Schaefer on way up; Sources: Mojzis on waivers
Posted on November 18th, 2008 – 9:58 AMBy Michael Russo
Goalie Josh Harding has a “lower body” strain.
Third goalie Nolan Schaefer has been recalled from AHL Houston on an emergency basis. To make room, the Wild placed defenseman Tomas Mojzis on waivers, sources say.
I’d expect Mojzis will clear waivers. If he does, the Wild can either send him to the minors or maybe just put Harding on injured reserve tomorrow, but then he’d have to miss a week retroactive to yesterday.
I don’t think this is a major injury. After all, Harding lasted all practice yesterday, so the Wild might not want to put him on IR. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. Also, if somebody gets hurt tonight, Mojzis I’d think would definitely stay.
I hear Detroit’s Darren McCarty is on waivers, too, per sources
GM Doug Risebrough was vague, but that’s also because I caught Risebrough by surprise by knowing about Moe. He had not yet told Mojzis.
Clarification: Doug Risebrough was on the Ottawa-Rangers press box seating chart, but he never made it to the game. He planned to scout the game, but flight problems forced him to detour to Pittsburgh. He was in Pittsburgh by 4:45 yesterday.
Ottawa and the Rangers are two teams that could make sense for a potential Marian Gaborik trade. Bryan Murray, Ottawa’s GM, loves making blockbusters, and Rangers GM Glen Sather is buddy buddy with Risebrough.
Jacques Lemaire wants skaters tonight, so it looked like Colton Gillies will be back in. Derek Boogaard, Craig Weller and Mojzis looked to be scratched. Don’t know if fighter Eric Godard is playing tonight, but Matt Cooke, detested by the Wild, will be in.
Schaefer wasn’t yet here this morning, so Wild was shooting on one empty net at the skate
Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin, who beat the Wild last year, will start for an injured Marc-Andre Fleury. Pascal Dupuis will play the Wild for the first time since it traded him two seasons ago to the Rangers.
Lots of stuff going down at the Igloo this morning.
Penguins GM Ray Shero was sitting in the stands with agent Paul Krepelka, Jordan Staal’s agent. Of the Penguins’ core, Staal is the only player not signed long-term.
I also heard from a source that Brendan Shanahan is very close to signing with an NHL team.
Cal Clutterbuck is 21. He can finally drink in the U.S. 
That be it from here.
215 Responses to "Schaefer on way up; Sources: Mojzis on waivers"
Ms C was right again! Scaefer the best in Houston.
Assuming Harding can’t go by game time, do we have to send someone down or put someone on IR to make room?
From AiH on the last thread:
There was some Gaby chatter yesterday on HNIC Radio.
Thanks for that clarrification - I didn’t fully understand where this pick up in the rumor mill was coming from.
I almost feel bad for DR in this situation.
I am torn. On one hand, all you had to do was read this blog to know that the Gaby injury risk was through the roof and several fans have had the sense since the All Star game that Gaby wanted out. On the other hand, until the Hack Sack Injury most wanted to keep Gaby as the Wild, like most teams, can’t be in the business of trading away goals. In the end I guess I will largely base my opinion on DR based on Russo’s - he has built a good track record of fairly analyzing DR. In retrospect right now, you could say DR should have gone all in on Rolston and let the Gaby trade happen for prospects/picks or keep him as an internal deadline trade of sorts and let him walk. But to get Rolston at a decent price, that call would have had to have been made in January which would have been tough.
do we have to send someone down or put someone on IR to make room?
i think you get wiggle room when a goalie is involved
SGS - thanks for the link on the Gaby rumor. I just wish something will happen with him soon, get healthy and start playing or trade him. Right now he is sort of like that shinny new christmas gift we are not allowed to play with. With a gimp to it of course.
Well, how about that. I guess they’re gonna need a back up for Barry. I hope my gear gets here in time. 
- FYI - McKenzie’s blog on Gaby is here - http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=256366
- I can see it in my mind - KC points up to the stands for ms.conduct after Brust gets hurt and she is already putting her helmet on
DR - Gaborik, 20-20 hindsight.
DR should’ve done as he said he would do and either get a contract or a trade done before the start of the season (before Gaborik had a chance to injure himself!). By not doing so he’s put himself in a hole. Nobody wants an injured, injury prone player.
LOL 6GS. I actually think they’d do better to put Constantine out there. He was a goalie back in the day, I believe. The new “hockey analyst” for the team, Matt Miller, is apparently a goalie coach on the side, too.
I’ll believe Gaby’s going when the Don says it. Until then, I can only wish it was all over.
I suppose I could play a pretty fierce stand up style goalie for the Aeros.
Slight lower body injury… Hmm… the list of possibilities.
At least its not like Gabby’s where its listed as a “lower body injury” when we all know its just a sore vag.
I’m back to the conspiracy theory on Gaborik’s injury. They’ve come up with an injury so rediculous that all other GM’s will understand that it’s not real. Hacky sack injury, wink wink nudge nudge… Gaborik is by far this teams most valuable asset and to risk a legitamite injury or playing through the season and Gabby walking (ala Rolston), DR has decided to put Gabby on ice until he can work out a trade. It actually makes sense once DR realized that Gabby wasn’t going to re-sign.
I am not super optimistic for tonights game. There are about three teams in the NHL that I seem to always believe we’re going to lose to: Detroit, SJ and Pit. Every other team I feel we can beat on any given day. We have to play perfect games against those three.
