Wild 6, Florida Panthers 2
Posted on October 16th, 2008 – 7:09 PMBy Michael Russo
Pretty impressive victory by the Wild considering it was without wingers Marian Gaborik, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Owen Nolan and defenseman Marek Zidlicky.
The Wild’s gameplan was to move the puck quick because the Panthers are an aggressive, physical team. They felt it would tire them out by the third period, and yes, the Panthers looked exhausted, pretty shocking for a young team that hadn’t played in three or four days.
Again the Andrew Brunette, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen line, which needs a better nickname than the one I used tonight, were tremendous. Ten points. 8 goals, 24 points for the season! Very unWildlike. Those eight goals are on 23 shots, by the way.
Koivu had a career-high five points, a team-record-tying four helpers. Miettinen had his second straight two-goal, three-point game. He’s the first Wild player to score goals in his first three games. Brunette had another goal and an assist.
Benoit Pouliot, who was called out after Tuesday’s game and Wednesday’s practice by Jacques Lemaire, had a goal and an assist. Kim Johnsson had a goal and an assist. Newcomer Tomas Mojzis was very good and had an assist. Derek Boogaard had his first point in 596 games, although Wade Belak did a number on his right eye and knocked out one of his teeth during a fight.
Funny story. Between the first and second periods, my friends Mark and Meredith brought their four-year-old son, Preston, up to the side of the press box to say hi.
I asked what Preston thought of the fight and the melee that happened a few minutes before — Gregory Campbell tackled Erik Reitz for kneeing Rostislav Olesz and Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton tangled with an angry Boogaard.
Preston said, “The players were put in timeout for pushing each other.”
Who says fighting in hockey is a bad influence for children?
I did see Gaborik after the game, but I didn’t have a chance to talk to him due to tight deadline and he never called me back today. He was talking to a Slovak reporter though, so check out those publications in the next few days and send me the translation 
Talk to you from Tampa, where I’ll get to hang with the always-crazy Mimi
Here were the lines tonight:
Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding.
Brent Burns, Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz, Martin Skoula, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Erik Reitz.
Andrew Brunette, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen.
Colton Gillies, Eric Belanger, Tomas Mojzis.
Stephane Veilleux, James Sheppard, Cal Clutterbuck.
Derek Boogaard, Benoit Pouliot, Craig Weller.
464 Responses to "Wild 6, Florida Panthers 2"
wow-”b” squad tonight
Late game update… I’ll take it.
Thanks for the “new” info Russo. 
Wow the internet access in that building must really suck for it to take this long to get a game page up. Don’t worry, we still like ya.
Bergie is fiesty!
Awesome “exploding shoulder” Mittens!
Okay, I’m having fun. Really thought this game would suck.
The Mr wants to know if Mittens has spidey senses. He thinks so since that guy wasn’t able to knock him down from behind.
I’m catching up on the game, but classic “goalie was totally bored, and a brain fart lead to a GA” play by Vokoun. He’s better than that.
Looks like the crowd that was in Atlanta came down for the game in Sunrise, too.
Yeah Ms.C, this game is already way more entertaining that the ATL game.
was it noted that Belak waited until Boogey was at the end of his shift to fight him?
Boynton was certainly a cheap shot artist there.
Boogei’s got the kids fired up, I was counting down the clock hoping for a 0-0 tie, but the team is playing like pro’s since the first incedent.
I’ll give it to the kid for getting some shots in on Boogy but lets get real Boogy was baiting him to get his face within 15 feet of him, what a freaking turtle.
I don’t know if it was noted Nick, I did notice. I think Boogie was on his way to the bench.
Its been reported Gabby was injured while putting on his socks.
Did you guys trade us Gaborik yet?
NiNY, me and Ms.C spotted that late shift challenge right away. Wonder if there will be a round 2 because of that…
Dickie: nice. When I’m in town for the B’Hawks game in a couple weeks, we’ll have to convince your brother to let you come out for a beer with us.
KiPA - Depends who was held out of your practice.
BDS: FTW
From the previous thread, I’m trying to claim a Cheers character. I’d prefer someone obscure, and am browsing through the Wikipedia pages. Some intriguing ones:
John Allen Hill
John Allen Hill is the owner of Melville’s, the seafood restaurant located directly above Cheers. Though Melville’s was mentioned throughout the series, Hill did not first appear until season nine (during which he bought the restaurant and first became its owner.)
Hill is a bitter, uptight old man who has a deep disdain for the Cheers gang for frequently using his restaurant and disturbing the customers from below. He has a very low opinion of the Cheers gang, thinking them to be low-class. He and Carla have a complicated love-hate relationship; they frequently insult and curse at each other even during their frequent bouts of sex.
Paul Krapence
Paul was a barfly, generally hanging around Norm and Cliff in the hopes of being included in their activities. He has appeared in more episodes than any other recurring character (55), with the exception of those who later were added to the main cast. Paul first appeared in season four.
Paul was frequently not included with the rest of the group, something that upset him deeply. He often treated like he didn’t matter, had no friends, and was generally used and mistreated by the rest of the cast. In the final season, he nearly came out of the closet but was ignored.
Eddie Le Bec is tempting, too. Death by Zamboni is hard to top.
believe me, i don’t have to convince DD to have a beer
Matt Cooke and Bill Thomas are our scratches. Deal?
Oh and Sydor.
Don’t blow my cover NiNY. But I like beer so I’m sure that will be doable. I also live 3-4 blocks away from Alary’s. So there is no excuses for it not to be done.
Should be *are* no excuses. For all the grammar cops out there.
KiPA are you the cat they keep showing in the stands with the new gaborik penguins jersey?
Oh, Toivo, you gotta go Eddie La Bec!
LOL G* literally. Scared the dog.
great work, toivo! Regardless what some angry newb says, you’re still one of us.
+1 ms.c…G* that goes in the Russoville HoF immediately.
That was a sad hit by Skoula.
man…Skrastins, Ballard, Boynton, Bryan Allen, McCabe and Bouwmeester…that’s a pretty sick D-corps for Florida.
If I could create a composite character of all the people Carla slept with… perfect!
Give it to Boogie!
That was a sad hit by Skoula
is there any other kind?
Boogey goal!?!
POOLBOY!!!!!
Holy crap! That was awesome!
Panthers have no chance if Vokoun plays like this, this season.
#10 might have the ballard flu which is now known as a lower body injury.
Boogey, Boogey!!! Come on Kimmy give it to Boogey.
Too shay, G*!
Hay, a point for Dorkfish! Excellent. Good boy.
I would love if they gave it to my Boogie. …. Oh well, they just said he got an assist on it, thats good.
Ballard flu? That’s ridiculous.
skoula’s fault
F me…Ballard…
Dammit! SKOULA!
ballard and gaby have a history and i think ballard is a punk
Skoula work on his minus column totals.
Look at Reitz, how he glares all the time. I love that.
Ballard definitely has a NHL history of some questionable hits, dats fer sure.
skoula is the biggest f* up in the NHL.
Uggh!! Skoula’s working on his minus column totals.
Agreed on Ballard. Just not “flu” worthy though.
Poopie.
Ast least Boogie got an assist. How about a GHHT for Boogie tonight??
Wait, Kimmy shot that, I really need to clean my glasses.
Also watch your posts, I just refreshed and learned Rides e-mail. Don’t worry I don’t remember it anymore.
JL’s buddy Skouba… Somebody has to be him.
f’ing Skoula…was the only guy back 2:1, but let himself get outside both Panthers’ players. Tool.
Calling someone a tool is the most UNDERRATED insult ever! Nice Nick.
Dude… NKOTB are playing in FL… who’s going!?!?
so, I’ve been drinking, but I’m pretty sure I just saw a New Kids On The Block commercial. WTF? It’s gotta be 20 years since they were popular, no?
