Big Gaborik news; Kolanos recalled sorta; Walzie checks in; Nolan skates; Bouchard on IR; Pouliot in doghouse; Gaborik interview in Slovakia’s Daily Pravda
Posted on October 17th, 2008 – 10:25 AMBy Michael Russo
How about that for a wordy headline?
The one thing I left out of the headline? My mother just called. She attended last night’s Wild-Panthers game and said, “You should write about that guy Koivu who has the brother in the league. He’s really good.”
I said, “OK, I will,” and she said, “See, you can learn stuff from me.”
And then I said, “OK, gotta go.”
Does my mom know talent, or what?
Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu (one goal, eight assists) is the first NHL player to record nine or more points in his team’s first three games of a season since Adam Oates did so for the Bruins in 1993-94 (4-5-9). Only five other players in NHL history had at least eight assists in their team’s first three games of a season: Chicago’s Pat Stapleton in 1968-69 (nine), the Penguins’ John Cullen and Kevin Stevens in 1990-91 (nine each), the Kings’ Marcel Dionne in 1979-80 (eight) and the Rangers’ Rod Gilbert in 1976-77 (eight). — Elias Sports Bureau
Center Krys Kolanos has been recalled from AHL Houston on an emergency recall because the Wild is short so many forwards (apparently that was Kolanos I spotted in the airport). This way, it can keep him here and it doesn’t affect his waiver timing. Pierre-Marc Bouchard (back) has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to before Tuesday’s game. He can come off at anytime.
OK, I made you wait long enough to hear my big Gaborik news. I noticed the last couple days he’s been wearing a Devils Rays hat. No, he hasn’t been traded there. Apparently, he and Andrew Brunette grabbed the Rays in the fifth round of the Wild’s baseball playoff pool, so he’s become a big fan. Gaborik, who admits he’s a little concerned about last night’s meltdown, points out, “I picked them, not Bruno.”
OK, so maybe it wasn’t big Gaborik news, but I bet you I just drove traffic to Russo’s Rants. 
On a more serious note, Gaborik is definitely hurt. He is clearly limping and has some sort of problem with the area of his leg I mentioned in today’s paper. Players are not allowed anymore to talk about their injuries, so you’ll have to deal with a Gaborik quote on the Devil Rays rather than his health.
I told Lightning assistant coach Wes Walz that Gaborik is hurt, and he quipped, “Let me guess, lower body.” Bingo.
Walz checked in with his boys today, fake reffing the soccer hackysack/volleyball/tennis game by Koivu, Miettinen, Brunette, Burns, Veilleux and Belanger. All the guys were chirping him, and he said, “See, that’s what I miss right there.”
Owen Nolan skated this morning. He said he doesn’t know if he’ll play tomorrow and Lemaire said, “I don’t think so,” when I asked if he’d play. He’s got a leg problem.
Lemaire said he wants to play Kolanos tomorrow, but he said the guys have been working too hard to pull anybody out.
However, Benoit Pouliot, who scored a goal and an assist last night, is not in the coach’s favor. Lemaire won’t say a word as to why, but the facial expressions are unbelievable when we ask about him. Today, he ended “talking” about Pouliot by throwing his arms up in the air. At one point, Lemaire even pulled out a toothpick and started digging into his teeth. This is going to be a topic, and Lemaire admitted it’s probably just a matter of time before words accompany his facial expressions.
I asked if there was a chance Kolanos would officially be recalled and play for Pouliot, and Lemaire paused and said, “Not yet.” He stressed the word, “yet.”
Lemaire praised Tomas Mojzis’ feisty/offensive game from last night bigtime, and said he’ll probably get another chance against Tampa Bay. If Nolan is out, it should be the same lineup. If Nolan can play, it wouldn’t surprise me if Mojzis moved onto the blue line for Erik Reitz.
Lastly, Derek Boogaard wanted me to make clear he didn’t lose his tooth in the fight with Wade Belak. He lost his tooth in the scrum with Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard.
“I read your blog,” Boogaard jokingly barked.
Oh, I also threw the soccer ball back to Nik Backstrom today when he kicked it errantly in my direction. Problem is Backstrom turned his head. Smack.
“Don’t injure our goalie,” a laughing Kim Johnsson yelled at me.
Boy, that would not be an easy story to write if he did get hurt.
Thanks to hockey writer Peter Matijek, who sent me the translation of the Gaborik interview with Lubos Toth yesterday in Sunrise:
Minnesota’s biggest star stayed in the locker room on Thursday. An injury
kept Marian Gaborik off the Wild’s roster. What kind of injury, the club
would not reveal, nor did it permit Gaborik to tell.
Minnesota announced you were not going to play because of a lower body
injury. What does that mean?
I can not comment on that, unfortunately.
Can you talk about when you are expected to return to ice?
We are going to see. It is no serious injury, I hope it is going to be
soon.
The Wild have started well into the new season, even if a number of stars
have left the team. Are you happy (with the way the team is doing)?
I have played only two games, this one was going to be the third. We
have won all three of them, that is a pretty good start. There is quite a
lot of new faces in the team, but I have felt very well on the ice so far.
Since the beginning of the season, the question if you are staying on the
team, has been dominating the news. What can you tell about that, as of
today?
I am just trying to focus on hockey. How the things are going to happen,
we are just going to see. I am playing here, I obviously want to stay here,
and do not think about future for now.
Marian Hossa has opted to play for Detroit, even on a single year contract.
Is there any team in the league that you would have similiar sympathies
for?
Just like I am saying - I would not really like to talk about it now.
There are thirty teams in the NHL, I am in Minnesota, I still have one year
of a contract here. I want to deliver here. I do not think about where I
could or would wind up if things would not work out here. I am trying to
put the things together here.
Which team appears to be a Stanley Cup favorite to you in the new year?
The apparent pick is Detroit, but it is too early to tell how the season
is going to develop now. I hope we are going to be in the thick of things,
if we continue to play like this.
How often do you talk to your agent? Are you in regular contact now?
We talk fairly often, now, when we are going to go to Tampa, we could
actually meet.
Do the regular questions about your future disturb you? Is it hard to
forget them?
I am trying not to think of it and concentrate on hockey. Of course, it
is not possible not to think of it at all, but my priority is hockey.
Branko Radivojevic and Pavol Demitra have left. Who on the team is now your
closest pal?
Martin Skoula and Andrew Brunette, I am close to these guys. I have
remained in contact with Branko, it appears he and his team are doing just
fine in the Russian League.
Could the KHL grow to be competition to the NHL?
