Wild 4, Atlanta Thrashers 2; Bouchard returning to Minnesota; Nolan suffers “lower body injury”; Clutterbuck recalled
Posted on October 14th, 2008 – 5:37 PMBy Michael Russo
Before I start, I highly recommend reading the Marian Hossa/Marian Gaborik story in Wednesday’s editions. Thrashers GM Don Waddell, who was forced into trading Hossa last year in a Gaborik-like contract battle, was great in lending perspective to what the Wild is dealing with. You might want to read Aaron Voros’ quote on the bottom of that story. If you didn’t know, he grew really close with Gaborik, and he had an interesting thing to say.
Right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard will return to Minnesota Wednesday morning to rest a sore back that’s been bothering him since early in training camp. He missed the first three preseason games with the same problem.
Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn wouldn’t say any more.
Owen Nolan sustained a “lower body injury” in the first period. He didn’t return to tonight’s game and will be evaluated tomorrow in Florida. Nolan missed yesterday’s practice and had ice wrapped around his right thigh Tuesday morning. He wiped out on an entry tonight on his seventh shift and never returned.
Cal Clutterbuck is on his way up from AHL Houston.
Considering the injuries, considering two power-play pointmen are out with Bouchard and Marek Zidlicky, considered their lines were in a state of flux, the Wild played a heckuva game tonight.
Jacques Lemaire was extremely complimentary of the team’s defensive game — and you know he sees everything defensively — and went on and on about the play of Antti Miettinen, who scored the Wild’s third and fourth goals tonight and had an assist for his second career three-point night.
Mikko Koivu had two assists and helped create Marian Gaborik’s terrific third-period goal tonight even though he didn’t get an assist. He was plus-3 and won 14 of 21 draws.
Andrew Brunette had a goal and an assist. Brent Burns, by my quick research, played a career-high (at least in the regular season) 29 minutes, 3 seconds , had an assist and had three shots. James Sheppard won 11 of 19 draws, and considering he was less than 40 percent last year, that’s got to be a career-best. Gaborik was outstanding on both ends of the ice.
Niklas Backstrom made 24 saves.
On a couple sour notes:
1) Derek Boogaard, in a kidding manner (I think), got all over me this morning for writing he’s not going to play a lot this year. He then played one shift at 29 seconds tonight and joked to me after, “I guess I should be scratched.”
2) Lemaire wasn’t all ecstatic after this game. He called out rookie Colton Gillies and Benoit Pouliot, saying, “The kids, they’ve got to play better. I don’t want to put pressure on them. But this is not junior, it’s not the minors. This is the N…H…L. Please.”
Ok, I will talk to you from South Florida. If you didn’t know, I used to live and work there. So between family, friends and crying on my financial guy’s shoulder tomorrow during a morning meeting at his office, I’ll update you on the team you care about.
451 Responses to "Wild 4, Atlanta Thrashers 2; Bouchard returning to Minnesota; Nolan suffers “lower body injury”; Clutterbuck recalled"
The Wild just get one bad back (Boogaard) healthy and now another one (PMB) goes by the wayside.
Ain’t that a pain in the neck? (No, back.) 
Not a good start for this Southern Swing…
Well the wife won’t be happy about that. Hopefully they still get it done without the little bald passing machine.
Hehehe … little bald passing machine…. hehehe…..
Lovely shot of the empty side walk outside the Thrashers arena. Wonder how many empty seats we’ll see in the background tonight.
How has the attendance at a place like that been?
They just did the pan around the rink, and there are plenty, and I mean plenty, of good seats available.
Maybe they are all just wearing black. It makes them blend in to the seats. 
Bob Kurtz just said, incredulously, “There’s nobody here!”
Uh oh. I made a trade offer for PMB. Maybe I should cancel it. A back’s a terrible thing to hurt.
Piss poor pinch by Skoula to lead to that 2-on-1… could be a long night
That’s just eerie quiet in there. Might as well tell the people in the upper levels to move to the lower to make it look fuller… if there is anyone in the upper levels.
That is an ugly looking crowd. I cannot believe that there are so few people that want to go to one of the first games of the season. That is bad for all hockey.
Skouba again…
Uh oh. It’s Bad Marty tonight.
Man…that is the definition of
“Plenty of seats still available.”
Ghost Groin Watch.
Ghost Fart Watch.
Too funny!
Finally, I get to see a game.
Who would want to play in Hotlanta? You can get more people to watch Bar League hockey on an outdoor rink in 50 below temps here…
I’d rather play here and get ridiculed in Russoville.
Skouba fell down… hahahahah. I like a little consistency every now and then, thanks Marty.
Not for me tonight. 
Although, it doesn’t sound like I’m missing much.
wow nice hit by Gillies
WTF is up with Burnsie laying down? It’s driving me batty.
On the radio, they said the referee’s microphone isn’t working… why does he even need it? Sounds like a library in there.
Goal by Brunette? Nice!
Wow…
best passing i have seen from this team in 4 years…
Woo Bruno!!!! From Mikko!!!
Hamilton had nearly an identical goal last night.
Do they raise the red line in Atlanta? hehe… Atta goal Brunette!
Fast period, it seems.
Quiet 1st period. It’ll be nice starting the 2nd with a PP (hahaha I said PP).
lets trade ga-brik
lets trade ga-brik
lets trade ga-brik
figured y’all were just waiting for someone to break the ice…
i think it is time to end the atlanta experiment. move them to hamilton
I think i am in the minority but they have the worst uni’s in pro sports.
do they play a drinking game in atlanta where you have to take a shot every time they show the thrashers head coach? seriously, he gets more air time that katie curic.
Ah, Face Off. *mute*
Muting isn’t enough. I can still seen Greenlay’s mouth moving so I know dumb is happening.
http://cdn.nhl.com/thrashers/images/upload/2008/10/groupthird_100808_top.jpg
I don’t know what you are talking about G*… Why work to get fans in the stands when you can just make new jerseys! 
Did Gorg just say “penal”?
KiPA- Too late… already accepted and approved…
You never got back to me on my offer…
face off = mute = true. thats the worst.
Anyone watch any of this free center ice package preview? I think Im gonna download the ONLY commercial they ever show on there so I can continue to see it 9 times/hour throughout the day. Or I’ll just rub my eyes out with barbed wire.
I can still seen Greenlay’s mouth moving so I know dumb is happening.
FTW!
Can they be called the Hamilton Mustangs? And can Racky play?
I know it’s hard to remember, but I believe I have seen the Wild pass just as good as tonight at least once or twice in the last 4 years… What did they do 5 years ago that was so impressive btw?
Reids has 2 for 1s during Wild games. That was a very good commercial. I might have to check that out. Brilliant advertising but I think I’m their target audience. Layup.
I got another to add to the “true fan” that kind of a 1a. to the mascot comment:
Has to hate “Ice Girls”
I got another one, a Wild fan shall be completely disgusted if “the wave” EVER breaks out at the X and will vent and fume about it for days on end. Infact, the true Wild fan would like to see the kids who were attempting to start it given communtiy service washing jocks just to get the point across that they should feel shame.
On the other hand, I appreciate Ice Girls. Somebody has to get the snow out of there anyhow… why not girls in bikinis???
Nolan out with a “lower body injury”
Poop, that’s right, I said poop.
Skoula Sucks
I’m gonna take the easy way out and blame Skoula. Not sure if it’s really on him but it’s a reasonable assumption.
Skoula gives up two 2 on 1 breakaways in the first period, one after tripping on his own skates, yet Lemaire rails on Gaborik and loves SKoula. Go figure. And I bet Skoula already is at least a minus 2 this year.
I have Backs as a fantasy GT. That makes every opposing goal suck twice as much.
I don’t think I can blame Skoula on that one though. But he should have been the cause for goal when he fell down so he deserves it anyways.
More PP for us. Lets do something with this one boys. (hehe I said PP again)
And yes, Gorg said penal earlier. The Mr acted like a 12 year old and said, “ha ha ha he said penal.” … ok so that was me, and the Mr just rolled his eyes at me and went back to drawing porch posts.
Bad Poolboy, no cookies for you.
Where did everybody go?
Stuck at work. Game on, where can I get it?
Repeat from last thread.
I like AV’s new ink? Did anyone else see it?
these have to be the 2 worst teams in the nhl, right?
And Gaybee is tanking it. Its like, sorry we interrupted you to do your job for a while, you can go back to doing gaybee stuff when its over.
Which ink is that, Slapshot?
Damn, this game is boring. And it’s gotta be REALLY boring for me to say that.
The Penguins/Flyers game is pretty ragged too, especially the Pens play.
SS6 it’s on FSN tonight, but it might be on a web feed somewhere, just not sure where. And I am still trying to figure out what his old ink said, now AV has more, I don’t think I’ll ever catch up.
I don’t understand kjb and I don’t care about AV’s ink.
But it is a damn boring game. I understand, care and agree with msconduct.
I don’t usually talk on this blog but can someone tell me why Jacques Childress keeps playing Skoula?
Bruno really should go into the crease ass first instead of face first… wait a second… That doesn’t sound right but I’ll hit submit anyhow.
{POKE}
That’s to wak up everyone that fell asleep watching the Wild snoozefest.
I think Gaborik is purposely not trying because hes (*disclaimer: I just wrote every negative word I could think of to describe gaybee. I erased those, and now you get the disclaimer)… Well, lets just say I think Gaborik is not trying hard, on purpose.
Mittens sure has a quick shot
Sorry to bore you Dickie, but to answer the AV ink queries.
He has loyalty and dedication (i think) just below his collar bones. Saw it last night when they interviewed him after the Devils game.
Is Gaborik playing?
MTDave, would you like to coach the Wild and the Vikes in all your infinite wisdom?
Gotta love the MN sports fans who hate all the coaches.
Gaborik has been on the ice but he’s not playing.
Those tats aren’t new. He had those in Houston. I’m not a fan but then I’m not a tat fan for the most part. They distract from his bulging pecs. Rawr.
I spent much of last year trying to figure out what his arm said (AV that is) I never did figure it out.
Sure KJB, because he doesn’t have a contract on his mind… You don’t have to play hard to get 10 for 100. Where you watching the game from KJB?
That’s OK SS6, I’ll just skim over the ink stuff. This place needs something to stir it up. If it has to be ink that says loyalty and dedication so be it.
MsC; +1 grrrrrrr baby, simply grrrrrr.
To clarify, you must obviously be inside the skull of Gabby since that can be the only place you are to know so much about what he is doing and thinking.
Yikes. I’m scared of their mascot.
Is Gaborik playing?
that’s actually my brother wearing #10 tonight
The Pens have really picked it up in the second period.
#10 is a good number. Why wouldn’t he want to wear it G*?
I wish I was smart enough to figure out if a player is really trying or not. If I could do it by watching on TV I’d be really really smart but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I like the VS hockey commercials pretty well.
Well, Ms.C they were new to me. Unfortunenatly, the camera zoomed in a little too soon and then the crawl covered up more of what I was watchin’ for.