Ok so Skoula is like the punto of the twins and chili of the vikes. but deep down you know you love em all…….wait nevermind they all suck and should be fedEXEd out
weren’t they at the state fair this summer? or was that the backstreet boys
I think The Panthers announcers just called Moses “moist cheese”
Popular is a bit strong, I think.
toivo, I’m willing to bet that neither of us was in their target demographic.
What’re they saying about someone tweaking something?
The brought back Beverly Hills 90210 also. And Knight Rider is back too. Lots of recylcing going on. See what happens when Aaron Spelling isn’t around with his 500 shows?
Belanger now? Hockey Gods are mad at us for something.
we may get “see what the kids have” this season yet.
Belanger tweaked his lower body
Now Belanger’s out. Ms. C - you driving the bus from Houston with all the call-ups the Wild may need?
Man Benny looks awful tonight. Everytime I see him he is reaching for someone who just walked around him.
Get your feet moving young man or get off the ice.
Ok so now Bella’s hurt? WTF!?
Ohhh a Checkers commercial!! I love their fries. One of the few things I actually miss about FL.
i think this gal in the bud light commercial is kinda hot. not marney gellner hot but hot
Oh, Belanger.
Well, looking at flights, Kolanos can be in Tampa by 11 tomorrow morning.
MG is hot?
Call up Kolanos. Sheesh!
clutterbuck = voros
Oh Bull, I hate road trips but damn if I wouldn’t volunteer in a big hurry to drive that bus.
How bad did it look for Belanger?
i think this gal in the bud light commercial is kinda hot. not marney gellner hot but hot
I was just going to say this!!! The girl in #22 right!?
Wait, what happened to Bella? I am watching the Panther feed and they didn’t say anything about it.
Domi *frown*
speaking of “watching the Panther feed” I am beyond excited about not having to watch Donkey and Moron unless I want to this season.
lower body injury Austin.
Didn’t say how Bella looked. Gorg was going to huff and puff his way “downstairs” to the locker room to find out what was going on.
ATX, I had to give in and watch the stupid SD Wild feed, those Florida jokers weren’t giving me the information I need
Nice moves by Dorkfish
Dickie, so that could be his back, his ankle, or his groin…
Hey, I just saw him on the ice. I think he’s fine.
The girl in #22 right!?
correct
Gorg was going to huff and puff his way “downstairs”
chanting “Cherry flavored PEZ, Cherry Flavored PEZ, Cherry flavored PEZ” over and over on his way down.
I am about to turn it if they keep calling Moses “moist Cheese” Ms.C
Chopper!!!
Woo MITTENS!! I love that man!
MITTENS!!
MITTENS!!! I just love saying that.
MITTENS!!!!
Should Mosey get an assist on that? That’d be nice.
my TV is telling me FSN is in 720p. it’s 4:3 though. better pic than the SD version.
Hmmm. I just got that weird email glitch thingy… it was wildfor9 for me… weird.
Big hit by Cal, but I’m not sure he meant it…
Killer save!
Damnit…. that blows.
Trade Gabby for more Finns!!!
Poop.
Extra point for knocking the waterbottle off the net
F me, Skrastins
Mother smurfer!
bottle popper
Mojzis didn’t get the point
Extra point for knocking the waterbottle off the net
I sure hope not! It would be a tie game then.
OMG POLLBOY!!!!
pOOOOLIO!!
That is pretty!
POULY!! WHAT A GOAL!
WOW
Benny!!
What’s with the Horton cheapshot?
stupid hit by Horton…glad they called it.
ok, so three straight games scoring at least 4 goals. I thought we were going to struggle to score losing Pav, huggy, parrish…
That was incredible. He got a bloodly grill in the process too. Way to go Benny!
Goddamnit, look how beautiful that was.
Maybe poolboy was tired of being insulted by JL?
Pure freaking luck by Pouliot. He should have been hammered. He was skating half assed and avoided the hits and scores because Vokoun is a sieve.
Poolboy!
Stupid server keeps trying to keep me from posting.
Boogaard/Belak Fight:
Who gives a s**t!!?? It’s a goal!
Pretty looking “lucky” goal also.
Who all was on in the 5 on 3? I saw Koivu.
If Princess ever decided to remove the panties he’d be a force to be reckoned with. Never going to happen though.
Three games in, Bruno and Mittens have 7 pts. Rolston and Demo, 2.
huh…Mittens is funny, too.
ha…jackass for the Panthers just pronounced it “Auntie MEATnin”
This is what Ben does, Unreal. This is not the first goal he’s gotten almost exactly the same way. Just putting the d-men to sleep and blowing through them. This is why people keep hoping. Because it’s not luck. He can be that good when he gets a little fire in the belly.
Blowing through them? More like he was an off speed pitch and they whiffed.
tonight DTV has aves/flyers in HD on altitude. it would be nice if this continues.
FYI, every game tonight is in HD on directv. all but casucks/dead wings have duel feeds.
I disagree Unreal. Nice hard work by Pulliot.
Yes G*, that’s me in the 10 black and gold.
Ovechkin should’ve been called for charging three times in the second period alone tonight. He’s also free with the flying elbows. Must be something about Malkin/Crosby/the Pens he doesn’t like.
G* that would be cool (about the HD thing) if my tv was HD capable.
Oh and Nick, I take umbrage with your “panthers in trouble if…” remark. It should read simply the Panthers are in trouble.
G*, you never mentioned that movies on demand is difficult with DirectTV. And I was all set to switch too.
You’re entitled ATW but if you’d see him as much as I have you’d know that was unintentional, luck and in slow mo.
Must be something about Malkin/Crosby/the Pens he doesn’t like.
No way!! Everyone LOVES the Pens!… Right?… anyone?
Yeah, but he tossed ‘em off, didn’t he? When Pouly is off, he gets flustered by the pressure and folds like a cheap lawn chair. When Pouly is on, he sticks on that puck, weaves it through sticks, legs, bodies and pops it top shelf. You know, where mama hides the cookies. I’m just saying, he deserves credit for the skill involved in that play.
Unreal, how do you see him so often if you don’t mind me asking?
Unreal, are you in Houston?
I’m in Houston and if I never see him play live again I’ll be happy.
The irony here is that I spent half the day in earnest expression on the WMB regarding how, to this day, thinking about Pouliot’s play in Houston last season nearly brings me to tears, it’s so frustrating.
Now I’m having to defend giving him credit for a beautiful play.
UNCLE!
you never mentioned that movies on demand is difficult with DirectTV
who watches movies?
Well, I am with Ms.C on the Benny opinion. That was a skilled goal. Not anyone would have been able to sidestep that hit, get a bloody mouth in the process, and then rip it top shelf.
Oh he has skills Ms C, he just can’t turn them on and off. His normal nature is to be soft and pout and not work hard. But that’s just my opinion. If Clutterbuck or Hamilton or Olvecky had those skills you’d think it would be the 2nd coming of #99. He’s a waste IMO.
I spent half the day in earnest expression on the WMB
why bother with that cesspool
I watch movies. I don’t like going to the video store and I don’t like planning ahead, so Netflix is out.
touche, KiPA
I claim luck on the shot and soft netminding. Skill on the skating but it was reflex not planning and that’s why it was successful. If Ben WANTED to make those moves he NEVER could have done it and I think Ms C will support that diagnosis.
Doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty though!
new goalie for FL
So having good reflexs and the good sense to do what he did is a bad thing? I don’t follow ya on that one.
Doesn’t mean it wasn’t pretty though!
Now THAT we can agree on!
Good PK btw.
solid kill (against a bad team.)
Preaching to the choir, Unreal. I’m in Houston, too. And it seems to me he absolutely CAN turn them on and off, but keeps them OFF most of the time, coasting on his talent and not working hard. JL calls him out and suddenly he’s scoring and bloodied. ‘Bout damn time!
