St. Louis Blues 4, Wild 2
Posted on December 20th, 2008 – 6:08 PMBy Michael Russo
So much for a “huge step,” as Jacques Lemaire put it Friday night after the Wild’s convincing win over maybe the worst team in the league, the Islanders.
Tonight the Wild faced the worst team in the West (at least in the standings) and that step turned out to be two steps back (again in the standings) as the Wild tripped from seventh to ninth because both teams immediately behind Minnesota, Nashville and Phoenix, won tonight.
It’s amazing how fragile the Wild is. David Backes scores a power-play goal after a careless tripping penalty from Kim Johnsson, and that was it for the Wild in the period. The Wild at one point in the first was outshooting St. Louis 9-3. The Blues outshot Minnesota 11-9 in the period as the Wild went the FINAL 13:12 of the first without registering a shot on goal.
Then 30 clicks after Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored a beautiful tying goal in the third, 3-on-2 and Roman Polak, who’s first NHL goal actually came on Nick Schultz’s first-period goal, scored his real first NHL goal, and winner (just like Colton Gillies the night before).
Read Nik Backstrom’s second quote in tomorrow’s gamer on that goal and how he compares it to the Wild’s, we’ll call it, bad luck this month (2-6-1).
The Wild is 2-for-30 on the power play in the last eight games, and a spitting mad Mikko Koivu said after tonight’s game, “that’s why we lost.” The Wild has also given up the first goal in eight straight games. Eight straight games of starting off by chasing. That’s a key to unsuccess.
Some weird stuff in this game, and I’m not even talking about Colton Gillies being scratched. How about Marian Gaborik playing the power-play point with Marc-Andre Bergeron hurt? How about Benoit Pouliot playing the penalty kill with Eric Belanger sick? How about the fact that three straight games now Gaborik doesn’t move off the third line until after the Wild’s trailing?
Just an idea, but maybe try him alongside Mikko Koivu and perhaps you’ll wind up leading.
How about Cal Clutterbuck again tonight? Seven more hits to give him 109, amazingly four less than the team leader of last season, Stephane Veilleux, in just 28 games. Clutterbuck was absolutely driving Carlo Colaiacovo loco tonight until he finally went loco. Hot cocoa or whatever his name, who fought Clutterbuck in the second, finally cross-checked him to the ice and began punching him in the face in the third with a 3-2 lead.
Just a total undisciplined penalty at a horrific time for St. Louis, and the Wild did nothing with it.
What else? The 49ers were at the Wild’s hotel today. The Blues have a Saturday “Fan Bailout” plan where it pays for the mortgage of a lucky fan for four months. Somebody in Section 105 won it. How about picking somebody from the nosebleeds, eh?
Ohhhh, and this poker fanatic was excited to see Dennis Phillips on the Jumbotron. He finished third in the most recent World Series of Poker after starting with the final day with the chip lead. I’ve got nothing else for ya.
I’m done, toast and miss my cell phone. Stensaas on for practice tomorrow, and yes, the Wild earned a practice with two days before the next game.
Here’s some David Backes (Blaine native) stuff. After three goals in the first 21 games, he’s got seven goals in 11 games and a four-game goal streak cooking:
“I’m not going to try and figure it out,” Backes said. “I’ll just keep riding it as long as it goes.”
Of Backes’ surge, Murray said: “I think the bottom line is ( at the net. We’ve got a few other guys that skate by the net. If you need an example of how to get goals, he’s at the net.”
——————————————————————-
I’m a mess. Forgot my cell phone in my hotel, so already off to a good start. I cannot even convey to you the shakes I get when I don’t have that thing attached.
Only six guys skated this morning. Judging by the sloooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww walk around the arena, Niklas Backstrom is getting back-to-back starts for the first time this season.
In Game 2 of back-to-back starts in his career, Backstrom has made four appearances. He’s 2-1 with one no decision, a 4.00 GAA and .893 save pct.
Erik Reitz is obviously in for the injured Marc-Andre Bergeron. As for the forwards, Marian Gaborik is in.
