Johnsson sent home; Risebrough: No shake-up coming; Lemaire: “We don’t play well”
Posted on December 29th, 2008 – 12:27 PMBy Michael Russo
Coming to you from Calgary, where I talked this morning with Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough (briefly because he had to catch the bus) about the state of the team.
Let me first tell you, this is going to be a very negative blog. And judging from some of your emails and sitting in the crowd last night, there’s a lot of angst in the ”Wild fan” air. The “Team of 18,000″ is ticked off, so because of this, I ask you to read this at your own risk. If you can’t handle more negativity and already need to stay away from sharp objects, stop reading now.
I’ve consulted an attorney, and I am not legally responsible for squadoosh (legal term).
Josh Harding is in goal tonight. Playing in an arena that the Wild’s won once in since I’ve been covering the team, it’ll have to play with five defensemen tonight. Kim Johnsson returned to Minnesota today to deal with a family emergency.
John Scott missed his connection at Minneapolis to Calgary, so the Wild is shorthanded. Said Tom Lynn, “Between airlines dropping flights and holiday travel, there were no other options to get him here in time after that. Rest of Houston team was already en route from Chicago to Houston when we found out [Johnsson was going home], so it was too late to grab one of them. It was like a perfect storm of circumstances.”
I asked Lynn why the Wild is not carrying an extra defenseman: “We left last night with six healthy ones to play tonight, so that would not be unusual. When we go on a far road trip, with games bunched together, we are more likely to carry an extra guy as insurance.”
Risebrough on not carrying an extra defenseman: “Sometimes this can happen in the first shift of the game, too. That’s the way it is.”
Risebrough on Johnsson: “It’s legitimate and it’s personal and he just has to try to resolve something. He’s personally OK.”
I talked to Risebrough about the state of the team, and he honestly doesn’t seem too concerned at least publicly.
He said he told Lynn, who consults with the league schedule makers, “Next year make sure the first game after Christmas is on the road. It’s been like that three years.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the Wild get trounced 8-3 in Dallas on the first game after Christmas last year? Didn’t the Wild play absolutely awful in Toronto and Detroit right after Christmas two years ago?
I asked Risebrough, “Yeah, but this has been a monthlong problem,” and he said, “You judge it more game to game than collectively. You want to look at each game and how we’re doing and I wrote last night’s game off as a game you should have on the road.”
Risebrough on whether he needs to “shake up” this roster with a trade: ”I don’t see a lot of big options there. It’s obviously the manager’s job to search for those things, but at the end of the day, there’s no one thing that’s going to make things significantly better because of [certain] factors – some guys are hurt, we have some long-term objectives. That’s the way it is. Some guys we want to play so that they can get better by the game. Those players aren’t going to be gone. There’s no doubt you can look for changes, but I’m not sure that there’s a big significant change that’s going to make a significant difference. We just have to play better.”
I talked to Lemaire a lot about the state of the team, and also Mikko Koivu’s pointed quotes last night in Brian Stensaas’ story.
Most of Lemaire’s stuff will be in tomorrow’s newspaper, but he said it’s imperative the Wild starts playing more as a team because of the lack of “talent.”
Lemaire: “If we don’t play team game, we’ll win the odd game. How’s that?”
I asked is it because of a lack of talent and he said, “It’s because of a lot of things. Part of it is talent. Part of it. We’re better on defense. We’re not as good as last year on offense. That’s where the team is at now. We still lost 60 goals and Gaby’s not back, so that’s the reason why we have a hard time to score.
“You know, we score goals, but we’re among the worst teams in the league in goals for. And our goals, a lot of them were power play. I think it’s our worst year 5-on-5 so far. The good teams, everyone gets goals. As an example, getting Veilleux to 10 goals, get Sheppard to 15 goals, it’s not that big that they can’t achieve it. They haven’t start yet, but I know they can do this.”
Like I said, most Lemaire’s stuff will be in the paper, but he’s very concerned over this “critical” stretch. ”Look at the teams we’re going to play – all teams we struggle against in the past. We have to play them all now one after the other. Who wouldn’t be [concerned]? But to give you hope, you have to play well. Even if you lose, you have to play well. We don’t play well right now.”
Look at who the Wild is playing, including Chicago, over seven-game stretch. The average opponent’s point percentage is .694. They play four division leaders plus the fourth-place team in each conference.
Team; GP; Possible Pts; Pts; Percentage
CHI 33 66 47 0.712121
CGY 35 70 44 0.628571
SJ 35 70 58 0.828571
DET 35 70 51 0.728571
COL 35 70 37 0.528571
BOS 36 72 58 0.805556
PHI 36 72 45 0.625
Totals 245 490 340 0.693878
More happy stuff?
The Wild’s five-game regulation road losing streak is tied for the second longest in team history. The Wild had one other single season five-game regulation road losing streak - 3/15-4/2/01 (the other 5-game streak spanned the 02-03 and 03-04 seasons). The franchise record is 7 games - 12/21/06-1/9/07.
The Wild’s 8 game winless streak against the Western Conference (0-7-1) is the second longest such streak in team history. The Wild was winless in 12 (0-6-4-2) versus the Western Conference from 3/6-4/4/01.
The Wild has allowed the game’s first goal in 10 straight games, a franchise record. The longest such streak in the NHL this season was Carolina, which allowed the first goal in 12 straight from 11/12-12/6.
The Wild had an optional skate this morning. Thirteen guys skated, including heavy-minute guys like Koivu, Burns, Miettinen and Zidlicky. The usual suspects low-minute guys also skated.
We’ll see if the Wild plays an optional game tonight. After all, it’s done so all month.
What a gloomy blog, eh?
204 Responses to "Johnsson sent home; Risebrough: No shake-up coming; Lemaire: “We don’t play well”"
Any word yet on the Houston call-up?
i took it as they are not that good to make the wild look that bad. meaning, the wild had as much to do with how things looked as the hawks did.
Ditto richard b… which of my dears has been plucked from me. *peeks between fingers wanting to know but not really wanting to know*
Maybe it’s Constantine. Heh.
That’s what I figured G* but it’s easy to take it another way.
Like when that douchebag QB from USC said something like “we were the better team” after Vince “Football Jesus” Young beat the snot out of them in the Rose Bowl. Hook this, Leinart! (Yep, I’m still hanging on to that.)
