Thursday’s practice; Belanger sick; Okposo expected to play; Sundin signs with Vancouver
Posted on December 18th, 2008 – 3:25 PMBy Michael Russo
I just got off the phone with Greg Logan from Newsday (I used to be a paperboy with Newsday). He told me that former Gopher Kyle Okposo is expected to play tomorrow against the Wild. Okposo was supposed to be out until mid-January with a wrist injury. But he’s ready to make his homecoming.
Mike Comrie is also expected back.
Also, Mats Sundin has signed with the rival Canucks. That’s not good news for you Wild fans, unless you’re just a Wild fan sick and tired of all the “Where’s Mats signing?” stories.
Good day. Lively practice down at the X this afternoon.
Everybody practiced but Eric Belanger, who has been putting in a lot of big minutes. Jacques Lemaire said it was just a day off and he won’t miss tomorrow’s game against the Islanders. But it turns out he’s ill and day-to-day, and I hear Krys Kolanos may be called up.
If that’s the case, Owen Nolan will be placed on injured reserve to make room.
Kolanos continues to tear it up in Houston, scoring 15 goals and 22 points in 19 games. Center Corey Locke leads the Aeros with 31 points in 25 games.
Tomorrow will be a battle of the too coldest teams in the NHL. The Wild has lost six in a row and seven of its past eight. The Islanders have lost seven in a row and nine of 10. The Isles – the childhood team for this Long Island boy — have allowed 35 goals in the last seven games.
So just maybe, the Wild, which has scored seven goals in the past six games, scores more than two goals tomorrow?
Actually, two desperate teams usually make for a good game.
Pretty entertaining presser with Jacques Lemaire today. He said there’s a lot of things the Wild needs to work on to become a good team, but he’s trying to deliver his message in a very positive manner because he’s fearful of lowering this fragile team’s already low confidence.
He talked more about having to battle for rebounds, and again talked about driving the net. He used the power play as an example and how when the puck comes to the point, two Wild forwards will be in the corner. Like all hockey coaches preach, he wants to see his players’ sweaters in front of the net.
I asked him about the fact that there are six or seven forwards who have literally offered nothing offensively in the past three weeks. He eventually called out Pierre-Marc Bouchard the most. He said he wants him to pull his sleeves up, realize how good he is and make his teammates better. Bouchard admitted his confidence right now is not high.
Lemaire also brought up Benoit Pouliot and James Sheppard, specifically saying Pouliot “can’t be like this.”
He praised Cal Clutterbuck bigtime, saying the plan is to play him again with Mikko Koivu and Marian Gaborik because Clutterbuck will go to the net, take defenders with him to the net and open up ice for his talented linemates.
Those were the highlights.
I shot the breeze with Derek Boogaard about his colossal hit on Rene Bourque. He asked if I thought it was late. I said I did because the puck was at the other end of the trapezoid. But it is true Bourque was admiring his pass and thus left himself vulnerable and he did just drop the pass.
It was one heck of a hit.
Boogaard also brought up the fact that the refs evened it up anyway because Andre Roy came off the bench, roughed him and tried to fight him. Not only should that have been a penalty, it should be a 10-game suspension for coming off the bench and starting an altercation. That’s something Roy’s got a history of (see his many suspensions), but at least he didn’t make any throat-slashing gestures for a change.
Nick Schultz is already getting flak for his Day in the Life episode that will air tonight at 6 on the NHL Network. A two-minute clip has been running as a teaser, and he’s gotten texts making fun of him from guys like Mark Parrish and some baseball player named Justin Morneau.
Good news: Backstrom’s ACL’s are good a day after Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron barreled into him trying to save Todd Bertuzzi’s OT goal.
“I didn’t see them coming because I was just watching the puck,” Backstrom said.
178 Responses to "Thursday’s practice; Belanger sick; Okposo expected to play; Sundin signs with Vancouver"
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Clutterbuck-Koivu-Gaborik
perfect.
I like that line too Dan, but we know it won’t last a whole game.
C-squared has become my favorite player to watch.
Russo: how did Boogaard react when you told him you thought it was a little late?
So with:
Clutterbuck-Koivu-Gaborik
for numero uno,then:
Bouchard-Belanger-?Brunette?Pouliot?
Pouliot will not play on the wing regularly, JL/the organization wants him to be a center.
Nice update Don Russo. You continue to be the best beat writer in all of hockey. I caught the beginning of Russo Radio last night but had to get out of the car shortly thereafter. Anyone know if the shows are archived for future listening??