Way to go Skooby! ARRRRGH!
I’m saying it was an accident. He CAN’T do that when he wants. Perhaps he thinks to much on the ice, I dunno. But if you think you will ever see that from him regularly you’re in for a long long wait. Ask Ms. C how often you see that vs a lame coast or getting a ride to the corner and the puck slipping off the stick. The lack of hustle. don’t forget softer than soft serve ice cream.
Skoula with a terrible poke check, and then the (bad) hooking call.
No arguing about our own goals during games, it’s bad jou-jou.
Seeems fair enough I guess Unreal. I hope he can snap out of it, but I guess I won’t hold my breath.
Well I guess we disagree on if he can or can’t control it but we agree he doesn’t do it often
And I think it frustrates him as much as us.
another good kill.
nice…now, SWEEP THE LEG! FINISH THEM!!
Also EVERYONE wants him to succeed and he has skills galore.
That was a wuss call on Skoula. But I know you Skoula-haters will blame it on him.. How about Burns putting us 5 on 3?
wow…weird play.
DANG!
That was so close.
Wow, lucky stop there by the Panthers.
Nice! Another PP!! Ha ha I said pp.
Devo’s a commie.
LOL ATx
2 fantastic passes tonight for Mikko!
leg swept! MITTENS!!!
WE NEED MORE FINNS!!!!
That was a beauty. Mittens AGAIN!
And another pair of Mittens (goals that is)!!!
Yeah, we essentially agree on the basics: Pouliot must never come back to Houston.
WOOT! SUPERMIKKO!
Mittens!
And goddamn, Koivu is … I think I’m falling in love.
I’m all for getting more Finns on the team. I do love anything Finnish!
5 goals???
Who needs star players? Can we play Florida for 30 or 40 games?
Good god I love me some Mittens. 5 goals in 3 games!? Nice! Who wudda thunk it?
Let’s trade Gaborik to Dallas for more Finns.
I watch movies.
there is a ton of PPV channels. and I suspect they will be beefing up the on demand offerings now that they have most of the HD they can manage.
Well, he was always a high potential guy who didn’t click yet. Now, he is clicking. What a line.
NHL just made a new rule. You can only have 1 fin on the ice at any time. It’s not fair to other teams to have 2 fins playing together.
Great move by Princess then a brain fart pass.
Man, if only they’d make that rule for Swedes.
For PPV does it have to start when they want or can I start it whenever I want?
And ringing the crossbar by burns! Damn.
Clutter just got bucked!
Doh Burns!
5-2, 10 minutes left. Boogie time!
Uh oh. Who’s bucking my Clutter? Rawr.
Clutter just got bucked!
LAWLZ!
I just got reminded by the Mr of a commercial for that Sports Soup show on Vs.
“I got a bench clearing brawl in Buffalo; two Finns jump a Swede.”
Wow, someone posted as me ….
I think you can DVR it for up to 24 hours or something like that. maybe longer. and newer releases are on 4 channels spaced out every 15 minutes or so. which is why they have a ton o PPV channels
DOn’t worry Unreal, that is a weird bug in the system today… or a hacker… hard to say. that was obviously Ms.C
I wonder how our fins will mix with the Canucks swedes?
Scary! I don’t Rawr much
Hey what happened to BoogieNeedsAGoal?
ATX, go to http://www.directv.com and under tv schedule go to directv on demand. it lists everything available with their on demand service. it’s a lot more than I thought.
Unreal
Nice update Skoula. Are ya gonna Skoula the blog again?
Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, and NKOTB? What a lineup!
honest to God! Neil Diamond, NKOTB and Tina Turner are the upcoming acts at the BAC?! What the hell is going on?!
What Nick, you don’t approve of the upcoming acts?
Weller is a strong dude.
Nice to see that Bella came back. Must have just been one of those crap that hurt moments, like when you hit your funny bone really hard.
Another great pass by Princess to Gillies
WildinATX: I didn’t say that. I just wasn’t notified that we were going back to 1990, is all.
Nick, with a line up like that I believe the song says…
“It’s the end of the world as we know it…”
Those Checkers burgers look yummy
Is it scary to anyone else that the Wild have scored more then 3 goals in every game so far?
They start out like this every year
band: I sort of feel like Uncle Rico was elected President…
Franchise!!! Wooo!
WOOOO!!!! MIKKO!!!!
Mikko!
5 point night …
MIKKO! FRANCHISE, FRANCHISE
FINN DOMINATION!!
You know, I’m not into guys, but I would definitely consider it if Koivu asked me.
Franchise!!!!
I think there’s a Checkers in ….
MIKKO!!! That’ll make my friend H happy.
…. St.Paul, on Robert I want to say.
So can we tatoo the captain C on Koivu?
Those Checkers burgers look yummy
Mmmmmm Checkers… I love that crap.
Who needs Gabby when you’ve got Finns?
Who has Mikko on ther fantasy team? You must be pretty happy right now whoever you are.
as jimmy buffett would say, finns to the left, finns to the right!
You know, I’m not into guys, but I would definitely consider it if Koivu asked me.
+1
Man, if I was a Dallas fan, I’d be PISSED right now seeing Mittens’ numbers.
Remember, we ARE playing Florida. No need to get all excited here.
Hell yeah there is a Checkers in St. Paul!
Good thing we’ll be in MN for about 10 days in December!
I have him on my team. He’s my favorite pick so far. Yahoo says that only 16% of teams have him starting.
Oh wow, that was weird, Unreal!! The comments are severely jacked up today. But yeah, that was me, not meaning to be an imposter…
Haha. JL wants Boogie to get a goal
Damn, I know were playing Eastern conference teams and all, but I am loving how we are playing. It’s great to watch the PP move the puck down low and not just rely on the Rolston bomb.
I wonder if JL’s system is holding Mittens back.
Unreal: Don’t wake us up from our Finntasy!
Unreal, considering the doom and gloom around here around July 2nd, I think we’re right to be excited that we’ve scored ANY goals so far this season.
Okay, whoever had 14 as the total goals for after three games, come claim your prize.
not a prob Ms. C
Yahoo says that only 16% of teams have him starting.
People that didn’t start him are going to be kicking themselves after tonight.
Unreal. We won’t start planning the parade, but this is the third win in a row and they have scored a lot. Hopefully the scoring continues.
So, how was that game for a “We don’t need no stinkin’ Gaby” statement? Okay, it was Florida, I know, but still…
You certainly have the right but don’t set yourself up for a fall
Party like it’s 1999!
I’d rather party like it’s 2003
I understand. This game could easily have gone the other way. Just think how bad it is for Floriduh. I mean no scorers and losing is bad but allowing 6 goals?????
Yikes.
Glad they won and no more injuries!
considering the doom and gloom around here around July 2nd,/i>
right. remember Detroit has already been awarded the cup for the 08-09 season for signing HOSSA.
Naw, I’m just happy that we’ve scored more goals so far in the Southeast than we did last Spring (I think …).
closed
kgopher has Koivu on her team in our russoville league… I am mayched up against her.. that sucks for me. But go Koivu anyway!
Okay. What game is next?
I just got Mikko on my Wildboggers roster TODAY. *fist pump*
Wow, Dallas is getting hammered.
One of my neighbors is smoking pot. I can smell it through my open back doors… Scuse me while I go sit on the deck for a while.
Haha, that Flyers dude just broke his stick after the Avs scored. LOL @ teh Flyers!
Breathe very deeply Ms.C!
the cheeks…can’t…hold the smoke…that’s what it is.
What’s with the Islanders not playing Ricky-D?? Damnit.
