Wild 4, Washington Capitals 3; Walz memories?; Where’s Gaborik Part II
Posted on November 24th, 2008 – 6:27 PMBy Michael Russo
Well, that was fun, especially those last five minutes of this closing-the-hand-on-the-puck bonanza. I had a good gameplan though if Washington would have tied it.
Between you and me, I planned to throw my laptop over the press box and then blame it on Stensaas to my editors.
Kind of like my favorite line from the 80s’ classic, “Goonies,” when Chunk said to the bad guys, “When I was eight years old, I pushed my sister down the stairs and blamed it on the dog.”
Before we get started, I should tell you, late this afternoon I was told that Marian Gaborik, who continues to experience soreness in his “lower body,” will be kept off the ice again. It was clear to me that he didn’t skate this morning and I thought that was weird.
I asked assistant GM Tom Lynn to confirm or deny what I had heard, and he said he’s not giving daily Gaborik updates.
Vegas should add a prop bet: Who plays first, Gaborik or Foster?
To the game, let’s disregard the last five minutes for now.
The story of the game still was Cal Clutterbuck scoring his first two NHL goals in his 19th NHL game (17th of the season) and James Sheppard scoring for the first time in 48 games (Jan. 30).
As we’ve been writing for some time, Clutterbuck’s got one of the best shots on the team and he’s been working on it 30-45 minutes before every practice with assistant coach Mario Tremblay. It was just a matter of time before his hard work paid off, and it did tonight. His second goal came on the power play, notable because he earned power-play time.
Sheppard actually scored a few seconds after VERSUS sideline reporter Lindsay Soto interviewed Sheppard’s dad, John, who by the way ran to and from yesterday’s practice in frigid weather.
After Sheppard scored, Soto went back and re-interviewed Mr. Sheppard.
James was relieved by the goal, but he said it means nothing. He wants to keep it up and he said he’ll be happier in 10 or 15 games if he’s got a lot more goals. The goal sure seemed like a meaningless one at the time because it put the Wild up 4-0 in the third period.
But…
the Capitals can put up goals by the boatload, and they proved it. Niklas Backstrom actually had a shutout bid going with 5:17 left. Then Matt Bradley, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom scored 3:33 apart to make for a scary final 1:44.
Lots of bad plays. Before Bradley’s goal, the Wild tried to get fancy instead of keeping the puck deep. There were giveaways and lost coverages.
It was a sour ending to a fine game, especially because the Wild did a quality job of keeping Ovechkin, who fired 16 shots on net (six shots, seven shots blocked, three missed nets), and Backstrom off the scoresheet. Really, up to the last five minutes, I thought Kim Johnsson and Nick Schultz played a great game. Martin Skoula had another sound game, too.
Have you ever watched a game that had three closing-the-hand-on-the-puck penalties? You did if you watched tonight. It was like contagious (Marek Zidlicky, Tom Poti and Ovechkin). Poti’s and Ovechkin’s gave the Wild a 5-on-3, and Zidlicky ripped it home.
Washington finished this game severely shorthanded. Not only did the Wild catch that break by Alexander Semin, Sergei Fedorov and Mike Green not playing, but Boyd Gordon, John Erskine and Jeff Schultz didn’t finish the game.
Niklas Backstrom improved to 8-1-1 all-time vs. the Southeast Division. Stephane Veilleux played his 299th game. Brent Burns had two assists for 97 career points. The Wild led 1-0 after one period, its first lead after one in six games and second lead heading into the second in 10 home games.
The Wild is 5-0 all-time at home vs. Washington and 3-0 on VERSUS. And it’s got five more games on VERSUS.
The Capitals have lost three straight regulation games for the first time under Bruce Boudreau.
By the way, owner Craig Leipold will be live in studio with KSTP’s Matt Thomas Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m.
“Russo Radio” returns to the Matt Thomas Show Wednesday night at 6. Leipold gets one hour, I only get a half-hour. Real nice!
OK, Stensaas on tomorrow for the return of Mark Parrish.
——————————————————————————————
OK, here we go. Warmups have started. Craig Weller and Colton Gillies scratched.
This was on NHL Today today. From Elias Sports Bureau:
Through November 5, Alex Ovechkin had five points in nine games (2 goals, 3 assists) and Nicklas Backstrom had four points (all assists) in 11 games, but Ovechkin (6-13-19) and Backstrom (4-11-15) rank one-two in the NHL in points since then (Nov. 6 to date, nine games).
Ovechkin hasn’t scored in two games against the Wild. He said this morning, “Just a matter of time. Four years, this is only our third time [playing Minnesota]. Probably tonight [I’m] going to score.”
Bruce Boudreau talked about the Wild this morning and specifically Minnesota’s lack of offense. He said it’s not like they don’t have goal scorers. “I just don’t want to be the team they break out against because it’s going to happen sooner than later and it’s going to happen on this homestand. I’m just hoping it happens on the fifth game of the homestand and not the third.”
Lots of curiosity whether Derek Boogaard and Donald Brashear fight tonight. Brashear’s right hand was messed up pretty good from punching Jody Shelley’s face over and over again the other night. But as Tory Olson from wildenforcers.com reminded me today, Brashear is a southpaw, so maybe.
Also,
The Wild are inviting fans to add their favorite memories to a tribute to be presented to long-time Wild forward Wes Walz on Friday before the Wild host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 1 p.m. Walz, an original member of the Wild, is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Lightning, after retiring Dec. 1, 2007.
At Wild homes games over the past couple of weeks, and continuing thru Friday, fans have been given the opportunity to send a message or share their favorite Walz memory. Fans may also submit their stories on the Wild web site here. All letters will be compiled in a scrapbook and presented to Walz prior to the game.
Here’s something we ran on our Startribune.com/wild page on Dec. 4, 2007.
332 Responses to "Wild 4, Washington Capitals 3; Walz memories?; Where’s Gaborik Part II"
Ovie interviews, gotta love them.
Bruce Boudreau talked about the Wild this morning and specifically Minnesota’s lack of offense. He said it’s not like they don’t have goal scorers.
He needs to watch more film then. Other then Gaborik, the Wild do have exactly 0 goal scorers.
The Wild are inviting fans to add their favorite memories to a tribute to be presented to long-time Wild forward Wes Walz on Friday before the Wild host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 1 p.m.
He is one of my favorite Wild players, but screw this tribute crap. He’s a quitter and should always be reminded of it.
Why the badittude Dan? Is that your shtick?
The Wild needed Wes, Wes abandoned the team, he’s a quitter. Should never honor a quitter.
for a team that cant score you gotta put one of those home.
OK boys no fighting or negative posts. The Wild will win tonight 5 to 2. GO WILD>
Gunslinger:
if you still looking for a site to watch the game, check out
hockeywebcasts.com
Where is everybody? I suppose on the old post. No TV and no Radio. This sucks. Go Wild.
These refs must be pissed about that cheating faceoff article. A lecture to Shep, to the bench, and to Burns. Now dropping the puck without a wild center at the dot.
That does suck Theo. I’m watching but trying to get things done around the house also. Dog sheds like a mofo and the hair drifts are getting deep.
took us long enough to get into the zone.
Great play by Johnsson though he was almost beat.
clutterbuck!!
CAL!!!!! Great first goal for the guy.
Woot!!!
Clutterbuck!
Sunshine - THANKS! I can actually watch the game now!
I love how on this website, they dont go on commercial so you can hear the conversation between the commentators while they are supposed to be on commercial.