That is hard to assess for me, I have never played in Russia. In the
shortest term, I do not think it will be a competition, perhaps in the
future. But I still think the NHL is going to remain the best league in the
world.
Did players in America register the tragedy of the young Russian Alexei
Cherepanov?
I have never experienced anything like that. A similar disaster,
however, happened to a former teammate of mine, Sergei Zholtoks in Riga. It
is a horrible tragedy, we all sympathize with the family and his friends.
212 Responses to "Big Gaborik news; Kolanos recalled sorta; Walzie checks in; Nolan skates; Bouchard on IR; Pouliot in doghouse; Gaborik interview in Slovakia’s Daily Pravda"
- Cool - With Kolanos playing on the 4th line, I wonder if we will see Benny as one of Belanger’s wings Saturday night.
- Question I asked on the previous thread:
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 some 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, Gaby’s agent is in TB, too. So that might not so farfetched, even though, there is no scheduled meeting between him and Lynn.
So I didn’t read all of yesterday’s posts, but I would like to throw my line name into the hat.
And try to follow my thinking on this one (because it wanders a lot)
the Michelob line…
Miettinen-Mikko-Brunet
Mikobru
MicroBrew
Michelob
Lame… I know… but why not throw it out there Besides, I’m heading up to to Alma Matter tonight for a Gopher/Huskey hockey and Homecoming weekend - and I have beer on the brain.
From the last thread, Johnsson can be funny too with his remark about his goal.
Kolanos? Who’s Kolanos? Ms.C what’s the word on this kid?
Will be interesting to see if Kolanos brings anything. Not sure about the final offer though, but interesting thought.
At one point he was supposed to be a prospect and had a decent rookie year with Phoenix. But then was relegated to the minors.
From the last thread, kj:
Dickie Dunn = MKiA
I think Green*’s brother posts here as Dickie Dunn. I don’t think he’d also be posting as MKiA, but I can’t be sure of that.
Slapshot, it’s good for the Wild, BAD for the Aeros. He’s been on fire here, scoring his ass off. Guess we’re back to pulling goals our of butts again here. *sigh*
Anyway, as for his game, he’s got sort of a lazy style until he has the puck and then he’s nuts. He can score at these tight angles around the net where the goalie probably thinks, “Okay, he’s too far gone” but he’s not. He’s gifted.
Frankly, if the Eklund rumor about Higgins and McDonagh is true (and I take it with the healthy dose of salt that’s required), I think the Wild just might be better off with that trade than with re-signing Gaby. If Higgins can play center, then Benny could go to the wing where there’s a better chance JL will avoid a myocardial infarction. Of course, Mittens nees to keep up his pace of 1.6 goals/game.
Russo any real news as to ESPN’s reports on the Canadiens looking at Gaborik? Any chance of a trade?
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Geez Russo, what are you thinking? PMB’s out with a ‘lower body injury’ not a back injury!
So… nicknames… Kolanos… Colon? Manly enough?
Though, that could cause some confusion with Mr. Gillies…
Brunette-Koivu-Miettinen
BruKoNen?
HD: as long as the conditional 1st on our side is not included in the deal, its decent.
Thanks for the update Ms.C.
It doesn’t matter how you try to figure out the lines we’re better off trading #10. He needs some new scenery and so do we.
Hard to disagree, SS6
Why is it so hard to understand that CL has put hockey ops in control of the team and he is not involved in DTD operations which includes contract negotiations?
SGS - no dice, IMHO. I think CL is enjoying the florida sun and his favorite squad. He has said many times he doesn’t get involved in negotiations and in fact you don’t want him involved.
It would have been nice to have #10 dealt last year.
Someone else noted above that CL had a habit of traveling with the Preds on their road trips, so the fact he is with the Wild now really means nothing in and of itself.
That said, Green*, I think it’s appropriate for an owner to interject at a point (probably at the end) during negotiations with key players, though I would expect those to be rare instances. I think this would qualify.
It has been shocking to see both in Atlanta and Florida how empty the lower bowl has been, not just seats here and there but entire sections void of a single human. My god why do those cities (I realize Florida is not a city) have teams?
G*, you are probably right but I don’t think making a final contract offer, heavy on the personal appeal, by the owner to the biggest star on the team means CL has crossed over into contract negotiations. My guess is that nobody would have thought that CL would present the C to Mikko either.
Russo any chance that Gabby get traded to the Rangers?
I think that CL traveling with the team only indicates that he’s a rich guy who can afford to - that’s it. He’s said time and again that he wants to be ‘hand-off’.
I like that he’s doing it though. I have to think the players know somewhere in the backs of their minds that the big boss is watching.
CL, time and time again, has said that he would leave the negotiations to the hockey guys. However, it does not preclude him from delivering an offer from the hockey guys or at least sitting down with Gaborik and laying out his agenda for this team. Its probably a better sales pitch and more meaningful than DR’s.
Michael- thanks for the update.
Go figure, CO misses Bruno. Very nice tribute by their NHL scribe.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2008/10/15/im-panic-stricken-but-i-still-managed-to-type-this/
I could not agree with your more, Greenstar, about your comment: “keeping CL out of the negotiating business …”. And, if fact him turning management of the team to the people he choses to let manage.
What we never would want here is a Jerry Jones or Hank Steinbrenner type of owner. If any of you ever worked for a micromanager, you will know why not.
I only post as Dickie Dunn. What is this MKiA stuff all about? Would he include his left foot in a trade for Iginla too?
Due to some solid arguments for the nickname Mittens made by NiNY, I will suspend my campaign against it. Some things you just have to live with but you don’t have to like it.
Oh, and I was being sarcastic last night. FatBoy is not smarter than me. Might not be dumber either, but certainly not smarter.
everyone is correct, CL has said in interviews if he is needed to make a call to a player he will. he will not do terms.
A warm and fuzzy chat with the owner isn’t going to change that #10 wants more than 80 over 10.
suppose #10 tells CL over lattes that he isn’t signing because he doesn’t want to skate for JL anymore. Is CL going to instantly whip out his blackberry and send DR a message to instruct JL to bypass st pete and go right to jupiter? and that we will fedex his shat as soon as we get back to st paul? I don’t think he would and I wouldn’t want him to. not that i have a man crush on JL but i don’t want the owner exercising that type of control.
What we never would want here is a Jerry Jones or Hank Steinbrenner type of owner. If any of you ever worked for a micromanager, you will know why not.
don’t forget al davis.
