Wild at Canadiens (updated); Game scoring will be on bottom
Posted on October 4th, 2008 – 10:50 AMBy Michael Russo
Hello from the wonderful Bell Centre, which possesses one of the great atmospheres in pro sports.
It’s the 100th season of the Habs, and you can feel the optimism in the air. The Canadiens haven’t won a Cup since ‘93, but the city’s expecting big things from this crew.
Fifty fans at least were waiting by the Canadiens’ parking garage just waiting for players to show up. You’ve got the All-Star Game here this season, the Draft. A new $7.8 million hi-def scoreboard ala Vancouver, Calgary, Chicago, etc.
I’m exhausted. I’m getting old. In my younger days, two regional jet flights would do nothing to me. Today, I’m in dire need of a nap.
Got to town at 2 p.m., got to the hotel at 3, got to spend some time with my father watching the Penguins-Senators, who lives down in Vermont, and now I’m here.
But I didn’t even get to go out of the hotel other than the walk to the arena. Talk about a wasted trip to one of the great cities on the continent.
Got into the building at 4:30, and Mikko Koivu and Saku Koivu were already chatting it up. Both teams are playing essentially their real lineups tonight.
Forgot to tell you, I ran into Scott Mellanby, the great former Panthers captain, and his wife, Sue, in the Minneapolis airport Thursday when I was heading to Columbus. He’s now working for the Vancouver Canucks.
I’m reminded of this because I once covered Mellanby crashing into the end boards here in Montreal at the end of a game as he tried to beat out an icing. Like Kurtis Foster, he was taken off on a stretcher. Frightening. Thank goodness, Mellanby wound up only with a concussion.
Funny story about that. After we filed our story, David J. Neal of the Miami Herald and I went to Montreal General Hospital to report on how Mellanby was doing.
We were in the emergency room, heard him talking and he gave us the thumbs up that he was OK. So I grabbed my cell to call the Sun-Sentinel and a nurse started screaming at me to get off the phone. She said in broken English, “Can’t you see the sign?”
I said, “I can’t read French.”
I then look at the sign and it’s a picture of a cell phone with a slash through it. 
The next morning, Mellanby wound up flying commercial to Toronto to meet up with the Panthers, the same flight David J and I were on. As Mellanby was stowing his bag, he dropped the overhead bin and it slammed on his concussed melon.
It made for a good lead to my follow-up story that day, that’s for sure.
OK, be back soon.
Jacques Lemaire will play his regular lineup for the first time this camp in the team’s final exhibition game tonight (minus injured Marek Zidlicky).
The big news is Marc-Andre Bergeron will play tonight with two black eyes and a broken nose. Lemaire didn’t think he could last night.
The other notable thing? Boogaard is out for Gillies. Get used to this if the Wild is healthy, I believe.
Lineup: Brunette, Koivu, Gaborik, Nolan, Pouliot, Bouchard, Veilleux, Sheppard, Miettinen, Gillies, Belanger, Weller, Schultz, Burns, Johnsson, Skoula, Bergeron, Reitz, Backstrom, Brust.
Expect cuts tomorrow, by the way.
FIRST PERIOD
Koivu vs Koivu on the opening draw
Early look at Jacques’ thinking of power-play units
Brunette-Koivu-Gaborik-Johnsson-Bergeron
Belanger-Pouliot-Nolan-Bouchard-Burns
1-0 Wild. Ridiculous wrister by Gaborik 5:24 in. This after James Sheppard lugged the puck up ice with a man draped all over him. Sheppard dropped it to Veilleux, who gave it to Gaborik. Gaborik toe-dragged into the left circle and let her rip.
2-0 Wild 7:09 in. Again great play by Sheppard on the entry. Veilleux drives down the right wing and tried to center for Gaborik. The puck deflects off. Kovalev and in.
Veilleux’s fourth of the preseason…How about this line? Veilleux-Sheppard-Gaborik.
Wild could have a five-goal lead. Carey Price had robbed Brunette twice and Nolan once.
Sheppard’s just been outstanding tonight on both sides of the rink. He just set up Kim Johnsson. Price made a nice save, and then stopped Gaborik’s terrific chance on a rebound.
