Wild training camp rosters
Posted on September 11th, 2008 – 12:20 PMBy Michael Russo
Prospect camp is in Traverse City, Mich., Saturday-Wednesday. Training camp begins Sept. 19 with physicals here in Minny. The team will then leave in the afternoon for Grand Forks, N.D., where on-ice sessions will take place until Sept. 23.
Here are the rosters:
2008 MINNESOTA WILD TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
> LEFT WINGS HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 24 Derek Boogaard 6-7 258 Left 6/23/82 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Minnesota NHL 34 0 0 0 74 EN/02
> 15 Andrew Brunette 6-1 212 Left 8/24/73 Sudbury, Ontario Colorado NHL 82 19 40 59 14 FA/08
> 38 Ryan Hamilton 6-2 230 Left 4/15/85 Oshawa, Ontario Houston AHL 72 20 19 39 38 FA/06
> 23 Petr Kalus 6-1 201 Left 6/29/87 Ostrava, Czechoslovakia Houston AHL 58 8 10 18 57 TRD/07
> 45 Jason Ryznar 6-3 200 Left 2/19/83 Anchorage, Alaska Lowell AHL 55 10 8 18 38 TRYOUT
> 19 Stephane Veilleux 6-1 188 Left 11/16/81 Saint-Georges de Beauce, Quebec Minnesota NHL 77 11 7 18 61 EN/01
> CENTERS HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 25 Eric Belanger 6-0 185 Left 12/16/77 Sherbrooke, Quebec Minnesota NHL 75 13 24 37 30 FA/07
> 9 Mikko Koivu 6-2 200 Left 3/12/83 Turku, Finland Minnesota NHL 57 11 31 42 42 EN/01
> 39 Krys Kolanos 6-2 200 Right 7/27/81 Calgary, Alberta Quad City AHL 65 30 33 63 82 FA/08
> 17 Corey Locke 5-9 171 Left 5/8/84 Newmarket, Ontario Hamilton AHL 78 30 42 72 50 TRD/08
> 42 Bryan Lundbohm 5-10 185 Left 8/24/7 Roseau, Minnesota> Soenderjyske Denmark 33 13 14 27 12 FA/08
> 28 Peter Olvecky 6-2 214 Left 10/11/85 Trencin, Czechoslovakia Houston AHL 61 17 16 33 38 EN/04
> 67 Benoit Pouliot 6-3 199 Left 9/29/86 Alfred, Ontario Minnesota NHL 11 2 1 3 0 EN/05
> 40 Marco Rosa 6-0 190 Left 1/15/82 Scarborough, Ontario Texas AHL 56 10 17 27 20 TRYOUT
> 51 James Sheppard 6-1 204 Left 4/25/88 Halifax, Nova Scotia Minnesota NHL 78 4 15 19 29 EN/06
> RIGHT WINGS HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 96 Pierre-Marc Bouchard5-10 171 Left 4/27/84 Sherbrooke, Quebec Minnesota NHL 81 13 50 63 34 EN/02
> 10 Marian Gaborik 6-1 199 Right 2/14/82 Trencin, Czechoslovakia Minnesota NHL 77 42 41 83 63 EN/00
> 14 Danny Irmen 6-0 190 Right 9/6/84 Fargo, North Dakota Houston AHL 77 10 13 23 51 EN/03
> 20 Antti Miettinen 6-0 190 Right 7/3/80 Hameenlinna, Finland Dallas NHL 69 15 19 34 34 FA/08
> 11 Owen Nolan 6-1 215 Right 2/12/72 Belfast, Northern Ireland Calgary NHL 77 16 16 32 71 FA/08
> 16 Jesse Schultz 5-11 191 Right 9/28/82 Strasbourg, Saskatchewan Chicago AHL 80 26 40 66 43 FA/08
> 12 Craig Weller 6-4 220 Right 1/17/81 Calgary, Alberta Phoenix NHL 59 3 8 11 80 FA/08
> DEFENSEMEN HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 44 Paul Albers 6-1 190 Left 10/15/85 Melville, Saskatchewan Houston AHL 69 5 16 21 26 FA/06
> 47 Marc-Andre Bergeron5-10 197 Left 10/13/80 Trois-Rivieres, Quebec NY Islanders/ANA NHL 585 9 10 19 20 TRD/08
> 8 Brent Burns 6-5 219 Right 3/9/85 Ajax, Ontario Minnesota NHL 82 15 28 43 80 EN/03
> 26 Kurtis Foster 6-5 220 Right 11/24/81 Carp, Ontario Minnesota NHL 56 7 12 19 37 FA/05
> 5 Kim Johnsson 6-1 183 Left 3/16/76 Malmo, Sweden Minnesota NHL 80 4 23 27 42 FA/06
> 6 Tomas Mojzis 6-1 192 Left 5/2/82 Kolin, Czechoslovakia Sibir Novosibirsk Russia 28 2 1 3 38 FA/08
> 2 Erik Reitz 6-1 215 Right 7/29/82 Detroit, Michigan Houston AHL 49 8 26 34 99 EN/00
> 46 Brandon Rogers 6-1 198 Right 2/27/82 Rochester, New Hampshire Houston AHL 63 4 24 28 77 FA/08
> 36 John Scott 6-8 247 Left 9/26/82 St. Catharines, Ontario Houston AHL 64 3 0 3 184 FA/06
> 55 Nick Schultz 6-1 200 Left 8/25/82 Strasbourg, Saskatchewan Minnesota NHL 81 2 13 15 42 EN/00
> 41 Martin Skoula 6-2 226 Left 10/28/79 Litomerice, Czechoslovakia Minnesota NHL 80 3 8 11 26 TRD/06
> 7 Clayton Stoner 6-3 206 Left 2/19/85 Port McNeill, British ColumbiaHouston AHL 56 3 12 15 78 EN/04
> 3 Marek Zidlicky 5-11 190 Right 2/3/77 Most, Czechoslovakia Nashville NHL 79 5 38 43 63 TRD/08
> GOALTENDERS HT WT CATCHES BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GPI GA W-L-T SO GAA ACQ
> 32 Niklas Backstrom 6-1 196 Left 2/13/78 Helsinki, Finland Minnesota NHL 58 131 33-13-8 4 2.31 FA/06
> 33 Barry Brust 6-2 210 Left 8/8/83 Swan River, Manitoba Houston AHL 43 90 24-16-3 4 2.27 FA/07
> 29 Josh Harding 6-1 197 Right 6/18/84 Regina, Saskatchewan Minnesota NHL 29 77 11-15-2 1 2.94 EN/02
> 31 Nolan Schaefer 6-2 200 Right 1/15/80 Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan Houston AHL 34 68 19-13-0 6 2.24 FA/07
> 2008 TRAVERSE CITY PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT ROSTER
> # FORWARDS HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 75 Cody Almond 6-2 199 Left 7/24/89 Calgary, Alberta Kelowna WHL 69 22 34 56 114 EN/07
> 78 Cal Clutterbuck 5-10 203 Right 11/18/87 Welland, Ontario Houston AHL 73 11 13 24 97 EN/06
> 45 Chris Culligan 6-0 174 Left 6/23/88 Sydney, Nova Scotia Cape Breton QMJHL 63 19 49 68 62 INVITEE
> 61 Colton Gillies 6-4 193 Left 2/12/89 White Rock, British Columbia Saskatoon WHL 58 24 23 47 97 EN/07
> 76 Ryan Graham 5-11 217 Left 6/17/87 St. John> ‘> s, Newfoundland Acadie-Bathurst QMJHL 31 10 10 20 76 INVITEE
> 52 Justin Hodgman 6-2 183 Left 6/27/88 Brampton, Ontario Erie OHL 64 37 43 80 75 INVITEE
> 57 Matt Kassian 6-4 247 Left 10/28/86 Edmonton, Alberta Texas ECHL 47 6 4 10 90 EN/05
> 68 Kevin King 6-0 185 Left 1/14/90 Calgary, Alberta Kootenay WHL 63 8 13> 21 61 INVITEE
> 65 Tomas Knotek 6-1 171 Left 1/19/90 Kladno, Czechoslovakia Halifax QMJHL 69 22 44 66 18 INVITEE
> 63 Morten Madsen 6-2 191 Left 1/16/87 Rodovre, Denmark Houston AHL 50 3 17 20 18 EN/05
> 39 Carson McMillan 6-2 200 Right 9/10/88 Brandon, Manitoba Calgary WHL 72 16 26 42 85 EN/07
> 56 Jordan Mistelbacher 6-1 190 Left 12/21/87 Winnipeg, Manitoba Everett WHL 67 10 10 20 54 INVITEE
> 54 Scott Wasden 6-1 201 Right 1/4/88 Westbank, B.C. Kamloops/Medicine Hat WHL 71 12 21 33 69 INVITEE
> # DEFENSEMEN HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
> 71 Tyler Cuma 6-2 182 Left 1/19/90 Toronto, Ontario Ottawa OHL 59 4 28 32 69 EN/08
> 59 Eric Doyle 6-2 191 Right 4/5/89 Calgary, Alberta Swift Current WHL 70 10 38 48 43 INVITEE
> 73 Justin Falk 6-5 215 Left 10/11/88 Snowflake, Manitoba Spokane WHL 72 4 22 26 98 EN/07
> 79 Alexandre Neron 6-0 180 Right 5/9/90 La Malbaie, Quebec Rimouski QMJHL 69 10 34 44 69 INVITEE
> 74 Maxim Noreau 5-11 192 Right 5/14/87 Montreal, Quebec Houston AHL 50 8 8 16 48 FA/08
> 72 Frederic St. Denis 5-11 190 Left 1/23/86 Greenfield Park, Quebec U. Quebec Trois Rivieres CIS 28 4 14 18 4 INVITEE
> 64 Marco Scandella 6-2 195 Left 2/23/90 Montreal, Quebec Val d> ‘> Or QMJHL 65 4 10 14 35 EN/08
> 62 Tyler Schmidt 6-1 200 Left 4/13/90 Winnipeg, Manitoba Tri-City WHL 66 2 12 14 129 INVITEE
> # GOALTENDERS HT WT CATCHES BORN BIRTHPLACE 2007-08 TEAM LGE GPI GA W-L-T SO GAA ACQ
> 70 Anton Khudobin 5-10 183 Left 5/7/86 Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan Houston AHL 12 16 2-2-1 1 1.99 EN/04
> 43 Cody St. Jacques 5-11 170 Left 5/14/90 Iroquois Falls, Ontario Guelph OHL 22 55 9-8-3 2 2.88 INVITEE
> 50 Steven Stanford 6-0 170 Left 9/10/90 Calgary, Alberta Prince Albert WHL 31 102 9-16-0 0 3.72 INVITEE
>
292 Responses to "Wild training camp rosters"
Hey, gettin excited for camp here… Any word from the Wild if they will open any of their practices in GF for the public????