Dan Snyder too.
laying out his agenda for this team.
if his agenda for the team is different from the hockey guys agenda, then there is serious trouble at 417 washington
Gabby who? Trade him for a Finn or two, they have talent, and more importantly, desire and heart. I honestly do not think Gabby wants to be in Minny, regardless of what he says.
You’ve got a starting goalie with a saves percentage worse than a drunk preacher
don’t know if i get it but it’s funny stuff
ATX! WATX! I HAVE TICKETS!
Except those crazy cheap seats in your section were gone so we’re on the opposite side of the rink in 104, row G.
Unfortunately, it looks like we have to have dinner with Mr. Conduct’s brother but I will definitely come and visit you during intermission so we can meet.
I’m so excited! My first Wild game!! Here’s hoping Turco is still sucking by then!
Hockey operations is hockey operations. CL is head of everything. He is the guy setting budgets for the hockey operations, instituting a culture, off-ice personnel, a possible practice arena, marketing, and all the other little details that could help the hockey operations guys get quality FAs.
Sometimes hearing from the owner that he’s not afraid to spend money to bring in good FAs helps. Will it factor greatly to Gaborik reducing his salary wants? Probably not but its another added layer of commitment to winning.
Greene/Target - I agree. I don’t think Gabby wants to stay in Minnesota, or it would be done by now. He’s still my favorite player to watch when he is healthy, but it wouldn’t bother me if he’s traded. It’s business and 80mil for ten years, is Crosby / Ovechkin kind of numbers. I don’t think he is that consistent to demand that amount, and with the Salary cap this number would do more harm than good.
Hey Ms.C! That’s awesome! It should be a fun time! We should meet up for a beer during one of the intermissions to discuss the goings on of the game.
How about CANFINISH line.. Brunette is Canadian and the two fins!
If you guys have time, read this article about a newbie sportswriter’s experience covering the Wild. He writes for the Rake. Funny insights.
http://www.rakemag.com/blogs/spazz-dad/2008/10/irish-handcuffs-prime-rib
At this point, would there be more unhappiness and a possible uprising if Gaborik signs an extension, or would people actually be happy?
Sunshine, I seriously doubt very much that CL is very deep into much of that.
Naegle may originally have been.
But, CL bought into what he feels was in motion already, and being implemented successfully. Unless or until the train jumps the track or quits running, I think he will leave that stuff to the management team.
But, yes, if DR and #10 are at an impasse, and the team desparately needs Gaby and they cannot quite come together, then I agree he might come on a personal level.
The Fin(n)ishers?
Good question, KiPA. I think I’d be relieved and okay with it going either direction. Obviously if there’s a trade, it’s harder to say what the level of satisfaction would really be. But unless we pick up some obvious duds in the deal, I can’t imagine being too upset about it.
I think if Gaby signs, the resentment I have now will mostly vanish. If he’s traded, I’ll probably always have a bit of a sneer for him.
Unless or until the train jumps the track or quits running
Not retaining all stars probably qualifies but seriously I agree with you Iceman that CL’s involvement would only be of the personal nature.
KiPA: It depends on how much and how long - but a majority will be satisfied. The Gaby-haters will continue to hate. A trade depends on who is coming back.
I think the management will be looking for young future tallent when they let Gabby go. They will get one person that can play now, 2 highly picked draft choices that have huge upside, and maybe a draft choice.
I can see Montreal and the Rangers dealing for him. Both of those teams have alot of young talent that they don’t have roster space for, and seem to be one marquee player away from making a cup run this year.
Sometimes hearing from the owner that he’s not afraid to spend money to bring in good FAs helps
you bet it does, especially when the owner doesn’t tell hockey ops who to sign and not sign.
Maybe i’m missing something. can anyone find a link to anything CL said about being an active owner? One who wants to assist in the operation of the team? an owner who wants to be in the decision making process on personnel and contracts? anyone? until then, why are we making CL out to be someone he has professed he ain’t?
Koivu better keep scoring Saturday. I’ll be sitting either Savard or Horcoff for him.
Sunshine,
Thanks for the link to the Rake article, very humorous
An active owner doesn’t mean that he’s involve in demanding certain players. He’s active in the business side of things and leave the hockey operations to DR.
I think Russo said that CL is one of the more active owners.
Ok, here it is. (emailing to Russo too)
Montreal ponúka za Gáboríka Higginsa a 1. kolo draftu
16. októbra 2008 13:59
Klub NHL Montreal Canadiens potvrdil vážny záujem o Mariána Gáboríka, keď prišiel ako prvý s konkrétnou ponukou na jeho výmenu s Minnesotou Wild. Opačným smerom by v prípade zrealizovania transakcie putovali dvaja hráči.
Marián Gáborík.
Marián Gáborík.
Autor: SITA
Podľa portálu allhockey.ru je v návrhu za účinkovanie elitného slovenského zakončovateľa do konca aktuálnej sezóny odstupné vo forme 25-ročného stredného útočníka Christophera Higginsa, ktorý v uplynulej sezóne odohral za Canadiens všetkých 82 zápasov s bilanciou 27 gólov a 25 asistencií, 19-ročného talentovaného obrancu Ryana McDonagha, ktorý hrá univerzitnú ligu za Wisconsin University, a navyše voľby v prvom kole vstupného draftu 2009. Tú však bude môcť Minnesota využiť len vtedy, ak zraneniami často sužovaný Gáborík odohrá do konca sezóny stanovený počet zápasov.
Keďže rokovania o novej zmluve Mariána Gáboríka v hokejovom tíme Minnesota Wild uviazli a zdá sa, že slovenský útočník si chce počkať na status voľného neobmedzeného hráča po konci sezóny, generálny manažér Doug Risebrough musel rozhodiť siete a zistiť záujem o výmenu svojej najväčšej hviezdy. Záujem predbežne okrem Montrealu prejavili Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, Vancouver a Toronto.
SITA
Ok, I’m waiting for a friend of mine to do a full translation, but it basically says the Canadiens are considering a blockbuster (bomb) complex trade involving the Wild for Gaborik. The rest describes a report on allhockey.ru (a Russian site).
Anyway, as soon as I get the translation, I’ll post it!
Thanks for the article, Sunshine. Boy, can I relate to that (except for the locker room part, where I, too, would have been likely to vomit, stutter, or hug a player, though not necessarily in that order).
MuN:
You do realize that its the Eklund rumor, right? Higgins and McDongh.
The other teams were already mentioned by Russo himself.
If you need translation, use translate.google.com. No need to wait for friends and still be able to get 90% of the info correctly.