If Gaborik plays, I assume Craig Weller will be up here in the press box writing my game story tonight 
I don’t think you can scratch Mr. Gillies 24 hours after scoring the winner, eh? But stranger things have happened with Jacques.
And ’tis true. The winner last night wasn’t enough to earn Gillies consecutive appearances. Back down to the Earth for the rook. He’ll be the one writing my gamer. Weller in.
By the way, I think this note was cut out of my notebook in today’s paper:
subhed
Wild first-round pick Tyler Cuma didn’t make Team Canada’s world junior roster because of a sprained MCL. He’ll miss six weeks.
“[Coach] Pat Quinn told us Tyler would definitely have made the team,” assistant GM Tommy Thompson said. “He’s devastated.”
174 Responses to "St. Louis Blues 4, Wild 2"
send weller back to get your cell phone. make him feel useful
Doesn’t Backstrom do his slow walk regardless if he is starting or not?
Don you should have 2 phones or get the concierge at the Adam’s Mark or Westin to run it over since you are a VIP.
One for your hockey business and one for your 24 hour Blogger Hotline. Just a thought….
Hockey Night in Canada. Maple Leafs and Penguins in HD. 6 inches of snow outside. Time for some hot chocolate. The remote will be getting a workout tonite. Ravens v. Cowboys, Wild v. Blues, the NHL Network games, and the College Bowl games on commercial break…
GreenStar that was funny. Sunshine you should just cover this team for me since you know everything. And Max, unfortunately I’m staying at the airport.
By the way, Gillies doesn’t think he’s in, so….who knows?
if you send weller to get phone then gillies has to play
Russo must not be reading Dan’s posts
i just cleared the walk and i only think i got about 4 inches of snow. light stuff. wind is picking up so it will be drifting.
Dominic Moore just scored fori PIT, first goal in 9 games (I think they said)… Latty-fricking-da!
Goal by Malkin!
Why does he insist on wearing a visor from the old red army?
Russo, your staying at the airport? Geeze, you would think one of the guys would let you at least sleep in their bath tub ala Butch in the commercial.
Very pretty goal by Malkin just now.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Dominic Moore just scored fori PIT
dammit. first dupis, then parrish now moore. when will DR stop dumping all our goal scoring talent?
this just proves that JL hates offense and would rather win 2 - 1 than 4 - 1
MsC. if your out there: nice pic of Kolanos. He’s almost cute enough to replace Boogie as my wallpaper, but not quite.
Wooo, wooo, wooo GreenStar. Like I said, it was DomMoores first goal in 9 games, 6 on the season. We already have one Velliuex on the team…
Has this been said lately? Matt Cooke sucks.
Just figured it needed to be said.
Matt Cooke does suck, so does Burrows and Tucker and Avery.
Russo must not be reading Dan’s posts
Is anybody?
Russo and Sunshine just need to drop the mitts and go. I’d pay money.
Though I was going to say that I thought it was slow jog he did. At least that’s what he was doing in whatshisnugget’s voice of hockey show thingy. Maybe he was just getting past the cameras in case the lens tried steal his goalie spirit or something. Smart thinkin’.
Watching both games on my computer tonight. Blech.
Just stay outta East St. Louis after the game Don. I know the drunken debauchery of the Riverboat Casinos and Gentlemen’s Clubs is tempting.
STL has to rival Buffalo as one of the worst towns in the NHL…
My Mr is so wonderful. I came home from a hectic crappy day of work to supper done (he made chili), basement bedroom cleaned up, dishes done, and the drive way cleared enough so I could get in the garage. He’s a great guy, just thought you should know.
Yay Mr. BG!
Glad you liked that photo, too, BG. He’s no Boogie but that picture makes me smile. The guy totally wears his emotions on his sleeve, in both directions. Grumpy Kolanos does not make me smile and in fact scares me a little.
The Mr says… “woohoo, coach’s corner with Don Cherry is coming up next!”
Hopefully if the Cumanator is up with the Wild next year, Riser will let him go to World Juniors. I hate to see him miss that experience. Seems like it’s been a really big deal to the guys who’ve been able to do it.
