Gaborik to undergo surgery Monday, out 10-14 weeks
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 – 2:13 PMBy Michael Russo
Saturday correx: In the article, I should have written Gaborik missed his 31st out of 37 games tonight, not 37th game. Careless error, apologies. As I wrote on the bottom of this blog, I’m off to Denver. Stensaas on tonight. He’ll blog after morning skates.
9 p.m. update: I just got off the phone with Gaborik’s agent Ron Salcer.
He just clarified some more things told to Gaborik from Dr. Marc Philippon. He said he’s spoken to the doctor on four or five occasions.
“He made it really clear it’s not a gray issue. It’s black and white. He’s written published reports on this issue. It’s unequivocal. His playing will create more damage. That’s the deal-breaker.
“The doctor even said, ‘His right hip is perfect. It’s 100 percent. I tell you, if I do this surgery, without a doubt, there’s a 93-percent chance he’ll be as good or better than he has ever been, but we need to do it now. The longer he waits, the more damage he’ll curtail. He made it abundantly clear that Marian is a young player who’s an elite athlete with world-class speed that can have long-term effects if he plays on it.
“Marian wants to play in the worst way. He’s willing to play in pain. He’s willing to play hurt. But we’ve got to draw the line if he’s going to do damage to himself.”
Asked about the future and whether there will still be a huge market for Gaborik: “I’m not going to speculate on what may happen. The most important thing right now is for Marian to get healthy. We’re very confident in the doctor. He’s said that Marian’s got a very bright future ahead of him and we’ll go from there.
“You know, Marian’s got to have confidence in his body. We’re going to fix this thing. That’s what the doctor said. Twice he got close, but he was never right and he had two setbacks.”
On the Wild appearing as if it’s not supporting this: “As I told you, Marian wanted to play. But you can’t ask a 26-year-old to do damage and go ahead and keep playing. We certainly don’t support that, and I’d think they would, too. I mean, this was their idea that he see this doctor in the first place.”
———————————————————————
Marian Gaborik is scheduled to have surgery on his left hip on Monday in Vail, Colo.
The surgery will address a deficiency in his hip that has caused chronic left groin pain. The surgeon has apprised the team that a return to play from this surgery is as soon as ten weeks, with the player able to begin skating after six weeks.
That’s from the team. What it left out is the rest of the timetable, according to Gaborik, which is 10-14 weeks. That’ll take it past the March 4 trade deadline obviously, and almost to the end of the season if it goes the hefty side of those numbers.
One Doug Risebrough quote said everything you need to know about how about much the Wild supports Gaborik’s decision to have surgery: “I’m disappointed that he won’t be here with us for this point in the season. But, you know, this is the choice that Marian has made. So I have no other comment.”
I think now we know for certain what the animated conversation Risebrough and Gaborik were having by the Zamboni entrance before Sunday’s game.
The Wild didn’t want to have surgery. Gaborik did.
Risebrough convinced him to skate for a few days and try to play against San Jose. Gaborik did skate, felt pain and said, that’s it, I’m doing the surgery.
I talked to a very frustrated Gaborik today, one who said he’s more than willing to play in pain as long as he knows he’s not doing long-term damage to his hip. But he says Dr. Marc Philippon told him he would make it much worse and potentially cause a much more serious surgery that would knock him out for half a year.
Gaborik’s got a lot of things going on in there — a torn labrum, cartilage flapping, bone on bone.
He said he’s been playing at 70 percent and in much discomfort and that Philippon told him his left hip is much worse than the right hip he operated on in May.
He said it’s very tough not playing, but this is something he has to get fixed. He said if he was 38, it’d be a different story. He said his plan is to definitely return this season, but he’s got to be smart. He said he believes the hip problems have been the cause of his career-long groin problems, and that this will solve it for good. As an example, he said he’s had no right groin problems after his right hip surgery.
I knew this was coming this morning, so I wrote my Sunday column on Gaborik, specifically on the fact that disregarding all the stuff about how much money he left on the table and the fact that the Wild now has a player it most likely will lose for nothing at the end of the season, it’s just a shame this guy can’t stay healthy.
He’s a helluva player, and just maybe this surgery will be the cure.
Risebrough, unwilling to explain why, said he’s not putting Gaborik on Long Term Injury status, which would allow the Wild to spend up to $6.33 million (his salary) to go over the salary cap.
Risebrough said he’ll continue to look elsewhere, but again reiterated that it’s not easy to replace Gaborik and there aren’t a lot of big options out there. But the Wild is 26th in the NHL in goals for. The season will be at its midway point next Saturday.
The Wild is what it is. A defensive team that has trouble scoring. I just have trouble believing it’s going to magically start scoring without Risebrough acquiring scoring help.
On another topic, stop with the maybe now he’ll sign a short-term deal with the Wild stuff.
First, why would the Wild or Gaborik do that? For one more year of trade rumors, contract distractions and potential injuries?
The damage is done. The animosity between these two sides is deep. I mean, they banned one of his best friends from the arena!!!
Just look at Risebrough’s quote above and what he thinks of Gaborik’s decision to have surgery.
And when I write my Owen Nolan piece in the next few days, digest Risebrough’s quotes and read between the lines when he talks about how players have to play through injuries in this league, including minor ones, and how players aren’t 100 percent the minute they walk into the league, and guys like Nolan are positive examples for the young guys and all that.
Keep in mind that this interview took place yesterday when all this Gaborik stuff was going on and it was fresh in his mind.
Sure, Gaborik might come back before the season’s out and wear a Wild sweater again. That’s his goal. But I wouldn’t expect him here after July 1.
If he’s going to restablish his market with a short-term deal, I believe it’ll be elsewhere.
Stensaas is covering the Red Wings game tomorrow as I leave for Denver and the upcoming four-game road trip…Have a good night.
188 Responses to "Gaborik to undergo surgery Monday, out 10-14 weeks"
Expansion teams are by definition a team that has sucked for 10+ years.
then why haven’t the wild gotten consistent top 5 picks then?
I have a mental picture of Gabby’s hip deficiency as being this 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
Let’s hope, at least for Gabby’s sake the surgeon doesn’t finish with a really important looking piece missing.
then why haven’t the wild gotten consistent top 5 picks then?
‘Cuz of the excellence of the GM.
Making the team into a contender for the playoffs, not the Cup.
Making the team into a contender for the playoffs, not the Cup.
the difference I guess is that I think these two things are not mutually exclusive to this point though. I am totally okay with giving the kids time to develop into their peaks (age-wise) and, over the last couple seasons, supplementing them through free agency/judicious trading. I really am.