Bandgeek, does AV make you randy?….
I wouldn’t be suprised if Skula was a -4 right now. At least he is durable, but man, is he BAD.
While AV is nummy, I like the strong silent type a bit better (i.e. my Boogie).
Dickie, I am sure glad you are happy with the Vikes coach and I’m guessing I’m not the only one with questions about Skoula.
Is the Boogie dressed tonite? He looked pretty good on Saturday. The boys seemed to be feeding him a bit.
I gotcha SS6. I didn’t know about them until someone very kindly sent me a picture of him from a charity thing here where someone paid him to take his shirt off. Um, damn straight.
The interview with AV on NHL Live today was actually really good. Longest one I’ve seen from him and he seems really content there. It’s good.
It should be against the law to refer to anything football related on this blog. ICK
Yeah, Boogie’s in tonight. Saw him on the bench next to Pouly and kinda laughed to myself at the contrast.
Yep, Boogie is dressed, not getting many minutes however. I like my Boogie a lot. Most of you already know that however.
Darn it Mittens!!
I agree ms.c. He’s seems to have found his nicht and was pretty comfortable in front of the camera. I’m glad he’s doing well and I hope he stays hot. scoring wise, I mean.
Gabby with a goal!
What’s the lastest on his back? Is he 100%?
Interesting how much less fierce the PK is for the Wild than for the Aeros.
Gabby doesn’t even have a point? Oh, as I type that, he scores. Moot! Good job, Queenie! That was slick.
Wow, Ghost of Gaby notches a goal.
It’s the Ghost!
Bandgeek - who’s Mittens?
you never played sports, did you, DDunn?
Were both Shep and Koivu on the ice for the Gaborik goal?
Mittens is Miettinen (too lazy to see if I’m speeeling that rite)
Damn, G*, your brother is pretty good.
MTDave, I’m sure there is plenty of Chilly talk on another blog. Never said I was happy either… But that is cool. Comparing JL to Chilly was funny by the way.
kjb, I did actually play sports. College baseball as a matter of fact. And your point is what again???
I get it ms.c. Kinda like Poublahblah….
RAWR! Mikko! Ohhhh… look at those eyes. *drool*
Was anyone else impressed with our young Shep the other night? I thought he looked really good….
my point is that Ive played, coached and watched sports for most of my life and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of a guys mindset by watching him play. Do you infer nothing of a guys drives, goals, desires, etc., while watching sports? Do you really think its impossible to suppose with any accuracy a mans inner-workings by observing his actions?
WOOHOO!!!! Go Mittens!!!
Mittens!!
MITTENS!!!!!
I like Mittens. He is one fast dude. Pretty sure Mittens will be a fan favorite before long.
Yeah, he’s got some jets. Maybe he’s got those heated skate blades.
if JL thought #10 was mailing it in, he wouldn’t play, don’t ya think?
someone take the bottle of scotch away from the camera operator.
Nice Hit Reitzy!
I know! This must be the basketball cameraman!
Another Wild injury? Somebody call Houston - looks like we’ve got a spot for some beer-leaguers…
I like me some Mittens.
Who’s hurt now? Or are you refering to Olden?
Yes, Mizz Sea - Olden.
kjb, I’m saying you have no idea of knowing with any kind of certainty #10’s mindset and I don’t care how much coaching or playing of sports you have done in your life.
Unless you are a close personal friend of G*’s brother or have any personal contact with any of the Wild staff or players you are basically working off your own script.
For example, was #10 trying on that goal?
I don’t know, I’ve played quite a bit of sports myself. All I know is, I wanted to win and I didn’t care about much else. I also know alot of athletes and would have to say that’s what they wanted too. So for you to somehow say with certainty that Gabby isn’t trying, goes against my own experiences.
My friend H. would say …”Woooo Mikko, he’s a hottie!!!”
Mittens has 2 tonite?
Naughty Mittens! But you can still have a cookie since you scored a goal.
Come on Backs. We need that GAA!
I’m confused Dickie. What the h-e-double hockey sticks are you and kjb argueing about?
fair enough, agree to disagree DDunn.
Whether or not Gaby is being lazy. He probably isn’t if I’m being objective like some bossy person said to be earlier in the evening. He doesn’t look any lazier than he usually does.
Uh oh. There goes the cushion.
I’ll say it again…. poop.
slapshot, i think Gaborik is not trying hard. DDunn thinks thats impossible to know (cue Kip Dynamite: “Napoleon, like anyone could even know that…”).
Just a difference of opinion SS6.
kjb said that Gabby was not trying on purpose. I disagreed.
…glad that’s over….
And we all know Dickie wrote it so it must be true!
Uh oh. No talking about yourself in third person….
Okay, it’s official. These FSN people need a better hair and makeup person.
Gaby cannot score on breakaways…totally worth 10 mil a year
MITTENS!!!!
sure is a lot of estrogen in the room tonight. not that there is anything wrong with that
Mittens again!!!
MITTENS!
Mittens again!!!! Now we have a pair of Mittens… goals that is.
G*, breakaways or not, your brother in the #10 jersey isn’t worth 10 a year.
And when I am in my alter ego I will talk third person all the time. Especially when it’s Slapshot movie quote related.
Someone should try to keep a running tally this year on missed breakaway attempts for Gabs.
I’ll start, THAT’S ONE!
Over under for the year 16 (-120)
It’s well known on this blog that I am not and never have been a Gaborik fan. I agree with ms.c. What I don’t like about him is that he only try’s for himself not for the team. Oh the team benefits when he try’s but he does nothing for anyone but himself. It’s always amazed me how those jets always cool off when they’re needed in the defensive zone…..i’m just sayin’
Whats up with Boogie? :29 of ice time so far.
Aww, I love the pair of Mittens line, BG.
Sorry DD, just a MKIA reaction…
missed you too G*
Good game. Good game. Good game. Good game.
bottom line, Darby Hendrickson has gotten exponentially better. So instead of sounding like Helen Keller would in that spot, he sounds more like an uneducated child from Appalachia with a low IQ and a speech impediment.
But I still love him, for the Gopher days.
I should have properly given Reg Dunlop the quote, RIP. My bad MsConduct. I go to the box now…
JL only likes to use my Boogie when the games not close, or he needs some extra muscle to get a point across. The game was to close for most of the game (mostly because the first two periods were a snooze fest) for JL to put Boogie out there when we need the “goal scorers” to go out and score goals.
LOL
This has got to be the lamest hockey blog I’ve ever seen. Can you have a few more sweaty twats drooling over the players? Sheesh. Pathetic. Does Minny have any guy hockey fans?
Go Flames!
hey six, your kid still cookin’?
It’s okay DD, I should have recognized it. We’re good. We’ll just face off by your net.
Don’t feed trolls.
NOW loves us!
Glad you liked the “pair of Mittens” MsC. The Mr laughed at me. Meanie.
Yep, y’all are good guys for putting up with our um… well… anyway.
What is it with these Finns and their fantastic cheekbones?
Maybe he was laughing with you? If this doesn’t prompt you locals to take some damn mittens to the rink, nothing will!
Yep, she’s at the Hotel Minneapolis. The yucky boyfriend has been gone for about a month too but she was out this weekend and rethinking that situation. Would you like me to put a word in, G*?
I might have to pick up Mittens on my fantasy league if he keeps this up.
Wow for Mittens. Looked like he had some pretty good speed on that breakaway. Nice win tonight Wild.
So I flip to the Pitt game, and the game is in HD. I always forget how much better hockey is in HD until I see it again. Why is CenterIce not in HD yet? I would pay more to get HD CenterIce, if I could afford CenterIce at all.
MsC I have a pair of red mittens I wear to all really cold weather games. The walk back to the car calls for mittens, either that or you end up with frost bite during those games in Jan and Feb. I don’t think I’ll be throwing my favorite mittens on the ice however.
SS6, forget G*, put a word in for the brother!
Cheekbones… maybe that troll had a point… Unless you are mentioning stitches on cheekbones you aren’t talkin hockey!
And the announcer just called Lemieux, Le-MOO.
Stars of the game?
Mittens
Koivu
Gaborik?
Would you like me to put a word in, G*?
what would a word get me?
Why is CenterIce not in HD yet?
it is for me
No DD, that wasn’t a slobbering comment. More like, “Damn I wish I was Finnish!” Look at all these Finnish boys and their high cheekbones. Them’s good genes.
Burnzie!
Okay so that game was pretty boring… but DAMN! What a pretty pretty goal by Gaby. And two beauties by Mittens. Gaby needs to take some lessons from Mittens on the breakaways. All the goals tonight were pretty nice. Good game for the most part!
Gaby was fantastic tonight. Mittens was fantastic tonight. Mikko was fantastic tonight. Brunette was fantastic tonight. One troubling aspect is the Wild have ALWAYS been a team that has been hit with injuries. After just one game, we already have Olden Molden and Butch on the sidelines, not to mention Zidlicky. Does anyone think there is cause for concern about this?
I see Boogie had a nice game. 29 whole seconds of ice time, according to TSN
If it makes you feel better MsC, my former boss is Finnish, and he’s short, round and balding. No high cheekbones. So it’s just Mikko and Mittens.
Leave my Boogie alone.
I’m concerned from an Aeros perspective. Kolanos is off the hook down here and I’m sure he’ll be the first to go. Just when we got reliable scoring… Pfft.
are you saying there is something wrong with balding?
The guy that just asked JL a question sounded like Russo.
Leave my Boogie alone.
Rawr!
And Backstrom, BG! But that does make me feel better. Thought maybe I’d missed out on a genetic lottery over there in Suomi.
That’s hilarious! The 3 stars are:
Miettinen,Little, Kovalchuk
Geez, who won?
On a brighter note, looks like face off % is improving; either that or the Thrashers centers are awful.
Boogaaaaard is the biggest waste of space ever to put skates on. Book it! He’s lucky we don’t have Godard anymore. That boy whoooped his ace! 2-0 good guys early against Av’s.
Cheekbones. Enuf said. Lame as it gets.
No G* I’m sure your not balding. It’s just your forehead getting bigger to make room for all your brains.
Uh oh, JL ripping on the youts again.
Suppose he’s talking about Gillies there? Or just Pouliot? I thought Reitz played pretty well from what I saw.
Really G*. I didn’t get the Wild game in HD, but I figured that was b/c FSN was too cheap to do the game in HD. But now I have the Col/Cgy game on, and it is not either.
Kolanos looked pretty good in the game I saw him in during the preseason.
For purposely not trying… can’t imagine what it will look like when #10 tries. Sorry, can’t let some stuff go. I hope sarcasm was implied.
I picked me up some Mittens for fantasy hockey…
Leave my Boogie alone.
Well, like my dad used to tell me, “You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.”
Russo plug! nice!
Ok, who let Darby on TV with a tie with pink stripes. Gah, thats hideous.