Say, I joined a random fantasy league this year on yahoo. Have never played fantasy hockey just football. few questions, how often can I change lineups, ever day before games start or only once a week? How does the scoring work? Doesn’t seem like there are weekly matchups. I have Mikko but unsure of what his 1G 4A and +1 gets me.
newguy, I think it depends on the league.
I was impressed with Reitz tonight. Seemed to be in position most of the time, and played physical. Keep it up young man.
Man o man ….MIttens is on FIRE!
Koivu is such a stud.
Is it me, or has BURNS looked only average thus far this year? I keep seeing him out of position and diving on the ice. NOT GOOD!
YEAH WILD!
Hmm. Went out and can’t smell it any more. I must be smelling things. Darn.
They don’t like you that’s why they won’t play him Austin. The little men in the black helicopters told them you wanted them to play Ricky-D so they won’t.
Now that I read what I wrote above, I see that the lack of sleep from last night is coming back to haunt me. The Mr has been sick and when he’s sick, that boy can sure snore loud.
Nice boobs on the girl behind the Avs bench btw…
Figured so but, there is no league rules on the page or scoring explanation. Its a little frustrating cause I signed up the day before the draft. 12 team league and it seems only 2 or 3 teams have a clue of what is going on and they are not talking to any one.
Figured so but, there is no scoring explanation or rules link. There seems to be 2 or 3 teams that know what is going on but they don’t seem to want to talk to any one. Ah oh well at least it is a free league, maybe I can figure it out and have a better clue by next year. Thanks any ways
I’l take a 3-0 start with all the new faces and all the injuries. 2 wins on the road and Koivu and Annti lighting it up. GO WILD!!!
Opps thought it deleted out my post. I have been reading this all day and I guess this board is acting a little funny.
I’m wondering if I should pick up Mittens in my league, but I’m not sure if I see him as a 30 goal scorer throughout the year.
I’ve determined that Darby Hendrickson’s wife must be blind. There is NO WAY a sighted woman would continue to allow her husband out of the house with that GAWD-AWFUL hairdo, year after year!
Someone PLEASE get that guy a stylist!
Did I mention that Koivu is a stud!
If it’s head to head you should have matchups… I think the other type is rotiserre (sp?) and I have never played that variety newguy.
For anyone in the Russoville league that KiPA set up, I need a goalie. I will entertain any offer so fire away!
Damnit! I still smell it. WTF.
I didn’t notice the girl’s boobs for all the boobs ON the Avs bench.
Wow….who would have thought the Wild would be averaging 4+ goals a game?
Koivu is going to have a monster year.
Mittens is definitely a bargain right now!
Lets see how they play against the Mullet.
3-0?
With the way they played the southleast last year these are bonus points!
JL on Poolio: “I thought he would fall, hen I thought he would fall, then he fell, then he got up and the puck was in the net”
I would love to watch a broadcast that is all in nicknames. As in 2 goals for Mittens, 1 for kimmy j, 1 for franchise, 1 for poolboy, and 1 for Bruno.
Well I gotta go finn-ish (man I need to get some sleep) putting together some stuff for the p.t.j. tomorrow. Later peoples!
Laterz BG!
Augh. There’s already a 2 page long “Pouliot Fan Club” post on the board. Just take me out back and shoot me.
OK, I figured it out.
Skoula = Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket.
Skoula scares me when he gets the puck and has to skate. There’s a 50% chance he loses the puck in his skates and turns it over to the other team.
Remember Burns’ penalty? Didn’t it seem like Ballard was doing a Forsberg?
Koivu-Mittens-Brunette is a fantastic line. I wish I had a cookie cutter, I’d make another one just like it.
Pretty goal by Benny. It looked like Benny spit out half of a tooth after the goal. Is Boynton another Matt Cooke?
Rolston got injured tonight. Not sure how serious it is.
Just saw the score– Fabulous!!! I was worried, let me tell you.
Great job Koivu, 5 point night. That whole line has been just amazing.
Pouliot — goal. Hopefully he took what JL said to heart.
Rolston injured? Looks like he got a PP goal.
Apparently he slid feet first into the boards, per TSN. I can’t figure out how to post links or I would. It was on the front page of TSN NHL.
Has Shanahan signed with NY? Is he completely free to sign with whomever he wants?
Koivu - NHL on the Fly Pepsi performer of the night!
Remember Burns’ penalty? Didn’t it seem like Ballard was doing a Forsberg?
YES! I definitely felt that way. Burns barely touched him!
Poor Rolston. That image brings up the Foster incident.
Hope he’s okay and its not too serious.
Shanahan not signed yet and looks like he only wants to play for the Rangers.
Damn. Hockey players are tough. Wagner, puck to the noggin, gets up smiling. Crazy.
They didn’t show the Rolston incident on NHL on the Fly.
Well … if you can’t get up smiling, why get up at all?
What do you think about Gaborik for Vanek, straight up trade. ???
He has really changed. I think he has more potential than Gaborik.
What do you think about Gaborik for Vanek, straight up trade.
I HATE that trade. NO! NO! NO! For starters it will make Mister No Nothing happy… and I don’t want that.
“But it could be a costly win. Midway through the third, the Thrashers broke up a pass intended for Rolston breaking clear in front of the net. As he swept into the corner, looking to get back up ice, his skates came out from under him and he crashed feet-first into the boards.
He didn’t return after being helped to the locker room.”
This is what the article has on it.
Ah, come on Philly.
I could see the upside of Vanek for the Wild, but why would Buffalo trade him for a rent-a-player? We would be the ones giving up picks and prospects in that trade.
I think there is an NHL Stats guy that need to get fired. Look at Skoula’s +- NHL.com reports that he is -2 for the year and 0 for tonight. By my count he is at least -4 this year.
So, Gaby, head for the hills. Go play for some also-ran. Boy, I hope we trade him to some mediocre team. But, damn we sure could use him.
Yeah, everyone assumes that no matter what happens it is Skoula’s fault even when it is someone else’s. Join the crowd and echo what everyone else says. He could have played better tonight but also had some good plays but we will alwaysd hate him–logical or illogical.
I don’t know if this was pointed out earlier as I didn’t read all the posts but tonight featured the oldest coach and the youngest coach in the NHL. Useless but interesting fact.
I hope we come out the same way if Gaborik and/ or Nolan are still out on Saturday. TB has much better scorers in Lecavalier and St. Louis. Their defense isn’t something to write home about but they did get back Ranger.
Okay, I give. Staal for Gaborik.
I hate to say it and might get scorn, but I HATE the nickname Mittens. I’m sure he would hate it too. I just hope he has an interview or something where there can be a replacement nickname. It’s obvious you can’t do more with his name than Mittens. So I’m not hating. I just think it’s subpar. IMO.
Phantom weed smells MsC… All I’ll say is interesting even though I could go in many different directions.
The only good trade again is Gabby for 99’s DNA. And a pick…
I’m so tired of the rumors. I hope he finds his right mind and resigns for market value, which is a good chunk of change. The guy has talent that would be hard to replace.
Philly fan huh MsC??? Interesting again…
But I love the name Mittens! It’s so fun to say!
And does 99 have any kids we should be on the lookout for?
Anyone else notice that from the 2nd period on, the FSN feed seemed to be stuck in a slow motion stutter?
I hate the nickname Mittens. I’m not some grandma’s cat!
“Okay, I give. Staal for Gaborik.”
We already bubble wrapped him and place him on ice for you. He just needs to be shipped via FedEx.
I agree Mittens. Glad you could add your 2 cents.
Dickie Dunn are you pulling a MKiA?
“And does 99 have any kids we should be on the lookout for?”
I know his kid played in MN a while back. He was only like 14 or so but no he doesn’t even have 1/16 of his fathers talent.
KiPA, SOLD! Signed, Sealed, and delivered!
Well, Mittens is helping in my the Fantasy league. I was going to drop him when Leclaire was injured. Instead, I dropped another Fin in T. Ruutu.