Where I get frustrated is when that plan starts to look like there are some serious holes in it. While there are some huge wins in the drafting, there are also some huge busts. And those busts have left us short right now, and expecting a lot (too much?) out of some young players as Russo and others have pointed out.
One might be able to argue that guys like Burns and Mikko are ahead of the curve. And that’s awesome. But there’s not enough of a supporting cast, and there sure as hell isn’t the true star that all winning teams seem to have.
That indicates a shortcoming in management. But the plan, on paper, is still fine, IMO.
my point is when people point to pittsburgh and now chicago and wonder why we ain’t like them with all the good young talent, it is because we have had 2 top 5 draft picks. pittsburgh had what 4 in a row? how did chicago get their top picks? by being pure bertuzzi and not caring if the building was half full or on local TV for that matter. You get better in this league by being bad. the only team that hasn’t is florida and columbus i guess.
you can play hardball with SRV because at the end of the day, do you really think the wild cared that much if they signed him or not?
i believe the CBO has thrown a curve ball at the plan. players become FA sooner. you no longer can hide mistakes as easily.
Rochester, MN - Speaking at the famed Mayo Clinic, Dr. Rosenrosen today confirmed that his highest-profile patient, Marian Gaborik, is headed to Colorado once again.
“We at the Groin Triage and Replacement/Rehabilitation Center for Make Benefit Slovakian Hockey Players (GTRCMBSHP) are known for our work with groins. When it became evident that Marian’s problems extended to his hips, we were, frankly, out of our depth,” said Dr. Rosenrosen. “We have handed him off to the specialists in Colorado, and anticipate following up with him - in our area of expertise - after an appropriate period of convalescence from his hip surgery.”
When asked if this was a hip problem that lead to groin problems or vice versa, Dr. Rosenrosen replied “This is a human physiology problem, specific to this one patient. In our profession ‘the chicken or the egg’ doesn’t matter, as long as the end result is an omelet. We want Marian to end up as an omelet. And if it takes him going to Vail before coming back to us, then so be it. I guess that makes him a Denver omelet.”
I guess this means that we view Gab as a playoff rental, when we might not even make the playoffs…
This is just so depressing. Especially since the Wild have no 2nd or 3rd round picks in this year’s draft.
Green*…spot on with regard to Chi and Pit.
Pittsburgh hit the lottery drafting NBC and Geno.
No, I don’t think the Wild cared if they signed SRV or not. That was made obvious by waiving him.
You’re obviously right and there’s no way my negotiating tactic would have worked. How could I be so stupid.
trying to avoid the moderation triggers
Rochester, MN - Speaking at the famed Mayo Clinic, Dr. Rosenrosen today confirmed that his highest-profile patient, Marian Gaborik, is headed to Colorado once again.
“We at the Groin Triage and Replacement/Rehabilitation Center for Make Benefit Slovakian Hockey Players (GTRCMBSHP) are known for our work with groins. When it became evident that Marian’s problems extended to his hips, we were, frankly, out of our depth,” said Dr. Rosenrosen. “We have handed him off to the specialists in Colorado, and anticipate following up with him - in our area of expertise - after an appropriate period of convalescence from his hip surgery.”
When asked if this was a hip problem that lead to groin problems or a groin problem that lead to a hip problem, Dr. Rosenrosen replied “This is a human physiology problem, specific to this one patient. In our world ‘the chicken or the egg’ doesn’t matter, as long as the end result is an omelet. We want Marian to end up as an omelet. And if it takes him going to Vail before coming back to us, then so be it. I guess that makes him a Denver omelet.”
the moderation triggers are weird.
10 weeks from Monday is March 16th. From that point on we have 13 games over 27 days left of the season. Assuming there are no setbacks.
DR will undoubtedly try to spin his return in a “We didn’t find the big trade available leading up to the deadline because we knew we were getting a world-class, top line talent like Marian back in a couple more days.”
the moderation triggers are weird.
Not to mention exposing email addresses randomly.
“We didn’t find the big trade available leading up to the deadline because we knew we were getting a world-class, top line talent like Marian back in a couple more days.”
That will walk at the end of the season…
ha…I had Dr. Rosenrosen’s statement all typed out, didn’t think there were any bad words in there, and BAM! Gestapo time.
How could I be so stupid
c’mon now
never said it was stupid. not sure if it is a risk you can take with your top, higest profile, unable to replace, player.
I don’t recall right off hand, but was Ballgame properly roasted in Russoville for coughing up a 3rd round pick to move up one spot in the draft to pick Cuma?
While they’re working on his hip, can they send him to the WWIFTF (not sure if I have the acronym right)?
On Koivu, Lemaire said, “Even though last month we took the ‘C’ and gave it to Johnny (Kim Johnsson), Mikko kept playing as hard as he could, so it shows what type of guy that he is.”
memo to Jacques, that’s what your best player and best leader does you old washed up fool. regardless if there is a C on his chest or not, Mikko will always bust his butt to be the best player he can be.
The C needs to be a permanent fixture til the day he retires or leaves the Wild, whatever comes first.
Gaby, if you have any sense of honor, you will sign one more year with the Wild at a discount and perform for you money next year!
Nick - that spin will only work if the Wild hasn’t played itself out of playoff contention by then.
Frankly, if the Wild are sitting at say, the 9th position at the deadline, i would just rather forget about being a buyer for ‘09. The only thing we have to offer is more draft picks or some of our younger, higher-drafted players. I don’t think we’re position to give either away for the sake of a playoff appearance in the short-term.
The C needs to be a permanent fixture til the day he retires or leaves the Wild, whatever comes first.
agree. us fans are lost without mikko wearing that C on his sweater.
kj says:
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
then why haven’t the wild gotten consistent top 5 picks then?
‘Cuz of the excellence of the GM.
Making the team into a contender for the playoffs, not the Cup.
GM excellence? are you serious. it’s all the coach. too bad in the “new” NHL he is no longer effective.
fair point, hockeydad.
unable to replace, player.
That showed every indication of not coming back for any amount of $$$.
Which begs the question…
Do Gho$t/$alcer opt for UFAgency© or do they take safe haven in a deal that (if he has a modicum of intelligence) DR makes during the post-op, drug induced haze?
Dan, c’mon man…it’s s-a-r-c-a-s-m!
if the wild are sitting 9th, i’m selling. This is also why i’m not that quick to resign backstrom right now.
Why do folks get all sweaty over whom has the “C” on his sweater? Do poeple honestly think Franchise is not going to be at his best simply because some other putz is the captain for the month? It’s ridiculous.