Who watched Gardy on the ice during the postgame? Man he looked nervous. Definitely didn’t appear to be enjoying the torture from Gorg, Darby, and Steinbach…
Cluts-Franchise-Gaby
Bruno-Bella-Mittens
PMB-Kolanos-Pouliot(Nolan)
SRV-Shep-Boogey/Weller
?
So until he gets traded, do we see Gaby on a line with Mikko to maximize his potential, and thus his trade value?
Cal Tater Tot makes the big time.
Dan used to hate Cal which is funny for a guy who is right 100% of the time.
Don’t you think we will see Mikko-Gaborik together when we are in need of a goal? If we want to continue to tank then, then separate them. If we want to win or at least earn points, then we need them together.
Belanger is a gamer, the Kolanos call up is just a waste of his and the Aeros’ time since he probably won’t be put in our line up.
I think I saw a Wild trainer in the back of the bench with a Bingo machine. He shouts out numbers and that’s how the lines are created. I think Jock was juggling the lines while the players were on the ice.
Kolanos will play if Belanger is out. We will need another center because we really can’t roll with our remaining 3 healthy centers.
I did notice that Belanger wasn’t quite as sharp last night. I just thought it was another of his off games.
That wasn’t a late hit by Boogie. They had both commited themselves to the play. Boogie could have tried to avoid it at the last second and then there would have been limbs laying all over the ice and people would say he stuck out his leg. Borque could have avoided it if he would have…as my Peewee coach taught me “Keep your head up”. Ask Shepard who almost got hung out to dry By Sloppy2 at the blue line.
The 3 minute DITL “Schultzie” is on wild.com- there is a Morneau jersey on display in the entry way to the home. Cool.
anyone else see this article on the puck daddy blog(might be old news)?
if you morphed Bouchard and Boogard face the right way:
http://flickr.com/photos/nhl_mutants/2297051249/
the wrong way:
http://flickr.com/photos/nhl_mutants/2297050889/
“and people would say he stuck out his leg”
So true.
They better freaking play Kolanos if they call him up.
Sundin signs with Canucks.
per canucks.nhl.com
Whoo!!!!!! Sundin signs with the Canucks!! The Canucks are doing fine without Luongo and then Luongo will be healthy for the playoffs, and lookout baby, here we come!!!!!
Congrats I guess but as a fan of a team that has never won it all, coming here to brag might be a karma crusher.
Portia…
Got a quarter?
Congrats, Nuckleheads… hope he’s everything you deserve! 
You can count on one hand the number of positive good things to come out of Canucks head office with regards to decision making, so finally there is some good news and good decisions being made. I’m still a bit worried about Luongo, but if we can hang on until his groin heals, I think we have a pretty good team on our hands. I could mention how the Wild are tied with the LA Kings (LA KINGS!!!!!!!!) and Coyotes for 8th in the West, but I won’t gloat.
Now is the time to trade Gaborik there for a pair of brain eating swedes. Then they can have Gab-Demo-Sundin as their top line.
Damnit Mats, why didn’t you go to the home of overpaid ass-clowns NY? Oh well, hopefully this is the thing that turns my fantasy team around!! I need beer now… later.
Also, I was at the Canucks-Oilers game last night and there was a really emotional ceremony retiring Trevor Linden’s jersey, so it’s 2 days in a row of good news.
Nooo, not the brain eaters. What if they decide Cal’s brain looks tasty?? Ohh, no, I bet they go by smell. Dab some jalapeno juice behind your ears, Cal! I’m sure the Swedes don’t like spicy things!
So, Sundin is resolved… is this the first domino that causes several others to fall? Perhaps gives a kick in the pants to GMs who might want Gaby? Or a variety of other outstanding roster situations that might suddenly start to shake out?
It appears free agent center Mats Sundin is prepared to sign with the Rangers, although he’s unlikely to join the club until the last week of December.
Still the main story on thefourthperiod.com.
I usually like reading rumors for entertainment if nothing else, not believing them, but now I’m either going to say “screw it” or start my own rumor site. I think I’ll have just as good a success rate.
Dang, I missed the Boogey hit, does anyone know a link to it? Sounds like a fun one to watch!!
Do it KiPA. I’ll help.
Sundin to the ‘Nucks huh? Hmmm… I wonder what their boring trap style play will do to his play?