Boogie should get an assist somewhere there.
That was a really nice goal for Cal. I hope someone snagged the puck for him. MsC should be happy.
CLUTTERBUCK, you are the man. Nice to get that monkey off his back. Where is Ms. C. Go Wild.
Gunslinger; That’s the first time where they didn’t go to commercial. They usually do go.
I like the the conversation too. I keep hoping for some weird comment.
Dan - your site has a much clearer picture! Thanks for that as well!
Did they just say Boogie calls Cal cannonball?… Cool, I like it and can see that.
Yeah, thanks for the tip Sunshine!
I love that site Dan. Their HNIC feeds are ridiculous. So much better than ours. I kinda wish I hadn’t seen it.
Good stick in the lane by Skoula
He saved Zids. there.
clutterbuck again!!!!!
WOO! CLUTS!
When it rains…
atta boy Cluts
on the pp even
way to draw that mikko
CLUTTERBUCK again. I love you man.
5 on 3
slash to the face on bruno they just missed that one
PMB needs to take some rips while QB-ing that PP.
See Cal skate. Skate Cal skate. See Cal hit. Hit Cal hit. See Cal skate and hit. See Cal score……
Robbed!
PMB robbed.
At least PMB took that shot.
Wow..2 on 0 wow…and we get nothing. Thanks a lot Theo
what a save by theodore
Intoblivion: What did I say? Go Wild.
theo, I think he meant Theodore, robbing PMB like like.
BG. OK, I understand. I thought I jinxed someone. Are you through cleaning house? Why don’t you take a break and have a drink. Go Wild.
Theo unfortunatly no I’m not done cleaning. I got the upstairs done (except the bathroom but thats the Mr’s bathroom to clean). I also finished the dishes and have gotten most of my laundry done. So a good start.
The announcers really really like saying Clutterbuck… it is fun to say so I can see why.
Modano is going to kill somebody. He’s too old to put up with this team. Yikes. Ott and Avery were bad enough.
A bit of a non sequitur for y’all. Clutterbuck.
Nice to see Cluster get a couple. I really like how that line played against Van and they seem to be doing a nice job again tonight.
We’re still missing too many golden chances though. The one that Mikko missed in the first minute and then the one that Butch got robbed on have to go in.
Zids!!!!
LICKY!!!!!! Man he’s got a nice shot.
Bad, Bad call. Zids with the bomb. Maybe PMB will pull his head out now that it doesn’t matter.
ZIDS. I love you man. Go Wild.
Ovie just isn’t having a good night is he?
I’m enjoying this game very much.
They are going to interview Shep’s dad and his sister.
This is the 1st game this month that the team has played with a sense of urgency. It also helps that Lemaire is finally giving Cal and Pouliot more playing time.
I wonder if Shep gets gets crap about his sister being a stone cold fox.
Shep!!!!!!!!!!
Shep!!!
SHEPS!!!!!
+1 Dan.
SHEPPPP!!!!!!!
Lets hope that wakes him up!
Shep!
SHEP. I love you man. Go Wild.
Yeah, Shep! Just after interviewing his dad and sister, too!
Ok only one of those was me, remember to watch your info on the wonky Blog people. There is only one Bandgeek, the Mr says I’m special. 
His sis is very pretty, I bet he gets a lot of crap.
Good takeway from Burns.
Washington’s home/away difference sounds about as bad as ours 2 years ago. Haven’t lost in reg at home and give up 4/game on the road. Thats rough.
So happy for Shep.
So the refs are clamping down on delay of game by closing your hand around the puck? Yeah, that’s really what’s wrong with the NHL.
Good to see the juts are stepping up. Now let Boogie score!!!
Wow, there’s a lot of time left.
Nice check on Shep! Like I said. We can call delay of game but the stuff that really should Nah…..
Yawnson giving up a Skuba snack.
Well, pisser.
Darn.
Schultz played a little lazy there, too.
Wow. What a shot.
BLOODY HELL!!
The Wild playing too loose and lazy.
JL ought to call a timeout.
Who let him go?
So, anyone still wanna moan about my inclusion of Johnsson in the Gaborik trade?
Alright, this is getting interesting and not in a good way.
We all knew it was a matter ot time before AO would get one
I would trade Johnsson for an elite player. I still think he’s a very good defenseman and important to our team.
Don’t worry everyone. Caps won’t score anymore. Wild will get one more. Final 5 to 2. (I hope)
No matter what happens now, JL will have a few choice words for the boys in the locker room. And he should.
F!!!!!
Spoke too soon theo…
Come on boys!!!
Now you jinxed us theo, bad theo that’s a minor for jinxing. To the box with you.
Oh no. I f*&%%d up. Sorry.
Its true. They stopped playing and were on cruise control.
God, AO is scary!
MuN - I think any deal that includes Yawnson would have to bring something huge in value back that is all. Him as a throw in, in a UM deal would not give him value.
Boudreau is an animated coach, I forgot what those looked like.
Its not AO that’s scary, Its our last five minute play that’s even scarier.
Game.
BG, that too for sure.
ahh…finally.
There was no reason to let that be so close.
Sorry, that was me, sunshine instead of Bandgeek.
Boudreau could use a little pixellation when they’re showing his discussions on camera 
BG. May I come out of the Penalty Box?
I’m happy for Cal and Shepp, but WTF. Ovie is scary when he’s pissed and determined. Makes me glad we don’t play them often, I feel sorry for you KiPA (where ever you are tonight).
Well, since the blog keeps getting slower and slower for me I’m shutting down. Night all.
sunshine since I agree with what you said no biggie. Since the game ended yes you can come out of the box theo. …. Now I really am shutting down.
Wow, that got way to close for my liking. And I was thinking while watching the 3rd period how I liked the fact that the Wild was staying agressive and not going into a shell. At least they got the 2 pts.
At least it wasn’t a total collapse. But man, just when you think they’re turning it around they remind you how much work is left to do.
Boudreau has a potty mouth. Big time.
Well, at least we scored more than 2 goals. An overall good 55 minutes of play. Need to continue to work on scoring, going to the net, and not give life to other teams.
We can’t stopped skating in the last 5 minutes of the game. That’s when other teams get desperate and do more things.
I’m gonna have nightmares about Ovie. But then Cal will come from out of nowhere and check him into next Tuesday, take his puck and put it in the next. Booyah!
Funny moment for the 3 stars. Cal asked lucky what to do with the puck after they call his name. Pretty funny stuff
On a positive note, we proved that Theodore isn’t quite as good as everyone said last year. In the playoffs, we made him look like a star. Now we’ve made him look like a chump.
Sorry, I mean licky. Damn iPhone auto fill.
Don’t pat yourself on the back too much, new here. A lot of the league has been making Theodore look silly.
That’s what I meant - we typically make average goaltenders look awesome. This time we actually scored.
A goalie can be hot for a short time, can’t he? Players can be in a scoring slump for a short time, too.
Just a convergence during the playoff games.
We’ve done it with more than one goaltender, though. I just hate the fact that we give any opposing goaltenders confidence.
Ah, gotcha. Right.
This is the year of the 3rd period collapse.
Someone shut Falness up. Listening to him is like chewing on aluminum.
Again: Gaborik and Johnsson for Spezza and Donovan. It’ll happen, and i’ll throw a freakin celebration party.
>>Listening to him is like chewing on aluminum.<<
None of my business really, but why do you know what that is like? Where I am from, we usually just throw away/recycle beer cans when they are empty.