That showed every indication of not coming back for any amount of $$$.
true but who also said he wanted a deal done here and we don’t know what was discussed in trencin. I understand DR isn’t popular or even good at GM but he does have an IQ greater than 20, I suspect.
If the Wild spins it’s collective wheels until the end of February, it may behoove the team to send Backstop to a goalie-desparate team looking to make a run. Since Ballgame sent our 2nd and 3rd round picks out the door for June, getting a pick or two back may not be a bad idea.
Green*…I think Backstrom is a tradeable asset either way. Although, I think Backstrom would insist on another NTC in an extension. Then, of course, he’s not going anywhere.
but he does have an IQ greater than 20, I suspect
Is he smarter than a 5th grader?
Did he stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night?
G*: In regards to your statement about the Wild being in 9th, you’d be a seller, I would also add that if it looks like the Wild has no shot of winning the NW, even if it is in playoff position, I would sell. This team does not win a best of 7 against either SJ, Det or Cal this season.
I was also a little bemused by the Don’s question of JL this morning about whether he regretted not keeping Koivu as December’s captain - as if that was the reason for the team’s slide?
Not one of his better questions.
>>Seriously, if I am a GM, I position myself to have the upper hand in bargaining - like DR did with SRV.<<
And just exactly how would you do this with an unrestricted free agent? A UFA holds all the cards. The CBA was designed to give this right to those who had enough tenure in the league to earn it.
“Ballgame sent our 2nd and 3rd round picks out the door for June”
2nd and Jones for Zid, and the 3rd to move up to get Cuma, correct? Oh cripes I forgot about that. More Kool Aid fast!!!!
I also think that DR needs to sit down and have a little talk with Backstrom. Maybe backstrom wants 6+mill a season, maybe he wants a 4-5-6 year deal, maybe he wants both of those. But once DR figures out what Backstrom is looking for, the decision to keep or trade him will be a lot easier.
I know I’ll probably be mocked for this but 2009 is supposed to be a very deep draft(See: 1st Round 2003) if we keep our 1st rounder and miss the playoffs we’ll probably have a decent pick somewhere top ten. Then we trade Backs for a first rounder at deadline.
People the franchise wasn’t ruined when we traded Roloson.
We didn’t end up dead last in the NHL when we traded Fernandez.
Backstrom is a proven NHL starter and we can get a great return for him. I say do it.
Exactly: The only control a GM has over a UFA is how much money and how many years he is willing to offer. Aside from that, he holds no cards. Also, as has been typed earlier, comparing the situation with SRV and Gaby unrealistic simply because SRV is a dime a dozen.
Lucky, that might be the quickest way to fuel this little re-build. Only difference is, each time we sent those other goalies packing, we had another guy who was ready to be the #1. I don’t think Harding is that guy, but trading Backs still might be a move to consider.
It’s time to ditch Gaborik and Kim Johnsson and get this team on the right track…Johnsson gets more credit than any terrible hockey player in history and Gaborik and any other “Goal Scorer” can’t be any teams goal scorer when they spend there time whining about bruises!
“I have a mental picture of Gabby’s hip deficiency as being this 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.”
it’s Legos.
(is it IBC or html codes to do the font/link stuff on this thing?)
Russ: The only caviat I would add to your post is that Ballgame has a painful history of waiting too long in speaking with key free agents to find out what kind of deal they may be looking for. The Wild basically has 6 weeks and 21 games to find out if it is gonna be a serious player for the NW title. If it is not, moving Backstop would be prudent, simply to recoup some of the lost picks that went out the door via other trades. If nothing else, the Wild organization has always been able to make goalies look real, real good, based on the system the team plays.
And just exactly how would you do this with an unrestricted free agent?
I already said how I would have done it. Offer what you were willing to give up at the start and then work a trade as best you can.
Would the Penguins have been a buyer for Gho$t when they missed out on re-signing Hossa? Granted, they might not have had exactly what you wanted, but you would have been in control.
Besides, a deal with someone else involving Gho$t around July 1 may have eliminated the need for Zidlicky deal.
James: Kimmie J can’t be a terrible hockey player because he has the biggest cap hit for the Wild of all the healthy players. 
And I wouldn’t consider hip surgery a “bruise”.
The issue in the SRV situation was that Smug knew SRV wasn’t going anywhere. Nobody else was going to pick him up off waivers because he was headed towards arbitration. Because SRV didn’t understand how things work, Smug looked bad for spanking him even though SRV basically stuck his chin out at Smug and said, “Here. Take your best shot.” I think Smug laid him down gently.
DB, exactly. The gaby problem is done. Nothing he can do about it now. Might as well turn his attention to Backs to see what he is thinking. Maybe Backs will take a home town discount, maybe not. He will never know until he talks to him. As far as I am concerned, DR also needs to have a little personal PR push. People totally blame DR for this whole Gaby thing (which is still being debated), and he is getting to the point that the people who were on the fence are now over it, and the people who were in favor of DR are now on the fence. It is a good time for DR to pull a good magic trick and get the fans back on his side.
What you said kj is this: >>Seriously, if I am a GM, I position myself to have the upper hand in bargaining -<<
What I am saying is there is no way that a GM can get the upper hand over an FA who doesn’t care if he stays or goes.
From that point you try and maximize trade value which reaches its peak as the trade deadline approaches. If you want to think there was anything but junk available last fall, that’s your business. If Pittsburgh or anyone else for that matter, had anything on the table worth considering, Smug would have taken it. But he wasn’t going to take junk just because Gaby might get hurt nor should he. Read his quotes.
Why do I feel like I am caught in Groundhog Day. Same discussion different day.
Why do I feel like I am caught in Groundhog Day. Same discussion different day.
Simple. We disagree.
Stoned: Ballgame didn’t start talking to other teams until a month into the season. He waited way too long. He and we will never know what could have gained because he didn’t pick up the phone and call. A while Back Russo printed that League officials he had spoken to stated there was a market for Gaby in September. If there was a market for him then, with rosters nearly set, you have to believe there would have been a market for him July 1, when many trades were made. Unfortunately, Ballgame didn’t look into that option.
All I am saying is the only control you have over the situation is what you offer and at what point you make the determination that the player is not going to re-sign.
In Gho$t’s case, I think DR should have tried to find that out sooner than later.
Once you realize you cannot deal with someone, it makes it easier to remove them from your plans.
First the cheap Twins, now the cheap Wild… Sigh!!!!
Wild isn’t cheap. It just needs to pay attention as to whom they are offering up the millions (i.e. Kimmie J, Butch).
