- The Wild’s cap does look like it could easily add a major contract for this year - another run at Yashin or are bridges burned? Demo could also get paid big for a year and be back on the market. Of course, there is that C issue for him
I think if Demitra was only a filler C but full-time winger, I think he would be fine in coming back. If he was full-time C, forget about it.
I think the only 4+ year contract that we gave out was to Hossa. Alot of elite stars were getting 4 year deals.
When do the owners and the NHLPA have to start negotiating a new CBA? If the NHLPA didn’t pick up the option and its a hard cap, would it be by the 09-10 that a new CBA will have to be put in place?
I hate to tell you I told you so but (ala Russo) I told you so. No top talent additions, time to “let the kids play”. 2005 all over again.
Now that I got that out of the way, surprisingly enough, I think DR did what he could with what was left.
It doesn’ excuse getting the team into this situation in the first place, but no way I pay Rolston the dough he got in Jersey.
I would have paid SK what he got but obviously he didn’t love us or our songs.
If you were Hossa, would you sign here for 500k more? Me either.
Naslund didn’t give us a real shot.
I like the upside of Miettinen. Brunette will make Russo’s job easier with quotes next year.
The real problem is WHY couldn’t we attract any top talent even though our $$$ offer was at or near other teams?
Is it because the management/coaching has a ‘reputation’ amongst players in the league?
Whatever it is, the Wild will not have any real success (i.e. Stanley Cup lap) until they can build all 3 ways available to them:
1) Drafting well
2) Trading well
3) Filling holes with good UFA talent
We are not as adept with those 3 areas as an elite team like Detroit.
So, maybe there are more developments over the summer, but for all the hype (”the Wild expect to be a player in the FA market”) it leaves us with this Summer of Discontent.
If we had more kiddies play, then I would agree with you. We will only really have 2 and 1/2 (Pouliot, Gillies, and Reitz). Reitz is a 5 year AHLer so he has alot more experience.
kj, you’re growing! I’m so proud!
Well, sort of.
WiATX…I am still cranky, so don’t push it… 
Like I said before, I am bummed (as everyone else is I am sure) but I am a realist. I have seen JL work with lumpier clay and create a masterpiece.
Now, should DR get ripped? Absolutely. If the Wild ’step back’ should his job be in danger? I think so.
If this is the ‘model’ franchise for the NHL, when does the Team of 18,000 cash in?
We were a player in the FA. We almost got them but almost only matters in horseshoes and grenades.
Throw out Hossa For goodness sakes, he turned down a $81 million deal from the Oilers and maybe a $100 million deal from Boston if you are to believe the rumors.
IMO, DR didn’t offer a long enough contract to any of the other big players. Except Naslund, the most of the other elite players received 4+ year contracts. But, Naslund had previously stated that he likely would not play for a divisional rival. Should he have taken a risk on Huselius and given him a 4 year deal? Maybe… I don’t know.
It’s ok, I’m cranky too. Unrelated to hockey (more about the whole I live in TX thing).
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed today. Not that I don’t like the new Finnish boy (I like anyone who’s Finnish), but I think we may have overpaid. But who knows? Maybe that was the going price for him.
I don’t think that DR should get ripped though. If our boys in Houston don’t get time with the big club, their value won’t increase. Maybe it will this way.
And the Team of 18,000 won’t cash in/cash out. I’ve lived in MN enough years to know that there isn’t THAT much to do in the winter … unless you like freezing your ass off.
Team of 18,000 cash in = SCP parade.
My shot was meant to rip the fact that the Wild are a ‘model’ franchise on the business and sales side.
I hope the hockey side catches up soon.
I still like the Miettinen. He does have Ribero written all over him: tons of talent but not able to put it together in the environment he was in.
Perhaps he needs a place to play that has WINTER!
Where in Finland is Miettinen from?
You’re probably onto something kj. Maybe he just misses the winter. And Dallas isn’t all that great. Maybe the environment just has him down …
The Pio reported that SRV has filed for arbitration. PMB hasn’t filed yet. Can we assume that they have received their official contracts and SRV doesn’t like his after seeing what AM is getting?
Answered my own question (for once I wasn’t too lazy to look it up!). Just an hour north of Helsinki. So really, not too cold at that point. He’ll probably feel right at home (maybe a little cold) in Minnesota.
sunshine, what do you think are the chances that pmb will file for arbitration when he’s been told he’ll get a multi year contract if he doesn’t, but only a one year contract if he does?
I think he should take the multi year but then ask for a limited no trade clause (similar to Backs).
Well, he might if they can’t come to an agreement on money. They are likely to work it out before the arbitration hearing but he can protect himself also.
One good thing going for AM is that if JL can make Fedoruk, a Dallas castoff, look good, he certainly can make AM look even better.