Geez. Not only is the C/C game not in HD, it seems to not even be in SD. Terrible.
No skull can carry G*’s brains, he has to carry the excess around in a suitcase.
By the way, I’ve seen G*, if he lives to be 150, he will never be bald. Hair is thick like US Open Golf deep rough. Lucky bastard.
Friggin hell, Kipper!!! Stop the puck!
xnay, this is my daughter we’re talking about….
You aren’t talking to me are you SS6? I was talking about brains and thick non-balding hair. There shouldn’t be any offense taken in that…
Ha, bloody, ha Wall, you know what I mean.
Well, I need to go finish some laundry and just to be on the safe side cover my pepper plants. Night all!!!
Really G*
in general, yes. 95% of US telecasts are in HD on center ice for me.
the wild was listed as being in HD. it probably was an upconvert it looked as it wasn’t 16:9.
Center ice doesn’t do the telecasts, they only pick up the feeds. Altitude, even though it said it was in HD last year, never showed in HD thru CI. not sure why. The canadian broadcasts will not be in HD either. There is issue with the cost of uplinks for the HD feed and it not being a full time channel.
Good heavens, are you guys already getting frost/freezing up there?
xnay, this is my daughter we’re talking about
exactly why i asked
and i get my haircut every 3 weeks or so. balding ain’t my problem
On the radio, Kurtz and Reid kept calling Jason Williams Justin Williams. How annoying!
Lemaire said that Clutterbuck might get the call up.
get to go home now. catch up with y’all tomorrow.
Colorado/Calgary here I come.
i have ducks@kings in HD and both HD feeds of BJs and sharks
or so my guide says i do
yeah Ms. C… it was 39 when I got up this morning.
Thanks G*. So it’s just FSN being cheap for me to not get HD. That is not a surprise, considering the one size fit all scoreboard.
Ah, boo (for us, great for him). Well, that gives one of the bench guys a chance.
Wow. I can’t wait for it to cool down here. It’s getting milder but a little chill in the air would make all the gardening I need to do so much nicer.
Ha! Iginla rocks.
Is it just me, or did the production quality of the game look like it came from the early 90s? I am not a fan of the new scoreboard, nor the changing of the name of the channel to “Fox Sports North” or “FS North”. But thank God, we still get Faceoff with Gorg and Greenlay. What an excellent segment that is. Not.
he should have taken his bucket off.
Oh, I didn’t even notice. You’re right G*. He should have. But it’s the Avs, so I’m gonna let that one go. They all deserve to have their knuckles busted up. Not that I’m still bitter or anything.
So ms.conduct I have to be in Houston tomorrow and Thursday for work. You’re saying no cool breezes for me?
Anybody watching VS? Why would the put Sports Soup before Hockey Central right after the game?
So for anyone that was wondering and/or jealous….Arapahoe Basin opens tomorrow….I’ve been waiting my entire life to go snowboarding in October…guess I got my wish!
Well, WATX, if you open the freezer door and stand to the side of it and have someone wave a dish towel or something from the other side, you might find a cool breeze.
I’m recording that Sports Soup. Figure there might be some hockey but I’m assuming it’s worthless.
Lemmi, there’s snowboarding on my Wii Fit and man, I really suck at that. It’s hard! But have fun. Send me some snow. I don’t think I’ve seen any for probably 6 years.
its 61 in my house right now
Iginla proved his douchenozzlety by leaving his Disney princess visor helmet on for that “fight” What’s funny is McCormick and Mcleod both have more points than Iggy. Douchnozzle.
I canceled my center ice package because few of the games are in HD. Yes, I get some, but by and large most of them are in standard def, and to make matters worse, Dish downsamples the feed, so it’s even LESS quality than normal.
They do that to 45 and FSN too.
By the way, my game comments (and I haven’t read much above) go kinda like this:
First off, my nap ran long and I woke up with 5:00 left in the 1st. Apparently I didn’t miss anything. Watched some sloppy play, and then the break, where I watched more sloppy play in HD in the form of the Pit-Phi game.
Gaborik looked awful. I was surprised he wasn’t benched. Even his goal was lackadaisical. He caught Schneider sleeping, and picked his pocket, but he happened to be in the right place at the right time. Otherwise, he pretty much sucked like a $5 hooker.
SRV was all over the place. I’d give that guy a star. Koivu played a solid game too, as did Brunette.
Burnsie seemed a bit off. He made some good plays, but not his usual great plays, or the “OMFG did you see THAT” play. He’s entitled to an off day.
Mittens. Oh sh!t. The guy gets extra ice time because of PMB’s back, and nets a couple, and everyone’s raving about him. Sorry, I didn’t see anything other than a professional hockey player finishing his play. The problem I have with him, is he doesn’t MAKE plays. Anyone else in those goal situations would have converted. Except Gaborik on the breakaway.
Gilles looked out of place. Maybe he was short-shifted, but it seemed he’d be battling for the puck, then he was gone. Where? Don’t know. On the bench I guess.
In other news, did anyone see Budaj get lit up twice in the 1st 4 mins in Calgary?
And lastly, when the hell are we gonna get the trade????
Well let us know what’s up with it Ms.C. I’m assuming it’s crap like the real Soup on E but we’ll see.
Augh. If the Ducks get another goal, I may go ahead and watch it now. Stupid effing Brad May. Oh, a fight! The Stache vs. Some guy In black and Purple.
Dude, Reid just called them the Atlanta Flames. LOL
Lucky, I think they are just trying to get viewers. I think it’s pretty funny! I always liked talk soup, and this is just like that only with sports!
directv doesn’t downsample. they show what they are given.
right now the ducks and kings are in 16:9 720p HD and both feeds of the BJ and sharks are in 16:9 1080i HD
Reid can call them whatever he wants - he actually used to play against the Atlanta Flames.
Green. My bet is DTV is downsampling too. Last year I got into a protracted discussion with the technical director at 45 about it, and he was surprised at what he found, but afterward he conceded that it’s quite possible others were doing it too.
I wrote to the league to complain that it was their obligation to ensure that the carriers broadcast the games in the resolution and bitrate they specify, but got no response.
Therefore I canceled. 3 times. Dish screwed it up twice.
Yeah yeah. I’m mean.
Gaborik looked awful. I was surprised he wasn’t benched. Even his goal was lackadaisical. He caught Schneider sleeping, and picked his pocket, but he happened to be in the right place at the right time. Otherwise, he pretty much sucked like a $5 hooker
you are dead wrong MUN. Gaby, while not GREAT, was pretty good. That goal was just good hockey sense and quickness. It was pretty. And how about that move where he turned two Thrashers inside out. Of course he was stoned on the breakaway, but still it was a great move. I wouldn’t say he was awful, and I wouldn’t say he was great, but he was good.
Skoula plays for other team again-stupid f$%#
long year again with this moron.
Augh. MF! Friggin’ ducks. Shut your 5-hole Babs!
according to the guide on directv.com tomorrow night the CI schedule for HD is like this:
6p on 771-1 sabers at rangers
6:30p on 772-1 bruins at canadiens
7:30p on 773-1 and 774-1 coyotes at blackhawks
7:30p on 775-1 and 776-1 predators at stars
9p on 777-1 oilers at ducks
Oh, I’m thinking I’ll have a Sabres/Rags appetizer with a Preds/Stars entree.
At least I know the Stars game will be in HD, as I will watch that on FS whatever Dallas is.
My bet is DTV is downsampling too.
directv uses mpeg4 compression, something dish doesnt have.
I guess if you are worried about bit rates i don’t know what to say.
I do know that i have 3 channels of hockey right now being shown in full HD and it couldn’t look better.
I’ve read and been involved in some very lengthy message board discussions on this subject and my take away was DTV does not change resolution. they were reluctant to offer games as HD that weren’t true HD meaning if the station simply upconverted their SD feed and called it HD.
DTV is also seriously geared towards sports fans.
ATX, yeah I saw the move when he went around the D. That was a good move, but he couldn’t finish. The rest of the game, he didn’t make good passes, and he didn’t control the puck well at all.
On several of the PP chances, he lost the puck along the boards, and again in the circle when pressured. When he loses the puck, he stands up and starts slowly skating back up ice. When a guy like SRV loses the puck, he continues to go after it, and doesn’t give up.
Gaborik gives up. In my opinion, of course!
I just didn’t see a good effort by a guy who wants more than 8.5/yr. Sorry, I flipped the channel and watched a 10M/yr guy for Philly basically run the offense on the PP, then watched 2 8.7M/yr guys for Pit play catch with the puck, control the offense, backcheck, break up plays, hit people, and score 2 goals.
IMHO, if Gaborik thinks he’s in the same league with any of those 3 guys - he’s on f*****g glue and needs to be committed. His play, effort, and results aren’t worth what those guys earn. And they really earn their pay.
At best, Gaby is worth 4.5-5.5 a year, as all he can return for you is some goals - if you can get him the puck, cause he surely can’t do it himself.
Okay, this Sports Soup could be funny but the host is totally grating and not funny and sort of ruins it.
Congrats to Cal for getting the call up. I hope we get to see some of that dark side Aeros fans talk about. He didn’t seem to show any during preseason.
Green, the HD is fine. That I get ok. It’s the SD that’s downsampled. But when 2 of 8 games are in HD, I don’t need to watch blurry games when the HD ones are over.
MuN, you just haven’t seen Pouliot enough if you think Gaby gives up. Seriously.
Agreed, Lucky. I’m excited to finally see him play in the NHL with my own eyes so I can see what’s going on (is he MY Cal? or some other Cal?)
It’s the SD that’s downsampled. But when 2 of 8 games are in HD, I don’t need to watch blurry games when the HD ones are over.
as posted, all games have an HD feed tomorrow. in fact most nights all games are in HD. it’s just the canadien feeds and rare US feeds.
I found that SD doesn’t play well on the big flat panel TV’s. SD is better on my 27 inch sony tube than on my 46in LCD.
Can anyone tell me where Mark Parrish ended up??
Can anyone tell me where Mark Parrish ended up??
assistant coach at bloomington jefferson?
I just didn’t see a good effort by a guy who wants more than 8.5/yr.
That is an excellent point. I feel that if his name was not Marion Gaborik, you may be saying something different about his play tonight. I think you are fairly on in your assesment, but you made it soud as if he was terrible, when he really was not.
However, I would take Kovalchuck in a trade for Gaby in a heartbeat. That dude is good.
Oh and one last thing, can someone explain what a backcheck is? I never heard that term till recently and I have no idea what you mean.
He now goes by Nordy. Too soon or is that cool?
“At best, Gaby is worth 4.5-5.5 a year, as all he can return for you is some goals - if you can get him the puck, cause he surely can’t do it himself.”
Insane.
Sorry, can’t remember the deals with the //i’s and the //whatevers.
He isn’t worth 10 mil a year. But lets not let emotions get in the way of your sanity.
ATX, it’s when the forward comes back and checks on a offensive rush by the other team. He comes from behind. Backcheck.
