Parrish reax on waiver situation and possible buyout
Posted on July 29th, 2008 – 10:28 PMBy Michael Russo
I just got off the phone with Mark Parrish. Would have updated the blog sooner, but I needed to rework tomorrow’s article a bit. This is going to be a really rambling, fast blog because I feel like Parrish sounded — lousy.
Be sure to report back to Russo’s Rants minutes after 11 a.m. CT Wednesday, and I should know whether Parrish was claimed off waivers or not.
My second stint covering the man we fondly call, “Grumpy,” is over, and like the first, it lasted two years. And like the first, he’ll be missed by the beat writer, and definitely his teammates.
And I’m not saying I don’t get the decision made by the Wild because I understand what led to it. As I wrote yesterday, they were reaaaallll close to the cap, too close. Unfortunately, you had to wonder how that affected Parrish.
Parrish is being mature about the Wild’s decision, although he admits he was “taken aback” and “it hasn’t sunk in,” and it’s “surreal.” It was a long day Tuesday. He sent dozens of calls directly to voicemail because he didn’t feel like talking.
Personally, it’s been a difficult couple years here for Parrish. Being a Minnesota native, it can’t be easy when you’re criticized publicly and when you’re a proud pro athlete, it’s not easy when you’re placed on waivers with the intent of being bought out if unclaimed.
I asked Parrish if he was relieved in a way to get a fresh start somewhere else — with a new coach, new team, brand new chance at possibly an injury-free season. But Parrish said he was disappointed because he’s been working hard this summer to come back to this team with a clean slate and to prove he’s still the same player he once was.
There were times where he looked like he lost a step last season, as Doug Risebrough said in March, but he also sustained a string of injuries that debilitated him. And in fact, the last time he was on the X ice came in Game 1 of the playoffs when he suffered a head, back and neck injury after being slammed head first into the Wild bench.
He asked me to thank the fans and media for treating him “so nicely” here. He still has his sense of humor, saying his daughter “still looks a little too much like daddy,” and “you’re going to have to work for your quotes now that me and Roli (Brian Rolston) are gone. Go to Mikko. He’s got some funny comments and has got to start making them more public.”
I have my doubts Parrish will be claimed because of his contract, although somebody will sign him for a discount I’m sure as a free agent.
These are just off the top of my head thoughts looking at cap numbers, but I’ve put zero effort into this and haven’t looked at depth charts.
L.A.’s under the cap floor, but Terry Murray’s the coach now. Parrish played for him in Florida, so I’m sure it’ll be like, “been there, done that.”
However, Terry’s older bro, Bryan, is the GM in Ottawa, and Bryan traded for Parrish is Florida.
Maybe he goes back to the Islanders? He’s buddies with GM Garth Snow. Vancouver definitely needs offense and has plenty of cap room, so maybe he reunites with Pav. Atlanta and Phoenix are just above the cap floor.
One last Wild note: Risebrough wants to open the door for a prospect like Gillies to maybe make the team, but he also said he wouldn’t mind only having 22 players on the roster, instead of 23. But a lot of times that’s easier said than done because Risebrough’s said that before, and wound up keeping 23.
OK, that’s it from here, although the first part of this blog reminded me of this funny ending to my Mikko Koivu takeout prior to last year’s Opening Night.
Apparently there’s a dark side to Koivu, too.
“He’s the only person more miserable in the mornings than I am,” Parrish said. “We have an ongoing battle between the two of us who comes in grumpier. If it weren’t for coffee, Mikko would be a horrible guy to hang out with.”
Koivu took exception, saying, “I never knew what the word ‘grumpy’ is until Parrish told me, and that only describes him. Like today. Just remember, Saturday, Sept. 29, and Mark Parrish didn’t have a smile this morning.”
88 Responses to "Parrish reax on waiver situation and possible buyout"
I will remember Parrish the hockey player as a hard working, professional, humble, solid-in-the-room guy.