The Wild is skating tonight.
2-0 after 1. Montreal will have a 1:32 power play to open the second.
Gaborik denied on a shorthanded breakaway after nice play in neutral zone by Miettinen. Gaborik had to come in from the side and Price got his right pad on it.
Six minutes left, Johnsson off the post on a PP.
The crowd is giving BACKSTROM an ovation for an unbelievable glove save he made on Guillaume Latendresse.
Gaborik absolutely run by Steve Begin. Seconds after he gave up the puck, too. He didn’t see it coming. Gaborik looks dazed but fine. Sheppard went right at Begin, but it went nowhere. It was way too late, about the fourth hit the refs have let go when the player no longer had the puck.
End of 2, 2-0 Wild.
Gaborik’s out for the third. Man, hey got rocked though.
3-0 Miettinen, who’s had a great all-around game. He turned Dandenault inside-out, but it still was a weak goal by Price. 17:46 left.
Pouliot going off for tripping Saku Koivu. Mikko’s brother is red-hot angry at Pouliot, who stuck his leg out to upend Montreal’s captain.
Nolan might not have been on the ice during the Begin-on-Gaborik hit, but you know he took note. He just introduced himself to Begin, who vibrated after the hit.
3-0 final. Wild was as good as the score sounds.
118 Responses to "Wild at Canadiens (updated); Game scoring will be on bottom"
but the real question is…will the wild leave gaborik in montreal?
Pretty sure the Habs brass will be taking a good long look at Gaby. He would make a fine addition if they really want to make a push this year.
Continued from last thread…
I just checked stubhub.com and I found 5 tickets together in section 121, row 17, for $98 each. What do you guys think about those??
Oh, and the wife wants to know if row 15 in section 121 would be too close? Would our view be obstructed in any way?
It sucks its a back-to-back but I am glad the whole gang is together for this one - playing the Gaby/Miko/Bruno line together always is our only hope towards keeping #10.
Sorry, DB, I think your hatred for Risebrough is making you fail to see other sides. Okay, sure, Gaborik can’t sign or trade himself. But y’know… the season hasn’t started yet for the Wild. Gaborik may still be traded. Shouldn’t you wait until the season does start before complaining about it being a distraction? This is not all on Risebrough. Gaborik could’ve come forward and said “let’s talk.” Players do that sometimes, you know. Any offer Risebrough may have made Gaborik might have taken his time in responding to. Did you want Risebrough to make one offer, get told no, then immediately trade him without making any more effort to sign Gaborik? Better yet, do you want Risebrough to rush into a trade and get crap, or talk to all teams and actually try to get a good deal?
Oh and another thing… is row 25 in the lower bowl actual seats or are they those boarstool type seats? I thought I saw something that said they were.
Wow, Shipley is saying that Brusty is starting!
ATX…the closer to the action, the better is my opinion. Only obsctuction would be if you’re in Green*’s way when he’s chasin down the blonde that sits by him… 
Seriously, at the ends, you’d be looking through the safety netting and it could be a distraction for one game.
The talking has been going on since late August. Once the Wild made its original offer, they were no doubt given a counter number from Salcer. If it appeared, which it appears it is, a large gap between the two, Ballgame should have known that it wasn’t going to work. You don’t blame Ballgame for making offers; you don’t blame Gaby/salcer for turning them down. You blame Ballgame for allowing it to drag into the regular season, if it indeed happens. Since all sides have stated that a deal won’t be done before Oct. 11 and since both sides have stated there won’t be negotiations during the regular season, i’m assuming most folks can put 2 and 2 together and come up with 4, meaning Gaby has to be dealt. Unless you’re Ballgame and 2 plus 2 equals waffles. He has 6 days to get a deal done before it starts to affect the lockerroom. The clock is ticking and I’d be willing to bet there are a lot of folks with little confidence in Ballgame to do the right thing.
Thanks kj.
121 is far enough into the corner where you don’t get part of the rink cut off from the benches.
