Wild signs Owen Nolan; updated depth chart & cap hit
Posted on July 6th, 2008 – 7:56 PMBy Michael Russo
Very early Monday morning (insomnia) bonjour:
If you get bored at work Monday, go to YouTube and look up the many Owen Nolan clips. I’m sure your employers won’t mind. They read Russo’s Rants, too.
Here are four. This was the first All-Star Game I ever covered as an NHL writer in 1997, the infamous one when Nolan had a hat trick and “called his shot.” In hindsight, now I realize why I’ve always enjoyed watching Nolan play so much. I was 22 years old covering this All-Star Game, so it probably got engrained in me.
– Here’s the ceremony from before Owen Nolan’s 1,000th game last October against San Jose. Has some cool highlights, some good U2 music. This was definitely a spine-tingling ceremony, I can tell you for a fact. Coincidentally, I was there. The Wild was Calgary’s next home opponent and I flew up a few days early to work on a Flames feature. I just remember it was weird being in the press box with no laptop and no deadline to stress over. Flames went on to play one of the flattest games I’ve ever seen. Wild went on to blow a 3-0 lead two days later 
– Here’s another, some nastiness between Owen Nolan and Calgary’s Robyn Regehr. When Calgary signed Nolan last year, this ongoing battle between the two was the first thing I thought of. The two have had clashes for years dating to Nolan’s days in San Jose. I know they became pals in Calgary this past season because I asked Regehr about this last season. I can’t remember if I ever used the stuff, but it was going to be a notebook or column item on what it’s like to have ongoing feuds and then become teammates. Does this feud reignite? It will be worth watching this upcoming season in Minny-Calgary games.
There’s also some Nolan clips against the Wild up there, including this one where Nolan teaches young Aaron Voros a bit of a lesson.
On another subject, I hear the Wild’s highly-anticipated Tomas Mojzis pickup is signed, sealed and delivered, and soon to be announced.
Wild has signed veteran Owen Nolan to a two-year, $5.5 million deal.
I’d say that was the fastest article I’ve ever written, but the 10 minutes I wrote on Tyler Cuma at the Draft beats this by a mile. Here’s some stuff, and there will be more in the paper.
If you watched all eight Flames-Wild games last season, you know Nolan can still play the game. Is he going to pop in 44 goals like the golden years? Not a chance. Is he going to play a mean brand of hockey, fly in on the forecheck and park himself if front of the net? No doubt.
The key here was the second year to the contract. Calgary didn’t seem like it wanted to give that to Nolan as the two sides talked in the past few days. So the Wild gave up the second year and he signed.
That second year is big because the 35-year-old rule clicks in, and let’s be honest, Nolan plays with reckless abandon and as he showed in 2004-05 during the lockout and the subsequent 2005-06, severe injuries do find him.
But he should make an impact.
Just got him by phone in San Jose and he says he’s 100 percent healthy, although he was bothered by a neck stinger all of last season.
“I’m very passionate when I play,” said Nolan, who has scored 381 goals (139 on the power play) and 807 points and amassed 1,727 penalty minutes in 1,068 games. “I’ve played the game hard for several years, and I’ll play that way ‘til I’m done. The numbers may not be the same as they used to be, but my desire to play and my desire to win are still the same.
“The way I’ve played the game since I was very young is an aggressive style. I love the hitting side of the game. Goals are fun, but I love the physical play. It’s the Irish blood coming out of me.”
The Belfast-born Nolan, taken No. 1 overall by Quebec in 1990, looked to me like the old Owen Nolan last year. Mean and nasty.
“I think he’ll be a great example for our young players on how to play the game,” Risebrough said. “He’s a warrior, a respected veteran. He’s a guy that uses his size and determination to get to the net, and in his case, he pushes people to get there.
“He doesn’t make it easy on people.”
He can play both wing positions and can slide in and take draws, too.
“It’s a young team, and I think this will be a natural role for me right now,” said Nolan, the former San Jose Sharks captain. “This time in my career, I come with a lot of knowledge and as long as there are young guys willing to listen, I can teach quite a bit.”
As of this past weekend, it’s believed the Wild had an offer in on free-agent Brendan Morrison. Doesn’t seem like that’s still on the table as the Wild is suddenly extremely close to the cap without the raises to Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Stephane Veilleux.
Risebrough said Sunday night, “I think I’m close to done. We have 23 guys now. You add it all up [with raises to restricted free agents Bouchard and Veilleux], we’re close to the [$56.7 million salary] cap.”
Wild Depth Chart
Here’s a look at the Wild’s depth chart for next season as it stands today. The Wild has 23 of a possible 23 players (22, really, because Kurtis Foster will start on IR). In parentheses is the players’ 2008-09 salary, then their hit against the salary cap, which is the average per year salary of their entire contract:
Left wings
Andrew Brunette ($2.5 million, $2.33 million)
Mark Parrish ($2.85 million, $2.65 million)
Owen Nolan ($2.75 million, $2.75 million)
Stephane Veilleux ($601,370, $601,370)*
Derek Boogaard ($850,000, $875,000)
Centers
Mikko Koivu ($3.3 million, $3.25 million)
James Sheppard ($765,000, $1.4 million)**
Eric Belanger ($1.75 million, $1.75 million)
Benoit Pouliot ($850,000, $1.7 million)**
Right wings
Marian Gaborik ($7.5 million, $6.33 million)
Pierre-Marc Bouchard ($2.6 million, $2.6 million)*
Antti Miettinen ($2 million, $2.33 million)
Craig Weller ($600,000, $600,000)
Defensemen
Brent Burns ($3 million, $3.55 million)
Kim Johnsson ($5.25 million, $4.85 million)
Nick Schultz ($3.2 million, $3.6 million)
Marek Zidlicky (3.5 million, $3.35 million)
Martin Skoula ($1.9 million, $1.8 million)
Marc-Andre Bergeron ($1.653 million, $1.653 million)
Erik Reitz ($500,000, $500,000)
Kurtis Foster ($1.025 million, $1.025 million)
Goaltenders
Niklas Backstrom ($3.1 million, $3.1 million)
Josh Harding ($750,000, $725,000)
Totals
$52,794,370 in salary; $53,326,036 against $56.7 million cap
Roster contenders
RW Cal Clutterbuck
LW-RW Colton Gillies
*This salary and cap hit is the price of the qualifying offer tendered to retain Bouchard and Veilleux. Those figures will increase.
** Cap includes potential performance bonuses.
– MICHAEL RUSSO
449 Responses to "Wild signs Owen Nolan; updated depth chart & cap hit"
I will take Nolan. He is pretty good and has grit that we were lacking with the departure of voros and fedoruk. Should be a good fit… still hoping for Morrison though.
Heezold…. verraold.
Interesting. Veteran, solid. I’m at work so I cant check his stats but from what i remember, he’s very solid with the puck. At $2.25/yr, its a bit much, but nowadays, with guys like Finger signed for 3.5mil on the 1st day of Free Agency, what’s 2.25 for a vet who seems like he can play any system, right?
Whoops, not 2.25. It’s $2.75, Whats 2.75mil rite? lol
Can’t remember: center or winger?
Out of left field. Leadership is important and I guess that is the thought process here
WTF!
Another winger? One that is old and won’t score more than 10-15 goals?
John Tavares, here we come.
Last year with Calgary
77 games: 16-16-32
Well, he is Schultz’s brother-in-law… should work out ok! Never did like him tho!
Not that I was thinking we were going to get Morrison but does this mean, he decided against the Wild?
Last year against Wild
Owen Nolan is Schultz’s brother-in-law? I know that Sarich is his brother-in-law. I didn’t think Nolan was either.
oh shoot… sorry, my mistake… I always mix them up! Nice to hear that it’s not Nolan!!!
Well, if anything that video makes me not miss Voros. Sheesh kid, you can’t beat the old man? Come on.
Schultz’s brother-in-law???
Then early on we signed Schultz’s brother???
Is his dad too old or can be still be signed?
For a team that supposedly wasn’t going to settle for overpaying lesser quality guys (Miettinen, Nolan) I’m not sure they stuck to the plan.
This off season been more interesting with each day.
Sarich is Schultz’s Brother-in-law, not Nolan. This will be good guys. We keep picking up wingers… I think we can for sure kiss PMB goodbye… maybe even SRV. Which sucks… but it still sounds positive with Morrison. If we get Morrison and O’Sullivan like we are supposidly trying to, we will be in EXCELLENT shape!
What
Josh,
This is a small overpayment, which I really don’t mind. It’s the large salary overpayment that really kills. Anything about 3mil for a 3rd liner will suck. $2.75 for a solid vet, who from my very, VERY limited memory, played a tiny bit on Calgards 2nd line (please correct me if Im wrong), is okay by me.
I meant ABOVE, not about :S
Not that I was thinking we were going to get Morrison but does this mean, he decided against the Wild?
That would be my guess. Although the C hole remains, I guess the Wild will still have cap room for someone, even Morrison if the reported Nuks 1 year offer at $1.9 million was in the ballpark. However, that does not square with DR’s classic “we need to give the young guys a chance” line that he has dusted off yet again.
I like it a lot. The more gritty vets, the better. Can we say Bruno and Nolan are locks with the As? I think so.
If we can parley this with Morrison, I’ll come away from this FA period feeling alright. All the guys we signed are good in the room, too.
And that youtube clip of the Nolan/Voros fight made me say good riddance to AV the punching bag.
You know, I am for letting the young guys play. But when you have a chance to sign one or two guys that could give your team a good chance at the cup. You cannot pass it up. We know we will have injuries, bring the young guns up then to get experience. We cannot rely on them for all those big minutes!
I think this will mean no Gillies and no Clutterbuck. Pouliot a lock for the big team.
Pouliot a lock… unless we get Morrison
Now considering the source… everyone read this!
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16120
Perked me right up!
Unless, of course, Foster is out until the trade deadline. At that point we can go over the 23 man roster.
I think its a slight overpayment. He only was paid $2 million with the Flames last season. However, you never know with Gaborik. DR has to pay for that contingency.
Cool!
Maybe we can win in the Saddledome for once now.
Yeah. That would be nice.
more character which is something the wild lack.
this makes us better, no? it ain’t the prized center but if it improves the team, i’m for it.
morrison must be dead or trade in works. can we trade a cat awaiting arbitration?
So:
Brunette - Koivu - Gaborik
Parrish - Poul/Shep/Belang - PMB
Miettenen - Poul/Shep/Belang - Nolan Weller - Poul/Shep/Belang - Veilleux
Johnssin - Burns
Schultz - Zidlicky
Skoula - Bergeron
Backstrom
Harding
I think it is a good pick up. He is a gritty veteran-team leader type of guy that we obviously lost when the incredibly stupid decision to let Rolston go occurred. No, he won’t put up monster numbers, but he is a posession type playmaker and good in the circle and is willing to get dirty in the corners-something we sorely lack upfront right now. Risedork finally makes a good decision-about time.
It would be both Morrison and Pouliot. Having 5 centers instead of 4 is much better going into the season.
Ouch, wrote it wrong…..
Let’s be clear that Rolston was not a gritty player. That is why some have nicknamed him Huggy. Rolston was goals and veteran leadership.
I would assume, thinking like DR, that since we were unable to get the high A talent like Jokinen and Hossa, we decided to make a very deep team instead of very talent on top and just solid in the end.
Sunshine-you are right but he was a good leader-you have to give him that much..
That is why I said Rolston = goals and veteran leadership.
Nolen = Parrish traded out???
Parrish still has like 2-3 yrs. left on his deal, no?
Will anyone here be surprised if he doesn’t even earn a spot out of camp? Sounds like he is being given a spot from Ballgame so we can go full circle with the “want to see if the kids can play” mantra.
As I’ve said more than once, I’d say he is being given a spot from ballgame because he is in contract year. so, either we give up on him right now and cut him loose or we play him on the big club and let him decide his fate.
Benny is a #1 draft pic. I don’t think it is good business to just let him walk. He needs a chance to prove he is what we though he was. This has nothing to do with what you think “letting the kids play” means, IMHO.
More like Parrish bought out and waived.
Nolan is a good power forward and a guy you can park in front of the net like Malone or Holmstrom. I like the pick. I think we need to trade PMB and pick up another long-term center like O’Sullivan.