Is RW Jesse Schultz related to Nick Schultz?
Hey, gettin excited for camp here… Any word from the Wild if they will open any of their practices in GF for the public????
You’ve got a better chance of hooking up with Amelia Earhart than seeing a Wild practice.
I’m very excited for camp and for the season to start.
I just wish we’d get Gaborik signed long term so we won’t get stuck in the cellar for the next 2 - 3 years. 
Interesting observation Claire (from previous thread).
All the long term dough being thrown around could create havoc with the CBA if tickets go unsold.
Oh…the MAMMOTH TV deal will fill in the gaps, won’t it… 
I think I’d heard that Jesse Schultz was Nicks cousin. But that was a while ago so I’m not positive. Anyone else remember?
Yep, Jesse Schultz is Nick’s cousin. Their dads are brothers.
Gaborik has been here what 8 seasons and they have his home country as Czechoslovakia, which doesn’t exist anymore. Come on.
I think they do that with everyone like that, sunshine. My theory is their reasoning is they refer to the country as it was known when they were born, not what it became afterwards.
MARCO!!! Glad to hear the org is still looking at him. I’ve never seen somebody who gets down low and stays with that puck in traffic like Marco. Love him.
Well, on the roster list, they have Gaborik’s birth place as Trencin, Slovakia.
Its a minor thing but they should be consistent.
Did Houston sign Rosa this year or is he still with his AHL team from last season?
I wasn’t aware of that. Yes, you have a valid point then.
KPA is right… it was what the country was known as when they were born.
Side note… These rosters look stronger from the bottom up than last year’s. I think Kolanos could wind up with the big club and make a contribution.
Also, do you think Chris Culligan will wind up in a plumber role on the 4th line? Bwahahahah
In the Wild’s press release in small print, training camp will not be open to the public.
Gaby’s birth place changes from game to game in the program. Its almost like a little game they play.
Eric Staal…7 years/60 million… Gabby is looking at about 7 years 63-65 million from my calculations…
Kari: Exactly position do you see Kolanos making a contribution? Mik, Shepp, Bel and Pooh are the team’s centers. Kolanos gets a sniff if, and only if, the team is once again plagued by injuries. Other than that, no sir.
Yep, Gabby looking at $9 + million now. I have to say $8.5 million is excessive for Staal. I can see $7.5 to $8 million. Yes, he has a Stanley Cup and 1-100 point season but at that price…
Some of these salaries are just getting out of hand. Sure $8.5 million in year 4 looks great but right now, I just shake my head.
Any Grand Forkers (or anyone at all) know if the Wild will be doing any publicity events while they’re hanging out there?
Sunshine, Rosa was with us the majority of last season, started in Beaumont but quickly came up and became a staple at center. Love the guy’s hustle. Probably won’t see the NHL but he’s terrific to have in the A. They really need to sign him in Houston and lock him down.
I wager Kolanos signed with the Wild because he saw how thin they were at center. One injury and he’s up, and he’s had enough NHL experience to warrant the call. BUT if he’s as lazy in his own end as I hear he is, I’m not sure KC won’t send up Locke instead if it’s earlier in the season when things aren’t as definitively on the line as they are later.
Thanks for the clarification on Rosa. I thought I remembered you mentioning that he was with the Aeros but the roster info confused me.
Gaborik has been here what 8 seasons and they have his home country as Czechoslovakia, which doesn’t exist anymore. Come on.
I believe this occurs because that is the listing of his Birth Country, which is what it was at that time. I’ve seen that sort of thing listed for a lot of Euro players. It’s no big deal, is it?
Is anyone else as unimpressed with this roster as I am?
You know, with the amount of merch the Wild sell, you would think I could find some fun stuff for the baby. Guess not. Nothing for babies. Kids, yes. Babies, no.
Twins have stuff. Why not the Wild? Dang it.
Good luck picking from that toilet, you dumb wild fans call a roster. Plan the parade route you delusional retards. Russo is the love child of Bogaard and “Dumbo” the big eared freak.
Wow. Jason = frustrated Vikings fan venting because his no coach, no qb team lost to the cheeseheads???
Most expensive Aeros season tix… $1690
That money gets you upper deck sides at the X.
Tell me you are a season ticket holder Ms. C… AiH….
Welcome Jason. Glad to see your positive outlook on the board today.
SI.com reports that the Staal deal is 57.7 mil over 7 years….a shade under 8.25 per year.
No real hometown discount there. Not that I am expecting to see it with Gabby’s contract either if he re-signs.
You never know with Lemaire… He could put Pouliot as a fourth line winger who knows anything is possible
Buddha, I think Aaron is but I only have the 15 ticket package because DH has issues with funding Les Alexander and the NBA with his hard earned money. Hence the angling for a press pass, because it absolutely eats me up to miss a game when I live 10 minutes from the Toyota Center. But I just can’t get DH on board. Gah. I’m mad thinking about it. Hey, KiPA, where in PA are you? 
And BTW, that price has gotta be on the glass. Anywhere else at center ice would be half that. I think it’s less than $1000 for center ice, lower level.
Yeah… On the Glass at the X…
$9900 a year. But hey, it does include parking…
Pittsburgh? Well, 20 minutes south of.
Oh, well, there ya go, B… parking is discounted but not included as it’s a city garage. Bunch of bums.
KiPA-
Sid show up with your tix yet?
Sid didn’t, though they did show up today on their own.
Aww… that sucks. Cool program though.
Are you sitting around staring at them? Smiling? Smelling them perhaps? Laying them on the floor and rolling around on them…
I miss my tickets…
Man, somebody’s got to post ‘food’. I’ve been hanging out in the last blog post wondering where everyone went since apparently 12:20 or so. Somebody please give us clueless ones a clue!
Haven’t the Wild had one practice open to the public the last two years at least? I know I went to the one two years ago. Pretty interesting to watch. The ‘crowd’ apparently exceeded expectations as they had to open one more section at the X to accomodate everyone. I seem to remember them doing it last year too though I didn’t go.
I’m sorry Goody. I thought about it but then thought maybe I was the only goober who needed it (I only knew there was food because it showed up in my google reader).
Here’s something: In NHL 2k9, Parrish scored the first goal of the season. Nice little wrister from the slot right past Timmmaaaaay.
Er, not to say you’re a goober, Goody… though I pretty much did, didn’t I? Sorry again. Will shut up and play video game hockey now.
Yeah, neat idea. Only 35 fans get chosen though, so my odds aren’t good. The staring and smiling part was in evidence. As for the rest, well, gentlemen tell no tales.
(But yes.)
Last year, they had that contest winner in White Bear Lake where they sold tickets for $10 as a fundraiser for their hockey youth program. It was a scrimmage and not practice.
I think they should open up scrimmages to the public or do what they did last year - charge a nominal fee where all proceeds go towards hockey youth programs. Great publicity and good will.
Maybe this Jason Ryzner will be the 12th forward down in Houston
Don’t you think that if Hodgman or Culligan kill it in the tourney and in training camp, they would give that slot to one of these guys?
Tyler Hirsch signs with the Elmira Jackals.
Wood-
Apparently they needed someone to take care of the nets, huh?
Well they have had like 14-15 f in housotn before so who knows
Buddha,
On the money.
Lack of hockey making brain hurt. Need hockey. Hockey hockey hockey hockey……
Poor BG. You’re fading fast, aren’t you?
Hockey? Hockey!! He he he he…. and skating and pucks and I need to get my skates sharpened, and get tickets to games, I like game tickets, and see Boogie and Burnsie and Mikko and Schultzie and ha ha ha ….. he he he ……
Does that answer your question MsC?
Yep. Yep. Mr. BG may need to start padding the walls in one of the rooms in your house… Maybe you should find a rink with a rec league game going and watch that.
MsC you and your DH take care the next few days. I don’t want to hear you guys floated or were blown away. It looks like you guys are getting the ‘dirty’ side of the the hurricane. At least that’s what the weather man just said.
Saw Schultz sitting with Parrish at the Twins game last night. Wanted to ask them what he thought of Zidlicky, but left them in peace. Also saw Gorg on a beer run. Love that guy!
So did Lynn and Salcer go out for cocktails last night or what?
Thanks BG. Should be an interesting couple of days.
Anyone see the new puckdaddy post? Links to an article from THN, 10 of the top fighters in the league.
No Boogey.
Really? How can you have credibility writing about fighters and not include Boogey?
Dallas Cowboys are worth 1.6 BILLION dollars.
Wow. I’ll take 2, please.
Chara? Please. Man, I hate Stortini.
Sorry. Stuck on this for a minute.
Top ranked NHL team. The Leafs - $332 million.
Wild - $180 Million.
The Cowboys themselves are worth more than the NHL’s top 6 put together.
Lowest in NFL - Vikings - Just under $900 million. That’s more than the top 3 NHL teams together.
Yeah. Chara. 4 fights. Big deal. Stortini, I’ll give him he should be on the list. Boogey would kill him though.
I’ll take 2, please.
I’ll take half of one. :O
Wild is more than $180 million. Its worth $260 million since that was what CL reportedly paid for it.
Wild is more than $180 million. Its worth $260 million since that was what CL reportedly paid for it.
Is Ryan Malone worth $31 million? That’s what TB paid….just sayin’…
I’ve never really been a fan of those rankings. Don’t understand the point of them.
He isn’t and maybe the Wild isn’t but that is the price paid and the current value of him and the team.
The market needs to be corrected for it to change.
Ryan Malone did exactly what he needed to do. He went out and played solid hockey on the big stage. Got his pay day. We’ll see if he’s worth it (my guess is no).
The $180m was 2007 list, 2008 not out yet. I think I would pay $500m… but that’s just me.
Yeah, worth is all relative. That’s why I think those rankings are pointless.
I think franchises worth is more valuated and objective than players like Malone. With franchises you can base it on revenues, operating costs, merchandise sales, and other indicators. With players, its subjective.
For example Gaborik. League-wide, I am sure people will say that he is not worth $8.5 million. However, to the Wild, he is worth that amount and more. There are few players where league-wide that most people will agree that is there true worth.
Hmm, yeah, I suppose you’re right. I never really thought of it that way.
Wait the same Ryan Malone everyone had a hard on for before free agency??? The one we were supposed to back up the brinks truck for?
One in the same Lucky.
I was hoping he would sign for around 3-4 per for three or so years… no such luck.
yeah… 4.5 per for 7 is just too much
[…] (more…) […]
Does it raise any eyebrows around here that Carolina was able to sign Staal almost immediately and he has told the media since the start of contract talks he would love to stay there yet here we are sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to hear about our franchise player? Maybe I’m being a homer but shouldn’t Minnesota be a more attractive hockey destination then it currently is? Anybody?
Arg. What’s the deal with this post right above? Links to a different site, etc. Why?