Man, I had a great backcheck during our game at the TC Saturday. Really pissed the guy off. Okay, maybe I slashed his stick a little. But I caught him which is a big deal for my slow self.
Dickie Dunn, I kinda assumed that’s what it was, but I wanted to be sure. I knew what forecheckig was, but back checking was new to me.
G’Night folks!
MsC, good work! JL would luv you! Guy was probably pissed first that he was back checked and then doubly pissed he was back checked by a chick. You should have made him drop his purse.
LOL DD. It’s rare that I do something worthy of pissing off the other team, so I’m always happy when I do. I have zero skill or talent, so my MO is just to irritate and interfere and try to create turnovers that my better linemates can pick up and run with. I’m still working on pissing off the goalie but he’s unflappable. Revs him up when I trash talk him. Short of talking dirty to him to get him distracted, I’m out of ideas.
Thanks for the confirmation on Cal, Russo. Awesome. I can’t wait for Thursday!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Geez, this Col/Cal game is nutty. Poor Kipper just got a terrible bounce a la that one that got Tosky last season.
my MO is just to irritate and interfere
So you’re like a Jarkko Ruutu or Matt Cooke?
Colorado might have a long year if Budaj isn’t good in net.
I’d give her Ms.Avery. Especially if she “talks dirty”. Anything to get an edge MsC.
Nah, I don’t really touch anybody unless I’m haunting the crease and then I’ll shove whoever is covering me just to let them know if they’re gonna push me around, I’m pushing back. But more just buzzing around them, blocking passing lanes, poke checking. Just generally forcing them to work a little harder to play the puck.
Nah, I couldn’t face him in the parking lot after the game if I said dirty enough stuff to rattle him.
Er, I should say, in the parking lot where we all sit around and drink beer…
You should try to “face check” the goalie… That will piss him/her off. Or else tell him about Suzanne.
Hey Hanrahan!
http://panthers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=386531
Here is an interesting piece done by the Florida Panthers about some teams eliminating the morning skate. I remember last year during the optional practices, morning skates were optional too. Rolston hated them and a couple of the players liked them.
I saw the headlines I thought, JL would have a fit if the NHL eliminated the morning skate. He doesn’t have morning skates for the second game of a back to back.
Face check? Suzanne? Ya lost me.
Woo! Kings in the lead! Nice job Stolly!
Leclaire and JSG are killing me in Fantasy Hockey. I would win more points if the category was most goals allowed not fewest goals allowed.
Kipper and Turco are killing me. I don’t mind Turco killing me but Kipper? No, he’ll suck all season, but get hot when he plays us.
Face check is Avery when he was jumping around in front of the goalie waiving his hands in front of the goalies face. THAT pisses them off. Suzanne is the estranged wife of goalie Hanrahan in Slapshot. Reg really got in his mind with Suzanne.
Just giving some tips on how to piss a goalie off.
Ahhh, right. Okay. Clearly I’m gonna have to watch Slapshot a few more times for us to communicate efficiently. I already threatened the Avery move on him and he said I’d get a shove for that.
Eh, I should be nice. He actually gives me advice when I’m playing in front of him. He’s a good novice league goalie.
Oh and I meant to say… *cringe* I feel for Boogie. To be one man down and still not get more than 30 seconds of ice? Ouch. Enforcers have a tough job all the way around, mentally and physically.
Leclaire just broke his stick in frustration after giving up a short-handed goal because of the bad play of his temmates.
Ouch. Keep it together, Pascal… how’s that game?
Austin, backchecking is as old as hockey. It is sort of like a hard full court press in basketball.
When a team is in the offensive zone and the opponents take control of the puck, then forwards backcheck to put pressure on to create turnovers and help out their defenseman.
But there are systems in place regarding responsibilities.
5-2 in the Sharks’ favor.
I am here at the end, did anyone else notice it was none other than Pasqual Dupuis with Pittsburgh’s GW over Philly?
did anyone else notice it was none other than Pasqual Dupuis with Pittsburgh’s GW over Philly?
I did.
OMW - Dupuis has done quite well in Pitt, and it is old news. And BTW, his name is Pascal.
DAK- Iginla’s a douchenozzle? First off, come with better trash talk, or keep it to yourself. Second, look up the fight the other night with Mitchel in Vancouver, he dumped the bucket. It’s a respect thing, and if the other guy isn’t going to, why would you?
Iginla has three fights in three games. Won all three.
As for point production, I hate to say it, but he hasn;t played the Wild yet. His slump will end, just needs to get his hands on our boys. And do you really think he’s going to be held pointless for the entire season?
If so… well, you are the douchenozzle.
He got a goal tonight.
Iggy played well tonight. Got one goal, one assist, 5 PIM.
A goal, and at least one assist. Plus a fight. I wish we had a couple clones of him on the Wild.
Maybe DAK is really Sean Avery and Iginla just isn’t exciting enough.
Voros implies that Gaborik willl not re-sign with the Wild by saying he doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers when asked what he thinks Gaborik will do.
He then goes on to say that Gaborik will do what he thinks is the best for his career.
I find it pretty interesting that AV and Gaby were close. Seems like a weird duo. Which just tells me I don’t know jack about either guy, really.
MsC, yeah I know Pouliot isn’t the best at staying in the play. He seems nervous at times at to what his role is, but then again, this is his first full season. Gaborik has had 7 of them. Pouliot I can accept that sort of play from, as long as he improves. After 7 seasons, I expect it from a veteran.
Greenstar, I think Dish must be carrying fewer HD games then. It’s staggering the slowness and lack of adaption to broadcasting in HD that’s shown by both the TV networks, and the content providers.
At this point, there’s no reason every game can’t be in HD.. but for now it’s a marketing tool to extort more money out of people portraying it as an “upgrade”.
Yeah, I found it to be interesting too. I just thought from the info that Voros has provided in the media, it seems he was much closer to Shep and Foy than to Gaborik.
Though, both of them along with Burns and Boogaard were around for most of the summer so they might have hung out alot more after the season ended.
If anyone else reads Eklund on a daily basis, you would have noticed the line at the bottom of his blog from earlier Tues am:
I have been working on a rumour this morning that is pretty big. I hope to have some stuff “on the record” by 4pm.
First, gotta love how Canadians spell “rumor” lol.
Second, since no update in the afternoon, it’s still a rumor and isn’t a done deal yet - which is why so much praise was heaped on Gaborik after the game. Undue praise, in my opinion.
Trade happens tomorrow, folks. My money’s on it.
Nothing against Clutterbuck or anything but don’t you think they should have called up Kolanos? He doesn’t have the energy as Clutterbuck but he might be a better scorer and can play center if we need to shift Pouliot to the wing.
Just a thought.
Undue praise? Gaborik played a very good game last night. He had scoring chances, he set up scoring chances, and he was good defensively. Lemaire doesn’t praise for the sake of praising. He calls it like he sees it.
In the playoffs, he threw Shep under the bus after the first game where Sakic won the game in OT. That was his first playoff game and he was probably nervous as hell and JL comes out and says Shep (not by name but by position - center - and everyone knew is was Shep) was out of position which allowed for the game winning goal.
God, that would be really great, MuN… I don’t believe it, but I’d welcome it.
Yeah, Sunshine, if I were calling someone up, I’d call Kolanos. He’s just got great offensive touch. But if they’re looking for a checker, Cal’s the best choice by far. Seems to me, though, that they’d just have Weller plugging the Nolan hole and Kolanos plugging the PMB hole. But whatever. This may be part of the commitment by the team to give the youts the call-ups when the situation is not too dire.
Updated Line on where Gaborik will end up:
LAK - 3:2
MON - 2:1
OTT - 5:2
PIT - 5:1
WAS - 6:1
TOR - 7:1
NYR - 8:1
BOS - 8:1
VAN - 8:1
NSH - 8:1
CAR - 10:1
STL - 12:1
PHX - 12:1
ATL - 12:1
BUF - 12:1
NYI - 15:1
TB - 15:1
SJ - 15:1
CJB - 20:1
DET - 20:1
NJD - 25:1
EDM - 30:1
CHI - 30:1
COL - 35:1
DAL - 50:1
PHI - 50:1
FLA - 50:1
ANA - 75:1
CGY - 90:1
MIN - 250:1
A few small moves, but Washington jumps to 6:1 on speculation they are looking to dump a large amount of salary and need a scoring winger.
Man, that Cote/Goddard fight was brutal!
Sunshine.. I was watching Gaborik from the time I woke up from my nap, specifically. So was a friend of mine, and we both thought the same thing - he was not controlling the play, executing passes, and getting shots on net.
Here’s what I mean: 1 goal, on 4 shots, in 32 shifts (23+ mins) and an even +\-. in 3:50 of PP time, I’d expect a player like him to have more shots. You know well that he could have only had 2 of them, since one was on his goal, and the other was when he split the D and got one with 3-something left in the 3rd.
I just got a bad feeling when I was watching the game, and I didn’t feel he was skating hard, or real involved in the play. Just my take I guess.
See, I think we don’t need a checker. We need a scorer. The Belanger line is decimated. The Gaborik line still isn’t clicking as well as I would like them to be. They played much better against the Thrashers than the Bruins but there are still some miscues.
Lemaire needs to break up that line. I think Kolanos gives him some more options. I wonder if they might be force to call up Kolanos if Nolan’s injury is alot more serious.
You know what was glaring on the PPs. Nobody in front of the net. Nobody. Nobody screening. Once in awhile Gaborik, Mittens, or Shep will skate by there but that’s it. No one standing there.
Mittens, while scoring 2 goals, also put the Wild in a crunch with his 2 penalties.
Yeah, I dunno what the logic is behind calling up Cal, other than they feel like they can score with the guys they have and they want him to get some NHL time.
I liked the fact that the centers overall did much, much better on the face-offs win, especially during the penalty kill. They were atrocious in the Bruins game.
I think JL needs to have Johnsson on the PP. He can carry the puck up the ice and rest Burns, who played 29 minutes tonight. Yes, Burns and MAB have the booming shots but sometimes we have problems just getting into the zone. Johnsson can solve some of that problem now that PMB is out.
One last thing, for about a month and half at the end of last season, we couldn’t score more than 3 goals or win by more than 1 goal. In two games this season, we have scored over 3 goals twice already.
Much praise all around. Let’s keep this up.
[…] in a 4-2 win at Atlanta. -Wild forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard (back) and Owen Nolan (lower body) are dealing with injuries. Forward Cal Clutterbuck was recalled from Houston of the AHL. Pacific Division -Jarret Stoll and […]
I was at the game last night and here are a few observations.
The crowd was pathetic, more people go to ely games..quite a few wild fans though
gaborik actually played well on both ends of the ice after the first where he was coasting a lot
koivu’s line was really, really good
i think i am going to like weller eventually
skoula had a horrid fist half of the game but was better late, the rest of the D looked ok for most of the game
overall it was an fairly good road game for the team. koivu line and backs were very good.