More like Parrish bought out and waived
i think they’d try to deal him for anything first. cutting him leaves us with cap room going to nothing.
we surely could get a 3rd round pick for him. that’s giving him away but better than buying him out.
True. Now, we have to figure out what teams have the cap space.
Greenstar,
Like I mentioned before, I have a feeling that DR, since can’t get the top talent, is focusing on making the team very deep from top to bottom. So after our last resort in a scorer, Naslund left, we got Miettenen and Nolan.
Again- does he not have at least 2 yrs left on current deal?>
[…] Flames forward Owen Nolan has signed a two-year deal for $5.5 million with the Minnesota Wild. […]
I’d take a 3rd round pick for Parrish just to gain cap space.
WE need PMB! Leave him on the team!
Parrish or Bouchard have to be on the block at this point. Wild are heavy on the wing, Butch not sitting well with DR, Parrish not sitting well with JL.
Morrison signing would be excellent at this point. Only 7 Mil left for cap space (I say only…). Guessing Morrison would want 3-4, Butch will end up at least 3 with arbitration I would think… seems to be pushing it with out a trade in the works.
Trading Parrish gives them 2.6 back…
I love free agency.
Knight-
Parrish has 3 years left on his deal.
Thx Buddha.
okay…I’m definitely one of the guys asking for more heart and soul type leaders…but he’s not exactly what I had in mind - at least not for that much dough.
He’s supposed to bring very good leadership and he had a decent playoffs for the Flames.
With this acquisition I’m thinking some kind of trade is going down. I remember Russo saying awhile ago the Wild were going to do something BIG… I wonder if it’s going to happen?
It would be nice to trade Skoula, Yawnson, Parrish, and PMB.
Guess I’m the only one who thinks no big trade is going to happen 
this was pretty cool, though most of you probably know bout this gem.
I would be my money against the Wild making the playoffs next year, but they’re sure as hell going to be able to bust some heads.
You know, DR might be looking at paying a small premium for being good playoff players.
I don’t know if this team will get us to the playoffs but they have a good as chance as any in the NW division. That was the knock on Rolston — not a great playoff performer same as Demitra. Nolan has decent playoff numbers, a little better than Rolston.
I don’t see anyone taking on Yawnsons salary #’s..
at least not for that much dough.
2.75 per isn’t that much when you think about it.
nhlnumbers has him paid 1.75 with a 250k perf bonus so a total of 2m last season.
like kj says, unspent cap space is wasted cap space.
Losing Rolston and Demitra, thats like what? 40 goals gone? So we get Miettenen and Nolan and Brunnette and thats like……36 goals? I don’t have any stats on my atm since I’m at work, but with that, and hopefully increase production from Koivu, Bouchard, Parrish and a few from Zidlicky and Bergeron, it seems pretty good.
Sorry, we are not going to trade Johnsson. He’s one of our top 4 defensemen and logs lots of ice time. I wouldn’t move Johnsson. I would move Parrish before Johnsson.
I think JL and the coaches like Johnsson’s defensive game. They want more offensive output from him.
Also with all of these signed players that would put us over the active roster at this point. I doubt we’re sending Parrish or Skoula to Houston.
2.75 per isn’t that much when you think about it.
at his age, and for 2 years guaranteed, I’m a little wary of it. But you’re right that it won’t break us even if he does break his hip and never plays a game for us.
Green*: Do you think the Wild did something similar to what the Flames did?
JeffinHOU,
I don’t think so,
Brunette - Koivu - Gaborik
Parrish - Poul/Shep/Belang - PMB
Miettenen - Poul/Shep/Belang - Nolan
Weller - Poul/Shep/Belang - Veilleux
Gillies, Clutterbuck
Johnssin - Burns
Schultz - Zidlicky
Skoula - Bergeron
Foster (IR)
Reitz
Backstrom
Harding
So thats 23 guys. Assuming Foster remains on IR and Gillies and Clutterbuck are ON the roster
Do you think the Wild did something similar to what the Flames did?
what did the flames do?
at his age, and for 2 years guaranteed, I’m a little wary of it.
i hear ya. I think nolan keeps better care of himself after the knee thing.
Circular, you forgot Boogaard. Lol.
Green*: didn’t you post that the Flames gave Nolan a base salary with bonuses. I was wondering if the Wild did something similar.
what shipley has:
The Minnesota Wild have signed veteran winger Owen Nolan to a two-year deal worth $5.15 million.
A five-time all-star, Owen played with Calgary last season, going 16-16–32 in 77 regular-season games. General manager Doug Risebrough said he expects the 6-foot-1, 210-pound to add a physical scoring presence.
“He’s a true power forward, and we lost a little bit of that with (Todd) Fedoruk and (Aaron) Voros,” the GM said. “He’s a lot bigger upgrade over that.”
Owen, 36, has 17 seasons under his belt, with a career high of 44 goals and 84 points with the San Jose Sharks in 1998-99. His scoring has gradually decreased since then, with 16 goals the past two seasons. But Risebrough thinks a blue line revamped for better puck movement will help Owen regain his scoring touch.
“I expect him to really cash in,” he said.
Owen is the Wild’s fifth offseason acquisition, joining veterans forwards Andrew Brunette and Craig Weller, and defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron.
“I’m going to play the way I usually play: I’m going to be aggressive, physical and score goals,” Owen said. “I know the numbers aren’t what they used to be, but the desire to play and win are still there. That competitiveness is still with me.”
Owens’ salary cap hit $2.75 million a season will push the Wild right up to the limit. After Minnesota signs restricted free agents Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Stephane Veilleux, and a player out of fall camp, they’ll be near the $56.7 million cap.
Boogaard…..so….its a battle between Boogie, Gillies and Clutterbuck in training camp 
CircularTheory -
Thanks..I hadn’t actually counted. It will be interesting though if we sign Morrison tomorrow.
I was wondering if the Wild did something similar
got it. can you do that with a multi year contract?
Circular that’s too confusing:
Simplify:
Brunette-Koivu-Gaborik
Nolan-Shep-PMB
SRV-Belanger-Mettinen
Weller-Pouliot-Parrish
Boogaard
Burns-Johnsson
Schultz-Zidlicky
Skoula-MAB
Reitz - Foster
Backstrom
Harding
oh Circular… you forgot Boogard
This has nothing to do with what you think “letting the kids play” means
I am fine with Benny on the team - I would just rather have more expereince at C.
I don’t see anyone taking on Yawnsons salary #’s..
Then you are not looking at what UFA d-men are signing for - from all accounts JL is getting what he wants out of Johnsson. Plus, I think the Wild just paid a premium to get Nolan - it comes with the UFA territory for the most part.
I think JL and the coaches like Johnsson’s defensive game. They want more offensive output from him.
Johnsson’s historical numbers show his production came on the PP and he is not on it here and still won’t be since Zids and MAB have been added and Foster should also be in the mix at some point.
My version of Sunshine’s
Brunette-Koivu-Gaborik
Nolan-Shep-PMB
Parrish-Belanger-Mettinen
Weller-Pouliot-SRV
Boogaard
Gillies
Burns-Johnsson
Schultz-Zidlicky
Skoula-MAB
Reitz - Foster (IR)
Backstrom
Harding
The Minnesota Wild have signed veteran winger Owen Nolan to a two-year deal worth $5.15 million.
A five-time all-star, Owen played with Calgary last season, going 16-16–32 in 77 regular-season games. General manager Doug Risebrough said he expects the 6-foot-1, 210-pound to add a physical scoring presence.
“He’s a true power forward, and we lost a little bit of that with (Todd) Fedoruk and (Aaron) Voros,” the GM said. “He’s a lot bigger upgrade over that.”
I’m betting a trade will happen and I think it will be with L.A. (just a hunch) I think at this point DR has to DO something because if he doesn’t and the team does not make the playoffs he will be gone. I think DR has to sense the MN faithful are getting a little restless at this point.
“I expect him to really cash in,” he said.
Does DR really have to say this. Nolan is cashing in as we speak right now.
they’ll be near the $56.7 million cap.
So Morrison or even someone like Peca is toast unless some salary is moved - that sucks.
at least give shipley props when you copy his chit, mike.
I doubt a trade will happen, but is:
Bouchard for O’Sully be a fair deal? Add a few picks here and there?
If a trade does not happen, then I’m a little puzzled with this move if for no other reason than DR just said we were done with FA because he wanted to leave a couple of spots open for the kids to compete. So, if there’s no trade, then what just happened since Thursday night?
maybe Doug will send Belanger and one of our abundant remaining draft picks for Sully.
Green - Sorry, too many Fosters…
forgot the
Hockeydad,
DR never said he was done. He more or less said, he will not spend top money on non-top talent. I feel he is desperately trying to find solid players who, altogether, can make up the goal loss from Rolston and Demitra
Smartass…
If a trade does not happen, then I’m a little puzzled with this move if for no other reason than DR just said we were done with FA because he wanted to leave a couple of spots open for the kids to compete. So, if there’s no trade, then what just happened since Thursday night?
+1
makes you lean toward trade a litle bit, eh?
Howzabout a Parrish, Butch, and a goalie prospect from Kazakhstan with great dimples? Who needs a package like that in exchange for a tough, speedy playmaker?
Circular - if we’re to believe the Don, that’s is what DR said as of Thursday. See Russo’s 7/3 entry “Wild Done with Free Agency?”
Make that a “tough, speedy center”
With this acquisition I’m thinking some kind of trade is going down. I remember Russo saying awhile ago the Wild were going to do something BIG… I wonder if it’s going to happen?
Russo actually tends to make even the off season transactions exciting. Before he came, I would never even look at this paper because the hockey coverage was junk. It would be nice if DR would step up to Russo’s level and make this team a little more exciting as well!
Hockeydad,
I think the Don said it may be indicated that we were done, but it was never really set in stone. Just don’t expect big names at all.
MNWILDGUY Russo never said anything big was going to go down, on the first day of Free Agency when they signed Bruno, They said something else big may go down, which come to find out they were waiting on Hossas answer that was the BIG the Wild were talking about
Yeah, I think you’re being kind in interpetation, Circular, but we’ll see soon enough, I imagine.
Ms.Conduct..
I’m a little dense..can I get another hint? Like a name????
But if a big trade goes down, u think Bouchard for O’Sullivan + 3rd would be good value? Take away a few picks or a few picks here and there?
A trade could be in the works, you can’t dismiss it. I just hope it involves Parrish.
Let’s do this…
Buy out Johnsson (I think its too late, but dream with me).
Trade Skoula to Disney World for some fun Mickey Mouse hats.
Bring up Shawn Belle, or give Cuma a shot to be #8 (after Fossy gets back of course). Dumps 4.85 for Kimmy boy, 1.8 for the “Most-worthless-show-on-ice.”
Possibly move PMB or Parrish for a pick and #5-6 d-man, or a couple picks.
Makes room for Morrison. Gets rid of Kimmy and Skou-dog. I would like to see PMB stay, but I don’t think he does, so its time to get something for him.
Do I think any of this will happen? No. JL loves Kimmy. Skoula too for some reason. Irritating.
Dream a little dream for me…
Listen to Owen Nolan from the Wild Podcast
I would give Parrish and PMB plus a pick for O’Sullivan.
Jeff, Not sure what you need hints about? What name?
I would do Parrish + Tampa Bay’s 4th for O’Sullivan
Bring up Shawn Belle
here i thought we’d get thru FA without a shawn belle mention. dammit.
belle is worse than skoula.
Buddha,
Johnsson is a good d-man, and does not deserve to be bought out. Overpaid, but not grossly IMO
Skoula is servicable but cannot play #4 minutes. Must be placed in 3rd pairings, and with acquisition of Zidlicky, would put him there.
Belle??? The guy is not NHL ready at all. Cuma has potential but needs seasoning in the juniors and minors.
PMB for a 5-6 dman????
I say dream lol. I disagree with most what you wrote so don’t really expect me to write very sympathetically cause I don’t agree at all
LOL Green* Poor Bellie. I can’t believe they QO’d him after how much he sat this year. I think we’re keeping him around for shootouts or something…
Is PMB worse than O’Sully? I would have thought its pretty equal value. Different type of players but both very talented in what they do.
Belle may be worse, but he could fill the #8 spot. and he’s much, much cheaper. Not saying I want him, as much as I’m saying I don’t want Skoula.
