Wild 3, Columbus 2 (shootout); Reitz scores first NHL goal; Wild owner predicted Zidlicky to be shootout star
Posted on November 15th, 2008 – 6:55 PMBy Michael Russo
This line says it all: Jacques Lemaire, as we were walking out of the press conference, said to me with a loud laugh, “They have a day off tomorrow for this game! Can you believe it?”
No, but I thank you because I don’t mind not venturing out to the X on a Sunday, especially when I have a really good story ready to be written for Monday in the can (I’ll keep you guessing on that).
The Wild was not very good tonight. Man, this was a mind-numbing game to watch for two periods.
Thank goodness Erik Reitz scored his first NHL goal 1:48 into the third period, because that at least opened the game up and added some desperation to it.
There was some question as to whether Reitz or Brent Burns scored the goal, but it was eventually changed after the game. Burns didn’t feel it hit his stick and the off-ice officials felt replays showed it went off the Blue Jackets defenseman’s skate.
For Reitz, who played a season-high 15-plus minutes tonight, that’s a pretty special goal. People forget, but Reitz, 26, has been in this organization as long as Marian Gaborik and Nick Schultz. He played 363 games in Houston before becoming an NHL regular.
The Wild’s lead was short-lived. James Sheppard committed a defensive-zone turnover and Rick Nash made him pay.
But in the shootout, Niklas Backstrom, who used to be the worst shootout goalie in the NHL, denied the skilled Kristian “Beetlejuice” Huselius and the oh-so-talented rookie Derick Brassard.
Antti Miettinen scored the shootout clinching goal after defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored before him, which was technically the deciding goal (CORRECTION).
It dawned on me during the shootout, but in July when I sat down with owner Craig Leipold for that huge feature I wrote on him in August, I got a Zidlicky scouting report from Leipold because he used to own Nashville – where Zidlicky came from. I never used the quote (I was going to but then Zidlicky got hurt), so here it is finally. Read the last line, especially.
“Great hands, unbelievable skill moving the puck. He’ll add a really good dimension for this team,” Leipold said.
“I had nothing to do with that one, I mean that truly. Of all the players in Nashville, he was one of the few ones I really haven’t had much dialogue with. Very quiet. But he is a guy who put points up, played the PK.”
Leipold added, laughing, “And the shootout, he’s unbelievable, which is good, because we need shootouts guys.”
Anyway, the Wild stole this one. The players weren’t sharp. Remember how loose they were in the morning skate. Lemaire said it was the same thing in the game. “The legs were there. No brain. I tried to get different brains together. Didn’t work.”
On Huselius’ goal – the first of the game for Columbus after Benoit Pouliot’s power-play goal, the Wild had three forwards trapped behind the Blue Jackets’ net, which created the odd-man rush.
“We want offense, but in front of the net, not behind the net,” Lemaire quipped.
How about this stat I uncovered? The Wild has 22 even-strength goals, tied for last in the NHL with Ottawa of all teams. Reitz’s goal snapped a stretch of 191 minutes, 52 seconds, without an even-strength goal for the Wild.
OK, that’s it. Read my game notebook in Sunday’s paper. Funny stuff from Cal Clutterbuck on his shouting match with the Great One.
And remember, read Monday’s story I’m doing. Shameless plugs, I know. Other than writing the Monday story, I’m hoping to take Sunday off, so you may not hear from me on the blog. If that’s the case, talk to you after Monday’s practice in Pittsburgh.
409 Responses to "Wild 3, Columbus 2 (shootout); Reitz scores first NHL goal; Wild owner predicted Zidlicky to be shootout star"
Woo, fresh thread for the game. Makes it easier to read.
Woot! Let’s go Wild! Anyone else out there?
Go get em fellas.
Woohoo! Two computers tonight!
Still trying to get used to Burns being so far up in the play. I have a WTF moment every time.
6GS: That was me — Sorry. When I typed it in, it was under my name.
Burrows is a pri-ck too but Kesler is the better player because he can add to FW numbers.
I still have a hard time with Shep as #51. Everytime I see 15 I’m like WTF? Why does Shep look so slow?
The ATX folks: you two are too hilarious. Glad to have both of you online.
LOL.
Glad we can amuse sunshine!
No problem sunshine - can’t argue with your take on Kessler anyway 
That was me… damn, now the strib blog is trying to make me impersonate my wife…
Shoot PMB!
The first few time I saw #15 after the number switch I was all, WTF! Shepp must be really sick or something. He looks so old… oh wait, that’s Bruno!!
Shoot PMB!
I love PMB, but I agree. He should have drove to the net and tried to jam it home.
I know, I expected to automatically adjust to Bruno with the 15, but somehow that didn’t happen.
Clutter just Bucked himself there.
#15 — I always think Lemaire is now putting Shep on the wing?
Bucked himself… That’s good.
WATX, is this really you or his your Mr pretending to be you again? 
It’s both of us. I think they’ve all been correct except that one.
Aw… the Carney bit is very nice.
Better job for Greenlay anyways
D&D can sell popcorn, but can they make popcorn?
Please Xcel..hire dumb and dumber as popcorn sellers.
Pace is picking up and the Wild are controlling better.
Any Cub Scout can sell popcorn. My nephews are actually very good at selling popcorn. All three are in Cub Scouts, it’s become expensive for us aunts and uncles.
Boogie wants to fight bad..nice hit on Boll.
I love the popcorn that the Scouts sell. I think it automatically tastes better if it’s a good cause.
Agreed Cam, nice hit indeed.
Hey was there a Russoville poster that went to Johnson?
I’d be surprised if Boll would fight Boogie. He’d have to get real out of hand for Boll to do anything I think.
Koivu with a nice hit!
Nice hit by Mikko on the back wall there.
I dislike Raffi Torres so much.
WOW, Zids got hammered.
I think the Mr and I are going to have to give one of the dogs a bath in between periods, he stinks.
Sweet. Let’s hope the PP is as good as it was the other night. Great pressure there. Boogie should punch Raffi in the tooth.
Yeah, poor Zids.
The dog not the Mr, stinks that is, although the Mr did a lot of manual labor today, so he might be stinky. I’ve got a cold so I can’t smell much.
POOL BOY!!!!
Our dog smells too BG. Want to give her a bath too?
Pouliot loves being right next to the net there.
Poolboy!
Bit of a garbageman so far, surprising but I like it.
Woohoo! Benny!
That was a beaut.
I think I’ll pass WATX, that would be a long way to go to give a dog a bath.
This is completely lame but I miss Menards. Man I need to go home.
I can see why you’d miss Menards WATX. You save big money there.
Gabby for Nash?
Ah, damn.
PISSER!
Ugh. Backs was caught looking at the stars. Butch got them into trouble with that lost puck. Damn Nash.
SKOULA SKOULA SKOULA…
Too much scrambling.
hate the last second goals at the end of the period.
Jordan, I don’t think Nash would want to come here, I heard he likes the BJ’s and wants to take them to the next level…
Cam, it’s more like: NASH, NASH, NASH..
The only person that could have knocked Nash off that puck was Boogie… and I am not sure Boogie could have kept up with him.
I agree Nash is much more of a player than Skoula, but he could have taken a penalty or something to take out Nash.
I saw Skoula out there and got worried with the little time left and then they scored.
I can dream BG…
I haven’t watch a lot of games this year, but were did Marne go?
I don’t understand lemaire’s man love for skoula. The guy can not play.
You can’t blame Skoula. He forced Nash to shoot at a sharp angle, which Backs stopped but allowed a rebound. Its the other guys. They didn’t get back in time to cover their man.
Hi everyone: I am new to this thread. I have been reading this blog for a couple years now. It is the best in hockey. Go WILD.
I think she does the Wolves and lady Gophers Cam. I’m not really sure though because I would rather do pretty much anything than watch either. Maybe Gorg killed her during one of his freakouts. Yikes. I know better than to watch. But wow.
So the wife and I just went over to NHL.com to vote for the all star game. They put pictures up of the players you select. We noticed two important things while doing this… 1. AO looks like a cave troll in his picture. And the Western Conference has way more attractive players (it a totally manly way).
I think Marne is on maternity leave. Didn’t she have a kid last spring?
Greetings theo947! Welcome to Russoville (formally).
Gorg went a little crazy at the end of faceoff…whoa!
Skoula did cover his assignment and the rest of the guys besides PMB, who coughed it up initally got back. Backs couldn’t get a handle on it and the bounces finally got the best of him.
I still do not like Skoula..sorry
Who cares if you like Skoula. You can’t blame Skoula for that goal.
Someone left Huselius all by himself in front of the net. That is not covering your man.
Hey now Cam, be nice to my boy Butch. I think he’s experiencing the Vanek effect.
I like PMB but he has to start shooting and crash the net. He has alot of talent but again he is not complete player. Go WILD.
Do the people/fans of the Habs have nothing to do but vote for the Allstar game? Don’t get me wrong, I love the Habs, but still…
A couple out of character plays by Backs today.
theo, that is a completely fair assesment. I love Butch… but he really does need to be stronger.
Dang… grat scoring chance there..
Wow, Backs coming way out like that is weird. Maybe it’ll wake the guys up a bit, they seem a bit sleepy here in the second.
Dog much less stinky, but now he’s mad and hiding under the kitchen table.
I agree that PMB should shoot the puck more, but I also think that when he does shoot people don’t notice unless he scores.
Talk to you guys later. Going out to the bar to hang out with friends and of course, watch the Wild.
DAMN!! Koivu so close!
see ya sunshine!
I really want C-Buck to get a goal.
Good chance by Cal and Pool Boy. To bad MAson snagged it.
That line works really hard. Hopefully they’ll get one tonight. Clutterbuck might get in fight tonight the way he is going. Only if this score opens up.
Okay, lets go PP. Time to make them pay.
GDMNIT! Bruno… so cloose.
Lets do something with this PP boys!!… he he , I said PP.
Hhaha, that was pretty funny by Koivu. He used his stick to wedge that dude off the ice.
Ugh. Score a freaking goal guys!
Did Shepp go to the Foster school of shooting? Christ, man, hit the effin’ net!!!!!
Gotta hand it to the BJ’s though. They have weathered every storm the Wild has thrown at them. Mason has been solid.
Sooooooo close. My blood pressure is rising.
Matt Cooke suxs! Matt Cooke suxs!
Sorry we switched to the Pens game for a minute.
Yeah theo, this game is not as comfy as the Yotes game the other night.
Austin, we have’nt scored an even strength goal since the colorado game. We have to make these PP count.
Yeah Theo… that streak (or lack therof) needs to end right now. Jump on em early in the third boys.
is anyone else really bored by this game?
wild are playing really flat footed in my opinion
Not very impressive play so far (’loose’ practices are never good for the wild) but hopefully the BJ’s come out dead in the 3rd and we can pounce.
TFO, I think the Yotes game spoiled us. We know when the wild are on they can play and BEAT anyone. go WILD.
It’s a very shifty game fastone. I think they have moments of pressure and then moments of playing on their heels. Not bad overall, but not really that good overall either. They just need to FINISH!
And here I thought it was the beer that was giving me a short attention span. But the third should be interesting, as we’re tied. Or at least stressful.
Go Wild!!
FINNISH OR FINISH…
DITTO that Austin.
reitz?
