Gaborik out again; Nolan, Johnsson in; Edina-Minnetonka musings and a bit of a Russo Rant
Posted on December 31st, 2008 – 9:05 AMBy Michael Russo
Note to self: Don’t ever drive by the U again before the Big Ten Opener. Reminded me of the Long Island Expressway as a kid.
Ready for the longest blog ever?
Tension-packed morning down at the arena. Apparently I touched a few nerves with my column this morning. The players obviously aren’t happy with me because of the “lack of talent” assertion in there and obviously management isn’t too fond of me right now. In fact, one member of management who used to have my job chirped me a bit. Hey, but that’s why I showed up this morning. I could have phoned it in. The early game provides the chance to write a live notebook after. But you can’t write something like that and not show your face the next day.
More on today’s column later in the blog.
Marian Gaborik is out again. Kim Johnsson is back and the biggest surprise, Owen Nolan, who is definitely not ready to play, asked Jacques to play. He will after missing the last 10 games with a leg injury (although Tom Lynn via spokesman said he hasn’t yet been medically cleared, but he expects him to be).
“It’s not 100 percent, but it’s good enough to go,” Nolan said.
Speaking of not being 100 percent, Gaborik did not skate this morning even though the team updated us yesterday that he was supposed to skate. Via a spokesman, Tom Lynn said today, “it was decided he needed to get a good skate without pain before a move into full practice.”
After today’s ”feeling out” skate, Lynn said the team decided to hold him out. Translation: He’s hurting again, meaning uh-oh.
(Just a quick insertion: I’d like to point out that when I headlined Dec. 20 that he was in discomfort, and thinking of resting if it continued and blah-blah, I was getting lambasted in a few circles for overblowing this story).
Back to Gaborik, he has often told us he doesn’t want to play unless he’s 100 percent. The team is freefalling. I’m pretty sure not all Wild players are playing at 100 percent. I asked Jacques Lemaire if he had a problem with having a player not willing to play at 100 percent, and he said, “Well, Nolan is not 100 percent and he asked me to play tonight. And I know he’s not 100 percent because he only had that little practice today.”
Pretty big indictment, although Lemaire later said when pressed further, “I don’t know how the guy feels … physically,” so give him the benefit of the doubt, essentially.
I asked to speak to Gaborik four times — three through a spokesman and one face-to-face and he said, “No.” I wanted to talk to him because the way it’s being painted, Gaborik doesn’t look good here and I wanted to give him the opportunity to defend why he’s not playing, tell us if it’s actually management not letting him play or something else is going on.
There’s a lot of smoke here. There’s major tension between Gaborik and management.
I’m still not 100 percent convinced he’s not being held out. I have been told the Wild continues to have trade talks, lately with L.A. again. And remember, back in October, I was told by solid sources that the Wild was talking a lot with L.A.
Lemaire also had some other choice things today on the team, which will be in tomorrow’s notebook. You will want to read these quotes (I have to save some stuff for the paper, please understand). Also, Marc-Andre Bergeron, whom I assume will be placed on injured reserve to free up a spot for Nolan, skated in a warmup suit this morning.
Looks like Pouliot and Gillies are out. Sharks didn’t skate today.
Had a fun night last night. Went to the Minnetonka-Edina game at the X.
Man, Edina’s first line is absolutely awesome. They’re like an NHL line — Marshall Everson, Connor Gaardner and Anders Lee. Look at their stats here. Imagine if Zach Budish didn’t injure his knee? Holy smokes.
Speaking of Lee, he just committed to Notre Dame. He’ll love playing for Jeff Jackson and assistant Andy Slaggert. Slaggert used to play there and was hired on by Ric Schafer, the former Minnesota high school star, when Schafer coached the Irish a long time ago. I’ve gotten to meet him a few times because I’m buddies with Schafer. In fact, Slaggert married Schafer’s niece.
Lot of info there for you to digest for really no reason at all.
Speaking of family, Andrew Prochno, who’s my aunt’s sister’s son (so a cousin of mine a lot removed I guess), scored both of Minnetonka’s goals.
I’m not comparing Andrew to Sharks star Dan Boyle, but quick story. Andrew scored a goal last night that reminded me of a goal I once watched Boyle score.
I covered Boyle with the Florida Panthers when he came out of Miami (Ohio). We were in Atlanta once, and Boyle, like Prochno did last night with his team down one goal, got the puck at center-ice, raced up the left-wing boards, wheeled around a Thrashers defenseman and scored an amazing goal top shelf, under the far post.
Rick Dudley, who was Tampa’s GM at the time, was at the game in Atlanta scouting. Soon after, Tampa traded a fifth-round pick (that later became the esteemed, uh, Martin Tuma in the draft) for Boyle in one of the biggest fleece jobs ever. Imagine, the Panthers traded their chief rival, Tampa, Dan Boyle for a fifth!
Anyway, I asked Dudley after the fact, “Was that goal in Atlanta why you traded for Boyle,” and he said, “Absolutely.”
Today, Boyle may be the most dynamic offensive defenseman in the NHL. And Martin Tuma’s ……….. I don’t know where.
I sat in the mom’s section last night with Andrew’s mom, and that was pretty hysterical stuff. Lots of nervousness and funny lines. Seems the biggest lack of confidence comes when their own sons have the puck.
Lastly, on today’s column, I know a lot of people inside the Wild ain’ t happy with me right now.
I have always considered myself an objective beat reporter. I don’t root. I tell it like it is (ask Mike Keenan, who grew tired of me real quick in Florida). And I have written a lot of positive stories about the Wild, the players on it and the GM, who I do have great respect for.
But as I once told Ray Whitney, who got angry with me after an article, “Ray, I’ve written a lot of good things about you, and you know what, you have to take the good with the bad.”
The Wild has lost nine of 11, and I don’t believe this just a slump. My job is to write for the fans, for the Star Tribune readership. And I believe I expressed the sentiment today that a lot of fans have felt for a long time (and incidentally, the midseason report is about 10 days from appearing).
The fans drive the NHL like no other sport. Hockey basically makes squat from TV, from merchandising, etc. The NHL is unique because the paying customers, for the most part, almost directly pay everybody’s salaries — players, coaches, management. That’s the biggest revenue stream.
The fans are upset. There’s serious problems going on right now inside this organization. I wrote it, and the fans deserve to have it written. That’s my job.