My friend H was supposed to come over tonight. She decided not to because of the weather. That’s a bummer. We were going to eat chili, and watch hockey, and open Christmas pressies.
Nice manger scene on Cherry’s tie tonight.
Sorry about your plans going haywire from the weather. It’s hot here. The a/c is running. Ugh. But I hear a cold front is coming, which I welcome heartily.
G* Marney’s on the pre-game show. Her and Gorg are in the studio. Or have you moved on?
Your AC is on? Wow, the bank down the street says it’s 4 degrees here. I can’t imagine being this close to Christmas and needing the AC.
Yep. I hear it humming away. High of 78 today, low of 34 tomorrow. Damn, the rink is going to be freezing tomorrow night. Nice.
Okay, Aeros game starting. Go team!
Ms.C. Do the Aeros play tonight? I haven’t looked it up.
I see by your last post they are playing, thanks.
You can tell Gorg and Marney apart?
The only reason I said it about Backstrom was that I remembered watching or reading a piece about him and he said that he does his walk for every game regardless if he is in net or not because he never knows if he is going to be called in at the last moment. Preparation for all occasions.
The Mr won’t let me shake my Christmas presents.
Yeah Theo. Though I got busy making dinner and haven’t been able to watch. Just came back to see a Hog going into the box from a fight and decided I’ll just watch the game tomorrow. Too much going on. I can’t be missing fights.
Marney’s on the pre-game show
I did catch some of the lovely marney. I most certainly have not moved on.
Legace’s doing the junior high dance, “step-touch, step-touch, step touch” except, where his date would be, is his stick and glove.
okay, computer savvy peeps, something happened and the resolution on my screen is all jacked (read: blurry) and everything is bigger. Help!
I’m going to go out on the limb and say that’s not the start we were hoping for.
Thanks again, Ms.C.
Nick, I think you right-click the screen and go to properties. Then pick the settings tab and move the resolution bar to a higher setting
unbelievable. And who was the Blue that was having the seizure there with Mikko? Try decaf, buddy!
COFFEE! COFFEE! COFFEE!!!
Mr.B: thanks.
GOAL!! Schultz?!
Schultzy!
Way to bank it in off of the D, Schultz
You’re mamma’s so fat….
Ummm, that was about the “fight”, NOT Schultz
totally un-scientific, but it seems like being captain means taking more penalties to Kimmy.
man, that’s two PPGs against in 2 games now.
Granted, last night’s was on a 5:3…
Oh poop
when’s the last time we saw this kind of offense in the first period? The Colorado game?
Wow, I’m surprised Legace is playing. He’s on the bench for me in FH, so we better effing win tonight.
Don’t blame Boogey just because you couldn’t find your whistle ref. Players aren’t allowed to protect their goalie anymore?
Backes beats Backs? Ugh.
(I’m a bit behind watching on one click FF)
beer time!
Well, at least we got a first period goal
I need a drink
Greenlay thinks that was a good start to the game for the wild until Backes? They were losing before I even got the TV on! Or did we just call it a given that the blues would score first and agree to spot them one?
Opened with a Manhattan tonight. On to the red wine. Seemed a bit weak on the Boogey call. We started like we were full of fire. Now–flat. Get it together–this is a beatable team.
so acording to the guys on the hot stove (hnic), baby turned down a 8 year 8.5mil contract. He wanted 8.5mil for 12 years. Wonder how much truth there is to that
FSN is not coming in on the cable tonight and WCCO is too far away to hear the game well … but it seems like the team maybe have taken the Blues too lightly?
Yes / no?
I think I will start mixing the drinks stronger. Just to ease the pain. (he he)
Sorry, I was talking about gaby.
Russ, I haven’t heard it from Russo so I don’t believe it.
He wanted 8.5mil for 12 years.
translation: if he really wanted that, then he really wanted to not be here beyond this season. That’s a non-starter offer and any agent worth his polyester suit would know that.
