A day off - sort of
Posted on December 21st, 2008 – 1:33 PMBy Brian Stensaas
Wild players never took the ice today for practice, as scheduled. Instead, the team had a meeting and then players were off to do dry-land workouts. Or so we were told. I never actually saw any players. But I’ll take the team’s word that everyone was there and participating.
There was some action on the ice. A few kids (I think those of Mike Ramsey, Matt Shaw and Tony DeCosta) were showing their stuff out there this morning. Oh how fun it must be to be young and have the Xcel Energy Center ice all to yourself. Bet those kids felt like superstars. I was jealous. I would love to get a skate in on the X’s ice.
I was able to snag coach Jacques Lemaire for a few minutes after the team meeting. We talked over a couple of things I’ll have in a notebook-style story for tomorrow’s paper. In short: Defenders need to play defense, Gaby doesn’t like being placed on the point for power plays (like he was for a bit last night) and young Colton Gillies didn’t play against St. Louis because the Blues are a bit too physical of a team. Hence why Weller was in.
OK - that’s it for today. Happy Holidays to you all. I’m away from the Wild until the 26th. Russo’s back tomorrow to take you through Tuesday’s game and into the NHL break.
I’ll leave you with this random holiday fact, courtesy of Charter Cable music channel 924 (which is currently on here in Casa de Stensaas): Department stores, hoping to lure customers, first began using illuminated trees in 1900.
Cheers!
200 Responses to "A day off - sort of"
Department stores, hoping to lure customers, first began using illuminated trees in 1900.
Welcome to the 108th anniversary of Christmas schlock! 
Brian, you get stuck with the T-chichuahuas this week? Poor guy…like getting a lump of coal in your stocking…
I bet the trainers kids would play with more heart then the guys getting paid to do so currently.
Aside from Clutterbuck anyways, That kid looks like he’s having a blast on the ice.
Send Gaborik back to Slovakia - if he has a problem playing defense on the PP.What a team player, good luck getting your millions..
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Wow, nature picked a perfect time to be without power for 10 days. Could these guys play any worse?
As much as I hate to say it, I’m with Gabby this time — and yes his injury and contract issues bother me.
This team cannot score, it was obvious going into this year. For some reason, Lemaire gets a pass from everyone. DR deserves heat for not resigning some scorers, but Lemaire deserves heat for not putting players in position to score and succeed.
Gabby is a pure scorer, Lemaire needs to take advantage of his talents and quit pointing out his weaknesses. Enough of the constant line switching.
The famous Mister Know it all Jottings
(1) Don Waddell is likely a Russo informant Six. If Russo is not saying anything about a deal happening with the Thrashers. It is very likely he knows something and cant say anyhing. Atlanta is a team he covers. Remember, Mister Know it all said that Kovelchuck would be player hat could be traded for Gaby
(2) JL maybe not the coach anymore ? He has never had a streak of losing like this in his whole tenure with the Wild. I sense he has lost his footing some. DR has chosen the coach over any player needs by having him come back. I am sure that friction exists and a trade needs to take place or you switch up coaches
(3) New member of the Russo Nation ? Photog- This name sounds like a monster from the Godzilla era
I don’t remember who posted it, maybe MKIA, but…this team is NOT a playoff contender right now, let alone one that could do some damage while there. What are you smokin?
So now Gillies doesn’t have enough size or toughness but Kolonos does? Jaq.’s a joke. They should have let the kid go play with Team Canada.
So maybe hockey ops was too busy working on the new Zamboni to see the team slumping? Too busy working on Nordy to see no one was signing contracts…
He didn’t want to, per Russo.
And it wasn’t a question of Gillies vs. Kolanos. It was Gillies vs. Weller. Kolanos was automatically in because he’s filling in for Bela at Center.
Russo’s remarks are revealing to me.
The remark Russo made above, “Gabby does not like to play the point on power plays” is but another reason why I do not think he is a team player!
I assume Burns has a preference of FW or D, but he plays in either situation. Koivu plays with many forwards. So does Mittens. So does Burnette, etal …
It is only Gabby, and Dimetra, when he was here that were vocal about his on ice jobs.
In a team situation, I think every guy needs to be willing to do what is necessary to win.
WrongPuck, you would have to know the reason JL wants Gabby on the point to choose sides in that argument.
JL has never appeared dogmatic to me, except to the extent he knows what is required for consistant winning hockey.
A quarter of the team right now are, or are nearly, classified as rookies.
Maybe not everyone agrees with me, but Shephard, Kolanos, Poulliot, Gilles, Clutterbuck, Reitz, are all still learning the ropes of being in the NHL.
Even Burns, Mikko, Harding, Bougaard, Bouchard, and Veilleux are young players so far as NHL experience.
So, there will be peaks and valleys. With a young team the peaks are harder to maintain and the valleys are harder drag the team out of.
I think maturity will do a lot for the team, in the meantime we need patience.
Wow. No shortage of drama in the Aeros game tonight.
What drama MissConduct?
What does defenders need to play defense has to do with Gaby not liking to play on the point? Two separate things. Notice the comma there.
JL had to move folks around to jumpstart the PP but Gaby on the point was a failed experiment. He is best situated playing on the half wall and pinch in at the point on rotation. Not being there full-time.
Also as of the moment, they should not pass Gaborik the puck while entering the offensive zone on the PP. He’s lost the puck several times. His timing is still off so other folks should either bring it in or hand it to someone else to pass it into the zone.
A big comeback from an early lead and just lots of irony going on. Unfortunately, they lost in the shootout, but for the schedule they just played, coming out with a point is tremendous. 6 points in 4 games in 5 days. The boys dug deep and showed a ton of heart, and a bit of talent right when we needed it.
I see you’re all hard at it today lol!
My apologies for not posting up some comments on last night’s game earlier, but no one in all honesty really cares anyway. The team lost, and we all could see why.
So, I won’t go into some diatribe about who screwed the pooch last night, but overall, a lame effort on the 2nd night of a back-to-back, and it wasn’t expected to be a good game by me.
All I’d like to see right now, is 100% effort, in 50% of our games.
We had good effort against NYI, and no effort against STL, so if we can put together 100% effort on Tues, I’ll be happy.
100% effort in 50% of your games might get you 1 win, and 1 loss, where 50% effort in 100% of your games will give you an 0-2 record 100% of the time.
Every team struggles during a long season, How long depends on a few breaks, the Wild haven’t got many, and veteran leadership, which the Wild are not long on. Even Mikko is a young up and comm-er.
Gabby is hurt, not enough to “not play” but he didn’t have any jump the last 2 games. He is playing because he knows he needs to log some game time.
Brian Rolston has 3 goals this year as of tonight, injured? I loved how he played for the Wild, but 3 goals?
Russo knows something is going on, You can feel it in the air the past week or so. Maybe a move or two after the holiday break.
