Friday update: Lace ‘em up
Posted on November 21st, 2008 – 2:43 PMBy Brian Stensaas
So after last night’s game you want to see the Wild skate a little bit more? Trust me, the team has.
After 45 minutes or so of drills (no cheap ones, either), coach Jacques Lemaire had the team leisurely skate in a circle. Then, accompanied by the chirp of a whistle, each line was called out to do one lap. Hard.
“Gold! … tweet … Blue! … tweet … Grey! … tweet … D! … tweet”
This went on for a good 5-10 minutes, which if you’ve ever skated laps you know is a long time.
Was there a message being sent?
“It’s not a message. It’s what I feel the team needs,” Lemaire said.
And that is?
“Well, we skated,” Lemaire answered. “I just feel that it was the proper time to give them a little skate. Period.”
Lemaire figured it has been about a month since he put the Wild through such a rigorous workout.
“And it won’t be the last one, there will be more,” Lemaire said, laughing.
Asked if the skating was something the team needed, veteran Owen Nolan said, “That’s the coach’s call not mine. I don’t have any idea.”
One player who was flying during these skates was Cal Clutterbuck. Perhaps the kid had a little extra oomph in his step after playing a solid game against the Canucks (three shots on goal, eight hits in under 10 minutes). Or maybe it was the blades. Before practice, Clutterbuck laced up a new pair of Bauers. They replaced the old pair he had been using since last training camp.
In watching Clutterbuck from the pressbox last night, I was certain he was going to get his first NHL goal. Or at least his first NHL point. I wasn’t alone.
“Oh, yeah,” Clutterbuck said today. “Last night was definitely the closest I came [to scoring]. I think I had three good chances last night, and maybe I can think of three the last six, seven games. It felt good just to get close.”
I predict Clutterbuck will score soon, even if he doesn’t get the most minutes. His solid play has not gone unnoticed by those with far better hockey minds than me. Lemaire said Clutterbuck has one of the best shots on the team, and getting a goal out of him would be a bonus considering Lemaire did not expect Clutterbuck to play this much this season. Now, it appears it will be hard to keep him off the team.
“I think it’s going to come,” Lemaire said. “He will get some goals.”
By the way, things were switched up a little bit today for the top three lines.
Bouchard was with Sheppard and Veilleux; Belanger with Miettinen and Burns; and Nolan with Koivu and Brunette. Perhaps this will shake loose some offense out of this team. Refer to the previous post for some startling numbers …
The homestand continues Saturday night with St. Louis in town. Russo steps back into the lead role then. Time for me to get some more work done.
123 Responses to "Friday update: Lace ‘em up"
Did Butch and Shep practice hitting golf balls in to the ocean?
1. The team has been so awful this month. They can’t score even strength, they start out almost every period in quick sand, at the very minimum, they deserved to get skated.
2. Clutterbuck and Pouliot deserve more minutes. Those 2 should get 15 a game. They are the 2 hardest working players on the team that aren’t Koivu and Backstrom. It’s easy to find more minutes for them too. Take some time away from the ever invisible Bouchard, and take some time away from Miettinen.
ms.c is going to be in heaven with this post, Stencils.
Sir Pee Wee (Bouchard the Invisible) should get some time at the stove.
I’ve got a good recipe for caramel corn…
Well, if anything is going to slap PMB out of his scoring funk, I’m sure it will be playing with SRV and Shepp. I don’t know for sure, but through 17 games what does that trio have combined, 5 points? 6?
Asked if the skating was something the team needed, veteran Owen Nolan said, “That’s the coach’s call not mine. I don’t have any idea.”
Could you imagne Demo’s answer to this last year? You suppose Nolan likes his job? May be the difference between a professional and, well… Demo.
Buddha, I can appreciate the fact that many don’t like Demo for whatever reason, but right now, I would take a half-dozen guys who question and complain and can actually put the puck in the net over a half-dozen guys who keep quiet and put 1 or 2 points on the board every 8-10 games. This team needs finishers. Plain and simple.
Jeez…sounds like all JL was missing was Tim Harrer… 
With all the everyone else bashing this year, I think we have overlooked one.
Veilleux, where has he been this year. Where’s he on the forecheck (invisible), where is he breaking the puck out of our zone? I know he’s a role player, I would just like to see that role expand to more than the PK.
