Los Angeles Kings 3, Wild 1
Posted on December 13th, 2008 – 1:39 PMBy Michael Russo
I feel like I’m caught in one of those time-lapse movies. Every time I look up from my computer screen, the Los Angeles Clippers’ basketball court is closer to being assembled.
The Clippers host the Rockets tonight. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a full NBA game since I covered Shaq, Dwyane Wade and the Heat for parts of the lockout. The last game I covered was in Toronto against the Raptors. I used every hockey cliche I could.
I’m pretty sure I actually wrote “Shaq stood on his head.” Not surprisingly, I wasn’t asked by the editors to cover another Heat game.
I missed hockey during the lockout. These days, I just miss any semblance of good hockey.
The Wild, let’s just say, they’re not very good right now. I really, really hope all the Wild fans in the crowd today didn’t actually spend money on plane tickets to come out here and see today’s performance.
Coach Jacques Lemaire ripped into the boyz after this one, especially because of the team’s terrible first and second periods. It was just a clumsy effort all-around. Guys were literally falling over themselves.
Lemaire said the players weren’t ready. And he felt it had a lot to do with the team’s post-practice yesterday. These guys are professionals, so they can do what they want, but most every player scattered into the Southern California sun after practice. The bus going back to the hotel had like a half-dozen players on it, and Lemaire bemoaned after, he’s not a “babysitter.”
Regardless of the reason for the Wild’s terrible effort early in this game, what’s more frightening is nobody in the locker room I interviewed would admit to it. I am not kidding you, other than Antti Miettinen, five of the six players I interviewed all felt the team’s start tonight was fine and it played well in the first and second periods.
Sure. I guess it was deceiving when the Wild was being outshot 40-20 at one point.
Actually, it was deceiving that it was 1-0, then 2-0. The Wild should have been down by three or four goals, but Niklas Backstrom brought his ‘A’ game.
The Wild couldn’t make passes. Guys like Benoit Pouliot were bumped off the puck easily. Guys like Brent Burns and Erik Reitz inadvertantly iced the puck at times. There were errant passes (Andrew Brunette missed Pierre-Marc Bouchard on a potential breakaway by 10 feet).
Even Mikko Koivu wasn’t sharp. He turned the puck over twice in his own zone late in the third period, which caused time to be lost when the Wild was trying to get Backstrom off the ice. Then, Koivu dumped the puck on a line change and Lemaire pulled Backstrom with L.A. having full control of the puck. Well, it took 14 seconds for Alexander Frolov to score and make it 3-1.
Dustin Brown freight-trained Kim Johnsson early, and from that point on, the Wild wanted no part of the physical game. In fact, the Kings’ forwards consistently made Wild players fly when they bumped ‘em.
Yes, there was bad luck. Miettinen hit the pipe in the third, Bouchard hit both pipes in the second on one shot.
The Wild’s scored three goals in the past four games. That’s three goals in the last 12 periods folks.
The Wild has lost four in a row in regulation for the first time since Nov. 2003. It’s never lost five in a row in regulation, although that could be coming because this team seems lifeless right now and it visits Anaheim on Sunday.
Talk to you tomorrow from the Pond.
217 Responses to "Los Angeles Kings 3, Wild 1"
cvhmpls says: I am bashing the Wild for being a horrible organization
What yu did not take into effect when you bashed the organization. Brian Burkes mission is not neccessarily far off from what the Wild are already doing
Burke speaks of top 6 forwards
(1) Marion Gaborik- Whats DR to do about him being injured ?
(2) PMB
(3) Mittens
(4) Mikko Koivou
(5) Brunette
(6) Has not emerged
The Defense is as strong as any team would want it. The Goaltending is strong
The problem is the Wild have a problem with scoring becasue no player number 1,and no player number 6 at the moment
Lets go boys, I don’t want gaby coming back to a losing streak.
You could make a case for your number 5 guy being weak as well Mister Know it all. Big Bruno is doing nothing
Greetings everyone! Let’s go Wild! Shake off these last few bad losses and get a win over the Douc…I mean Ducks.
So I went back last night and watched the clip of Gabby scoring 5 goals. Is it ironic that one of the goals had Rolston, Demitra and Parrish on the ice with him???
And by Ducks… I mean Kings… wow. off day today.
Anyone have a suggestion for watching game online?? no FSN for me today…
Try yahoo.com
The Yahoo Watch Live icon is up here - http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid=2008121308
That AMA line was shortlived. Its now the AMP line.
can’t pick it up on ATDHE.net, hockeywebcasts.com, or yahoo.com.
what gives?
channelsurfing.net/watch-yahoo-nhl.php?w=10976382
Its on Atdhe.net
I was able to see it there.
I had no problem on hockeywebcasts. The link opened a new window with the game.
Has Terharr passed his stone yet or are we getting a drugged up version of him this afternoon?
drugged
Must be drugged as he claimed we put a hit on Camalleri. Of course he is with the Flames now.
Man the staples center looks empty… I though LA drew well. Is everyone shopping?
And can we tie this game up on this PP? Please?
Hello
Is there anybody out there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anybody home?
Looks like the Wild have everyone asleep… again.
Just being lulled to sleep by this game.
Okay, I wasn’t sure if I heard the Camalleri reference or not.
Their PK is generating more offense than our PP. And is any wild player willing to make a play in the slot?
Their PK is generating more offense than our PP. And is any wild player willing to make a play in the s-l-o-t? …stupid moderation, just because the players find working the s-l-o-t dirty doesn’t mean its a bad word.
Howdy. Got off my lazy butt and knocked around in my goalie gear during the first. My thighboards make a great laptop platform. Suppose my defense is good enough that I can blog during my games?
Sweaty Mikko looked kinda po’d there. Rawr.
calm down Ms C, or we’ll get the garden hose…
Oh wait, it’s frozen
Trying to connect all the dots on those trade scenarios will probably make DB’s head explode.
LOL SotB! He’ll prolly be looking for any way to bash it due to some perceived botch by DR.
—–
Russo, pretty quick on the reply up there (@3:19) dude. Bored in the press box?
Is anyone else watching online getting a crappy feed? Just want to know if its my comp.
Russo, pretty quick on the reply up there (@3:19) dude. Bored in the press box?
Probably… not what I would call an exciting game…
the fsn feed on dish looks to be in extra-low definition. It’s really bad.
One goal — we can probably get. Its the 2nd goal that’s become very hard.
2 more Cammalleri’s. It’s Zeiler. You clown.
Anybody else notice that this little goal drought that the Wild are in coincided with Nolan getting hurt? I thought he was starting to play really well when he got hurt.
calm down Ms C, or we’ll get the garden hose…
That WAS the calm version. 
Cal better watch the stick before he’s making popcorn again.
Its not so much Nolan but where he plays. He plays in the area where it seems most Wild players are afraid to go near– the slot area.
He’s there for rebounds even if he can’t convert and battles there.
No kidding, wood. Then he botches the call on Veilleux getting dumped, and Dumber opens his mouth and the breeze kicked up.
It’s sad when the most dangerous offensive threat for the Wild is your regular defender.
Backstrom needs to get more shots on goal.
If we, and its a big IF, get shut out tonight, would the Wild be force to play Gaborik. Even if there is not a morning skate tomorrow, Gaborik could get out on the ice with at least one of the coaches. On FSN, they showed him out there at 9am PST with Rammer skating and doing shooting drills.
7-10 minutes of Gaborik playing is just as good as Gillies or Weller, right?
Let’s get one boys!
And i gotta wonder who’s been spiking Marty’s chicken parm, cause he actually looks good lately!
my gaby will be back on wednesday. no booing him now. we need some life on this squad.
Two posts…
I am debating if I should watch this game anymore. I can try to conserve energy here.
Anybody else notice that this little goal drought that the Wild are in coincided with Nolan getting hurt? I thought he was starting to play really well when he got hurt.