Here is the rough translation of MuN’s post:
[ Ok, here it is. (emailing to Russia too)
Montreal offers the Gáboríka Higgins and 1 round drafty
16th Oct 2008 13:59
Montreal Canadiens NHL club confirmed a serious interest in the Marian Gáboríka, came first with a concrete offer to exchange with the Minnesota Wild. The opposite direction in the case of execution of transactions went two players.
Marian Gáborík.
Marian Gáborík.
Author: SITA
According to the portal allhockey.ru is in the performance of the elite English zakončovateľa by the end of the current season severance in the form of 25-year-old center forward Christopher Higgins, who last season played for the Canadiens all 82 games with a balance of 27 goals and 25 to help him, 19-year-old talented Metal Ryan McDonagh, who plays a university league for the Wisconsin University, and the addition of choice in the first round of the input drafty 2009. That will be able to Minnesota, only if bodily injury occurs often hagridden Gáborík by the end of the season set number of games.
Since negotiations on a new contract Mariána Gáboríka hokejovom team in the Minnesota Wild stranded, and it seems that the English attacker wants to wait on the status of unrestricted free player after the end of the season, General Manager Doug Risebrough had to scramble to identify the network and interest in the exchange of its biggest stars. Interest in addition to pre-Montreal expressed Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, Vancouver and Toronto.
SITA ]
Love all the vowels at the end of names in the Russian article, makes it seem almost like pig latin.
Green*, I’ll be in Vegas this weekend, what are your favorite sports books there? I’ll be on the strip and it’s been 12 years since my last Vegas appearance, so I’ll probably be in awe of all the new stuff more than anything.
However, is the conditional pick now coming to the Wild?
6GS: In the Eklund rumor, it came from the Wild if Gaborik doesn’t sign an extension with Montreal.
So essentially a first for Higgins and McDonagh. If you look at it that way, its not bad. But then, you get nothing for Gaborik.
Sunshine, I’ve used google translation for Slovak before, and it misses some of the meanings of the words. I’ll wait for a full translation from friends, but I did understand the basics of the article.
Now as for it being the Eklund rumor, maybe. It doesn’t cite Eklund, but implies there’s a trade rumor. That’s part of why I want the translation - the meaning of the words might be a bit different, and we might get a better understanding of if an actual offer was made, or if it was a rumor.
If it’s an offer, perhaps the Eklund rumor had some basis after all?
KiPA-
Everyone would all of sudden be lovers of #10 again if he signed a deal. While I would still cheer for him (a bit, and not very loud), the respect is gone. Finished, forever.
He is, and always will be, Uncle Moneybags from here on out. I have gone from hooing beyind hope that he signs to hoping beyond hope they just trade him for a coffee pot and move on.
It doesn’t go back the other way with me. Unless of course I find out that the whole dispute was becuase the Wild were offering 7.5 per for 8 years, and he wanted 10.
Since Gaboriks agent, DR and CL are in Tampa this weekend my guess either Gaborik will sign or be traded. Soon the pain will be over.
Pig Latin? Nice jab El Gato.
Anybody have any remarks about Quenville surfacing in Chicago?
lol ok she just texted me back. She says Montreal made an offer for Gaborik - it was Higgins and McDonagh, and the conditional pick was not about whether Gaborik signed there - it was about how many games he played for the Canadiens this year, because of his injury probs. Kind of an insurance policy for the Habs, so if they don’t get to use Gaborik at all this year, they get a pick.
- I was wondering if the “set number of games” for Gaby indicated that the Wild would get the pick based on how uch the oft injured Gaby plays for them. I think we all agreed that Eklund’s Gaby plus a #1 pick (unless the conditions were very high) was not worth it.
- Also, since we are back to Higgins for Gaby as far as NHL rosters go, how does this work cap-wise?
Hahahaha Russo, that was GREAT! The bit with your mother and the “big Gaborik news.” Ha! Well played, sir.
Iceman, Q is in Chitown cause Bowman wanted him there. Remember they hired Scotty this summer, because his kid works in the organization, and he wanted to spend time close to him.
Scotty’s word is law.
Even with the goal, Poolio is in the doghouse. The guy’s got the markings of a coach-killer - someone that will flash incredible talent and the coach keeps putting him out there hoping he finally gets it, but he never does.
Thanks, Michael. It would be hard to dispute any of Bowman’s observations or requests. We see the result of his last duty post in Detroit.
SGS, I don’t know how it’d work, but the article says it would be a complex deal. If the Habs made the offer, I’m sure Gainey has some way to work out the salary cap issue.
lol yeah Ice. I couldn’t think of anyone who really could question any of Bowman’s decisions. Toe Blake, maybe.. But he died.
Assuming a deal gets done for Gaby, and there are other teams involved in the bidding too, anyone have any feelings on what position would benefit the most with an upgrade?
MuN - thanks for your efforts here - perhaps there is another team that will take cap space away from MTL and I do like Higgins coming to the Wild. As long as the Wild does not get Tanquay I will be fine!
I wonder what Pouls did… I mean on ice play is one thing. But for JL to not even have the words? He is generally not hesitant to call his guys out for on ice stuff…
I wonder if he is lippy?
Not limpy like Moneybags… lippy.
Yeah, others are interested.. But no word on actual offers.
I’d say biggest benefit would be Pit.
lolol not really I just said that for KiPA 
I’d say Vancouver. LA isn’t going to seriously challenge this year, Montreal is doing well anyway, Rangers are doing well. Pit is doing well until the 3rd period.
JL has been harping about not turning over the puck at the offensive blue line. Pouliot did it twice last night and I think one led to a good scoring chance for the Panthers. On his goal, it could have turned bad for the Wild. If he can’t make a play, JL would rather he chipped it in.
Montreal would have to make another move to make space for Gaborik. They would be over the cap by $4 million.
I kind of feel bad for pouliot….he just cant seem to please lemaire right now. Granted he didnt play well the first two games and consistency has been his downfall for most of his career but come on give him some credit for working hard last night. It could do wonders for the guy if he actually hears some words of encouragement after a game with a goal and an assist
FYI - Gaborik interview in Slovakia’s Daily Pravda is now in the post above - Thanks Russo!
Actually you’re right, MuN.
Though Sid’s got his new winger based on a report out of practice. So maybe we don’t need Gaborik anymore.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
The Wild have started well into the new season, even if a number of stars
have left the team. Are you happy (with the way the team is doing)?
I have played only two games, this one was going to be the third. We
have won all three of them, that is a pretty good start. There is quite a
lot of new faces in the team, but I have felt very well on the ice so far.
hopefully this Q-N-A lost something in translation. i think the cat asked about the team and #10 instinctively answered about himself.