I like these players. But the overall team is not good enough, and that’s what I was writing. To make one point clearer from today, James Sheppard and Colton Gillies and these guys, they’re going to be fine players for this team. But point was, they’ve been asked to carry too much weight too soon in their careers because of management’s part inability/part conscious decision to not acquire proven NHLers.
And it’s part of the reason the Wild is where it is right now.
But you know what?
When the Wild goes on a winning streak again, when it makes a good trade again, when the players play well again and score big goals again, I’ll be there to report that, too.
Lastly, I’ve been absolutely slammed by emails. Please give me time and I’ll get back to you eventually.
185 Responses to "Gaborik out again; Nolan, Johnsson in; Edina-Minnetonka musings and a bit of a Russo Rant"
Thats ok we have benny and kolanos PMB etc…
This has gone on long enough now that we can assume he’s pretty badly hurt and they brought him back too soon, right? God, what a nightmare this season has turned into.
Maybe he’s been traded.
Doug is reading the paper right now saying “The fans are upset?”
For better or worse the Mr. and I got tickets to the game tonight. He really wants to go.
this is the night Benny, PMB, Shep, Weller and Boogey all break out. I can feel it.
kj: can I get a witness?
Boogie will finally break his drought tonight and I will have to change my moniker to BoogieGotsAGoal
Is it year 5 yet?
kgopher, my lady and I went last year to the sharks new years eve game and it was fun! They played a good game came from behind tied it in the last minute or so…Then skoula gaffed a pass joe thorton swooped it up and had a breakaway on backstrom and buried it. end of game. The plus is that skoula hardly gaffs this year and backstrom is great in the shootout and breakaways lately so we shall see what will happen tonight. GO WILD!
I cant help but think that backs would’ve kept that calgary game tied the other night…mabey the wild could’ve pulled out the ot win?
Wow, nothing is going right for this team. Maybe we should completely tank this year. Trade Gab, Zidlicky, and Backstrom/Harding for prospects and picks.
Sheppard, Gillies, and Clutterbuck should still be developing in the minors or juniors. DR rushed them.
NiNY…I really want what you’re drinking. You breaking out the tequila already? I know it’s NYE and all, but even 10:18 EDT is early for you… 
I sense another ‘moral victory’ tonight.
A close game, but (as usual) someome from the Sharkies will step up and capitalize on a Wild mistake.
Actually, I am thinking Russo has already written the gamer so he can get out and party sooner.
max…Harding played very well against the cowtowners. Backstrom would have been hard pressed to stop the flurry in front of the net that Harding did. I don’t think the Wild get to OT against anyone, let alone cowtown.
>>>Doug is reading the paper right now saying “The fans are upset?”<<<
And, “Maybe I should have included The Don in the interview about my health issues.”
The gloves are off.
kj: I was drinking this new thing I found the other day. It’s called sarcasm. Mmmmmm…tasty!
This game is gonna be awesome, yo.
I’m not the type of fan who calls for the coach’s or GM’s head at the slightest disappointment. I was willing to give DR a pass after the lockout when he didn’t jump in the FA market because I agreed that it was still too early in the franchise’s development to do so (I happen to think that the lockout couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Wild in that regard). But DR started to lose me when the team’s make-up suddenly needed to change in reaction to which ever team won the Cup in a given year. That made it clear that the organization wasn’t sure what kind of team it really wanted to be – a reason to doubt “the Plan.” What has never been addressed – and it the reason no longer matters – is that the team has never compiled any significant scoring depth (and, of course, it hasn’t helped that the most talented (and mercurial) scorer seems to routinely miss 20-30 games/season). And please don’t tell me that’s because of JL’s “system.” In my view, he has coached his roster up in each season.
DR is probably right that a roster shake-up is unlikely given the reality of the players currently available for acquisition. At best, it seems any such shake-up would only be a temporary fix anyway. Maybe we could improve enough to make the top 8 this year, but it wouldn’t be sustainable in the long-term because the cupboard is so bare. So, like others, I believe the shake-up needs to occur in the front office. The organization needs a new vision from management.
Unfortunately, that will mean JL likely doesn’t stay around. IMO, we have been lucky to have this guy for as long as we have, and I understand that this means we have a good chance of ending up like so many other franchises with a spinning coaching carousel. But if this front office keeps the Wild on this path, JL’s coaching abilities will just be wasted anyway.
Oooh, sorry - didn’t intend such a long post.
Russo: Good article in the paper today.
But if this front office keeps the Wild on this path, JL’s coaching abilities will just be wasted anyway.
+1
HD, Well done and I agree completely. JL has done a remarkable job with a lack of talent. But I think he will leave when DR does. Frankly, like you, I have been patient. But no more. I was one of the many booing at the Hawks game. DR does deserve to go. The cupboard is bare and his moves haven’t worked. The drafts have been poor altho he did grab a few gems before others thought they should have been drafted (Koivu and Burns). Time to go DR. We had been progressing but we have now regressed. No movement on Gaby and no movement on Backs. That’s bad.
The Pens are struggling now. DR should trade Gab (6.33m) and Pouliot (1.7m) to them. Pouliot-Crosby-Gab would be a nasty first line.
Coming back, Jordan Staal (2.2m) would obivously be the centerpiece. Then we would take back Boucher (2.5m) for a salary dump, as Whitney is back with the Pens. Finally, we would take back Fedotenko for his cap hit as well (2.25m).
Pens get a two young wingers. We get a 2nd line center, and two soon to be UFAs that can be dumped at the end of the season if they don’t work out.
Then, with Boucher here, trade Zidlicky + Harding to Philly for Lupul. They won’t miss him. They got VR waiting. They need a puck mover like Zids, and Harding will bring some long-term stability to their wings.
Gone: Gab, Pouliot, Zidlicky, Harding
Get: Staal, Lupul, Fedotenko, Boucher
Team gets bigger. And we bring in some guys who like to shoot.
NiNY says: >>I was drinking this new thing I found the other day. It’s called sarcasm.<<
If you ever get a hankerin’ for some Insolence, I’ve got a keg on ice in the cellar.
Hockeydad: Well written. Revolving door is a concern, but Leipold encouraged stability in Nashville from what I recall; at least in terms of the coach.
We and DR have been too mesmerized with bigger. Let’s get more skilled. Yes, I want some guys who can bang pucks in from in front of the net but get some skilled players. Guys who can catch and pass the puck and hold on to it (pay attention Benny).
