Wild updated depth chart, salaries and cap hit; Poor Xcel Energy Center
Posted on July 27th, 2008 – 12:27 PMBy Michael Russo
The Committee On Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention released their first behind-the-scenes, time lapse video of the ongoing transformation of Xcel Energy Center into the podium for the Republican Party’s nomination of Sen. John McCain.
In the week since work began, workers have removed 3,000 seats, built workspace for staff and media, and began technological enhancements needed to support the 45,000 participants expected. To see the video, click here.
I thought I’d throw this up, and this is unofficial but accurate. As you can see, if this roster stands, the Wild is extremely close — probably too close for comfort — to the cap ceiling ($2.13 million under). This includes the cap hits for James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot if they hit all their bonuses (you have to count potential bonuses in the cap hit).
But still, the Wild doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room to get injured, or for that matter, to make in-season trades for expensive players. So, calling them “cheap” is a complete fallacy.
Kurtis Foster will start the season on IR, but his salary will still count against the cap. That long-term injury (LTI) function in the CBA is only to allow a team at the cap to go over the cap, and the Wild won’t be at the cap (as of today).
Also remember, if the Wild signs Marian Gaborik to an extension, that won’t affect next season’s salary or cap hit.
WILD DEPTH CHART
Here’s a look at the Wild’s depth chart for next season as it stands today (one of those right wingers will probably have to play left wing). 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)
Stephane Veilleux ($862,500, $862,500)
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 ($3.35 million, $4.08 million)
Owen Nolan ($2.75 million, $2.75 million)
Antti Miettinen ($2 million, $2.33 million)
Craig Weller ($575,000, $600,000)
Defensemen
Brent Burns ($3 million, $3.55 million)
Kim Johnsson ($5.25 million, $4.85 million)
Nick Schultz ($3.2 million, $3.5 million)
Marek Zidlicky (3.5 million, $3.35 million)
Martin Skoula ($1.9 million, $1.8 million)
Marc-Andre Bergeron ($1.691 million, $1.254 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
$53,818,500 in salary; $54,571,499 against $56.7 million cap
Roster contenders
RW Cal Clutterbuck
LW-RW Colton Gillies
C Krys Kolanos
C Corey Locke
F Petr Kalus
* Cap includes potential performance bonuses.
– MICHAEL RUSSO
209 Responses to "Wild updated depth chart, salaries and cap hit; Poor Xcel Energy Center"
Let’s hope nobody gets hurt this year
Looks like Gillies might have a leg up on the competition because he plays LW, where we’re a bit thin
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for Clutterbuck, Gillies, Kalus.
Unless of course, Foster and Reitz cannot man the popcorn machine adequately.
Does Weller cut into Boogaard’s minutes?
Can Benny be productive at C?
Will Nolan be paired with Gaborik? In my world, he is.
Not that anyone cares, but I would line ‘em up like this:
Nolan/Sheppard/Gaborik
Burns/Zidlicky
Brunette/Koivu/PMB
Schultz/MAB
Parrish/Benny/Miettinen
Johnsson/Skoula (or Reitz)
SRV/Belanger/Boogaard (or Weller or ???)
As we all know, under JL any player could (and probably will) play almost anywhere.
Since Foster will be on IR, it does open a spot for Gillies or an Aeros guy. However, it will put us closer to the cap by at most a million dollars.
Why would you put MAB as a top 4 and relegate Johnsson to the 5th spot? It will likely be:
Burns-Johnsson
Schultz-Zidlicky
Skoula-MAB/Reitz or paired with one of the top 3 (Johnsson, Burns, and Schultz) in limited minutes
Boogaard, Weller, and Gillies/Aeros guys will rotate in and out depending on who our opponent will be.
I wouldn’t rule out Parrish in the press box either if his play is not up to par.
Yeah, I’m not so sure Parrish fits into all of this. He has a hefty salary, too. We’ll see how he compares to other vets like Nolan and Bruno.
kj:
Liked the line configuartions, but I would swap Bruno with Miettinen simply because PMB is a playmaker and puck-carrier. I think the kind of player that works best with that is somebody with some speed (example Huggy). Bruno is a slogger who does his best work down low, behind the net and along the wall. Miettinen is known to be very fast, so that’s why I’d make the switch. Obviously, as we all know, JL switches the lines up about every 37 seconds.
Probably should try to move Parrish to save $$$ and make room for Gilles and Clutterbuck. If they’re going to be up here they need to play. Even if we just get a draft pick, we need picks to use as assets at trade dead-lines and to hedge against some of our draft-day defeciencies. A few teams are going to be needing to add salary to get to the “floor”.
sunshine
Because Skoula and MAB are defensive liabilities. Schultz is strong defensively. Johnsson can cover up for Skoula. Burns will gamble, but can also cover up for Zidlicky.
It’s not about minutes or 1-6. It’s about who would compliment who. Or, in a word…balance.
Deep…I thought about that too. But, I figured that Parrish and Brunette (due to their speed) wouldn’t be good together. I also figured Brunette’s ability down low would give PMB playmaking time closer to the net.
The roster doesn’t look too bad. I would like the Wild to find someway to get Gillies on the team.
I’m not sure that the Wild can “call up” Gillies from the Juniors.
Can the Wild go ahead and put Boogie on the IR for the entire season?
So, what’s the implication here? That someone with a bigger contract than they’re worth is likely to be waived or traded?
Maybe Parrish? Maybe a cheaper goalie tandem, though really Backs isn’t what I would call overpaid.
That someone with a bigger contract than they’re worth is likely to be waived or traded?
waiving a player will not releive us of their cap burden, unless picked up by another squad.
If Parrish is overpaid like every writes all the time, then we have to call Nolan and Miettinen both overpaid. Looking at the stats they have comparable stats from last year and current salary. Brunette looks like a steal with his stats and salary.
Off topic for a sec, if I can. A buddy today mentioned something about a goalie taking a puck to the face sometime during the past season. Not a shocking occurance, I know, but he said this was bad. Broke the face mask and cut the goalie. Goalie went out, but came back in the third and played.
What I am wondering is if anyone heard this, and if so who it was?
KJ:
I guess looking at the Wild’s own line combos - that makes some sense but I wouldn’t want Burns to cover Zidlicky. You need Schultz or Johnsson to cover one of them because both would want to jump into the play too often. Schultz and Johnsson can hang back a little more.
Schultz and Johnsson pairing up with Skoula and MAB in limited minutes also makes sense.
Buddha:
I remember something like that happening but I am not sure who it happened to. Rolston, I think in practice, broke Harding’s mask. No injury.
And yes, at the moment AM and Nolan are overpaid.
I remember that incident but not sure who it was. I want to say Ryan Miller for some reason.
Yep, it was Miller.
G*, indeed. Though I would expect Parrish to get picked up… but even paying half his salary doesn’t give us a huge break. Meh. Glad I’m not a GM.
RUSSO..what is the story with Petr Kalus? When the Wild acquired him in the trade for Fernandez, we heard nothing about how great this kid is going to be. If my memory serves me correctly, the guy scored on all of his first 4 shots in the NHL. I am asking because we have heard nothing about him since he was acquired and this looks to be a year in which some roster depth is certainly needed.