Dan…
Your post about Gho$t was right on.
Sadly, I don’t know if recognizing that is good for you… 
Goody: spot on. Ballgame stated all summer that an extension or trade would be done by the time the season started because he didn’t want the issue hanging over his or the team’s head. This injury is exactly why the trade should have been made when it became clear that Gaby/Salcer wanted more than what Ballgame was prepared to offer. To feel sorry for Ballgame now is pointless. While it is true that he could not “make/force” Gaby to sign an extension, it was on his shoulders to get a trade completed prior to the start of the season. He did not, Gaby shreds a historically weak “lower body” and now the team is stuck with a sniper on the shelf who has absolutely no trade value whatsoever. At this point, the best Ballgame can hope for, is that Gaby/Salcer come to the realization that the dollars Gaby would get in the open market has taken a decline of sorts with this latest injury and he “settles” for a reasonable offer from Ballgame, stays relatively healthy and continues to be productive on the ice. The flip side, of course, is that Gaby remains sidelined for the majority of the season; trade deadline comes and goes; Gaby signs a “reasonable” offer with another club on July 1 and Ballgame and the Wild are left to watch as the team’s all-time leader in offense, still in his 20s, walks without anything compensation for the team.
OMG - Now why would Gaby agree to not play?
I’ve heard this rumor as well and I don’t even think it is possible to hid a player on the injury list unless that play would agree to such thing. There is no chance a healthy Gaby would agree to such a move especially in a contract year when his stats will potential equal huge money in the off season. And further more there is absolutly no chance a money hungry “scum of the earth” agent would let his client agree to such move.
Thoughts?
DB - How do we know DR didn’t try to trade him and could not find a suitor to pony up anything in return? It’s easy to say DR should have traded him but we don’t know if there was any interest during the summer for such trade. I’m not disagreeing that he should have tried just that we don’t know if any other team was ready to play ball.
BDS: If you don’t think there would have been interest in Gaby from other GMs back in August, you haven’t been paying attention to the NHL very long. Getting something in return, whether it be a 2nd pick, or a couple of prospects, sure would have trumped what the trade value is now.
I doubt the league would let a team get away with hiding a healthy player on IR. Yeah, I know it happens, but usually that is because of roster space and who knows if the ‘injured’ player is really injured? In this instance, how could DR go to other teams and say Gaborik’s healthy, yep we’re cheating by having him on IR, wanna trade? Surely the league would get wind of this and not allow it.
BDS, good points. My only comeback is that Gabby (and his agent) knows his injury history too. He can sit out the first 30 games, get fully rested and then go to a contender who’s looking to overpay for a sniper.
As opposed to Gabby getting hurt in game 10, missing the next 20 games and then re-habbing the rest of the season. If I’m going to overpay, I’d rather overpay for a rested and 100% healthy Gabby.
I know it sounds far fetched but no more ridiculous than a hacky sack injury.
from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette blog (see link, right) blurb about the Wild:
“Wild Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Owen Nolan. He has 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 32 career games against the Penguins.”
Deep, I agree. DR should have had plenty of time to get a contract or deal done if he hadn’t insisted on dealing with PMB and SRV first. I realize what he can afford to pay Gaborik is limited by what he has left, but wouldn’t you prefer to wrap up your ‘franchise player’ first and worry about the other pieces later?
OMG says:
November 18th, 2008 at 11:08 am
“BDS, good points. My only comeback is that Gabby (and his agent) knows his injury history too. He can sit out the first 30 games, get fully rested and then go to a contender who’s looking to overpay for a sniper.”
This is called the Forsberg, or Floppa, method. Lets have no respect to my teammates who are fighting and working hard all season so I can play when it matters and I don’t get tired.
In Russo’s Foster article: Foster himself said that Gaborik is injured so he’s not sitting out.
DB - True, but come on a 2nd rd pick is not a trade that is stealing. Can you imagine how we would have lit up DR if he pulled the trigger on such deal in August. They will be able to get a 2nd rounder from 29 other teams for Gaby at the trade deadline regardless if he is healty or not. Oh, maybe not quite 29 teams but you get my point. Why give him away in August when you can do it in March if you have to?
richard b - except Foppa was actually injured and couldn’t really play even when he came back. It’s more like Niedermeier or the flying finn and all those players including Foppa were actually not under contract when they sat out.
This is going to be worse than the Hossa episode last year. It is just inevitable.
All the talk on Gaborik just makes my head spin these days.
ignore the Gaborik rumor and stick to the facts only. Makes things simple.
BDS - True. All those players holding out (now including Sundin this year) just kind of irratates me. See Roger Clemens
richard b - It also helps to make fun of him mercilessly. At least, it’s working for me.
Sundin is a UFA, no?
If Harding is out, do the Wild have goalie pads that would fit Burns?
NiNY - Yeap, he sure is.
KiPA: will STK and Geno be on the same line tonight?
At some point, quite possible. They won’t start together though, no. That experiment is back on the shelf.
Also, don’t fear our PP THAT much.
Sundin who?
JED - LOL! Could they just keep a set of goalie equipment on the bench that way he could play, wing or D and then quickly put the pads on if they needed him to.
I have a hard time saying an unrestricted free agent owes anybody anything. Selanne was in the same situation last year, IMO.
Now, Scotty Niedermayer was under contract to the Fowl last season. That’s a whole different ball of wax.