Excellent comments Hockeydad - no way I could have got all that in more succinctly!
Well, I bought tickets at the beginning of the year to this weekend’s Red Wing’s tilt. At least there will be one good team on the ice to watch…
OMUN, I’d love to see Ben go to the Pens. I’ve wondered since I saw the draft special from his year whether he wouldn’t be a lot more motivated to play for his idol, Mario, and the team he grew up watching. (Sorry, KiPA…)
Russo added to his post above - Nolan is playing. There’s a leader.
Small update on top, looks like Nolan is in for tonight, which certainly helps.
Wow - a guy putting the team before himself. FINALLY! A guy other than Mikko and Clutz with heart.
Wow. What a rock star. I think I love him.
Nolan should have a sit down talk with Gabby and kindly tell him what it is to be a man.
I wonder if the fact that we are playing his old team has anything to do with it.
Ms.C. I was just thinking that Gab would kill with Crosby, and Pouliot would have more room on the ice because the other teams would have to focus so much on Gab and Crosby. I can just see him taking off there.
that’s awesome about IGoW.
If anyone that’s going to the game is interested, a great sign to make (and hold up) in honor of all that’s going on right now would be:
March 3, 1992
(Five Russobucks to whomever can spot that one.)
NiNY…there’s no chasm like sarcasm!
Didn’t Ethel Merman sing that?
Sadly, things will get worse in Wild World before they get better.
Keep showcasing Backstrom for a deadline deal. Trade him to a team that thinks they have a shot.
Get whatever you can for Gho$t.
Focus on one thing…John Tavares.
This is the year the Wild should have had in 02-03, except they had a bunch of overachievers who would not give an inch.
Great article Russo.
Date of the Gilmour trade?
Good to hear Nolan is stepping up against his former team. I predict the final score will be 4-3. Nolan will have a goal and an assist. I’ll leave the rest up to the team, a.k.a. Koivu.
Here is a question I have. This tean really has turnded into Koivu’s team and probably not just in the fans eyes but also the eyes of the rest of this team. I really don’t think that Gabby is going to be able to handle that he is not the center piece. He dosn’t want to be here anymore. If he still isn’t playing or not playing on a consistant basis by the deadline what does this team do. Do we dump him for whatever we can get for him or do we hang on to him into the off season and let him go for nothing. If he has only played a handful of games by the deadline I don’t think there are going to be a lot of takers out there for him.
This team is clearly desperate. Why bring back Nolan, because he can play against his former team? Gaborik is clearly a joke. What family emergency could keep Johnson out of a home game? Something is amiss here.
The only reason I am going is to see the Sharks tonight, not the Wild.
Maybe Gho$t will be healthy enough to drive the Zamboni in Trencin?
What family emergency could keep Johnson out of a home game?
What kind of insensative jack@$$ question is that? Russo says its a real family emergency. Maybe his wife is in the hospital for some reason. Does he have kids? Maybe they are in the hospital.
There are a lot of family circumstances that could keep a player out of a home game.
The Gilmour trade was in January of 1992. The only thing I can find is that Mike Bossy had his number retired on that date NiNY.
Section 106: I don’t get the impression the Wild is forcing Nolan to play, or that they are the ones deciding to bring him back, as you say. I think he wants to play and, if he feels healthy, the Wild should let him. We clearly need some kind of spark out there. Hopefully, this is the proverbial cowbell that we need.
I still remember DR telling us the team has “a plan” building around young talent and not free agents.
What young talent?
The slide coincides with IGoW’s absence from the lineup.
Perhaps he can will them out of this funk and WIN tonight against the Sharkies!
Sadly, it’s a pipe dream. Crack, specifically…
Is it the day the North Stars split in half and became the San Jose Sharks?
Via Wikipedia:
On March 3, 1992, Risebrough’s Flames were destroyed by the Vancouver Canucks 11–0. immediately after the game, Risebrough relinquished his coaching duties to assistant Guy Charron
Beat me to it Gun, I just found that page.
1. Johnson - still injured in STL
2. Jordan Staal - 42pts, 28pts, 21 pts
3. Toews - 54 pts in 64 games
4. Nicklas Backstrom - 69 pts his rookie year.
5. Kessel. On fire in year 3.
6. Brassard.
7. Okposo. 9pts in 25 games
8. Mueller. 54 pts in his rookie season
9. Shep: A dismal 19 pts in his rookie season, and 7 so far this year.”
MuNo, thanks for this post…I guess. And I was just starting to appreciate the puppy dog’s middling play. I took a look at picks 10-20 that year and that made me feel a little better (with the exception of Little).
Gunslinger, I don’t appreciate the name calling. These are professional athletes and Johnson has been at home dealing with this since Monday. The report was he was in the cities. As the Captain of this team, and Highest paid defensemen, I expect more from him than you do I guess.
March 3, 1992…nice.
Oh snap.
What can you buy with 5 russobucks anyways?
Raspberry latte?
Nolan should have a sit down talk with Gabby and kindly tell him what it is to be a man.
Gaby: Can’t hear you old dude, the surround sound on my F1 simulator is just too sweet!
Section 106 row 9 -
You’re right. Next time you have a death in the family, or a loved one gets in a car accident, or maybe your child goes into a coma, I expect you to not miss more than 1 day of work - because you should be a leader on your work team, and need to set an example for all of your other team members.
WHY IS EVERYONE WHINNING ITS NOT EVEN HALF WAY THROUGH THE SEASON YET THEY WILL BE FINE AND IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WILL DO SOME DAMAGE THEN SO NO WORRIES
P.S. gGET RID OF GABORIK NOW HES NOTHING BUT A LOSER ANY WAY
Old man Nolan may be injured a lot but he is one tough dude.
NiNY - I would like to use my hypothetical dollars to purchase future drinks at the bar this afternoon.
Dealing with stupid people who don’t know details or facts makes me thirsty.
One day of work? I guess your festivities started early today huh?
THE WILD WILL WIN 3 GAMES IN A ROW STARTING TONIGHT WITH THE SHARKS THEN DETROILET AND THE BRUINS TO FOLLOW
Mark, I like your optimism but I dislike your use of ALL CAPS.