Rolston was out for as many games as Gaborik due to an ankle injury. He slammed into the boards feet first.
Last night’s game seemed like everyone was playing hurt. No jump from anybody except Clutterbuck.
Look at what the Bruins did to the Blues with Kessel and Wheeler leading the way.
Something just doesn’t add up. The Wild are not a good team, they are loaded with inexperienced players, many of whom are not exactly distinguishing themselves as up and coming superstars, and they have been spending close to the cap. They were division champs last year and are now headed towards being one of the five worst teams in the league if they aren’t already there. This is not an effort issue and its not a coaching issue. It is a talent issue and all roads for this red and green clad debacle lead right to Smug’s office. If that guy isn’t eating Prevacid like M&M’s right now, it’s because he doesn’t care or is too ignorant/egotistical to recognize the mess he is responsible for creating. Either way, he needs to be held accountable. I am now with the group who believes the Team of 18,000 deserve better.
BTW, I was held hostage in a car with some Vikes listener’s today and was brutally tortured by having to listen to the funky white boy, bercich and Greg Coleman doing the game. First off, was Paul Allen Dubay’s crack supplier and just hasn’t been caught yet? That guy may be the most grating radio personality I have ever had the displeasure of listening to. I know you guys like to rip on T & G, but they have 60-70 games a year and it is tough not to rub people the wrong way when you are on air that much. Familiarity breeds contempt. But funky white boy is so wrapped up in being a personality, he forgets that his job is to just call the game and then stfu.
Alright… someone… anyone…
I need something positive. Wild are playing craptastic hockey, a lady nearly ripped the rear end of my Jeep off in the parking lot at Target, got out of her van, started yelling at me, and called the cops on me “For being mean,” then I go to work last night and someone hit my truck out in the parking lot, no note, no nothing.
I work in retail, and people are crabby as two pit bulls out for blood, everything is out of stock, despite the poor economy, and of course, it’s all my fault it is out of stock… I work part time right now, I have 9 hours this week, and 6 next week.
Oh, and did I mention, the Wild are playing really, really bad hockey?
Gimme something… anything…
SotB: That’s why it’s so fun to listen to the radio broadcast as the Vikings lose. Paul Allen literally doesn’t know what to do with himself as he watches the Purple go down like they did to Atlanta.
But I still hate D & D’er worse, especially after all the gaffes during last night’s game.
Buddha,
Peace and good tidings to you!
at least the ViQueens lost, maybe that will keep some of the riff raff over on their blog this week.
Buddha,
I’m sorry your Christmas week isn’t starting off on a great note…but take heart-
The Wild have always have shown they tend to play to the level of their opponents. Since the schedule has it’s fair share of ‘good’ teams in the next few weeks…..they should be getting back on track!
Or…the past 3 years have been the same- great start out of the gate- crappy late November/December….on fire in late January-Feb.!
I like my Kool-aid grape, please!
I think Iceman is right on! SOTB: they ought to require that the prisoners in Guantonimo Bay listen to the vikings announcers…the prisoners would tell ALL!!!
Budda, here is something to cheer you up, be glad you are not in The Bronx or Manhattan.
That would be a challenging place to work right now.
WRT, don’t waste your energy hating D&D.
There are ample individuals in the news right now who actually have caused harm to all of us directly or indirectly …(ie: Petters or Madoff).
Reserve your angst for them!
Buddha, I just saved money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.
I dunno how bad the football announcers are. All I know is I quit going to my local bar for Sunday breakfast because it gets packed for football, and they crank up the volume and cheer them on like a bunch of girl scouts at a campfire.
Woohoo! Yay, go team! Rah rah rah! You’re the best!
Anyway, those TV football guys were bad, but nothing compares to my angst when I hear Terhaar call a play by a player who is no longer even on the team. Twice.
Then the comments they made, as if they’re some political spin machine, trying to convince us there was some “non-call” on a play because one of our guys got dumped, and the refs are playing for the other team. Puhleaze. If I wanted to watch spin, I’d turn on Fox News, or just simply ask my 11 yr old to explain how something got broken. So, someone explain to me, how 2 guys who obviously didn’t do well in broadcasting school are on our local TV, in a hockey hotbed in the USA, and we don’t have a decent play by play guy and a recognizable color analyst who knows wtf he’s talking about and doesn’t make up reasons why the Wild got screwed by the officials???
Ok I’m done. On that subject at least. As for the team, and specifically Buddha’s request for something positive, I do have something for you.
Accept that this is a transition year. Accept that we knew about this 5 months ago. Accept we knew the team would look much different this year. And accept that we’ve become accustomed to expecting more and more each year, and now we don’t have it - so we’re uncertain how to feel about it.
Ok, they fell short last year. Doug said last year’s team had a shot, and last year was it. Players are gone, new ones have come, and the movement isn’t over yet. We have a bunch of young guys who are getting their minor league experience right here in the bigs. While we might want more of them now, keep in mind they’re young, and inexperienced, but in 2-4 years these guys will be great. Others will get better. Others will slow down, and lose their touch. Don’t expect today from Bruno what he delivered 4 years ago. He’s older, and even slower. He’ll chip a few in, but not like before. Same with Nolan. But they’re leaders who are needed in the locker room - and we need more.
The Wild doesn’t have that right now. They have no Nick Lidstrom, or Doug Weight, or Mike Modano - who can help the younger guys realize their potential, and keep them focused on the positive - and drive out the stuff that’s plaguing them. Carney and Hill could impart that kind of stuff. Maybe Johnsson can a bit, or Bruno, but there’s no bona-fide leader in the locker room. Yeah, you say it’s Koivu’s team, and maybe he’s assuming that role - but there’s always some mentoring to be done, and they’re sadly lacking in someone to be able to do that right now.
However, maybe all it takes is one - PMB scores two games in a row, and doesn’t look like a figure skater doing pirouettes. Maybe he gets some confidence back, and it extends to someone else. They’re not going to win the division, at least not easily. Let’s not expect them to do it. Let’s lower the bar a bit, and for now hope the personnel situation can be improved by March 5th, and we’ve got a shot at a playoff berth.
MuN… you need a blog, sugar.
Heh. I’m borrowing Russo’s 
And off to bed!
I hate Jacques and this is one reason why….
“We have to play a safer game, not to gamble offensively,” Lemaire said. “I think we have some offensive defensemen that can do that; they can go up, move up with the play and go offense a little more. But now everyone does it. And we can’t have that.”
He’ll call out Bergeron, and Sheppard, and Gillies, and Pouliot, etc for playing bad, but he beats around the bush when ripping Skoula and won’t say his name?? What a f’n joke.
Brian - thanks for the coverage and enjoy(?) your time away from the Wild. Wait, that doesn’t sound quite right…
And, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night MissConduct.
Your right MuN, about DR’s comments. He did say that last year.