Woooo!!! Was that Reitz? Or did Burns tip it?
REITZ your a stud.
I don’t know who that was but but WOOOOOO!!!!!
Woohoo! Goal!!!!
Reitz first goal! Woot!
Was that Reitz’s first NHL goal?
As long as they correct it, it was.
Finally a EVEN strength goal. My blood pressure just dropped to normal.
Ugh… stupid blog glitch!
“Reitz first goal! Woot!” <<<< that was me.
First NHL point if hockeydb is correct.
Is it just me or are our boys coming alive in the 3rd. go WILD.
Ugh. Nash is a monster. What an ass.
Damnit!
ugh, shep
Sorry. That was me. I jinxed the boys by saying they were picking it up.
you are fired theo.
I wonder where Nick is tonight…
It was bad enough when Shepp was simply missing the offensive net, now he’s setting up opposing players. Quite a night for the young man.
I’m struggling to accept Bergeron’s D problems even with his PP presence.
That 2nd Look thing is STUPID. Stop taking up half the screen!
H U G E save by Backs there. Could be a game saver.
It’s not as bad as the gophers trying something like the Ovie cam rotating through the players by week.
Pick up the pace boys..
fair point Intoblivion
GAH! Stupid STRIB GLITCH!!
“fair point Intoblivion” <<< That was me.
Clutterbuck is a stud. I wish he would get the game winner tonight.
Wow, Clutterbuck with the huge hit… that guy was waay bigger than him too. That kid plays with no fear.
mittens. UGH. My BP is going up again.
+1 theo. C-Buck needs a goal.
Clutterbuck took a page out of the Voros playbook. Wheels don’t stop moving…
burns-pouliot-clutterbuck. JL you mad scientist.
Wow, these refs are obviously blind.
Such a common problem with nhl refs.
Wow. Shep was MUGGED and got no call. Garbage.
Intoblivion, I hear that Lasik eye surgery is getting more affordable. Maybe the refs should invest?
Thank Jeebus for Backs.
I don’t know. I really think there needs to be an investigation in the effects of wearing black and white stripes on vision.
I’m a little looking forward to seeing what Backs can do in SO this year.
BACKS. Your a stud. Love you man. Come on boys end this game now. GO WILD.
Intoblivion, maybe the next “Behind the Lines” (or other serious sports related show) can be all about the subject.
theo — gotta be careful with the jinx on backs.
The X is going nuts! I wish I was there!
Okay, who have we got? Koivu-?-?
burns, bouchard?
Wow. Great finish to a mild sort of game… lets finnish them in the shootout now!
I wanna see Butch’s new SO move!
Dang, I went 0-for
Bruno Mittens and Zids?? Weird…
Austin your right. I tend to get excited. But I love my WILD>
Woo ZIDS!!! LETS GO!
The D-man comes through
me too Theo, me too. Honestly it was very back and forth, like I said eariler.
Didn’t realize how young Mason was, jeez. Okay Mitts, end it.
Sorry austin I meant Wild in ATX.
Woo!!! I love my Mittens!!!!
WOOOOOOOO!!! Mittens! Lovely!
Atta boy Mittens.
It’s cool theo — I just get freaked by the jinx.
no problem theo, I am easily confused 
YAY! Victory! Pretty fun game at times, also very nerve racking at times. But a win is a WIN!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS> MY boys done it. BACKS your a stud and so is ZID and MITTENS>
And theo - it’s cool. Anything to Austin gets to the same house.
Is Backs still perfect in the SO?
Sign him, sign him, sign him.
So, I’m just thinking out loud here, but maybe Gaby could learn a thing or two from Backs about how to train in the offseason. And learn how to fix your weaknesses.
Nice to see the boys get the deuce even though they just didn’t seem to play that well against a team that was on the right coast last night. Good two points. Backstop continues to prove he is the team’s MVP.
Backstop is a machine lately.
Bouchard still needs to step up his game, and Shep needs to take a seat for a night, get a pressbox perspective to stop the pressing.
Bouchard needs to have a talk with Vanek about how to get over the big contract fears. But I still love him! Does that help?
Sheppard will continue to play. JL doesn’t build confidence by sitting players.
Now Bouchard on the other hand…
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
A few thoughts:
1. Burns, although looking better than on Thursday vs. Phoenix, still seems like ‘Little Boy Lost’ at times. Yes, I know it’s part of not playing wing that much, but geez, you hope it gets better soon…
2. Toronto says Reitz got the second Wild goal, that the puck deflected off of a Columbus defenseman and not Burns. Good for Reitz. Way to go there, bud.
3. What are the Jackets going to do when Fredrik Norrena comes back? Mason is a solid backup to Leclaire. Do the Jackets have something as trade bait? That would be unusual…for them.
4. Are you all as sick of the hockey ‘prevent defense’ as I am? The shell game the Wild employ after a one-goal lead is mind-boggling. As long as they have MAB (the ‘new and improved?’ Skoula) and Marty, the original one (who can’t be blamed for the BJ’s second goal; his job was Rick Nash) they don’t have the horses to pull games out of the muck like this one.
This game should have never gone to OT, much less a shootout. I hope that the Wild don’t regret giving up that point later in March or early April…
We don’t have the centers to sit him even if JL would. That’s not saying he couldn’t use it…
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Wild Road Tripper says:
November 15th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
3. What are the Jackets going to do when Fredrik Norrena comes back? Mason is a solid backup to Leclaire. Do the Jackets have something as trade bait? That would be unusual…for them.
They are currently carrying 3 goalies.
1. This game was awful. Yet another game that if the Wild didn’t have Backstrom, they would’ve been blown out.
2. Why the hell isn’t Backstrom re-signed yet!?!?!
3. Zidlicky and Sheppard were all kinds of terrible tonight.
4. Whoever the clown is that votes for the 3 stars for Wild games should never get that job again. The goalies and Nash should’ve been the 3 stars. Instead, Zidlicky’s terrible play somehow earned him the #1 star. Good god, Zidlicky almost cost the Wild the game 4 or 5 times. Backstrom saved his worthless butt.
5. WTG BROCK LESNER !!! UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD !!! Was only his 4th MMA fight. Great effort by Brock.
2. Why the hell isn’t Backstrom re-signed yet!?!?!
+1
4. Whoever the clown is that votes for the 3 stars for Wild games should never get that job again. The goalies and Nash should’ve been the 3 stars.
+1
As for numbers 1, 3 and 5…
1: Not an AWFUL game… but not great either… Backs did save the day a few times. Not quite a +1 but close.
3: Zids, I didn’t notice being so terrible… but Shep, he was pretty bad tonight. Maybe just unlucky? Not his best performance, that’s for damn sure. Again… not a +1, but pretty close.
5: I just don’t care. I wonder how many people on here follow UFC/WEC whatnot… I do think it’s funny that ESPN called that fight the “greatest matchup in sports history” (or something to that effect)… that makes me laugh! What about Ali v Frasier?
I don’t watch boxing, it’s boring. MMA is much better. You can kick, punch, knee, elbow.
Brock is a monster. I don’t know how he’s going to lose til he decides to quit.
AustinTXwildfan says:
November 16th, 2008 at 12:26 am
3: Zids, I didn’t notice being so terrible… but Shep, he was pretty bad tonight. Maybe just unlucky? Not his best performance, that’s for damn sure. Again… not a +1, but pretty close.
Other then he couldn’t get out of his own way, turned over the puck an inordinate amount of times, and tried to lose the game on 4-5 different occasions but Backstrom had to save his ass. Yep, Zidlicky was brilliant.
5: I just don’t care. I wonder how many people on here follow UFC/WEC whatnot… I do think it’s funny that ESPN called that fight the “greatest matchup in sports history” (or something to that effect)… that makes me laugh! What about Ali v Frasier?
i sold my tix tonight to watch the UFC PPV. solid card top to bottom. I would have liked to see randy win but Lesnar is a beast. He should only get better as he has no submission game nor decent submission defense.
In the MMA world, it was a pretty big matchup. Couture is a hall of famer and living legend in MMA.
I think more are into it than you think.
I went to a Sensors because a friend wanted to see that match. Lesnar was tired but that punch which glanced off Couture’s head and unbalanced was a fortunate one or Couture would have tired him out.
Thank god the Wild ended before it got to the good matches.
Backs saw that Brassard move — he must be seeing it in practice from PMB.
Brassard didn’t use the same move as Russo’s video. Brassard made a terrible effort at a backhand.
Is it true that Benoit and Butternut were on the same line last night. How did the two look. the thread sounds positive on Cal. Was he making plays? How about Benoit? Any flashes from him?
OMG: The fourth line last night was Pouliot-Clutterbuck-Boogaard/Veilleux. Cal was doing his usual hitting, B-b-b-Benny had a couple of lapses (the most glaring one was in the OT, when he gave the puck away to start the Huselius breakaway that Backstrom stopped) and, of course, Benny scored the first Wild goal on the rebound of the Belanger shot (power play). Didn’t see much of Boogaard after the start of the second period.
I don’t think Brassard was reported to have tried the Butch move last night. I think he was reported to have tried it against Montreal a couple games ago.
That was wild hockey circa 2002.
Why do I feel like JL loves this kind of object lesson early in the season, though? “You lollygag around at the morning skate, you lollygag through pre-game skate…”
Backstrom, however, stole us a point in that one - and that’s a new line item on his resume.
that game proves the old adage is still true: there’s no such thing as a bad (win over the) BJ(s).
I have to echo the sentiment from above:
Nash should have been the #1 star.
I think Wally ‘the gaslight’ Shaver is doing the X 3 star selection. It’s almost a lock (whichever player for the home team scores the game winner) when he picks.
I think in Zid’s case, these defensive lapses (and also MAB) are a part of their game. They’re not supposed to be Nick Schultz. Booming shots, moving the puck AND defensive lapses are part of their resume. We just have to accept the good with the bad.
I think the newcomers on D are the ones making Skoula look like Good, Colorado Marty.
Last night was evidence of why DR tried to sign Sister Kristian.
Phew, glad I was able to watch that game with my finger on the fast forward button. Snooze! BUT, it was great that Benny got a goal. Weird to see him getting all these dirty goals, but it’s obvious JL has coached him to do this. It’s very much not his style heretofore. But it’s working well for him. Hard to argue with success.
And Reitzy! I was broken hearted when it looked like they were gonna credit Burns. Glad it went to him. Did he really get the second star?? Amazing.
I thought Zids had kind of a messy game, but then a lot of them did. Cal rocked it, of course.
Couple comments from last night:
1. After a couple bottles of wine the BBTWB doesn’t bother me too much.
2. Amazing that the Wild were in such a power play drought.
3. I think I might like the new CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme song better than the old one. Maybe I shouldn’t go that far, but it is growing on me really quickly.
Nick in New York says:
November 16th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I don’t think Brassard was reported to have tried the Butch move last night. I think he was reported to have tried it against Montreal a couple games ago.
That was wild hockey circa 2002.
Why do I feel like JL loves this kind of object lesson early in the season, though? “You lollygag around at the morning skate, you lollygag through pre-game skate…”
Backstrom, however, stole us a point in that one - and that’s a new line item on his resume.
Backstrom stole 2 points….
no Backstrom, Wild lose 6-2.