I used to play darts, and I’d say something similar - “Good darts, but I really beat myself on that one.” Takes the win away from the other person - and totally a jerk thing to do. 
Koivu is not the kind of guy to create bulletin board material for other teams. We’ve got a country full of natives who can’t string 4 words together and here is a Finlander who is constantly being interviewed. Context of the English language is tough. In this case, I think the journalist could have done a better job of framing that quote.
Does this mean anything or is it just a typo
I’m sure he didn’t mean it maliciously - he’s too nice of a guy (from what I understand). I’m sure other players in the league know that, too, and take that into account. Now, if someone like Avery said it, that would be different.
Any update on Gaborik status, trade not health? Any more indications that a trade may be on the horizon?
Michael & Brian- thanks for the coverage and updates. From an objective view- is Chicago’s young team that darn good?
Russo, just tell me DR made a big trade today. Like half of our team for someone good.
Question please? What does it say that Tom Powers and the Wild hometown paper get the press on Smug’s cancer struggles?
You’ve got beat writers covering the team every day. Did they know about it and respectfully withheld the information? Was it kept from them? How does this happen for over a year? Just saying, if this kind of thing can be kept quiet for that long, maybe the press isn’t as dialed in as they would like us to believe. No disrespect intended.
Watching NHL Live (but recorded) and they’re questioning Mikko’s comment, too. You and I know his intentions (presumably) but those who don’t know The Mikko Way don’t.
I had the same thoughts, Stoned. Not so much the second to last thought on not being dialed in, but I’m amazed it never came out and I do wonder if the writer knew.
From an objective view- is Chicago’s young team that darn good?
are you saying i’m not objective?
Really bad, annoying food up there…
Yikes. Belanger may see some time on the blue line tonight
Just trying to read between the lines ms.c. How, when and to whom the information was made public is food for thought.
Oh boy. I’d love to see who they would have called up. Stoner’s injured. Rogers? Scott? Noreau? Hmm. The intrigue.
Wild will dress five defensemen tonight
yikes.
might not be too big of a deal, reitz usually doesn’t last a whole game.
can’t someone radio that plane and have it make an emergency landing?
Maybe without the D to back them up, the offense will feel the urgency and keep the puck in the offensive zone. I’m TOTALLY glass half full.
Bet they would if they weren’t on a commercial flight. How disappointed are those select d-men going to be? Oh boy.
Another option, let Backstrom suit up and play D tonight if Harding is in goal.
See, if the call-up was Scott or Noreau, he could play either up or back.
make that “were” not “was”
Regarind our esteemed GM, is anyone nervous that his battle with cancer will significantly diminish his focus on running the team and making trades? Obviously, this will take priority in his life over work (as it should). Bad news for the Wild though.
Well, it sounds like he’s in the clear for now, so I’d say the distraction is behind him for the most part.
Regarding in the previous post, not regarind.
Dressing five dmen, playing in a building notorious for Wild melt downs, Mikko being portrayed as an evil villain…
This just gets better and better.
And from a complete and totally unobjective position, as a fan of the Wild, yes, the Hawks really are that good.
You don’t beat teams like Detroit, Calgary, etc without having some real ability.
On Mikko… something had to be misinterpreted, or he was just really peeved when he said it. Completely un-Mikko, but Stencils did say he couldn’t print some of the stuff he said…
“Regarind our esteemed GM, is anyone nervous that his battle with cancer will significantly diminish his focus on running the team and making trades?”
Tasteless. I should hope he would put his life and family before the hockey team. If it becomes necessary, I am certain he would step down.
But to pose the question the way you did is tasteless and nearing inhuman in your insensitivity.
Buddha,
Don’t forget about Chicago taking the Sharks to OT and losing. Slightly better goaltending and this team would be remarkable. Khabibulin and Huet, while a decent tandem, are not elite. Imagine how good this team would be with a guy like Nabokov, Backstrom, or Thomas between the pipes.
Oh this is great… No more Johnnson. I say we just put Burnsy and Shultz back there for all 60 minutes. God knows Skoula shouldn’t be playing, Zidlicky can’t hit the net if his life depended on it, and Reitz just plain gives up goals when he shouldn’t.
This team desperately needs some change. I don’t understand how we start out so strong and diminish to this. We were tearing everyone apart at the beginning of the season. What happened to the Bruno, Mittens, and Koivu line…. They were unstoppable right away.
will DB see some blue line tonight?
NiNY, in the last thread, you posed whether Koivu felt slighted about the “C” going to Kimmy.
As an observer, I would say no. Perhaps, initially he would feel wounded but his play had not reflected any self-serving thoughts.
In fact, personally I thought it was better for him to not be “C” for the third consectutive month even though he has the best credentials for it.
In those times when he makes a mistake, Koivu looks to me like it is the result of being a little tired from carrying such a big load for the team night after night.
His faceoffs W’s last night were incredible.
When the sytem busts even a little bit, because someone gets out of position so everyone else needs to cover up, it always looks worse than it is because guys are running around a bit.
Actually, why not bring Cuma up and give him a shot??? He was impressive before he was sent back down to the 67s. ha ha I like his chances on this team right now
STOB - You raise an interesting question that I’ve been mulling over myself. Either DR chose who to release this to, and he chose the other paper, or Powers - who doesn’t follow the Wild on a daily basis - somehow found out and beat everyone else to the story.
If DR chose to give it to the PP, the question is “why?” Does he not like the way Russo works hard every day and shines a light on almost every part of the operation? From my viewpoint, Russo does a nice job of digging into every corner of the operation, talks to all sides - management, players, agents, fans - and it may be that his aggressiveness has gotten under DR’s skin a bit, prompting him to stick it to Russo by giving this story to the PP. It would be petty, but it wouldn’t be the most petty thing I’ve ever seen a public figure do to a reporter.
And I’m not even saying DR would be wrong to do that. People leak things to reporters all the time, for a variety of reasons. But it’s a risky game. Good coverage like Russo’s helps create and maintain interest in the team, and antagonizing a reporter like that can work against you in the long run.
As for the other notion - that Powers somehow dug this story out himself - it doesn’t seem likely. He’s not a particularly enterprising sort, and isn’t around the team as much as the beat writers.
Obviously I don’t have the answers here, but I think the question STOB raised is very interesting.