Hell, bring up Stoner. Don’t care as long as Skoula is gone. Just the first name that popped into my head.
Sunshine,
I doubt Parrish and mid pick would be enought to snatch a young center who posted around 60 points last year. If it happens, Kings will have DL’s head but lets assume GM’s think rationally lol
Skoula isn’t really that bad. When he plays #1-4 minutes, I don’t trust him. But as a 3rd pairing and limited ice time, he’s solid.
CT-
PMB for 5-6 dman and picks… not just for a dman.
Johnsson is horrible. Brought in to be offense from the blue line. Nothing. Defense is mediocre at best. Never in position, useless in front of the net.
Skoula is servicable? He can’t skate. That’s not servicable.
I know re; Parrish deal.
Russo is implying that the Morrison offer has been withdrawn.
We don’t need a 5-6 defensemen. That would be a dumb move. If we were trade PMB, its for a CENTER. That is what we need more than another defensemen.
Buddha,
I, and probably DR and alot of other fans, do not want to begin into the rebuilding stage. So PMB for 5-6 and picks won’t do it. I say PMB for equal value roster player.
I not really sure what games you saw Johnsson in, but when i watched him, he plays a quiet game who can move the puck very well, a quick pass out of his own zone, can move the puck laterally pretty well. Overpaid, yes, most definately, but not void of talent.
I’ve been through the Skoula’s brainfarts and it kills me, but besides those ‘highlight’ moments, he plays solid. So with less minutes and less pressure, they’ll be less brainfarts and just a few minutes of solid player. Any more and we’re going to see the Skoula we all hate.
I was leaving the center spot open for signing Morrison.
And trading PMB, could also have been read as trading Parrish (they were both in the original post).
Reading the posts the past week or two, I don’t think there is a move DR could make that people would be happy with.
[Reading the posts the past week or two, I don’t think there is a move DR could make that people would be happy with.]
100% agreed.
Not trying to defend him, I’m just saying. It seems to me he could have signed Hossa for 1 million a year for 4 years and people would have flipped because they didn’t get 5.
Skoula is more worthless than an ashtray on a motorcycle…trade him for a used puck bag and a case of Coors.
Buddha FTW. I believe I’ve settled into a “Be happy” for the moves I clearly like, and “wait and see” on the iffy moves. Team seems sort of like a hodge podge but, really, that works for teams sometimes. Being star-studded isn’t necessarily the route to victory. I think it will come down to team chemistry and leadership and all those other things determining how well this group of guys gels.
At least we’re not Vancouver.
I don’t want to get my hopes up for O‘Sullivan, but according to nhlnumbers.com, the Kings have 6 Cs on ths roster: Handzus, Derek Armstrong, Kopitar, O‘Sullivan, Brad Richardson (who? but he is a RFA) and Stoll.
Heyyyyy! This is exciting news Russo. I like the experience Nolan will bring. It’s like Keith Carney on PCP for the forwards!
Johnsson was overpaid when he signed his deal. Now, based on the market, he is about right. Two words confirm that theory….Jeff Finger.
Owen Nolen? I thought DR was done in the FA market?
This comes as a huge surprise. There aren’t many better ‘character’ guys in the league than Brunette and Nolan. I suspect any lockerroom dysfunction like last year will be handled by the ‘men’ in the room.
This is an interesting signing. DR has contradicted himself a couple of times this week:
1) Not overpaying for UFAs.
2) Being ‘done’ in the market.
About Morrision…I think the Wild are in the ‘10% over the cap’ timeframe. They can exceed the cap until a certain date (Russo correct me if I am wrong) which would still allow them to sign Morrison and then work a trade.
I honestly think the negativity is reaching ownership and the proverbial heat is on our beloved DR.
Oh…and he DID do something…
Oh…from a Twins management standpoint, I would equate the signing of Livan Hernandez to the Wild’s signing of Ower Nolan.
And the Twins fans among us could tell you how that has worked out so far…
Here is DR’s quote from Russo’s Blog dated July 3rd:
[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.}
He never said he was done.
Ow3n Nolan is a big surprise. Maybe a little overpay but for only two years which is not so risky.
He is not the guy I would have gone after but if you think of replacing Fedoruk or Voros, he is plenty ample for that and much more physical than Rolston.
If PMB signing does not go well, perhaps a trade IS in the offing. Or, if Brenden Morrison should decide to sign here then also.
As far as Rolston is concerned, I think with his one dimension slap shot, his goal production may suffered in the Northwest where they would get on to him.
This does give more flexibility on the depth chart and setting up line combinations. All in all, a good move.
Circular: What game have YOU been watching the last three seasons? Skoula isn’t realLy THAT bad??
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND??
Skoula is the WORST excuse for a top 4 defenseman in the NHL today. Bar NONE.
Quit bashing your head into that keyboard and look at what is REALLY going on! Skoula sucks!
(End Skoula Rant.)
RE: Owen Nolan: OK pickup for the Wild. Not what they really need (a center, remember??) but an OK pickup for the Wild. Nolan’s grit has always come thru, whether with Montreal, san Jose, Calgary or whomever. We fans have all whined about no grit. Meet grit, personnified.
Would I trade Parrish for O’Sullivan?
Yep. In a heartbeat. More so than PMB. PMB is still young enough and has more skill than Parrish (sorry Mark, and all you homer-Sota types who think we must have a Minnesotan on the roster at all times.)
Keep PMB. Buh-Bye, Mark.
After Owen Nolan, let’s sign Andy Bathgate and Pie McKenzie. Morrison is washed up. Let’s get O’Sully back in here. Hated to see him go, thought he was a steal as a 2nd rounder.
Parrish for 5-6 dman + pick is definately more reasonable than PMB
PMB = young, talented playmaker.
Parrish = struggling veteran
And I agree, fans will never be happy, one year, we’re whining about this, nxt yr, we’re whining on how we fix that previous problem….
And don’t get your hopes up for O’Sullivan. My idea for PMB for O’sully is a result of boredom at work and a jump on the flavor of the week (Previous flavour: Jokinen).
Wild Road Tripper:
Exactly why I said Skoula should not be playing #4 minutes. Put a depth guy in talented guys role, only disaster should be expected.
sunshine: Add this to what you posted and it sounds more like DR was done.
“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.”
The best part about signing Nolan?
Calgary has to replace him.
Another thing about trading with the Kings: The only G on the roster is Jason Labarbera and the Wild just signed Burst to a 2 way deal - Harding goes, Backs extended?
I honestly think the negativity is reaching ownership and the proverbial heat is on our beloved DR.
+ 1
If Harding goes, I will be pissed. One of my fav players and so young and talented. If we HAVE to trade a goalie, I say wait till deadline, then trade Backs.
Backs is very good, but if before the deadline, Harding shows up, which I hope, means we can trade Backs away
Maybe more like Schafer goes and Khudobin takes the 2nd spot in Houston.
6GS: Parrish, Schaefer and the Tampa 4th to LA for O’Sullivan and a 2010 4th?
KJ- DR has nothing to be concerned about- He did the best to make this team better. Vancouver did nothing and they are in big trouble. The Wild on the other hand are looking good to me.
KJ- DR chose JL as a coach for this year. Sexy centeramn are hard to get with JL as coach. I would rather have JL as coach then have the sexy player names like Morrission or others.
KJ- This team by signing Owen Nolan is saying it is trying to win a championshio in 08-09. Your Stinky Twins are playing professional baseball locally with no intent of a championship. Like going out to Red Lobster KJ- Just entertainment till September for local folks who want to check out pro baseball in there own backyard….. Good Old Wally likes a team to play to win the championship ! That is the goal or why bother KJ
Sunshine - The Wild will play with 7 defenseman and will play with 14 forwards my guess, so add Klutterbuck
6GS: Parrish, Schaefer and the Tampa 4th to LA for O’Sullivan and a 2010 4th?
I would never, ever rip DR again.
Wild Road Tripper:
Still not enough for O’Sully IMO.
Parrish = struggling garbarge goal scorer (forecast: 16 goals)
Schaefer = backup goal at best
O’Sully = talented, young and cheap center who scored 60 points
I think the only we thing we have to dangle for O’Sully is PMB.
GoW…I prefer my baseball team to be ‘competitive’ instead of being ‘in it to win it’….
I would rather that they make the playoffs on a regular basis than for them to win the World Series once and then be mediocre for 5 or 6 years…
kj: it still doesn’t say that he was done with FA.
—–
Backstrom’s limited NTC is not in effect in the summer but will kick in in September, right? I can’t remember if there was a specified time frame during the summer. I know that he can be traded after February, that’s when his NTC ends.
Circular: I hope you’re wrong about what it would take for O’Sullivan, but I’m afraid you might be ’spot on’ as it were…
sunshine…you’re right…but if it quacks and waddles it might be Brian Burke…
Yes, ms.conduct says: @ 9:45 pm … ultimately it is not who you have but how they come together. If you have the good leadership and work ethic you have the start of something good. Chemistry can cement a team or destroy it.
KJ, good analogy. And, Livan has helped glue the rotation together.
KJ- Simply put your Twins Stink- If your not in it to win the championship than why bother
G*: So when Dougie Ballgame is quoted as saying “We need to see if the kids can play?” How exactly should we take that? Dougie has no plan and has changed philosophies 4 times in 8 years. Nolan is a good signing, becuase that’s just what the Wild need; another low teens goal scorer whom can’t play the center position.
SGS: If LA could somehow be persuaded to take Parrish, Schaefer and a 4th for O’Sullivan; an investigation should be launched immediately to find out when Kevin McHale started running the Kings!
KJ - Agreed, see Tampa bay, last year’s non flavour of the year (along with Leafs), previous year was the Flyers (along with the leafs again)
We still need a center. Let’s not take Morrison out of the picture just yet, shall we?
Owen Nolan? Interesting move.. I can see it working out.
When Parrish is playing well, what’s his game?
(Oh, and I swear I had a nightmare that involved a Pens trade with the Wild that included Skoula.)
Has anybody thought about the huge draw of having a guy like Nolan to mentor a guy like Gillies. Not to mention the fact that he can have a great affect all around on guys like Pouliot and Shep. The fact remains though he plays the type of game that Gillies plays. Hard hitting, net driving, and leadership (I believe Gillies wore a C for Canada at U-20)
GoW: Right on the proverbial nose. I’m tired of owners who made millions/billions in real estate or banking or whatever and then move to professional sports ownership as a “hobby” of sorts. People bitch about owners like Steinbrenner and Cuban, etc. I’d take an owner who clearly is trying to do whatever it takes to win a title over an owner who does nothing more than just try to appease the masses all the while raking in piles of cash.
Man, it’s tough to choose between the goalies. I’m not personally attached to either of the Wild goalies, but I absolutely love all three of the minor guys. Well, I love Schaef the least, but I think he’s the most reliable of the 3. It’s tough. But that is the place we have the most useful depth. I’m on the edge of my seat, folks! This is good stuff!
Deep: Wild have six goalies. LA Kings have six centers. Somehow, you think they could come togther and play, “Let’s Make A Deal”!
KJ, imo the negativity from a handfull of fans has no influence on management decisions.
I think DR, JL, TF, and CL all understand the need to get stronger without us holding their noses in what we think are their mistakes.
Useless information but Gaborik is no longer the highest draftee on the Wild team. That distinction now belongs to Nolan.
While Nolan is not a center, but he did take 342 faceoffs and won over 52% of them so he can take some key FO.
WildinAK: You can forget Gillies seeing the ice with the big club this year unless the team is savaged by injuries. Dougie Ballgame has publicy given the spot to B-B-Benny because we need to see if the kids can play. The only time you’ll see Colton at the “X” is midway through the second period duirng a commercial break during the Anderson Windows’ “Window to the Future” when we get a look at an up-n-coming Wild prospect.
5 goalies for the Wild. Unless there’s another I don’t know about.
Man, I’m watching Game 4 of the anaheim series. Chanting “BS” now. LOL Man, I hate Brad May.
Deep Breath:
Like I said before, I think DR is feeling sad and regretful he couldn’t get Rolston signed. Unable to snag Hossa (along with other teams), he is desperately trying to find ways to get those goals from 2 players substitute through 5 players (Brunette, Miettenen, Nolan, Zidlicky, Bergeron) + improvement from currenct players (Koivu, Parrish, PMB) along with more puck moving on the blueline (Zidlicky, improving Burns).