Since Minnesota hasn’t produced a lot of top end NHL-level talent, it makes it easy to still be proud of our hockey heritage when you look at the character of guys like Parrish.
Good luck, Mark!
I can’t sleep, and I have to put something on here so no one can post that stupid “first” thing.
Good luck and good riddance, Mr. Parrish!
OK, or Nick could cover that issue for me… 
It is too bad that Parrish did not work in Minnesota. I dont blame the Wilds brass. If Parrish does not play again he has done very well for himself in Hockey. I am jealous becasue here is a guy who can give himself fully to his family now without the headaches and distractions of trying to make a buck. Lucky is Mark Parrish.
DR is making the right for his hockey club ? no doubt….
As written in an earlier thread this evening, here’s hoping Mark can land with another team and find a niche for himself for the next 4-6 years to wrap up his career in one spot. Very proud to say that Mark went to the same school (SCSU) as Mrs. Deep Breath and I did. Good luck Mark to you and your family.
KJ- From the last post. I hope you didn’t think I was accusing you of complaining too much…
Buddha: from the last, FWIW, I agree with your analysis.
Thanks Nick. Sometimes it is good to know you’re not going nuckin futs.
Mikko…. *sigh* Yes, talk more, Mikko. BE the captain, Mikko. (Burnsie, make it happen.)
Man, it’s kinda heartbreaking. Two weeks in a row of the Wild kicking a couple of our “heart and soul” guys in the spot where their teeth would be if they had any.
lol…I have the same feeling quite often (with most things).
Oh, and Buddha, here’s what I was gonna say on the last thread re: your post:
So at this point, I can just say, “Word” and I’ve made my contribution, right? 
The truth about things seems like it’s always somewhere between the extremes and I think that’s the case here. We’re gonna be a middle of the road team for a little while, but we seem to have some real bright spots in the system. I’m excited for the future of this team, even if I’m steeling myself for kind of a ho-hum season (other than maybe getting to see some of the kids get their big break).
Is it better to buy parrish out for under 1 mil a season or pay him 2.6 to spend 50 games running the popcorn machine? This is what it has come down to, IMHO. I don’t think DR wants to pay a popcorn maker that much and I don’t think parrish wants to spend that much time off the ice.
Nothing against the guy but this seems to be the reality.
I hate to say it but….bravo Dougie. We lost a lot of “good guys” this summer but they had to go. See Carney, Hill, Nummi, and now Parrish. With Voros also gone, I am going to have to re-check the roster to see who I will have to complain about each game. Perhaps just Backstrom letting in floaters from the blue line.
The Parrish contract was no good from the start. He is an average skater with a below average shot. He is crafty around the net but is too small to stand his ground along the boards. Bruno will fill his shoes and then some.
I think Parrish will land on his feet but not at the $2.5M or whatever Dougie agreed to pay him.
I will miss his spots on KFAN…refreshingly honest.
Mister Know it all, Solid Post Dawg ! Not so fast though Doug Riseburough. I dont see one Minnesota born player on your roster now. You will miss a beat with loyalty to your club by its fans if you leave it that way? No doubt
I think I know the type of player that the Wild Likes. I have never understood why Jason Blake of now Toronto was not ever pursued by DR. I would think perfect fit- From Minnesota- great skater- and you dont have Walz anymore.
Good Old Wally is not going to do DR’s job for him, I am sure DR can do without Good Old Wally, but dont think for one second the fans will have the same passion for your team if you dont have any Minnesotans on it. Danny Irmen does not count either. Just no excuse for not having any players from Minnesota on the pro team if your managing a club in Minnesota
Its too bad Parrish did not work out though. You have to still keep trying
From Russo’s Parrish article, sounds like our hope for another option at C is not over!
In 2006-07, the Wild got so close to the cap, the team barely could afford to replace its injured players. This time, Risebrough wanted to create flexibility, and not just for injuries. He wants the ability to pursue trades, as well as provide prospects such as Colton Gillies and Cal Clutterbuck a chance to make the team.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/26083789.html?page=1&c=y
*dont think for one second the fans will have the same passion for your team if you dont have any Minnesotans on it.*
:blink:
Is this sentiment one that’s prevalent among you Minnesotans?
