Foster partakes in morning skate; Western Conference All-Star voting
Posted on November 26th, 2008 – 9:19 AMBy Michael Russo
From the Xcel Energy Center press box, just a quick check-in as the Dallas Stars skate.
Marty Turco didn’t practice this morning, but fyi, as an update to what I wrote before, I just talked to Dallas Morning News writer Mike Heika and he expects Turco to start.
The Wild had an optional morning skate today, but defenseman Kurtis Foster joined the team for the first time. He asked coach Jacques Lemaire permission, and the coach said sure.
This doesn’t mean anything other than it’s just another step mentally for Foster. He’s still a long way from returning. Every time he took a shot, he looked like a peacock as he lifted his left leg off the ice and shot off his right.
Foster said he still can’t put any weight on his left leg when he shoots because a shooting pain goes down. But Foster was excited with how well it went and he said he hopes to participate in more morning skates (doubtful on practices).
The Wild will go with the same lineup tonight. Colton Gillies and Craig Weller got bagged. Niklas Backstrom will start.
Have a funny note from Cal Clutterbuck in tomorrow’s notebook after I went to him thinking I’d get a different note. The other night after Clutterbuck’s two-goal game, the Washington Post writer asked Caps coach Bruce Boudreau if he had ever even heard of Cal Clutterbuck. Boudreau said no, but Cal’s brother used to attend his hockey school.
I went to Clutterbuck to ask about that, and Clutterbuck smiled and said, “I don’t have a brother. It was me.” The first hockey school Clutterbuck ever attended was Boudreau’s Golden Horseshoe Hockey School in St. Catharines, Ont.
He was five, six and seven.
Couple other things: St. Louis’ Chris Mason is on fire. After stoning the Wild, Mason returned to Nashville, his former team, and had a 47-save 1-0 shootout shutout last night. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was Mason’s 13th shutout in 119 career starts in the NHL. Mason’s average of one shutout every 9.2 starts is the best among active goaltenders who’ve started at least 100 games. Martin Brodeur is second with an average of one shutout every 9.9 starts.
Also, Darcy Tucker, who tried to take out Nick Schultz’s knees last month, won’t be in town next week. He’s out a month with a knee injury.
The loss to Minnesota just devastated the Caps. Three more injuries. Washington called up four players today.
From Elias also, and this is a day old, but The Islanders’ Joey MacDonald is 7-3-1 in 11 games this month following his 4-3 shootout victory over the Canadiens in Montreal. MacDonald’s seven wins in November are the most by any NHL goaltender. Boston’s Tim Thomas and Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom are tied for second with six wins each this month.
– Nashville’s Shea Weber scored two goals at Carolina on Sunday, giving him 10 goals in the Predators’ 20 games this season. Weber is the first NHL defenseman to reach double-figures in goals in a season so quickly since 1987-88, when Buffalo’s Phil Housley scored his 10th goal in the Sabres’ 15th game and Toronto’s Al Iafrate did it in the Maple Leafs’ 19th game.
Another edition of “Russo Radio” on KSTP comes tonight at 6 o’clock. So if you’re driving to the arena, by all means, call the show.
Here is the Western Conference All-Star voting so far as released by the NHL. We learn again that Wild fans don’t exactly stuff the ballot box. Niklas Backstrom, the most consistent goalie in the West this season, is fourth in goalie voting — 182,000-plus votes behind Roberto Luongo.
New York (November 26, 2008) – Determined that recognition of their
heroes’ latest Stanley Cup triumph continues long after the presentation of
the chalice, the parade through Detroit and the banner-raising on opening
night, the fans of Hockeytown have stormed the cyber ballot box.
Four members of the defending champion Red Wings are among the
leaders at their respective positions in the XM NHL® All-Star Fan Balloting
presented by 2K Sports that will select the starting lineups for the 2009
All-Star Game in Montreal.
As of this morning, six-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Nicklas
Lidstrom led all Western Conference vote-getters. And up front, forwards
Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg had received the most
votes. What’s more, Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski had the
third-highest vote total among defensemen while Chris Osgood ranked second
among goaltenders behind Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo.
However, with just two weeks of voting complete and five to go – and
fans encouraged to vote as often as they like — this election is far from
decided. Calgary fans clearly have no intention of conceding anything to
their counterparts from Detroit. Flames fanatics have supported Dion
Phaneuf with the second most votes among defensemen while making sure that
captain Jarome Iginla is within a small ballot surge of breaking into the
top three among forwards.
The vote totals, as of 7 a.m. ET, in the fan balloting for the
Western Conference starters are detailed below.