The Wild was better in Nolan’s first healthy stretch but I agree. Prior to TB getting his rights, I thought the Wild was going to get Malone (although they would have ultimately been out bid by TB). The strategy of shooting from the blueline works better with a big man that plays well in front of the net. Too bad Weller as plan B is working out even worse than keeping Nolan healthy.
I am debating if I should watch this game anymore. I can try to conserve energy here.
Thankfully the Gophers play tonight - no chance that will be a 1-0 game after 2 
*yawn*
Its not the score so much but its that they can’t seem to generate much sustained offense. They all seem a little stump about how to obtain scoring chances.
So, what’s wrong with this team offesively?
Besides everything???
This game sucks. I am bored. The Wild need to score a freakin’ goal.
Its not the score so much but its that they can’t seem to generate much sustained offense. They all seem a little stump about how to obtain scoring chances.
I agree with that.
Uggghh!!!!
Okay, Gaborik needs to come back tomorrow to hopefully give some jolt to this team even if he plays 7 minutes. This team is clueless about how to score.
Weeeee…. hockey… I am so uninterested and unentertained with this game.
4 games and 2 goals, pathetic. i’ve about had it with lemaire and his stupid line juggling.
Need a brawl, or something to pump a little life in them !!!
As one of Kin Johnsson’s biggest fans on this blog, I am about to officially declare his captaincy a disaster even though I am in the group that says who has the C is not a huge factor
Aaaand boom goes the dynamite.
Couldn’t agree more. Screw Nolan… this team started sucking when Mikko lost the C. Word.
Remember when the Wild used to win these kind of games?
So Mikko and the rest of the team quits playing when Mikko doesn’t have the C?
Then fire all of them.
Why can’t anyone on this team shoot?
I do like the play of Burns with Gillies though.
The Wild seem to be like the Twins…spend enough to win a little bit, but hey let’s not spend too much that would just be a waste….I am officially going on the JL is retarded bandwagon and yes there is a bandwagon for that…who wants in?
Trailing 2, 5 min. to go, and boogaard is in. Whoops, my tv just turned off.
let’s not spend too much that would just be a waste
They spend to the cap so I guess it is a waste.
actually no they dont…have cap space left there 6GS
about 2 million
poor backstrom
How many teams are lower? - I bet less than 8.
Gaby, can u play yet?
11
That $2 million is trade/injury cushion. So you can say we are at the cap.
If we were to spend all of it, we wouldn’t have been able to play Clutterbuck.
and u dont want to know the teams either because they are doing pretty good this year…simple as that
oh no not clutterbuck…u c him turtle
I had the score right…just didn’t figure on Preissing being out.
Oh well…on to a real shellacking tomorrow from the waddlers.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS TEAM?!?!? MAN!!!!!
Backs…It’s tough not to turtle when someone Bertuzzis you from behind…
ExpAprE4:
It’s Xmas shopping season. They’re shopping for goals.
I can’t even begin to find out what’s wrong with this team. They can’t defend as well, not so good in the NZ, and horrible in the offensive zone. The only bright spot seems to be goal-tending
FIRE LEMAIRE !!!!!!!!!!
clutterbuck turtled like claude lemieux in 97…besides the guy barely hit em…he never fights…just goes around its people like a punk oh and did u notice his teammates did not even do anything to back him up…mmmmm
sunshine says:
December 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I can’t even begin to find out what’s wrong with this team. They can’t defend as well, not so good in the NZ, and horrible in the offensive zone. The only bright spot seems to be goal-tending
the answer is simple, the wild have no scorers. it’s a roster of 19 setup men and 2 goalies.
everyone should email Leipold until he fires Doug and Jacques. This team needs a major overhaul and it won’t happen until the fans quit paying ridiculous prices at the X and rise up against this terrible product.
If it wasnt for Backstrom this team would be ridiculous…probably around 10-17-1…DR will prolly let him go though after this because he might be asking for too much then Detroit or somebody will pick him up…my guess would be edmonton
- Looks like 11 is right but the gap is not significant. Plus, given where we stand today, the Wild is unlikely to be better buy spending $1.5 million more. The space they do have might even help make a trade easier.
- Clutterbuck was taken down from behind - get a clue.
- Dan - JL didn’t lose Rolston, JL didn’t fail to replace Walz last year. And hey, did you used to be Mike because I am shocked at this point that he is still MIA.
I love Jacques and all, but perhaps his suspicion last year was correct and perhaps its time for a change…
Constantine in Houston is NOT the answer, and I hate to admit it but the Wild need another direction.
Whatever 6GS…look at those teams…u get clue…they are the best teams in the league…its obvious they are spending the money in better ways…oh clutterbuck is a punk…if he was such a badass he would have gone out the next shift and wooped some ass but he did nothing…think about it…i cant wait until he gets into a fight
Another sub-par performance against another, sub-par team. Wait, I guess that has been posted four games in a row now. L.A. is a patsy and they looked like anything but against us. Not a surprise. Lemaire-figure out a plan B! Do you have a clue? Dreadful.. Tomorrow will be worse, I’m afraid.
Six Goalie System says:
December 13th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
- Dan - JL didn’t lose Rolston, JL didn’t fail to replace Walz last year
he didn’t fail to replace players, what he did was take proven players and destroyed their games. his system is a joke. Mikko needs to be named permanent captain, there needs to be set lines so playes can develop chemistry, and Boogaard needs to never step foot on the ice again, at least not for the Wild. Seriously, Voloshenko and Kalus aren’t here anymore for what reason? They weren’t even given a chance so scrubs like Boogaard and Weller could be on the team. This franchise is going nowhere because Doug can’t bring in players due to nobody wanting to play for Jacques. However, Doug has never been a good GM, so even if Jacques were gone, Doug wouldn’t accomplish anything. That’s why both must go.
by the way, since the idiotic decision to move our best d-man to forward was made, the Wild are 7-9.
Jacques man crush on Skoula needs to stop. Skoula is pitiful.
its obvious they are spending the money in better ways
Which is a lot differnt than just spending money or not.
if he was such a badass he would have gone out the next shift and wooped some ass but he did nothing
Because fights late in 2-1 games are common.
Voloshenko and Kalus aren’t here anymore for what reason?
The same reason Radim Vrbata left TB. Dan, even if I thought JL was as bad as you do, any reasonable person knows he will retire and not be fired. DR is another story.
- Skoula bashing is pointless and tired when the team can’t score goals.
- IF DR gets canned, JL will retire anyway.
Maybe Risedork need to put the screw to Lemaire a little-put some heat on him to come up with a different scheme, or something. I think Lemaire is too cozy behind the bench-he knows his job is secure because his “buddy” is the man. A message needs to be sent from Risedork to Lemaire, IMO. But, it won’t happen. Risedork is too stupid. Leipold-do you know what you are doing? Do any of you know what you are doing “up there”? I feel sorry for the season ticket holders. That’s a lot of money spent to watch this garbage. I would be postal if I paid 2-3 grand per season ticket to watch this crap.
Seriously, blame Skoula for not scoring goals is laughable. Blame Koivu, Bruno, PMB, Mittens, Burns, Shep, Pouliot, Gaborik, Belanger, Cluts, Gillies, Boogie, and Weller.
So, rumors are that the Rangers are trying to clear cap space for Sundin.
I know their contracts are HUGE, but would Gomez or Drury help?
Who would be give up? I’m thinking we’d have to drop Nolan, to clear his cap hit, and then somebody else.
Unfortunately, we would have that huge cap hit on our books for years, and would be bailing the Rangers out for their stupid contracts.
Sure Gomez and Drury would help but you need to move Gaborik first to make cap room.
Question? Why is Veilleux on this squad, exactly? Because he’s French-Canadian? I don’t get it. He does nothing.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
JL and DR are just fine Dan.
Every team goes through cold streaks during the season. There are young and untested players that have not found themselves yet and maybe they get too comfortable with their play that needs to be turned up a notch.