WRT: You would think so but for the Kings to part with Sully, all the while taking on Parrish’s ridiculous contract, even with a prospect like Schaefer, would be simply stunning. If Dougie Ballgame could somehow fast-talk his way through that deal, some of the criticism he has been getting for not shoring up the center position in the 9+ months since Walz quit could be alleviated.
KiPA, I think Parish’s game is redirecting shots from others. So, personally, it seems to me that an addition of puck shooting defensemen will be a boon to Parish.
Maybe even Rolston’s slapshot was too hard for him to control.
Yeah, I don’t see Gillies on the team next year unless its guaranteed that Foster will not come back until after the trade deadline or we always have a player on IR. We don’t want to be in position where we have to waive someone in January to open up a roster spot.
Gillies, being a rookie, is even in a tougher position because if he plays 10 games, the Wild lose out on a year of his contract.
We need Pouliot as a center more than we need Gillies grit.
Hey, O’Sully didn’t file for arbitration, so doesn’t he technically become a UFA? What’s with the trade talk to get him?
The Kings have the ability to eat Parish’s contract to get a Schaefer as Labarbara’s back-up. Yeah, I don’t want to give up PMB, but now we need an O’Sullivan to round out the center position.
We still need a center!
I think DR has done a solid job in finding ways to substitute the goals and made the team very deep, albeit weaker on top. Guess it’ll be harder to shut us down in the POs
Circular: I agree that that’s what it seems Dougie Ballgame is up to, but even if he feels he has replaced the goal scoring he lost from a year ago, the team last year was good enough to win exactly 2 playoff games. You would think the goal would be to IMRPOVE upon the year before, unless of course you are the 1973 Miami Dolphins. This year’s Wild team doesn’t look a whole lot different than last year’s: top-of-the-line goaltending; very strong defensive system and not a whole lot of punch once you get past Gabby. The band is playing the same song, but the musicians have simply changed.
While I hope Gillies makes it (my fav prospect), unlike Sheppard, he still has something to learn in juniors.
WRT: The Wild has needed a center for the past 9+ months.
DB - I’m pretty sure Gillies is going to be in the same boat as Shep was this year. I remember hearing that somewhere…
Well, at least DR has made this off season interesting… I am not sure how I feel about Nolan… He is old… but he is a good veteran presence… we will see.
Does anyone else get the feeling that DR may be picking up some of these other players as possible extras in a trade for Morrison or O’Sully?
Gillies has no chance now of making the team unless somebody breaks their spleen in 7 places, or, some kind of massive trade between now and September takes place that opens up roster spots. Ballgame has stated the spot is Pooh-Bear’s. It has to be because Ballgame has to validate taking this kid #4 overall.
Lemmiwinks, I don’t think the player has to file for arbitration to have the RFA tag removed. I think the only way he becomes a UFA is if the team that owns his rights doesn’t give him a qualifying offer, but I could be wrong.
Shepp is the Wild’s #2 center. Gillies is a far cry from being the team’s #2 center, at least this year anyway.
sorry - let me clarify - with his age and the junior league he is in.
sunshine: JMO, Gillies will get a look in camp then be sent back to his junior club or to Houston (if he is too old by then). You are correct on the 10-game thing.
lemmi: O’Sullivan didn’t have to file for arbitration, if he is accepting the QO. He will just accept the offer, play out the season and become an UFA next July 1. His choice. However, that puts even more pressure on the Kings to unload him while they can still get some value out of him.
and gillies is a left wing with the big club. check out russo’s previous depth charts
KiPA: Nice nightmare on Skooba. He’s the kind of player that during certain times of the season, his play scares you so much you’ll piss your pants and forget your name for a half-hour. You don’t want Skooba on your team, unless of course, they only use one coat of paint for the lines on the ice, then he would be fine. Skooby has a tendancy to stop standing up all on his own.
Deep: Yeah, they have needed a center for 9 + months. So, why haven’t they gone out and signed one?
(Don’t answer that, Deep. We all know the ‘whys’)…
Well I think we had 2 problems in the PO last year:
#1: injured d. We had 3 dmen playing around 30minutes/game. At the end of the series, you could tell they seemed tired and just not in the game. That also contributed to the lack of mobility on the blueline, which resulted in tons of giveaways and breakaways. With the acquisition of Zidlicky and hopefully more healthy blueline, that should be resolved.
#2: Relied too much on top line. Gaborik disappeared, Rolston’s slapper was shutdown and PMB didn’t shoot enough. This year, we have 10-15 goal scoreres everywhere so its harder to shutdown. BUT, we less talented up front, so that may hurt as well.
So alot of ???? but those ???? can become pleasant surprises (rookies showing up [Pouls], all 10-15 goal scorers deliver) or disasters (10-15 gs only get 5 goals, rookies suck)
So its going to be a Wild year (no pun intended)
jimlove: there was scuttlebutt, or is that Clutterbuck, about Gillies earning a spot in front of Pooh-Bear this year, which would have almost assuredly put him in the center position since Ballgame is so adamant in not getting a center on this team.
Rest easy, Russoville. Maybe tomorrow we sign a CENTER…
Deep Breath:
Nah, TT stated, when they drafted Gillies, he will be put into winger position. It was a response to tons of questions putting him into defense.
Circular: The defense was fine in the playoffs against the Avs. Scoring only 12 goals in a 6-games series only works if you’re playing the Wild. Gabby struggled mightily to get on the scoresheet but he did anything but disappear. How many GREAT scoring chances did he have in the series? More than enough to make a difference but he didn’t finish. You did notice him on the ice, however. Wild did fine by getting younger and more mobile on the blueline, but the forward line is where they needed the most help, even more so now that their only reliable #2 goal man is gone East.
Deep Breath:
Well I guess we saw differntly then
I fully believe, that from our defense suffering, our offense suffered.
They looked pretty tired to me and just couldn’t get that first pass out of the zone. Also, so many giveaways on the offensive blueline, it leads to a breakaway against us instead of a pass back into the zone and a quality shot.
In other words, our offense was easy to shutdown if the blueline can’t move the puck.
Then our defense has been tired for the past 8 years because scoring goals has been a plague of the Wild since day numero uno. This team needs help on the forward line, plain and simple. We walk into the 08-09 season with one guy that cracked 20 goals last year. Ish.
I love when people post possible line combo’s when we all know JL’s philosophy regarding lines.
Circular: The Don has Gillies listed as a center on the depth chart. You question the Don you better have one of your neighbors start your car in the morning. If Gillies makes the team out of camp (no chance) that means Pooh Bah is gone or somebody broke their sternum in the preseason.
Deep Breath:
Well, last year we looked better than the previous 8 years. Burns was coming a star, Koivu started to get the points he deserved, we had the Slovak duo and Rolston and PMB.
Goals was a problem last year but with no puck movers on the blueline, the problem only get magnified 10x.
We had 3 d-man playing ~30mins, so these are the guys we relied on moving the puck the WHOLE Series.
Johnsson = good puckmover
Burns = also good puckmover
Skoula = the bane of the Wild
The rest are just as bad as Skoula…
So you see my point lol. When you rely on Skoula to move the puck for 30minutes per game, ur doomed.
I’m going against the Don on this one then (starts the car)
Gillies played center with his junior team but TT did state he was going to be a winger, and I hold him to his word.
He was on the wing in Houston but that doesn’t really mean much. That’s the safest spot to throw a new guy in KC’s system. But I’ve been under the assumption he’d be a winger. Whatever. Just put on 15 lbs, kid, and you can do whatever the hell you want.
But what about the first 6 years of the franchise? It’s not like a lack of goals is something that just happened last year in the playoffs? It’s always been a problem. The defense has been fine; the offense has not. You may want to brush last year’s 12 goals in 6 playoff games under the rug and attribute that to Schultz being out (can’t use Fozzie because he’s not a puck mover; neither is Schultzy for that matter) but the derth of goals is nothing new and needs to be corrected if the Wild want to play more towards high school graduation day.
love the fresh take on things deep breath.
so the wild shouln’t sign anyone unless they are a center, even if that player should improve the team. genius.
ms: He just won’t be doing it with the big club this year.
G*: How exactly, does trading in a bunch of guys (Huggy, Demo, Radio) for a different bunch of guys (Bruno, Meittenin, Nolan) when the production doesn’t change improve the team? I own a baseball team; my starting pitching sucks. How does signing a couple of outfielders and a catcher help that situation? This team has a glaring weakness and it continues to be ignored.
Darryl Sydor’s on the market if you guys need an aging, expensive 6th-7th defenseman… (he can be the next Yoda!)
I think your comparing the first few years of the Wild is somewhat biased.
An newly expansion team, undergoing an expansion era (I’ll assume the era ended when we traded for Demitra), is expected to score very few goals.
So if you want to compare, compare from 2006+
And yes, goals have been a problem, but I think our 12 goals in 6 PO games last year would’nt have been if Schultz and Foster were healthy (less minutes on the other guys, so less fatigued players)
And no, I won’t brush it under the rug because that PO showed the lack of mobility on our blueline. We had only 3 dman that could pass the puck under top minutes and one became injured. We needed a man who can move it and we got Zidlicky. So now, we have four top dman that can play alot of minutes and move the puck very fast and accurately, and 2 depth dman who can play solid under limited minutes.
The Wild has some problems but I fully believe that the results of last years PO was from defense injuries. If goals was a problem, it wouldn’t have been as huge of a problem as it was if Schultz and Foster was heatlhy. Thats my point really….
nolan isn’t a big deal but it sure looks like he will improve the team we had yesterday.
bitching about nolan because he doesn’t improve last years team is like arguing against the oilers improving because they aren’t as good at the 84 club.
nolan isn’t a big deal but it sure looks like he will improve the team we had yesterday.
Once again, complaints no matter what management does. This is usually why I avoid message boards and the like. (I don’t mind it here so much though.)
KiPA, i’m not complaining, if you had that idea.
We’ll see, DB. Sure wish we could have him in Houston. Stupid 20 year old rule…
G*: Chewing up more cap space with Nolan just limits what Ballgame could possibly do later on. Are any of us going to be surprised when we read this nugget from Ballgame in the Strib: “We had to pull the offer for Morrison becuase of the cap restrictions after the Nolan signing. We weren’t going to be able to get both players under the Cap.” Won’t be surprised in the least.
No, G*, I didn’t mean you. I meant the people complaining about the Nolan signing.
DB:
Its hockey, not baseball.
The team has changed from all scoring on top and checking on bottom to a bit of scoring everywhere with a bit of checking everywhere.
Its deeper but less talented.
G*: Also, I’m not complaining that the Wild aren’t better than they were in 2004. I just want them to be better than they were in 2007!
Nolan signing is good. He is exactly what this team has ben lacking in the good skating physical scoring forward. However whether that Nolan is still there remains to be seen.
They clearly need to unload at forward now if they plan to have Gilles ont he team (unless Reitz has 2-way deal), I gotta think Parrish is the odd man out here unless they get a good deal for Butch.
Circular; They got rid of Huggy, Demo and Radio and added Nolan, Meitteinen and Bruno. How exactly has that made us a team of “scoring from everywhere”?
KiPA - got it
or if they found out morrison wasn’t going to sign here then it is because of DR’s lack of ability to sign top FA’s. anything the guy does you can find a way to bitch about it.
DP:
Foster is on the IR so Reitz needs to stay. I think atm, we have 23 guys on the roster (that assumes either Clutterbuck or Gillies is back down wherever).
If they plan to have Gillies, its a battle between Gillies and Clutterbuck. (I feel both of them won’t make it, its only one). Just a feeling
DB: I think Russo already implied that the Wild either withdrew their offer or were informed that Morrison was not coming to the Wild and that is why they signed Nolan. I think its the latter than the former.
There were reports coming out of Vancouver stating that Morrison was in negotiations with the Canucks yesterday probably showed the Wild that he was not going to sign somewhere else.
Clutterbuck or an Aeros player will play in the spot of Foster while he’s on IR.
It just won’t be Gillies since he’s too young to play in the AHL.
anything the guy does you can find a way to bitch about it.
I heard he doesn’t wash his hands after going to the bathroom. Can you believe that?!
complaining is complaining is complaining.