First of all, nice coverage by Russo. I am a St. Paul guy and partial to the Pioneer Press and rarely even look at the Strib because its predominantly HS. But Russo is 2 steps ahead of any local guys on this stuff and I’m impressed. Nice job Mike. Secondly, I am stunned by the reaction of the majority of the commentors here, particularly with their regard to their animosity towards DR. Allow my to remind you of a few things: 1. This is the single most successful expansion franchise in the history of the NHL. Check the stats, that’s a fact. I think they’ve done a few things right here. 2. 2007-08 NW Division Champions and our first banner. Is that really a failure? Really? 82 games and we finish 1st in a pretty decent division. Not bad. 3. I realize we’re not a cup contender yet (and won’t be until DET is diffused somehow), but we have a damn good team here. As a hard-core fan and season ticket holder from day 1, I look forward to the future. This franchise WILL win a cup. And I never felt that with the North Stars. DR and JL have proven they know what they’re doing (witness 2003 western conference finals with a vastly inferior team). Nothing is perfect but I enjoy this team because they tend to over-achieve. How often do you see that in pro sports these days? And do you really think they’re sinking here? Wrong. It’s about attitude. Watch what happens in 08-09. This team has some serious possibilites. (But I would like to see them add one more tough, skilled center.) Sorry for the passionate rant, but I really get sick of the whining. We’re prety lucky here.
Thank you Sam for your breakdown, I couldn’t agree more. Even though we didn’t add more big names, I certainly think that the Wild aren’t in as bad of shape as people like to think. I am all about the wait-and-see approach. Everyone here jumping off the deep end will be the first to praise these guys when they end up playing well and competing. Follow Russo’s advice and use the weekend to take a deep breath and realize that things really aren’t as bad as you think.
KJ, I like the way you think!…Well except for that Forsberg vision thing, I still have nightmares over that one!
Alan, good to see you back. The “hate on”, I don’t know, I think that only continues if Burrows does something. Whatis causing the ‘Nucks such issues?
I think our issues (for those of us here that think this) relate to our GM always playing it safe…never hanging it out there and just going for it…if you have no mystery in what you’ll do in negotiations, other GM’s (and agents too)will play you like a “harp from hell” because you’ll be all too predictable. In fairness to him, maybe he tried but no one bit…but just given his previous paralysis, I’m a bit doubtful that that is how it played out.
I’m not really displeased with what he’s done so far, unless he brings back that lazy POS Demitra, but I wanted to see a move for a major player succeed. I spose it could still happen.
Ah… Sam. Thanks. I am concerned but I am also optimistic. The hockey gods haven’t look favorably on the Wild yet but we are due for some good karma.
Good night all and have a good 4th. My one Wild wish for this weekend is to read that PMB signed a contract in time to celebrate with the fireworks.
Some of us here have also been season ticket holders since day one. Some of us are more critical of management because of the huge mistakes that have been made.
They have done a few things right.
They have done a few things wrong.
There are two sides to each coin. Some posters are a little less reserved than others. Its the way it goes.
In a market this strong, with the financial resources at their disposal, they should be very competitve. I think they’re primed to take a step back, unless they get another proven NHL center.
But hey, what do I know?
The shrinks are in!!!
bfw: what’s your point? Lots of Red Wings have won the Cup. What’s one more?
(Real busy night at work, no chance to look here.)
Mmm. Smell that? Smells like ‘01-’02, doesn’t it? Yummy!
[…] Wild done with free agency? It’s fair to say as the roster currently sits, there is a fairly … In fact, give yourself a mental day away from hockey. It’ll do you good. […]
How far in the dog house is Parrish? Is he on thin ice?
SAM…I’m with you except for the part that I can only afford Direct TV for the games…too much money out to kids in college. Nobody will care I write this, but bottom line is that the young guys have to be tested. Benny gets a shot. He is either for real or not. Same with our other young guys. Step up and be NHLers, or we”ll know to dump you. Hard to call the team a failure as SAM pointed out. Just painful to rebuild, but anybody who does not believe it was necessary missed last years playoff. We underachieved, and that blame goes exactly on the guys who left. Can’t win without young talent, and can’t have young talent without testing them.
I think Parrsih, if not traded will be pressed to up his goals. My fear is that he just won;t hold up to the beatings. He is actually a pretty small guy
I guess I must be old…I’m the only guy up early blogging. Everybody else was up late
Which means nobody to argue my points!
*plop*
Ok, If:
1) Wild don’t have much depth
2) Our only good prospect are expected to make the team
3) We have traded away a bunch of draft picks for the next couple years
Why are we following this team? It sounds like “Loserville USA” for the next few years to me. I can’t wait to hear the booing at the X next season.