Let’s do much better in the second. The flow hasn’t been the best for the Wild.
Remember the Blues want to feed on us just like we want to feed on them.
And you’d think Riser would have said, “Eff it. You’re gone.” and traded him immediately, yeah?
Looks like I’m missing a doozy in Rockford. Two fights and Mojzis got the only goal so far. (And now a third “non-fight” double roughing!) This should be good to watch tomorrow.
anyone see that Patrice Bergeron took a hit again today, but ended up on the ice for several minutes, looked pretty well thumped as he skated off….no official word yet…but we all know his recent history. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.
If that was what Gaborik was asking for, Riser must have been dense because that counteroffer screams trade me.
yeah, I have to think Salsa didn’t really counter with that, that’s what I was trying (verbosely) to say above anyway.
Boogey just got drilled…Kolanos almost had one there.
NiNY: That’s too bad. You see Kaleta get suckered last night?
no, did he? I’ll have to YouTube it…was it bad?
Wow, risky play by Legace there.
Gauthier dropped him after he ran somebody. Looked pretty bad. It looked like they might square off and then he just got nailed ala May v. Johnsson.
Brad May Sucks.
yikes…that’s gotta be on youtube.
I feel bad just mentioning the name.
Woo!!! Another Rosa goal!!! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp3EucOdg2M
Here it is.
Jordan: holy cow, that was a legit sucker punch! What a jackass! I guess Gauthier must have been afraid to fight Kaleta, eh?!
not a very good effort on the man advantage tonight so far.
Geez. Crappy PP.
Laugh now. He’s going to have to answer to somebody that’s in his weight class soon.
Clutterbuck — poor guy. Yikes!
Oops. My boy got his butt kicked. 
Only wussies need the ice pack.
Who’s, not that’s.
Speaking of wussies.
Was that Mittens with the weak play on the puck and then skating to the bench?
Laps for you Mittens.
Wowza Don Cherry is fired up tonite…
The PP has sucked the last few games.
What happened to getting puck to the net and folks driving to the net? They have to do it every game
I need to go do something more exciting than watching this game. Does any body have any paint that I can watch dry?
Augh. Butch.
Jeez. Poor Manny
Do all the Wild players have groin injuries or what because they are skating like they all do? Its embarrassing.
Thank god I can now watch the Canucks vs. Blackhawks on HNIC.
Ouch
Come on guys, play like last night
Switching to the canadian whisky…
What an uninspiring period–yet again. Come on–get some fire in the belly.
I also saw the HNIC roundtable about Gabby. They said the Wild were asking for “a player, a prospect and a first-round pick,” for Gabby, and agreed that the Wild would never get that for him now, nor would Gabby get close to $8.5 million a year.
On Hotstove or whatever HNIC show where they said that Gaborik wanted 12 years, they also said that the Caps were looking for a goalie. If DR is thinking about trading Backstrom, the Caps might be an interesting partner. Their stable of prospects look very promising along with a 1st rounder.
PMB!!!!
Butch again!
We may not be able to let the Austins leave Minnesota. Butch got hot as soon as they got there!
Aw Geezzzz!
CAL!!
HEY! Get off of Cal!
way to be tough with your mittens on Carlo!
That Bitch!
Cal should be careful — without a helmet also.
Why do they give up goals right after they score. how many times has this happen this year?
So, did this guy with the unspellable last name think Cal was gonna quit doing his job if he beat him up? Fk no!
Now get a goal and make em pay
too.much.action…
on the goal: dude is a right handed shot! That puck had to travel the entire width of the crease and then it was almost even with the post when he finally got his stick on it. damn broken plays.
And then Cal!! Hoo-boy…why don’t I feel like Cal’s going to be getting a christmas card from Coliacovo this year??
*grrrr* Mama Conduct is angry.
Kimmy got his bell rung?
No puck bounced up and hit Johnsson.
Oh, okay. I’m not listening, just watching.
We just can’t win any puck battles.
Where the hell are you Into??? We need your mojo again!
wow…the D are activating more tonight than I’ve seen in a bit it seems.