So what do we think the line is? Sedins and Sundin? Is one of the brain eaters a center? I don’t know, and I don;t want to look…
Henrik is a center… hmmmm
It’s all falling into place
Remember… It was:
1. Sundin to Vancouver. check
2. J-Bo to Montreal. that’s next
3. Spezza to Wild for Johnsson and Pouliot. as soon as J-Bo gets traded
4. Gaborik to Toronto for Kaberle and Antropov. shortly after
5. 10-14 days to get into a new groove, and start seein some consistent “W’s”.
So, for those of you scoring at home… big name free agent signings:
Mike Gillis 1
Doug Risebrough 0
So if Sundin is signed for this year and next at $10m per that would appear to mean there will be no signing of Gaborik and Hossa in Vancouver next summer.
MuN- Can I join your dream world? I’m serious here. i want in. I have no faith left that good things are going to happen personnel wise.
My comments on Sundin:
Mats is a very complete player, and he’d do well in Vancouver. He’s as gifted offensively as Naslund, but plays much better defense, and he’s a much bigger guy - so he doesn’t rely on a finesse game and open space - he can make his own.
However, he’s not the 2nd coming. Mats is a great 2-way player, and will fit rather well with the makeup in Vancouver. They’re stocked with a bunch of fast, young guys that like to play dirty. That’ll take the focus off of him on the ice a bit. Sure, it’ll make the Canucks a better team.. but the saving grace is this:
In all the years Mats was supposedly leading the Nordiques or Leafs to a cup victory - his teams only made the playoffs 9 of 17 years, and never advanced past the conference finals.
Great player. Worth 10m/yr? Not even close.
lol Buddha! Hey, think of that scorecard this way:
Stupid signings for way over market value which will negatively affect your team, the league, and the next CBA:
Mike Gillis = 1
Doug Risebrough = 0
Jeff, the Canucks will be a different team next year. They have 13 UFA’s after this season, and now they’ve committed to 10M to Sundin next year, and if the cap goes down a bit… Ouch!
As I said, Gillis as a rookie GM just made a huge boo boo.
The Canucks still have room to sign even another person including Sundin.
No, they only signed him for 1 year. They have not committed him to next year.
And, in the FWIW category… I know many love to pick on Ek, but the guy doesn’t just make stuff up. Every “rumor” he hears is told to him by someone who is either in a position which would make them privy to real info, or by someone somehow involved somehow. When he speculates (which is off the top of his head), he says so.
He’s not speculating when he mentions Spezza’s in play now, and there’s 2 teams talking to Ottawa about him.
I’m speculating the Wild are one of them. The other is Florida.
Russo, wanna confirm 50% of that for me? lol!
Ok, correct - the deal is 1 year. My bad, I know the Canucks had offered 2, but I guess that got changed.
And yes, they still have room given the prorating of the contract.. However I don’t see them doing anything else until the trade deadline.
Michael up North. You have nothing right so far. My sister who knows nothing about hockey could pick up a newspaper and tell the russo nation where Sundin is going…. Sorry G
How ’bout Kolanos centering Gabby. His pace/level might be right on given Gabby’s not 100% He has the confidence right now and Gabby the hunger (for the new contract) to save face. Put CCrusher on the wing (rotate in Mitt and Bruno)and enjoy the show.
By the way everyone, I’ve received a rather lucrative offer from another Minnesota blog to post there as a regular. I am weighing my options. There are just too many posters here, so some room would have to be made for me to remain here.
Whatever I decide, which won’t be for another few weeks, I will not be posting anywhere until closer to the playoffs, maybe even not until the playoffs start.
MKiA.. I am your sister.
70s.. There will be no new contract for Gaborik. He’s being traded, before March 5th.
I’m MKiA’s sister with zero hockey knowledge, and I approve this message.
A lucrative offer? What? Having a blog in your name?
LOL! Seriously, though, if it pays, KiPA, you should take it.
is Dan offering to pay you??? lol!
Kyle Okposo is not welcome out on Thunder Island. Neither is Sundin.
I think 70s meant his new contract with whichever team not named the Wild.
Gaby at 75% last night was still pretty potent and effective. It wouldn’t hurt to put Kolanos with him. He can’t be any worse or better (however way you want to look at it) than Shep and Pouliot.
Mikko and Gaborik will be united when the team needs a goal. If not, then they will play on separate lines to give the team more scoring lines.
Sigh. So much for that joke..I was attempting to poke fun at the Sundin sweepstakes and the Forsberg saga (you know, he supposedly wants to return to the NHL for the playoffs).