>>In Gho$t’s case, I think DR should have tried to find that out sooner than later.<>Stoned: Ballgame didn’t start talking to other teams until a month into the season.<<
On the first point…..Regardless of when DR came to the conclusion that they weren’t going to be able to sign him, the plan was always to play him until the trade deadline when his value was max. That is what GM’s do.
On the second…..You don’t know that. It’s just what you read in the paper.
being contractors, kj, if you know company A will offer $200/hr don’t you try to get $225? expecially if you don’t need the job there because you have a good idea that 5 other companies will offer $175 - $200?
Got to love modern medicine. This is just comming to light NOW? This has been a nagging problem all along. Now when his contract is going to be up they find the answer? We have come a long way with modern medicine…….
I agree with above comments that Gaborik should feel some obligation to sign a one year deal with the wild.
- First the cheap Twins, now the cheap Wild… Sigh!!!!
The legacy of the post lockout season lives on.
- On the day Gaby’s career with the Wild comes to a sad close, Slovokia is up 3-1 on the USA after 2 
Can we start dealng with the here & now?
Gabby’s gone until at least late March.
He isn’t going to re-sign here.
He will walk on July 1st.
Everyone wants to roast DR on how this “was” handled. To me, I’ll be watching how he handles the next few days.
If the Wild put him on IR, in effect they are closing the door on him, since I assume they can ‘use’ his cap space on a replacement.
To me, the “commitment” everyone wants to see from CL and/or DR will be answered in the next few days.
If CL is such a ‘great’ owner, will he O.K. spending extra $$ on a Gabby replacement????
Can DR find a rental????
Or will they tell a story to the fans that they will wait and see if Gabby can help on March 25th???
My season-ticket money is waiting on the answer.
Great… anyone want to trade me something for Gaby in the fantasy hockey league?
the twins have always been cheap that will never change. the wild better get rid of him now while they can get something preferably a player but that is unlikely but they should go for some draft picks
Green*…a valid supposition.
However…an employer cannot ship me off to a competitor for the duration of my contract like an NHL team can. That might influence my decision process when the next contract came up - especially if I liked living where I do and didn’t want to uproot my family.
ATX, how about a fantasy bag of pucks? 
kj…equally valid supposition
InTheNet says:
“Gaby, if you have any sense of honor, you will sign one more year with the Wild at a discount and perform for you money next year!”
Then you for sure won’t see him with the Wild. Mrs. Tendergroins is a complete wuss, as is his agent.
Thanks DR for letting this get to another no-win situation. Maybe you could trade this year’s 1st round pick for Reggie Dunlop & the Hanson Brothers.
Russo- you rock! Thanks.
Touche JMP. I knew that was coming. I just dropped him and picked up Danny Briere in his place. Word.
can someone find out why the left wasn’t done when the right was? especially if the right is worse than the left?
can someone find out why the left wasn’t done when the right was? especially if the right is worse than the left?
That is the $8.5 million per contract question.
or why this wasn’t looked at in october?
was salcer worried it would hurt his chances on a big pay day and gambled they would be able to get thru the season and be able to fix it summer of 09?
>> That might influence my decision process when the next contract came up - especially if I liked living where I do and didn’t want to uproot my family.<<
Hockey players,especially Europeans, are itinerants who accept having to move. Their careers are short and they are talking about millions of dollars. With a few notable exceptions, they get in, make as much money as they can playing wherever they can and then retire to wherever they want. Where they play just isn’t that big of a deal as long as its in the NHL. Mind you, its easier being on a winner, but making $2-5M/yr on an NHL also ran for a few years ain’t a bad way to make a living.
ATX, I do apologize for the obligatory bag o’ pucks remark, but I couldn’t resist!
At least now we know that he is for sure a goner, that we are getting nothing for him, and that we need to start all over. I like Lemaire but he should retire and not put himself through another rebuilding process and DR should be canned and let’s start over. At least half of Detroit’s team is entering FA this year and they can’t sign them all, maybe we can snag a couple that get left behind.
Sign Gaby to a long term contract. Don’t worry about the injury.
He might get injured so trade Gaby for junk last summer. Trade him before his value is maximized at the trade deadline. Trade him for junk without realizing any of the contributions he could make to the team over 3/4ths of a season.
It is illogical, irrational and non-linear thinking to hold both of those opinions.
Either the injury is a problem where you don’t try to sign him long term or its not and you work him until the trade deadline. You can’t have it both ways except in hindsight.
If Gaby was on his way to putting up a 50 goal season right now, even though we knew he was on the way to being traded, Smug would be looking ok.
I am so sick of Gabby. He is punk, and I hope that he won’t be on our team anymore. He didn’t want to sign for more than 8 million a year and I hope he never gets that in his career. He is going to walk into free agency like he wanted to and get whatever he wants. In return the Wild gets nothing and that is what he wanted the whole time.
Rereading the article, it occurs to me that all that damage is probably due to a soccer volleyball injury and that’s why it wasn’t picked up before.
that’s why it wasn’t picked up before.
probably. i still wonder if it was known or not that this was inevitable since it was said that #10 believes it is the source of the groin issues.
Just to change topics on the fly, a comment worthy of a cheer:
“The Minnesota Wild should host a Winter Classic. The University of Minnesota’s new football stadium opens in the fall of 2009. No more Metrodome. Go outside. And play hockey.”
http://www.sportsfanlive.com/web/poll?pollId=6882269
all that damage is probably due to a soccer volleyball injury
which happened in october yet it wasn’t determined until january it would require surgery.
Dr. Phillipot while you are in the are can you transplant a set of balls in the patient
add detroit as a buyer for Backstrom. conklin is UFA and osgood is signed for 2 more years on the cheap.
pending marty b’s status, i’d add new jersey as well.
colorado is a good candidate.
while i was looking for teams that would likely enjoy trading some future for backstrom’s services I noticed that a certain team in the east has 42 points in 38 games. The wild have 38 in 36.
it’s no excuse for the current issues but i found it surprising.
>>Thanks BoS. I get that part. Its the one where he takes the goalie’s stick in the beginning and gives him a shot between the pipes. 50 Russobucks to anyone who can tell me what he calls that.<<
Stoned: it’s “Give him the gourmet shot…be a bad mf’er”
Save the 50 Russo bucks, that’s about as valueable as Gaby on March 4.
Hmmm.. This might just work out ok after all. Have you guys considered the possibilities?
Gaborik could be a good card to have at the draft this year. If he plays this spring and has no residual problems from the surgery. He could be dealt for a pick, to move up in the draft, or we could get something for “negotiating rights”, like last year.
Also consider that maybe no one will be willing to take a chance on him next summer, and he ends up staying here.