Demitra would say the same as Nolan publicly. Privately, that’s another matter. Remember it was Rolston, who was the catalyst of the optional skates.
The players know they deserve it after how they played last night. Its not like its a shock for them to be skating that hard.
Before I can roasted for suggestion Demo is Gretzky and Lemieux’s long-lost son, which I wasn’t doing, I just think people forget that players like Demo have been very effective offensivly when put in the right spot. Right now Demo has 5 goals and 10 points in 10 games. Don’t know if he’ll be able to keep up a point-per game pace, but if he plays 60 games this year, I don’t think too many people would be surprised if he finishes with 55-60 points. Right now, the Wild has one player (Franchise) who is kicking in a pouint per game. Does it seem like there is anyone else on the roster that is even remotely close to doing that over the course of the year? Not hardly. All comes down to the fact that the Wild is in dire need of finishers. Whether that means a trade, or other players are called up to be given a legitimate shot or something else, but 24 even-strength goals in 17 games is embarassing.
Jock and Puckerbutt should get a room. I’ve never heard Jock be that complimentary. Remember when SRV knocked in a couple goals and all Jock could say was, “I hope he doesn’t think he’s Gaborik now”. Gotta love it. Keep ‘em humble.
What’s the scouting report on Mitten’s? He came out of the gates hot but seems to have cooled.
Anyone read the back page of today’s Sports page (not sure if it was online)? Doug is basically giving Shep the vote of confidence. He says that Yeti put up huge #’s in junior’s. I’m keeping a glass half full attitude toward the platapuss.
Sunshine, did that actually play that poorly last night? I thought for 45-50 minutes the team played like the Wild team plays. Keep it close, relay heavily on Backstop and hopefully catch a break or two to score a goal. I’m hoping that fans and/or coaches don’t expect this team to put in 4 or 5 goals a night cuz it ain’t gonna happen. The team lost Huggy, Demo and Parrish. While many people were happy to see them leave, they accounted for a great deal of the team’s offense last year. They were replaced with Olden, Bruno and Mittens. Way-past prime, old-n-slow who needs someone to create, and unproven. Then, you throw in the Gaby injury to subtract that offense and you have the results that we have seen. A lineup full of guys that struggles mightily to score goals, as 24 5-on-5 goals in 17 games would attest. I just didn’t think the team played all that poorly last night. The philosophy of winning 2-1 simply did not work out.
Goody, they both play either wing.
If Jl is hell bent on not mixing the two of them then the natural next step is Shep- Burns- Gaby
I like better Belanger- Gaby & Butch or Belanger- Gaby- Burns
Belanger has really picked up his game
JL has to loosen up and take some chances with regards to scoring goals. At the beginning of the year he started off with Gaby-SRV- Sheppard. That may work for JL, but certainly not Gaby, so this shows JL needs to loosen up.
I have written that Gaby and PMB should play together. Offensive brains think a like. Srv has no business playing with Gaby. This shows me that JL has to relax for the good of the team. When Gaby comes back he needs to play with PMB, and that is final. Take some Ex-lax JL.
Goody says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
MKIA, have you considered that PMB and Gaborik both play right wing? Which would you move to the left side and why?
Come on… all I wanted to do is make fun of Demo… you guys are no fun today. No cliches, no feeding the trolls, now I can’t make fun of Demo either?
I’m going to have to get a real job if this keeps up… Come on boys, score some goals so I can have some fun back.
Totally off topic but would it be at all possible for us to pry Rick Nash away from the BJ’s next year when he is in the same boat as Gaby? Or would that be a big FU to their few remaining fans who think of the Wild as the NHL’s golden child and themselves as the red headed step child?
Burrows has as many goals as Koivu and 5 less points playing against top checkers in 20 games.
What does that say about the rest of our offense?
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Lucky: I think Howson would be a fool not to try to re-build around Nash. The kid is unbelievable.
That said, if I were Nash I’d be asking for the moon considering how crappy that team has been since day one. They have to have the space, but I’m not positive they’ll have the inclination to afford that…not when they could get a top line player and probably a 1st rounder (at least) for him on the market.
Deep: The game lasts 60 minutes not 45-50 minutes. And if you listen to Lemaire’s post-game comments, it wasn’t surprising to see them being skated today.
sunshine: we don’t have a “rest of our offense”. It starts and stops with Franchise, sorry to say.
sunshine: I didn’t say they played a complete game, but the first 2 periods the Wild had much more control than the Nux, we just don’t have finishers that can take advantage when they have an open net. Not saying the Wild didn’t need a good sweat today, but I didn’t think last night was anything more than what the current Wild roster is capable of: keep it close, rely on Backstop and pray for a couple of goals.
