Monday update: Nolan sits; will travel and expected to play
Posted on October 13th, 2008 – 1:38 PMBy Brian Stensaas
Good dreary Monday to you all. The depressing weather outside made being stuck indoors at Parade Ice Gardens for today’s Wild practice not so bad. Oh who am I kidding, it could be 70 and sunny and I’d take watching hockey indoors over being outside. Seriously.
The only news out of practice today was the absence of Owen Nolan. I wrote yesterday that Nolan left practice a little early and Jacques Lemaire said he was fine. Nolan wasn’t there at all today, and again Jacques said it was nothing. He passed it off as the 36-year-old forward just needing a little bit of rest. He’s expected to be in the lineup for this trip.
In Nolan’s place, Colton Gillies skated Monday with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Eric Belanger.
The coaches held a lengthy team meeting at center ice at the beginning of practice. Jacques said the talk was about Saturday’s game and how “we don’t want to play it again.”
He was mostly concerned about positioning and support. Naturally, the team then practiced 5-on-5 getting the puck out of the zone.
Then it came time for shootouts. No spin-o-ramas from anyone. Veilleux and Belanger scored with back-to-back slap shots on Josh Harding. Other than that, nothing too fancy.
After practice, Lemaire was again asked about line combination changes - or the lack of them.
“I’ve been thinking deeply about switching certain guys,” he said. “But I don’t know if we’re going to do it yet.”
He then laughed.
“The thing is I had a lot of confidence. Let’s take Gaborik with Sheppard and Veilleux: They had a great camp. They did great stuff. I was really happy with the way Gaby was playing. He was working as hard as the other two kids. They were on the puck, making plays, playing straight hockey. Then we come into the first game, and it’s like they never met each other.”
He said after that, he had no choice and had to give the three another try. And will do so again, presumably tomorrow in Atlanta. He also said two players, Miettinen and Brunette, were the only ones who complemented each other well against Boston and all told it could take 5-10 games to get it all figured out.
Talked to Craig Weller today, too. He said the coaches got on him about needing to take shorter shifts in the games he played during the preseason. It’s among the “little things” Lemaire said Weller needs to work on to crack the lineup.
And from the local ties department, former Benilde-St. Margaret’s player Andrew Alberts - a defenseman who was a scratch for Boston on Saturday - has been traded to the Flyers for Ned Lukacevic and a conditional pick in the 2009 Entry Draft.
Russo live from Atlanta, Sunrise and Tampa the rest of the week. Enjoy!
151 Responses to "Monday update: Nolan sits; will travel and expected to play"
One game and Olden already needs a rest? I think he has a great chance to do damage for us in front of the net, especially on the powerplay, but after one game against a soft Eastern team and he needs a rest. What’s gonna happen the grind starts against the likes of Anh/SJ/Cal, etc, etc. Yikes. Hopefully just an abberation.
and he only had what 12 minutes or so of ice time?
i’d guess he has something nagging him other than his wife, that they don’t want to reveal to the public.
or he took a little damage during his exchange with chara.
Has a nick-name been given to Nolan from Russoville? I probably have scanned over it a couple of times, but reading the DB’s post, I was just wondering.
I think I remember Grey Beard?
How about Olden Molden?
Also, nice to see the Loafs rebound a little bit after the ripping they took Saturday night. A little surprised to see Tkachuk with 4 goals alteady this year. Maybe Gaby for Tkachuk and a 6th round pick wouldn’t be so bad.
Repeat from the end of last thread before I knew we had a new one.
Sunshine, you asked which Wild players were on the ice for the last Bruin goal.
FSN just replayed the Saturday Wild game. I watched who we had on.
But, I only caught four Wild numbers. Here is who I think they were: 10-11-51-41.
With three forwards accounted for, you are probably correct that Koivu was not there.
Sharp eyes!
I was thinking *nerd alert* Gandalf
DON’T PRINT THAT
It wouldn’t be surprising if Marian Gaborik ends up with pal Pavol Demitra in Vancouver next season if the Wild can’t sign him to an extension.
The NHL Players’ Association has a right to terminate the labor agreement after this season, but there’s virtually no chance of that happening because of the favorable deal now in place.
OVERHEARD
Wild general manager Doug Risebrough’s recipe for success for his team this season: “Tolerating adversity is the key.”