Through Jan. 2, NHL fans can vote as often as they like in the XM NHL
® All-Star Fan Balloting presented by 2K Sports to select the starting
lineups for the 2009 NHL All-Star Game in Montreal. Fans around the world
can vote online via interactive English and French ballots at Vote.NHL.com.
Those in the U.S. and Canada also are able to cast their votes via text
message using any wireless carrier. Real-time results are available
exclusively at http://Vote.NHL.com/results.
Fans can vote for up to six Eastern Conference players and six
Western Conference players — three forwards, two defensemen and one
goaltender. Fans are permitted to select as few as one player — a balloted
player or write-in — per online ballot at Vote.NHL.com or via text
message.
To vote using any wireless carrier, fans should text their favorite
player’s last name to the shortcode 81812. Fans interested in voting for
all of their favorite team’s balloted players can text the team nickname
(e.g., Bruins) to 81812. Standard text messaging charges will apply.
The 2009 NHL All-Star Weekend in Montreal will celebrate the Montreal
Canadiens’ Centennial season with live national broadcasts of the Honda/NHL
SuperSkills® event on Saturday, Jan. 24, and the NHL All-Star Game on
Sunday, Jan. 25, on VERSUS in the United States and CBC and RDS in Canada.
XM NHL All-Star Fan Balloting, Presented by 2K Sports
Western Conference
(as of 11/26/08, 7 a.m. ET)
Forwards
Player NHL Club Votes
Marian Hossa Detroit 181,767
Pavel Datsyuk Detroit 176,264
Henrik Zetterberg Detroit 172,476
Jarome Iginla Calgary 164,337
Patrick Kane Chicago 114,728
Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim 101,385
Joe Thornton San Jose 87,182
Mikko Koivu Minnesota 87,157
Jonathan Toews Chicago 79,893
Mike Ribeiro Dallas 62,238
Patrick Marleau San Jose 61,221
Joe Sakic Colorado 58,131
Rick Nash Columbus 55,582
Shane Doan Phoenix 51,039
Olli Jokinen Phoenix 44,056
Marian Gaborik Minnesota 36,101
Ales Hemsky Edmonton 35,342
Brad Boyes St. Louis 33,723
Paul Stastny Colorado 33,327
Mike Modano Dallas 30,123
Jason Arnott Nashville 26,536
Brenden Morrow Dallas 26,155
Daniel Sedin Vancouver 24,933
Henrik Sedin Vancouver 24,232
Dustin Brown Los Angeles 23,882
Paul Kariya St. Louis 21,581
Anze Kopitar Los Angeles 20,683
Milan Hejduk Colorado 20,131
*Devin Setoguchi San Jose 17,416
Brad Richards Dallas 13,421
Shawn Horcoff Edmonton 12,939
Keith Tkachuk St. Louis 10,506
Defensemen
Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit 265,160
Dion Phaneuf Calgary 215,336
Brian Rafalski Detroit 114,001
Dan Boyle San Jose 95,518
Brian Campbell Chicago 87,467
Sheldon Souray Edmonton 82,746
Scott Niedermayer Anaheim 76,962
Chris Pronger Anaheim 72,624
Rob Blake San Jose 72,010
Shea Weber Nashville 58,587
Brent Burns Minnesota 47,127
Robyn Regehr Calgary 22,128
Goaltenders
Roberto Luongo Vancouver 239,060
Chris Osgood Detroit 94,514
Evgeni Nabokov San Jose 84,499
Niklas Backstrom Minnesota 56,890
J.S. Giguere Anaheim 56,779
Ilya Bryzgalov Phoenix 43,191
Miikka Kiprusoff Calgary 26,576
Marty Turco Dallas 25,629
Pascal Leclaire Columbus 24,703
Note: Write-in candidates are denoted by an asterisk (*)
143 Responses to "Foster partakes in morning skate; Western Conference All-Star voting"
Bah. Mikko should get Gaby’s votes transferred to him.
Ugh.
UM shouldn’t even be on the ballot. I have to believe the NHL has the ability to remove players from the list.
Maybe they don’t have a backspace button on their computers?
WTH? you can tell this is a popularity contest when a guy whose played a whopping 2 games this year is that high in voting. Mikko deserves the vote total he has and maybe even more. As far as defensemen go, I am appalled that Kim Johnson has gone unnoticed. He has been the backbone of the team’s defense and powerplay and think its crazy that he is not higher on the list (although props to Brent Burns - the guy is electric). With regards to backstrom, he is the main reason we have the record we do (honorable mentions go to the defensemen and meittenen and koivu) and he definitely deserves to be higher - although Luongo is a stud and can see why he is so high up. Other than that I think the voting seems about right (although I’m a bit perturbed at Detroit’s stranglehold on the top 3 forward spots - most likely deservingly so but still). Hope we have at least a couple representatives. Can’t wait to see what happens
No love for Shea Weber either, the guy is leading his team in points and I hate seeing he and Brent Burns behind those two from Anaheim that shall remain nameless.