Gabbys a wuss.
I have written that Gaby and PMB should play together. Offensive brains think a like. Srv has no business playing with Gaby. This shows me that JL has to relax for the good of the team. When Gaby comes back he needs to play with PMB, and that is final.
Bouchard is a scrub and should be dealt or put on the 3rd or 4th lines. He didn’t deserve the contract he got this past offseason and he sure doesn’t deserve to play with the weakest groin in the history of mankind.
Oh no doubt NiNY, Nash is a great player to build around but how much does he love Columbus? They’ve been the Timberwolves of the NHL since entering the league. I understand that they have made the changes needed to right the wrongs but it’s still going to take time to fix the franchise. It will be on Nash to decide if that is the team to stick with or if the grass could be greener on the other side. I would imagine that he would like to play for fans who love hockey(ish that made me feel like DR & co.).
Yet another week has gone by, and its still the same village idiots hangin around Russoville. But for once, youre not hating on the most under appreciated Wild player, Skoula. What gives? You guys still suck. See you next week.
Nick in New York says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Lucky: I think Howson would be a fool not to try to re-build around Nash. The kid is unbelievable.
That said, if I were Nash I’d be asking for the moon considering how crappy that team has been since day one. They have to have the space, but I’m not positive they’ll have the inclination to afford that…not when they could get a top line player and probably a 1st rounder (at least) for him on the market.
It doesn’t sound like he’s interested in staying in Columbus from what the Columbus broadcasters were saying.
Ugh! That was my post RE: Nash. Things must be crossed up in the series of tubes…
It depends if Nash wants to stay in Columbus. He says he does but until he signs on the dotted line, it might not happen. Howson has the money to make him a great long-term deal but if he wants out, trade is inevitable.
CBJ has a lot of good up-and-coming players in Brassard, Vorachek, Filatov, and a couple of others. With that in mind, Nash might be willing to stay to see how the team pans out.
sunshine says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Deep: The game lasts 60 minutes not 45-50 minutes. And if you listen to Lemaire’s post-game comments, it wasn’t surprising to see them being skated today.
They played maybe 15 minutes of good hockey last night. Most of the night the puck was in their end. The majority of the 3rd period, even when the Wild weren’t killing off penalties, it seemed like they were. This team simply never has a sense of urgency. They sit on their heals and play way too much defense apparently forgetting there is a whole other side to hockey.
Four trolls on one thread…. ATX… please… come on… you’re killing me here…
What is a little curious is why everyone seems surprised that the team is struggling for offense. Franchise has been great; Gaby is out hurt and we dumped Huggy, Demo and Parrish. Did everybody expect massive things out of Shepp? He had 15 points last year. I think that we can all agree that PMB has struggled mightily, but that’s about it. We knew what we were getting with Olden and Bruno (two players at the end of their careers that need help creating chances and if we were fortunate, they could chip in 12-15 goals, which still might happen). Mittens never found his niche’ in Dallas, got off to a Belanger-type start and now has gone quiet. We shouldn’t expect much of anything offensively from Gilles, Boogaard, Cluttercheeks, Weller or Bela. Poo-Bah has been a mystery since he got here, so hopefully we weren’t banking on him potting 30. It would be more frustrating if we had a roster of proven scorers who had gone 17 games with 24 even strength goals, but the fact is the roster is simply loaded with guys who are simply not that dynamic in the offensive end, for one reason or another (size, age, ability). We have to rely on winning games 2-1 and maybe 3-2 to be successful.
Nash is free after next season?
I can see him going to Vancouver, getting a taste of what it’s like to be a part of a good (great?) team, getting pitched by all the guys from teams that would/could make a play for him, and getting back to C-Bus where you’re already out of the playoff race and saying “F this, I’m gone.”
Kolanos…
9 AHL games, 9 goals
2 NHL games, 1 goal
but we can’t have him on the team because Boogaard, Weller, and Mojzis are so important. blah.
“It depends if Nash wants to stay in ”
Columbus. HE SAYS HE DOES”
*COUGH*Rolston*COUGH
You know me so well, Nick. I was sitting here feeling warm fuzzies. Stanzel’s all Clutterbuck all the time on his blog today, too.