KiPA - trying to lull our PK into a comfort zone are you?
BDS, An Inglewood Jack of All Trades as it were? 
KiPA: I certainly wouldn’t put them on the same line, at least to start the game.
I’d make JL - without the last change - have to put Mikko out there against one of them - thereby potentially neutralizing his offense. And still have another world class scoring threat for another Wild line to have to try to check.
Hardly, BDS. We’re only converting 19%, given up five shorties already and are implementing a new guy into the mix. At times our PP looks really really ragged.
If you don’t think there would have been interest in Gaby from other GMs back in August, you haven’t been paying attention to the NHL very long
count me in as not paying attention to the NHL very long, too.
Goody - that would be sweet to see, would it not. Throw in him going IJ on someone like Cooke and it would be a night for the ages.
KiPA - With that talent it sounds like they are ready to break out of their slump at any time. I just hope it is not tonight.
Let’s not forget the cap space issues in regards to a Gaby trade early in the season or even now.
BDS and others interested in Gabby saga, I have believed all along that he is not injured. There has been absolutely no rumours, chatter or anything about him going to the “specialists” that treated him in the past for his tender loins. And if the team was preparing him to play or get back on the ice, I believe we would have heard something to that effect by now, but nothing…
And yes, it is not that hard to “hide” a guy on the IR, especially if he has the injury history that Mr. Tenderloins has.
Salcer and Gabby agree to this in order to KEEP him from really getting injured to protect both of their golden paydays they think they have coming up and to protect DR’s ability to try and deal him.
Gabby has an established body of work, and contracts can be issued based on that, or upon potential. Whatever he may have done or not done in the clubs games so far this season are of no real consequence. Every GM out there already has a read on him.
I don’t think he is hurt and I also think we have seen him in a Wild sweater for the last time….
KiPA, In that case, I’m going to go ahead and call Bella with a shorty tonight.
BDS, crap, I’d forgotten Cooke is now a Penguin. Boogey needs to line up against him and say “We’ll straighten you out you little prik.”
Oh that’s right. I forgot the Pens have Cookie now. Always interesting to see what happens when both teams have effective agitators in the lineup.
BDS: they can go 4-for-5 in one game, 7-for-11 over two, or they can go 1-for-8 or 0-for-9.
One of those shorthandeders we gave up? Came on a 5-minute major and a two-man advantage for two minutes. Puck went around the boards, second guy came out of the box, right as the puck got there and had an easy breakaway.
Also, don’t fear our PP THAT much.
What, you don’t think Philippe Boucher was the missing piece of the Pens’ powerplay?
Mojzis on waivers per tsn
Well, hells bells. Would LOVE to get him down in Houston!
BDS: they can go 4-for-5 in one game, 7-for-11 over two, or they can go 1-for-8 or 0-for-9.
huh…sounds like another team I know…
From Puck Daddy…
“Speaking of the New York Rangers, success isn’t translating into happiness for some fans. “There appear to be two schools of thought among Ranger fans right now: the ones who are happy and content with the team since they are indeed in first place and the ones who feel that this team is vastly underachieving and playing some crappy hockey.”
Guess that kind of blows our friendly neighborhood Troll’s arguement that NY fans demand winners to be happy… shores up my argument though… NY fans like to whine about their teams more than anyone.
Mojzis on waivers. Should signal IJ back to D?
Buddha: would it? Schultz, Johnsson, Zids, S-COOL-a, MAB and Reitz are your top six if BB is a winger. Isn’t that pretty much what we had against the BJs?
I would think IJ could still play on wing and be available on D for emergencies. When was the last time Moses was dressed for a game?
wow…the Don with a huge lunch above…
There is no way a trade of Gaby prior to the season would have yielded acceptable value. From the get go, the proven protocol is try and sign him or wait until after Jan 1 or as the trade deadline approaches to maximize his trade value. At this point, he still can bet back on the ice and rebuild some of his value. There isn’t some conspiracy to hide him. I am trying to imagine Gaby’s frame of mind right now as he watches literally millions of dollars circle the drain. This whole negotiation and all negotiations for that matter, is about betting the percentages. There is never a clear cut answer until after the fact which revisionist historians like to jump all over. But that’s like saying you should have gone all in after the cards are turned over.
Geez DB. If I had known that ragging you and your use of the sappy nickname Ballgame was going to launch you into a frenzy where you beat it to death a half dozen times in one post I would have never brought it up. Where is a Dan post so I can clear my head?
Cal Clutterbuck is 21. He can finally drink in the U.S.
Good to know that Cal can relax with a cold one after the game. After all, this will be his first expereince with Cookie the Turtle.
Happy B-Day Duckbutter.
I’m not sure I see Burns back on D for this game. Not so much because we’ve still got a complement of D with him on wing, but because JL might not want to put him back there for his first game back on D working against Crosby and Malkin.
Good stuff above, so Ottawa and NYR good trading partners? I’m sure the rumors will start flying now of potential trades but I’ll stay out for now.
Also, I hope Miettenen and Sheppard were on the side shooting at the empty net. JK, but I had to take that shot.
Another stupid trade roumer stating that Gaborik wants Burns to come with him. Some people have active imaginations. Gaborik’s Salsry is the main issue right now IMO. After the wild pay it down and get closer to the deadline he will be moverd for something more than he contributes this year.
