Training camp on the horizon; Gaborik thoughts; single-game tickets on sale Saturday
Posted on September 15th, 2008 – 9:43 AMBy Michael Russo
Any must-sees for yours truly while I’m in Grand Forks? If you have any ideas, leave comments below for things to do.
Wild will be skating at UND Saturday THRU Sept. 23. If you live in Grand Forks, nearby Grand Forks or want to make a road trip to Grand Forks, the Wild’s practice Sunday will be open to the public and free. It’ll start at 10 a.m. Fans can enter at the Ralph’s main entrance starting at 9:30 a.m.
ADDITION: Also, single-game Wild tickets go on sale Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at the Xcel’s box office and noon at all Ticketmaster locations. Wild will serve hot dogs Friday night for all fans camping out and pastries Saturday morning. Fans who buy tickets can also take part in a free open skate at the arena from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., so bring your boots.
The Wild prospects are 1-0-1 in Traverse City. They lost in a shootout Saturday to Columbus and beat St. Louis 3-2 yesterday. That game will be replayed on NHL Network, I think, a 7 p.m. CT tonight.
Maxim Noreau, Ryan Graham and Morten Madsen scored. Sorry if I spoiled it for you.
You’ll be happy to know if the Wild prospects explode this season, you have me to thank — and me only 
Assistant GM Tommy Thompson used my article before the Draft as a source of motivation for the prospects during their Thursday meeting down at Wild headquarters. Talking about the Wild’s minor-league system, he told the prospects “the Star Tribune writer says the cupboard’s bare.”
I just looked it up. I actually wrote before June’s Draft, “That is why the 2008 draft is so important. The Wild ranked No. 19 in the Hockey News’ most recent Future Watch. While the farm system cupboard isn’t bare, it’s certainly not stacked behind Gillies.”
I’d stand by that wholeheartedly.
Nothing new on Marian Gaborik. As I wrote in Saturday’s paper, they both have their positions they’re sticking to right now.
– Gaborik wants to be paid as if he were a free agent.
– The Wild believes paying Gaborik north of $8.5 mill is more than reasonable. It allows him long-term security and allows the team the flexibility to help get Gaborik a supporting cast, which he wants.
The Wild wants to pay him in line with the extensions being given out now. And most guys who sign extensions sign for less than they’d get as a UFA.
Remember though, Vincent Lecavalier’s AAV might be $7.727, but that’s bogus because of the last three years of his deal bringing down the average dramatically. He’s essentially making $10 mill in the seven years after this season. Eric Staal’s average is $8.25 mill. Stastically, he’s more accomplished than Gaborik, and he led the league in playoff scoring the year Carolina won the Cup.
Tom Lynn says Staal’s contract ”is another contract relevant to these negotiations.” But the big difference? Staal was to be a restricted free agent, not unrestricted, which is a huge difference in the mind of Gaborik’s camp.
No doubt negotiations are at a delicate juncture. I’ve gotten a lot of emails that have said, “just trade him,” “he’s not Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin, even Staal, so how do you pay him X. … ”
It’s not as simple as that though. Every team is in a different situation, and from a pure scorer standpoint, Gaborik is the Wild’s only bona fide sniper and noone else is on the horizon. Just imagine life without him.
Dany Heatley for Marian Hossa trades don’t happen everyday in the NHL. Stars aligned a few years back and Atlanta and Ottawa was able to make a star for star trade.
That likely won’t happen here if Gaborik is dealt. Sure, the Wild could likely get a strong package of players/picks back, but you’re not going to get fair value back — at least for the short-term.
Gaborik will have his choice to play most anyplace he wants next season, and he knows that. To get him to forgo that opportunity, the Wild will have to pay him, and probably overpay him. Go to NHLnumbers.com. Most teams can afford to pay Gaborik $9-10 million on a long-term deal next summer.
So that’s what needs to be weighed.
But if Gaborik’s not going to sign, the Wild will have no choice.
– Also, a correction. I wrote Saturday that the Wild offered Brian Rolston $4.5 mill for three years. It was actually $4.5, $4.5, $4 million, a deal he probably would have signed if they had offered it aroun midseason.
He got $20.25 million for four years with Jersey.
227 Responses to "Training camp on the horizon; Gaborik thoughts; single-game tickets on sale Saturday"
Russo-
Hit the Bronze Boot, see if they still have three for ones at 8am…
Other than that… it’s Grand Forks, man. Lived there five years. Only things to do are drink and play hockey.
As I wrote a couple of days ago: different players are worth different amounts to different teams. At this point in time, Gabby is worth more to the Wild simply because he is the team’s lone “game-breaker” and gut you look at that can get 2-3-4 or even 5 goals every time he takes the ice. This team lost a bundle of scoring in the off season; losing Gabby would cripple and already struggling offense. Wild needs to “overpay” to keep him, so it should. Offer $9-9.25 million per year for 6 years. If he doesn’t take it, it’s obvious that he doesn’t want to be here. But please spare me the whole “We have so much more to offer a player than other teams” garbage that Ballgame tried to use on Huggy. If that’s going to be this organization’s SOP, than please let the masses know now so some of us can save time, money and energy by not living and dying with every game.
Thanks for the fresh info Russo. I wish I was going to be in Grand Forks on the 23rd, I’m missing my boys. In years past I’ve been able get glimpses of them as they come and go from the X on my way to the p.t.j. but not this year obviously.
“guy” not “gut”. Sorry. Gabby isn’t chubby. In fact, he seems quite lean.
russo…check out the red pepper on university just east of north washington street…local college eatery….also bonzers sandwich pub downtown on demers….
Oh, and way to be the bulletin board material Russo. Well done. Though I agree with your original assesment.
UND-
Ah yes, the pepper. Forgot about the pepper. Never had bonzers though…
Either all my calendars are broken, or the 23rd is on a Tuesday, not a Saturday. Think Russo needs to update his calendar to September. 
Places in GF to check out:
Ralph Engelstad Arena - but then, you’re job will take you there.
The Dave Barry Lift Station
That’s about it as far as sights to see in GF.
Russo:
You must hit the Red Pepper and order a grinder. It’s really good, especially after a beer or two or three. Walking downtown is also really nice - it is a very nice walk. If you hunt/fish, Cabela’s is of course a must. Bonzers makes great food as well. Beer is cheap up there as well at most places. Beer = good for you! Also, in the mall, pretzelmaker makes the BEST pretzels.
I would check out (i.e., go for a walk) around Downtown Grand Forks. Then, imangine everything up to the 4th floor covered in water. Both sides of the Red River.
Then you can imagine why the records of the Grand Forks Herald newspaper were destroyed in the 1997 floods. Along with pretty much every other business in both downtowns, GF and East Grand Forks.
Dany Heatley for Marian Hossa trades don’t happen everyday in the NHL. Stars aligned a few years back and Atlanta and Ottawa was able to make a star for star trade.
are you saying we need #10 drive his ferrari into a tree after alledgely drinking?
DB, I don’t see a lot of reports that “ballgame” is selling we have so much more to offer than other teams you dislike so much. sounds like they’ve offered 8.5 which is reasonable. we don’t know what #10 countered with if anything but i’m guessing it is north of $10m. split the difference and you are talking 9.25 to 9.5. i don’t see #10 and agent moving though.
with his history of groin problems, you’d think they wouldn’t risk playing this year without new contract unless he plan on coasting so as not to injure. taking more plays off…
Offer $9-9.25 million per year for 6 years.
And yet, this is exactly what I said a few weeks ago ans was promptly eviscerated for even suggesting as much.
Agreed - check out Bonzers and the Red Pepper (the one east of campus, not the new one west).
You could drive to Shelley MN and check out the pealers….
I thought we didn’t net out too bad with offense between who we lost and who we signed??
VoR,
But you don’t start out with that. What if you did and $8.5 would have done the job?