Three main streams of thought:
1. On Mikko….You know, Lemaire said about the same things over this slump, just a little more generally. When the Wild keep stinking up the place and getting outplayed so handily and are so consistently putrid offensively, AND when the comment comes from such a team-first guy, it’s really no big deal.
Mikko pointed out that the only guy who gave 100% focused effort was Backstrom. Mikko didn’t separate himself from the rest of his teammates within his comments. It really seems that simple. Comments worthy of controversy? No.
2. I’m liking more and more the idea of a roster shakeup. Not that Eklund has much credibility, but I like his notion that a trade with Atlanta and a Gaborik trade may well be going on, but also may well be two different deals. Fun to consider even if it’s made up. It wouldn’t break my heart to see…
- Johnsson and a #1 pick to Atlanta for Kovalchuk.
- Gaborik to anywhere that nets us a solid, proven centerman & a 3-4-5 defenseman.
Not that that would cure all. But this team needs firepower and a serious spark. Continuing to go to battle with the same weak ammunition seems as sensible as trying to climb a flagpole coated with Crisco.
And on the other hand, the Wild has had plenty of great 2nd half stretches when they’ve kept the roster fairly consistent. If Gaborik is here and healthy, he can be that difference maker.
However, this team needs to be in a stronger position in general so that Nolan functions as a bonus when he returns, not a piece without which normal functioning is a total crapshoot.
I love the idea of Saku Koivu joining his brother here in MN as a free agent this summer, too, however ahead of things that idea may be.
#3. Being a dyed-in-the-wool Milwaukee Brewers fan, I’ve seen closely the huge difference that top-notch scouting can make. Talent matters, no doubt, but the Wild need to become a ton better at scouting, drafting, and signing — not to mention developing — better players.
The fact that the pipeline still seems pretty dry is NOT a good sign for an organization viewed by many as so strong & stable on the hockey ops side.
will DB see some blue line tonight?
+1
I think Powers found out about DR’s situation and told him he was going to take it public.
I also think Russo and Shipley knew, but since they have a better relationship with DR, decided to keep it quite out of respect for him.
Pure conjecture on my part…
quite = quiet…sheesh
sgils67, the answer to your question is right there for us all to see.
With no Gabby, we have only one good scoring line and that can be shut down easily. It is a major handicap.
Stoned on a Breakaway, probably a lot of personal stuff does not get reported because it is personal. Nothing much will be served by reporting by a beat writer but DR says he shut the door a lot and so not many people were aware.
A columnist such as Powers, can put the piece in proper context and give the story some perspective after the urgency has passed.
will DB see some blue line tonight?
+2
Yawnson or not, this team will get smoked tonight-like they always do in Calgary. There will be alot of fights and after whistle pushing/shoving. But it doesn’t matter-Wild not anywhere near the team they need to be right now, and Calgary is getting better by each game it seems. I will be watching with one eye covered tonight. It is going to be an ugly display tonight, I’m afraid. Down early, no hustle, after 2 periods down by at least 2. Maybe wake up aroung the 15 minute mark of the 3rd. Too late now *&%$#@!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I am on the Clutterbuck bandwagon. How about his goal last night? And I thought this guy was just a grinder. He showed he can be a pure goal scorer too. Maybe it was s%^t luck, but I’m going to assume it’s a sign of things to come. Cal Snickerdoodle is only 21. Imagine him at 25. A goal scorer who’s not afraid to play physical. Three cheers for Cal Knickerknocker.
I am surprised that Johnsson’s sudden lack of availability hasn’t led to more speculation that a deal with Atlanta is imminent. He was the other piece of the deal. They obviously weren’t prepared to lose him tonight. The next few hours will be very telling about where that deal is at.
Maybe just wishful thinking.
K.J., Iceman - That’s possible, but still doesn’t seem likely. In this day and age, public figures - even a sports GM - can’t have that kind of expectation of privacy.
It’s not like we’re talking about an equipment manager, or a front-office secretary. We’re talking about the GM of a major sports franchise, one who has been under the microscope for most of the year because the strange non-moves at last year’s deadline, the way Rolston was handled, the way the Gabby situation has evolved and the non-talks with Backstrom, just to name a few instances.
When a GM is involved in that many high-profile situations, the fact that he’s battling cancer is certainly newsworthy, and I can’t see a reporter with Russo’s ability just sitting on a story like that. I also cannot see his editors agreeing to it.
Perhaps the Don will enlighten us at some point.
I’ve seen on a couple sites that DR is talking to a couple teams about Gaby, one of which is NYI. Today I read on TFP that the Islanders may be looking to ship out Weight.
Should DR shoot for Weight, Geurin, and a #2 for Gaby, and move Pouliot back to the wing? Weight’s got 29 pts this year already, and Guerin has 26.
Bruno-Koivu-Pouliot
Guerin-Weight-PMB
Cluts-Belanger-Nolan
Veilleux-Shep-Boogard/Weller
Then at the end of the year, DR can decide who he would like to try to re-sign. If the Wild could pull this off, wouldn’t it be better than a bag ‘o pucks?
DB as a D would not be that much worse than Skoula was last night. Skoula regressed about 2 full seasons if you take last night’s ‘effort’ into account…
As long as DB would not be asked to be the ‘offensive’ defenseman, I think he would be adequate as a one-game, one-time deal.
Hopefully, all will be well in the Kim J. family…
For Czech’er: that’s certainly intriguing…
Concerning Koivu:
I feel like he probably said They’re not THAT good.
I agree with him. Although a good, (perhaps great, we’ll see in the 2nd season) team, the Hawks looked like they were playing against a disinterested JV squad. I think this is why Benny gets called out.
His play is a prime example of what not to do in a slump. He (like Ms. C pointed out) will not make or break this team, but the type of attitude he is showing will. They aren’t talented enough to take a shift off. I think Nolan would provide some leadership in this time too. Hope he heals soon.
Should DR shoot for Weight, Geurin
this isn’t 1996
If a deal was going down, I would think the news would be that Kim is out with a lower body injury rather than he is heading out of Calgary for a family emergency.
Ahhhhh Bold! Apologies.
this isn’t 1996
You are right, but it is a time where this team needs points and leadership. And apart from Mikko and Cluts, no one wants to get dirty.