And I’m gonna have to bribe someone to get me a copy of the program coming up that has him featured.
Nash… Yes Please. I’ll be really annoyed if they sign him easily. REALLY annoyed.
sweet yahweh, Nash is making $6.5M this year, $7M next year on a cap hit of $5.4M. Cap comes down to, what, low $50M range after this season, lets even say it’s flat in 09/10, 25% of $50M is $12.5M. Tell me he’s not going to get $10M per offers left and right.
Nick in New York says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Nash is free after next season?
I can see him going to Vancouver, getting a taste of what it’s like to be a part of a good (great?) team, getting pitched by all the guys from teams that would/could make a play for him, and getting back to C-Bus where you’re already out of the playoff race and saying “F this, I’m gone.”
Vancouver still going to be great whent he sisters are on another team?
Nash would be a great fit in San Jose, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Minnesota, Dallas, and Philly.
*shakes head*
Dan: google “vancouver” and “2010″
“Nash is free after next season?”
Yup, next year will be the last year of his contract. Sign an extension or hit free agency. I think it quite the topic amongst the BJ’s beat writters.
I honestly think the Canucks will use that open $10Mil a year for Gaby. Something tells me Gillis is itching to make a big splash.
Dan says: “Bouchard is a scrub and should be dealt or put on the 3rd or 4th lines.”
C’mon, really. This is a player who proved it over 82 games last year and you want to give him the hook already. Why, so we can get Peter Park and Matt Foy back in trade?
PMB is one of the few skill guys on the team. If he’s gone this team gets closer and closer to unwatchable. Next your going to call for B Pol’s head.
(How are y’all italicizing text. I tried ‘Ctrl I’ but it doesn’t work. Help a brother out)
Nick in New York says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:47 pm
sweet yahweh, Nash is making $6.5M this year, $7M next year on a cap hit of $5.4M. Cap comes down to, what, low $50M range after this season, lets even say it’s flat in 09/10, 25% of $50M is $12.5M. Tell me he’s not going to get $10M per offers left and right.
20%, not 25%
Nick in New York says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
*shakes head*
Dan: google “vancouver” and “2010″
oh, right, the olympics. i forgot due to not caring I guess. olympics are boring and they shut down the NHL for 2 weeks which is even worse.
The standard is still AO. Nash should not be getting AO money.
Quagmire says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Dan says: “Bouchard is a scrub and should be dealt or put on the 3rd or 4th lines.”
C’mon, really. This is a player who proved it over 82 games last year and you want to give him the hook already. Why, so we can get Peter Park and Matt Foy back in trade?
PMB is one of the few skill guys on the team. If he’s gone this team gets closer and closer to unwatchable. Next your going to call for B Pol’s head.
since I’ve been Pouliot’s bandwagon since he was drafted, not likely.
bouchard isn’t all that skilled, he’s just a fast midget with no ability to finish and plays lousy defense. wild have plenty of guys that can get the puck to scorers, it has no finishers and that’s a giant problem.
20%, not 25%
my bad. $10M is still not unreasonable (and I’m not sure the cap will be as low as $50M.)
i forgot due to not caring I guess. olympics are boring and they shut down the NHL for 2 weeks which is even worse.
this is why you don’t get more respect. Just admit when you’re wrong and move on. No need to pout about it and try to put on a tough internet face.
what are you talking about? the olympics aren’t for 2 years and I couldn’t care less about them. they were cool when i was kid, but now, unwatchable.
Dan - that would be in 15 months basically around the corner. You know Winter Olympics are usually held in the winter. But what do I know? 
08+2=10, BDS. Come on. Don’t fight the math.
i am not surprised at the lack of offense. im not jump off the cliff concerned with it either.
i don’t know if kolanos is the answer. remember voros scored 4 or 5 quick goals when he was brought up last year and then scored a couple more the rest of the year. I’d be willing to give him another look though.
PMB is not much different than what he was last year. he just hasn’t been playing enough with people that are scoring. Perhaps his wonky back is more trouble than he is leading on too.
Thank you for setting me straight ms. c I totally forgot they don’t start with fractions to what, 2nd or 3rd grade?
WOW. Morrow out for 6 months. The Stars just *thought* they had problems before.
G* - pretty much share your sentiment. I never really thought of PMB’s bad back as a cause of his disapearance but it certainly doesn’t help to have a back that is bothering you. Good point!