I couldn’t face him in the parking lot after the game if I said dirty enough stuff to rattle him.
you don’t have to face him…
I think Dish must be carrying fewer HD games then
limited bandwith of the two providers forces them to choose which HD they provide and don’t provide. DTV has launched two new birds in the last year or two and has chosen to upgrade their HD sports offerings where dish looks to have decided to add movie channels.
and, like sunshine, reading into AV’s comment, i’d say #10 has little intention on staying here. Can’t decide if it is money or system but i do believe it is clear that what #10 thinks is best for #10 is not to be found in st paul.
I’ve had this feeling since he kept saying he has a contract to play for wild and he intends to honor it.
I also get the sense from that art that nothing will happen until deadline unless ballgame is willing to be bent over.
I’m really curious as to why Boogie saw so little ice time with the Wild down a player and “the kids” not playing well.
Maybe because of the way the team did everything they could to get him a goal in the Boston game, and him still not being able to pull it off?
Ahem… anyway.
Do you suppose Gaborik approved of that message from AV?
Now that he has let this mess drag into the regular season, Ballgame has no choice but to hold onto Gaby until the deadline, when teams will be feeling “desparate” and Ballgame will be able to get more in return. It’s a huge risk considering the injury factor, but Ballgame has put himself and the organization in this position by not dealing prior to the start of the season so now he has to sweat it out. Unless, of course, Gaby is hit in the head with a wayward slapshot, comes to his senses and fires Salcer and accepts the 8 yr/$68 million offer he has on the table. We’ll have to see. Nice road win last night, anyway, against a putrid Atlanta squad. Must have “empty chair” night last night, as every fan in attendance was required to bring an empty seat.
Is it just me, or does Bryan Little for Atlanta look a bit like Ogie Ogelthorpe…..?
I hope we can keep Gaborik but everyone wants more money and he will probably go where that is. The reality of it is we better move him soon and make sure we get some good talent in return!
What is with the “Ballgame” nickname for DR anyway? Does this have any meaning or did someone just think it is cool for some reason?
After watching the game last night, trade Gaborik to Atlanta…see how he likes making $10 million a year while playing in front of NOBODY with no chance of making the playoffs….hey, at least he would be out East.
Now that the season has begun, I wish we could somehow put a moratorium on Gaborik contract/trade discussion unless there is something new to add.
It may not be a distraction for the team yet, but it sure has become one for us! 
I saw most of the game and really like what Mittens has done so far.
I thought (back when DR picked him up) that it would be an intriguing acquisition.
I also underestimated Brunette’s value. I think he’s going to have a monster year - along with Koivu.
I also think Inglewood Jack could play 40 minutes if needed…
A nice win (no OT again!) but lets not get too carried away…it was Atlanta.
From what I read (and my interpretation) there’s no way Ghost re-signs. And we will be this year’s Atlanta…dragging on to the deadline - unless Montreal stumbles. Then they would have more urgency to improve. Phi already is…I still got a shot!
After watching the game last night, trade Gaborik to Atlanta…see how he likes making $10 million a year while playing in front of NOBODY with no chance of making the playoffs….hey, at least he would be out East.
+1
I agree completely. He has to know there is a chance he could end up in a horrible hockey market like that. I think the lack of fans there contributed to why many of us felt the game was boring. Even during the exciting moments there was no noise at all. Playing in an arena like that would SUCK.
Dougie Ballgame I’m guessing, Deep Breath is about the only one that uses it so I think he coined it. Not sure.
“Now that he has let this mess drag on, Ballgame …”
What makes anyone think the problem is DR? It is far too easy to complain about about “not getting a deal done”. But, it is not that easy unless you just cut people loose and let them leave for junk prices.
Also, a comment on Voros’ remark. I have no problem with Gaby or anyone else deciding to shoot for the moon and that he really does not have any special feelings toward the Wild or the our city.
Some guys would just rather be in Hollywood than here. Ultimately, it is their own decision and just business.
But, Voros does not seem to grasp that we as fans are (or should be) fans of a team more than fans of individuals. So, Gaby opting to move on is a disappointment.
Sunshine, no need to be frustrated about JL line combinations or who whether Johnsson should or should not be on the PP.
JL is wise in a way that fe coaches in the NHL or other places are. It will work itself out sooner than later. In the meantime, just sit back and enjoy.
If you are serious Wild4Hockey, the problem with trading Gaby to Atlanta or someplace like that: Those teams will not pay anything for him if he is unsigned. They would have virtually no chance to re-sign him.
I think Gaby has a vision of himself on a bigger stage.
Maybe he has a vision of driving his Porsche along the beaches of South Florida with the top down in January, with beautiful women in skimpy swimwear draped around his neck. (Actually, that is an inviting vision for OldManWinter too, maybe I ought to practice my shot)
But, Gaby does not probably realize that he is in a better place to play hockey than nearly any city in the NHL.
With the Wild, you have a competitive team, a sport that is appreciated, and an arena of adoring fans.
Lots of teams fall way short of that.
A few thoughts:
1. Philips Arena = hillbilly heaven. Anyone else notice the four drunk guys in the corner (in club seats) constantly banging on the glass? That was about the only noise in the place. Despite every gimmick imaginable (’All-you-can-Eat’ seats, discounted tickets, etc.,) they still can’t draw flies to the place.
2. I would be embarrassed to be a Thrashers fan. How could you possibly root for that bunch of mutts? Is there a second meaning for their ‘Blueland’ marketing theme??
3. Gaborik had an OK game. Not great, but certainly not bad. Has the contract drive actually started?
Others who had good games: Brunette, Burns, Koivu, Miettinen (see next), Schultz. Didn’t have a bad game: Gaborik, Skoula (I’ll give him credit for the head-over-heels hit in the third), Backstrom.
‘Mittens’ had a great game last night. Now if he can keep it up for, say, 80-100 games or so…the slug for last night’s game story should have been:
“‘Mittens’ knits win vs. Thrashers”
Porsches don’t handle very well on icy roads.
My biggest fear of a Gabby trade is the $5M salary cap dump overpaid veteran player signed until 2011 we will receive along with a 2nd or 3rd rounder and a marginal prospect. If that’s the best we get then I’ll gladly take the salary cap space on July 1, 2009 to sign a free agent.
You just can’t let Gaborik go for nothing. Waddell had it right that you need to get something to move forward even its just picks. Hopefully, they then can translate that into good players.
El Gato: You have a great point there.
The worst thing that could happen in the Gaborik FA saga is that Dougie Ballgame does nothing, lets Gaborik walk away and…VOILA! The Wild suddenly have nearly $8M of cap space available to go out and sign free agents. I would rather have the room to ‘Go shopping’ in free agency, rather than be saddled with a bunch of someone else’s not-too-good cast-offs.
I still like the Larry Brooks (NY Post) comment about Gaborik:
“Good Luck to you, young man. Enjoy your time in Russia.”
Several Thrasher fans enjoyed the D&D broadcast last night (shocking that there was no local TV I guess) - http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/thrashersfans/entries/2008/10/14/thrashers_fail.html - Some would like to Greenly return to ATL where he once played goal. Can broadcasters be included in an player trade?
So Shooter says we offered Gaby 10 years–$90M. If that’s the case and who knows if that is right, then can’t imagine DR doing much more. That clearly means Gaby does not want to return–as we all expected. Still think it will hurt to lose him.
but, if you subscribe to the theory that DR is out of touch with what FAs are looking for, or that Lemaire keeps people from wanting to play here, or that DR or Lynn are terrible negotiators, then the risk is that we end up with Doug Weight (a la the Islanders) for all that cap space when Gaby leaves.
wood: I agree. If he really turned down $90M then he has absolutely no intention to sign here.
Allan Muir - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/allan_muir/10/15/marian.gaborik.notes/?eref=sircrc - Has this:
So, where is Gaborik likely to go? The Penguins have popped up as a possibility, but that’s just speculation. It’s not hard to see that Crosby is a racecar saddled with square wheels for wingers. The thought of Gaborik and the Kid gunning it into enemy territory is delicious, but the math doesn’t work. The Pens already have four big-ticket players on the books for next season, with the possibility of a fifth in Jordan Staal. Worse, they have $41 million committed and just 11 players signed. And while Staal has been mentioned as possible trade bait, it’s hard to imagine the Penguins dealing more young talent for another potential free agent, especially after clearing the prospect shelves in last season’s Marian Hossa deal. Staal eventually may go, but it’ll be for affordable, signable talent.
And honestly, the Wild likely won’t get a player of Staal’s caliber in return. Long-term rental or not, this deal is likely to be structured similarly to the one that sent Chris Pronger from Edmonton to the Ducks. That means a reliable young player, a blue-chipper and a first-rounder.
The Sabres have some cap space, and the kind of young talent and picks to make an intriguing offer. After losing so much talent to the free agent game, Buffalo could use an immediate infusion to legitimize their run for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Montreal, in a make-or-break year with just four forwards signed for next season, has to be in the running. It would require some nifty cap space shuffling by Bob Gainey, but the Habs’ GM has proved to be one of the best in the game.
The most intriguing possibility might be the Panthers, a team with plenty of cap room next season, pressure to break a long playoff slump this season, and the need for a positive PR move given the likely loss of impending free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Hmmm…wonder if one team would be willing to swap its problem for the other’s?
Every day that passes without some sort of resolution is a gamble for the Wild, but the risk is just as high for Gaborik. If he suffers another injury that costs him more than a couple games — something that seems as likely as Angelina Jolie adopting another third world baby — then he loses considerable bargaining leverage. Then that $80 million or so might not look so bad in hindsight.
I should have added that Muir has a significant amount about the situation DR is in so you may want to check out the entire article.
Russo did say on Rosens on Sunday that it only looks like the Wild offered him an $8 million/yr deal, no info on years. He also did say twice that Gaborik’s camp denied receiving an $8 million deal or the $80 million -10 year deal. The Pio is saying a little over $80 million and TSN has it at $8.25 million.
So, from all that info, I would surmise that the Wild isn’t close to reaching the $9 million/yr deal but its likely between $8-$8.5 million at the moment.
Gaborik has also denied in the Slovakian papers wanting $100 million-10 year that Larry Brooks wrote about.
Whatever the truth is–we ain’t signing Gaby unless a miracle happens.
From Ecklund…
Rumours are Rumours…but this is from a connected source out West (therefore the e3) who confirmed to me today that “this is a definite possible outcome of the Gaborik standoff.”
Many Habs fans will note that Higgins always pops up in Rumours and Gainey always shoots them down. I am told that if this deal fails to happen it will be all on Gaborik not wanting to play in Montreal.
It is a trade that makes sense for both parties. The Wild are off to a solid start and could become instant contenders should this go down, and the Canadiens would add a bona fide superstar to a line-up that already is knocking on Stanley’s door.
Not certain what conditions would be tied to the #1, but I imagine it could be linked to Gaborik’s games played or signing an extension in Montreal..