If they pick up Weight, I’m sponsoring a jersey burning party @ 7th and Kellogg. BYOPitchfork
(torches, tar and feathers provided free of charge)
but it is a time where this team needs points and leadership
unless that player is the one to put you over the hump, i don’t see where it would be wise to pick up a pair of 40 year olds who are still playing mostly because people recognize their names.
just my opinion…
Update on top everyone
The way it sounds DR told no one about having cancer other than those with in the organization that needed to know. He probably went to the PR guys and said I’m in the clear, who will spin this the best for all those concerned. They come up with Powers, who writes all touchy feely no matter what/who he’s writing about.
I have an odd theory as to why we are sucking donkey this year. Minnesota is only allowed to have one decent pro team at a time, the Twins played well this year, the Vikings are doing well by actually making it to the first round of playoffs. They sucked up all our good luck and attention from the Sports Gods leaving the Wild to suck. The timber puppies don’t count since they always suck. Or this could all be the severe lack of sleep from spending to much time with/at family over the last few days talking. My mom soooo needs a new mattress in the guest bedroom, that thing is hard as a rock.
can’t CL rent a lear for scott to use to get to calgary?
Yet, everyone was soooo gungho on trading our defensemen away. Did we forget what happened in March and April? We lost 2 defensemen within 3 weeks of each other and we had to work Johnsson, Burns, and Skoula to their utmost limits.
I wondered when MAB was out if they were going to bring up a defensemen to practice with the team, unofficially like they did Reitz, to get him acclimated to the system. Instead they brought up Kolanos and stuck with him. Offense was and is still our weakness.
Cancer is a private battle. Its not newsworthy until that person wants to make it known. DR probably felt most comfortable having Powers write the story because he has been somewhat covering the Wild from day one.
G* - Valid points, but if you can get those two 37 year olds, then add a Kovulchuck somehow, you have a solid team again.
Yeah Guerin and Weight are old, but they are still the top point getters on an all-be-it crappy team, but if you put them on this roster, they are 2 and 3 behind Mikko. Its definately not worse that what we have now.
I talked to Risebrough about the state of the team, and he honestly doesn’t seem too concerned at least publicly.
This is why I am not a fan of Doug Smugsborough.
Most of Lemaire’s stuff will be in tomorrow’s newspaper, but he said it’s imperative the Wild starts playing more as a team because of the lack of “talent.”
This is why I like JL.
it’s getting very hard to read Riser as anything other than a chicken regarding trades. Just sayin’.
And Tom Lynn is the biggest joke since Milli Vanilli.
I’m not saying its ideal, but more realistic than a Gaby for Kovulchuck, or a “Gaby for Malkin” deal.
but if you can get those two 37 year olds, then add a Kovulchuck somehow, you have a solid team again.
if only there weren’t a salary cap
both are 4.5m hits and UFA’s at end of the year.
Good lord you guys are more depressing than listening to my father-in-law make subtle barbs about my lack of femininity for not popping out grandkids left and right… I shouldn’t read blogs when I’ve just had to spend time with him. Just makes me more angsty than I have a right to be.
…BOOM…
Misread NHLNumbers again. I didn’t look at this year’s “hit”, I looked at this years salary.
I humbly withdraw my point.
can’t CL rent a lear for scott to use to get to calgary?
Doesn’t CL OWN a lear for Scott to get to Calgary?
Doesn’t CL OWN a lear for Scott to get to Calgary?
I don’t know why, but I find the letters “CL” and “OWN” in such close proximity to be tantalizingly funny.
You can’t bring up Cuma because:
A). He is INJURED. That’s why he didn’t make it onto the Canadian Juniors team
B). He doesn’t have a contract with the Wild yet.
There are more reasons but these two should suffice for now.
Lemaire said “the wild need to start playing as a team because of a lack of talent” well maybe Risebrough shouldn’t make any trades seeing as he is the responsible for this roster. Man I feel negative, maybe I am one of Dan’s people.
I humbly withdraw my point.
i did get your point though but I think that move means you are punting and if we are punting i’d rather have prospects or picks.
you know what, if we’re all going to be this down (myself included), then at least we should have some depressants.
The Russoville Pub is now open!
I’m giving out a free shot of Jager with every drink bought until 5pm ET.
Forget the Wild for a moment…I just went and saw Slumdog Millionaire.
It was a great movie. I recommend it to anyone.
I don’t know why, but I find the letters “CL” and “OWN” in such close proximity to be tantalizingly funny.
NINY +1
Whodda thunk that CL and OWN would have been that close together and there is no hint of DR anywhere in the sentance…
Sorry I meant the “one” responsible for this roster. My writing gets worse when I get worked up.
Buddha says: >>But to pose the question the way you did is tasteless and nearing inhuman in your insensitivity.<<
I didn’t read it that way at all. It is a legitimate question. Having cancer does diminish your focus and ability to perform your job. If you are running a business and one of your key employees has a major health episode, you better be nervous about it.
Life doesn’t stop because people get sick. I can tell you that from personal experience.
Didn’t this occur last year? Wasn’t this solved last year by claiming Fedoruk off waivers and calling up Voros? Didn’t Backstrom say at the start of this season that the locker room might seem like a different place because it would be much quieter without those two guys? Why are all the first-rounders acting like they’re in the ice capades? Is the Wild suffering from Harold Ballard syndrome?
Is the Wild suffering from Harold Ballard syndrome?
now you’ve done it. 
Nick,
Beefeater’s, straight up, 3 olives…. and the jag please.
here you go, Mitch…
I’ll take Plymouth with a bit of vermouth and onions soaked in vermouth–a great Gibson. After attending last night, I am inclined not to watch tonite (but will probably succumb).
Man I feel negative, maybe I am one of Dan’s people.
+1 - I had a Christmas excuse to get out of the Hawks game, I wish I could go on fan IR tonight
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Bombay Sapphire shaken, lemon zest only please. Looks like I better DVR the game for watching tomorrow.
it just kills me that every single year, Risebrough comes back with that OLD TIRED line “one guy isn’t going to solve anything, there’s no one solution.” and yet, he never does anything to address it even piece by piece. he just keeps shuffling around the same old crap and getting nowhere. this team is farther away from being a true contender than it was even three or four years ago, and it certainly wasn’t close to being one last year or the year before, either.
