Grand Forks complete, back to the Twin Cities; All new acquisitions to debut in Wednesday’s home preseason opener
Posted on September 23rd, 2008 – 2:37 PMBy Michael Russo
Andrew Brunette will wear a Wild jersey for the first time since 2004 and Owen Nolan, Marek Zidlicky, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Antti Miettinen and Craig Weller will all be in the lineup when the Wild opens the preseason at home Wednesday night vs. Columbus.
The lines (at least to start):
Brunette-Koivu-Miettinen
Gillies-Sheppard-Nolan
Hamilton-Kolanos-Irmen
Veilleux-Pouliot-Weller
Schultz-Johnsson
Bergeron-Zidlicky
Mojzis-Reitz
Backstrom
Brust
Well, Grand Forks has officially ended.
Nice town, and what an arena.
The Wild opted not to make roster cuts today. Chris Snow said yesterday it was because of performance. Jacques Lemaire rolled his eyes at that today , going on a rant about how the Wild has seven games in 11 nights and that he wanted more bodies around so he doesn’t get all the NHL players injured.
The Wild split the groups into two practices today, one of mostly the minor-league team and one of the NHL team, including center Krys Kolanos and defenseman Tomas Mojzis.
GM Doug Risebrough said both players played so consistently in the scrimmages, he felt others needed to see the coaches and management were watching to see who warranted looks.
However, he said that doesn’t mean Kolanos and Mojzis would be in that group all the time, and that deserving players would be shuffled in and out.
As I told you all earlier in camp, Mojzis is a player and could make a bona fide run at a roster spot.
Lemaire was not happy with today’s practice. He put the NHLers through a grueling workout, and a bigtime bag skate.
“It seemed like they wanted to go back home, and I want to work on things that are important,” Lemaire scoffed
Marian Gaborik was nowhere to be seen today.
Negotiations are clearly at a delicate juncture, very delicate. The two sides are far apart, although Risebrough said he plans to keep trying to get Gaborik inked to an extension. He again maintains he has had no trade talks and doesn’t plan any in the foreseeable future.
The irony here is the big risk in paying Gaborik Ovechkin money or Crosby money or Malkin money or Staal money or Lecavalier money is he’s so injury prone.
And here Gaborik is seeking to be paid like a top two or three player in the NHL while he’s out with a strained quad aggravated on the first day of training camp.
Asked if Gaborik’s history of leg injuries poses a risk to signing Gaborik long-term, Risebrough said, “It’s a consideration, but I don’t think our offer says, ‘they’re really worried about it.’ Are we concerned, yes, but we’re still negotiating a long-term contract.”
Risebrough also said Gaborik needs to understand he can’t be paid the world because Risebrough’s got to save money for outside acquisitions and for the Burns’, Koivu’s, Sheppard’s, etc., who will eventually earn major, major paydays.
“The GM has to make decisions that’s in the best interest of the team,” Risebrough said. “Clearly a bigger factor, even for Marian, is what will be the opportunities down the road to acquire other players or reward other players.
“At the end of the day, players have to have other players in hockey to be successful with.
“If you don’t choose wisely, and I don’t want to be critical as observant of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they made a choice to commit a lot of money to three players (Lecavalier, Richards and St. Louis) and they went from Stanley Cup champion to the worst-place team in three years. So that makes me nervous.”
OK, I have a flight to catch.
260 Responses to "Grand Forks complete, back to the Twin Cities; All new acquisitions to debut in Wednesday’s home preseason opener"
Now it sounds like the Wild want to keep Gaborik of the ice so he doesn’t get injured again in case of a trade.
off not of the ice.
Negotiations are clearly at a delicate juncture, very delicate. The two sides are far apart, although Risebrough said he plans to keep trying to get Gaborik inked to an extension. He again maintains he has had no trade talks and doesn’t plan any in the foreseeable future.
Bold prediction: DR has a deal on the table and pulls the trigger out of nowhere sometime this week. I hope I am as wrong as MKIA is about MN players!
I hate posting three times in a row but wanted to add that without Gaborik, we might be in the bottom 5 for the next 3 years also.
Uh oh. Lemaire’s already pissed.
Safe travels, Russo.
I have a feeling that we might have see the last of Gabby this does not sound very good.
At least TB won the cup and got Stamkos. Is Tavares or Hedman equal to a Stamkos? Or is there a Crosby or Stamkos in the next 3 drafts for us?
So, the game tomorrow night will be on WCCO? I’ve never been able to pull up their audio over the internet but I can today. Maybe the gods want me to listen to the game. Though that will depend on the lineup.
Who is more injury prone - Marian Gaborik or Erik Johnson?
“Erik Johnson will get a second opinion and MRI on his ailing right knee as he will see Dr. Tony Miniacci in Cleveland on Tuesday.
Johnson injured his knee in a freak
accident as he was getting off a golf cart. He tried to stop the cart and his leg got caught between the accelerator and the brake. He injured his knee in the mishap. The first MRI was inconclusive as there was too much swelling. The Blues have an idea about the length of time Johnson will be out but are not commenting at this time. This does not bode well for Johnson as most teams will divulge some information if the injury isn’t serious. It sounds like Johnson could be out for most, if not all of the season, but we will wait for the official word. Only draft Johnson in keeper pools at this time, until more is known. The 2006 first overall pick in the NHL could need a lot of rehab time with his knee injury.”
Let the trade speculation scenarios begin! If we offered an injury-prone, one-dimensional player Ovechkin/Malkin/Crosby $$$ over the course of a long-term deal and he is dumb enough to roll the dice with his groin this year, F him. I do not want another KG-type situation where you have a salary cap anchor under a long-term contract that prevent the team from putting talent around him.
without Gaborik, we might be in the bottom 5 for the next 3 years also.
I politely disagree with this
if you read DR’s quotes the Gabby era is almost officially over
F him. I do not want another KG-type situation where you have a salary cap anchor under a long-term contract that prevent the team from putting talent around him.
+1 - At this point and with appologies to DB and the AJ Thelan draft class, I would rather role the dice with the Wild’s ability to develop players (it is trending up) then pay non-contact injury prone Gaby way more than what Crosby brings home.
At least Gaborik got injured while playing hockey. EJ, was nowhere near a hockey rink when it happened.
Poor guy - to be labled injury-prone in his second year in the league. Last year fractured foot, though didn’t miss many games. This year, knee injury, could be out for most of the season.
Risebrough also said Gaborik needs to understand he can’t be paid the world because he’s got to save money for outside acquisitions and for the Burns’, Koivu’s, Sheppard’s, etc., who will eventually earn major, major paydays.
unfortunately I think people will read into this as DR being cheap and expecting a hometown discount.
personally, i think this has been the issue the whole negotiation period. Can they come to terms that also allows the wild to keep other players or add others.
prelockout it was easy. the owner just went further into the vault. post lockout you have finite dollars.
i think the garnett example is a good one although his was enhanced by awful drafts…
this team will be fine (not this year though) without gabby - the core is great = harding, burns, schultz, koivu, maybe shep and pmb become bigtime + whatever return we get for him. plus all that extra money to spend over the summer. a good GM (probably not DR though) would have this team back on track next year even without gabby..
I agree w/ Green* in his disagreement about the Wild being a bottom five team w/o Gabby (I am refusing to do the one B thing).
So who can we realistically expect in return? Everyone agree he’s going out east?
Yes…I realize I am being a bit of a fatalist. 
We don’t need gaby to win, as he does not play half of the time anyways. What the wild need to do is bring in some WCHA players who have work ethic and talent IE Parise, toewes etc. If gaby goes we will get good picks and maybe a decent player at least those left will work harder.
As discussed several times, the best scenario the Wild can get in a trade is a bona fide #2 roster player, prospect, and #1 2009 draft pick.
With DR’s record, if we get the above, that will be a good deal.
Also one last comment before the workday is done, players don’t win championships, teams do.
You also need good players on teams to win championships.
I recently saw a special on Larry Bird and he won a few games and championships for the Celtics so not quite true.
Teams help but you need that 1 or 2 great player to make a difference. Gaby does not carry the personality or leadership of a Bird but he is a game breaker and you need those types of players.
unfortunately I think people will read into this as DR being cheap and expecting a hometown discount.
I have harped on DR and the hometown discount thing based on DR quotes printed by Russo and through DR interviews on the radio during the most recent FA period. However, as best we can tell, DR is offering the right contract here so I will support him with equal vigor.
The cheap part comes sitting out the post-lockout FA period and bailing on Bruno at the same time and Mitchell at the deadline of that season (for Skoula). All of this was done under the previous owner but DR is still paying the price.
Also one last comment before the workday is done, players don’t win championships, teams do.
As long as those teams have players from the WCHA apparently.
See, I think DR was cheap in the Rolston deal. He should have offered up the $15 million for 3 years instead of $12 for 3 years deal. He was right in not offering the 4th year. Gave the team a more potent threat. He could have still signed Bruno and let Parrish go. Rolston a little better than Nolan and Mittens combined.
Oh well. At least when the Wild do trade Gaby, we will once again be treated to the hockey “wisdom” and “insights” of Patrick Reusse and Jim Souhan. Can’t wait for that.
Rolston might have taken the 3 year deal prior to FA. I wanted to see if that would have made a difference. It might have or it might not have.
RE: Rolston. Didn’t DR offer $4.5/yr? Still would have lost him to NJ though. I think the issue w/ Huggy wasn’t so much the contract as when DR offered it. I think Huggy would have taken 3 years at 4 or 4.5 if offered earlier in the year?
Sunshine…you beat me to it.
The Wild’s offer to Rolston was $4.5, $4.5, and $4 for 3 years. Sorry $13 million — I added it wrong — for an average of $4.33 million. That was the final offer per Russo.
Pretty big difference from $4.33 to $5 million.
