Colorado Avalanche 6, Wild 5
Posted on December 1st, 2008 – 6:31 PMBy Michael Russo
Four hundred comments, and it’s not even 11:30 p.m. I’m betting you’re stressed.
After the Wild held Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to one shot apiece two weeks back on VERSUS, the suits at the network had to be freaking out that the defensively-superb Wild would appear on VERSUS on the next two Mondays.
But hey, sloppy hockey is exciting hockey as someone once told me, and the network got two high-scoring affairs — a 4-3 Wild win over Washington and tonight’s weird, wacky and wild 6-5 Colorado win.
Last week after the Dallas loss, Jacques Lemaire said, “We’re a team that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” or something to that effect. Tonight, the Wild made about a season’s full of mistakes.
In my four seasons in Minnesota, I don’t think I’ve covered a worse defensive performance. In the first two periods, the Wild’s defensive coverage was hideous. It was truly mind-boggling. It was every defenseman. Forwards weren’t supporting. Just uncharacteristic things, like not moving the puck, waiting too long to move the puck, losing guys, two or three guys skating right to the puck carrier.
Kim Johnsson may have to get his C rescinded after that one. Minus-3. On the Milan Hejduk goal, Nick Schultz looked bad by coughing it up, but Marek Zidlicky put Schultz in a ridiculous position by waiting so long to clear the puck on a penalty kill, that he rimmed it around to Schultz under pressure.
There was more. I could document Zidlicky’s shifts if you really want me to, but I won’t put you through that torture. There was Marc-Andre Bergeron flat-footed on the one breakaway goal. There was Martin Skoula (who was undoubtedly the Wild’s best defenseman tonight) on the Marek Svatos goal. I said out loud that Erik Reitz was the only defenseman to not mess up. And then, guess what happened? Turnover behind the net, and Niklas Backstrom had to make a sick save.
The Wild played well in the third, but it wasn’t enough. The first two periods did them in.
The Wild allowed six goals at home for the fifth time in history and first since Jan. 16, 2006 to Ottawa. The four-goal second period tied a Wild record for most goals scored in a period. It’s the first time in team history that it’s scored five or more goals and lost (69-1).
And as Lemaire said, if Backstrom didn’t make like four tremendous saves, the Avs could have had 10. Compassionately, Lemaire yanked Backstrom after that second period.
Yet, the Wild was still in this game because it’s red-hot power play (3 for 4 after going 5 for 11 Saturday in Nashville) clicked and because Peter Budaj was terrible (three goals on Minnesota’s first six shots, five on 17 in the game).
The Wild has scored 22 goals in the past five games. Now it better get that defense back in order, which I guarantee will be the sole focus of Tuesday’s practice. Stensaas will cover that one. Have fun. Bring a book because it could be a long one.
Some tidbits:
– Pierre-Marc Bouchard had two goals and an assist. It was his 12th career three-point game, eighth-career two-goal game. That’s goals in back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 2007.
– Mikko Koivu scored a goal and two assists to extend his point streak to five games, tying his career high. Koivu has seven goals and 12 points in the past eight games. Koivu now has 98 assists. Only five players have record 100 with the Wild. Koivu now has 144 points, moving past Pascal Dupuis for sixth-most in team history.
– Owen Nolan has a goal in four straight games — two off his career-high.
– Brent Burns had a goal and an assist, giving him 100 points. He became the 13th player in Wild history to reach 100.
– Eric Belanger skated in his 500th game.
– The Wild scored at least three power-play goals in consecutive games for the second time in history.
– The Wild is 10-5 this season when scoring first. Last season, the Wild was 36-4-5 when scoring first (so one more regulation loss than all of last season is the point I am trying to make). 
– Cal Clutterbuck and Colton Gillies were the scratches. I’ll bet my job Clutterbuck plays Wednesday. I know it’s tempting Jacques, but …
– Andrew Brunette will go on NHL Live on XM/NHL Network at 11:15 Tuesday. Jim Dowd is co-hosting, so it should make for good radio/TV.
– Good night Irene.
485 Responses to "Colorado Avalanche 6, Wild 5"
No D&D or Haynes&McNabb no mute for me tonight!
What announcers do we have tonight?
Games on VS here in the armpit of america dont know about FSN North not shown on CI here either.
What?
Hi guys. Let the Wild continue to play good hockey. Go Wild.
Its on Versus here in Georgia not on Center Ice.
I would just enjoy it if we could get VS’s A team rather than the B team we had the last 3 times on VS.
BDS from the last thread wins the candybar.
Anything in particular? I got some strange stuff in my desk…
Just reading the Rocky Mountain News, happened to notice the specifics they listed as far as injuries, they gave actual body parts! Quite the concept…
NJS. How dare they name injured body parts. Heritics.
okay, lets do this.
Colton Gilles indeed looks like a move gone wrong by the Wild. I am not saying that Gillies wont be effective eventualy this year or next, but for the Wild to give him special treatment over the other players based on the percieved potential of the player seems wrong. Houston has some guys like Clutterbuck (now with the Wild) that look like he should have been the nod to begin with
I did say Johnsson for December Captain.
I’m not sure I ever need to hear that one man is feeding another man for the “dump down” again in my entire life
I miss Cal. *sniff*
..not that there’s anything wrong with that…
I sort of miss him too, ms.c
MKIA> Gilles turns 20 in February, can the Wild send him to Houston at that time?
2 hits for Boogey on this shift so far
SRV pulled a PMB, sans spin-o, there
Versus needs to pull back on their on ice scraping sounds. Can’t hear the puck hit a stick but powerturns are teeth grating.
PMB Spin-o-turnover #1
Nope, Theo. Has to turn 20 in the year the season starts, I believe.
Hug hug hug
Thanks Ms. C.
Weller again? Also, is Boogey on with Benny and Weller? Does that make Benny a modern day Bobby Clarke?
I believe turn 20 by Dec 31st
why doesn’t McLeod get an extra 2 for the trip and GOAL!!
BUTCH!!
PMB!!!!!
Butch!
Butch!!!! Yippie!!
That’s a nice finish
GOAL GOAL GOAL!
BUTCH BUTCH BUTCH!
my goodness but what good things can happen when Butch shoots the puck!
Interesting Bobby Clarke comparison, Nick. I hadn’t thought of that.
Er, even though the answer is no.
GRRR-eat save!
Boogie… hehehehe…. this is your only warning guys, I’m not overly coherent this evening….hehehehehe…
Slash sends burn’s stick flying
wow…I didn’t even realize Tjarnqvist (sp?) was back in the league
me neither, very nice post-to-post save
bleh
Mother smurfer.
who got pwned there for us on D??
Not skoula…
oh man…Skoula
Pooooop
No sound uglier than the post.
Another post
uh, unless you’re a goalie, Into!