I’ll just go back to work now…
I think it would be awesome for Cal to crush Okposo into the end boards tomorrow night. Make him cry, if only just a little bit.
Kevin, I was going to offer my insight as to which blog you’ll go to, and if money was the only motivating factor… but the comment about Dan seemed more appropriate, seeing he needs readers and has come here to try to drum up support.
Some Christmas presents are not meant to be wrapped. The Mr figured out what he’s getting with-in 5 seconds of walking in the door and seeing it in the corner behind the tree.
Pool Boy needs to work harder and has been very frustrating to watch. So does Shepp but I’m passing off much of Shepps problems as a sophomore slump.
I watched the Day in the Life about Schultzie. His kid is so cute. I like how his wife told him not to be afraid to score a goal.
At least we don’t have to worry about Schultz sticking his fingers into his snow blower.
His son is really cute and so was the dog sitting there waiting for food from him.
Hanging Mike up North by Pavelich
MuN, MKiA does not seem to agree with your reasoning. I do however.
Yeah, his loss, Ice.
Anyway, MKiA… No, Pav sent a carrier pidgeon earlier, he’s gone fishing for the weekend on Winni, then he’s got 34 cords of wood to chop by hand next week, then he has to quarter the buck he’s had hanging in the shed.
My apologies for the fantasy hockey goalie curse to you folks who have Nabby on your team…
lol Ms C, what did you do!?!?
I’m a Fantasy Hockey Goalie Curse Carrier Monkey… it seems Nabby has become infected. Wangs are beating them 6-0
Now watch, we will sign Brendan Shanahan after trading Gabby or whatever. XD
You can count on one hand the number of positive good things to come out of Canucks head office with regards to decision making
which is all well and good but why would we care.
I liked sundin. Now he will become a turd like the rest of the canucks players. Sad. That place ruins people.
Does anybody understand Datsyuk? I think these reporters are just laughing politely.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
MuN, how far up north is up north?
Anybody else enjoying the HS hockey doubleheader on FSN tonight?
KiPA-
Want to go to a blog together too, so we can really screw with the league?
Nope. On to Dallas/CBJ now. Great game from what I’ve seen.
Boy oh boy did Smitty ever get freaking robbed in the shootout. He went at the puck with his stick (poke check, basically) and the ref claimed he “threw his stick” and awarded the goal. But he clearly made the save before the stick got knocked out of his hand. And the curse continues…. Sheesh.
IceMan, MuN would be north of the Cities, and south of Duluth
Again. Mister Know it all is right. When you hear JL speak of Burns at forward, he would rather keep him there. Mister Know it all spoke of the fact that his agent would not like him playing at Forward for future contracts.
Burns can get confidence at forward by continuing to work harder, and have him play with Gaby and or Koivou for a spell.
So no doubt Burns agaent contacted Riseburough and told him how he did not like that his client was playing forward
Glad to have the Sundin saga over. It’s going to be a bi*&h seeing him a few time yet this year. He’ll help the Nucks quite a bit, but not take them over the top.
You are Mister Know it all, and I cant deny it.
Burns belongs on the blueline MKiA
I like the idea of CC banging the net for Koivu and Ghost. He’s fun to watch, and he’ll gladly take the front of the net.
MAB and Zids, one of them needs to take a break, bring Reitz back in, and get Burnsie re-acclimated in a couple of games. His shot and passing ability belongs on the blueline, especially on the PP
F-that, Reitz stinks.
Here’s my take on Burns as winger:
I would draft Burns in a fantasy league as a No. 1 defenseman. I would not draft him as a No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 winger. (At least not yet.)
Fantasy hockey solves all.
And sure Buddha.
2 yr, $20 million for Sudin. He is 37 years old and took Vancouver for suckers. Good work Sudin.
Risebourgh needs to make some moves if he expects to win the division again this year. The time is now!
And Sundin signs with the Vancouver Turtles. Sad day indeed, but at least it’s over.
He’s been better than Zids. +1 in 24 games, with 34 PIM. Zids is -8 in 26 games with 28, mostly stupid PIM. At least Rietz looks like he wants to play every night, what’s he had, 4 fights, and pretty good ones at that. That pu$$Y Zids has a nice shot, sure, but he’s an absolute defensive liabilty. Won’t skate hard unless he’s being offensive.
Six Goalie System says:
December 18th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
You are Mister Know it all, and I cant deny it.