Lucky-
I think Staal enjoys it in Carolina. I don’t think Gaby likes it here. Hockey players want to score goals, they don’t want to sit back and defend, just the way they think.
Especially guys like Gaby. Scoring goals got him where he is, and he knows where it can take him.
Also, Staal knows how to “play the game.” Say all the right things, etc. Then if they don;t resign him, the blame falls to mgt.
You aren’t being a homer. This should be a hockey Mecca for the players too. Problem is, we have a system they don’t enjoy.
And while Gaby still scores goals, he is reading and being told that if he went East he would be a super star. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. Who knows. Maybe flying around so much would finally kill the groin for good.
You just never know. That said, players want what they want, and it has been shown that it isn;t the money, as I think the Rolston situation shows.
They just don’t want to be here.
Some do. Burnsy. Steph. PMB. Mikko.
Funny thing is, they all also strike me as more team first kind of guys. Nothing to really back up that Gaby isn;t, but he just doesn’t “feel” like he is.
I really don’t think it’s money with Gaby. I think he wants things that DR can’t promise. Things like the system will change, he will be “freed up” to do what he does best.
It seems to me that JL has a varitable lifetime contract as long as DR is around. JL sticking around, I don’t think Gaby wants to.
I hope he signs. I still feel he will. I am prepared for the day he signs with someone else though too.
I’ve said enough. I’ll shut up now.
It just seems to me the Wild are so quick to mix up a fresh batch of kool-aid saying how were an amazing hockey market and players should be knocking down our door to come here and play in front of fans who know and respect the game. Even Leopold calls us a marquee franchise and says other teams better watch out cause their players and management will want to come here at first chance. Well…that hasn’t happened. People aren’t that interested in playing here really.
I’m not trying to be a total Debbie downer but I think someone already pointed out that Bouchard and Schultz are really the only players that gave up free agency to stay here. I love Koivu and Burnsie they are two of my favorite players to watch but I’d be willing to bet my TV that at the end of their exentions they’ll be looking for the brinks truck too.
I think Burns could have asked for the truck before the extension. He is one of the top defensemen in the league.
Mikko, unless he has a break out year (which I have predicted), he won’t command top dollar. Unless of course the league goes stupid again…
The hard part for me is that eventually some of these guys are going to leave. No ifs ands or buts about it. The cap will catch up with them, they will get tired of being divison champs only to get steam rolled by teams like Detroit in the playoffs…
PMB will be trade bait after his two year promise expires. That is a guess.
Burns will be around for awhile. I think he likes it here. Schultz, same thing.
I can’t see any true top tier FAs coming here unless the system changes though.
Maquee franchise? To us, yes. To the players, doubtful. Little real history, no playoff success except the one run. 1st round outs last two years. One to the eventual champs yes, but got steam rolled in the process. Last year to a team they should have run over.
I hate to be the one who has to step out on the ledge, but JL is keeping the FAs from coming in flocks. Great man, great coach. His players do what he asks. Just doesn’t get through the playoffs anymore.
Players want to score. Players want to win, and not bite their nails the whole game.
Who wouldn’t be looking for brink trucks? Burnsie and Koivu aren’t stupid. They want their money just as much as the next player. Burns see Mike Green making $5 million while he makes $3.5 million. He is better defensively and equally offensive if he is given the freedom that Green has. Koivu in less than 3 years will be asking for $5+ million most likely.
The thing is that this system and Lemaire has done wonders to their careers. If Lemaire didn’t have the foresight to put Burns on defense, he would be languishing as a checker with spot duty on the 2nd line. There would be no talk of Norris candidate. Lemaire’s system plays into Koivu’s strengths. He was a good 2-way player but Lemaire is turning him into a great 2-way player. No wonder teams ask for Sheppard and Koivu in trade talks.
They bought into the system because it works for them and they have had success. As a result, they are more likely than Gaborik to re-sign with the team and maybe even at a small discount.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t ask for the brinks truck. My arguement was that people bring up how cheap their contracts are and the fact is that yes they are steals for the level of play but we are not taking away free agency time. That’s where the big money comes from.
Now don’t get me wrong Lemaire is a great coach and he has done wonders for our draft picks. We couldn’t ask for a better teacher for a franchise team but… we’ve shed that label now and it seems that we are struggling to take that next step needed. Is it possible that he was just a stepping stone and we need to look elsewhere to get to that next level?
Gaborik, on the hand, don’t believe that he has found success with the Wild — or what success means to him, which is more goals and points. If you can’t give him goals and points, then help him achieve a Stanley Cup. DR and Lemaire aren’t doing enough of that.
This is Gaborik’s frustration. Since in the early years of expansion, the Stanley Cup was too far off. So, he blamed Lemaire for holding him back from gaining the goals and points he can attain if the system was not so defensive. I think until this year, Gaborik hasn’t really understood what Lemaire has been teaching him. What Lemaire has done for him is more subtle. Its more mental than skill-changing. Gaborik had all the skills of a super star already. Lemaire taught him how to use his linemates more, take care of his end, and leadership on the ice.
IMO, now, the frustration is less with Lemaire and more with DR. He can accept that he will be able to score in Lemaire’s system. He will never be a 100 point scorer but he will find success because Lemaire has success with his team. Its that DR does not give Lemaire the right players to take them to the next level.
Just an fyi… nhl 09′ is really good. If anyone here is on Xbox Live, send me an invite, my gamertag is “KID A26″.
Oh, and Jesse Schultz is a ringer in Houston in NHL 09′… so hopefully that holds true in real life
DR had perfect timing when he signed Koivu, Burns and Schultz. If he had waited on Burns and Schultz, he would have been paying an extra $500K-$1 million each for these two.
My point with Burns and Koivu was that they found success with Lemaire and DR. Except for a Stanley Cup, they know that if the Wild want them, they will continue to perform very well in this system.
Eric Staal found success with the Hurricanes. Gaborik, I don’t think, feels he has found success that he is comfortable with. The money is there for his taking. So, he needs to know that he can at least continue to have the opportunity to score 40+ goals, 80+ points and obtain a Stanley Cup. I don’t think he can trust DR to obtain the players to do the latter.
I don’t know if I am explaining myself well here.
I agree that JL has taught these guys how to be hockey players in the NHL. And that no one can do it better, save for Scotty Bowman.
I also have this funny feeling, completely unsubstantiated as it may be, that free agents don’t like him.
DR has as much ability to bring in players as any other GM in the league. He has the money, he has the fans, he has the arena.
He doesn’t have a system people want to play in.
The system made Burns. It made Koivu, it will make Sheppard. They aren’t going anywhere. It did not make Gaby, and it did not make the top FAs in the league. They don’t want to bend their talents (perceived or real) to fit the system.
It is much easier for someone who knows and plays well in this system to go elsewhere than it is for a top tier FA to come here and bend to system.
Well if Gaborik leaves then I say it’s time to clean house. Boot Risebrough, Lynn and Thompson. Lemaire will retire on his own once you’ve terminated Risebrough.
I just feel so frustrated. We’ve done our part by putting asses in seats since day one and now if Gaborik is traded away we’re looking at a mini rebuild of 2 - 3 years. How is that fair to us fans?
Buddha:
Thank you for getting my point across more succinctly. What you wrote is what I meant. FA, who need to be made, probably don’t mind coming to the Wild.
My other point is that while this system didn’t make Gabby, it turned him to into a much better player — gave him more intangibles which might not be able to quantify in goals or points.
Its kind of a double edge sword with this system. It has brought them success so far but yet it has also prevented them from getting more higher tiered players.
I don’t know if I can make it…I want hockey!!!
ARGH!
*sigh*
But do you think it’s time to shake things up? We’ve had 1 miracle run and 2 first round losses. I don’t know if the blame falls solely on one person but usually if your plan is not working you try something else.
I think something needs to be done but I think one of our greatest assets, Lemaire, is also one of the greatest stumbling blocks. DR is really a non-factor. Yes he has made mistakes but they weren’t organization killers, including letting Rolston go. We will wait and see on Gaborik.
Perception is hard to shake. The Wild and Lemaire gets criticize as much as it receives praise for the way they play. Look at the Devils, Lemaire has been gone for over 10 years and their play is directly still attributed to him.
I will say this, if Gabby signs, I don’t want to hear anymore from anybody including Gaborik and naysayers about Lemaire holding him back. This is his 2nd chance to leave the Wild and he chose to stay.
Also if Gaborik chooses to stay, it will signal to scorers and FA that while its a defensive system, buy into it and you will find success.
Oh God sunshine please don’t say things like that… I’m already depressed as it is I don’t want to think about 10 years down the road people still calling us a “cheap” or “boring” team.
I’m just trying to think about what exactly is holding us back. It seems like Risebrough and Lemaire were a great choice for an expansion team but possibly aren’t the right duo to continue on as a real franchise. Maybe I’m alone here or maybe people just don’t want to step forward and speak their minds because they don’t want to look like a scared chicken little.
I’ll wait until about 20 games in to the season to pass real judgement. I’ll give this squad it’s fair chance. I’m just saying we as fans should be asking more from our management and it’s staff.
I’ve vented enought for one night. Good night Russoville…
Keep safe Houston folks.
Wow, that was a seriously long bunch of posting there! I’ve spent the last 6 hours helping DH with work stuff. Ugh. They say Ike is weakening. We’ll see.
ATX, hold that thought on NHL 09. Looking very much forward to playing with it a bunch tomorrow.
What does DH stand for anyway? Dumber Half? Duller Half? Doesntlike Hockey?
Darling Husband, most of the time.
Hey, who wants to go surfing?
To continue a bit on last nights convo. Gaby gets 4-5 break aways a game. If he can finish on one of those break aways, his numbers will skyrocket. Getting rid of Demo will also help his game. It always seemed to me the when Demo and Gaby were on the same line, they always tried for the highlight reel goal, but when they were seperated, they both went into that “well I have to do it by myself” mode. That usually worked better for both of them.
Ugh. Hurricanes. I’m glad I live in MN. The occasional tornado.
NHL ‘09. I can’t afford or justify buying a PS3, xbox, etc. just to play NHL ‘ 09. If anyone asks, the versions they make for PS2… suck. None of the features are there. Basically updated rosters is all you get year to year.
That, and I haven’t played the PS2 in probably 3 years, so to try and pick up video games again would be near impossible.
Oh… and this article from THN:
Does anyone else feel like they just found out about this new KHL thing?
Russ,
Gaborik and Demitra teamed up a lot in the first year with Demitra flipping the puck in the air to nuetral ice where Gaborik could use his speed to beat the D to the puck. I seem to remember quite a few goals off of that ‘play’. It seemed last year the other teams figured out how to neutralize that threat.