So far as JL calling out certain players and not others.
He sees them every single day and probably has some idea when they need to be prodded and when they need to be prodded harder.
Maybe he feels that Skoula has no more to give and so it is pointless to destroy his confidence, but that Sheppard and Poulliot, etc, have much more upside do have not found it yet.
Anyway, he does not misuse his team.
Some people may not like their defense first approach, but in most games they are only a goal out of a W or tie.
Except for the Blues game there have not been many bad ones.
Listening to Jock-U talk about tightening up the defense is like the captain of the Titanic focusing on tuning up service in their dining rooms. What are you going to do? Try and pitch a shutout every game so you can win with your goal a game offense? Also, last year’s team was not the one primed for a playoff run in my opinion. It was the year before when they got smoked by Anaheim. After that, my bet is know one on the team believed they could compete, especially with no moves at the trade deadline. The injuries on D only accelerated the inevitable by a game or two.
I agree with MuN’s current perspective, but it should have never come to this.
I will wager there will be alot of empty seats at the X towards the end of the season, but oddly, the consecutive sellout string will continue.
buddha says: >>she called the cops on me “For being mean<<
Dude. Reading some of your recent posts, this does not surprise me. Lately, you seem to have been at your tipping point.
Look on the bright side. She could have hit Dan who would have crosschecked her with his authographed Veilleux hockey stick and strangled her with a shredded Boogaard jersey.
the consecutive sellout string will continue
it isn’t odd. with 16500 of 18000 seats sold that leaves 1500 per game to sell as walk up. A lot of those are sold before the season starts.
the sellout string will continue until the season ticket base starts to fall, which could happen soon, guess it depends on how many are corporate tickets compared to your average fan. and then how many of those fans are as disgruntled and some here think they are.
Why does Risebrough hate American Players? Wheeler has the same number of goals as the Wild’s team leader. Wild have 1 American out of 169 total that are playing in the NHL. That is dead last. Now I am not saying we need to have Americans on the team just for the sake of statistics, but the obvious ignorance of Risebrough amazes me.
Do you read what you post?
first
Why does Risebrough hate American Players?…Wild have 1 American out of 169 total that are playing in the NHL.
then
Now I am not saying we need to have Americans on the team just for the sake of statistics, but the obvious ignorance of Risebrough amazes me.
so you use that the wild have 1 american player to presume that DR hates american players but then you wouldn’t just add them just the have them on the team.
next time you might want to support your point, not refute it.
Sometimes it is hard to connect the dots between cause and effect of fans perspectives.
A team cannot reload around younger players with some promise without a good share of the fan base wanting to fire everyone in sight and start all over again.
I am not sure about the rest of you, but I have had plenty of potholes in my life to work around. I expect there will be more.
Same thing with a team.
Give it time, this will work itself out too.
Buddha, I’ve been where your at (and very recently I might add) and the way things look I might be there again come the new fiscal year at work. So I’m sending you good thoughts, like the warm fuzzy kind you get when you play with doggies. I’m buying you a weeks worth of virtual beer at Nick’s bar (Nick put that on my tab will ya). Hope things get better soon.
I watched the Habs v Canes game last night (I love the NHL Network), the Habs very badly need to get healthy. And I want me some Staal (sp?) boys here. Between Staal and Ward the Canes looked really good last night. And it was fun watching the crowd get nasty, as the game got worse for Montreal.
Well, I’ve got cookies to frost and lefse to make. Good lord it feels good to have a day off.
Ditto on the Staals, BG. I’ll take the New Yorky one.
I had to look up lefse. And now I want mexican food… mmm, warm tortillas…
MsC, you had to look up lefse? Oh you don’t know what your missing. Warm lefse with cinnamon and sugar…mmmmmm……..
Wow, we’re one point apart in the Russoville Fantasy Football Super Bowl. It all comes down to whether Devin Hester earns more points than the Green Bay defense tonight.
I’ve never cared much about Chicago but I’m rooting my ass off for them tonight! Hang a hundred on ‘em, boys!!!
Can I have some of your cookies, Bandgeek? You might want to make a few extra for us here in Russoville… 
Buddha…welcome to the world of retail. Sorry to hear about your wheels. May the person that hit you get nothing but coal in their stocking.
BTW: for those of you not in Minnesota…its Brr-r-r-r-utally cold outside right now.
Sounds good to me, BG. I’ve never met a bread-like substance I didn’t like.
its Brr-r-r-r-utally cold
with another 4 inches of snow on the way.
lefse is pretty good. haven’t had it since i stopped dating a norwegian gal about 7 years ago.
FYI - the Kovalchuk and Armstrong for Gaborik and Johnsson trade is bouncing around with TFP recognizing that Gaby would need to sign an extension with ATL for the deal to go down. They think that is unlikely but if Gaby turned down the Wild for not enough money in the fall you would have to think (especially under the new circumstances - his injury, the cap, etc.) tha there is a $ number he would say yes to. Meanwhile, Spector via THN thinks the whole ATL/Wild discussions are about a smaller deal simply because Kovalchuk > Gaby. I agree with that but you never know, Gaby could agree to terms with ATL and DR could put a huge package on the table and if Waddle’s job is on the line, I can always hope for a little post-Christmans magic. Now back to that Kool Aid ljmckay and IceMan are drinking
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/21513-Rumor-Roundup-Winter-freeze.html
Let’s not sugar coat this thing. The Wild are a bad team. I said last year they weren’t going anywhere & they aren’t going anywhere this year. They are a team of 2nd & 3rd line players.
As far as Lemaire goes it’s not his fault! If he goes he goes but he doesn’t have much to work with. I think a good portion of the wins this team gets is due to his coaching style. How else do you play with a group of underachievers?
DR & our scouting dept. are the ones to lay the blame game on. Our picks are mediocre & there is absolutely no help in Houston. You need to come up with some help from the lower round picks and supplement your team with some decent free agent signings. We do neither. It’s very hard to make trades to bolster your team. We don’t have much to give up & other G.M.’s aren’t stupid. You need to get better through the draft & we just aren’t coming through! It makes it tough when you finish in the middle of the pack every year. You just don’t get those upper few picks.
Thanks for the positive thoughts all. And congrats Ms. C on saving all that money.
Nick, since BG bought it, can I get one of them beers? Hey, it’s noon somewhere right?
What kind of a huge package would DR
put together? You have to be kidding?
If the Gaby for Kovalchuck deal is actually in discussions, I hope DR does his due diligence first and asks Kovalchuck and his agent if he would be interested in signing long term here after his current deal is done, otherwise, we will be in this same situation next year…
the only reason atlanta deals kovalchuk now is to avoid the mess they were in with Hossa last year. If i’m right about that then dealing for #10 doesn’t make sense unless they want to use him to get picks/prospects at the deadline this year.