Get out the vote, gang…
When does voting end anyway?
Maybe the reason we have players so low in the balloting is because they’re not so good. There is not a player on the Wild that would be a first line forward or #1 or #2 defenseman on most teams. Right now, Backstrom is the only legitimate player on the Wild. Oh sure, Koivu, Gabby, Burns and Bouchard are decent players, but only Mikko may deserve a shot at an all-star game … and that’s only because of the system he plays in. When a team has so few “star” players (and very little depth) it’s easy to see why this team is following its familiar pattern.
I think this solves the mystery of what Mr. Gaborik has been doing with his time!! Submit, submit, submit…
JH - I’m not sure we are watching the same game. Mikko would be first line guy on MOST teams. I do however agree more on the D but there would be teams that would have either Burns or Johnsson in their top pairing.
Tyler - Priceless! 
Jack- Koivu and UM aren’t first line guys? I think there are 30 NHL GMs that would differ with you on that one.
Burns is easily a top 2 dman on any NHL squad as well.
Backstrom is one of the top 3 goalies in the league as well. Numbers support that one.
Butch is a top 6 forward, though he is in a slump. My feelings on UM and Johnsson are clear. I have no issue with Johnsson, at least right now.
Mikko deserves an All Star game because of the system? I don’t buy that either.
Why do sports leagues turn every all-star game, and whatever else they can, into a popularity contest rather than choosing the best players and rewarding them??? It is ridiculous and just promotes those wrong ideals of athletes who seek money and fame while the other ones, whose numbers are dwindling, just go out and do their job as good and maybe better just without fan fare and flash.
WildinAK, right on!
I’d be all for an allstar game which consisted of players chosen for their goals, assists, plus/minus, sv%, gaa, etc.
OR, a game which consisted of players that the players vote for.
I’ll post another blog after the morning skates, but figured I’d throw this up.
Ewww, all over my shoes!
Great observation, Tyler.
From the last thread, Stensaas ought not to write that the Wild are a “trapping” team.
Hell, AK, I’d be all for the fans voting in the bulk of the roster. However, the players who are leading the league in numbers need to be the starters. Much like in baseball where the pitcher leading the league in wins gets the start.
Players should have a vote too. I think the NFL does that????
All I know is there has to be a better way.
Goody - They do the voting this way because it gives them the most viewers. They don’t care about wether or not the game has the best players. They care about how many people will watch. They know hard core fans of hockey will watch. They shoot for getting those who don’t usually watch, those who will say, “hey, I’ve heard of the Redwings, and that Osgood guy, I should watch that!”
ALLSTAR voting.
They make you register with all your info, in order to vote.
No Thanks, I have enough SPAM already.
Why I love Thanksgiving. It brings out some of the best:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=3726649
OldMW, Stencils wrote:
The trapping style of play favored by Stars coach Dave Tippett helped Parrish fit in early; the Wild style is similar.
He clearly states that the STARS are the trapping team, and the Wild’s play is similar. One might say that a marshmellow is similar to a styrofoam ball (both white, both round-ish, both made by puffing the base substance), but that is quite different from saying a marshmellow is a styrofoam ball.
Buddha - I would agree with the players doing the voting…or make it a combination of a popular vote, stats vota and the players vote. All I really want to see is the best teams that the two conferences can make, not the most popular teams the two conferences can make
oh yeah, Tyler - funny as he11!
Damp, that is exactly why I do not vote. I don’t care to register with them. That, and they force (at least they used to) you to vote the entire ballot. You couldn’t just say pop in and vote for Koivu and Burns, you had to fill out all the positions for both conferences. Not knowing much about most of the Eastern players, I really don’t want to vote for any of them.
Goody, you can vote for just 1 or 2 players if you choose.
Not in years past. I still won’t vote because I see no reason to register to do so.
*cough* I blogged about this “all star” stuff just a couple days ago. This angst regarding the voting is why I say get rid of it.
I like the ability to text message in this year to avoid the registration process. I also like that you can just vote for the players you want this year.
kgopher-
Whats the number to vote by text?
Butch is a top 6 forward
In the KHL, maybe.
81812
Gab is currently ranked 16th. Right now, I would trade him for every player on the list below him.