I think kj is right that the closer the better but i do think there is deminishing returns as if you get too close in the wrong spot, you will have to watch the scoreboard to see what is going on.
i’m in row 16 on the bench side and the corner on the other end of the ice on the bench side is somewhat obstructed. not that bad but if i were 5 rows closer, it would be much worse.
I’ve been behind the netting since it was installed and i never really noticed it getting in the way. people on their phones standing and waiving to someone on the other side of the arena are more of a distraction.
perhaps DR thought that thru negotiation that #10 would come down some from their initial offer and that hasn’t happened. I suppose he should have known that…
and, no bar stools on the lower level. just a drink rail you pay to stand at. the club has seats and maybe level 200? haven’t been up there to know.
Deep, I have had the same opinion as you…offer Gaborik the moon, and if you don’t get an immediate ‘hell yeah’, then you know he isn’t going to sign.
The thing about this that is most troubling (in my opinion) is that the Wild (for whatever reason) cannot retain top talent.
Washington found a way to re-sign Ovie.
Pittsburgh found a way to re-sign NBC and Malkin.
How will the inability to retain Gaborik affect future negotiations with Burns? If his development continues along the current path, he will be able to name his price at the end of his contract.
And the Wild will look more and more like the Twins. Keep their homegrown stars until they have to pay them market value and then let them go to another team.
MN Wild = NHL Free Agent Academy
Have to admit I like the NBC nickname.
offer Gaborik the moon, and if you don’t get an immediate ‘hell yeah’, then you know he isn’t going to sign.
given #10’s comments about maybe playing elsewhere, I think this would have saved a lot of time.
I believe unless #10 got a contract substantially higher than what he thinks he can get in FA, he never intended to sign here.
Keep their homegrown stars until they have to pay them market value and then let them go to another team.
in the wild defense, isn’t the deal that #10 is on a max deal?
Cool, thanks for the info guys. We are now considering section 117 row 20…. They are more expensive, but damn are they good seats!
kj, I hope not, but that’s what I fear. Though to listen to SRV talk, it seems like the other boys might sick around for reasonable money because they’re more the nucleus of the team and have come up together (Burns, Mikko, Shep, SRV, maybe Hards). Since I’ve been watching the team, I’ve never felt Gaby was in that group.
Oh and Schultz
“Boogaard is out for Gillies. Get used to this if the Wild is healthy, I believe.”
Nothing like having your $1.25 million/year fighter sitting on the bench most of the time. You best be trollin’ Russo.
Watching the NY-TB game and the color guy just said there’s no TV timeouts after icings this year, eh? What other rule changes are there? Anyone know?
- Wow, Shipley is saying that Brusty is starting!
Cool - Backs is clearly in solid form so no need for a back-to-back here
- offer Gaborik the moon, and if you don’t get an immediate ‘hell yeah’, then you know he isn’t going to sign.
+3 on this but I do think it is not 100% “Wild can’t retain top talent” thing - more like 50-50 between DR’s management philosophy and Gaby being Gaby to borrow a cliche.
Whether Boogie plays probably depends on the other teams’ lineup. Boogie will play when he needs to play.
I’m a little surprised to see Reitz in there. As I posted in another thread, I’d think Cuma would appear in “up to 10 games” before being sent back to Juniors when Zidlicky is back.
Thanks for the help on the tix guys. We decided to just go with 6 tickets and hope we can find one more to come with us. We ended up in section 121, row 23. Carolina Hurricanes on 12/23; Should be fun! Now who’s meeting us at McGoverns for pregame drinks!?
Who needs Boogie when MAB is in the lineup?
So how many think that Gaborik’s scouting brother is toast when Gaborik moves on???
Green*..on the Gaborik ‘max’ deal:
All of the ‘good’ contracts that DR has negotiated have happened during a player’s restricted period. It is when they get to the final year of a contract is when DR has fallen down big time.
ATX… we’re in for drinks…I am pretty sure we have tix that nite.
Awesome, sounds good kj. See you guys in December!
Gaby’s current deal would not be considered the max deal when it was signed. Two summers ago, the salary cap was at about $44 million and and the max salary for a player was $8.88 million. Gaby’s contract is/was $2.5 million below that.