KiPA: looks like Lance Moore is doing a good job for you.
brashear scared of the boogeyman-he used the hurt hand excuse. He avoided him the whole game.
None of my business really, but why do you know what that is like? Where I am from, we usually just throw away/recycle beer cans when they are empty.
Here too, SotB… But once in a while you run out of beer while hungry. After too much beer. Ya know. Nevermind lol.
How did I miss that David Booth was still available?
DOH!
You betcha, sunshine! He won me a game real early, then he, Brees, Rodgers and Jennings made up a 54-point different to give me a 24-point win in another league. Excellent night.
Wow! 54 point difference — that’s good but with 2 QBs, you had a good chance.
Actually, without touchdowns, I wouldn’t have had as good a chance. Yardage points are tougher to get in this league compared to ours. I didn’t think I had much of a shot tonight. I was going against the Green Bay defense still but if I didn’t get touchdowns, the prospects would have been bleaker. I happened to get 10 touchdowns and a two-point conversion. So playoff spot wrapped up in two more leagues and looking good in my other two.
I had a good gameplan though if Washington would have tied it.
Between you and me, I planned to throw my laptop over the press box and then blame it on Stensaas to my editors.
LMAO
Oh, I see. Yeah, if you don’t get the yardage then it does put a hamper on getting points.
Well we get yardage, but it takes more yards to get points. A 100 rushing game in our league is 10 points. In this other one it’s five. So it’s twice as much and we don’t get return yardage.
Anyway, go Wild and screw Osgood. The voodoo doll isn’t working.
Wow, Canucks just beat Red Wings. Nux have just won 3 in a row with Sanford in goal. Luongo out probably 4-5 weeks but the Nux are still winning.
Canucks are on fire.
At this time, the Canucks are starting to build a good cushion against the Flames, Avs, and Oilers. The Wild are the only team that can catch to them because we have 3 games in hand.
Its a long season and with Luongo out, we will see what happens.
Nonetheless, it was an exciting game to watch.
They have some offensive talent.
We were at the game, the first this year. Ovetchkin was as good as advertised.
Their first goal was carelessness. But, Ovetchkin and their Backstrom are talented players and have made most teams pay.
Interesting how high Ovetchkin was playing late in the game (near our our blue line). At a time, Wild had both Kimmy and Mikko covering him.
Canucks are surprising me Sunshine. Thx for the update.
Not many shifts that Mikko was not on the ice with AO.
ps - Skoula got some key shifts late in the game.
99% of the time Skoula plays late in the games and on key shifts. That’s nothing new. He does average about 19 minutes a game.
Johnsson and Schultz could have stopped the first goal. Not working hard enough.
So what Russo’s telling us is Gaborik’s still injured and not coming back anytime soon? Is this new information?
That’s what I got out of it. Gaby isn’t skating and doesn’t “heal fast” like Burnzie. Yeah, not new news, but if he didn’t say anything, everyone would whine about him not saying anything. Pick your poison.
Keeping late late hours Sunshine, soon you will need to change your fan name to Moonlight!
so charley walters is saying new jersey is interested in the states most famous groin muscle…I know charlie has a tendancy to throw names against the wall to see what will stick….but….gabby for parise doesn’t sound too bad…I would like to throw my own two cents around….
gabby and skoula for Parise, and Zajac….I think that actually evens things out a little bit…any takers?
New jersey could use another solid d-man, along with gabbys explosion (when on the ice) and we most certainly need some scoring help on the wing, a solid two way center for depth….
I did this trade on nhl08, and the first game I played I got two goals with parise assisted by butch……I think that is a good omen!
Alright I can’t contain myself anymore… Marion Gaborik is the biggest p@ssy that has ever donned a professional sports uniform.
How is it possible for someone who is seemingly a world-class athlete (at least he’d like to believe that) to injure himself playing hackey-sack with the fellas… to such an extent that he is out of action for 2 months???? Get serious. I play with guys in frickin mens beer league who show more toughness than that.
Do you think you’d ever in a million years hear this: “Adrian Peterson will be out for the rest of the season because he strained his calf playing Duck Duck Gray Duck with his teammates.”
What a joke. He has teammates that would go out there with a broken foot. I guarantee you at least half of his teammates wish he’d go take a flying leap.
Get rid of this prima dona cream puff now! The quicker the better. Who cares what we get for him. Just get him out of here. It’s time to send he and his paper mache’ 10 million dollar groins packing!
I can’t think why New Jersey would trade Parise for Gaborik. Parise is having a great season so far, is only 23 and is signed through 2011 at a cap hit of $3.125M (and will be just an RFA besides at the end). Don’t know why they give him up for an injured player who’s twice as expensive and wants to be paid even more.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Great game last night I wish I could have stayed awake to watch it.
A day in the life of Marian Gaborik:
8:00 am - 9 am: wake up, go on-line to read Glodnik’s Rants on the Trencin Times-Picayune, no posts again, but big headline news is that his uncle’s cow got lost and was found 6 hours later.
9 - 9:15 am: drive from house to rink in $450K Porsche.
9:16 - 9:45 am: lace up the skates and spin on the ice for 10 minutes.
9:46 - 11:00 am: deep tissue groin massage administered by Lars from the Garmin commercial.
11:01 - 12:00: drive $450K Porsche home and have lunch.
12:01 - 10:00 pm: Formula 1 simulator time, wonders why his groin never heals properly.
10:00 - 11:00 pm: watches ‘On The Fly’ wishing he could break free from the restraints of JL’s system.
11:01 - 7:00 am: falls asleep by counting bags of money jumping into his wallet.
i was looking over the stats, and sure it is a small sample size, but Burns is 3 for 3 on the face-off. Since he’s apparently going to play forward for a while anyway, I’d love to see him at center v the Stars tomorrow.
From a while ago:
Bandgeek says:
November 24th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
…and I would never have to dust our collection of Star Wars and Harry Potter Lego’s ever again. Legos are a PITA to dust.
They’re plastic aren’t they? Dishwasher? Turn off the drying cycle?
I swear the refs read a section of the rulebook before every game and think “Hey, I’d forgotten about that. I haven’t called one of those in a long time…”
Shep and Buttercup score…..in the same game. Is this the first sign of the Apocalypse.
It’s great to see these two contribute. Hopefully the flood gates are now open.
Hat’s off to the Russotan who let us know about hockeywebcasts.com. You’ve made the world a better place.
http://atdhe.net/ is better then hockeywebcasts
Band, either that or get a glass display case for the legos. Dust the case, not the legos!
El Gato…nice.
According to sources, Marian Gaborik, who has missed 17 games because of a “lower body” injury, will again be kept off the ice due to continued soreness. Asked to confirm, assistant GM Tom Lynn said he is not giving daily Gaborik updates.
How pathetic is that?
The worst case scenario in the Gho$t Story is unfolding. He’s not on the ice so the Wild cannot trade him. He’s not on the ice so he cannot help the team.
Sadly, he’ll still cash in on 7/1/09, however, the Wild will only get a bag ‘o pucks in return by trading his negotiating rights to the LA Kings.
Ovie was worth the price of admission last night. His goal was scary good.
Did anyone else notice?
Not a single Spin-o-Turnover from PMB.
It’s not a coincidence that he had a point. Removing the blue line curl from his game will lead to even more points.
AO’s shot was excellent, but Backstrom’s shot was perfect.
if you want to see the best shot from last night, check the highlights of the Wings game. Datsyuk’s shot was absolutely filthy.