Lucky - LOL - that was a great one.
KiPA - Uhmm…its getting a bit warmer…any draft picks left?
Mittens is from the Dallas fans so I think he’s aware of it.
We got mittens from the Dallas fans? I like it less now.
He didn’t exactly light the lamp down there. Most fans called him Missinthenetagain
No, Dickie (well, I kinda like the Flyers because of Biron) but mostly I just hate hate HATE the Avs. Irrational seething hate. But of course, they won.
Yep, remember reading it on a Dallas blog like Russo’s.
Wait, is there a Dallas blog like Russo’s? Because we only found a crappy one that had no comments and that created a new entry for each goal update. Which was annoying.
The nickname “Mittens” really captures the spirit of the thing.
“Derek Boogaard had his first point in 596 games” - I know that is probably supposed to be 56 or 59, yet it does not stand out so much except surprise that he would have played a large number of games. That’s not a good reason for it to stand out.
StarsBlog? http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/
It’s nowhere as good as Russo, but the best you get in Dallas, from what I’ve seen.
If Staal plays for you like he has for us so far, you’re not getting much.
Maybe we should play the Panthers more often because his last assist came against the Panthers, too.
yeah, that’s the one we had before. No one comments/cares, and there is no constant stream to comment on. I tried to stir up conversation and got nothing.
Disappointing, considering I was told hockey had done well here in TX.
NHL on the Fly guys were ragging on STK. Something about his defense was nonexistent tonight.
Damn Kevin and I thought we were hard on our players. The season just started!
I love that (is it Russo?) saying, “Come on Jacques, you love this stuff.” Funny. Tells you a lot about JL.
That was Shipley who said that.
Ah. Thanks Sunshine.
All defense was nonexistent tonight. Only in the third period though when we were out-shot 21-6 at home with a 3-1 lead.
The BKM line (lack of better name) is much better than the BBR line. When we get all our guys back, we do have 3 balance lines who can score, which is much better than last year.
What I keep wondering is why people keep suggesting that Backstrom be gone?
He gives us a reliable goalie, what does he need to do to gain the fan support he deserves?
I did think Backstrom has improved over the summer. At least he’s practiced. I’m good with him now.
Backstrom needs to remind people he’s Finnish?
Completely not what I was expecting tonight.
Koivu, Mittens, and Bruno are on fire. Once teams figure that out, which should take two or three more games, then we need another line to step up.
It got so bad tonight that SRV was on the powerplay. He is a defensive minded player, not supposed to be on the pp.
Here we are a few games into the season and Gabby is injured (shocker), Nolan is injured, and PMB is injured. The only one I could care about would be PMB. Nolan was good in his day, but is going to ride out his last season in Minnesota. Gabby is Gabby and just showed why we can’t pay him or trade him. Koivu is the superstar of this team and Gabby which should have been the superstar is second fiddle at best.
I would be happy to see Gabby go. He needs to realize he is not everything he thinks he is. I predict Gabby will be gone by the end of November.
Backs looked solid and of course Skoula stunk again. Why do we still have this piece of crap. As stated before, I fear everytime I see #41 hit the ice.
Maybe we can trade Skoula back to Dallas for T.O. He would do a better job than Skoula.
I think we should keep Backstrom but I’d like to see what Harding can do, too.
However, I think that DR needs to make a decision before the end of January if he is going to re-sign Backstrom or not. If Backs does well this season, he is going to hit pay dirt. Russo has said that Biron and Backs are probably the best two UFA goalies this summer. We can save ourselves $500K -$1 million if we re-sign him early.
Harding is still RFA so we can still sign him without too much problem.
LOL WATX…
I am back, though I have never stopped reading, just posting.
Well, I must say: Mikko impresses me more and more every time I see him. He just has such a good sense as to how to set up scoring chances and where to be on the ice at any given time.
I am a little worried about Mittens (Mittens? really? oh well) becoming the Belanger of this season, but that’s alright. I’ll take what I can for now.
And I like to think Skoula will improve once Zidlicky comes back and can eat up more ice time.
All the Finn love in here is making me blush.
Seriously though, y’all had me at “hello.”
ms.conduct, I was in Houston last night and if I weren’t buried in work I would have easily bought you dinner. Just for your insight and compliments…
Word from TSN..Rolston with a possible sprained ankled. Nothing much. Rolston slid for 10-15 feet before hitting the boards feet first, he’ll be back next game or a few down the road.
hey, hey, hey now. I’m the orignial originator of Finn love, eh? Or should I say no moi?
I see what you mean, Seamus, but if he sticks with Koivu and Bruno, two of the best passers and setup guys, he will be fine. However, if he gets stuck with Shep and SRV, kiss some of the goals good-bye. Belanger became the checking center and that was one of the problems.
Shep and SRV are not great at passing guys. Shep is getting better but SRV, I kind of worry. That line without Gaby would be pure checking. With Gaby, becomes a “scoring line”.
I’m happy to hear Rolston is ok. I get worried about my (ex) boys.
Good to hear that he will be back soon, too.
Next time, WATX! You need to time your business trips around Aeros games! I sure plan to do that when the Stars arrive in Austin.
Crap, I told Mr. Conduct I’d be up until his plane lands at 1 a.m. but I’m fading fast. Maybe a little couch nap is in order.
Man, you’re right, they are ripping on STK!
Wow, the nucks beat the wings??? They not as bad as I’d hoped they’d be. *concerned face*
I tried. If I had to be there other days I would have brought Mr. ATX. We do have an office there though, so I think I might have to compel some business….
Well…Zetterberg was out with a groin injury.
Yeah, they are doing well.
Did the Wings really lose to the Nuks? That makes me want to cry.
ms.C you gotta let us know anytime you come to town, we can get some foodz and watch teh hockeyz.
btw, did you decide on Dallas yet? The game’s coming up fast!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I know, I need to press DH about that. He’s on vacation starting tomorrow so he should be in a good mood.
I’m actually going to be there this week but it’s looking like I’m getting there in time for a work dinner Wednesday night, then in some really stupid-sounding training all day Thursday and then straight home. Long ass day. I hate when my company expects me to come visit them and be social.
Which reminds me, I have to read some damn book about teamwork or whatever before then. Augh.
DiPi is so beady-eyed.
ms.conduct, can you clarify with the DiPi reference?
ms.c: did you see the DTV.gov commercial and that was what brought on the DiPI reference?
Yes! Beady, right?
Oh man, I hate the Avs so much. They may actually be surpassing the Ducks.
The Wings lost…? But they signed Hossa!!! They must be trying to trade him now.
Listen, Mittens is a crappy nickname. The fact that Dallas fans came up with it proves my point. But I won’t F with a point scoring streak. So Mittens it is…
But it’s gonna have to go eventually. No hockey player should be named after a Grandma’s cat. I expect that out of Dallas non-deserving Stars fans. We need to be better than that BS.
Mittens… Can you think of any hockey player past or present nicknamed “Tabby” or “whiskers”?
Since I can’t spell his name I will say Mittens needs a new nickname. I will start the campaign. I can’t afford TV commercials but expect to see flyers on your wipers. Yes, I know it sucks, had one on today, but it must be done.
So is DiPi, Rick DiPietro? And why was he beady eyed?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08291/920436-125.stm
Q: What do you think the chances are that the Penguins get Marian Gaborik?
Joe, Pittsburgh
MOLINARI: About as good as the chances are that they’ll get Marian Stastny, unless general manager Ray Shero decides to make an abrupt and dramatic change in the course he has charted for this franchise.
There’s no question that the Penguins would like to upgrade Sidney Crosby’s linemates - he and Marian Hossa were scary-good together during the playoffs after they finally jelled - but even if, as seems likely, Minnesota trades Gaborik this season rather than lose him as an unrestricted free agent next summer, it’s hard to imagine him ending up here.