Is Ballgame going to get anything in return for PMB or do you think he will be allowed to walk free at the end of next season?
A noticable trend of the Wild — other than Rolston, Voros, and Johnsson, they have signed mainly UFA Western Conference players and traded with Western Conference teams.
They are missing out on a lot of good players from the Eastern Conference.
dp - Reitz has a 1-way deal.
In terms of FAs, you still have to get them to sign on the dotted line. Losing Hossa is not a great mystery since it is obvious he wants the best chance at a Cup. You don’t turn down 100 million unless the drive to win a Cup is pretty strong.
Rolston turned down the Wild’s offer because NJ offered him one more year on the contract. DR all but said that he offered Rolston a $15 million- 3 year deal.
If you also noticed the trend of the Wild’s FA signings, none of them exceeded 3 years. Naslund had already said that he was unlikely to sign with a NW division rival.
Last year:
Fedoruk (6)- Demitra (15)- Gaborik (42)
Rolston (31)- Koivu (11) - PMB (13)
Veilleux (11)- Belanger (13)- Radio (7)
Parrish (16) - Sheppard (4) - Voros (7)
Burns (15) - Johnsson (4)
Schultz (2)- Skoula (3)
Foster (7) - Carney (1)
Backstrom
Harding
This year:
Brunette (19)- Koivu (11+)- Gaborik (42)
Nolan (16) - Shep (4+)- PMB (13)
Parrish (16)-Belanger (13)-Mettinen (15)
Weller (3) -Pouliot (2+) - SRV (11)
Boogaard
Gillies
Burns (15) -Johnsson (4)
Schultz (2) - Zidlicky (5)
Skoula (4) - MAB (9)
Reitz - Foster (IR)
Backstrom
Harding
So we have more goals expected from the blueline, along with more assists. The 1st line looks weaker, but Koivu is expected to have more goals (as he was injured for a long time last year). Sheppard is also expected to have an small increase. The 3rd line looks like there will be more goals and 4th line will depend on Pouliot.
I think its more well rounded, but less talented.
db-with the glaring whole at center, don’t be surprised to see pmb or even bbbenny moved, now with rumored Wild interest in Sully. DR used misdirection on MTL to draft pmb, maybe now setting up bbbenny? Wouldnt be shocked to see Parry moved IF you can find a taker for that contract.
Don’t forget the added offensive DB. I do understand your comment about wanting a better team in 2008 than in 2007 and until the Nolan deal, they were worse on paper.
But, the Nolan signing puts the Wild on at least par but with considerably more flexibility in terms of potential roster moves.
Not sure if it is fair to say this team is less talented Circular Theory. Only the loss of Rolston is in that category.
But, Voros, Demitra, Fedoruk etc have been upgraded.
The signing of Nolan can open a door to other moves even if Brenden does not want to come here.
BFW:
Didn’t the rumor come from Eklund, the guy who keeps talking, even if he has to make it up?
Iceman:
Yes, but 31 goals is hard to replace. Lemme rephrase my words:
Less talented top 6 forwards
More talented bottom 6 forwards
Doesn’t sound that nice still…
I think there is a NY Daily Post article saying that NYR and MTL were for sure in the hunt for O’Sullivan. Nothing about the Wild.
However, looking at nhlnumbers.com, I think the Wild need to trade someone by the end of February. If DR gives Gaborik somewhere between $8-8.7 million cap hit contract, that’s a $2 million increase to the cap for next year. Cap space will be needed unless we play more rookies.
Would LA be interested in Pouliot (W) +, at the cost of a (C)?
Does anybody know if Weller has a one-way or two-way contract?
ct-as things evolve, you need to adjust. no oj? move on. no hossa? move on. Etc. Now that morrison has resumed talks w.VAN, MN most likely wd the offer. Plus Sully declined arbitration, deadline’s past. So the heats on LA to move ‘im. The pieces fit. 
Weller has a one-way contract.
wildak-weller is 1-way. 600k per, iirc. ice-la is pretty pretty deep (irt) at cntr, as mentioned above.
What does it really mean if they don’t file for arbitration? If a player files it because he believes that negotiations could be difficult and wants to protect himself, he can be awarded a one-year contract and become UFA.
If they don’t file and have received a QO, it could mean that they will work out a contract with their team or will look at offer sheets. If they are given a one-year contract by the team without arbitration, doesn’t it mean that they retain their RFA status. They haven’t met their 7 years of service. PMB filed for arbitration and never reached a hearing and had 3 one-year contracts and was still RFA.
I think Sully will sign a contract with LA barring any trade or offer sheets.
I hope we can get O’Sullivan back… Very up-and-coming, contributed to an otherwise down trodden Kings team last year. Could we see PMB, another RFA, involved in a trade for this guy, maybe with some extra incentive (eg other players/draft picks) thrown in? That’d be pretty sweet.
Weller has a one-way contract and he’ll play. Which I’m excited for. Haha…
Nolan, in my opinion is a good move. He has grit and meanness to him, but not to the extent nor in the context that he’s a Chris Simonesque player. Plus his veteran leadership skills and Captain experience will help him push the younger guys along. Which is a relief because we lost our veterans this FA season.
Morrison, as has been said a hundred times over, would be the a most welcome addition on account of his skill and filling the C hole…
And Big DR… says that we’re “almost” done. I read this as the two final plays for Morrison and O’Sullivan are still in the works and after that… presto…
Interesting move. Somewhat unexpected, too, I suppose, but I can’t say I don’t like it. It adds a bit more depth to the Wild, which was needed. Still a bit odd about not getting a center, but whatever. Maybe DR’s just thinking four is enough and in a pinch he can use a wing or probably trade for one at some point down the road. I mean how hard can that be, right?
I suppose a trade for O’Sullivan is possible, but I don’t see Parrish getting traded. Three years left on his contract is a lot for a team to take, and certainly anything for a guy like O’Sullivan would cost more than that. Maybe now that PMB has officially been offered up, that will mean he’s going to eventually be moved now. Or not.
If this is indeed it, I think the team will be in decent shape. But I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s maybe more to come as well. We’ll see…
correction-the misdirection w.MTL was the Koivu draft.
I do agree that the Brust signing is interesting as well.
toivo! damn, was JUST wonderin if u were around. always gd 2 get ur 2 cents.
O’Sully would be wonderful, I just don’t really see it happen unless we give PMB.
It’s pretty clear DL is going with his youth movement, and if he’s going to give up a very good young center, he’s going to want a young roster player in return and BP aint it nor is Parrish nor are picks.
If PMB goes for O’Sully, I’m all for it cause it gives us a bit of salary leave way, even if its for one year (Not sure how much left he has in his contrct)
BUILD FROM WITHIN:
I agree totally. I’m a huge DR supporter if any of the more denser readers haven’t noticed yet lol. But like you said, no OJ? fine, NO hoosa? fine. Somehow we need goals to replace Demitra and Rolston. If you think like DR, whats the next best step after Hossa and OJ? No not Morrison, the next best step is to get the goals with quantity, not quality.
I mean, you have to admit, this years FA wasn’t the best, it was actually pretty !@#tty.
I guess signing Brust means either 2 things. He wants competition within the minors and wants one guy in ECHL challenging for an AHL job
OR
This is the yr Harding is going to prove either he is ready for #1 job or not. If so, Backs will be gone, If not, we get one extra goalie in the minors, oh no… (sense the sarcasm)
man i like the looks of our team now. i am not going to lie it would have looked a lot better with rolston still but hay not to bad. We have some really good looking vets witch i think is the key to going deep into the playoffs. assuming there are no major injuries this next season look for the wild to make it far into the playoffs.
Eli, I’m with you.
Although I wished it looked a little better with the likes of Hossa or OJ, it stiil isn’t that bad, espicially with this FA crop.
Nolan! That’s unexpected, but I welcome him. I don’t think we are overpaying… that is a reasonable price for a physical but talented (if old) player.
For those of you ripping on Skoula, I can only agree, but I also agree with CircularTheory that Skoula is serviceable if he plays depth: #3 minutes. He is NOT a top 4, sorry Jacques. And I happen to like Johnsson, aside from his salary.
we are screwd. let Rolston go and ONLY good pick up we made was Brunnette. This team is LUCKY to make it to 3rd in our division
Suck is right! LOL
or if they found out morrison wasn’t going to sign here then it is because of DR’s lack of ability to sign top FA’s. anything the guy does you can find a way to bitch about it.
Nah, it would have been because DR doesn’t wash his hands after going potty.
As a rather ‘vocal’ non-supporter of our beloved DR, I can honestly say he has made a couple of interesting moves.
Nolan is one of those ‘I am NOT going to sit here and take it’ kind of players. He has shown he can score. Will he be able to do that here? I guess that is why they play the games.
Would rather have seen a center. I’m just not impressed…………
“KJ- This team by signing Owen Nolan is saying it is trying to win a championshio in 08-09.”
-you can’t be serious!!
As another vocal non-supporter of DR, after this move I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he will add a C, probably through a trade.
Two thoughts….(1) why does everyone assume the Wild will spend to the max of the salary cap? Liepold (sp?) spent $260m and is may have put a spending limit on DR. If so, I don’t agree, but we just don’t know if DR is even allowed to spend the money. (2) Wed and Thurs of this week is the first interaction with season ticket holders (select-a-seat). I’ve talked to quite a few season ticket holders who rsvp’d YES, but aren’t even going to show up because they are so disappointed with the off-season so far.
looking at it, I think LW is thinner than C right now. Yes, C is more dependent on kids, but both of those kids are recent 1st round picks.
LW is awful thin, or dependent on aged players past their prime. Not saying I don’t like Bruno or Nolan, Parrish, SRV or Boogey, but there’s no sure 20 goal scorer there, and no sure 60 point guy there.
Woohoo! Mojzis!
look at it this way:
in a trade, would you get more for:
Brunette, Parrish, Nolan, SRV and Boogaard
or
Koivu, Sheppard, Belanger and Pouliot
??
our new winger:
Overall the Wild on PAPER are not nearly as good. They have once again neglected a glaring need Center.
This particular signing is outstanding for the Wild… Exactly what the team needs, grit that can play at all times. Nolan will provide great leadership. I am not a Risebrough fan but must give him credit when he makes a good move.
However this signing is like scoring a goal in the last 5 minutes of a game when you are down 4-1. You are not going to win the game. Wish we had Nolan last year.
I’ve talked to quite a few season ticket holders who rsvp’d YES, but aren’t even going to show up because they are so disappointed with the off-season so far.
unless things have changed, this select-a-seat isn’t a party. you go and see if you want to move your seats. if you don’t want to do that because the wild didn’t sign hossa, whatever.
i’m not showing up because i haven’t for the last 4 or 5 years. check that, i showed up to the first one and none since. i am seats 3 and 4 from the aisle and would like to capture seats 1 and 2. i am told they renewed so no sense in me going this year as well.
there’s no sure 20 goal scorer there, and no sure 60 point guy there.
no sure things indeed. nolan, parrish and bruno all have the capability of potting 20 and bruno is a good 60pt candidate, IMHO.
Is is safe to say that the Wild now lead the league in roster players capable of scoring 10-15 goals?
Maybe more like players capable of scoring 15-20 goals.
The Wild are turning into last season’s Aeros.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0026762008.html
Anybody know anything about this Mojzis fella?
He is a defensemen on a two-way contract. You can check out his stats here:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2378&hubname=nhl-wild
unless things have changed, this select-a-seat isn’t a party.
There is a bbq this year - since this is new, is it a sign of placating some unhappiness? If retention levels are down, maybe we can actually imporve our seats this year!
Anybody find it curious that Ballgame didn’t want to pay Huggy, a proven guy for the Wild for the last 3 years, when he is 39, but he will pay Nolan, a player who scores half as much and has injury problems, when he’s 38?
That’s rather optimistic, sunshine. If team turns out to have that many 20 goal scorers, the team might actually do ok. I’m not quite that optimistic about this group.
I was really surprised that the Wild didn’t pick up someone for a one-year deal. Not much cap space available next season unless they don’t sign Gaborik…
From what I gather, he’s an offensive defenseman with good speed. Not crazy big or physical but calm under pressure. Sounds like a fairly solid guy.
DB: DR offered Rolston a $15 million - 3 year. Rolston went for a $20 million-4 year deal.