Maybe Gaby for Tkachuk and a 6th round pick wouldn’t be so bad.
That’ a joke right? Isn’t Tkachuk older than dirt?
Iceman:
…But, I only caught four Wild numbers. Here is who I think they were: 10-11-51-41.
I think it was actually 41-51-8-19-10. I think it’s 8 and 19 both flailing on the ice.
I know. Koivu’s line got gipped. It was Burns and SRV sliding. Skoula chasing a player behind the net. Shep defending and Gaborik coming in a second too late to stand in the shooting lane. He tried to get his stick in but again, too late.
I thought DR’s key was consistency.
I had to rewind and watch the play at least 5 times to make sure.
A complete Palin, er, I mean joke. I just found it amuzing that I threw it out there earlier this morning on the previous thread about Gaby getting hurt before the dealine and Ballgame only getting Tkachuk and a 6th rounder. Then I see the fossil potted his 4th of the year today against the Loafs. Funny, Toronto had a 3-rip lead and now it’s 4-4 in the third.
I am sure Nolan is fine, maybe he had to close on a condo or something personal. As tough as he is, I don’t see him missing out for a strain or minor injury. I was impressed how well he moved the puck and took shots ON NET! That was refrehing.
Oh, and Mikko Koivu will be on KFAN at 6:05 p.m. per wild.com
Oh who am I kidding, it could be 70 and sunny and I’d take watching hockey indoors over being outside.
I like this Stencils. I like him a lot.
Buddha, your gold star is in the mail, my dear.
the official scoresheet on nhl.com used to have this information you seek. who was on ice during goals. don’t know if the new nhl.com has that.
KiPA, from previous blog… The date the NHLPA needs to advise the league on the CBA status is Jan 1.
It’s estimated they will give notice sometime in December.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
We are disputing the information on the NHL’s Game Summary. Who was on the ice is not reflected correctly on the summary.
Its not a big deal - who was on the ice.
Skoula was on for all three Boston goals, no? Not that that would surprise anyone here.
So was Burns…
OMG…This is so sad. Cherepanov passed away after collapsing on the bench per tsn.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=252547&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
That’s b/c Burns and Skoula were a pair. I noticed Skoula because on each one, he was standing right in front of the net not really playing the puck or a man.
You can’t blame Skoula on the third goal. He had his man. If Burns and SRV both didn’t go sliding, that goal might not have happened.
Skoula for sure on one of the goals.
That is so sad, sunshine. I was just reading that on PD. Poor Jagr if it really was a collision with him that did it.
Would a trade with MTL likely involve Kostitsyn and picks/prospects. Wild could placate MKIA with former first round pick and current Gopher David Fisher 
Iceman…
Obviously you haven’t read my recent posts on DR and Gaborik’s Ghost.
Gaborik is the villain here. DR is the victim(provided 80+ million is in play). No matter what he does (signs the Ghost for too much, trades him for too little) he is screwed PR-wise.
So, if he can get Briere and a pick it would be a great deal. If he gets slightly more than a bag ‘o pucks, it’s better than letting him walk for nothing.
Officially, 8-9-15-20-32-41 were on the ice for Boston’s third goal:
Since they took down the national debt clock, maybe we can start a Gopher Player to the Wild timer?
How many years ’till we placate MKIA and bring a Rodent to the Wild?
It will happen sooner than later…Nordy looks like a Rat… 
How hard would Jagr had to have hit him for him to go down like that? Its just horrible, horrible accident.
Hockeydad…did they get a bench minor for too many men???
Nope, kj, pretty sure you’re allowed 6 players on the ice.
Those line changes fly pretty fast. The circumstances, if true, don’t really surprise me. Anyway, terribly sad.
HD: I think what kj is trying to say that on tv, it was the Gaborik line that was on the ice with Burns and Skoula. However, the score sheet indicates it was the Koivu line. Hence the too many men on the ice.
Kinda shoots the whole plus-minus thing to crap if the official scorer can’t get the correct numbers in the book.
See, plus-minus is a worthless statistic! 
At least the goalie number was correct!
maybe we can start a Gopher Player to the Wild timer?
Sounds like a project that would take up at least some of MKIA and friends time
So were the defensemen. It was just the forwards that were wrong. Maybe the officials were dyslexic and transposed 51 to 15.