AROUND 40 OR SO MORE GAMES TO GO PLENTY OF HOCKRY LEFT AND THE WILD WILL GET BETTER THAT IS A PROMISE
thanks and had my computer on lock oops
I was drinking this new thing I found the other day. It’s called sarcasm. Mmmmmm…tasty!
so that’s why my bottle is empty…
Mark, not a problem. But, I have to warn you, with all that optimism you should avoid a guy on here by the name of Dan. He is a self-appointed hockey guru and he doesn’t like being optimistic about the Wild. I haven’t seen him comment in awhile so I’m sure he is in talks with Leipold about taking over as GM. Normally one would have their agent handle such a situation, but he is a BAMF and he represents himself.
Nolan is playing. There’s a leader
+1
This is what makes me respect Nolan:
Owen Nolan asked to play
None of this Gaby drama where originally, Lynn says they are holding him out, then DR says it’s up to Gaby on when he comes back. Rediculous.
If ya wanna watch a team with heart, Gophers Michigan State starting on BTN. GO BIG GOLD GO!!!!!!!
Nolan just added to the respect I already have of him as a professional athlete.
Something that simply cannot be said about Gabby and his tenure with the Wild. The last two years are putting the blackest of eye’s on his career here and I couldn’t care any less. I have yet to shake his dissaperance vs the Av’s in the first round from my memory.
If ya wanna watch a team with heart, Gophers Michigan State starting on BTN. GO BIG GOLD GO!!!!!!!
that would be cool if it were hockey and not hoops
I’m a little concerned that the only overly optimistic Wild fan left here needed two posts and a reminder from for4rest to navigate the Caps Lock feature.
Interesting side note, the Wild and the Aeros are both taking on the Sharks today in a battle of Whose Franchise is Better. Sadly the Corpus Christi IceRays and Phoenix RoadRunners play in different leagues and won’t be matching up today to complete the comparison.
must be a boring game, it is 4 - 2 after 5 minutes.
Reading thru previous blogs, I’ve read we must let the owner Leipold know of our displeasure of Risebroughs GM skills with chants at the stadium to fire his arse. I’ve always given him the benefit of the doubt in years past, but I’m ready to join in this fight now. I don’t attend the games but do watch religiously on the tube.
My question is this….is there some other way to contact Leipold to voice our frustrations/wishes? E-mail address, etc?
must be a boring game, it is 4 - 2 after 5 minutes.
Gophers v Michigan?
Wow…that Tubby Smith and his #4 lock clogging up the paint is setting offense back 25 years…
Nice one, AiH. I hadn’t noticed the big/baby team scheduling parallel… Sadly, I expect the same unfortunate outcome from both. The Aeros D just looked dog tired in the legs last night (as reflected on the scoreboard).
Sorry to change the subject, but I wanted to post something to cheer the locals up. After all, it is the holiday season and I am not always Evil. The Winter Classic will be coming to Minneapolis soon. 10% chance TCF Stadium. 90% chance Target Field. The Wild manager of ice operations, Travis Larson, was asked by the NHL to spend a week at Wrigley and watch how they set up this years game. It’s coming! It’s coming!
food above
Owen is a stand-up guy, for sure!!!!
Watching the Devils on Versus last night, Rolston scored his 5th of the season. Commentators noted that this was his 17th game.
I checked Wild.com and found that Nolan has played 17 games - and has 5 goals.
So, at least as of now, Nolan for Rolston is a wash!
(I know that’s not the whole reality… Rolston was my favorite - wish he was still here!!!!!!!!)
Here is my call on upcoming Winter Classics:
1/1/10 Yankee Stadium the Blue Shirts vs. Bruins
1/1/11 Target Field Wild vs. Stars
Mark it down. Gotta be worth some Russobucks if I nail ‘em both. Based on a sign being worth 5, that should be 50.
Good on ya Russo! Great job letting them have it today. I vote Mike Russo for the new Wild GM. Clearly he sees this team more clearly then management. Stir it up baby!
Don,
you have done them a favor with that piece. Their reaction says so.
Here is my call on upcoming Winter Classics:
1/1/10 Yankee Stadium the Blue Shirts vs. Bruins
i’d go same teams in fenway, if wrigley pulls it off.
Way to stir the pot Russo!
So when does the smoke lead to all out combustion? The drama is captivating.
The team of 18,000 is very lucky to have certain things. Mr. Russo makes the list.
Back in the day, when I was a little tike, I had a problem with skidmarks in my race car underware. After a while, Moms got so feed up with the dirty job that she said, “Damnit Johnny, the next time you dirty up your undie’s I’m gonna rub your nose in it till you stop!”
It took only one nosefull of my own nasty to get the point.
My point being, good on you Russo to rub their noses in it!
Talking to LA? They should dump Preissing to Ottawa.
Then, we should trade Gab (with signed extention) for Purcell, Boyle, and a 1st.
Both those guys are good prospect, but LA can easily lose them when they get Gab and already have Kopitar, O’Sullivan, Brown, Frolov, Stoll, Handzus, and Moller. And a chance and signing Hossa, and that team will be rocking.
The 1st might be hard to get from them, but maybe we can add Harding to the deal and get something else coming back.
1/1/10 Yankee Stadium the Blue Shirts vs. Bruins
i’d go same teams in fenway, if wrigley pulls it off.
I’d agree G*, but I think Bettman would want the grand stage of the new House that Greed built, but I could see Fenway happening too.
Russo - the voice of 18,000. Great article.
Nice work Don. As a co-worker once told me when I was pissed at him, “I ain’t here to make friends, just to collect a check.” If they don’t like it, it’s up to them to do something about it.
but I think Bettman would want the grand stage
very true
is the NHL avoiding canada? couldn’t they play one in rogers skydome? or the old olympia stadium in montreal?
Russo
Great article this morning! Only speaking the truth. Some of the exact points my son & I talk about every day.
You have to make good picks & develope from within. Riseborough is a failure!
Belle,Foy,Hall,Parrish,Branko,Smith,Weinhandle,Carney,Chouinard(2),Daigle,Simon,Domenichelli,Henry,Robitaille,Moore,Nazarov,Patera,Wanvig
How many more stiffs do want?
At this point I’ll take O’Sullivan back for Gabby?
When the Wild come out tonight playing like they are holding a grudge, we all owe our thanks to Russo.
Pretty much the last few paragraphs are clearly meant for Wild players/management.
is the NHL avoiding canada?
I think they see it as a way of building fan interest in the states.