Backstrom was the #1 star and it wasn’t even close. Mason was 2. Nash deservedly was 3. Last night it was Doug Johnson that picked the stars. The guy owns the rag magazine, but his opinion of the game is piss poor.
Zidlicky was the worst player on the ice, followed closely by Sheppard. How Marek got the #1 star is beyond me. He’s the reason the game went to overtime and shootout, and he didn’t score the winning goal in the shootout, so how Johnson came up with the 3 stars is anyone’s guess.
Ms. Conduct you have another person who is a Cluts fanatic.
I took my niece to the game last night and her comment to me after the game was that she wants a Cluts jersey because Cluts is just like her, fiesty.
I am also liking what I am seeing from Cluts but the only thing I see is he needs to keep the elbows down.
GO WILD!!
He’s short. Gotta keep those elbows up or they won’t feel ‘em!
Great that your niece has Clutter Fever! I agree with her that she totally needs that jersey.
I think Frank and Doug found God. They’ve never been as unbiased as they have been this weekend.
Last game when Backs had the shutout, they didn’t even name him a star. That’s just crazy.
Yeah, Backs stole the game for them tonight.
I love Lemaire’s quote though “Have legs. No brains”
LOL
Sunday afternoon musings:
>>>In the MMA world, it was a pretty big matchup. Couture is a hall of famer and living legend in MMA. I think more are into it than you think.<<<
And isn’t that a warm thought. They talk about the lost decade in the financial markets. 2000 years of civilization and we’ve almost come full circle with the gladiators of Rome. Talk about your lost 2 millenia.
Dan says: Frequently wrong, but never in doubt! From an earlier post, it is hard for me to grasp the credibility of your post chastising the Don for referring to Gretzky as the greatest player ever (along with most every being on the planet save you). Der is no doobt that Orr and Lemieux are right there, but using the ability to drop the gloves as a defining criteria? What about Howe? How can you pick Orr, when the last time he laced ‘em up, you were probably breastfeeding which in the same vein makes your opinion about as valuable as teats on a boar? Playmaking centers do not score 92 goals in a season, 50 goals in 38 games and nearly 900 goals in a career. And the guy was #170 in dripping wet equipment. A gift the likes of which may never come around again.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
nothing in the post above this one makes a lick of sense. Apparently the question is Gretzky compared to the 2 players that were better then him.
Mario and Orr were not only great offensively, but great defensively too. Plus they were tough guys. Dropping the gloves doesn’t make both of them better then Gretzky, being complete 2 ways players make them better then Gretzky. Gretzky was a 1 dimensional player. Orr and Super Mario were 2 way beasts.
Dan, why don’t you argue how blue the sky is?
Gretz is typically referred to as the NHLs greatest player of all time AND the game’s greatest ambassador.
Gretz: 9 MVPs, 10 scoring titles, 4 cups, 4 200 point seasons (no one else has ever had one).
Lemieux: 3 MVPs, 6 scoring titles, 2 cups, a 199 point season.
Gretz: 122 goals, 260 assists in 308 playoff games
Lemieux: 76 goals, 96 assists in 107 playoff games.
Larry Robinson leads in career +/- with +730 in 1384 games.
Orr is 2nd with +597 in 697 games. Now that is a 2 way player.
Gretz is 4th with +518 in 1487 games.
Lemieux is a pathetic +115 in 915 games.
So much for Mario being a studly 2 way player.
Granted, taken by itself, +/- can be a misleading statistic. But, when arguing 2 way play, over a career, it (at least in my mind) can be meaningful.
I’m not going to stay in this argument for long, since I’m biased and won’t be rational, but I’m just going to add two points. When he first retired, Lemieux’s average points per game was over 2 - I don’t remember the exact number. Gretzky’s ppg is, I believe, below 2, or at least below what Lemieux’s was (Lemieux’s is lower now with those ill-fated comeback attempts.)
Gretzky also had a way better supporting cast. Switch their spots and Lemieux’s numbers will be close to if not more than Gretzky’s.
You almost made the point for me in fact, kj.
Gretz: 122 goals, 260 assists in 308 playoff games
Lemieux: 76 goals, 96 assists in 107 playoff games.
That’s 1.24 points per playoff game for Gretzky, 1.61 for Lemieux. Of course Gretzky will have more points if he’s playing three times as many playoff games because he’s on better teams. And don’t give me that “Lemieux has to make his teams better” argument; I don’t really know how Gretzky would’ve made Grant Fuhr better, do you?
Oh, and there was that little Hodgkin’s disease and back problems Lemieux suffered, yet still came back to be a dominant player and win scoring titles after it. Forgot about that.
Anyway, carry on.
James Sheppard is god aweful. You dont turn it over to a player of Nash’s caliber right in front of your own net. Then in OT he throws it to Huselius for a break away that could have cost the wild the game. Send him down to the minors or trade him with Gaborik. If your not going to contribute, dont make stupid plays too.
Hey Russo,
Why havent the wild talked to Backs about his contract yet? They better resign him because he is the real Captain of this team. He is a much bigger priority than signing gaborik. If he walks who will be goalie, Josh Harding? We wont make the playoffs with him our number one. Also, I feel we are a few players away from a Stanley Cup team. Im hoping the Wild can work out a deal to get Nikolai Antropov and prospects for Gaborik because this guy is a monster at Center…6′6″ 230 pounds and he is a playmaker/scorer…thats bigger than Joe Thornton and Ryan Getzlaf…maybe if we get him can we actually get some scoring because he would open a lot of things up.
The Great One is the not only the greatest hockey player to have ever laced the skates, and not only is the greatest ambassador a team sport has ever seen in terms of helping the League grow, he dominated team sports like no other that we will ever see again, at least not in pur lifetimes. Look at the numbers. Compare where Gretzky is in terms of goals, assists, points, etc, etc, etc, compared to the #2 in those lists. Now, compare some of those players often regarded as the best in their team sports, Jordan/Montana/Bonds, or whatever names you’d like to interject. Gretzky is so far out in front of his next closest pursuers in stat categories that it isn’t even funny, compared to the stat leads of the other sports’ all-time greats.
CfCA…that’s correct…Sheppard made an excruciatingly BAD play on the Nash goal. Add to that the missed opportunities and you can see he is having some issues.
However, I thought it was Bouchard that coughed it up for the breakaway that Sister Kristian had.
KiPA…I know you cannot be rational where Mario is concerned, but PPG is a good indicator of talent. And, Gretz played more years than Mario. Obviously, skills erode over time - for both of them.
Comparing their stats for the first 12 seasons (b4 Mario missed 3 because of illness), Mario never had a season as good as Gretz’s. Mario’s best single season PPG is 2.67 in ‘92-93. Gretz was 2.77 in ‘83-84. Over those 12 seasons, Mario’s average PPG was 1.99. Gretz was 2.31.
So, PPG is misleading as is +/- when longevity is not part of the equation.
We can agree to disagree, however, I will say this. I would take either one of them in their prime over Gho$t…
Trade Sheppard before the league realizes he’s a 3rd line ham n egger with sasquatch feet.
I’d take two more Cal Nutterbutter’s for Sheppard and any one of the 15 D men we picked up this offseason. Do you think Nashville would accept a Sheppard for Ryan Jones trade. Damn I’m having trouble letting that one go.
Gretzky is the best all time because of all his points and more importantly his longevity. If Super Mario played for 15 productive seasons maybe there would be an argument. And don’t bring up Eddie Shore, Gordie Howe, or Orr. Nostalgia won’t change the fact that they were playing against guys with Sears Catalog’s for shin pads. The game was very different then.
Mario’s best single season PPG is 2.67 in ‘92-93. Gretz was 2.77 in ‘83-84
Warren Young had 40 goals in one season. Mikko Koivu’s best goal-season is 20. That means Warren Young is better than Koivu, right? One-season indicators mean nothing. (By the way, guess who Young played with that season.)
Skills erode over time. Fair enough. But uh, Lemieux scored 76 points in 43 games after three seasons completely away from the game, then a couple years later had 91 points in 67 games. That lowered his career ppg but how many players would like to have seasons like that? *shrug*
If you want to argue based purely on numbers, then obviously it’s no contest. It’s when you actually take time to think about other matters that numbers don’t show that the argument gets interesting.
(I’m not going to say where I stand but the answer may surprise you.)
If Super Mario played for 15 productive seasons maybe there would be an argument.
That’s partially my point. You can say Lemieux battled injury problems all his life, which is true, but you can’t really blame a guy for getting cancer.
without saying which of the two I think is better, I will say that you can’t bring the injuries/illnesses into it. It’s no more Gretzky’s fault Lemieux had all those extra-hockey issues to overcome than it is Lemieux’s.
Comparing guys like this is fruitless in the sense that no two players’ situations are alike so you can’t get a reasonable basis for comparison. Therefore, if you’re going to do it, the best you can do is to look at what they did when they played - and that’s it. Is Neely less-great because he only played so few games, comparably? Does Jim Brown not belong in the discussion of best RBs ever?
If Brodeur never plays again, then his numbers will be short of Roy’s in those categories that count. Therefore you can only look at what each man did on the ice - and not speculate what would have been had one played the same number of games. Because you don’t know that, even playing more games Brodeur would break Roy’s records - not for sure anyway.
I’d like to know how Mario and Gretz scored relative to the league in each of those first 12 common seasons. That would tell me how dominant they were relative to their peers.
KiPA no you can’t blame him for getting cancer, but you can’t use it to make up for a differential in points. If it can’t hurt you (getting cancer) then it can’t help you, either. It has no bearing on the comparison.
Of course getting cancer won’t help anybody.
Anyway, for the record, I grudgingly admit Gretzky was the better player. I’m trying to get you people to think and not just mindlessly look at the numbers. But if that’s all you want to do, so be it.
Gentlemen…
If you recall, my first comment about all of this was:
Dan, why don’t you argue how blue the sky is?
My point being, they were both phenominal players. And being a North Stars fan, I lothed every game we played against them.
Perhaps I am biased against Mario just a little more, ‘cuz he didn’t just rip my heart out (Gretz et al sweep Stars in ‘83-84 Conf Final), he stomped on it afterward (watching #66 accept the Cup at Met Center in ‘91).
Oh, and KiPA…I don’t do anything mindlessly and am rather insulted by the comment.
but the numbers are the only things you CAN look at! And Lemieux should be grateful of that. If we were also considering personality or selflessness for the greater good of the sport then Gretzky wins hands down.
Part of Lemieux’s legend is his more scaly personality. Lemieux was a singular talent. THAT he came back from freakin’ cancer and still dominated is insane. He had all the physical size and ability that Gretzky didn’t - and is in the same class (though perhaps not at the head of it) as Wayne for the mental side of the game. As great as Gretz was, there had to have been moments where he looked at Lemieux and thought “man, I wish I could do that…” - and vice versa.
OMG: Sheppard > Clutterbuck.
End of chat.
My apologies, kj.
Thanks KiPA.
Honestly, I used the stats to try and ‘back up’ my irrational hatred of #66…
2000 years of civilization and we’ve almost come full circle with the gladiators of Rome. Talk about your lost 2 millenia.
I always laugh when I hear or read comments like this because they obviously come from people who have no idea what MMA is. UFC is a whole different game from that tank abbott days.