NiNY,
So far, I think we’re pretty even but I think that is mostly due to the guy with the highest percentage of the total points staying. We replaced two pretty good point producers and a handfull of players who produce essentially nothing with a handfull of players who each produce somewhere in the middle.
We don’t have the roster space to replace Gaborik with 3-4 guys who can replace his points. So, we’re pretty much stuck with replacing his points with one (two tops) player. Very hard to do at this point.
Goody: the question for Wild fans, as has been alluded to, is whether or not you’re going to revolt if they trade Gaby because you’re definitely not going to get 40 goals back for this year.
3 things….
1)I know it isn’t in GF, it is in Moohead but there is the Roger Maris Museum http://www.rogermarismuseum.com/
not a bad place.
2) Love Gaborick, but do you really think there are enough $$$$ in Minny right now for him? Anyone got a Cig cause I think we are going to be…..
3) Only reason Heatly went to Ottawa is because he needed a forced change of scenery. Remember speed kills.
Personally, no, not going to revolt. As you probably remember, I’m of the opinion that a team where the scoring is spread pretty evenly among the players is a stronger team than one that gets all the scoring from a select few.
I’ve always though Gaborik is a bit of a distraction too.
I just can’t wait for hockey season to start… with or without Gabby. I love the guy, and I want him to stay, but really I just want to watch some hockey. Like now.
If you’re into chinese food, Shang ri la is delicious.
Anyone want to do any research?
I know it’s easy to find Gaborik’s total pts last season, how many goals, how many assists. I’m interested to know how many of those assists were 1st assists and how many were 2nd assists.
I’m also curious to know if the general concensus about whether 2nd assists are easier to replace than 1st assists or pretty even or what? If a guy’s got 40 2nd assists and 2 1st assists, is he easier to replace than a guy who’s got 21 2nds and 21 1sts? Does it matter?
I have to agree that the only real ‘must’ when visiting GF is the Red Pepper. And like everyone else said, the one on University near downtown is the one to go to. Other than that, Bonzer’s is awesome, and if you want to go to the bar that the hockey players go to…check out Judy’s Tavern. Best pizza in town is Rhombus Guys. If you have an off day, I would also recommend checking out the Greenway along the river, so bring your bike!
P.S. It’s McMenamys that has 3-for-1s from 8-9am, not the Bronze Boot. Just FYI.
“If you’re into chinese food, Shang ri la is delicious.”
It no longer exists as of a couple years ago. The owner re-opened it a couple weeks ago in a new location under a new name, Phoenix. It’s on Columbia Road.
What to do in GF? If there isn’t a Sioux game - nothing. Just head south for Fargo…
big shock but i won’t revolt. i too want him on my team but i keep getting the feeling that he wants to be somewhere else, but will play here if he has to. i have a contract to play in minnesota next year…
i’ve already prepared myself for players coming and going. it’s just how it works in today’s pro sports.
NiNY:
I don’t think you need 40 goals back this year if you send him packing.. Look back to the 1st 2-3 years he played, he got his 30 goals, but back then the supporting cast was nowhere near what’s on the ice now. Take away #10’s point production, and you’ll see elevation from the others, plus you’re bound to pick up an above-average scorer in the deal who can make an immediate impact. Would you agree?
yeah, for the record, I won’t revolt either. My position has always been that the team is not any one player - even if that player’s the most legit scoring threat on the team.
MuN: I would be inclined to agree. I asked it that way as sort of a sociology experiment though, in guaging the tenor of the general populace.
I wouldn’t be surprised or overly upset if Gaby left. I’ve gotten an “I don’t want to be here” vibe from him since the lock out. And it’s no surprise to the regulars here that I am not a big fan of his. Now if it were Burnsie, Mikko, Schultz, or heaven forbid Boogie (mine! other teams can’t have him!) I would pitch a fit worthy of Varuca Salt asking for a new pony.
Brian-
The Boot used to do them. Used to go and get drunk, then go to class. Don;t know if they did it for long, but they did it. McMenamys is a good bar too though.
When did this Bonzers place come into being? I have never even heard of it, though I left in ‘01…
I just did a quick look through the league to see who’s got what booked for 09-10, and who the possible UFA/RFA’s are.
I don’t see a good 1 for 1 trade on that horizon anywhere, so what we’d probably end up getting back is a package of a 25-30 goal scorer, a role player, and a prospect or 2nd/3rd round pick. But that’s without him having a signed contract. I don’t think any team is going to overpay now, thinking they’ll get him signed before July 1. His value is going to fluctuate quite a bit between now and Feb. If he’s hurt, or doesn’t produce at last year’s pace, watch that role player go away, and the pick drop.
Then we’ll be left with who’s desperate enough to pay big for him come deadline day.
I just consulted with Carnac and Ed McMahon, and when Carnac opened the envelope it said; “suitcases and moving vans”. And that is how this sordid affair is going to end. I would like to see Gaborik stay as well, and I echo the thoughts of those who state that he is not an Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, etc… He simply is not of that caliber. But he is right beneath that level. The problem in this whole process is that Gaborik and whoever has represented him in the past have held the Wild over a barrel because he is their best player, and thus have always forced DR and the club to OVERPAY for his services. And that is exactly the tact they will take again because they know there will be some desperate team out there next summer that has a GM wanting to keep his job with some cap space avail. DR lost his power in this process the first time he ever had to go through it with Gabby and has never came close to getting it back, why else would you have to go over to Eurpoe this past summer hat in hand to plead with this guy? I only hope that DR can obtain some fair and equitable value when he is forced to deal Gabby, unlike the Doug Gilmour deal he put upon the Flames years ago. I just don’t see any passion in Gabby when it comes to staying here…
Ok, let’s play a game. This will be fun. I’ll set some initial odds for Gaborik’s status, and we’ll see where the money goes lol!
Opening odds:
GABORIK SIGNING BEFORE TRADE DEADLINE: 5:2
If you place your wager FOR, you are betting he WILL SIGN. If you place your wager AGAINST, you are betting he will not sign, or be traded.
Let the betting begin!
I think $9 million is not a stretch for Gaborik.
If he is going to commit 8-9 years of his playing life with the Wild, he wants to be compensated fairly well for the length. If he signs a shorter contract, he could another big pay day opportunity,
Think about this, in 2006, the Wild wanted to sign him to a 5 year deal averaging $6 million. If he signed that contract, he would be giving up 2 years of making an extra $2-$3 million.
Gaborik probably wants $9 + million if he is going to sign anywhere for a 7+ years. And, he can be the first $9 million hockey player in Slovakia.
but you’re not going to get fair value back — at least for the short-term.
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell these people. You stole my thoughts, Russo!
MuN:
Best trade scenario: a 2nd liner roster player, prospect, and 1st round pick. Anything less than a 1st rounder, DR should hang up the phone.
Ottawa got a 1st rounder for Meszaros from TB. We gave a 2nd rounder for Zidlicky.
Sad news in the world of hockey:
This guy was and always will be one of the class acts of this world. Not more than two months ago I had a long back and forth email exchange with him about the world of hockey writing.
He was not “famous,” but I fetl he was outside my realm of ability to strike up a conversation.
Instead he replied quickly, honestly, and became what I would like to call a friend.
He will be missed.
man, first Brian Heaton, now Jack Falla.
Jarome Iginla = 98 pts = $7.0 million
Vincent Lecavalier = 92 pts = $7.16 million
Joe Thornton = 96 pts = $7.2 million
Daniel Alfredsson = 89 pts = $5.465 million
Pavel Datsyuk = 97 pts = $6.7 million
Jason Spezza = 92 pts = $8.0 million
Gabby = 83 pts = $7.5 million
Where is the logic in paying him more money than the leagues TRUE ELITE - for less production, less character, less games played and less overall play?