- Yes, DR’s mistake was not negotiating with Rolston during the season to not hurt Demo’s feelings.
- I think I hear Reusse sharpening his pencil right now.
OTH- I’m with you. Can’t wait for those two to chime in. They are so intelligent. /sarcasm
I sure hope that DR hasn’t been drinking his own kool-aid, because the quotes from him and from Gaby’s side have not been positive in the slightest, and yet… no trade talks?
He better be taking trade talks.
Numbers haven’t changed much on the ESPN poll, except that now there are 2657 votes.
49% he gets traded
26% he plays out the season
25% he re-signs
This is an awful lot like the bailout plan and the Iraq war… we might not agree with it, but we know they are going to do it, so I wish they would just freakin do it.
Teams help but you need that 1 or 2 great player to make a difference.
that is what carolina was saying when they won their cup a few years ago. and edmonton when they lost in the finals.
This does not sound good as far as keeping Gaby.
Potential Gabby trades…….How about Zetterberg for Gabby
Malkin for Gabby
Patrick Kane/2nd round pick for Gabby
N. Backstrom(not the goalie)/2nd round pick for Gabby
…..If we can’t sign him to an extension now, I say we try to get something for him. We currently don’t have the players we need for a cup run this year anyway. Let’s call it like it is, Rebuilding time.
Wow, interesting lineup tomorrow night. Dammitalltohell, I wish I could watch it. *sigh*
Suppose they’ll divide up the goalie time a bit?
I would assume they split up the goalie time. Harding needs to get his, he is our future in net.
Hey Russo-
How much do pay in “friend fees” a month? Obviously it must cost you a fortune, since every blogger and reporter in the game refers to you as “the best beat writer in the business.”
Keep dreaming Everton. Keep dreaming.
I know Buddha, I know. But honestly, if Gabby expects top 2-3 money, we should be able to trade him for a top 2-3 prospect….no?
Coming from Gaborik’s side, DR has shown a willingness to go after some elite-tiered players but was unsuccessful in free agency. DR has also shown to be a bust at the trade deadline.
Gaborik is looking for a premium for playing on a slighlty above average team who is competitive but can’t go over the hump. He doesn’t trust that DR will make this team better. This is as an important intangible as a great stadium and DR is failing in this area. Sure they have a strong core but the FA to surround them won’t get better.
Thus, he is looking for his pay day just as Koivu and Burns will be looking for their pay day.
I think there is higher chance of him being traded but like I have also said, I don’t begrudge them looking for their payday. I want honest negotiation.
keep in mind, Zetterberg is going to be a free agent in 09/10 and right now he is only 2.9 million against the cap for Detroit. They don’t have room for Gabby because of Hossa but think about how much production Detroit gets from Zetterberg and what he costs. Gabby isn’t worth top 2-3 money in my opinion.
here is a good site to check out each team and player salaries, sorry if it has been posted before;
I think Gaby should be glad someone IS offering his injury prone body more than a million! Trade for datsuyk…
Everton: He is not worth top 3 but someone will pay him top 3 dollars. That is the difference.
It might not be us but it will be somebody.
Agreed Sunshine. So the question remains, do you risk giving him the cash? My vote is no. Trade him now!!
I say yes. The Wild is about $200K from Malkin and Crosby. At least with the Pens, Malkin can take a discount because he has Crosby.
$200K or $500K is not going to be sufficient to sign Koivu or Burns. Now if Gaborik is asking for $9.5 million, then that’s a whole different story.
One other thing — league-wide he might not be worth top 3 dollars but for this team, he might be worth it as long as it doesn’t go beyond $9 million/yr.
For me $9 million is the magic number. If Gaborik asks for more than that, trade him. If the Wild is not willing to go there, then they too are at fault.
From all reports, they are close to $8.7 million already.
As has been posted, by myself, earlier. Different players are worth different amounts to different teams. Gaby is the team’s lone star. By not signing him, along with not being able to attract Hossa, or convince Rolston to resign here, it will send a message that top-end players don’t want to play here, which is becoming evident, which means it will be harder than ever to be a legit team when the playoffs get serious. I’ve even read some posts stating that it was time for the Wild to rebuild. Aren’t you supposed to have actually done something in the playoffs before you “rebuild”? Some folks are also willing to let this organization “develop” some young players. If you haven’t been paying attention, this organization does not develop young players. All it’s top end players, Gaby, Koivu, Schultz, Burns, Butch, were thrown into the proverbial NHL fire, not developed in the minors. Check the facts on how this team has done with players drafted later than the second round: IT HAS STUNK. Boogie, SRV and Sekeras are the only players in Wild history drafted past the second round that have played meaningful minutes in the NHL. They just haven’t been able to develop talent in the minors to this point. If the difference between the two sides is a few million over the life of the contract, it’s time for CL to step in and do it. If the difference is multiple millions, then it’s time for Ballgame to stop this nonesense about “not entertaining any deals at this time” nonesense and move him before teams start to get really concerned about this quad injury and his value continues to plummett.
You realize that 9mil, that is the same number that Crosby, Heatly, Malkin, Ovechkin make and more than Joe Thornton or Hossa. The only guy I wouldn’t take over Gabby on that list is Thornton.
To me 9 mil for Gabby is too much. Unless….he figures out how to play 82 games, then I am in.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Good points made Deep Breath. But just because Gabby is our “one star”, I don’t think that means we keep him. I still think you can trade him for someone who would be our “one star” and still leave money to build around that person. Detroit continues to do it, without a guy making 9 or 10 million. Hossa is the top paid guy there at 7.4 mil against the cap.
Its been a while…
How bout Gaby for Jokinen, Doan and a #2? >:)
Send him to the desert to play for an organization that has minimal fan support for a season.
DB: I agree in general about the development of our players. Lemaire has been the central key to developing these players. When you pointed out Gaby, Koivu, Schultz, Burns, and Butch — all these guys were developed by Lemaire. So have SRV and Boogie to a great extent though they experienced the minors. However, Lemaire made them who they are.
We have had two drafts that seemed to have been wasted with bad coaching (Daum). KC is righting the ship down there now. But over 20+ players lost in the minors. One or two of those players could have a made a difference.
Done, except I would ask for Mueller instead of Doan, see if you can’t steal a great young player in the deal.
Yeah but taking Mueller out of the equation basically puts Phx back to square one. I dont think they would pull the trigger on that deal.
hmm, trading gabby for the other backstrom is almost plausible…AO and gabby together might be pretty scary plus washington has loads of cap room…
We can get along fine without Gabs if it comes to that.
Or if they won’t part with N. Backstrom from the Caps, get Alexander Semin and a 1st round pick in the next draft. Semin is a 3rd year player I think and has tons of potential.
Everton: Detroilet wins because of players such as Zett, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, etc. Last I checked, the Wild has nobody at that level, except for Gaby. When the Wild wins 3 Cups in 7 years, then maybe players will take less money to play for them for a shot at a Cup. Until the Wild gets there, however, it needs to keep its top players and build around them. Nice nucleus to have with Gaby, PMB, Mikko, Burns and Schultz. Keep them all and try to become a serious team in May. Lose Gaby and your team has no star “draw power” to help attract potential top-end UFAs. It’s already difficult with Gaby on the roster, lose him now, and it will it be even harder.
Also, a lot of folks seem to think Ballgame is going to get the moon plus a order of fries for Gaby in whatever trade is worked out. How willing do people actually think teams are gonna be to cough up a high pick (#1), decent prospects plus the thought of having to throw $75-100 million at a player with a history of leg problems whom is already sitting out this year because of a bad quad? Our best bet is to sign him and keep him healthy. Whatever Ballgame would be able to swing in a trade (probably a 2nd or 3rd round pick; a veteran at the end of the contract and a prospect that our system in houston won’t be able to develop)? Let all that happen and you start the rebuilding process all over again. Seems kind of silly when you just inked Burns, Mikko, Butch and Schultz to long-term deals.
DB, you basically made my point. Detroit has several great players versus “one star”.
well, actually that isn’t true now, they have Hossa
Great discussion Wild Fans. Here’s to hoping it all works out and we get to see a Cup come home to the Wild soon!!
Everton: If you don’t consider Zett, Datsuyk, Homlstrom and Lidstrom stars, you need to go watch a Timberwolves game or something because you know very little about the game of hockey, at least at the NHL level.
JL being that nervous about players being injured during the pre-season…makes me nervous.
DB, no need to throw insults.
We have been associating $$$ with “star” status so far. Only one of those guys you mention is in the top 15 for money and two are in the top 20.
But gee, thanks for having a nice discussion where we can feel free to share opinions.
Lidstrom is #6 and Dats is #20.
Everton: just because the top 3 highest paid are stars don’t mean that we are forgetting about Ignila, Datysuk, Zetterberg, or Vinny.
You forget that Zetterberg is due for some big dollars after this season. Wonder why Detroit only offered Hossa one year? That money will go to Zetterberg after this season.
He can take a discount because he KNOWS that Holland will do what he can to take them to the playoffs EVERY year. You can’t say the same for DR.
I like Gaby, and I would love to see him back, but I agree that you cannot pay 1 player so much more than everyone else. Additionally, if you give him $9.5 per, how much are the other guys going to want their next time around. I would rather have a group of guys making 4-7 million.
I have to qualify my statements: I buy into the idea that the sum of the parts is always greater than the individuals.
The KG basketball example is a good one, except you only have 13 basketball players, so losing the star sets you back more than any one person in hockey would.
DR is trying, I give him that but he doesn’t seem to succeed. What’s the old saying “almost only counts in horseshoes and grenades”?
I think the other big point here too, is that in my eyes, this team is not being built around Gaby - its being built around Mikko. He is the Wild’s “franchise player”. Gaby may be the current high-profile guy, but Mikko is going to be the future of this team.