I don’t understand how this man is still employed. I would have been fired long ago if I were so complacent about my job.
he’s terrible at the draft, which makes it impossible to build well from within or to trade for real players. and this, in turn, means no trade deadline help, which looks bad to free agents, which means no real players ever want to sign here. (see: every free agent this summer and last.) “but oh,” says Risebrough, “no one wants to trade with me. I can’t get a deal done.” and why is that? because we have nothing to trade because Risebrough sucks at the draft.
if this man is still the GM come spring when the Wild fails to make the playoffs, I am dumping my season tickets. I don’t make enough money to justify giving my money to a man who spends it foolishly year after year.
You can go on fan IR tonight and make it retroactive to last night’s horror show.
sheppard 15 goals? what a joke- veilleux 10 goals? another joke-these idiots are lucky to have any! Hey DR! make sure next year you get those ticket prices so high up your a@@ so you can get some more crap players. Try the pee wee teams where you got skoula,shep,veilleux,johnnson,bouchard and so on. The only ones worth watching and doing there job is Boogs and koivu. LEMAIRE HAS TO GO AND BRING DR WITH YOU
‘ere you go, wood.
I’m all out of zest, Stoned.
Consider it done richard b - keep the cans of Surly - http://www.surlybrewing.com - coming barkeep
Aahh. That tastes good. Helps wipe away some of last night–at least temporarily. But I am really down and don’t see much upside unless Gaby comes back.
I love Russoville when the natives get going hot and heavy like this. No trolls just good stuff.
BG, have a hug, babe. I know exactly what you’re talking about with FIL. Thank GOD my BIL had a boy to carry the stupid family name on. Sorry. Non-breeder here! Okay, I’m not sorry. I love it.
So Scotty was the call-up… I thought it was a forward situation given the timing of Stanzel’s post last night. Hmm. That’s a little confusing.
NiNY - if you’re pouring, I’ll have a Guinness.
SotB - Thank you for coming to my defense.
Buddha - I did not mean it to be insensitive at all. I have had family members with cancer and I know it is terrible. It was merely to point out that, from a fan perspective, this a terrible blow.
>>I’m all out of zest, Stoned.<<
If you can play D, get to calGARY. You’ll fit right in with the team mood.
JMP - one liquid black gold coming right up. Actually I might have one of those with you.
SotB: LOL
NiNY - I will take a shot of Jag with my shot of Jag…
Hey, hey, hey. Don’t be startin’ that breeder/non-breeder discussion here. It always ends up in a slugfest. Take it over to The Nest.
I certainly hope Johnsson being sent home was really because of a trade not a family emergency. That would be better in both cases.
What’s the difference if last night’s game was at home or on the road? The only difference I can see is that they wouldn’t have been booed if they were on the road.
NiNY,
I just need some ice. After last night’s “game”, I have been self-medicating all day.
Sheppard better have attended the optional skate. He barely moves his feet anymore…
Shorthanded??? OMG! Their playing in Canada! Just grab somebody…anybody!!!
For those who think that Russo held out knowledge of DR’s cancer… what if he did? Big deal. Maybe DR asked him to? Or maybe Russo didn’t know because it’s not his job to ask DR if he has cancer.
Also, do you think Russo’s editor would have chewed out Russo for not reporting it? Do you think news of DR having cancer would sell newspapers? Not likely.
Personally, I find all of the talk of why we didn’t know sooner, what does it mean for the team, does it serve as a distraction… it is all truly tasteless, and beneath the usually classy people that I have met and talked to as a Wild fan.
Say what you like about the guy. He is afraid of trades, he can’t run the team, he should be fired for bungling the roster and contracts… but don’t bring the cancer into it. It has nothing to do with the team. The guy deserves yours and my supoort if only on a basic, human level.
double of the hunter meister for TheGun….glass of rocks for Damp…
agreed, benson. I can’t believe any grown man would actually think that is a viable excuse, much less a career NHLer and GM. Say hi to Governor Gatling for me.
I’ll take a jug of Karkov Nick, hoping my blackout extends past tonight’s game.
My old band played a show @ a strip club in Duluth once and somehow I ended up drinking that liquid death with a couple of “shelteredly challenged” dudes…
So maybe I’ll just have a water…
Johnsson went home to get ready to move the family to Ottawa! Spezza’s coming our way.
Ringgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
There goes the reality buzzer, we’ll fight it out with the Blues for Tavares.
Stanzel’s blog mentions that Johnsson is going home to help his wife tend to an emergency. I don’t think that emergency is Kimmy being traded.
Sounds like Sheppard did attend the optional skate. He needs to work on that -16 +/- rating.
Holding out DR’s cancer is no big deal. It wasn’t pertinent to the game on the ice. Seriously, would he have still traded for Simon instead of a center? You betcha he would have. Being under influence of chemotherapy is not even a good enough excuse to really make that trade.
MsC, the Mr’s dad has always disliked me. Guess I’m to uppity. Not a real woman because I’d rather watch hockey than bake pies and pop out kids. Sure I’d like 1 or 2 so I can teach them to love/play hockey (always said my bone structure and the Mr’s energy would make for a solid D or a bankable 3rd line center), just hasn’t happened yet. So lay off!!!
Nick I have some home made Bailey’s Irish cream stuff for all to partake of. A gift from the Mom in law and her new hubby. But for starters I’ll take a whiskey sour if your mixin’.
Not sure I want to watch tonight. I’m already slightly unwell, don’t need anything else to make me feel worse.
Jordan, so, that’s one… water? You wanna go nuts and get it on the rocks?
Smug “….we have some long-term objectives. That’s the way it is.”
In other words, give me another year and I’ll have this team so far down in the standings, you’ll want to be cheering for Tampa Bay.
Has there ever been an expansion market this successful from a business standpoint? Smug is riding the coattails of the Team of 18,000.
lava-
+1.
Love it. Anyone got a personalized jersey? Get to the game… maybe they’ll put you in!
Too bad John Scott missed his flight, Would have been a great play for tonight in Calgary. I hope Kimberly gets dealt and soon, a Captain sets the tone for the team and right now our tone is wuss, wuss, wuss. Plus he is way overpaid for a defenseman who is unable to take the body and runs from hits oh i forget he’s an offensive defenseman, let’s hear those numbers again.
Barkeep? How ’bout a bump and a beer?
Make it a double…I saw an apparition last night…Skoula almost scoring on his own net…
…oh, wait. That wasn’t an apparition. That was real!!