BDS says:
November 21st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Dan - that would be in 15 months basically around the corner. You know Winter Olympics are usually held in the winter. But what do I know?
semantics.
doesn’t change that i couldn’t care less about the olympics.
Oh, no. He’s on my fantasy team!!!!
Me, too, wood. *sigh*
Quagmire was already used last year by someone so it’s not original but feel free. I think that dude’s done with it, just like the show.
I have him on TWO teams! F—!!
woodcock says:
November 21st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Oh, no. He’s on my fantasy team!!!!
pick up Bobby Ryan if he’s available.
pick up Bobby Ryan if he’s available.
How long will he remain in the NHL though? I’d drafted him only to have the Ducks send him to the AHL shortly after. I don’t know what’s going on there. If he’ll stay, he’s an absolute grab.
Replacement pickins were slim in my league. I’m trying to nab a guy off waivers but I’m not sure if it will be successful.
Which one, Ms. C? In the two leagues I’ve got Morrow, you’re in, so I don’t think I’m about to grab a guy you’re after.
Ryan is on the team for good it looks like. The Ducks are so close to the cap though, they did “send him down” the other day after his 1st game of the year so he wouldn’t count against the cap for 2 days.
No, it’s my WMB league, which, of course, has the most teams of any of my leagues, so there’s really just not much that’s gonna touch losing a guy like Morrow.
semantics.
doesn’t change that i couldn’t care less about the olympics.
Have you heard about the Lindbergh baby?
YouGuysStillSuck says:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Yet another week has gone by, and its still the same village idiots hangin around Russoville. But for once, youre not hating on the most under appreciated Wild player, Skoula. What gives? You guys still suck. See you next week.
Don’t bother. Us same old sucky folks will still be here.
sweet yahweh
Don’t you mean yhwh?
NINY and KJ - That’s two Tim Harrer references this week, for which I thank you, because thinking of him almost always puts a smile on my face. I saw almost every Gopher game - home and road - the year he scored the 53, and it was as dominant a year as I’ve ever seen anyone have at the college level.
He wasn’t the brightest bulb on the tree, and couldn’t backcheck to save his life, but, man, could he score.
They didn’t start the Hobey Baker award until the next year, or he would have won it. And even though he went on to score over 125 goals in the minors, he only got three games in the NHL, and never scored a point. No idea where he is now, but for one winter, he was just magical to watch. Thanks for bringing him up, guys.
Pretty sure Ryan is staying esp with the Beucheme (sp? not even close) injury clearing cap for him. Been showing good chemistry with Getzlaf and Perry, a nice place to be.
Buddha, your toll feeding ban is hearby lifted for the weekend.
If you people had voted for Al Franken, I’d have more respect for you. But you vote Republican and your hockey team is boring. Double whammy.
Hi everybody. Funny bit in the Vancouver Province:
When Taylor Pyatt refused an invitation to fight Erik Reitz, it was Shane O’Brien who jumped in. Turns out, he doesn’t like the defenceman.
“I’ve been waiting to get that guy,” he said. “We played against each other in junior and he wears a visor.”
Lots of funny visor talk this year. I’m just glad that we found another personal issue to fan the flames.
Howdy! I was so happy until the end of the second last night. Me and the lady behind me thought it was mean of the boys to lose when we were both celebrating birthdays. I loved watching my Boogie last night. He was so close a few times, Cal was close so often as well. I did have a good time, and the guy next to me loved my new name for Butch last night (Butch was making me mad) Swirl and Twirl Barbie. And he almost fell out of his seat when I asked the Mr when the Canucks became the Canadian diving team. I should go finish putting the groceries away. Hope Cal has good luck with the new skates.
Ryan is gone in our league. Looking at Hagman (had him and dropped him), Lucic,Lang, Krejci, Zajac. Probably in that order. Advice. Go Yahweh! Will be out of the country beginning on Sunday and so had to give up 3 home games. Wild better win. I can only follow by the net.
Who starts in the nets tomorrow night ? Harding or Backstrom
That’s a nice little find, Jordan. That’s a long time to hold a grudge.
woodcock, I have Lucic. I dropped Carcillo in favor of him. Needless to say he has been way better than Carcillo. Boston is playing well, so I think he is a good pickup, especially if PIM are counted. For some reason Carcillo decided to not score, and not take as many penalties… which basically makes him worthless.