Minus the lumberjack swing on his ankle, he is healthy, he is strong, he is responsible, and he is passionate about the sport. If Gaby goes, I am ok with it because we still have Mikko, and really all we need at that point is a guy who can finish and light the lamp.
Just my 0.02
I did a quick scan of the comments and don’t think I saw this, but did Russo toss in a “Spies Like Us” quote above??
Don’t get me wrong though. I would like #10 to stay in Minny, and for us to attract another big name guy to make a cup run. Especially since I own a #10 jersey - but I would not be depressed if JL had to make the move - provided we get a positive return.
Everton: The Dead Wings players take less money at contract time because they know they have the players in the lockerroom that will be considered a legit Cup contender every year. Wild is a tad bit away from that level. Have to win more than zero playoff series every 5 years to start to build a dynasty. Remember, different players are worth different amounts to different teams. Do you think Gaby would command 9-million a year from Detroilet? Hell no. You know why? Because they already know they have a roster to compete with anybody. Do you think Gaby should command 9-million a year from the Wild? Hell yes. You know why? In addition to being the only legit scoring threat the team has, by signing here Gaby brings a bit of legitimacy to the organization by being able to sign top-end players. You know the perception of the Wild to fans, media and teams outside of Minnesota, don’t you? Trap, trap, slow down, boring-ass hockey. Well, if a player like Gaby, a legit 40+ goal scorer, signs here, that sends a signal to potential UFAs that maybe life isn’t so bad playing in St. Paul. But, if he signs somewhere else, over a few million dollars, the ability for Ballgame and CL to attract top-end UFAs just got infinitely harder.
Also, wasn’t throwing insults, just wanted to make sure you understand that Zett, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, etc, are clear stars of the NHL.
Sorry to derail the conversation but does anyone have U-Verse from AT&T? Apparently my apartment is making the switch but I can’t get a straight answer on whether they offer Center Ice.
Any thoughts on U-Verse?
Couldn’t pick U-Verse out of a 2-item crowd. Is that a cable package? Scrap it all and get DirecTV.
They could always add a hot dish clause to Gaby’s contract to seal the deal…wait…nevermind. It didn’t get Lecavalier to sign here.
if Gabby expects top 2-3 money, we should be able to trade him for a top 2-3 prospect….no?
No. Sorry, but that notion is absurd. You’re not trading Gaborik for a top 5 or 10 player.
And don’t associate salary with star. Was Crosby a star two years ago when he was mvp and scoring champ? What was his salary? Hint: he was on his cheap entry level contract.
Hossa won’t be with Detroit next season. They’ll have money for Zetterberg, who IS a star.
NiNY: The quote from Chevy in the movie is a little more detailed, but Russo’s was fairly close. Not bad.
People have to stop equating salary with star-status. Different players are worth different amounts of money to different teams. People also have to stop thinking that Ballgame is going to get the moon in a trade, cuz that ain’t gonna happen. The best scenario for the Wild is to sign Gaby to an extension, and probably pay a little more than they would like to do it.
How willing do people actually think teams are gonna be to cough up a high pick (#1), decent prospects plus the thought of having to throw $75-100 million at a player with a history of leg problems whom is already sitting out this year because of a bad quad?
and why should DR bend over the couch to sign #10?
Look, Koivu, can be the franchise player. He can be the leader, the spokesman, the face of the team, whatever.
However, look how much easier it would be build a team if you have Gaby, Koivu, and Burns. You have your franchise winger, your leader and franchise centermen, and your franchise defensemen.
If you only have Koivu and Burns, you will have to find a scoring winger.
And unlike the KG scenario, Gaborik can’t dictate to DR who to bring in for his linemates. He can request to have a #1 center but its a no brainer that we needed a #1 center. He didn’t request for Demitra, just to be clear. He doesn’t have that power. He can’t even demand that Koivu play with him on the same line 80% of the time.
Gabby is the only player that I enjoy watching on the Wild. I wonder what 18,000 loyal fans would think if there one and only playmaker is gone. Now tell me how boring Wild hockey will be this year without him?
What is bending over the couch? My limit is $9 million. If DR is $8.7 million, what’s $300K going to matter in Koivu’s contract extension when he has $900K in wasted cap space for signing Parrish?
G*: Because different players are worth different amounts to different teams. Keeping Gaby not only legitimizes the roster with a bonafide scoring threat every game, but is signals to the rest of the league, and potential UFAs, that maybe playing in Minnesota, under JL, is not the end of one’s career, as the perception seems to be around the league. Keeping Gaby on the roster has more affect on the team than just pucks in the net. That is why Ballgame needs to bend over the couch on this one.
I would expect most season ticket holders do not pay big bucks, simply to watch Gaborik. If they did, they would have demanded money back for all the times he has been hurt.
Instead, STH want to see good, competative hockey every night. Personally,if I had season tickets, I wouldn’t want the people who are only there for Gaborik to be at the games, as they are no fun when Gaby has an off night.
If DR can’t sign Gaby for a reasonable amount (IMO absolutely no more than 8.5 million cap hit) then he shouldn’t.
I understand Gaborik’s desire for more because he could certainly command a larger salary by becoming an UFA next year. I’m sure his side also realizes that he is the original MN Wild star player and all that entails (i.e. he has considerable leverage). DR will likely look cheap - earning scorn from the fans.
However, on the other hand, Gaborik is injury prone and not the most complete player. And I’m not specifically referring to defensive abilities here how many other teams’ superstar snipers can’t win their team a game with a successful penalty shot?
Paying him more than the current top players in the game - players that for the most part have more than earned their contracts and/or even have room for significant improvement - while realistic in terms of how unrestricted free agent system works would not be wise in a salary cap system.
DR has to be careful. He has to plan years ahead so the team can be viable and be able to keep their rising players (Burns, Koivu, Sheppard, etc). If Gaborik, or any player(s), has too much of the pie, that becomes impossible.
To sign a player that has yet to prove he can stay healthy to a long term contract that limits the teams options, is very risky, especially when they’d already be overpaying him in terms of dollar for performance.
It would almost assuredly be a PR disaster and could affect the retention of current players if the team can’t stay competitive. But DR has to walk away if the price isn’t right. Otherwise those same players would be walking away, regardless, because there would be no money left.
How much is Greedy McFeedy trying to milk out of this contract anyway?
I agree with Josh’s comment and I am sick to death of this “negotiation” nonsense. Sure, it’s complicated but they are not trying to achieve world peace here.
Get it over with already! 
The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter how much money Gaby wants- if he is not 100% committed to playing in Minnesota (which I don’t believe he is), then you have to trade him. The Wild is offering big money and he is still holding back. Even with him, this is a team that will not be contending for the Cup this year and most likely will struggle to make the playoffs. The team has some good young talent. Trade him for an established player or two and a draft pick(s) that will help overall team depth up front (which is severely lacking right now) and build towards a better overall TEAM. With so few offensive stars on this team, opposing teams will only stack their defenses more against Gaborik’ss line should he stay. The Wild needs to develop or acquire players that will help develop their 2nd through 4th lines if they wish to be more competitive. Look what happened last year. They struggled because they didn’t have the overall depth to compete against the better teams. They have even less depth this year……
“With so few offensive stars on this team, opposing teams will only stack their defenses more against Gaborik’ss line should he stay. ”
That is what Gaborik can do. Draw the #1 defense pairings and checking lines and gives some space for PMB’s line to score. Isn’t that kind of what happened in the playoffs. The 2nd line scored a ton because he drew the best defenders. He is a dangerous factor.
With Gaborik gone and depending on who we get back, PMB, Koivu, and Brunette becomes our top line. I don’t know if these line is very dangerous with only 1 real shooter in Koivu. Nolan, Shep, AM are 2nd line.
Steve:
You have to forget about the wild developing players. They don’t do it. all of the team’s top players were thrown into the NHL fire based out of neccessity. They were not developed in Houston. Also, signing Gaby to a long term extension does not hurt the future because the core is under contract for the next 3-6 years (Gaby, PMB, Schultz, Mikko and Burns). You have your core. Then you tweek around the edges, and I don’t mean Chris Simon, to fill in the gaps. We’re still looking for a full season from Gaby and Mikko at the same time. Gaby with his groin and Mikko with his leg (obviously not his fault).
Well said Josh!
I know it is overly idealistic. But, it’s so much easier to feel passionate about a team of players that, at least seemingly want to be in Minnesota. I love to hear Burns, Schultz, Veilleux, Backstrom and Koivu state how much they love to play in Minnesota.(I know, Rolston gave us that obvious song and dance too) But,it would be so refreshing to hear Gaborik say …”I know I could hold out for more, but because of my desire to always be a member of the Wild and to make future quality signings to be a cup contender more likely, I’m going to settle for at or just a bit below market value”. Somehow couldn’t he “suffer” for a mere 50 plus million over the next 6 years.
Mark:
Very few sports players across all types of sports say that. Usually it is players from teams with a short and long history of winning like the Red Wings or Patriots. They can afford to be paid less if they know that they are going to have a higher than likely chance of getting the hardware.
People said that Crosby took a discount but he was signed a contract for $8.7 million which was at least a $1 million more than the next highest player. Geez, a discount from the maximum amount of $10 million.
I would rather Gaborik be honest that he wants to get paid then give me the Rolston sing and dance. At least I know where he is coming from. Rolston directed his agent to not negotiate with the Wild. His agent was acting on his behalf but on Rolston’s behalf.
It may not be that Detroit has so many great players, it may be that they have enough good players that bring out the best in each other.
Sometimes you make all players better just be getting better at the bottom of the team.
Gaby is no hippie who is altruistic.