I guess we follow this team cuz hockey is a great sport, and we are addicts
I just read the piece on Naslund..and you know..we will NEVER see anyone speak of the Wild in this way:
“Since July 1, my eyes have been set on the Rangers. It ended up taking a little bit longer but I’m very pleased that I’m a Ranger now,” he said on a conference call from Sweden. “I want to feel that I play on a level where I know I can play. I want to play better hockey than I have the past few years. That’s why I’m looking at this as a challenge for me to prove that.”
Missy…we already heard that this year.
Substitute Wild for Rangers.
Substitute Brunette for Naslund.
Oh…nevermind.
DR warned everyone (at least, everyone who would listen) that there wasn’t a lot of top-tier talent available in FA this summer. (BTW: thanks for adding to it by not re-signing Rolston, DR.)
For those who think he did the best he could, I say: NO, he didn’t do the best he could. He could have re-signed Rolston for $12-14M over 3 years (I believe Rolston would have taken that last fall/winter), and now we are stuck with a team basically in a ‘remodelling’ year (as opposed to a rebuilding year, which will be 2009-10) which will depend on the young guns (Sheppard, Pouliot, Gillies, Reitz, possibly Clutterbuck) to deliver big numbers in order for the Wild to succeed.
Instead of adding depth (especially at center, admittedly the Wild’s weakest position) we just barely managed to stay even, talent wise. Bruno for Demitra? Yes, good move. Demitra needed a change of scenery. DR admitted he screwed up with Bruno in 2005; hopefully, Bruno will ‘back that big a** up) for us instead of against us now.
Zidlicky for Carney? I would say Zidlicky for Skoula, Skoula for Carney (and Skoula gone –for good– when Foster returns, I can only hope) but a good move which we needed to do to get better on ‘D’, something needed last year.
Miettenen for Radivojevic? Maybe the best move DR made, but only IF he signs PMB & SRV to long-term deals. We finally have the other winger to play alongside SRV on the checking line who could step up occasionally when need warrants (in-game injury, etc.,) but Antti will be counted on to score more than he was in Big D.
Is there another center out ther that might like to take a $1M flyer on the Wild? Maybe. Maybe not. But we still need a center…and then, there’s Gaborik.
Maybe I should take Michael’s advice, and take a break from hockey today.
We’re to weak on Defense…we’ll probably give up the most goals this year the NHL. Backstrom and harding are going to get pounded around the crease.
Doug E Fresh is a nightmare when it comes to Free agency and all other parts of being a GM..Only two playoff series wins in all these years?? He should go work in the Finnish elite league or run Duncan trencin elite in Europe and Take Jacques no forechecking system with him.. Zitlicker, Skouls, Johnsson, Toothelee lion Weller, Meittinnen, Belanger, Bergeron STINK,STINK,STINK..
Uh, Sam, last I checked the Ducks have won the Stanley Cup once and the Wild 0. The Ducks have played in 2 Stanley Cup Finals, the Wild 0. I would have to give the Ducks the nod for expansion franchises, however they did have a 5-6 year head start on the Wild.
I’m not convinced that the Wild can’t break through in the future, but this year certainly doesn’t look good. The key to future success is going to be locking up Gaborik long term and resolving Bouchards situation.
And Alan, I will always have a hate-on for the Nucks. It is my desire that they finish 9th in the West this year and with Luongo in goal, that is a safe bet. No top flight draft picks for you, not yours!
Boy that hole at center is so glaring
On Spector’s it said Dan Boyle would waive his no clause contract, and some deal with another team could be announced today.
It sounds as if other GMs are working today. Do you think DR and troops are? IMO - NO!
The article also stated about signing PMB to I think a longer-term contract. That would be another DR mistake IMO. Trade him before other teams find out about him. He’s an okay player, but the perception I think in the league is that he is worth more than I believe. Time to get rid of him.
Russo & DR wake-up, people are working on 7/4/08.
Leafs say no the Brendan Morrison so there is still a chance - http://news.therecord.com/Sports/article/377677
Taking a look at the current situation, does anyone honestly believe Gaborik will re-sign with this team? He WILL have the opportunity to make more money as a free agent and it has become very obvious that the higher-priced free agents have no interest in coming to Minnesota. The Brunette signing was a positive, but consider the fact that this signing occured more because Brunette actually wanted to come back here than anything else, making it easy for the GM to sign him. With their current line-up as is, they have only one legitimate 20 goal scorer (Gaborik) along with a handful of “potential” 20 goal guys (Koivu, Bouchard, Brunette). Their defense is woefully thin and will not be nearly physical enough, although they should move the puck better (but will also most likely allow more opponent scoring chances, which I’m sure will drive Jacques crazy). They still lack enough physical forwards to initiate additional close-in scoring chances (not counting Boogaard, who will get his usually 3 minutes of ice-time per game, all in the first period, which virtually eliminates a regular skater for Jacques later in the game when he needs him).