Not a Gopher folks, just a Minnesotan. He wanted a deal for Parise, who certainly wasn’t a Gopher. Cripes, haven’t we had enough bad gophers on this squad already?
sunshine, I was being a bit sarcastic on the goalie comment, do goalies have a plus/minus rating?
I thought you meant that at least they got the goalie number right since they were wrong with the forwards. I was just saying that they had the goalie and our defensemen down correctly, just not the forwards.
Nothing to do with the +/- rating.
Not a Gopher folks, just a Minnesotan. He wanted a deal for Parise, who certainly wasn’t a Gopher. Cripes, haven’t we had enough bad gophers on this squad already?
And I thought I had my finger on the wisdom that is MKIA! However, my guess is that for MKIA being a Minnesotan is the requirement but being a Gopher is an added bonus.
Scary story out of the KHL…
Sorry… looks like someone already posted it.
sunshine, if Manny was pulled at the time, yes, nothing to do with plau/minus. But if Manny was still in, that would be a minus for those Wild players officially on the ice, correct? If they had the wrong players, then bad plus/minus info.
SGS, if it were a Gopher also I’m sure MKIA/Beaver/anyotheralias would be in ‘their’ happy place!
plus, not plau, unless plau is French for plus!
El Gato: “SGS, if it were a Gopher also I’m sure MKIA/Beaver/anyotheralias would be in ‘their’ happy place!”
Wherever in that delusional mind THAT is…you forgot GoW and ‘that Mike’… you can’t forget all those characters, you can only hope to contain them!!
MKiA is Russoville’s version of Mick Foley apparently
Russo, Dont give away the shootout attempts from practice. The enemy lurks everywhere and we need the advantage. I called the spin O rama by Butch because you wrote about him working on it. Stop Stop Stop or Lemaire will shoot more pucks at you.
Russo, can you comment on the absence of Gaborik on the Power Play Saturday night?
Sad story on Cherepanov
Gaborik was on the PP when MAB scored his goal. Although, he did have half the PP ice time as Mikko, Bruno, and Mittens. But, he was also already on the ice when Burns drew that first penalty so he was in the second PP unit.
Sad to hear about Alexei Cherepanov… not to seem insensitive, but remember when some people were upset we took Gillies the pick before him?
R.I.P. Cherepanov 
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. 19 is far too young…
I just listened to Koivu on KFAN. I love the guy but man, he is a terrible interviewee. Its like pulling teeth with him. He’s not cliche like Gaborik ( thank god) but you can sense that he’s a little uncomfortable.
So, I drafted Whitney from the Penguins, and he goes down with an injury…
I waive him, and take Jack Johnson from the Kings. Last night, he injures his shoulder and is out 2-3 months…
Anyone think I should pick up Skoula, and hope the streak continues
Wasn’t a collision with Jagr — Cherepanov’s heart just stopped while sitting on the bench, according to the NYTimes link. Docs were able to revive him for a couple of minutes, but that’s it. Reminds me of when Sergei Zholtok went down and died in Darby Hendrickson’s arms when they were playing for a Russian or Latvian team during the lock-out. I’m with you, Lucky.
Wildfor9…go on…take one for the team…
That is sad news indeed about Cherepanov.
Voros got the hot hand in NY. He has a goal and an assist tonight and they still have the third period to play.
Somebody give W49 Luongo!
Can you believe that stuff, sunshine? Voros. I hope it sticks since I’ve got one of his linemates on my FH team. Assist! Assist!
Aeros up 1-0 and looking like a breath of fresh air compared to last season. I may not spend all game, every game holding my breath this season.
Voros could get a hat trick tonight.
either Yahoo is gorked, or the Casux have 3 SOG through 2 periods in DC. They ARE losing 5-1…
I just hope he doesn’t disappear after 7 games.
They only have 3 shots on goal. I watched the second half and they didn’t look good at all. The Caps are taking it to them.
that’s just rich, sunshine!
I know this is hard to believe also but with about 10 minutes left in the 3rd period, Rolston has not registered a SOG. I don’t think that happened at all last year.
that’s gotta be Lemaire’s fault, I just can’t figure out how…
I mean Lemaire stifled his offensive abilities, what else could it be?
Ha! I should have set that game to record. Oh well. I’ll catch my first OTF of the season.
The Detroit vs. Hurricanes game is much more interesting.