Hmm.
Poor guy.
He’s still set for life and beyond with all the money he has. Retire early if you don’t wanna play anywhere else.
OT: Do you think if the players or at least the core guys go to the coaches and management and say, “We are ready to have a full-time Captain and instead of you choosing one for us. Let us choose a Captain to lead us.”
I mean maybe JL and the coaches have been waiting for the team to be ready to have a FT Captain but since no one wants to change the status quo, they keep the rotating captains.
Is this sentiment one that’s prevalent among you Minnesotans?
It is a vocal minority. Sid Hartman’s Sunday sports show will get a call or two about no Minnesotans on the roster this week in reaction to the Parrish move and if the season goes badly, the GoWs of the world will really come out of the woodwork. Speaking of GoW, what is the Beaver up to tonight? The lack of a response to GoW is alarming
Sorry, I realize I never finished my question.
So if the boys ask for a FT Captain, will JL, the coaches, and management give them a chance to choose a Captain for the season?
Buddha, really solid analysis on the last thread.
KJ too from the end of last thread.
It is added pressure for a local guy to handle playing in front of the home crowd.
There have been a few Twins besides Mauer, but not many. Maybe hockey is tougher because of expectations.
That’s bizarre to me. And I totally get being a massive homer for my state. Oh well. Thanks for the clarification, 6GS.
Sunshine, I think they’d listen if they did that, but I don’t see the team doing that.
Maybe the Wild and the coaches were waiting for its core players to grow before switching from rotating to FT. And maybe in the past, they weren’t ready for a FT captain.
However, with Koivu signed for 3 more years, Burns for 4, Schultz for 6, PMB for 5 and maybe Gaborik for ? — the core is finally here.
This year, this team more than ever needs a FT captain. With new guys coming in, they need to establish a strong foundation quickly.
Okay, I am done with the captaincy issue.
I will miss him. But not to much.
I don’t understand the wanting a hometown guy on the team, who cares. You develop other favorites and so on.
From Russo’s Parrish article, sounds like our hope for another option at C is not over!
But not right now. I think he means trades in the middle of the season. ie if Pouliot can’t hack it at center or if we have injuries.
ms. conduct - I think that is a very small minority of fans and it really only is a sentiment expressed in hockey (even though the 2 other major sports teams have some hometowners). In the world of professional sports, it’s all very silly to me.
MsC, I for one don’t need a home town guy on the team. It’s nice, but I was actually sadder when they cut Wyatt Smith loose, if only because he grew up in the same town as the Mr. Some will complain, but how many of them knew that we had two MN boys on the roster last season and they didn’t kick up a fuss about the other one not coming back.
Buddha: about your big post on the last thread, yep sounds about right to me.
And just to be annoying this morning… 73 days till the start of the regular season.
Also, my friend H. and I are going to the Twins game to night. I think I’ll wear my Boogie t-shirt under my (ok it’s really the Mr’s) jersey. I want to get a shirt made to wear to baseball games that says…”Baseball: a good way to make the time between hockey seasons go faster.”
Now I’m babbling… I should go find some breakfast, that might help the babbling…..
I knew that there would be a provincial call for a MN born player on the roster. Thanks to GoW for fulfilling my prophecy.
Buddha…no worries. I am Mr. Positivity!
Can you feel the love??? 
The state-level jingoism is ridiculous. Which scoring races have the former Minnesotans on the Wild won in the past? Which Selke trophys? Which Conn Smythe trophys?
Minnesota has a great tradition of youth, high school and college hockey. It’s a tradition of state-level amateur excellence in a sport to parallel any other state in any other sport in America, IMO.
But it just doesn’t translate to professional-level success. For every Neal Broten there is a dozen Jeff Nielsens, Darby Hendricksons, Chorskes, Klatts, Bonins, Crowleys, Rasmussens, Taffes, Pohls and, yes, even Parrishes.