Even if the Penguins are satisfied that he would be a positive presence in the locker room and would work well with Crosby - great players aren’t always able to develop the kind of chemistry one might expect - the price they would have to pay to pry Gaborik from the Wild would be staggering (you can assume that Minnesota GM Doug Risebrough will auction him off to the highest bidder, as he should) and fitting him into their salary structure would be an enormous challenge, at best.
Gaborik already has rejected an offer that reportedly covered 10 years and was worth more than $8 million per season. Given that the Penguins are flirting with the salary-cap ceiling and that Miroslav Satan is the only player with a salary-cap hit above $2.5 million whose contract expires after this season, squeezing Gaborik in under the cap for 2009-10 and beyond might necessitate bringing in David Blaine as their capologist.
Of course, one way around the fiscal complications would be to send Crosby to the Wild for Gaborik, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of acquiring a top-shelf winger to play with Crosby, right? Sure would create some great fodder for the talks shows and messsage boards about who should be brought in to play with Gaborik, though.
Dickie Dunn:
Why don’t you come up with a new one and see if it sticks?
ms. c: I was more taken by the fact that Miller looks gaunt with his huge eyes and prominent cheekbones.
I mean, at least name him after a dog…
Jim Carr: Andre “Poodle” Lussier, defense. Andre, as you know, has been living in semi-seclusion in Northern Quebec ever since the unfortunate Denny Pratt tragedy.
Yes, DiPi is Rick DiPietro and he’s beady eyed because… he’s beady eyed. Especially in the commercial Sunshine mentioned that shows 40000 times a day on the NHL Network.
He looks so untrustworthy. In a not-hot way, even though he’s gorgeous. Ish. No me gusta.
Our Finn line is great right now but if Mittens slows down, just remember there are peaks and valleys to every season.
As Koivu keeps up this level of performance, I do no longer crave Iginla.
Anyone who has criticized the Wild’s past draft choices, Koivu easily makes up for the failures.
His skills are wonderful to watch, but I think it is his attitude which is his best attribute.
Crunchy always look gaunt to me. I just want to stuff a cheeseburger in his face when I see him.
ps - Comparing our two marquis players: Gaby is exciting to watch when he is on but my opinion is you really build winning teams with the Koivu’s of hockey. He is a much more complete player.
Remember earlier when we were discussing the relative merits of Koivu and Gaby. Lately, we are seeing what we meant when we said Koivu makes the guys he plays with better.
Lets get a little clarity here. I would trade “Mittens” and my left foot for Iginla. I would require a pick for the foot though.
Belanger got put on the checking line last year after he went cold scoring. Fridge could score on a scoring line as you saw at the end of the year. A lot depends on who you are with.
“Mittens” will continue to score. Obviously not at this pace, but he is fast, can pass, and puts the biscuit home when he is fed. He isn’t a center, so he probably won’t be put on the check line.
Iceman, I get your point about the contrasts between Gabby and Miko. But honestly, Gabby brings alot to the table. You can’t just go out and get that kind of talent.
77gms 42goals 41assists 83pnts
He doesn’t have to lead. Just put puck in net. And he is a career +51
I changed my mind. I want to trade Staal for Morrow. Someone who’s got a backbone.
KiPa, you are going to let ALOT of people down…
Look, Mikko is the best all around player the Wild has. He’s great defensively, a great playmaker, a great passer, and our best FO guy. I don’t think anyone is going to dispute that.
It would be great if we have more guys like him. But we don’t. We have a great scorer in Gaborik who is a decent playmaker and defensive guy. We have a very good playmaker and passer in PMB and decent scorer.
Most of the time, these three guys are not in the same lines. They are the linchpins of their lines. They have to carry their lines. No doubt about it.
Gaborik does make his linemates look good — he hasn’t done it yet except for the one game in Montreal. He also has Shep and SRV — a 2nd year guy and a checker, who aren’t great playmakers or passers yet. You have to admit that Gaborik usually gets the shortend of the stick with his linemates.
He doesn’t get Rolston and Belanger/Koivu. He gets Demitra and Voros/Fedoruk last year. He and Demitra have to overcompensate for the grinder to get goals. Gaborik has to learn to do that with Shep and SRV.
Like who?
Sounds like Bruno was calling him “Mitts” - is that better than Mittens?
The difference for Gaborik between this year and last year was he had Demitra who can saucer him crisp passes. Geez, the passing between Gaborik, SRV, and Shep in the first two games were awful. It was a better in the Atlanta game. Not only that, but Demitra was the playmaker and Gaborik just needed to get open.
This year, Gaborik is the playmaker for his line. He’s okay but he’s no Demitra or PMB or Koivu, or Bruno as a playmaker. He is the feeder not the receiver, which probably boggles his mind a little bit.
Like I said Sunshine, just find a way to get the puck in the net. And Gabby is very good at it and you can’t just go out and replace it. But it’s up to him if he wants to stay or go. So while I would like to keep the talent, I need to get something if he goes.
My guess, we are on the same page.
Lots of Gabby haters right now and it is irrationally so. Some fools think we can trade him straight up for another talented star, why I called them fools.
I hope he comes to his senses and signs with us. Otherwise. Ship him! But more than anything I am getting sick of all the talk. Can’t enter Russoville on non-game days. Took the whole last offseason off too because the FA talk made me slightly nuts after reading it all.
The whole of Russoville KiPA if you start trying to trade for anybody other than Gabby.
Mitts is WAY better than Mittens. Personally I liked Choppers.
How about Mitzy? Its a dog’s name.
You don’t want Staal. Trust me. I’d only foist him on somewhere that doesn’t care about hockey (Atlanta for Kovalchuk, Dallas for Morrow, Florida for Horton…)
Gaborik can go somewhere else.
Oh no! Not Mitzy!
That is WAY better.
Thanks for the respect KiPA. But honestly, by the time it’s all done, I might gladly take my chances with Staal. Who the hell knows what we might get? Sorry, I was supposed to say H E double hockey sticks but that is alot of work.
WAY better than “Oh no, not Mittens!”
Preston said, “The players were put in timeout for pushing each other.”
Good kid
No, you don’t. Really. He’s another Gaborik. Won’t sign a contract until he can increase its potential value (which he’s doing a poor job of). Thinks he’s worth more than he is.
Gabby has put up alot of production in his career. So I wouldn’t say he is another Gabby. He might have the same mindset of getting paid, but that is what it is.
If anything, please agree that Mitzy is 100 times better than Mittens. I’m starting a campaign and need you on my side.
I think we are on the same page, Dickie Dunn.
Gaby does make this team better. But if nothing can get done, trade him for players, prospects, and picks.
Simple as that.
That’s what I meant. Mindset-wise. That 29-goal year looks like a fluke.
And on that note of agreement Sunshine, I will go to sleep because unfortunately I’m not paid to talk puck and have to go to sleep so I can go to work tomorrow.
I do wish I could see some movement in my campaign though. Mittens as a nickname just isn’t right.
But we do agree on Gabby. I enjoy your insight. Thank God for rational observers.
The problem with J. Staal is that his brother’s 2nd contract was worth $4.5 million a year for 3, maybe 4 years. Now he just received an $8+ million/yr contract for 7 years.
He wants what his brother got.
They should pool the dough. Concentrate on puck. Goodnight! Christ KiPA, It’s almost 2 am out there… I think.
Dickie, hate to tell ya, but Gaby isn’t worth what he’s looking for. He reportedly wants Ovechkin money, but doesn’t put up those kind of numbers. Will he? Sure, when he actually makes it through a whole season. And the checking line is Koivu, Mittens, and Bruno. JL wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ll find them out there against the top lines more than any other line that we’ve got.