Manny’s playing well for coming off a concussion and then having a net dropped on his neck…
I was just thinking “God, we could sure use a lucky break here tonight” but then I remembered Schutlz’s goal.
Dammit.
What’s the use of getting a PP when we can’t even convert.
arrrgggghhh!!!
Sunshine, wears them down a little. So even 5 on 5 they’ve got a little less to give. That’s what I tell myself anyway.
“Time becoming the clock…”
awesome job, Terhaar. Just awesome.
Little Butchy has amazing balance.
I am done with hockey tonight. I can’t bear to watch it anymore!
Thought I was the only one who heard that, Nick.
Unreal.
Ah, crap…
Nah. They didn’t need to claim Jokinen. This team has everytihgn it needs.
Not that Jokinene is the answer, but something needs to change. Anything. It’s time.
Solid spelling on my part…
Horrible.
Good lord this team sucks.
I’m so happy that Smug R.’s “plan” is in full view. It’s nice to know it took 7-8 years for him to reach the same level of mediocrity his prior stint yielded. It just took a few more years.
Liepold needs to clean house with the front office. Bill Smith, Kevin McHale, Smug Risebrough…whodathunk that the Triangle of Authority would run rings around all of our fiscally responsible incompetents in the other sports. What a world. What a world…the Wild are melting, melting.
Friggin McGahee!
Congrats Wild….8 losses in the last 10 games. Simply awesome!!
I am going to take the absolute lack of posts as the same feeling of comeplete and total let down that I am feeling…
Is it so bad that we really have nothing left to say?
I was afraid last night that beating the Islanders meant nothing, and that now appears to be the case. I watched most of the first two periods of Van-Chi, and it’s like they’re playing a different game. Speed, skill, excitement…everything we’re missing right now.
NINY and KIPA: I also heard “time becoming the clock.” The problem is, it’s only one of a dozen stupid things these two say every night. It was worse earlier when Dumber tried to say “Brunette thought a penalty should have been called,” and he couldn’t come within a mile of putting a coherent sentence together.
Lots of bad mojo right now, and no end in sight.
On the bright side, I get to get up at 6:30 and start snowblowing 8 inches of snow in below-zero weather. Good times.
Life goes on.
Aeros won so I’m not too distraught. Always good to hedge ones bets.
Kolanos looked way out of place though. I’m sure JL will be happy to get Bela back. He can’t like what he’s seeing there. Not that I’m turning on the guy… I love him in Houston, but he’s two steps behind in the NHL.
Thanks Russo. Go take care of that lonely cell phone… poor thing misses daddy.
Dull, unimaginative, listless, sleepwalking, unmotivated, boring.. Did I leave anything out? How do we get beat by the 15th place team in the West that has half its roster out on IR??!! These guys (Blues) are worse than the Islanders for cripe sakes. We get 5 or 6 PP opportunities and lay yet, another, egg? With the more difficult, in your face, physical NW Div. games really heating up after the holidays, this team has dropped the ball and let a bunch of creampuffs beat us night after night, when we should have racked up a bunch of points. Flamers and Knuckleheads are head and shoulders above Wild team right now.. I am not optimistic about this teams chances of even staying at .500 over the 2nd half of the season- and the playoffs chances are fading farther and farther away for this squad of no heart. If they had half the heart of the team that just beat them, they might have something to look forward to. They don’t.
Worried in Austin TX? Got an update for us on the Houston minors? Who cares? Give it a rest.
No other posts? Yep - the Wild has managed to alienate real hockey fans in the midwest. That says it all.
You don’t have to be “M up north”, a homer, or “NiNY” to figure this team out - it’s a bad team. Period.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Worried in Austin TX? Got an update for us on the Houston minors? Who cares? Give it a rest.
Is this directed at me? I am confused….
“NjS019 says:
December 20th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Dominic Moore just scored fori PIT, first goal in 9 games (I think they said)… Latty-fricking-da!”
FYI Moore plays for Toronto, and plays very well I might add. Good job on letting this guy go D.R.