By my count, there’s one roster spot available. I’d say Clutterbuck, Kalus and Kolanos will be the first callups of the year. Unless, of course, DR trots out the old “He won’t get anything more out of another year of juniors” with Gillies, then we’re basically stuck with him. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but you have to consider the opportunity cost of keeping Gillies on the team. I hope DR keeps himself some flexibility with that last roster spot, by giving it to a Clutterbuck or Kalus.
Yo Buddha, That goalie was nabakov…took a slaper I think right on the vertical piece of the bars over the nose on the mask bent it or broke it…he got some stiches and returned to the game
Thank you to all for the busted goalie mask stuff. I won’t go through the trouble of putting in the link, but here is the youtube video of Nabokov’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAT_zAT8Ymo
Oh, and the Ryan Miller one, though I can’t find video… came off of Marek Zidlicky’s stick.
Or, it will just make the link for me. Either way I guess…
Gman - you haven’t heard anything about Kalus because there is nothing to report. The guy had a brutal season with the Aeros.
VoR - having personally seen Clutterbuck, Kalus, Kolanos and Gillies play in the AHL last season I would want Gillies playing for the Wild. Although I’m not giving Kolanos a fair assessment because he played for the hated Quad City Flames and there is something weird about his neck/shoulder pads.
Bouchard sucks. Gaborik’ll look good in black and gold for $6.5M next summer.
(Do you have any idea how boring working at my job is on Sundays? Don’t take the non-parenthetical talk above seriously.)
Dream on KiPA, Gabby knows a pile of money when he sees it.
Frankly, I do not know how anyone can sign stars because they all want bigger money than they produce back.
If you pay them how do you put a supporting cast on the ice with the Cap.
You people who are in fantasy leagues, do those leagues have Salary Caps too?
Honestly… why don’t the Wild put PMB back at center. He is a playmaker… not much more. Unless he will score more goals this year on the wing, I say put him at center. Take Pouliot off faceoffs replace him with PMB, make PMB 2nd Center, Shep 3rd, Bel 4th. That would open up another wing spot for someone and give us that depth at center…. just a thought… anyone agree?
How can anyone seriously talk of defensive balance with the Wild when the NHL’s single biggest defensive liability, Martin Skoula, is still on the roster? If someone is supposed to attack from the blueline and join in the offensive play occasionally, who will drop back and cover up Skoula’s monumental mental miscues?
Skoula is the key. Time to call for the locksmith, because the key is broken.
I wasn’t being serious, Iceman. There’s no way Gaborik’s going to Pittsburgh, and certainly not for that. I’m just bored and messing around.
hence what you said in (Parenthesis)… I followed KiPA… haha
Yup, ExpA.
Mainly I want the Austins to blow a fuse over the first two words. 
Hemsky and PMB are similar type of players — they both are RW playmakers. They came into the league at the same time. They actually will have almost the same cap hit next season.
Hemsky has more goals (9 more) and assists (35 more) than PMB. He has more height and weight than PMB too. I admit, Hemsky is a better player and more of a threat than PMB.
However, in a different system would PMB have put up the same amount of points? Might still not be a threat but have similar outputs?
I think PMB’s play reflects his personality. He is unassuming and too ready to be the second guy rather than BE THE GUY. He’s wanted a long-term contract but he wasn’t willing to fight for it early on. I hope this contract negotiation and being trade bait are wake-up calls for PMB to play with more intensity.
I will add that PMB and Hemsky rarely ever play on the PK.
What scares me even more if Boogie gets injured who is going to protect Gabby Bouchard and the rest of the core group, certainly not weller he sucked at UMD Nolan is not afraid of anyone but he is not a protector going to be a long season
Damn you KiPA!!! Anger!! Ire! Hate! All directed at you! PMB is a god of hockey!
ExpAprE4, it would not seem to me that you could have a centerman who could not hold his own against opponents larger players down deep.
I assume Antti Miettinen is a decent defensive forward (most Finns are). If that’s the case let’s pair Zsa Zsa and Benny with him. Koivu had a good thing with Parrish a couple of years ago when the Groiniak attack hit, let’s see if that get’s him going this year. Gotta keep Bruno and PMB apart, split those playmakers up. If the D really is improved and can control the play, we could be OK. This could be Harding’s year to take over as #1. Backstrom’s contract is up and he’s had two playoff series and while he wasn’t terrible he didn’t steal any games for us either (he left that to Jose last year).
*there is something weird about his neck/shoulder pads.*
Ain’t that the truth. He’s a weird looking mofo.
And Kalus is My Darling Crack Squirrel (I’m being nicer about him in hopes that will be good mojo). Don’t expect to see him in Minny.
So, fellas, I made it through my first game of hockey ever. 2.5 hours straight. I’m having a little hero worship for my center because he’s very good but was so nice to me and instructive without being bossy or arrogant. God bless him.
They switched goalies on me so the one I was expecting to be going against was ON my team, so I spent the first few seconds of every shift trying to figure out what end I was aiming for, what end I was in and what I was supposed to be doing in that end. But whatever. It was fun, though 75% of the fun for me was just watching live hockey. Even novice league hockey is better than no hockey.
The trick now is not to rehash everything and just take a shower and go to sleep already. 
But whoever said I’d be wound up was right. Even 2.5 beers and an hour or two later. Ugh. I need some tums. And Advil.
Ha ha, ms. c,
Yeah, get used to not easily sleeping after the beer league games. I can’t figure it out either, but I have a very hard time relaxing afterwards. Tired as hell, but not sleepy. Strange.
Oh, and I’m thinking Gillies is going to be on the Wild this season.
I tried to go to sleep but my head is going 90 miles an hour. Honestly, I feel like a mental patient, but it helps to know that there are others in the hockey asylum.
Gonna go eat some cheerios. Nobody say anything that will make me COMC, mkay? Though I guess at 1:30 a.m. nobody’s saying much anyway.
VoR - having personally seen Clutterbuck, Kalus, Kolanos and Gillies play in the AHL last season I would want Gillies playing for the Wild. Although I’m not giving Kolanos a fair assessment because he played for the hated Quad City Flames and there is something weird about his neck/shoulder pads.
I understand where you’re coming from, but like I said, I’d rather have the flexibility. If we have Gillies on the big show, he’s there all season, limiting DR’s flexibility in moving players around.
MsC: Isn’t that what Russoville really is? One giant hockey asylum. We all come here to be with others of “our kind,” where we can call people hosers without having to explain the term, where we can ask, , and usually get intelligent answers to, questions we have about equipment, rules, players we don’t know very well…. you are not alone in your mental patient feelings, we are Russoville, where Hockey Addicts unite.
I really shouldn’t be allowed on the computer before 10:00 am or my morning dose of caffeine.
Hello, my name is Bandgeek, and I’m a Hockey-holic. 75 days till the regular season starts!!
Mister Know it all is going to speak.
I believe the trade rumors that have Backstrom, Parrish named in the deals.