Anybody who thinks that Gaby is playing like somebody who wants to make a difference, or might be showcasing his talents for prospective teams, is ABSOLUTELY F’N CRACKED!! So he gets a goal the other night, big f’n deal. His skating has nowhere been up to speed. I was saying to a friend of mine last night, he’s either hurt, or just doesn’t give a f$%K. Low and behold, he’s hurt. Imagine that.
He’s not nearly the player his brother is.
Yeah, nearly 2 am DD.
Fatboy, if you have read any of my posts before I said that he isn’t worth what the reports that have been out there have said. I have always said that “I hope Gabby comes to his senses and signs with us for market value, which I am sure we are offering him.
That is assuming the reports are accurate.
If you follow closely, I said he is a very talented individual who would be tough to replace. I don’t see how you could disagree with that.
But I’m going to go to sleep and assume that you are much smarter than me. Good for you.
Vote for Mitzy.
Gaborik hasn’t said that he wants AO money. With lack of information comes wild speculation. Nobody knows what he wants. All we know is that he wants more than the widely reported $8 million that has been offered to him. We don’t even know if he wants a 10 year deal. He might only want a 7 year deal or another 3 year deal. Who knows.
KiPA: I don’t think the Pens can afford to give him $4.5 million either.
The Pens do want to get a couple of good wingers to play with Malkin and Crosby.
DD, sure Gaby is talented. There is plenty of talent out there, however, to replace him with.
Hadn’t been back that far, so no, I didn’t see your earlier posts.
Hope you sleep well
He’s not even worth .5 right now.
KiPA, I feel for your Pens after watchin that 3rd period debacle, but i still say you’ll end up with Bulin
If we get rid of Staal, then fine.
Debacle’s a good word.
Is he still playing on the wing or have they put him back at center?
Its still only 5 games…he could still pick it up.
Wing and he’s not taking to it well.
May be only five games but read my post on Nick’s blog I made a little bit ago.
KiPA: think about this, Gaborik, last season only scored 1 goal in the first 10 games. He ended up with 42 and 83 points.
Gaborik’s much better than Staal.
Plus the Penguins only play 40 minutes max a night, so that’s 20 less a game to rack up points.
okay, I will take a look at it tomorrow.
Hey, I forgot to ask — did Russo say anything close to what you and I had for trade proposal for Gaborik re: the Pens? I am assuming the answer is no. It was an off-the wall proposal and really does nothing to move the future of the Wild if Gaborik is traded.
What he said was off the record, but I think I can safely say on my own, no, our proposal won’t happen. Especially since Fedotenko’s less than worthless.
What’s less than worthless? Worthlessless? And don’t anyone chime in with a Skoula joke. I’d trade you Fedotenko for Skoula right now.
Okay. That’s all I wanted to know. It was a stupid trade proposal on my part but it was a crazy day full of stupid proposals
Skoula.
Now now, you can’t take all the credit. I’m the one who started it.
Whoa. That was me with the “credit” business. I totally didn’t notice my posting info changed.
yeah, but I ran away with it.
no problemo — the strib might having some problems. I know you weren’t pulling a MKIA there.
Yeah…in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not in the best of moods right now.
Anyway, your proposal was no sillier than a lot of others I’ve seen.
The stupid Wild are lucky, every team they have played so far is crap!! The lames suck lol and the Cansucks are another team to play crappy teams. They were owned and exposed to be a crap team by the Washington Capitals. Wild will show they truly suck!!
Oilers 5 Cups
MILD 0 CUPS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA lol WILD SUCK WILD SUCK WILD SUCK!!!!
Derek Boogaard was beat up ahahahaahah the ogre is NOTHING! Steve Macintyre is an over all better fighter. Derek the retard Boogaard will get knocked out!! For you homers that think different are dumb! Have fun missing the playoffs. Everyone on the Oilers boards know Macintyre could beat Derek hhahaah losers
really?…really? are u serious? did u really just refer to the wild as ‘mild’? wow. i mean ‘cansucks’ and ‘lames’ are terrible names too but wow…and coming from a team who didnt make the playoffs last year? what is this world coming to? you, my friend, are pathetic…and i recommend that u take ur pills…even without reading what u said the way u typed it makes u look like ur on crack.
also how many of those cups has the wild franchise been around to see? and in that time how many division titles? ok… its sad when u trash talk an expansion team and fail at it miserably. and man, its hard to believe people on oilers boards think someone on the oilers would beat boogaard in a fight. i would never have thought that.
ur a joke. u dont deserve to be able to be associated with hockey…
And now, for a few more lucid comments…
1. Isn’t this what we were hoping for from Mikko Koivu? Leadership by example. Koivu will break the bank when he comes up for FA in a few years.
2. Not to downgrade the rest of that line, either. In Koivu-Brunette-Miettinen, the Wild have a true line that can score and play two-way hockey. In short, a real JL kind of line.
3. TV said Belanger was injured during the game. What happened? Did it spread to the rest of his line? None of them were a real difference maker.
4. The kids did alright last night. Pouliot finally showed a glimpse of what he can do (if he’s motivated enough) on that end-to-end goal play. Gillies, although how could he have missed that shot in the first period is beyond me, also had a better game than he did in Atlanta.
5. Skoula was actually EVEN last night in the +\-, although how he did it was more due to Mikko Koivu than Skoula’s own efforts. Several times during the game JL was shown on TV riding him about being out of position. Good for JL. Maybe he’ll be packaged in a deal with…
6. Gaborik. Anybody miss Uncle Moneybags last night?
I didn’t think so.
Re: Mittens.
I came up with the name in Russoville before I heard of any Dallas fans using it.
6. Gaborik. Anybody miss Uncle Moneybags last night?
Bear in mind, that was against the Panthers.
If Mittens is scoring two a night against the rest of the NW, then I’ll start to miss Groinorik
so, Rolston’s hurt, eh? At least he got paid.
VoR: Yes, it was against the Panthers, but for once it was against a Panthers team that actually had:
- won two games in a row going in
- had four days rest at home before last night
- first home game vs. Western Conference
Not arguing against your point, if Miettinen can score two against Huet or Turco, I’d be happy.
NiNY: Rolston’s gone. He went for the money, like Uncle Moneybags will. So now he’s out with a sprained ankle.
Don’t worry…be happy…
Dickie Dunn, I really was just mentioning the value of Koivu to the team compared to the value of Gaby to support what I have long argued here: that what Gaby is demanding in terms of $$$ is not a good value or what the Wild should pay him.
And, for the record, I would trade Mittens and “your” left foot for Iginla in a heartbeat too but I would not demand any draft choices.
Sunshine, I do not feel Gaby has ever been “shorted” by his linemates of the minute (they need a defensive type with him and Sheppard is the best we can offer.
Remember, the team gave up a prime prospect to bring Dimetra in to be his linemate and that did not work.
So, with Demitra you have two playmakers together, you need someone like Fedoruk or Voros to give them working space. There is nothing at all wrong with that philosophy.
It is Gaby’s and Demitra’s attitude that did not allow them achieve what they are capable of, and rise to their talent level every game.
It has nothing to do with the linemate when Gaby disappoints.
The team never got Rolston, or Koivu, or PMB to play on Gaby’s line, they got or developed these guys to create another solid line.
Dickie Dunn, I really was just mentioning the value of Koivu to the team compared to the value of Gaby to support what I have long argued here: that what Gaby is demanding in terms of $$$ is not a good value or what the Wild should pay him.
And, for the record, I would trade Mittens and “your” left foot for Iginla in a heartbeat too but I would not demand any draft choices.
Sunshine, I do not feel Gaby has ever been “shorted” by his linemates of the minute (they need a defensive type with him and Sheppard is the best we can offer.
Remember, the team gave up a prime prospect to bring Dimetra in to be his linemate and that did not work.