You do realize that most of these guys, except for Vinny who has a wonky contract, signed either prior to early last season. Since then, the cap ceiling increased dramatically.
As Russo stated, if Vinny’s contract didn’t go out to 11 years, it would be worth at least $8+ million.
Michael Up North:
The problem is not replacing Gabby’s 40+ goals. The problem is replacing his goals; Demo; Huggy and Parrish’s production as well. I certainly hope folks are not expecting great things out of Nolan, or 30+ goals from Bruno. Gabby is more valuable to the Wild simply because he is our lone “game-changer” and only guy on this roster whom you can look at and say, “yep, 30+ goals again this year.” If the Wild wouldn’t have drained as much scoring from its roster as it did this offseason, I would say you could be all right trading him and staying at the 8-8.5 million offer. But, since a lot of scoring production was purged, it makes complete sense to up the offer to $9-9.25 per season, Hopefully CL will see this and step in when the time is right.
I don’t want any of you using witchcraft to get Gaborik to re-sign. It has dire consequences.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=572469&sec=espn.com&cc=5901
Russo, I have spent many nights in Grand Forks and East Side. UND is pretty much the whole City.
La Paradiso, on South Washington and not far from the campus, is a good Mexican dinner.
Whitey’s on the river in East Side, not far from Cabela’s, is another spot to venture. It has been there forever, since even before there was even a river.
Otherwise, I think the communities are a little “entertainmently” challenged for middle aged beat writers.
Maybe take in a Fighting Sioux football game.
The players we have now could probably replace Demo, Rolston, and Parrish’s goal production. We can’t replace Gaby’s. And, its not just about goals. Its the danger factor of Gaby. With Gaborik gone, its much easier to contain everybody else.
PMB now moves to the top line with Koivu. It doesn’t look good. We aren’t the Oilers or the Blackhawks who play a run-n-gun style, which might work for PMB and Pouliot. With less skill players, we revert to a more stringent defense, grinding out all the games.
From JKidd’s list, what a bargain Iginla is.
We all want the Wild to be a winner, sooner than later. But, how they do it is DR and JL’s responsibility.
If it is not po$$ible to keep Gabby, or the team is better served with him elsewhere, then I am fine with it.
DB:
I disagree about whether we’ve drained goal production. Wild goal production has actually declined in the past 2 years from a high in ‘05-’06, while Gaborik’s goal production has fluctuated up and down during that time.
The makeup of the whole team has something to do with that, as does the style of play. Just because you don’t have a certain player on the roster that gave you 25 goals last year doesn’t mean your team will score 25 fewer goals this year.
You’ll see increased production from developing players, like Koivu, B-B-Benny, Burnsie, and PMB, and you can expect some contribution from incoming players like Nolan, Bruno, Zids, and Mittens.
I don’t see a terrible outlook if we lose our top points producer, providing you can get some return, both immediate, and future. Immediate return in the form of a player(s) that can step right into the lineup and generate some points, and future by a pick or developmental player that will make a contribution in the future.
In the end, it all balances out, unless you lose a player and get nothing in return. I don’t see that happening.
Russo- if the prospects explode- you get a kickback or demerit from the hockey karma gods? Have the prospect learned quickly to kiss up to you?
I am also supporting this team no matter what happens. I just won’t pay to see them if Risebrough trades our franchise player. Once this whole thing plays out I’d really love to know the details behind the negotiations. Was Gabby trying to get the max or somewhere close? Was Risebrough just dead set on $8.5 and refusing to up the offer because once again he likes to act like this money comes out of his kids college funds. I’m very curious.
You have to ask yourself will the loyal season ticket holders stick around if we deal Gaborik? They have been more then patient with the front office and this is no way to repay them. Admitt it or not you trade Gaborik and we enter a 2 - 3 year rebuild. No question. You will without a doubt fail to draw in the casual fan with a Gabbyless roster. Sorry that might change someday but not this season.
Also everyone drooling over the idea of what Gaborik would fetch in a trade let me ask you this. When is the last time Doug Risebrough won in a big trade? Feel free to use his time in Calgary too.
Iginla re-signed last summer where most contracts were in the $7 to $7.5 million range. What a difference a year makes.
Rolston
Demo
Parrish
Hill
Nummy
Carney
Radio
Fridge
Voros
__________
87 G, 127 A, 214 pts
Bruno
Mittens
IGoW
Licks
Queen MAB
Weller
__________
67 G, 131 A, 198 pts
When is the last time Doug Risebrough won in a big trade? Feel free to use his time in Calgary too.
low blow.
in the equation above, the question becomes: can we get 20 goals out of Pouliot, Reitz, Sheppard and maybe Gillies (if he makes the team)?
If we do - and we don’t get any major injuries, etc - then we more than net out about the same.
If not, then all you STHs can save some money by off-loading those late season Edmonton games.
Oh come on Nick people have been making jokes about Heatly killing his teammate and I get knocked for dissing Riser?
Heh heh, Mittens.
Have I mentioned I love that name?
Lucky:
Right on. DR is refusing to see all the intangibles that Gaborik brings to the table. He only sees what the Wild can give Gaby: great stadium, sold-out crowds, nice city, and being competitive.
He might not be year-long captain material or play consistent defense but what he brings on and off the ice equals to a Koivu or a Burns. Fans turn out to see him at appearances.
He doesn’t have to a fan favorite as long as he is not a cancer in the locker room, score goals, be a team player (and he has been one though he does have lapses), and is committed to the success of this team.
NiNY: Exactly!
Lucky: What’s more important in determining if you’re going to buy a ticket, the player you want on the team, or the team?
Well, I would have to say that Gaby is gone. If you really think about it, if he wanted to be here, he would have signed already. It has been a couple of weeks and we still have nothing. The last couple of guys that WANTED to play here (Burns, Shultz, Kiovu, even SRV) signed within a few days. Gaby is holding out for DR to give him absolute highest dollar amount forcing DR to either commit to the crazy demand or trade him.
I want a team that competes every night and has a chance to do something in the season. We’ve given Risebrough EIGHT SEASONS to build for the future and now he’s going to deal our best player and tell us to be patient while he continues on his five year going on ten year plan? I’m not some antsy Vikings fan that wants a new head coach every year. The Wild have had their time and now they are signaling they are headed in the wrong direction! Take a step back and look at the big picture.
Oh come on Nick people have been making jokes about Heatly killing his teammate and I get knocked for dissing Riser?
LOL…fair enough, Lucky. I retract my comment.
How about an interview with some of the Fighting Sioux??? Little birdy says that Joe Finley may want to play somewhere other than Washington when he’s done with school. The Wild could be at the top of his list…
Ever since the Gabby extension debate began to take form at the All Star Game, I have been firm about getting the issue settled before training camp starts. However, I am now willing to give it a little more time because the Wild have one card yet to play: Mikko. I would get a vetern checking C (Smolinski for example) in camp and play Mikko and Gabby together at all times so Gabby has no doubt in his mind that #9 and #10 will be on the same line. If #10 is all about goals, there are few better options at C than #9.
I am disappointed that DR didn’t up his price for Rolston to $15 million for 3 years. What’s an extra $3 million. It would have meant no AM and Nolan. Though it would have meant more rookies.
by “AM” you mean, Mittens, right sunshine?
Aw, sunshine, how can you not be excited for the Mittens era?
Joe Finley probably can’t skate in the NHL and there is no chance the Wild will want a lumbering oaf on its blueline ever.
Correct. AM is Mittens.
that’s what I thought, sunshine…just wanted to be able to type “Mittens” again…
Kevin re your 12:47…. What do you suggest, and Imperious Curse? That’s an unforgivable, and will land you in Azkaban fast than you can say Quidditch. If you get caught that is.
“Wild will serve hot dogs Friday night for all fans camping out and pastries Saturday morning.”