Although I too think Koivu is exactly the right player to wear the “C”, I think the losing streak coinciding with Johnsson wearing the “C” is more accidental than a reflection of him being a poor captain.
MKiA is not far off in his opening post here.
I agree that Veilleux does nothing. Waste of the top-9 spot.
We wouldn’t actually need to move Gab. But we would have to move Nolan + either Zidlicky or Johnsson. Right now, I would mind if Zidlicky had to go.
We have around 3 million in cap space. Getting rid of Nolan is 2.75 off the books. Trading Zidlicky to the Rangers as well would allow them to drop Roz like a bad habit, maybe for another forward.
That would give us close to 9 million in cap space to take back a Gomez salary of 7.3 million, still leaving 1.7 cap space.
Seriously, blame Skoula for not scoring goals is laughable. Blame Koivu, Bruno, PMB, Mittens, Burns, Shep, Pouliot, Gaborik, Belanger, Cluts, Gillies, Boogie, and Weller.
Are you effin high??? Boogie and Weller will never score any goals. Even Cluts is questionable on that list.
This off-season, trade away Harding and resign Backstrom. Or vice versa.
Resign Gab, since he might like staying if he gets to play with Gomez, and Pouliot (who gets moved to wing).
puckster:
We need to move folks to another team then give our #1 pick + prospects to the Rangers for Gomez or Drury because Rangers have no significant cap space available.
Its two moves for us.
Who is going to take Rosival’s 5-year deal? You got to be kidding me, there.
When Gabby starts playing again, and Foster comes back, (assuming the team stays healthy) we will have a glut of “D” and a shortage of scoring unless Gabby begins to light the light.
Who moves and for what?
No, Iceman, JL and DR are not just fine. Risedork is an idiot as a GM and Lemaire still thinks his “system” from ‘95 will work. Take a look at the performance of this team. Who cares if they won the NW last year?
They never make it out of the 1st round. Same thing every year (except ‘03). God-awful putting the puck in the net. Stick checks. Completely un-physical on the ice. Blah, blah, blah.
As I said before…
Firing a coach because the team is only fairly good instead of really good backfires in this state. I mean, firing Flip Saunders has worked so well for the T-wolves, hasn’t it?
If you don’t like it, don’t watch. It’s that simple
I still think Lemaire is one of the best in the game, but there is a reason why NHL coaches move around more than any other sport. The same words from the same voice seem to get tuned out faster in the NHL than any other sport. Lemaire has stuck around alot longer than most coaches, maybe because the Wild were an expansion team with a pretty big turnover in personnel the first few years. With the exception of Rolston leaving, the core players have been the same for about three years, and it seems the message may be getting a little old. I agree that Konstantine should probably not be the next coach. I think that the Wild could use a fresh face with new ideas, and Konstantine may be considered the same type of coach with the same ideas from the players point of view.
Oh yah and it’s probably time for Risebrough to move on also. It’s time for a new GM with some fresh ideas and a little more creativity than Risebrough has shown the last few years.
Earth to DR… it’s time to do your job.
Earth to Leipold… time to hold DR accountable.
Jac’s system, please.. it was worked well enough for us to win the Northwest last year. The fact is DR took the summer off and we are paying for it now. If Ottawa is truly looking for a defenseman that can move the puck, then it’s time to move either Bergeron (who is sloppy at best) or Johnson (if they would take him) and any number of draft picks needed to bring over either Fisher (to fill the void DR has failed to since Walz left in 1987) or Vermette to give this team some speed.
You move Burns back to defense and you play on.
Something drastic needs to change or next season this will be the team of 9,068.
Signed, Original STH tired of watching Lemaire try to polish the turds DR gets him.
No Knight, both JL and DR are just fine. They are not going anyplace for awhile.
You wait and see. This season is far from over and the team is getting more solid even if there are fewer W’s.
And, the strength is building from within.
Shephard is having growth pains, but it is not impossible to seem him getting through them.
Firing a coach because the team is only fairly good instead of really good backfires in this state. I mean, firing Flip Saunders has worked so well for the T-wolves, hasn’t it?
Lucia for Woog worked
To placate Gabby, we traded O’Sullivan for Demitra.
Tonight, O’Sullivan had more than 21 minutes of ice, 6 shots, 4 missed shots, and three attempts blocked. 13 tries at the net and a hit ain’t bad.
That is something sure to get you DR haters ire up.
But, to me it says that every attempt the Wild have made to satisfy Gabby has never been enough.
And, also, when you trade a “prospect” or a “Pick” you really do restrict your teams future.
But, to me it says that every attempt the Wild have made to satisfy Gabby has never been enough.
So much for that “vibe” in Slovakia For me, the really sad part of the Demitra story was not replacing Walz and booting Moore to keep Foy and making Demo play C.
Gaby never asked the Wild to trade for Demitra. This myth is just as false as the Bush Administration’s claim that there is a connection between Saddam and Al Queda.
In the spring of 2006, Gaborik openly expressed his feelings about the Wild/DR not willing to spend the money to bring in good decent players. He didn’t think they were serious about winning so he seriously considered taking a one year deal and being a UFA in the summer of 2007.
The Wild, in the summer of 2006, was looking for a center to play with Gaborik and they traded for Demitra. It didn’t work out. Since then, DR, as we all know, continued to look for a center to play with Gaborik. That’s why DR kept trying to trade for Olli.
When has the Wild tried to get personnel to satisfy Gaborik? Going out and spending money for Parrish, Carney, Johnsson, and trading for Demitra was just all for Gaborik? Re-signing Koivu, Burns, Schultz, Backstrom, and PMB? Signing Mittens, Nolan, and Weller for Gaborik? Letting Demitra was for Gaborik?
Waiving Moore and keeping Foy just for Gaborik?
If they really wanted to satisfy Gaborik, trading Shep and PMB for Jokinen would have been it. DR didn’t pull that trigger because while it would have satisfied Gaborik it would have created a big hole in the team’s future.
Guys like Benoit Pouliot were bumped off the puck easily.
And…. this… is … new….?
Lastly, if DR wanted to supremely satisfy Gaborik, all he could have done was fire Lemaire. Instead DR gave Lemaire a 3 year deal.
So don’t tell me that all the moves the Wild make are just for Gaborik because we all know that Gaborik has no power or sway with DR on who gets to play on the Wild.
A light breeze could separate pouliot from the puck.
the building will be sold out no matter what these clowns do.
Menacing glare…
Watching Butchy’s bro play. Well, sit in the penalty box.
No use being absurd Sunshine.
This was maybe the Wilds worst draft. Look at Kopitar. We won the lottery that year and moved up to the 4th pick
# Player
1 Sidney Crosby (C)
2 Bobby Ryan (RW)
3 Jack Johnson (D)
4 Benoît Pouliot (LW)
5 Carey Price (G)
6 Gilbert Brule (C)
7 Jack Skille (RW)
8 Devin Setoguchi (RW)
9 Brian Lee (D)
10 Luc Bourdon (D)
11 Anze Kopitar (C)
12 Marc Staal (D)
13 Marek Zagrapan (C)
14 Sasha Pokulok (D)
15 Ryan O’Marra (C)
16 Alex Bourret (RW)
17 Martin Hanzal (C)
18 Ryan Parent (D)
19 Jakub Kindl (D)
20 Kenndal McArdle (LW)
21 Tuukka Rask (G)
22 Matt Lashoff (D)
23 Nicklas Bergfors (RW)
24 T.J. Oshie (C)
25 Andrew Cogliano (C)
26 Matt Pelech (D)
27 Joe Finley (D)
28 Matt Niskanen (D)
29 Steve Downie (RW)
I did not get to watch this one. Fairly glad I didn’t. Numbers tell me quite a bit though.
40 saves by Backs tells me there was no defense, and 1 goal tells me there was no offense. Brutal.