Another stellar performance from the Wild.
Before we know it, April will be here and our favorite NHL team will be on the outside looking in.
A question:
Given the financial success of the Wild, what incentive is there for management to achieve on-ice excellence?
How’s that for a kidney punch? Score the game winner and then sit out the next game so a stiff can play.
PMB…two goals in the past 2 games against the two worst teams in the league. Talk to me when you do that against a quality opponent.
On and on it goes, when it stops, only DR knows.
Anyone have the odds on whether JL retires after this season? Not because of the on-ice performance of his players but because of the lack of support from the GM.
I wonder if that ‘meeting’ before Friday’s game wasn’t partially about what kj was saying? DR wanted to bring in another waiver-wire wonder and maybe JL said something to the effect of, ‘No. Enough dead weight on this team.’
At least I’d like to think so.
And, about the ‘financial excellence’? Let’s see after they get the season ticket renewals next summer how ‘financially successful’ they are, especially if the Wild fail to make the playoffs because the upper hockey management is afriad to shake up a lackluster, lackadaisical roster who’s star player is involved in a contract dispute and is looking to get out; and, bacuase of that, their star goaltender may be looking to leave as well for a better playing enviroment.
I wouldn’t blame JL for saying, ‘Au revoir’ and heading off into a Florida sunset on that boat of his. This team is poisoned right now, and the people who are in position to do something about it, are failing to do so.
If only this nugget said $alcer and ATL were talking contract but at least it is in print. In addition to Gaby extending with ATL, I would also guess that ATL is going to need something else in addition to Johnsson (Hards, a pick, etc.) These recent loses suck but on the plus side, something big is not going to happen if the Wild was playing .500 hockey.
A Thrashers-Wild blockbuster could be in the works.
Denials will come from Thrashers GM Don Waddell and Wild counterpart Doug Risebrough (they always do), but the whisper around the NHL is those teams have been discussing a huge deal involving superstar forwards Marian Gaborik and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Risebrough has been shopping Gaborik all season, but it’s been tough to find a taker because of his injury history. The talk is the Thrashers might have an interest if they can get Gaborik signed to a long-term contract, but the asking price would be high.
There’s a belief the sides have been talking about sending Gaborik and D Kim Johnsson to the Thrashers in exchange for Kovalchuk and RW Colby Armstrong.
It’s believed Waddell was in Los Angeles last week to see the Wild play the Kings and Ducks.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2008/12/21/7818191-sun.html
Now that PMB is starting to see the light again, is anyone else getting a little sick everytime you hear “Burns shoots way wide of the net!” or “Burns shoots way over the top of the net!”
Its also gotten quite funny watching pouliot. Someone on this blog pointed out how he cant hang onto the puck and its scary how easy it looks as soon as he gets in the O’zone its taken away like he didnt even want the thing…mabey us russos bloggers could start a drinking game, everytime benny gets his pocket picked or loses the battle on the boards for the puck that he had possession of you take a drink!
I’ve seen a handfull of good ol minnesota H. school games this year and let me tell ya these cost just 5-6 bucks and these kids play with way more heart and soul than the wild are this season and their shots at the net actually go to the net! Brett go out to your garage or driveway and practice shooting pucks into a net mabey strap up one of those fake goalies to sharpen up a bit.
This teams lack of anything good and being as inconsistent as possible has got this fan burning out. Who wont this team lose too?
AustinTXwildfan says:
“Is this directed at me? I am confused….”
No. It’s not directed at you. Poorly expressed opinion by me.
WRT…it’s a nice thought that the ticket renewals will not continue, but there are 7,000 or so people lined up to take our place.
The one thing I can see though, is that there is a small minority that would belly up to the bar and take seats in the lower bowl. With the price, those might be a tough sell.
Oh yeah, one more thing to chew on while we wait for Tuesday’s game:
The Wild raised ticket prices for this season and implemented the premium surcharge.
maxpower…they’ve already lost to the dregs of the NHL…
Yes, I am disgruntled.
