Saturday bonjour
Posted on November 22nd, 2008 – 12:32 PMBy Michael Russo
Same lineup tonight against the Blues. Wild looks like it’ll be sitting Colton Gillies, Craig Weller and Tomas Mojzis.
Former Panther/Predator Chris Mason will be getting the nod in goal. The fantasy football star will be looking for his first win with St. Louis. He had an appendectomy at the start of the season and is just starting to get back to feeling OK.
Not much going on down at the rink this morning. Eric Belanger and Andrew Brunette exercised their options, as did Jacques Lemaire, who supervised from the stands. The Wild wasn’t exactly loose this morning, which could be good considering its recent performances when loose.
The team looked all business. The last 10 minutes of practice had Mario Tremblay dropping pucks at center ice as the Wild centermen, especially James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot, practiced their draws. Mikko Koivu didn’t take it easy on them, at one point knocking Pouliot to the ice and cross-checking him.
Pretty lame blog, I know, but talk to you tonight.
108 Responses to "Saturday bonjour"
Mason was always tough on the Wild with Nashville. Let’s hope the appendectomy slows him down a bit.
Draws and shots, draws and shots.
I think the Wild will fool themselves in to thinking all is well after playing an ‘inferior’ opponent tonight.
Does that include fans or just the players who will fool themselves into thinking all is well?
Wild = management.
Us ‘real’ fans will know better… 
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.
I think the Wild will fool themselves in to thinking all is well after playing an ‘inferior’ opponent tonight.
I think people are overly upset at the Nuks loss - without Gaby or his trade equivalent the season to date has featured favorable opponents but the results are still at least as good as can be expected. Although I am fully aware of Doug Smugsborough’s July 1 track record, the more this goes on the more I am willing to take Gaby back for the rest of the season and the playoffs and see what out DR can do with the cap space*
* Assuming, of course, Gaby is still cool with his teammates and that there are no truth to the rumors that he will no longer play for the Wild.
Damn Pav. Go Pens.
What is the their season might be over comment, KiPA
Luongo got hurt early in the first and was putting no weight at all on his left leg. Didn’t get hit so something maybe popped.
Bad, bad, bad news for my FH team and Vancouver. Yikes.
Wow–that is big.
He threw a hip check, maybe a little low but no penalty, then Burrows jumps him and Cooke gets tossed but not Burrows.
So today Nuk fans have to point to how dirty Cooke is to justify Burrows’ behavior - classic.
I don’t know how Cooke gets ejected. His was the first fight that broke out, and he was the guy who was blindsided to start the scrum. Two others started though they gave just roughings for one altercation.
This game has been chippier than our last one against the Flyers. I don’t understand that either. We rarely see the Canucks.
I’ll tell you how KiPA… it’s because..
Matt Cooke SUX!! Matt Cooke SUX!!Matt Cooke SUX!! Matt Cooke SUX!!
j/k, I would like to see what happened but I am cleaning and doing stuff around the house in preperation for family visiting. Gotta wait for it to get on youtube I guess..
That is just the Canucks with Burrows, etc, KiPA. You always thought we were homers?
Maybe the ref’s like Cooke as much as Wild fans do and so his leeway is not very much at all.
You will get very little sympathy over Cooke getting an unjust ejection from anyone here, KiPA.
I’m not looking for sympathy.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
OldManWinter - a proud member of the MKIA posse.
Know what? We suck. I have no idea how we have as good a record as we do.
“Boy the Canucks are dirty, aren’t they?”
Understatement of the century KiPA. I hate that team with a white hot passion. Nothing bugs me more than losing to that squad.
Are the Canucks really this good? They are just flying, and seem to always be on the puck. If they play this well consistently I don’t think it matters if Bobby Lou is out for a period of time.
Dad gum Canucks!!
Well if they play teams with a strong offense maybe they’ll be challenged. But they’re not playing one today.
It is a 2 goal deficit - buck up KiPA and Nuk-hatin’ Wild fans - I am sure Demo is dividing the Nuk lacker room as we speak 
lacker = locker
11 shots. We have no offense. We suck. Out in the first round if we make the playoffs. Better luck next year.
Anyone notice that wild.com has the ‘Yotes head next to the address bar? Oops.
Kevin. Don’t hyperventilate man! Your team rocks, and will be just fine. Didn’t they have 12 shots or something in a game earlier this year? Just a blip on the radar. No worries.