MissConduct, if you want a real Scandinavian delicacy do not forget Lutefisk.
You will not forget it.
IceMan… that’s just plain mean.
I just want to move somewhere warm and forget about stupid hockey.
I’ll be a fan of ‘good’ hockey tho…
Bandgeek,
I’d be happy if you’d get 1+ of the Staal’s. We play them a total of 14 times between the three of them and they are generally a pain in the a@@ to the Caps.
What kind of a huge package would DR
put together?
Not your’s
- GreenStar - ATL could sign Gaby to a big contract as a condition of the trade so they would have a star to build around long-term (assuming they don’t think Kovalchuck wants to stay). Do I think he would do it? I doubt it, but it seems like it would be a good idea to ask him and let whatever $ ATL would offer do the talking.
Just picked up 2# of gourmet lutefisk at Lund’s. It is getting pricey. Almost $8/pound. We’ve got a wok on a propane burner that we fire up outside so that paint and wallpaper aren’t damaged when we boil it up. Everyone takes one small bite as an annual reminder that Lutefisk is the most inedible food on the face of the earth. Whatever is left gets spread around the perimeter of the yard to ward off skunks, badgers, moles and door to door salespeople. It lasts until late October, early November, so there is a short period of vulnerability. I’m on board with the lefse.
Hey Buddha, if you come down to McGovern’s before the game on Tues, I will buy you a beer. Will that help? The wife and I will get there around 4:30 (hopefully before it gets packed) to eat, drink and be merry.
green*, master of the obvious says: >>it isn’t odd. with 16500 of 18000 seats sold that leaves 1500 per game to sell as walk up. A lot of those are sold before the season starts.<<
I get the math part. What is odd is that the Wild will continue to promote the sell out string long after it becomes obvious that season ticket holders are using their tix as kindling for the fireplace. When paid for season tix start going unused, you’ve got an early indicator of problems. Where have we seen that before? Perhaps “odd” was an imperfect choice. How about “stupid”?
I plan on being there but you don’t need to buy me a beer.
What is odd is that the Wild will continue to promote the sell out string long after it becomes obvious that season ticket holders are using their tix as kindling for the fireplace.
for one, the tickets are sold. if STH are not using them, that is not necessarily the fault of the wild. The wild have no obligation to make sure you show up. IF STH choose to burn the tickets, then so be it. Not sure why you would but i suppose if you have that kind of money to burn.
and how are the wild actually promoting this sellout streak? I don’t hear about it much. they have stopped counting the number years ago.
AFAIK, sellout is totally different from how many people come through the turnstiles on a given night.
Unless you can convince the team to issue you a refund for the tickets you purchased but now are so disgusted with the team that you do not feel you can support them, then that’s different.
People not showing up doesn’t send a message to the team as long as the tickets are still being purchased.
Oh, I know about lutefisk. There was this episode of King of the Hill where their church gets a new minister from Minnesota, and she brings lutefisk to the a church potluck and Bobby eats the whole dish of it and get violently ill.
There was this episode of King of the Hill where their church gets a new minister from Minnesota, and she brings lutefisk to the a church potluck and Bobby eats the whole dish of it and get violently ill.
ain’t no party like a Luth’ran party….
I plan on being there but you don’t need to buy me a beer.
Sounds good G*. I will bring a small sign or something so people can find us easily. I think we are planning on sitting upstairs. Does anyone know when it start to get really busy at McGovern’s before a game? I was assuming that it would be pretty dead before 5…
Could the economy have anything to do with a weakening of ticket buyers in the future?
No, of course not, it must be DR, or JL, or D&D, or Skoula …
This is not instant success.
And, at some point a team needs to reload. Like MuN posted, that team was hitting the end of their window of opportunity.
So, now we have a bunch of kids.
They started off strong but maybe lost their way a little.
Every team goes through that. Nobody can see into the future and so we do not know whether Poulliot, or some of the other guys will make it, make it big, or be a disappointment.
Now, it looks like it will be an up and down season. Win some, lose some. Maybe make the playoffs, maybe not.
But, mostly, these guys are showing grit and they continue to work. So, it will get better.
I’m with you, Ice. While I’m frustrated with recent play, I’m not ready to say the team is God-Awful yet. The season is long, and (hopefully) this recent losing streak is but a speedbump on the path.
Oh, and Ms. C - I wouldn’t eat lutefisk with Dan’s mouth.
AustinTX, I was at McGoverns last year.
The place is big with multiple floors and several areas on each.
I looked for likely Russoans, who I had never seen and found none. It would have been the second get-together so most did not show. Bandgeek and her husband did but we did not recognise each other.
From my memory, the basement bar was the least busy.
But, if you are going there, you need to have a specific location and a sign or some way of recognizing each other.
How busy are they is relative. I got there early, maybe before 5:00, I cannot recall. But, there were still plenty of people.
AFter a couple hours of pestering waitresses, and asking loners if they were meeting others I realized it would be pure luck if I found someone I did not know.
Good wit, Heather.
I wouldn’t eat lutefisk with Dan’s mouth.
POTD!
Not to seem ignorant, but what is POTD?
heather: Post Of The Day
Oh, okay. And “aw, shucks.”
Yeah Ice, I have been to McGovern’s plenty of times to eat, but I can never recall how busy it is before games. When we did go before games it was usually around 6 for a few quick beers, and it’s packed to the brim at that time. I was thinking of sitting upstairs just because it seems a bit more open up there… I will definitely bring a sign and I will probably try and sit by a wall so I can stick it up on the wall so it can be seen easily. I think 6GS said he would try and come by, and I am sure Lemmiwinks is coming, as well as G*. It should be fun regardless of who shows up. It’s always a good time to meet the people that are as into the Wild as we are… hell, even finding people that like hockey in general is a task when you live in TX.
Looking at the Atlanta Thrashers blog today, it looks like the fans are, not surprisingly, NOT interested in Gaby coming to Atlanta
And then there was this little response to the Ottawa Sun trade rumor:
Bruce Garrioch has just about as much credibility as Eklund.
I chuckled a bit to know that even in Atlanta, they know non-quality hockey writers when they see them.
C’mon Russo when’s lunch? My refresh button can’t take much more!!
Whoa!
Garrioch has less than zero credibility. He has no sources, he speculates about everything, and it’s in the effort to sell papers.
It was Garrioch that suggested Waddell was in Anaheim to talk to Risebrough about a deal, and it’s him that’s speculating it’s Gaborik for Kovalchuk.
Uh.. That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard of.
Woo! I’m done Christmas shopping! *high five*
I’ve met kj there twice now without issue but then kj is hard to miss.
i’d go upstairs take a left and head straight for the tables by the windows. the upstairs, in my experience, doesn’t really fill up until after 5pm.
i’ll be in authentic throwback home white and am shooting for between 4:30 and 5p.