Im pretty sure it was Sheppard, not Butch. Sheppard is such a big disappointment and overrated its looking like. I don’t know how many nhl magazines ive read where they predicted 50+ points from him this year. He wont come close to that. He doesnt make plays, he doesnt score, he is not physical, and he plays mediocre defense. He is a waste of a roster spot if he is not going to contribute in some way. I would take Buck over Shep anyday, he leads this team in hits and is going to be around for a long time. I enjoy watching him play. He has a role on this team unlike Shep. Shep is a little boy amongst men. Send him to Houston to get him motivated or trade him with Gaborik. And they better resign Backs cuz he is the real Captain of this team. We cant lose him, because Harding too is extremely overrated and every time he starts in goal we lose. I feel we are a few players away from a cup. We can get these players in a gaborik trade. I love gaborik but we can get a few good healthy players for his contract. Spezza or Antropov are on top of my wish list. We need a big center badly. Benny is the young talent we need, man can he score. Simply because he can be flashy JL hates him. Lemaire had him on a line with Boogie, just wasting his talent away.
I won’t say that Cal Puterschmidt is better than Sheppard, but I wouldn’t say that Sheppard is > Gutterslut, end of chat Frankly, I don’t understand all the love and admiration for Sheppard. He hasn’t shown ANYTHING. Maybe I’m not seeing the little things. Yes he can skate backwards. Yes he can raise the puck. But he doesn’t even knock one in off his shin pad. I know I’m a Shep hater, and he’s just a poor 20 yr old kid who’s still learning his way but give me a break with all the Shep love. Send him to the minors and see if he puts up numbers. Maybe he turns into Koivu in a couple of years. Lord knows Shep see’s enough ice to learn. 0 goals, 2 assists in 15 games. At least I notice when Butts-to-nuts is on the ice.
Koivu didn’t really come into his own until he was 21-22 years-old. If he came to the Wild as a 19 or 20 year-old, you all would say the same things you are saying about Shep now.
I think Shepp has a decent future considering his age and considering who the Wild has behind the bench, but it’s hard to argue that he is doing next to nothing on the ice right now and last night was one of the worst games I’ve seen him play.
My apologies to Stoned: when i typed that post, I didn’t realize the computer had me logged in as him. Nice IT.
>>I always laugh when I hear or read comments like this because they obviously come from people who have no idea what MMA is.<<
Weird sense of humor, but whatever makes you chuckle. I prefer Bugs Bunny.
Adamant Dan says:
>>nothing in the post above this one makes a lick of sense. Apparently the question is Gretzky compared to the 2 players that were better then him.<<
Geez Dan. Everybody else figured it out and they were able to make some very cogent point/counterpoints.
Gretzky gets the nod from the experts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_100_greatest_hockey_players_by_The_Hockey_News
If Orr and Lemieux hadn’t suffered careerus interruptus I’d have given them a stronger claim to it.
kj: I was just mentioning in OT, when I saw it that Sheppard and Pouliot were playing together as forwards, that ‘This doesn’t look good.’ Sure enough, five seconds later Shep coughs it up, and Sister Kristian is off to the races.
Not knocking Sheppard, just my opinion…
Thanks WRT…Last night I knew who coughed it up…today I wasn’t so sure… 
Sheppard did have a tough game.
But, JL (whom I think might know a thing or two about hockey) obviously believes in him.
However, being a fan…I honestly expected more out of Sheppard this season. Unfairly or not.
Stoned on the Breakaway says:
November 16th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Adamant Dan says:
>>nothing in the post above this one makes a lick of sense. Apparently the question is Gretzky compared to the 2 players that were better then him.<<
Geez Dan. Everybody else figured it out and they were able to make some very cogent point/counterpoints.
Gretzky gets the nod from the experts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_100_greatest_hockey_players_by_The_Hockey_News
If Orr and Lemieux hadn’t suffered careerus interruptus I’d have given them a stronger claim to it.
Other then Scotty Bowman, nobody that picked that list I give one rats behind about. Bottom line, there was no better then Orr. Orr changed the game. Super Mario, if he hadn’t gotten cancer, he’d have even a better career stat line then he does. Regardless of Orr’s career ending knee injury, and Super Mario’s absence due to cancer, they are still better players then Wayne. Wayne was the best playmaker ever, Orr and Mario were the best players ever.
Why have we started bashing our young players? Correct me if I’m wrong but the only two players I remember stepping in and actually helping the team are Marian Gaborik and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and even they didn’t have calder worthy seasons. Koivu, Burns, Schultz, etc.. a lot of players take time to develope in to NHL regulars. How long did Wild fans cry about Brent Burns and what a disappointment he was? I bet the people screaming trade Sheppard/Gillies are the same people who cry themselves to sleep because we traded away O’Sullivan and now he plays in the NHL.
Nick in New York says:
If Brodeur never plays again, then his numbers will be short of Roy’s in those categories that count. Therefore you can only look at what each man did on the ice - and not speculate what would have been had one played the same number of games. Because you don’t know that, even playing more games Brodeur would break Roy’s records - not for sure anyway.
Roy’s the better goalie regardless if Marty breaks his records or not.
Lucky says:
November 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Why have we started bashing our young players? Correct me if I’m wrong but the only two players I remember stepping in and actually helping the team are Marian Gaborik and Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Bouchard had 20 points in 50 games. That’s not exactly lighting it up. He’s been terrible this year. They should’ve never re-signed him. I haven’t like Bouchard since the first game I saw him play as a rookie. He is a mediocre player, with limited skill, limited talent, and he needs to be dealt away asap before his trade value is down to nothing.
sunshine says:
November 16th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Koivu didn’t really come into his own until he was 21-22 years-old. If he came to the Wild as a 19 or 20 year-old, you all would say the same things you are saying about Shep now.
Koivu was better at 12 then Sheppard is now. Also, Mikko couldn’t come here at 18 because he, like every Finnish 18 year old male, was required to serve 2 years in the Finnish military.
Deep Breath says:
November 16th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
The Great One is the not only the greatest hockey player to have ever laced the skates, and not only is the greatest ambassador a team sport has ever seen in terms of helping the League grow, he dominated team sports like no other that we will ever see again, at least not in pur lifetimes. Look at the numbers. Compare where Gretzky is in terms of goals, assists, points, etc, etc, etc, compared to the #2 in those lists. Now, compare some of those players often regarded as the best in their team sports, Jordan/Montana/Bonds, or whatever names you’d like to interject. Gretzky is so far out in front of his next closest pursuers in stat categories that it isn’t even funny, compared to the stat leads of the other sports’ all-time greats.
absolute crap. do you realize there is more to hockey then just offense? ever heard of defense? peanlty killing? Like I’ve said before, Wayne was the best playmaker ever, Orr and Mario were the best two players ever.
Other then Scotty Bowman, nobody that picked that list I give one rats behind about.
Pretty much what I think of your argument Dan.
Dan…did Gretz PK?
Oh, I think so…Gretz had 73. More than anyone in history.
73 shorthanded goals.
Nothing like a shortie to defend the PP.
OMG - writing off a 1st round draft pick in the beginning of his second NHL season? That is why you’re not a GM.
Are you one of the people that was writing off Benoit Pouliot last season? By the way, I’m happy I don’t have to defend Pouliot anymore, that got tiring after a couple seasons.
Trading Sheppard for Ryan Jones? Please tell me you are joking.
I know talent when I see it. I was undoubtedly the only person that was calling for Span to be in the Majors starting 2 years ago. A guy with his skill set was bound to be good.I’m happy he proved me right.
Same goes with Pouliot. If I had my way, he’d be playing on the top 2 lines getting 18 minutes a game. If Gaborik ever toughens up and gets his fragile ass on the ice, I want to see Pouliot-Koivu-Gaborik.
Aaron in Houston says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
OMG - writing off a 1st round draft pick in the beginning of his second NHL season? That is why you’re not a GM.
I haven’t written off Sheppard, but he has been nothing but awful all season after a wonderful year last year. He needs to pick it up or the AHL is where he’ll be.
Oh, and I thought I was just going to quickly read up on the blog and be of to bed.
Dan, maybe if you don’t call other peoples opinions “crap”, especially when those opinions are shared with many, if not a majority of hockey people, could I let your comments slide without adding my own opinion, Dan. All of the three players discussed were extremely good so how can you come out and rip the pick of any of them like that person is an idiot just because you don’t happen to agree? In addition to this your claim that Koivu as a 12 year old would have been better then Sheppard at age 20 is just plain absurd. What is up with all the anger, man?
it’s no claim, Koivu at 12 was better then Sheppard is now. The Koivu’s are, and have been, great 2 way players since they were little, Sheppard is a slacker and has hurt this team far more then help this year.
Shleppard blows! To think we could have traded Shleppard to Florida for Olli Jokinen, and Risedump passed? What more evidence is needed to fire the Dumpper?
DUMP THE DUMPPER !!
Shleppard blows! To think we could have traded Shleppard to Florida for Olli Jokinen, and Risedump passed? What more evidence is needed to fire the Dumpper?
DUMP THE DUMPPER !!
I think people forget that the Wild purposely bring along their rookies slowly the league. In 8 seasons, Gaborik is the only one to hit 36 points (18g, 18a). Pouliot has a good chance to break if he gets more top 6 or top 9 minutes.
In their sophomore year, only 2 Wild players earned more than 50 points: Koivu at age 23 earned 54 (20g, 34a) points while Gaborik at 19 earned 67 points (30g, 37a). That’s it.
So Sheppard is in line with other Wild 2nd year players. There are going to be growing pains. Unlike Gaborik, PMB, Burns, and Koivu there is less patience for the 2nd year players.
Sheppard will have bad games so will other players; rookies, 2nd year, 3rd years, and veterans alike. There will be stretches of bad games but he needs to work through them. We only have 4 centers so benching Sheppard puts more stress and pressure on Koivu, Belanger,and to an extent Pouliot.
Dan:
Koivu better be a better player at age 12. His father was a long-time head coach. Sheppard’s dad is an engineer. So, yeah with that background, Koivu has a leg up from Sheppard and some of the other players on the team.
sunshine says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
We only have 4 centers so benching Sheppard puts more stress and pressure on Koivu, Belanger,and to an extent Pouliot.
If Doug actually did his job, the Wild would have centers that can actually win a face-off. Only having 4 centers is a problem. Only having 1 that wins more then 50% of his draws is a huge problem.
What’s Yanic Perrault up to? The guy won 65-70% of his draws every year. We need him!
sunshine says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Dan:
Koivu better be a better player at age 12. His father was a long-time head coach. Sheppard’s dad is an engineer. So, yeah with that background, Koivu has a leg up from Sheppard and some of the other players on the team.
I know that. what else you got?
Dan - Thank you for gracing us with your hockey knowledge. I’ll now ignore you.
I think the deal discussed last season for Ollie included both Bouchard and Shepp, IIRC.
Ah… glad you know, Dan. Though you didn’t so I had to put into context for you.
This place is cranky. But then I’m a little cranky, too. Who knew there’d be “goalie politics” I’d have to deal with in my league? Pfft. What a buzz kill.
Anyway, loved the K-Foz article for tomorrow, Russo! Great to hear how he’s doing and how he’s looking forward to making mistakes in Houston. We need more of that. Just kidding. I’m excited to get him once the time comes.