Maybe they need to practice their triple sow cow, because hockey isn’t really working for them…
Losses to Nashville, LA, Phoenix… I wonder if any of the boys realize who they play next. Wanting nothing to do with the physical game… again, I wonder if they fully realize who they play next…
I hope they consider giving Backs the night off, if only for my fantasy hockey numbers…
Then don’t make an absurd statement that the Wild makes their decisions just to satisfied Gaborik since its not true.
Returned from Staples after a typical Sat traffic jam… pathetic effort by the Wild, as Russo so aptly reported. I know many of you get to see the boys in person more than we do here, but they were stunningly inept today. The scary thing is I don’t see who they are going to see any improvement from.
Anyone who says they “don’t care” if/when Gabby comes back, or “trade him for a bag of pucks”, or “we don’t need him” - you need to set the crack pipe down. This team cannot score a goal - period.
Bouchard continues his perimeter circling, missed shots, losing battles for the puck - and what’s with the tucked in sweater? He reminds no one of the first guy to do it. The Most Overrated Wild forward. He hit the post(s) - only because he missed a wide open net!
Veilleux is a wasted roster spot. He works hard (or skates so poorly that he looks like he works hard) which I guess is why he seems to get a pass from critiques on this blog. He should be sitting often, not the kids. If he’s not going to hit the net (he can’t) and if he’s not going to catch a pass (he can’t) then at least hit someone (he can’t - he misses or bounces off). Can anyone say “Fridge or Voros” instead?
Shep is making me wonder just why DR reportedly wouldn’t toss him in for Olli. He is completely overmatched this year. The contrast with the Kings young, strong, fast forwards was glaring.
Backstrom looked great. It could have been 5-1, 6-1 …or worse. Belanger at least attempted to make a play or two, Mikko worked hard, and Gillies held his ground, although looking a little tentative, which is understandable.
The Kings stood wherever they wanted to and moved any Wild player off the puck when they needed to. The traffic in front of Backs was ridiculous.
The Kings are improving but they are not really what anyone would call a “good” team yet. So what does that say?
Holy crap. The Aeros just scored 5 goals on 5 consecutive shots against the top team in the AHL. I may have to go to the bathroom and cry.
What does it say? That our guys probably went to the LA hotspots and had too much fun to play hockey today.
Does the team impose a curfew?
2006 NHL draft. I have np problem with what they drafted with Sheppard
1 Erik Johnson (D)
2 Jordan Staal (C)
3 Jonathan Toews (C/W)
4 Nicklas Backstrom (C)
5 Phil Kessel (C/RW)
6 Derick Brassard (C)
7 Kyle Okposo (RW)
8 Peter Mueller (C)
9 James Sheppard (C/LW)
10 Michael Frolik (RW)
11 Jonathan Bernier (G)
12 Bryan Little (C)
13 Jiri Tlusty (LW)
14 Michael Grabner (RW)
15 Riku Helenius (G)
16 Ty Wishart (D)
17 Trevor Lewis (C)
18 Chris Stewart (RW)
19 Mark Mitera (D)
20 David Fischer (D)
21 Bob Sanguinetti (D)
22 Claude Giroux (RW)
23 Semen Varlamov (G)
24 Dennis Persson (D)
25 Patrik Berglund (C)
26 Leland Irving (G)
27 Ivan Vishnevskiy (D)
28 Nick Foligno (LW)
29 Chris Summers (D)
30 Matt Corrente (D)
sunshine. I am guessing they do, but likely ten o’clock or so… plenty of time after practice to go be lazy rather than prepare for a game.
May have to keep them busy with “team business” from now on.
2004 draft was the worst Beaver
1. Alexander Ovechkin (LW)
2. Evgeni Malkin (C)
3. Cam Barker (D)
4. Andrew Ladd (LW)
5. Blake Wheeler (RW)
6. Al Montoya (G)
7. Rostislav Olesz (C)
8. Alexandre Picard (LW)
9. Ladislav Smid (D)
10. Boris Valabik (D)
11. Lauri Tukonen (RW)
12. A. J. Thelen (D)
13. Drew Stafford (RW)
14. Devan Dubnyk (G)
15. Alexander Radulov (RW)
16. Petteri Nokelainen (C)
17. Marek Schwarz (G)
18. Kyle Chipchura (C)
19. Lauri Korpikoski (C)
20. Travis Zajac (C)
21. Wojtek Wolski (LW)
22. Lukas Kaspar (RW)
23. Andrej Meszaros (D)
24. Kris Chucko (LW)
25. Rob Schremp (C)
26. Cory Schneider (G)
27. Jeff Schultz (D)
28. Mark Fistric (D)
29. Mike Green (D)
30. Andy Rogers (D)
I guess I am really fried with the bad play as of late. I don’t want to be Chicken Little from HTP, but man, the sky certainly looks to be falling.
I don’t think I have ever been a DR & JL hater, nor have I been an apologist… but in my experience when things go bad for a long time, and the coaches try to fix it and can’t, then it may be time for new management.
Not saying fire the lot of ‘em, but that the heat has got to be on them…
Also, if JL feels they were not focused because they were in the warm SoCal sun, then maybe he needs to send a message. Too bad guys have to clear waivers. Would be interesting to see how some one like Butch would react to being sent down.
Brother of Butch has a ton of hair…
Gee Beav,
I have no problem they drafted Sheppard in that position either. But the point is he’s not playing very well right now. Nowhere near as well as last year. I don’t have a solution, if I did I’d say it.
So Ms C… we all go in a buy Butch a rug?
yep, MKIA and Wally — the Wild did stink up in 2004 and in 2005.
2003 draft is good
1 Marc-Andre Fleury (G)
2 Eric Staal (C)
3 Nathan Horton (RW)
4 Nikolai Zherdev (RW)
5 Thomas Vanek (LW)
6 Milan Michalek (LW)
7 Ryan Suter (D)
8 Braydon Coburn (D)
9 Dion Phaneuf (D)
10 Andrei Kostitsyn (RW)
11 Jeff Carter (C)
12 Hugh Jessiman (RW)
13 Dustin Brown (RW)
14 Brent Seabrook (D)
15 Robert Nilsson (RW)
16 Steve Bernier (RW)
17 Zach Parise (C)
18 Eric Fehr (RW)
19 Ryan Getzlaf (C)
20 Brent Burns (D)
21 Mark Stuart (D)
22 Marc-Antoine Pouliot (C)
23 Ryan Kesler (C)
24 Mike Richards (C)
25 Anthony Stewart (RW)
26 Brian Boyle (C)
27 Jeff Tambellini (LW)
28 Corey Perry (RW)
29 Patrick Eaves (RW)
30 Shawn Belle (D)
PMB in 2002. No problem
1 Rick Nash (F)
2 Kari Lehtonen (G)
3 Jay Bouwmeester (D)
4 Joni Pitkänen (D)
5 Ryan Whitney (D)
6 Scottie Upshall (F)
7 Joffrey Lupul (F)
8 Pierre-Marc Bouchard (F)
9 Petr Taticek (F)
10 Eric Nystrom (F)
11 Keith Ballard (D)
12 Steve Eminger (D)
13 Alexander Semin (F)
14 Chris Higgins (F)
15 Jesse Niinimäki (F)
16 Jakub Klepis (F)
17 Boyd Gordon (F)
18 Denis Grebeshkov (D)
19 Jakub Koreis (F)
20 Daniel Paille (F)
21 Anton Babchuk (D)
22 Sean Bergenheim (F)
23 Ben Eager (F)
24 Alexander Steen (F)
25 Cam Ward (G)
26 Martin Vagner (D)
27 Mike Morris (F)
28 Jonas Johansson (F)
29 Hannu Toivonen (G)
30 Jim Slater (F)
Good draft here for in 2001
1 Ilya Kovalchuk (LW)
2. Jason Spezza (C)
3. Alexandr Svitov (C)
4. Stephen Weiss (C)
5. Stanislav Chistov (LW)
6. Mikko Koivu (C)
7. Mike Komisarek (D)
8. Pascal Leclaire (G)
9. Tuomo Ruutu (C)
10. Dan Blackburn (G)
11. Fredrik Sjostrom (RW)
12. Dan Hamhuis (D)
13. Ales Hemsky (RW)
14. Chuck Kobasew (RW)
15. Igor Knyazev (D)
16. R.J. Umberger (RW)
17. Carlo Colaiacovo (D)
18. Jens Karlsson (LW)
19. Shaone Morrisonn (D)
20. Marcel Goc (C)
21. Colby Armstrong (RW)
22. Jiri Novotny (C)
23. Tim Gleason (D)
24. Lukas Krajicek (D)
25. Alexander Perezhogin (RW)
26. Jason Bacashihua (G)
27. Jeff Woywitka (D)
28. Adrian Foster (C)
29. Adam Munro (G)
30. Dave Steckel (C)
So what all these great drafts tell us is that teams depth is built in the rounds after the first round. How many guys does Detroit have on the first two lines that it drafted in later rounds? I realize they are especially good at scouting/drafting but it makes my point. The Wild cupboards are bare so the current batch of players and prospects have to get us through the next 2-3 years, at least.
