How can it be this sunny yet this cold? It’s very deceiving. Please, any meteorologists out there, tell me.

Just got back from “the rink,” as they say in hockey. Lots and lots of TV cameras down there.

I freaked out for half a second when I looked at Niklas Backstrom (the Wild goalie, not the terrific Capitals sophomore forward Nicklas Backstrom) and he was surrounded by reporters and cameramen.

I went over to him when the scrum disappeared and said, “I didn’t miss the fact that you signed a five-year deal, did I?” He rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah, right. At first I thought it was the start of the playoffs.”

I told him that’s why many goalies have a no-talk-on-game-day rule (other than the Roberto Luongos and Marty Brodeurs of the league). I hope I didn’t give Backstrom any ideas.

You know what would be a nightmare tonight? If a shootout came down to Niklas Backstrom vs. Nicklas Backstrom. That might be a little confusing in print tomorrow.

Also on the radio. On the confusion that could bring Bob Kurtz, Niklas Backstrom (not Nicklas Backstrom) said, “I hope he’s not going to make a mistake between a Finn and a Swede. That’s the worst thing he could do.”

Mikko Koivu couldn’t say it any better if he tried (actually Mikko’s said that exact same thing many, many, many times).

Alex Ovechkin, who’s an amazing ambassador for this sport (like superstar Jarome Iginla, he just answers questions after questions with a big smile on his face), was asked what he knows about the Wild.

Ovechkin said, “I know they have a pretty good goalie. I said to Nicklas Backstrom, ‘Is he your brother?’
“No,” he said back, “He’s a Finn and I’m a Swede.”

Those Scandinavians dislike each other. It’s great.

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I don’t remember too much about last year’s game between Washington and the Wild, mostly because I barely watched the game as I wrote the life and times of Chris Simon. Only the Wild can make such a minor trade such a major story.

I do remember the Wild completely shut down Alex Ovechkin & Gang only to get dominated by the third line of Brooks Laich, Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann.

Tonight, the Wild catches a break – an innocuous comment unless you’re a Denver sportswriter trying to use me to create controversy out of nothing (right Adrian?).

Bruce Boudreau, a former Fighting Saint, said this morning that Alexander Semin, Mike Green and Sergei Fedorov ain’t playing.

What else, what else? The AHL announced today that Boudreau, a minor-league legend, will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame.

Boudreau talked a lot today about the virtues of playing in the AHL, how it’s outstanding for the development of many.

I often wonder how much sending James Sheppard to the AHL for even a few weeks would mean to his career. I mean no disrespect at all. I just think sometimes there’s something to be said for going down there, being a star for a few weeks and getting some confidence back.

Remember, Sheppard has never been in the minors, making the leap from the Q right to the NHL. The Wild technically could send him down right now without waivers, but since the team has no depth up front and especially at center, alas, it cannot.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard talked this morning about playing in the AHL is really helping his brother, Capitals prospect Francois Bouchard. The AHL rookie has six goals and eight assists for the Hershey Bears. And he’s staying away from the chocolate.

Anything else? Doug Risebrough attended the Houston Aeros-Hamilton Bulldogs game last night. Houston lost 4-zip.

Washington has allowed a goal on the opponent’s first shot six times this year. That was a random stat.

I’m trying to make up for my awful morning skate blog on Saturday. OK, I better write for the actual newspaper that you all purchase or get delivered every morning.

By the way, if you’ve sent me an email lately, I am WAY WAY WAY behind. Sorry. Be patient.

Forgot to put lineup: Gillies is definitely out. Weller came off with the rest, so they’ll skate 19 skaters again and make decision from there. Kim Johnsson didn’t skate this morning, but he was healthy at least after yesterday’s practice.
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This entry was posted on Monday, November 24th, 2008 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Pregame skate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.