So a couple of things from last night. AO switches sticks more than JL shuffles lines. I think he rotated in 4-5 different sticks. He used a special one every once and a while and I think the refs should have checked it. The stick looked like a boat prop. It has some nasty as twist to the blade and a hook on the end. It was pretty interesting to watch. Kimmy J hurt AO pretty good. Not sure where the puck hit AO, but he was feeling it for a while.
Overall a good game. Nice to see them shut down AO and company. The last 5 minutes kinda sucked, but after Sheps goal, you could tell we switched over to just dump the puck (not even dump and chase).
AO is the top player, and faf draw, in the League for a reason. The energy he has for every shift, some of which push 3 minutes, is phenominal. I would happily plunk down by 38 bucks (STH prices) to watch him play 82 times a year.
On a side note, the best thing to come out of last night’s games was the fact that Darcy “That Mother Tucker” looks like he got his knee shredded in the game against the Fowl. For those who missed it, he had just come over the boards on a shift and was lining up Morrison. As the two were coming together, Tucker started to spread his one leg out a little further, looking like he wanted to go low on Morrison. At the last second, Morrison shifted and Tucker got the worst of it. It looked real bad and he could put no pressure or weight on the leg whatsoever as he was helped off the ice. I think we can all agree that for the most part, we love the physical aspect of the sport and don’t want to see anybody get hurt. But, when a player like this has no regard or respect for his fellow NHLers, we can all gleam a bit of a smile when that vicious lady Karma comes aruond full circle. Here’s hoping he is out for several weeks so he won’t be able to go low on anybody else.
Nice spelling:
faf = fan
by = my
aruond = around
First: El Gato at 6:16am FTW! That’s going right into the Russoville Post HoF, no waiting period, no voting. Brilliant.
Second: that was a pretty exciting game, overall. Probably more exciting than it should have been, but exciting nonetheless.
Third: anyone see any “Cal For President” tags on overpasses while driving around the TC yet?
if he indeed hurt his knee, that would be sweet, sweet poetic justice.
Things I am surprised about this morning:
No one picked up Clutterbuck in my Roto league. I thought for sure one of the homers would. One more goal, and they will…
The post by El Gato. I was certain I was the only one with that much bitter disdain for the man. Well played.
The trade proposal listed above. Parise and Zajac for UM and Skoula? NJ wouldn’t do this if everyone in the exec office was druck and high and there were 75 of the best strippers 90% through their routine dancing on the table to distract them while DR snuck around and put pens in everyone’s hand and Lynn went arouund and moved their hands in a signature like motion.
I tagged the front of my house with that, Nick.
ha!
I knew you would, ms.c!
I was at work Ms. C. Got the first update on my text that Clutts had scored, and I thought, sweet, first NHL goal, Ms. C is smiling.
Then I got the second goal update, and all I could think was Ms. C is up and dancing somewhere, jumping around, yelling at a computer “I told all of you he could play!”
I tell you what, I’ll get the Constitutional ammendment moving, you put together the campaign for 2012.
Buddha, what if we made it 76 strippers? Would they do it then? ‘Cause I’d be willing to pay for stripper #76 out of my own pocket…
Goody - If Huggy is around I think the 76th puts us over the top, but he’s hurt, so I think we’re screwed here.
Seriously though… key to the city of St. Paul. Get ‘er done, Stanzel!
when and if Gaborik returns, which forward is sent down or released? You have to think that Clutterbucks job is safe now. Also, I believe Weller is on a 1 way contract. Who go’s from the forward group?
File this one under “Blaming the absolute wring person”
Blades -
Burns takes a trip all the way back to the blue line.
But it won’t need to happen because UM is never coming back.
Blades, on the off-chance that Buddha’s wrong DR has said before that he would send a one-way guy down to Houston if that was the best thing for the team.
What? Me wrong? Never. “I’m right 100% of the time.”
Or is it 99.77%…
I’m with you Nick. I’m just really bitter. That’s all.
deep breath, I’m a STH for the Caps and know I’m bloody lucky to see Ov as often as I do.
Nick, told you our D was putrid. Plus it got so bad that Brooks had to shift to D when 2 of our guys had to leave the game (Schultz with a broken finger and Erskine with undiclosed upper body hurt feelings), then Gordon left too. We are one dinged up team. Good call on Clusterbuck.
Blades,
We have the roster space right now without sending anyone down. Mozjis was sent down. Remember, he originally went on waivers to allow room for Schaefer when Harding looked like he might be injured. Since Harding turned out OK, Schaefer was sent back to Houston.
So, we called up one and sent two down leaving an open roster spot. I’m guessing DR saw the problem if/when Gaborik returns (not soon I’m guessing) and as Mozjis had already cleared waivers…
*yawn*
I’m up way too early. Anyway, random thoughts:
* AO is beyond scary.
* If AO is worth 10mil/yr, Gaborik’s worth 3. End of story.
* Backstrom (Nicklas) reminds me of Datsuyk with his playmaking ability, and he’s only going to get better.
* I had thought Nylander might be a good pickup for us, but after watching him skate last nite I see why the Caps are trying to unload him
* Johnsson has been playing much stronger this year, but he’s also much slower and it showed on the G he allowed.
* Zid has a habit of picking up dumb penalties because he doesn’t move his feet.
* The defensive shell does not work with this group. They don’t have the ability to shut down other teams like they used to.
* The reason for the above note is the lack of a Wes Walz.
* There are way too many homers at the X. We need to take these people’s season tickets away if they leave games with 5 minutes left. Real fans stay to the end. Real fans should get tickets, homers should get shown the door.
* I think the “You can do it” guy has a sore throat. Was hard to hear him last night.
* Wild are 2-0 on national TV this year.
* Wild are 2-0 with Lindsay Soto in the building this year.
* I’d pay money to hear Melrose break down the Wild’s inability to hold a lead.
* I’m out of coffee. Laters.
Well put Michael.
Also, I really like Sheppard and Bouchard playing together. Having Burns on the other wing works for now, but he can’t stay at forward forever (or can he). I would like to see Pouliot move to wing and play with those two.
It was our familys first game of the year last night, It was great hearing that goal horn 4 times! Anti had a great chance he should’ve had a goal…mikko had 2-3 bad whiffs that probably would’ve been goals…
what was with that last 5mins though? Our stellar D just let these guys in the zone and set up some chaos in front of backstrom.
ovech would be totally left alone untill they would get him the puck and he would shoot very fast…how do they keep malkin and sid to 1 shot each but let ovechkin shoot all he wants? I would’nt mind seeing burns on D again. backs should’ve had a shutout. Congrats to cal! you deserve a 5 goal game buddy!
how do they keep malkin and sid to 1 shot each but let ovechkin shoot all he wants?
Because AO is that much more talented at getting open and shooting.
max, I think AO has more shots because that is his game. He fires upon the net at will, and has a nasty shot. Malkin and Crosby are more the playmaker type that look for a good pass to set up a teammate first, and take only good shots.
I agree with michael on the fans leaving with 5 mins left. The lower bowls staircases were full of people leaving after a whistle with 5 mins left or right before the caps started to score. I wonder if thats the mentality that the team had in the end. they had a game to finish but they were already high fiving in the showers.
Please wild dont let the stars have one of their best games so far against us! everyone else is pounding them.
MuN: I think we’re 3-0 on Vs. so far this season.