STFU, everyone who is bagging on Gabby. You people prolly take sick days because it’s nice out. Let the guy get healthy. Gabby isn’t out to bring the Wild down. No one (except moronic sports fans) is that spiteful. You’d probably all do the same thing with a contract situation.
Russo: Incidentally, Gaborik is not happy with all the talk that he’s not willing to play through 100 percent and that he’s “milking” the injury.
It’s simple to answer that talk, Gaby:
Shut up, man up, and play. No NHL player on a current roster is 100 per cent healthy right now. You’ve shot yourself in the foot so many times through this whole process, they should introduce you when (and, IF) you return, to the TV theme music from, ‘F Troop’.
So please, Gaby. Enjoy your time in Aspen, while you can. Next year, those mountains will be the Urals, and you’ll be in Russia, because NO NHL team will take a chance on someone with the lack of heart and fortitude as you.
Nasdrovia! (Cheers!)
Michael,
Somebody will throw an offer his way. Wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa makes “Saw 42″ to generate $ for the new ad campaign of “Seen Gaby”
[…] Marian Gaborik is going to be out 10-14 weeks with hip surgery. […]
I knew something like this would happen. Gabby gets the operation he should of had before. Don’t worry, some team will sign him for the 09-10 season. If his operation is a success, he will get a huge contract the following year and the Wild will get nothing in return. That hurts. What we could have had: a top six forward, a good prospect and a number 1 [pick. Thanks DR.
Why is there not more talk about the GM losing his job. This was totally, completely and absolutely handled poorly by Doug. Last year’s free agent exodus, the Gaborik disaster and the soon to be departure of Backstrom? Nice three-pack by anyone’s standards…
Maybe this has been said in the 90 comments previously listed, but the Wild WILL trade him to a playoff contender with a whole series of contingencies in terms of games played.
Brian: I agree there could be some kind of trade but will DR be smart enough to take it.
Michael up North says:
“Hmmm.. This might just work out ok after all. Have you guys considered the possibilities?
Gaborik could be a good card to have at the draft this year.”
Tendergroins will be a free agent. The Wild will have nothing to deal at the draft as far as he is concerned. The most we can hope for is to get a new GM who isn’t the complete incompetent DR is.
so why the hell didn’t this dude in Colorado diagnose the left hip issue at the same time as the right one? wouldn’t a smart doctor look at both, even if the left wasn’t causing pain? I mean, with a professional athlete with Gaborik’s injury history, it would only make sense. this could have been fixed at the same time as the right side, and we wouldn’t have this problem right now.
what a crappy situation.
The season was over last month—This is the time when we have to put all of these players on IR-skoula,veilleux,sheppard,johnnson,bouchard, and bring up some players that want to hit and play hockey. DR is a fricken moron and lemaire is a brain damaged gum chewer. Make the rest of the season fun to watch with some players that have some grit.
chris:
just because the whole comments section isn’t full of FIRE DR, it doesn’t mean nobody’s thinking it.
of course, there was no way of knowing this would happen to Gaby again this year, but this is why you don’t let guys play into the final year of their contract, especially your most valuable players, and really especially not injury prone valuable players, because you never know what will happen. if he’d talked contract last season, he would have discovered then that Gaby didn’t want to stay (duh), and he could have been traded at the deadline or at the draft. or he could have been talked into an extension at that time, and then he’d still be under contract through next year and tradeable at the next deadline or draft.
but NO, Risebrough isn’t afraid to let guys play into the final year of their contracts, and this is what you end up with. Risebrough has completely screwed this franchise and left it in complete disarray. if he isn’t fired before the draft, then Leipold is just as big a moron as Risebrough. I hope that’s not the case.
but this is why you don’t let guys play into the final year of their contract
then what is that idiot ken holland doing letting zetterberg play into his final year?
I disagree with the DR bashing going on. We cant possibly know what really happened in the negotiations, so until the facts come out some day we wont really know what happened with the Gaby talks.
yeah, Kenny Holland’s clearly off the reservation. That whole franchise is obviously going down the tubes.
Apples and oranges with the Zetterberg analogy.
He’s only missed 31 games since the lockout.
It’s not just the final year, but the player as well.
Injury prone = huge risk. Coupled with Gho$t wanting out = gigantic risk.
kj: that may be, but the original criteria only included not playing guys in the final year of a deal…
Apples and oranges with the Zetterberg analogy
sorry but it wasn’t this is why you don’t let gaborik play into the final year of his contract. it was this is why you don’t let guys play into final year of his contract. guys is not specific.
So is the reason DR won’t put Gabby on LTI is that he is so delusional to think the might get Gabby at the end of the season for a playoff run?
This will be just one more excuse for him to not go out, and make a trade to help this team.
I’ll say again, what’s the plan? Sounds to me like he’s satisfied with mediocrity.
I am probably an idiot here, but it seems like a player that misses time, should not be allowed out of a contract. I am sure it is part of the CBA, but maybe contracts should be based on games played on not ‘Seasons’ or ‘years’. We are going to get 6 friggin games out of this guy and his contract is complete? Ridiculous. Get outta town, both of you! Gabby and Risebrough! You have both combined to ruin this franchise for the next couple ’seasons’. Thanks!
I think the reason why he won’t put Gaborik on LTIR is that he doesn’t have anyone to fill in the spot at the price anyways.
All it does is free up cap space and since DR isn’t going to make a move in the short-term, its not even worth talking about.
If you listen to the DR press call available on wild.com, DR did say that the hip specialist took a look at the side Gaborik is going to have surgery on and deemed it was not necessary at that time to undergo surgery. Gaborik, must have put a lot more stress on that side to have it go from “normal” to bone-on-bone condition.
I think the reason why he won’t put Gaborik on LTIR is that he doesn’t have anyone to fill in the spot at the price anyways.
All it does is free up cap space and since DR isn’t going to make a move in the short-term, its not even worth talking about.
If you listen to the DR press call available on wild.com, DR did say that the hip specialist took a look at the side Gaborik is going to have surgery on and deemed it was not necessary at that time to undergo surgery. Gaborik, must have put a lot more stress on that side to have it go from “normal” to bone nashing condition.
Let’s try it again… I am being moderated. So if you see 3 posts from me, I apologize.
—–
I think the reason why he won’t put Gaborik on LTIR is that he doesn’t have anyone to fill in the spot at the price anyways.
All it does is free up cap space and since DR isn’t going to make a move in the short-term, its not even worth talking about.
During DR press call available on wild.com, DR did say that the hip specialist took a look at the side Gaborik is going to have surgery on and deemed it was not necessary at that time to undergo surgery. However, in 7 months, that side went from normal to bone rubbing against bone?