Never had that…honor.
double shifting Mikko here??
Yeah, I like the sound more than I dislike it, every sympathetic toward goalies.
every=ever
it’s not for everyone, into.
Clang, clang, clang,
Off the cross bar.
Told you my brains not all here.
A special breed.
are you re-writing songs from Meet Me In St. Louis, band???
our new captain just pooped the bed
Yikes. This is going to be a long night.
Skipper pass, he had the lane.
Whut? No! Dammit. Backs? Close your 5-hole
Friggin’ frackin’ poopin’ ………. and all the stronger versions of those words spewed at the TV at the top of my voice.
And yes Nick, I am.
Cute mohawk on the kid in the stands.
I don”t have Versus. What happened on this goal.
theo: we got outworked down low, which lead to a cheating Johnsson which left the Avs guy alone in front, good pass, 5-hole shot.
If you want a perfect example of how to screw the pooch and give away a game with a lame effort, you just saw it. Bergeron had 3 strides on Leperriere at the blue line and lost the race to the puck. Lose those races, lose the game.
Johnsson…so OVER RATED. Already was responsible for one goal tonight.
penalty for WHAT? knocking Smyth on his butt?!?
And another example. The 1st of Zid’s 2 stupid penalties tonite.
MOTHER SMURFERS QUIT POSTING AS ME!!!!!!!!!
I have anger issues don’t I?
I didn’t get that call either.
wow…that was a heckuva save!
Maybe he farted, Boogie seems to get lots of calls because of that.
Johnson, you are wearing the C for crying out loud. Didn’t you learn anything from MIKKO.
I don’t think Johnsson is the responsible one on that 2nd goal. Bergeron could have easily gotten that one and cleared it.
Pathetic agitation by the Aves there. Poking Mikko, really?
Cody McCormick, Into. ‘Nuff said…what’s this??? Even up for the interference call. O-zone penalty against the Avs, though.
And you want to see overrated? Smyth.
I agree with you Michael up North, Bergeron set that up for the AVs.
MIKKO!!!!!!
Yay, koivu. Don’t piss him off.
MIKKO!!
WOO! Who got that? Mikko?
WOOO!!! Lets do something with the PP!!
WOOOOOOO!!! Quick one from Franchise!!
Yeah
Smyth going back in? NICE!
MIKKO, I am in love with you man.
2 - 2 instead of 3 - 1.
wow, No whining this year
Butch needs to put that away.
Burke should have been our GM. FIRE RISEBROUGH!!!!!
Alright, intermission mean laundry time… oh… joy….
BG:
You need to calm down a little, girl. The Strib’s IT fault. You think you are typing under your own name and then it changes.
I haven’t typed under your name but its inadvertant.
Good shot by Burns with a great pickup of the rebound by Koivu. We need more of that. More guys around the net. Before, the players were afraid to be around that area.
Whoever is posting using my name I’m asking you nicely to knock it off. Your making me sound like a hoser.
Just catching up to the live broadcast now… had to start the game late. Hello everyone! Even the apparently irritable bandgeek 
Austin in the house. Welcome, man.
sunshine, sometimes it’s inadvertant, but one of the trolls has been using my name on purpose. That makes me upset.
BG and I woke up on the same side of the bed.
Austin, yes I’m irritable tonight. For the last few days I’ve had killer charley horses, a cold, and this is our busiest time of year at work (we sent 233 people through the museum on Saturday in a 6 hour time frame) I’m running on about 5 hrs sleep, and the caffeine from the can of pop I had with supper. I warned everybody earlier I wasn’t very coherent, apparently I’m crankier than I thought earlier.
BG and I woke up on the same side of the bed.
Band, you’re in Houston, too? Well that explains it. Travel these days is a killer!
Wow MsC, that’s a big bed if we woke up on the same side of it. Sorry if the dog kicked you, he has a bad habit of doing that running in his sleep and whimpering thing.
BUTCH AGAIN?!
Butch!?
Butch!!!
PMB gets lucky!
With an Aves assist
Woohoo! Butch!
who made that diagonal pass from the point? Zids?
Bruno. or Bouchard
Woo!! Butch with a second!!
Don’t mess with our pp!
2 goals off one call on Smyth, love it
did Brickley just administer a wicked backhanded compliment?
Same side of the cranky bed anyway.
Go Butch! I think he got the message, eh?
NHL.com has 1st assist going to MAB
Glad to hear that someone else gets dominated by Detroit…
Into: I think MAB was on the near side (relative to the camera) and the pass came from the far point…I could be wrong though.
Damn
pisser
nice…great to let Stastny off his own shnide…jeez guys, gotta keep the feet moving and the head on a swivel in our own zone!
Stastny is on my FH team and now he scores!?
I’d go with that over nhl, just going there b/c didn’t catch it myself
This game has just crossed the over/under - with 5 minutes gone in the second.
5 hole. Backs needs thicker pants.
It is going to be a high scoring game. The Wild have to keep skating with them. Go Wild.
Suck.
Oon the bright side of things, it looks like PMB has woken up a little bit. Hopefully his scoring trend continues.
Burnsie needs a goal, now that PMB has a few over the last couple games that is…
ATX - AND Skoula threw a hit that knocked someone over!
Johnsson…minus 2.
The Wild have to keep skating with them.
This seems to be the issue right now IMO. It seems like the Wild are just standing around and watching the puck every time it gets in the defensive zone.
what’s goin on Lemmi? You still on break?
Austin: +1
I don’t remember the play by play guy saying “Bang, Bang” so much in other games.
Yeah Lemmi, I noticed that! I was like, “nice hit by… Skoula?”
No sir, back to the real world today. 2 more weeks of class, a week of work, back to the homeland for x-mas week, back to CO for new years, and finally off to Jackson Hole for a week of riding
That’s why we love Boogie right there. Great hit.
Lemmi: wow…you’re rollin’ hard core, man! I like it.
Losing races, not challenging, and slapping at the puck instead of making passes. Outshot too. 2 PP goals are all that’s kept them in this game so far. So far, same crap effort worthy of a pretender.
I can’t even express how much I hate this commercial with dudes jumping into their jeans.
Hey Lemmi, if you are in the cities for the Carolina game you should come out to Reids or McGovern’s before the game so I can buy you a beer.
I’m diggin the pants commercial…
Boooooggiieeee!!!!! Well Austin, some of us love Boogie a little more than others, but yep thats one of the reasons we love him.
and giveaways.
I was just wondering how many lawsuits Levis is going to get from idiot, jackass wannabes breaking their ass copycatting that commercial…
Call looked weak to me
Kimmy again. Apparently that “C” weighs a ton.
How was that penalty on Kimmy? Looked like a mutual takedown to me.
Stupid Johnsson.