More on why I think it’s dumb…
First, Waddell has said he’s not interested in trading Kovalchuk, but he’s been listening to offers. Why?
Kovi has 1 more year left, at the bargain price of 7.5Mil (6.4/cap). Why in hell would he want to move him this year?
The only answer is to unload salary. Ilya is still his #1 offensive player, and half the time the only reason they win games. If he were to dump him, he’d fetch a big price in terms of prospects or picks. So, slash the payroll, load up on picks, and go to camp next year leaner and bank some profit from marginal ticket sales?
Or..
Retain Kovi, as he’s what the fans come to see - win or lose. Let him play out the last year of his contract, and trade him at some point next season, when you can really spend some time dictating your terms.
As for Gaborik, why would Waddell want him? For what? Trade your superstar, for an oft-injured speedy sniper who wants more money than the superstar?
Yeah. Right.
Ms. C - *high five* back. I did all my shopping online this year - super slick. Except I just realized I hadn’t gotten my niece a birthday present, and her birthday is the 26th. Luckily, Amazon.com has crazy toy deals on Mondays.
MuN: see Hossa, Marian for Waddell’s rationale.
As for Gaborik, why would Waddell want him? For what? Trade your superstar, for an oft-injured speedy sniper who wants more money than the superstar?
My speculation on this would be, at the deadline, I think gaborik gets more that kovalchuk this year. Kov’s cap hit may be friendly but teams will need to account for that. With #10, you don’t need to account for much of anything.
also, if you make this move, i think you signal that you are dropping the A-bomb on your squad and picking up the pieces. So trade for #10 now and instruct him to never cross to the defending side of the red line unless he has to for a faceoff. let him cherry pick his way to a goal per game and create a market in the east for him all while getting the best odds at winning tavares sweepstakes.
can’t see it being popular in atlanta but then who would notice?
AustinTX, I am going to try and make it to McGs @ 4:30. It would be great to meet some other Russoans. If you brought a sign that would be great because like Ice, I could not see or find anyone at the second get together either. Are you going to try and be upstairs toward the frontside(West 7th) of McGs?
Ok, cookies frosted. And I showed my geeky-ness for Hockey and some of my favorite boys by “dressing” some of the man shapes in “green uni’s” and using a toothpick to put numbers on them. I now have cookies for Backs, Hards, Boogie (hehe Boooooggggiieee), Mikko (in honor of my friend H.’s obsession), Burns, Schultzie, Bruno, and Cal (I was thinking of you MsC when I did that last one). Yes I am a geek, I even took pictures. I think I’ve eaten to much of the frosting. MMMMMMmmmmmmm spoonfuls of powder sugar frosting. Should I be this twitchy? Why are the dogs looking at me like I’m on crack? I think I need to calm down but the sugar rush is awesome.
that makes sense to me, G*
And no the cookies do not have toothpicks on them, I used a toothpick to draw numbers with white frosting on the green “uni’s”. Seriously need less sugar…
ride the wave, Band…ride the wave….
Band, is there powdered sugar around your nose and that is why the dogs are looking at you funny? (Just teasing)
G* and MtC, yeah I was thinking of trying to get a table upstais near the frontside. I will definitely bring some sort of sign. I will have a Green Gabby jersey on. I have glasses and a beard so that may help a bit too. The wife will have a IRR PMB (obviously) jersey on. Hopefully the boys get back on track on Tues. They won for us vs the Isle, now I want a repeat vs the Canes!
Gotta get some lunch. Be back later!
Nick: Hossa was in his final year - he had to be moved or resigned. He’s not in that predicament with Kovi until next season.
Green*: Interesting way to build market value for a future trade, but why? Kovi’s worth more than Gaborik any day, and that’s well known in the league. He’s a top-5 player. Gaborik maybe top-20 (but I found 20 I’d take ahead of him, remember?)
Gaborik will be worth more at the deadline this year, but with his injury status, and reputation - besides, Kovi’s on record the whole time that he wants to remain a Thrasher. Why mess that up?
Well, with the ruckus on the rumor mill about this, I sure hope the Don adds his .02 since he is closer to it than any of us.
*cough*hint*cough*
besides, Kovi’s on record the whole time that he wants to remain a Thrasher. Why mess that up?
Not to reach into another sport, but didn’t Torii say the same thing until he was an Angel? Not trying to argue, but sports players have been known to put on a front for the fans and gain support.
Guys, the more I think about that possibility, the more it makes less and less sense.
Would you give up a signed, popular, healthy player for a UFA who’s had injury issues? If you’re building to enhance trade value, there really isn’t any.
… and come to think of it, its a technique Gaby has tried here, although his was a little more transparent.
Didn’t he tell the media he told Salcer to make a deal to stay in Minnesota? …but not for less than 9 mil per
atlanta has very little committed for next year. 10 players and 26 million with ilya being a large part of that. better to use ilya for picks now that wait a year? this offseason might be most opportune time for atlanta to change direction.
also, ilya has had his chance to lead a team and it isn’t working in atlanta. Maybe he isn’t a player you build around? maybe he is the complimentary player? gretzky’s kurri, messier, coffey, anderson
Anyone catch this little gem buried in Puck Daddy’s latest today?
http://www.thegoodpoint.com/hockey/dec08/bears-eat-beets.html
Would you give up a signed, popular, healthy player for a UFA who’s had injury issues? If you’re building to enhance trade value, there really isn’t any.
because you don’t want either one at the end of this season. I thought i made that clear.
how popular can he be in atlanta where there are about 16 hockey fans?
the question waddell is asking himself is do i want picks this year or next year.
when #10 is playing offense and scoring goals, his lower body doesn’t bother him.
Oh BG! You should send some of those pictures to me and I’ll put them on my blog. Thanks for making a Cal cookie.
The chicken corn CHOWDAH from Costco is nummy.
BTW, I’m totally hating all y’all meeting up before the game tomorrow. Green with envy.
The chicken corn CHOWDAH from Costco is nummy
where do you get this? at the food counter? all they have up here are shiancoe dogs, chicken bakes and pizza.
I saw that Buddha, but found the post… somewhat nonsensical. But maybe that’s because the Wild logo is one of my least favorite in the league and undeserving of such tedious analysis.
G*, it’s with the pre-prepared soups, over with the refrigerated stuff (lunch meat, cheese, olives, etc.) There were about 5 soups that all looked really tasty.
sweet. i never look over there for anything but I will next time i am there, which just might be on the way home from work today.
Oh gosh, that’s the section I stand around drooling in. It all looks so yummy. And somebody else already cooked it! I can warm stuff up easy!
We just joined a couple of weeks ago but I’m so impressed with their meat (the steaks are amazing!) and pre-made stuff. Also, Hershey’s syrup by the gallon. Yeah baby.