Its too bad that the players are leaving for GF. One or two should help serve hot dogs.
so, let me get this straight: a Gopher dreams of the sewing his oats in the big city so he goes to Boston, but a Sioux dreams of sewing his oats in the big city so he goes to St. Paul?
Give me a missle silo or give me death!
Mittens + Nolan > Rolston at $15 million for 3 years for me. This winter Mittens is definately going to have to come through for me - I can’t defend both him and Johnsson on this blog!
Just don’t get caught, Band.
if we pay $9M+ for a guy with one, count ‘em one 40 goal season under his belt, then all whining about Johnsson being overpaid will need to cease immediately.
You have to ask yourself will the loyal season ticket holders stick around if we deal Gaborik?
Some fans go to see teams rather than players.
Joe Finley probably can’t skate in the NHL and there is no chance the Wild will want another lumbering oaf on its blueline ever.
I fixed that for you. You must have forgotten about a certain Czech the Wild already have on D.
Just for KiPA: MITTENS!
Doh!
Fixed?
Gabby’s extension, paying him more than those guys, also was before the cap ceiling went up, during his hold out year, if I remember correctly.
Should be a moot point when these guys all resigned, or signed their deals. As Gabby has been, and still is the least productive of all of them… yet getting paid more.
Needless to say, in my eyes, I don’t see the point in making him paid in the top 5, when no one in their right mind would consider him a top 5 player in the league… if not even top 10-20.
Kevin, I suppose we could obliviate any witnesses. ….
The open skate mentioned above by Russo (if you hann’t seen it he added a few things above) almost makes me want to go get in line for tickets, almost (and if I didn’t have to work the p.t.j that day).
Heh heh Goody. Thanks.
Oh come on Nick people have been making jokes about Heatly killing his teammate and I get knocked for dissing Riser?
It wasn’t a joke, it is the truth.
Lucky:
So the standard you’re going to hold DR to is a cup victory, correct?
He’s had 8 years to build for the cup, and he’s failed?
Trading the team’s top scorer means you’re going backwards, which would indicate they reached their peak and need a new plan.
Am I correct in these assumptions about how you’re viewing this?
Well since all the “cool kids” are doing it…. Mittens
MichaelUpNorth is right, it all needs to be balanced.
Sunshine, it was not the $$$ for Ralston it was the years.
Who can advocate adding years to an older player who’s salary will count against the cap if he should become injured?
Everyone in the NHL has injuries, some are long term. I do not think it would have been prudent at all for DR to have gone five years for Rolston.
Lucky, the Wild have other needs too, like every team. If the unthinkable happens, and Gabby is traded, the Wild might receive defensive capability, +/- advantages, age, durability, or any number of talents that Gabby did not have.
Again, like Michael, says “it only matters how it balances out”.
So, just because he has a scoring touch does not mean the team would not improve by an astute deal.
Remember how Twins fans were lamenting the loss of Hunter and Santana? They have had the same sort of year, a much better future, and better attendance.
NiNY: BUt, with your player list and the production, if Gabby is shipped, you have to subtract another 40+ goals from an already “offensively challenged” lineup. Plus, everybody seems to expect “more” from players like PMB, Burns, Mikko. I’d have to look but I’m almost sure players have actually not upped their goal production from year-to-year. Not being able to re-sign the franchises one “marquee” player is simply on the shoulders of Ballgame. Can’t force a player to sign a contract but you can make the environment such that the player wants to sign. If it comes out that Gabby turned down $9+ million a year, then so be it. It is obvious that he doesn’t want to be here. But if it comes out that Ballgame offered “What we felt was a competitive offer compared to other players in the league in addition to the great opportunity he has here in Minnesota”, then I will be upset. Sometimes you have to go above and beyond to keep a star. Gabby is the only star this team has and the Wild should go above and beyond to keep him here. Not try to sell him or Salcer on the “intangibles” Minnesota has to offer.
Aw c’mon NiNY…we’re fans. We can whine unilaterally.
I like the #9-#10 inseperable angle.
However, Douggie isn’t going to sit around and do nothing if Gaborik isn’t signed by the opening of camp.
He’ll have all kinds of 3rd round picks lined up!!!
Iceman: I appreciate the Twins analogy, but do you think it’s fair to compare the Twins organization, which has always been able to develop pitchers and now a few position players, with the Wild, which has one of the weakest farms systems in the league according to the Sporting News? I don’t think you can let the top Wild players go and then just expect the replacement to come from nowhere from the Aeros’ roster.
Kj: Wouldn’t that be the cherry on the parfait? Ballgame getting 3rd rounders for Gabby. We all know the organization’s history with players past the 2nd round.
With Rolston could have been the years but I would have liked to see DR up it to $5 million to see if it was really the years.
I defended DR because I thought he said that he gave Rolston $15 million for 3 years not $12 million for 3 years. Huge difference there.
Deep…I made that funny just for you…
And no mention of RIAC either!
Hockey Futures ranked the Wild’s prospects at #19 - a little on the downside but not the worst.
I think I have changed my mind on the Gaby thing. If he ever was motivated to put up a good season, this would be it. If I were Smug and Slick, I would announce before the season that you have made your best efforts to sign Gaby and unfortunately, this will be his last with the Wild. He wants $9/10M and if we need to spend that kind of money on one player, there are some others coming to free agency that we think can better get us to the promised land. Who are next year’s free agents? Insult him a bit to pour gas on his competitive fire and see what you can get out of him on the ice for one season. If it ain’t working, trade him at mid-year or the deadline. I disagree that it is imperative that you get something for him although it would be nice. He leaves and you get $7M of cap space to begin the search for a UFA with less baggage and a desire to win.
BTW Wild Road Tripper. When I start looking for an agent to do some negotiating for me and your phones not ringing…..its me.
You have to ask yourself will the loyal season ticket holders stick around if we deal Gaborik?
I am and I will.
They have been more then patient with the front office and this is no way to repay them. giving into a spoiled player, who has played at most 3 full seasons in 8, demands isn’t very responsible either.
Admitt it or not you trade Gaborik and we enter a 2 - 3 year rebuild. No question.
I question. The wild have worked hard to lock in the core. they would like #10 to be part of that but will not sell their souls for it and i don’t blame them. So no, i don’t see a complete rebuild. they may have a rough road this season but i don’t see that being a 3 year project.
You will without a doubt fail to draw in the casual fan with a Gabbyless roster.
winning games will make this statement false.
He doesn’t have to a fan favorite
if he doesn’t have to be a fan favorite then no predictions that the wild will not draw fans if #10 is not on the roster.
as long as he is not a cancer in the locker room
I have sources that tell me this is not something we can count on.
A coach of JL’s stature does not put the Captain’s “C” on somebody who is deemed a cancer.
A coach of JL’s stature does not put the Captain’s “C” on somebody who is deemed a cancer.
perhaps it was an attempt at getting said player to act like a captain? perhaps it was used as motivation? JL tried the negative route, the he will get ice time when he works route and it wasn’t working.
i understand y’all have no reason to believe me but i have no reason to think i am being told a story.
Maybe Gaborik is holding out until training camp starts. Perhaps he’s feeling really, really good on his post surgery hip and wants a chance to impress JL, DR and Co. and see if he can’t get more $$. Maybe he wants to wait and see how his teammates look in training camp?
Stoned: Don’t worry, I’m not waiting by the phone for you to call, counting on you to put bread on my table. Gaby should either inform everyone that he wants out…or not. That’s all.
GreenStar is correct in fearing that Gaborik will become a locker room cancer, much like Demitra was after he stopped playing during the stretch drive last season.
Only time will tell who is correct in the Wild vs. Gaborik debate. And, that time is quickly running out.
If he was a cancer in the locker room, DR would not consider giving him $8.5 million no matter if he scored 100 goals.