So, with Demitra you have two playmakers together, you need someone like Fedoruk or Voros to give them working space. There is nothing at all wrong with that philosophy.
It is Gaby’s and Demitra’s attitude that did not allow them achieve what they are capable of, and rise to their talent level every game.
It has nothing to do with the linemate when Gaby disappoints.
The team never got Rolston, or Koivu, or PMB to play on Gaby’s line, they got or developed these guys to create another solid line.
Sorry for the double post.
How about some more from the 4 year old. He’s got the right idea.
WRT: We’re all happy the Wild is off to a good start, but to aks if we miss Gaby because we put 6 in against one of the dregs of the East is ridiculous. Once the grind of the West starts to set in, if the Wild is still potting 6 a night against the like of Detroilet, Anh, San Jose, Calgary, etc, then we can talk. Odds are, however, and I’d have to check the schedule, I don’t think the Wild gets to play Boston, Atl, Florida and Tampa Bay all year.
For some strange cosmic reason, I am feeling kinda ‘glass half-full’.
6 points out of 6 is pretty good - especially when you keep them to 2 point games.
It may be the southleast, but with less divisional games, these points take on more meaning.
I said it in July and I’ll say it again - the Miettinen signing is intriguing. Sure, he may not score 90 goals, but he has been a huge factor in all 3 games. Mittens, Brunette and Koivu are playing very well - even if it is sub-par competition.
Trade Ghost, get PMB and Nolan back and I like the Wild’s chances in the Northwest.
Oh, and just wait until Inglewood Jack gets things cranked up.
Oh, and why don’t we call Mittens rasa?
“rasa being a dialectical word for the Finnish word for mitten”
well, if he’s not going to score 90 then he’s a bust, kj.
;P
leave it to DB to throw a wet blanket over every thing.
For the record, I’ve wanted the wild to resign #10, i also have never thought the wild would miss #10 that much if they don’t. They have played without him before. There is enough talent and enough players that buy into the system to get the job done.
no #10 does not equal instant 3 year rebuild and half empty building.
not saying last night was proof but it was a positive sign.
with all due respect to DD, I would like to try to put down the mutiny against Mittens right now.
The nickname works because it’s A) ridiculous and B) in so being, mocks the institution of hockey nicknames that has become so totally bereft of imagination over the years.
Plus, there’s a marketing tie-in that is just adorable.
NiNY…when you’re right, you’re right.
Also, I have a sneaking suspicion that
Dickie Dunn = MKIA.
Green*: DB is doing what DB does best. Forces everyone to step back and, take a Deep Breath. As I said earlier, did anyone (other, apparently, than DB) miss Uncle Moneybags last night?
Just think of the charitable tie-in…’Mittens for Mittens’ night sometime next month! 
DB: Wild play Tampa Bay at home on Black Friday (a.k.a. Day after Thanksgiving), and at Boston on January 6th…they do not play Atlanta or Florida again this season.
Too bad we can’t pick up the State of MN and slide it in next to Georgia. That way, we might get re-aligned in the SE and then get to play the likes of FLA and ATL all the time.
It’s funny, the last 2 games have been like neutral site games for the Wild because the buildings are so empty.
Hockeydad: can you imagine how psyched Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas would be to wake up and find that their superior neighbor has been replaced with…..Alabama?!
Good point - where would all those folks born in our neighboring states live and go to work when they grow up?
Manitoba?
I missed him. He’s on my fantasy team. 
reverse NAFTA?
Bruno calls him Mits. That’s much better than Mittens.
Anyway, great game by the “AMA” line. I’m enjoying this more balanced schedule.
Wallshot: Sorry. Next fantasy draft, draft better. Don’t pick Uncle Moneybags. Get rid of him when you can.
WRT- I just want to thank you for picking up the Uncle Moneybags moniker!
I had to work last night, so I missed the entire game. That, and it is still very early in the year, and they have yet to face any solid competition…
But damn folks. If they can continue to play even half as well as they are now… then losing Rolston, Demo and the crew is no big deal. (I think I may have said that earlier though.)
Rolston?
Demo?
Who are they?
Ok, raise your hand if you miss Huggy Bear.
Demitriage?
I didn’t think so.
Oh, and I thought centers weren’t permitted to score points in JL’s system, but just serve as a third d-man?
Yes, it’s a good start. Third straight year of 3-0 record. But can they keep it up, especially with the killer schedule which begins Oct. 27th?
7 games in 13 days, 6 of the 7 vs. Western Conference opponents, 5 of 7 on the road, including the season’s first Western swing. Can the Wild keep up the hot start? Will the Gaby contract stuff become a major distraction?
BTW: Michael…who’s Mimi in Tampa?
A couple thoughts from watching last night’s games.
- I did not miss #10 very much, although as it has been stated on here a plethora of times, how long can we continue the scoring without him, especially against better teams??
- I think Sheppard will have a much improved year this year. Watching him skate hard last night and crash the net a few times, he is going to be fun to watch, especially with the right linemates.
- Backs is looking solid, but I’m interested to see what Harding has. Probably won’t until the end of the month though.
- Brunette still has plenty of game in his old legs.
- Koivu is a stud
That is all. Carry on.
It’s nice to have Bruno back in a Wild sweater. I have a feeling that at the end of the season there are going to be several Wild players whose names are going to be known to all hockey fans rather than just those in MN.
Good observation, KJ. It does not matter who the opposition is, points are points. Road trip wins are still difficult.
In a year with questions and with so many new players, and again a press box full of walking wounded, I think six points is damned impressive.
There will be good days and tough days during the season, we know that. But, it is good to come off the line fast.
Greenstar, I like Gaby, but I do not want them to break the bank to sign him. Everyone loves his scoring touch when he has it, but there is much more to the game. And, if the rumors are correct I just think the salary demands are more than the value returned to the team.
boston was a playoff team last year and good chance to be one this year.
understanding atlanta and florida are not the top teams in the east, the wild could have easily strolled in and struggled to a 3-2 OT loss. we’ve seen it before. the fact that they didn’t, with 3 of top 6 forwards out, has to be encouraging.
Good game last night. Franchise was on fire…Marion who?
Just to throw my 2cents in on the comments by DB. Have you seen a Anaheim game this year? They don’t look good, Colorado finally won a game last night and Calgary has struggled. Vancouver beat the Wings last night and Dallas got thumped by St. Louis.
I know it’s early but for god sakes the Boogie has a point already. Isn’t that enough to look at the glass half full!?! p.s. Kimmy is kinda pretty without the bucket.
AND when was the last time the Wild scored 6, count ‘em 6 freakin’ goals…come on
Kimmy is kinda pretty without the bucket.
i take this as a rip ’cause guys ain’t pretty
Shipley reports, and Russo may have mentioned yesterday, that Leipold is currently with the team. I recall that it was reported that Leipold attended virtually all of the Preds home games as owner and went to road games too. Does this add to the trade speculation or is it just a coincidence? My guess - he is there to present Gaby the Wild’s final offer.
Well G* you can take it anyway you want but compared to what he looks like with the bucket he was pretty in that post game interview. Or maybe it was because his tongue was in his mouth I’m not sure……
Huggie Bear got hurt last night. Helped off ice. Ankle sorry “lower body”…
SSG: the night that Gaborik scored 5 goals and had an assist on PMB’s goal.
Wait… if you count the shootout goal of Gaby’s against Detroit, then that might have been the last time we had 6 “goals”.
FOOD
I feel pretty…oh so pretty.
I feel pretty and witty and bright!!!!
Slovakia’s Daily Pravda reported on Oct 16th that Canadiens are interested in Gaborik for Christopher Higgins, Ryan McDonagh (Wisconsin University) and first round pick 2009. Also interested in Gabby are Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, Vancouver and Toronto.