Your line about AO being worth $10M so Gaby is worth $3M is perfect.
Steve R: My guess is the injuries and the length of time on the road really conspired against your team last night. It’s frightening how quickly they can create offense though. I’d pay to watch AO play Stiga rod hockey. He’s just great. When he was stewing in the box last night, you just KNEW he was plotting his revenge. What a player.
finally, to Steve R: it’s been a pleasure having you around the last couple days. Don’t be a stranger!
Russo i hear ya-I considered that game a loss-i almost threw my brother over the glass when they scored the 3rd goal. I was going to tell my mom it was the usher.
Michael, I agree, I can’t imagine shelling out $100 per ticket (+ parking, etc) and and then heading for the exits early.
KJ, I was that impressed with AO too. It is my first game of the year and it was a great one to see. AO’s goal was like shot from a rifle. I also noticed he had over 25 minutes of ice time despite missing a couple shifts early when hit with the puck.
Ahh I see what you mean…Is it just me or does it seem like Nolan is kinda disengaged? mabey he is hurt but it just seeemed like he stayed away from any hits or getting his hands dirty just kinda skated around and if he had the puck they would just take it away from him. I seem to remember him when we played calgary last year he would totally crush and sit on gabby why not ovechkin?
Hi gang - Was too tired to write last night when I got home, but wow, what an incredible treat to watch Ovechkin. No disrespect to your boy, KiPA, but AO is so much more of a player than Sid or anyone else in the league right now. I hope you Caps fans appreciate this, because this guy is really, really special. I see him on Center Ice all the time, but to be able to see him away from the puck, all over the rink, was terrific. The Wild focused on him, put their best guys on him, played him tight and he still got a goal, six shots on goal, and had another 3-4 chances. It’s got to be frightening to be in that division and face him six times a year.
Mike R, you are right, that’s a scary bunch of defensemen the Caps have. Slow, tentative, not physical, not great puckhandlers. Would NEVER want to play goal behind that group.
And what a great couple of moments for Clutterbuck! Wonderful expression on his face both times. It should be safe for him to get his car back up here from Houston.
VERY disappointed Boogy didn’t dance with Brashear. Our boy owes him a beating.
And speaking of beatings, Darrin McCarty took one last night in Vancouver. There’s really no one to root for when Detroit and Casucks players go after each other, is there?
Had a nice chat with John Gilbert after the game, (and this is a shameless plug, even though I have no financial interest) and he’s going to be signing his book about Herb on Friday on the Club Level. I’ve read the book already, and it’s terrific.
I think Koivu/Miettenen/Veilleux had full time AO duty last night. However I did see Nolan out there a few times with AO, max. Maybe you’re right, I haven’t noticed Nolan that much these past few games.
Thanks Nick, appreciate it. Some teams (Philly) blogs aren’t welcoming to strangers.
Yup, injuries are kicking our butts right now. We can generate O in a hurry, but Green being out just plain sucks. There was one pass on the PP that Poti couldn’t handle on his backhand where the right shooting Green probably would have buried it. Plus Green carrying the puck up the ice is a lot safer than the passes some of our knuckleheads send out from deep in our zone.
Yup, you could see the steam pouring out of Alex’s ears when he was in the box, he was a wee bit pissed. At least with the new format y’all will get to see him at least once a year against your guys.
maxpower - blame it on JL?
I can see leaving in the event of an absolute blowout. In the instance of there being no chance of winning I can see being totally disgusted enough with the play of your own team that you’d really rather write it off as a loss and leave.
But, to leave when you’re team is winning or if it is a close game, no way!
Somebody posed a question about who goes if Gaby comes back.
Personally, I doubt the Wild will put him in uniform, except to display him. He has let the team down, not because of his injuries but how he has dealt with the injuries he has had.
So, maybe nobody goes. Except once a team starts to gel it is hard to add or subtract players. Though there are plenty of team weaknesses it is possible that maybe we do not move anyone but Gaby when the time comes and then for only draft choices.
maxpower…it’s simple math really:
(NBC+Geno)*8 = Ovie
OMW, I think by sending Mojzis to Houston, we have a roster spot open right now, so no moves will need to be made for Gaborik.
OldManWinter, see my 10:06 and 10:09, I believe we’ve got an empty roster spot right now - no one would need to be sent anywhere.
I am going to be like Eklund today and spout a trade rumor, on nothing more than my ideas
With Burke landing in Toronto (this will be announced any day now as Eklund has said for the last 2 weeks), DR will trade Gaby (while injured) to Toronto for Nik Antropov, and a first round draft pick.
Any day now…
Top 10 protected of course
So Gaborik isn’t even skating on his own now? It’s amazing, Foster has a broken femur, the largest, strongest, and most important bone in the body, and he is skating on his own and Gaborik isn’t.
When I think of Gho$t, I cannot help but hear King Julian from Madagascar say:
Pansy
Gunslinger, could you throw Nylander into the mix? Maybe the Caps get a D man in return?
Russo implied that Gaborik didn’t skate yesterday on his own. Previously, he has skated on his own everyday per Falness and the media.
Steve- We aren’t usually so welcoming to strangers either, but generally because they come in with weak opinions with no basis and start slamming the Wild like children.
You however, brought a good game. That… well, that we like. Like Nick said, don’t be a stranger. Stop in and say hi.
richard b, they said on the radio last night that Foster is now ‘running the stairs’.
With a dynamic player like AO, I don’t understand why the team just stopped playing with five minutes left. Its not like you are playing Columbus or the Islanders who most likely can’t mount a 3-4 goal in the last 5 minutes.
Its AO, for goodness sakes.
As to people leaving early. I have never understood this. not even a little.
I went the night they lost to the Nucks. People next to me didn’t show up until 10 minutes into the first, left and went back to the concourse with 3 minutes left. Came back 5 minutes into the second, left with 5 minutes left. Came back 10 minutes into the third, and then left with 4 minutes left.
I wanted to punch them.
I hate when people leave early. The Wild could be down 12-0 and my best friend could be trapped in a car, I still don’t think I leave.
sunshine… funny you mention the Islanders…
You see how they won the game against the Habs? Brutal.
Yeah, reminded me of when one of the Caps guys scored for the other team with the his goalie in net last year. Ripped it from the slot area, I think.
I don’t think it cost them the gain like O’Byrne’s did.
Steve R - What is the ticket situation in DC. Iäm asking because I will be out there for business the first week of January and would not mind taking in a game.
I really have no problem with people leaving early. It is a free country and they bought a ticket. People can do what they want and it is really their lose, not yours.
I do agree that I peronally never will leave early unless I have a very good reason like a young child attending with me that needs to go home to bed.
Buddha, I felt pretty bad for O’Byrne. The Habs fans got on him pretty hard. Sounds like all of his teammates were pretty pissed that the fans were that hard on him.
Good for his teammates to stick up for him.
Not sure why people get all up in arms about others leaving early. Unless you shelled out the dollars for their tickets, who cares! If you think it is wrong to leave an event before the conclusion, don’t do it! But to let the actions of others bother you, when you have zero control over those actions, seems like a perfectly good waste of frustration, especially when we as Wild fans need extra loads of it while watching this team in the offensive end of the ice.
Not sure if anybody has mentioned it or not, but the save that Theodore made on the Burns/PMB 2-on-0 may have been the save of the year to this point. Fitting it would happen to a player as snake-bit as PMB.