Buddha, Sad story on Cherepanov. It makes you wonder how many warning signs this guy had
I’ve been half watching the Habs/Philly game and half napping. Habs up 4-2 in the third. MsC you’ll be happy to know I have finally shaken my headache, and I did ask my Mr, he hadn’t shot me in the head. Ooops Hab/Philly now 4-3. Unfortunately after three days of pounding headache I’m very sleepy.
I’m relieved, BG. Though this is why I can’t watch those kinds of shows. Fills my already cluttered head with strange ideas.
Heh, there are some squirts doing a shootout contest during intermission and one tried the Butchy Spin-o-rama. Cuter ‘n snot.
I know this means nothing, but for Manny’s sake, I am kind of glad that none of his former teammates scored on him at the X, especially in his first game in almost over a year.
Gaborik and Schultz spent 6 and 5 seasons with Manny respectively. PMB and SRV at least 4 years.
VOROS with 2 goals, 1 assist and 4 PIM.
Hell of start to his year!
Maybe the $1 Million a year would ahve been worth it?
ms. c: are you at the Aeros game or at home watching the game?
Watching the Rangers game, and guess what player is the big story in the game, and the year thus far.. Yes its Aaron Varos ! they cant stop talking about him. He has more then a point a game average
I dont think that it was going to be hard to guess that Varos was up for a big year this year, but it also was clear to me that Varos and Fedoruk are JL material
Varos and Fedoruk are not JL players
He has earned a point in almost every game he has played so far. Including tonight’s goals and assists, Voros has 3 goals and 4 assists in 5 games.
Bloody freekin’ hell!!! Stupid free preview of CI cut out before the ends of the games. Stupid stupid stupid!!!!!
I’m at the game, Sunshine.
That’s awesome about Voros.
How are the boys doing? How’s Falk?
Not that I have any ill will against Voros but remember when he was on fire with us last year? Wild fans wanted to give him a 10 year contract and make him captain, people were running out and buying up Voros jerseys. How’d the second half of the year go again?
Patrick Ruesse shouldn’t be allowed to write about hockey, he doesn’t know anything about it, and his negative attitude is an embarrassment to all mankind…
Here is a letter to editor I wrote about his criticizing of Naegele recently. Of course - it wasn’t printed by the Star Tribune Editors.
Journalistic Credibility?
The Star Tribune should be ashamed on letting one of their employees write an article based solely on bitterness and speculation than actual fact. The article entitled ‘Naegele cashes in and runs while Pohlad invests’ is absolutely embarrassing. It is very evident that Reusse has an axe to grind, but to try and smear the character of an individual that has done so much good for not just the hockey fans, but everyone in the state of Minnesota is almost criminal.
The beginning of his article starts out with the huge ‘failure’ that the Wild season turned out to be. I question Patrick’s credibility in this matter – he attended a total of 5 Wild games before the playoffs started, and that number is an increase from last season. How is your writer entitled to use terms like ‘failure’ or ‘flop’ when there is a strong chance that he isn’t knowledgeable about what he types.
Patrick’s next segment has to do with Chris Simon (which he has already written about in the other 4 articles he covered the Wild on). This a perfect example of Patrick’s bitterness toward either The Wild, the sport of hockey, or maybe his fellow man. Chris Simon has made mistakes like most humans, but he deserves the respect to not have them brought up in whatever context makes the writer happy. To continually write those words is an act of a man with not just a personal agenda, but an agenda filled with hate.
His estimation of Naegele’s annual income would be considered criminal in the business world. How can his source be, ‘In local business circles’? If Patrick doesn’t know the REAL numbers, then he shouldn’t wrap his speculations in camouflage. Your writers need to have more integrity – and that is lesson number one in Journalism 101.
In sarcasm, Patrick calls Naegele such a ‘grand fellow’. It is obvious that Patrick doesn’t know him, and hasn’t spent nearly enough time covering the team since it hit the ice in 2000. If he did follow the sport, or ever venture into St Paul, he might notice how rejuvenated the city is. He might notice all the thriving businesses that weren’t here before the Wild joined the NHL. He might notice all the people that now call downtown St Paul their home. He might notice the Wild charities at the Children’s Hospital or even the Mentoring program that helps out the local youth. And you would hope that Reusse would be able to sense the pride in a community that comes together and roots for their teams. And that pride is win or lose.