I say Backstrom because this roster will not give up much shots. If Backstrom went along time without seeing a shot in a game, he was giving up soft goals last year. Its a gamble, because do you wait to see if he will perform on the last year of his contract like he did before ?
Parrish- Simple really. Owen Nolan was brought in at Mark Parrish salary, they both get 2.6 million, and they are both the same type of player. Nolan has more value ? no doubt. Parrish has to be more reckless to be effective ? no doubt… Does Parrish want to do that anymore ? He is a new father
I cant help but think the Wild need more team speed at forward with the roster they have at this time, Parrish and Nolan seem overkill. I cant imagine the roster staying the same as it is now. Just seems out of balance to Mister know it all
The trick now is not to rehash everything and just take a shower and go to sleep already. But whoever said I’d be wound up was right. Even 2.5 beers and an hour or two later. Ugh. I need some tums. And Advil.
Ms. C, I hate to say “I told you so” but…
I told you so!
Glad you had fun!
First learn balance, Dougie-san.
I’d like to see what PMB and Gaborik can do playing the wings with Koivu. Anyone else?
PMB - Koivu - Gaborik
Bruno - Shep - Mettinen
Parrish - Pouliot - Weller/Nolan
SRV/Boogaard - Belanger - Weller/Nolan
Hmm, seems to be a lot of unkowns on the right side. Maybe we’d be better off moving one of them to the left. But, if we do that, and they don’t play to expectations might they get an undeserved visit the popcorn palace?
I predict JL will shuffle lines more than ever until he figures out the unknowns a bit.
Also, I put all of our ‘protection’ (Boogaard/Nolan/SRV/Weller) on the 3rd and 4th lines… Not that I’m saying Weller and SRV are necessarily protection but they’ve shown they don’t hesitate to scrap when necessary - even if they don’t come out on top.
Nolan can play either wing. I think Parrish on a line with Bruno would be a fairly good idea. Let Bruno throw the puck at the net, and Parrish can deflect it in.
Let Nolan play with Pouliot and Miettinen.
I earned the ITYS, Goody. I’m calling it Beer League OCD.
I like your Parrish line. A tough guy, plus Pouly to move the puck, and Parrish to finish. I’m a little concerned about the lack of toughness of the top line though. Maybe Mikko becomes bigger and meaner this season? Mmm…
Do you think there would be an overload of power with PMB-Koivu-Gaborik?
I’s like to see what this combo can do, don’t get me wrong, but would that just get us one scoring line?
I guess in many ways it doesn’t matter about having a couple of scoring lines because Gaborik, on paper, is our only scoring guy.
Koivu doesn’t let the extra-curriculars go, and he’ll get mean when he needs to. I see Shep stepping up in that category this year too. Last year he showed flashes of it, but I think as a rookie, he didn’t let that side come out much.
I hear Gillies has a mean streak, too, though he didn’t really display it in Houston. Might take a certain comfort level for it to come out. Looking forward to that…
I can’t believe we have to discuss adding a tough guy to the top line. This is getting ridiculous in my opinion. The top line is a scoring line.
Besides, if someone wants to rough up Gaborik they are going to find a way to do it even with protection on his line, i.e. Laperriere.
I guess I’m just getting tired of forcing Boogaard into the lineup for protection. The so-called “code” of fighting has gone out the window. I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.
ms. c - I agree, I hear about Gillies mean streak but I never saw it. He didn’t shy away from the physical stuff, but after the whistle he wouldn’t participate in the extracurriculars. I actually liked that about him though. Especially at that point of the season considering he was probably the best offensive player we had. We don’t need him sitting in the box for a matching roughing penalty.
Koivu is inching towards his first fight. During the World Championships, he was taking no prisoners. I don’t know if playing with T. Ruutu brought that out more in him since they are BFFs.
I can’t believe we have to discuss adding a tough guy to the top line. This is getting ridiculous in my opinion. The top line is a scoring line.
Good point. Besides, with Inglewood Jack on the loose, you don’t need anyone else.
I can’t believe we have to discuss adding a tough guy to the top line. This is getting ridiculous in my opinion. The top line is a scoring line.
Yeah, I don’t get that kind of talk either, Aaron. The line up is thin enough as it is. Last thing Gabby wants to see is another Fedoruk on his opposite wing.
I do not think Backstrom will be traded. With him and Harding we are solid in goal.
It is easier to hide weakness at forward if there is going to be a team weakness.
Why would the Wild create a question mark at goalie, or weaken that position unless a trade offer of “too good to pass up” was made?
VoR - Thank You! I was blanking on the name “Inglewood Jack” this weekend. Without asking you provided the answer I was seaking.
AiH, he was jawing pretty hard with opponents after the whistle a few times, but nothing physical. I think he knew that wasn’t his role with us. Esp. with Kassian and Scott both on the bench…
He was fun to watch though. Darn his mom and dad for not getting busy two months earlier so we could have him this season.
Something about the idea of Mikko fighting doesn’t sit right with me.
Iceman, you’re right. I guess if we’re going to take risks, it’s better to do it by bringing up prospects.
Speaking of which (sort of), Mirtle’s take on the NW division: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/07/northwest-nosedive.html
guess I’m just getting tired of forcing Boogaard into the lineup for protection. The so-called “code” of fighting has gone out the window. I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.
DB has never stopped cooke or burrows from being who they are.
That is my point exactly GreenStar. With the role of the agitator embraced by the new NHL the role of the big enforcer has gone out the window. Again, I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.
The Penguins have two of the biggest stars in the league and they weren’t concerned at all about bringing Laraque back.
Darn his mom and dad for not getting busy two months earlier so we could have him this season.
That was a bizarre statement…
Well, I believe I’ve said in the past that every player needs to be willing to throw down with an agitator (cooke, burrows, lapperier). I believe I made the arguement that if every time they pulled s#@t they got punched in the nose, they’d stop. Instead, they merely need to limit their s@#t when certain players are on the ice. If the ‘enforcer’ isn’t on the ice or in the box, they run free.
I’m was glad to see that both Gaborik and PMB dropped ‘em last year. Hopefully they won’t be so hesitant to do it in the future when it is needed.
*That was a bizarre statement…*
Why? His birthday is a month and a half away from being AHL-eligible this year. It’s the off-season. I have a hockey hangover. I see nothing bizarre about that at all.
I’m not ready to let enforcers go. I do want them to be better hockey players (you hear me, Kassian?) and acknowledge that I’m likely in some sad state of denial on both fronts.
The problem, Goody, is that that punch in the nose will likely give them the man advantage.
Perhaps with Clutterbuck up, the agitators will neutralize each other a bit? I dunno.
Looking at the roster, I just wonder why Doug Risebrough is on the payroll. He basically did little other than bring in a few replacements for lost players. And listening to him talk on Sunday on WCCO radio, it appears he has no passion for the team or improving the Wild. More…flexibility, young players stepping up, etc comments. I REALLY hope we the Wild fans (best fans in hockey) do NOT give Risebrough or the Wild a free pass this year. They are no longer and expansion team and it is time for the fans to hold Risebrough and the Wild accountable for putting a team on the ice that has a change to win a cup, rather than get blown out in the first round of the playoffs again. To be honest, looking at the roster, I am fearful that Doug Risebrough’s moves have actually hurt the team, and the team will be fighting for that last playoff spot.