In this hockey world, teams pay for future production. Why else would AO get $9.5 million- 13 years or Eric Staal $8 million-7 years. Or Burns $3.5 million for 4 years for 1/2 a real good season
You can’t deny that Dats, Zetterberg, and Lindstrom are very good players. They alone can make a line better.
When has Gaby ever had to play with a player of Dats, Zetterberg, or Holmstrom’s caliber? When he played with Rolston and Demitra in 1 or 2 games? or when he played with Demitra and Koivu for a few shifts over a couple of games? Or Demitra and Parrish for a few games?
Has to make do with the likes of Voros, Laakso, or Fedoruk. They were decent but they didn’t bring the best out of him. He brought the best out of them.
AIH, if there’s any way to get a dish, I’d do that. AT&T’s been trying to push UVerse on me but whatever their tv package is, it’s not DTV, so we can’t get Sunday Ticket.
The “Garnett” example is valid, but only if you also consider the fact that McHale couldn’t draft 1st round talent, and McHale also screwed up with the Smith book-keeping debacle.
I would like to see Gabby stay. But I don’t want to see $9 or $10 million per year tied up in the cap. I’d rather have 2 Rolston’s and 2 Voros-type players instead of an oft-injured $10 million Gabby. If they can get him signed for $8 million, and throw in incentives for healthy play, plus/minus, and goals scored, I’d be happy.
Wow. Someone bubble wrap this kid:
Blues defenseman Erik Johnson has a torn ACL in his right knee and will undergo surgery in a couple of weeks, a source has told the Post-Dispatch.
Johnson, 20, is expected to be sidelined six to nine months after injuring his knee in a golf-cart incident last week at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Great. He is not worth half of what the big 3 or 4 guys in the league get. Trade him. The perception may even be that we were low-balled when that happens, but ill take a future 3rd liner and top-4 d before committing more than 6/per to that prima donna.
Adios. Dont let the door hit you
Folks keep writing about letting Gaby go and then getting “Two 4-5 million dollar players”. Gaby doesn’t sign here and it’s another example of a high-end player not willing to sign here, what makes people think that a batch of UFAs, at the 4-5 million dollar mark will be willing to sign here, much less two of them. Best scenario is to sign Gaby to an extension.
Interesting that everyone is discussing Hossa and Detroit in all of this. I’d bet a nickel that Hossa and Gaborik package themselves together at the end of the season; hence Hossa giving Pittsburgh, of all places, the cold shoulder on a long term deal. I’d bet a dime that Gaborik wouldn’t sign here for any amount of money.
I disagree that the Wild need to overpay players/Gaborik in particular, because of their style. Lemaire is going to leave the organisation soon (I’m shocked he’s back this year) and the irony of Rolston leaving to go back to the Devils should not be lost on anyone.
Boil it down and you have a very talented injury prone player. Whether or not he is a top end talent or not, you cannot overpay players and expect long term success.
Deep Breath: what is the difference between Iginla and Gaborik? Iginla is a lone star forward for that team and he accepts 7.5. He’s a leader, that’s the difference. The Calgary organisation is not any more palatable a place to play than here, IMO.
And lastly, Gaborik is NOT as good as Vinny Lecavalier…end of story.
Also, because the Wild haven’t developed players in the AHL doesn’t mean we should give up that ever being the case. If that’s a problem, you fix it. You can’t make a decision to overpay Gaborik for 10 years (which is what the discussion are, from what I understand) based on that.
Honestly, the biggest mistake the Wild made was not sucking for the first four years of their existence. Lemaire was the wrong choice of coach for an expansion team simply because he gets the most out of players and they won or tied games they had no business winning. They should have stunk it up and lapped up the high draft picks and brought Jacques in later.
I wonder what 18,000 loyal fans would think if there one and only playmaker is gone
this loyal fan doesn’t care.
Because different players are worth different amounts to different teams.
gee i never heard that before.
so let me get this straight, DR should get bent over and pay #10 what he wants because he is worth more to the wild than other teams. i get that but then why should DR spend more than fair value when #10 could never get what he is asking from other team when FA because the thought of having to throw $75-100 million at a player with a history of leg problems whom is already sitting out this year because of a bad quad?
you seem to be saying #10 has no leverage but DR should still over pay him. confusing.
good points FW, welcome to the discussion
Gabby’s agent is a putz, he’s not getting Ovechkin/Crosby money from any team. If he goes to FA he’ll get $8-8.5 mil, about what the Wild are offering. My guess is he does’nt want to play here so they are playing hardball.
Sunshine, Fedoruk provided space for Gabs, that was his function. If you mean Laaksonen, he did not play with Gabs either.
The original Wild teams had Walz and Laaksonen paired against the best line of whomever we played. They did their job well.
If Gabs wants the big money, then he needs to be the guy who is creating opportunities for the entire line.
Sure Vinny and Iginla is better than Gaborik. Vinny signed a contract that would pay him till he is 39 to decrease the cap hit. if he did an 8-9 year deal, it would be about $8.5 million a year.
Iginla signed prior to the huge increase in the cap and before teams offered huge deals to Campbell, Hossa, Sundin, and Finger. Iginla’s deal was in line with what others were getting at that time around $7-$7.5 million.
We couldn’t get Rolston to sign a deal about $4.5 million, how do you expect to sign FA? And he said that he “loved” the Wild and had his BEST years here.
I can’t believe someone of you– wanting a 3rd liner and a top 6 defensemen, or a 2nd or 3rd pick. Have you no realistic dreams of getting a 2nd liner, top prospect, and 1st pick?
I don’t think you want Gaborik being the guy who creates opportunities for others and I wouldn’t hold that against him necessarily. I guess he can do that a bit because his skating ability opens up space for others, but he’s not a puck distributor and I don’t know that you want him to be. But this perspective also leads you to a conclusion (I would hope) that he’s not a complete player the likes of a Lecavalier or Iginla, so I see no reason to pay him so. If he put up 60 goals regularly, I would pay him like Vinny. That might make him roughly equivalent. As it is, he’s going to score goals more in the 40 range and and play defense like Bure.
Let him go…..when will fans of this team realize that the Wild are cheap and that Gaborik is not worth what he thinks he is worth. Trade him and get what you can.
plenty of people would sign here, for the money. The wild put money into Rolston, Demo, Parrish, KimJ, they’ve got a ton of young talent on the cusp of a payday who are more valuable and affordable than gabby (because theyre not the flashy 55-goal type) in Burns, PMB, Sheppard…
The wild can find people for slight discounts who want to win. Those guys may be rare, but they exist…
Just wanted to let you all know that there is new ownership over at the SportsBlog Nation’s Wild site, http://www.hockeywilderness.com. And we would love to have wide open discussion of the Wild, the NHL and anything State of Hockey related.
We look forward to the seeing you over there and discussing the season!
Vinny hasn’t even put up 60 goals. Vinny has scored 40 goals once, 50 goals once, 30 goals three times.
Vinny- 9 years in the NHL
1-100pts, 1-90points, 2-70 pts. playing with MSL and Richards for most of those years.
playoffs: 45-18-15-33
All time -80.
Gaborik - 7 years in the NHL
1-40 goal, 4-30 goal, 1-80 pt, 3-60 pts. playing with nobodies except for the last two years.
playoffs 29-12-10-22
All time +51
Gaborik is not bad and compared to Vinny a better two-way player.
Someone suggested Gaborik was better than Vinny and deserved his money. That was my point. I’m still confused by yours, however. Vinny’s making 7.7. You admit Gaborik is not as good as Vinny, yet you seem to suggest Gaborik should make more than Vinny since he’s already turned down 8 or 8.5.
You equate the FA signings of Campbell, Hossa Sundin (which hasn’t happened yet) and Jeff Finger??? to Gaborik? Hossa is a better player and is playing for 7.4. Campbell plays a different position and who the hell knows what goes on with MLSE. The Canucks are just desperate for Swedes…don’t ask me why.
Ok, I’m done talking with Sunshine since he thinks Gaborik is any kind of two way player, much less a better two way player than Lecavalier. On top of that, he rarely played with Richards.
You will not find a knowledgeable hockey person who thinks Gaborik is in the same sentence with Lecavalier. Ask Marty Brodeur who the best player in the NHL is and he’ll say “Vinny”.
Yes, Gaborik has not put Vinny numbers but the Wild need Gaborik as much as TB needs Vinny. Do you think TB would be what is today without Vinny? Do you think the Wild would be where it is without Gaborik? That’s the difference and that is why we need to give Gaborik the money. I wouldn’t give him anything beyond $9 million. That is my idea of his worth to this team.
I also am on record saying that Gaborik is not equal to Crosby, Malkin, or AO but we need to pay him that money because we don’t have a scorer. His intangilbes to this team brings his price to $9 million.
I guess you didn’t quite understand that after July 1st with the amount of money that was given out, it changed the prices of contracts. For example, if DR waited to sign Burns in July versus in October he would be paying $4+ million right now. If he waited for Schultz, he would be paying him $4+ million right now.
If he would have signed Roslton in January, he would’ve gotten Rolston at $4 million. On July 1st, his value jumped to $5 million.
The cap increase and the contracts given out this summer changed the amount of the contracts. The “bubble” on the contracts could potentially come down next year if the cap increase is much smaller than this year’s increase. Teams will adjust accordingly.
Do you understand now when I bring up the Campbell, Sundin, Hossa, and Finger contracts?
The numbers speak for themselves. He is a two-way player when he wants to play defense. If you look at Gaborik’s stats, he has only 1 season where he was a minus.
Vinny to be a -80. That is bad. Are you telling me that he is a two-way player?
the fact that you put that kind of weight on the plus minus stat tells me all I need to know.
Sundin doesn’t have a contract.
So what’s your solution to Gaborik, FW? Can’t remember if you said or not.
And I know it’ll mean nothing to you, but sunshine is one of the more knowledgable and reasonable people I’ve found on here.