Risebrough, by the way according to multiple sources, was at last night’s Ottawa-Rangers game — two teams I said weeks ago made sense for a potential Marian Gaborik trade.
Now the McKenzie article makes even more sense. I think Ottawa is our only hope for a trade on the soon side of things and I would think Harding could be in that mix. Get the ball rolling with a Backstrom extension DR!
*sniff* My baby’s all growed up!
Another stupid trade roumer stating that Gaborik wants Burns to come with him.
Hell why not put Mikko and 7 first round picks in that mix - it makes the same amount of sense.
In all seriousness, Bones, Boucher may have been. We could really use a veteran guy back there who knows what the heck he’s doing. But I’m thinking it’ll take a couple games to gel with everyone.
Cal should cele tonight by pounding Cooke for us.
Penguins GM Ray Shero was sitting in the stands with agent Paul Krepelka, Jordan Staal’s agent. Of the Penguins’ core, Staal is the only player not signed long-term.
*sigh*
Anyone who thinks he wasn’t drinking in the US already…
I’m with you SGS. Let’s send Him, Burns, Backs, Mikko, and the next three full drafts to LA for that bag of pucks I mentioned a few days ago. Except for that much, we better get two autogrpahs.
Though actually Letang and Goligoski aren’t signed long-term either, so the Don’s not totally correct on that note.
Toronto:
Marian Gaborik
Brent Burns
Josh Harding
Minnesota:
Nik Antropov
Tomas Kaberle
Justin Pogge
TOR 2010 1st round draft pick (Top 10 protected)
Most retarded trade ever….
Send Groinick to Ottawa for Antoine Vermette and a 2nd round pick.
Be happy that we got anything for the over inflated, oft-injured, “sniper”.
Gabby’s greed and fragile body have set back the Wild 3 years, since they most likely will get nothing of value in a trade.
Bring back Branko!
Radio was actually leading his KHL team in points last I saw.
Send Gaborik to the KHL and get Simon and Branko back.
Catching up on some old posts. The troll used the word “homie”. Don Russo? Please ask the crack Strib IT staff to look into one of those “Ignore Poster” buttons.
Indeed Buddha. Seen it with my own eyes. At least, I’m assuming that wasn’t an O’Douls in his hand. Funny that they’d send an underage player do a fan event at a bar, but whatever. Glad he was there as my entertainment for the night was watching some puck bunny working Cal and then getting blown off and then looking all dejected. Ha! Awesome.
6GS, yeah, but that’s it. If they ask for 8 1st round picks we tell ‘em to take a hike.
Ms. C, speed reading and that last post led me in a very different direction from where you intended.
you have to respect the puck bunny plying her trade in Houston, man. That’s dedication. Either that or evidence that the Federal Witness Relocation program is alive and well.
seriously, ms.c: is there a decent puck bunny population in Houston? I’m obviously completely ignorant on the topic.
Ottawa is sucking now and they might be willing to do something to shake up their team. Richards might be out for a little bit too due to a leg injury from last night’s game.
I don’t know if they would be willing to let go any of their big 3 but they do have Vermette and other secondary underperforming players.
even if goddard isn’t playing,wouldn’t it be a good idea to at least put weller in,just to keep cooke from laying a few more cheap shots than usual on our guys,or do the coaches think that burns/nolan/clutterbuck will take care of him if he acts up,not to fight,because everyone knows he wont,but just to knock him on his butt a few times
I think JL is happy with the 6 d-men that have been skating so waive moses, send him to houston, bring back kolanos to give him another look. keep burns at forward but use him at D if skoula needs to be scratched.
makes good sense to me but then i haven’t paid attention to the NHL lately.
However, some of these secondary players are signed to good long contracts. Ottawa would be an idiot to give them up. That would mean be locking up 4 players to huge contracts with rookies or grinders.
Doesn’t quite make sense for Ottawa.
Russo- you rock. Thanks for the updates.
sunshine: I know Fisher got dinged last night in the Rags game…
listen, G*, come back after you’ve started paying attention, will ya? sheesh.
Where there are hockey players, there are puck bunnies. At least that’s my theory.
Goody, I pondered my choice of words and decided it was appropriate to the situation.
Kev in PA: You think they’ll get a deal struck with Staal soon? I don’t think they can afford to give him more than $4 mil/season, so he’ll have to agree to the hometown discount like Sid, Geno, Free Candy, and Flower did.
Goligoski and/or Letang won’t be long-term Penguins…
hey Russo: how did they look at the skate? Loose like before the BJs game (God help us)?
SGS,
I agree that Ottawa would probably ask for a goalie if they are trading with us.
I hope we get more then Vermette. He is in a two year contract starting this season so we would go through the same deal next year.
Why am I the only one that has an issue with IJ at wing? It just sits funny with me. I guess I need to just get over it.
Uhm….DR at the Sens - Rangers game, maybe the trade talk is heating up after all. Could DR be working this one the right way by playing a bunch of Eastern Conference teams against each other. They could fill a need at sniper and make sure he doesn’t go to one of the teams rivals.
The Toronto deal above must dream by a Leaf fan. No way IJ is being traded, JL would quite on the spot.
I’m not loving him at wing, Buddha, but stuff like this, I just tend to accept that the brain trust is doing the right thing at least for now.
I second that Ms. C. It also shows what a team player he is. “Wherever you want me coach!” or something like that.