No we don’t rock. Trust me.
Well this game was more boring than against you guys.
Refs really put their whistles away too. Advantage: Vancouver.
KiPA,
I’m not trying to push you over the edge but… do you feel like trading Staal yet? Please?
What a bunch of horse sh*t! Someone tripped Gologoski, Demo was holding, Ohlund boarding. No calls? WTF?
Absolutely swallowed their whistles at the end.
You don’t listen to me, do you Lucky? I’ve said trade him for a couple weeks now.
Don’t know why you want him though.
And I’ve been over the edge.
Pens looking pretty slow today. Man what was with that boarding no-call. Yikes.
Don’t fret KiPA. Staal, Malkin, Crosby. That alone would give me more hope for offensive production than half of the MN roster.
Sorry, I love the kid.
You think you’re just in a slump or do you guys need a shake up? Pens fans have been ripping your coach lately(from what I’ve seen online) but that is usually the case when the team starts losing…
This will most likely get me banished from Russoville forever, but I have to say it. I was out in the garage today doing some cleanup stuff and I had the Nux game on the tv out there and I must say, they are playing perfect road hockey right now. They go to NY on Wednesday night and slap a half-dozen on the first place Rangers; then travel to MN for a game the next night and beat the Wild; then travel back to the East coast for a day game against STK and Co. and put another W on the board. Oh, lets not forget that Bobby Lu, Jerry Seinfeld’s evil twin, did not play the final two games (although a little today). It sux, but Vancouver is playiong very well right. Would like to see the Wild run a stretch of games together leading up to the Nux coming to town in a couple of weeks.
Can the Wild score 3 tonight and will a forward other than Franchise find the back of the net?
One more thing. Now that Demo has 7 goals in 11 games playing on the wing, does anybody else think he was misused while in Minnesota or was it simply his bad attitude. Might be a little disappointed if he pots 25-30 goals on a wing in Vancouver this season.
Lastly, let’s not get things confused here. I hate the Cannucks with the white-hot intensity of 1,000 suns. I wish nothing but anal pollups on all of their players, coaches and fans and they should all get a scorching case of herpes simplex 10 for Christmas this year.
There, now I feel better.
Demo was paid handsomely to play here, and he earned maybe half of it. This brings up the great debate though. Lemaire’s system has been the reason for the Wild’s success over the years. The question is can this team get to the next level with Lemaire behind the bench?
Nucks are playing well as of late although They will slip when demos line stops clicking. He should be out hurt soon.
This will most likely get me banished from Russoville forever
we crossed that bridge long ago
Now that Demo has 7 goals in 11 games playing on the wing, does anybody else think he was misused while in Minnesota or was it simply his bad attitude.
Both - DR should have added a C once Walz hung up his skates. People will say it was hard to trade sometimes but DR had a lot of time post-Walz, should have known to add a Kolonos like player to the minors before walz got hurt/etc. or should have kept Dominic Moore over Foy and hoped for the best. I also wonder if Rolston should have done some time at C too. Nor excusing Demo’s reported bad attitude but lets face it, him playing C in the system was not the best thing for the team or player yet that is what happened.
Staal Crosby and Malkin all suck. This team is going nowhere. Too much hype and not enough production.
SGS, OldManWinter = IceMan except he is posting from a remote location so the name is changed.
Wow IceMan, you are usually a voice of reason but I can now see that the hate for Cooke in you is strong
Demitra playing on the wing is a different Demitra playing center in the Wild system. I think most people would agree that if he was on the wing, he would have been at his scoring optimal.
When Walz retired and DR waived Moore, Lemaire had to choose between Demitra or Rolson at center. Rolston playing at center around this time last year was pretty awful. I don’t think he had more than 5 points or any goals. Demitra was the better center so Lemaire put him there over Rolston. Even the Devils put Rolston back at the wing before his injury.
You also have to look at Demitra’s linemates — the Sedin Twins vs Gaborik and Voros/Fedoruk. I know he is very good friends with Gaborik but I am sure he would rather play with the Sedin Twins.
Okay, I guess, after Burrows took the shot at Cooke, Orpik came in and fought Burrows, and Cooke dropped ‘em with Hansen. That’s why the latter two were ejected. I’d just assumed Burrows and Cooke were fighting each other.
Complaint about the ejection dropped.
Complaint about the woeful officiating after that stands.