So Minny and Habs fans…what do you think?
more to come…
Yeah, Eklund has it up, a few mins ago.
Ms C, it goes down today!!!!
Old Man Winter: It is all on DR at this point. You cannot force a player to sign a contract but the two sides have been talking since late August. It should have been more than clear a month ago what Salcer/Gaby wanted. If Ballgame wasn’t going to go that high, it was up to him to make a deal. He stated numerous times that he would not less this creep into the regular season, yet, here we are and nothing has been done. I stated a week ago that Gaby would be on the ice at the “X” for the Oct. 30 game but he would be wearing a Montreal sweater. Also, folks seem to think he is going to end up in a wasteland like Atlanta. As a UFA, he has the power to sign with whomever he feels. Nothing to say he doesn’t take less money to go somewhere which would allow his skills to be used in a different manner or if he feels he has a better shot at winning a Cup.
I like the idea of tying pick(s) to if Gaby signs with the team he is traded to. However - and I cen’t believe I am typing this - does the Wild need a C (assuming Higgins plays C for them, I think hge does)? Belanger and Shep don’t seem like 4th line material right now although Belanger could be involved in the trade (but his $1.8 million deal for this year and next is a good cap deal). Meanwhile, Kostitsyn plays Gaby’s position - do they view him as untradable?
6GS: About the ajc.com Thrasher blog comments:
Only if we can throw in Terhaar and his constantly-cracking voice in with Greenlay…
Higgins and McDonagh are both former 1st round picks. Conditional 1st would have to be if Gaby signs LT with the Habs. Damn, I told myself I’d never let Eklund get me all worked up again!!
As a UFA, he has the power to sign with whomever he feels.
Good point but NHL wastelands usually have the cap space to significantly overpay so that is why I like tying picks to Gaby signing an extension with his new team - it gives the wasteland more hope
Typical Eklund’s ‘rumour’. Probably realistic in terms of what we could expect in trade for Gaby. A decent player, a prospect, and a pick. However the cap numbers don’t appear to work and how does replacing Gaby with Higgins make the Wild instant contenders.
Agreed–Higgins is decent but no way he makes us an “instant contender” when Gaby is subtracted. Not much immediate value in that trade.
Isn’t Higgins a winger? And one who’s gotten 20+ goals the last three years?
Don’t think he’s played yet this season though.
Not much immediate value in that trade.
Maybe not, but don’t expect any either. You’re probably not going to get exact or better value from trading Gaborik. You’ll get young talent (maybe) that will need time to grow. Sorry to break it to you.
He’s a center and was hurt during the preseason. Has not played yet this year and is regarded as the team’s 3rd center at best. I hope this is not the guy that Eklund feels makes the Wild an “instant contender”, a former 1st round pick that will get you between 22-28 goals. Ish.
The Wild can surely use a C like Higgins. He’s an instant #1 or #2 center, puts up good points, is fast, gritty, and likes to play a 2-way game. Would fit in well with JL’s system.
Koivu, Higgins, Shep, Belanger. Pouliot goes back to Wing, or platoons to and from the press box.
The huge deal here is what it does short term, and long term. McDonagh is a great D prospect at Wisconsin! He needs 3 more years there, but he was among the top D-men drafted last year. 12th overall I think.
The conditional pick would be ours to give as compensation if Gaborik did not sign with the Habs beyond this year. Not sure if that’s such a good idea, a player swap that might leave us in a worse position should he not sign a contract there, and pursue full market value come July 1.
There’s a huge upside to this though. Before anyone gets upset that we aren’t getting enough (and we might get more), look at this. The wild effectively frees up 4.63 Mil this year, leaving us about 8.6 Mil UNDER the cap.
If the Wild are real contenders come Feb, you can bet your asses we’re in the game for some of the top free agents out there. Or, we would have the room to make some pickups along the way without having to worry about the wiggle room. That’s really a big deal.
As it is, I’d pull the trigger, but only after I tried to improve it a bit. I’d rather get 2 players in the deal, than a 1 and 1, but Montreal doesn’t have much else they could part with. Sergei Kostitsyn maybe, but what else?
So Higgins centers their fourth line? I thought they had Plekanec, Koivu and Lang as their top three centers.
What’s more Higgins has been DTD since the season started with a groin problem. I’ve been growling at him on my fantasy team.
MuN… I’ll believe it when Russo tells me.
Cluts’ callup is official, however. Atta boy.
No, he’s playing LW in Montreal, but he played C back at Yale and in Hamilton. He could play anywhere, but giving his 2-way play style, I’d think he’d be a lock for the #2 spot.
Its a given that we won’t get a fair deal. What we want is the best deal available. Even if we get draft picks back, I really hope that DR can pick up at least 1 elite player in FA. This past FA period was abysmal in obtaining elite players even after giving huge contracts and were turned away.
If we have to give away a 1st rounder and Gaborik for Higgins and Co, then DR has got to be fired. That is total mismanagement — Gilmour trade 2.0. We are suppose to get a 1st or 2nd rounder depending if Gaborik signs.
Yes, Higgins is D2D with a groin pull, and he had a similar injury 2 years ago. He hasn’t missed substantial time with it, and it’s not like a chronic injury issue like Gaborik’s has been.
Keep in mind, Gaby has had the groin issue, and the quad issue, and also the off-season hip surgery.
Higgins missed 16 games once with an ankle injury, but I don’t recall why.
He’s a great PP specialist, and takes over 200 shots in a season. I like this guy.
Higgins is no where near being a #1 center, unless you’re talking about the U of M roster. In addition, let’s not get all sweaty over being under the Cap. We’ve seen how top-end UFAs have flocked to sign with this team. Ballgame ate the contract he gave to Parrish; overpaid miserably to get Johnnson; has nothing to show for unloading O’Sully and a #1 pick; he spent 1/2 million to bring in that waste of space Simon at last year’s deadline and couldn’t lure any top-end UFAs this past summer when they tried to get Hossa, couldn’t resign Roalstad and couldn’t get Morrison to sign. Obviously those last two are not in Hossa’s class, but it is a trend. I don’t think the Wild should expect to get legit difference makers in return for Gaby but hopefully they can pull a #1 out of somebody. Aside from Theilen, the team has had great success with their #1 picks. Still will be disappointed if it comes out that Ballgame didn’t go any higher than 8 million a year and that Gaby would have signed for 8.5-8.75 or something in that neighborhood.
He played center all last year for Montreal and now is out with the same weiner problem Gaby was afflicted with.
Well, being bored, I’m reading the comments on Eklund’s post, and the majority of Habs fans don’t seem to want to trade Higgins under any circumstances. They seem to view him as future captain material.
lol DB, are you bitter??
If DR does do a trade and its for Higgins, he can’t make it happen until Higgins has played at least 1 game. To trade Gaborik (healthy now) for Higgins (injured now) would be a PR nightmare.
It’s all speculation until Ballgame calls the presser…then I’ll believe it.
And remember who started the speculation…the king of mis-information himself, the one and only Eklund…(e3)
KiPA, the Habs fans are right - this guy is a great up-and-coming player. He already has netted 25g/30a a year for the past 3, and he’s only 25. He’s going to get his ice time cut back because of Tanguay’s arrival, and the fact the Habs are loaded with talent up front.
He’s expendable in their system, and an RFA in 2 years.
Their fans know a good thing when they see it, but Gainey has 10 - YES 10 UFA’s at the end of this year, including Kovalev, Koivu, Tanguay and Lang. I’m sure Gainey would dump Kovalev at the deadline if he had Gaborik signed.
Michael up North: Absolutely not bitter. Just a very passionate Wild fan that has watched Ballgame make some VERY questionable decisions with regards to money in the past and does not want to see the organization lose a player like Gaby over a 1/2 to 3/4 million dollars per season. That would be disappointing considering the money he has thrown away over the last year (i.e. Parrish, i.e. Simon).
WRT: I am agreeing with you in that eklund has to be taken with an arena-load of salt. I’m still supping from the community kool-aid pitcher that somehow Gaby comes to his senses and signs and extension or Ballgame comes to his senses and ups the offer a little bit.
I’m also in with sunshine that if the particulars are accurate (big stretch) that Ballgame cannot make the deal until it is proven that Higgins is healthy. Otherwise you have to wait until the dealine, pray Gaby stays on the ice and try to fleece another GM (another big stretch).
He’s an RFA after this season.
And I’ll agree with some other comments that maybe Habs fans overvalue their players. They are God’s gift to hockey after all. (But granted, most teams’ fans probably overvalue their players.)
But why dump Kovalev at the deadline? The contracts already don’t work out, so if Gaborik is traded to MTL tomorrow, some other move(s) will have to be made. But if, cap-wise, you can keep Kovalev and Gaborik, why get rid of one? Kovalev’s 35 so I don’t know how likely they are to re-sign him. So instead, ride him to the Cup then let him walk.
Absolutely not bitter.
And we’ll trade you Malkin and Crosby for Gaborik.
Kovalev was great for them down the stretch. I don’t see them dumping him unless they are out of the playoff picture.
WOuldn’t work because Ballgame wouldn’t pay Malkin and Crosby.
Montreal is not going to be out of the playoff picture.
Well we’d offer it anyway………
DB: not during the regular season, anyway, I agree.
Looks like Higgins would play wing now and would have the potential to play C in the system down the road - a guy with 20 plus goals over 3 years is probably the best we can hope for about the NHL player coming back in the Gaby trade. However, I do think there is the chance for something more if a glamour team that is confident it can extend Gaby wants to make a major change (Philly?). As noted above, the big issue with a potential Higgins deal is that his cap hit is only $1.7 million.
doesn’t the cap prevent montreal from making this trade anyways?
Unless of course, Kovalev is in the deal to make the cap numbers a little closer.
DR takes salary and makes another failed run in the offseason to sign UFA talent and then tries to sell the fans on the ‘we gotta see what the kids can do’ angle once again.
jimlove: all by itself, yes. They’d have to free up some other room. That might be a non-starter for Montreal too. As WRT said, it IS Eklund…
In trading a star player, shouldn’t it be the other team giving up a conditional #1?
If DR gives up a #1 to send Gaby packing, I agree… he needs to be fired!
This deal better be contingent on a sign-and-trade. Gaby for the other two straight-up, I’d consider that.
kj: are you saying Kovalev is added to Higgins, McDonagh and the pick? If DR pulls that off I’ll vote for HIM for President.
Problem would be 1) does Kovy mope going from a probable Cup contender to a potential division contender 2) which kid pulls popcorn/gets sent back to Houston?
DB, I was the biggest Johnsson detractor for years but now he looks like he is worth his value for what he is bringing to the team.
sunshine, only teams with cap space will be trading prospects and draft picks. If there is no cap space, then we should expect to receive an overpaid veteran who is signed for a few years. If we could pull of a deal like Atlanta did for Hossa, I would be happy. JL does wonders with young talent, if they are willing to listen and work hard.
