Clutterbuck back in; Gaborik skates; Three Gophers, three other Minnesotans and Wild trainer on USA’s World Junior roster
Posted on December 3rd, 2008 – 10:31 AMBy Michael Russo
You’ve got to hand it to Derek Boogaard, the class clown of the Wild locker room. He always finds a way to make people laugh, and I bursted out laughing at this one this morning:
After the morning skate, Boogaard walked into the locker room, looked around, walked to his stall and said, “Cameras on? Cameras on?”
If you saw the video of Sean Avery’s comment from yesterday morning, you know what Boogaard was referring to.
Boogaard said it would have been more fun if the league let Dion Phaneuf hand out the punishment. And that’s an interesting point. After yesterday’s antics, I made arrangements to be home by 8:30 because I didn’t want to miss the game. When Avery was suspsended, I no longer needed to watch the game, so I just flipped it on in the second period.
By the way, ironically, I was supposed to talk to Phaneuf today on a conference call consisting of a few beat writers from some of the Flames’ upcoming road cities. Not surprisingly, that conference call’s been given the kibosh.
I talked to Eric Belanger this morning about Avery. I’ll do my notebook lead on that for tomorrow. Belanger was linemates with Avery in Los Angeles when Avery said Phoenix’s Denis Gauthier was “typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on.”
If you didn’t know, Belanger is French-Canadian, and as usual, Belanger was great, in this case, talking about Avery. He said Avery profusely apologized to him for the Gauthier comment.
Looks like my job is safe (see two posts ago if you don’t know what I mean). As tempting as it must have been for Jacques, I won the bet — Cal Clutterbuck is back in tonight. Looked like Colton Gillies and Craig Weller were the scratches.
I’m betting Clutterbuck will bring some energy tonight.
Look for an inspired James Sheppard tonight, too. Lemaire was not happy with Sheppard’s game against Colorado, the evidence being Sheppard’s nine minutes of ice time.
Talked to Owen Nolan for awhile. He’s feeling healthy again and finally comfortable in the Wild’s system. He’s got four goals in four games — two off his career-best goal streak.
Ending a week off the ice, Marian Gaborik skated before the team this morning. GM Doug Risebrough confirmed that to me. I’m told he skated 45 minutes.
Also, Kurtis Foster skated during the morning skate again. He said he’s getting better and better. He’s trying to shoot off the left leg, which he says is at 50 or 60 percent. He’s still getting a pain up and down the leg when he shoots. He said he feels good though, and stopping and starting is still the hardest thing.
Lastly, Warroad’s T.J. Oshie is in the house, as is his dad. But Oshie won’t play tonight. He’s skating extra as he works his way back from a high ankle sprain. Also, I am told Bloomington’s Erik Johnson, who had reconstructive knee surgery two weeks ago, may come to the game tonight to watch his team play the Wild.
Talk to you tonight, and remember, Russo Radio will be on KSTP (1500-am) tonight at 6 p.m. I have a feeling Sean Avery will be discussed and much more.
Also, USA Hockey announced its 2009 World Junior championships roster (tournament starts Dec. 26 in Ottawa).
Gophers Cade Fairchild, Mike Hoeffel and Jordan Schroeder are on the roster, as well as Minnesotans Danny Kristo, Jim O’Brien and Ryan McDonagh. Also, Wild assistant equipment manager Brent Proulx will miss some Wild games and act as equipment manager. Ron Rolston, whose brother, Brian, once wore a Wild sweater, will serve as coach.