I like what Nolan brings to this team. Here are a few thoughts about the club:
1. Is clutterbuck being groomed to replace the Bogey man?
2. Shep needs to move back in with the hendricksons. He played much better last year.
3.As a Skoula hater, I have to give the guy credit. He is playing well this year.
4. We really need another center on this club. That and a good power forward will get us to the conference championships this year.
1. No. Totally different players. Now, SRV, on the other hand… probably better watch his back. Or find the back of the net a hell of a lot more.
2. Agreed. Though his hair is much better now that he’s outta there.
3. Agreed. There’s a new Skoula in town (MAB).
4. If wishes were fishes, we’d all have a pond full.
So, fellas, I’ve got this friend who has to choose between Pouliot and Higgins (Habs) twice this week. He/she picked Pouliot both times, but he/she is not very confident with that decision. What say you?
Kolanos scored his first game, im just laughing at Sheppards waste of roster space 2 points in 15 games. Send him to the minors JL until he comes to play. Skoula is actually playing well this season i am surprised haha. And Benny deserves to be on a top 2 line, he can play. He needs others who can play with him, he is really blooming unlike Sheppard. He wont ever be a star in this league, he doesnt have the physical toughness…he should be a lifer in the AHL.
Booo Shepp Booo
what a wuss!
BDS says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Dan - Thank you for gracing us with your hockey knowledge. I’ll now ignore you.
I think the deal discussed last season for Ollie included both Bouchard and Shepp, IIRC.
is that all?
they should’ve made the deal then. dumping 2 easily replaceable pieces for a star.
S106R6 says:
November 17th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I like what Nolan brings to this team. Here are a few thoughts about the club:
1. Is clutterbuck being groomed to replace the Bogey man?
2. Shep needs to move back in with the hendricksons. He played much better last year.
3.As a Skoula hater, I have to give the guy credit. He is playing well this year.
4. We really need another center on this club. That and a good power forward will get us to the conference championships this year.
1. Parrish should still be here, Nolan was a bad signing.
2. Unlike the always worthless Boogaard, Clutterbuck actually has skills and belongs in the NHL.
3. Sheppard moving to Houston is the only move he needs to make.
4. Skoula still plays a sloppy game. It’s not as noticeable this year because Zidlicky is so ridiculously bad.
5. Wild have “needed another center” since the franchise began. Problem is Doug is incompetent and never fills the gaping holes the roster has. Depending on if they deal Gaborik or not, the Wild are 2-3 scorers away from being a contender if they make the playoffs.
Dan says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:07 am
enough said.
OMG - writing off a 1st round draft pick in the beginning of his second NHL season? That is why you’re not a GM.
Are you one of the people that was writing off Benoit Pouliot last season?
For the record, Benoit is the player on this years team I’m the most excited about (besides Koivu, Burns). He just turned 22!!!
I’m not writing off Sheppard. I’m not even saying he won’t be good someday. He’s not good today and I think the minors would do him some good. Build his confidence.
I hereby accept your offer of Jimmy Shepperd to Houston. Please send ASAP.
I remember you Dan.
How are things in Sartell? You talked to Sauer lately?
Haven’t seen you around here in a while. Still pulling that “I’m smarter than the rest of you and I’m always right and you’re all dumb” cross around, eh? Nice of BOTH of you and Mike to show up at the same time. FYI, Russo frowns on people using the same IP to post under multiple names.
I see you’re writing a blog. That’s awesome. You don’t have to abide anyone else’s (dumb) opinion when you’re writing your own blog, eh?
See ya around, Dan.
1. Parrish should still be here, Nolan was a bad signing.
shirley you can’t be serious
with that post Dan has achieved troll status. or was it the Span post..
Dan says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:07 am
enough said.
+1
Why is everyone raggin’ on Shepp? I’m chalking his lack of production this year up to a sophomore slump. Leave the kid alone, he can’t even drink legally yet.
I’m not feeling well. My tummy hurts.
If a player is gonna pull an NHL salary, regardless if he is a 10-year vet or second-year project, he deserves to get flamed a little bit if he isn’t peforming. Shepp has struggled mightily to this point so far this year. No reason he won’t turn it around or the switch won’t flick on, but as of today, he has really struggled.
Sometimes I think some of you are just looking for a goat to rip into and since Skoula has been half way decent this year…. Pick on Gaby, he of the fragile groin, he makes way more money than Shepp and he’s not earning it right now.
Now if you’ll excuse me I think I’m gonna yack again…
Y’all made BG yack… behave!
Sorry you’re feeling puny, doll. Sounds like a 7Up and Saltines kinda day.
The wild.com site says Skoula was Colorado’s 1st round pick (17th overall) in 1998. Imagine how disappointed the Av org. was. We’ve got a bargain on our hands.
As for Gabby, I was convinced the hackey sack ‘injury’ was a cover-up to keep him off the ice so that he wouldn’t really get hurt before he was traded. Now I’m starting to believe that he is really hurt. Hackey sack injury.?.?.?…..fact is stranger than fiction.
Yeah, MsC. Only I’ve already gone through the saltines and 7-up. I’ll have to settle for graham crackers and grape juice. At least until the Mr gets home or I feel well enough to venture the 5 blocks to the grocery store.
I have a question for those that play hockey on here. I’m trying to figure out a better way to tape my sticks, I always seem to end up with a lump or two that makes the puck bounce funny. Any suggestions for me?
Start from the heel and tape to the toe. Rub wax on the tape if you really want to kick it up a notch. It’ll keep snow of the tape and smooth out the bumps in the process.
Actually OMG I’ve been standing up for Pouliot for over two years now. One of the few people here that did.
As for Kolanos, the guy has speed, decent size and is good at getting pucks to the net, however, he looks lost on the ice when he doesn’t have the puck. That kind of blatant one way play won’t get you very far with the Wild or even the NHL for that matter.
Taping a stick is quite personal, ask ten players and you might get ten different answers. I usually start with a strip of tape running the length of the bottom of the blade.
You can use a hair dryer to really make the tape set up nicely.
re: Trading Sheppard for Jokinen
I don’t know if that would have been a good or bad move, but I will say this, DR appears to have quite the hesistation in trading players he drafted. That is probably the biggest reason the Wild have developed so many of their own players.
The only guy he ever really traded was O’Sullivan and if you remember that guy fell in the draft (2nd round) over perceived father issues. So I could see how DR might have not placed as much value in the guy simply because he fell so far in the draft. Hopefully DR doesn’t operate that way, but I could see a bit of that thinking seeping in subconsciously.
Yeah Aaron I’m finding that out. But I figure the more people tell me the better idea I have on how to do a better job of it. Because knowing is half the battle, go Joe!
Heel to toe for me.
Stand the stick up in front of you with the blade up. Start with the forehand face (front) of the blade facing you, start the tape at the heel on the upward edge bringing the tape toward the floor. Put a little tension on the tape and stick to the face, rotate the stick so you can see the back. Bring the tape up again with tension and as you go over the top, rotate the stick so you can see the front again. Overlap one half the tape width on each wrap so when you’re done there’s two thicknesses the length of the blade. You’ll probably have to cheat on the overlap some because of the curve of the blade. Finish with a pass on the back (backhand face) and tear off tape at the top (away from the floor) edge. As OMG suggested, I rub an old candle on the tape to smooth and keep the snow from sticking.
As AIH says, ask 10 people you’ll probably get 10 answers.
Smooth out your tape job with a puck after you finish taping, I did that when I first started playing.
BG-
This sounds really sarcastic in my head, and it is not intended to.
To keep the tape from getting a lump, keep the tape flat at all times. Also, using an angled approach, rather than straight up and down.
I’m with AiH, though. Ask 10 people, get ten different answers.
Dan-
I can only guess you will be back on here, since you need someone to give you the topics you need to keep your blog going.
I won’t debate Sheps ability with you, or Nolan’s signing, or much anything else with you. You are set in your idea of what is the truth, and will not be swayed in any direction.
All I will say is this.
You are the type of blogger that makes NHL GMs loathe to credential the rest of us.
- Dan, if Parrish is so good, why didn’t one of the 29 other teams give him a one year contract before training camp? To jump to any conclusions on Nolan after a 10 win start is about as smart as most of your posts.
- On Shep: For me, his season to date makes me hopeful that DR can use Gaby to get another center. This would allow Benny to move to wing and allow Shep to continue to contribute on the PK and play up to the scoring lines rather than end up there by default. Over all, I still think Shep will be a very good player for the Wild long term.
So Benny is on pace for 27 G and 11 A. No doubt those assist numbers would go up if he wasn’t stuck on the 4th line.
40 points from a rookie is definitely the kind of production that helps replace the loss of Rolston/Demitra/Parrish.
Jeeeezzzzzzz! just doin’ some catch up reading on here, yikes! Hey “Dan the genius”, go back to the Lake Elmo Mini Mites! You must certainly have some repressed anger issues from not making that club 30 years ago…
benny has talent there is no denying that. He needs to realize that talent alone will not keep him in the NHL. I think he is getting it but not convinced yet.
I’m not convinced either, G*, but I’ll give him props where he’s due them and this is by far the longest stretch of consistency this organization has seen from him, IMO. I’m proud of him for the effort (and happy about the results) he’s contributing. Really didn’t think he’d pull it off but he may yet. As someone on the Wild board noted, he looks like a happier guy lately. I’m delighted for him and hope it sticks for the long haul. If it does, they need to re-sign him.
Aaron, it’s far enough along for you to say “I told you so.” and I’d say, “Yep. You were right. Good call. Sorry for the hassle.”
It doesn’t really erase the bitterness I feel about last season in Houston, but if he continues to help the Wild now, I’m close to having a fresh start with the guy.
Feel better, BG. Tummy bugs suck.
I had trouble with lumpy tape, too, but I just try to be careful as I go, pull the tape taut and watch what’s happening on both sides of the stick as I go. I’ve also started taping less of my blade and I tend to prefer it at the moment.
ms.conduct says:
November 17th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’ve also started taping less of my blade and I tend to prefer it at the moment.
I used to play with a guy who taped his entire stick. Not just the blade, the ENTIRE stick! He was a bit ‘off’.
Goalie?
Nope, he was a skater.
Missed his calling maybe. Though I can only imagine how heavy a goalie stick would be taped like a mummy.
To throw more into the taping:
I always go heel to toe, start at the top head down the backhand and just barely get the heel to keep tape vertical. I keep it leaning into me between my knees backhand up and then look at either side by raising (fore) or lowering (back). A lot of tension helps keep it neat.
Bandgeek,
I use the exact same method as Goody for taping a stick, except I put a piece of tape lengthwise along the bottom of the blade first.
I use stick wax instead of an old candle however.
Goody - Sure it wasn’t Dan?
Hmm… I can see how the wax would help, especially since I play almost exclusivly on outdoor rinks. I’m starting to think the Mr was jinxing me cause I’m really careful and do a lot of what you all are saying when I tape my stick. Or maybe I’m not getting it tight enough and snow is getting caught under the edges of the tape.
MsC, I’m feeling much better after a long nap curled up with the puppy dogs. Now I just need to get some caffeine in my system before I get a “lack of caffeine” headache. I actually feel hungry at the moment, I’m thinking a PB&J might not be to bad.
Courtesy of another NHL beat writer- this snippet has a link to a goalie mask artist. “Budaj had his latest mask designs done by a guy named David Gunarsson. His website is http://www.daveart.com. “
Dampland says:
November 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I use stick wax instead of an old candle however.