Not only was that not me, I don’t even understand the context which is typical I guess for MKIA related posts 
Fatboy is wrong.
2 yr, $20 million for 37 year old Sudin. Nice job taking the Canucks to the bank.
The Wild needs to get at least two centers to compete. They should have done it yesterday already.
Sudin will be at the X on Tues, March 31, 2008. We see the Nucks three more times this season.
How’s that? You been watching the same games that I have? Zids is a defensive liabilty, we all know it.
thought my other comment got lost..sorry for the double post.
We need to send Benny to the bench or HOU, and let Kolanos have a shot.
fatboy is gonna make me cry with talk like that.
We need to send Benny to the bench or HOU, and let Kolanos have a shot.
- Join the Benny at wing bandwagon - there is room
- Kolanos is as popular in December as Gus Frerotte was in September.
Fatboy, you are wrong because Zids is here to fulfill a role - offensive defense. He serves that purpose. The whole penalty thing isn’t a big deal in my eyes either. It has been more of a recent problem, but that will pass. Agree to disagree and I still enjoy watching Zids play.
No offense, Ms.c. I hear ya SGS, but 22 pts in 19 games is worth a shot compared to 10 pts in 30 games. Would Benny benefit at the wing instead? Sure, buth then we still need a center, so maybe Kolanos gets a shot anyway
KL, we can agree to disagree all we want, and we will. Sure Zids was brought in for offense, and it’s working. Just for the WRONG team!
Defense wins, and is obviously, oh, so important
Since I am all for moving Benny to wing I have zero problem with Kolanos getting his shot - never hurts to reward players like him if you can. I just think he might deliver results closer to Frerotte than Matt Cassel.
Fatboy, I guess we can agree that the Wild are a bit defense heavy, no? I enjoyed watching the Wild, in weeks past, playing both ends of the ice responsibly. I can’t say that I am a fan of east coast score fests. It’s hard to watch teams that don’t play responsible defense at all!
How may times so far this year have we left the front of the net wide open? Plenty! Zids had a chance to put a hit on, or attempt a poke check, but did neither. Then of course, you’ve got the other martian-looking guy in MAB. Beat to the defensive side, again. Those 2 both get pinned behind the play way too much. Have to cover your post first, then attack. Reitz would have buried that guy in the 3rd row last night, long before the puck got thrown to Brutuzzi.
Cassel has a slightly better corps to throw to than Frerotte does SGS
KL, sure we’re defense heavy, just not covering like we should. As much as I hate to admit it because I’ve hated him so much through the 1st two years, Skouba has looked awfully sound defensively, Schultz has been solid, Reitz wants to stay, Johnsson, Zids, and MAB have been suspect, to say the least.
Oh yeah, that’s right, the offensive minded guys
“How may times so far this year have we left the front of the net wide open? Plenty!”
I would also ask, how many times have you seen a shot from the point that was just waiting for a Wild player to finish?
“Those 2 both get pinned behind the play way too much.” This seems like a more recent occurrence, but I can’t say if it was because before, we were winning games and now with the losses I notice it more. To be honest, Zids was playing better than MAB, but that has reversed itself.
I’ve never thought Johnsson was worth the money, NEVER!
fatboy - I concede the point on WR corps and if Kolanos is the NHL’s Matt Cassel I will buy you several beers
SGS, I like Summit Extra Pale.
I’ll be waiting, lol!
Skoula is fine in my book, but super boring. Ah well, what are you gonna do? Although, I would like to note that his skate put in one of the goals yesterday. I swear I saw him do it on purpose!
sabateour
I meant saboteur.
What do you guys think of keeping these combo together:
Bruno-Gaborik (Bruno is the playmaker, Gaborik the finisher). Shep/Pouliot/Belanger can play center, defense and battle in the corners
Koivu-Mittens (shown alot of chemistry together and Koivu is a playmaking center) PMB/Clutterbuck
PMB-Nolan (whenever he comes back)
Everybody else will fill in.
SRV-Shep_Gaborik –Bad line– no one to feed Gaborik and the first two run around with no purpose.
KL, i hear ya cluckin’ about the SOG, but they need to know when to retreat. If there was a stat on opportunities given up, MAB and Zids would lead the team
One of many problems for the Wild to address. Later. Time to wind down.
Ideally, I would like Lemaire to focus on having a “buddy system” like last year where it was mainly Gaborik-Demitra, PMB-Rolston, SRV-Branko.