RE: Wild as Twins…assuming we trade Gabby, has there been any other “home grown” talent that has left the Wild? I think the issue is more of getting UFAs to sign here. I don’t think the analogy is apt.
RE: Boogaard does not offer much on the ice. I would MUCH rather see Gillies out there than the Boogey Man.
Well…Gaby is the Wild’s first homegrown talent. If you count Dupuis, we traded him.
[ So Risebrough is the ONLY reason why Gaborik hasn’t signed? How do you know he hadn’t offered $9.5 over 7 years two weeks ago and Gaborik said “nah, not quite enough?” ]
LOL. DR is about lowballing first. He didn’t even offer Rolston $5 million/yr for 3 years. It was $4.3 million.
So, I don’t expect DR to go beyond $9 million or even reach that mark.
Yes, he’s the first. But we’ve locked up PMB, Schulz, Burns, Koivu…
…and I don’t know if I’d include Dupuis on that list of talent.
Well, I’m glad you’re privy to all the Wild’s negotiations so you were able to correct me.
Actually, Schultz was the first homegrown talent to almost reach UFA before he was re-signed.
Gaby, PMB, Burns, and Koivu were all RFAs when they signed their current contracts.
Dupuis is a homegrown talent just not a top of the line talent. He played an integral role for the Wild for a number of years.
CW…I beg to differ.
The analogy is appropriate, it’s just that the Twins are so much better at it!!!
Besides, we’re speaking in hypotheticals here anyway. Gaborik isn’t signed, he isn’t gone. We’ll have to see how it plays out.
I never thought Gaborik would re-sign here. And, as of right now, I am still correct.
kj…no need to beg.
The Twins are better at watching/letting players walk? I agree.
So long as Gaborik does not demand a NTC — determine what team would want Gaborik next summer. Work out a trade contract that states they will immediately trade X for Gaborik if the Wild extend his contract and pay a price. Both the price and term would be approved by the other team. This way the Wild would get maximum trade value and the other team would get the price and term they would have tried to sign for next summer anyway.
The point above was that DR does not and will not sign Gaborik for the money he wants next summer. So if he really is worth 9.5 and some team would pay a big price to lock him onto their team…why not work the deal now and get the trade benefit.
ATX - So as long as we’re talking tickets…I was looking at them for the Jan 4th game I believe….is that still happening?
On a side note…I HATE not having the NHL network! F Comcast in the A!
Gerbil King - Comcast has NHL Network here in St. Paul - they need to get ESPNU for the NCAAs though or I may go to the dish!
First of all, trade the groin!
And second, I signed up for nhl center ice last nite. My provider calls it something else.
Then started wondering what others pay for that. Mine was $149. Is that in line with your cable provider?
6GS - maybe in STP, but I don’t see it anywhere on my channel list here in Boulder…I just think it’s crap that you order Center Ice and that’s not included…It’d be like getting the NFL Sunday Ticket thing and not getting the NFL Network. I buy that Shiz to get ALL the games….not miss out on ones
On a side note….I hate everyone from Texas today! 
Until the Buffs win the football game this afternoon….because THAT’S going to happen….
Outside: after you sign up for it once, it auto-renews and you pay $159, but it’s spaced out over the season in 3 payments of $53
Lets talk gang…. Mister Know it all has to tell you that Boogy is needed…. As long as you have the Wild playing in the Western Conference you need to have him…. You are a knot head if you think diferently… He is fast, he can hit you harder then everybody else in the league… I think all of the teams in the Western Conference would love it if the Wild listened to the advice of the MN slappy
Gaborik- Again Mister Know it all is right again. No connection exists in Minnesota for Gaby. DR, he does not really care one way or another if he plays here or not ! I side with DR, I am very confident he has been offered good money above what is fair for
With regards to Boogy…. He can create an impact on the game similar to that of players like Gaby
I will give you all an example, say the Wild are losing by 2 goals and the other team is checking the Wild tight. You send Weller & Boogy or Boogy Vellieux out and dump it in, and let those guys crash to distrupt the other teams rythym, then you follow up by sticking your scorer out right after they get done banging and boom you score !
You are so smart Mister Know it all ! Thank you for sharing.