Green*, I’ll be in Vegas this weekend, what are your favorite sports books there?
the IP caters to hockey or it used to. it’s a dump though. the lines are mostly the same in every joint and they don’t comp sports betting very well. i generally bet wherever it is convenient. if you looking for a place to catch the game on saturday you will be competing with a ton o college football. someplace should have it though.
Methinks B-B-B-Benny is being himself.
He made the team and now he’s put it on auto-pilot.
JL always notices those kinds of things. And thinks anyone that does it is cheating Lord Stanley himself.
LeBrun has a Gaborik blog up on ESPN.
I hope JL at least communicates his issue to Pouliot, if he won’t tell Russo.
We have more people at PeeWee games then you’ll see at Florida arenas right now. The Snow Birds haven’t made their way south yet. Last year my daughter (U of Miami) went to the Panthers/Wild game. When I listened, all I could hear were Wild fans cheering. She confirmed they pretty much were most of the fans.
While Michelob is catchy, CANFINISH says it all for the Brunette/Koivu/Miettenen line!
If Gaborik stays, we’ll just find something else to discuss. If he goes, we’ll speculate about potential contributions from who we get in exchange. I’ve watched Higgins play quite a bit. He seems to always have a hand in Montreal’s solid play. He was especially effective during their play-off run, if I remember right.
Too bad what MTL would send is not included
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wsptduha1017/BNStory/GlobeSportsHockey
THE MARIAN GABORIK WATCH: At the moment, the Marian Gaborik-to-Montreal rumour that made the rounds in cyberspace this week has its genesis in one thing, and one thing alone – the close relationship between the man who may eventually have to trade Gaborik if he can’t sign him to a contract extension, Minnesota Wild general manager Doug Risebrough, and his long-time Habs’ teammate, Gainey. If Risebrough needs to shop Gaborik – something that will happen later rather than sooner, largely because so few teams could fit his $7.5-million (all currency U.S.) annual salary under the cap in mid-October - he would ideally like to place him with an Eastern Conference team. The Canadiens make the most sense, given that their attempts to land a Mats Sundin or a Marian Hossa, came up short. They, more than any other NHL organization, might be able to put together an attractive enough package to land one of the NHL’s brightest young stars … Gaborik, incidentally, missed the Wild’s impressive 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers with what they can now, with impunity, describe as a lower body injury. This year, the league finally formalized its (non)-injury disclosure policy and came down firmly on the side of the teams. Clubs are no longer required to disclose the specific nature of any player injury. They now need only to reveal if a player is expected to miss a game as a result of injury and cannot deliberately provide “untruthful” information about the nature of a player’s injury. Just how they propose to police that stipulation, they didn’t say. Presumably, heavy fines will be involved for any egregious policy breach.
Thanks Green*, I remember betting the ponies at the IP 15 years ago, they still used paper and markers rather than the electronic boards at most other race/sports books.
Benny P might have the next ‘lower body’ injury, a JL skate lodged in his arse!
Did anyone else notice JL getting in Skoula’s face last night in the first period after he failed to clear the puck? No comments after the game but it was one of the more animated exchanges that I have seen from Jacque.
If we trade Gaborik AND one of our 1st rounders for two ok players then Wild fans should call the police and report that our GM has been raped.
Also I don’t think it’s too crazy to think CL would somewhat get involved with the Gaborik talks. You have to think about this he’s a new owner and he will feel heat from the media for letting his franchise player walk. He’s not going to get in Risebrough’s face every day and yell “Get it done Douglas!” But I could see if things are getting down to the wire he calls Gaborik and his agent to a meeting with Risebrough and Lynn and says how serious are you about playing in MN?
I think if Lemaire isn’t going to use words about Pouliot, Russo needs to be rocking the camera. Give us a “visual quote.”
If we trade Gaborik AND one of our 1st rounders for two ok players then Wild fans should call the police and report that our GM has been raped.
Actually, I’ll send them a fruit basket on a job well done.
After Gaborik’s remark about Skoula, maybe we know why he is still around.
Those people that (jokingly) said any trade for Gaborik has to include Skoula, they may get their wish
Are you being serious? A franchise player and a 1st rounder in a deep draft? That’s flat out STUPID!
Hello all!
I have to say, your comments and this blog bring me much entertainment every day!
As someone who knows him, I can see Benny giving some attitude, but I’m still curious as to why he has put JL in such a tizzy….
I am still hoping for a trade with the Habs, where core of the deal is Gab + Belanger => Higgins + Saku Koivu + O’bryne.
Yeah, a guy can dream.
Lucky, it gets rid of Gaborik. If we net 50 points in return, plus a prospect that could be the next Burnsie in return for our #1 and Gaborik, all the while reducing our cap hit by 5 mil, I’d call that a total win for the organ-eye-zation.
Ugh… If you want to believe that’s what we should get then it’s not my job to discourage you. I will be very disappointed if we get fleeced that badly.
Benny is taking too many risks at the offensive blue line by turning over the puck. When you have 3 of your top 6 guys out, you can’t afford to make those stupid mistakes. If you watched NHL on the Fly last night, they roasted STK for the exact same mistake. He caused the tying goal for the Caps with his error at the offensive blue line. It changed the outcome.
Pouliot did it 3 times last night - 1 resulted in a good scoring chance for Florida and a goal for him. The good thing last night is that they didn’t have a Semin on the Panthers team. If he did it tomorrow night against Lecavalier, Prospal, and St. Louis — most likely the result would be goals against.
Its these little details that JL needs Pouliot to pay attention and not make them over and over again. I am sure there are other things but that to me is a glaring issue with Pouliot.
Russo should get a double-minor for instigating a rush of blood to the heart for that headline. Anyway, if Gaby is truly “injured”, does anyone think that it may shake something loose in his and/or Salcer’s head to realize “Hey, I do have a tendancy to miss time being injured. This Wild team seems to have a decent core of young players locked up long term. The team has gotten off to a decent start with a favorable schedule for the entire month of October, maybe I/we should seriously consider the offer the Wild has on the table. Not sure teams, even crazy a&& teams like the Rangers, will be willing to pony up $9.5-10 million per season if I can’t stay on the ice for 80 games a season.” Nuther big gulp from the kool-aid pitcher.
Two blondes and a Brunette?
If we were to make a trade with the Habs…i can not see us giving up and conditional first, nor do I understand why we would. I think in the original rumor meant it was supposed to be us getting the conditional first from the Habs if Gabby played a certain amount of games and/or resigned with them….that just makes more sense to me
Lucky:
You are on the right side. Wanting Gaborik traded badly is one thing. Getting fleeced and potentially setting the team back further by giving away our 1st is just plain idiocy.