Sorry. Kovalev doesn’t leave Montreal. At this point, I really wouldn’t care who we get, as long as we can either make use of them long-term (read: beyond July 1) or we flat-out unload Gaby’s big-buck salary so’s we can go shopping this summer.
Higgins? Yeah, he’d be alright. But will that, a first-rounder and picks satisfy Ballgame? Or, the massive number of sheeple who think Gaby is the be-all and end-all of this franchise?
jimlove: Higgins (plus picks/prospects) for Gaby will not work because of the money. Other moves would have to be made on the Canadiens’ side.
Also, a lot is being made about getting Gaby’s salary off the books or that Higgins’ hit is only $1.7. We have seen what Ballgame does in regards to the checkbook. Freeing up money should not be the #1 goal in trading Gaby.
But will that, a first-rounder and picks satisfy Ballgame? Or, the massive number of sheeple who think Gaby is the be-all and end-all of this franchise?
What satisfies those people who think Gaborik and Risebrough share the title of “Antichrist?”
Oh, and DR can bristle all he wants when the ‘big name free agents won’t come here because of JL’ start flying. He responds by saying that ‘I’ve had players say JL has revived their careers’. If a career is being revived, that means the player was not a ‘big time free agent’. It’s like a restaurant owner saying, ‘What do you mean fine diners won’t come and eat here, the pigs love the food I serve, it revived their taste buds’! So then the pigs start eating at other fancier restaurants. But the fine diners still don’t show.
Did I read the article right? To me it sounded like this:
Montreal Gets:
Gaby
Conditional #1
Minnesota Gets:
Higgins
McDonagh
We’re not getting any picks in this scenario.
What satisfies those people who think Gaborik and Risebrough share the title of “Antichrist?”
wait, don’t tell me….watching “Miracle” while drinking hot chocolate on the couch at mom’s house?
Ideally, for a trade I am hoping for a 2nd line forward (3rd -4th best player on that team), 1 decent prospect, and 1st rounder (non-conditional)
KiPA: Good question. I can’t answer that one for anybody, including myself.
I think Gaby and Ballgame are both between a rock and a hard place.
sunshine: +1
The “we’ll have so much extra cap space to bring in UFAs next summer” talk should be tempered a little bit, considering Ballgame’s ability to convince high-end UFAs to play in Minnesota because “we have so much more to offer”.
WRT: +1
sunshine +2
That’d be wonderful. I’d even go for for the top 6 forward + one of the other two options you wrote.
I think this is what is more likely to happen. I mean, hell, what did we get for Randy Moss? A 2nd round pick?
That’s why I said that if that’s the scenario then DR should be fired immediately. The Wild giving a #1 pick and Gaborik for Higgins and McDonagh? Gilmour 2.0.
sunshine: +1
I get a +1 too. I said that about three months ago.
And no knocking Miracle! If more of you joined me in watching Miracle in the first week of June, the Soviet Army wouldn’t be holding our trophy.
WRT: I’m not sure Gaby is in a tough position. He knows, regardless if and to where Ballgame trades him, he will be able to sign anywhere he wants to next July 1. If he wants to take much less cash for a shot at a Cup, he could sign with Detroilet, Pitt, etc. If he wants to break the bank, I’m sure there will be a team or three that offer up in the $9 million+ per season range. I would say Ballgame has got himself in a tighter corner than Gaby.
sunshine, that would be an ideal trade. Unfortunately it comes down to who will blink first and I think we’ve seen that DR usually the one with flapping eyelids.
That being said I think he did some very good work in the FA market this off-season not overpaying, but he’s still going to have the ‘big FA not signing here’ thing hanging over his head.
Gunslinger: I thought what you had was accurate except for the #1 pick scenario. I thought that the Wild would get the #1 pick from Montreal IF Gaborik was re-signed to a long-term deal.
Also, a lot is being made about getting Gaby’s salary off the books or that Higgins’ hit is only $1.7. We have seen what Ballgame does in regards to the checkbook. Freeing up money should not be the #1 goal in trading Gaby.
Until there is strong evidence otherwise, I think we should give CL the benefit of the doubt on the budget.
Ideally, for a trade I am hoping for a 2nd line forward (3rd -4th best player on that team), 1 decent prospect, and 1st rounder (non-conditional)
Exactly but it is hard to square the cap space with a contender like MTL and a player like Higgins.
Everyone thinks its going to Montreal and it will end up being the Devils or Tampa.
Oh yeah, I’d love to see Walzie on his case in Tampa! Sign me up for Center Ice if that happens!
And Rolston could be his center in NJ? Maybe our ‘deal with the Devils’ could include moving up one pick in next season’s draft also!
he spent 1/2 million to bring in that waste of space Simon at last year’s deadline
this is a complete non-factor. if the half mil didn’t got to simon, it wasn’t going anywhere else and couldn’t be carried over to this season. they aren’t roll over dollars. simon’s deal has ZERO relevance.
Montreal is going all in to win a cup this year. They will happily sell the future. If there were no cap in play, think of the all-star team they would have assembled.
Or, the massive number of sheeple who think Gaby is the be-all and end-all of this franchise?
nothing will satisfy these types unless #10 is traded for a top 5 player.
tries to sell the fans on the ‘we gotta see what the kids can do’ angle once again.
i thought that is what this year was to be?
Wow, an update from an actual journalist would be really cool right now in the midst of the rumor hash.
G*: +1 x3 (for each of your points)
WRT - I think the Wild give up the conditional #1.
Here is Ecklunds blog title:
RUMOUR (e3): Gaborik and a Conditional #1 for Higgins and McDonagh
We also went through the kids angle in the spring of 2005.
Somewhere Eklund is sitting in a booth pleasuring himself at the fact he got so many people riled up with his BS rumor.
He has the damn NHL Salary cap site hooked right into his own, but why bother to look at that before posting the rumor to get a few hits right?
Uncle Moneybags and a #1 for anything (other than Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin) is ridiculous, even for Eklund.
i think montreal would have to have a deal in place to move markov or hamerlik for draft picks or to us, for the deal to work.
Capologists: would Gaby and Skoula or MAB for Higgins and Markov or Hamerlik work? MTL could improve their blueline at the deadline.
Uncle Moneybags+ Skou-Dog = 8.1M
UM+ MAB = 7.5M
Higgins + Hamerlik = 7.2M
higgins + Markov = 7.45
Wild have just under 2M to play with…
Habs have just over 1M to play with…
So I guess, yeah technically it would work… but barely.
You guys are getting all worked up over Ecklund? SUCKERS!
NiNY…not all three…but Montreal would have to move salary to make it under the cap in a deal for the Ghost. It wouldn’t have to be back to the Wild. However, then you’re talking two deals with two trading partners and complicating things even more.
Green*…I thought this was ‘we spent to the cap’ year.
(e5) Eklund to sling more monkey poo at 4PM today.
Thank you Enlightened One.
Wow….doom and gloom in Russoville this morning.
Ahh it was only game #2 and we DID WIN.
WRT: sheeple - LOVE IT!
Ecklund = crap
Higgins plays LW.
I’m f’n hungry
/rant
to add to that rant….LOVE Shep getting down and dirty in front of the net the past two games.
KiPA, correct.. RFA end of this year. I was mistaken.
And for the rest of you folks, the negativity and pessimism towards any possible deal DR pulls is astounding! I thought Reusse was the king of misplaced negativity toward management, but a few of you have gone loony over this!
Whatever anyone thinks of Eklund, it is a plausible trade.
Whatever anyone thinks of DR or BG, it would provide a benefit to the Wild, and a benefit to Montreal.
Whether you agree with the necessity or importance of said benefit, is up to you, but seriously - lay off the mustard a bit! Criticize the deal after it’s done, not before.
No problem SGS:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/
Part of (gulp) Eklund’s site… used to be its own site, but it seems to be under construction all the time now.
It is not a plausible trade. Gaborik and #1 for Higgins and McDongh won’t work for the basic fact that Montreal doesn’t have the cap room to fit Gaborik. They would be $4 million over the cap.
And why would DR want to give up a #1 for Higgins when it should be a #1 for Gaborik?
Anyone up for some brain cramping fun?
http://www.mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=455&p=1
Took me 3:08.
Oh man… my feed from The Hockey News got messed up with something… getting all kinds of health and business crap…
Sunshine.. The conditional #1 is for McDonugh should Gaborik not sign.
Took me 3:08.
3:22 remaining
MuN: That (condidtional #1 for McDonough, should Gaby not re-sign) makes more sense. Ballgame should try for giving up a No. 3 pick, but I’m almost sure Bob Gainey would balk at that.
Think harder, Buddha. I just realized I have a roster issue because of something I wasn’t aware of…would like to get it resolved as soon as possible.
Buddha, took you 3:08 or 3:08 remaining (took you 1:52).
If the Wild lose Gabby and a #1 its a bad deal no matter what. I think this is supposed to be another good draft year. If the pick is for a year or so off it might not be so bad. Giving up number 1 picks always worries me though. They make up the future of the franchise. In some respects though it would be two #1 picks for 2 #1 picks, it is just that some have already been made and developed.
It would really equal a Higgins for conditional 1 and Gabby for the Badger boy. I don’t see the Wild really winning that one or the Canadiens because they get a rental player that helps an already deep offense. Maybe that will be the kicker to get them to win the cup but it seems like grit would be better for that than a player that disappeared in the playoffs last year. Of course playing for the Canadiens in the playoffs would make it a lot easier to find space and not be as focused on by the opposing D so Gabby might make a star of himself and get 12 mill.
Its a bad deal though. Don’t give up your 1st pick to deal Gabby, get a #1 pick. I would rather see Gabby shipped for picks and prospects and not contending this year than that. Try and get a high first rounder and find someone that will be a game changer but that has hear and desire and grit too.
Ms. C… or anyone really…
Just read a report that said “All 29 of the AHL teams have started their seasons.”
Shouldn’t there be 30 teams? One for each NHL squad?
WOW that was long, sorry apparently Russo isn’t the only one to rant on his blog.
It took me 3:08, had 1:52 remaining.
KiPA- think harder about what? The trade, or the shutting down of that other team?
MuN…conditional or not, the cap numbers do not work in the Montreal scenario.
sunshine +1 - they HAVE to dump salary to get the Ghost.
MuN…one man’s mustard is another man’s rhubarb. And we all know we should ‘never rub another man’s rhubarb’…
Eh, check your mail in a minute.
As for the AHL…I don’t know how many teams there are, but I know that last season at least, both Edmonton and Pittsburgh ’shared’ an AHL team. I can’t remember if that agreement is in place still or not.
That would still be stupid, the conditional first rounder if Gaborik doesn’t sign? You do realize that if we give up our 1st rounder, we won’t be picking until the 4th round,right? That makes no sense. DR should still be fired.
Its the risk they take for picking up Gaborik. I would add a 4th rounder but I wouldn’t add a 1st rounder AT ALL.
