Wednesday’s practice update
Posted on November 5th, 2008 – 6:27 PMBy Michael Russo
I’ll be back on after Thursday’s morning skate, but I’ll be on Chad Hartman’s show on KFAN at 2:20 CT.
Coming to you from frigid Denver, frigid when you’re only wearing a sports coat walking back to your hotel.
Practice just ended and I’m going to make this quick because I haven’t even begun writing and “Russo Radio” begins at 6 p.m. CT. — 35 minutes from now — on KSTP.
First things first, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic, the second all-time leading goal scorer and point getter against the Wild, left Colorado’s practice early today with a strained back. He is questionable to play against the Wild on Thursday night.
Wild defenseman Brent Burns rode the exercise bike as his teammates practiced today. His “upper body” injury, which is definitely the “middle body” injury I assumed it was the other day, will most likely keep him out of Thursday’s game as well. Burns hasn’t practiced since last Saturday morning, so it would be tough for him to go. But Tom Lynn and Jacques Lemaire said it’ll be up to him if he feels OK.
Not much to report to you. I’m doing an Andrew Brunette piece for Thursday’s paper. It’s his first game back playing against his old team, Colorado, and he was real good, especially talking about the friendship he gained with Sakic. He also suffered a personal loss earlier last spring that still weighs heavily on him. You’ll read about that tomorrow.
Some funny stuff:
– Practice began with just coaches Lemaire, Mario Tremblay, Mike Ramsey and Matt Shaw shooting pucks from center ice. They kept clanking the glass. Rookie Colton Gillies join the foursome on the ice and began shooting, too.
I said to Director of Hockey Ops and my Star Tribune predecessor, incidentally, Chris Snow, “This’ll be all fun and games until the glass breaks.” Not five seconds later, Gillies unloads a heavy shot and CRACK! Yeah, practice was delayed.
– As for practice, Lemaire raved about how well the “kids pushed” today.
– Right now, the team is still at the ice eating pizza and attending the NHL’s performance enhancing drug seminar, which rotates through all 30 teams.
– I think that’s it. Just a funny aside about that Stephane Veilleux smooch to James Sheppard, Sheppard also said, “I like doing funny stuff like that, too, but I’d never dare do it in a game. I’d be afraid I’d be sitting the rest of the game.”
Luckily, Lemaire never saw. Sheppard was disappointed the game wasn’t televised in either market.
“I wanted to make the highlights,” he said.
OK, must work, and you can catch me on the radio in about a half-hour.
107 Responses to "Wednesday’s practice update"
when you’re only wearing a sports coat walking back to your hotel.
Why’d you leave your clothes at the arena?
The Shep/SRV picture is Bucci’s quote of the week picture in his weekly column.
Russo: You just missed the mid 70s weather we had the last couple of weekends. Snowboarding in the mid 50s the 18th of October, came back down and attended the CU game where it was a balmy 78!
Mike, why’d you decide to go to KSTP? That station is just lame. Go back to the Fan with real sports people, not some out-of-town doof. I can’t listen to you anymore and that’s too bad.
First caller… a little weird.
Mister Know it all participated in Russos radio show. I am a team player
I like Thomas’s show and could care less where he is from. He talks sports, let’s Russo have his time, and doesn’t talk politics like the other sports station does way too much. War Russo Radio!!
Anyone want to tell me if this is a ridiculous trade proposal: Gaborik and change (say, everybody’s favorite trade throw in, Pouliot) for Kovalchuk.
Seems like a good deal for both (Atl gets to keep a high scorer assuming Gabby just wants to get east, Kovalchuk gets to play for a winning team, both sign extensions on the line). I just can’t tell if I have my home team blinders on.
In this Q&A with the CBJ beat writer - http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/11/05/jacketschattranscript.html?sid=101 - a fan asks if the Gaby situation is going to happen with Nash and the answer is maybe. It seems like this sort of thing is something teams need to get further in front of so a pragamatic ATL management could very well make the determination with Kovalchuk that he will not resign and opt to trade for Gaby if an extension can be negotiated. From our perspective as Wild fans we can always hope!