Among the all time Wild scoring leaders, Darby is the highest Minnesota-born player - at 18th. Parrish is 29th.
So if you’re all about getting as many Minnesotans on the team as possible, then don’t try to tell me you’re also about winning as many hockey games as possible.
I am a native Minnesotan and don’t feel a need to have a Minnesotan on the roster. As long as they contribute to the team, I don’t care where they are from.
Is this sentiment one that’s prevalent among you Minnesotans?
unfortunately it is. I think it goes back to the wooger filling the gopher roster with only locals.
thankfully, the wild haven’t bought into it.
Do you think if the players or at least the core guys go to the coaches and management and say, “We are ready to have a full-time Captain and instead of you choosing one for us. Let us choose a Captain to lead us.”
I think fans care about this more than the players.
I wasn’t going to post before work today, but feel I have to.
Not going to be as passionate about our team if there is no Minnesotans on it? I think that may be the most of base comment I have ever heard. While it is fun to have a home town guy on the team, it is by no means required.
The extreme view of it is this. Would you waive Gabby to clear a spot for a Minnesotan? Or Koivu? How about Burns? If you are unwilling to remove the top tier guys for the sole purpose of putting a Minnesotan on the team, then it just doesn’t seem that important.
Minnesota is the State of Hockey, yes, but the nuber of pros from MN that make it to the top tier of the league is underwhelming. Phil Housley retired.
I like the reference to Joe Mauer. I love having Mauer on the Twins, and would hate to see him go anywhere else, but he is an All-Star. I can’t answer the question, but how many NHL All-Stars were from MN last year? I’m going to guess zero.
Just one guy’s opinon before he goes to slave away his day.
I’m with you GStar- it had to come from Woog. Never really worked for him though either.
NINY: you crack me up. You are a walking thesaurus! Jingoism??? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve went to my little red dictionary to look up some of the words you use. Jingoism, LMAO!
To save others the time, that are not as gifted in the English language as NINY, Jingoism is “extreme chauvinism or nationalism”.
Jingoism! Excellent. Plus the rest of the post was an equally informative.
Go Wild.
…that is, was [an] equally informative.
My bad.
I could not care less about where the players come from. As far as no MN players ever being any good…I don;t agree with that. As far as the Wild, they only played 6 seasons.
As a native let me also throw in that I don’t care one bit if there are any Minnesotans on the roster. Winning games and building a solid franchise that is competitive every year are the only things I care about.
Okay, so sensible Minnesotans don’t give a rat’s fanny where the players are from. Phew. I was thinking, “Oh my god. Have I associated myself with a bunch of jingoists?”
Kidding… the word was “lunatics.”
So I can pretty much assume that anyone who continues to think that Danny Irmen should be the first call up from Houston is one of these crazy people?
Ooo, I’m hongry. Cheerios time!
Don’t choke.
Irmen = weak skillz
Thanks Iggy. I made it through the bowl safely.
Zig, yes.
There has usually been somebody from MN on the team. Don’ forget Darby, Jeff Neilsen from the original team.
And, they tried with Thelen.
The U thing is way different.
It did not begin with Woog, who was a product of that system. It began with John Mariucci. It led to MN youth and high school developing to what it is now! Marioosh did not turn his back on the Minnesota kid.
For the U, if you can get competitive players close to home, is there really a need to cross the state lines?
That is not the same as being anti-Canadian or anti-anything. It is being “pro” on your own development system.
Until recently, in my opinion, MN has had a “participation emphasis” hockey program, not a “star emphasis” program.
That seems to be changing.
Having local boys was probably more important in the early years when they wanted to gin up support for the team, but only marginally so, IMO. It’s not like they were hurting for fans.
Actually, rather than how many native sons we have on the team has not been important to anyone but Sid.
Personally, I have always been more interested to know how many players have settled in Minnesota after their playing careers were over?
There seems to be a bunch, one of the most obvious is Tom Reid of course.