6 Habs starting in the East just plain sucks (great job stuffing the ballot box, vote early and often).
Steve R…I would take Ovie over the entire Habs roster.
Off topic but interesting:
search keywords: sex, drunk, handicapped, Iowa
Walsh was released to his girlfriend and Feldman to her husband, police said
Hehe.
I’m guessing that will shortly be ammended to read:
Walsh was released to his ex-girlfriend and Feldman to her estrangedhusband, police said
Caught that nice feel good story yesterday.
I’m going out on a limb here, but if there was a crowd around them cheering them on, he may not have been first in line. Especially since morals don’t seem to be an issue.
One more sturdier limb, those were a couple of pretty quiet rides back to Iowa…
Buddha, you text the last name of the player you want to vote for to the number I listed above. When it comes to Koivu and Backstrom, it will text you back and say that 2 players have that last name, reply 1 for Mikko (MIN) and 2 for Saku (MON), and reply 1 for Niklas (MIN) and 2 for Nicklas (WAS).
Off topic but interesting:
search keywords: sex, drunk, handicapped, Iowa
Now THAT’S what I call an “end around”…
I wonder if she was using the prevent defense? Or do they not know about contraceptives in Iowa yet?
Seriously, who says “You know what I want to do? I want to get hammered on 3.2 beer and do it with a stranger in a stall at the Metrodome with a bunch of idiots standing around cheering!” I mean, besides Iowans, apparently…
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
thanks kgopher. voting as we “speak”
Guess the fans needed something to cheer for, eh?
You can also text the team name (ie: Wild) if you want to vote for everyone on the ballot from that team. You text in your vote as many times as you want.
I would still like to see the fan vote account for something and help get fans revved up for the exhibition game that All Star weekend is, but right now the fan vote has too much weight.
Starting next season, split the vote three ways with each receving equal weight, fan vote, player vote, coaches and GM vote.
And want to make it a little more dashing of a game? Winning conference gets home ice in the Coupe’ de Stanley finals.
Great news about Foster! That’s got to feel awesome for him to take that next step (pun intended)!
On the other hand, wasn’t the pre-season timetable on his return December-ish on the short end? Yet the Don reports he’s still a long way off?
The debate about injury disclosure aside, and acknowledging that everyone heals differently, what’s the deal with the Wild docs continuously missing the mark on these kinds of projections?
Buddha- thanks for the link to the espn article. Awesome.
Russo- do you rest & relax on Thanksgiving or will you be amped up watching sports?
Nick, I for one would much prefer they guess a little long. Always glad to have someone back sooner than expected, hate to hear they’ll be out longer than expected…
Goody: +1
You’d think they’d see it that way too.
I’m thankful for the Russo blog, Wes Walz day; the fantastic blog contributors; and nbc olympics leaving on-line the (insert name of favorite athlete) photos.
On the other hand, if they tell us too much on the long side consistently, that’s almost as bad as knowing nothing at all.
Perhaps that is part of the whole ‘upper/lower body’ thing? The team and it’s docs were/are tired of getting reamed for missguessing on healing times.
Goody: then why not just say “we have no idea, everyone heals at different speeds”??
I think I’d rather have Turco in net tonight anyway, Russo!
you know, wrap it in some BS doctor pablum like “well four out of five leading dentists recommend a recovery period of 1 month to 5 years…” or some such crap. That way they’re covered.
Foster is a long way enough. I think hitting the ice with boys is just a confidence-builder. He himself said that he was looking at January or later.
Maybe Mittens can have his revenge against his old team tonight. I seem to recall he didn’t collect when we played in Dallas.
Mittens’ Revenge - is that what happens if you drink the water in Finland? 
Hey Russo!!!!
Thanks for all of your hockey updates. Seems like a lot of folks on here know one another, and while I am familiar with some of the nicknames, I am presuming you check in here from time to time. I thought this might be the easiest way to get a message to you.
Can you setup in the STRIB, for those of us who might want to see more then the skeletal box score that usually gets published, at least a link to the NHL “event summary” that they put out after each tilt. (I am sure you are familiar with them)
They include much more in depth numerical info for the more then casual fan then the published box scores do. I would have to believe that a lot of fans, once they saw one, would enjoy them as much as I do.
Just a suggestion, as well as a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and all fellow Wild fans…
I think Parrish Revenge would happen a lot sooner than Mittens Revenge. We already saw Demitra Revenge.
So, Burns at wing again tonight? I’d not mind putting him at D and give one of the others (MAB, Reitz) a crack at wing. I think MAB might not be too bad at it, Reitz I’m not so sure.