I agree, if Gaborik’s goal/breakaway ratio could approach 1, I’d be happy. I get the feeling he goes too fast. He doesn’t have the time to actually make a move or think before he has to shoot. Of course, if he were to slow down, he’d have fewer breakaways…
Oh dear, first injury of the hurricane… stabbed my thumb on a lime tree thorn while harvesting my limes.
Lime trees have thorns!?
Who knew?
What’s worse… the name of the tree? Thornless Mexican Lime.
Goody, totally agree. There was many times where Gaby would get that flip pass and then take a couple of big strides only to realize that he is almost in the net himself. But man, if he could get 1 out of every 5-6 of those break aways, his goal numbers would be insane. Of course, he also needs to quit using that, between the defenders legs move also.
I really don’t think the system is holding him back. I think he is holding himself back. His finish wasn’t the greatest last season. If he could finish a bit better we would be putting up those crazy numbers that he craves so much.
So the hockey news to wake up to today is:
Staal signs a contract.
Roy’s 33 to be retired
KHL is a league in Russia.
Seriously, I have feeds from every news outlet and blog I can think of, and that’s what my google reader is full of. Staal, Roy, KHL. Impressive reporting from the hockey world.
Wow. We really need to get to hockey season.
Sing it with me…
Eeeeevvvvveeerryyy lime has it’s thorn…
Buddha,
Just like every fruit has it’s peel?
Russ,
He needs to work on turning a bit too. Every time it’s beat the D with straight line speed and then straight to the goal. He needs to throw in some turns/angles to help fool the goalie.
Goody-
Exactly! Well done.
I can’t afford or justify buying a PS3, xbox, etc. just to play NHL ‘ 09
the 360 is more than just a gaming console. When networked with your PC you and stream video from PC to TV, show pictures. Download movies and TV episodes. Stream audio from PC to home theater. It is a DVD player and was a HD-DVD player.
it’s not a one trick pony.
Maybe I’m alone here or maybe people just don’t want to step forward and speak their minds because they don’t want to look like a scared chicken little.
I think it is more because fans have 0 patience for success. So saying DR and JL may not be the duo to take the team to the next level or whatever isn’t saying much because I have a feeling that would be said of any coach and GM the team had right now. the wild can go out and get your fav GM and fav coach and if in 2 years they still haven’t won a cup, I’d bet the same things being said about current management, will be said about favorite management.
this doesn’t mean that current management is necessarily right for the job. But doesn’t mean they are wrong either.
Agree 100% Green*
Sorry, had to comment on this…
the 360 is more than just a gaming console. When networked with your PC you and stream video from PC to TV
Can do that already with the PC.
show pictures.
Phone and camera both plug directly into TV for viewing already.
Download movies and TV episodes.
Again, PC.
Stream audio from PC to home theater.
Not sure why you’d do this unless you use a PC as a music player. In that event, 1 cable will accomplish that.
It is a DVD player and was a HD-DVD player.
Don’t you already have one?
it’s not a one trick pony.
Its a money sink. Another box you think you need in the middle.
It’s a game console, folks. That’s all.
“It’s a game console, folks. That’s all.”
I agree. I use it to play vidia games! That is all I want it for. The PS3 on the other hand, is a nice cheap Blue-Ray player.
What’s worse… the name of the tree? Thornless Mexican Lime.
LMAO…I have a dog that’s half Basenji - you know, the barkless dog - who barks his ass off.
Gaby does seem to have some trouble finishing, that’s for sure. It’s really not his speed that creates his goals. I still think he scores more walking out of the corner than off the rush.
NiNY - Guess that makes it the back half that is Basenji then? Does it have constipation troubles?
Goody… you’re on a roll.
I know this has been brought up before… maybe even on this post… but anyone ever find out where Adrian Foster fell off the face of the earth to?
Exp, last sighting was Adrian trying out for the Salzburg Red Bulls a few days ago. No indication that he was signed.
Globe and Mail reporting the NHL wants to expand to Europe within 10 years… thoughts?
Why expand to Europe when we don’t sell out in the states. You almost have to know the secret code and handshake to find any coverage on the NHL as it is. So unless they are looking to outright kill the NHL, I say stay out of Europe.
Sorry, had to comment on this…
sure you can do all this with a pc, you can also play a lot of the games on PC too. not everyone will have a PC in front of their TV setup as a monitor. not all TV’s are allowed to be networked. you can run a monitor cable but would you run that from another room 2 floors away? or would you run ethernet?
pics from camera are usually not stored on camera. so to view on TV, by plugging in camera, you must copy back to memory stick. now this isn’t a big deal to me but a feature that a PS2 don’t have that i know of.
I rip my CD’s to my PC so yeah, I use my PC as a jukebox so to speak. I am looking at a new receiver that has an Ipod port though.
without wiring in a IR blaster, can you control a PC in another room connected to your TV?
and no, i don’t have DVD player.
the whole point was 360 is a gaming console but not only a gaming console. you’d be crazy to buy one if you don’t plan on gaming. but ifyou do buy one to game, you will find that you can and will use the other features it provides.
Europe - BAD idea IMO, What would the games be like? The teams from over here would spend many hours in the air, arrive and play a game or two, hop on a plane back? Then, a couple weeks later do it again?
If the league were setup more like baseball where there are two distinct ‘leagues’ that rarely play each other except to meet in the championship series, I could see that working but I still don’t like it.
Stopped by that Octagon skate in SLP today. Gaborik, Butch, Bruno, Boogie, Sheppard, Veilluex, Schultz, Backs, and Harding were there. Nolan may have been there too. Parrish, Ballard, and Martin were skating for the ‘other’ team. Only some guys have jerseys with names, so you have to try and pick out faces. It was definitely a pick-up style skate. Playing serious defense was an after thought. Funny to see Schultz end up behind the offensive zone net pretty regularly. Gaborik beat Harding on a sweet deke/5-hole shot. Butch popped in 2 or 3 in a row against Backs on one long shift. Boogie looks really out of place on the ice with some of these guys when there is no checking.
Thanks Ms. C!
Gaby went 5-hole? No. Can’t be…
Excuse me while I find a rag to clean up the sarcasm.
What have I told you about getting sarcasm on the Russoville, Buddha?
I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up.
I had the great quote about “people smoking dope while skiing topless” from Roxanne all typed out…but then I realized it was “irony” and not “sarcasm” that he was talking about in that scene.
Irony is so ironic.
this doesn’t mean that current management is necessarily right for the job. But doesn’t mean they are wrong either.
wow…go out on a limb Green*…
ms.C…keep yourselves safe this weekend…Ike isn’t sure what he wants to do yet.
I said it before, and I will say it again:
Gaborik is not going to re-sign.
No insider information other than my gut feeling that he (Gaborik) thinks he’s better than all of this. And needs to leave to show it.
And, with the ‘crazy’ money out there, what are the Wild doing trying to be sane with their offers to Gaborik? Money shouldn’t be the issue with your franchise player. Another reason why I think Gaborik will not re-sign. Overwhelm him with the $$$ to see where his head and his heart are.
Thanks kj. I think we’re pretty much prepared. Mostly I need a nap as I suspect sleeping tonight will be quite difficult and only got about 4 hours last night. zzz
please add my “good luck” to the list of well-wishing, ms.c…that’s a lot of water heading your way, and none of it frozen!
Yeah, would that I could skate my way out of it.
ms.conduct, you should have come up to Austin to stay with us for the weekend. You and ATX could have played NHL ‘09 to your hearts’ content!
To all of you in Texas (especially Ms. C)…
(Sung to Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison’)
“I hear that Ike’s a-comin’,
comin’ to-night then,
I’ll smell Cha-nnel No. 5, ’til I don’t know when
Far from ol’ League City
headin’ for San Antone….
Far from ol’ League City…
but I left my limes at home.”
Good luck y’all!
WRT I hate you so much right now…. I’ve been humming Johnny Cash songs for the last hour. I caught myself singing “Ring of Fire” while making supper, now I’ll have them in my head for days ya hoser.
Thanks WATX, though ATX would have just humiliated me I’m sure. I’ve never really tried to play it before and I don’t control my player too well. And now that I’ve punctured my player-controlled thumb on the lime tree…
So at what point do we turn off the weather coverage and play video games? I’m ready.
Nice work, WRT. Love Mr. Cash.
ms.conduct, I think you’re completely fine turning off the weather coverage now. It’s not like you’re going anywhere … right?
Just play some videogames, and when the wind sounds really bad, then maybe turn them off?
Would one of you tell my Mr to go get me some ice cream and chocolate…..
Alright. I have a love / hate relationship with google. I love some of the services they provide, but their search engine has lost a step or two.
Looking for Wild blogs, other than those from the people who post on here. Any body got any? Or what are your favorite places to get hockey news (other than from Russo, of course).
Mr. Bandgeek-
Go get some ice cream and chocolate.
BG- Up the ante. What’s in it for him?
Ms. C- Go play video games. Ike will turn them off if he wants to.
I did play and man, I hope the team plays that well. Olvecky is goddamn Gaborik! #1 star in both games. Won the last game 8-0. HA! Rockin.
Buddha, seems like Nick has the most comprehensive list of Wild bloggers I’ve seen.
I got my ice cream. And then I watched a classic game on NHL network, and now I’m sugared up. Sugar sugar sugar sugar…… hehehehehehehehehehehehe…….I’m all jacked up on Mt. Dew!!!!
I so need hockey. We took the dogs for a walk to the park and back earlier and the boards in that park are left up all year and the doggies and I stood next to the boards and whimpered while the Mr cleaned up some doggie doo and then caught up. It looks so sad with weeds growing inside the boards instead of ice.
for those interested
Hurricane coverage from KHOU-TV Houston, TX now available on DIRECTV channel 361. General hurricane information is on DIRECTV channel 363
KJ, i see what you are saying but the point i was trying to make was we may b*tch about how this front office is no good for the team, we need X and Y. but if the team is in same position in two year, we could cut and paste the same posts. I added that to the end because I didn’t want my scribe to be considered an opinion on management.
Cool, y’all can watch Ms. Conduct blow away! KHOU is the least sensationalistic one so that’s a good choice. Though I was kind of enjoying CNN with Cooper in downtown Houston. We’re just west of downtown so he’s kind of my canary in the mine shaft.
Hey Nick- I stole some links from your blog. If you want them back, let me know.
Ms. C- Thanks for the head’s up on where to steal links from. (It’s her fault Nick)
I still feel like the big plant in little shop of horrors though… FEED ME!!! I need more links. More hockey, more information.