Until recently, in my opinion, MN has had a “participation emphasis” hockey program, not a “star emphasis” program.
That seems to be changing.
outstanding points.
Two hours before the deadline and no team has picked him up yet. Darn it.
Good topic today (and yesterday) - I’ll chime in…
Does anyone else agree with me that a lot of our boys are Minnesotans, albeit transplants? I’m from Wisconsin, myself, which may color my view, but I feel I am more a Minnesotan every day. I’m a transplant.
Burnsy, Koivu, Gabby, Boogey, Shultzy, Shey. They’re all local guys. They’re part of Minnesota hockey, whether they were born here or not & whether they played in the high school tourney or for the Gophs, or not.
Now don’t get me wrong - I’m counting down the days when Zach Parise’s RFA status is up, but because he’s a stud who happens to be from Bloomington, not because he’s from Bloomington.
Anyone know what the deal is with Sakic? Is he going to be back or not?
I have not read all the comments yet, but I had to post this real quick…
“Just no excuse for not having any players from Minnesota on the pro team if your managing a club in Minnesota”
This post is in the running for the dumbest thing GOW has ever said. I can’t believe there are people out there who believe this crap. By this logic the Wild should just pay any kid from MN to skate around the ice waving the state flag every shift. That’s just stupid. I don’t care where the players are from, I just want the team to be competitive.
We may not have a player from MN, but we still have Rammer representin’.
You could say that Burns is a quasi-Minnesotan now. He lives here year round.
sunshine: I suspect that’s more due to his menagerie (and the challenges posed by moving them back to Ajax or wherever he’s from every off season) as it is his love for the land of sky blue waters.
But that’s just splitting hairs.
To a large extent I want to agree with Ballgame on a player becoming a local. (I might not have had Gabby on that list) Most of the players in any sport that come to symbolize the franchise are not from the state in which the play. The Bengals and Browns are not full of former Ohio High School football stars that now lead those franchises into annual playoff races. Same for Texas. Or choose Basketball, the same goes for those hotbeds. Up until recently, Green Bay was represented by a guy from Mississippi (and will be in the long term again: Joe Montana Part II). You can come up with plenty of examples that follow. Local guys who can be role players are fun to be sure. But don’t think that being local lets you off any hook, it shouldn’t and it doesn’t for the Wild so far.
Yeah, I tend to forget that Burnsie isn’t one of the natives. Bruno appears to be a lifer, too, at this point.
Rammer, good call Bandgeek!
Back to what ballgame said “They’re all local guys.” I agree.
There were no Minnesotan all-stars last year, but Staal is from Thunder Bay (and only parties in Minnesota) and Richards is from a small town in Ontario on the North Side of Lake of the Woods.
But in the Young Stars game, of the 16 players, 4 are Minnesotans and, again, another Staal from Thunder Bay. That is a nice ratio for the future.
I fully agree there should be no Minnesota quota for the Wild, but it would be nice to see the Wild fight for young Minnesota talent once in a while, instead of picking up token veterans. But at the same time, given how Minnesotans are pretty hard on young players, there would be a lot of undue pressure on such kid to succeed right away. So there has to be some balancing, for sure, and Wild management has apparently not seen a good candidate for that balancing act yet.
Let the pumpkin watch begin.
Parochial was the word I was thinking of, but kudos for getting Jingoism into the vocab today, NiNY!
It always creeped me out when I’d hear people brag about Wooger’s “Minnesotans Only” policy. It was kinda like they were saying, “Yeah, we inbreed, so what?”
Could be like the community college on the range that recruited all Florida boys cause they can play football. Of course they never went to class and had to cancel the team. Oh well at least none of the local boys had a shot at those scholarships.
I think the majority of us do love cheering for our native sons! I also think we realize this is not what you look at when trying to build a championship team.