I have a request for Russo as well..Can you talk to the FSN crew and try to get them to broad cast the pregame Walz stuff. I know that they torqued a lot of people off when they skipped the Division raising banner and I know there are people out there who do and don’t want to see the Walz stuff. I personally would like to see it and I don’t get to go to this game. They don’t anything real decent in pregame anyway (Heck, skip the stupid shootout with Gorg that doesn’t even have the majority of the questions hockey related).
Is that Arsenio Hall down there in that ad at the bottom of my screen advertising “The World’s Funniest Moments”? What would he know about funny moments?
Thanks Russo!
For those of you who haven’t read yet, the writer for Dallas expect Turco in net tonight.
Lets hope the guys can finish tonight!
The game is not on FSN tonight so speaking to them would do no good. It’s on that crap station KSTC 45. Wolfies get FSN. Who watches basketball??
“Marian Gaborik Minnesota 36,101″
I ask again, who are those 36, 101? I am quite sure they are not Minnesotans. Must be the Slovakian contingent. Hmmmmm
Tyler, if you notice, kgoph was talking about the Walz stuff which will presumeably be shown on the scoreboard prior to the Lightning game on Friday - which is on FSN.
My bad, thought she was talking tonight!!
My wife bought me a copy of John Gilbert’s new book on Herb Brooks (John Gilbert was selling them outside the Hockey Lodge at the game the other night). I am enjoying it a lot, if anyone is wondering about it I like the book.
Frozen Weiner, that infor is easily accessed through the Wild site.
If its on FSN, they likely won’t show but I am sure the Wild will put it on WildTV.
FW: you can get all the game summaries on NHL.com, too.
I’m with Kgopher too. How about showing some of the more important pregame ceremonies like the Walz tribute for folks who won’t/can’t be at the X instead of the plethora of mindless commercials or pregame stuff that viewers get subjected to?
In addition, I am still of the opinion that Gabby is not hurt. He could play tonight except for one thing, and that is the ongoing game between Salcer and DR. For whatever reason the pre/early season negotiation brokedown between them, (probably outrageous or overinflated demands by Salcer?) at that point they decided it would be best to shelf him and avoid injury so some kind of deal could be made.
The problem both are up against now is in trying to find a club that will help fashion a trade whereby Gabby can go, sign an extension/long term deal and get the Wild something acceptable in return. I don’t think DR or Salcer/Gabby are interested in any kind of “rental” deal involving Mr. Tenderloins, and after last season, I don’t think the league will see as many “rental player” deals this year as in the past unless it really made some kind of short term sense for the “renting” club.
If the list where Gabby would go is short to begin with, this puts DR in an even tougher situation IMO.
OMW & SS, thanks for the info. Hate to say that I rarely go on the team or league site, and thats why I would like to see the Strib link to it…
BTW, I am still a pretty big NorthStars fan, and I fear tonight just might be a custom made game for the boys to struggle in. You know, an injured, banged up, older club comes into town, and you know if the Wild play their ‘A’ game that they should win, but that beat up, older prize fighter can still throw the haymaker at just the wrong time for the homeboys…. Lets just say I have reason for concern….
Well, I tried to go vote for my all-star selections on NHL.COM, but I could not!
The link requires you to register your name, email, and some address info so they can legally start sending you spam from XM Radio unless you uncheck the boxes at the bottom of the form.
That’s sleazy. Period.
Then, even after entering some info there, it errors out telling me I did not enter the correct “CAPTCHA”. If you don’t know what one of these is, it’s that little picture of mangled letters and numbers they use so automated web things can’t register without human intervention.
Well, there isn’t one on the page.
So…. If the NHL wants the fans to be more involved - especially in the US, they might wanna think about the methods and tools they give us - and make sure they actually WORK first.
So, I guess my vote can’t be counted, and I’ve been disenfranchised by the league.
Dallas was supposed to be struggling in late October the last time we played them and they handled us quite easily. However with Morrow out, I like our chances, he has been a Wild killer.
If you write in Aaron Voros in the East. His picture is from last year with the Wild. How can Backstrom not be higher up in the voting!
NiNY…the doctor analysis is spot on.
One question tho…how does a physician say ‘Lower body injuries heal at a different rate for each individual.’ with a straight face??? 
I suppose Gho$t will be back when they find a way to heal glass.
MuN, I got the same error and had no idea what CAPTCHA was. Thanks for explaining! I wasn’t able to vote either…
I think with 3 straight weeks on Versus with the commentators singing Backstrom’s praises maybe he will get more votes.
Winning conference gets home ice in the Coupe’ de Stanley finals.