I agree with KJ Mister Know it all …. Bravo Bravo Bravo Bravo !
I agree with KJ and the Beaver
I watch your blogs always, and you are so plugged in. Thanks so much for sharing
I thought MKIA guaranteed that Gaby was resigning?
Thanks everyone ! sometimes all of the regulars make me want to quit writing, but its people like you that make me continue…. Thanks a Million- Beaver, KJ, and Pamela…. I love you to Buddha, eventhough you dont like me
Lemmi, the wife and I need to look over the schedule again for the Colorado game. I will look into it and let you know.
Oops! That was me up there.
Pamela, KJ (in capitol letters), Beaver, and MiKA all have issues. Mostly the issue being that they are all the same person.
Lemmi, thanks for the info. Let the season begin. Thanks again.
Go Gabbyless Wild! At that price, I hope Gabbyless.
Is Detroit still in the West? I don’t remember seeing them waste their time owning a player like Boogie since…well, ever. I think Weller can provide a good part of what Boogaard does, and then some, with more minutes too. Fighting is what Boogie does best…and nobody even fights him anymore.
Play Gillies!
The thing with Detroit is that they play in the Central division who are the lightweights of the Western Conference. With them also, they have more skill on all 4 lines so you can’t waste a roster spot on Boogaard. They are less likely to run at you. They’ll hit you but won’t run at you.
Now if you are playing the NW 24x, who with the exception of Colorado don’t have an enforcer or several very physical guys, you need Boogaard. He takes care of their guys.
PaMELa…Mkia reminds me of Borat.
Me Borat Sagdiyev hugest supporter.
I’m planning on making the Carolina game on the 23rd - I would be in for pre-game drinks.
Hard to have more talent on the ice when Boogaard is taking up a spot. Hey, I like watching him on the ice (season tix holder) just as much as the next person. But I also see how the refs call him for stuff he doesn’t deserve cause of his size. I’ve seen the 2 mins per game average. I’ve seen the unwillingness of people to fight him. I just can’t honestly say he’s doing, or “preventing”, enough to use him in favor of more talent and/or potential.
Oh, and I agree with the those who are saying it’s trade time for Gabby. I think enough people have told him he’d be better on another team. So I say let him try. I think he’s in for a rude awakening. Between his hold-outs, injuries and disappearances, I think he’d been a distraction from the get go. There’s also a reason he can’t seem to find the C on his sweater. Most “stars” also lead…
Oops, too long for one comment. Sorry.
Uh, not to let facts get in the way of a rambling post, but Gaby did wear the “C” last year. That’s all right though. Being a season ticket holder like you are, how could you have known?
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Anyone else getting a real bad feeling about this game? Like something will happen before the end of it?? Maybe a trade of a certain oft-mentioned ’star player’? (If they do, PLEASE take Skoula with you!)
Or is it just me…?
Lets be clear. Mister Know it all has always given feedback on the Gabby talks. I tell you this. I have always stated that Gaby does not have a connection to Minnesota, but that does not mean that he wont sign.
I am getting my information from just following the players playing days in Minnesota and his age.
Hockey has to be a kids game, you cant mix as a player business and hockey or your performance and focus will suffer. Gaby needs to be excited about his teammates and his team with the expectations of reaching the cup to have his head in the game. Right now Gaby does not have that mindset, so DR cant possibly be thinking that he plans to prolong the talks into the season.
DR needs to talk to teams about a trade now. Listen, by now he has been given great money and a more then fair offer I am sure.
Listen to what Mister Know it all is going to say……
DR should stand strong as he is and say this is who we are and what we have to offer, and by all means dont bend to what Salcer is saying or doing for his client unless it falls within your last offer
JL is already frustrated and its only pre-season with Gaby. Its hard to like Salcer. DR will have to trust his instinct about how he thinks this will work out
I would say 55% Gaby goes and 45% Gaby stays
Nah, it’s too quick for that.
Lemmi, are we beating you yet?
Great Post Mister Know it all !
Man on a mission
Is anyone trying to get the free video webcast of the game?
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
MN in AL
How do you view the game?
That only works in Canada.