2009 United States National Junior Team
No Name Ht (cm) Wt (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown 2008-09 Team (League)/NHL Rights
GOALTENDERS (2)
30 Thomas McCollum 6-2 (188) 206 (93) 12/7/89 L Sanborn, N.Y. Guelph Storm (OHL)/Detroit Red Wings
1 Josh Unice 6-0 (183) 175 (79) 6/24/89 L Holland, Ohio Kitchener Rangers (OHL)/Chicago Blackhawks
DEFENSEMEN (7)
24 Jonathon Blum* 6-1 (185) 185 (84) 1/30/89 R Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Vancouver Giants (WHL)/Nashville Predators
28 Ian Cole* 6-1 (185) 218 (99) 2/21/89 L Ann Arbor, Mich. Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)/St. Louis Blues
4 Cade Fairchild* 5-10 (178) 186 (84) 1/15/89 L Duluth, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/St. Louis Blues
20 Blake Kessel 6-2 (188) 204 (92) 4/13/89 R Madison, Wis. Univ. of New Hampshire (HEA)/ New York Islanders
17 Ryan McDonagh 6-1 (185) 208 (94) 6/13/89 L Arden Hills, Minn. Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA)/Montreal Canadiens
5 Teddy Ruth 6-0 (183) 205 (93) 2/14/89 R Naperville, Ill. Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)/Columbus Blue Jackets
8 Kevin Shattenkirk 5-11 (180) 193 (87) 1/29/89 R New Rochelle, N.Y. Boston University (HEA)/Colorado Avalanche
FORWARDS (13)
27 Drayson Bowman 6-1 (185) 195 (88) 3/8/89 L Littleton, Colo. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Carolina Hurricanes
12 Jimmy Hayes 6-3 (191) 205 (93) 11/21/89 R Dorchester, Mass. Boston College (HEA)/Toronto Maple Leafs
11 Mike Hoeffel 6-3 (191) 195 (88) 4/9/89 L North Oaks, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/New Jersey Devils
10 Tyler Johnson 5-9 (175) 175 (79) 7/29/90 L Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Free Agent
18 Danny Kristo 5-11 (180) 180 (82) 6/18/90 R Eden Prairie, Minn. Omaha Lancers (USHL)/Montreal Canadiens
15 Jim O’Brien 6-2 (188) 190 (86) 1/29/89 R Maplewood, Minn. Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)/Ottawa Senators
7 Aaron Palushaj 6-0 (183) 185 (84) 9/7/89 R Northville, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (CCHA)/St. Louis Blues
9 Matt Rust* 5-10 (178) 195 (88) 3/23/89 L Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Univ. of Michigan (CCHA)/Florida Panthers
19 Jordan Schroeder* 5-9 (175) 183 (83) 9/29/90 R Prior Lake, Minn. Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA)/2009 Draft Eligible
25 Eric Tangradi 6-3 (191) 214 (97) 2/10/89 L Philadelphia, Pa. Belleville Bulls (OHL)/Anaheim Ducks
21 James van Riemsdyk*+ 6-3 (191) 211 (95) 5/4/89 L Middletown, N.J. Univ. of New Hampshire (HEA)/Philadelphia Flyers
14 Mitch Wahl 6-0 (183) 190 (86) 1/22/90 R Seal Beach, Calif. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)/Calgary Flames
33 Colin Wilson* 6-1 (185) 213 (97) 10/20/89 L Greenwich, Conn. Boston University (HEA)/Nashville Predators
*Member of the 2008 U.S. National Junior Team
+Member of the 2007 U.S. National Junior Team
139 Responses to "Clutterbuck back in; Gaborik skates; Three Gophers, three other Minnesotans and Wild trainer on USA’s World Junior roster"
A Gaby sighting! Wow!!
WOW= maybe we can trade him now!
Eh. So we are back where we were four weeks ago.
did he pull a groin? demand a $15 million dollar contract?
Dump the wuss.
I hope they trade Gaby soon. Honestly, I’d take a bucket of pucks for him. He is spectacular when he plays, but what a Nancy.
Don’t let him near the hacky sack game JL 
The Canadian World Junior squad was named this morning. Tyler Cuma has been invited to take part in the camp which begins on December 11th. He is one of 14 defenseman who will try to lock up one of 6-7 available spots on the blueline. I like his chances of being a top 4 defenseman for the squad, so his chances look good in my opinion anyways.