WTF guys
lol Ms C! Wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t play it 50 times during the game.
Oh Btch don’t be running my goalie!
This is getting ugly.
terrible play by Zids, not the best effort by Schultzie…
Zids…
I honestly don’t understand people who hang around just to be disgusted with something. Especially something like sports. Don’t you people have something you can go enjoy?
MuN, I hated it the first time I saw it.
Zids should not have brought that puck back in, dumb
ATX - Be there? I damn well might have to buy tickets to that game! and may I add a resounding F*@! that sucks!
Zids! Bad decision-making.
Please, some one tell me what is up with are defense.
I’m pretty sure some people enjoy being disgusted with sports.
No effort, bad decisions.
call a time out. This game is ugly.
Licky & Mittens are playing like Bad Marty.
Mother Smurfing Avs.
Sweet Lemmi. The wife and I have tix already with her family. We will give you a call when it gets closer to game day.
That last post by Wildfor9 was me Lemmi.
The D are looking sloppy tonight. I’m almost starting to wonder when the right time to get Burns back there is going to be.
My main issue is that Reitz will be the one to go, probably, and he’s been playing well.
Put Burns at D, and let Clutterbuck, Gilles, Boogaard and Weller rotate through the open forward spots, and have a D be scratched.
5 - 3
Point taken Ms. C. But can’t we give them their own blog?
Reitz deserves his spot, MAB needs a fire lit under a tender area.
Man, this team is hard to watch this year. Anyone else think so?
They just aren’t very good.
it will be, in a sec
Worst team in the league, no doubt. Fire everybody, I’ll GM.
Nah. Dissent is healthy, if annoying.
I just ran out of Robitussin. That’s bad news.
Did the team forget that we are a DEFENSIVE team? Just because we scored 6 the other night, this doesn’t mean that they can forget to play defense. Our offense is not that great that it will save us.
Wallshot, not trying to argue but to what do you attribute being a point out of first? Do you think the NW is just bad overall? Honest question…
Juice gets the GWG, BJs take down the Nux for us.
Weller up with Mikko and Bruno this shift
Hehe.. FIRE .. FIRE.. yeah, yeah.
1 shot on goal for us…and it wasn’t even really on goal. Impressive.
I remember what Bruno said how to beat the Wild in the playoffs. Be patient and go to the net. The Wild is not as good defending around the net.
RG, I attribute it mostly to Backstrom. He’s stolen half a dozen games this year so far.
Thats fair.
Johnsson… -2 tonight. Great captain. OVER PAID!!!!!!
We need another PP. We seem to do well on there at the moment. Boys keep skating to draw penalties.
oh man…Famous Grouse commercials?! Yo bartender! NiNY needs a refill!
That’s half a dozen more games than Gabby’s stolen. Time to sign Backs…
I agree with Wallshot. Backs has saved this team. The Pens game was a prime example.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think they are BAD. Just average.
Backstrom and Koivu have been outstanding so far this year, but outside of that I haven’t found much to be excited about. There’s still time for the team to improve though I guess.
Zids…
With a 4-3 score I feel likes its the end of the third period not the second.
Goal Colorado. Damn.
Ugh MAB. This sucks. To make matters worse, Backs is my FH goalie.
Err, MAB…
unbelievable.
MAB just embarrassed himself.
Oh my, take him out before you sign him though. :wince:
I can’t watch anymore tonight.
Ugh.
Think we’ll see Mr. Harding in the 3rd?
Single worst team period of the year? I’d put it under the third period tumbles.
Come on boys! Fight back!
NiNY: Would be a good bet.
was just thinking the same thing, into. I can’t think of a worse single period so far.
and it’s not over yet!!! WTF?!?!?!
Or now, maybe?
Dear MAB,
I hate you. Quit hanging out with Skoula.
Yoke
The crown should boo this pathetic effort
Wow. Just wow. Can we Pull the defense? Bench Kimmy, Zids and MAB. Put Burns back on D right now.
UGH!
Wallshot, the folks who could make this season exciting have not performed at the level I had hoped. Shep, PMB, and Burns have not lived up to their potential. Whether its their fault or not is debatable to a degree but certainly disappointing.
Burns just got up close and personal on Hannan
I like to hear those boos. I’m booing right now, too.
I am not listening to this game anymore. I getting very sick to my stomach.
Burns back to D on Wednesday, right?
Left and right — the boys are making mistakes. They need to tighten up.
cue Ryan O’Byrne
Right about now I want to go down there and smack every single friggin’ one of them upside the head. Even JL, why oh why is our best D still playing wing?
Yeah, RG. Sheppard is as underwhelming as last year. PMB is at least starting to pick it up. Burns I think is more effective on the blueline.
Anyone have a weird thing where it says someone elses name and email after you post something?
Team looks like hell tonight. Now the forwards are starting it. They aren’t picking people up at all, and are forcing stuff way too much.
Johnsson, rough first game as captain (statistically, and play wise). Minus 4 with a penalty that they scored on.
IGoW!!
Burns back at D today, the bench should be shorter with some of todays plays.
It’s a start Nolan.
Nolan!
Can we just be on the PP the entire game? We would score, like 50 goals.
Now as long as the AVs keep taking penalties we might get back into this game.
No, Burns will not be back on defense until Gaborik comes back. Burns is not going to help.
What did I say, we need another PP!
Yoke: happens, IT work by the strib.
damn they tried to give it right back
Nolan is on fire lately, though. This is what they are paying for, right there.
As I was typing this, Johnsson just did the minimal of what I was trying to explain in the last thread. At least push someone or grab there arms. I will give him an “atta boy” for that.
The guys are running around with their heads cut off. They just messed up defensively from the defense to the forwards.
Stat check, what is the highest scoring Wild game ever?
I’m willing to say this has been the worst 2-period defensive performance I can remember this team EVER having. Yet somehow we’re only down by two goals. Now normally I’d say we’re done given our general issues on offense, but this one just feels…odd….I don’t know.
I noticed that too, Yoke. I was pleased.
To be honest, put Burns back on defense. He’s not really helping in the offense anyways.
Johnsson -4 tonight. Who made this overpaid terrible defenseman captain.
I’m holding off on Kimmy praise until he does it 1 on 1. Easy to be tough in a scrum.
Wasn’t Burns traded for a third line winger that never scores?
I have stastny and Koivu on my FH but I also have backs. Mixed bag.
Backstrom is doing the best he can….not his fault the D is playing like a peewee team.
Yawwwnnson is not playing like a C one bit. JL, please give it back to Koivu during the intermission. Thanks.
Through two periods Backs has a 9.00 gaa. Thank God there’s another period.
Porous D, but Backs has to be better.
word is Sanford got hurt in C-Bus tonight too.