That is some deterioration.
sunshine, could he put #10 on LTIR at any time? or does he need to do it now?
if anytime then if he can add a player, then he could do the LTIR thing then.
Anyone notice what Manny Fernandez is doing in Boston after a year of injuries? The guy we got in return quit and went back to Europe. And how about Kessel and Wheeler?
hahaha… omg Nick in NY and GreenStar, you guys are so literal. okay, I’m so very sorry that I wasn’t EXACTLY SPECIFIC with my wording. I’m human. sue me.
but kj has the right idea.
and I’m very sorry if I left any loopholes in this post, too.
I think he could Gaborik on LTIR anytime. My understanding is LTIR is mainly for cap concerns.
As we all suspect, DR isn’t likely to make a move in the next month so its not a big deal.
I just got back from the rink and believe I have a torn labrum… That or I’m getting old. Cripes.
Any of you guys know of a smoker’s league? I quit a couple months ago, but I think that is the only place I could keep up. 
I’m with Nick when he looks at the “Plan” and sees some big holes. What phase are we in? Hopefully not the “ten-year-of-suck-phase.”
Russo posted a correction:
Gabby has a torn labium……..wait for it………heeeeyyyyooohhhhhh!!!! Can’t beleive no ones gone there yet.
I’m almost to the point where I can laugh about the Gabby situation. What are the stages of grief again?
Being a GM of a porfessional sports franchise is a hard job and Doug is doing his best for the Wild. Everyone should just leave him alone.
uh…go easy on the NyQuil DB…. :p
Re: The Plan. What are the choices? Plan A: Build from within with prospects and good scouting.
Plan B: Go the Tampa Bay route and overpay for any/every free agent available.
Plan C: some combination of A and B.
It looks like plan C peaked last year. Plan A isn’t a complete failure (Koivu, Burns, PMB, healthy Gabby) but with no players past round 1 making a meaningful contribution plan A has not been executed well. Maybe plan B is next.
Are there other “plans”?
Pewter:
Its — ” a torn labrum, cartilage flapping, bone on bone.”
You should just copy and paste instead of making up words.
I think we’re headed for a few lean years with the wild, lean meaning 4 to 5 years of mediocrity…DR needs to head out the door with Gabby groin pull
Don’t use the Bolts as an example because they have already sipped from LSC.
The plan: Need to let the young kids play so they can develop. Then, we have to be big and strong so we can beat Anaheim. Then, we have to be more mobile so we can beat Detroit. Then, we have to let the kids play again so they can develop. Kind of looks like we’ve come full circle. But like I said, being a GM is a hard job and Doug is doing his best. Everyone just needs to show him some support.
schultz isn’t exactly a bust and he was round 2
Wild have been very good in rounds 1 and 2. It’s rounds 3 through infinity that they have struggled mightily in.
new food from the Don. Salsa weighs in.
Salcer did a better job this time than during his denial of contract amounts.
“The doctor even said, ‘His right hip is perfect. It’s 100 percent. I tell you, if I do this surgery, without a doubt, there’s a 93-percent chance he’ll be as good or better than he has ever been, but we need to do it now. The longer he waits, the more damage he’ll curtail. He made it abundantly clear that Marian is a young player who’s an elite athlete with world-class speed that can have long-term effects if he plays on it.
Why wasn’t this analysis available in the Fall?
No Pewterschmidt. No other plans. I would argue that we did a whole bunch of plan B though. IMO this year should have been a rebuilding year by choice, not by circumstance.
I just listened to the Pondcast w/DR and I don’t get the feeling that he has a coherent plan. He sounds like he got hit by a truck and hasn’t quite shaken it off.
Russo (I think) asks him how difficult a position the Wild is in and DR says, “What specific difficulty are you talking about?” It was awkward when Russo had to lay out just how bad this situation was. I wanted to tell him that Doug was in the room. Granted, this is but one piece of a difficult situation, but for goodness sakes, when the ship is listing at least admit it.
He “just wants to get Gabby back,” and says something about thirteen games left in the season. I found it a bit bizarre. I dunno. Here it is if you haven’t heard it.
http://downloads.wild.nhl.com/podcasts/PONDCAST_1049_DOUGR.MP3
Pewter:
Its — ” a torn labrum, cartilage flapping, bone on bone.”
You should just copy and paste instead of making up words.
Gabby has labia. There I said it.
Labia/Labium+Gaborik+Pewter’s lewd humor= Hilarious
If you don’t know why this is funny… Well, I can’t help you.
Youn cannot blame a player of Gaby’s age to not want to do more damage to the hip and have the surgery now. You can, however, ask some questions as to why they are just finding out that surgery is needed at this point. If the procedure was done to the other side and now he is as good as new, why wasn’t the same issue but on the other side looked at as a possibility for the problems when it arose in October?
It’s comical. The man has to have surgery on an already damaged hip and people are clamouring that he has no heart and can’t play in pain. If he was sitting with a sore wrist, or a bruised shoulder, or dislocated ring finger and wanted to sit in the ice tub, then so be it, flame away. But you have a doctor, that the Wild recommended by the way, who is stating that he will do more long-term damage if he continues to play on it, yet Gaby gets roasted.
Deep Breath: A Gaby apologist? You?? I never knew…
If he really was in that amount of pain, why did he not seek this treatment earlier? Why did he wait until he could sufficiently screw the Wild organEYEzation over to decide ‘well, I’m still not feeling that great, must have hip fixed now’ after nearly three months on the shelf, collecting an NHL paycheck and not allowing the Wild to do what is in the best interests of the team as a whole.
Sorry, DB. I just can’t see myself on the ‘Gaby is the greatest thing since sliced bread’ bandwagon. Most Wild fans can’t either.
The team’s focus is on Detroit tomorrow night. Maybe we should all focus on what’s ahead (John Tavares?)
Didn’t say he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Gaby himself has also stated that he has played with pain when he has been on the ice this year. Now, a doctor the team tells him to see, states that he will do more, long-term damage if he continues to play on it. I just want to have somebody with connections ask management why this possible cause was not looked at in October, when the problems sprung up again. Especially since he had the same issue on the other side a couple of years ago.
DR said that his hip was looked at when he went in earlier, and that there was nothing wrong at that time. I think it’s in the link I put above if you want to listen. I thought that it was weird that a congenital defect wouldn’t show up until later, but that’s why I’m not a wiener Dr.
WRT:
Those are questions that needed to be directed to the Wild and its medical team. Here are some more questions that need to be ask: why didn’t the team send him to go back to the specialist prior to the start of the season as a final check up?