If Eklund’s rumor comes to fruition, DR needs to be fired.
Boogs!!! stop fighting at the end of your shift. They just wait for you to get tired so they have a shot.
Also, there has been writings about the Wild coughing up Gaby AND a #1 pick in a trade. If that scenario happens, Ballgame would cement his seat right next to McHale’s on the bus of truly “mentally disadvantaged” GMs.
Also, is anybody else concerned in the least that the Wild, which always seems to be hit with injuries, has played 3 games and has several key cogs already on the sidelines? Does it speak to the team’s training staff that this team is always dealing with injuries?
I would give up #10 plus a first only for a very select group of players.
Does it speak to the team’s training staff that this team is always dealing with injuries?
I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
Higgins and McDonagh on your list of select players?
Deep: Last year, the Wild remained fairly healthy all year round except for a pull groin here and there that lasted a day or two. You couldn’t blame Koivu’s injury to conditioning.
We knew this could happen to Gaborik because of the warm ice from past experience when they went to California.
Someone has to do a study about the number of groin injuries suffered by the players. It might be one of the top injuries in the league. It could be partly conditioning because the body is ramped up for the speed, stop and go, and other things.
Gaborik injures his groin because he is so fast. He puts so much pressure on his hips/groin/upper legs, they can only handle so much.
So the dilemma is, does Gaborik take some speed off and only turn on the burners when absolutely necessary (keeping in mind his ridiculously fast hands will be there) and have him play all 82 games? Or keep burnin the ice and poppin a groin?
I would guess that the Wild would only have to give up a #1 if Gaby played less than five games (or something just as unlikely) for the team he was traded to and scale down from there.
Ride:
Good point. Do you think Gaborik is using his speed less now? We didn’t see much of it in the first two games.
IMO, I think he needs to use his speed less and focus on other areas of his game. As he gets older, his speed slows down. He can still be speedy, just maybe not the fastest guy.
Higgins and McDonagh do NOT equal Gaby and our #1 pick. That is foolish on plenty of levels, especially considering next summer’s draft has been deemed to be a signifcantly deep one. Also, are the Wild going to move Backs at the deadline to get another #1 and hook their fortunes onto Harding and Shaefer? Getting a #1 for Gaby and a #1 for Backs, plus getting rid of the salaries, in addition to Skooba’s, could put the team in a decent position for next summer for UFAs and the draft. Obviously another big gulp from the kool air pitcher but I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that an extension for Gaby could not be worked out.
6GS:
I don’t think we have to give a #1 at all — maybe a 4th rounder but not a #1. The other team has to assume some risk also.
I don’t know if Gaborik is taking some off. But I agree with you that he should maybe focus on adding something additional to his game besides speed and a quick release.
He’ll always be a little faster than everyone else regardless. He has such a strong stride.
It is clear that something in Gaby’s make-up (build, skating stride, etc) makes him susceptible to leg injuries. Otherwise there is no great history of injuries on the Wild. Butch has been pretty healthy the last few years. Don’t remember any great injury history with Zids. Nolan is 36 and does have an injury history. It just seems to be a timing issue with multiple injuries happening at the same time. Nothing to point at the training staff.
DB - What if they have to take Skoula too? Hey, that knocks off a solid 20 goals a year from our goals against;)
Higgins and McDonagh on your list of select players?
No.
DB-more inside information on moving Backs at the deadline? Don’t see moving him at the deadline unless the Wild are way out of it or Harding shows alot more than last season.
The extension for Gaby shouldn’t that hard to get your head around. The Wild think that Gaby is a risk because of his injury prone nature and Gaby wants more than the Wild want to pay him. Doesn’t get much simplier than that.
If we give up a first round pick for Gaborik, that is the meaning of the word “fleeced”. Even if we have to hold on to him until the trade deadline, we should never give up a first round pick, unless we are getting something MUCH better in return.
I don’t think we have to give a #1 at all — maybe a 4th rounder but not a #1. The other team has to assume some risk also.
With you on that - I guess as with so many other rumors/posibilities it all depends on what is coming back in return.
- DB - Backs signs an extension in the post Gaby trade wake - I have foreseen it 
You’re gonna smoke a turd in purgatory for that “Big Gaborik News” headline, Russo!
More seriously. . . .Leipold is in Florida with the team. Salcer is going to Florida to meet with Gaby. The Wild have four days off after the Tampa game.
Am I the only one that looks at that combination of people, place, and timing and thinks “Last ditch effort to sign a deal, followed by immediate trade if it fails.”
DB, you’re still missing it. The rumored trade was NOT Gaby and a #1 for Higgins and McDonaugh.
It was Higgins and McDonaugh for Gaborik and a conditional #1.. That means the #1 only goes if certain conditions are met - like the Habs don’t get to use him all year because he injures himself his 1st day.
Higgins and McDonaugh for Gaborik, I think, is a good deal.
Boomer: you’re idea that the Wild think Gaby is a risk is absolute crap. You don’t offer “risks” 10-years, 80 million dollars. The cold facts are that Gaby/Salcer right now want a little more than the Wild are willing to pony up.
And regarding Backs: let’s not all readily assume that he and his agent will swallow that whole “so much more to offer than other teams” crap that Ballgame likes to peddle. If the Wild let him get to the summer, you can bet your sweet Bertuzzi that another team is going to back up a brinks truck for a legit #1 goalie.
Sunshine, thanks for the link to that article earlier today. (I’m just getting caught up with you all now.) I think I would have giggled and drooled a lot if I’d had a chance like his. Do you think it would have been unprofessional to throw my self at Boogie and offer to be his personal towel girl?
Any way, I’m still ignoring the Gaby sitch. I wonder how you say “shizz or get off the pot” in Slovakian.
You don’t have to say it in Slovakian. You have to say it in Ballgame-speak. Gaby cannot trade himself. He and his agent have stated what they want. It is now on Ballgame to pull the trigger. Just hopeful the latest “weiner tweek” is enough to open Gaby’s eyes that maybe other teams won’t be so excited about $9 million+ per season for him come this summer and he decides to take the Wild money.
I suppose DB. But I still want to know how to say it in Slovakian.
Sorry to change the subject (nooot) but did anyone else see Skoula get his bum chewed last night by JL?
I’ve never actually posted here before, just read it for a long time. I have a question about contracts and the salary cap. Is there such a thing as a team offering a percent of the teams cap in a contract? That way if the cap drops, a players salary would drop…if the cap goes up, the salary would follow.
ss6: I commented on just that topic (Skoula getting his head handed to him by JL) on the last thread. I loved every minute of it. OMG that was good.