I don’t see why Atlanta makes that deal. Kovalchuk’s healthier, arguably better, and is signed for one more season. Why trade him for a guy who’s a pending free agent? Pouliot’s not that much of a sweetener in my eyes. Gaborik may want to play in the East but why would he want to stay in Atlanta?
Sadly we would have to sweetin’ the deal to get Kovy(think Gaby, Shep +) and even if we somehow pulled it off he wouldn’t fit here. Not trying to turn this in to bash the coach/system but it would be like putting a square peg in a round hole. He’s one of the most offensive minded forwards in the league and we play team defense.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Pouliot’s not that much of a sweetener in my eyes
agree
Lucky says:
November 5th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
First caller… a little weird.
_____________
Mister Know it all says:
November 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Mister Know it all participated in Russos radio show. I am a team player
_____________
Solves that little mystery doesn’t it?
If I was Atlanta I would consider trading Kovalchuck for Gaby. I think that trade does good for both teams. Look at the standings Atlanta (3) wins and (7) losses. I cant remember the Thrashers ever having a good team. G.. What impact is Kovalchuck having on them winning or losing ?
I was the second caller Mister Lucky. The first caller was likely not far off however. Girls likely have something to do with him not being connected to the area. That plays into a player in Gabys position
What impact is Kovalchuck having on them winning or losing ?
How exactly will Gaborik improve things? He can’t even get on the ice for his current team.
Kevin in PA - Last year what did Gaby do for the Wild when it comes to winning and losing ? That should answer your question. If gaby is playing I will take him over Kovalchuck
Given the Wilds circumstances I would do the deal for Kovalchcuk. Kevin in PA Mister Know it all approves your trade
Sigh. MKia, it’s two totally different teams. The Wild have a good goaltender, a good defense and a decent supporting cast. Kovalchuk has nothing around him.
Especially since Gaborik ISN’T HEALTHY.
If I’m the Wild, yes I trade Gaborik for Kovalchuk.
If I’m Atlanta, I do trade Kovalchuk for Gaborik.
Ack. I meant I do NOT trade Kovalchuk for Gaborik if I’m Atlanta.
I’m with you KiPA- not sure why teams like ATL would want him.
Except, Buddha, you don’t know why any team would want him. 
If Ballgame can work his verbal gymnastics enough to convince Atlanta to swap Kovy for Gaby, he should do it post-haste. If it takes Poo-Bah added to the mix, don’t waste time packing his sh!t. Not sure how many “chances” the Wild will throw this kid? I spose this is THE last chance since his stealing, er, contract is up.
Speaking of useless, has anyone heard if the Avs will be implementing the “goaltending optional” phase of their squad tomorrow night? I see the Grease is taking a page from that book tonight.
has anyone heard if the Avs will be implementing the “goaltending optional” phase of their squad tomorrow night?
I thought that was a given.
KiPA- You are correct, I don’t even know why the Wild would want him.
I was about to Blog and all of teh sudden I looked at whom I was blogging as and low and behold it was Deepbreath with his email address. That was strange !
Kevin in PA - I am not sure that Atlanta has anything to lose. I think some truth exists with what you are saying, but Gaby can create better then Kovalchuck. Dont even say that he does not
If I am Atlanta I am looking to see how I can win more then I lose
You might be right, MKia, on the creating, but I’m telling you, Gaborik will have NO support in Atlanta. The trade doesn’t make sense for Atlanta. They can get better options for Kovalchuk.
I think the wild should do everything possible to get Kovy out of Atlanta. I would even look at trading one of our goaltenders, Gabby, and a pick. Even any of our D, Gabby, and a pick. YES that would include Burns as a D. Kovalchuk is that good. The only way it can happen is if BOTH players agree to sign longer terms with the new team.
No, I didn’t see that.