I work in the sports industry and I am around Patrick Reusse in many situations. I am used to hearing him complain about this and that, and having interactions with media relations staff that leave a lot to be desired. If he wants to spend the majority of his time complaining, that is up to him. But when he uses his public forum, which is a privilege and not a right, to spew his bitterness and assassinate the character of a good man – I would hope the editors would be there to clean up the mess. If he needs a refresher in Journalism 101 – which involves integrity and credibility, please see that he gets it.
SIDENOTE - at last night’s wild opener, Patrick had no problem eating FREE nachos and drinking FREE soda pop in the press level. It seems like only a lack of integrity would allow a ‘person’ to rip a man on one hand - but take a FREE meal from him in the other hand…
ENOUGH is ENOUGH…
The Star Tribune editors need to reel him in…
He is a BAD HUMAN and his only goal is to make the world a worse place.
dude, whether or not we needed your diatribe the first time is debatable. But re-posting it is just annoying.
ENOUGH is ENOUGH…
Do the Star Tribune editors need to reel you in? Or are you going to do it yourself.?
Mister Know it all has a new neighbor 10 houses away and he is a Minnesota Wild hockey player. Anyone care to guess before I tell everyone who it is ?
MKIA:
Why don’t you go ask him to demand DR sign some MN-born players?
So, I drafted Whitney from the Penguins, and he goes down with an injury…
I waive him, and take Jack Johnson from the Kings. Last night, he injures his shoulder and is out 2-3 months…
Saw you just picked up Goligoski… heaven help you if he goes down with an injury.
Though in your defense, Whitney had his surgery long before you drafted him. Also, I have Johnson in another league (but I wanted to cut or trade him.)
journalistic credibility- read that post. I will say that Ruesse comparing Pohlad and Naegele is something to think about. I cant say that I know much about either of them, but Pohlad has been a horrible owner since revenue sharing began- He has pocketed a silly profit and keeps cutting the teams payroll
Naegele, I cant say that Ruesse is wrong in what he is saying. He did take the money and run rather then invest. I dont think I would say he is good owner. I would say he could have invested more of himself and his money with all of the money he was making.
I would say the Wild is better off with Leopold
Is it Nordy?
MKIA
Is it Nolan?
Sunshine- remember one thing. Now the Wild is doing fine, were having fun, the team is doing great, we have hopes of a cup. It will change someday just like Detroit right now. It will take more Minnesotans playing on this roster to keep the Wild staying strong for the long haul. Local interests is key, especially when your look becomes stale like the Red Wings
NO . Kim Johnson
Sunshine, I’m still figuring Falk out. I think he’s going to ultimately be a pretty good SAH d-man, but he’s a kid still and his decision-making is a bit off at times and introduces some unnecessary risk. Fortunately, this team picked up right where they left off defensively so a few mistakes here and there aren’t deal breakers.
Game ended up 3-0. Hamilton (1), Kolanos (2, 3).
It appears that Kim Johnnson has a real interest in living in Minnesota from what I have heard. He likes the schools and neighborhoods for his kids
How was Irmen Misconduct ?
lol KiPA, I thought the same thing as I took him. Johnson was kind of a reach anyways, but at the time he was the best rated by yahoo, so I took a chance.
* thought the same thing about Goligoski
Well, Johnson was supposed to have his breakout year this season, so it wasn’t a bad pick.
Looking at the schedule, what’s the difference between a home game and a premium home game? Why is the premium game more expansive?
Isn;t that kind of self-explanitory wild lover?
Premium games are the games they figure they can charge more for because more people want to go.
Detroit, home opener, last home game… etc.
It appears that Kim Johnnson has a real interest in living in Minnesota from what I have heard.
Until you chase him away in favor of Jeff Finger
He was Irmen, MKIA. Working his ass off, making some smart plays without the puck, but ultimately playing on the 4th line.
reusse is an old fart who likes the smell of his own breath and the aroma of his arse - get some real peeps writing for the rag - reusse was old news when he did sports on kstp with souch back in the mid 80s his schtick is still the same now as it was then - he is a free loader and a m00ch and hasn’t had anything insightful to offer in many many m00ns
maybe him and childress should make out!!
I can’t believe we are still talking about Reusse. Ugh.
G*- Can we add a hatred of Reusse to the “real fan” list?
Add it to the “person with brain larger than walnut” list…
MisterKiA, you have had an axe to grind with Mr Pohlad for whatever your reasons.