Totally against that idea.
MuN: Don’t know why you had such a problem voting. I unchecked each box that said “send me such and such” and found the capthca without a problem. Haven’t gotten any spam, or if I have, it went to the junk folder so I didn’t see it.
Yeah, no CAPTCHA at all. I could uncheck the boxes, but there was nothing I could do to continue.
It’s probably another case of browser discrimination - I’m on Firefox. They probably made the site only for IE. I don’t have IE, so I guess I can’t vote.
Thanks, NHL.
AH-HA! Conspiracy to keep the West down! NHL must know KiPA’s in the East based on his IP address and as such displays the capthca! Have an IP address in the West and the capthca is invisible!
kj says:
November 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I suppose Gho$t will be back when they find a way to heal glass.
Easy! All that is required is a blowtorch and some more glass to drip on there. Kind of like welding.
^
|
|
|
Wrote that with my legs crossed BTW.
Trade Sid & Geno…
I am not necessarliy for the idea I posted either, just trying to spark some discussion as to how to make the All Star game better, and make sure the right players get there, not the popularity contest it is being ran as now…
When has any of the All-Star games themselves interesting? I watch the dunk contest and the homerun derby. The game themselves aren’t that great. For hockey, I like the obstacle course contest and the shootout attempts from last year. They have to come up with better moves this year, though.
Disenfranchised, huh? … damn the man!
How about AO and Malkin fight at the All-Star game? Now, that would be something to see.
SS, thats my point! Like you I watch all of the pregame stuff, the contests etc… and then the remote gets a workout the moment the actual game starts. I’m sure I’m dreaming or something, but how could the league put some pizzazz into the game….????
I would give up the next ten years worth of pay to see that fight sunshine.
STK with the third man in?
What about giving journalists a shot at voting?
As far as making it worth something… Maybe the conference that wins gets to choose 1 player to make a healthy scratch for one of their remaining games against that player’s team. So, for instance if the West wins and the Wild have a game remaining against the Penguins, the team could dictate that Malkin be a healthy scratch for that game. Would that make it worth it to the players so that they really play a real game for a W?
Making it worth something might make it less of a popularity contest as the fans would have an interest in fielding the strongest team possible hoping for that W. Of course since all fans get to vote for both conferences I could say vote for all the good players from the West and all horrible players from the East…
I would definetly go along with including the writers in a ‘weighted” voting scenario, sorry I forgot to include them…
I like Geno a lot more then I like AO, but I’m afraid AO would probably waste him in a knock down drag out hockey fight…
Maybe I am underestimating Geno’s toughness, but I just can’t see him paintbrushing AO.
AO could take down both Cindy Crosby and Malkin in a fight.
So, for instance if the West wins and the Wild have a game remaining against the Penguins, the team could dictate that Malkin be a healthy scratch for that game.
Can we revise this? Is there ANY WAY we could make it so Iginla is a healthy scratch against us the remainder of the year?
You have to have only the hockey writers who cover specific teams or you have your Eastern bias. Isn’t that a little bit of the awards winner? The unclear favorites tended be from the East?
Odds on the AO/Malkin fight:
AO -1500
Malkin +1000
Odds with Sid as the 3rd man in:
AO -1000
Malkin/Sid +550
My Rant:
I’m a big Wild fan who used to split season tickets with some friends in St. Paul but I took a one-year position in Albert Lea and quit splitting. To my dismay, I am finding that I miss almost half of the Wild home games (if not more) because of KSTC. KSTC is not available in Albert Lea, and my fellow co-worker who commutes from Faribault tells me that it comes in really, really fuzzy there, to the point where it’s not worth watching. My question: Is it the Minnesota Wild, or the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro Wild? Yeah, I understand broadcasting contracts but it still pisses me off that I can’t watch the games. I have called numerous bars in Albert Lea and Austin and no one gets KSTC. And what grinds my gears even more is that I have NHL Center Ice but they black the games out because I am in Minnesota. I suppose they think that the Minnesota Wild would be broadcast in, say, MINNESOTA!
Anyone have any ideas on how I can watch the games? This is super-weak sauce!
I use Firefox.
I say get rid of the All-Star game.
And don’t underestimate Malkin’s toughness. Ovechkin tried to blindside him in a game last year, and Malkin just stuck his shoulder out and Ovechkin was the one who went flying.
Would that make it worth it to the players so that they really play a real game for a W?
The All-Star game isn’t a real game. It shouldn’t be worth anything. It shouldn’t exist.
Hockey writers only.