BDS, which game you looking at? Rangers on Saturday 1/3 might be sold out already, but there should still be some at ticketmaster for the Tues 1/6 game vs Flyers. I’d recommend the Flyers game, Ov strongly dislikes Danny B (Danny speared him in the crotch while with Buff) and usually tries to squash him once or twice a game.
If the Rangers, I’d look at stub hub or ebay. Plus the 100 scalpers out front.
Zigomanis scored our goal for us and we won in a shootout. But Zigo probably wasn’t as hated as O’Byrne was prior to the game anyways.
Thanks Steve R - the only game I would be able to attend would be the Flyers one and by the sound of it that one might be the most interesting one. Since I do not know my meeting schedule and evening events yet I am pretty sure I will use the service of one of the scalpers. Thanks man!
DB - that save was absolutley sick! I rag on PMB more then others but that was just an example of the slump he is in right now.
People next to me didn’t show up until 10 minutes into the first, left and went back to the concourse with 3 minutes left. Came back 5 minutes into the second, left with 5 minutes left. Came back 10 minutes into the third, and then left with 4 minutes left.
more so than any previous year this is happening. Strange.
I don’t care about people leaving early except when they can’t get out of the way of the action.
Steve R - a Nylander for Gaby trade is one I would not put past DR. It would not be MY trade, but I am not the GM
Ok, back to this discussion about the fans.
First, and this is the most important:
It’s a hockey game, not a place to take your date. If you want a place to go with a date, find somewhere else, because no one cares to hear you yap about nonsense while getting up to go the the bathroom 7:00 into the period because you were too lazy to wait in line like the rest of us between periods.
The sheer audacity of some fans who consider a game a social event, and detract from the pleasure of watching hockey is astounding. The teenagers who show up and gossip about who’s done what at school need to STFU and watch the game or leave.
If you can’t tell, this sort of stuff really trips my @#*$. There’s nothing wrong with being involved in the ongoings of the game. Shout, shake your fists, yell at the refs (or Skoula)….Do whatever you want, just be watching.
I think since the advent of the nets at the end of the arena, and the higher glass we saw in the 80’s has contributed to the numbers of people who go to a game just “to be there”. Well, be somewhere else.
All of this parlays into the fact that there are people who don’t show up until after the start of the game - because they were too busy doing something else. Hey, if you’re late, you’re late. Traffic can suck, could be snowing, or like me you could have an hour ride to get there. But to habitually show up late and disrupt ppl around you because you are a tool is beyond me. Then the same people need to get up during the period, or with 3 minutes left so they can get in line for another drink and stake out their socializing spot in the concourse first. It reminds me of the people who get up at sunrise on vacation, so they can go put a towel on their preferred chairs by the pool, then return hours later to claim their spot. Get a life.
And no, I’m not done. I don’t wanna see people streaming for the exits with 5 minutes left. Why? Do you really need to get home that much earlier? Got somewhere to go? With the faster faceoffs, the games are typically done in 2-1/2 hours or less, and you’re on your way in no time. Not to mention that St. Paul is leaps and bounds easier to get out of than the old Met was.
So.. If you go to a game - go for the game. Don’t be a tool.
Gotcha Gunslinger. While a better offense wouldn’t a bad thing for us, at this point I’d be happy if we’d average a little less than 4 goals against on the road. Nyls for a solid D man, or for picks to free up the cap room to bring up Alzner and Lepisto would be good.
Having said that, we’ll throw everybody a curve ball and trade for a goalie.
MuN,
I only have one beef with your rant. When we’re in Mexico, I don’t mind getting up early to get my towel in a prime spot by the pool. Makes it so much easier to get hammied and have the siesta in a prime, sunny spot.
Other than that, I hear ya cluckin’!
Anybody who has been going to the X for awhile now, should know the ins and outs of St. Paul so they shouldn’t need to leave early to “beat the traffic”. The ones leaving, they don’t, and obviously aren’t that dedicated of a fan anyway. So stay the EFF home, and watch your reality tv!
DB- I understand it’s a free country, and that they can leave if they so choose, but I still want to hit them for doing it. That’s my freedom to want to do that, right? Not to actually do it, but to want to?
Wasted frustration? Yeah, probably, but this is one that really gets me. Too much hockey for too long maybe, but every second wasted by being late, missing a play because some jack hole couldn’t get back in time and is now making everyone stand up and block my view… same with those leaving… blocking my view…
Irritates the hell out me.
Thats what bugs me too greenstar. Anytime the game is on and folks need to make the whole row stand up in front of those behind them or go stand in lines on the lower level stairs waiting to leave? These tiks are spendy man! I came to see the whole game not stare at “fans” that need to go go go! I guarantee there were people at last nights game that were trying to watch and there were people trying to leave blocking their view when the caps started to rally…that I would not like so much free country or not it comes down to being respectful of those around you.
Reminds me of a great story about making the row stand up, but this was at a Gopher football at a game. So me and 3 friends are at the Dome, and were in seats 1-4 in our row. Not sure how many seats the Dome has but lets say 25-30. So a few fans from the middle of the row are constantly leaving their seats making us stand up everytime (and I believe they were Badger fans). So my one buddy sitting in seat 2 of the row has enough of this, and 3 times during the latter part of the game he gets up to leave, but only goes the opposite way to the stair case, making all 25-30 seats of the row have to stand up. The people in seats 5-8 were like, what the hell is this guy doing?
Oops, first sentence has an extra “at a game”
Now that there is funny
When we’re in Mexico, I don’t mind getting up early to get my towel in a prime spot by the pool. Makes it so much easier to get hammied and have the siesta in a prime, sunny spot.
I got better things to do in the am in Mexico. Besides, I’ll siesta wherever I am when the need arises.
Nice richard. I was at the Viking/Packer game a few weeks ago and a few women did the same thing, but I think alcohol may have been a factor in their directional decision making.
BOOM!
Part one of my rumor looks to be coming to fruition:
I forgot to mention that he came back to the seat as well the long way, so everybody got to see him 6 times.
What, like sleep in?
Little bi*&*y today, huh? Get up too early this morning?
You know you’re thankful for that prime poolside real estate when the time comes, lol.
Of course this was everyone’s rumor, and I guess I just fed Eklund a point for saying he called it first…
D*mnit!
I can see and understand the frustration when other fans get up or return to their seats while the game is going on. Bothers the he11 out of me as well. All those people should be forced to turn in their posters of RIAC. But, if folks are leaving, during a stoppage in play or between periods, I guess I don’t understand how that would affect how you enjoy watching the game. Trust me, if we’re in game 6 of the Western semis, and Buddha, or Greenstar, or sunshine or anyone else in Russoville gets up and leaves the “X” between the 2nd and 3rd periods of a 2-2 game, it will have no affect on my enjoyment whatsoever of the pending 3rd period.
Gun-
Something about a blind squirrel comes to mind.
Burke is still a jackass. Can’t wait to see what kind of goons he brings into Toronto.
As long as we’re ranting/venting… what really burns me is…
1) Vending lines which stretch across the concourse inhibiting the flow of people through the concourse - line up to the side then people can get by!
2) People who stand in the middle of the concoursse to yap thereby inhibiting the flow of people through the concourse - move off to the side!
Buddha–
If it takes a jacka$$ to be the GM who brings a CUP to town, where do we sign up?
For the Crosby fans out there
And if it takes a jack@ss to make a trade for an oft “lower body” injured winger… so be it!
Does Vegas already have a line on how long it takes Sundin to sign with Toronto now?