Left off the initial camp roster was Colton Gillies. In fact, of the 8 players who are world junior eligable, none were named to the team this morning. If a player is to play for the team, they will have to show up at camp before December 11th. If they don’t, they will not be eligable for the team. So I guess this gives Jacques and Doug about exactly 1 week to make a decision on Colton for this season likely. My guess if they send him to the junior team, he’ll join Saskatoon afterwards. The Blades are having a very successful season having won 10 straight road games which is the third longest in WHL history on the road. Also since starting 1-4-0 while having guys away at NHL camps, they have since gone 19-3-2. So Colton would join a very successful program and could possibly win a MEM CUP and World Junior championship in one season. Great confidence that would be for a 19 yr old kid moving forward!
I’m sure Gaby is sad that he missed his F1 Simulator session this morning though.
I just know that UncleMoneybags will be in the lineup soon!
And I’ve seen pink pigs fly…
Marian Gaborik skated before the team this morning.
This cracks me up, for no good reason.
Boogaard: Mr. Gaborik. You have been summoned to an audience with the Franchise.
Gaborik: Um, it’s Derek, right? Hey, how you doing?
Boogaard: You have been summoned. You will please follow me.
Gaborik: Okay, sure. Help me up.
Boogaard lifts him bodily to a standing position and they walk over to a door leading to a storage closet. Boogaard pounds on the door three times.
Koivu: (muffled, from inside the closet) You may enter!
Boogaard: Franchise will see you now.
Gaborik: (opens door and walks in) Hey, Saku, how you doing?
Koivu: I will ignore your gaucherie.
Gaborik: My what?
Koivu: Nevermind. How is your appendage?
Gaborik: My what?
Koivu: Your injured…appendage.
Gaborik: (blinks several times)
Koivu: Your groin! How is your groin?!
Gaborik: Ohhhh…okay, I think. It hurts most when I have to punch the clutch to shift from third to…
Koivu: Enough! If it is as you say, then I command you to skate before the team today, in advance of practice.
Gaborik: ….what?
Koivu: You will skate before the team before the morning skate.
Gaborik: I will? Or what?
Koivu: Mr. Boogaard!
Boogaard opens the door and enters the closet holding a crude effigy of Gaborik
Boogaard: Yes, Almighty Franchise?
Koivu: Show Mr. Gaborik what “Or what?” means to him.
Boogaard: Gladly.
Boogaard desecrates and rends limb from limb the effigy of Gaborik.
Gaborik: (shakily) Uh…I understand. I’ll go get my skates on…
I could see that perfectly in my minds eye, Nick. The Saku was a nice little touch. LOL
Nick, mind if I have a toke?
A fine fantasy, but in reality it was more like this:
$alcer: Um…Gaby…you’re killin me here.
Gho$t: But I have an owie.
$alcer: Look, you got 2 choices. Either lace ‘em up or retire after this season. Just how well ARE your investments doing?
Gho$t: I stopped reading the WSJ when Pav left.
$alcer: Sheesh…where’s Hossa’s phone number.
That was classic NINY, laughing out loud at work. I am tired of this Gaborik situation, I hope he is healthy finally and we can move on with our lives. Now the Wild won’t get what they should get but still be rid of him and move on.
It’s been way too long since a WSJ comment has been made here - thank you all for the laughs!
Goody: smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
kj: sure, way to rain on my little fantasy parade with your judgment and your realism! 
TRADE DETAILS:
Gaborik to whomever
To wild- used puck bag, copy of Slapshot dvd, racing cars with track, orange soda, and green visor for playing cards.
I think we come out ahead…
Forget about trading Gaby to Dallas. They apparently have issues about sloppy seconds…
Well done Nick, well done.
NiNY…your vignette reminds me of the initiation scene in Animal House… 
kudos to smuggla for originating the WSJ comment!
NiNY - I thought only captains had that kind of pull. Koivu doesn’t have the C anymore…
Nick that was awesome, except to refer to the appendage is in violation of the teams injury policy. Should be:
Koivu: Nevermind. How is your lower-body injury?
Gaborik: My what?
Koivu: Your injured…lower-body part.