If he is going to cause problems in the locker room where the team game is more important than in almost any sport, DR would have gotten rid of him a lot earlier.
The ongoing contract talks will cause problems in the locker room and that is why DR doesn’t want to drag it into the regular season.
I almost forgot Judy’s Tavern! The “scene of the crime” if you will. Toews and Oshie arrested there! LOL
WRT: Gabby will not have the opportunity to become a “cancer” in the lockerroom. He will either have his extension or he will be dealt. You won’t see Gabby on the ice Oct. 11 playing in the final year of his Minnesota contract.
And maybe DR hasn’t offered 8.5mil. We don’t know what was offered. Maybe DR’s first was 8mil to see where things come out and Gaby came back with 10mil. Maybe DR started with 9mil and Gaby still wants over 10mil. We don’t have that info.
I still stand by my comment that if Gaby wanted to play here, it would be done by now. Gaby is trying to find the top number that DR will go to, then throw out his “I have one year left on my contract” story.
I am working on the belief that the Don’s figure of $8.5 million is accurate, in terms of what Ballgame is offering. In addition to, of course, the many intangibles Minnesota has to offer that other cities/teams do not. Just not sure Gabby or Salcer are going to be swayed by 2-for-1 coupons on Dilly Bars.
If he is going to cause problems in the locker room where the team game is more important than in almost any sport, DR would have gotten rid of him a lot earlier.
notice i said we can’t rely on him not being a cancer. didn’t say he was. I’ve been told that him and the mafia had their own thing going and it was as if they were on a different team at times.
Bring a woman and lots of booze because it sucks up there. Wild should be practicing down in the cities. You can also get some locals with sticks to chase skoula around town.
Out of curiosity, having not been there, what exactly does Minnesota have to offer that other cities can’t?
Just not sure Gabby or Salcer are going to be swayed by 2-for-1 coupons on Dilly Bars.
I would go to 3-for-1 Dilly Bar coupons and give Salcer the LPH call on opening night right after all of the Wild’s banners have been raised to the rafters.
KiPA: I am sure that is the question that Huggy and his agent were asking themselves as well, moments before Huggy scribbled his autograph on that Bean Town contract. I keep forgetting, what exactly did the Wild get for getting rid of Huggy’s production? Oh, that’s right, nevermind.
Bean Town? Thought he went to Jersey? (Which is worse.)
KiPA: He did. New jersey was the original Bean Town back in the early 1900s, prior to the name sticking with Boston. (nice back pedal)
Well someone did say that his wife’s family is from Jersey.
Nothing that money can’t overcome except maybe Atlanta.
If the Wild can’t get him a Stanley Cup anytime soon, might as well go for money and hope for the best, right?
I didn’t read through all 125 posts because I am just so excited to find out practice is open to the public.
You have to eat at The Red Pepper while in Grand Forks. Order the Grinder with double meat, taco meat and extra white sauce. Mmmm, grinders!
I, like most Wild fans, just wish the saga would come to a conclusion. Either come out say we cannot come to an agreement and will be exploring our trade options and are looking forward to our team scoring 2.1-2.3 goals per game this year; or, we have signed Marian to a 6-year contract extension worth $55 million dollars and are excited to have him in our core group for the next several years.
(Could be worse: We could be die-hard, live-and-die with every game, fans of the Purple. They have an owner who is throwing around money at players like it was a contest but you have a coach who has hooked his career to the wagon of T-Joke.)
Don’t even mention that, DB…lol. I have Bernard Berrian in like 3 or 4 fantasy leagues…I’ve already cut him in two and am seriously close to cutting him in a third.
I have just found out what Ballgame means when he states “We have more to offer than other markets”. The Wild has just announced it’s coffee-mug giveaway nights. Nov. 26, Dec. 19, Feb. 21, March 17 & April 10. Get those dates scribbled on your calendars and somebody forward the info to Salcer.
My apologies if someone already posted this link.
File under for whatever its worth , Puck Daddy has posted its MN Wild 2008-09 preview.
Here’s what I wanna know:
For those of you calling for Gaborik to give a yes/no as to whether he wants to play here, or even questioning whether he watns to play and calling for his ouster, why now?
DR admitted he probably shouldn’t have let Rolston and Demo play out their final years, however there’s an awful lot of time between now and Feb. Granted, no one wants it to become a locker-room distraction, but I don’t see the harm in letting the negotiations continue into the season a bit.
You might find a team needs some big time scoring help a month or two into the season, and is willing to put up a nice offering for him, or you might find the team do rather well, and he decides to stay for less money.
Either way, the payday for Gaborik is July 1, 2009. Anything signed before then is taking less. Guaranteed. The question is how much less is he (or DR via a trade) willing to take.
Leave the emotion out of it, and focus on the situation. He’s not going to get away for nothing, and he’s not going to be overpaid to stay.
but I don’t see the harm in letting the negotiations continue into the season a bit.
His groin and an October road trip to sunny FLA.
Deep…, these things tend to be cyclic. The Wild past is still only eight years. Eight years ago, I’m not sure that the Twins farm looked strong enough to replace its losses either.
We have had this discussion before, but the Wild and Columbus are still the infant franchises of the NHL. A few draft choices that may not work out, a few promotions, a few trades and the system might have some weaknesses to repair, so may not immediately produce dividends.
Also, DB, an arena full of passionate fans is worth something to a lot of players. But, if Gabby desires to be on the beaches of Florida, or in Madonna’s appartment on Manhattan, then we are not the right place for him.
Greenstar, at 2:30, I have no reason to doubt your assessment. Also, there is a school of supervisory management for developing employee traits that says “treat people as though they already are what you want them to be”.
I felt that the “C” was a carrot when Gabby got it last spring.
We will see soon whether the message got through to him.
But, I do understand Gabby’s dilemma: he has an important right coming up in a year, I guess anyone would be a fool for not considering that all of the parts were right before deciding to make a yes decision to stay here.
Why camp out for a day and a half when you can order them online in 5 minutes?
For some folks, its the Ticketmaster fees.
the Wild and Columbus are still the infant franchises of the NHL
I’m not trying to criticize, but how long does it need to be before “infancy” is no longer thrown around as a reason/excuse for developing the organization?
KiPA:
As an impartial observer, do you see the Wild or Columbus as an expansion team?
All realistic comments, MichaelUpNorth @ 4:26.
People need to get hold of their emotions. We do not need answers to lifes great questions today, or even this week or this month. In time, all of those Gabby questions will be answered. In the meantime, it is all food for thought and speculation.
Kevin in PA says: “Out of curiosity, having not been there, what exactly does Minnesota have to offer that other cities can’t?”
There is an extreme hockey environment, not unlike Canadian cities in the Twin Cities. Within thirty miles of the Excel there are maybe fifty high school hockey games three times a week, and besides the WCHA there might be a dozen more small college games.
So, you have a passionate and hungry base of knowledgeable fans. Of course the flip side is that these fans are all too hungry and too impatient for a Cup.
Not really, sunshine. I tend to think of an expansion team as an “easy win.” The Wild definitely don’t fall into that category (I still remember losing 5-0 a couple years ago…well, vaguely; I was drunk off my ass by the end of the night; or was that a blowout the year before the lockout? can’t remember; the booze you understand. Sheesh this is a long parenthetical. Anyway.)
You guys have been in the playoffs three times, including the last two. I think that’s enough for the expansion label to be shed.
Columbus fits the above criteria as an expansion team but I think they’ve just had too much incompetence to field a competitive team. No real reason they shouldn’t/couldn’t be doing what you guys have.
Besides, eight years ago I was a teenager, and that seems like a really long time. I think after five years enough progress should be made that the franchise shouldn’t be horrible.
Iceman: So professional hockey players should like the area because there’s a lot of high school and college hockey going on?