Dany Heatley. What almost was
1 Rick DiPietro (G)
2 Dany Heatley (RW)
3 Marian Gaborik (LW)
4 Rostislav Klesla (D)
5 Raffi Torres (LW)
6 Scott Hartnell (RW)
7 Lars Jonsson (D)
8 Nikita Alexeev (RW)
9 Brent Krahn (G)
10 Mikhail Yakubov (C)
11 Pavel Vorobiev (RW)
12 Alexei Smirnov (LW)
13 Ron Hainsey (D)
14 Vaclav Nedorost (C)
15 Artem Kryukov (F)
16 Marcel Hossa (C)
17 Alexei Mikhnov (F)
18 Brooks Orpik (D)
19 Krystofer Kolanos (C)
20 Alexander Frolov (LW)
21 Anton Volchenkov (D)
22 David Hale (D)
23 Nathan Smith (C)
24 Brad Boyes (C)
25 Steve Ott (C)
26 Brian Sutherby (C)
27 Martin Samuelsson (D)
28 Justin Williams (RW)
29 Niklas Kronwall (D)
30 Jeff Taffe (C)
We would never have gotten Heatley. It was likely going to Klesla or Hartnell. I don’t know if DR would have picked a goalie in the first round of his first draft. I think he would have picked a forward.
So… the point of posting the draft results for the entire history of the franchise is?????
We all have Google, and access to Wikipedia…
Right now, I’d take Little over Shep and also, did’nt Semin go after PMB?
Russo points out that after Brown freight-trained Yawnson the boys wanted no part of physical play.. Helllooo.. When have they wanted a part of physical play? Even our D won’t staple guys in the corner-except Burns occasionally. Those that saw this dreadful performance today saw what being physical can do for a club-open up and create space and a TON of traffic in front of the net (ours). Hey Lemaire-why don’t you show the tape to these guys and DEMAND they start taking the body or lets find someone with a pulse who actually gives a damn enough to crunch a forward every now and then.
OK, so apparently everyone has access to Google, Wikipedia, and this thread except Harry.
Yes he did Harry. Look 5 posts above yours. Or google it. Or check Wikipedia, or NHL.com, or HockeyDB, or Hockey’s future, or…
I thought that this tells some of the story why we cant score more goals even strength.
Russo on Wild fans at STAPLES Center today:
I really, really hope all the Wild fans in the crowd today didn’t actually spend money on plane tickets to come out here and see today’s performance.
Michael: We came for the Sleep Number bed in the hotel, the breakfast buffet tomorrow morning and the hope that the guy who proposed to his sweetie in the third period would have been jilted. Grrr…
That’s the type of day we had at STAPLES Center Saturday afternoon, watching the Wild meekly go off into the sunset. And, how about Marek ‘Zidlisky’ (as the arena announcer repeatedly called him); two penalties, two goals by LA. Way to go, Marek, buddy…
Nice to see all the Wild fans who were there. We’ll see most of you in Anaheim on Sunday…
The stats folks must have made a mistake. They credit Zidlicky with 6 hits. In total the Wild had 24 versus the Kings 21. Maybe ours were love pats while the Kings were actual hits.
sunshine says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Seriously, blame Skoula for not scoring goals is laughable. Blame Koivu, Bruno, PMB, Mittens, Burns, Shep, Pouliot, Gaborik, Belanger, Cluts, Gillies, Boogie, and Weller
who’s blaming Skoula for goals not being scored??
I blame Skoula because when he’s on the ice, he does everything in his power to make the opponent scores.
puckster says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
So, rumors are that the Rangers are trying to clear cap space for Sundin.
I know their contracts are HUGE, but would Gomez or Drury help?
Who would be give up? I’m thinking we’d have to drop Nolan, to clear his cap hit, and then somebody else.
Unfortunately, we would have that huge cap hit on our books for years, and would be bailing the Rangers out for their stupid contracts.
no, Gomez and Drury wouldn’t help. Wild need goals, not overrated, overpaid, underachievers that score very little.
IceMan says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
JL and DR are just fine Dan.
They aren’t fine and they will never be fine. Risebrough is completely incompetent and Lemaire is one of themost overrated coaches ever. Everyone looks at his 11 rings and think he’s great. Problem with that is he has 1, i repeat, 1 ring as a coach. considering he spent all that time in NJ with a high quality roster and one of the best goalies ever, that doesn’t say much. Now, he’s on another team, in year 8, and he has one of the best goalies currently going, and he still can’t even come close to a Cup. He can’t coach, his style is terrible, he needs to be fired.
sunshine says:
December 13th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
The Wild, in the summer of 2006, was looking for a center to play with Gaborik and they traded for Demitra. It didn’t work out. Since then, DR, as we all know, continued to look for a center to play with Gaborik. That’s why DR kept trying to trade for Olli.
Doug didn’t try. Seriously, who in their right mind says they won’t give up Sheppard for Olli.
sunshine says:
December 13th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
If they really wanted to satisfy Gaborik, trading Shep and PMB for Jokinen would have been it. DR didn’t pull that trigger because while it would have satisfied Gaborik it would have created a big hole in the team’s future.
If the Wild ever intend on winning a Cup, Sheppard and PMB are not part of the future.
Well, gang, if you ever have a hankering to watch an Aeros game just to see what’s going on down here, go to AHLLive.com and watch the archive of tonight’s game.
It was the most incredible hockey game I’ve ever seen. Had everything… ridiculous goal scoring, phenomenal goaltending, this one save that may have actually blown my mind (pretty sure some brain just leaked out of my ear), fights upon fights. WOW.
I just looked at the standings, and somehow the Wild are still in a playoff spot. However, the thing that caught my eye was, the Wild have the worst record in the conference over the last 10. Awfully good effort from a team that was in 1st in the division not long ago.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Dan is either really bitter about the UND sweep of SCSU or he is still ticked that his favorite baseball player Nick Putno only got a 2 year deal.
not bitter about anything except that we have an incompetent front office, an incompetent coaching staff, and an owner sitting on his hands doing nothing while my favorite hockey team is free falling into oblivion.
Seriously, this team is no closer to winning a Cup then it was in season 1. Furthermore, I have been consistent since before the season even started that this team was poorly constructed and has little shot at even making the playoffs and would be dumped immediately if they were lucky enough to make it.
You’re here enough to know that’s true. It’s not like I’m upset because they’ve been losing lately. I’m upset that after their usual hot start, this group of bargain basement, KMart blue light specials can’t score and can’t win. Doug makes no effort to better this team contrary to what he says to Russo.