What can I say, I’m cheap.
AiH,
I hear you on defending Pouliot. It used to be impossible to take the kids side without getting roasted but now people are starting to feel there is hope yet. I say keep it going Lemaire & Co. kick this kids butt so we have another piece to the puzzle. I’d love nothing more then for Benny to make it but that being said he needs to stay consistant and keep working as hard as he has.
I’m really starting to wonder what will happen with the Backstrom/Harding tandem. Will we move one at the deadline? Who will it be? I wouldn’t want to be the guy that has to make the choice…
Lucky-
If they are smart, they keep both. Hards has not shown he is ready to fill the starting role, but he is a suitable back-up. And trading Backs gets you what? Not nearly what he’s worth is the likely answer.
I say you sign Backs, offer something to Hards and hope he takes it. If not, you call Ms. C and say “Hey, who’s the best goalie in Houston?” Or… just give the job to her.
Lucky, the choice seems painfully obvious right now. Backstrom is out of his mind. You gotta lock that up, right? Really, other than a few nice pinch hits, what’s Harding done to impress besides be a really nice guy (which, I’ll admit, does bear weight with me)?
Then again, it’s not like Harding is expensive and he’ll just be an RFA (right?). Maybe both stick around?
After yesterday’s Aeros shootout, I’m of the mind that Brust is gonna be in Houston for the duration of his Wild contract. Ugh.
To Buddha’s point, the answer right now is Schaefer. My faith in Brusty is shaken deeply.
Hards is an RFA this Summer so we can sign him at least to a 1 year deal. I don’t know how long he’ll be happy playing backup though.
Completely off topic and I know many folks will hate me for doing this but.. some fans complain about not having MN born players on the roster. Myself I do not care one bit where they come from as long as they play at 100% and help the team win. However if Jordan Schroeder is available on draft day 2009 I would be totally cool with him being our pick.(Unless we tank it won’t happen) This kid is fun to watch!
I would like to hear from a scouting guru where Schroeder is projected to go in this upcoming draft. I remember from a while back (can’t remember the source) where it had Schroeder going as high as #7.
Schroeder is legit and he only just turned 18. He skipped his senior year of HS to play for the Gophs.
What’s the kid’s style? What makes him so fun?
What does everyone think of Ness?
Fleury out tomorrow
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8809084/Pens‘-Fleury-to-miss-Tuesday-game-vs.-Wild?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=142
I’m going lower body injury; as in he didn’t have the seeds to face the oh-fensive juggarnaut that is the Wild.
Sorry, crappy link. You guys and gals are smart enough to figure out how to get to it if you want to read it though… none of us work for the Strib IT department that can’t fix a wonky blog.
Ok, I was going to try to make a joke that it isn’t a ‘wonky blog’ as BNAG suggests but a _____ _____ injury but I’m not coming up with anything to fill in the blanks.
Oh-oh. Someone isn’t following the by-laws of the NHL GM’s cult. These are clearly “lower body injuries”. Smug is going to be smokin’ hot mad at the next GM meeting!
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8800076/Ducks‘-Beauchemin-out-6-months-with-ACL-tear
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8795110/Bieksa-to-miss-2-weeks-with-broken-foot
Love Schroeder, but isn’t size going to be an issue? Course he still is just a kid, but I don’t sense there are a lot of 6 footers in his DNA.
It’s an Upper Blog Injury if the problem is with Russo’s post. Lower Blog if it’s in the comments. Which, oddly enough, is where the vast majority of the ailments reside. Maybe Gaby is the IT person in charge of the blog?
Sabourin is pretty good too. He’s only played 4 games but has looked good.
I wouldn’t worry about who is net but our weak offense.
It is a lower body (HTML) injury…
HTML may be too specific. Hackers might attack the vulnerable spots… Lower body (interwebz) might be safer.
Are the Wild doing a day trip or are they doing an overnighter for the Pens game?
Sounds like from Russo they’re practicing in PA today.
Hey, that’s KiPA Kountry! You going to the game, Kevin?
Thanks.
Nick in New York says:
November 17th, 2008 at 6:51 am
I remember you Dan.
Still pulling that “I’m smarter than the rest of you and I’m always right and you’re all dumb” cross around, eh?
I’m not pulling anything around. However, that is a very true statement. I am smarter then everyone else. It’s fun being me.
No, Ms. C. I like watching entertaining hockey. Games involving the Wild don’t fit that criteria.
GreenStar says:
November 17th, 2008 at 7:16 am
1. Parrish should still be here, Nolan was a bad signing.
shirley you can’t be serious
with that post Dan has achieved troll status. or was it the Span post..
Both of my statements are 100% correct. Span deserved a gold glove and the ROY, and Parrish should still be here.
Wild need goals, not more assist men. The whole team is assist men. Parrish has 4 goals in 5 games. If Jacques actually was capable of coaching in the “new” NHL, Parrish would’ve been used right, and he’d be still scoring goals here. Jacques time has passed and he needs to be replaced for the good for the team.
Kevin in PA says:
November 17th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
No, Ms. C. I like watching entertaining hockey. Games involving the Wild don’t fit that criteria.
Most Wild games are enjoyable. However, the last 2 were embarrassingly awful and almost unwatchable. Especially last game. If it weren’t for Backstrom, the Wild get routed.
Bandgeek says:
November 17th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Sometimes I think some of you are just looking for a goat to rip into and since Skoula has been half way decent this year…. Pick on Gaby, he of the fragile groin, he makes way more money than Shepp and he’s not earning it right now.
Gaborik not playing doesn’t help or hurt the team all that much. Sheppard’s play all season has hurt the team, as has Zidlicky’s. Like I said before, if it weren’t for Zidlicky being so awful, Skoula would still be getting ripped endlessly.
Span deserves ROY? I think I’ll side on Longoria with that. Gold Glove? Yes.
If Parrish nets 20+ this year, then you have some credibility to that statement. How can you say that Parrish is night and day better than Nolan?
Aaron in Houston says:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Actually OMG I’ve been standing up for Pouliot for over two years now. One of the few people here that did.
As for Kolanos, the guy has speed, decent size and is good at getting pucks to the net, however, he looks lost on the ice when he doesn’t have the puck. That kind of blatant one way play won’t get you very far with the Wild or even the NHL for that matter.
Tell that to Brad Boyes.
richard b says:
November 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Span deserves ROY? I think I’ll side on Longoria with that. Gold Glove? Yes.
If Parrish nets 20+ this year, then you have some credibility to that statement. How can you say that Parrish is night and day better than Nolan?
because Nolan has been washed up for the past 3 years ?
Zidlicky being awful? Are you seriously stoned?
I was just making a joke, actually.
oh, and the only thing Longoria had on Span was power numbers, but last I checked, lead-off guys aren’t expected to belt homers on a regular basis. Hell, that’s what gets Jose Reyes in trouble so much. Instead of getting on base and causing havoc, he swings for the fences.
Fair enough, Kevin. They really are a team only a fan of the team can love. At least that makes it easy to get tickets to their road games.
KiPA-
I can’t wait for tomorrow. Always fun to have a direct link to the competition’s fans…
Buddha says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Zidlicky being awful? Are you seriously stoned?
don’t do drugs, just watch hockey, and telling it how it is. zidlicky has been absolutely terrible, just like the last 2 seasons. not sure what the wild were expecting out of him, but i’m sure it isn’t what they’ve been getting. i said at the time of the trade it was a terrible deal, and i still stick by that. he wasn’t needed and now he just hurts the team much more then he helps it.
So if Zidlicky wasn’t needed, we would have:
Schultz, Johnsson, Skoula, Burns, MAB, Reitz, Mojzis
Seems a little thin at D wouldn’t you say, especially with Burns having to play wing right now?
What move would you have done Dan at our blue line instead?
Buddha says:
>>Are you seriously stoned?<<
Hey! Let’s not be giving being stoned a bad name. That other guy is a wack job. Who forgot to lock his cell door?
Buddha says:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Dan-
I can only guess you will be back on here, since you need someone to give you the topics you need to keep your blog going.
I won’t debate Sheps ability with you, or Nolan’s signing, or much anything else with you. You are set in your idea of what is the truth, and will not be swayed in any direction.
All I will say is this.
You are the type of blogger that makes NHL GMs loathe to credential the rest of us
Life’s a bitch when you are called out for complacency and neglect when it comes to running a a hockey team. Problem with the Wild blog world, and Minnesota sports fans in general I guess, is there are far too many ass kissers and not enough people that are sick and tired of mediocre products. The state of Minnesota needs to stand up and be heard. Everyone needs to tell the teams that we want championships, and just making the playoffs just isn’t good enough any longer.
Of the cities in America that have a team in each of the major sports, you know, NFL, MLB, NHL, and that other one, Minnesota has gone the longest without a title. Problem is, the people of this state just sit on their thumbs and pretend all is well as long as we have teams here and they make just a run at the playoffs.
We, the people of Minnesota, need to start waking up and demand better. Because the vast majority don’t, teams like the Wild can raise tickets every single year, the people flock like sheep to go pay those prices, all the while the Wild product isn’t any closer to a Cup now then they were in season 1. The fans of Minnesota are short changing themselves greatly and nothing will change til Minnesotans thinking changes.
Jacques time has passed and he needs to be replaced for the good for the team.
What part of 10-4-1 for an injured team is most confusing to you? Probably the same part where you want Zids and his 2 goal game off the team that can’t score goals.
And yes, I’ll be going.
richard b says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
So if Zidlicky wasn’t needed, we would have:
Schultz, Johnsson, Skoula, Burns, MAB, Reitz, Mojzis
Seems a little thin at D wouldn’t you say, especially with Burns having to play wing right now?
What move would you have done Dan at our blue line instead?
plenty of inexpensive, physical, stay at home defenseman available. that’s what the Wild need in the worst way.
You know why everyone gets excited for Clutterbuck? It’s because this team has been so void of physical play since it’s inception, that it’s refreshing we have a guy like Cal who is willing to throw his body around to make a difference. The only other player the Wild had that was remotely like Clutterbuck was Sylvain Blouin.
Of course you are!
Six Goalie System says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Jacques time has passed and he needs to be replaced for the good for the team.
What part of 10-4-1 for an injured team is most confusing to you? Probably the same part where you want Zids and his 2 goal game off the team that can’t score goals.
1. If it weren’t for Backstrom, the Wild would be 6-8-1 at best right now.
2. Look at the Wild history, they always start out hot. It also helps they’ve played a lot of home games.
They better get all the points they can now, because when they spend the whole month of March on the road, it’s all going to come apart and they will be lucky to back into the playoffs like they did last year.
Dan-
Move to New York (sorry Nick). We like our teams win, lose, or draw. That’s why we support them. We know our teams are not going to win every year, and have come to accept that. Call it what ever you want. Apathy, whatever.
Being heard is not whining on Russo’s board. Being heard is only going to be done if people like you shut up and allow those of us with real, hockey based opinions to write about it.
The team is 10-4-1. What would you like? 82-0? Not going to happen.
Zidlicky has 2 goals and five assists in 11 games. I have yet to see him make a truly Skoula-esque play. Mistakes will happen, all d-men make them.
Do you write your blog because you support the team, or because you have no other way to lend a shred of credibility to your opinion?