These two guys can talk to each other and support each other- get to know each others’ tendencies.
“These two guys can talk to each other and support each other- get to know each others’ tendencies.”
Sounds a bit ‘emotional’ for hockey players :p
Ideally, I would like Lemaire to focus on having a “buddy system” like last year where it was mainly Gaborik-Demitra, PMB-Rolston, SRV-Branko.
Although Benny as a wing doesn’t fit in I like it - PMB-Nolan still has a chance.
I can’t argue with that, sunshine. Definitely make a difference to be comfortable with your other wing.
I would be all in favor of a buddy system, I would say, though, that it should be trios. Chemistry gets built when all 3 are skating together regularly.
Benny doesn’t fit anywhere. Switzerland maybe.
Pack your skis Benny!
Take that back MS.C! You make it sound as though Switzerland would be a bad place to end up. I get the point, but if I was Benny I would consider taking the trip to Switzerland just for the beauty and experience (I’m Swiss btw).
ms.conduct - where is your Xmas spirit?
Let’s not push it. Right now, its alphabet soup. Getting two players to play consistently together is hard enough as is.
Pouliot– I throw up my hands. He doesn’t look good out there. To be honest, we need another full-time center to rotate Pouliot on the wing. You then are double shifting Koivu or Belanger a lot more.
Switzerland isn’t punishment. That’s a reward.
Nope, I’m saying it’s a more appropriate venue for the type of player he is. He’s got a ton of talent but doesn’t like to be touched by the defensemen. With larger ice, he’s got room to dangle and duck and weave to his heart’s content.
I don’t like Benny, but I don’t wish him ill either (usually… I do have my days). I think he’d be happier and more productive in a league like that. It can’t be good for his confidence to be constantly under fire for the way he plays, and in fact I think that’s why it’s so hard to light a fire under him. He’s been getting badgered about the same behaviors from his coaches since junior and still has the same issues.
Personally, I feel JL is taking to much heat on here for not playing the same players together more often. Really if you have played the game much past Bantams you should be able to play with pretty much any player on your team. Sure you will build special chemistry with certain teammates but this come and go as well. I always felt it is more about match ups and what the other team is doing that will dictate how you change your line up.
Switzerland is nice. But it is not the NHL.
Man, I feel bad for the Bolts… that sucks.
BDS, I tend to trust JL’s coaching ideas more than my own, deres no doubt. I know I like playing with the same wing consistently but I suppose my actually hockey playing experience would be along the lines of like a 9 year old. Not sure what Bantam age is…
Pouliot’s dad always told him he had to play with more heart. Sometimes he does. Most of the time, eh. Lately, when he gets the puck, he’s not looking to make a play, he’s just looking to pass it. Big difference. No assertiveness.
Of course, Toivo… I would pretty much say the same about Benny. Nice but not the NHL.
It’s not lately, T. It’s a terminal condition. He only plays with passion when he’s angry or embarrassed. That’s not sustainable.
Darn… my goalies got robbed tonight: Smith dropping/throwing his stick and refs award SO goal to Hejduk. Malhotra and his “kicking motion” GWG goal waived.
Ms. C, I think I caught your goalie curse. JSG out this whole week due to a death in the family, too.
That Smith thing was COMPLETE BS! But thank god for that Malhotra wave off…At least Turco got the win for me. Of course, not before letting in 5 freaking goals. That’s how every win for my goalies is… They either lose 0-1 or win 6-5. Augh.
my loss your gain on the Malhotra waived goal.
Lots of good reasons for switching lines. Personally, I do not care bit who is out with who.
These guys play 80 games together and more practices than that. No doubt the guys get to know each other pretty well.
Against certain teams one attack works better than others so it pays to move players to fit needs.
I certainly understand that unless you really have a super line that nobody in the NHL can keep up to, then you are better off having some scoring punch on each line, some defensive ability on each line, and some puck handling skill on each line.
Sure they can all play with each other. However, if two players compliment each others’ skills sets, then you should try to keep them together. Lemaire is not going to keep all of his lines (3 players) intact. However, he has shown he likes to keep two players together. He’s done it for the most part this season: Shep-SRV, PMB-Belanger, Pouliot-Boogaard.
I am just saying that now with Gaborik is back, he should look at keeping Bruno-Gaborik together and Mittens-Koivu together for the most part of the game. These are optimal scoring pairs from my point of view.
Mister Know it all cant sleep, so I will blog.