Six Goalie System says:
November 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Now the McKenzie article makes even more sense. I think Ottawa is our only hope for a trade on the soon side of things and I would think Harding could be in that mix. Get the ball rolling with a Backstrom extension DR!
OTT has $2.804M in cap space.
Only 7 players signed past the 10/11 season.
6-9-3 record so far
But I’m not seeing who they’d part with AND have the $$ work out.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
BDS, good point on the team player thing. I wonder if JL’s trying to send a message to someone who maybe wasn’t happy with the position where they were being played.
Green*…did you post something?
I wasn’t paying attention.
Gho$t/Harding (may as well be a Red Cross Package Deal) for Spezza + 1st and 2nd round pick.
Would anyone take that deal? Ok, maybe not the Sens. If you can waive a magic wand to guarantee that Backstrom stays healthy, I would.
Gaborik and Harding for Vermette and Gerber works money wise - just saying.
Hasn’t Gerber been playing backup lately? $3.7M cap hit, UFA at the end of this season…
Gaborik could be re-united with (long lost friend?) Kuba…
kj - I would take it even if it meant Burns would have to pitch in as goalie once in awhile.
The Gaby deal with be done when it gets done. He needs to mend first and the value must be received.
Meanwhile, its not fair to heap so much criticism on DR over it.
If Spezza is not part of the deal with the Sens I would stay away. I want Spezza in a IRR sweater.
Risebrough, by the way according to multiple sources, was at last night’s Ottawa-Rangers game
Ideal DR Trade:
Gabby for Gomez straight up, with a Gabby approved contract from NY.
Realistic DR Trade:
Gabby for Voros and a 2010 2nd Rd Pick
kj- I’d certainly take it. Bad deal for the Sens though. Not sure they are willing to give up on Gerber either. From what I have seen, Gerber isn’t the problem, it’s team defense. Easily explained by the fact that Kuba is there. He’s good for at least one goal against per game.
On Burns… I would be the first to give IJ props for the team first attitude. It was just really nice to have a lock on the blue line. A real stud, you know? Then they move him. Mind blowing.
If it ain’t broke, fix it ’til it is.
Make sure the trade brings back Kuba here. Then we could have the true Skuba defensive pairing.
Gunslinger - Gomez does very little for me at this point in his career. How long ago since he put up numbers worthy of his salary, 2-3 years ago?
Yeah, but Kuba’s got 1 goal, 14 assists and is a plus 4! It looks like he’s not the D problem.
BDS - but he would be a legitimate #2 center here behind Mikko.
1. He has stayed consistently healthy (avg. about 79 games a season, not including the lock-out year)
2. Has put up consistently high assists (54 last year, 47 the year before)
3. Has played pretty nuetral on the +/- for the last 3 seasons.
He’s not a finisher, but I think both teams would get a high-quality player in return, and both would be happier with the on-ice product.
Looking quickly at Gomez stats I should not be so quick to judgement. He had 70 point last year which is OK but not great at his pricetag. He has only had one season with more then 19 goals so for goal scoring replacement he would not cut it.
Great, so we’d get another ‘playmaker’ who doesn’t put the puck in the net. Just what we need.
He is in a two year contract starting this season so we would go through the same deal next year.
not nearly the same deal. if it is than we already have the same deal seeing zids and yawnson are both UFA next year along with belanger and nolan and weller…
It was just really nice to have a lock on the blue line. A real stud, you know?
my invalid opinion is Burns was having trouble on when to and when not to go forward. I felt he wanted to go all the time but that just can’t be from the back line. he is good when he goes so why not play him up front? especially when you would end up scratching a d-man that is playing well enough to be in lineup?
Gun - Looks like we are in more agreement then we thought.
Buddha: I am not happy to see Burns at wing. I am just accepting as is because he happens to be the best person at that spot. You aren’t seeing it from Gillies, Weller, Boogaard, SRV or Clutterbuck. Even Mittens hasn’t been showing much and was downgraded to the checking line last game. Its sad that we have no healthy offensive forward that we have to move Burns to the wing. What’s up with that?
Since you guys are back on trade speculation, I’ll remind you of what I said previously:
The trade will be a 3-way deal with Ottawa and Chicago, and will involve ‘Bulin in some form. Wild get Spezza.
Ok, that trade may still happen, but with MAF down the Pens might be in need of a backup - lol j/k KiPA lol. Really, Jersey needs goaltending, as does Ottawa, but so do a lot of other teams and with the success Chicago has had, I’m not sure they’re in any hurry to move ‘Bulin.
So….
Back to the drawing board. Ottawa also needs a puck moving defenceman (Canadian spelling for a Canadian team), about as much as a decent goaltender - of which there should be several available near the trade deadline, if it’s not too late for them.
The Wild have a puck moving defenseman. Actually, they have a couple. Then it hit me. Both teams can get what they need here, and it works on all levels.
So, here’s my prediction:
Gaborik, Johnsson and a conditional 1st for Spezza and Donovan.
Ok, so Johnsson and Donovan are variables - it might be MAB and Ruutu.. But you get the idea. I think it might be Johnsson because he’s older, makes far more, and Ottawa would be looking for the experience he brings.
Bones: I don’t know if Staal wants to take a hometown discount. I think he wants to be a top player somewhere else, not third-fiddle to Sid and Geno.
What’s going to happen to Letang and Goligoski? Why won’t both be long-term Penguins?
Does it feel as if we have more grinders/3rd liners/4th liners this year than last year?
it might be MAB and Ruutu
And there will be a mass riot at the home and office of one Mr. D. Risebrough.