Here is a post I found on one of the links I stole from Nick. Thought it was interesting:
http://mvn.com/nhl-wild/2008/08/18/the-wild-the-internet-and-the-hockey-news-oh-my/
Well if that ain’t the cherry on top of the f*%$** parfait, I don’t know what is. I sure as sh!t hope Dougie Ballgame is rolling out the ridiculous old mantra of “Play in front of a large crowd” drivel during these negotiations. “We have lots more to offer!” Some folks say that Gabby may not be worth $8.5 million a year. Different players are worth different amounts to different teams. This team already lost a boat load of scoring in the offseason, struggles to score goals the way it is and Gabby is the lone “game-breaker” this team has. He is not only “worth” $8.5 million a year to the Wild, he is worth $9 million a year and Ballgame should recognize this instead of offering discounts at the Hockey Lodge, coupon books for the best restaurants in town, or 2-for-1s on the mid-day buffet at Rick’s. Doesn’t seem the way “big-league” players want to be treated. It didn’t work for Huggy and I am willing to bet it isn’t going to work for Gabby. Little secret here folks, once and a while you have to “overpay” to keep the stars in town and not offer them non-monetary incentives.
“Risebrough also sees other players signing extensions to stay on their current teams for less money than they’d receive as free agents.”
This won’t work for DR, and it won’t work with Gaby. No way, no how.
Does DR think there isn’t some idiot GM out there ready to pay Gaby 10 mil per, just to have him?
Look at the stupid crap these guys do every off season.
Someone will offer Gaby waaaaaayyyyy more than he is worth, guaranteed. Next year’s FA class is much better than this year’s, and salaries will go up. Someone will get more than Ovechkin. For less output. Sad.
Risebrough said. “I’m emphatically saying, ‘I’m not talking to anybody, and I’m not interested in talking to anybody.’ I’m interested in trying to get Marian signed.”
Somebody is starting to sweat and it ain’t Gaborik or Salcer.
My question is this. What to the Wild have to offer that say… Calgary doesn’t? Or Pittsburgh, or the Rangers, Bruins, Habs, Sens…
They all have great fans. Loud crowds. Great hockey atmospheres. What are these intangibles we are saying we have? Great schools?
This article makes me sad. I don’t like when I hear an agent talk the way Gaby’s did.
This is bad news on the Gaby front. Like him or not, this is not positive news.
Suppose he wants 9.5. Do you pay it?
The state fair and over 10,000 lakes Buddha! Plus Risebrough gives them coupons to the Mall of America.
I draw the line at paying him more than Ovechkin. No way you give him 9.5. I have a hard time with 9. I like Gaby, I like his skills.
I am of the thinking that the top players in the game should make the most money. Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin’s deals are not old enough to be going over them yet. Maybe in two three years. Not now.
I say, if Gaby wants 9, you trade him for a center and some picks (lots of picks). Hate to see him go, but let someone else be the laughing stock of the league, paying hiim more than Ovechkin.
I like 8.5. I do. Still too close to Crosby and malkin to me, but it is what it is.
Can you replace him? No, not in a million years. Can you live without him? Yes. It would be a rebuilding situation, or at least the system would have to change to open up Mikko as the scorer (which he could do given the chance). But if you are going to change the system, why not do it for Gaby?
this is a tough choice. No answer is going to suit anyone.
If they sign him, it will be for too much. If they don’t, they will be loser cheap skates with no ability to close a deal.
Either way, the fans lose. Notice I said the fans, not DR. We pay for it, either way.
I have a homeowner question… do modern refrigerators still leak if the power goes out? DH is wanting me to put towels everywhere but I thought refrigerators had a way to deal with excess moisture.
Coupons to the MOA? Sweet! I want mine.
Here’s the deal Ms. C. Sold and still sell appliances. Fridges should be nearly air tight now days (depending on how old).
Excess moisture inside, or out? Outside makes no difference. Inside… eh. Once you can get back in, wipe it out a bit.
As long as you don’t lose power for too long, you should be fine.
Freezers have no build-up anymore, so nothing should melt and run all over…
Not proud, but sold appliances at Lowes for 2 years, still sell them PT for HD. Sold some at Sears too.
“the system would have to change”
So… you’re also saying maybe someone else should take the reigns?
Thanks Buddha. That’s what I thought. Though I expect the power to go out for quite a while (it’s already out in the next neighborhood over) but I’m about to go empty the ice out of the ice maker and into a garbage bag and then stop the ice maker. Then we’ll stick the ice in the cooler with stuff we want to keep cold.
I really do think it is time for a new set of leaders. No guarantees it changes anything in a positive direction, but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything right now either.
I still ahve little or no prob with DR. I love JL’s abilities and his record is amazing. That said, he needs to go.
I’m not trying to continue my downspiral of depression but watching Gaborik walk away after we’ve sold out every single game is a slap in the face by the front office to the team of 18,000. Even IF we manage to get a solid roster player and a top prospect back it is very doubtful will see another player of Gabby’s calibre any time soon.
Oh also while Risebrough was GM for the Flames the biggest knocks on him were he always made gawd awful trades and he failed to sign their star players. Hmmmm…
Good plan Ms. C.
I always heard that you should fill your Bath tub with water too… just in case. (In case you want to take a bath? I don’t know)
Lucky… I am joining you in your hmmmm… old habits.
What’s it like down there Ms C?
Yep, the guest bath is full. I’m not really sure what it’s for either but I have a feeling if the water goes out, it will quickly become apparent. I’ve learned from others who learned the hard way not to fill up your jetted tub that way. The water can leak through the seals sitting that long.
Riser has officially depressed me. As if the threat of my roof blowing off wasn’t crappy enough.
I’m not saying if we trade Gaborik I’ll stop watching the team or loving them. That’s not realistic. I am just done paying them. I’ll watch my games on the ‘ol TV until something changes in the front office.
If only Mister Know it All were here. He would know what to do.
Dang it. I got sarcasm on Russoville again. I’m grounding myself.
Big gusts, house rattling, and sprinkles. All three floors of our house have french doors on the back of the house (it’s a tall skinny townhouse with the same on either side) so we’ve barricaded them as they are really rattling otherwise.
We’re discussing how anybody could sleep here tonight. i said, “A drunk could.” And we both went, “HEY! There’s an idea!” But I think once the power goes out, we’re heading to the downstairs bathroom. Gonna be a long night. I don’t see sleeping.
I can’t say I would stop watching either. They don’t re-sign Gaby, I would still go to the games too.
I’m a hockey dork. Sorry. Wish I could protest by not going.
I would still be vocal about my displeasure, but I would still have to go.
ms.c,
I think tequilla is the solution for our Gaborik problems and your hurricane problem! On a serious note please stay safe. That goes for all our hockey lovin’ friends in the south.
Sorry Ms. C. Wish there was something I could do to help. Best I can do is hope for the best.
I really hope it all turns out OK.
I gotta say though. Loving the tenacity from Ms. C. Online, talking about hockey… in TX… in a freakin hurricane.
Well done. Well played. Even a hockey player would be proud of that grit.
Ms. C: At least you have the limes to keep you company! (Ike’s just inviting itself for gin & tonic…):P
Bandgeek: I got a lot of ‘em, thank you very much. I should write for Weird Al Yankovic…but he doesn’t accept outside submissions…
Just read the Gaby/Salcer piece. If he goes, the Wild start from Square One. If he stays, great. However, those of you who wish DR ill will may just get that wish if Gaby goes elsewhere.
Not saying, just sayin’…
Anyone think CL steps in at some point, or do you think he is already involved?
Does an owner get involved in this stuff? If not normally… with the franchise player?
“Ike was a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds — the maximum gust until it becomes a Category 3 storm, which it is expected to do. Ike is moving at 12 mph. ”
Ouch.
Man, I’m hanging on to this internet for as long as I have power. Watching Ace of Cakes. So much better than listening to reporters whine about being pelted by rain and “eww eww it feels like needles!”
If I’m CL, this is not sitting well with me. Though I think his hands off approach is right. Let Riser sink or swim on his own.
No, CL should never get involved in something like this. We are looking at serious problems down the road if he starts micro-managing our GM. Now if he wants to pick up the phone and say “hey Gabby what can I do to make things easier on you?” That’s different. It happened in Dallas with the Madono contract. CL should only decide if Risebrough’s time is up not how he should run the team.
Just thinking… I’m the owner of the team. My franchise player is on the line. My guy who puts butts in the seats.
My GM seems to be feeling his way through the dark like he lost his flashlight.
I think I am on the phone with DR saying GET IT DONE!
Just me.
Ms. C- You have mail.
I need to sleep. I know that sounds unfair, tonight, but I do. Be safe.
Let the Russoworld know when you in the all clear…
Yep, DH has a wireless internet card so I’ll check in on his computer after this thing is gone.
Did they really have to name a hurricane after an abusive dude?
I am sure things in houston should be fine. You may get some flooding, but other than that you should be alright. Galveston and whatnot on the other hand may be pucked.
“Did they really have to name a hurricane after an abusive dude?”
Sort of fitting though I guess… It would be funnier if the Hurricane was actually called Ike Turner though.
DR just show Gaby the F’ing money. Forget the F’ing tangibles. Show him the F’ing money.
I would pay Gaborik $9 million. When you are at $8.5 million, might as well put that extra $500k on the table. If Staal is able to get $8 million, Gaborik can get $9 million. He is that important to this team.
If Gaborik doesn’t want $9 million, then shut down negotiations and start listening to trade offers.
DR we are not Detroit. Don’t expect Gaby to give you a hometown discount after he said no to one already.
Clinging to principles and tangibles bring nothing but cold comfort when everybody walks away from you, DR.
I apologize for swearing. I was hoping to not hear about stupid intangibles from DR this time around.
Poor sunshine. I think she needs the alcohol Ms. C’s planning on more than Ms. C does.
Speaking of which, take care down there, y’all.
Russoville is turning to the darkside. Me thinks most Wild fans are starting to get a little antsy with the front office?
Me thinks most Wild fans are starting to get a little antsy with the front office?
Wonder where Mike is…
By the way, has this slipped through the cracks here? Lang traded to Montreal, Gainey claims they’re now out of the Sundin sweepstakes.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=249263&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
I do need a martini at the moment.
Lang to Montreal is not a bad deal.
You know what I’m a little shocked and disappointed that Mike hasn’t come around. He’s usually on this kind of news like vultures on a fresh kill.
Ok I really wanted to post this the other day when we were doing our Skoula bashing. An oldie and a goodie.
Thanks for the history lesson, Lucky. I needed a good laugh after all the downer Gaby talk!
Sunshine: DR will nickel-and-dime this team to death if allowed to do so. You can only stand on principle so-o-o long, then it’s time to pay up or shut up. If the Wild want to keep Gaby, it’s time to pay up. It’s that simple.
Hey Ms.C I just seen on tv that Texas got hit by the ike and that half of the city or so is underwater i hope your house is ok…
I like bargains. However, when I really want something, I know I can’t wait for it to go on clearance because my size or the color will not be there so I pay retail price.
With Gaborik, we know now that he will not be giving DR a bargain — which we all knew beforehand. DR has to pay retail if he wants Gaborik to stay. It might be an overpayment now but if he is going to be useful in the next several years, his price over time will become amenable as long as the cap goes up.