Can we throw Skoula in on a Gaby trade? Uncle Moneybags and Skouba for what Montreal is willing to give up??
P.S. Russo: You left out Mimi in Tampa. What about her?
Btw, Russo, was that your headline or THN’s re “The Time Has Come to Deal Marian Gaborik”? Cause any blowback for you?
I read somewhere last season that the reason Gaby is susceptible to groin pulls is because he pushes off with the heel his blade in his stride. If you think about that motion, it makes sense that it would put more strain on the groin than pushing off on the center of the blade or the toe. I’ve played around with it when I’m skating and it definitely feels different.
Does it speak to the team’s training staff that this team is always dealing with injuries?
nope. It seems like it’s always a certain player that is injured.
I think Monday is the day Ghost gets moved. He doesn’t want to be here.
Here is one for any Gopher or St Cloud Husky fan that you can all appreciate.
I just saw one of the funniest bloopers in a long time.
Doug Woog was using a hockey board to illustrate with his pen. The board was being held up by a young pretty.
The faceoff circles were strategically placed on the woman. Doug’s was pointing and drawing doing a masterful job of outlining whatever he was talking about.
And so, his hands were moving like a professional surgeon appearing to sell breast augmentation to the woman holding the hockey rink.
The Mr just went and bought 16 lbs of pork shoulder. He’s gonna use his smoker one last time before we put it away for the winter. And any left overs (of which there will be lots) can be packed using the vacuume sealer we got for Christmas last year and will feed us many times all winter long. So that means my Saturday night will be pulled pork sandwiches, hockey, and if I’m feeling generous I’ll stop and pick up some Labatt or Grain Belt for the Mr.
I saw that Iceman, LMAO.
I keep wondering why people speculate “if they move Backstrom”.
Why on earth would they want to move Backstrom? It is an important position that is solid right now.
Harding is still a project, a little further along and more dependable than Travaris Jackson. But, goalies hang around forever and lots have gotten better in their golden years.
When we had Roli and Manny we had one starting goalie too many. Roli was snakebit for awhile, the team quit believing in him and they even counted goals against that went under the side rail of the net.
Then, after Manny got hurt and Backstrom had proven himself the team felt more comfortable, and did better with Backs, and so Manny became expendible. So, moving those goalies was different and did not create a question.
Now, unless the Wild is so many points behind the rest of the NHL by trade deadline (which is not going to happen) there is no motivation whatsoever to move him is there?
wow…..My buddy Alfredsson is a beast…..knee surgery a week ago and playing tonight with 2A and +2….now if only I actually believed he’d be playing…
Didn’t Woog look like a plastic surgeon planning larger and enhanced breasts Bandgeek?
Geez, are any of the games tonight worth watching? I see like 5 to choose from and don’t care about a single one of them.
Kinda. I kept waiting for the guy standing behind the chick to giggle and say boobies.
MsC, since I don’t have CI that makes my choice easy, I’m watching the Gopher game. Nice goal by Lucia a moment ago.
Settled on Rags/Leafs. Voros is good for a laugh, I guess.
soMinny: very interesting question. I haven’t heard of it, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Economically, I love the idea, though.
PS: Welcome to Russoville.
You’ll have to let me know if AV does anything amusing, or anything shirtless. Love when he does amusing things, even better if they are shirtless. I miss his pecs, ok ’scuse me while I clean up the drool.
I’m guessing nothing amusing has happened. Did I drive everyone away with talk of drool?
My dog is mad. Apparently he doesn’t like that when I watch hockey; he doesn’t get tummy rubs or scratchies behind the ears.
Tony Lucia is very well spoken for such a young guy. Very poised when LaPanta was doing an interview with him. That’s good to see.
Iceman: I have been speculating about Backs and since he is one of the top goalies in the league, is an UFA this summer, meaning some team is gonna back up a truck load of money to his door and with Ballgame’s propensity to offer up the “we have so much more to offer than other teams” to UFAs, you think it would behoove the team to either get an extension signed now, rather than get into a bidding war, which Ballgame will not win, this summer.
you think it would behoove the team to either get an extension signed now
why would he do that when the wild clearly only develop talent and when it comes time to pay they just ship them out?
“we have so much more to offer than other teams”
so this is the phrase of the week? did DR put a move on the old lady or something?
Bandgeek…you missed it…Cub had Boston butts on sale for a buck a pound a week or so ago.
We got like 50-60 lbs for smoking…
And no smarta$$ jokes about Boston players either…
nothing better than pork butt. i smoke 20lbs at least once a year.
No we saw those kj, they just were out at our Cub. Or I should say they had 2 or 3 left and they looked bad, like are you sure those are safe bad. Besides we found a decently cheep butcher on Robert that the Mr likes to frequent, it was only $2 a pound. He didn’t want to get to much, we need to leave room in the freezer incase he gets a deer.
The talk about an extension for Backs… Russo wrote an article not too long ago about that. He wants to stay, but DR tolf him that the situation with Uncle Moneybags was top priority, and they wanted to see what Harding could do before re-signing him.
Sorry to disrupt the talk of pork butt…
Mmmmm…B-B-Q…wish I had some right now…
Speaking of things getting skewered…Kipper has looked bad tonight…’Nucks lost 5-2 at Buffalo…Rags finally won in a SO 1-0 vs. the Leafs…and the BJ’s won their home opener 5-3 vs. Nashville…
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.
Dubay (PA & Dubay) arrested for having meth… nice…
Pam… yeah… we know. And it’s the University of Wisconsin.
Dubay (PA & Dubay) arrested for having meth… nice…
That was the weird news of the day. Funny how KFAN will mention arrests of anyone but their own personnel.
Zetterberg is currently out with a groin injury and Datsuk missed a bunch of pre-season with a groin injury… it is not just Gabby… I DO agree that the warm ice games seem to cause it in Gabby though.
Thought some of you may find this article interesting, especially the bottom portion…
http://www.prohockeynews.com/hockey/publish/nhl/NHL_affiliations_update.shtml
JSG finally came through for me in fantasy hockey with a shutout.
Can we end the week now? I am worried the next two days might be going south for me.
From Buddha’s link: A new arena is being built in Austin, Texas for the Stars new affiliate.
Woot! I will actually get to see some Aeros games this way! I am also going to try to get a job with the Stars Affiliate up there in Cedar Park. I don’t really care what it is, I just want to work with hockey in some way…
Giguere capped the shutout, sunshine? Hadn’t looked since I got home. But woo!