Gaborik: (blinks several times)
Koivu: Mr. Boogaard!
Boogaard: Yes, Almighty Franchise?
Koivu: Find Skoula. I need the Slovakian word for groin!
Could this mean that Gaborik might not have been in town at all but getting treatment in LA? That the trainers and team doctors were not able to treat him so DR finally gave in and sent him to see his specialist because too many games were being missed?
Why is everyone wondering where Gaby has been? Isn’t it obvious that he has been sequestered at the GTRCMBSHP?
No G*, captains have no pull and don’t matter. There was a memo…
Does Gabby even retain enough value that a team would take him for free if we required it to be a package deal where they take Skoula also?
Skoula bashing is soooo last year.
kj, For the record, I didn’t bash Skoula, merely utilized one of his many skills, that of an interpreter
Nice one 5minmajor
Jackson - no way you get the orange soda in that deal, sorry.
NiNY- Well played, sir. Well played.
I just want everyone in the Russoville FH league that I have made 12 moves trying to figure out what to fix, and I now in absolute dead last place. I feel like the Dallas Stars.
Gaborik, Skoula and a plastic container of beef jerkey (not Jack Link’s, that’s giving away to much) to a team for 2 years of Netflix (the 3 dvd at a time membership) and 3 stones for your skate.
Dougie R, any time you want me to step into that GM role, give me a shout.
Jackson - no way you get the orange soda in that deal, sorry.
Won’t get Slapshot either… maybe Slapshot 3
NiNY- your 11 am post- hystercial! Thanks.
You get on here and talk smack and think you know it all but my guess is none of you even skate. Talk is cheap. Get a life.
60% of Gaborik trade proposals made by fans include Skoula.
Also, 75% of Gaborik tade proposals made by fans are done in a mocking fashion, usually ending with the Wild getting a bag of pucks, or other random items.
It’s getting old people.
Gippy returns to ice, shaken not stirred.
Looks like Clutterbuck is back in tonight in place of Weller.
You get on here and talk smack and think you know it all but my guess is none of you even skate. Talk is cheap. Get a life.
Pot, Meet Kettle
So, Russo didn’t see Gaborik skate but had it confirmed by DR?
I don’t know if I believe anything that DR says. He said two weeks ago that we should expect to see Gaborik on the ice soon and he wasn’t even skating.
sunshine: Why would you want the Don to get up at 6 AM just to see UM skate? Why torture the source of all this good information??
NiNY: That 11 AM post was LOL funny. I loved it. Put it on the blog, will you?
All: remember, the Wild are in HD tonight. Don’t say no one told you!
Laviolette out Maurice in for the Canes
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/35470334.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiacyKUU
ActualWildFan = Gaborik/Salcer?
Koivu: (muffled, from inside the closet)
What are you trying to say here Nick? Wishful thinking?
WRT:
Do you believe anything that DR has said in the recent months? His judgment has just been wrong on everything that I now tune him out.
If Russo didn’t see it, it didn’t happen.
Gunslinger, I’m guessing you are right.
And, I can skate.
actual wild fan…
words and opinions are what make the world fun- loosen up a little…WOW
What would you like use to write-bunnies and duckies crap?
It is a good day to destroy the Blues.
ActualWildFan writes like Hemingway. Shivers…
Nick…great post.
Why is the league making the Avery issue so great? I understand it was a derogatory term toward a specific woman and this is the last thing the NHL needs right now.
I think Avery was trying to entice the other team and instead got the eerie of the NHL.
Avery is a menance and needs to keep his personal life, well personal. He needs to apologize for his comments and then go to Russia to play with Simon.
The NHL can do without non-professionals like this.
Sakic out for 6 weeks with a herniated disc in his back. I’d it’s high time for him to hang it up…
“ActualWildFan says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
You get on here and talk smack and think you know it all but my guess is none of you even skate. Talk is cheap. Get a life.”
Well then. I guess you told us.
Add you have to be able to skate and you can’t make comments on the Internet to the “real” fan list.