If you are expecting Johnsson to be hitting folks, you are going to wait a long time. He’s a finesse defensemen not a gritty one. He makes little plays to stop the play or take away the puck and get it up ice quick.
We are not seeing it on display tonight but none of the defensemen has been great. The team overall has not been playing a great defensive game.
How badly did Hejduk want to answer that our D sucks tonight?
That SkoulaSux was me, sushine.
Sorry.
I wouldn’t give Kimmy a high five for the mild desplay of agression, but I’d at least give him a polite head nod for effort.
sunshine, i’m not asking johnsson to start hitting people ala boogaard, but he needs to start playing his defensive responsibilities
I hope somebody gives Backstrom some aloe for his neck. WTF is this game?
I would give Risebrough the boot out of Minnesota for making Johnsson a highly overpaid long term sissy.
Koivu has 27 points through 23 2/3 games this year. How many points might he have if he wasn’t the sum of our offense? He’s a stud.
Yawnson has probably had the worst debut as a Wild Captain ever.
No excuse for careless and lacadaisical play, especially at home.
Wild does not deserve to win if they don’t play a complete game (three periods).
Actually, if they win when they play badly only trains a team that they can take nights off.
Yes, Johnsson is a big wussy. Same for Skoula. For a man as big as SKoula is, he sure plays like he is wearing a skirt. When is the last time you saw Skoula nail somebody.
Who’s our third period goalie?
Win or not, I think we can count on JL to make clear that this game was not acceptable.
Rogue: gotta be Hards, no?
Yep, Johnsson is making Lemaire look like an idiot. He already made Risebrough look stupid.
sunshine, early in the second period!! Look back, Lemmi and I mentioned it. He leveled someone.
Or maybe it was late in the first… either way he hit a guy pretty hard.
You would think so, but why didn’t he pull him earlier? Wanted to give Hards the short warm-up between periods?
Tell that to the rest of the defensive corps and the forwards. The defensemen have not been at their sharpest tonight. The forwards have been hanging a little too high in the defensive zone.
However, the fault lies with the defensive core.
Maybe a crap game will get Cal back in the lineup.
Just a quick post before I’m off to my game. I’ve never seen the Wild play that poor defensively. How many times are they going to be caught with three men deep and Avs breaking out? None of the D have played that solid either. Hey, you put a swede in charge and see what happens.
Sorry, Kimmy. Dan, made me say that.
Ick…this has been ugly. How the hell are we only down by 2? They are kicking are ass all over the place. We can’t even get near their guys when they are in the offensive zone.
By accident no doubt. First time for everything. Skoula is a joke.
Hards it is…
The Detroit Lions play better defense than this. Time to take off the coasters and stop watching Colorado make plays.
Sunshine did not say that Johnsson is making Lemaire look stupid.
I want to know if someone read them the riot act in the room and who that someone was.
Backs looks like he’s going to cast some angry Finnish evil voodoo on someone tonight.
See what I mean. Skoula skates around and hit no one that shift.
Guessing it wasn’t Kimmy, Nick.
NiNY - Yawnson…?
Poulie, so close.
He looked pissed MS.C. I don’t think he played that bad. But its a mental thing I guess. You’re not allowed to abuse one goalie that long…
LOL, ms.c!
Beat me to it ms. C
Okay, if we could just get rid of Johnsson and Skoula, and pick up Leopold and Goligoski, I would be okay with that.
OUCH Pouly with the splits there.
Boogaard tried to scare that puck into the net…
This one is NOT on Backs……the defense was TERRIBLE.
So how bad are the Wild being outshot?
We’re just standing around tonight on D, games like this are why I think we need Clutterbuck’s energy in the lineup
Pouliot cannot keep up all these O-zone turnovers.
No Likey MAB.
SKUSUX, if we’re gonna wish for defensemen I want Lidstrom and Pronger.
Oh..27-13. Face it. The Wild will either not make the playoffs, or will get blown out in the first round again. And Lemaire and Risebrough will be full of excuses to save their job…and it will work because the new owner is a dork.
Lidstrom and Pronger would be nice…at too high a price. I was trying to be realistic with my expectations.
SkoulaSux: got it. You may be relieved of your obligation to follow the team now.
Bruno-Koivu-Burns line one of JL’s better mad scientist work in a while.
Lemaire is what keeping this team afloat.
Blame DR.
Sorry, I will follow and call it like I see it. Truth hurts. But at least it is the truth. Not some fantasy like dreaming of the Wild winning a cup.
Lemaire has hype. Since the new rule changes that was to promote offense, what has Lemaire done. Oh Boy. We get to hear from DR. WHat a putz.
Hey Riser…
Agreed sunshine. JL doesn’t have to make excuses, he’s the one that keeps us competitive.
Burke would have made a GREAT GM.
Why is nobody ever in the slot?
(that’s what she said.)
That long termer better be off the table for Gabby. Good to know we’re being careful and focusing on his long term health.
You can certainly call it like you see it, but don’t confuse that with truth, per se. Unless you’re Leipold’s brother you have absolutely no idea if he’s a dork or not.
I’ll take your action that the Wild does not make the playoffs right now. What do you want to bet?
Again, what has Lemaire done lately???? He has history but plays a boring defensive style. History will prove that he will never win another cup as coach. Not as long as Risebrough is making the personnel decisions.
Dammit. On a hockey blog you should be able to say sl*t. You know, the space between the circles in front of the goal?
Yay, PP
pp…
SkoulaSux — any chance you are a Gopher fan?
I said they will either not make the playoffs or lose in the first round. I will take that bet.
ms. conduct: shocked me to find it barred as well. I thought the first time it was because I told PMB to shoot in the sl*t, PMB shot frowed upon.
If you don’t see, then I guess you will never see.
I love the Gophers. Tough last 3 games, but exciting hockey.
He just called Mikko, Saku Koivu.
I prefer our koivu
That’s what I thought I heard.
Just testing: SL0T.
I’m a gopher fan (obviously) but the gophers and the NHL are long ways apart. Bringing in a bunch of Minnesotans just cause they’re Minnesotans is the dumbest idea ever. Its considerably worse than signing Johnnson to a five year contract.
That’s right, you said EITHER. Not “neither.”
You have no idea what you’re talking about because you can’t know whether or not the Wild makes the playoffs or advances.
If you want to bet me that the Wild makes the playoffs name your terms.
Otherwise, get a grip.
And as a Gopher fan, I bet if there was a professional team made up of only WCHA players, they would be the best team in the league.
SS, that’s just funny.
Are you you willing to bet they will FINALLY win in the first round of the playoffs. Didn’t think so. You have no faith and understand the real truth as well.
If wishes were fishes, we’d all have a pond full.
They’ve already won a first round. And a second. What’s your point?
Well, they have already one a first round.