Regarding captains: JL stated early on that he was a big fan of the rotating captains and that this will be done for as long as he coach. Not sure if he’s had any second thoughts about that, but he stated a number of issues with the permanent captain approach that seemed to make sense. Basically, once somebody is entrenched as captain, you’re pretty much stuck with him as captain unless you want to get rid of him. If a guy ends up at odds with coaches or management, ends up having an attitude problem, or is in a stiuation where he’s primarily worried about his contract, etc. then, in the current system, you can name a new captain next month. If the player gets his act together, he’ll have a chance to earn the C again at a later time.
I can see where the permanent captain would be nice (Mikko might reasonable choice), but unless you have a guy like Yzerman, I can see where a rotating system is better. Problem is, you would never know you had a guy like that until he’s already been captain for about five years and you can look back and say, “Well, this has been working out pretty well!”
well, one wouldn’t have to qualify “parochial” with “state-level” as one would have to qualify “jingoism”, so perhaps “parochial” is a better word for this situation.
Here’s the problem with not having a set captain:
Nobody knows who the leader is. Ever been to a meeting at work where no one takes charge? Those types of meetings tend to wander from topic to topic, last forever and don’t accomplish much. A meeting with a clear ‘leader’ generally sticks to the meeting’s topic and decisions are made.
If you have a set captain, then he knows he’s got to stand up in the room and lead. Otherwise everyone sits around and thinks ‘it’d be nice if someone stood up and said something’ but no one feels empowered to do it as they have not been chosen as the leader. When they do wear the C for a month, they know it won’t last. They aren’t the ‘real’ leader, they’re just ‘filling in’.
I fully agree that long-term Wild players become “one of us” and I am glad PMB just got his official MN decoder ring and membership card
Side note: I think Toews will be a great captain for the Hawks…I’ve talked with him a few times (in the dining halls/ parties at UND), and feel he can hold up that kind of responsibility. But how would fellow teamates, some veterans, feel about having such a young, second year player “lead” them to wherever they end up this year? (Which will be the playoffs this year)
But at the same point in time, JL and company has picked the same captain in back to back months and maybe even bomber for 3 months in a row. I would say the if a player (Mikko seems to be the next great one in line) step up, and keep his performance up and do the things that JL wants and needs, they could work themselves into a permanant captain. They talked about Rolston and Walz as being possible permanent captains. But their performance trailed off to be not leader worthy.
The U’s scholarship program is a lot different than filling the Wild roster.
The U is a taxpayer supported institution.
Native sons have some preference when they can be competitive with the outside world, maybe even like the admission standards as a whole.
And, the WCHA has shown our MN grown players to more than hold their own so you can say they are very competitive.
it would be nice to see the Wild fight for young Minnesota talent once in a while
who is to say they haven’t
Food. Parrish clears waivers.
FOOD!!!
Nobody knows who the leader is.
just because you don’t have a C on your sweater, doesn’t mean you ain’t a leader.
The captain in hockey is old tradition. Leaders are leaders regardless if they are a captain or not.
I wonder if buffalo frets about this rotating C as much as we do.
Iceman- solid points, as the WCHA seemingly dominates all college hockey. With MN/ND/WI holding 6 of 10 teams in the conference
G*, hopefully the food doesn’t cause this to not be noticed.
You are correct, a leader is a leader even if there is no C on their sweater. However, if we are lacking a leader (I don’t know) appointing one certainly helps to fill that void.
Let’s see - Toronto only has one RW on their depth chart. Parrish and Blake played together on the Island for about 5 years (approx.). Both are Minnesota boys. At 31, Mark is not too far out of the target range and after a buyout could be a cheap acquisition for the buds. We’ll see.
BALLGAME
You being a transplant is not the same thing. I am speaking of the stregth of the hockey program locally. I think it is safe to assume that we Minnesotans have pride in our home grown talent ? no doubt… A father takes his son to a game, and with out a doubt will mention to his son that the Wild have a homegrown player on the roster
I dont think it is wise to have no homegrown talent on a pro team in Minnesota, in Nashville sure !