Sounds like a fairly solid AHL guy.
McKeens on AM:
Former Finnish League MVP…crafty, versatile playmaker…quick to elude defenders as he is a deceiving skater…slick with the puck, excels at utilizing space and can freeze defenders 1-on-1 with neat little shifts and feints…boasts impressive toughness and even a nasty edge despite smallish stature…turns heads with his physical presence along the boards, especially in the defensive quadrant…remarkably productive given his primarily conservative role…just needs consistency to take next step.
Wallshot:
The last two seasons: Parrish, Bruno, and Nolan all scored 15-20 goals. We can make the case that Koivu could have scored 20 goals if he didn’t miss 24 games.
That’s 4 players who can score between 15-20 goals.
The ones that are on the bubble are PMB and AM. PMB has reached the 20 goal mark once and 17 in another season.
So yes, I am optimistic that these guys can score between 15-20 goals.
Oh, nasty edge is good.
Anybody find it curious that Ballgame didn’t want to pay Huggy, a proven guy for the Wild for the last 3 years, when he is 39, but he will pay Nolan, a player who scores half as much and has injury problems, when he’s 38?
if they both go down when 38, then with nolan’s case they eat 2.5 mil but in rolston’s case it is 5 mil for 2 seasons.
Deep,
I think it’s a function of the over 35 rule.
He signed Nolan for two years. Say Nolan suffers a career ending injury (God forbid) in game 2 of the season. DR’s on the hook for his salary for the next two seasons.
Rolston wasn’t going to sign for 2 years. He wanted more. He got what, 4? So, he suffers a career ender (God forbid) in game 2 of the season and NJ’s got him on the books against the cap for the next 4 years.
I’d say the risk is less for Nolan even considering his injury history.
That’s rather optimistic, sunshine. If team turns out to have that many 20 goal scorers, the team might actually do ok.
the dead wings had 3 over 20, and 3 from 15 to 20.
Which would you rather have? Two guys who combine for 70 goals or 3-4 guys who combine for 70 goals.
Me, I’d rather spread them out around the team. The thing is, when you rely on only two scorers what happens when they have a slump or are shut down by the opposing D? Hint - See Gaborik in the post season for the answer.
It is pretty easy to match lines and shut down one player. It is pretty hard to match lines and shut down 3-4 guys.
DR was not going to offer any UFA more than a 3 year contract, including Rolston. All the Wild’s UFA signings have at most a 3 year deal. He knows than in year 4, Koivu’s new contract is going to be big. He’s saving room for it.
Which would you rather have? Two guys who combine for 70 goals or 3-4 guys who combine for 70 goals.
Uh, two guys. Obviously. Those other 1-2 players would be expected to score as well.
Which would you rather have? Two guys who combine for 70 goals or 3-4 guys who combine for 70 goals.
Can I have one 70-goal scorer? LOL.
You know, it’s possible the Wild isn’t done with free agency. I hear Happy Gilmore is still available.
You know, it’s possible the Wild isn’t done with free agency. I hear Happy Gilmore is still available.
What about Bob Barker? He’s gotta be a better fighter than Voros.
What about Bob Barker? He’s gotta be a better fighter than Voros.
FTW
Wallshot, I meant one or the other. You either get two guys who combine for 70 and roster fillers or you get 3-4 guys who combine for 70 and roster fillers.
So, assuming 15 forwards you get
guy 1 - 35 goals
guy 2 - 35 goals
guys 3 through 15 - 10 goals
or
guy 1 - 20 goals
guy 2 - 18 goals
guy 3 - 17 goals
guy 4 - 15 goals
guys 5 through 15 - 10 goals
Same total number of goals but more contributers.
Okay, so I am too lazy to read all 248 comments… so what is the general consensus on Nolan? Good, Bad, or Moderate pick-up?
ATX: moderate pick-up. maybe a little on the expensive side.
Rumors are that the Flames are going to sign Bertuzzi.
Austin: good if Nolan = Yoda for forwards
guy 1 - 35 goals
guy 2 - 35 goals
guys 3 through 15 - 10 goals
or
guy 1 - 20 goals
guy 2 - 18 goals
guy 3 - 17 goals
guy 4 - 15 goals
guys 5 through 15 - 10 goals
Same total number of goals but more contributers.
I understand what you’re getting at, but check your math again. In your scenario, assuming the bottom ten players numbers are the same for both teams, the FIRST team will always have more goals.
“moderate pick-up. maybe a little on the expensive side.”
That was the gist I got from skimming the comments… Hopefully he provides some stability in the locker room if nothing else. Thanks sunshine.
Rumors are that the Flames are going to sign Bertuzzi.
Makes Nolan to the Wild all the better
Rumors are that the Flames are going to sign Bertuzzi.
I’m not sure that even Iron Mike can re-cast Big Bert into the behemoth that once roamed NHL ice sheets. And, in that case, I can see Mr. Keenan growning weary of Bert’s reticence fairly quickly.
The question is: can Bertuzzi be an asset without being Todd Bertuzzi on a solid, intense team like Calgary?
DR has gone to Plan C - Apply Band-Aid. No high-end FAs, and only a couple of prospects worthy of a call-up, none of whom make decent trade bait. DR’s paying the price for a bad run of draft picks. The best you can say is that the signings didn’t hurt the team too much in financial terms. The Wild still need to lock up Gabby and sign or deal PMB before the summer’s over.
ATX, depends on who you ask. I think there are those that put him in each catagory.
Wallshot, Perhaps I wasn’t clear on the fillers. I was trying to say the fillers account for for 10 goals total not 10 goals each. So, in that, there would be the same 80 goals for both teams.
At least DR didn’t sign a ‘Simon’ - yet.
BTW, I’d be very happy with ‘roster fillers’ that could be counted on for 10 goals each!
What about a center? Is Nolan the answer at center? We are one Koivu injury away from a lottery pick and Koivu has a hard time staying healthy. I think this team is in trouble . . .
Koivu has a hard time staying healthy?
Are you serious?
A GUY BROKE HIS LEG
Koivu has a hard time staying healthy
WTF? He had his leg broken last year by some jackass who swung his stick at him.
I think you’d find its a little hard to stay healthy then too.
” Koivu has a hard time staying healthy”
Since when??
ATX:
Nolan = Carney(times)Hill on PCP for forwards.
Wallshot, Perhaps I wasn’t clear on the fillers. I was trying to say the fillers account for for 10 goals total not 10 goals each. So, in that, there would be the same 80 goals for both teams.
Ok, I see what you’re saying. And I don’t disagree with the concept of spreading scoring out. However, I think you can spread secondary and tertiary scoring out and still have two solid scorers ahead of them. In fact, I think you NEED that to be successful.
I feel like the team may have upgraded its 3rd and 4th lines at the expense of downgrading its top two lines. That doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.
I do like the moves as far as D-men go, for the record.
Nolan is one of those guys that got my dander up when he was an opponent, but I love having him join the Wild. A tough, well respected guy. The new team Yoda. Plus, how many NHL’ers are there who were born in Belfast? I am disappointed that we haven’t filled the center slot, but Smug has to have something brewing there. If not, I wouldn’t even no what to say. It shouldn’t take a year to recognize the need and fill the hole left by Walz.
Speaking of washing your hands:
A Canucklehead and a Wild fan are standing at the urinal. The Wild zips up and heads out the door. The Canucklehead yaps at him, “Eh Hoser! Wash your hands! Don’t they teach you nothin’ in Sota!?” The Wild calmly replies, “Of course they do. They teach us to not pee on our hands!”
No doubt Nolan will bring intensity to the game JimLove. Is he a faster skater than Hill/Carney?
Austin: my dog is a faster skater than Hill/Carney.
my knowledge tells me nothing, but based on how slow those guys were, probably.
…if Nolan’s any slower, he’s inert.
I did find this bit interesting - posted on Brad Ratgen’s blog (which I don’t usually read). A comparison of “averages” of the new Wild Roster players next to the averages of last year’s. I don’t know if this is career average or simply last season and I did no checking against accuracy, so don’t quote me on it:
NEW: 68.6 GP/10.2G/23A/-3.8
OLD: 50 GP/8.875G/14.125A/-2.875
*Keep in mind this is prior to the Nolan signing
Koivu has a hard time staying healthy
Bizarro POTD (BPOTD)!!!
“my dog is a faster skater than Hill/Carney.”
Now that you mention it NiNY, THIS is probably faster than them too…
Austin: my dog is a faster skater than Hill/Carney.
Snoopy?
The fact still remains, however:
The Wild still need a CENTER…
Snoopy?
Ha…only in her dreams.
Ha…only in her dreams.
???
Snoopy was our HS ‘on-ice’ mascot.
I imagine that went over well with Mr. Cotroneo…
The fact still remains, however:
The Wild still need a CENTER…
Given the recent winger signings, a trade of PMB for a center is still not entirely out of the question.
Sorry “The Dude!” :-O
Koivu did have knee injury that ended his rookie season i think it was. doesn’t mean he isn’t durable although that was a sissy swing by ohlund.
People, I understand the over-35 rule, but if we’re not going to sign somebody because we THINK he may get hurt, then let’s just shur ‘er down and start paying attention to the Timber Mutts. Also, somebody needs to remind me how may games Huggy missed due to injury in his three years here? Also, I have a feeling that if Ballgame would have went 4 years, and been willing to pay a proven commodity when he is 39, Huggy would have stayed. But, Ballgame would rather pay a player with injuries issues and half the offensive production until he is 38.
Carney = Yoda for the defense. Nolan = Yoda for the forwards.
Are people saying that the forwards learned nothing from Rolston and Demitra or at least no visible showing of having learned from them?
Wallshot: If Ballgame can swing a deal for a legit center while parting with PMB and/or Parrish, I think we’d all go ass-less chaps, at least for a little while.
DB, I am in full agreement with you.
Looking back on his last 10 seasons, Rolston did not play a total of a whopping 23 out of 820 possible games.
Deep: Parrish, yes. PMB, no.
sunshine: The only thing other Wild players learned from Demitra is how to be a locker room cancer…loaf during play…play when they want to…and how to pout when asked to play a different position that you’ve played before…
bfw*: she’s a beagle/lab mix.
I would definitely not be dancing in the streets if we lose PMB for a center. Tade off Parrish, and one of the recent additions for a decent center.
I’m not crazy about the idea of trading PMB either. I do like him.
However, if you can trade him for an equally talented player that will fill the largest positional void in this team, then you do it.
I don’t think a trade of Parrish could net you a top-two center.
DB: There is more to it than just injuries or missed games. Other than Hossa, DR was just not willing to give him or any UFA a four year contract, That is why he tradede for Zidlicky, who has 2 years left on his contract, instead of going for any of the UFA defensemen.
It says to me that DR and Co. went into this FA season only giving 3 year or less on contracts. It cost them good players, no doubt about it. However, that was part of their strategy.
I guess the forwards learned nothing from both Rolston and Demitra.
Deep: you have answer for everything. so we can go back in time to predict how many games rolston might miss in the next 4 years but can’t do that for brunette’s production?
I don’t think a trade of Parrish could net you a top-two center.
Not sure you could even get a used puck bag, either. Just make it happen, and free up the cap space…
Sunshine: While I think Rolston might have had a positive impact on younger guys, the constant gripe on the board over the last year was how our forwards were afraid to go into corners, get in front of the net, etc. Nolan is the epitomy of this, and hence the Yoda.
Umberger signed by CBJ at $15 million for 4 years ($3.75 million per)
Comparable goals to PMB if not points. PMB should get about $4 million then.
Sounds ’bout right. Nice dig, sunshine.
Glad to see that the Russoville residents have backed off the ledge post holiday weekend and are busy discussing where our offense will come from.
My assesment of DR so far is a B. He tried to go after several of the so called high profile players in this years UFA pool. When they decided to sign elsewhere or when he was priced out of the market he quickly shifted tactics and signed mostly midlevel older players to fill most of our needs.
DR didn’t get sucked in and overspend on players i.e Huselius, Naslund etc. The biggest concern I have, I obviously share with many of you on this blog, is at the Center position which only was partly addressed with the Nolan addition. Nolan can take draws and I wonder if he will not play more at the center then what he has done in the past unless DR makes a trade.