This is a .500 team at best, even if all of the young guys develop a bit more.
The Wild are in laying in the weeds and waiting for ‘09-’10 to make their move.
I understand that Vancouver didn’t even OFFER for Naslund.
Boy..that must have hurt Nazzy.
And their fans as well. For those who hate Vancouver..remember..we may be fighting for last place with them and the Avs. Cause they lost Finger…Bruno and oh yea..don’t know if Forsberg and Sakic are returning.
UUUUUURRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH NOW something really hit me. IF we had signed Rolston and worked the trades pretty well..we could have dominated our division. Edmonton is still ‘rebuilding’ and the Avs really are weak..losing Finger and Bruon will hurt them although Ledin is a good move..and Vancouver is pathetic. MAYBE Calgary is going to do something. Then you look around…Sharks will do better with the coach WE SHOULD HAVE HAD…the Ducks..well they are done…Does LA even have a coach? And I think the Coyotes will do well. They have a lot of pieces. And then there is Detroit..who will dominate. Chicago-improved, Dallas will do well (to my chagrin) and I am going out on a limb..but Columbus may improve. And St. Louis has been a no show.
Granted, if the Wild wanted to do something this could have been a year to sneak in and make something happen.
They blew it.
Jagr is playing in Russia…
Jagr to play in Russia
Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - The Russian hockey team Avangard Omsk announced it has signed former New York Rangers star Jaromir Jagr on Friday.
The team confirmed the deal on its Web site, but did not disclose financial terms.
Rangers general manager Glen Sather said Thursday the club could no longer wait for Jagr to decide where he wanted to play and signed former Vancouver captain Markus Naslund to replace him.
Jagr, who tallied 25 goals and 46 assists for the Blueshirts last season, also played for Avangard during the NHL’s lockout season in 2004-05.
An eight-time NHL All-Star and 1999 Hart Trophy winner as the league’s MVP, Jagr has registered 646 goals and 963 assists in 1,273 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Washington and the Rangers.
The Czech Republic native was also a part of two Stanley Cup winners in 1991 and 1992 with the Penguins.
07/04 09:29:56 ET
This has been mentioned before but I think the problem is us, the fans. There is some sort of innate quality of Minnesotans to take crap with a smile. It’s part of the whole “MN Nice” thing. This happens with all of our teams; we show up to games and buy merch, no matter what, because they are “our teams.” I even caught myself thinking, “Well, we don’t have the top guys but we’re hard workers! It won’t be so bad.” I just took a look at the roster as a whole and guess what: it is pretty lame. We eat, sleep, and breathe hockey in this state; we deserve a serious team. We deserve a cup and I want it soon damn it. Minnesota Sports and Management will not be cashing-in on me this year. Happy Freedom Day!
It’s just my opinion, but: Barring injuries…
Detroit should win the Western Conference, hands-down. No other team shows the depth of quality talent the Red Wings do. Anaheim should win the Western Division. Do I dare say Calgary for the NW? They look the most solid on paper (of course, that’s not where they play the games, on paper.)
Chicago, Columbus, Edmonton, Phoenix, should all do better than last year.
Teams that are on the playoff bubble (could go up or down): Dallas, Minnesota, San Jose, St. Louis.
The John Tavares sweepstakes contenders: Colorado, LA Kings, Nashville, Vancouver.
This could all change, of course, but that’s just one fan’s opinion…
The Wild are a model franchise (which means business model/marketing/fan base). They are not a model team (which means great scouting, aggressive player personnel decisions, spending to the cap.) IF YOU’RE GOING TO BUILD FROM WITHIN THEN GET SOME DECENT SCOUTS IN HERE!!!!
smuggla says:
July 4th, 2008 at 9:03 am
The Wild are in laying in the weeds and waiting for ‘09-’10 to make their move.
***We’ve heard this for the past six years. Keep believing sheep…
Well Missy, it might be a missed opportunity, but as others have said on here, they’d rather be consistent every year than to win the Cup once and then suck for a few years after.
Sounds like we have a great opportunity to play out that scenario…except without the Cup win.
WRT…DR blew it, blew it, blew it.
But, after all the mistakes, he didn’t compound them by signing Rolston to the contract that NJ did.
On the plus side…I think Miettinen has upside and will compliment Koivu or Sheppard well. Zidlicky will add more offense to the D.
That being said…DR should be on notice (are you listening CL) that the Gaborik situation MUST be resolved B4 training camp. That he MUST have deals lined up if B-B-B-Benny implodes.
If this season is indeed going to be a year like 2005 they’d better come up with a LOT of amenities for the STH base.
This offseason should be making the new ‘bring the Stanley Cup to St. Paul’ owner squirm. Oh sure, they’ll spin it as ‘things dont always work out the way you want’ and then raise ticket prices another 5%. GRRRRRR.