Eklund is right 99.77% of the time
richard b - thats because he posts every rumor he’s heard, including those that have no basis what so ever.
I think he lives by the moto “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
In otherwords - take EVERY shot
I was zinging Dan’s now infamous quote
A few days ago, somebody posted owning a Willie Mitchell Wild jersey. I do not recall who it was but if you were there last night and sat in Section 102, you were a row or two ahead of me.
Toronto might be a fine place for Gaby. They might be looking for guys just like him and if they have enough to make it interesting (with choices) for the Wild maybe that will be his new home.
Fiddle Faddle puts in two last night and I can hear Jock now after the game, “great game guys, especially you Cal. Now don’t go and get all full of yourself. Come to think of it I think I’ll send you to Houston to keep your ego in check”.
If it takes bringing a guy like Burke to town to trade UM, or to bring a Cup to town, consider me a brand new Red Wings fan, because I will not cheer for any team he runs, including the Wild.
There is winning, and then there is winning the right way. He does one, not the other.
OMW- Burke won’t trade for UM. UM is not nearly the type of player you will see in Toronto coming up.
Think Todd Bertuzzi, Mathias Ohlund, Chris Pronger type players. Super stars who earned their name by steam rolling opponents at all costs.
UM doesn’t fit the mold. Well… unless you consider him on par with Selanne/ Neiderloser/ Sundin type players. You know… play half a year.
If the Wild ever brought Burke in as GM, I would start cheering for Calgary.
Lots of GMs out there, a few with way more Cups, and way more respect for the game than Burke. I’d take any one of them.
buddha: Selanne, the Sedins, Schneider….you certainly don’t have to like Delta but I think you might be overstating some of that a tad.
He got more Cups with the Ducks than DR has with the Wild that’s for sure.
Put the Kings GM, Lombardi on the list of people I don’t think should be in charge of a McDonald’s, let a lone an NHL franchise.
“Every good army needs a couple criminals” he says in defense of the idiot who hit Adam Foote.
Burke doesn’t espouse anything illegal. I’m all for tough hockey. Again, don’t like him, that’s your business. But I don’t think he’s Satan.
If you don’t cheat, you don’t want to win badly enough. This is the Big Leagues. It is all about winning and losing. Period. Give me a roster of a$$holes who hoist the Cup over a roster of “good guys” who can do nothing once the outside snow melts. Let’s not forget, that while some may roast Burke for bringing in Bertuzzi, Ohlund, etc, etc, etc, the Wild have a current GM who brought in Chris Simon at the deadline a year ago. Nope. Give me a GM with warts who knows what he is doing, over a smooth pitchman with a mediocre-at-best resume’.
I’ll give you that he doesn’t espouse anything illegal Nick, at least not publicly.
Name the top five cheap shot guys in the NHL, I bet he’s responsible for bringing up at least four of them. Three are listed in my previous post…
Satan? Nah. He’s not Satan, Satan’s valet maybe.
And I lit up DR for bringing in Simon too. Dumbest move in sports history.
We are jsut going to have to agree to disagree on this one DB. Winning the Cup is not worth it to me to do it the way he does.
I don’t like DR much either, due to his inability to do much of anything, but I prefer him over Burke any day.
Rutuu? Who drafted him?
Buddha-
Where I will give Burke credit is the fact that he obviously seemed like he had a plan for his franchise. The plan for the Wild has shifted so many times I would think everyone in the front office must have motion sickness by now.
Gotcha DB. I’ll give him that. Not a plan I would agree with, but a plan none-the-less.
Has anyone heard any scuttlebutt about Tucker’s shredded knee and how many months he will be out?
I’m hungry.
Steve- That would be Burke. 1998 to Vancouver.
Goody- I’m with you… where the H is Stencils with lunch?
No, I’m really, actually hungry - a blog post would be nice too though.
Stencils will probably play the had a great blog until I lost it card patented by the Don of late…
He probably fell asleep covering the Timberwolves
Well, that I can’t help you with Goody…
Have a Butterfinger.
You couldn’t find 5 non-Wild fans that would call Ohlund dirty. Bertuzzi, sure he’s a meathead. Pronger? He at least can also play the game, but I’ll even give you that he’s a meathead.
Burke had an idea of how to beat the Red Wings, went out and turned that idea into reality, and voila, Snoop Dogg celebrates a Cup in tinseltown.
It was definitely a scorched earth hockey policy and polarizing for sure. But I just don’t see what’s wrong with it.
Not liking him is one thing and that’s certainly fine. But I think that’s where the line is getting blurred a bit.
NiNY: Correct. Burke might be a flaming bag of open sores, but none of us would know personally, but that doesn’t deter from the fact that he knows how to build a professional hockey squad. Ducks already have a CUP and does anybodythink that franchise is gonna quickly slip into the abyss along with the NYI or Atl?
NiNY: Also, Pronger may be a meathead, but I would take 4 of him a heartbeat and a half.
You would need 4 of him DB, because three of them would be suspended at any given time.
You would need 4 of him DB, because three of them would be suspended at any given time.
touche
Come on Stencils! I need news… I have a hockey jones…
Google alerts all giving me the same thing… seventy five blogs all saying the same thing… gimme something new, will ya?
Our Schultz out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. That works for your news fix Buddha?
OMW…mrs kj had on her Mitchell jersey last night, but certainly not in 102.
We’re in the cheap seats.
Ok, I’m still confused. Which Backstrom has the c? Ours or theirs? And, how can I remember that?
It’s news Steve… not good news. Sorry for that.
Ours is Nik… no C… how to remember, well that I can’t help you with.
Our Backstrom - Niklas
Their Backstrom - Nicklas
(C as in, he plays center?)
Wild.com does not have Foster listed as on IR. I wonder why that is. They listed him as a scratch at the game against the Nucks.
Something to do with pay? Contract years?
Wild.com does not have Foster listed as on IR. I wonder why that is. They listed him as a scratch at the game against the Nucks.
Something to do with pay? Contract years?
Incompetence?
So I tried to maintain radio silence as I’ve yet to get around to last night’s tivo of the game, but I couldn’t help it.
Anyway…
I’m more with NiNY than Buddha overall on Burke, yet I don’t want to see him as GM of the Wild.
Closing out games… what is going on? I just don’t think you can sit on a lead anymore in the NHL. You can’t just play the third period with the single object of clearing the zone. I’m guessing somewhat based on last night’s results and what I’ve seen from previous games this season. It’s just a matter of time before you give up a goal that way and when you give up one, the psychology starts to creep in. The scoring team gains energy, the scored on team starts to panic.
And I do remember last season we had this “best player in the league debate” and I was definitely in the minority with Ovechkin. Sounds like he’s won a few converts.
Ovechkin’s unstoppable. When they don’t have Green or Semin in the lineup, their only real threat is Ovechkin (Backstrom seems more of a playmaker but maybe Steve can correct me). Yet Ovechkin still finds ways to score. That’s what makes him the best.
Good answer kj. Good answer.
KiPA-
I think that Backstrom being a playmaker became painfully clear when AO was slow and then gone. Amazingly, as Ao lights it up, so does Backstrom.
I think you and I both feel the pain of that in the Roto league, no?
And I’m sure this has all been thoroughly hashed through, but I feel like I need to chip in on the whole Gaborik mess.
I don’t really blame him. This is going to be another Doug Disaster. I can see it coming from a mile away. He says Gaborik is in the plans, he’s their priority. Oblivious to comments made at all-star game and other hints that he’d like to go play somewhere else. Says he wants to get extension done before season so team doesn’t have Hossa Atlanta situation.