I would like to distance myself from the rantings of my fellow gophers fan. Yes we’ve had many awesome players in the WCHA (Toews, Leopold, Vanek) but to claim they would be the best is beyond reason. Its embarrassing.
Could Lecavalier say it with a little more life?
And don’t try to lecture me on faith. You’re the one that is slamming the entire organization - comprised of guys that forget more about hockey every day than you (or I) will ever know.
goal goal goal
Not over yet!
What was that?
Gophers have done EXTREMELY will in the NHL. Kessel, Vanek, Martin, Goligoski, and even Wheeler are playing well. That is just to name a few.
HOLY CRAP! What a game!!!
BURNZIE!
Burnsie, so naughty.
(still want him on D)
My guy
Drive to the NET! Good things can only happen!
No way to call that a kick in. Maybe looking under the side of the net?
+1 Intoblivion
We don’t really deserve this if we do end up winning… but damned if I wouldn’t take it! Go Wild!
Let’s see. Add Parise, Toews etc. Anyone who thinks the WCHA alumni would not be a great team doesn’t know hockey. Do your research and then come back informed.
6:00 a lot of time.
HA!
WOO!
Boy they made us sweat there for a sec. I thought he was going to waive it off there.
Nick…how many years ago. Once in their 10 year history. Very good??? When over half the teams make the playoffs every year. That is a sad statement
SkoulaSux: I’m over you.
I have done my research and they could compete, but to say they would be great or dominate is ignorant and wishful thinking. Get off it man…
SkoulaSux… I am sitting he with a Gopher Alum and he agrees with everyone else. While it would make a GOOD team, it would be nowhere near the BEST.
Nick…I don’t go that way.
I would pay to see a WCHA vs CHL game. Wouldn’t give WCHA odds, but it would be fun. Add in E. Johnson, Heatly, Kessel…
Atta Boy! Someone musta told Butchy: No matter where you are, if you’re below the blue line, you shoot on the net or we’re gonna put all your favorite food on the top shelf.
Remember, I am not saying CURRENT WCHA players. I am saying that a team made up of WCHA alumni would make a great NHL team.
My cousin in a WCHA alum. And although he is not here with me, I think he would have faith in his former league.
A team of the best out of any league would be a great team.
did Zids’ wife go on a trip or something? He’s had a rough game.
SkoulaSux, now you’re just scrambling.
Well, the Blue Jackets have never even smelled playoffs. The Thrashers one playoffs in their 10 years.
So yeah, winning one round, going to the Western Conference Championships, and going to the playoffs 3 years are accomplishments.
Thought that was the tie…come on guys.
SCH was me sunshine.
My grandpa played for Marriucci, who cares. Get over it…
So we want to compare the Wild to the worst teams in the NHL??????
SS, you also said the Wild would either not make the playoffs or get blown out in the first round. Not lose the first round. I took that to mean a series that didn’t go to the sixth game.
Just saying you can’t change your bet once you’ve placed it.
RG, you get over it. Ahhh…gotta love the internet.
Wild, are you willing the bet the Wild will win in the first round. Simple question.
Wasn’t Burns traded for a third line winger that has scored once?
I think the Wild have less than 50% change to win the first round this year.
Rayray at 925 not me.
Hannan looks like he sleeps in the forest.
Boo
Dammit MAB!!!
rayray at 933 not me.
ms.c: did you see the thing on Jibblescribbits about Hannan’s twin?
he’s gotta take that penalty or it’s a breakaway for Hejduk
I think the Risebrough Lemaire bandwagon will become pretty empty the closer we get to playoff time.
Another bad zidlicky decision with the puck in our zone
We need a hero!!!!
I don’t have to be willing to bet they’d win the first round to have you lose your bet. They just have to not get “blown out” in the first round.
So.Darn.Close.
Wow, what an ending!
Gotta say, Risebrough has mismanaged the personnel on this team. We have few young superstars coming up the system, and Risebrough has taken the Billy Smith approach to free agency. Find old cheap talent.
Hannan’s twin:
http://jibblescribbits.blogspot.com/2008/11/things-im-thankful-for-hockey-edition.html
Motherf’er.
Well, I’m outta here. All the BS I can take for one night.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Nice game Johnsson….now can you give your C to someone that earned it.
Don’t forget to change your panties RG.
No, I’ll look for it though, Nick.
Dammit I hate to lose to the Avs. Well, more like, I hate for Avs fans to get a win.
WildinATX: Thank God for our resident legal team!
If we only had 2 more seconds.
Ha! Thanks for the link Nick. That’s pretty funny.
that C on johnssons jersey should stand for something else…
wow.
i hope JL rips into the team for that horrible defensive effort.
I love how a bad game brings the trolls out to cry abot how terrible the team is. I can honestly say that the team has been just about what I was expecting for the season so far. Which, IMO, is not too shabby. Rough night at the X. Awful D did not help matters at all. Cheers folks! Have a good night.
I didnt say the team was terrible.
Just their D sucked tonight against a depleted Colorado team.
Well done Mild, well done. Your bed has been well shat. You guys are like an overachieving retarded little brother. Hahaha! Go Avalanche!
I do what I can NiNY. Even a bottle of wine into the night.
Personally, I think the team looked terrible tonight. We had no energy, no desire to win. Butch seemed to have a desire to score goals though, so I hope that continues.
That being said, one off night does not make a terrible team.
Oh, and I’m too lazy to look this up, but I’m pretty sure that someone who had the C for the first time last year had a terrible go of it the first few games. I was thinking it was Schultz, but I’m not positive of that.
People are just PO’d that Koivu didn’t keep the C. Its not that big of deal, folks.
Who cares who wears the C? I want to see Ws.
Saying it again, but rough night for the D tonight.
Won’t lose a lot of games when you score 5 goals, don’t think it will happen again this year.
I concur, Yoke.
Hey, where was Dan tonight?
Well, I am bummed. Going to cheer myself up by watching Thundercats. Borrowed it from my brother.
Unbelievable… i forgot to set my line up for today, still had Backs on the bench! Saved myself 6 GAA…
Stupid Wild. Yep, that’s my detailed analysis. Stupid Wild.
Ooh! Thundercats!
I’m not even going to comment any further about tonight’s effort, but I sense they’re on the edge of a slippery slope, covered in butter. Wearing plastic baggies on their feet.
Get my drift?
I get your drift, but my optimistic side says they get laid into tonight/tomorrow and they will bounce back. *fingers crossed*
But congrats to PMB for his two goals tonight!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Putting Burns back on D will be a good start
Now, I am RougeGopher????
Actually I am IceMan but …
I have no problem with Yawnson, it takes a lot of different skills to build a team. He has been an important contributor!
Agree Sunshine, the Wild will benefit more to spread the honor around. Johnsson has been deserving before, the team won’t fall apart because Koivu is no longer the “C”.