G* no one will keep Cooke and Burrows from being what they are and always will be, a giant douche and a turd sandwich.
Looking at the roster, I just wonder why Doug Risebrough is on the payroll.
Disagree. Riser tried like hell to get talent to sign here, but they chose Detroit, Columbus, and elsewhere, and not because of the money. (Playing with a BFF, wanting a Cup, etc.)
He’s not the greatest GM ever, but he is competent. Hell, even as great as I am, I’ve been known to make a mistake before.
Puckster, I do not read all that “lack of passion” into DR’s comments.
Voice of Reason has similar opinions to what I see.
Hell, even as great as I am, I’ve been known to make a mistake before
Well, that makes one of us!
Just because DR has a monotonous tone, doesn’t mean he has no passion.
If I had been on the Price is Right I would have just won 4 jerseys, some sticks, pads, and skates. I was only off by 5 dollars. One lady guessed that the collection of equipment was $400, that maybe would have bought her the jerseys. This show is like a train wreck, you just can’t look away.
They had hockey gear on the Price is Right??
Yep, you got two pairs of mid range skates, two helmets, two small sets of pads (just chest, and arm pads), two sticks, and 4 jerseys (CBJ’s, Detroilet, Chicago, and I don’t remember the 4th). The total was 1250. I guessed 1245. The closest was a lady that guessed 900.
I really hope I hear back from one of the jobs I sent a resume and application into soon. I don’t know how much more part time job and Price is Right I can mentally take.
You don’t want to end up like this guy!
bg, I think your biggest problem is that you’re not watching Springer!
I’m really not horrified about the roster as long as JL and DR talked and decided what style of play they were going to play. I don’t think the players we had for the last few years really fit into the style of play that JL coaches. The old guys they picked up likely are better positionally than younger guys, So I don’t think speed is that big of a deal.
IMO, the Wild are going to play more of a style similar to the pre-lockout teams. So they will play a stronger defensive game and then just try to counter on the opposing teams mistakes. I think we will see a lot of Wild goals scored from opposing team turn overs in the offensive zone and the defense quickly hitting home run passes to Gabby. I think this is how Gabby’s speed is utilized the best, the slower players just need to get there for a rebound if it isn’t already in the net. Also I think the crafty vets will create a lot of turnovers in the offensive zone and likely will get a lot of ugly goals.
I guess what I’m saying is the team could really surprise a lot of people this year. Maybe I’m to optimistic.
Ugh. I’d be asking for a trade on that CBJ jersey. Still… interesting package.
PIR has got to be better than the judge shows I’m being subjected to today.
IMO, the Wild are going to play more of a style similar to the pre-lockout teams.
OMG, I hope not!!11numbers
Is Springer even still on anywhere? I don’t see him on my listing. I watch a lot of Vintage games on the NHL Network as well, but there is only so much grainy footage and flopping fish style goalies that you can watch before your head starts to feel like it’s gonna explode. Shall we go see what game is on now?……………………. Oilers and Canucks, from April 1986, ewwwww the Canucks are wearing those ugly black, yellow and orangy red jerseys, that hurts the eyes.
5 minutes in and the Canucks are up 2-0. I’d forgotten how many well known players were on these two teams. And gosh golly the glass on the side boards is short.
I like watching CNBC during the day. Then again, maybe Erin Burnett, becky quick, melissa javis and my personal fav, margaret brennen don’t have the same effect on gals as they do on me.
smarts is way attractive.
Springer is on at 9am on WGN (ch 8 on Comcast)
better than the judge shows
i dig judge judy
Ms. C, yes that would most likely put us a man short. However, you think Cooke/Burrows/Lapperiere might think twice about doing something if they know %100 that they’ll get punched in the face? The reason they are effective is because they are allowed to get away with what they do.
You don’t teach a dog to not crap on the rug by beating it every 10th time. You discipline it every time it happens. Eventually the dog learns not to crap on the rug.
It’s risk vs reward scenario. Right now their risk (getting punched) is low and the reward is high (throwing the guy off his game). What I propose flips that to being higher risk than reward.
Eventually they’d get tired of being punched in the nose - it hurts!
G*, you’re right. Hot, smart anchorchicks don’t do much for me. Not enough cleavage.
The judges aren’t the problem for me. It’s the idiots that they parade in front of them that I can’t stand. It just depresses me that such stupid, dysfunctional people are out there. I *know* they’re there, but I prefer to live in denial (which seems to be a theme for me today).
Goody, I see what you mean, but I still don’t think it’s realistic. From what I’ve seen of Clutterbuck, he’s perfectly happy to take a punch and a power play from a retaliating opponent. I’m pretty sure those guys see it as just a hazard of the job. You gotta be a pretty hard headed little cuss to be in that role anyway.
ehhh, you’re probably correct. Like you, I’m in denial about the level of intelligence all around.
Bandgeek and other Price is Right fans - is Drew Carry working out as host? I have only watched it once since he took over and it was not as weird as I expected without Barker.
GGGGGGS, I’ve seen it a couple of times since Drew started hosting and it was hella awkward IMO.
i like drew carey but not as host of TPIR.
i forgot to mention karen finerman but she isn’t on until 4pm local time.
kj: if you’re out there…do you guys have a gig any time August 14-17th?
The shout outs are annoying especially if they have a long list. Its a quick hi to friends and family not thanking every tom, dick, and jane that helped them get onto the TPIR stage.
I know Drew Carey is filling dead air when they are waiting for the wheel to stop spinning but geez, limit it to two people.
Anyone think other teams knew about zetterberg before detroit picked him up???
So for the upcoming season what do you guys think about pairing Sheppard with Bouchard? I’d like to see if they click since we know Bouchard is a great playmaker and Sheppard is describbed as a scoring center.
In the 8th round, people are guessing then. Though, the Detroit scout did seem him play. For Johnsson, I think the story goes that the GM of the Rangers just closed his eyes and pointed to a name. It happened to Johnsson.
It would be easy to say the Detroilet scouts are guessing, if Zetterberg was the only diamond they found in the rough. The top line in hockey, Datsyuke, Zettwerberg and Homlstrom, went in rounds 6, 7 and 10 respectively. Also, Lidstrom went in round 3, Federov in round 4 and Konstantinov in round 11. Every team can get “lucky” with a flyer pick in the later rounds, but the Detroit scouts obviously saw a little sliver of “something” in these players that they thought they could develop. I think the results speak for themselves. One flyer pick hits it big and you can deem it lucky. The roster of players they have put on the ice taht have come from later rounds cannot be condsidered lucky. It’s great scouting and player development.
DB, it does make you wonder what happened to all their higher picks, doesn’t it?