I don’t know why everyone wants to trade PMB. I know he is due a larger payday, but the Wild should pay him. They have the money available, and need his playmaking. Lock him up. Tell him to shoot a little more.
Parrish, on the other hand, could be dealt for pennies on the dollar. I like the guy, but he has been struggling. I wouldn’t mind the cap room it would bring to trade him for a pick or something.
I don’t really see O’Sullivan coming here. Both he and PMB are in the same boat (RFA due larger raises). If we offered Parrish, we’d have to give up something else too. Maybe Pouliot or something, but it sounds like Risebrough wants to keep him. I just don’t really see it happening.
I’m starting to like the look of this year’s team. I like Nolan. I like Zidlicky and Bergeron and Brunette. I don’t know much about Miettinen or Weller, but hopefully they’ll fill the roles we need (Miettinen can score a few goals and Weller can… Weller can bust a few heads I guess). We’ll see how it plays out, but so far, I’m liking it a little more each day.
“…if Nolan’s any slower, he’s inert.”
I almost spit out my coffee on that one. LOL.
Speaking of slow, how about Parrish and PMB for O’Sully? It’s basically PMB for O’Sully with cap relief (Parrish).
I don’t know why everyone wants to trade PMB
This is based at least in part on Wild management’s own behavior of only giving him 1-year deals the last couple of seasons, while guys like Mikko get the LT deals.
If PMB goes in a trade, here’s my opinion -
We don’t give up PMB + anything. We give up PMB for an equal value player and a pick or some combination. DR isn’t in buy mode (other than for the Center position) and thus should be “selling” this player. PMB doesn’t need to be coupled with extra goodies to make him an attractive trade target.
I don’t want to see him traded, as it would be tough to replace his offense since that is what we need so dearly.
Funny how this board is complaining about the lack of offense, but all in favor of trading away our #2 or 3 point scorer in favor of a center who won’t put up comparable points (due to the system of JL).
The Wild should trade PMB for Saku Koivu.
Montreal gets a young french-canadian winger, we get a proven center.
PMB should only be trade bait to sign a #1 center like for Olli. Other than that he is comparable to O’Sully and others.
in favor of a center who won’t put up comparable points (due to the system of JL).
I don’t believe this is a foregone conclusion. The right type of center could be successful in Lemaire’s system. Koivu seems to do pretty well even playing many minutes on a “shutdown” line.
is there any evidence that O’Sully would put up better numbers than PMB in JL’s system? Is he known to have good potential to play the 2-way game? I honestly don’t know, those aren’t just rhetorical questions.
I guess I don’t really get the negativity towards Parrish. Yes, I agree he didn’t have a very good second half of the season but he still have plenty of potential to get back to his old days post concusion and new baby at home. Really what does $2.3 Mil buy you in todays NHL anyway?
I think with the addition of several strong “locker-room” guys such as Bruno and Nolan, Parry can just concentrate on doing his thing and not worry about having to speak up in the locker room.
Really what does $2.3 Mil buy you in todays NHL anyway?
An old Irishman, apparently.
jimlove: Not all of us Wild partisans want PMB traded. However, with his lack of production, his proneness to injury and his semi-permanent residence in “Chateau Bow-Wow”, Parrish (and his hefty salary) is a prime candidate for trade. Now we have to find someone to take him (and Skoula) in a package deal for a used puck bag…
Really what does $2.3 Mil buy you in todays NHL anyway?
1.2 Skoulas?
I don’t know why everyone wants to trade PMB
This is based at least in part on Wild management’s own behavior of only giving him 1-year deals the last couple of seasons, while guys like Mikko get the LT deals.
And that they’ve offered him up to FLA w/i the last few weeks.
—-
Speaking of slow, how about Parrish and PMB for O’Sully?
Not sure LA would be down for that one, but I’d sign that.
An old Irishman, apparently.
Nope, you’d still be about $450,000 short.
I guess my perspective from the center position is that we would benefit more from a defensive minded center than a playmaking/scoring center (hence my man-crush on fedorov). This is based on what JL expects from the position. My un educated opinion leads me to believe that most of the centers we have and will target would have an adjustment period coming into JL’s system and would thus see a point-decrease
Nope, you’d still be about $450,000 short.
LOL…I figured that was just for the 41 kegs of Guiness (ie, one for every home game) in his contract.
NiNY: Make it Bass Ale. Guinness is too heavy for post-game chugging…:P
Stop this nonsense PMB trade stuff. I’ve now have changed my opinon and think we really will need his creativity on this team. Try your hardest to sign him to a long term deal in the $4 Mil range and see what happens this season. If b-b-benny develops like we hope DR would have flexibility and the option to shop PMB at the trade deadline picking up draft picks, prospects and clear some capspace.
Really what does $2.3 Mil buy you in todays NHL anyway?
255,555 MegaWild dogs? (w/mustard and onion.)
People are down on Parrish because he looks as if he’s skating with cement boots for skates. He’s basically an in-front-of-the-net-tip-the-puck type player that has no speed, doesn’t really hit, and is avg defensively. He’s just too one-dimensional to be of much use.
What I don’t get is the Kimberly Johnsson haters. I understand that with that salary there was an expectation of more offensive production, but I think he played really well in the playoffs last year logging a boat load of minutes. Also, like somebody metioned previously, a great deal of his offensive production was on the PP and he just does get that many chances on the PP anymore.
Ecklund says Brendan Morrison looks likely to remain “further out West” according to a great source. The source went on to tell me that he felt the LA Kings or Anaheim Ducks were “by far the most likely destination for Brendan.”
So, once again, Ecklund changes his story. Maybe this means BM is a lock for the wild now
NiNY - LOL, 1.2 Skoulas, I rest my case!
And that they’ve offered him up to FLA w/i the last few weeks.
True they did offer him up, but for a guy that scored 34 goals and 71 total points on a bad team.
I have always wondered a little bit about the 1-year deals for PMB though. I assumed that they were just doing a 1-year deal then going to work on a longer term contract during the season or something, but they obviously haven’t done that.
if PMB wasnt such a pansy the Wild would have signed him.
Someone who is 5 foot 9 and afraid is not worth a long term deal
WRT: True, but Bass is English, no?
What i dont get is why not offer Shep for a package to get Olli… Another reason DOUIGE NEEDS TO GO!
Big Bert to Calgary now called by TSN: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242732&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
Better trade PMB because do you think PMB is feeling the love right now from the Wild? Openly had his name all over trading block last February so it should seem fairly obvious that the Wild is/are willing to part with him. Don’t expect PMB to sign a long term deal now, not when he’s only a year away from UFA and can CHOOSE where he wants to play. Why would he take the chance o signing long term with a team that is openly shopping him and then could trade him to, say, LA, Tor, StL, etc when he can choose which team he plays for next summer. If Ballgame has the chance to package PMB before September for a legit center he should do it, cause it seems bit optimistic that PMB is eager to sign a long term deal with the Wild.
Bass Ale also brewed by Guinness, Nick.
Maybe this means BM is a lock for the wild now
What an unfortunate set of initials.
What an unfortunate set of initials
Haha, yikes. Let’s go with BeMo.
CW - I get that Parrish seamed slower the second half of last year but part of that is that they have him cycle in and out of the corners and not have him set up camp in front of the net where he ususally is money. If you never the puck in front of the net it’s much harder to score especially for Parrish. Last years team was much to happy playing with the puck on perimiter instead of going for the net.
The Yawnson haters will not be happy until he scores 40+ points and plays like Phaneuf. Sorry folks, but that is not going to be what post-concusion Yawnson does, $ 4.85 Mil pricetag or not.
Regarding PMB, I don’t understand what the Wild expectations were for him that he has not met. He was a small playmaker when they drafted him. Its not like he was going to grow 6″ and become a gritty winger. He works his tail off. There aren’t many guys his size who have the skills to stick in the NHL from what I can see and there are a ton of teams who will pony up to get him. I love the guy. If the Wild trade him, it is more about them drafting wrong for their plan than it is about him failing to meet expectations. If I were him, I am not so sure I wouldn’t tell DR to stick his past one year contracts, go to arb, play my butt off this year and take it to the bank as an FA next year. Smug can then add PMB to the Rolston/Brunette list of “Oops. I maybe should have signed him earlier.”
Morrison out west is Vancouver.
Now we have to find someone to take him (and Skoula) in a package deal for a used puck bag…
perhaps we can sweeten the deal by throwing in the rights to “fight to the end”?
that should seal any deal.
- Stop this nonsense PMB trade stuff. I’ve now have changed my opinon and think we really will need his creativity on this team.
As much as this teams needs another C for this season, I have to agree.
- If Morrison goes to the Kings, they will almost have to trade one of what would be 7 Cs on the roster according to nhlnumbers.com. However, I don’t follow the team so some the C designations could be inacurate.
- Bass Ale also brewed by Guinness
You are thinking of Smithwicks
- ChicagoWild - thanks for joining the I Don’t Hate Kim Johnsson and His Contract Club - we now have 5 members I think
Stoned: correct you are. You would think after the 1-yr-deals, and for PMB has done for the team, PMB and his agent would tell Ballgame to shuv it up his ass 3 ways from Sunday; become an UFA next summer and choose where he wants to play. I would like to see PMB sign long term here, but I would be willing bet he is not real interested in doing so. If that is the case, you HAVE to ship him this summer to get something in return. Cannot repeat the Rolston mess. As long as we’re at it, let’s not forget that Ballgame has to wow Gabby with an extension in the next few weeks or he too has to get shipped. Nice.
more from shipley
Clearly other guys are going to have to score, all of them will have to score more, with the exception of maybe (Marian) Gaborik,” Risebrough said. “I don’t want to say he needs to score 50 goals.”
Gaborik led the Wild with a franchise-high 42 goals last season. With Brian Rolston and his 32 goals now in New Jersey, Brunette is next on the current Wild roster with 19 goals for Colorado last season. But Mikko Koivu, limited to 57 games because of a broken leg, should score more than 11 goals next season, and Risebrough believes Parrish will rebound from his 16-goal campaign.
and
“The signing of Bruno and Owen are certainly a conscious effort to get those types of people back in the room, and maybe different in some way,” Risebrough said. “Rolie, we made an offer, but with the other guys, it was time to move on.
“Owen is a guy who can show young players how to prepare, how to play — and not just play, but play in big games that mean so much, how to bring it when you’re hurt or when you’re down a little, whether it’s you or the team. Owen can do that.”
flames have bert per TSN
G*: WE’VE DONE IT! WE HAVE FOUND SOMETHING WE CAN AGREE ON!!!!
That whole “Fight to the end” mantra is right up there with “We need to see if the kids can play.”
If Morrison goes to the Kings, they will almost have to trade one of what would be 7 Cs on the roster according to nhlnumbers.com. However, I don’t follow the team so some the C designations could be inacurate.
tsn has o’sullivan listed as c/w
If Morrison goes to the Kings, they will almost have to trade one of what would be 7 Cs on the roster according to nhlnumbers.com. However, I don’t follow the team so some the C designations could be inacurate
McKeen’s has Sully as LW/C.
SportsNet.ca:
Is an explosive scorer and a very creative forward. Can be effective at all three positions up front.
wow bertuzzi 1 year. 1.95 million.
What happens to the $4 million owed to him by the Ducks? Is that null and voided now that the Flames signed him?
didn’t the ducks buy him out?
Did some more reasearch and yep, they did buy out Bertuzzi.
he gets paid it over a lengthened time period and it is reduced to like 2/3rds of the amount. or so. don’t quote me. so their cap hit for it is much smaller than the 4 million.
DB, one factor is that as the market has played out it is obvious the prices have risen. So, perhaps DR would look at it differently if Rolston was still unsigned.
But, a two year obligation is still much better than four and 2.? million is much better to eat than five million!
That is a big contract to pay someone nearly forty!
If DR did pay Rolston four years at five million and he did get hurt in the first year in Greenstars example the team would have a big albatross on their neck to resolve that issue for the duration.
Probably I would rather have multiple goal scorers to reduce the team risk in event of injuries and for the other reasons given above.
Thank God we will get to see Bertuzzi 83 times again this season.
They cannot dump “fight to the end”.
It ain’t over till WE say it’s over…
Watching that clip of Voros vs Nolan does anyone still miss the little punching bag?
Hey Russo,
Can you put a squash to this O’Sullivan rumor? Wild fans are going to run back to the ledge pretty soon here.