But, the revenue sharing he receives must be going into something to benefit the club because they certainly have developed a nice stable of young players.
MKIA = Journalistic Credibility
premium games…
I think they declared the games where we get the coffee mug as premium. I don’t have my calendar here but i think the game with the isles is a mug game and it is premium. can’t think of any other reason.
Can we add a hatred of Reusse to the “real fan” list?
we could but it doesn’t really fit the criteria. JC hasn’t stated something like “us fans think your an idiot” or soemthing like that. or maybe JC has, i didn’t read the post because it was way too effing long.
JC hasn’t stated something like “us fans think your an idiot”
LMAO!!
Does anyone know if the league passed the idea to make goalie equipment smaller this year? Man there have been some high scoring games!
The games listed as ‘premium’ are just that — games where you will either receive something (coffee mug from the 5-mug series, etc.,) or a team which has a big demand for tickets (Montreal, Toronto, Detroit) or a date where tickets are normally in demand (day after Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Fan Appreciation Night).
There is at least one ‘premium’ home game each month.
Gunslinger: There was some modification for this year to goalie equipment, but the real scaledown doesn’t begin until 2009-10. By that time, the pads may not extend above halfway between the knee and the mid-thigh (eliminating the advantage for smaller goalies). The ‘5-hole’ flaps on the pads may be eliminated as well.
Thanks WRT!
Premium game schedule (for those who care):
Oct 30 vs Montreal
Nov 26 vs Dallas
Nov 28 vs Tampa Bay
Dec 19 vs NY Islanders
Jan 3 vs Detroilet
Jan 17 vs Anaheim
Jan 27 vs Toronto
Feb 14 vs Ottawa
Feb 21 vs Detroilet
March 17 vs Colorado
April 10 vs Nashville
What’s a day without the daily Gaby contract/trade gibberish:
Marian Gaborik’s days as a Minnesota Wild player appear to be numbered. Unless there’s a dramatic shift in contract talks, he’s a goner. The Wild have made more than one offer — for more than $8 million a season — but no deal. It’s clear Gaborik wants to test the market as an unrestricted free agent July 1, when he’ll be the No. 1 commodity. Hey, that’s his right. Wild GM Doug Risebrough won’t wait until the March 3 trade deadline, though; he’ll want to maximize his asset value. That process hasn’t started yet, but when it does, if I’m Risebrough, I phone up Pittsburgh . How good would Gaborik look on Sidney Crosby’s wing? There are salary-cap issues, sure, but Pens GM Ray Shero would have to move other parts to make it work.
ugh another st patrick’s day game. nothing good happens when you let the amateurs who have been drinking since 8am into the game at 7p.
What’s a day without the daily Gaby contract/trade gibberish
forgot to tell us how ballgame will be grabbing his ankles or get bent over the couch…
Budda, tried to thank you yesterday but my blackberry was having issues. But anyway, thanks.
I was thinking the same thing kj, just wasn’t going to justify it…
I think I’m starting to better grasp how to get something on the list G*. It’s almost like constitutional ammendments (and far more important, right?), takes a bit of time to feel out the process.
OK, my brain is on the fritz and I can’t find my info… who am I missing on the list of players who left?
Rolston, Demo, Fridge, Voros, Carney, Hill, Numi, Simon, Parrish… and who? I know there were 10…
You’re missing Branko and Foy, I believe.
Branko - thats the one.
Foy… eh.
Radio
Thanks, by the way.
I think they declared the games where we get the coffee mug as premium.
*COMC* (coffee not cheerios)
KiPA…any chance of Shero making a deal for Gaborik after the Hossa deal blew up in his face? I didn’t think so.
Now that Kopitar has been signed long term, Ghost and Hossa may well end up there next season.
So, does Vegas have a line for Shots On Goal by the Ghost tonight? Is the over/under 2?
On another note…I was just thinkin…what if the USSR still existed. Would they have a kick-ass Red Army team or what???
This could be a very dangerous road trip. Remember, this is the trip last season where Demitra decided he’d quit on his teammates. Might his ol’ running buddy, Gaby, do the same this trip? Or will the bad ice in the Southeast reach out and end Gaby’s quest for $10M/season?
Phil Anschutz will have to invest heavily in ice plant for the STAPLES Center if he hopes to lure Gaby to LA-la land…I don’t know if an all-Slovak line would actually work in the NHL. Too many egos in one place destroys team chemistry (witness last season’s Wild.)