Fans 25%
Players 25%
Coaches/GM’s 25%
Hockey Journalists 25%
So how’s this for fairness in my pick 1 scenario. Take steps that each person can only vote once (once per e-mail addy maybe? though I know most people have more than one…) and you have to pick which conference you want to vote for (can’t vote for both). That way the voter has to decide whether it is their best interest to vote for good players in their conference or vote for bad players in the other.
Hmm, maybe pick 1 from your own conference to sit 1 against you if your conference wins is an even better motivator. The schedule has been worked so that in conference/division play is heavy at the end of the season. Picking 1 to sit 1 could have implications in a team making the playoffs… Of course then maybe we’d pick to sit Iginla and the Flames would pick to sit Koivu for the same game…
The pick 1 who sits 1 should probably exclude goalies.
TS+G, saw that game and remember the hit well.
Aww, that’s a great Cal story, Russo. I didn’t think he had a little brother but what the hell do I know? 5 year old Cal… too cute for comprehension…
Nick… Nick… I need goalie help. I’ll blog about it in a bit. I’m a a pylon out there man…
for4rest, sorry you miss the 45 games. They’re the only ones I get to see as I don’t pay for cable/satellite. I miss all the others.
Some here watch the game over the internets. Perhaps that would work for you?
Trade Sid+Geno says:
The All-Star game isn’t a real game. It shouldn’t be worth anything. It shouldn’t exist.
I don’t disagree, but I’m pretty sure as long as Bettman is in charge there will be one. If it’s going to be played anyway, you may as well make it worth something in an attempt to make it as interesting as possible.
ms. C, being a pylon in goal isn’t so bad as long as you’re a 4′ high X 6′ wide pylon!
you may as well make it worth something
Bonus money to the winner. Like $50k or something. Money’s the only real motivator.
Making a team sit its star player because Rick DiPietro let in four goals in a period is not a stellar idea.
No captcha for me either. On IE at work. Nice job NHL.
Ya, for4rest… The broadcast tower is in Shoreview, I’m told. That would make it even further from you. I think the blackout radius is 60 miles, IIRC, but from what point I’m not sure.
Granted, it blows. I’d be emailing the league, the Wild front office, and KSTC every day until I get a satisfactory response that someone understands the problem. Get your friends in on it too, especially the folks at the bars.
I’m with you TS+G… oh, and that deal for Malkin still stands.
I heard scouts are coming to our pickup games 
http://www.pickuphockeyfinder.com
Russo can we make your blogroll? I got a tshirt with your name on it.
Derrik
I’m hurt Ms. C. Hurt I say.
League response to not having hockey in Albert Lea: buy Center Ice.
KSTC response: and we care, because????
Wild Front office (dripping with that stink that salesmen have): Well, we do undertand how you would want to watch the games. We do have a partnership with Center Ice and the NHL allowing you to purchase every game in the NHL all season long. (Notice they don’t say except the games on versus, NHL network, blacked out completely…) We also would love it if you would purchase a season ticket package. While we understand that Albert Lea is a fair distance, we appreciate the support of every fan in the State of Hockey.
Besides, with the rampant sexual deviancy in Iowa, and the fact that there is limits on the hockey on TV, maybe you should rethink that position…
For the All Star Game, I say let the 2 top NHL bloggers decide the lineups:
Eklund
Adrian Dater
Since the game means so much and all…
let the 2 top NHL bloggers decide the lineups:
Eklund
Adrian Dater
Loser loses his job?
Buddha…Wild sales staff response:
“334 and counting, baby! Who CARES!!!”
We could only hope KiPA!
Speaking of KiPA…knowing what you know right now, whom would you draft #1:
NBC
Geno
Stamkos
Iginla
Burns
For a real team or a fantasy team?
A real NHL team.
Better yet, put them in order you would draft them:
#1 Geno
#2 Burns
#3 NBC
#4 Iginla
#5 Stamkos
I’d take Burns over NBC. Foolish I know but I honestly like his game better.
I gotta take Iggy first on that list.
NBC
Geno
Burns
Stamkos doesn;t even register to me.
Real team:
Malkin, Crosby, Iginla… meh. Based on what I know now, I’d finish with Burns then Stamkos.
Sorry, but I can’t take a defenseman (or is he a forward?) over a franchise center or a stud like Iginla. I *might* flip Iginla and Burns but only because Burns is younger.
I’m not readin’ the whole darn thread but let’s get Mikko Koivu and B. Burns to the starting line-up! Tim Thomas deserves a start more than Carey Price but I’m not messin’ les habitants chez-eux.
I was going with Iggy because he’s got that X factor. You can’t name it, but it’s there.