Zdeno Chara had plus minus stats of -27, -27, +30, +29, +30, +17, -21 in consecutive seasons. Do you believe he was a worse defensive player in his minus seasons? Do you believe he’s a bad defensive player? Do you think he’s a worse defensive player than Wade Redden who is +122 vs. Chara’s +31 in that same stretch
Right but did you see the amounts that they offered for him and how many teams are still waiting for his decision?
Well, the -/+ is an overrated stat but when its that huge of a negative or positive number, it means something especially over the length of a career.
My take on the Gaby situation is as follows:
Hemhem… Blah blah blah, money money money, blah blah, injury prone, blah blah blah, not OA or Crosby, blah blah, stay, blah blah, go, blah blah blah….
To make a long story short, at this point, I don’t care, stay or go I’ll still go to as many games as I can get tickets to without going to far in debt. And watch the rest on TV. I really just want hockey. Do you hear me “insert selected deity”!? I JUST WANT HOCKEY!!!
IMO, you do not sign Gaborik for more than 7.5 per year and not more than 5 years because of the injuries. That’s Spezza and Heatley kind of money and he deserves Spezza money, methinks (7/year).
But, I don’t think he wants to be in Minnesota so as I said before, I don’t think he’d sign if you offered 9 million/year. I think he’s dead set on rolling the dice and packaging himself with his buddy Hossa. Trade him for the best deal you can get.
As far as Sunshine goes, we all have our opinions and arguments we either appreciate or don’t. So far, I don’t tend to agree with anything he says and I find his arguments less than compelling. Citing numbers is one thing, but no substitute for watching the games and seeing the little things that players either do or don’t do. I’m simply flabbergasted that he thinks Gaborik has significant intangible qualities. I acknowledged that his speed opens up space for others, but that’s all I see.
Vinny Lecavalier is a much more complete player. Vinny kills penalties not because the coach wants to force him to think of his responsibilities, but because the coach thought he was good at it.
If you can find a GM who would rather have Gaborik than Lecavalier, I’d be shocked.
I thought Gaborik’s BFF was either Demitra or Marcel Hossa.
What do you think you can get for Gaborik in a trade?
Hmmmm..Number 1 overall pick who could barely make the 2nd all Freshman team in the WCHA leaves college after 1 season and then in his second year injures himself driving a golf cart after a disappointing 1st season. Maybe Brian Lawton’s name will not be mentioned as quickly now as biggest 1st overall NHL pick bust.
Erik Johnson=Gord Kluzak?
sunshine be a she, not he.
Here’s my biggest problem: Because one team overpays for a player, people then tend to think that their team should overpay for a player. No one really knows where the salary cap will go from here but from my perspective the league is reaping rewards from selling the new uniforms right now and it translate to a bigger cap. There’s no way the cap will continue to go up the way it has, IMO. Yes, they’ll continue to rape us on tickets but that translates to a 2% increase in the cap/year and not the 10% we’re seeing.
Does anyone really think Danny Briere is going to be worth 7 million when he’s 37? Eventually these moronic decisions are going to catch up with teams and the GMs who realise that now are going to clean up 4 years from now. (not saying Risebrough is a good GM, he’s just not being stupid about this)
as much as i am sweet on sunshine. i think she over values #10.
Well she’s not the only one.
I’m with Bandgeek. I’m just ready for hockey, and am very glad the NHL is not stingy with radio feeds like MLB. I will be listening to the Wild, cheering on the people I’d never heard of before.
Does anyone really think Danny Briere is going to be worth 7 million when he’s 37?
i don’t think anyone does but I also think a lot of the fans don’t care. 7 years from now might as well be the next century. Fans want a cup right now. they don’t care what happens in 7 as long as the cup happens in 2.
to me this is sad but true.
my apologies for the gender faux pas.
A good trade for Gaborik depends a bit. You’d definitely have to get a number 1 pick and from a team that you thought would not make the playoffs, so you’re putting some risk out there. And, you’d need a player and a prospect. The player would have to have some offense and fit into the team concept and have some years on a contract for a decent value. For me to cherry pick players (Jokinen, Mueller, etc.) is just silly because Mike Millbury isn’t a GM in the league anymore.
sunshine - the +/- stat means only as much as context. One needs to look at several factors. The type of style the team plays (i.e. how defensive they are), the quality of their goaltending and defensemen, the position the player plays at, and who the guy plays with. Also, for scorers a lot depends on if the team scores at even strength or PP more.
Just a quick and ugly goals for/against analysis of the Wild and Lightning shows this (and this is obviously only one side of the story but I think it supports the point that your blind statement about +/- over career means nothing w/o perspective)
Lightning during Vinny’s career
win% GF GA
0.287 179 292
0.329 204 310
0.360 201 280
0.421 178 219
0.567 219 210
0.646 245 192
0.561 252 260
0.567 253 261
0.433 223 267
1954 2291
total goal differential -337
Wild seasons 00-08
0.415 168 210
0.445 195 238
0.579 198 178
0.506 188 183
0.512 231 215
0.634 235 191
0.598 223 218
1438 1433
total goal differential +5
Do you think someone that has been with a -337 club (again this doesn’t account for PP vs. PK goals but it shows a general trend) for 9 years is going to have a better +/- than a player with a +5 club for 7?
That wouldn’t be easy. I certainly don’t think you can make any broad conclusions based on a comparison of the lifetime +/- of these two players.
“In addition to being the only legit scoring threat the team has, by signing here Gaby brings a bit of legitimacy to the organization by being able to sign top-end players. You know the perception of the Wild to fans, media and teams outside of Minnesota, don’t you? Trap, trap, slow down, boring-ass hockey.”
Knocked that out of the park Deep. I don’t think people are grasping how serious this situation is. The only real free agent we’ve been able to land is Brian Rolston and when it came time for pay day Risebrough wouldn’t fork over the cash. Letting Gaborik walk won’t convince top tier free agents to come play here. They see boring style + cheap management. Why should they come here? And to the person who said this isn’t Risebrough’s fault if Gaby doesn’t sign. Wrong. Risebrough made his bed and now we all have to sleep in it. This has been building for some time and it looks like it’s about the blow up in his face. I just can’t believe how people trip all over themselves to stick up for this guy.
Greenstar: hence my comment about smart GMs cleaning up down the road. The Rangers paid over 7 million/year for 5 and 6 years to two very good but not great players (Drury/Gomez). It’s just plain fear on the part of a GM. Fear of looking like their standing still. It may well be justified fear, but it’s still bad business.
get a center and a wing for gaby because he is way over rated-he wont last in this league.
I would like one bag of whatever Free is smoking if he/she thinks the Wild is getting a #1 from a bad team , plus prospects for Gaby in any deal, in addition to the fact that this bad team is going to have to shell out 75-100 million dollars to sign Gaby longterm, which is a must if they are giving up a #1 and prospects. It ain’t happenin’ people, the trade value is not going to be as high as people are hoping. The Wild’s best move is to overpay for Gaby and keep the core-5 together for the next 3-6 years and build around with guys like Shepp, Gillies, etc.
Gaborik, Skoula, and Pouilot to FLA for Nathan Horton and Jay Bouwmeister.
Lucky: spot on about Ballgame. It’s as if people in Russoville are afraid to do research on his history in Cow Town. This isn’t exactly his first trip to the rodeo and the way he manages/mismanages hasn’t changed since his time there.
Do not think of my statements for one second as an endorsement of Risebrough. I am just dead set against overpaying for players and I am not happy that he is proposing overpaying for Gaborik (even though I’m not worried much about it since Marian doesn’t want to be here)
uhhhh….Deep? Pittsburgh gave up Armstrong, Christensen, Espo and a number 1 for Hossa AT THE DEADLINE. You really don’t think the Wild could get a player, prospect and #1 for Gaborik for a whole season?
Free: Do you work for the Twins organization? That same mentality is what we have endured the past 15 years as star players are let go because ownership didn’t want to pay up. I hate to say it, since it’s not a Purple blog, but at least the Vikes have an ownership group willing to pay absolute top dollar on star players. (Hutchinson and Allen to name a couple).
Once again, for the people in the back row, if Gaby/Salcer are asking for say 75 million over 8 years and the Wild are offering 65 million, then it’s time to pull the trigger on whatever trade Ballgame can come up with. But, if the two sides are at a stalemate in the neighbnorhood of 4-7 million dollars over the lifetime of the contract, then it’s up to CL to step up, write the check and get on the with core-5.
There are certainly teams that feel they are on the cusp of the playoffs that would make the deal I’m suggesting. It’s up to DR to decide which one’s he thinks are wrong. I don’t really have any faith in him getting it right, but that’s what I’d be looking for if I’m GM
the fact that this bad team is going to have to shell out 75-100 million dollars to sign Gaby longterm
don’t see where this is an issue. we should do it, so should any other team that wants him.
The only real free agent we’ve been able to land is Brian Rolston
True but then why did koivu, burns, PMB, schultz resign? why would they want to sign here for less than market for 4 to 6 years of their pre-prime and prime years?
The theory doesn’t work.
Uhhh, not from a bad team, no. No bad team will give up that much and Ballgame has stated this is not going to drag into the season. he has stated he wants it resolved by the time the season starts. Teams know this. They know Gaby has a bit of a history with his groin and they know that he is out with a quad issue now. His value, frankly, probably couldn’t be lower on the trade market.
G*: But in addition to shelling out that 75-100 million, that same bad team is supposed to cough up a high pick, plus prospects? It ain’t gonna happen. Bad teams are more than one player away and they won’t cough up picks and/or prospects for him.
I don’t have a problem paying for talent (and no, I don’t work for and I’m not even a fan of any Minnesota teams even if I am a season ticket holder for the Wild). My problem is OVERPAYING for talent. The economics of baseball do NOT equate to the economics of hockey (and thank Allah for that).