Bowmeester (sp) just signed a one-year-deal with the Florida Panthers….SO glad we signed PMB to a 5yr deal while the Cats will probably lose Bowmeester to UFA…
Any chance we can get through one day without someone bringing up Detroit and Zetterberg? In my mind this post is right up there with “first”
Now that I think of it, isn’t it always zigtron that does both? IT IS ZIGTRON!
You’re officially dead to me zigtron.
And by the way, there is food.
And by the way, there is food
where?
Notice all those names mentioned by DB are european? I think this reflects their department over there compared to the rest of the league and/or philosophies towards european players.
It’s kinda new food sitting on top of day-old food…
I thought the video link above was new from Russo?
Not really hockey related food at that…
Good points DB.
I’m sorry AiH, should we go back to takling about Judge Judy and Jerry Springer?
“In my mind this post is right up there with “first””
…i can’t help the fact that i have amazingly fast reflexes
The Penguins have two of the biggest stars in the league and they weren’t concerned at all about bringing Laraque back.
In the new NHL, particularly on the Penguins, Laraque’s $1.5M is too expensive, so they signed Godard as a cheaper replacement. Plus, Shero doesn’t like giving out 3-yr deals to 30+ role players like that.
VOR, Springer? What a total sleezeball!
Ultimately it is not where the Red Wings took a player, it is what they did with a player they got.
As somebody pointed out a week or so ago, if they waited until the late rounds they could not have been so smart either because they would have picked that player lots earlier.
They are probably looking for something just a little different than other teams. And, because of the unique mix of players they have on their roster those talents show themselves.
I was looking through the Northeast Division preview on Rotoworld. It is going to be a tough season in Toronto. Buffalo has more or less thrown in the towel.
If the Canadiens can sign Sundin they should absolutely run away with that division.
Could the Southeast Division be better than the Northeast this year?
I was also a little surprised to see nobody has signed Bryan Smolinski.
If anyone is interested, WCCO Radio interviewed PMB on Saturday re: his new contract. Here is the link
Bowmeester (sp) just signed a one-year-deal with the Florida Panthers….SO glad we signed PMB to a 5yr deal while the Cats will probably lose Bowmeester to UFA…
I saw a report that said Bouwmeester turned down a 6 year deal in the range of $40M in favor of a one year, $4.875M. If that’s true, then.. yeah, Bouwmeester’s wearing a new uni in 09-10. Or maybe even at the deadline this season.
My link to the PMB podcast is blocked at my work station. I can get into WCCO podcasts on their website but have no idea which one it is. Anyone care to help?
The PMB deal is looking like a pretty good the more I think about it. Take it at face value, this is a 24 year old that has scored 50 or more points in the last four seasons. Teams would have jumped all over that next year and the Wild would be hard pressed to replace that production/potential at 5 years $20 million.
To futher put it in perspective, PMB’s cap hit is just $500k more than Jeff Finger.
To futher put it in perspective, PMB’s cap hit is just $500k more than Jeff Finger.
I don’t think Jeff Finger’s contract should be used to prove anything other than Cliff Fletcher’s stupidity.
should read “like a pretty good deal. . “
Hey, if people are going to dust off Zetterberg’s salary to make a point, I’m going to be ready to do the reverse using Jeff Finger.
Who brought up Zetterberg’s salary?
WildLover:
It is on the far right hand column under Sports. Its the first one.
SUNSHINE: Found it! Thanks, Much appreciated!
Zetterberg also signed his contract right after the lockout, almost three years ago when people weren’t sure how much the salary cap would increase.
All I remember seeing was Zetterberg’s draft position mentioned. I must’ve overlooked the mention of his salary and was just wondering how it was brought up.
KiPA:
I think you are right. And now, I just added to AiH’s comment — the snowball effect.
Eh, it happens, sunshine.
WildLover:
Someone posted that DR was interviewed on WCCO Radio yesterday, I am assuming on the Sports Huddle. They haven’t put interviews for that program yet.
DR talked about PMB’s contract and kind of being pretty hard on him to prove himself. I am sure Gaborik was brought up.
Hopefully, the podcast will be up tomorrow.
It wasn’t brought up today and I wasn’t speaking about Russoville in particular. I was talking about how some people will comment that Player A isn’t worth his new contract based on other player’s contracts. They will then go out and pull up names like Zetterberg or other players still in their entry level contract or a contract signed near the lockout.
I can’t be the only one that has seen this?
Nope, AiH, I know exactly what you’re talking about. I’ve heard it many times in discussions around how genius and/or lucky the Wings are and how loyal their players are to sign so cheap, etc.
AiH: I’ve probably seen that, but I thought you meant specifically in this thread.
Regardless, I still maintain Finger’s deal should be thrown out…the only circumstance surrounding his was a moron offering it. There was no lockout, no entry level contract, just sheer stupidity.
Sunshine:
There is something posted under Sports Huddle with Sid and Dave with the title Sid & Dave & Doug Risebrough… Might this be the one?
WildLover:
Thanks. The last time I checked, it wasn’t up yet. I will go listen to it now.
Exactly KiPA, that is why I was using Finger’s contract as comparison, it was meant to be a joke. More of a “look what Toronto did.”
Oh yeah, I figured your referencing it was a joke, I just decided to chime in, then things just kinda evolved from there.
Not a bad way to kill the end of the work day though.
For sure. Got to spend time some way.
Two questions Russoville.
1. How long before the Panthers have to trade Bouwmeester.
2. How long before the owner of the Panthers moves the team to Canada.
To see the ‘X’ being turned into the second coming of Chicago’s old International Ampitheatre is saddening, to say the least.
Now, if we could only get the RNC’s Committee on Arrangements to ‘arrange’ to install cup holders on the 200-level seats… !
(Hey, I can be bought..IF the price is right!)
Lucky: my guess is they move him at the deadline unless they’re in competition for a playoff spot (which they won’t be). I doubt the team will move, but hopefully it will in the next few years.
That’s gotta be hard to be a Panther’s fan. They just traded their #1 center and now they have to trade their #1 defenseman. Ouch!
That franchise has enough problems trying to get new fans. How the hell can they keep the ones they have by trading away their best players for total crap! Luongo, Jokinen and next up Bouwmeester.
What sounds better: The Hamilton Panthers or Quebec Cats?
That’s gotta be hard to be a Panther’s fan.
Assuming any exist.
WRT, The Mr and I were wondering the same thing.
They’ll always have Russo…
I actually don’t have a problem with Florida having a team because I have great sympathy for southern-based hockey fans. But they seriously need to re-brand. Take the effing palm trees off the shoulders. Get more refined, less south Florida. They’re like the Jamaican bobsled team down there.
Now, if we could only get the RNC’s Committee on Arrangements to ‘arrange’ to install cup holders on the 200-level seats… !
Now why would RNC help out where supposedly the democrats sit, according to a blog post around a month ago? Republicans only sit in the lower level, remember?
I never thought I’d need a cup holder but I lost mine last season for a couple weeks and it was annoying. at least it isn’t one in the arm of the seat, those seem worthless.
Just got done watching a YouTube clip of Antoine Vermette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajHo_tgUKNE
Sure would be great if DR could surprise us all and trade Parish to OTT for Vermette in a sign and trade deal.