F-ing Canucks. I shouldn’t hate a team this much for seeing them just once a year.
Wild ToDo List
1) For Mikko/Franchise - keep scoring and keep knocking around Shephard and Pouliot until they get it; you are THE center on this team and we’d be lost without you.
2) For Bouchard - figure it out, FAST. you have been atrocious and there is no reason for it; you are more talented than this and the team needs you badly.
3) For Meittenen (sry for spelling) - get back what you had before; obviously we didn’t expect you to score 50 goals but you showed us what you are capable of, now keep it going
4) For Gaborik - everyone is sick of your whiny self and your glass groin. suck it up, be a man, and get on the ice and score (and play both ways while you’re at it, the defensemen won’t win every battle you know). the team needs you; stop worrying about your checkbook and help out the team that has put up with you for so many years.
5) For Backstrom - keep doing what you do; if not for you this team would easily be .500. You deserve (and will get) a huge raise soon. Oh and if you can, get us to the shootout so Zicky can win it for us.
6) For Lemaire - make your forwards play defense so they can see a) how much they take for granted our awesome defense and b) how much better at offense our defensemen are
Wow, okay.
So basically were trading “the one of whom we do not speak” and Kimmy for Spezza and what?
*Please say Heatley…please say Heatley…please say Heatley*
No seriously, is that the deal?
I know he is very good friends with Gaborik but I am sure he would rather play with the Sedin Twins.
Right - because one of the Sedin’s plays C in a defensive system (The bold was for Nuk fans that think their team is on par with the 1980s Oilers). So we agree that DR should not have waived Moore to keep Foy and that he had four months after Walz retired to improve the position before the deadline but there was Demo playing center in the DC meltdown game the day of the deadline with Chris Simon in route.
Sorry Rayray, I’m trading Crosby for Heatley.
medschoolmatt - that’s not a to do list, it is a prescription. I am calling you when I am on Wild life support
in a defensive system
That was more defensive (and yet, offensive at the same time, if you know what I mean) than what I saw against the Wild.
Neither team had 20 shots today. I don’t think Vancouver even thought offense after going up 2-0.
medschoolmatt - that’s not a to do list, it is a prescription. I am calling you when I am on Wild life support
Who’s his Penguins equivalent? Talk about a team on life support.
What, is Heatley stinkin’ it up up there? Is that what’s going on with the Sens or is it goaltending?
Senators can’t get scoring aside from their big three. But that’s still better than the Penguins.
I see. Heatley still rules.
Emphasis on “rules” of course.
Yeah. Heatley’s good.
6GS: Demitra at center is a different Demitra at wing. He had the same exact points as Rolston from trading day to the end of the season. Rolston had more goals but they put up 14 points.
What would Rolston’s points be when playing center in Lemaire’s system? He played for close to a dozen games around this time last year and was barely visible. Demitra adjusted to playing center. Its just that he wasn’t at his most effective and optimal scoring position.
Take Burns for example, is his most optimal scoring position be at forward or at defense? He was brought up in the system and played both positions in the system but Burns is a better defensemen than he is a forward. Demitra is a better winger than centermen on the Wild. Rolston is a better winger than centermen on the Wild.
Sedin Twins > Gaborik and Voros/Fedoruck. Linemates matter greatly. Is Mittens going to score playing with Shep and SRV? Most likely not.
Afinogenov a healthy scratch as rumors swirl.
Gaborik to Buffalo for Afinogenov+.
I see your point sunshine on Demo v. Rolston on wing or center. Plus, that falls with JL’s domain which is fine. My beef is mostly with DR for doing worse than nothing (keeping Foy over Moore) and with Demo for the bad attitude.
You would have a bad attitude too if you were not at your scoring optimal when you are in a contract year. Who got the longer and more lucrative contract Rolston or Demitra?
That tells you something. I could go on but I don’t want to rehash something that has been rehashed a thousand times before.
Wild Road Tripper says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Mason was always tough on the Wild with Nashville. Let’s hope the appendectomy slows him down a bit.
Mason is 1-2-2 lifetime against the Wild sporting a gaa over 4 and a save % of 86.
Backstrom is 20-3-3 on Saturdays, dominates at the X, the Wild will win.
KiPA…what you talkin ‘out Willis???
Afinogenov for Gaborik + picks?
+ Vanek? (sha…riiight)
My hatred for all things CaSux made me abandon my Wild jersey. I cannot stand the thought of wearing it with ‘Mitchell’ on the back.