Although, I guess he didn’t say when…
Boyle to the Sharks. That D will be tough. Not sure yet who they are trading for him though.
TSN is speculating that it is Matt Carle, a 1st, a prospect, a 4th and possibly Lukowich
With the cap savings this year, I am looking forward to CL drastrically reducing the price of food and beverages. CL, should I hold my breath or just pass out now?
Didn’t finish the post. And possibly Lukowich also to Sharks. TB must have thought awfully highly of Carle.
The negativism here is pretty astounding to me. From what I can understand, the major mistake DR made this off season (according to the people here) was not signing Rolston last summer (for the record, I don’t think he would have taken a reasonable contract last January, it would have to have been signed last summer/fall).
Aside from that, DR was a major player in the OJ negotiations, and made a large contract offer to Hossa (who also turned down the Pens in favor of DET), and was also in play for Rolston, SK, and Naslund, two of whom got more money than anyone here would have offered (as stated after the winning deals were announced) and one who wouldn’t play for another team in the NW. There are definitely mixed feelings from fans re: Demo.
So aside from signing Rolston last summer, I’m not entirely sure what people wanted DR to do. Seems like people just like to bitch. So that’s fine, I guess.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
John Tavares is going to be great for us in a few years…ha ha…The radio guys here in Vancouver were trying to put together what our team would look like next season if we continue as it looks now……it’s probably the Twins & Pyatt on the first line, and they were joking that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines are all actually 4th lines.
Burrows would be on our 2nd line, which is pretty crazy because he’s a 4th liner.
I think Demitra is like only free agent left for us. Oh well, at least Russo seems to think Vancouver’s a nice city. Even Chris Pronger’s wife probably doesn’t want to live here.
So I guess I’m the only person in Minnesota that would dearly love to see that underachiever Gaborik traded before his groin explodes. hmm Probably. I guess I’m just tired of hearing him lumped in with the top guys in the game when he has never actually lived up to that potential. And every move the team makes is built around him. As long as we are rebuilding and he’s still not producing the big bang for the buck, kick him to the curb for a bigger stick. Or one that would be more valuable to the team.
I’ll get jumped all over for this one, but in the Smurf’s fantasy world, I’d trade Gaborik even-even for Iginla in a heartbeat. Calgary would never do it, but I would. Iginla is a lot older, but he scores, he leads, he’s a lot healthier and a lot less hassle. What that guy couldn’t do for this team right now. And what does Gabby do?
Just thougtht I’d open a new line of debate.
Wow, cheer up people. Go outside. I’m just checking in while the pork shoulder and the brisket smoke. Three hours in, holding steady. (darn, I’m already hungry)
Alan, been there with the 3 “fourth lines” At least you have decent weather year round. Even though I’ve never been to Van, I think it’s a great city (unless you’re an NBA fan - both of ‘em).
ATXs…you have your positive attitude and your outlook for the Wild and I respect that you are consistent.
Complaining about other people’s opinions (regarding DR and his shortcomings) is as negative as Mike. Ok, that is a stretch, but you get my drift.
We see things the same, but from different perspectives.
You love what DR has done right and are OK with where the team sits right now.
I don’t like what DR has done as a GM but have no choice except to be OK with where the team sits right now.
My only comment is this:
In my business, I am judged on what I actually accomplish, not what I ‘tried’ to do. Ultimately, the responsibility for not stocking the roster with top talent falls at his feet.
The Wild could surpise this year and have a great season. They also could draft 1st overall.
As someone wiser than I once said (Green*)…that’s why they play the games.
Mr. Bandgeek: Pork Shoulder AND Brisket? In the smoker? Ummm…now I’m hungry again. (No BBQ planned here.)
kj: The Wild are a ‘bubble’ team, they could be buyers OR sellers at the trade deadline. Whither Gaborik? Does he stay or does he go??
DR did not do enough. He did what he thought he reasonably could, but it was not enough, IMO.
Well said kj. Except for the likening me to Mike. I can go a bit overboard at times, but so does everyone else on here. Although I have never said I “love” what DR has done… I am moderately satisfied with what he did get accomplished, and I am very pleased with what he attempted to do. I think the best argument to why DR sucks is the fact that he didn’t do enough to solidify contracts before they expired. I do think he screwed up there somewhat. But given the situation that he put himself into, he definitely tried pretty hard to rectify it. And for that I cannot be angry. DR makes mistakes, but most other GM’s do too… and we are lucky he is smart enough to not put us in a situation like TB was in, or the Leafs etc.
kj — I get that. I just think that the constant complaining gets old. There’s enough of that with regard to the rest of life. But you are consistent as well, and I can respect that too.
And hey Mr. Bandgeek — can we come over for the 4th? Sounds tasty!