I now have to go to work. Blah. At least I get to miss the brutality tonight.
what are we thinking? 6 or 7 points for Iggy tonight?
At least they sat Backs, so I don;t have to worry about the GA in fantasy hockey.
Later all.
whiskey sour for band….hang on, gotta go downstairs for another bottle of Jager…
WRT: how do you take your bump? Here’s the beer and the shot of jager…
Yep, I’m too… something… for my FIL, too. Not sure what. Snobbish is probably the word. I call them standards, but whatever.
If I could be guaranteed a little red headed goalie child, I’d be game but I think I’ll just be the red-headed goalie child myself and save the hassle.
Trying to figure out what I’m drinking. Oh, I’d like a Blue Moon with an orange wedge, if you’ve got it. Mmm.
blue moon with fruit salad…this is good!
Whiskey sour, huh? I remember coming home from first year of college at Thanksgiving and my father said now that you are in college, I will make you a drink. What do you want? Whiskey sour, dad. Son, that’s a girls drink. I won’t make it for you. Now,let me instruct you, son. It is martinis or scotch in the winter and gin and tonics in the summer. Never order a gin and tonic in the winter. Oh, and you can have Tom Collins occasionally in the summer, too. Dad was old school, I guess. But you know I have never had a whiskey sour since.
okay, I’m off in search of HDMI cables…who wants to jump behind the bar in my absence?
The betting public (public consensus in here) is going with Calgary tonight in a landslide. I’ll take the Wild on the money line….go get em boys!
Woodcock should hop behind the bar.
figures we’d get a dose of masochism from a guy named Tyler Durden…
LOL Nick…that was good!
okay, wood she’s all yours if you want to.
Talk you y’all later.
Go Wild?
The most frustrating thing about this team is there’s no plan. Where is this team going?
Phase 1 in the beginning were “The Little Engine That Could” years.
Phase 2 were the last 3 years where they went out, and made a run at the Division, and playoff success with some “quality” free agents.
Phase 3……??
There’s no doubt that this team needs to, and can play better. But at the end of the day did anyone expect this roster to take us to the promised land?
Every other pro team in this town has a plan. More often than not they are not successful but you can see the plan.
T-Wolves: Eternal rebuilding project.
Twins: Like their new ballpark sponser Target, “Expect more. Pay less”
Vikings: Play ChiliBall. Keep it close, and hope for the best.
I guess we should all just be happy that the NHL is back in MN right?
Sounds ok to me. Beats reading boring legal journals–which is what I am doing since there aren’t too many m & a deals or IPO’s going on these days.
Hmmmm..
I thought step one was underpants, and step three was profit? Never have figured out what step two is…. stupid underpants gnomes.
Twins: Like their new ballpark sponser Target, “Expect more. Pay less”
POTD Nominee!
Buddha says: >>Personally, I find all of the talk of why we didn’t know sooner, what does it mean for the team, does it serve as a distraction… it is all truly tasteless<<
You are entitled to your opinion, however misinformed it may be. Cancer is a reality that can have compelling effects on life….and business. I am not saying Smug is obligated to inform the public, although he would be if he were a ranking individual in a publically held company. We’re just noodling around what his handling of the press means, and whether his health has been a distraction to him doing the job for which he is highly paid. Many people with cancer take a leave of absence. If in his own words, he didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, what makes you think cancer wouldn’t be a distraction to him? Sounds to me like you are more than a bit uncomfortable with the realities of life.
Reference noted, very nice.
NiNY - go to http://www.mycablemart.com. I don’t think you’ll find better priced HDMI cables. (And a local MN outfit, to boot.)
i thought this was going to be a negative blog entry. sure it wasn’t the typical rose colored glasses blog, but it wasn’t that negative. just a straight forward look at our pathetic team.
Jacques and Doug need to be fired. Losing 9 of 12 with the real chance that they finish the season losing 9 of every 12 games is unacceptable in this market.
Jacques isn’t going to get fired. Will he quit after this year? Very good possibility!
Best shot ever - Red Death. Take an Alabama Slammer and mix it with a Kamikaze. Tastes like fruit punch. But I’m not ready for shots yet, Nick - I’ll take a Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest.
I’m suprised Scott was even considered for call up as big as he is with all the penalty minutes and the way he sticks up for teammates, that’s not our style. I thought they would give Tomas Mojish another shot. I know the tide will turn when we get Fozzy back to be the 6-5 whipping boy for Marco Sturm & Brendan Morrison if we’re just patient with the system.
Band: Underpants gnomes. Classic. LMAO!
Hey I have an idea! Doug Woog is available isn’t he? Minnesota players only, right Dan? or was that MKiA?
Say hi to Governor Gatling for me.
NiNY +10
Kraus would be proud
NiNY - go to http://www.mycablemart.com. I don’t think you’ll find better priced HDMI cables. (And a local MN outfit, to boot.)
as mentioned here before, http://www.monoprice.com
hands down the best and only place to buy cables
yesterday i bought a 6ft usb cable from best buy for $30. monoprice has them for 97 cents.
Oh, did you get a new toy that needs HDMI, Nick?
Don’t make fun of my girly beer habits. I’m very serious about my fruited-up beer!
NiNY - sent you an email.
Heather, here is the Hacker Pschorr. Not sure I could have served the fruit punch. More of a traditional bartender. I have to briefly fill in for NiNY until he returns from his cable search.
Ok, GreenStar posted the same thing I emailed. I didn’t know if it was ok to post a shopping link here.
Bulldog, Mosey’s been pretty bad in Houston. I think Scotty got a good look in pre-season and they liked what they saw. Just a solid SAH d-man. The trick for him is to NOT play too physically. He’ll pin guys to the boards and such, but the big hits aren’t there. He is very easily penalized but it’s getting much much better. I believe he did a lot of learning this summer and it shows.
NiNY; Bump comes straight up. No water, no nothin’, just alcohol. M-m-m-m good.
Gunslinger: Don’t even THINK about Doug Woog in any position with the Wild organEYEzation. That would push me towards being not a Wild fan…
Ms. C: Don’t you know that all parents want to be grandparents, so they can do to your kids what their parents did to you? Namely, load ‘em up with sugar and set them loose on the parents…’Parental revenge 101′…
Can’t bring anymore negativity to this blog. Good work tending the bar NINY.