Read my post on Nick’s blog for my response.
Burns, Gaborik and a pick for Kovalchuk?
Hmm, okay. Done.
KiPA- I just read your week 4 wrap up. Well played, sir, well played…
The Goaltending situation needs to be adressed, either sign Backs (then trade Hards for assests) or trade Backs for assests and bring up hards.
Thank you. My friend (Dusty) enjoyed it too.
Kevin
If Kovy signs long term with us the Wild would even include free gift wrapping on Gabby and Burns.
You really want to give up Burns, eh?
If anyone needs a break from whatever they are doing, you should check out THIS GAME. It’s a cool twist on tretris where you get 99 bricks to build the highest tower you can possibly make without having it tip over. Good stuff.
Btw, put me in the “why the hell would ATL want Gaby” camp.
Ilya is the best player in the game, stuck in hockey purgatory aka hotlanta (better than Alex and Syd). To get an asset like that you have to give one up. Like I said IF he would agree to a long term contract here 1st.
Better than Ovechkin? Ha. Funny.
“You really want to give up Burns, eh?”
HELL NO! If your name is Koivu or Burns you will never be traded.
End
of
Story
Edubs is smoking some good stuff.
At that point getting gabby along with others would be the only way the GM could save face with getting rid of that much goal scoring, and not end up with a pitchfork in his back in the parking lot. If it was just Burns and a pick fans would be angry. Just like when they got Hossa for Heatly. They could not keep Heatly so they had to get someone for a while, even though they would leave also (Hossa).
If DR even thinks about trading Burns, I would riot in the streets, all alone if I have to. There is no player that DR could conceivably get that would make me happy.
I’ve been trying to ignore all Gaborik talk, but that just took the cake. Anyways, the speculation on Gaborik might as well wait until he is healthy, as I cannot see him being traded before he plays in another game.
“There is no player that DR could conceivably get that would make me happy. ”
Ovechkin for Burns? I’d do that one.
I’m sorry but you are overrating Kovalchuk and underrating Burns. Why would we package a franchise forward and a future allstar d man for a franchise forward??? Holy lopsided trade Edubs…
Alex since 2005
G
52
46
65 total 163
Ilya since 2005
G
52
42
52 Total 146
and thats on some bad atlanta teams
Ilya 259 career goals
I said conceivably. Washington would never part with Ovechkin, just like Pitt would never part with Crosby.
I hope Burns turns in to a future Stud D, but Ilya IS a stud forward. Plus the franchise forward might not want to play for us. There are not many players like that available to build around that are in their prime
Last comment, its not just his goals (yes he has a suspect +-) but it is the way he Plays. With speed, power, and physical play. Oh yeah he plays about 80 games a year also.
I’m not denying Kovalchuk’s really really good. But why would Atlanta trade him for Gaborik? I’ve yet to see a legit explanation for that. If he’s a stud to build around, why trade him for Gaborik, who in your mind is waaay worse? And if Burns isn’t that good, why do they make it?
If you’re the Wild, yeah, you try to trade for Kovalchuk. But Gaborik’s going to fit in there? I just don’t see it.
it is the way he Plays. With speed, power, and physical play
Yeah, and no defense.
Edub… need to look past just goals.
AO - 112 points last year, Kov, 87
AO - 11 GW, Kov - 4
AO - 446 SOG
Kov - 283
80 games a year? AO hasn’t missed a game yet.
Physical play?
AO - 220 hits last year
Kov - 40
AO- 44 blocked shots
Kov - 25
Kovalchuk is good. Best player in the game? No more so than UM.
And Burns already IS a stud Dman
80 games a year? AO hasn’t missed a game yet.
That is a lie. He has missed a few games this year. Granted, they were not due to injury… but still
I do agree though Buddha, AO > Kov!
Fair point ATX, I did fail to count those…
AO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kov.