I just spent 20 minutes looking at TVants, Sopcast,and every other IP mirror for sports games. It would appear that RDS is detectig my IP as being in the USA, and not allowing me to even sign up. I tried a few public proxies, but still can’t get RDS to let me sign up… I guess I’m stuck with the Evil Neighbor.
kj: great work last night. The band was tight and the ladies (and gentlemen) were certainly out in force to shake their money makers. Fun to meet you and your crew.
DR is quickly coming up on the defining moment of the rest of his career, certainly in Minny, if not in total.
He must not blow this one - and I’m not saying he MUST sign Gaby. But, if he doesn’t, he must be able to sell us on what he gets in return.
Personally, I don’t buy all the “future FAs won’t want to sign here if we don’t have Gaby” argument. Who knows who we will or won’t have when we’re talking to said future FA? The team could very well look entirely different by then - whether or not that’s an enticement to the would-be FA remains to be seen.
And are we really willing to say that a player would rather play with a prima donna who would rather potentially cause turmoil with “his” team than for a team that wouldn’t put up with that crap and looked out for the “team” instead? I’m not.
Future FA’s don’t necessarily want to play here because they don’t want to skate under JL’s rigid system. There is still that stigma of playing the trap.
The crowd is giving BACKSTROM an ovation for an unbelievable glove save he made on Guillaume Latendresse.
that’s awesome. Fans of HOCKEY, not just their team.
Nick! You’re alive, good to see it.
Future FA’s don’t necessarily want to play here because they don’t want to skate under JL’s rigid system. There is still that stigma of playing the trap.
here we go with the all-knowing again. We just don’t know this. Has ANY FA, ever, come out and said “I heard from Minnesota, but I don’t want to play there, you know, because of Lemaire and his system”??
Go Shep!
Good points NiNY. And let’s not forget, we are probably one season away from JL’s retirement. Right now, its because of Gaby’s statement about being able to be a better scorer in a different system that is keeping major FA’s away.
Once JL retires, and we get a new coach, with the core that we have, I have no doubt we will be able to attract some higher profile FA’s.
I am not saying thet JLs system is the reason people aren’t coming here, but the perception of his system by the entire rest of the world is.
KiPA: I’m tired, scared and pissed. But, yes, I’m alive.
If you all hear a story about a man who assaulted a doctor or staff member at a St. Paul hospital tonight and is in jail awaiting booking, that’s probably me.
Steve Begin? Are you kidding me? Trying to earn a job or what? Maybe the Flyers are looking for another guy like that…
Well, I’m sure someone on here will bail you out. Keep the faith.
Flyers are always looking for thuggy dirtbags who can’t play hockey.
2 weeks ago, DR is in the press defending JL’s system, saying that he’s never had a player say (to him) that they don’t want to play under JL.
Why is he out there defending JL? If it’s not an issue, why does it get talked about? Last year at the trade deadline, it was talked about. When FA signing started this summer, it was brought up again.
Assaulted a doctor? What’s going on?
It’s talked about by fans, never players.
Brought up by whom? The media? The fans? Surely you can accept the possibility that what you think the players think and what they actually think could very well be two different things.
GMs also say a player has a “thigh bruise” when they’ve got a broken tibia.
Hang in there, Nick. Sending good thoughts your way.
Guys, go here to watch the game:
http://rds.insinc.com/ppv/fr/#
Click on the links, the multicam one will show the game.
Gotta use IE and it will install Silverlight.
Anyone else think it’s a little silly for the NHL to still be having preseason games while regular season games are going on?
KiPA: would you rather the Pens NOT played (and won) tonight?
No, I’d rather the other preseason games to have finished Friday night. It doesn’t seem weird at least to you?
I don’t think the NHL is alone in this though. I think baseball did the same thing this year.
What do you mean? Is there a regular season game going on somewhere?
but then the other 26 teams would have had to had compressed pre-season schedules as well. If your issue is the NHL shouldn’t be dicking around in europe (like this, or at all) then that’s one thing.
If it’s the last day of the season and the Pens and Devils are tied for the division lead and the Pens play at home and beat the Islanders but the Devils play LA, the Pens’ season is over but their fate is unknown - it’s sort of a mirror of the same situation.