Six Goalie System says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
He threw a hip check, maybe a little low but no penalty, then Burrows jumps him and Cooke gets tossed but not Burrows.
So today Nuk fans have to point to how dirty Cooke is to justify Burrows’ behavior - classic.
Burrows isn’t dirty, he just hates Bouchard, so what, I do too.
kj says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
KiPA…what you talkin ‘out Willis???
Afinogenov for Gaborik + picks?
+ Vanek? (sha…riiight)
My hatred for all things CaSux made me abandon my Wild jersey. I cannot stand the thought of wearing it with ‘Mitchell’ on the back.
so you were the 1 person to buy a Mitchell jersey. Congrats.
Afinogenov a healthy scratch as rumors swirl.
Gaborik to Buffalo for Afinogenov+.
Hmmm… that would be an okay deal IMO. Is there a link to where you heard this rumor, or is it message board rumors?
Sunshine and SGS…you’re both right.
It is Douggie Do Nothing’s fault that JL had to play Demitra out of position.
JL has to do what is best for the team to win.
DR is supposed to supply JL with the talent he needs to succeed.
JL needed a centerman at the deadline last year, DR gave him Simon.
No wonder JL had to be ‘convinced’ to come back…
You would have a bad attitude too if you were not at your scoring optimal when you are in a contract year. Who got the longer and more lucrative contract Rolston or Demitra?
That is why I blame both sides and perhaps Doug Smugsborough a little more.
so you were the 1 person to buy a Mitchell jersey. Congrats.
Nah…I won it in a bet during the ‘03 playoffs.
Oh wait…was that supposed to be insulting???
so you were the 1 person to buy a Mitchell jersey. Congrats.
You must have missed the Wild’s first playoff run.
Rayraydavies says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Wow, okay.
So basically were trading “the one of whom we do not speak” and Kimmy for Spezza and what?
*Please say Heatley…please say Heatley…please say Heatley*
No seriously, is that the deal?
I’d love to see a big deal. Something like:
Gaborik, Bouchard, and Zidlicky
for
Spezza, Vermette, and Smith
<i.Six Goalie System says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
so you were the 1 person to buy a Mitchell jersey. Congrats.
You must have missed the Wild’s first playoff run.
nope. was in the X for some of the games and watched the rest. it’s not hard to be a tough guy when you have a full cage on. mitchell has never at any point before or after that canuck series played like that.
My speculation, Austin. Unless you want a link to Nick’s blog where I wrote last month that as a possibility.
KiPA- Yes, the Nucks ARE that dirty, and have been for a few years now. Why do think we hate Cooke so much? Burrows, while seeming to have an offensive touch, is still one of the dirtiest players in the game.
Grrr….
ATX: I don’t know if I would want MA. He has a history of groin injuries as serious as Gaborik. He has played more games than Gaborik but in 18 games
1-7-9 and a +/- rating of -8.
I can see why they would bench him.
Nice Kevin. I would not be angry if you ended up being right.
KiPA:
Weren’t he and Connolly rumored to be on the trading block earlier this year?
See ATX… I get the clear for troll feeding, and there is none to be found. Dang it.
So I guess Dallas traded for Mitchell and VAN signed him to a good contract because they hoped he would have to wear a cage again and play tough. Dan’s Logic 101 coming to SCSU next semester.
Sunshine: Ruff hates Afinogenov more than you guys hate Cooke. He’s been buried on that third/fourth line for ages. Maybe it’s because his play is deserving, but he had 71 points in 71 games in 05-06 and 61 points in 56 games in 06-07.
I don’t know if both were on the block, but I mentioned both in the same sentence as bait for Gaborik. Connolly’s got some serious injury problems though.
Afinogenov and Roy/Pominville can be the plus please?
Fill in this blank or call me crazy:
Gaby and ____ for Afinogenov and Connolly.
See ATX… I get the clear for troll feeding, and there is none to be found. Dang it.
Yeah I figured that might happen
6GS, YOU’RE CRAZY!
Crazy > Dan
Six Goalie System says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
So I guess Dallas traded for Mitchell and VAN signed him to a good contract because they hoped he would have to wear a cage again and play tough. Dan’s Logic 101 coming to SCSU next semester.
Schultz and Mitchell make the same thing. Neither are worth it, but Mitchell got the going rate for a mediocre defenseman apparently.