Probably I would rather have multiple goal scorers to reduce the team risk in event of injuries and for the other reasons given above.
So, there’s no room for Hossa, Iginla, Gaborik on your team?
Bass Ale also brewed by Guinness, Nick.
Iiiieeee don’t think so, WRT. Bass is owned/brewed by InBev. I *believe* Guinness is still owned/brewed by St. James Gate in Dublin.
What I don’t get is the Kimberly Johnsson haters. I understand that with that salary there was an expectation of more offensive production, but I think he played really well in the playoffs last year logging a boat load of minutes. Also, like somebody metioned previously, a great deal of his offensive production was on the PP and he just does get that many chances on the PP anymore.
Well, I wouldn’t say I *hate* him, but I’ve been certainly disappointed with his Cost/Benefit Ratio. Now that he’s a couple of years into his deal and the cap/salary range has gone up, it’s not so bad. I think prior to this season, he was probably not trade-able given the years/dollars on his contract, which is kind of how I view these things in a cap world. If I think someone could easily be traded, they are great. If they are next to impossible, then they stink.
Anyway, he’s not a bad player. Great skater. Amazing stamina. Like you say, he can play big minutes. Pretty good with the puck, too.
On the minus side, he’s not that great defensively. Not big enough to be physical, and I think sometimes it leads him to resort to using his stick and getting penalties (he had 9 in playoff games). He’s also not very good in front of the net. This is mostly just perception on my part here, but doesn’t it always seem like whenever there’s a goal that goes in off of some kind of *lucky* bounce or tip or something, Johnsson is there staring at the ceiling right afterwards?
I think all of this could be overlooked if he was putting up numbers similar to what he was getting in Philly. The excuse that he was getting those numbers mostly on the PP, and he’s not getting the same opportunity with the Wild is kind of flimsy. If he’s not getting the opportunity, why not? Anyway, just my two cents there.
kj - not in a salary capped world.
Sadly Guinness is part of the Diageo empire
correction: Guiness is owned by Diageo.
Diageo also counts Smithwicks, Red Stripe, Harp and Kilkenny among it’s beers. Johnnie Walker, J&B, Oban, Talisker, Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie, Smirnoff, Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Gilbey’s, Crown Royal, Seagram’s, Bushmills, Don Julio, Goldschlager, Rumple Minze, Bailey’s, Godiva’s, and Jose Cuervo.
InBev also has Absolut, Keith’s, Becks, Boddington’s, Brahma, Franziskaner, Haacke-Beck, Hoegaarden, Kokanee, Labatt, Leffe, Lowenbrau, Spaten, St. Pauli Girl, Stella Artois and Tennents.
Add Captain Morgan and Myers’s to Diageo…and they distribute Jose in NA, but they do not own them.
I didn’t realize Diageo was SO big. Man.
Bass is owned/brewed by InBev
so Bass and Bud will be brothers? doesn’t sound right now does it.
We can’t trade “Fight to the End”. Its part of the Wild Anthem.
so Bass and Bud will be brothers? doesn’t sound right now does it.
officially remains to be seen, but, yeah…that’s a little awkward. but I suppose everyone’s got a black sheep somewhere in their family…
Seems like O’Sullivan was on wing when they played the Wild.
Bass Ale also brewed by Guinness
You are probably confusing Bass with Harp.
If he’s not getting the opportunity, why not? Anyway, just my two cents there.
Over the last two years, JL has had Rolston, PMB, Burns, Nummi and Foster ahead of him. I think its a coaching decision and not an issue of earning the time but if I see JL at the bbq I will ask him
is there any evidence that O’Sully would put up better numbers than PMB in JL’s system? Is he known to have good potential to play the 2-way game? I honestly don’t know, those aren’t just rhetorical questions.
Hard to say. He’s certainly not afraid to shoot the puck, though. 220 shots last season to PMB’s 129. I don’t think he played C full-time in L.A. for whatever that is worth (and his FO% is only 44%), and I’m not sure about the defensive side of his game. I’m making a semi-educated guess that it’s OK, but could be better. He seems to fit the role of sniper more than 2-way C.
KJ, I would especially like to have Iginla on my team. Exception granted.
We can’t trade “Fight to the End”. Its part of the Wild Anthem.
while i am one of the few that don’t mind the anthem, i’d sacrifice it to pull this trade off.
officially remains to be seen
BUD is an american icon. i’d rather they go the way of GM but then I’m not a direct shareholder. i guess i hold some indirectly thru my S & P index fund in my 401k.
I think its a coaching decision and not an issue of earning the time
I think JL’s coaching decisions are almost entirely about earning the time. He plays guys who produce for him.
On another topic: Bass = blech. Fullers ESB, people, Fullers ESB. Force your local tavern, pub, watering hole, dive or whatever it is you frequent to get it on tap now. You’ll be glad you did.
He seems to fit the role of sniper more than 2-way C.
this is sort of my impression as well.
And, if that’s the case, then take his career-to-date numbers and multiply by, say .75 in JL’s system. Like it or not, I think that’s a fact - certainly in his first season.
BUD is an american icon.
true, but so is Rosie to many.
KJ, I would especially like to have Iginla on my team.
You and everyone else.
true, but so is Rosie to many.
Well, there goes my lunch!
I just threw up in my mouth a little…
Can we spend the next 6 weeks ripping the anthem???
All I wanna know is who ended up with Walthers? You know…Little Wallys? 32 to a case? Anyone…anyone???
Oh, and I want Newcastle on my team…
So…submissions to replace “We will fight to the end…”?
How ’bout “We will gripe and regret…we stand and defend…”
Yoda for forwards
Still need a Yoda for defensemen? Darryl Sydor’s available… I’ll take a 9th round pick for him. (and those don’t exist anymore!)
thanks for joining the I Don’t Hate Kim Johnsson and His Contract Club - we now have 5 members I think
Technically you could sign me up too.
Well, Miller is owned by a South African company, Bud soon by a, what is InBev…Belgian company?
So…drink Sam Adams — it is still all American and tastes better too.
I didn’t realize Diageo was SO big
…that’s what she said?
KiPA is here all week…
KiPA is here all week…
Try the veal.
Miller is owned by a South African company
SAB/Miller has become Molson/Coors/Miller.
Diageo also counts Smithwicks, Red Stripe, Harp and Kilkenny among it’s beers. Johnnie Walker, J&B, Oban, Talisker, Lagavulin, Dalwhinnie, Smirnoff, Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Gilbey’s, Crown Royal, Seagram’s, Bushmills, Don Julio, Goldschlager, Rumple Minze, Bailey’s, Godiva’s, and Jose Cuervo.
Alright, you got my mouth watering - I’ll take one . . . of each.
I’ll take one . . . of each.
Heh. Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.
Props to Russo, you’re “notebook” article http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/23999864.html?location_refer=Wild:highlightModules:2 was cited by tsn.ca as the source of the New Year’s Day game, DET v. CHI.
Nice!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242711&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl
I like the signing, we got a player that I like a lot. Hopefully we get a center now….
On a side note, I noticed that we have some penguin fans on here.
Check this hossa video out, it is pretty funny.
SAB/Miller has become Molson/Coors/Miller
acutally, SABMiller and Molson Coors have combined US operations with SABMiller getting 58% of the economic impact and Molson Coors getting 42%. both have 50% voting interest. Pete Coors is chairman and Leo Kiely from Molson Coors is CEO
more interesting domestic beer facts.
a major brewer is one that brews more than 2 million barrels annually. there are 4 in the US but the 4th sometimes isn’t counted since they contract all their brewing out. Name that brand.
BUD hold 50% market share in US and has the nations top-selling beer, Bud Light. puke. i am not ashamed to admit that i will drink light beer but bud light is the worst.
a major brewer is one that brews more than 2 million barrels annually. there are 4 in the US but the 4th sometimes isn’t counted since they contract all their brewing out. Name that brand.
Sam Adams doesn’t brew its own beer (its misleading representations to the contrary).
or technically, I guess Sam Adams’ brewer is the Boston Beer Co., I think.
O’Sullivan for PMB is a bad trade in my mind b/c PMB has more talent and will become a consistent 60+ point scorer. I don’t remember DR saying the O’Sullivan deal was a mistake that he wanted back like AB. Parrish on the other hand, although I love the guy and I am an SCSU alum, would be a good trade. We would have to throw some draft picks to LA though.
Re Beer: Support your local brewery and drink Summit, it’s delicious especially Summit Grand.
Sam Adams’ brewer is the Boston Beer Co
boston beer company, ticket SAM. brews sam adams. they don’t brew 2 million barrels a year
ticket SAM = Ticker symbol, SAM
Summit is good and too hard to find in Chicago, unfortunately. Bell’s (Kalamazoo, MI) is also tasty…do they distribute in Minny? They got in a fight with their Chicago distributor so I am SOL for while.
Oh, and it turns out they now brew more of their beer than I thought they did.
Pabst contracts it all out, though, doesn’t it?
for4Rest -
I’m with you - support the local brews.. but I opt for premium whenever I get back to the homeland…
or spotted cow.
But out in Delaware its Dogfish Head.
Hockey and Beer…a natural combo!
build: How about this to replace the line in the Wild Anthem?
“We shall gripe and amend, we shall whine and just then…plead season-ticket poverty”…
Pabst contracts it all out, though, doesn’t it?
Pabst brews more than 2 million barrels a year but doesn’t own a brewery. contracts most to Miller.
BTW, has anyone given KiPA grief yet for Matt Cooke?
They messed up my fav light beer. MGD Light is now MGD 64.
Shrunk the alcohol content by 40%.
Now I’ll have to drink a case to get a buzz…
PBR me ASAP…I may have to leave for the day.
Y’all are makin’ me thirsty.
Stop it!
Berturdzi in Cowgary? Did we really need another reason to hate Cowgary?
Has Cowgary passed the ‘Nuks on the hatred scale yet?
psycho suzi’s used to have PBR on tap, now they just have 16oz cans for $3.50
Re Beer: Support your local brewery and drink Summit, it’s delicious especially Summit Grand.
They re-branded this one Summit Pilsner (now a green label, instead of Grand’s red), no?
Did we really need another reason to hate Cowgary? Has Cowgary passed the ‘Nuks on the hatred scale yet?
Frankly, I like the Flames. I was quite disappointed to see Bertuzzi sign with them.
I also wish they were in a different division.
BTW, has anyone given KiPA grief yet for Matt Cooke?
Not yet, but don’t bother. I rooted for Ruutu (who must now die. but seriously, he went to ottawa. wonder how that’ll go. He scored the goal that knocked them out of the playoffs) so there isn’t much difference.
PBR? I passed on that even in the poverty-line days of college…
Now I’ll have to drink a case to get a buzz…
Kinda offsets the *lightness* of it, doesn’t it?
a crumb from the Don…
I would rather have a schells any day over the hog water that summit makes.
KiPA, don’t matter it is still Matt Cooke!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Matt Cooke Sucks!
Still works, even in the Eastern Conference….
G* - you go to Suzi’s and you don’t get the Tiki head drinks?
Give me a Duvel, or any other high octane belgian ale…like D.T. One is all you need.
Poverty line days…I drank Icehouse. More bang for the buck, if you will. Of course, I went to college when the ice beer craze was going on…
Looks like we have to move this conversation over to the new posting
one big Duvel, that is.
but don’t bother
What? But Matt Cooke sucks!
Good job, WRT, it fits.
Am I the only poster liking St Pauli Girl?
Matt Cooke is way worse than Ruuttu, no contest. At lease Ruutu does not run and hide under his skirt. The only guy who is close to Matt Cooke is Nash (one time Blue and other)? Forgot his name now.
If we can just get a decent center all might not be lost…
Mike: I think most of us are with you on that one. Get a legit center in here via a trade: PMB, Parrish and Schaefer in a package and get a legit center in her to drop the disappearing Belanger down to #4 and take some of the pressure off of B-B-Benny.
Good call on the math guys, for some reason the 5 number stuck in my head. Must have been from another index or confusing the Forbes reports or something. 7th highest average ticket price is still pretty incredible for a market like this, and the Wild have consistently had one of the highest percent increases according to TMR’s report. Look at the post-lockout year, Wild were one of few teams to actually have the FCI go up rather than down.