Hard to pass on Geno or NBC with the fact that they are so young.
I threw Iginla in there ‘cuz he’s old and you’d have to factor in age.
I think Burns’ ability and potential is still on the rise. Plus, I am a bit of a homer.
Stamkos is another question mark. He had lots of hype and not a lot of results thus far. It could be that Mullet was impeding his progress. We’ll see…
Geno is well, Geno. Better than all but one.
NiNY…back to your doctor topic…
Given the Wild medical staff’s accuracy, will we be hearing this over the PA with the next injury during a game:
“Paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard…”
I am a bit of a homer.
And a Crosby hater.
I agree Burns has potential to improve more, but I think the same could be said of Crosby. He’s only 21. And while I may not be happy with his game so far, he’d be on pace for 102 points over an 82-game schedule, and that’s considered sub-par for him. That’s playing even strength with guys like Pascal Dupuis, Max Talbot (who I love) and Miro Satan.
You brought up a good point with Iginla’s age and that’s why I might bump Burns up to 3. I agree also with Stamkos - right now he’s a distant fifth, but who knows what he might develop into.
Who..me? A Crosby hater?
I never thought anyone would pick up on that…
Well the wink face meant I’m obviously joking. I would never suspect that out of you.
KIPA, do I see inside of your comments the reality of the salary cap era? That is, finding and being able to pay talent that has enough game to play at the level of your real talent? ie; crosby, malkin etc… Seems like I have heard more then once the challenge that the Pengies have in trying to put someone out there w/Sid that can play at his level. How many points might that cost him and the team each season??
A wing who can play at Crosby’s level… hmmmm…. You think Jesus plays wing?
hee hee hee
Eh, I wasn’t intending to get that message across but you’re right to an extent. We’d signed Sykora for the job of putting in Sid’s passes, but that didn’t work out exactly. Sykora ended up developing more chemistry with Malkin. Part of the problem is top-notch wingers don’t grow on trees. Of course we’d found one in Hossa but he didn’t want to stick around.
Satan’s working out OK but not great. Maybe we can develop one the next year or two that will be cheap, but we’ll have to pay a lot (in either money or players) to acquire one that’s already “arrived.”
How many points will it cost us? Well it cost us three in the last week when we couldn’t score against you or the Canucks, especially on the power play.
Yeah, I thought I saw him up at Flin Flon last year. And he was using a wooden stick to boot…
You think Jesus plays wing?
Jesus plays everywhere. Haven’t you seen that one T-shirt? It goes something like, “Jesus saves! …Passes to Noah, he scores!”
But that’s the problem. Jesus wants to be a top-two center as well, just like Staal, so He’s not a good fit here.
Well, being the “Elightened One,” I have some connections… maybe Ganesh? Six arms, size to spare… gotta be able to keep up, right? No?
Anyone who can skate and finish. And work hard.
And not be a headcase.
Can be flashy or a big body in front (that would help the PP).
I thought Patty Roy was Jesus? wears #33 (jesus’ age at death), walks on (frozen) water, he saves…
I have seen that shirt. And whats the deal w/Staalie? Is he staying w/the Pengwah or not? Is he RFA after this year? His family is up the road from me a piece in Toonder Bay. Why is he such a hot and cold, (mostly cold?) scorer. Is it who he is playing with or???
..name means “king”…
What does that make Roy’s kids then, Nick?
Staal won’t be around too long. For his streakiness, he’s just not developed into a scorer yet. Has the flashes obviously but just needs more time to grow. He’ll probably get there - I doubt it’ll be in Pittsburgh though. Yes, he’s RFA after this season.
Sorry, Buddha… Shame on me. There are several goalies in Russoville. I’ve blogged it. Come and get it!
I have replied.
KiPA…remember, that RFA signing stuff is tricky. A signing team has to have the available draft picks (that correlate to the contract value) in order to sign someone away.
I bet Edmonton is really, really happy with that Penner signing…
Keep in mind the Penguins don’t have very much room to match any offer sheet.
oh yeah, that is a given.
But, their management has done a great job re-signing the talent they have.
However, if Staal is Gho$t-like, he may sign an offer sheet (to get him to his UFA status) just to get out of NBC/Geno’s shadow.
That’s why I say trade him now for a winger. He’s not a long-term Penguin.
A good idea…before he ends up on IR and isn’t worth anything…
Thanks B! I wasn’t expecting that answer… gonna have to mull it over and then I’ll be back with more questions.
Hi everyone: I am glad we are through with the Caps. Ovechkin got a hat trick against the Thrashers as of right now. Go Wild.