Dan - is it a matter of weeks or days until an NHL team hires you? I mean, who wouldn’t want to hire someone who is never wrong. However, I think MKIA would take you in an NHL game of Jeopardy.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Wild had a young, big d-man that would play 23+ minutes a game, block shots, and add a little offense now and again but didn’t break the bank?
He was here once, but in Doug’s effort to have every crappy Gopher in the NHL play on the Wild, dealt him away.
I hated that deal at the time, and every time I watch the kid play, I hate it even more.
F***ity F*** F*** F***.
Picked up Trent Hunter, put him in the line up for yesterday, forgot to do so for today… and he nets one.
Son of a
Wow. Just watched the Luongo video. OUCH. They really shouldn’t have banned overdrive blades. That was preventable, I’d wager.
He was here once, but in Doug’s effort to have every crappy Gopher in the NHL play on the Wild, dealt him away.
I hated that deal at the time, and every time I watch the kid play, I hate it even more.
What the hell are you talking about Mr. 100% right all the time?
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Wild had a young, big d-man that would play 23+ minutes a game, block shots, and add a little offense now and again but didn’t break the bank?
You mean Burns? He is great.
Who are you talking about? And last I checked we didn’t have any Gophers on the team.
Dan…you talking about Michalek?
If you are, it will be the first time and last time I agree with you…
Westrum. Worthless.
So, for the “Why do people have so much time on their hands” file…
kj says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Dan…you talking about Michalek?
Westrum. Worthless.
you would be correct. I don’t know why anyone deals a 21 year old d-man for a scub other then you are so worried you won’t be able to sell out your arena you bring in a local favorite to pander to the fans.
Having no Malone type player is one reason why we suck this year.
But he’s still overpaid.
Michalek for Westrum was a bad deal but to say DR traded him to add Gophers to the roster is laughable. Mr. Right might want to look at a program - it’s been sometime since any Wild player was born in MN much less the USA except Reitz, Rolston and Carney (and for the record I have no problem with no Minnesotans and few Americans on the roster). Yet the sell outs continue. As some might recall, the Wild lacked depth at C at the time of the Westrum deal, somthing that has not changed as we (except Dan) all know.
HEAD!!! Turn up the Bay City Rollers!!!
S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. NIGHT!!!
Woooooo!!! Hockey time!!
Game Food above.
Six Goalie System says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Michalek for Westrum was a bad deal but to say DR traded him to add Gophers to the roster is laughable. Mr. Right might want to look at a program - it’s been sometime since any Wild player was born in MN much less the USA except Reitz, Rolston and Carney (and for the record I have no problem with no Minnesotans and few Americans on the roster). Yet the sell outs continue. As some might recall, the Wild lacked depth at C at the time of the Westrum deal, somthing that has not changed as we (except Dan) all know.
it’s an expansion franchise. everyone knew the team would suck early, so they pandered to the fan base. don’t even try and pretend that doesn’t ever happen or that the Wild are above it. Darby wouldn’t have even been on the Wild if he wasn’t a Minnesotan cause he was a bad NHL player.
As for center depth, actually, the Wild aren’t too bad in depth, it’s quality they lack, and the ability to win face-offs. Belanger is the only one over 50%. It’s the only part of the game where Mikko needs to figure out a way to step it up. Hopefully Saku comes here next year and shows his kid bro how to do it.
Did Butch just shoot?????
SGS, don’t like AHoles.
Interesting idea MedSkoolMatt, maybe if FW’s got embarrassed enough they would get it.
KJ, when I bought a jersey it was either going to be Walz or Laaksonen. They were out of Walz jerseys so it was an easy decision.
Now, with Laaksonen being so far removed from the team I wish it was blank. But, KJ, if it was Willie I would hide it too or cover it up.
Sunshine, the thing about athletes is they are like performers, they are paid to perform. Any system requires players to make sacrifices. Those who won’t are basically no value to their team regardless of how talented they are.
Rather quiet for game night…
depth = quality d-bag.
Try the new thread, Buddha.
Six Goalie System says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
depth = quality d-bag
in what world?
depth and quality are 2 completely different things.
the Bruins have depth and quality. The Wild do not.
depth may equal quantity, but it sure as hell doesn’t equal quality.
The jury is in. I like MAB and Zid. Was Zid worth Jones and a 2nd. Time will tell.
Reitz is growing on me too. A little grit ain’t a bad thing.