For some folks, Ruutu might be an upgrade over Gaborik.
I’m sure if Ruutu ever wore a IRR sweater we would embrace him… or maybe not. 
BDS - Looks that way now huh
I would just rather have a guy who is dependable than Gabby. Put Gomez on a line with Butch and Nolan, and you may have enough to put up some quality points.
See what I mean, KiPA?
So I know I have not been around much… but I just had to say that this:
Toronto:
Marian Gaborik
Brent Burns
Josh Harding
Minnesota:
Nik Antropov
Tomas Kaberle
Justin Pogge
TOR 2010 1st round draft pick (Top 10 protected)
Is the most ABSURD trade offer I have ever heard. If DR pulled something like that he would be castrated. I mean seriously who in the world is Justin Pogge?
If anyone thinks Burns is going anywhere, they need to be evaluated.
attention Russoville trade mongers and Gaby non-apologists:
The Don amended the latest meal to include pertinent information about Risebrough’s travel itinerary over the last 48 hours.
He’s a G in the Leaf’s system somewhere. I agree though, I don’t know why anyone thinks we’d swap a goaltender for another unproven goaltender.
I heard about the Antropov rumor, but that one doesn’t make sense either.
Burns.. While I’m sure Toronto would love him, he’s signed LT at a reasonable price, plays forward and back, and has so much future potential, he’s worth way more… which shows teh posted just looked up Kaberle’s salary - as he’s absolutely worthless anyway.
Thanks Nick.
NiNY:
That update means nothing. The idea that DR was going to the game to scout is enough to fuel talk.
NiNY.. I don’t think it means much. With all the weather out there, he ends up where his team is.
Pogge’s a pretty good goalie, actually. Not sure I’d swap him for Harding though. I’m not sure either team benefits from that deal.
my invalid opinion is Burns was having trouble on when to and when not to go forward.
+ 1
It’s still funny to me Green*
NiNY -…so you are saying there is still a chance….
Just not today.
More grist for the mill but note the Don’s/NiNY’s note above about DR. Also, surprised VAN does not want a D-man back with Bieksa out.
The Senators could be stepping up their pursuit of defenceman Mattias Ohuld.
Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis and assistant Lawrence Gilman were on the list of scouts for last night’s Senators-Rangers game at Madison Square Garden and GM Bryan Murray hasn’t made any secret of the fact he’s looking for a puck-moving defenceman.
While the Gillis’ Canucks were playing across town on Long Island, it’s believed contract talks with Ohlund have been fruitless and if they continue to go nowhere, he might be asked to waive his no-movement clause to accept a deal elsewhere.
It’s believed the Senators are willing to move winger Antoine Vermette. The Canucks are far from their only potential trading partner.
Murray has been working the phones vigorously and Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough was also in attendance.
There were also two scouts from Columbus and Los Angeles among the eight teams that were represented.
A league executive told Sun Media that Murray “might be one of the most active GMs working the phones right now” next to Tampa Bay’s Brian Lawton, who has been offering virtually every player on his roster.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2008/11/18/pf-7449421.html
I’m not making any judgment. I’m just pointing out that there is more information on the situation.
(Though, all it would really mean to me is that they were unable to talk about anything - including possible Gaborik negotiations - in person. The people that want a trade to happen are going to take this and run with it no matter what.)
NiNY - …so you are saying there is still a chance…
Just no trade today.
That’s cool ms. c. I was only pointing out that I had no clue who the guy was.
I find it difficult to imagine a world where DR would think it was cool to involve Burns in a trade… especially since he held so strong in favor of Shep last season. Honestly, between the two I would give up Shep long before I would Burns. I love Shep, but Burns is money in the bank.
Sorry gang, stupid double post.
What’s going on that suddenly the trade rumors are in hyperdrive? Does that usually happen this time of year?
I’m still curious why a Habs scout was at an Aeros game a while back. I suppose he could have been scouting the Chops.
Yeah, I know ATX. Minor league goaltenders not exactly household names.
Chalk me up as another unhappy to see Burns at forward. A top defenseman vs. a third line forward. Hmm…we must love our forward prospect depth.
Into - Oh goody, another 3rd line forward, I agree no thanks.
Before we start guaranteeing that Burns or anybody else is “untradeable”, just harken back to 8-9-88 when a young man with the initials Wayne Gretzky was sent packing. Not putting Burns in the same category, but never say never.
SGS:
Vermette is the player other teams are always asking about in a trade with Ottawa. So far he’s been off limits, but with their recent slide and the gloom and doom folks in the Ottawa media pointing out that they’re not in the playoff race yet - they may be willing to make a change.
Murray needs to do something, and something soon. If they continue their sub-par play, he’ll be out of a job sooner than Vermette’s out of town.
So it doesn’t surprise me that 8 teams are scouting them. They do need to get a deal or two done, and soon - and there are a lot of options on the table.
However, with regard to the Ohlund situation… With Bieska out, Ohlund is suddenly rather valuable in Vancouver right now. They can’t afford to lose him or trade him right now. At the deadline, maybe, but not now.
I don’t really care about Burns at forward - as long as he’s cool with it, which it would appear he is.
You can’t argue with 2-0-0 with him there, and, to me anyway, that’s the most important thing (wins).
Chalk me up as another unhappy to see Burns at forward.