By the way, the Wild called up Krys Kolanos from AHL Houston on Friday, and he’ll likely play in place of injured winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The only new word on Marian Gaborik, other than the team’s intentionally vague description of his “lower-body injury,” is that he won’t play Saturday against the Lightning.
Well, that should end having to listen to Dubay analyze hockey games on FSN.
From Slover’s blog: According to my close, personal friend Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the AMA line is the primary reason the Wild are healthy
Russo… are you really friends with this ass-clown… I mean… guy?
Thanks AustinTXwildfan.
you know you suck Slover… don’t deny your god-given talent.
Yep, JSG had a shutout.
Really because Russo wrote that Kolanos might likely NOT play tonight.
- Slover isn’t exactly known for his research
- Crazy story on Dubay - http://wcco.com/sports/jeff.dubay.meth.2.843344.html - and starnge that it struck me last week with Bruno that Dubay didn’t seem up on Wild hockey news.
- Great stories on TB Russo - should be a good test for the Wild as TB is hurting in the win department.
[…] Wellwood on waivers. -The Wild recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Krys Kolanos on an emergency basis from Houston of the AHL. -Minnesota has been getting production from the Andrew Brunnette/Mikko Koivu/Antti Miettinen line. […]
We all thought KFAN’s Jeff Dubay was on something with his unchained foaming over Gopher men’s hockey. But this?
No wonder he sounded so out of touch (not much more than usual, granted, but…) with Bruno last week on the radio.
Hopefully he can get his life straightened out, pick himself up and get back to living a normal, healthy, productive existence… now this is a lesson for you kids, on rooting for the wrong team… it will drive you to who-knows-what…
But, seriously, here’s hoping he pulls out of it… after all, he is good comic relief…
Users are losers, man.
F him (Dubay)…it’s not like there aren’t 50 other people who would like to have his (ex-) job.
Dubay had been off the air for the previous couple of days. This summer he took a leave of absence from the station for personal reasons
sounds like this maybe has been going on for a while and he is trying to fight the demon?
addiction is a tough customer.
minnesota and edmonton a neck and neck race for the rest of the season?
Can anyone out there help me find todays game? I’m in the duluth/cloquet area and the games on 45 are not always carried on our local channels like today. I watch on direct tv and the wilds website says that direct tv and dish net both carry 45? is this true or are they talking about center ice? If it is on satallite without the ice package whats the channel? anyone know? thanks!
Wild site says they both carry 45 because they do… in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul area. It is a local channel here, so they have to.
In Duluth, not so much.
I am going to guess it is not on regular DirecTV or cable in your area. That is something the Wild lack horribly in their “State of Hockey” campaign. A TV network across the state to air the games.
This is why there should not be hockey in Nashville:
http://www.examiner.com/x-772-Nashville-Pro-Sports-Examiner~y2008m10d17-Its-hockey-season-already
And a chick writer, no less. Not sure why it irritates me all the more but it does.
Oh, this is what it is. I LIKE the Preds and I know I could write the chit out of them, so for her to be wasting the privilege of getting to write about hockey on sarcasm and flippancy… well that just pisses me right off.
let’s road trip, and take her out…
Boom, outta here.
Nothing noteworthy has happened in the NHL this season. That’s what she says.
Power Plays clicking at almost 20%, the superstars of the league are being held out of the boxscores… the superstar goalies of the league are barely present… the Wild have scored 14 goals in three games… but yeah, nothing noteworthy.
So why discuss the drivel she writes? She’s obviously either a moron or just trying to get a rise out of people.
Never mind some nice surprises out of the Nashville training camp! Right on their doorstep are some great stories and lots going on. Gimme a break.
Because it’s fun to rant and because I’m jealous of her sport-writing forum. And because I’m having a love/hate day with my own sports writing…
More proof that Minnesota fans are only happy when whining…
Kidding, kidding.
They’re rubbing off on me, aren’t they? Though I gotta say, Minny fan whining is vastly more constructive than Houston fan whining. Both are equally prolific though.
They sure are. But how exactly is it constructive?
Well, it’s whining about present-day issues, not pining for the good ol’ days before the Wild came along and bought the team. Move with the cheese, people.
I think whining is a universal sports thing. Especially when things are going poorly. The difference with the MN fans is that they whine even when we are winning
That chick is stupid though. Horrible “article”.
Also, why in the world is there a picture of a Power Glove at the top of that story?
Undoubtedly, Austin…should’ve seen me the other night.
We all have our moments Kevin.
Woo, Pens want Gaborik rumors swirling up again.
Augh. No mas!
I know. Trade him to the KHL already. (My “Woo” was sarcasm.)
Can’t remember if I said this the other night, but another season ticket holder said to me the Pens should trade Staal and Whitney for Kovalchuk.
Gaborik to the Pens?
Never heard of such a thing. Is Slover writing again?
Now, that’s a plan.
Wow, tough decisions at center on one of my fantasy teams. Sure wish we had a UTIL spot on the Wildbloggers league. Kills me to have Mikko on the bench, but do you really stick him in place of Jokinen or Dots?
Oh well. Leap of faith. Swapping out Jokinen or Mikko…
Fox Sports North, for choosing to show commercials instead of the national anthem before the Wild home opener.
Where did I read a quote from Mojzis saying he hadn’t played forward since he was in juniors? Sunshine, you’re a font of information. Do you recall seeing that?
Late Saturday lunch…
No wonder Dubay was able to knock off 40-50 pounds. Honestly, I have more tolerance for him on KFAN than that doofus he works with. There are a whole lot of reasons not to follow the Vikes, but PA is only a smidge from the #1. Woke up in night sweats once from a nightmare that I had about the Wild hiring the spooge (PA) to do their games.
Stoned: I’d rather have Paul Allen doing hockey than Dan Terhaar and his always-cracking voice.
As I said earlier, I feel for Dubay. Get your life in order, so we can mock and ridicule you again for being such a flaming Gopher fan…
Ms. c: Yeah, he did say that. It has to be from Russo or from Stanzel’s blog but I think its Russo.
Maybe Lemaire likes having a third defensemen out there when MAB and Reitz are on the ice to help them out.
FOOD
I would rather see Gabby play a healthy 60-70 games get 80pts and lift the cup than see him play all 82 games banged up score 120pts and get knocked out of the play offs.
Mister Know it all figured the reason why Kolonis was called up was becasue JL wants to put Pouliot at left wing. JL is already moving Pouliot over to wing. I think Pouliot will score for the Wild in this game
Next shift Pouliot scores