As far as I can tell, the waiting list is related to demand for upper bowl tickets on the side and some lower bowl seats. It would seem like you could get club season tickets or lower bowl end season tickets without waiting but I could be wrong.
Jottings
(1) KJ, not true about 7000 people waiting. They still have to have those people fork over the dough and have them be satisfied with what tickets they get
(2) New member of the Russo Nation ? Photog- This name sounds like a monster from the Godzilla era
(3)Be careful not to judge the minute by the hour Russo nation. The Wild have a good looking playoff team roster. I know getting to that point could be a challenge the way it looks. If the Wild get the 8th spot look out. I think they are better off starting on the road
Hey Russo,
Any truth to the rumor about Kovie and Army coming to the wild for johnny and Gabs?
IMO, Id rather keep gabby for a fat pay cut for injuries if he agreed or ship him to ottawa to get Spezza. The last thing we need is another guy who wont be physical and plays no defense. Doesnt mean i wouldnt take Kovie, i just prefer Jason. And i hate seeing our guys get muscled off of every puck in the Offensive zone, that is the few times that we actually get the puck when we dump. We need a new offensive strategy.
ZIDS and MAB for PRESIDENT!
i say lookout for the wild in the playoffs this year… if we were in the eastern conference 8-1-1
haha
ill believe it when i see it, we all keep getting disappointed losing to mediocre avalanche teams in the playoffs and then watching them get swept when we all know damn well we could have won at least one game against detroit
*sigh*
Such drama.
I would be fine with Spezza or Kovalchuk for Gaborik, but I have no idea how one player is going to cure the Wilds problems. IMO we would look about the same, unless Gaborik is that much of a cancer to team chemistry.
true.
But i think it would help at least. Wild need to shake things up. Might as well bring in an allstar guy who doesnt get hurt and who can muscle around an entire d corps because Koviu is the only one who can on our team.
JL is probably wanting Kovie for ole butchy so he can set him up all day. that would be pretty nice id have to say haha. Maybe we dont have enough leadership, i dont see much urgency in any games lately.
I agree, I view either player as an upgrade. Only time will tell. I hope the best.
Hard to know what to think at this point. Season started out well and frankly I thought we were better than last year. At this point something drastic needs to happen to turn it around. Other than moving players to shake up the team not sure what to do. We just don’t seem to play in the first and often second periods and we do seem very fragile. And, we just don’t seem to put it in the net much. We seem to miss the net with our shots so often.
i dont see why J-Bo wouldnt want to come here, this should be his dream. Maybe we’ll end up getting him. Haha all this stupid speculation is driving me mad especially Eklunds garbage that makes no sense.
yeah for some reason we played the first 10 games and have been burnt out ever since
I won’t both Kostitsyn’s for Gabork. Then sign Saku in the offseason. Since apparently we are stuck with the worthlessness that is Bouchard, both Koivu’s and Bouchard would be a solid line, especially with Mikko really playing physically. Both Kostitsyn’s could play with Belanger this year, and see what happens.
ugh…want, not won’t
ahh gotta love the wishful thinking. Anyways none of those guys you named are physical players except the koivus, those lines would get manhandled haha
Dan @ 1:19 pm - I like it but too bad we are already talking about getting better for next year.
Well DR is definitely up to something, but it’ll all be speculation till the deal happens. This is nerve racking!
cal headhunting with no helmet, that was the highlight of the night for me.
Food.
I vote the wild practices all day on Christmas
Chris in CA says:
December 21st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
ahh gotta love the wishful thinking. Anyways none of those guys you named are physical players except the koivus, those lines would get manhandled haha
You don’t need 4 physical lines to succeed in the NHL.
Chris in CA says:
December 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Well DR is definitely up to something, but it’ll all be speculation till the deal happens. This is nerve racking!
cal headhunting with no helmet, that was the highlight of the night for me.
When has Doug ever made a good trade? I don’t trust him to make any deal.
Chris in CA says:
December 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I vote the wild practices all day on Christmas
against NHL rules. Wild would get fined heavily and likely lose a draft pick or 2.