Never should have gotten this far down the path without resolution. Now the ball is entirely in Gaborik’s court, and the best DR can hope for is a team willing to overpay for Gaborik at the deadline. And after the way Hossa dumped the Pens in favor of the Wings and Gaborik’s reputation for injury and, ahem, loyalty, what kind of loot is Doug expecting to be offered in return? He’s going to get really weak offers most likely.
He’ll probably not even trade him with the misguided idea that he’ll be able to re-sign Gaborik because his market value will turn out to be more in line with his rahter than Salcer’s negotiating price point. Still oblivious to the obvious that Gaborik probably doesn’t want to continue playing here.
I would very much love to be wrong about all of this, btw.
Kevin, Ov is a beast. Nicky is pass first, second and third option, 4th option is to shoot. The kid can score, he just doesn’t pull the trigger that much.
With Ovechkin, you get the sense that if you gave him the puck, and put him out one on five, those five would still have trouble stopping him.
Ov is a beast
With Ovechkin, you get the sense that if you gave him the puck, and put him out one on five, those five would still have trouble stopping him.
Exactly. That’s why I’d rather have him than Crosby or Malkin, who can’t do anything.
And if Iginla is like Chuck Norris, then Ovechkin is like Bruce Lee.
Exactly. That’s why I’d rather have him than Crosby or Malkin, who can’t do anything.
I know I’m missing something here. Fill me in.
What’s to miss? Those two suck, are overrated, and the Penguins aren’t going anywhere. Isn’t it obvious?
Alright, I think I’ve got it Backstrom with the C plays for the Caps. Backstrom without the C plays for the Wild. I should be able to remember from now on.
Foster not listed on IR. I think there’s long term IR which is different from regular IR if I remember correctly. I’m not really sure on the differences though.
And, I should explain that I think Foster is on long term IR and as such isn’t listed on the ‘regular’ IR. Why he wouldn’t be listed as being on long term IR, I don’t know.
KiPA- I’ll give you Kesler for Malkin…
Come on… that’ll show him who’s in charge!
Right on Kevin!
Although I wouldn’t mind Malkin playing for us (as long as Ov would stop trying to kick his a@@ all over the ice).
Goody:
I think you are correct. There might not be anything to denote LIR.
toivo: good to have you and your rational, insightful thoughts back.
And you’re really not missing anything other than KiPA is a touch sensitive about his team’s superstars at the moment.
What superstars?
yeah, just a touch sensitive.
Stensaas might not have much to report as they only skated for 35 minutes and the top guys left much earlier according to the Wild blog.
They were let go early after almost blowing a 4 goal lead last night?
They were let go early after almost blowing a 4 goal lead last night?
They left the game early so it makes sense they would leave practice early as well right?
They left the game early so it makes sense they would leave practice early as well right?
+2
KiPA - if you don’t want your superstars I’m sure we could work a trade for another player we know that has disapeared as well. You know what I mean
Lemaire said it was because the team is playing every other day so he needed to rest some of his players.
Koivu and Veilleux didn’t skate but worked off ice.
NiNY, you’re too nice.
KiPA, did they kick your dog or something?
No, I don’t. What superstars do we have that we could trade?
No toivu, they just don’t play or work hard.
Are you sure you’re not from Philly?
What superstars do we have that we could trade?
Maybe Burke can trade for Miroslav Satan - just to make it official…
He’s a superstar right?
KiPA:
They are just going through a rough patch. Watch next couple of games, they are going to be hot.
Positive, toivu.
Yes, Gunslinger.
Maybe, sunshine. I’m not holding my breath though.
Just checking. You seem to be suffering far too much to be from the western side of your state. Maybe it’s one of those things where now that the Phillies won the WS, their curse of sports misery has dissipated and spread, and part of it landed in the Igloo.
Can’t prove my hypothesis scientifically, of course, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be true.
Perhaps NBC and Geno have been reading the WSJ.
I would like to point out the difference in philosophy and presentation of injuries between the Cunucks and the Wild.
Robert Luongo:
Status: Pulled groin (week to week)
Sustained: November 22, 2008
Games missed: 1
Marian Gaborik:
Injury: lower body
Date: 10/16
GMs: 16
Dougie - quit trying to play coy. Please.
KiPA…
We’re having a Gho$t pity party and you’re invited… 
toivo…
You’re dead on right with your Dougie assessment.
Bag o pucks on deadline day or on 6/30/09.
Did Stencils forget to feed us?
He fell asleep covering the Timberwolves as I previously speculated
Fair enough. I’ve been to one NBA game as an adult and it was like a double dose of Ambien right in the vein.
Well, doesn’t everyone here agree Crosby’s overrated? I know he’s earned league-wide hatred.
Nah. The Kid’s amazing. I like him a lot.
Well, obviously two parties don’t think STK is over-rated…
GE, because they named their TV network after him (’Nothing But Crosby’), and;
the Pens, because they still pay him a whopping amount and get some results from it (as opposed to the Wild, who pay Uncle Moneybags an equally whopping amount, and get a petulant, sulking, whiny player, who I am convinced is involved in an NFL-style ‘pay me or trade me’ holdout)…
Ms. C: How’s the Key Lime Pie for Clutterbuck coming along? He sure earned it last night!
WRT, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something about the whole thing that just seems… off.
The limes are squeezed. I’m crushing the graham crackers for the crust tonight.
Well I’d asked who here, not a TV network or a team. But anyway. I’m done. Time to work.
toivu says:
>>>and the best DR can hope for is a team willing to overpay for Gaborik at the deadline.<<<
That has been the truth from the beginning of this whole saga and free agent means exactly what it says. Gaby has earned the right to do what he wants. All the talk from both sides leading up to an offer is negotiating rhetoric and positioning. I am not a Smug fan for alot of reasons, but stating that he should have done something before Gaby got injured is historical revisionism. We don’t know what offers there may have been on the table in September, but I doubt they were good. Gaby had a strong, almost injury free season last year and there was every reason to bet that he could put up some great numbers this year and enhance his trade value if he and the Wild weren’t going to be able to come together on a contract. It will be unfortunate if he struggles this season and we lose him with little in return other than freeing up $6+M in salary cap space which is nothing to sneeze at. Gaby will also lose millions in value. It is bad luck for all parties involved, but I just don’t agree that Smug has handled this wrong or should be held to blame for not being able to see into the future.
toivo: We know what’s a bit off…
Is it:
A player who refuses to go get treatment for his ‘condition’ from the same specialists who returned him from the same condition - TWICE? And who is getting paid $7.5M this season to basically sit on his @ss while his team struggles thru what is the easiest part of their season’s schedule?
Or,
A management whose blatant stubborness borders on the absurd, whose sole goal is to become more secret than the former Soviet KGB when it comes to their players? Who thinks that the public (and the media, especially those media assigned to follow the team) should be a group of trained ’sheeple’ who should just accept what they say as almighty gospel, without a single shred of evidence to back up what they say?
Or,
Is it an ownership whose obsession with the almighty dollar is so strong, as to not do anything — AT ALL — to upset the apple cart when it comes to this team’s premier player? Including (but not limited to) negotiating by not talking to him? Or his agent? At all?
And then, the team accuses the media of stirrping the pot, as it were, by asking questions about that player’s availability.
Yeah, something is off, all right…
Dinner