Michael up North, thanks for the Gabby vs Ilya analysis. I tend to agree with you. Why would ATL want Gabby over Ilya given the contracts, unless there are picks/prospects that make it work for them.
Also, I’ve asked Pavelich to build me a canoe and some shoes in exchange for a couple Rapala fish cleaning knives, a few tarps, and some ‘like new’ rain gear. If you see him can you ask him when the canoe will be done?
Question for those “in the know”..has ATL solved their ownership issues? In other words, can Waddell be fired if he tanks to get draft picks, or is there tacit approval to save cash, since there is still a muddled ownership issue?
Ms. C. I failed to announce the sarcasm in the word “gem.” I apologize to all.
I find analysis of the logo to be boring, silly, and completely useless. Shall we take a look at the Preds logo next? Lots of saber-toothed things in Nashville?
Or the Red Wings? Do they need to change their logo now that the Big Three are about to fail?
ljmckay- last I heard the ownership is no longer in question, but the group that was spurned in the process is suing for damages. What that does to answer your question, I don’t know. NHL GMs seem to be the only ones in the country with job security anymore.
ATXs…I will be there tomorrow B4 the game as well. However, I have a band audition so I am not going to the game.
I never miss an opportunity to rip on PMB. Mrs ATX won’t cry, will she???
There I go with those gay smiley faces again…
I just saw the youtube clip of Cal Butternut’s check’s (receiving then giving) in the beginning of the third period vs STL. Is Cutter ‘n Buck this team’s Ian Lapperiere/Jordan Ruutuu?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Guttersluff, I’m just wondering if other team’s fan’s view him like Wild fans view agitators around the league.
MsC you should soon have mail. Hope you like the pic.
Sugar crash has left me sleepy and a little dizzy. Need more than the 20 min power nap I just had.
Also I’ve been trying to post a message to Michael up North to pass along a message to Pavelich re: the canoe he’s building and it keeps getting moderated. Who knew canoe was a dirty word?
I guess the word canoe isn’t the problem.
I am not advancing that the Wild will be able to trade for Kovalchuk or any other 1st line player but when the team is on a 1-7 skid, I need something to be hopeful about - Here is a more realistic possibility from the EDM Journal’s Jim Matheson. The article has this for a headline: Gaborik a fragile package
If Gaborik stays in one piece, the Wild will be looking to move him to an Eastern Conference-based team. I’m sure they’ve talked to the Montreal Canadiens. Bob Gainey and the Wild tandem of general manager Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire are buddies from their playing days with the Canadiens.
Chris Higgins, a strong winger who seems to have fallen into disfavour in Montreal, is a likely target for Minnesota. Maybe Guillaume Latendresse, too, because Mark D’Agostini has come up from the minors and keeps scoring. A former Habs first-round pick, left-winger Max Pacioretty (Hamilton Bulldogs) is another possibility. The Wild would really like another former first-rounder, defenceman Ryan McDonagh, who’s from St. Paul, Minn., and playing at the University of Wisconsin, but the Habs aren’t deep in blue-liners.
http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/vancouver-canucks/story.html?id=1101763&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Fscripts%2FSP6Atom.aspx%3Fid%3D830001
Submitted without comment:
Don Waddell was named the team’s first general manager on June 23, 1998 and has led the growth of the Thrashers over the past 11 years.
http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=17040
Sarting to sound a little bit like New York to Minnesota NBA speculation. As in let’s give them our junk , and get there best players back in return. While Gaborik is obviously not junk, I dont think that he has been healthy long enough for anybody to be interested yet. There may not be a whole lot of hockey fans in Atlanta, but you’ve got to feel bad for them.
I’m just wondering if other team’s fan’s view him like Wild fans view agitators around the league.
it would be interesting. the difference i see is Cal is not cheap and doesn’t turtle unless jumped from behind.
to be clear on #10 to atlanta. I don’t really think it is a possibility, someone asked why atlanta would do it and what i laid out was the best I could think of.
I meant that you’ve got to feel bad for the fans in Atlanta. Not the management. Sometimes my grammar are not the greatest.
Puterschmidt, is it moderated because you wrote Fbomb Canoe?
No, I said “Tell Pav that when he’s done checking his traps can he build me a canoe and some shoes. If there’s time Pav will then bike into town for an ale at the VFW”
Moderated again. It must be some combination of Pav, canoe, shoes and VFW that causes a problem.
Ice, my response was moderated twice. Let’s try this in code. When a ‘certain former 1980 gold medal winner’ is done checking his traps, can he build me a ‘water vessel’ and a ‘pair of mocassins’. After he’s done with that he’s going to ride his ‘pedal pusher’ into town for a ‘cold malted beverage’.
I wish I’d been keeping a list of all the variations on Cal’s name you guys have come up with. It used to bug me but now it’s a bit of a sport and very amusing.
I think if there is a “right way” to agitate, Cal does it. I guess if you don’t approve of using agitation as a tactic for throwing the other team off their game, then you wouldn’t like him. Though I view it as just another form of intimidation, and that’s been around in hockey forever. And I could see where some of his hits, if I were on the other team, would look dirty to me.
As much as I’d be in favor of modifying the instigator rule, I still wonder what it would do to him. I was very surprised he had to fight again so soon. He only fought 3 times last year, so he’s obviously going to be doing more of that in the NHL. Though I think teams are eventually going to adapt to him. He’s still just a surprise to most of them (except Phoenix where they seem surprised by him every time… nitwits).
Not excited about Chris Higgins at all!!!
I’m just happy that Cal keeps drawing the penalties. He’s a bit of an agitator, but his checks are for the most part clean - it’s the retaliation that gets the other teams in trouble. And he seems to know who to needle in order to draw those penalties. Kudos to him, IMO.
When Aaron Voros was called up last year, there was a quote about Clutterbuck being the reason most of his fights happened.
What I find surprising this year is how few fights Boogey has had. Weller and Reitz seem to be dropping the mittens most often.
Why isn’t someone stepping up to fight for Cal?
Boogey’s role seems to have changed from aggressor to more of quiet enforcer. His skating and shooting have improved, and he’s being used in more key plays (PP/PK). Also, I think he’s too disciplined to have the effect he used to - the other teams know he won’t drop the gloves without a willing participant on their team, so nobody is willing (unless he’s off the ice).
Boogey doesn’t fight because he can’t stay on his feet! He’s on the ice before the fight starts!
Puter, lololol! Can’t get your canoe and slippers? I’ll send the carrier pigeon out for an answer!
By the way, is there actually a Russoville town meeting at McG’s tomorrow?
If so, is The Don presiding?
Boogey doesn’t fight because he can’t stay on his feet! He’s on the ice before the fight starts!
wow.
Gaborik for Kovalchuk makes absolutely no sense unless the Wild are sending very good assets Atlanta can actually keep after July.
Let me ask this: Who’s better, Hossa or Gaborik? Who’s worth more in a trade?