THe kid is 6′1, 200#, great speed and hands, and can shoot. and oh yeah, he supposedly is great at winning faceoffs. He would be a great Left Wing for this team.
Oh well, dare to dream I guess.
Green*: I don’t care where it is…in the armrest, bolted to the back frame of the seat in front. whatever. I just get tired of sitting in ‘Soda Lake’ time after time in the winter.
Thanks for the support, Bandgeek. Now if the RNC really wants to go after them ‘Democratic votes’, as GreenStar puts it, they’d install ‘em in time for the convention and then leave ‘em there…
Lucky: I can attest to this fact about South Florida hockey: there ARE no Panther fans. Only fans of other teams who want to see their team in a warm location in the winter. The locals are only there for the socializing, and the food (good arena food at the BAC.)
Dampland: I know you want another left wing, but IMO we still need a NHL veteran center. Probably more so than a left wing. Our center position is precarious at best, what with two second-year pros as two of our top 4 centermen.
And, we still need to find Marty S. a new home… 
IMO - It’s about time to move some teams in the redline and Florida is the perfect team. Zero fans so nobody would notice. You don’t need to teams in Florida. Who wants to play there?
Wow… to = two
But, if you were the taxpayers of South Florida, or the ownership of the team that had plundered a wad of cash into the new operation and arena … you just might not think it was so cut and dried that the team should pull up stakes and leave you hung.
I hate to bring His Uselessness, but someone else did first. Listening to NHL Home Ice tonight. Whatever show it was, they were picking 2010 Olympic teams.
When they got to the Czech team, the one guy says “We have to put Skoula one there. Of course, all the Wild fans just drove off the road.”
LOL Buddha
Yes, that is really funny, Buddha (having not seen Skoula on a nightly basis, I find the comment about the Wild fans more hilarious, but I can sympathize.)
I think I need a proof-reader…
‘one there’ = on there.
Ah, Skoula’s not so bad.
*ducks and runs*
Is the upper level steep? I know it is on the ends but how are the sides? Maybe that is why there are none up there? Believe me, you don’t want the ones in the arm rests.
Ms. Conduct… always seeing the silver lining.
Ah, mono’s not that bad…
No need to duck and run. I’m all out of rotten fruit to throw.
Goody two shoes wrote this roster for forwards
1st PMB - Koivu - Gaborik
2nd Bruno - Shep - Mettinen
3rd Parrish - Pouliot - Weller/Nolan
4th SRV/Boogaard - Belanger - Weller/Nolan
Mister Know it all likes the Wilds defense
Mister Know it all thinks the forwards lacks overall speed for a Minnesota pro team
I’m up to my eyeballs in positivity and hope for the future, man.
There’s nothing on TV. I miss hockey.
Oh, King of the Hill. My people.
I would like to add to what your saying know it all
The forwards on the teams of years past had great team speed. I think speed and grit is a Minnesota tradition when it comes to pro teams in Minnesota.
I think last year at the end we were as tough as we need to be going forward. I see Nolan- Weller being a great trade off for Fedoruk - Varos. So as toughness goes no worries
I expect more forward speed than what is in the line up at present. Good Old Wally could beat Parrish on skates in a race ? no doubt
The defense is as fast as we have had in Minnesota ever . No doubt JL wanted faster D
Good Old Wally - I guess the english class your taking is not helping any ?
I think I know what your saying. Nolan Parrish, Bruno, Boogy, Weller are all slow sleds… 5 forwards who are not great skaters maybe too much. JL has had great success with teams with great team speed
Sigh. I think Good Old Wally grew another personality. I wondered where he’d been.
[…] also posted an updated depth chart to his blog and I have to say, I’m pretty excited about the upcoming […]
take their total number of wins last year and subtract 8. that’s what this roster will do.
Green*: The upper level sides are not as steep as the ends, but we still need cup holders up there, even if they are in the armrests. I am tired of sitting next to ‘Beer River’ every game…
Ms.C: Yes, Skoula IS that bad. The ones who have to ‘duck and cover’ are the goalies who play behind him (when he’s not so out of position he’s nowhere to be found)…
Buddha: You know that the NHL Home Ice crew are a bunch of apologists for two teams:
1. Maple Leafs (the show originates in Toronto);
2. Blue Jackets (host’s brother is BJ’s TV play-by-play announcer).
A lot of folks were questioning why the Wild shyed away from its “toughness” quotient by letting Fridge and Voros go. Fedoruk was one punch away from a telethon and Voros’s face didn’t meet a fist it didn’t like. I think bringing in Nolan and Weller is at least a wash in terms of “toughness” compared to that of Fridge and Voros. If Nolan can kick in a few goals here and there the Wild may actually be on the positive side of those deals.
I am tired of sitting next to ‘Beer River’ every game…
understood. I have a feeling you’ll find the armrest ones more annoying. the people next to you ought to drink their beer, not dump it out.
“Beaver says:
July 28th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Good Old Wally - I guess the english class your taking is not helping any ?”
“your” should be “you’re”
irony pullin the spin-o-rama
WRT, & G*: the worst I sat by was a lemonade lake. Lemonade turns sticky much quicker than other beverages and this lake had little popcorn, peanut shell, and sunflower seed boats.
If Nolan can kick in a few goals here and there the Wild may actually be on the positive side of those deals.
He’d better! The Wild paid too much for that washed-up slug.
Actually, scratch that. It doesn’t count if you kick them in…
NiNY: Finally made lodging arrangements for the NYC trip this weekend for the Yankees/Angels game. We’re staying at someplace called Helmsley Park Lane (?) next to Central Park. Any idea as to how far of a subway ride/cab ride it will be to the Stadium?
In regards to the type of team the Wild have it really reminds me of the NHL Network commercial with “the coach.” In one of the commericals he is talking to his team on the bench and proclaims that they are going to call the offense their defense and their defense their offense. I can’t find a video of it, maybe someone can help me out?
re: Moving the Panthers
If the league is going to participate in revenue sharing then it is in the NHL’s best interest to have one or two more Canadian teams. Florida, Phoenix and Nashville are obviously at risk of relocation.
I know it is going to break some hearts but relocation is not a new concept in the NHL or the business world in general.
but wasn’t pitt at risk of relocation last year as well??
It should be seen that risk of relocation simply can’t be based just on ratings or revenues…
NiNY…
We play on 8/9 at Mainstreet and 8/30 in Shakopee. If I would have known sooner…
I badly want a team moved back to Winnipeg, which would essentially force the Wild back into the Central division.
Or maybe Crazy Paul Allen would want another team in Portland to call his own.
Mister Know it all thinks the forwards lacks overall speed for a Minnesota pro team
Well, they do play 41 games on the road.
Actually zigtron that is exactly what it should be based on along with a historical perspective. By historical perspective I’m not talking about the Penguins having beein in Pitt for a long time or even winning a Cup. I’m talking about the franchise being financial successful over a bulk of its existence.