I would assume Skydome would be more difficult because of it being “inside”. It would require more technology to keep the ice good (like a normal arena) where a true outdoor venue can pull it off by simply being exposed to the elements.
I can see them doing 2 games on 1/1 and one being in the states and the other in the Great White North.
I have this vision of wild fans rioting outside the X with dumpsters full of gaborik jerseys on fire rolling down kellog and 7th.
The saint paul cops in their new riot gear from the RNC tear gassing and beating on fans in their brand new Nolan home jerseys.
Russo you pot stirring rat you, way to stick to your guns.
Skydome would be more difficult because of it being “inside”.
skydome is retractable
Maybe,
To LA: Gab + Harding
To Wild: Purcell, Boyle, D prospect, 1st
so the boyz are a little ornery this morning?
A) Good to know they can read.
B) Sort of pathetic that they need the local beat writer to be their motivation (not that he’s not da Bomb, er, The Don.)
C) THEN COME ON OUT TONIGHT AND PROVE RUSSO WRONG!
TheGun: well done. $5 Russobucks are in your account at the Russoville Pub.
March 3, 1992!
Poolboy isn’t playing tonight.
Ben = This year’s Parrish.
Keep up the great work Russo and keep telling it how it is dont agree with you 100% of the time but thats what make America great. In this case you hit the nail on the head or the biscuit in the basket (oh wait wild cant seem to do that)
Russo you may have summoned a demon in these guys better than jacques could have right now. way to go!
The sharks will get blindsided tonight because the players will all be picturing russo in the sharks sweaters.
I only see one option for next captain, Owen Nolan.
So where are all those vikes fans everyone? I thought they were gonna get gobbled up? 11,000 to go by noon or blackout…my point, wild brass better change things fast the sold out X may just start to see some empty seats. If the vikes cant do it for a playoff game whats the X gonna be like for a cellar dwellar team?
Ok, so maybe it’s a stupid question or perhaps it has already been covered, but why was/is it reported that Nolan was out with a leg injury? I thought they weren’t going to name body parts? Shouldn’t it have just been a “lower-body injury?” Just curious…
Grit. Cahones. Testicular fortitude. Machismo. Panache.
We are lucky that we get to see two seperate instances of these qualities this week from folks we follow.
Luckier still that one of them plays on the actual team, and hopefully it will do exactly what I think it will: Cause his fellows to rally around him (or at least recognize and respect his effort)and play the next few weeks with all the intensity they can possibly muster.
Because as we all know, its going to be a rough couple of weeks.
Saluto Don Russo and Owen Nolan. Doing what needs to be done, saying what needs to be said, at the risk of sounding unpopular…or personal injury.
Just wanted to point out…as a season ticket holder of 2 lower bowl seats…Russo’s article is accurate and clearly reflects my belief. The problems with the economy will force me to make some tough choices in 09. While I love the Wild, I want my financial sacrifice to be worth it. Yes, I said sacrifice. Next year, keeping my tickets will be at the expense of savings and perhaps making choices to go without some things. I am not alone in this and many in my company and many of my friends are going to have a tough 09 and maybe even worse in 10. At some point the on ice entertainment isn’t worth the sacrifice. To the owner of the Wild, we need to see and believe something is going to be done for 09/10. I am slow to criticize, but I no longer believe in the GM. Watching the bungling that happened with Roston, Demo, Parrish and now Gabby makes me think this is a train wreck. The fact that the GM hasn’t announced a signing of one of the league’s top goalies appears to be another, lets wait and then they will just walk away on me.
Gun, don’t insult Parrish like that.
Maybe this will shut up all the hosers who’ve been crying into their pillows that Russo is too soft on the Wild management. For the love of Clutterbuck…
I know Skydome is retractable, but I don’t see them leaving the lid open for 2-3 weeks nearing winter to get the rink frozen. I would think it would impact the hotel for one thing. I could see them setting it up like a typical arena, but I can’t see them making the capital investment for just 1 game.
Poolboy isn’t playing tonight.
Ben = This year’s Parrish.
If Poolboy keeps playing the way he has, he’ll be this years Nummy not Parrish.
BNAG - I believe they are still using regrigerated ice for the Winter Classic, so they wouldn’t necessarily have to leave the roof open. In fact, they have to be using it because it would be risking way too much to catch a 40-degree temp on game day.
That’s more like it BNAG.
BP- never played to potential in Houston
Nobody has mentioned today the problem that DR has not yet signed Backs. Whats up with that, He could have put Back away months ago for less than it will cost now.
If he can even avoid Back going FA at this point.
Have to agree with hockeydad, it would be hard to lose JL.
Hockey1:
InTheNet says:
December 31st, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Last sentence:
The fact that the GM hasn’t announced a signing of one of the league’s top goalies appears to be another, lets wait and then they will just walk away on me.
Diamond Douggie Risebrough bursts into the Wild lockerroom after the 1st this afternoon pacing the floor maniacally; We’re LOSIN!!! They’re burying us ALIVE! Eddie Shore? P*&S on Eddie Shore! Old Time Hockey? P$%S on Old Time Hockey! You’re blowin it! Boys… every scout in the NHL is out there tonight with contracts in their pockets!! And they’re lookin’ for talent, for winners!! Awwwww….. All my years of publicity, all the fashion shows, the radiothons for nuthin’…. They come here tonight to scout the WILD!!! the toughest team in the Federal League!!! Not this….. bunch of P*&%%#S!!!!!
Problem isn’t as much getting good NHL-ready players as it is retaining the good NHL-ready players they had. How many veteran NHL players besides Walz and Brunette actually have stayed with the Wild or wanted to return that the Wild have actually brought back? If they had guys like Voros or Fedoruk or Rolston right now players like Pouloit, Shep & Gillies wouldn’t have to be pulling so much weight. Heck, they could use a guys like Hall, Park or Dupuis at this point in time or even Jimmy Dowd!!
Uh, sorry, but the lack of Voros, Fridge, Hall, Park, Dupuis or Dowd is not what ails this team (Rolston, sans injury, would be nice, though).
Doesn’t Burns fill the Rolston void? Hit the blue line, throw a slapper wide of the net. Sounds like Rolston to me.
Memo to Gabby; you are a hockey player! It’s time for you to grow a pair! Or else it is time for you to grow up and for you and Salcer Boy and Diamond Douggie to step forward and tell us the truth about you and your “alleged” injury and what is really going on behind the scenes with you and your BS!