I have read every one of your posts thus far, and not one of them has any support in the game. No stats, no numbers, no reasoning. Just your opinion, stated as fact, with the expectation that everyone should think the same way you do.
it has been said a thousand times on here. If you’re going to complain, fine, but please, DEAR GOD, bring something to support it with.
“1. If it weren’t for Backstrom, the Wild would be 6-8-1 at best right now.”
Why do people say things like this? It is completely pointless.
He plays for the team. Why would they be without him?
Without Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, the Oilers never would have won a cup either. But they did, and the team did won.
And what is the 6-8-1 based on? Here is just another opinion with no basis in fact.
Kevin, do me one favor (and I know this will be hard for you to do) giggle and wolf whistle at my Boogie for me. After that you can go back to cheering for your own team, I’ll understand however if you feel it would take away several man credits to do that one thing for me. Think of it as a birthday gift.
Why are we feeding trolls today? Are we that bored Russoville? I think I’ll go back to napping with the puppies. They are much more rational and understand what I’m saying much better than some people.
Dan, ever since his concussion in 2002 Krys Kolanos has been passed around the AHL like a dime store hooker but you’re going to equate him to Brad Boyes?
I guess their scoring stats are similar, except for the fact one of them is doing it in the NHL.
Brad Boyes is a -14. I suppose given enough playing time with the Wild Kolanos could also put up a -14.
I’m not trying to beat down Kolanos, lord knows that without him I wouldn’t see a lot of scoring in Houston. But he is a reserve forward at best in the NHL. I prefer to give that time to Sheppard, Pouliot and Gillies. I guess you could make an arguement to switch him in and out with Clutterbuck, but Kolanos doesn’t know how to play checking line minutes.
For the record, Colton Gillies is the best prospect I’ve seen play in Houston in the last three seasons followed closely by Pouliot. I just feel like Gillies has a much more complete game and if he develops some touch around the net he could be great. Pouliot is a sniper, skater and lately starting to develop decent defensive skills.
As for your precious Ryan Jones? Well, you like comparing players, I would compare Jones with Danny Irmen, but in fairness I only saw Jones play a handful of games in Houston. But I did watch him quite a bit the last two seasons he spent with Miami(OH).
I chalk up the infatuation with Ryan Jones to the Rudy-syndrome. People tend to give too much credit to hustle guys. Jones is merely decent offensively, but his hustle gets him noticed. However, at the highest level the descriptions of hustle and decent will only get you third line spot duty.
It also helps they’ve played a lot of home games.
- Home: BOS, BUF, CBJ, CHI, MON, PHX, CBJ
- Away: ATL, FLA, TB, DAL, PHX, SJ, COL, VAN
Buddha says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Dan-
Move to New York (sorry Nick). We like our teams win, lose, or draw. That’s why we support them. We know our teams are not going to win every year, and have come to accept that. Call it what ever you want. Apathy, whatever.
Being heard is not whining on Russo’s board. Being heard is only going to be done if people like you shut up and allow those of us with real, hockey based opinions to write about it.
The team is 10-4-1. What would you like? 82-0? Not going to happen.
Zidlicky has 2 goals and five assists in 11 games. I have yet to see him make a truly Skoula-esque play. Mistakes will happen, all d-men make them.
Do you write your blog because you support the team, or because you have no other way to lend a shred of credibility to your opinion?
I have read every one of your posts thus far, and not one of them has any support in the game. No stats, no numbers, no reasoning. Just your opinion, stated as fact, with the expectation that everyone should think the same way you do.
it has been said a thousand times on here. If you’re going to complain, fine, but please, DEAR GOD, bring something to support it with.
1. I won’t be moving to New York, but at least they understand sports is a business of winning. The people if NYC are very critical of their teams and they should be, just like Minnesotans should be. You can have all the apathy you want, but that just allowed the owners to continue to not even try and pocket millions and millions.
2. Did you even watch the game on Saturday? That game alone Zidlicky made at least 5 terrible mistakes that would’ve cost the Wild if we didn’t have the league’s best goalie to save his ass.
3. Last I checked a blog is a place to give your opinion. The reason mine is so matter-of-fact is that I am without a doubt, 100% right in what I say, and I’m sick and tired of all the mediocrity in this state. “Minnesota Nice” has become a way to true notion and it the owners are cleaning up off it.
QUIT SETTLING FOR MEDIOCRE, DEMAND BETTER !!
Six Goalie System says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
It also helps they’ve played a lot of home games.
- Home: BOS, BUF, CBJ, CHI, MON, PHX, CBJ
- Away: ATL, FLA, TB, DAL, PHX, SJ, COL, VAN
playing atlanta, florida, and tampa is always like a home game. they have no fans and they are terrible teams. as for Phoenix, the Wild have beaten them now 9 straight times, and Backstrom is 8-0 against them.
Wild beat crap, as they should. it also helps they’ve played all of 2 divisional games.
Think of the schedule so far as equivalent to the Gopher football schedule, they played cupcakes early, and when they get into the real schedule, it’s over.
Schroeder would be a steal in the draft if he fell to the wild (where they better be), I expect him to be an easy top 10 pick, just comparing his play and effect in game to that of Okposo.
Ness has very impressive feet, and uses body position well to make up for size. He can succeed in the new NHL with that, but more strength in the corner and a shot are musts to really be an impact player.
Hey Dan, I recognize the fact no one here knows more about Wild hockey than you. It’s obvious to me, as it should be to all who read your nuggets of gold you so thoughtfully give us. One question: In your post above you state “I said at the time of the trade (for Zidlicky) it was a terrible deal, and I stick by that”. I’m more than a little curious, oh all knowing hockey God (AKA Dan), what did the Wild give up in the ‘trade’ for Zids?
Buddha, tell Larry to accept my trade.
playing atlanta, florida, and tampa is always like a home game.
Except they’re not actually at home.
Dan - I guess you forgot all those details - I DEMAND BETTER !! posts from you but better still, if “it’s over” for the Wild than you should just walk away. If you shut down your blog and stop posting here I bet that will get CL’s attention.
To answer a question from above, the Wild almost always fly out late morning/early afternoon the day before a road game. They have left for Pit.
It’s people who think that they are right 100% that got our country where it is today.
Why is trade in quotes?
I agree we overpaid a bit for Zids considering his two year deal (still not a terrible deal, it got a good player and helped the team). It’s not the Patty O kind of overpaid, but a second and Jones still seems steep.
Again… any support with actual stats? Game knowledge? Numbers? Anything other than opinion?
I did not watch the game on Saturday. I was at work. However, one game does not make a guy terrible. Again, 2 goals, 5 assists in 11 games. From a d-man (on the Wild no less), that’s not only respectable, it’s down right impressive.
We are 15 games into the season. 10 wins. That’s a .667 winning percentage. Puts them at 54 wins by the end of the year. Anyone on here want to complain if they finish with 108 points?
All I’m from you Dan is some sort of hint that you aren’t just pissed off at the world, having a temper tantrum because your team isn’t the best in the world.
As to your posts being matter of fact. No they are not. They are weak at best, with poor writing, and no supporting evidence. They are the work of a substandard want-to-be. A blog is a place to express opinion, yes. A good blog is one that expresses an opinion with some kind of backup.
Oh, and you don’t need to repost the entire post every time. I think we are smart enough
to figure out what you are referring to.
Kevin are going to ignore my request? I’m hurt. How can you ignore a request from a sick person?
Russo’s Evil Twin says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hey Dan, I recognize the fact no one here knows more about Wild hockey than you. It’s obvious to me, as it should be to all who read your nuggets of gold you so thoughtfully give us. One question: In your post above you state “I said at the time of the trade (for Zidlicky) it was a terrible deal, and I stick by that”. I’m more than a little curious, oh all knowing hockey God (AKA Dan), what did the Wild give up in the ‘trade’ for Zids?
former 4 year player at the University of Miami-Ohio winger Ryan Jones and a 2nd round pick. giving up just a 2nd rounder for Zidlicky was overpaying.
I’ll tell him KiPA, don’t know what good it will do…
Bangeek - you can’t trust a Penguin fan in here a day from game time.
Sorry, BG, I was focused on trying to poach Shea Weber from someone.
Your request… um. Tell you what. If I get close to him, I’ll do it.
you can’t trust a Penguin fan in here a day from game time.
At least I haven’t gone back to the old link in my name….
I think Dan should petition the NHL and have all games in ATL, FLA and TB changed to home games for the visting team which would now be the home team playing the visiting team in another city.
Buddha: I actually just looked it over again…I’m not sure why he’d take it or what I was thinking when I offered it.
Who was your nephew again? Tried to make a deal with Hoskins but didn’t hear from him over the weekend.
One final point from me regarding the CBJ game. I would NEVER want Mike Peca on my team if I was the equipment manager. What a pain that guy is. He demands a bag full of his gloves (around 7 or 8 pairs) to be kept on the stick rack behind the bench because he likes to change gloves every few shifts. The jackets equipment guys just love that. Like you got nothing better to do than cater to one guy. I can see halfway through the period (because some players gloves get wet), but this guy is over the top PITA. Prima Donna.
The Coach on NHL Network Commercials says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I think Dan should petition the NHL and have all games in ATL, FLA and TB changed to home games for the visting team which would now be the home team playing the visiting team in another city.
That’s about a +10 right there.
Don’t you think the Yankees fans are demanding better even though they already have a 200+ million payroll. Lets see the mediocre Twins and their mediocre payroll (4x less) finished with about the same record.
Dan, a successful business is way more that just buying the highest valued asset. Lets take a further look at New York. Mets (see 21st Yankees), Giants (success, but they don’t go on an all out spending spree), Jets (relatively bad, but moving in the right direction now), Knicks (the epitomy of my argument above), Rangers (cup in the 90s, but have showed signs as the Knicks of the NHL).
Bandgeek, people brought their own food today to feed to the trolls since Russo has been starving us as of late.
That’s my nephew. I’ll tell him to look at it. He is a football player, so he was busy this weekend.
Six Goalie System says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Dan - I guess you forgot all those details - I DEMAND BETTER !! posts from you but better still, if “it’s over” for the Wild than you should just walk away. If you shut down your blog and stop posting here I bet that will get CL’s attention.
last I checked, the Wild were a hockey team, and nobody loves hockey more then then me. However, high school and college hockey are enjoyable, because the teams are what they are and very little can be done about that. How bout that sweep of Denver this weekend by SCSU.
Anyway, the Wild are a completely different animal. They are a pro sports team where making changes to the roster is much more easy. Also, in pro sports, it’s a business of winning, and making some money is nice too. In New York, they demand a winner, in Chicago, they demand a winner (and attendance is up a ton this year because of it), in LA they demand a winner, but in Minnesota, the only demand is we have a team. Nobody cares about win and losses and titles, they just care we have a team. The pro sports fans in the state have a little league mentality and are allowing the owners of our teams to get away with murder. They are blindly handed over millions and millions of dollars a year with no demands attached, like congress giving money away to idiot bankers and the clueless auto industry. We deserve to get something back for the money that is spent, and what we deserve is teams that have a chance to compete for titles, not teams just happen to be in playoff races.