Two shots by Gaby tonight would be two more than Demo had against the Caps last night!
Two shots by Gaby tonight would be two more than Demo had against the Caps last night!
almost more than the whole team
Buddha, it’s pretty easy to get on G*’s list. As far as I can see, there are two requirements:
1) Claim to represent all Wild fans.
2) Claim to be a ‘real’ Wild fan.
WRT, does it really matter if Gaborik doesn’t play on the trip. I seem to recall that on last season’s SE swing several players decided to phone it in (not just Demitra). I don’t see that happening this early in the season and not with the team of guys we have now.
Number 2 should be:
2) Claim to be a ‘real’ Wild fan and as such your opinion carries more weight.
goody got it.
number 1 grates me more than number 2. your opinion is your opinion. No one is given the right to speak for all wild fans yet people still try.
“No one is given the right to speak for all wild fans yet people still try.”
Um, I think that was in my job description.
No line with Kopitar on it can be an all-Slovakian line.
NiNY: Damn! I hate it when you’re right…
OK, then. 2 Slavs and a Slovenian…still, too many egos on one line…not Kopitar, mind you, but Gaby will dominate that group…and his perceived (by me, yes) bad attitude…
Would I take Kopitar on the Wild? Yes. Would I take him straight up for Gaby? Only if the Kings would also take Skoula off our hands (which means it probably will never happen).
cue DB: we could have had both Kopitar AND Gaby if we hadn’t taken AJ Thelen instead.
STRIKE THAT: We could have had Kopitar and Gaby if we hadn’t taken Pouliot instead…I seem to be getting my first round dubious selections confused today.
in all fairness, WRT, kj was the first one to imply the Kopitar-Gaby-Hossa line
I never implied anything that wasn’t fair, NiNY. I just think that a Gaby-Hossa-Kopitar line would be more than the Kings management would want to handle. I never presented it as a new thought.
Thanks for, well, uh…nothing.
NiNY…I think the Kings coaching staff (brain wizards that they are) would put Ghost on the checking line.
After all, he has been in a defensive system his whole career…he’s be used to it…
WRT: no, I was trying to let you off the hook on the Kopitar-Gaby-Hossa line being “all-slovak” that’s all.
kj: There’s a part of me that hopes Gaby ends up in another system that’s either as “defensively repressing” as the one he’s in now. Is that wrong?
NiNY- No it’s not wrong. Though I have the hope he goes somewhere that isn’t and still only scores 40 goals. I don’t think he is capable of more.
Goalies in the East are better than they are in the West. You really think Brodeur is going to bite on the same weak 5 hole shot Moneybags brings every single time? Nah.
It makes me wonder how many goals he has ever scored against truly elite goaltenders, Roy, Brodeur, CuJo…
It makes me wonder how many goals he has ever scored against truly elite goaltenders, Roy, Brodeur, CuJo…
someone doesn’t seem to belong in that trio and it ain’t brodeur or roy.
Since most teams are now focusing on defense, especially team defense, Gaborik won’t get away from that. Even Melrose is emphasizing team defense. I think Gaborik could go to New Jersey and have Parise be his centermen and its still an upgrade from Sheppard at the moment.
Also playing with Parise and Elias has got to be better than playing with Sheppard and SRV. OR even with Zajac and Langenbrunner is better than Sheppard and SRV.
I am not putting down SRV and Shep. Its just that at this time, these two aren’t as good as the Devils players.
Gaborik has a hat trick against Brodeur. He was pretty decent against Roy during the 2003 playoffs. He lit up King Henry 5 times.
Gaborik’s nemesis is Hasek. He does okay against Luongo also.
Hasek used to make us look silly… it was painful to watch him put up a 0.98 GAA. Anyone else feel better knowing we don’t have to face him anymore?
I’m sorry. Something about this just rubs me the wrong way. “No, those are MY heros you scum sucking bastages!”
Chow time!
Gaby can’t pout about his linemates not having elite offensive skills. A team that signs a player for 9-10 million per season is looking for a franchise player that will make the players around him better. In some ways JL is giving Gaby a golden chance to make his payday by playing him with Shep and SRV. If he elavates his game and Shep/SRV along with, he will raise his stock and be on the way to that huge payday he thinks he is worth.