Party at the Bandgeeks!!!
I wonder just how many pork shoulders and briskets they smoked…
WiATX…I think the complaining is a ‘balance’ for the DR apologists!!
ATX…I did NOT mean to associate you with Mike…I just tried to make a point about complaining about the complaining complainers… LOL
Happy 4th all…I am going to work on the Cougar.
And no WRT, I do not mean my wife either…
Huh. I think I’m disappointed Jagr’s going to Russia. I was starting to grow on the idea of him returning, though I didn’t see it happening.
And it’s okay, bfw. My team had Hossa for a little while at least. My GM thinks we can win the Cup and wants to, so he took a risk. He doesn’t feel like standing pat.
Hey, lots of interesting comments. About hockey. On the 4th of July no less, so let me get to them!
Sam:
1. This is the single most successful expansion franchise in the history of the NHL. Check the stats, that’s a fact. I think they’ve done a few things right here.
2. 2007-08 NW Division Champions and our first banner. Is that really a failure? Really? 82 games and we finish 1st in a pretty decent division. Not bad.
3. I realize we’re not a cup contender yet (and won’t be until DET is diffused somehow), but we have a damn good team here.
1. By what measure? Attendance, sure, but I’m not sure you are correct by other measures. They have done a few things right here, that much I agree with, just not sure if they indeed win that title you have bestowed upon them.
2. I’m not knocking winning the division. It’s a nice accomplishment, but I would argue with the NW being *pretty decent*. Calgary and MN both lost in the first round. Vancouver and Edmonton were pretty bad. Colorado was slightly better than MN in the playoffs then got stomped by the wings. I’d have to say the NW was the weakest out west this season and probably only better than the SE.
3. Waiting for another team to get “diffused somehow”… doesn’t sound like a very good approach to winning the cup.
I’m not going to be jumping off any bridges over the Wild, but I think there’s also some rationalization in your points.
Steve:
Taking a look at the current situation, does anyone honestly believe Gaborik will re-sign with this team?
Not sure what believing has to do with it. I have no idea whether he will or won’t, and neither scenario would surprise me.
smuggla:
The Wild are in laying in the weeds and waiting for ‘09-’10 to make their move.
This cracked me up, just for the image of DR & Co. lurking in the weeds ready to POUNCE!
RRD:
I think the problem is us, the fans. There is some sort of innate quality of Minnesotans to take crap with a smile.
Come on.
TB must have thought awfully highly of Carle.
That would be their first big mistake. My Sharksfan buddies are going to be partying tonight!
Anybody notice AP headline on ESPN.com’s nhl page? “Wild sign Miettinen, shift focus to Hossa extension”
kj:
Complaining about other people’s opinions (regarding DR and his shortcomings) is as negative as Mike. Ok, that is a stretch, but you get my drift.
I get what you’re saying and cheers to that.
I think I’m disappointed Jagr’s going to Russia.
My understanding early on before the rumors started flying around was that Jagr was either going to stay in NY because of “personal reasons” (his model GF), or go get paid in Russia. It probably would have taken a lot of money for him to play in Pitt, but I suppose he probably gave some thought to playing with Sid and Geno, too.
shift focus to Hossa extension
All those Slovaks are the same!
First thing,
JL is not a Bennie Fan. He has had EVERY opportunity to use him (the center crisis is not a new problem) and he has complained about his work ethic etc.
I personally think JL is tougher on the French Canadians..but that is my own observation.
I do worry that we will have the KG effect here. The Wild will give gobs of money to him and then have to piece together a team..and later blame him for not winning the cup. I love Gabby..but he needs a steady line.
As for us taking it with a smile on our faces..well..I think it is true too. There is the faction that is scared we will lose hockey again. Then there is another that just loves the whole experience of being part of this team. The Wild’s overall packaging is better than any other team’s. It is like the lovable Cubbies. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose..but did ya have a good time??? And lastly…there is this Minnesota attitude that we are never going to be as good as the Yankees, Rangers, Patriots, Celtics because of money, big market or coaching.
From John Shipley, PioneerPress:
http://www.twincities.com/ci_9781999?nclick_check=1
When you guys screw yourselves off the ceiling, you will find the sun did get up again this morning.
Happy Fourth to all of you. Appreciate the real sacrafices made by many others.
Supposedly there are still rumors alive today that the Wild are going to sign Morrison, btw.
Sorry to disappoint, but it’s a very small brisket. I’m still learning how to use my new toy, so I wasn’t gonna take a chance at ruining a lot of meat.
Boy does it smell good.
Yes, I’ve heard about Morrison today. His numbers last year weren’t very good, but his been decent in years past. If we get him let’s hope change is good.
I think I like those rumors, toivo.
Yep…leaving 10% in reserve is ’spending to the cap’ in my book.