I’m sure I’m coming off as anti-Minnesota here, but believe me that’s not my intent. I’m just always reading these comments about being a young organization or all the area has to offer and just looking for clarification on the items in question.
KiPA: For a single guy like Gaborik, sold out crowds are great, but money is SOOOO much better to have.
Why would Gaborik or any European/Russian leave their home countries if not for a huge paycheck? Having a chance to play in the best league in the world and for the Stanley Cup are great reasons, too, but money is huge factor.
The expansion label is still relevant, IMO, when one is looking at the whole collection of the last 7 seasons. In other words, folks here will throw things out like, Riser and JL suck because this team has only made the playoffs in 3 seasons, etc., ignoring the fact that the NHL gave it a collection a complete re-treads to start. We got a gift in ‘03, but to lump in those early years when you’re making a historical argument about this franchise is disingenuous, I think. Hope that makes sense.
That said, I certainly do not view the Wild as an expansion team as it sits here competing today and going forward.
Anyone else going to the STH skating party at the X on Sat?
Wish I was Hockeydad, but I’m only a Warming House member not a STH. **sniffle**
“So the standard you’re going to hold DR to is a cup victory, correct?
He’s had 8 years to build for the cup, and he’s failed?
Trading the team’s top scorer means you’re going backwards, which would indicate they reached their peak and need a new plan.
Am I correct in these assumptions about how you’re viewing this?”
Michael,
I said I want a team that competes(i.e. a playoff contender) I never once mentioned the cup or suggested that at one time we were a cup contender.
I’m saying he’s had 8 seasons to show us what he’s got and he really hasn’t shown much. It seems like at the end of every season he apologizing for big mistakes he has made as a manager. That shouldn’t turn you into a DR follower.
And yes trading the teams top scorer is a move in the wrong direction. How would trading a proven goal scorer who finished 7th overall for scoring be a step in the right direction? Unless we get a prospect like Jerome Iginla or Peter Forsberg.
One thought that I had that bugs me is the amount of players that seem to preform much better during their contract year. Of all players, it may be most frustrating to see Gaborik repeat this observation/habit. In my mind, Gaborik is probably capable of preforming like the top 5-7 players in the league but his laziness and timidness holds him back. If I see him get rid of these two traits this year just because he is now determined with money and location on the line I will be forced to loose some respect for him as a player.
“winning games will make this statement false.”
Green,
I would love to be proven wrong but I’m just trying to state the facts. We let go of two vetern forwards who were NHL proven and possibly might have to trade our highest scoring forward. Not that I have any problems with our prospects but they are just that…prospects. None of these guys are proven and have little to no expierence. So what we have is a lot of unproven players and our free agent signings are very medicore. That’s not a receipe for success in my book. Our season looks very shaky.
WOOHOO!!!! Wild hockey is on TV again!!
can I assume they’re playing KC’s system in this tournament?
they just said that three of the four Wild centers on the roster are there on a tryout.
So, we are thin at center throughout the entire organEYEzation? Tell me again why we have a scouting department?
I’m saying he’s had 8 seasons to show us what he’s got and he really hasn’t shown much. It seems like at the end of every season he apologizing for big mistakes he has made as a manager. That shouldn’t turn you into a DR follower.
And yes trading the teams top scorer is a move in the wrong direction. How would trading a proven goal scorer who finished 7th overall for scoring be a step in the right direction? Unless we get a prospect like Jerome Iginla or Peter Forsberg.
In the past 8 seasons, we’ve made the playoffs 3 times, won a division, and advanced to the conference semifinals, starting from scratch with an expansion franchise and draft picks that has remained popular and profitable.
By comparison, the jackets (who entered the league in the same year) have not made the playoffs once since 2000-2001.
Chicago, an established franchise, has made the playoffs twice, and not advanced past the 1st round.
The Isles, made the playoffs 3 times, never advancing past the 1st round.
The Kings have made the playoffs twice, best finish was a 2nd round loss.
Atlanta has made it once, lost in the 1st round, with some bona-fide all stars on their team too.
Florida, no appearances in that time span.
Washington, 3 trips, lost in the 1st round each time.
Phoenix, 1 trip, out and gone in the 1st round.
Looking at what other established franchises had, and have had compared to the Wild, what they’ve been able to do with their players I would have to argue is above-average to excellent. Sure you can do a Florida or Tampa-Bay and try for a cup run, but look at those franchises afterwards. They never recovered.
There’s really only been 6 seasons, too. 2000-2001 thru 2007-2008, with the strike year in there.
In order to have that kind of success with a new franchise, you have to be pretty good at selecting your talent, and developing it. Sometimes you have to make changes, and in any team sport, it’s not about one guy - it’s about the team. If the best interests of the team are served by dealing your #1 scorer, then so be it, but criticizing the player or management for not getting a deal done would be flying in the face of what’s in the franchise’s best interests. If it was in their best interest, they’d do it.
So if you’re all hung up on being a fair-weather fan, and you’re going to jump on the “I won’t support the team without Gaborik”, feel free. It leaves more seats for the real fans to buy.
As I mentioned once while sitting at a game, as a couple got up to leave with 10 minutes to go because the Wild were behind: “Where the hell do you think you’re going? There’s a game on.”
man…that Berglund kid for the Blues is huge
um..make that “huge” in more of a euphemistic sort of way as, on replay, I think I was looking at someone else. My bad.
Do you always talk to yourself, Nick, or is this a special occasion?
I find I’m usually the first guy on here for the 7 or 8pm ET starts, KiPA, so I do talk to myself for a while on those nights. Actually, I’m talking to myself out loud anyway, but in this case I’m also sort of dictating it onto Russo’s blog.
It’s pretty sad, but Doc Halstein and I are working through it.
Right.
*backs away slowly*
Riser in the booth.
On Cuma: Second time he’s seen him play, good first impression, composure, can contribute offensively.
On putting Falk and Cuma together: said they felt light on defense overall as of a couple years ago, but have tried to address that. Thinks both Falk and Cuma have a chance to play (at NHL level).
On Khudobin: he’s coming along, had a pretty good resume, very likable kid, team wants to play well in front of him. (Blues score while DR is talking about him.)
More Riser.
On Gillies: with a history of players making team before 20, sort of left it open on whether or not he’d make the team.
On spot left open by Rolston: kids can’t “replace” him, but more willing to give more kids a chance this year than last.
I’m with ya Nick, I just had to finish the dishes before I could sit down with the computer and watch the game. I feel so much better right now than I did earlier. It’s cool out, there’s hockey on that isn’t a rerun of a playoff or a vintage game. Things are looking up.
Gillies ya fool! Don’t high stick, that’s naughty.
More DR.
On Fozzie: first skate(s) went well, not ready for drills, but big morale boost for him to get back on the ice, he’s progressing, doing the right things, it’s just time.
On physical play: kids are excited, leads to physical play until they tire during the tournament.
*Gillies takes double minor*
On expectations for the tournament: main thing is to get them to focus on not trying to read management, but to just go play. Also to stand out. Don’t play just to not make a mistake, we want them to stand out - even if it ends up bad.
On roster for tournament: more tryout guys, a product of last couple of trade deadlines where they traded some prospects. Good place to “find” players.
No Kevin in Pittsburgh, it has nothing to do with NHL’rs watching high school hockey. Few would probabably ever attend.
It just means there is a deep history of the game here and a passion for hockey that begins at the grass roots that and involves a wide base of fans.
At one time, there were a fair number of ex-North Star players who made the Twin Cities their permanent home (maybe they still do). That may translate because their kids can then enjoy the game at a high level of hockey after they retire.
That may be one of Burnette’s loves of the area.
Oddly, Juan Beranguer, of the 1987 WS winning Twins did stay in town and his son played hockey at a high level. In fact, he is now playing college hockey and perhaps at Michigan Tech.