I disagree with the philosphy that suggests that because Gaby is injury prone now, he will be injury prone in the future. These injuries he gets is becasue of his age and maturity. He is not taking care of himself like other players do. This latest injury was the result of him not respecting his responsibility he has to stretch and care for his bodies weaknesses.
I think Gaby grows out of this behavior in time. I heard Russo say on his show that he thinks that Gaby will be more injury prone as he gets older. I disagree.
Most everyone on this blog is way underestimating Gabys value
“These injuries he gets is becasue of his age and maturity. He is not taking care of himself like other players do.”
The maturity thing I can give you. Perhaps him being immature makes him less apt to work hard during the off-season… but the age thing make NO SENSE. I dunno about you… but most everyone I have ever known (including myself) has been at their physical peak between the ages af 21 - 26 ish. After that, it’s usually a steady decline. As Gaby gets older, it is likely that his body will be less apt to hold up to the physicality of the NHL. Of course, there are exceptions to this (i.e. Nicolas Lidstrom) but Gaby’s past performance does not bode well in his favor.
I think Gaby grows out of this behavior in time
Two questions. First, what evidence do you have that makes you think this?
Second, if you’re an NHL GM, do you take the chance that he “grows out” of his tendency to get hurt?
I’m no doctor, but it seems to me people get hurt more as they age, not less.
By the way, just when I was about to cut Garon, Roloson goes out and craps the bed against Columbus…doesn’t Edmonton need to do something to shore up their goaltending? They can’t be too willing to keep rolling with this two-headed nightmare in net.
$9 million per year to hope he grows out of it? Nah. I’ll pass, and spend the $9 mil on someone who already has.
Professionals take care of themselves. From day one. How old is Sis? 21? Think he’s out pounding back shots of Jag the night before a game? Doubtful.
Professionals don’t play stupid games when they have a history of injury. Professionals take care of their bodies because they know their livelihood depends on it.
UM is NOT a professional.
I’m with you KiPA. Not sure what they are going to do up there. It’s brutal to even watch.
Professionals don’t play stupid games when they have a history of injury.
I think that is a bit harsh. Nothing wrong with a game of hackey sack with your friends. If being a professional means having no fun, then I don’t blame Gaby for being “unprofessional”. I think doing everything you can to stay healthy is important (i.e. Exercising propery, conditioning, strengthening your problem areas)… but I am sure that Gaby is the last person who thought playing hack flare up his injury.
having said all that. I do not want to pay Gaby over 8ish MIL a year to stay in MIN. Get something for him now.
It’s fair to say its a bit harsh, but I think the guy needs a little harshness in his life.
If I had $9 million a year (and the dream of playing hockey for money) riding on it, I would not do anything that the team docs didn’t approve in triplicate before hand.
Gabby was at the Wolves game tonight. Maybe he does like it in Minnesota…
[i]I’m not denying Kovalchuk’s really really good. But why would Atlanta trade him for Gaborik? I’ve yet to see a legit explanation for that.[/i]
Only Atlanta incentive I can think of (and the one that prompted the thought in the first place) is the rumor that Kovalchuk is sick of losing in Atl and planning his exit after next year. Atl trades now for a Gabby with an extension and skips out on the Hossa/Gaborik situation.
Not much, but I can dream.
Maybe, but they’ve got over a year to discuss a Kovalchuk trade. The onus is much more on Minnesota to move Gaborik than for Atlanta to move Kovalchuk. And they’re not making that trade without getting Gaborik to agree to an extension, and is he going to want to play in Atlanta for the next five years?
Be it Kovalchuk or most any other trade in the near future, it will only happen if the team getting Gaby has him signed as a condition. I agree ATL would get the lesser player in this long shot example but it just depends how much they would value a signed long term Gaby and/or what they think the possibility of retaining Kovalchuk is for them. These pending major UFAs are definately having an impact on the league.
If Gaborik’s willing to sign in Atlanta, then sure, Atlanta should definitely consider that. They’ll need more though, as injury-insurance. They can’t do a one-for-one.