I think I dislike DR the most when he is trying (through the media) to justify or rationalize his moves.
Let me add this up…
Miettinen has a 2.3 mil cap hit. The Wild acquired him instead of Hossa (an additional 5.7 mil hit) or Naslund (who knows?).
How can the Wild have spent to the cap, when neither of those players were signed?
Also…why do you need 5 mil for ‘flexibility’ when in most likely scenarios the team will be a seller at the trade deadline in ‘09?
I feel like through his comments, DR is calling me an idiot for mentioning the things I just posted.
toivo…if that (Morrison) is the case, then I will retract my previous post and commend DR for getting the best of what was left - if it isn’t an outrageous contract.
After all, the Wild shouldn’t spend just to spend, right???
Agreed KJ! I like the guy, but I just hope we aren’t getting him at a lull in his career.
Just a rumor at this point, but we’ll see. I kinda hope so. They really could use another center.
Gaborik is not going to sign with Wild.
He wants at least 9mln per year or Stanley cup. Look how smart GM’s (Sharks, NYR) working to make their teams stronger.
Gabby will be great in a couple years. I don’t want to see him go, but I wish he would have already be developed. We will lose him during his prime.
Before his prime I should say.
Kj 110% wright
Shanahan=Rolston an he cost less money
Martin Rucinsky was very good in NYG
I doubt he was very good in NYG.
Wow! Committed bloggers! Seriously - 2:41 AM? I doubt they’re doing THAT in Michigan’s “Hockeytown”…
Two points and a question:
1. I think we have to be patient until we get over the hump that’s either multiple cup runs or the actual cup itself, before we have much to offer free agents as far as the city itself. We love and live hockey here but that doesn’t seem to count for much to the big names in the hockey world. We don’t have the allure of the Rangers or the winning histories of either the Devils or Penguins or even the Flyers, so we kind of have to wait until our “young core” matures and takes off. (It’s so easy to forget that the Gaborik-Koivu-Burns-Schultz-PMB core is seriously talented AND seriously young. Think anyone cares now what a play off flop Datsyuk used to be?) No certainty, especially with exploding groins and all, but the potential for next season is there.
2. The defense is WAY better now. Carney and Hill became real liabilities as the season closed, especially considering the Schultz’s exploding appendix (in my opinion, the real season-killer).
Question:
Do y’all think Gabby will be affected by his being the only Slovak around?
Does this still matter? Did it ever?
Gabby is gone. I would say in the next year and a half. The defense is way better, agreed. Young core of not we do need more offensive power. Koivu needs to be surrounded by better players, but the other names you mention, such as Burns is a defenseman. Schultz too. PMB is a bit too small and needs to be in a better mix for him to succeed.
KL: Morrison’s numbers weren’t very good last year because he was injured for most of the season with back to back injuries. Before that, he was the NHL Ironman for most consecutive games.
If you guys get Morrison you will be getting an incredibly nice guy who will fast become a team and media favorite.
I personally really hope you don’t get him because we will sure miss him here in Vancouver.
I really like Morrison so don’t get me wrong. I was just a bit worried. I think we could use him quite well actually.
Isn’t Skoula Slovak?
toivu: Come on what?
I thought that was a Czech name.
Yes, definitely Czech.
KJ,
Is your car ready to go?
That is my day today, trying to finish mine.
It probably would have taken a lot of money for him to play in Pitt
Less than Hossa. Supposedly Lemieux was really pushing Jagr to return. Penguins were rumored to try trading Sydor and Scuderi to clear room, which they don’t have much of left, so I don’t think it would’ve taken much to get Jagr here. But the logistics just weren’t happening or he simply became impatient (and if the reports of upwards of $35 million from Omsk are to be believed…)
Here is the big problem. I agree with the statement of build from within. Free Agents are icing on the cake in an effort to win the cup, but at some point if you can’t accomplish what you set out to do…. Perhaps you are not as good as many people think (DR). I still believe you need to build from within, however, recent horrid drafts, screw ups in not negotiating with players during the season (Rolston), and not rolling the dice at all and making strong offers maybe even overpaying for a glaring need (Center like Jokinen) all comes back to one thing… Poor leadership and the lack of ability to execute a plan properly… DOUG RISEBROUGH.
Point # 2: Why would any Free Agent want to come here when the coach may not be around past this year. Lemaire may retire… As a player stability is critical.
We need better leadership at the top starting with DOUG RISEBROUGH.
Jeffs468…I did get a little done, but still isn’t ready for the streets.
Hopefully by the time the Summernationals are here I’ll be ready.
Oh come on jetstowild… he tried!