I am not sure what was wrong with the team tonight, but they did not earn or deserve a win, they did not even deserve to be one goal shy.
But, they will do better tomorrow.
From a historical perspective, for those who paid attention to the North Stars these types of games were a constant grievance. They had plenty of these off nights during their middle years especially!
Hopefully, the Wild will not repeat this performance again this year.
This is another example of typical wild team JL gets the most out of them but they still lack the player that makes a difference in a game. As much as pains me to say it the Gabby situation needs to be addressed, At this point as season ticket holder 5 years running I am getting tired of he is getting treatment. Its time to call the front office and starting asking questions. Right now this is another wild team that if they make the playoffs in the 7 or 8 spot will go out in the first round.
Enough is enough especially if I have to sit through another loss to Vancover on Friday , Times are tough and money is becoming hard to come by
Enough excuses from the brain trust its time to or get off the pot.
I believe it was me who has been saying all year that this defense is FLAWED. I rest my case.
The worst defensive performance i have ever watched in my entire life by an nhl club. Johnnson -4….are you freaking kidding me? and in the penalty box that cause goal 5!!!
This game was ridculous… im surpised it was 15-5, backs kept us in this. Nice job by harding coming in but the storm had already hit. Not backs fault at all, left on an island by johnnson,mab,zids,, reitz, schultz, and skoula
wild sucked tonight.
worst game ive ever seen.
DAMNIT!!!!!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
As bad as the Wild were as a team, the Avs were almost as bad last night. Almost.
IMO, neither team wanted to win that game. Sombody, however, had to. That cascade of boos heard thru the ‘X’ late in the second period was very much well-deserved. Johnsson’s play was flat out atrocious, nothing less, and Bergeron’s was not too far ahead of that. The rest of the defense wasn’t much better.
An absolutely hideous performance on national TV…
So where is Gaborik in all of this? Still injured?
I’m beginning to believe rotating the “C” is starting to catch up to this team. Koivu earned it, let him keep it. Today was just another example as to why. Sad to think I have season tickets coming next year when I move back to my home state.
my optimistic side says they get laid into tonight/tomorrow
Totally missed the “into” when I read that the first time. Thought, “Uh-uh! Not after a defensive performance like that!”
I wonder if Schultz will even get any bacon-wrapped tenderloin today after that one, ms.c!
I’ll never think of bacon-wrapped tenderloin the same way again.
Listening to the Hockey Unplugged with Benny and Reitzy. Ben lacks the personality gene (did I put that nice enough?) Reitzy’s pretty funny though.
Wow…glad I missed this one.
it was entertaining, in sort of a mid-80s sort of way, kj. Except the North Stars had red jerseys on and I don’t even know what the Nordiques were wearing.
NiNY…sadly, it does sound like a NStars/Que contest. Especially with the MN team on the short end of the score.
And someone named Stasny having the GWG.
HA! I hadn’t thought about the Stastny angle! That’s funny.
How’s your mission from God coming along?
i’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating…
if your going to be bad, best to all be bad as once.
There wasn’t much that was entertaining about this game. I’m sure reusse looked in the strib and noticed that 11 goals were scored and said to himself, “what a barn burner” but it was nothing even close.
it wasn’t long ago that experts were bemoaning the wild’s lack of offense. well now we have offense and no defense.
which is better?
Complete defensive breakdown. I don’t think Sheppard played a shift in the 3rd and that was good to see. I really want burns back on the blue line. It was nice to see Benny with Butch and nolan. That is the line I would like to see more of.
it wasn’t long ago that experts were bemoaning the wild’s lack of offense. well now we have offense and no defense.
which is better?
this should be the daily invocation for all fans of Lemaire teams.
NiNY…the mission from God is going along just fine. Had another audition last night.
We’ve got some talented people that want to join up with us. Go figure.
it wasn’t long ago that experts were bemoaning the wild’s lack of offense. well now we have offense and no defense.
which is better?
Just Win Baby.
what a barn burner
Holy Electric Shaver.
It was pathetic but hopefully a one night letdown. No sense in repeating all the problems as Russo has accurately reported them and everyone else has moaned and more about them. But how frustrating after being out of the country for a week and this is my first home game back (altho I did see the Sat game on TV and my daughter was in Nashville to watch the game–she saw tonite’s on VS and was disgusted also). Oh, well, back to work for me and the Wild. Just remember the season isn’t over yet and the D will play much better.
It’s nice to see that some people have calmed down a bit after sleeping it off. The game was horrible. Time to prepare for the next game so it (hopefully) won’t be as bad.
I was wondering the same thing G*… I openly asked about it before. If the games were 7-6, 6-5, would that really make hockey better?
I hate games like last night, and I didn’t even watch it. I just want them to win, but I really don’t want to watch them try to gunfight their way through the league.
G* and Buddha - you guys are right in line with my thinking. Let’s get enough scoring and a great defensive effort each game and I’ll be much happier. The act of scoring doesn’t neccesary equate a great game in my book.
IMO, It’s scoring chances that make an interesting game.
A game where each team scores on every possesion (basketball anyone?) would be boring.
A game where the teams constantly turn the puck over back and forth in the neutral zone all night and end with a 1-0 shootout win would be boring.
A game where each team sustains some pressure in the O-zone, each goalie makes some spectacular saves, the players make some hard checks to force turnovers, the players work hard for every shift and ends in a 1-0 final score is incredibly interesting and entertaining!
Anyone going to see Mr. Clutterbuck tonight for the taping of Call of the Wild?
What is Call of the Wild?
Green* is right again, if you are going to be bad, you might as well get it out of your system in one horrible game.
Hopefully, it will not repeat!
It’s a live interview/Q&A/autograph session with one or two players, held at a local bar/restaurant, ms.c.
They record them and make them available on wild.com I believe.
Ms. C, It’s tempting to mislead you with something tittilating but I won’t.
From the Wild’s website:
Call of the Wild is a magazine-style show, which focuses on Wild players, game highlights, special events, Xcel Energy Center and community relations programs centered on Minnesota’s favorite sport. In addition, each show features a different Minnesota Wild guest who participates in both host and audience Q&A sessions.
I’ve finally figured it out. They’re playing Burns on the wing until Gaborik comes back so when the trade deadline comes around and nothing happens, the front office can say that when Gabby came back it was like trading a third line winger for a top D-man and a top forward.
I think we mostly all agree IJ should move back to D. I’d not be suprised if this last game was enough to provoke JL to do it, but which current D do you sit or move to wing?
I’d guess MAB or Zidlicky would move to wing. Probably MAB IMO. I think Weller will sit again and C-buck will be in.
What happened to your D?
Steve, I think they caught a virus or something from Washingtons’s! 
Well, you can thank us for curing your putrid O.