PIM doesn’t count. G, a, pts, PPG, PPA, +/-, SHG, w, GAA and save %. Lucic or Hagman, I think or possibly Lang.
So, one of the new lines is SRV/Shep/Butch. It’s interesting to me that Lemaire put together the 3 guys who seem to be struggling the most to meet expectations offensively.
Misconduct: That is a good line. Glad to see Lemaire is trying that line.
Thank you ATX. I have to work all weekend, but I will stop in to see if there are trolls to feed. I do so love feeding the trolls!
Nice. Four guys going tonight. 3 dmen, and Trent hunter who had 12:29 TOI, and 17 PIMs… Well done sir, well done.
Well, the SRV-Shep-PMB line can’t be any worse than the previous lines they were on.
I’m with you sunshine… try anything at this point. It can;t get much worse.
What’s your encore? Do you, like, anally rape my mother while pouring sugar in my gas tank?
That would take some skill.
I’m not suggesting it’s a bad line at all. Just interesting the commonality between the three amigos… The Downtrodden Line.
anyone see Lucic beat up Boynton tonight? Lucic unloaded time and time again until he mercifully tackled Boynton to the ground. Boynton gets up and his forehead was all bloody. Lucic tuned him good.
No, but I wanted to watch that game. Got stuck watching DVR’d episodes of Judge Judy. I’m a really nice wife. <_<
Judge Judy? Seriously?
I hate to ask fantasy questions since some of us are in the same league and I try to avoid asking league members but since I don’t have lots of hockey knowledgeable friends, I have to ask.
Would you start Bobby Ryan over Mittens? I am thinking Ryan since Mittens has cooled some. The bad thing is that I am also starting Corey Perry.
Made an impulsive decision on picking up Ryan without thinking it thoroughly.
I would.
Mittens hasn’t just cooled off some. He’s cooled off a lot. One goal in the last 14. Isn’t even getting a lot of shots. His only real positive right now is at least he hasn’t been a minus very often lately.
Thanks, KiPA.
After this game, I need to look to look at dropping or trading Ryan for another RW. I can’t have two RW playing on the same team on my roster.
Sure thing. Glad to help.
If it makes you feel better, I drafted two LWs from the same team in another league. I didn’t worry too much about solving that problem - though it resolved itself for me.
I am close to letting Mittens go and picking up another RW.
Just another quick question even though I am pretty sure of who I am going to start. I have 5 centers and they are all playing tomorrow. I am starting:
Malking vs. Van
Backstrom @ SJ
Carter vs. Phoenix
Bergeron @ Mon
I am sitting out Pavelski. He’ll give me the FW but I think offensively Backstrom paired with AO will give me goals/assists.
I had two left wings from one team and have now had to ditch both of them. 
Friggin’ jinxed Stars.
Yeah, I’m serious on the JJ. That and playing Rock Band. But I’ve got Aeros games and my own hockey game the next two nights, so I figured now’s a good night for a break.
I’d consider switching Pavelski and Bergeron, especially if Theodore starts for the Caps, but that’s a solid four.
I’m sorry to hear that, Ms. C. My dad used to watch Judge Judy but eventually tired of it when it became the same stuff every time.
Its hard to watch any of the judges show. I always want to know if they are real people or actors (they usually say they are real cases).
KiPA: I will have to think about that one.
Well, if you make the switch, and Bergeron does better than Pavelski, don’t blame me.
I’m pretty sure they’re real cases but I think some of them are sort of drummed up because these shows pay the award for the defendant as part of the deal for being on the show (at least, I know one of the judge shows works that way because a friend was on it). That’s why the defendant never seems too upset to lose.
I’m waiting for him to get tired of it, but I think she has his dream job. He missed his calling as a lawyer, for sure.
Back to FH though… My only conundrum tomorrow was whether to put in Pouliot or Higgins in the Utility position. I’ve got Ben in there right now. I feel like that line is awfully close to scoring.
I really should ask Buddha and then do the opposite of what he says since I’m up against him this week.
No, Ms. C, you should ask Buddha then do the opposite because he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Hmm. So, it seems my waiver request has come through in my process of getting rid of Morrow. I got Booth. Meh, but better than an empty slot at LW.
Oh, snap.
Hmm. So, it seems my waiver request has come through in my process of getting rid of Morrow. I got Booth. Meh, but better than an empty spot at LW.