AustinTX Gives new meaning to the slogan “I like Ike” eh?
Anyone hear from MsC?
Hey guys. Just have a minute but we’re fine and the house is fine. My new big concern is how I’m gonna watch the prospect tourney game on Monday night with the power out.
As long as your priorities are in order, Ms. C.
Good to hear from you ms. conduct. Glad the you, your DH, and house are doing well. We will pray for electricity so you can watch the game.
After reading the latest posturing (and DRs misguided attempts to tell Gaborik ‘we like it here’) I would put the odds of Gaborik not re-signing at 99.995%.
It’s a shame too ‘cuz his value will be diminished given the situation.
The situation will not diminish his value. 99% of the people are like you who already believe Gaborik will not re-sign before negotiations even started.
Only two things will diminish his value: 1. he has an awful year like 2004 or 2. he is injured for more than 10 games. People would like to give him the benefit of the doubt that his groin injuries are behind him or at least manageable since he only missed 5 games last year.
If one of these comes to pass, Gaborik can kiss his huge paycheck good-bye.
kj: Please explain what you mean by “It’s a shame too ‘cuz his value will be diminished given the situation.” What’s your thinking here so that I don’t have to fill in any blanks of my own.
Mister Know it all is going to speak the facts that he can speculate with the information that is being fed by the media in the Gaborick Negotiations
DRs Position
GM Doug Risebrough said he thinks the Wild is being more than reasonable considering the three highest-paid NHL players in terms of average contract are superstars Alex Ovechkin ($9.538 million) and Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ($8.7 million each).
Mister Know it alls position
This statement suggests that Gabby deserves less than a superstar in the Eastern conference earns. CAN THIS PERK GABBYs INTEREST IN PLAYING IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE SO HE COULD PROVE HIS WORTH AS A SUPERSTAR AS DR IS STATING?? “DERES NO DOUBT” THE WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS POUND THE SNOT OUT OF GABBY, AND THE WILD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING. THIS CERATINLY TAKES POINTS AWAY FROM GABBY.
“ Gabby might very well get more points in the freewheeling- Eastern Conference”
Mister Know it all thinks paying Gaborick 9 million a year is reasonable even if it is above Crosby and Malkin. Gabby is older than those players DR mentions, so I have no problem with treating him different based on him being older.
Drs comments about comparing him with eastern conference superstars will only make him come closer to wanting to be a free agent and proving him wrong
Signed: Mister Know it all
Agreed sunshine…an injury would make him and his agent re-think their strategy.
However, consider his trade value in this offseason.
If you are Joe Generalmanager, would you give up a TON of assets for Gaborik without a guarantee that he would sign with you long-term (re: Hossa to Pittsburgh)?
I know I wouldn’t.
I think his value will be maximized by trading him at the deadline.
After the last Gaborik negotiation, I figured that would be his last Wild contract because he’d want to be a free agent.
If you are talking trade value, yes, the Wild will receive less value for Gaborik.
However, IMO, DR is willing to take less than what he can get at the trade deadline in exchange for 5 months of minimal media distractions for the remaining 22 players. That has worth to the Wild and its locker room. People might not see it as having value but it does.
The Wild will hear it every time they go to Canada or anywhere else for that matter because it harkens back to the Hossa siutation and to Atlanta’s crash in the second half of the year. They will draw comparisons. There will be no letting up because this showdown has been brewing for a long, long time.
Though, there is a small chance that trading Gaborik now might get us a roster player because there are few teams with $6.33 million of cap space available. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t forsee us getting a first line players in exchange. However, I can see us getting a 2nd line player, a prospect, and a 1st round pick.
DR should demand a guaranteed 1st round pick. He’s stupid if he doesn’t. He is allowing that team to negotiate with Gaborik for almost 9 months. He can take that pick and flip it for a trade at a later date.
While we won’t get full value for Gaborik because he only has 1 year left on his contract people are forgetting there are some desparate teams out there who would love to bring in an elite player like Gaborik. We’ll easily get a top prospect, a roster player and a 1st rounder even with 1 year on his contract. Also to the people laughing at the idea that someone will pay Gaborik $9M+ keep in mind the past two seasons the free agency offers have been getting crazier and crazier. Canucks offering Sundin $10M a season and Oilers offering Hossa $9M a season. You can bet Gabby will get the number he’s looking for. Just wait and see…
BTW - NHL 09 is pretty bad ass. Just picked it up today and all I can say is they keep uping the quality of their product as advertised!
Canucks offering Sundin 10 mil per was stupid. Threw everything else into a tailspin.
MKiA. Gaby is not, repeat NOT, worth more than Crosby or Malkin. Not even if he goes to the East.
I thknk someone will pay him more than they are making. I guess he goes to FA, he gets 10 per. The NHL GMs are suckers, one and all. They will offer him a mint. They shouldn’t, but they will.
I see it going the same way as Huggy. We go round and round, DR telling us he’s been more than reasonable. Gaby sticks his position that he wants market value, despite the fact no one really knows what that value is.
DR is very confident in himself, despite having very few wins in the realm of signing players.
I have lost faith in Gaby being here after the deadline. I will hold out hope, but I just don’t see it anymore.
The sides have dug in, and the only way Gaby loses is if he gets hurt, or trash talks the Wild in the process. He won;t do either. The groin and the hip are going to be fine, and he and his agent know how to say the right things. “I have loved my time in MN. I hope something can be worked out to stay.” It will be said a million times by Gaby and his agent.
On the Wild side they will be saying that his agent is unwilling to budge and they are being more than fair a thousand times.
This doesn’t end well for us. It just can’t anymore.
Ugh. I hate being a MN sports fan.
Good-bye KG. Bye Torii. See ya Johan.
Sure will be fun watching Gaby highlights on youtube when he plays out East.
““I’m willing to stay, but I know what my options are if we won’t agree on terms,” Gaborik said. “And they know that I know my options. I have one year left on my contract. That’s all I’m thinking about. I’m going to leave everything out there, work hard and enjoy it. And I’m going to try the best I can to help the team win this year like I’ve done always.”
Nice. I know that they know that I know…
Just a side note for Wild fans
Minnesota 3 - Columbus 1 3rd per in prospect game
Clutterbuck, Wadsen and Hodgson all scored goals for wild and Stanford in goal
“Gaby is not, repeat NOT, worth more than Crosby or Malkin. Not even if he goes to the East.”
He’s not and that is one reason why DR is balking at giving him more money. However, what is the opportunity cost of not giving him that extra $250K or $500K in ticket sales, free agent acquistions, merchandise sales, 2-3 years of rebuilding, and other.
When you factor all that in, its not too hard to swallow giving him $8.75-$9 million.
I sense a riot just waiting to happen…
I don’t know if this blog will explode. I guess there will be fast and furious posting but I don’t think it will rise to the level of the Simon trade. KiPA, I don’t know if you were reading it then but within a short amount of time, there were 1000 posts and Russo received 80,000 hits.
People have already anticipated that Gaborik will not re-sign. But the rage against DR will be high and there will be demands for his head.
Yup, I was around for that, sunshine. My emotions ranged from sympathy to amusement (at the quantity and ferocity of the reactions, not the trade itself) to shock.
Trade for Gaborik will go down like Meszaros deal, some kind of extension will be worked out in advance, or failing that, the team that trades for him will think he will be that key cog that will put them over the top for a Cup run.
There was no extension worked on Meszaros. His agent was rumored ready to accept the offer sheet from Tampa Bay as soon as they were able to get their 3rd rounder from Pittsburgh. So Tampa Bay knew what his asking price was. We all knew what Meszaros’ asking price at minimum $4 million a year for at least 4 years. Tampa Bay gave him $24 million-6 years.
Buddha,
While you are busy hating being a MN fan, note that the Twins who were supposed to be terrible this year are about to be 1/2 game out of first.
Mister Know it all is going to speak the facts that he can speculate with the information that is being fed by the media in the Gaborick Negotiations
DRs Position
GM Doug Risebrough said he thinks the Wild is being more than reasonable considering the three highest-paid NHL players in terms of average contract are superstars Alex Ovechkin ($9.538 million) and Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ($8.7 million each).
Mister Know it alls position
This statement suggests that Gabby deserves less than a superstar in the Eastern conference earns. CAN THIS PERK GABBYs INTEREST IN PLAYING IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE SO HE COULD PROVE HIS WORTH AS A SUPERSTAR AS DR IS STATING?? “DERES NO DOUBT” THE WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS POUND THE SNOT OUT OF GABBY, AND THE WILD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING. THIS CERATINLY TAKES POINTS AWAY FROM GABBY.
“ Gabby might very well get more points in the freewheeling- Eastern Conference”
Mister Know it all thinks paying Gaborick 9 million a year is reasonable even if it is above Crosby and Malkin. Gabby is older than those players DR mentions, so I have no problem with treating him different based on him being older.
Drs comments about comparing him with eastern conference superstars will only make him come closer to wanting to be a free agent and proving him wrong
Signed: Mister Know it all
Solid Post Mister Know it all. Who will break the 1-1 2-2 ties Buddka ?
Only big a$$ buck$ will keep Gaborik here – and that means Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin money – or something darn clo$e.
Aside from the $$$, Gaborik has seen this year how some Wild players as FAs didn’t re-sign, the negotiations – or lack of them– with others who left, how some have been shopped but then signed with conditions (aka “I won’t trade you for two years”), how some are bought out because they don’t fit in, how the center position remains unresolved, and other issues which portend that the expectations for the Wild this year have dimmed.
Given these factors and despite DR’s “ persuasions,” why will Gaborik stay here when DR is probably unwilling to pay him the buck$ needed to keep him?
Do I hope that Gaborik stays? You bet. But I don’t think it’s likely.
Best to all.
So MKiA. Posting the same post twice, and then supporting it with a post under a different name is supposed to make me see it your way? Doubtful.
As for hating being an MN fan. Please note that I am still a MN fan, despite all this. Just wish we could have some stars stick around. Have a team build around the talent they already have instead of hoping beyond hope for a miracle like the Twins are pulling off.
Imagine this Twins team with Santana and Hunter. Probably be ahead by three or four games, maybe more.
Love the Twins. Love that they do what they do with so little. Hate watching the guys we love walk away. A Santana said… They always plan for the future. At some point that future has to become today.
KG wants out because the team fails to build around him. Hunter leaves, Santana wants out. Same reason. Gaby wants out. Same reason.
At some point I just want to see the stars stick around, and have a team put around them, thats all.
All that said. Speaking as a fan of the game, Gaby cannot be paid more than Malkin, Crosby, and Ovy. Some things in life are just plain wrong. That would be one of them.
I agree with the guy from NHL Home Ice. Gaby is a star, not a super star. Ask a die hard football fan in Dallas if they have heard of Gaby, most likely not. Ask the same fan if they have heard of Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin… most likely.