(1) If Gaby is paying attention, and you to Salcer ! With Burke going to Toronto, that could mean a stop to the Eastern Conference offensive play. If you paid attention Gaby, Burke is responsible for the play of the Western Conference typical style that is played. Once he won the cup beating up teams physically, that started the trend.
No doubt that is what Toronto wants him to do. I would think the Eastern conference is low hanging fruit for Burke to have success with what he wants to do. For Gaby this should be a heads up for him and his agent that things will be changing in the East, in the not to distant future
(2) Mike up North with Pavelich. Take notes on item number 1 and reflect a little!
(3) The Islanders will get bombed tonight, as much as JL will beat a team up
(4) Sunshine, I would agree that Bruno and Gaby could do well together, and your combos make good sense to me. Reitz not playing is too bad for him. He is a DR project from day 1 of the franchise
(5) Burns is not playing forward only because DR called out JL on it. Now that you have Gaby back, the perfect fit to get confidence for Burns is him, and now you abort the mission. I agree with JL that he eventually would get points and be more then effective at forward given a little time
Six Goalie System says:
December 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Dan used to hate Cal which is funny for a guy who is right 100% of the time.
Um, that’s not remotely true, but thanks for following every word I say.
sunshine says:
December 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Kolanos will play if Belanger is out. We will need another center because we really can’t roll with our remaining 3 healthy centers.
I don’t agree. Mikko can play 25-28 minutes. He’s a great player and can handle being double shifted often.
Edubs says:
December 18th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
That wasn’t a late hit by Boogie. They had both commited themselves to the play
It was very late. The puck was no where near the 2.
Portia di Rossi says:
December 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Also, I was at the Canucks-Oilers game last night and there was a really emotional ceremony retiring Trevor Linden’s jersey, so it’s 2 days in a row of good news.
Linden sucked. Only the Nucks would retire the jersey of mediocrity.
ms.conduct says:
December 18th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Nooo, not the brain eaters. What if they decide Cal’s brain looks tasty?? Ohh, no, I bet they go by smell. Dab some jalapeno juice behind your ears, Cal! I’m sure the Swedes don’t like spicy things!
not a bad idea. Sedin’s and Clutterbuck together.
Buddha says:
December 18th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
So what do we think the line is? Sedins and Sundin? Is one of the brain eaters a center? I don’t know, and I don;t want to look…
They will only play together on the PP, which is going to be quite lethal.
Michael up North says:
December 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
It’s all falling into place
Remember… It was:
1. Sundin to Vancouver. check
2. J-Bo to Montreal. that’s next
3. Spezza to Wild for Johnsson and Pouliot. as soon as J-Bo gets traded
4. Gaborik to Toronto for Kaberle and Antropov. shortly after
5. 10-14 days to get into a new groove, and start seein some consistent “W’s”.
Spezza has been terrible this year, and we have 3 Kaberle’s already. How many more offensive defensemen that don’t actually play defense does this team need exactly? It’s why the team is so mediocre. Also, Antropov will never be a 30 goal scorer, so the Wild would be getting 2 pieces it doesn’t even need for one of the elite goal scorers in the league. Now if Doug got Toskala and Stajan, a 52.4% faceoff guy, I’m cool with that.
Jeff4649 says:
December 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
So if Sundin is signed for this year and next at $10m per that would appear to mean there will be no signing of Gaborik and Hossa in Vancouver next summer
in my opinion, look for those 2 and Backstrom to go to the Kings.
Michael up North says:
December 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
lol Buddha! Hey, think of that scorecard this way:
Stupid signings for way over market value which will negatively affect your team, the league, and the next CBA:
Mike Gillis = 1
Doug Risebrough = 0
Even with adding Sundin, the Canucks still have 2M of space left this year. After the season, the Nucks will have more cap space then the Wild by a considerable amount if they don’t re-sign the Sedins. Sundin’s deal is only for this year from what Yahoo! has said due to Mats only wanting to go year by year.
Any word on coach Harrington’s year so far? Is he in Switzerland? During the NHL lockout, I caught a SJU-UST game and had a blast.
Not that I’d wish an injury on him, but I’d gain some sort of satisfaction if Sundin were to be injured in his first game for the Canucks.
Bandgeek says:
December 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Some Christmas presents are not meant to be wrapped. The Mr figured out what he’s getting with-in 5 seconds of walking in the door and seeing it in the corner behind the tree.