Hope Johnsson’s emergency turns out for the better.
I think we all know that the Wild is going to get smoked tonight for sure.
Clutterbuck’s wheels better be moving tonight because after his hit fest at the X against the Flames a couple weeks ago, he will have a target on his back.
Boogie better bring it tonight also since his crushing late hit will also be remembered.
If the Wild win, good for them. I feel Jarome Iginlia will get a Gordie Howe Hat Trick tonight.
This game is going to be ugly to watch as a Wild fan. They will get schooled in the game of hockey and fighting.
On a side note, I met DR and Darryl Sutter, GM of the Flames, in Detroit Airport about a 2 1/2 years ago. The GM’s were having a meeting about the state of affairs in the NHL.
Sutter was a great person. We talked hockey and about the players. He told me a story when he got knocked out playing and had to spend some time in the hospital in Minnesota.
We walk over to the Minneapolis flight and Sutter starts talking to DR. Sutter says, “Hey Doug, this is my new friend Cam, he is a fan of your team.” DR turns and says nothing. At that point I lost disrespect for him.
I almost became a Flames fan and then they got Bertuzzi….
Just like the economy, I feel the path to the bottom is far from over for the Wild.
Best of luck to the guys tonight, they are going to need it.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
A jug of Karkov? Old band playing in a strip club in Duluth? “Sheltered-challenged?”
Jordan is my new best friend!
Nick, if you have any Karkov–and I suspect you do not–flush it. Put a bottle of your very best aged rum in front of me and my new best friend. Life is too short for Karkov, even if it leads to such enriching experiences as described.
Yeah, I was just comparing prices between monoprice and mycablemart, and I think mycablemart had slightly better prices on HDMI (though not on USB). Either way, both are very comparable and make it foolish to every buy those cables at a local Big Buy, etc.
At that point I lost disrespect for him.
Ummmm, respect? Sorry Cam, but that just leapt off the screen like when my mother-in-law tells me she has to unthaw something… no offense, just clarity.
I’m very serious about my fruited-up beer!
I don’t see any other option besides “serious” when the topic is fruited-up beer.
Gold star for BNAG.
How about some Saint James, toivo. I have that right here.
I love Russoville when the natives get going hot and heavy like this. No trolls just good stuff
It would be so easy for those of us non-Wild fans to kick you right now while we are down. In fact, that’s what many of you would do to us.
But we won’t because we’re classy, and we may also go through a slump later in the season.
But believe me, it would be SO SO SO easy to make fun of you smug holier-than-thou Wild fans right now, but kicking a puppy while he’s hurt isn’t fun.
oops. I meant to say while “you” are down, not while “we” are down
*sip* Ahhhhh. Thanks woodcock!
make it foolish to every buy those cables at a local Big Buy
and I knew better but didn’t think the difference would be that great. I was shocked.
TheGunslinger says:
December 29th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Hey I have an idea! Doug Woog is available isn’t he? Minnesota players only, right Dan? or was that MKiA?
not me. we need more american grit and less french figure skating though.
How about some Saint James, toivo. I have that right here.
Heh, you better check to be sure. I may have gotten into it while you weren’t looking. I am a ninja.
The Wild are so bad right now that this blog has turned into an electronics and technology FAQ forum.
Um. Gee thanks Alan. Your humanity is heartwarming.
I want more Czech defensemen!
(ducking)
Just one question, does Koivu get the “C” for tonight since Kimmy went home?
Nick-I need Ms. C’s fuited up Blue Moon on an IV drip please, STAT. Please give my Jager to someone else because that stuff would make me dead.
Ducking won’t help you where I’m putting the boot, toivo. Especially after you mocked my fruited-up beer seriousness. 
Good question, MtC… Though really, how totally appropriate would it be for there to just not be a captain tonight? Rudderless, captainless…
Nope, here’s what happens. Mikko gets the C and the Wild win against all odds and I get to say, TYS!!!!!
In fact, that’s what many of you would do to us.
Heck, I’ll kick you while you’re up. I don’t even need a reason. Hya! Take that! Did I mention that I’m a ninja?
I want to try Boogaard at defense. His skating sucks, but so does Pronger’s. It could work.
People think Bruce Lee died mysteriously. Not true! It was me.
He was looking at my girlfriend.
Too soon, toivo.
Brave captain,
There are doubts
Regarding
Your ability!
its not skating that would scare me but his inability to stand on his skates in the corners.
but i see no reason to try it as I asked a couple hours ago if it might happen. at least he should be able to clear the front of the net. we let bufflin just stand there last night.
Classic fireHOSE warms my ice cold heart and there could not be a better song for Doug Smugsborough. I think there is a 100% chance #9 will have the C tonight.
and I knew better but didn’t think the difference would be that great. I was shocked.
The mark-up on those things is truly unbelievable. Slap a “Monster” label on it and it’s just plain sinful.
Slap a “Monster” label on it and it’s just plain sinful.
indeed. i know about that one. just don’t remember USB cables being so expensive.
Green* “we let bufflin just stand there last night.”
Let’s see if you can spell it for real. No peeking.
Have we decided if it is bufflin or bifflin? I thought the former.
Thanks for the cable links boys. Best Buy wanted cash and a first born for HDMI cables. No secret that they give away the equipment and make it up on high margin cable sales.
the Hawks guys pronounce it Bufflin
Seemed appropriate to me too, 6GS.
SotB - just remember that there’s a “fugli” in the middle, and you’re in good shape.
Rest easy comrades. Per the ad at the top of the blog, we need only wait with breathless anticipation until Jan 10 to find out if Eric Perkins is returning to the Swarm!
Do you think they are target marketing disgruntled Wild fans??
If it was a celebrity death match between Perk and Paul Allen, I’d be there.
Sunshine, Buddha, and anyone else concerned - I’m sympathetic to your position on DR and his illness, but this began as sort of an academic discussion about the way the story was released. I think I respect and admire DR more than most on this board, though I certainly have a few quetions to ask if I ever get the chance.
As I said, I’m sympathetic to your position that his illness SHOULDN’T be a story, but I don’t agree that it ISN’T a story. In general, I agree the media is too intrusive, but that’s the world we live in. DR isn’t just a private individual. He’s the General Manager of a highly-visible enterprise that operates in a facility made possible by public financing and that’s more than enough to make his health a legitimate public inquiry, especially over a period of time in which his decision-making has been repeatedly questioned (by people on this blog in particular.)