That same mentality is what we have endured the past 15 years as star players are let go because ownership didn’t want to pay up.
at least this explains DB’s motivation to sign. WE NEED STAR POWER. pay #10 any price so we can say we kept a star here and we ain’t the twins. who did get radke to pitch his career here, and puckett. who also have morneau, mauer, cuddyer and nathan, locked up for a few years. yup, those twins just are cheap and let stars go all the time.
and how do you know what the market would have been for Burns, Mikko, PMB and Schultz. Good players all, but high-end forwards like Gaby, I don’t think so. Burns looks like he could turn into a God, but at a different position. PMB and Mikko are not at Gaby’s level. Schultz is by no means a star, but a nice steady blueliner.
Bad teams are more than one player away and they won’t cough up picks and/or prospects for him.
why not? #10 is a star to build around. makes your team legit. shows you will pay for talent which will attract other stars. all the things that signing him will solve here.
Deep: there are teams who feel that they are “one player away” who are just wrong. As evidenced by this discussion, people are not always rational.
if finger got 4mil per, then schultz and burns are underpaid.
If you think Cuddy and Radke are/were stars, then at least I know where you’re coming from. And what exactly have the Twins done in the last 17 years? When do we get past the mentality of “Gee, I hope the team can compete this year”, to “Gee, we have a team that should compete for a title this year.”
Once again, if folks think that Gaby is going to bring a #1, in addition to good prospects, then run with it. But please don’t read the blog when Ballgame is able to secure a late second round pick, two veterans at the end of their contracts and 3 players our farm system won’t be able to develop, because the organization is going to get roasted in Russoville. The team’s best move is to sign Gaby, if he’s willing, and move on with the core-5, which then includes somebody who can actually put the puck into the net.
i don’t care for cuddyer personally. but they did pay him. weren’t cheap.
radke wasn’t santana but solid pitcher during an the live ball era and was wanted by many teams when he resigned.
When do we get past the mentality of “Gee, I hope the team can compete this year”, to “Gee, we have a team that should compete for a title this year.”
you have to compete for a title before you can win a title.
don’t make the playoffs then you are guaranteed to not win a championship.
definately goes to what i said earlier re Briere
This deal should get done but its really not hard for Mister Know it all to see what is happening with the Gaby talks.
This is is a critical part of the negotiations, and the time where some hard feelings might come up.
I think what the WIld is offering is fair, and how they have ran the negotiations sounds like they have been great. I am sure the Wild have offered at this point of the negotiation the best they can do. If Gabby and his agent want to press for assurances of money that is guaranteed, I would think that might break the deal becasue Gaby has been injured so often that to press for that would push the Wild into a corner, and maybe that could break the deal. Gaby and Salcer would be the dumbest people on earth to let that happen when both sides have shown so much energy to get the deal done
I cant see it falling apart
oh and if you think torii hunter is a star, i know where you are coming from.
what is the list of twins ’stars’ that they brought up and then wouldn’t pay?
i’ll start the list with santana.
But folks on this board are talking about rebuilding already. Don’t you actually have to do something in the postseason before you can rebuild? Is this where we’re at with Ballgame? 8 years in and it’s time to rebuild? Seems kind of silly when you just inked the core-4 to long term deals. The team gets better if Gaby is signed long term. Then you have a good core, in addition to very good goaltending, to start with. Like I’ve written before. Keep the core (Gaby, Mikko, Burns, PMB, Schultz) and fill in with players around them (Shepp, Backstrom/Harding, Gillies, etc). And I never typed that signing Gaby solves the problem of getting other high-end UFAs to sign here. I stated that it is already hard to get them to sign here. If Gaby goes elsewhere, that task simply gets that much more difficult. But, if he resigns, the perception of the Wild may change in the eyes of a future UFA, who sees an offensive-minded player like Gaby staying, maybe it’s not so bad.
What did you think DR had to do to get Johnsson and Nolan to come to the Wild? Overpay them.
Nolan at $5.4 million when the Flames were offering $1.9 million for 1 year and if they offered a two year deal, he might have signed. That is a $1.6 million overpayment.
Johnsson at $19.4 million. And I am one of his biggest defenders. For most folks, its only starting to look good now, beginning of year 3.
We offered Hossa a $8 million-X amount of years. How was he suppose to pay for Gaborik, Koivu, Burns, and Sheppard if that went through? His argument has holes in it with the Hossa offer.
MKIA: We don’t know what the Wild is offering or what Salcer is asking. Everything The Don has written has been speculation. We don’t know if they are 5 million apart or 25 million, that’s what makes most of this so frustrating is that we just don’t know what kind of numbers are being thrown around.
The team gets better if Gaby is signed long term.
i agree but not at any cost.
And I never typed that signing Gaby solves the problem of getting other high-end UFAs to sign here
fair enough but…
if he resigns, the perception of the Wild may change in the eyes of a future UFA, who sees an offensive-minded player like Gaby staying, maybe it’s not so bad.
isn’t this kind of saying what you just said you didn’t say?
You betcha your bottom dollar that Gaborik and his agent are holding the Hossa offer against DR.
I think you overpay your top line guys and you try to keep your 3rd and 4th line guys at a reasonable price. There are very few great top line guys just like there are very few great goalies. Once you get one, you pay them sufficiently to stay with you unless you have great prospects in the pipeline.
The Wild doesn’t have great scorers in the pipeline. In three years time, will Koivu want to stay if the team continues to miss the playoffs or DR doesn’t surround him with a scorer? They might bleed IRR now but that good will could erode pretty quick.
if hossa signs i doubt PMB is resigned.
G*: I need to clarify my Twins analogy, I wasn’t neccessarily talking about existing Twins players that were let go, i.e. Santana, but the organization’s propensity to bring in level-3 or level-4 free agents (Monroe, Hernandez) etc, instead of spending money on a power-hitting third baseman, etc. Sorry about any confusion.
team continues to miss the playoffs
since we have made playoffs the last two years your crystal ball must show that the wild will not make playoffs for the next few years?
G*: it MAY change the perception.
Also, I would take Hossa over PMB in a Kentucky minute (for those of you who do not know, a Kentucky minute is a lot faster than a New York minute).
G*: I am with sunshine on the fact that if Gaby is dealt, this team will not make the playoffs this year. I just don’t see enough offense if he is gone to get in the top-8 in the West.
I need to clarify my Twins analogy…snip
this i agree with. things might be changing though since they cut hernandez and lamb loose this year. that is something they never would have done in the past with players making that kind of money.
“True but then why did koivu, burns, PMB, schultz resign? why would they want to sign here for less than market for 4 to 6 years of their pre-prime and prime years?”
Excuse me? I’m not trying to be rude towards Schultz or Bouchard but both are tier 2 talents not elite players. That’s a great sign that they are willing to play here but this isn’t going to turn heads. Oh and I don’t know how many times I have to explain this to you but Koivu and Burns DID NOT FORGO FREE AGENCY TO STAY HERE! You come talk to me after the 4 years are up and will see how much both are asking for. They will both be due for serious raises and I don’t think you can cash Risebrough’s “This is the place to be.”
stranger things have happened but i would agree that making the playoffs would be a long shot if #10 is traded.
i also would take hossa over PMB. i also think, because PMB was signed late, that DR would have taken it as well.
Just sticking with the Twins for moment. if you take the money they wasted on Lamb, Everett, Hernandez and Monroe, is that about, what, 12-15 million dollars. I bet they could have gotten a pretty decent, power-hitting third baseman or right handed bat to stick in the lineup. But, that’s an argument for another blog. But it shows how the team won’t spend to bring in players, unless they are B or even C-list calibur.
The ONLY way I would be okay with trading Gabby is if we were somehow able to get Johnny Tavares in next year’s draft.
Luck: once again, spot on about Inglewood Jack. I think in two years, his agent is going to be salavating at the prospect of becoming an UFA. The money he is getting, for the potential he seems to have, is going to make him look like the biggest bargain in the league on the blue line.
DID NOT FORGO FREE AGENCY TO STAY HERE!
really? neither will be a free agent for how many years now?
Dear lord I am done arguing with you…
what the wild did with jack and koivu was extend the date to make the decision on if they can keep them or not.
DB and lucky, the blog is all yours, unless sunshine wants to brighten it up. work comes early and this internet don’t pay for itself.
WE WIN!!!!!
Greenstar- The Twins Stink. I have explained why in my past articles.
The one thing that you can guarantee yourself by being a Twins fan is you haev 0 chance at getting a championship. You have a slight chance of winning a playoff series
I agree with the person that said if you can be assured you get John Tavares you trade Gaborick, but how do you do that.
If you trade Gaby you get top dog prospects and I would not even worry about bringing in a ringer to replace him- They could get by with a good roster of young players and make it interesting without Gaby- I think the Wild have great Goaltending- Boy would the fans be mad
On a lighter note, PETA has asked Ben and Jerry’s to use human milk in the production of its ice cream.
Night boys and girls, we’ll see you from section 220 tomorrow night. Be well…
Koivu will be 27 by the end of his contract, which effectively ends his RFA status and he becomes UFA.
Burns gave up 2 years of UFA. Currently he has 5 years of service. He would have been UFA in the summer of 2010. He gets credit for the lockout year.
I have some bad news for the ladies of Rusoville and you better sit down… Clay Aiken has announced he is gay. I just noticed this serious news scrolling across my news bar. I’m sorry to shatter your dreams.
Where’s AJ Thelen? Give the kid a chance, he’s looked good the last two preseasons for the club.
Does Aj Thelen play hockey still Wild fan
Uh… AJ Thelen just tried out for a euro team. They said no thank you.