Time to get crafty! Pull the present, wrap something else which very closely matches the size/shape/weight of the present in the same paper. Hide the real present in the attic/basement/garage. Allow the Mr. to unwrap the fake. Leave him hanging for a few hours…
M 03 says:
December 19th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Any word on coach Harrington’s year so far? Is he in Switzerland? During the NHL lockout, I caught a SJU-UST game and had a blast.
His team is dead last and he just got fired 2 days ago. He is currently in Germany watching his kid Chris play.
Chris Harrington is currently playing for the DEG Metro Stars. He’s playing with former Canuck Brandon Reid, former Kings goalie Jamie Storr, and former Wild draftee Adam Courchaine. Chris has 3 goals, 13 assists in 26 games.
Mikko, or any forward (especially “C”) 25 minutes and more is lots of ice time. Over the season, it is too much and will wear the player down assuming we get into the playoffs.
Reitz being out, is not for the season. So, he sits a game or two. He might be stronger when he comes back.
Most everyone will have a game off at times.
Mikko already plays the 6th most of any forward, it wouldn’t hurt him any to give him another 2 minutes and get him up to 24.
I can’t get my head around why Sundin signs in Vancouver. Any one help out with this?
Generally these mercenary, I want a Cup, idiots sign on with a team like Detroit… or New York…
I don’t get what he gets being in Vancouver. they have no chance of winning the Cup with or without him. None. So why go? 5.5 million?
If you have been watching, HGD, he has had a few games of 24.5 minutes lately. In fact he has regularly logged 24 minutes.
Maybe he has a crush on one of the Swedes out there? Ohlund? One of the Sedins?
Vancouver is a nice city. Maybe unlike Stockholm.
If my choices were NYC or Vancouver, I would go to Canada in a heartbeat (”or in a NY minute”).
He loves Canada, and one could argue they are Canada’s best team right now considering that Montreal has not lived up to expectations.
I agree though that they have no shot at the cup this year. No one in the West is walking past both San Jose and Detroit come playoff time.
We don’t play the Canucks again until Jan 31st in Vancouver. Seems too far away now, I can’t wait till we play this team again.
It could also have to do with the fact that he’ll be THE GUY in Vancouver where as he’d only be one of many big name guys in NY.
Could have to do with if he wants to re-sign it’d be easier to do for the $ he wants in Van vs. NY.
Why is Sid always on crack? he is blasting the Wild for not spending money… yet they have barely any money under the cap to work with… (under $2M).
Sid (and his lackey kid who writes for him) needs to learn how to use this thing called the internet.
didn’t he get 2 years?? maybe the Rags were only offering 1??
my bad…he only got one.
Feel a need to weigh in on the Sundin decision.
Basically I think it came down to Money. As far as what city he prefers, how cares. He will not spend that much time there anyway. He has spent a lot of time in LA this off season and Vancover is at least in the same time zone. If you ask Swedes they would have prefered him in NYR. I’m sure he is very familiar with all the Swedes on the Nukes. Someone in Sweden asked him i the Olympic games in Vancover 2010 played into his decision and he said definately not since he is not playing.
The Nukes will be a better team with him but his best years are behind him. $10M, even if pro-rated, is over paying in my opinion. At least give a hand to the GM he had the money to spend and was able to add the best player available.
Now if the Wild can just beat them when they see them I’ll take some more pleasure in that W, for some strange reason.
MsC, I think we may have a new nickname for young Pouliot.
Geez Nick. Follow along will ya?
Wow… gay smileys everywhere…
NiNY - Mats only wanted a one year deal. Still not sure he wants to play next year. Call me cynical but I have a feeling this circus will repeat itself next seaon.
LOL Buddha, yeap pretty much….
As far as Sundin goes, I’m a bit suspicious of his age and the fact that he’s getting a late start. Track record for those situations isn’t that great.
That said, I was in Torino in 2006, and on a rink full of star players, Mats Sundin stood out. I haven’t seen the guy play in person since then, and three years can make a big difference at his age, but I’d be pretty happy if I was a Canucks fan with this news.
Well, I will be at tonight’s game. Will we finally break out of our slump?
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/18/sadowski-time-has-not-healed-wounds/?partner=RSS
And yet “the idiot” gets to play still. Worst decison by the NHL of all time.
if JL likes so much Clutterback, what was the reason to let Voros go??? For the money he’s getting from NYR, it’s a better deal than PMB. I’d definitely kept Voros and Branco and let PMB go.