Let me put it this way, imagine you owned a company called NHL and you had 30 offices spread across North America. If you could close one of two of those offices that have never done well and move them to a place where they would be profitable and popular wouldn’t you make that move?
Interesting Russo interview, particularly the Russoville and Gaby parts
DB, just trot a few blocks over to Lexington and 59th and catch the #4 green train going uptown. Bada-bing! Yankee Stadium.
As I had understood it though, Pitt was threatened due to contractual issues regarding the igloo and the team. Being that KC happened to have a suitable/ new rink available, the temptation to move the team was present, regardless of the market for hockey in KC.
I’m not sure of the figures, but having been to more than a few Penguins games in my time, it seems the fan loyalty and turnout to most games is pretty significant…
Deep: that’s not a bad location at all. It’s in a pretty swanky part of mid-town, (very close to Carnegie Hall, 5th Ave shopping, MoMA, Barney’s, Bloomies, FAO Schwartz, St. Pats, Rock Center, of course the park, etc). It’s also a brief 10-block walk to the NHL store.
As Ms.C said, you walk just a few blocks to the 59th street station, and take the uptown #4 train. The fourth stop after you get on will be the Stadium, and you’ll be underground for all but the last 10 seconds of the trip.
Did you find out if monument park is open before the game?
kj: no worries, I could have said something sooner.
The Apple store is right there, too, if you dig that kinda stuff. Also, it can’t hurt to ask for a room overlooking the park. One of the best locations in the city for accessibility to everything, I’d say.
I’d offer up some restaurant recommendations but we lived on the Upper East Side so I mostly only know stuff there, though the Afghan Kebab House we used to go to all the time has another location at 9th and 51st (http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=3667&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=1).
Kind of a different place, but the food is very simple and delicious. Now I’m craving their tandoori shrimp and yummy rice.
I thought the Pens were coming to Houston when they moved? *eye roll*
ms.c: I probably missed where you already said this, but when did you live in the City?
deep: another thought re: the game.
When you get off the subway at the Stadium, there will be a crush of people (unless you’re going really early) cattle-herding towards the nearest exit (which is in the form of access to a stairway that takes you down to the street).
Walk around that mass of humanity - back the way you just came - on the platform at least one or two more exits down and then enter. You’ll probably end up right in front of Stan’s or some other joint, directly across the street from the Stadium - but you won’t have nearly as many bodies in front of you as you descend to the street.
deep: and don’t worry about petty theft. While you certainly could get your pocket picked, it’s not worth bringing a fanny pack or one of those travel belts with the little compartment in it or something.
If you feel really nervous, I suppose you could move your wallet to your front pocket of your pants, but I always find that uncomfortable.
I don’t even worry about it anymore.
Now, I’m not advocating that you walk around the Bronx with a big map - as that might put you on radar you don’t want to be on.
*Of course, I say this and you’ll end up getting your pocket picked.
The Penguins to Houston rumors were laughable at best. Every game the glass pops loose at the Toyota Center and the shaved ice they have for a rink is a joke. Not exactly NHL caliber.
It just baffles my mind that the Toyota Center was built in 2003. It looks more like a nice arena from the 90s Ms. C you said you are going to make the trek to Mecca aka the Xcel Energy Center this season? Wait until you see that beauty and keep in mind it is 3 years older than the Toyota Center.
Nick, Mr. Conduct has been on a 2.5 year assignment up there, so we had an apartment (which he moved out of in April because he was sick of being away from home) on the UES with all the kvetching old bitties and doctors offices. So I would spend 2-3 weeks up there every couple of months and he’d come home for a week or two in between my visits.
It’s been incredibly hard on him (as the job he’s doing is brutal, but that’s a whole other drama), but it was pretty fun for me getting to know the city. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in NYC on someone else’s dime. But it’s nice to be down to one household again and get out from under the tax burden of being a NYC resident.
I love the UES. Spent a lot of time in the 80s between 1st and Lex.
I worked in the city for five years, but other than a five week stint (training for a different job) I didn’t actually live there.
It is, as they say, a hell of a town.
Yeah, Aaron, the TC is sub-par in many ways. I mean, I like how our seats are situated to just come right in from the garage and into the club level, but that’s about the extent of it. The ice is terrible and it’s so HOT down there! I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in gear and playing hockey in that heat, though I’ll find out this season when our novice team plays there.
And yeah, I laughed at my friend who is a Pens fan thinking that might happen. Please. But more because of the market than the arena.
I know there was talk about the Pens moving to KC, but how is that market compared to Nashville, Florida, and Phoenix?
If I was an owner of those last three named teams, I would move to Canada. To hell with Bettman.
Yeah, Nick, I think if we were actually going to live there, we’d be happier on the UWS, but our little alcove studio at 72nd and 3rd served us well. It was certainly a slice of life. I think we did a good job taking in as much as we could while we were there. Went to several Mets and Yankees games, went down to Brooklyn to Coney Island for the hot dog eating contest, and to a few Cyclones games. Went to Staten Island for a SI Yankees game on the 4th of July, so we got to see the fireworks from 3 different boroughs. Very cool. Went to a few Rangers games and a Jets game. Spent lots of time in Central Park since I was doing my marathon stuff the whole time we were there. Did a few shows (though neither of us are big musical fans).
It was a great experience. I miss Tasti D’lite. I miss my Afghan place. I miss being able to just walk out the door and go where I wanted vs. having to drive. But that’s about it. We’re pretty much done with the city once he’s finished with his tour. I think he’d be happy to never ever go back as long as he lives.
DeepBreath,
Here are my suggestions for keeping what is yours when in a big, crowded, unfamiliar place.
1)Don’t carry more cash than you are willing to lose.
2)Don’t carry your cash in a big wad. Fold bills seperately so when you buy something for $20 you don’t have to pull all $400 out of your pocket to peel off a $20.
3)Credit card companies are generally willing to take the loss if your card gets stolen and a purchase is made. Bank cards (check cards) are not so customer friendly. Someone empties your account and it’s gone - plus the bank will charge you for an overdraft if it goes that far.
4)Don’t carry it all in a wallet. Cash in one pocket, cards in another.
5)Write down the customer service #’s for your cards and leave at the hotel. Then, if they are stolen you can call quickly. Cell provider might be a good # to have too in case that’s stolen.
6)Don’t be an idiot. The best way to keep what is yours is to not put yourself in a situation where it can be stolen. Stay out of dark alleys, don’t get drunk and try to stumble back to the hotel, etc.
ms.c: if you do get back, check out the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Just on the outskirts of Chinatown. Take a guided tour. Truly a unique experience.
I think if I lived in NYC, I’d live in Brooklyn. Manhattan’s gotten too Disney. Friggin’ Guiliani…
Yeah, I think the KC market for NHL would be terrible. I think Grand Forks would hold an NHL team better than KC, even if it is 1/6 the population.
Thanks Nick. That’s one museum we didn’t hit (but got to most of the other bigguns). It does sound interesting.
Today, in the middle of the summer I do NOT miss having to ride the subways amid all those stinky, sticky, irritable, uncouth, obnoxious, arrogant, ignorant, self-aggrandized, over-entitled New Yoakuhs for an hour every day.