For us who have lived in Minnesota
forever, we think it is a nice place to live.
Quality of life rates high because crime is lower, The educational system is stong, and there are recreational opportunities for nearly any ones taste including the arts and the lakes. There are career employment opportunities, though right now is not a good time to seek employment.
None of that probably cuts it for 20 year old hockey players who are cultivating a new life.
But, if these guys go around the league and see empty arena’s, yet the Excel is full, then they probably have a reason the think the team can make payroll.
More Riser.
On KC: good coaches coach to the roster, need sound principles across an organization, but KC has good fundamentals.
*Noreau scores a shorty - good work from Clutterbuck!*
On Clutts: he’s a PITA to play against, and that creates opportunities.
On Noreau: good story, wasn’t drafted, they brought him to dinner at the draft anyway and he’s shown some loyalty to the Wild since. A good “tryout” player - in that he’ll step up and show that he wants a contract.
hey what’s up Band?
These Wild prospects keep bumping into each other - system of not playing together. Half of the prospects are on tryouts.
More Riser.
On offensive potential: maybe a little light, hard workers, no one really standing out, have to find ways to make offense in the league right now, and that’s an adjustment to stop skill players.
*Ryan Graham scores while DR saying that*
On Graham: came to camp last year, they could have seen him in Houston, went back to (jr?) and had a rough year, so maybe that’s why he decided to come back to camp this year with Wild.
Woooo!! MiniWIld up 2 - 1.
Not much going on Nick. Working the p.t.j., thinking about getting my gardens ready for winter, cleaning bathrooms and doing laundry, all the usual stuff… oh, and WATCHING HOCKEY!!! Can you tell I’m happy about that? Any hockey right now is good. Oh look, we’re on a power play again.
More Riser.
On KC now vs. when first met: met him first as assist. coach in Calgary…firm believer in fundamentals, very passionate/intense.
On careless penalties: could also just be kids trying to show off.
On Houston last year: veterans didn’t produce offense, team was overall lacking offensively, ended up more defensive than they want development players to be…hoping they’re more offensive this year.
On better defense: players and teams are all so much better these days.
Nanne believes it’s not about money for Gaborik, hinting that the star winger is no longer interested in playing in Minnesota.
Riser…
On Scandella: a chance, but seems like a good one at this point, if he gets as big as Sergio Momesso was they’ll be really happy, hard to project size, but teams have to do it in drafting…mentioned him in same breath as Burnsie! (Yikes! That wouldn’t suck!)
sorry: edit on Scandella…drafting him was taking a chance, but seems like a good one at this point.
Did they really just call Madsen ‘The Great Dane’?
Riser…
On Foster injury play: have to make sure there’s no physical contact on the play…it’s an effort play and there are reason’s not to have it, but also reasons TO have it.
On Falk: made big strides last season, good for his confidence. Mentioned him again positively.
**Wild goal, Madsen**
On Gillies: he’s confident but not cocky, maturity makes DR’s decision on him tougher because he knows people will like him and like being around him.
On Madsen: making a positive impression.
ha…I think so, Band.
Craig Button just adores Gillies.
Khudobin’s pretty good with the legs, down low. Nice, wide b’fly, and pretty fast. Playing a little deep tonight, wonder if that’s his shtick.
That boy looks nothing like Scooby-doo to me.
here comes Ms.C’s boy Ben Bishop in goal for the Blues.
^ bet he has a shutout in the third here.
I predict we’ll win this 3-2.
oh, you’re good, Bandgeek! 
Ahhhh… let em’ fight ref!!
good lord…Bishop really is a monster. it looks like the top of his breezers comes right under the cross bar. The cross bar hits me between the shoulder blades for the love of Pete!
I noticed that also Nick. Much of his height is in his legs so the proportion is all off with the height of the crossbar. He’s a gorilla like Luongo. Bishop is 6′5″, so shorter than Boogie, but 2 inches taller than Luongo.
Lou,
I cant say that I agree with you Lou. Mister Know it all believes that Gaborik is likely torn 50 - 50. I dont think he feels strongly about any one direction over another. The Wild certainly have tried to have a place that Gaby could be more familiar with Demitra- Branco, but they are gone now, so he does not really have any strong connection to the team as of now
I dont think he is a guy that has any emotional feelings to playing in Minnesota. I can give you an example Lou. Two years ago when they brought in Demitra, Gaby responded by saying, hey, good for the Wild ! That for me is too much business as usual talk. Steve Yzerman would have never made a statement like that.
I think if the Wild sign him, Gabby will not play for the Wild for eternity. Maybe once Gaby sees his teammates he might get more warm and fuzzies and the Wild can get ink on paper
Maybe Gaby will
MKiA:
I have to giggle when I read your writing.
“Maybe once Gaby sees his teammates he might get more warm and fuzzies and the Wild can get ink on paper”
**giggles**
KC needs to make sure that they don’t sit back in the third period.
sunshine: too late.
Walzie in the house.
I know. I was talking about for tomorrow’s game against Dallas.
well, it wasn’t the most compelling hockey ever, but BOY OH BOY was it great to watch some “new” Wild hockey again!
oh, gotcha…yes, agreed fo sho.
See! I was right. We win 3-2.
I think our goalies mask said Dobby across the front. And did you see Walzie standing next to Lawton in the crowd, made me feel a little sad. I miss Walz.
Clutterbuck wore the C and Noreau the A. Was there another A?
What channel was it on? Twins were on FSN.
NHL Network, Iceman.
Replay at 1:00 am.
While you’re in Grand Forks, make sure you see the North Dakota Museum of Art! Have lunch at their cafe!
Bandgeek, have the employment Gods and Godesses been good to you?
You guys are not going to believe this but the Wild vs. Red Wings game on April 5th could be a game that NBC air as part of their flex schedule. The other two choices are Thrashers vs. Capitals or Penguins vs. Panthers.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=SubseasonSchedule&network=NBC&month=All
Michael,
Usually when you build a playoff team you keep the talent not trade your franchise player and let two top 6 forwards walk via free agency. Buffalo had a damn hot team in ‘07 should I go ask them how far they went in the playoffs in ‘08? I guess if you want to believe Risebrough is giving MN the best roster possible I’m not going to try and help you get off the kool-aid.
As far as bandwagon fan - I’m not happy with the management and I’m not going to keep giving them my hard earned money so they can throw it away on washed up players and third tier players come free agency. It’s not like I’m crying because they haven’t brought home a cup yet. It’s the simple fact that the GM is not doing a good job and CL needs to see that. Best way to get his attention is hit his wallet.
KiPA-
I have absolutely no idea what the heck thay are reffering to when they talk about the intangibles. Can only be the fans and the building.
Gaby wants nothing to do with the schools, the youth hockey, high school hockey, college hockey. Heck, my guess is none of the NHL guys want anything to do with it.
Can’t be the entertainment aspect, since, well, there really isn’t anything different here than anywhere else.
The whole thing makes DR sound like a moron.
NiNY-
Looks like your stocks had that bad day after all, eh?
For those who think the Gabby situation has until Feb. to play itself out, think again. Ballgame has stated himself that this situation is not going to drag into the season, as has Salcer. In terms of what Ballgame is doing with the Wild, I would invite all of the interested parties to do a tad bit of research as to his stint in Cow Town and why he no longer is there, that should give you an idea as to how he wanted to “build” a winner in Alberta. Then, start to look at the similarities between then and now and you may be a little surprised, or even concerned depending on how you look at it.
Besides, eight years ago I was a teenager
That ’splains a lot…
I think that Gaborik would have already signed if he were going to.
I swear I would trade is a$$ to Toronto or maybe to Atlanta. CBJs? What is the worst possible destination?
Atlanta, Toronto, or the Islanders.
Did I miss something?
Ballgame = DR???