You are way over the top Dan but your not going to get me to argue in DR’s defense (although you can say he has not acquired the right players, his budget was upgraded from Kmart status the second year after the lockout - apparently cap wise, their budget is #12 in the league and not far from the top and if you think they need to make trades, a little cap flexability helps). However, I am not a big Punto fan like you.
Sunshine, I think their was more than a fair chance that Demitra was brought here to play with Gabby.
When they were healthy they played together nearly all of the time.
I never claimed that Gabby specifically asked for #38, or anyone else.
Frankly, who a team obtains is not be a player prerogative.
The recent reference in this blog to a trade for Olli Jokinen that never materialized made me realize there is another Jokinen, Jussi Jokinen in Tampa. Just yesterday Tocchet said he wasn’t happy with Jokinen’s play. If I were Risebrough, I’d make the call. Jokinen is a smart and skilled player. He would help the PP and he can also be used on the PK, can play center and wing. Lemaire would like what Jokinen can bring to the table.
Okay then…..you agree with me that personnel moves made by DR are not done to placate or satisfy Gaborik.
They are made because they fill glaring holes on the team.
His Royal Wilderness says:
December 14th, 2008 at 2:57 am
The recent reference in this blog to a trade for Olli Jokinen that never materialized made me realize there is another Jokinen, Jussi Jokinen in Tampa. Just yesterday Tocchet said he wasn’t happy with Jokinen’s play. If I were Risebrough, I’d make the call. Jokinen is a smart and skilled player. He would help the PP and he can also be used on the PK, can play center and wing. Lemaire would like what Jokinen can bring to the table.
I really wonder about some people. The Wild have an entire roster of Jussi Jokinen’s. The whole team is mediocre, low talent players that can’t score, why add another.
Sorry, Dan, but you clearly don’t know Jussi Jokinen from Adam. Even by Jokinen’s stats you can see he’s not used right in Tampa. The guy is an excellent passer with a lot of skill on the puck. In my opinion he’s a better player than his former teammate Miettinen. Without a doubt an upgrade on the current Wild offense. They initially had designs on getting rid of him in Tampa after overfilling their roster with UFAs, but Melrose loved Jokinen’s game and made it clear he wanted to keep him.
you’re very very wrong. I watch Tampa play all the time. I have yet to see Jussi play and think to myself, “I wish he was here.” He simply is nothing more then a role player which the Wild have an over abundance of. Jussi isn’t particularly good at anything. Wild need goals, and Jussi can’t, won’t, and doesn’t provide any.
I’m curious to see how the boys come out against the ducks. I sense after the kings game they would like to just go back to bed pull the covers over their eyes and forget about the 08-09 season altogether. I dont get to excited about the return of you know who, he’s not gonna save this team. I personally think that nolan brings more to this team than gaby and the down side to owen is he gets hurt nearly every game with his old body.
Gaborik is needed. end of story
the team can’t score anymore; we are back to what we were 2 years ago.
meittenen and mikko have been amazing, but they can’t do it themselves. bouchard has been horrific. he needs to get it going again.
team needs help. get a deal done and get gabby back.
Gaboriks salary is needed…to give to someone else! Remember him in last years playoffs? dissapeared and he was healthy…this year dissapeared and he’s unhealthy This guy is a lose lose situation let some other team find that out the wild have waited long enough for this “star”
Ms.C does the AHL site charge u to watch archived games? or do you just need to register?
Yeah, Max, it’s $4 to watch an archived game. Cheaper than a movie.
I’m probably going to regret typing this on here, but, reading DR’s comments on the impending cap changes and how he is concerned with maintaining enough flexibility 3, 4, 5 years down the road…that’s fine, but then you also have to admit that you’re just hoping the team that you put on the ice catches lightning in a bottle in terms of winning games in the present.
You can’t say “I’m paying attention to the fiscal health of the team” in one sentence and then say “We’re trying to ice a winner” in the next.
If the owners have told DR that the former is the metric for his success, then fine. We’re now the Maple Leafs of the western conference, but fine. At least we’d know where we stand.
But we haven’t drafted for long enough, or drafted well enough in the drafts we’ve had (and I’m talking the later rounds, not the first round,) to be counting on all these diamonds in the rough to take us to the promised land in the next couple seasons.
So, if you’re not willing to supplement those young players you have drafted - and who will comprise the core of the team that will keep you competitive when they peak - by SPENDING money on other players now, then you’re not trying to win now.
Again, I don’t think this team is trying to win the Cup this year. At least I’m not expecting that from them. I expect a playoff berth and a series win. That’s really it. That would be “taking the next step” to me. Short of that and this season is a failure IMO. And it’s also an indication that DR’s 5-year (I mean 7-year, I mean 8-year, I mean 9-year) plan of “getting the team to a place where they’re competitive (in the playoffs) every single year) is officially off the rails. Right now, this team certainly doesn’t look like a team capable of advancing in the playoffs, assuming they even make them.
Ball’s in your court, Dougie.
Nick- If they are lucky enough to make the SCP: they will be quickly jettisoned in the 1st rd.,and in embarassing fashion, like every year. We need a new GM AND a new Coach. Period. Risedork doesn’t know what to do with the ball in his court. He’s a failure as a GM-if what he says the goal of this team is-to be successfull and advance in the SCP. They havent. They won’t until Risedork/Lemaire are booted and someone who has a clue on being a GM and a coach not stuck in 1995 is found.
NiNY: You’ve always given good views, among the best here, as have some others.
End of message.
Liepold owned the Preds for a decade - and he never changed the GM or coach, so don’t count on it here either
JL will be replaced when he retires.
JL will be replaced when he retires.
And that will likely be after this year if they miss the playoffs - the Barreiro and Reusse wannabes should aim their fire at DR.
No, I did not say I totally agree with you Sunshine.
AFterall, #38 is reputed to be Gabby’s close personal friend. It seems fair to think that had something to do with it.
I think DR specifically got Demitra because he was close to Gabby and felt Gabby would be more willing to commit to MN long-term.
His Royal Wilderness, I do agree with your thoughs concerning Jussi Jokinen
Mr Band,
I respectfully disagree. Leipold is the guy who (over)paid to get Forsberg to come down to Nascar country to play hockey. Leipold likes to spend sugarmommy’s money
I think Leipold talked Jock out of retiring last year to maintain a little continuity during the ownership transition.
I expect to see things shake up this off-season with Jock retiring by his own choice and we get a new coach who plays a more up-tempo game. Leipold isn’t a ‘hockey guy’ in the same respect that the blogger’s in Russoville are. I know he’s got kids that play but he sounds like his first love is basketball. I gotta beleive Leipold can’t appreciate Jock’s defensive style (if the hockey nuts on this blog find it boring, what do you think a basketball guy thinks of it.)
At least I’m going to hold onto the dream of a more up-tempo style in the years to come. I guess I’ll also hold out hope that Mitten’s and Belanger each become 40 goal scorer’s. I won’t hold my breath. And I pick on these two not because I don’t like them as players, but because these two 28 and 30 year old journeyman are this teams near term future (along with Koivu, Burns, PMB). that ain’t much to hang your hat on.
I just finished half a cup of coffee and some eggs, so I think I’m ready now. Yeah, I just got up, sue me.
As I look back over the myriad of posts thrown up since the end of yesterday’s game, I notice an awful lot of people keying in on certain players, and calls for new coaching and new management.
This isn’t an instant-gratification world. You can’t expect that because the team loses a few games and plays poorly that certain players should be gotten rid of, the coach fired, the system changed, and the GM axed. If you think this is the way to go - welcome to the real world. This is not XBOX NHL Live where you can do such a thing, with no consequences.
Is CL going to fire the GM and bring in a new coach to play a new system because Dan says everyone should email until they do? Get real. The team was drafted and built for JL’s system. Plus, no one is going to care about a few hundred emails. When a few hundred season tickets get canceled, that’s a different story. Yet, no one is going to do that right now during the season.