Why didn’t the team send Gaborik to see the specialist sooner than December 24th?
Sorry, DB. I just can’t see myself on the ‘Gaby is the greatest thing since sliced bread’ bandwagon. Most Wild fans can’t either.
who is saying that?
WRT:
Your questions are the type that needs to be directed to the Wild and its medical team.
Here are some more questions that need to be ask: why didn’t the team send him to go back to the specialist prior to the start of the season as a final check up?
Why didn’t the team send Gaborik to see the specialist before Christmas Eve?
This is honestly DR’s fault! When Gaborik didn’t take the offer in August and since he has clashed with JL for years the writing was on the wall. Had he looked for a deal 6 months ago the Wild could have gotten maximum return and now they may get nothing. This is a disturbing trend of DR miss reading the market. First he could have dealt Dupuis for Huselius but chose not to because Pascal scored that night. Second was not offering Rolston a contract last season and waiting until he could taste UFA status. Next the Gaborik mess and now Backstrom who they have not begun to negotiate with and who will I guarantee leave with nothing in return. Throw in back-to-back drafts that saw him take Thelen and Pouliot and the fact they haven’t drafted another scorer since Gaborik. Why not just trade Doug Gilmour for Gary Leeman again and get it over with.
Oh and another thing when the Wild were in year two and Phoenix released Daniel Briere I remember DR saying he wasn’t better than what they currently had!!!!
John Scott didn’t play for the Aeros tonight. I don’t believe he is injured - could be the call up.
Jeff–
At this point, it may be in the team’s better interest to entertain offers from goalie-starved teams come March 4. Need to try and replenish the cupboard with some quality young players or high picks. Remember, the Wild has no 2nd or 3rd round pick in June’s draft. One went for Zids and the other to move up a spot in the draft to take Cuma.
entertain offers for Backstop, that is.
To all of you who enjoy complaining about DR and the wild and gabby…what did you complain about before 2000? If you are so pissed about the product, which I admit has been somewhat shoddy, then don’t buy tickets and don’t watch games, which will eventually be blacked out anyway. Then the Wild will be like the Blackhawks and Penguins and whatever other teams you all think suck sooo much. Then we will be good, or not. At least we have a team back in the supposed state of hockey. My autographed Rolston jersey means almost nothing now, but I am mad at DR for it.
if you don’t like his moves, then quit paying his salary, or at least stop complaining. My lord you all sound like vikqueens fans in here.
Well, they are likely to put Gaborik on IR and allow Scott to stay with the team. This allows the team to carry 7 defensemen.
I want to know why the team waited so long to send Gaborik to send him to see the surgeon.
Did Gaborik not tell them that he was having hip problems? Did he tell them and they thought he could still play through it like last year?
Which two of these scenarios played are more correct?
Yep, Scotty is on the transaction list, so he’s up. Though presumably if Zids is better tomorrow, he’ll sit. Glad he’s getting his chance though.
Is Scott the best defensemen down there?
I can’t honestly say that he is but he may be the most NHL-capable right out of the box, if that makes sense. There’s certainly no size or grit issue to overcome and he’s a solid, capable d-man this season. They obviously liked what they saw in pre-season and they got an equal look at Mosey. I hope he does well, but who knows.
I’d be concerned about speed and penalties, though he seems to have his penalty-proneness under control to some degree. Though with NHL guys being bigger in general, he may not be as much of a target for refs as he is in the AHL.
I think Budstriker has been watching too much football. Wild games will be ‘eventually blacked out’ because they will not sell out? If that was the case, 90% of the NHL games in North America would be blacked out. Very few teams have consistant sell outs. Teams will televise games even if only 35 people show up. They need all the exposure they can get.
We could try to buy Vinny’s contract from the Bolts. They are looking to dump his salary. Just not sure what they want in return. I hear the Tampa owners couldn’t make player payroll last month and the league had to loan them more money. The Bolts and the Yotes are both out of cash. Hard times ahead for many teams, despite what the little dictator says. And once again, great leg work by Michael Russo. One question Mike; I am surprised you did not report about how much fun you had at the New Years bash at Casa Da Gaby. Or did Sir Groins A Lot decide to un-invite you this year? I hear it was a blast. Open bar in the basement and free labrum exams in the garage!
kj says:
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
While they’re working on his hip, can they send him to the WWIFTF (not sure if I have the acronym right)?
—————————
Ahhhh…just out of curiousity, what does WWIFTF stand for?
why aren’t the wild in HD?…I’m sick of this horrible video. You know whats funny is, that they play when they want. At San Jose they held the sharks to no goals after two periods, that is incredible..but then blew it in the third and the other night we played really well. I like our team, we should be able to muscle detroit tomorrow and if we dont make stupid turnovers we can beat them. Lets start a 10 game win streak back to the top. cheers
My brother is a Wings and Eagles fan…I hope to kill his weekend. Go Wild and Vikes!!
LTIR doesn’t negate the fact the player is still paid while injured. What it does, is allow the team a cap exception upwards, up to, but not to exceed the aggregate salary of the player placed on LTIR. In addition, it’s 10-games and 24 days they must be on IR.
There is also some issue somewhere about trading players designated on LTIR, but I haven’t found it yet. IIRC, a player on LTIR designation can’t be involved in a transaction, i.e., sent down, waived, or traded. If anyone can find that clause, post it!
That could be the reason for not putting him on - he doesn’t have to. In addition, the LTIR cap bump rule is designed for teams that need to accommodate the salary of a player or players who are signed to replace the injured player, but it can be done anytime.
MuN, I thought I was the only one who kept crazy hours (now that KiPA has abandoned us).
[…] into the boards from behind. Thankfully Whitney did not miss a shift. … Minnesota management isn’t exactly supportive of Marian Gaborik’s decision to undergo hip […]
WWIFITF = Wes Walz Institute For Installation of Testictular Fortitude
I am second guessing Riseburough now after reading Salcers comments. He has no business asking any player to play when he can damage himself by doing so. I believe the Doctor and Salcer. Doug may need to take a vacation on this one
Reusse article makes sense up until he mentions Rolston. I dont think Rolston is a 5 million dollar player a year
With regards to Sean Avery- If you have JL as a coach you could try Sean Avery
Deep Breath says:
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I don’t recall right off hand, but was Ballgame properly roasted in Russoville for coughing up a 3rd round pick to move up one spot in the draft to pick Cuma?
I know I did, I even called it before it happened! NJ traded down twice and picked 2 extra 3rd rounders (they 1st traded down to the spot just in front of the Wild, knowing they could get something out of DR)!
if Gabby comes back with 10-14 games is there still a chance to trade him? when’s the deadline?