Hm. Meh indeed. I’ve wanted to see more consistency out of Booth before grabbing him. He started nicely but then I think he went what, two years between goals?
I’d say he’s awfully streaky except he hasn’t really put together a streak of goals, just a streak of no goals. But yeah, better than Morrow at this point. Maybe with McCabe back in the flow that offense gets going.
Well, my other LWs are Loui Eriksson and Todd Fedoruk, so I’m not setting the world on fire to my left… oh well. I just hope I limp through the week in that league. I’d really like to win this one.
My condolences.
Yep. It’s pity party worthy for sure.
sunshine says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 am
I hate to ask fantasy questions since some of us are in the same league and I try to avoid asking league members but since I don’t have lots of hockey knowledgeable friends, I have to ask.
Would you start Bobby Ryan over Mittens? I am thinking Ryan since Mittens has cooled some. The bad thing is that I am also starting Corey Perry.
Made an impulsive decision on picking up Ryan without thinking it thoroughly.
Ryan has 4 points in 3 games.
Miettinen has 4 points in his last 10 games.
I think the decision is a rather easy one.
sunshine says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 am
Thanks, KiPA.
After this game, I need to look to look at dropping or trading Ryan for another RW. I can’t have two RW playing on the same team on my roster.
On one of my teams, I have 6 Bruins, and I am dominating the league.
I don’t see how having 2 RW from one team can hurt you, especially if they are productive.
Wow… pick on a guy while he’s sleeping. I see how it is.
For what it’s worth, in FH I have learned (the hard way) that my gut is usually right. I just have a hard time going against the numbers, so I play it that way, and usually fail.
So. Do what you need to, but your gut says Pouls, I’d play Pouls. If you don’t he’ll have a hat trick, 6 assists, 15 PIMs, and probably be credited with the shut out. At least… that’s what would happen if I did it.
You may recommence picking on me… I have to go to work all day. Rasafrackin work. Russo… got any openings? Paper clip sorter? paper stacker? Blackberry carrier?
SRV-Shep-PMB
What catchy nickname should we give this line?
I’d call it “Scrambled - Ham - Sunnyside Up”
Doesn’t roll off the tongue, but hopefully PMB is the straw that stirs the drink on that line. Doesn’t a set up guy need to be paired with a finisher? Oh well, Shep had huge number’s in Junior’s.
And to all you Family Guy Hater’s saying, “I was watching before it got big and now it just sucks blah, blah, blah”….stick it in your ear.
Doesn’t roll off the tongue, but hopefully PMB is the straw that stirs the drink on that line.
+1 - The more I think about it the more I like this line. Good article today Stencils - Let’s Go Wild!
KiPA started it, Buddha. Sorry about work. Boo. And yeah, I’m going gut on this one and usually do when the numbers are close.
There was a point last night, looking at my Wildblogger’s team where I was thinking, “This is crazy, I have 4 good centers! I need to get rid of one!” Thankfully, I came to my senses before I offered a foolish trade. I just hate deciding between Dots, Mikko, Jokinen and Marleau (though thankfully he’s also a LW) when the league has a busy night.
In my league I can’t replace Morrow until he is offically placed on IR. Starting Hudler tonite in place of Morrow and will replace Morrow on team when i can. all of the replacements will still be available. Miettinen is firmly on my bench and close to dropping he and Brunette. Waiting to see if any magic in new lines. Blues should be tired after OT out west but we thought the same with Canucks.
No need to panic people. JL is plenty able to adjust.
You others who watch WCHA, all the MN teams played well last night. The Gophers were especially impressive vs Denver. Their first line was dynamite.
I don’t think the Blues are as good as Vancouver this season. But I still think we’re gonna lose tonight.
I want to pry Marleau away from you, Ms. C.
We’ve only beaten one team (Columbus) on a either our back-to-back game or the opposing team’s - 25% winning percentage.
To clarify - the second game of either ours or their back-to-back games , we have only one game.
Take a look, Kevin. It’d have to be good though. These two-position guys are pretty valuable.
Oh I’m looking. I’m definitely looking, and thinking of a package to put together.
Boy the Canucks are dirty, aren’t they?
Their season may be done now too.
Say what you want about Cooke but he was unjustly ejected. He threw a hip check, maybe a little low but no penalty, then Burrows jumps him and Cooke gets tossed but not Burrows.