Ok, be unhappy. Criticism of the coaching staff is something we reserve for after a really bad decision that costs you a game, or points.
We’re way beyond armchair quarterbacking here. We criticize the players, the management, and the league
That’s true, NiNY. However, it still bothers me that we have no other forward who can be in the top 6 that we have to put Burns there.
Its still a sad state of affairs.
DB - I agree that no one really is untradable depending on what is being offered. The trades above involving a certain Wild player that can play both Wing and D has not even offered equal value.
I see your point G*, I really do. I think Burnsy needed a kick in the pants, told to stay back. Play the way he did last year.
Seems like it would have been an easy fix though, rather than the extreme of moving him up front.
I am coming to see the value of having him up there, but I still don’t like it. I will fully admit I have no real justification for not liking it. I just don’t.
Trades are usually not of equal value. There is a winner and a loser. Its rare that its a win-win situation.
Why do people think that Burns being up front is related to his defensive play?
Its because we DO NOT have an offensive forward and Burns is our most offensive forward. We aren’t getting offensive production from Weller, Gillies, Boogie, Clutterbuck and SRV.
Sunshine - exactly my point and if any of the “non tradables” on the Wild are moved it need to be in a transaction where the Wild come out as the winner.
MuN - I agree on the Bieska - Ohlund issue but the article was from today so who knows.
Way off topic and trade information but doesn’t Bergeron look like The Great Gazoo from the Flintstones? Especially when he has the green helmet on, it looks so big!
Trades are usually not of equal value. There is a winner and a loser. Its rare that its a win-win situation.
Especially when one team is basically in “must-sell” mode. Sometimes they have to throw in an additional asset to get a decent return.
Well, how many other guys do we have in the system that we A) drafted in the first round and B) at forward?
How many teams have spare top six forwards languishing on the 3rd and 4th lines? How many teams have spare top six FORWARDS playing DEFENSE?
Burns is effectively replacing Gaborik on the top 2 lines. I think that says more about him than it does about the other guys in the lineup.
I’ve got no problem with Burns playing forward. Great skater, great hands, awareness, ect., ect…..
IMO, He could make a hell of a centerman, in the mold of his buddy Getzlaf.
Nick. Dude. Mail.
I agree Albatross, but the transformation won’t happen overnight. We’d be looking at a season long trial.
KiPA: I’ve got nothing.
When is Gaborik coming back? Why not keep Kolanos on roster? Kolanos is fast and can score goals.
You will. You will.
(Or at least you should.)
KiPA: Got it.
For the last time: NO I DO NOT WANT TO BUY ANY VIAGRA FROM YOU!
Hey Russo,
Give us Jason Spezza for Gaborik, if we cant sign him, seems like Ottawa needs a shake up. Then sign Darren McCarty or Kyle Mclaren. Then we have a shot at winning something.
Mr.KIA…no acid here, and one sniper isnt going to get us anywhere. We need talented centers like Spezza, and Antropov who are big strong guys. And we need better defense because skoula, johnsson, MAB,Zidlicky, and Reitz wont ever stop big offensive players. We saw this in the San Jose game, we got dominated in the third period by what? Every year we get ousted by size.
Our defense has a major flaw, and you will all realize it in the playoffs when things really count.
So DR didn’t even make it to the OTT/NYR game to scout… That could only mean that the deal is done and scouting is unnecessary!
NiNY: I think it says more about DR than Burns. Lemaire is putting a band-aids on this team.
I give credit to Burns for taking this on but the problem lays with DR. It goes back to drafting, drafting, drafting.
If boogey is scratched-not even worth watching-chicken s#$% lemaire. hope godard has fun.
Buddha, in case he doesn’t look at it, tell your nephew I made him another offer.
sunshine: I guess I really can’t argue that with you. Our 2004 draft turned into Zidlicky. That’s pretty rough. Our 2005 draft has produced 3 points at the NHL level. The rest of the players chosen in the first round AFTER Pouliot have produced 332 points in the NHL. Ouch.
I still say that most coaches in the league, when losing a top six forward, are also forced to apply a band-aid, though. Our best band aid just happens to also play defense.
KiPA: still nothing. But if it’s another offer to sell me little blue pills, the answer is still NO!
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying Burns is untouchable, but there is definately no reason to trade him, and unless we get something HUGE in return for a Gabby/Burns package, any rumor that has Burns in the grouping I am immediately dismissing.
If DR would not trade Shep last season, he is not going to trade Burns this season.
Burns is untouchable.
Unless we’re getting Zetterberg’s, AO’s, Malkin’s, etc. in return, Burns and Koivu are off limits. These two have at least 5-6 years of All Star seasons ahead of them.
I think even Doug knows that. If he trades either of these two I’ll buy the pitchforks and torches for the march.
I would also put Weber and Phaneuf on that list.
…as long as we’re in fantasy land, that is…
2+ hours until the puck drops. What’s the beverage of choice tonight?
hmm…good point, BDS…give me a moment to check the inventory…
And to be clear, I wouldn’t expect to get AO for Burns.
I would just be sick if we traded Burns for some 27yr old ham-n-egger and a 5th rounder in 2010 and a 7th rounder in 2025. One-step-forward, five-steps back.
how about: $2 domestic drafts and tequila shots, and I’ll put out some GENO’S pizza rolls and “Penguin” wings as appetizers.
Speaking of which, do we need a Wild in-game drinking game?