We gave up a 2nd rounder for Zidlicky, 3rd rounder for Cuma, and got a 4th rounder from the Rolston rights trade.
Everyone can simply forget any possibility of any kind of Gaby + Skoula trade.
First, you’d have to pry Skoula out of JL’s cold, dead hands.
G*: The money wasted on simon is not a non-issue. Shows that Ballgame isn’t afraid to throw away money. If the difference between what Gaby wants and Ballgame is offering is say, 6 or 7 million dollars over the lifetime of the contract, then Ballgame needs to be taken to task because he has proven an ability to waste money. If you give it to Gaby, you know what you’re getting. One of the top 2 or 3 goal scorers in the Conference who has as many assists as he does goals. Don’t forget the Cap space we’re wasting on the Parrish buyout. I would rather an extra half million a year go towards a Gaby contract for the next 10 years than to see Ballgame p!ss it away at the deadline on a real “difference maker” like Simon.
KJ, yeah as it stands, they can’t fit Gaborik’s cap hit.. But if a player is traded, the cap it is based on the number of days he’s on the roster. Therefore, if Montreal kept him for the rest of the year, they’d be responsible for almost all of his salary - and they don’t have the space as is. But if they moved someone else, or someone went on IR - they might.
There’s a few rules in there too. Never know, the rumor might be way off too. I do agree though, Gainey would have to do something to make room.
Damn Buddah. It took me 3 tries to get all thirty teams! I always forget the last few every time.
I forgot about the Blue Jackets for the longest time, which is funny since a) they’re the closest team to me besides the Penguins, and b) I’m considering a weasel deal to acquire Rick Nash.
Other than that, forgetting about Columbus is completely excusable…
I kept forgetting the Avs and the Devils of all teams… I would just skip right over them for whatever reason.
Yeah… I sat and stared for about 30 seconds racking my brain for the last team… freaking ‘Nucks.
KiPA- I proposed a trade to help you out. The one you proposed earlier. It’s not Nash, but it should help you.
ESPN sucks.
Like a freakin Hoover man.
More like a Dyson, really… it never loses suction…
I wonder what would happen if I cut Selanne to make this trade…
I sent you an email. Cut PMB, make the trade, pick him back up. I set it up to make it work. Selanne is part of the trade…
I know he was, which is why I found it funny if I chose to cut him.
Looks like we’re all good now though. But good lord. Screw ESPN.
First of all, Higgins is not the C in Montreal, Koivu is and has been since he returned if I remember right. If he is a gritty player and plays center who is to say we don’t add Puoliot to the deal and do a two for two and picks our way. We could swap a center and winger for the same and get Kostitsyn and Higgins, both have youth and are talented. I was very impressed by Kostitsyn during a game earlier this week. I don’t want to give up on Puoliot but, he is a small center and hasn’t seemed to fit in with JL’s system.
Not to up on my Habs hockey though so this could have been a waste of time. I liked Kostitsyn when I seen him play the other night, it was only one game though.
sunshine, we did not give up a 3rd to get Cuma, we gave up a 3rd to move 1 spot in the draft so we would be assured Cuma. Granted, we got the guy we wanted, but NJ picked up 2 draft picks during the process (they made another trade to stay one spot in front of us, because they probably knew who we wanted and were able to get DR to blink). If NJ really wanted Cuma, they would have selected him right? They had already picked up 1 additional pick to stay infront of us.
Not sure anybody is claiming that Higgins is the Captain “C”. Many have stated that he is a Center “C”. You have your Cs mixed up.
C - you are a towel
EG: the bottom line is that we gave up a 2009 3rd rounder to get Cuma - move up or whatever- a third rounder went the other way.
It still remains that if we give up our 2009 first rounder with Gaborik, we still won’t pick until the 4th round. The Wild doesn’t have the best record beyond the first two rounds.
Pouliot is now a small center??? What do you consider big?
Left Wings
NO. NAME AGE HT WT SHOT BORN * BIRTHDATE
67 Benoit Pouliot 22 6-3 183 R Alfred, Ontario 9/29/86
sunshine, agree with the after 2nd round analysis and that there is no way they can offer a conditional 1st rounder. That would be bad, very bad!
what if this “rumor” is a red herring put out by the Wild organEYEzation to send a message to the Gaby camp that no one is willing to trade for him unless they can get a 1st as well - which is certainly an additional price the Wild would find odious.
if they’d put Stevie Ray on waivers to prove a point, surely they’d use Eklund like an Eggert suit to float a message to Gaby/Salsa.
That was my point. We can’t afford to include a first rounder even if its conditional one in a Gaborik trade.
We are already down on picks in 2009. Losing Thelen, Pouliot slowly developing, and the other picks are close to being busts really hurt the Wild. If you want to build from within - you can’t afford to give up the first rounder. DR might want to save that later to trade for an elite player.
Not sure Ballgame us quick enough on the uptake to try and pull a sly one over on Gaby/Salcer. With so many moving parts to this kind of rumor nonesense, it’s most likely another heap of Eklund tossed at the wall to see if any saps would waste an entire day arguing about it. I guess I would feel a lot better if I wasn’t driving the Sap bus this afternoon.
lol…no worries DB. I’m right behind you, with my helmet on.
NiNY - not sure I follow that. If Gaby is intent on testing the FA market and/or not staying here, what does he care what the Wild can get in return for him? If Gaby doesn’t intend to re-sign here, then it seems the possible scenarios are (1) play the season out here, (2) get traded and play the season out with the new team, then become UFA, or (3) get traded and extend with the new team. At this point, he has all the leverage (until he gets hurt) and I would think he couldn’t care less what the Wild could fetch for him.
The only thing would be that it might tell him that he’s not going to get as much money as he hopes but if there is only a few elite players in FA, then he doesn’t have to worry.
Pouliot is skinny and plays like it.
In the AHL, there are 29 teams because Dallas doesn’t have a team right now. Their prospects are spread throughout the minors, including one in Houston, John Lammers. Buffalo and Florida shared a team (Rochester, I think) last season, but now they’ve secured their own teams in a bit of team shuffling this season.
Next season there will be 30 and every NHL team will have their own when the Texas Stars start up in Austin. Will be fantastic to have another “local” rival down here. Plus less/easier travel for the boys, which is great, as the Texas teams have the worst travel of all the AHL being so far removed.
Don’t necessarily disagree with that, sunshine, but implicit in Voros’ comments (at least to me) was that Gaby doesn’t really want to be here anyway - i.e., it’s not really about the money.
OK, I’m a little late to all of this, so correct me if I’m off base (known to happen) but the rumor is Gaby and the Wild’s ‘09 #1 for both Higgins and McDonagh. Is that right?
Hockeydad: what sunshine said. The wild hair was that it was telling Gaby that he’s not going to get any more money on the open market.
But, as you point out, if he’s hell bent on leaving then it doesn’t really matter because it’s not about the money.
(For the record: I’ll believe Shooter’s rumored 90/10 thing when I see it - from the Don.)
Zidlicky now on IR - http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_10726638?nclick_check=1
Huh. I didn’t get the “it’s not about the money” vibe from AV’s comments. Not saying I got an “It’s all about the money” vibe either, but what I got was that he wants what he wants regardless of what’s good for the team (now or down the road).
I’m missing something… where are the quotes from AV about Uncle Moneybags?
Doesn’t “lower body injury” usually mean groin? :*(
6GS- retroactive so it starts w/the injury and he’s only missing this week. It was to make a spot for Clutterbuck.
AV’s quote:
“I don’t want to say what I really think because I don’t want to ruffle any feathers, but he’s going to do what’s best for his career,” Voros said. “One thing I’ve noticed, players get a bad rap all the time when they do what’s best for themselves, but every day of the year, teams do what’s best for them, whether it’s buying somebody out or getting rid of a bad contract, and they never seem to catch any flak. Gaby will do what’s best for him”
And, by the way, I agree that players have every right to decide what’s in their best interests - absolutely no problem with that.
It could be a sore leg injury.
that Ballgame isn’t afraid to throw away money.
it still means nothing. the money was wasted one way or another.
your hatred for all things DR is causing you to seriously grasp at straws to back it up.
Ms.C - the reason I read between AV’s lines to pull out that Gaby doesn’t want to be here is that he said Gaby will do what’s best for his career. Because he declined to elaborate, I take that to mean that Gaby doesn’t think staying in MN is best for his career. If that were not the case, then AV wouldn’t have had reason to hold back - he could have said something like Gaby likes the Wild’s future and wants to make it happen there if the can get to agreement on terms, etc., etc., blah, blah.
That said, it also sounds like AV is a little bitter, no?
yeah, AV is a tad bitter but its going away very fast with his success in NY. He said that he begged the Wild and was turned away. Begged…that’s harsh.
What Voros said about Gaby looking out for his best interest has been echoed by Bruno, PMB, SRV, and Shep when asked about the Gaborik situation. The first part of the remarks indicate to me that Voros believes Gaborik wants to go to a different team and system.
Today on KFAN, Bruno did say that Gaborik is keeping things close to the chest and none of the players know what he wants.
Gotta love AV taking a jab at DR and the Parrish situation too huh?
Trying to make DR more of the bad guy.
Yeah, on re-reading it I see what you mean, though I think it can be interpreted a lot of ways. It doesn’t seem like it’s any secret that the team make-up was an issue for him and apparently continues to be. I just wish Ecklund was right and this was going to go away soon. But since it’s Ecklund, the opposite is going to happen since he’s never been right about anything, AFAIK.
I don’t think AV is bitter as much as realistic. I think he’s been around the block enough to have seen the ugly side of contract negotiations and stuff. But in every interview I’ve seen, he’s nothing but glowing about both the Devils organization and the Wild, so I don’t get the feeling he’s personally bitter (though in print, I could see that statement being interpreted that way).
I say trade Gaby now. Don’t let us get enthusiastic with his play and rely on his scoring into the season. Lets move on and get something. I think the team would do better building any chemistry without him than waiting till trade deadline and trading him for some new guys. By the way, where is the info coming from regarding potential personnel coming back? “word has it” means nobody knows anything…just wishing
he said Gaby will do what’s best for his career
I take that to mean Gabby wants to go to FA and play for whoever offers him the most money. I don’t think it’s got much of anything to do with whether or not he wants to play for the Wild. Hence the ‘I’ll play here if they give me what I want’ comment. Salcer’s got him convinced there’s a pot of gold at the end of the FA rainbow. If he wants to do that, that’s fine, but on the other hand, I haven’t seen any reason to fault DR in what he’s done so far regarding Gabby either.
Nobody is winning the PR war - not Gaby and not the Wild.
FOOD
It’s funny you should say that Hockeydad. Whether you are a fan or not maybe it is time for #10 to move on. A change of seen may be just what he needs. It can be interpreted many ways and God knows it has on this blog. But I think the bottom line with Gaborik is he needs a change and is not happy in MN. I think it shows in his play. Maybe it’s not laziness but boredom.
Lets trade Gaby for some more “Fins”!