Enough already!! This fan has had it! It’s time for you and your agent to get real and reasonable and help DR peddle your sorry backside to someone who will take you and your inability to play the game unless you are 100% A-OK, (not possible in the NHL numb-n*&s!!) and get out of town so the club can get on with its season and its future!!!! How dare you and your jerk agent to hold this club hostage any longer!!!!
Russo, hats off to you for writing what you believe & dealing with the consequences from the players & managers.
Think the Sharks are reading the Strib today????
Doesn’t Burns fill the Rolston void? Hit the blue line, throw a slapper wide of the net. Sounds like Rolston to me.
+1
Backstrom has a no trade clause through Feb. 1. I have a feeling DR doesn’t want to resign him before that because presumably, Backstrom would ask for another NTC, making it impossible to trade him before the deadline if deemed necessary.
I know Skydome is retractable, but I don’t see them leaving the lid open for 2-3 weeks nearing winter to get the rink frozen.
The 2010 Frozen Four will be in Detroit’s dome - http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/hockey/2005-06-23-frozen-four_x.htm
Russo,
Awesome column & blog today! Let me reassure you that you have been MORE than fair to DR and company.
It takes courage to write what you wrote (something this town lacks in journalism) and I just wanted to say thank you from all of us on this blog and at the games for correctly stating how we feel.
Keep up the great work!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Not having a working pc sucks. Reading via my fancy new iPod touch. Just had to say good job to Russo. Keep prodding the mgmnt and maybe they will wake up. Although I like the Wild for a win tonight. Igow is a true leader. I bet 10 RussoBucks he nets one tonight.
InTheNet I totally agree with you. Last year i was questioning on whether or not to re-up my season tickets. and i did. and now i’m starting to regret it. this ‘wild train’ is about to derail. and now that i’m out of work, i definitely will not re-up my tickets next year.
Let’s see what Nolan can do on the ice, the bench, and in the locker room.
Okay, I’m out.
Russoville Pub is open, $0.50 domestic draughts and wine spritzers until game time.
$0.05 wings from now until the Sharks score the first goal of the game - in the first period.
$1 shots - you call it - for ten minutes following every Wild goal tonight.
Actually, F it, they’re not going to get a whiff of the Sharks’ net. $1 shots - you call it - for half an hour following every Wild goal tonight.
Over/under on the number of shots the Sharks register is 38. I’ve got $10 on the over.
To the Don: you’re not the best because we say you’re the best. You’re the best because you’re the best. Thanks for keeping it real, and keeping us in the loop!
Keep the faith, Russoville.
Diamond Douggie… I am and have been behind you all of the way. But when you take your eye off of the ball for just one second, one of two things will happen, you will either get hit by it, or you will strike out….
Russo I give you all the respect you deserve for saying what we all want to. I remember last year in November when the Wild were slumping, us all groaning and moaning but it was nothing like this year. There is just no light at the end of the tunnel. I love hockey and the Wild, and its downright hurtful to see what the brass are making my… our… team into.
I was at the Chicago game too, and I have to admit I joined in the Bronx cheers and booing. Quite frankly, the organization deserves it. It’s too bad its taken out on all the players, especially guys like Mikko Koivu, Nick Schultz, Stephane Veilleux and Brent Burns who are members of the team that continually perform and like Cal Clutterbuck (who I can’t believe didn’t make the team permenantly until now) who goes in game after game and does a great job. While some players do deserve it,(I won’t mention names, but everyone knows anyway…) not all do. We have a lot of rookies on our team this year (rookies in this sense being players that should be in the minors) with Kolanos, Pouliot, Sheppard, Clutterbuck, Gillies, and Reitz. While there is skill there, only one, in my eyes and the rest of the fans’ eyes, at this point really deserves to be in the NHL. As I said before the season started, its a Glorified AHL team. They look like the Wild teams of the first two years, the only difference is that those guys looked like they were actually trying to win hockey games. The current players aren’t even doing that.
Further to that, we waste a roster spot almost continually with a certain #24. Who sees probably 23 seconds of ice a game and is somehow the +/- leader of the team. Wake up.
The “chronically injured” Gaborik is a perfect assessment, as his “injury” is killing the team both in that he doesn’t play and we are unable to dump his broken body onto another team so he can go not play for them. The man is dead weight.
This is the NHL. Just because we are “family friendly” and live in the State of Hockey doesn’t mean our team should be run like a C Squirt hockey team. No hitting, no blowing out other teams, rotate the Captain so everyone feels good, switch the lines so everyone gets to play with everyone else, NO! The NHL is no place for “Feel Good Hockey.” Start wrecking the other teams’ players, when you get a blowout lead going keep scoring so we don’t give up goals and lose, pick a permenant Captain to lead the team (#9 looks good with a “C”), and for the sake of everything sane make lines according to skill like every other NHL teem and leave them together so the players can click. You want a good NHL organization, you need to know your fundamentals.
Anyway, sorry about the rant. I won’t stop supporting my team, because I’m not all about the bandwagon. They just need to do something so that watching them isn’t so painful anymore. This has definitely been a December to Remember and will live in infamy in Wild fans’ minds for a long time.
I’ll take a dozen wings, but I’ll have to pay with regular cash as I do not have any Russobucks. Or do you only take Russobucks? What is the exchange rate?
$0.05 wings from now until the Sharks score the first goal of the game - in the first period.
and then $.01 per wing after that
I still contend that painful hockey is still better than good any other sport.
Hey Ranty McRantsALot (paulr) - I’m with you. We need to stop being such a polite team. I can’t tell you how many times we’re in the defensive zone watching the other team play with the puck and I scream at the TV, “HIT SOMEBODY!!” If you keep letting them shoot, eventually they’re going to score.
Oh - and paulr - I really did like your rant. 
Crosby missed 29 games last year, his team stepped up in his abscence he came back then they made it to the Cup. The Wild have not stepped up in Gaby’s abscence including the coach and GM.
The really sad thing about the Maryann situation is that DR learned nothing from the Hossa ordeal last year. At least with Hossa he was willing to play where Maryann won’t. DR has to go, his ego flaws his ability to do what right for the team. He hasn’t learned from the Rolston non resigning during the season or maybe before the season started, and appears to be heading down the same path with Backstrom. I have a hard time thinking DR can get into a van much less a car with that huge head and self image he has of himself.