Thanks guys.
This game was an abomination, but our D has been serviceable up until now.
Given we are weaker on forward and no longer have Gabby, the best place to improve it is what they have done and that is to play #8 at W.
Everybody knows what the ideal situation is, but circumstances force a team to make adjustments and so we see Burns on a wing.
Personally, I cannot see Gabby ever wearing a Wild sweater in a game again. If what we fans know is the same as what the team knows he has simply turned his back on the team for too long.
Until he is healed, he won’t be dealt.
If he has a rehab, MissConduct will need to update us because his rebab games will be in Texas and not Minnesota.
Steve R: yeah we stunk it up like crazy last night from about the center red line in.
Brutal.
Did you see Leonsis on CNBC this morning? The first thing he said was that NHL hockey in the DC metro area should be considered a growth industry!
I’ll eat the Aeros Santa hat topping my tree if Gaby plays a game in Houston.
Nick,
Missed that interview, but I’m sure the Caps will replay it on the big screen at the game tonight. DC has a lot of transplants into hockey (no one is actually from there to begin with….), the product on the ice is fun as he@@ to watch right now & people are embracing the team in a big way. Having Ov doesn’t hurt either.
You guys have anyone remotely interested in trading for Gaby? Any ideas on timeframes on him hitting the ice again?
As bad as it was last night, could have been worse, if that’s possible. Backstop had a few unbeliveable saves. Anyway, is there reason to be concerned at all that Backstop has given up 11 goals in his last 6 periods of play? Obviously last night he was given zero help, but 11 goals in 6 periods is still a significan number. Would like to see the boys give solid efforts in the next two homers this week because the following 4-game roadie is more than manageable.
Gaby is a lost cause at this point. I would be suprised if we get a bag of used pucks and one of those plastic practice-goalie thingys for him at this point.
Foster will likely play some rehab games in Houston but you will not see Gaborik play for the Aeros.
I wonder if Noreau will give up the 26 for Foster?
Our defensive corps have been very good with the exception of last night. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. Last night was a mistake bonanza for them. They seemed to have collectively lost their brains.
The Wild depends heavily on the defensive corps to not have an off night because we don’t have the offensive power to overcome many mistakes against most teams. Our offense starts from the back end.
For the most part, Backstrom and the defensemen have saved this team. They might not be a scoring machine as a group but they are preventing more goals being scored — the lowest goals against in the league. That’s an accomplishment.
The forwards have helped in contributing to the overall team defense, but the job is heavily on the defensemen.
From the sounds of it Steve, no one wants to touch UM with a ten foot pole.
I doubt Fozzie would ask him to, since he’d just be passing through (presumably). It would be pretty weird to see a big guy like that in the Aeros 26 sweater though. I’m only just now starting to get used to Shep in the 51 and Bruno in the 15.
Funny how when the D collectively has a bad game, all the bufoons that comment at the end of the articles want Skoula benched. Ummmm, as much as I love to bash him, this year thus far, I can’t. MAB has been far worse and Zids just has 2-3 brain farts a game the give up great chances or goals.
I can’t believe I am allowing my fingers to say this, but Much Maligned Marty isn’t the problem.
“GETTING BAGGED”
I saw a while back people asking about “getting bagged”. However I failed to see someone post what that actually means.
Assuming “getting bagged” means the same as when I played hockey, then during morning practice, when a player who is NOT going to play in that night’s game skates extra drills wearing sand bag weights around his ankles. The added weights give the players legs an extra workout, that he otherwise would miss by not playing in that night’s games.
Back in my day, some players would also wear the bag weights during pre-game warm ups, as well as using a weighted stick. Then they would ditch the weights at actualy game time, with the theory that their legs/arms felt lighter. And they had a quicker step/shot.
Hope that helps. And if I am wrong, would RUSSO please post what his definition is.
Makes me tired just thinking about it…
Haha, I was just catching up on some comments, who is this SkoulaSux guy? “If you made one NHL team out of former WCHA players that are in the NHL it would be a good team.”
Ya, no sh*t, same can be said with a team of guys that played for any of the Canadian Junior leagues. Or how about this, I bet I could make a good NHL team out of NHL players that used to play hockey somewhere else when they were growing up.
Look, I love the WCHA and the state of Minnesota more than most people, but this kind of talk is getting really boring. That statement includes any discussion of the Wild needing more Minnesota born players. That reminds me, thanks for that article Russo.
Billy from Eagan needs someone to look up to that wasn’t born in a country as far away as Canada.
On that note, I got my USA Hockey magazine yesterday and it really kinda irks me how they seem to go out of their way to… how do I put this?… minimize Canadian hockey. It’s like they’ve got a chip on their shoulder and that seems so unnecessary.
Maybe it’s a hockey culture thing that I just wouldn’t get living in a place where ANY hockey, regardless of origin, is sweet manna from heaven.
So for my ESPN Insider peeps - New Gabby rumor on the site, but I have no access
Can anyone recap for me?
If its Eklund’s rumor, Islanders want him. Its been said many times, while Gaborik is injured, most GMs would not trade a healthy player for an injured player.
Now, Snow and Wang are a little crazy so they might be willing to do it.
It is funny how Minnesotans accept beaver nickels as their own currency but reject hockey players from north of the 49th parallel.
I saw the Eklund rumor, but I am hoping someone else will report it before I even entertain the idea.
Looking at the Islander’s roster, who would we ask for in return? Comrie and a #1?
If someone says Okposo I may vomit in my mouth a bit, just because of the level of homer-ness with Dan and MKiA.
Well maybe Okposo leaving the way he did and Snow’s comments about Lucia will keep the Gopher homerism tempered just a bit?
Man, I really don’t like Comrie. He always seems to play well for a small stretch and then completely dog it for a longer stretch. Wasn’t he hurt recently (within the last season) too?
At $2M per through 2012/13 Trent Hunter is interesting. But I have no idea why the Islanders would be interested in that.
That’s a pretty ugly roster.
I just hate that commercial with Comrie that runs about a million times a day on NHLN. “Maybe it’s your mom’s birthday” SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!
*ahem* Carry on…
Eklund…. If you guess enough times sooner or later you get one right. You know, the monkeys and typewriters thing.
Steve - that is why I am asking what the ESPN rumor is. Is their report from Eklund, or do they claim another rumor or another source
yeah, that Comrie commercial is bad. I hate it also.
Don’t you think getting a high #1 pick and a prospect are good enough if the trading partner is the Isles?
Since we’re talking Islanders hockey I wanted to ask about Mike Iggulden. He is playing for their AHL affiliate and torched Houston when he was in town a few weeks ago. He is a point per game guy in the AHL but can’t buy any time with the Islanders even with all their injuries. I wonder why that is?