Gaby doesn’t have the raw ability to score that those three do. Is he good? Yes. Fast? Definately. But any NHL goalie can stone a break away when the guy goes 5 hole 99% of the time.
I don’t think he becomes a house hold name if he goes East. He definately gets the money if he goes FA. No question. He shouldn’t, but he will.
He will still be Gaby, only instead 0 for 4 on breakways in a game, he’ll be 0-8.
However, what is the opportunity cost of not giving him that extra $250K or $500K in ticket sales, free agent acquistions, merchandise sales, 2-3 years of rebuilding, and other.
my feeling is we are not talking 250k - 500k.
I don’t think #10 wants to be here. I don’t think he has going back to his hold out year. I think he signed his last extension because we brought in his boyfriends. I’d love to see him in iron range red for years to come but all this arse kissing to keep him happy is getting old.
Mister Buddha, I know of no Beaver. The Twins stink. I love the spirit of the team and the coach is just great. The owner of the Twins does not deserve the run he is getting right now. Give the Wild owners and management some credit as they are trying super hard to get the best team on the ice. I know the Twins owners and management dont try super hard, so becasue of that the Twins deserve to fail, and that they will in the end. A championship is what you play for and the Twins have 0 chance until the owners behave more like DR and the Wild owner behave.
Buddha superstar and star- I dont know… Bottom line I watched Gaborick in ot get the Wild the extra point several times last year. I dont know, that type of player is tough to find
MiKA- How do you know I was referring to Beaver? (This is where you have the “Oh crap” moment.)
The Twins have no shot at chamionships until their owner behaves more like CL and DR? Funny. The Twins already have two. Case closed there. It isn’t spirit that the Twins have, it is the trust in each other, knowing that the other guy on the bench is playing for the team, not himself. And they stink? first place in the most competitive division in baseball. That is not stinking. That’s being a champion (and yes, I know the Wild did this last year as well).
Gaby is playing for himself this year. Not the team. I hate to start knocking Gaby, but feel I need to bring up the neagtives, since few are willing to do so.
The mgt is trying “super hard” so hard that they let Rolston walk? So hard they let Bruno walk the first time? So hard that
Gaborik’s OT goals last season. 3 (deosn;t count as several). Same as Mike Green. Heard of him? No? Look him up. Real super star material there. 4 players had 3 last year. 2 of which even qualify as stars. 14 people had 2. Hard to find a guy who can score in OT? Nah. If they counted the shoot out goals that were the game winners, the count would be very different.
OT goals are great. Game Winners are good too. Rolston and Gaby both had 8 last year. Rolston isn’t being talked about as a 10 mil a year player, and he meets your criteria listed above. He is older than Crosby, and is playing out East where his talents will supposedly shine because he is not being beat up.
Just for the record this is the last time I will justify MiKA’s existence. Arguments are weak at best, nothing to back them up either except a.k.a.s posting to support him, no knowledge of stats or the game (no ability to look them up either apparently).
I will give the Wild mgt credit when they deserve it.
That post was way too long, and I apologize.
It’s just that he’s such an idiot…
The Twins Stink. - The North Stars were the Stanley cup twice.. Time is getting away from you Buddha, they won the world series in 87 and 91. The moment is 2008. Revenue sharing is insuring that the Twins are getting stinky filthy rich and they lowered they payroll by 18 million this year
They have 0 chance at a championship
They will get sleepy and die here soon
The ownership does not deserve success
Mister Know It all
Bottom line Gaborick is a top player and as he becomes more mature he will become more valuable. He will become more of a go to guy in the big games/playoffs, that is why I dont mind paying him a Sidney Crosby salary, becasue he will only get better at 26.
Mister Know it all
Mister Know it all- please take note of how to properly spell Gaborik. Thanks.
Sunshine, that was the point, the deal for Gabby will be worked ahead of time with his agent if he’s moved, they will know his number with that team, he will agree to that number with that team (likely eastern team), foregoing free agency. Basically if Montreal says “hey, we’re looking to trade with the Wild for you but only if you agree to an extension of a 7-year deal averaging 9 million a year, interested?” and Gabby says, sure that’s a deal I could forego my free agency for, that deal would get done if Riser could get what he wanted out of the Habs. Not saying that deal would ever in a million years happen, but that’s how it would get played, which is similar to how the Meszaros deal got negotiated, Tampa figured out what his number was, negotiated it with his agent, threatened the offer sheet and get the trade executed instead. Its all about another team determining what number would get Gabby to give up his free agency and whether they are willing to trade to do that. I can see a smart GM pulling that off.
An offer sheet is not quite the same thing as negotiation. Tampa Bay knew that they could make an offer of $4+ million and Ottawa would not match it because of cap space and reports of their desired amount for Meszaros. The only problem is TB didn’t have their 3rd rounder.
However, in my own mind, if another team wants to negotiate with Gaborik prior to a trade there has to be a price paid for that opportunity regardless if Gaborik signs with them or not. I know its impossible maybe irrational but I would still like to see it.
Ashley,
thank you for addressing me as Moster Know it all. I think it is the right thing to do
I sense a riot just waiting to happen…
KiPA…no fair enjoying our Gaborik situation the way we enjoyed the Hossa situation…
Solid post Green*. I agree about the arse kissing.
That is why I would offer Gaborik more than Ovie, Sid or Malkin because the Wild can - to retain their only legit star.
If he balks at that then get what you can for him. ‘Cuz it shows he is leaving no matter what the Wild offer.
It would be nice to send him to Toronto so he could see what real pressure is. My guess is that he’d wilt worse than corn flakes in milk.
Moster Know it all. Now THAT is funny.
kj: Of course, it would really help both sides (Gaborik and the Wild) if Gaborik himself (not Ron Salcer, his agent) would state his intentions. Either he wants to leave, or not. Gaborik knows he’ll get paid, but what he wants is his cake and eating it, too. If he would state his intention is to stay, all involved could get on with the season. If he would state his intention is to leave, then DR & Co. could get on with the business of getting the most out of a trade partner. Either way: Gaborik wins, the Wild can get on with the season, and Wild fans don’t have to go thru ‘Hossa-gate 2008′ again.
KiPA…no fair enjoying our Gaborik situation the way we enjoyed the Hossa situation…
Nah, not enjoying it. Especially when there’s, what, a 95 percent chance of Gaborik ending up in the East if he doesn’t re-sign?
I know its not the same thing, I’m not that stupid. I was saying it is “similar”. Both teams know the player doesn’t really want to return and wants more than the team is willing to provide so another team can step in to take advantage of that vulnerability. It would all be done in hypotheticals and under the table, as it always is, and would be virtually impossible to prove. Wild could try all they want, but there would never be any direct proof of tampering, and not sure if hypotheticals can be held up as official tampering anyway. It still comes down to the free will of the player and I think Gabby wants to find out who really wants him and for what number. He’s a risk taker and a gambler and he definitely thinks the grass is greener somewhere else, no matter what the sales job DR & friends is doing.
The thing is, Gaborik does not have a no-trade clause, so the Wild can send him to which ever team offers what they want the most, be it prospects, draft picks, or roster players. Gaborik’s feeling will not play into any trade.
I almost agree with who ever said to send him to Toronto so he can feel real pressure, but I’m not sure there is anything they have that we would want.
The question is if allowing other teams to negotiation with Gaborik before trading him would bring us more than if we just trade him for the best deal.
My contention is that if we allow pre-negotiations then there is a price that has to be paid for that privilege regardless if Gaborik agrees to sign with said team. I think we can still receive a decent deal (prospects, roster players, 1st round pick) without pre-negotiations.
How about a poll amongst Russotans?
A simple Yes or No answer:
Will Marian Gaborik sign a contract extension with the Wild?
In case there is any doubt about my vote:
NO Gaborik will not sign with the Wild.
Haha, Eklund’s back on the Gaborik to the Pens binge again.
WRT:
<<>>>
That would only help the Wild and fans. Gaborik has stated his intentions. In so many words, he likes it here, but there will be no home team discount. Get used to the idea that we are either going to overpay him or lose him. There is no way this ends up win-win. In fact, if this were going to get done at all, my sense is that it would have been done by now. The back and forth is taking longer than it needs to. As much as Gaby brings me out of my seat, I don’t think I could invest long term in a guy with his psyche. It is going to be a Kevin Garnett situation all over again where we have too much money tied up in one player and get hamstrung. Winning hockey is a team game. We will forget all about Gaby when the young core led by Koivu and Burns bring the cup home.
So the question is give Gaby $9 million or trade him? For me, if you’re willing to give him 8.5, why is 9 so hard to swallow? I understand the theory that he shouldn’t be paid better than the 3 superstars of the league but that’s how it is. I don’t really understand where the main problem is. You were prepared to offer him 8.5 and he knew that. Of course he’s going to push for more. Even 9.5 is reasonable when you state that your starting value is 8.5.
Sorry. I just don’t understand where the hold up is. It’s not about throwing a high value out just for fun for me. It’s that DR weakened himself by expressing that 8.5 would have been fine.
Without trying to rub anything in, Crosby and Malkin (and maybe Ovechkin, I don’t know) stated they’d take less to try to keep the talent together. So theoretically you could say they’re worth more than what they’re making, so in that sense, maybe paying Gaborik $9 isn’t too bad.
Someone else also brought up the point - I think it was sunshine? - that Gaborik is worth more to Minnesota than to another team.. so while his market value shouldn’t be (and isn’t) more than the “Big Three,” his team value is higher.
If any of that makes sense and doesn’t make me sound like an arrogant fool…
(Also, include me in the “no” vote for kj’s poll; but I say if Gaborik re-signs it’ll be for around $9M.)
Not a problem Mister Know it all. I like your view points and I think you live up to your name
Looks like Mister know it All/Beaver/Good old Wally added another alias to his resume… nice to see you get creative with the names.
Anyway, I am here to contact Lemmiwinks again… dude… Your fantasy team is KILLING it this week. You also need to text me one more time. My phone is a piece of shit.
i say no. want it to be yes but I also want marney so my wants and reality are two vastly different things.
ATX - as I mentioned before, I don’t think it is 8.5 vs 9. I think 8.5 to 9 is completely reasonable and does not constitute a home town discount. the cap is not going to keep going up making bad contracts look like good ones on the out years.
I’m starting to think we’d be better off trading him and saying FU to the extension. Perhaps it is because he is european but #10 has never really liked it here, IMHO. He’s said that it would be interesting to see what he could do somewhere else, maybe the east. it was reported he told hossa he wouldn’t want to play here, or was the Pav? he already held out once. the management felt compelled to trade a draft pick and top prospect for aging demitra in order to resign him the last time.