*sorry* Devils play IN LA
Nolan might not have been on the ice during the Begin-on-Gaborik hit, but you know he took note. He just introduced himself to Begin, who vibrated after the hit.
okay, if Nolan isn’t Boogey’s Crash Davis, he should be.
Ms. Conduct - nice find! Mine is blurry - but hey hockey is hockey!
Thank the Wild board. Way better than the nothing I’ve seen so far this season.
How long a preseason do you need? This is what, the Wild’s seventh game? Are there that many players on so many teams who need to audition for a lineup spot? I’m not trying to be a jerk here, I’m asking legitimate questions.
And this has nothing to do with whether the Penguins were one of the ones who played today or not. That doesn’t matter at all. But go to the NHL.com page and check the scores. There’s NO distinction between preseason and regular season. The Boston-NYI game is listed in the same group as TB-NYR and Pit-Ott.
Yes, I do have some issue with the NHL playing in Europe. If they weren’t playing there, I wouldn’t be saying anything because this situation wouldn’t be happening. But shouldn’t they sorta be worrying about growing the game in the US more? Or are they already waving the white flag on that? How’s the casual fan supposed to realize the season has actually started?
Keep in mind Nicolas, Weller should be the one to take care of Begin in Mister Boogaard abscense
Yes, I do have some issue with the NHL playing in Europe. If they weren’t playing there, I wouldn’t be saying anything because this situation wouldn’t be happening. But shouldn’t they sorta be worrying about growing the game in the US more? Or are they already waving the white flag on that? How’s the casual fan supposed to realize the season has actually started?
see, this I agree with. I don’t really care that pre-sea games are still going on state-side, but I think it’s an unnecessary expenditure of energy for the teams involved to be f-ing around over there like this.
Reitz is a fighter?
Right, Nick, and I suppose that’s where my angst lies. I don’t mind preseason games still going on (but I think we’re all in agreement that the sooner the start to the season the better, right?). I mind that they’re still going on while regular season games are being played in Europe.
Like I said, I think baseball did this too, but that’s another organization that doesn’t know how to properly run its sport (and thus a whole other tirade).
Yeah, MN, he’ll drop ‘em pretty readily. He’s scrappy. Glad some of that is finally coming out.
ms.c: thanks for the thoughts above.
I didn’t really think much of the game in Europe until the other day when I heard Kurtz or Reid mention something like as many as 8 games opening in Europe next year. Is there any truth to that?
That’s not good… it dilutes the NHL. Soon after, some genius will want to put a team in Stockholm, Oslo, Frankfurt, or Zurich, and then I really wonder what will happen to the NHL.
NiNY: You were assaulted? Or am I missing something??
Or was one of kj’s band members P.O.’d and you caught the worst of it or ???
Or can you even talk about it…?
no, no one’s been assaulted. I was just flexing my internet muscles.
ok so I’ve been busy chasing birds around the prairies of NoDak and have missed the games. Just read the rants. Pissed about Gaby but not surprised. But sounds likie we looked good tonite. Looking forward to the opener. Is it possible we could be improved. Is Zidlicky out for a while?
Seems to be, Woodcock. Lemaire didn’t sound real hopeful about the Zidster.
I was looking forward to seeing Zidlicky.
I’m so excited about this game. J’aime beaucoup les Habitants.
NiNY - you know how to reach me, y’know, for bail.
NiNY…glad we could provide a few minutes of diversion for you! Next time you’re singing.
It was nice to finally meet you and your lovely bride. I felt bad ‘cuz I had so many people to talk to and couldn’t spend as much time as I would have liked chatting. Such is the life of a rock star, I guess…
I also thought it was pretty crazy that my best buddy (The Good Doctor - I’ll have to tell you how he got that nickname) knew who NiNY was…
Green*…I’m with you for the bail $$$
MKia…please cease and decist from using me as one of your nom de plumes (hey, they played the Canadiens tonight). I have not, nor will I ever support your point of view. Even if I agree, I’ll keep my big fat mouth shut…
AustinTXwildfan - We’ll be headed up the X for the Carolina game as well. I believe our tickets are in section 120 or 126.