Until the word playoffs comes into the picture, the gabby signing requirement is going to be there. But saying that the Atlanta contract meets his living expenses, what’s the most you’ll give with gabby?
If I’m Atl I’m probably asking Gabby Shep\Cuma and a 1st, minimum, knowing that the wild’s deadline is pressing heavier.
Morning all. A supplement to Russo’s piece on Bruno’s return to CO.
http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_10910646
KiPA- did Russo give you an answer about leaving all his clothes at the arena? The naked thing didn’t work very well for a CO based priest on his early morning jog.
Being older than most, I can attest to the fact that you are more injury prone, and recover much slower as you age.
MKia does not.
Mister Know it all knows that as you get older and wiser, and you get married its easier to concentrate on the things that you need to do day in and day out . Gaby has a plan for not re-injuring himself that has been given to him, and I am sure when he got hurt he was not obeying that plan. He likely did not stretch before he started playing hacky sack
After saying this I have no problem signing him long term or envisioning him being traded
Hmm… do I play Mikko or Jokinen (v. Nucks) tonight?
And the other decision is Kipper v. Preds or Smitty v. Rags…
After saying this I have no problem signing him long term or envisioning him being traded
Way to go out on a limb MKiA… 
I was just told goals scored on a PP do not count toward +/-… is this true? I mean, it makes sense, but still… how did the Elightened One not know this?
Geez, even I knew that! 
Well, I know goals against on the PK don’t count in the +/-, so I suppose it could work both ways, but I’ve never paid attention to it in that direction.
Ms.C, go with Mikko because AVS have that goaltending optiona thing going on.. that should work in Mikko’s favor.
Would never wish harm on another player, well, except for Matt Cooke of course, but here’s hopin’ that Sakic’s injury is bad enough to keep him off the ice for tonight’s game. He seems like a good guy, but I have grown weary watching him take apart the Wild over the years.
Good point, ATX. That’s how I have it set up, since Mikko Rules All and Jokinen is a sketchy figure to me. I have 3 good centers on this team so when the teams are all busy, it’s a toss up.
J’aimerais avoir trois bonnes centers sur mon équipe
Nommez-les.
Maybe two, but not three.
Shorthanded goals against DO count in +/- statistics.
The shorthanded team that scores gets a +.
The man-advantage team that gives up the goal gets a -.
As well they should.
empty netters don’t count either i think or i thought until NHL09 started counting them
Not that it’s worth a Coleman/Franken brawl, but empty-net goals do count towards a player’s plus/minus rating because technically, both teams are still at full strength (6 skaters).
You’d think someone would have put this all on a website for the unwashed masses.
Good time-filler until first puck-drop, which is only 9+ hours away.
C the Ice had to chime in: those who consider adding Burns in one of these trade schemes are, well, not seeing the ice!
That it is. I learn more about obscure bits of this game from this blog than anywhere else.
Colton Gillies has just played his 9th game the other night. Once he plays his 10th the Wild will then lose a year of his contract. Basically wondering if they have in fact confirmed he is staying?
Another that refers to themselves in the third person! Goody doesn’t like this, though Goody does agree that including Burns in any trade would be stupid. He’s got a big freakin Wild tattoo on his back for christ’s sake! Keep paying him and I have a feeling he’ll never get to wondering what it would be like to play somewhere else (unlike another player who shall not be named here).
How’d I not know about that tattoo?? Funny. Yeah, he’s a keeper.
Not exactly what I remembered, but…
From Russo - who’d have guessed that?
This summer, Burns got a massive, colorful dragon on his left thigh and a huge tattoo on his back with a picture of his pets with the word “Wild” in green script.
Ohhh, now that I read that I remember it.
DOW down 400+…gabby would be wise to sign at much lower levels than he thinks he is worth…and…looking forward to the game tonight to take the mind off the mkt.
Gaby has a plan for not re-injuring himself that has been given to him
How do you know? What’s the plan?
FOOD!