*Please insert “say” between I’d and it’s*
Thank you.
I will now commence looking for a life.
Sunshine…
I came early often recently to see if he was skating. He wasn’t, although I know he was in town getting treatment. This morning, I didn’t come early but was told by people he skated.
But since I didn’t see it with my two eyes, I wanted to get it confirmed on the record before reporting it. That’s why I asked Risebrough. That’s what journalists do.
What is with you lately, by the way? I write something to offend you? I don’t mind being criticized. Comes with the territory, but it seems you particularly have been a little surly.
I just ran into Clutterbuck today at Cosettas. He is an awesome guy. He let my girlfriend take a picture with him and actually took the time to get our names. I was impressed. I know he is new to the professional scene but it was still awesome to see a guy so willing to know who his fans are. Glad to see he is back in! I am sure he will bring it.
Russo - I didn’t read it as a slight to you. Quite the opposite. I thought it was a slight to DR; saying that Sunshine will believe Gaby skated once you saw Gaborik skate - regardless if DR told you he did or not
Just my 0.02
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
ExpAprE4 says:
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I just ran into Clutterbuck today at Cosettas. He is an awesome guy. He let my girlfriend take a picture with him…
Cool for you! I’d have tried to get a picture of him pretending to check me into a wall or something.
sunshine, Ask your friends in the neighborhood about Michael Russo. They’ll tell you he knows how to confirm a story.
Haha Goody, I totally thought of that after the fact… would have been sweet!
I have a feeling that wasn’t actually the Don… doesn’t seem like his style.
Sunny HAS been less than sunny toward the Don lately, Gun. At least, it’s caught my attention. I can see where he’d read that another way (as in, being gullible to even believe DR).
*awkward!*
Anyway, nice to hear a good encounter with the Cannonball, EAE4. There’s a guy on the Wild board who was a Cal fan in Oshawa and started following him in Houston last year, so I got Cal to sign a game puck for him at an event last season and he remembered the guy’s name and everything. Dude is just genuine and grateful for what he’s got in life. Always very gracious and approachable with fans in my experience. I’m squeeing on the inside that he’s back in tonight.
I think I’ve been to maybe 3 Aeros games since he left where I didn’t think “God, I miss Cal”… They’re finally remembering that they, too, can throw hits down here. Though Ryan Hamilton managed to do a reverse job of it last night. The other guy was fine and he was out cold for a minute or two. LOL He’s fine though (says me).
OK, what is it that Avery said? Anybody got a link?
ExpAprE4: that’s awesome. And Cossetta’s too? Now I’m getting misty AND jealous!
WL:
right in the middle of the article.
Seriously, WL? It’s all over the interwebs, man. Just search for “avery sloppy”…
haha yeah. doesn’t get much better.
I agree that sunshine was taking a double barreled shot at DR not Russo but she has also been surly recently - bad losses to VAN, DAL, STL and COL is my guess.
Sean Avery, Mr. Bettman would like you see you in his office after class.
Oh wait, you don’t have any class.
Russo,
What are the lineup’s tonight? Is the Burns Winger Experiment over?
Yippee! Just found out I’m going to the game tonight.
Cal is by far the nicest guy on the team. He’s always happy and outgoing, and will answer any question I have about hockey. haha.
Has anyone been to a game in Calgary…a couple of friends and I are planning a road trip there in March. Is it best to buy tickets in advance or can you buy them on the street?
“Call me when you have no class…”
For those hoping for Burns to move back to D, I think you will have to wait for Reitz to play himself out of the lineup, a d-man to get hurt or Gaby to return and/or get traded. Which one happens first is what makes this team fun to follow, right?