People call for getting Boogaard, Weller, Cluts, and Veilliux off the ice. Let’s see if those same people are calling for that after we’ve played Calgary and Anaheim a few times. After the playoff loss to the Ducks, wasn’t that what everyone said? The Wild got pushed around, beat on, and worn down by a bigger Ducks team? Everyone was calling for DR’s head then, because they didn’t compete well.
So, as the team goes through a tough stretch, the measure of good leadership on the team is how they pull themselves out of it. Every team goes through tough times. Teams go through droughts, and they go through periods of good luck, when they get the bounces.
Then there is talk here of how the Wild are unwilling to spend money. They’re unwilling to go after a big name, and they’re unwilling to spend. Are these the same people who cried foul about some of the contracts offered in the past few years that just boggle the mind?:
Drury, Gomez, Vanek, and yes I’ll say it - Finger?
Is this what you want? Your organization spending your money this way, so you can have a mediocre team with 3 superstars that consistently falls short year after year? Nick references “Maple Leafs of the Western conference”. He’s right. The Leafs put players on the ice to draw fans, they made money every year, yet they let their fans down every year because they couldn’t win in the postseason. So, before you chide the organization for not spending to the cap, note they are very close at it is, some teams at the cap aren’t having any more success than we are. Spending does not equal success.
Drafting in the later rounds might be a good place to direct your criticism. Everyone agrees Detroit does it the best. But they’ve got the staff and people in the front office that have been around so long, and they take such good care of their people - scouts included - that they have gotten very good at making the right call, and sometimes the lucky call. However, there was a time when they didn’t do so well with drafting - see 1965 - 1989. Some teams never do well. Like the Leafs lol. Maybe in 10 years, our drafting will be better, because we’ll have more experience, and better judgment to draw on. That’s not a negative reflection on the current staff, but the cream of the crop in scouts weren’t available when the team was formed. Scouts need to be cultivated too.
So as you watch today’s debacle, just remember they players are tired, their morale is down, and they want to win just as badly as you want them to - but rash changes in team makeup and front office isn’t the way to do it. Look at Tampa, bring in a bunch of marquee players, a maverick for a coach, then a poor start and the players didn’t want to play for Barry, the owner kept trying to run the on-ice team, and they dump Barry and they have a worse record since he’s left than when he was there. Maybe the players are happier, but they aren’t winning games.
They spent to the cap. They made radical changes to their front office, coaching staff, and roster. They sucked, and they made more changes and now they suck more. Glad we aren’t them.
Look at Tampa
Yes Dan’s marque NHL franchise is off to a slow start as is SCSU and Nick Punto, his favorite baseball player, will be too in 2009. But if TB further follows Dan’s Guide to NHL Management I am sure things will turn around and Nick Punto will play better when he gets the 2 additional years on his contract that he deserves.
who is nick punto?
Michael up North says:
December 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I just finished half a cup of coffee and some eggs, so I think I’m ready now. Yeah, I just got up, sue me.
As I look back over the myriad of posts thrown up since the end of yesterday’s game, I notice an awful lot of people keying in on certain players, and calls for new coaching and new management.
This isn’t an instant-gratification world. You can’t expect that because the team loses a few games and plays poorly that certain players should be gotten rid of, the coach fired, the system changed, and the GM axed
Actually, it is an instant gratification world. Firing the GM and coach is 3 years past due and would be quite easy. I don’t expect great results for the new guys because the current roster makeup isn’t conducive to winning. The new GM and coach should get a pass until the ‘10-’11 season. They have the rest of this year to implement a new system, and all of next year to fix the giant mess our inept GM has created.
People call for getting Boogaard, Weller, Cluts, and Veilliux off the ice. Let’s see if those same people are calling for that after we’ve played Calgary and Anaheim a few times. After the playoff loss to the Ducks, wasn’t that what everyone said? The Wild got pushed around, beat on, and worn down by a bigger Ducks team?
serious question. do you watch hockey, specifically the game last night? Even with those players the Wild get pushed around and beaten up. Getting rid of a group of no talent players that can’t help offensively wouldn’t hurt this team in the least.
So, as the team goes through a tough stretch, the measure of good leadership on the team is how they pull themselves out of it. Every team goes through tough times. Teams go through droughts, and they go through periods of good luck, when they get the bounces.
their tough stretch is all year, every year. they barely hold on to leads when they even get them. it’s the story of this franchise. seriously, i can’t stress it enough, the Wild are no closer to a Cup then they were in year 1. the roster makeup is terrible, the head coach is terrible, and the incompetent GM, who has never done anything worthwhile for the Flames, Oilers, or Wild has created a giant mess. No scorers and way too many similar players. Teams with an entire organization of interchangeable parts don’t win titles.
So as you watch today’s debacle, just remember they players are tired, their morale is down, and they want to win just as badly as you want them to
not a legit argument. it was only the Wild’s second game in a week. they are more rested then the majority of the league. they aren’t tired, they’ve simply tuned out the coach and the incompetent gm hasn’t given them the players they need to win.
Collective bargaining and free agency are the cornerstones of parity in the NHL. Team success will typically be cyclical and short lived. The Wild were lined up for playoff success a couple of years ago and brought in Demitra, Rolston and Parrish to complete the puzzle. Unfortunately, they ran into the eventual Stanley Cup winning Ducks in the first round. After that, I don’t think anybody involved with the team every really believed they were in a position to make another run. Let the contracts run out and retool around the core. However, if you don’t know whether the core includes Gaby or not, you are basically treading water until that issue gets resolved. Unless Gaby was willing to sign before the start of the season, you are writing off this year before you start because you know you aren’t positioned to go deep into the playoffs. His injury only makes that moreso.
Warren Buffett says it best. You don’t stand in the batter’s box swinging at pitches on the corner’s or even out of the strike zone just for the sake of swinging at pitches. You wait for the big fat one right down the middle of the plate that comes around every once in awhile. Then you load up an swing with everything you’ve got.
It is clear that this is one of those years when the Wild had no realistic expectation of seeing any fat pitches so they patched a roster together and are keeping their options open pending resolution of the Gaby thing. They are making the transition from Gaby’s team to Mikko’s team and that will take a season or two.
Demitra was brought here in an effort to get Gaby signed. Period. And the risk in that move was losing O’Sullivan. Now that Demitra is gone and he talks about how he likes Van’s system better, and now that Gaby is almost over the horizon…Boy, i would rather have O’Sullivan today!
They are making the transition from Gaby’s team to Mikko’s team and that will take a season or two.
I would like to add Backstrom to that list but I completely agree with the analysis. My main concern is that DR is not the guy to complete the roster which will need a winger that can score over 25.
Nick Punto is Dan’s favorite baseball player - he thinks he is a top 10 infielder in the AL.
I guess if it has to be cyclical, why does the ‘upswing’ have to be 1-and-out in the 1st round?
Do you see ‘cycles’ with the Red Wings?
Sharks?
Ducks?
This is the 1st lean year Dallas has had in 10 seasons at least.
I don’t buy the argument that success is shortlived. Success is earned through good drafting, good trades, good UFA signings and good coaching of quality players.
I’ve complained ad nauseum about the smugness of the Wild management. How they cling to the misguided perception that this is an elite organization.
They need to look up the difference between the word elite and the word arrogant.
>>Actually, it is an instant gratification world.<>>serious question. do you watch hockey, specifically the game last night? Even with those players the Wild get pushed around and beaten up<<>>their tough stretch is all year, every year. they barely hold on to leads when they even get them.<<<
Somebody post Backuum’s record of holding leads going into the 3rd period. Wasn’t it 40 and 1 until they started running into meltdowns recently.
This team is right where everyone should’ve expected it to be. Average. Battling for #7-#8 all season. Did anyone really think it’d be any different? And considering the roster he was given, I think Jacques has done an admirable job thus fair. Take him out of the equation and this is probably a bottom 5 team without #10 playing.