Again, I think it would be a better world if we didn’t read about Norm Coleman’s dad’s arrest, or Madonna’s divorce settlement, and it would be great if we never read anything from the execrable CJ, but that’s not the real world anymore.
And that’s why I think that Russo didn’t know, because the modern journalism world doesn’t operate like it did in the ’30s and ’40s, when they didn’t even tell us the President was confined to a wheelchair. For better or worse, modern American journalism standards dictate that it’s a story.
just remember that there’s a “fugli” in the middle, and you’re in good shape.
Words to live by.
Who DR is and what DR does for a living are two different things. We can be sympathetic to DR the person while not so to DR the exec. Remember the article from Russo a few weeks back discussing FA’s and Doug McClellan(?) describing how much work went into creating a frenzy near the deadline? You can’t read that article and not wonder about the effects of illness on getting the job done. It certainly isn’t tasteless to do so. Look at how the pancreatic cancer of Steve Jobs’ at Apple is followed. What do you think will happen when the press release comes that Warren Buffet has stroked out?
DR chose to handle it in his way, but that’s not to say there aren’t other or even better ways. With what he has learned in the past year, would even he handle it the same way?
Sheesh, five o’clock hits and everyone bails.
ok, who let the CL OWN out of the box?
And…here…we…go…
for what its worth, Colton Gillies played some defense (played well from what I heard) when he was in Saskatoon.
Perhaps he can fill in, at least he would get some ice time.
Yeah… I have ALWAYS supported Dougie, but now I really think it is time to look elsewhere. He is going to give up Gaby for nothing, he is not going to resign Backstrom, and this team is going to completely tank before they get any better. Instead of a roster shakeup, I think we need a management shakeup… IMO!
Thank you JL for saying what dumpster doug doesnt want to say lack of talent. Long term plans Dumpster has been around since the begining of the team maybe its time for him to go
Some translation of the Smugisms:
‘long term plans’ = we don’t expect (nor do we feel any pressure) to win now.
‘I wrote last nights game off’ = Why should we be expected to give an effort at home every year after the Christmas break.
‘I dont see a lot of big options there’ = since winning isn’t a priority (see #1) why should I stick my neck out and make a trade that will ultimately come back and bite me.
‘thats the way it is’ = I’m here, you’re not so what you gonna do about it?
Fire Risebrough chants next home game?
Josh Harding is in goal tonight.
Is Zidlicky backin him up?
I talked to Lemaire a lot about the state of the team, and also Mikko Koivu’s pointed quotes last night in Brian Stensaas’ story.
And has anyone found a way to properly paraphrase his words to a decent, printable remark or are we going to have to keep guessing?
Doug Risebrough is the best GM in the NHL, if not all pro sports. Jacque Lemaire is the best coach in the NHL and all the hockey players want to play for him. If it wouldn’t be for the fact that talented players want to get paid accordingly, the Wild would have the best team in the NHL.
I think we should be thankful to have them and the goal scoring busters we call the Wild. The hockey experts and the 18,000 season ticket holding kool aid drinking Wild fans tell us so. Dan Terhaar tells us how great it is that the Wild out played the opponent or got more quality shots, forget the fact that the opponent outscored the Wild for the umpteenth time. When did I miss the rule change that wins and losses were now awarded for style of play and not for who scored more goals. Is anyone missing Mike Goldberg about now or any number of goal scorers the Wild haven’t signed or traded for the last couple of years?
Ala Riseborough “some guys are hurt, we have some long-term objectives. ”
I thought we had a cast in stone plan
from the beginning? Now we have “Some” objectives.
I’ll give you some objectives
1. Quit signing stiffs like Nummelin,Carney,Parrish,Simon,Chouinard,Daigle,Hall,Moore,Hill,Robitaille to name a few. (how many more do you want)
2. Quit overpaying guys like Schultz,Johnsson,Bouchard,Parrish
3. Get some new scouts who can recognize some talented lower round players let alone upper rounders.
(Houston Sucks)
4.Quit trying to pull the wool over our (the fans) eyes year after year.
You should be ashamed putting this team on the ice! Your playing with a team of second & third liners.
One more thing!
How about a couple of physical defensemen to move guys out of Backstroms jock-strap??????
First the Wild was a team of quick and fast second chance guys. Drafting for talent. Then we were told we needed size and guys for the corners, then offensive defensemen.
Maybe we need focus. Maybe like Detroit go for the talent. Or occasionally draft a sniper.
MG should have been gone before the season, maybe deadline last year.
Then there is the Pipeline, Shepard, Gilles, Poulliot etc etc could all use some time in the minors or the threat of, but oh yes, we don’t have anyone talented enough to call up. WHY! How did we get here. Shouldn’t this have been resolved in year 3.
Just wondering. DR you got any thoughts?
You are right Mike & this team is in trouble! Even if we blow this team up it is going to take time to rebuild. We have no minor system to rely on & no prospects to give up. The Red Wings have drafted all their talent over a period of time. And you have to be willing to sign some upper class guys which we don’t do. We have the building & we have the fans & now they’re letting it slip away!
too bad DR doesn’t read this blog. then maybe, just maybe, he’d realize what the people putting $$ in his pockets really think of him.
(Houston Sucks)
You suck!
Puck1’s comment is the most profoundly honest take on the state of this team I’ve seen since the Wild came to St Paul. 1. The original ownership took advantage of a hungry fan base to fleece the customer while putting a truly inferior product on the ice. 2. At the same time Risebrough has become McHale-lite by failing to develop any young talent save Koivu and Burns while constantly making excuse after excuse for how he fails in his duty to upgrade the roster. 3. Gaborik makes Terrell Brandon look like Cal Ripken Jr. There isn’t a softer pansy in professional sports than the Slovakian Hacky Sack Champ. 4. Throw in the fact that the coach has basically thrown in the towel and the new owner seems just as absentee as the last one and you are where you are at.
Dan Terhaar/Jim Peterson=Baghdad Bob
http://tinyurl.com/terharharbob
Its a bad job with paint, but I couldn’t resist. Everyone needs a Bahgdad Bob joke now and then….
nice
Is it just me, or is Doug Dumbass a loser?