Awww…. thanks Kevin. You’ll have to tell me how that goes. It would be a great Birthday present for me. My birthday is on Wednesday and with being sick today, and the huge list waiting for me at work tomorrow, I could use the pick me up by tomorrow night. And while I of course hope the Wild win tomorrow night, I hope the game is an interesting one for both our sakes. Have a good time, I have tickets for Thursday’s game.
Eh, Buddha, the original offer no longer stands. I cut one guy I was going to send him so it’d take a new deal. The offer expired last night. I doubt Larry takes that deal though.
You can tell him though I want to move Leclaire.
Also, if he gets into a fight, BG, I’ll try and get a camera phone shot of him, though it won’t be good.
Happy early birthday since I’ll probably forget by then.
I figured he had no idea since the answer required ‘facts’.
Russo’s Evil Twin: Never ask a question that Wikipedia can answer. It makes even the ignorant look smart.
Buddha: Light ‘em up! Just remember, one can never win an argument with an ignorant man…or woman….just to be fair.
Dan says: >>I won’t be moving to New York, but at least they understand sports is a business of winning.<< Herein lies your frustration. Professional sports is not about winning. It is about entertainment and making money. They just market it to be about winning so foaming at the mouth neanderthals will get all worked up about it. For example,
I know in Chicago they demand a winner. Just ask Cubs fans.
Stoned, that would assume he can spell Wikipedia.
Never ask a question that Wikipedia can answer
Wikipedia knows all.
- Dan - you should demand that SCSU actually wins an NCAA playoff game before you start in on the Wild’s perceived lack of success.
- Sorry other SCSU fans, I am stunned Dan isn’t a Gopher fan. Congrats on the DU sweep.
Kevin, you are officially my favorite Pens fan.
Ughghhg I really hate being sick, although it does mean I get to sit in the comfy chair with the computer and the puppies and nap all day. I’m being begged for tummy rubs so I better go for a while. Later!!
Ahhh…please for give me Gr8 one but I cannot help myself….
Dan - You didn’t actually graduate from SCSU did you?
I’m being moderated for saying that KiPA is my favorite Pens fan… I think that means it’s time for another nap.
Are we talking about Ryan Jones? I’ll join in. No I’ve never seen him play in Houston and to be honest I didn’t see him play much in college. But I do know that he’s a big kid with skills who took Miami of Frickin’ Ohio deep in the tournament last year. Captain of the team by the way so he’s go some leadership skills. Miami of Ohio is best known for its chess club, and this guy puts them on his back and takes him deep in the tourney. Just the type of player the Wild have been missing (with the exception of the Koivu and Burns’)
He’s played 14 games with the Pred’s and he’s got 3 G’s and 3 A’s. We didn’t need him. Dooooooohhhhhhhh!!!!
I disagree with that Stoned. Entertainment and making money are certainly important, but winning is the sure fire way to have those things.
But the solution isn’t spend spend spend all the time. Business is much more complicated than that, especially in a salary capped sport.
I appreciate that, Band.
I really don’t to believe this, but a buddy floated this into my head the other day and now its bugging me.
He threw out the conspiracy theory that maybe Gaby isn’t actually hurt, but threatening to, or refusing to, play until he gets traded (ala Alexi Yashin).
Like I said, I don’t want to believe it, but the longer Gaby is out, the more it bother me.
OMG says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Are we talking about Ryan Jones? I’ll join in. No I’ve never seen him play in Houston and to be honest I didn’t see him play much in college. But I do know that he’s a big kid with skills who took Miami of Frickin’ Ohio deep in the tournament last year. Captain of the team by the way so he’s go some leadership skills. Miami of Ohio is best known for its chess club, and this guy puts them on his back and takes him deep in the tourney. Just the type of player the Wild have been missing (with the exception of the Koivu and Burns’)
Miami-Ohio is probably best known for some NFL QB name Ben Roethlisberger
I really don’t to believe this, but a buddy floated this into my head the other day and now its bugging me.
He threw out the conspiracy theory that maybe Gaby isn’t actually hurt, but threatening to, or refusing to, play until he gets traded (ala Alexi Yashin).
Like I said, I don’t want to believe it, but the longer Gaby is out, the more it bother me.
(By the way, what is this Wordpress thing?)
I heard somewhere Gaby may be suffering from a torn quadricep. But that was probably some wild rumor. Didn’t Russo say he was limping around the time of the injury?
I would think Gaborik wants to play as soon as possible considering this is his unrestricted year.
Yeah I remember the Don saying he was limping a while back, and I know D “NC” R is keeping everything close to the vest, but you can never be too sure
Dan,
My point is that I didn’t even know they had a hockey team. I bet it was a club team not long ago.
who took Miami of Frickin’ Ohio deep in the tournament last year
Even in the NCAA hockey tournament, winning one game does not equal deep.
Six Goalie System says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
- Dan - you should demand that SCSU actually wins an NCAA playoff game before you start in on the Wild’s perceived lack of success.
Why? College players aren’t getting paid. Sure, you could argue a scholarship is payment, but it’s not “straight cash homie.” College kids are there to get an education and play hockey. The majority of them never get to the pros. Once you start getting paid to play, and it becomes a job, that’s when fans need to demand more from their team. Wild is one of the top 6 teams in the league in revenue, in the top 1/3 of the teams in ticket prices, yet they have no shot at a title, but since almost nobody seems to care they can’t win Cup, they have no reason to try, and they most certainly aren’t.
Here’s a trade wish that came to my brain after reading The Hockey News today. Detroit is going to need to unload some salaries. How about Gabby for Cleary and Fillupula. I have no idea if the math works but Cleary is a player I’d like on the Wild.
The Coach on NHL Network Commercials says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I think Dan should petition the NHL and have all games in ATL, FLA and TB changed to home games for the visting team which would now be the home team playing the visiting team in another city.
Best post of the day - well done coach! That is why you wear the hat!
OMG says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Dan,
My point is that I didn’t even know they had a hockey team. I bet it was a club team not long ago.
been a NCAA team since the 78-79 season.
Touche~. I also didn’t know exactly how far they went in the tourney, but here’s something I pulled off the Interweb as of Feb. 2008:
“Miami (25-3-0) will put its No. 1 national ranking on the line this weekend when it hosts second-ranked Michigan in a two-game series in Oxford.”
Miami of OH was better known for the rowing club (and Ben Hamburger) than hockey. Next thing you know their No. 1.
OMG says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Here’s a trade wish that came to my brain after reading The Hockey News today. Detroit is going to need to unload some salaries. How about Gabby for Cleary and Fillupula. I have no idea if the math works but Cleary is a player I’d like on the Wild.
Wings would have to clear out about 250K cap space to make it work.
Put Chelios on long term IR and it could happen.
Dan, you’re way too cynical about the Wild’s chances. I was reading your blog, and whatever/whomever you don’t like, you bash. The Wild dominate the Coyotes and win 4-0, and all that you can say is “what a boring game”. You bash Lemaire’s “boring” style of coaching, so I guess it would have been better for the Wild to open up and win the game 6-4.
I think you would rather have the Wild lose because you care more about yourself than the team, and thus you can say “I was right”. I’m just like the rest of the fans, I don’t agree with every decision, but I support them through and through because you know what? Jacque Lemaire, Mario Tremblay, Doug Risebrough, etc. know more about hockey than the rest of us.
Oh what I wouldn’t give for some food from Russo. Russoville used to be my sanctuary from the WMB blowhards. *sigh*
richard b says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Dan, you’re way too cynical about the Wild’s chances. I was reading your blog, and whatever/whomever you don’t like, you bash. The Wild dominate the Coyotes and win 4-0, and all that you can say is “what a boring game”. You bash Lemaire’s “boring” style of coaching, so I guess it would have been better for the Wild to open up and win the game 6-4.
Actually, maybe it didn’t come across right, but my meaning was, it was a boring game, because when Jacques style is played as well as it was that game, the game is suppose to come across boring.
When Jacques style is played as good as it was that night, it’s when people around the country start their bitching about how the Wild only trap and can’t play.
Dan - Sigh…which way do you want it? It’s not enought to win games? Wild has to win game playing the style of game you prefer as well! Can we for the love of the Gr8 one please get one sound argument from you.
…and NO, “I’m 100% correct” doesn’t qualify…..
BDS says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Dan - Sigh…which way do you want it? It’s not enought to win games? Wild has to win game playing the style of game you prefer as well! Can we for the love of the Gr8 one please get one sound argument from you
Huh? In order to win the Cup, you have to win games. However, the Wild rely on Backstrom an inordinate amount. The “Wild style” doesn’t work come playoff time because Jacques hasn’t changed his style to fit the changes in the game. It also doesn’t help that Doug is incompetent and is unable to draft or sign scorers, which is resulting in too big of a reliance on Backstrom.
This team needs a new coach, a new GM, and 2-3 scorers to become a Cup contender.
BDS says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
…and NO, “I’m 100% correct” doesn’t qualify…..
really? it’s true though.
So Dan, you want the Wild to win games, but our goals have to come from Ryan Jones and our defense needs to play solid but cannot allow Backstrom to get a shut-out?
- really? it’s true though.
Except for the part about all the Wild’s home games to date.
- Food - bye Dan.
TheGunslinger says:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
So Dan, you want the Wild to win games, but our goals have to come from Ryan Jones and our defense needs to play solid but cannot allow Backstrom to get a shut-out?
that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Ryan Jones has nothing to do with anything except dealing him and a pick for Zidlicky was a terrible move.
Easier said than done. Don’t forgot this is the youngest team in the NHL (tied for). We have been to the playoffs 3 out of our first 7 years. I’m not happy with just that, which is what your argument is, but it shows this franchise has firm roots that will lead to success.
what roots? no scorers, no prospects, the goalie is the team but he’s a FA at the end of the year.
It’s a team standing still with no plan for the future.
that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Ryan Jones has nothing to do with anything except dealing him and a pick for Zidlicky was a terrible move.
And as already pointed out, this makes complete sense:
playing atlanta, florida, and tampa is always like a home game.
One last thing Dan: You want to hold the Wild to a higher standard - how about the Wild holding you to a highr standard? To say the Wild has no plan, no prospects, etc. shows that you have no clue.
Six Goalie System says:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
One last thing Dan: You want to hold the Wild to a higher standard - how about the Wild holding you to a highr standard? To say the Wild has no plan, no prospects, etc. shows that you have no clue.
saying the Wild have no clue, no standards shows I am one of the minority that actually does have a clue. they have no plan, they have presented no plan, you know of no plan, because there simply isn’t one.
<i.TheGunslinger says:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Ryan Jones has nothing to do with anything except dealing him and a pick for Zidlicky was a terrible move.
And as already pointed out, this makes complete sense:
playing atlanta, florida, and tampa is always like a home game.
an empty building almost always favors the road team. so yes, it does make sense. it’s like in baseball no matter where the Yankees are, there are almost always more Yankee fans in the stadium then home team fans. it’s not a home game for the Yanks, but it is a “home” game.
TheGunslinger says:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Ryan Jones has nothing to do with anything except dealing him and a pick for Zidlicky was a terrible move.
And as already pointed out, this makes complete sense:
playing atlanta, florida, and tampa is always like a home game.
an empty building almost always favors the road team. so yes, it does make sense. it’s like in baseball no matter where the Yankees are, there are almost always more Yankee fans in the stadium then home team fans. it’s not a home game for the Yanks, but it is a “home” game.