The NHL can stuff it on the whole Avery situation. Guy makes a painfully stupid comment about old girlfriends. Does absolutely no harm to any player physically nor does it take any player off the ice for any period of time. Yet, the League has jacka$$es like Tucker, who run around going after other players’ knees, and the League does nothing. Or, a player like Ohlund can take a player like Franchise out for 28 games with a deliberate, 2-handed chop which is severe enough to break a grown man’s leg. What does the League do? Sits him for 4 lousy games. No, the League can spare me of its sanctimonious drivel about how Avery has damaged the integrity of the game and the respect for other players. Once the League starts to do something about the on-ice garbage that is actually affecting other players’ ice-time and potential careers, then I’ll start to take it seriously.
NiNY, nice Back to School pull, doesn’t get any better than Rodney
From the “It’s from ESPN so take it with a big grain of salt” department, Pierre Le Brun has a piece up where he solicited readers’ opinions on who the best GM in the league is, and then commented on some of their choices.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3742272&name=lebrun_pierre
Our beloved GM made the list:
lindo1905: Ken Holland is amazing, by all means. But think about this: Doug Risebrough took control of a team from its creation and molded it into a team that competes year in and year out. The growing pains were minimal, and for a pure expansion team that is unreal — in 8 years he took a team consisting of an 18-year-old phenom and a bunch of mediocre journeymen to a hardened core of exceptional young talent and effective veterans. Say what you will of the coaching structure of the Wild; their GM is one of the best.
judy.rixe: doug risebrough, without a doubt, he does so much with so little in a small market like minnesota. especially this year with the mysterious gaborik injury and the loss of demitra and rolston and the general lack of top end talent, but just like clockwork they are in the top half of the western conference.
My take: No question Risebrough deserves mention. The Wild have been a stand-up organization ever since their inception and he’s a big reason why. A patient approach to drafting and developing with the odd free-agent signing has helped the team remain in the playoff mix for the past half decade. Of course, his best move was hiring Jacques Lemaire as coach. Perhaps the best coach in the business. Risebrough’s biggest test yet comes in Marian Gaborik. You know the story already. We’ll see how it ends.
WORD, DB. WORD. I couldn’t agree more. The league’s priorities are the embarrassment. Integrity my aunt fanny. Grr.
BTW: the “My Take” above is Le Brun’s take, not mine, Nick’s.
PS: Sunshine, if you could respond as soon as possible that would be great…I’m not sure I can hold my breath much longer…
I’m with Deep Breath on that one.
Russo and et al:
Lately, I just question everything that DR has been saying. He has provided too many misleading statements to give him the benefit of the doubt. If you (Russo) didn’t see Gaborik skate with your own eyes, to me, it didn’t happen. I haven’t seen it confirm anywhere else at the moment.
Also, don’t write it as if you did see him skate — attributed to your sources like what you did above. We will take this information, process it, and come up with our own conclusions be it right or wrong. Then we can argue about the conclusions.
Being critical and questioning articles is just being a good consumer of the news. Sorry, if you don’t like it.
Sorry for the delay, guys, got busy there.
Gotta admit, it was funny. I had a good laugh.
Anybody have a link from the ESPN NHL page rumor central…apparently there is an article on there about Gabby called “Gab-Fest” but I cannot afford to become an insider…any help…please let me know
Those with Blogs - here is a request:
I would like to videos next to eachother:
4-5 brutal acts that recieved minimal league discipline.
1 Sean Avery video calling his former girlfriend “sloppy seconds”.
Thank you - that is all.
Sunshin…word of warning….hide….fast….just disappear. Don’t answer a knock on the door, especially the back door. Just watch your every move. You’ve been marked by the Don. I pray for you.
Russo, you rock.
Wow, Brett Hull is saying to TSN, essentially, Avery needs to be medicated for his mental issues.
Speaking of ESPN, Skip Bayless was on a tirade this morning saying essentially that “Avery was among the most interesting players in the NHL”.
Right of the bat we can all see how knowlegable he is!
I would like to *see* videos next to eachother
And below the videos, please identify how many games the player was suspended.
I will give $1,000,000 hypothetical dollars to the best one!
Backs 32 - the rumor - mostly a collection of old news - was posted here - http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/2008/12/01/wild-vs-colorado-avalanche/#comment-166396 - there was also Eklund word of Islanders interest yesterday.