You know, like, every time…
…Boogey hits someone, you drink
…Boogey gets a shot on goal, you drink
…Boogey scores, you finish a six pack
…Terhaar blows a name, you drink (that one will kill ya)
etc??
Man, you know how to throw a party, Nick!
Terhaar’s voice cracks - you drink
…and by the way “F” Direct TV for not giving me Versus in my basic package.
NiNY -Sounds great but I’ll pass on the tequila and will break out the Scotch by the third period. OK, maybe by the second….
Terhaar’s voice cracks - you drink
The only thing deadlier than that would be to drink every time you hear “smurf” during an episode of the Smurfs.
Add C-Bucks hits someone you drink. That will add a few more sips to your game.
ATX - You think we need more sips…?
Burns at W, is because where else do we get some balanced scoring potential?
NiNY: How about adding one to your list, just for tonight?
Any mention on Versus of, “Gaborik” — you drink
That will get the party started, for sure!
Terhaar’s voice cracks - you drink
Dumber complains about the officiating - you drink.
Quasimoto uses a word with 3 syllables - you drink…oh wait…nevermind this one…we want to drink.
The Gun: instant classic!
6GS: LOL
Austin: good call
WRT: love it
kj: Does “uhn uhn uhn” count as a multi-syllabic word for Gorg?
ATX - Dude are you coming up in early January? I’m trying to plan a trip to Jackson Hole, so let me know. Also, how did we end up playing each other in both FF and FH this week?
C’mon Nick, it’s a great deal!
Michael up North has it right. There is bitching on this board about nearly every single thing you can even think about but he forgot to include the announcers on his list of what pisses posters off.
Burns is not going anyplace neither is Koivu or the core players (unless it is really a blockbuster deal) because their attitude is what you build a team around.
Of course the Wild is short of scoring. Their best scorer, Gaby, has played so little you could just as well say he was absent all of the time.
And, that ain’t DR’s fault either. A multi-million dollar deal takes time and it takes time to find out you ain’t got no deal. You would prefer to keep him, if he wants to be here. But, it takes time to find that out. If you recall, DR visited him personally in Slovokia last summer.
Seems like it would have been an easy fix though, rather than the extreme of moving him up front.
moving burns to forward addresses many things. it isn’t just because maybe his defence has been suspect. its not a secret that burns has gotten caught pinching more than once. we can’t really afford that. but can we afford to not have him pinch. he is a good winger. plus, if burns only plays D, then someone has to sit and none of the D are playing poorly to warrent a scratch. so, if burns is ok with it, why not put him up front, play the 6 that are playing well in back and ride her til she bucks ya? if burns goes back to d then what reitz is a scratch and some combo of boogaard, weller or gillies is in, right? i think, for the makeup of the team we have right now, burns is helping more up front than in back. i aslo believe that as soon as one of the d-men falter, burns will be right back.
NiNY…to Quasimoto ‘unh unh unh’ is 4 syllables.
Welcome back IceMan…all the positivity in this blog stinks…
Pens wearing the pretty blues tonight. Yay.
if burns goes back to d then what reitz is a scratch and some combo of boogaard, weller or gillies is in, right? i think, for the makeup of the team we have right now, burns is helping more up front than in back. i aslo believe that as soon as one of the d-men falter, burns will be right back.
Exactly.
This is an exciting night. I’m in the same building as Russo.
Tim says:
November 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
When is Gaborik coming back? Why not keep Kolanos on roster? Kolanos is fast and can score goals.
Tim, to answer your questions:
1. He’s not. He’ll be traded this week.
2. There’s no space for Kolanos on the roster right now. We’ve got 2 healthy scratches right now, and we have a problem in the fact that Harding is hurt and we need to call up Schaeffer. That means we’re over the roster limit, unless someone gets sent down, or waived. Well, we did waive Moses, but still need to send down Kolanos. If there’s a space on the roster, I’m sure he’ll get called up.
———————
Moving on to more important things, like the beverage selection for tonight. We have White Russians, a couple of chick beers, and some percocet.
On the menu: Unsure as of now. My daughter needs to get off her rear and decide what she wants to make.
Kids are like free employees
By the way.. I saw a few posts about whether someone would want Spezza or not.
Let me enlighten you. If there were one player on the current healthy roster you’d like a duplicate of, whom would it be?
My bet is 9/10 of you say Koivu. Spezza is Koivu, just faster.
MuN-
Sold. I’ll take 2.
KiPA? You’re IN the arena? And you’re posting? Nice going getting anything out of that band box…
Pens in the baby blues tonight? Must be an extra special blowout coming this evening…maybe one that will drive Gaby all the way…to Ot-TEE-waaahhh…
…or not. MuN: I’d take Spezza for Gaby in a micron…
This is an exciting night. I’m in the same building as Russo.
It’s the little things in life.
I post from here regularly WRT.
This game needs to end. And now.
Lemmi, it looks less and less like we will be able to make it. I gotta go to FL in early Feb so we probably won’t make it. Don’t wait for us to plan your trip.
Good luck everyone! I have to wait for the other half to get home before starting the game. If we catch up to the action I will be back! Go Wild!
FOOD.
OK, the announcers are making me sick already.
Let’s play hockey. GO WILD.
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vote backstrum for all star game i can give you at least 5 reasins why 1. he 3rd place for gaa 2. he is 3rd for saves 3. his 2nd for shutout 4. 2nd wins
his one of the best at evrisign