My problem with the city was that, not living IN it, 95% of my experience in it was associated with work or commuting to and from work.
So, I only saw the rat race side of NYC most of the time - and that ain’t a pretty side.
I do miss being able to take lunch by walking 100 yards outside my building, sitting on a bench along the Hudson, looking at the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, though. That was sort of otherworldly.
Yeah, that was the thing for us. If DH was going to work in the city, we were going to live in the city. A commuting existence is just sucky. And you’re right, there’s nothing Disney about the smell of the subway in the summer. *wretch* Though one of my favorite train-waiting pastimes was to rat-spot.
It is kinda magical to just be walking around a bump into these places that you’re whole life you’ve only seen on TV or in movies. The first time I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, it was like 20 degree out but the sun was shining and it was really early so it wasn’t crowded… it was just one of those amazing NYC moments for me.
Voice of Reason, with $50 million dollar payrolls in the NHL, if I had a swimming pool full of extra CNotes, I still would not want to finance a team in Winnipeg.
I know the passion is high but due the lack of population (combined population of Manitoba and Saskatchewan is 2 million) and lack of corporate base to support an NHL team. Even with the strengthening Loonie you need to have the base to support a team.
Moving an NHL team in Portland, OR, with no more historical base of than south Florida, is simply moving the problem not solving it. Besides, the climate for building arena’s cannot be that great on the west coast right now or Seattle would not have lost the Sonics.
Hamilton is about fifty miles from Toronto and maybe fifty miles from Buffalo and a couple hundred from Detroit. That is not a very large area to stuff in another team.
Wanting a team someplace west simply so Minnesota can play four more games with Chicago and Detroit is idealistic.
We are in a great division with mighty strong competition. Every game is important.
Iceman - do you think the Panthers would generate more revenue in South Florida or Winnipeg? Even though the population is smallish there isn’t a lot of competition for those entertainment dollars.
But I agree with you about the Northwest Division. I like playing in a division with three Canadian teams. There is a lot of passion from the players and fans in all of those NW division match ups.
Hamilton is about fifty miles from Toronto and maybe fifty miles from Buffalo and a couple hundred from Detroit. That is not a very large area to stuff in another team.
but there is a very large mass of people in that area and a lot of major canadian corporations call toronto home. I think hamilton would work and might actually push toronto to become competitive again.
Wanting a team someplace west simply so Minnesota can play four more games with Chicago and Detroit is idealistic.
I would add to this point that the Wild franchise’s divisional alignment geographical concerns are no where near the top of the league’s rationale for moving/expanding.
You can’t improve on “sold out”.
Food. This time real Food, too.
Anytime a league grants a franchise, they need to perform their due diligence about the market prospects and the financial footings of the owner and the community prior to that decision.
The selling of a team to the public is a very very long range prospect, in some situations.
Personally, I would much perfer to own a team in a city where the population was 5 million, than one where the population was only 500 thousand.
It is then up to the management to figure out how to fill the arena. But, there is a potential to recover the investment.
Kansas City once had the Scouts, remember? They did not last long and then a brief stop in Denver.
Some of these franchises may be placed to assist the NHL to obtain a national presence and national television coverage.
If you are an ESPN or other executive, making decisions to air the NHL, it would be difficult to offer anything big if you cannot provide the game in the nations very largest markets.
FYI, I only said for the purely selfish reason that I hate the 9:30 games. (And not to mention, less travel.)
Biggest untapped markets in the US:
10 - Houston
14 - Seattle
19 - Orlando
20 - Sacramento
23 - Portland
27 - San Diego
29 - Hartford
Houston is big enough, but I don’t think that there’s the support for a team there (AiH, confirm/deny?). Seattle wouldn’t work because Vancouver would oppose it. Orland is similar, but with Tampa. Sacramento might work, IF there’s support. Portland only works if Paul Allen is willing to lose money hand over fist. San Diego is similar to Houston. Hartford is a failed experiment.
The only two in Cananada that might approach those are Quebec City and Winnipeg. Hamilton is considered part of the Toronto broadcast area, so I’m sure they’ll throw a hell of a fit in opposition (joined by Buffalo and Detroit, I’m sure.)
In the long run, I think the best course of action is contraction.
Aaron, strange as it may seem, I think I would put my money in south Florida.
Initially, there is no question that starting from point A in both cities the answer is Winnipeg out performs them.
But, there is a limit to Winnipeg. The limit is probably the exactly the same as whatever the initial season ticket base is.
We all see the world change everyday, Two years ago, travelling in Canada was a bargain, US money would go far, and it has been that way since the 1970’s. Now, it hovers about par.
But, who is to say it will stay the way it is now? Lots of factors that we do not know or take into consideration affect that.
And, that is only one factor to determine the long term success of a franchise.
The metropolitan area of south Florida is ten times the population of Winnipeg.
If I owned the Florida NHL franchise, I would find the smartest marketing people I could, and then start a program of packaging tickets with about any goods or services I could find.
Maybe six packs of tickets, four packs of tickets.
Whatever it takes.
I would not expect my efforts would equal the passion of the Canadian market. But, I think with redoubled efforts you could fill the seats and find advertisers.
Then, maybe the franchise is no longer a loser.
The late games are a hangover VOR, but with the new “play every team” schedule, it is only three games in Vancouver now isn’t it?
And, sometimes, it may be a Sunday afternoon game.
That is only one more game than LA, or the other West Coast teams?
Anybody know if Chris Snow (or anyone else for that matter) has ever done a “money ball” type analysis of the opportunity cost involved in long term contracts.
I know the upside of cost certainty in an inflationary market but have never heard a quantitative interpretation of the inflexibility cost of typing up future dollars in case the player is injured or doesn’t produce.
If anyone does - please post it here and on the Wolves blog since McHale has (and is having) the same problem.
What’s the attraction with these longer term contracts that are given to role players with limited upside?
as for the panthers comment Lucky
lets see..
they received the 49th pick+Boynton+Ballard for JOkinen
while SOME people will say that Olli is a superstar….lets face facts the team now has 2 quality defenders that can play PP/PK and even strength + a quality 2nd round pick. Jokinen is the cheapest cap hit amongst non rookie #1 power Centers, but the Panthers have S.Matthias who should be a pretty solid power Center/Winger(from the nothing bertuzzi trade, via the Luongo deal)
and they also have the former 4th overall pick in B.Allen playing #2 minutes opposide J Bouwmmester …so that Luongo trade isn’t that terrible, oh and Luongo also missed the Playoffs last year…something tells me that if Matthias, HOrton, and Vokoun play healthy the full season the Cats will make the post season in 09—as for the the Cats making bad trades…how about scooping up a 1st rounder in dumping an injury prone P.Bure in 2001.
As for J.Bouwmeester..he’s got the right to make it to UFA and join the team of his choosing…wouldn’t it be funny if Lidstrom retires next summer and Jbo joins the Red wings while replacing the cap hit of Lidstrom….
What is the chance the Rogers kid break the lineup mid season????? Captain from Michigan, sure you want him there????