Bottom line is, the coach is clearly getting the most juice he can out of the rotten tomato of a 23 man roster he’s been given by the GM.
From Doug Smugsborough’s brain:
elite
Minnesota Wild.
arrogant
Fans that don’t “get” Chris Simon and/or fans that think the team has been short a quality center for two seasons now.
Wtf was that garbled klugey mess at 2:23. My apologies.
kj: I don’t necessarily disagree with you, but see what happens with the Wings next year with all their FA’s. Didn’t the Ducks miss the playoffs the year after their SCP? The Sharks are riding their peak as we speak. And the Wild would be in the thick of it all if not for the Gaby mess.
Great analysis, Dan. But you should be blogging about baseball, not hockey.
All I see from your blog and posts is selfish anger and frustration that “your” team isn’t winning at a regular clip to keep you happy, and a complete disregard for any other position and opinion about what, who and why as you lay blame at the feet of everyone from the owner on down. If they went 81-1 for a season, you’d be the guy screaming about how they let you down with one loss.
—-
KJ, from an owners perspective, or a business one, I’d consider the Wild an elite organization, one of the best in the NHL, but that’s a different perspective than one a fan might measure the club by. Profitable, full, and a great following. If I was a shareholder in MSE, I’d be very happy with the results so far. As a fan, I’m with you - I’d love to see them doing better and not turning in poor efforts, but I fully understand why it is what it is, and I can live with that for the time being. Things always change.
As much as I hate Brian Burke, I do envy leaf fans at the moment. I wouldn’t mind seeing a tough, Canadian style of hockey being played here. It seems that Doug has no idea what he is looking for in a team identity. I think NiNY hit it on the head earlier. What stage is this team in? Rebuilding or making a run? I don’t think that there should be another stage. This year should have been a year of development and rebuilding after gabby’s departure IMO. This should be JL-DR’s last I would think.
Lemaire has done less than an “admirable” job. Please. If it wasn’t for Backstrom, this team would only have 8-10 wins. Has nothing to do with Lemaire. Backstrom is the only reason this team isn’t even more of an embarassment right now..
Knight.. you just contradicted your own statement, so I’m confused:
Pls clarify.. It looks as if you’re saying Lemaire isn’t doing a good job, but then you said it has nothing to do with JL. What doesn’t? Backstrom? The team’s record?
Mister Know it all believes this game will be a good game to watch against the Ducks.
What I think should happen is
Brent Burns will score 2 goals
I would suggest Lemaire play Backstrom back to back since the team does not play again until Wednesday.
This is a game that Boogaard and Weller need to shine in. No doubt these 2 may find themselves in fights in this one.
Burns may fight as well in this one
Look for the Wild to win and I would not be surprised if it was not close
Look for the Wild to win and I would not be surprised if it was not close
T-Jax just threw a perfect TD strike on 3rd and 14 so I guess anything can happen
North- I’m saying the “success” this team has had so far has nothing to do w/Lemaire and no, he has not done an admirable job. Backstrom has won several games for us, nothing to do w/Lemaires coaching.
MKIA- I like your optimism but I don’t see that happening. Guess I am just pessimistic. Look for more of the same today IMO. Dreadful playmaking, passing instead of shooting ,and no creativity offensively. Lots of shots pelted at Backstrom. I say we go down 4-1 or so. Hope I’m wrong. Won’t be the first time!
Michael up North, you are exactly correct … instant gratification does not extend to making a team work.
instant gratification does not extend to making a team work.
So you are saying Dan and Knight63 are all about instant gratification?
Six Goalie System says:
December 14th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
They are making the transition from Gaby’s team to Mikko’s team and that will take a season or two.
I would like to add Backstrom to that list but I completely agree with the analysis. My main concern is that DR is not the guy to complete the roster which will need a winger that can score over 25.
You can’t add Backstrom to that list since he probably won’t be here after June 30th, 2009.
Michael up North says:
December 14th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Great analysis, Dan. But you should be blogging about baseball, not hockey.
All I see from your blog and posts is selfish anger and frustration that “your” team isn’t winning at a regular clip to keep you happy, and a complete disregard for any other position and opinion about what, who and why as you lay blame at the feet of everyone from the owner on down. If they went 81-1 for a season, you’d be the guy screaming about how they let you down with one loss
not a bit of truth to that statement. the Wild not winning doesn’t bother me, what bothers me is that they make no effort to put a winning team on the ice. every year the ticket prices rise and every year since the lockout, the team has gotten more and more weak. It’s inexcusable that in year 8 they have nobody on the roster that can score goals. terrible drafts and terrible free agency periods have resulted in absolute mediocrity,
Jordan says:
December 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
As much as I hate Brian Burke, I do envy leaf fans at the moment. I wouldn’t mind seeing a tough, Canadian style of hockey being played here. It seems that Doug has no idea what he is looking for in a team identity. I think NiNY hit it on the head earlier. What stage is this team in? Rebuilding or making a run? I don’t think that there should be another stage. This year should have been a year of development and rebuilding after gabby’s departure IMO. This should be JL-DR’s last I would think.
no team in the league has as many french canadians on the roster as the wild do and it’s all to pander to our extremely overrated coach. there is no actual toughness to this team.
Dan, I hate to respond to you because it is like stepping in the La Brea tar pit but frankly you’re an idiot–complete and absolute. End of discussion. Of course you don’t actually discuss. In any event I will not respond because it is fruitless to try to converse with an idiot. Have fun.
Mister Know it all says:
December 14th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Mister Know it all believes this game will be a good game to watch against the Ducks.
What I think should happen is
Brent Burns will score 2 goals
I would suggest Lemaire play Backstrom back to back since the team does not play again until Wednesday.
This is a game that Boogaard and Weller need to shine in. No doubt these 2 may find themselves in fights in this one.
Burns may fight as well in this one
Look for the Wild to win and I would not be surprised if it was not close
1. Burns won’t likely have a 2 goal game all season, he’s not that good of a goal scorer, and like the rest of the defense, he’s got a highly inaccurate shot.
2. Harding was 2-0 last year at the Honda Center and undoubtedly he will get the start.
3. Boogaard and Weller couldn’t shine in an AHL game. They are terrible players that need to find a different line of work.
4. The only way the Wild win this game is if some scrub like Clutterbuck or Veilleux have a multi goal game or they have a game like in Nashville a couple weeks ago and score a handful of PP goals.
woodcock says:
December 14th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Dan, I hate to respond to you because it is like stepping in the La Brea tar pit but frankly you’re an idiot–complete and absolute. End of discussion. Of course you don’t actually discuss. In any event I will not respond because it is fruitless to try to converse with an idiot. Have fun
this “idiot” will be proven right in the end, I always am.
If Dan thinks this roster is on par with the post lockout roster then he shouldn’t be disappionted. I will no longer acknowledge his posts either but I will continue to recognize his man crush on Nick Punto as well as his existance as a frustrated SCSU fan.
good thing i caught a flu bug yesterday so i missed most of the debacle and what i was awake for I’m not sure i could tell you what happened.
one thing i remember is waking up and hearing koivu say everything is fine and it’s the fans and media that think there is a problem. i was fighting a 102 temp at the time so i could have been hallucinating.
Green*…there’s no problem. Remain calm…all is well.
he was talking to gorg between periods. he thought they were playing fine and didn’t need to change anything.
i thought it was strange for a player to call out the media which is why i may have misheard.
There is no spoon.
I am so sick of everyone being so incredibly ignorant.
I will come back later. I have to re-touch the paint on my cardboard girlfriend. I call her Nikita Punto.
As people consider the Red Wings to be the model franchise, remember not too many years earlier than before Scotty Bowman arrived there.
The Red Wings were bottome feeders most of the years the North Stars were in town.
For respect of Bowman, lets watch the Blackhawks for the next few years.