Okposo is a pile and I absolutely love anything that has to do with Gopher hockey.
I hope Okposo is rots with the Islanders for his entire career.
And I hope I learn how to type.
Ditto Aaron. I can’t quite figure why the Tigers are any good at all, given the needs of the parent club. They should be picked clean, I’d think.
ESPN Insider Rumor:
Wild RW Marian Gaborik’s stock has dropped because of his slow-to-heal groin injury, according to the Ottawa Sun.
Wild GM Doug Risebrough offered him around the league for a player who can help right away, prospect and No. 1 pick, but nobody wanted to risk it on the injured star, the Sun reported.
The paper said Gaborik turned down the Wild’s seven-year, $56M offer earlier this year, indicating he doesn’t want to stay in Minnesota.
Gaborik, who can be an unrestricted free agent after this season, wants to sign with the Kings, according to the Sun.
The Devils are interested in Gaborik, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Talks might not go far, however, because the paper said the Wild will insist on getting F Zach Parise, whose father, J.P. Parise, played for the Minnesota North Stars.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported last month that the Wild were on the verge of trading Gaborik.
McKenzie went on to disavow himself of the rumor because of some factual obstacles that normal-headed GMs would not ignore:
The injury-prone Gaborik has been out since Oct. 14 with a lower-body injury.
Gaborik can be an unrestricted free agent after this season and wants big money.
McKenzie also writes that “precious few NHL teams” seem interested in Gaborik at this time.
He lists the Canadiens as always in the mix of Gaborik rumors and the Senators could be a possibility, although McKenzie writes that he has been led to believe that Ottawa and Minnesota are not talking trade.
Previous reports have listed the Kings, Maple Leafs, Thrashers, Canadiens and Canucks as possible trade destinations for Gaborik, 26, who has rejected several contract offers from the Wild since the summer.
Gaborik’s agent, Ron Salcer, last month denied a New York Post report that Gaborik is asking for a 10-year, $100 million deal and said he has not received offers of $85 million for 10 years, $90 million for 10 years or $70 million for 10 years, the Pioneer Press reported.
That Regier kid with the Blues — he was an Isles prospect and asked them over the summer to not qualify him so he can leave and go to another team. The Isles granted his wish and was called up by the Blues a couple of weeks ago and has scored 3 goals already.
Maybe they just don’t know how to use their assets.
Given the lack of information and the nature of his injury, Gaby could become an uninjured player at any moment. His ability to play and his willingness to sign with another team could all be handled behind the scenes so I think fans can feel free to speculate on a near-term trade at will. If NYI is in play, I think DR at this stage would be crazy to turn down a Dec. deal for Comrie and a #1 or even the #1 with other picks that he could trade at the deadline if not sooner for a player. For me (despie the meltdown last night), going 14-8-1 with just 2 games from Gaby, #10 has become more about future cap space and less about trade value. I would also be happy to have him just play it out here too - we could still use his goal scoring
Gabby for multiple high, high draft choices and maybe a strong playing wing.
ESPN compiles the rumor reports from all the newspapers and then asks you to pay to get that info? What waste of money.
Other than the $56 million deal, none of the info is new.
Gaby for a piece of burned toast and a glass of water. Sign extra fast if we can get a pat of butter and milk instead of water.
Holy crap, the Islanders have $9M in cap space, but they’ve also got 11 UFA’s and 7 RFA’s to deal with after this season. And, only 4 players signed for longer than next season.
Would are record be what it is without Lemaire?
I highly doubt it.
Isles are going to be in the lottery for the #1 without Gaby. With Gaby, the Wild will be in the lottery for the #1 pick using the Isles pick. That is one dysfunctional team.
I agree that JL is the straw that stirs the drink but after giving my guy the C and having a six pack hung on us by the Sakic-less Avs I am doubting my Wild acumen today
Would are record be what it is without Lemaire?
I highly doubt it.
Objection, relevance?
Would our record be what it is without Backstrom?
Would our record be what it is if we played in the SE division?
Would our record be what it is if Gaborik had played every game?
If Skoula was a goalie?
If one of Burnsie’s snakes tore his arm off?
??
6GS, the captain doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. Stop that nonsense.
Even with Gaby, the Isles’ #1 pick would still be in the top 10. Its better than being #15+. If the Wild bombs in the second half, then hey, they get two high #1 picks.
win-win all around.
“Dampland says:
“GETTING BAGGED”
I saw a while back people asking about “getting bagged”. However I failed to see someone post what that actually means.”
Dampland, times have changed. Nowadays the goalies wear facemasks, gloves aren’t 2 feet long, sticks are no longer made of wood, and getting bagged means to skate to the point of exhaustion after which a 6′7″ player (Boogard if you’re a member of the Wild) dunks his gaborik in and out of your mouth. If this doesn’t motivate you to play at 110% next game, your career will be very short. If this is something your into your career will also be short.
Of course Gaborik wants to play in L.A.. Where ele would you want to be if you only played 40 games a year?
On this team, the captain really doesn’t matter. Probably on most teams, the captain really doesn’t matter.
Can anyone name all the NHL captains, without googling?
I thought giving the C to #5 was a nice hat tip to the d-core but from now on I am definately going to go with “the captain doesn’t and shouldn’t matter”
I know the captains of the teams I like.
Not sure why, even if they did matter, I’d need to know them for teams I don’t care about. The captaincy is a heart and soul matter, and therefore irrelevant if you have no heart or soul for a particular team.
But we ALL agree they’re irrelevant across the board, and leaders are leaders, and it’s just a letter on a sweater, and who cares (and if you do care, you shouldn’t).
Thanks for the info Ride
food from stencils
I’m sort of fascinated by the Gaborik drama, though I’d much rather it be over with so I could maybe get somebody to finally say something about what’s really going on there. Regardless, I still think Risebrough’s a fool to have let it come to this.
And while we’re dumping on the team…
Skoula, he’s been better this year, but that’s still a pretty low bar for him to clear. He’s still out there on the ice for his share of goals, and has pretty much no offense to contribute.
And Veillieux is still my least favorite Wild player. I really don’t see how he contributes, really. He’s terrible at clearing the zone. He’s not really strong enough, IMO, to be an effective defensive forward. He’s got little offense. I think he often makes poor decisions. And while he’s got decent speed, he doesn’t seem that quick to me, nor does he seem to anticipate very well. He hustles. I’ll give him that.
But overall, I can’t really complain about where the team is right now. And while the Dallas and Colorado losses aren’t terribly inspiring, they’ve typically been playing much worse in early December. So we’ll see. If they can resolve the Gaborik situation without completely getting bent over, they just might be able to put a pretty good showing this season.
Sunshine, I am agreeing with all of your points today.
Right Toivo, it is easy to see where the team could be, but it is hard to complain about where they are.