Russo:
read all your material over the last 2 days. I am finally glad you made your assertions. I have been telling people this for over 2 years. We are now 8 years into this franchise… This is a management problem…. At this point our future should be bright VERY bright with our drafting over the last 3-4 years, but it isn’t. This coupled with countless MAJOR errors by upper management (I should e-mail you each one) puts the team in the precarious position its in right now. I agree the Wild will play better and will make a run to get in the playoffs that’s about it. Bottom line… Lemaire is squeezing out as much as anybody could get and more out of this group. These problems are created by DR and his support staff. Keep up your objective angle, its much appreciated!
I’ll take my usual….a nice cold Zhidlitsky.
It is unfortunate that the players take exception with The Don because of his comments. Truth is, a lot of them would be performing much better statistically if there were some additional scorers on the team to spread the opponent’s checking efforts.
As far as Smug, if he is just now getting wind that the train has jumped the tracks, he is out of touch. And it isn’t unusual for top level execs to get that way. Especially when they have young turks like Lynn blowing smoke up their skirts about how great they are. Regardless of how you position it, the Wild are at the bottom of the league. The Don didn’t put them there and he’s just telling it like it is. It’s not for a lack of player’s effort and its not poor coaching. It’s poor management that has led to this point and Smug is President. It is his job to insure that stuff like this does not happen. If he is ticked off at Russo….tough. Imagine how ticked the fans are dropping $150 of their hard earned cash to watch a crappy product. Oh wait. We don’t have to imagine that. We already know.
I thought I would ask if anyone else can see the email from the last poster like I can even though it says your email will not be published. I am not jetswild I and I can see his email on my computer. The trib may want to look at that before they get sued over privacy violations. just thought I would make people aware.
Come to think of it, DR’s single shining moment was putting the hammer down on SV. He hasn’t been able to sign anyone of significance, yet he proved what a prick he can be by making SV look like a chump. SV probably deserved what he was asking for and he definately DID NOT deserve the boot to the mouth. DR - guess that is your version of the wild discount??
Notjetswild… it’s a problem the Strib has left us with for quite some time now. It’s chronic. Just refresh a couple of times and usually you’ll get your own identity back rather than having to re-type it.
Russo really captured the spirit of the thing.
Oh boo hoo, the poor players and management are upset. Heaven forbid that anyone has the guts to tell the truth. Draft good players, make good signings and/or trades and you won’t have to read these truths. #10 should have been traded last season. PMB never should have seen a long term contract with a team that is this close to a complete rebuild. Your big squad is starving for young guns and your minor league team is talent depleted. Poor Koivu is going to suffer on bad teams with no help. Kudos to Russo for writing this story.
Russo, how many lattes have you had today? Your latest blog entry was very interesting, but it was kind of all over the place. While reading it, I found myself saying outloud, “and then this one time, at bandcamp….”
>>>Your big squad is starving for young guns<<<
The Wild are the fourth youngest team in the NHL, but there is no question more production is needed ala Chicago.
BOS:
Agreed to a point, but its a blog entry with little or no editing. He’s just spitballing.
I’m with you Russo! Great, accurate reporting of truth!
If the bar is open I’d like a six pack of Mickey’s big mouth’s and a can of mace.
I’ll pound the malt liquor by the end of the first and if the game is going like I think it will be, I’ll mace myself so I can’t watch the rest of the game.
Stoned on the breakaway…your comments are really good…
“I’ll take my usual….a nice cold Zhidlitsky.
It is unfortunate that the players take exception with The Don because of his comments.
“
As stated several times before, great article Russo.
I had you in my prayers this morning meeting with the players. It is no surprise the way they responded to you and your truthful words.
I say JL makes Koivu the captain a day early and demotes Johnnson back to his original role. Give the “A” to Nolan for him playing even though he could have taken a “Gabby” and sat it out.
Guys who are willing and talented enough to do the work will play for JL. Koivu, Bruno (it would be nice if he showed up again though), PMB (needs to take more quality shots, maybe just more shots), Mittens, Burns, and Schultz.
I think he needs to relax on the defense portion and let these guys run a little though. He is stalling the offense by preaching total defense. Let them play offensive minded hockey one night versus the trap and see what happens.
If the same old game plan is executed tonight, I feel they will get beat 4-2. The first goal will go to the Sharks again. This is a team that JL labeled as the best earlier this season. Russo may have lit a fire under these guys, but the fire might be brief unless a different style is allowed.
Great article today, Russo. The truth hurts. Lets name one trade that DR has made that has benefitted this team? Maybe in the early days when he traded old washed up Vets for draft picks. This year will be a complete loss. I would like to see Gabby gone, Kimmy gone, maybe even Backstrom, what else do we have that someone would want.(Not trading Burns, or Mikko). Also look at all of the young teams like LA, Phoenix, Columbus, Edmonton and of course Chicago, what did they all have in common? They stunk for 2-5 years and they drafted well. We need to reevaulate our scouting directors, and our GM as well. Finally if Jacque is so unhappy with Benoit, then we the *&#*&@ did we draft him 4th overall? Listen, we drafted him, make it work, he has talent to play in this league.
This team can’t score. They had the same problem last year, but somehow managed to overcome it.
Gaborik: pay him whatever he wants, but then multiply it by the % of games he’s missed over his career.
Better yet, trade him hurt.
If mgmt wants to trade pics for players, I think that can be a successful strategy (if done properly). But if you claim to be building from within and you do this anyway, where’s the strategy? Huh?
This team might win the Jennings trophy and come in 30th in scoring. I’m not sure that has ever been done before.
Lootenent Pete, who says what the truth is? Or, that it is different than being portrayed by management? We do not know the entire story and so we are not equipped to deal with anyting but our suspicions.
The truth in this situation is mainly perspective!
People love sports to escape from pressures in their lives. So, then the team swoons and for a time it is not so fun.
Next fans demand management be fired, and there is a good chance if the management is changed their is a negative backlash that is worse than if they had patience.
Does anyone think Shanahan is a worse coach today than when the Bronco’s won the Super Bowl? But, they do no longer have Elway.
None of us has a crystal ball, you cannot see that Gabby would not be healthy and so you cannot hold management responsible.
They may not have been pretty against the Blackhawks but until an open net goal it was a two goal loss. At Calgary it was a one goal loss. So, it is not fair to say they are not working.
The young team is not responding well to pressure so what do the fans do? They turn up the heat and put on lots more pressure.