Yes the Wild have players who live here during the season and leave to go back home during the summer, but that is not the same thing. THOSE PLAYERS ARE NOT PRODUCTS OF MINNESOTA HOCKEY. SO IF THE MINNESOTA PRO TEAM DOES NOT HAVE ANY PRO PLAYERS FROM MINNESOTA, THAT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE ? no doubt. I cant see how anybody cant see the point
Minnesota hockey = Passion and Passion is not wise for the Wilds front office to mess with…. Is it a pain in the ass ? Maybe… So live with it and do something about I say. Leopold bought the team in Minnesota and should know that Minnesotans have a passion for the hockey products here
I am sure that the Wilds brass will say they dont care about where the players are from and they will likely take a hard ass response, but I say that they are full of bull and in denial. If your in Nashville then you dont care.
DR in the back of his mind tried to meet the needs of the local fans by..
Mark Parrish
AJ Thelen
Maybe Sean Hill
Great move
Darby Hendrickson
All of those moves turned sour. If I look at the make up of this team, Jason Blake looks to be a no brainer for this roster
Bottom line DR … YOU HAVE A PR PROBLEM !! This in not Nashville
Good Post Good Old Wally ! I agree its not wise to run with no Minnesotans. The Minnesota Hockey passion has much more history then the Wild do…. Were happy for the Wild for letting youth hockey sell the cute little programs before the games.. What does that make $ 200 bucks per association
Gentleman,
I must applaud GOW and the Beaver. I as Mister Know it all agree 100%. The Wild have failed miserably since Darby Hendrickson. AJ Thelen is an example of the DR mindset…. oh it must be the pressure of the local kid making it… please no excuses anymore DR. How can you use the local kid pressure with AJ ? The kid got kicked off of the Michigan state hockey program for cripes sake
DR- I think it would be foolish do blame you for your effort with getting Mark Parrish in Minnesota. Who could have seen that coming
It really surprises me that the Wild could be so close to the cap with the mediocre and old talent that they have, while other teams have many star players on the same team without worry. Does McHale have a say in the Wild’s roster??
[i]it would be nice to see the Wild fight for young Minnesota talent once in a while
who is to say they haven’t[/i]
There were all of two Minnesotans on the Aeros Calder Cup roster this year…and one of them grew up in North Dakota. The other was undrafted and a walk-on at UW-Madison (signed as a free agent) Any of the rest of the Wild’s Minnesotans are toiling in the ECHL. Don’t get me wrong, I am not for bringing them to the show based on connection to Minnesota, but there are a lot of decently-talented Minnesotans in the NHL and we can’t find any of them?
Or are we just not identifying young Minnesota talent?
by reax did you mean reacts??? you’re alright russo, but learn to spell, please
It is hard to say that the Wild cannot see the state of hockey to have no nhl-caliber talent. I just think the wild brass have lost some patience in terms of development.
Face it, we are tired of dismal seasons being knocked out of the first rounds. The GM just wants to see results as much as we do. But as a GM he has to make those decisions to buy out.
Parrish is a great plyer but it seems he did not mesh with the Lemaire system. He is a very offensive foward and Lemaire just did not agree with him.
I just think that GM only goes to foreign players for two reasons:
1. Their systems of junoir play offers better transition into the pros. Most players out of college have take time in the AHL when they get out.
2. They start cheap. Most US players come at a cost. The NHL is our market and they now what they can get. A good amount of foreign players you can be a little lower in terms of contracts.
Someone please tell me why Skoula still wears the Wild Sweater? He is terrible!!! Clear cap room with that loser!
Forget the homegrown MN talent…just field a roster that gives us a chance to win playoff games past the first round…WHO CARES WHERE THEY COME FROM! If you want to watch MN talent go to the state high school hockey tournament.
Wow, I can’t believe there could be any discussion over who should wear the C in Minnesota.
Burns, Burns, Burns.
I am a Vancouver fan and just salivate watching the intensity that guy plays with. Reminds me of Ed Jovanovski when he was young and universally feared.
PS Jason Blake is NOT available!