Deep: how about a deep breath, dude? Things aren’t nearly as bad as you are going way out of your way to pretend they are. Is DR the GM of the Century? No. But then who is? But he’s not satan (and I don’t mean Miro Satan) either.
Could he have handled some of these negotiations differently/better? Maybe. If you’ve expected a Cup by now, it’s YOUR expectations that have been out of line with reality.
Meanwhile, I’ll take a team that’s competitive most nights and has delivered three playoff appearances and a division championship over the last 8 seasons.
How’d the North Stars do over in Bloomington last season? Boy oh boy, that Met Center sure gets rockin’ during a game, eh?
It’s amazing how quickly people lose perspective.
NiNY-
Well, driving by the old Met the other day, it seems some jerk went and built a parking ramp over it. Right while the Stars were playing, even.
I’m with you. I’m not a big fan of DR right now, but I am not ready to run him out of town either. I’m close, but not yet.
Not in every aspect, but in the not offering these huge contracts that blow the current salary structure apart, I can give the guy some repsect. He is operating the way the GMs should be. Problem is, the rest of them are operating the way they do, and DR is losing players in the process.
JL on the other hand… he could go, and that wouldn’t hurt my feelings much at all.
brunette was asked about antti laxitive and said he lives in minnesota and maybe plays in europe.
i wouldn’t consider Pav a top 6 forward over his contract with the wild.
I think the intangibles you are asking about is playing in world class facility in front of sold out crowds that know what hockey is as opposed to playing in phoenix or nashville or atlanta where the announcer has to explain every whistle.
I think the press here is generally easy on players unlike say montreal, NYC, toronto, ottawa. The twin cities are highly “livable” which can be important.
not saying any of this should matter. it is what I think of when y’all talk more to offer.
Guy on the news just said that Americans only get mad at CEOs who make 100 mil on the way dwon, but not at Jim Carrey when he makes a movie that flops and gets 20 mil for it.
Um. Yes. Exactly. Jim Carrey’s movie flopping didn’t put thousands of people out of work, didn’t screw people’s retirement funds, and Jim Carrey didn’t destroy the production company in the process…
Sorry… no way to correlate that to hockey. Just another irritating thing.
Re your question last night Iceman… No. They are being beotches to the Bandgeek.
Sorry… no way to correlate that to hockey. Just another irritating thing.
No way to correlate that to hockey –what do you mean? Dude wins the Vezina one year, then wins the house bowling league the next year…
PS: I had no idea he was even IN Sudden Death! Wow, learn something new every day, I guess.
Buddha…you’re scaring me.
You’re not near a bridge, are you???
I get mad at CEOs that earn more than the GNP of Russia and then my investment in their company tanks. It’s all about me.
Seriously, Ballgame did not manage last year’s contracts very well. The most important 6 months of his GM career are right in front of him.
As a Wild fan, I want him to deliver.
kj: didn’t Burns, Mikko and Schultz all re-sign last year too?
Someone asked where to send Gaborik to make him unhappy if he doesn’t sign here.
Somewhere in the West would be best. Don’t satisfy his desire to score 8 bazillion goals by sending him East. Pheonix maybe? Edmonton? Columbus? St. Louis? LA?
Edmonton is a probably not as we’d have to play against him so often. I say in the West because he’s expressed a desire to play in the ‘wide open’ East. The BJ’s or Blues and he’d have to play Detroit a lot… Coyotes or Kings and he’d face the Ducks quite a bit…
Not that I’d wish him unhappiness, just offering some suggestions for those that would.
you’d want him to go to another trap-happy team. I know they’re in our division, but Vancouver would be perfect.
People talking about Demitra looking for a rebound season this year in the ‘Couv seem to forget just how godawful boring the Nux system is.
NiNY, I excluded Vancouver because the Slovakian Shower would be reunited there. Now, if there was a way the Avs could suck and force Gaborik to play with his good buddy Laperrier…
Gaborik for Stastny? Anyone?
that’s true, Goody. Maybe, though, if they both go there and don’t score any more goals people will stop saying it’s just JL that keeps the sport from evolving…
Ah, but NiNY their games were obviously ‘injured’ by JL’s style. In that case, any good player that comes here is going to leave a shell of their former self.
didn’t screw people’s retirement funds
I find it funny that people don’t complain about the meteoric rise in their retirement funds when invested in these companys that make risky moves to maximize shareholder value.
good bet the writing was on the wall at lehman back when bear stears went under. You were gambling if you bought shares of lehman in the last 6 months and had to know there was a significant chance you could lose it all. you didn’t need to be a wall street insider to see that.
Rather, JL will always be boring and stifling no matter what. Watch, KC could be promoted and coach exactly the same as JL and people would say “Thank God, JL finally left now we’ve got this great offensive coach KC and the sport is alive again!”
Just wondering if we’re allowed to do colored font around here…
Apparently not. The above was supposed to be red.
NiNY…shhhhh…the glass is half-empty…
I am sick and tired of talking about Gabby and his stupid contract.
Can we get a story about Zidlicky, Nolan, or any of the other players?
And do you think Rolston’s numbers will stay the same 30 goals 55+ points?
Looks like lil brother Aaron is following in Derek’s shoes. Scroll down to the “ROUGH STUFF” heading.
Also, Jaromir Jagr is butting heads with his coach in Russia. In a related story, there may be a coaching change.
[…] Gaborik will have his choice to play most anyplace he wants next season, and he knows that. To get him to forgo that opportunity, the Wild will have to pay him, and probably overpay him. Go to NHLnumbers.com. Most teams can afford to pay Gaborik $9-10 million on a long-term deal next summer.(Read the rest of the article here) […]
“And do you think Rolston’s numbers will stay the same 30 goals 55+ points?”
It’s the same system so I think in his first 2 years yes he will hit 30 goals. The last 2 I have my doubts he’ll be as effective. I’m actually thinking Jersey fans will be pretty pissed in his final year for the production their going to get but that’s just me. I just think he’s going to run out of gas way before the end of that contract and he’ll be a shadow of the player he was.
I say if Rolston can put up 30 playing in the NW division, as one of a top six including him, Gaborik, PMB, Demo, (Parrish? Fridge? Shep? I’m not sure who you slot in there to fill out the “top six”), he can do it again playing in the east, as one of a top six of him, Elias, Gionta, Parise, Zubrus and Langenbrunner.
Get extra white sauce on that grinder at the pepper. Salami with taco meat is the ticket. Try the Riverboat sandwich and au gratin potatoes at Whitey’s Wonderbar in EGF.
Jagr and coaching — what’s new there?
Last January during the whole Lemaire vs. Gaborik saga, Pat Micheletti, brother to Joe of MSG, was saying that Renney was meeting with Jagr practically every day to encourage him to work harder. Lou Nanne, former GM of the North Stars, said that Herb Brooks called him while head coach of the Penguins, he would keep an extra practice jersey around in case Jagr showed up to the practices. Nanne and Micheletti were saying that Lemaire could call out Gaborik because he was secure in his position while Renney and Brooks might not have been as secure.
Rolston will get the same time on the PP in NJ as he got here. So, the difference in his production will be if he actually plays center in NJ as some pre-season reviews have him slotted. If he plays center his production dips to below 20 goals. If he stays on the wing, he should be around 30 goals again.
Heh heh, yeah, sunshine. The link I saw that on said “Jagr already running another coach out of town.”
You have to admit that Jagr is one of those players where the GM would choose the player over the coach in the majority of instances.
I can go one better. The only reason Ivan Hlinka had an NHL coaching job was because Craig Patrick thought Jagr would like him because he was Czech.
(Note: not that I want to disrespect the dead, but the move didn’t work out too well.)
(shakes head)
Ducks waived Schneider.
Mathieu Schneider placed on waivers by the Ducks.
Beat me by one minute.
Food