I love all the ‘expert’ GM’s on this post explaining how much the Wild should pay Gabby, and should have paid an aging Rolston, when they have zero clue with regard to the cap (not to mention forecasting the cap in 2010, 2011, and beyond), future contracts coming due (on the Wild and on other teams), future free agents (on the Wild and on other teams), etc.
There are no decisions made based on what is posted here, written about in Sid Hartman, or talked about on KFAN, etc.
At the end of the day, DR is (or should be required to as a member of a business) required to provide a 3 – 5 year rolling P&L (Profit and Loss Statement for those who have the time to post babble during the normal working hours) forecast to the ownership. I would love to see DR’s (and the Wild’s Executive Mgt Team’s) incentive plan. Is it based on wins or profit margins? If you were betting your personal paycheck, would you sign Gabby to a Top 3 salary if it was based on profit margin percentage?
Isn’t it funny how ticket prices go up (they even have premier priced games this year for marquee games)…no major free agents are ever signed (does Gabby know the true story and tell players to stay away)…payroll goes up according to cap (wouldn’t most teams be in the top 5 of base salary w/ 100% sell outs/merchandise sales/etc)…sold out every game…merchandise sales are in the top 10 of the league…not to mention concession sales being huge…
Back to Rolston…he said all the right things (I love the area, I want my kids to grow up in this great environment, Great hockey community for my kids, etc)…he jumped in 15 minutes to NJ once free agency opened. Before you say…More years and more money…He was 35 and the fans loved him…how much is enough vs. family happiness/health? Obviously not enough for Rolston after he resurrected his career here.
It is cliché’ but ‘it is a business’… Players have zero loyalty but to themselves…Owners need to make money while keeping fans interested…just enough… to meet their budget forecasts.
Just enjoy the game and don’t get worked up about the players. You’ll just get disappointed.
How’s the knee Manny?
That wasn’t a shocker. Like the Gaby trade, it’s right there in front of our eyes. We can see it. The team just won’t admit to it.
We all knew he was gay. We were waiting for him to announce it.
For me, the most shocking gay outing — Neil Patrick Harris.
Yeah I know. They could’ve used Clay Aiken to light the olympic torch.
You are not a fan if you can’t be Monday night QB or be a GM. That is what sports and the love of the game is all about.
Why else did Childress change from T-Jack to Ferrote after adamantly standing pat behind T-Jack if not the pressure of the fans and radio stations. He didn’t want to go 0-3 then get fired.
Are we wrong? Sure sometimes but that is the fun of it.
Isn’t that why Fantasy is so popular? We can be our own GMs.
It should have read Fantasy [insert your sport]. Guess that didn’t come out right.
I think it’s a little funny when people complain about ‘armchair GMs’ on the blog message boards during the summer. If there wasn’t speculation, what would everyone be talking about?
Some of the conversations this summer got pretty weird when there was nothing to speculate about…
Are you kidding me? The fans pressured Childress to change?
I believe the owners, who dropped loads of cash on Jared Allen, Bernard Berrian, Madieu Williams, for Million$, placed a call to Chili and said “Either you make a move or we make a move.” I would guess he didn’t say “Let me put a vote to our fans on the web, ask KFAN, and ask Sid what we should do.” The fans have been complaining about T-Jack since game 1.
Get real.
Yep, Childress was feeling the pressure from all sides; owners, media, and fans. When you are the only one that is clearly on the wrong side of situation, you change your mind pretty quick.
Did you think Lemaire would have sat Skoula for a couple of games if the media and outrage of the fans? DR was defiant of the Chris Simon trade but he had to do lots and lots of PR work to try to smooth it.
I don’t know Manny. Is it worse to get worked up about the players and the situattion of your favorite team… or to get so worked up about what other people are discussing?
No one on here (at least I hope) believes for a second that DR is sitting in his office reading this blog and comments thinking “man, why didn;t I think of that.”
Al we are doing is being fans of the team, the players, and the game. We are doing what people are supposed to do when it comes to their favorite teams. Using them as a break from reality for a bit. If you haven’t noticed, the real world sucks lately. I think we’ll just hang out in Russoville for a bit longer and let the feds and the banks settle down.
Besides, it isn;t hurting anyone for us to bicker back and forth about what we would do if we were in charge, does it?
Having Pouilot on a checking line is lame.
Amen Buddha!
Thank you Manny for gacing us with your presence,opinons and insults. You are obviously much to important to actually have a job like many of the rest of us on here where we actually are trusted to use the internet during the work day. Please preach you “true story” somewhere else because I don’t have time for pompus a$$es like yourself.
This place is getting combative.
I wish DR would read some of our comments…alas, that is not going to happen.
Wild blow! Koivu is mentally challenged, just like Brent Burns. Souray>>>Burns, Horcoff>>>>>>>>Koivu Oilers for the cup!
I appreciate your succinctness, 444. I have a feeling that line will break up pretty quickly, though SRV is a good enough player to hang with Pouls. Not sure about Weller. Honestly, if those two can just keep the ice clear for Pouly, he’ll do it all himself.
God, I’d love to be mentally challenged like Koivu. I’d rock the novice league, yo.
Agreed, Sunshine, Doogie’s gayness still shocks the hell out of me. Claiken? Not so much.
KiPA, this is nothing compared to the WMB. Though clearly our little haven of civility is being intruded upon by people who can’t be bothered to engage in cool-headed discourse. Hockey season must be coming, eh?
I, for one, have no patience for armchair GMing (I skim such talk and look for “Houston” “Ms. C” “Clutterbuck” and other things I know stuff about). I figure Riser and his staff are getting big bucks to figure all this crap out and will likely do it about a thousand times better than I could, even if they do it badly sometimes. If I’m not pondering where exactly Mikko added those 13 lbs of muscle this summer and what that might look like in a Speedo, who will?
Doogie’s gayness still shocks the hell out of me
he was on broadway for a while so odds were likely.
Deep Breath posted:
Keeping Gaby not only legitimizes the roster with a bonafide scoring threat every game, but is signals to the rest of the league, and potential UFAs, that maybe playing in Minnesota, under JL, is not the end of one’s career, as the perception seems to be around the league.
I think there are couple ways to think about this. If DR ‘overpays’ to keep Gaborik that is…
1) It could signal to other FA’s that DR is willing to do what it takes to keep the ’stars’ happy. It could signal that playing under JL isn’t as bad as the general stereotype.
2) It could signal to other FA’s that in order to keep good players DR HAS to overpay. Playing for JL and in MN is so undesireable that overpayment is necessary to compensate for the unpleasantries.
Next, development of talent:
Yes, the Wild has been dreadfull at developing talent in the AHL. JL seems to have done a pretty good job with the young-uns brought up to the bigs. Anyone else think maybe a coaching swap with Houston might be prudent? JL to coach/teach in Houston, KC to coach in St. Paul. I think JL would be an excellent AHL coach. I also think he’d enjoy the teaching aspect. It wouldn’t be quite as stressfull I think.
Lastly…
I can’t believe this blog sunk to the depths that it did. Discussing things like basketball, baseball and football! Have you no shame? I’m appalled! You’re HOCKEY fans for Christ’s sake! Start acting like it!
Ms C- Seriously… 4:35am? Wow.
Baby woke up at 6:30 after I finally fell asleep slept around 1:30. Gotta love the 5 hours of sleep nights.
wow…wha’ happened? Newbs coming out of the woodwork and acting like this is espn.com’s message boards, general anarchic activity, dissention and Clay Aiken?!?
I think I’ll go back on vacation…
If DR tried to take our advice and make important decisions based on our input Sunshine, he would be out of business quickly and most of us would not like the finished product at all.
For one, we have about 2% of the information he does.
We all would tend to make short term decisions based strictly upon our emotions of the time, For another, we are not responsible for the budget or the “cap” numbers.
Manny Fernandez- You are tripping.. Sunshine is correct in her posts. I read your posts and I would hire for a GM before you Dawg
sunshine said “We offered Hossa a $8 million-X amount of years. How was he suppose to pay for Gaborik, Koivu, Burns, and Sheppard if that went through? His argument has holes in it with the Hossa offer.”
It’s easy. If they would have signed Hossa they would have dumped Bouchard.
It would have been a net gain in salary obviously (Butch makes less than 8 mil) but it would have been doable. Plus, Gaborik likely would have been much more inclined to sign for a more reasonable amount if Hossa was locked in as well. In the end it would probably have ended up near even.
her
its not as bad as it looks NiNY. Had to be there, I guess.
Geeze people, chill already. You all would think someone pee’d in your Cheerio’s.
Trade him. Why invest that much cash into a player who gives 80% effort and is typically out for 2/3 of the season. He will just soak up salary cap room and not allow the Wild to bring in further talent. Build around Koivu… I’m sick of Gaborik’s complaining and GREED.
So, lines for tonight…
O:
Brunette-Koivu-Miettinen
Gillies-Sheppard-Nolan
Hamilton-Kolanos-Irmen
Veilleux-Pouliot-Weller
I like the first and the fourth offensive lines. Though I would have probably switched Shep to the 4th and put Pouliot in the second. Pouliot is probably used to Gillies’s play. Shep is probably used to Veilleux’s play.
Though, maybe we’re trying to see how Pouliot and Gillies look on a line with two NHL players - do they appear to fit or do they seem out of place… That third line looks to me like it will most likely be broken up quickly. If my above is correct (trying on a line with two NHLers) I’d expect Kolanos to swap with Pouliot at some point. Hamilton and Irmen will most likely swap with Gillies at some point. When Irmen appears on the second line, I’d also expect Nolan to move to left wing and Irmen play left…
D:
Schultz-Johnsson
Bergeron-Zidlicky
Mojzis-Reitz
You’ve gotta love it anytime Skoula isn’t in the list! I’d be suprised to see that third pairing stick together though. I’d have expected the two with the least NHL experience to be paired with Shultz and Johnsson. But then, maybe they want to see how one will react if ‘hung out’ by the other.