DR seems to be the focal point of anger right now but I am not sure we have any right to be angry at him or charge him with incompetence.
He has made professional mistakes, so have your doctors, dentists, mechanics, teachers and everyone else you come in contact with.
I do not think DR is the problem. I think time fixes lots of wounds and we are better served with patience.
LOL Blades, I too was thinking, “Wow, Russo is really really caffeinated today.”
If I had to face a locker room full of desperate, angry hockey players whose talent I’ve questioned in a major daily newspaper, I’d need something extra in my system, too. Keep those reflexes sharp.
Ms. conduct - I’m glad someone else saw the lighter side of Russo’s blog entry. I admire him for calling things out like he did in his column today. That took courage, big time. And probably a lot of caffeine to get through the day. I’m sure a lot of folks around here would like to buy him a more stiff drink tonight.
BOS and Ms. C - I’m betting he didn’t sleep too well last night either, anticipating the reception of his article. So he overcaffeinates and gets slap happy at the same time. Been there!
We got Minnesota trailing here three to nothing, with 10.48 left in the first period.
Whoops! Correction, folks. That’s two to nothing.
We don’t wanna make it any tougher for the Wild.
I think Russo may be more worried about what his story is going to be tomorrow. Good chance no one is going to want to talk to him today.
I hope you have something saved up Don!
With us in the press box is injured Wild Right Winger, Marian Gaborik.
Marian, is it tough sitting here watching your team lose like this?
- Definitely, Jim.
You injured your lower body in a game.
- No.
No? I thought you had.
- No, I have a cold. You know, the runny nose and the sore throat.
I went out in that storm there last week to start my car.
I didn’t have my jacket on. I think it’s settled in my kidneys.
Great article Russo. Very professional opinion and certainly NOT personal. If the ego maniacs in the Wild Front office and the young players cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Good Grief, try playing- or Managing in New York or Toronto.
sheppard having talent? damn thats funny! I am not lying when i say i can get a pick up game to beat this team-except boogs-I can get guys to hammer the wild to make them look like fools like every team does in the nhl. To many pu##i$S on this team that cant hit and skate. Thats the bottom line.
Nice Aaron.
Maybe Gaby’s created a new position: “Injured Right Winger”
Here is my biggest gripe about the “organEYEzation”, if I can borrow the term for a moment.
The laud us as the “State of Hockey”. Claim we are the one of the most hockey intelligent fan base in the NHL (see crowd reaction on the killed 5 on 3 vs Carolina), and yet they try to ignore our comments and feedback; try to say there isn’t a problem with the product, we just need to “play better”.
The fans of the “State of Hockey” know a poor team when they see one. We are a NY crowd when it comes to hockey. If you sell us the “State of Hockey”, then we expect to have contenders year in and year out because its “ours” to expect.
Don’t try to mask it. Lets call a spade a spade here. And Russo - I want to thank you for doing it for us!
I wish Ice were my boss.
But you know what?
When the Wild goes on a winning streak again, when it makes a good trade again, when the players play well again and score big goals again, I’ll be there to report that, too.
winning streak will not happen this year. maybe not next either other then the yearly out of the gate b.s. run due to league offenses needing to catch up to defenses.
As long as Doug is here, the good trade will never happen as evident by the fact he hasn’t made a good one yet.
Wild won’t be scoring any big goals and won’t be playing good again for a while. 1/2 the roster either belongs in the AHL or junior, and most of that 1/2 should never step foot on a NHL sheet of ice again.
This franchise, starting from the very top, has no direction, no planning, no foresight. They are all a bunch of washed up has beens that are living off their names more then their ability to actually get the job done. This franchise needs to completely overhaul everything from President Risebrough, to GM Risebrough, to head coach Lemaire, to garbage like Boogaard. Until this franchise completely reinvents itself, it will continue to go no where and they will continue to be a bottom feeder.
Chow time
DR-
Management is upset with Russo’s article?!?! How about spending less time reading the newspaper and a little more time focused on your job.
Russo,
You are the best Hockey writer ever to cover a hockey team in Minnestoa, if not the NHL.
I want to personally thank you for your coverage because what you write is the same things that are on people’s minds. You call it like it is and I’m glad that Mgmt is ticked off because we pay their salary.
Keep up the great work and - I feel that you will be employed A LOT longer than those guys.
Again, I want to thank you for what you do.
jefft says: >>>Stoned on the breakaway…your comments are really good…<<<
Gee, thanks jefft. Although, you may not want to say that if Buddha is in the house. Unless you’re looking to get hammered in the corners.
Anybody who thinks this isn’t a Smug problem, just look at what a guy like Parcells did with the Dolphins overnight. When you are President of a company, you set the tone and the vision. Smug has done a lot of things right, but what we are seeing now is the culmination of a long period of time where bad decisions have outweighed good decisions. You don’t get to this point overnight or on one bad deal.
A Happy 2009 to all.
Spaniard, are you saying that Russo is better then Johnnie Gilbert was? I like em’ both, but, just wonderin’…..
Owen Nolan baby!
who owes me ten russobucks? I called that one!
If Gaborik doesn’t want to play unless he’s 100%. Then maybe the Wild shouldn’t pay him at 100%.
A little late, but did you see when Skoula threw Cheechoo into the boards, then just stood there looking at him? Somebody has GOT to tell Skoula that this is a physical game and you’re actually SUPPOSED to hit people.
Jeff - or we don’t pay unless he gives us 100%
heather- I don’t disagree with your Skoula assessment, but by the time these guys reach the NHL- they are what they are. As much as I’d like to see it, Skoula ain’t gonna be a physical presence. That’s not how he is wired.
Yeah, I getcha. I just wish our team was less afraid to be physical. We’ve only got a couple who’ll hit, most of our players will slow down when they get near the opposing player and try to poke check. They need to just knock the guy off the puck - that way next time, the guy might turn it over because he feels rushed.
Preaching to the choir, I’m sure.
Side note- US vs Canada in the World Junior Championship coming on NHL Network at the bottom of the hour. Between the 1st and 2nd periods a guy will be shooting to win $1MM. Should be a fun night of hockey!
I know this has been beaten to death by bnow, but guys like Kolanos and Belanger would not even be getting a sniff of power play time on an upper-division NHL team.
Scott can barely stand up let alone fight. Have u ever watched a Chara fight? The ambulance stretcher ain’t big enough for Scott!