/sarcasm
my only comment on being judged on what you do is this. if GM’s were fired for not doing everything we think they should do. 80% of the league’s GM’s will turn over every year. it’s just the way it is in our favorite league. now if a consistent pattern develops, and I don’t think DR is there yet but has that route plugged into his garmin, that is when change is needed. IMHO
My only post for today, then I’m gone…
1040 Vancouver reported earlier today Morrison is close to singing a deal with the Wild.
I’ve got NO backup on that. Russo??? Youngblood???
Dude.
So I finally heard the best surprise of free agency: Barry Brust was signed to a 2 year 2-way deal with Minnestoa!!!!!!! I can’t even tell you how much fun this guy is to watch, but we had Schaefer and Khudobin under contract, so I figured Barry was out and was mentally preparing myself for that. But no! My crazy goalie is BACK!
But it leaves me wondering what we’re gonna do with all these goalies in the minors. Khudobin would be poorly served to not move up to the AHL this season.
My theory is, one of these guys is trade bait.
I’m probably the only one who cares but I’m so excited!
So no news on a PMB contract extension. I am a little bummed but I am happy to read your good news, ms. conduct.
I don’t think they are trade bait, yet. Khudobin might be with an ECHL team this coming year. It could be that they might let Backstrom go to relieve the goalie logjam. We will see if they are going to offer him a contract extension this summer or fall. You don’t see too many prospect goalies get traded either.
Anyways, onto the Morrison rumor. I will believe it only when its official. I don’t want to get my hopes up like for Huselius. I think Atlanta is in the mix. Atlanta could offer him more money and a longer-term contract.
Forgot to add that Atlanta is not in the NW division either. Huselius situation all over again.
What’s amazing to me is that this actually happened early on Tuesday according to the Tracker but damn, I sure didn’t see it, Russo didn’t mention it. I would have spent the week a much happier person if I’d known.
I am surprised the Aeros or the Wild didn’t announce it. And that no one caught it.
I’m not really surprised. If they announced that it would be like they meant it to be a “big” move, and then people would jump on that.
Maybe, but the Aeros tend to look for any reason to send an email about something going on with the team. And they sent two emails this week about signings and didn’t include this. Weird.
I should revise. It’s not surprising that the Wild didn’t announce this signing, but it is surprising that the Aeros didn’t announce it.
Remember Backstrom has a restricted trade clause so if anyone gets moved this year it will likely be Harding.
He could still go this summer, couldn’t he? I think his NTC only applies once the season starts and then drops around the trade deadline.
Honestly… I’d rather lose Harding, though if our D is truly improved, maybe now’s the time for him. Just, a Harding/Schaefer (or Brust) tandem doesn’t totally sit well with me.
KJ @ 2:19, you do not like DR so that anything he does irritates you. For that reason I think your dislike is a little irrational.
From my perspective, DR is merely trying to make the public aware of what is happening. He has been up front with what his plans were.
I doubt in his wildest dreams did he think that Rolston would not sign. Maybe he felt that Rolston and the Wild were such a good fit that he would want to stay and did not have a strong contingency plan in place.
You can agree with his reasoning, disagree or be someplace in the middle.
But, it is a lot better not to take his decisions so personally.
Now, I think it is always a mistake not to ink guys you want to keep early. But, that is just me.
For each time somebody is inked early there is probably a contract where the guy lays down and does not produce. So, maybe if we were really GM and had the entire responsibility of all the team decisions we would feel it safer to do it his way.
toivu: Come on what?
It’s the fans’ fault for being too Minnesota Nice?
Come on.
Michael Russo says that we can’t blame the Wild’s front office “for not trying” to improve the team.
Actually, I can. And I will.
Using Russo’s logic, we should applaud George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq. Even though it has turned into a quagmire nightmare, our forces have put forth a lot of hard work.
We tried, right?
Rumor: DR is still interested in all RFA’s and UFA’s that: are not signed; want to come here because its Minnesota; have a tie to Minnesota; that like “hot dish”; are willing to contact him - versus the other way around; that need a change of scenery; that will play any position that is not there own natural position; are willing to be on the team even though JL/coaches may not want you; and score less than the players they are replacing.
Oh I forget. And keep the Wild’s payroll below the cap.
Yeah, spending should be below the cap since there are consequences for being above the cap.
DR is going to end up spending between $52-$53 million depending on how much he gives SRV and PMB. I am satisfied with that amount of spending.
However, I am more concerned about who he spent it on than how much he spent.
Yeah Iceman…ever since that time at the HS prom and DR stole my date I have had it in for him.
What a LOAD of CRAP!!!
I don’t have a personal connection to the dude so I don’t know whether I like him or not.
I have stated (to some:ad nauseum) that his decisions have been questionable. And I DON’T LIKE how he has managed the team.
I DID give him credit for signing Miettinen. He did SOMETHING to improve the roster.
You should read all the posts I make, not just the ones you disagree with.
DR = he is who we thought he was. agree?
Food