#10 is a tremendous talent. is it worth the trouble though? he maybe be the recognizable player but he isn’t the face. has he ever done an appearance or hockey unplugged? when i did the focus group on the 3rd sweater and the mascot we first were asked who our fav player was. of the 14 or so people in the room, not one said #10. there were a lot of rolston the burns and koivu. The franchise will survive without #10. I do not think that losing him will trigger an instant rebuild. we have the core locked in.
Stoned: We already know that there will be no hometown discount with Gaborik. How would declaring that he wants to leave help him? By letting other teams know, flat out and up front, that he considers himself available, to the right suitor.
He’ll get his $9-10M/year (yes, some Canadian team will give him that much) and go where he pleases. So, why not let the bidding begin now, before his wonky groin says ‘See ya’ for another 1/3 of a season? At least then the Wild could get SOMETHING for him, instead of getting table scraps at the trade deadline.
We all know that optimism reigns supreme at the start of a season. Ask any Vikings fan two weeks ago, before Tavaris Jackson pulled his ‘I’m not really an NFL quarterback’ impersonation. Time for the Wild to take advantge of that optimism to dump what could be the single biggest headache in franchise history.
kj: My answer? He won’t make Oct. 11. No way. No how.
Gaby did do an appearance. He was at the Cub in Stillwater when we were living there. Not sure about other times though (we aren’t fortunate enough to live there often). I think he’s worth it, and I think we should make every effort. Other than the the max, of course.
Last February, he and Pav did a hockey unplugged and had over 300+ people there, the biggest one of the year. Some folks said that they showed up a couple hours beforehand to get the tickets for autographs. That Unplugged session is available on the Wild Pondcast. He also was on hand to unveil the new RBK jerseys last fall with Parrish at the MOA.
Gaborik might not be a favorite of the 14 folks at the focus group but he undoubtedly draws crowds. In order to be a favorite, you have to open yourself up to the public. Gaborik has always kept the fans at an arm’s length.
This is my impression of Gaborik. At a party, Gaby is likely to be the geek standing in the corner nursing a drink. But because of his skill or using the geek analogy - invented something great - folks will talk to him and he will likely give short answers. However, they would walk away after a short time later thinking smart, nice man. You know nothing more than you already knew.
It was Gaborik and Pav who said that Hossa probably wouldn’t want to play for the Wild.
I think Russo said it best when he said that the casual fan doesn’t come and see Koivu play a great 2-way game. They come to see Gaborik light it up. There is a small disappointment when Gaborik doesn’t score or have a breakaway. Its the same disappointment to not seeing Boogie throw a huge check or fight.
Lemaire is more connected to the Wild. However, on the player side, Gaborik is the face of this team. During the playoffs, it was Gaborik’s team. Gaborik needed to score for this team to wiin. Gaborik needed to play at his maximum to have success in the post-season.
The loss to the Avs was directly attributed to Gaborik not scoring. Then the secondary reason was injuries.
KJ-
No. He doesn’t sign.
If we can sign Gabby for a figure that does not cramp the teams Cap and hamper later acquisitions as needed, I like him signing.
But, if he wants to hold up the bank, then he goes to the highest bidder for a combination of players or high drafts.
I am going to give it one more week before I give my answer.
You guys should read Shipley’s story in the Pio on the Gaborik contract talks. Its not just about the talks per se but valuation of players to the intangibles associated with trading a player like Gaborik. There are comments from Lou Nanne, Milbury, McGuire, and a professor of sports business. Very interesting read.
That was a good article sunshine.
All the more reason why I believe the ship has sailed. It isn’t about dough - and Gaborik is already planning for Noon, July 1, 2009.
So you next June.
Is MKia John Tavares now???
WRT says:
>>>>>How would declaring that he wants to leave help him? By letting other teams know, flat out and up front, that he considers himself available, to the right suitor.<<<<<
Huh? Right now he is in negotiations with and under contract to the Wild. The less he and his agent say to anybody, the better for him. If Smug and Slick don’t know where he stands, they have to keep coming forward with offers in hopes that he will say yes. By keeping his mouth shut, Gaby reduces the risk that he will leave money on the table. When Smug finally says that is our best offer, Gaby can then agree to a trade preferably to teams of his liking in hopes of a sign and trade deal. By saying anything, he weakens his position. Everybody wants him to say “I’d sign if they’d give me $9M.” Why would you do that when there may be some bozo GM out there who is just waiting for the chance to offer you 10.5? Fact is a good negotiator (and it appears Salcer is good at it) wouldn’t.
If I was DR and we were pushing over the 9M mark, I would ask Gaby what teams he is willing to play for and see if there is a sign and trade that could be worked out.
Not me KJ, Maybe its Marion posing as John Tavares telling you he is waiting till next June. Many people come on Russo Rants to view what Mister Know it all is saying. I cant keep all the tom, dick or harrys out Mister KJ. This is an unsecure network and I have a huge following
ok i stand corrected on the appearances.
casual fan may not come to see koivu play 2 way game but casual fan will come to see a winner.
i like #10. i want him to stay here. but i don’t want to beg. and i don’t want the face of the franchise to be a player that would rather be playing elsewhere.
Stoned: ‘Sign and Trade’ style deals, like in the NBA, as example, are not allowed under the NHL’s CBA. The best thing, if Gaborik does not want to stay here, is for him to declare that he does not want to do so, and let the Wild front office deal with what that would indeed entail. Someone could get 6+ months of negotaiting rights, if…the price is right!
Don’t get me wrong. I like Gaborik, and think that he would make this club a better team. But if he doesn’t want to play here and stay here, I’d rather not have to put up with another playoff stretch drive like the one Demitra mailed in late last season…
Well well well….looks like there will be an open practice at the Ralph after all. In the GF Herald today it said that the Sep. 21 practice will be open to the public from 10-1…wonder how many people will come out for it?
If, the Wild are not making progress toward signing him, that will be their signal to move him.
If his heart is not with the team, he is of only marginal value to the Wild.
Yes, he can score, but the Wild need other attributes too.
People write about him not liking our system, but I do not think that is what this is all about. I just think he is a little more self-absorbed and so he is wound up more in his personal goals than team goals.
If he was putting a team first, I think he would have found new ways of contributing to the Wild’s success.
Brian F:
Good to hear that they will open at least one practice. It seemed churlish of them not to. If you go, do you mind sharing your thoughts? It would be much appreciated.
I could probably do that…I wont be able to stay for the whole thing unless I get out of my work shift at 1. But I should still get to see quite a bit.
Spector has a couple articles up about who’s on the block.
Looking at the list out East, some interesting names (as far as trading Gaby)
Bouwmeester or Kovalchuk sound good to anyone?
Not even up trades. I’m just sayin’… I could have those guys in IRR.
Someone should rent a van and set up a Russoville roadtrip to GF for the open practice!
Buddha and Ms. C,
I’m a little late with this… Filling the bathtub comes from ‘country folks’ and ‘old timers’ who had/have wells with an electric pump. When the power goes out, so does the water. You’ve only got as much water as is in the pressure tank. So, if you see/hear a storm coming, you fill the tub. That gives you extra water until the power comes back.
What do you use that water for? Anything you need; flushing the toilet, washing and drinking if necessary (would you rather drink from the tub or go thirsty?).
I don’t know what it is specifically but i’ve always gotten the feeling that #10 would rather be somewhere else. Now this does conflict with the reports that he tried to talk HOSSA into signing here.
It can’t be the system. On the wild conference call when asked the different styles of play between here and Denver he said that it wasn’t that different…everyone plays a trap style.
So I don’t know. MOney has always been an issue. At least PMB made it clear he wanted to play here. Didn’t mean he was going to be easy to sign. #10 can’t say that and that concerns me.
Good day NOT to browse yahoo finance. thankfully i am 30 years or so from retirement…
Why wouldn’t DR be talking to other teams right now? It seems to me it would be a good idea for the following reasons:
1) He’d get an idea of what Gaborik is worth to other teams and as such might give an idea of what he needs to offer to keep him. For example, if Pittsburgh were willing to trade (IF, remember IF) STK and a 1st round for him… DR would know that he’s going to have to pony up bigtime to keep him. That said, if PIT offered that trade…
2) It could be used as ‘motivation’ to convice Gaborik to sign. Where does DR think Gaborik would hate to play? ATL, FLA, NSH, STL? Make it known that you’re talking to those teams. Maybe Gaborik doesn’t want to be stuck there for the year and it will give a little incentive to sign here? Not much granted as he knows he just would have to wait out this season to get to FA…
Any drawbacks to talking trade? All I can think is that it might give the impression that we don’t really want to sign him that badly. I think it would be pretty easy to allay those impressions ($8.5/yr offer).
wow…lots and lots of anxiety right now. I understand why, but there is precious little actual news to go off of.
G*: I keep telling you, this is an awesome time to be putting cash to work!
Nick-
Your comment is even better today, since it could refer to hockey, or the economy…
It is and I will probably buy a little on this dip. a lot of stocks are going to be unfairly beat up today simply because lehman went belly up.
It’s not like it’s a surprise. this has been predicted for weeks if not months.
I just saw Mark Mobius called the bottom on Bloomberg. BUY! BUY! BUY!
/sarcasm
I’m almost to the point where I don’t care what the news is (whether he’s signing or not), I just want some kind of update!!!
Buddha - Wall Street is being Boogaard’ed today.
- Granted it was the weekend but it seems like a long time between significant blog posts for Russo - I wonder if a major break in the Gabby story is coming this week.
- ATL, FLA, NSH, STL? Some of those teams would be good place for #10 to pad his stats for a year and not have to worry about getting hurt in the playoffs.
right now it looks like i lost my buying opportunity. I was looking at three stocks: LVLT, BOOM and HW. was going to buy if they were off by 5% which they all opened near or at but now all are off less than 1%.
might not be as bad as expected. I was thinking the dow dropping 400 would be a good day.
the SDS was up over 7% pre-market. not up 5%.
DR might not be talking to them but he’s put them on alert. There is a “deadline” and teams who want to get Gaborik know they have time to put together a package. Any trade discussions could be done relatively quick, excluding the option to negotiation first.
DR is at the Traverse City Tournament. Seven other GMs are there. There’s going to be some trade talk going on there, at least from TB, NY, Atlanta, St. Louis, and maybe even CBJ.
FOOD.
The guy DR should be talking to right now is Paul Holmgren - not for possible trading discussion with the Flyers, but because Homer did such a great job retooling his team from disaster back into playoff performer in one season.
He took the lemons of the Forsberg situation, etc, and made sweet, sweet lemonade - and that’s a case study I hope DR is studying right now as this plays out.
I think if NHL GMs have any brains, they best be working on the package to present to DR. Even if he says he isn’t talking right now, he will be soon, and they best be ready. Those in the East better be doubly ready. I don;t think DR wants to send him to a Western team if he can avoid it, and you can bet that without a stellar package, the NW division is off limits.