Now let me ask this: do you think Waddell wants another package for Gaborik that he got for Hossa? He got a guy who can’t put up points when occasionally centering Kovalchuk, an energy player who will chip in goals occasionally, a late-round draft pick, and a prospect who went from being projected first overall to falling into the 20s because rumor has it he’s a head case, not a hard worker, and can’t handle the pressure of being ‘the guy.’
Why would Waddell hasten to make another trade like that? By hanging onto Kovalchuk, he can get more in the offseason when teams are free of contracts and have time to re-tool their roster after having made that kind of acquisition.
i think waddell took what he got for hossa figuring the thrash would progress instead of regress.
if he keeps kovalchuk then he keeps him to the deadline. teams just don’t offer much until then.
why couldn’t he trade kovalchuk for #10 and a 2nd round pic, if we have one, now. then at the deadline dump #10 for a number 1 and 3rd round plus a prospect?
you’ve then effectively traded kovalchuk for a 1, 2, 3 and prospect.
Per wild.com:
Assistant GM Tom Lynn gave the following injury updates:
D Marc-Andre Bergeron – lower body injury, out through New Year’s
RW Owen Nolan – lower body injury, is skating on his own, out Tuesday, will be re-evaluated after Christmas break
C Eric Belanger – skated today after missing two games due to illness, is probable for Tuesday’s game.
I wonder if they will call up a d-men or if they will put MAB on IR and keep Kolanos until he comes back. A little more flexibility with Kolanos.
Isn’t there a rule about prohibiting the trading the same person within a certain span of time?
I take that back. There is no such rule or Belanger wouldn’t be traded twice within 24 hours.
It’s not a rule, per se - it’s usually written into the trade agreement as a stipulation.
atlanta traded for tkachuk at deadline then traded him back to st louis at the end of the season
why couldn’t he trade kovalchuk for #10 and a 2nd round pic, if we have one, now. then at the deadline dump #10 for a number 1 and 3rd round plus a prospect?
Because there’s no guarantee any team will give up that much for Gaborik, especially if this “distress” or whatever he’s in causes him to miss more time. Maybe a three-way trade is worked out or he reaches an agreement with another team to trade a guy he doesn’t have on his roster. But why even go through the middle man? Why not just trade Kovalchuk straight up for that package?
Kovalchuk’s cap hit next season won’t take place until next season, so if teams need to clear room, they can make other trades after getting him. Trading a star player for another player you plan on trading just makes no sense to me, especially when player B isn’t as good.
Green*, the reason I was disagreeing with the idea of Waddell trading Kovi for Gaby is contained in the trade scenario you posted - I think it would cost the WILD Gaborik + a 2nd round to get Kovi. Not the other way around. Gaborik might be worth more this year at the deadline, but only to the right teams. Plus, that’s a huge risk to take. What if that happened, and he pulled a groin in late Feb?
KiPA:
You make perfect sense but as we all know logic and reasoning doesn’t seem to mesh well with blog postings.
Don’t need to keep pounding your head against the wall.
As you wish, sunshine. I step off my soapbox.
But if you want to continue, by all means, go ahead. I am just saving you the headache.
Let’s be honest here. We are going to be sellers at the deadline not buyers. Who are we likely putting on the trade block?
Gaborik, Backstrom, MAB and maybe Johnsson.
3PM… no food yet, huh? Weird.
Anyone out there with a Wild jersey with a name on the back they don’t want on there anymore… Letterman’s Sports will change it for $60. If you just want the name changed I was told $20, could be wrong there though.
NHL licensed to do it too.
I’m bringing in my Rolston jersey soon. Down to two names:
Koivu
Clutterbuck
Koivu has the staying power, C-Buck is just down right sweet to put on a jersey, no? Plus side on Koivu as well, is it already has a C on the front…
Why not just trade Kovalchuk straight up for that package?
because I don’t see that package being available until next years deadline.
Trading a star player for another player you plan on trading just makes no sense to me, especially when player B isn’t as good.
first off, i didn’t say it made great sense. i’m just trying to come up with some plausible reason that atlanta would do such a deal.
while player B isn’t as good, is player A as good as we think? when you are the best player on a terrible team you sometimes look much better than you are. don’t you think player B would look better playing in atlanta?
not saying i agree with this but both have spent their entire time with one team.
I agree with Puck1’s take on this not being Lemaire’s fault for the most part. After all Chef Gordon Ramsey could work at Mcdonald’s, but Ronald’s still in charge of the quality of the meat
You make perfect sense but as we all know logic and reasoning doesn’t seem to mesh well with blog postings.
ah yes, sunshine is now the judge and jury of what is logical and reasonable. Self appointed, no doubt.
keep regurgitating what you read on wild.com…
Are we forgetting the most plausible deal that DR will make with Atlanta?
MAB or Reitz or some low hanging fruit for Williams or Reasoner? He is seeing that 2 of our centers are not doing a great job (Shep and Pouliot) and he most likely wants another center to play and maybe sit one of those guys for a game or two.
wild.com has valuable information. Don’t discount it.
I wouldn’t miss MAB. Hasn’t the league gotten wise to this guy? He’s been passed around like a joint at a Grateful Dead concert.
Well there’s a sucker born every minute AND he’s got a booming shot.
He’s been passed around like a joint at a Grateful Dead concert.
Lazy Lightning?
Buddha, that dilemma is like asking the meaning of life! Koivu or Clutterbuck.
My heart says Clutterbuck. My head says Koivu.
Koivubuck - 31?
Sunshine, Atlanta might like MAB to fill the hole Schneider’s caused by injury - but I’m not sure they’d give up much in return. Maybe Williams, but I think Reasoner’s there to stay.
I think they’d rather have some more veteran leadership on the team, so my guess would be Johnsson is the one they’d want - in exchange for Little. At least, if I were Waddell, that’s what I’d be looking to do.
MuN: the comparison to the Hossa situation was that Waddell doesn’t want to re-visit it again with Kovalchuk. While Kovie may not get as much this year as he’d have gotten last year, it would still likely be more than he gets after NEXT year. One can make the case that he wants to work his own extension NOW, too.
Completely true, Nick… But Kovi might not get as much in a contract, but Waddell stands to have way more options open if he just dangles him and takes bids. Deadline this year, at the draft, end of June, July 2nd.. Or at any point up to next year’s deadline. At some point, someone is going to be desperate for offense.
My guess is he’s dealt at the draft for a #1 pick and some change.
Would be kinda fun to see how Lemaire coached with a stable full of offensive players? Dream On!!!!
the comparison to the Hossa situation was that Waddell doesn’t want to re-visit it again with Kovalchuk
And he surely doesn’t want to do it with Gaborik.
If we are looking for far-fetched reasons for a lop-sided trade, maybe Waddell plans to work for the Wild as DR’s assistant?
exactly, KiPA.