@ Backs32:
Gab-fest
Marian Gaborik | Wild | Interested: Devils? Thrashers? Maple Leafs? Canucks? Kings? Penguins? Canadiens?
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.
Sunshine: I think the majority of us take what is offered by Russo and Stencils as information about the team that’s a lot closer to the source than what we could come up with on our own. I don’t see them as asking for idolatry.
I think Russo has proven time and again that he doesn’t report something he doesn’t feel he can stand behind. In a world of Eklunds and Garriochs and Slovers that’s good enough for me.
If you have issues with DR, so be it. I can totally understand that. I don’t think it’s his job to be transparent to us, though. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating I understand that, but c’est la vie.
I think we have a pretty good thing with Russo here. I personally feel like I get more and better information about this team than I’ve ever gotten, and about any other team that I’ve followed. Does that make me some kind of Russo sycophant? I don’t know, you tell me.
Great NiNY, can’t wait until Dan sees what you posted about DR. That should get the haters worked up.
I don’t want to be around Sunshine when the Don decides to take care of all family business.
Skip Bayless is a waste of skin.
“Eklunds and Garriochs and Slovers”
Oh, my!
Backs32:
If its the one from yesterday, someone posted it in yesterday’s comments. No new info - just a compilation of newspaper articles from the Strib, Pio, and a couple of Canadian newspapers. If you have been reading the papers about the Gaborik situation, you have all the information you need without having to pay a penny.
Trying to figure out the Gabby situation through the press is virtually impossible with all the spinning going on by each side. Typical in big contract situations. It’s not worth the straight jacket it comes with by trying to seriously unravel it all.
Gun, I’d oblige but I’ve said all I’m gonna say about it in my blog. Which was all of one sentence suggesting Cuthbert shoulda stayed with Komisarek. Rawr.
You guys are cracking me up. Thanks for the warnings and prayers. Never seen so many for me in my life other than from my parents, of course.
If the Strib IT bans me, hmmmm……oh well…. going to miss you all but life goes on.
LOL!
Leave it to a deuche bag like Avery to put the NHL on the front page.
I agree with many of you that find it sad that Bettman suspends Avery for a, be it, “idiotic” remark but let lunatics like Tucker stay in the game after they repeatedly threaten to take opposing players knees out. Crazy priorties.
Sunshine - We all have a roll to fill here in Russoville. (well, not really but stay with me) Yours happen to be to keep Russo on his toes. All I can say is better you then I.
I think that what people are trying to say Sunshine, is that you are out of line. Don’t poop in your bed.
Skip Bayless talking about hockey is like me talking about needlepoint, and I ain’t Rosey Greer…
If the Strib IT bans me, hmmmm……oh well…. going to miss you all but life goes on.
Too busy fixing wonky blog to ban anyone, so you are fine until they get it fixed. Should be sometime in early 2015.
Should be sometime in early 2015
If Gaby would have signed at the start of the season he would have been on the payroll about that long - scary!
Cuthbert shoulda stayed with Komisarek. Rawr.
Is there an “eye rolling” emoticon on this blog?
I would take a sloppy second Cuthbert is a second…. if I weren’t married of course… *ahem*
Don Russo:
“Sunshine. Sunshine. What have I ever done to make you to treat me so disrespectfully? If you had come to me in friendship then this scum that ruined your Wild would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest person like yourself should make enemies then they would become my enemies. And then, they would fear you.”
Sunshine:
“Be my friend… Godfather.”
[kisses Don Corleone’s ring]
Don Russo:
“Good. Someday, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. But, until that day, accept this blog as a gift…”
Sunshine:
“Grazie, Godfather.”
Don Russo:
“Bene.”
a waste of skin
To everyone except Buffalo Bill (Jame Gumb, John Grant), Edward Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer…
I might be wrong, but that could be the frist Ed Gein reference I have seen on this blog. Nice work kj.
Bite me, Gun.
ATX!
What!? Did I say something wrong?