Gotta remember that the object of the game is not necessarily to win, but rather to evaluate the players.
RIGHT, Irmen would play RIGHT wing. I’ve got both him and Nolan playing left above. That would obviously present some problems…
i remember JL discussing shepard and saying something like, he needs more from him and that he knows what he can do on the 4th line, needs to see what he can do elsewhere. Probably why he is slated where he is.
and as we all know, the lines will be changed after the first shifts are done.
If we don’t pay Gabby, is it really safe to assume that DR would “spend money” on talent to replace him with? What evidence have we seen as such so far? I would much rather pay an oft-injurred Star, than trust DR to “find” talent…let alone over pay to get that “talent”.
Build around Nolen and Brunette - the likes of DR’s latest talent search…hence trusting him to go out and find/pay talent to replace what we have in Gabby. Seriously…I would trust Kevin McFail with the hockey roster than DR at this point…wait, no i wouldn’t - both of them have to go!
Yeah, Buddha. Got up to pee and couldn’t go back to sleep until about 6 this morning. My stupid insomnia continues.
Goody I agree with all of that in terms of line shuffling. Though I was thinking maybe they put Mojo and Reitz together because if they eff it up, there won’t be a more experienced d-man to cover up for them. Kinda trial by fire and see who does better without a net.
What evidence have we seen as such so far?
Spending to the cap since the Johnsson and Parrish UFA year.
Goody:
But once you make an organization an attractive place for UFAs, the potential for those UFAs to sign for less becomes more and more real. Hossa signed for a pittance (pro sports money) and left a truckload of money on the table to play for the Dead Wings and get a shot at a Cup. You keep the team’s star on the roster, improves your chance of nabbing top-end UFAs down the road. Not saying that it is a guarantee, but it helps the cause.
Besides the fact that Gabby is injury prone, he has never put up Ovie nor Crosby numbers. He definitely has speed, this cannot be argued, but he is not a top 3 player in the NHL. he has a lot of potential, but I think if the Wild are to ink him, he has to prove what he can do versus what he thinks he can do. I know the argument that he would put up better numbers in the East, but if he can do it in the West, which is easily the tougher conference, he’d be taken more seriously.
Hossa signed for a pittance (pro sports money) and left a truckload of money on the table to play for the Dead Wings and get a shot at a Cup
key words here are shot at a cup.
that is what makes the dead wings attractive.
does #10 provide the wild a shot at a cup? if he can stay on the ice, yes. if you have to pay him a kings ransom to do that then it might not matter if UFA’s are attracted as there won’t be any money to pay them.
i agree that retaining #10 helps but not at any cost.
Amen Greenstar.
I still don’t understand how people thing the WIld are “cheap”, when they have been near the Salary cap max for the last 3-4 years.
And if we sign Groinorik for absurd amounts of money, how can we possibly improve the team around him, when we HAVE NO MONEY LEFT.
Face it folks, Gaby DOES NOT WANT TO PLAY HERE, it is all about $$$$ for #10 and it is time to take our heads out of the sand, and realize that Gaby is as good as gone.
So lets hope that the Wild can trade him for an immediate player and a couple of high picks or prospects.
But truth be told, all the other NHL teams know that Gaby has the Wild by the short hairs, and they will most likely low ball the Wild in their offers.
Thanks Gaby …. don’t let the door hit your groin/hammy/thigh on the way out.
correction … “thinK the Wild” …
I still don’t understand how people thing the WIld are “cheap”, when they have been near the Salary cap max for the last 3-4 years.
Becuase the Wild did not resign Mitchell or Bruno and did nothing in the post lockout FA period, the hacks that permeate the Twin Cities sports punditocracy concluded that the Wild is cheap and no change in ownership or spending to the cap subsequently is going to change their minds. And if Gaby is traded, the preception will only grow despite the facts. Neagle harvested cash after probably losing some money during the lockout - DR and CL are still paying the perception cost for it.
Sign Gaby and the core-5 is set for the next 3-6 years. Give that core a couple of years to improve, along with the likes of Shepp, Gillies, etc and you dont know how good the team can be. If UFAs believe the team has a shot to do something in late May, it has been proven that they will take less money to sign. You won’t need millions upon millions of open cap space to get players to sign here. I just think the Wild’s climb up the West ladder is easier with Gaby on the roster. Don’t have to worry about your core until 2011/12. With Gaby in the core you have a legit top-end scorer; potentially one of the best blueliners in the league (Inglewood Jack); what looks to be a true team leader (Mikko); a play maker (PMB) and a steady, stay-at-home defenseman (Schultz). Sounds liek a decent core to build around with Shepp, Gillies, etc. Who knows, maybe Mittens will materialzie as well.
The perception that the Wild is “cheap” is right up there with “the trap”. Easy assumptions from afar if one fails to do 2 or 3 minutes of research.
But once you make an organization an attractive place for UFAs, the potential for those UFAs to sign for less becomes more and more real.
I was trying to point out that the only percieved attractive part might be that we overpay for the goods (pts) delivered. Yes, the player who is looking for a payday and doesn’t care about playing up to their potential or winning - that’s the player I want on my team!
Dang - stupid site! I tried to put [sarcasm][/sarcasm] but using around the part beginning with “Yes” and ending with “team!” but the site apparently didn’t like that and stripped those tags out.
Doh! It did it do me again! Make that “…using less than and greater than signs around…”. Apparently we aren’t allowed to use those two symbols.
Agreed w/ 444: Pouliot as a checking line guy makes little sense.
Actually when Rob Halford of Judas Priest admitted he was gay was the biggest shocker.
Like DB and Dampland, I have been saying for many months that the value we’ll be offered in a trade will be much less then a lot on here believe. We’ll receive offers of a 2nd or 3rd rounder, a $5M salary dump of a marginal veteran and a prospect that is average at best. If that’s the best we get do you want DR to take the deal or roll the dice with Gaby’s cap dollars in the 2009 UFA pool?
I really like Buffalo’s colors and uniforms. Really sharp.
Very intersted to watch Mittens and Zidlicky tonight. Hoping that Bruno is not a long-term cog of the Mikko/Mittens line.
Belanger will be the 4th line center. Just relax. JL knows he can handle the role, he did it most of the year last year. No reason to think he moves up just because.
Knowing JL, Pouls will spend some time on the 4th line, but only because he will “need to learn to play both ends” or some other quote like that.
Isn’t that what we did to get Johnsson, Nolan and Mittens? Give them their pay day in their class of players. We are already known as an organization who overpays to get players to come to play for the team.
Cheap — The Wild has spent to the cap. However, like someone said, not paying to maintain good players is another way of being cheap. Look at the Sabres, they let Briere go when he was willing to sign for $5+ million versus the $6.5 million he received from the Flyers. They learned their lesson and re-signed Pominville — starting to reverse the trend.
Don’t forget to give CL your two cents tonight at the game regarding the Gaby situation when he is schlepping hot dogs in the concourse.
Would love to go see the game at the X tonight. But you know, I can either spend $75 a seat to go watch the nobodies, or I can spend $20 a seat and watch the Twinks in a playoff race.
Hmmm… maybe the Wild brass should have thought about this a bit.
Sorry. Still bitter about the ticket price.
Go onto Craigslist. People are practically giving tickets away for tonight’s game, as well as the other preseason/exhibition games.
Buddha: also try the street - I bet you can get those $75 tickets for $10 after the faceoff so season ticket holders will pay most of the freight for you. Far be it for me to apologize for the Wild leadership but I am fairly certain that the NHL mandates that preseason tickets be sold at season ticket prices. However, there have also been ticket deals advertised on this web site.
IS the game tonight on TV anywhere?
(please please please …I need a fix bad man!)
No TV, at least locally. Maybe the folks in Columbus were thrown a bone, but not here.
Nope, no TV. Just el radio for us hosers who can’t be there.
I noticed some preseason games are showing up on NHL Network including at least one live but nothing for the Wild yet.
SGS, let me guess… Pittsburgh and Detroit games being shown on NHL Network?
Sorry. Still bitter about the ticket price.
understood but when you have a ticket base of 16500, there is no reason to reduce preseason prices.
besides it is revenue that the league needs to be able to keep the cap rising to be able to pay the salaries that we want teams to pay.
i’m just thankful they don’t have 4 home preseason games like they tried to do a few seasons ago.
Goody: NHL Network is showing the Pittsburgh/Toronto game about 5 times over the course of the next couple of days.
In addition to the Pens, it seems like the Canadian teams are getting lots of air probably because those gmaes are on TV in those markets. Here’s hoping we get the MTL game!
Food
He is as good as gone! Thank god. I’ve been hoping they trade this Sally for over a year. I love how some of the bozos posting comments have no clue what is going on. They say things like; “by all accounts we’re already offering 8.7, so if 9 is the number we’ll get it done.” This is laughable. If you can read, you would know that the two sides have said; “we are not close.” So obviously MaryAnn wants way more than 9 million per. He wants 10 million, and if the Wild cave, they are fools.
All this negativity, and I didn’t post!!!
I am impressed.
Deep…you are mostly right in that the perception of signing Gaborik is more important than the signing itself.
Green*…you are mostly right in that I am tired of Gaborik and his wonky funny parts.
MKia…wrong again as you seemingly always are.
Gaborik is done here…I have already posted that numerous times. He will not bring a lot in a trade and Russoville will be disappointed in the 3 third rounders that Douggie claims is ‘market value’.
CL is selling hot dogs? Sweet!
If you get rid of the coach you can sign Gaborik for less money that is being offered and you probably attract some quality free agents. As long as Lemaire is here playing a 1960’s brand of hockey,you will not go beyond the first round of the playoffs, if you even make the playoffs. He should have been fired after last season, if not Risebrough should go too.