If Waddell’s talking to DR about Gaborik, it’s gotta be with the intention of keeping Kovalchuk.
Exactly, KiPA. That’s why he wouldn’t go after Gaborik.
Let me clarify my position: if DR gets Kovalchuk for Gaborik, it will be absolute robbery, and I would be thrilled. I just don’t see it, though. But, of course, that’s why I’m not a NHL GM (hey, a guy can dream, right?)
Personal attacks now, Greenstar?
if DR gets Kovalchuk for Gaborik, it will be absolute robbery
And I’ll probably lead a revolt myself of Thrashers fans against Waddell, who I still owe a thank you card for the Hossa trade that let us get to the finals (which we won’t get back to again until we get rid of those uncaring, overrated hacks Crosby and Malkin and trade them for someone who plays the game hard each and every night and who actually gives a damn like Ovechkin.)
We’ll take those hacks off your hands… How about a gimpy, uncaring hack and two forwards who play D so they don’t have skate as much?
MuN, the Don has not replied to your invitation.
To: The Don
You are cordially invited to McGs around 4:30 to meet some of your people(followers).
Please reply ASAP!
Thanks, MtC
MtC, it ain’t my invitation. As a matter of fact, I’m still not sure what’s going on, and no one’s talked to me about going, so my guess is I’ll be parked infront of my TV watching 45… But if there is a town meeting, maybe I’d come down there to watch, talk, yap.. and go off on a tangent about something after too many beers lol!
KiPA:
I found Crosby punching that Atlanta player in the crown jewels area pretty hilarious. That took a lot of …something - I wouldn’t call it passion or heart — to do that.
LOL
Sunshine, I’m just highly amused by how worked up people are over that. Plus, I’ve been hating Valabik in the AHL for a few years now, so I was pretty okay with it.
Alright… The PR guy for the Wild has the guys on the ice for an hour.
What’s the deal with no practice? No practice yesterday, an hour today?
No move for Jokinen…
So many signs that the brass really thinks this team is complete and ready to go… scary.
4:30 and no food? Did we do something to deserve going home with no lunch today Russo?
Buddha says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Alright… The PR guy for the Wild has the guys on the ice for an hour.
What’s the deal with no practice? No practice yesterday, an hour today?
No move for Jokinen…
So many signs that the brass really thinks this team is complete and ready to go… scary.
The team is ready to go nowhere but the bottom.
Jokinen is a scrub, he’d offer nothing more then the dozen other “Jokinen’s” on the Wild roster. Last thing they need is another non scorer around.
As for practice, why practice when it makes no impact on the team, and they are going to lose anyway? They’ve lost 8 of 10 and look for that to be 9 of 11 going into the Xmas break.
Buddha, the no move for Jokinen was by all teams. Tells ya the GM’s think less of him than his contract.
Kevin in PA says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Personal attacks now, Greenstar?
if DR gets Kovalchuk for Gaborik, it will be absolute robbery
And I’ll probably lead a revolt myself of Thrashers fans against Waddell, who I still owe a thank you card for the Hossa trade that let us get to the finals (which we won’t get back to again until we get rid of those uncaring, overrated hacks Crosby and Malkin and trade them for someone who plays the game hard each and every night and who actually gives a damn like Ovechkin.)
Malkin does, Crosby doesn’t.
MuN- I know Jokinen is nothing overly special. Just the idea of the move is what was looking for more than him in particular. Something needs to change… something, anything.
Just speculating here but the last couple of weekend back-to-backs, the boys got Sunday off. So, I would presume that since they played uninspired hockey on Saturday, JL wasn’t going to give them a yesterday off. He made them come down to the rink to do some off-ice work instead.
They are also holding a lot more closed door team meetings. Two at least in one week (last Sunday with the guys only and yesterday with Lemaire et all).
“overrated hacks Crosby and Malkin and trade them for someone who plays the game hard each and every night”
Huh? I caught a little of the Pitt game this weekend and Malkin was an offensive freak in the period I watched. Crosby created plenty of offense too. KiPA you must subscribe to the Jock “never good enough” Lemaire school of hockey.
Buddha says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
MuN- I know Jokinen is nothing overly special. Just the idea of the move is what was looking for more than him in particular. Something needs to change… something, anything.
head coach and GM
They are also holding a lot more closed door team meetings.
My hopes of what Jacques says in the last meeting:
JL: All right d’er you guys. We need to shoot more, ya know, and from now on, any player dat misses da net, Boogey gets to punch you in da gut as hard as he can.
Seriously, what is with us missing the net by FEET? Burns and PMB have been especially bad lately. At least Burns has an excuse though; playing forward, you have a smaller chance to miss when you are within 5 feet of the net.
Buddha, I would have liked that pickup though. I think that would serve as a wakeup call to some players, that they’re easily replaced if they don’t start performing.
My cookies made MsC’s blog, now all of you run over there and look at the wonder that is my cookies.
Gun.. Rushing the shot. When you rush it, you’re more likely to miss.
What’s up with Burnsy. Looks like a shell of his former self! No physicality or get up & go!
Sweet lookin cookies! Didn’t you make a “Don Russo” cookie though?
now all of you run over there and look at the wonder that is my cookies.
Umm… how has no one commented on this…
Ms. C., you suggested a Koivu/Clutterbuck mix on the back of a jersey today. Funny you said that because last week I read a hilarious blog post on the Post-Gazette about the jersey bill or rights. You should read what the writer says about splitting names. I dug it anyway.
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/emptynetters/archive/2008/12/16/jersey-fouls-a-working-guide-12-16-08.aspx
“Don Russo” didn’t fit on the cookie, I could only fit numbers, and the Don doesn’t have a number. Can you imagine how crowded that cookie for Cal would have been if I’d tried to fit Clutterbuck across it? Besides have you ever tried to write with a toothpick and frosting, not very easy thing to do.
lol I dunno. Just missed it I guess
Malkin also made two stupid turnovers that led directly to Toronto goals, including skating directly in front of his net then trying to pass. So okay, maybe he plays hard, but he doesn’t play smart.
FOOD!!
KiPA - Skoula for Malkin straight up. He also committed 2 turnovers that lead to St. Louis goals, but he is the toast of the town. Plus - Malkin should know, this is the place to be
You did a remarkable job of it, too, BG. I adore them and want to bite their heads off. And then take them apart limb by limb. With love, of course.
Forest, I saw part of that on Puck Daddy or somewhere. And agree with most of it except wearing a third party jersey. I guess that’s something you just get over in the AHL, and especially in the south. Any indication that you’re an actual hockey fan in these parts is grounds for celebration and welcoming into the fraternity. Doesn’t matter who you like or what game you’re at.
I also make an exception for myself because I get Ms.Conduct #10 put on my jerseys rather than a player name.