That was awesome 5mm
Well, ATX, WATX is pretty cool so maybe you’ll catch a break.
Bravo 5mm.
yeah, Ed Gein. kj: you may call “first” on that one fo sho.
5MM with the huge pull.
I would Ms.C, but knowing your infatuation with non-major hockey players, I think you would like it…
…except I don’t play in the minors… and I’m not in Houston… and I am not attractive…
So, I guess I am safe
okay, it’s quittin’ time out here in EST.
See you all (you too, sunshine, hopefully) at game time if you don’t have tix.
I’m looking for 60 minutes of domination tonight from the boys!
Keep you feet on the ground, but keep reaching for the stars, kids!
I should see you there Nick! We may start on a slight delay, but hopefully we will catch up. I am outta here till game time too. Laterz guyz and galz!
Medically speaking, is a groin pull an abdominal injury or a thigh injury? I always thought in medicine, the leg was below the knee with the thigh between knee and hip or pelvis. The groin was between the abdomen and hip…..or something like that. Is there a doctor in the house? Like this is where I’d be if I was a doctor.
Not that any of this matters when in Wild parlance, the study of anatomy has been reduced to 2 body parts; upper and lower.
Too funny, 5mm. Doubt that will happen though.
well done 5mm
my godfather II reference was obviously too obscure
MplsWild1: re: Tix in Calgary…go NOW to Ticketmaster and get ‘em, they just went on sale Monday Dec. 1 for games in March…they also do a fairly brisk re-sell thru the Flames’ website message boards. If you know anyone up there, they can go thru the SportChek sporting goods chain and get tickets locally up there (no orders except over-the-counter). The SportChek seats are in the upper reaches of the Saddledome, which means you may see the ice, but you won’t see the scoreboard.
Good luck!
5MM: Great stuff…
Watchitnow, Gun!
Eesh, my neck has been stiff for two days. I look like Kolanos but shorter and with hands of cement. And red hair. Okay. I look nothing like Kolanos other than looking like my neck hurts. Which he always looks like his does.
I’m rambling. Time for Advil.
Stoned: good question. I have no idea but I can ask my father figure guy and get back to you. He’s a pathologist but I’m pretty confident he knows everything.
I still like to refer to a groin injury as an “exploded weiner” as coined by another Russovillian.
I thought it was “shredded weiner”
either way…
ick.
Thanks WRT!!
They should start screening the calls on the Russo Radio show…
Is Sunshine calling in and giving him hell?
Lets go boys! Time to kick some Blues butt!
Wow. Orr has really gotten under Crosby’s skin in a hurry in this game.
Sorry Ms.C.
Couldn’t resist
Hi people: After Ballgame left europe last summer Gabby went to Hossa and said: They (Wild) want me to ask you to sign with the Wild. Ha ha ha (both laugh). Hossa then said: I will sign a one year contract with Detroit and I will meet you in sunny LA for the 09/10 season.
>>They should start screening the calls on the Russo Radio show…<<
Not listening, but please don’t tell me Dan found someone to dial a phone for him.
And please, no more talk of shredded wieners. A fate too extreme to ponder. Obviously a euphemism renderd by someone who doesn’t have one. Yikes. So tell me, is dat your friend der in da chipper, eh?
It’s okay, Gun. I’m just teasing you. I bring it all on myself, don’t I?
Dammit, I’m so sick of coughing. *hack hack*
Pretty sure it was rendered by a weinered individual, SotB. I don’t really see that phrase coming out of any of us weinerless regulars. Though I’m having fun saying weiner a lot.
Okay. Off to work out and ponder the political crisis in Ottawa and how it’s remotely possible that Simply Red has enough songs to create a Greatest Hits album.
Gaborik skated for 45 minutes. That should satisfy his December quota, just to make sure he isn’t completely forgotten.
You guys are a trip…..and I say that in a positive sense. You folks could write for Seinfeld! Very entertaining. I would would jump in but I am currently on the disabled list list w/ alcohol on the brain syndrome. I have a thick tongue too…watch it!!!!