March 4 is the deadline, which will most likely be long gone by the time Gaby would be back. He is gonna walk and the Wild will get nothing for him.
Also, for MIKA: If Huggy is not worth 5 million, there is no way that Butch is worth the 4+ million the Wild is paying him. Especially considering that Franchise is making less.
I have no problem with Gabby making this decision, he has nothing to owe to the Wild and has to look out for Numero Uno. I will harp on this one more time, but Gabby needs to ask himself a few questions:
1. When did the groin/hip issues start appearing?
2. When did you acquire the Formula 1 simulator?
3. Did number 1 occur after number 2?
DB, the Wild get free cap space when Gabby walks, which if not spent, becomes CL and PF (Phil Falcone) cash for their personal enjoyment.
CL is only a majority owner (I don’t think it’s even more than 60 percent), he may have to discuss anything with PF since he has a stake in it too.
When are we getting the news that Gabby’s brother has been relieved of his scouting duties?
Reusse says, “today’s NHL moving the puck from the back line was more vital to scoring goals”. WTF is the back line? the only thing worse than listening to Reusse talk hockey is listening to Sid stammer through a few Wild players names. Some of these dolts should be prohibited from talking puck. I’d rather listen to the deranged Glen Sonmor than any of the sports writers.
What % does Falcone own? I like the idea of an Iron Ranger as a key owner.
El Gato - I think you are on to something… but you know you will only get denials from Gaby about the groin Formula 1 simulator stuff.
I wonder if DR’s anger towards Gaby is actually giving us some signs that CL indeed has put DR on the hot seat.
I guess I cannot blame Gaby for doing the surgery I can only blame them (Gaby and the Wild) for not figuring this out any sooner. I also wonder if fixing the right hip put more stress on the left one and this was a contribution cause in making the left hip finaly break.
Especially considering that Franchise is making less.
because koivu signed his contract a year earlier for less does not mean you adjust everyone else down or we’d have 19 SRV’s on the team.
Well, they are likely to put Gaborik on IR and allow Scott to stay with the team. This allows the team to carry 7 defensemen.
Which tells you everything you need to know about the forwards in Houston (no offense ms.C).
I suppose it’s Inglewood Jack to the wing again, eh?
G*: But you can’t tell me that Butch’s value increased that much more in one year compared to the value of Franchise when he signed. To give Butch 4+ million per season seems a little foolish, considering he is a playmaker and not a finisher. He needs somebody to finish for him. Since the Wild did not go out an aqcuire that player, it seems like too high a price to pay. Maybe they had plans to bring in a goal scorer to play with Butch and it didn’t work out over the summer, but I’m hoping that the Wild didn not excpect Mittens and/or Bruno to be the scorer Huggy was for them.
kj:
I think the reason why they would bring up a defensemen is so that we won’t be playing 5 d-men, with 1 at 9 minutes and the other 4 at 24+ minutes each if another d-men is out for injury or family emergency. Not to say that we might not have good forwards down in the AHL. Its just that a defensemen is probably a more pressing issue at the moment until MAB comes back. Once he does, a forward might replace the defensemen.
MuN:
In TSN’s first Gaborik story, they did say that the CBA allowed a team to trade an injured player. However, no mention of a distinction between IR and LTIR.
snoman is right! Get rid of the bums that we have-skoula,veilleux,sheppard,johnnson-get some players up here for the rest of the season that will hit someone and play physical in front of the net-They should call it the “THE TEAM OF PU#$$!$S” Except boogs and clutterbuck.
sunshine: does bringing Scott up solve the D-man issue, though? If he was that much of an upgrade, he would have been a while ago. Do we expect him to get 20 minutes a night? If not, then you have 2 d-men getting 10 minutes per game while the other 4 are getting 22+. If you’re gonna bring up another D-man, either give him 16-18 minutes, or leave him down in Houston and give a forward a shot.
I believe Scott is up for Zids but maybe he hangs around as insurance. But I didn’t see a d-man call up as an indictment of the Aeros forwards. I think you could call either Locke or Schultz up just fine.
Deep:
Scott is another Reitz — no more than 10 minutes a night. However, if Zids is still sick tonight, we will be down to 5 defensemen again. Scott is not an ideal solution but is the best one. In the end, its probably better than playing 5 defensemen for more games.
What ms. c said more succinctly.
Its hard to give Dumpster Doug a break on this one he just plain mismanged resources, Unlike Russo counterpart (Reusse) at the paper being a member of the 18000 I dont drink the kool aid and dont like him painting us all with the same brush. How many games has he paid for this year compared to how many he has been at
But you can’t tell me that Butch’s value increased that much more in one year compared to the value of Franchise when he signed
don’t believe I tried to tell you that.
Which tells you everything you need to know about the forwards in Houston
consider kolanos up for #10 then and scott up for MAB.
If he was that much of an upgrade, he would have been a while ago
Could any of our D-men be sent down without clearing waivers? reitz is kinda like pouliot where we have to make a contract decision and he’s never had serious NHL time.
Hey, “Nick in New York!”
Looks like you put a lot of thought into something that wasn’t very interesting … or humorous.
Congrats!
Won’t the decision on Reitz be made once Fozzie hits the ice again? Can’t believe that Fozzie will be making popcorn and Reitz will be on the ice once everyone is back in the fray. Reitz will lose out on sheer numbers.
Deep:
Serious question here — are you just being obtuse? Why else bring up Foster who can’t play in tonight’s game or for another month or two. We are talking about tonight and for the next 2-3 weeks.
Scott will fill in for Zids if he can’t play tonight just as he was suppose to fill in for Johnsson if he had made his connecting flight to Calgary. MAB is already out for another 2 weeks. As, ms. c has said, Scott is insurance until MAB is healthy again and/or (knock on wood) if any of our healthy guys are out due to illness or other short-term reasons.
That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.
DR can, if he wants to, swap Scott for Locke or Schultz or a forward when MAB is back in the lineup because we will then have 7 healthy defensemen on the roster.
sunshine: My question about Reitz is about his future with the Wild. Isn’t he gonna be the odd man out when Fozzie is back? It was stated earlier that the Wild has to make a decision on Reitz, but my point is, when Fozzie comes back, that decision will be made. You won’t sit Fozzie and put Reitz on the ice, would you? I was talking about when Fozzie does come back, not about tonight’s game or the next couple of weeks.
The way it looks, MAB is not going to be retained at the end of the year, but you would expect that Skooba is gonna get an offer from the Wild, considering JL’s man crush on him. Don’t know what they will do with Fozzie. But going into next season, without any other signings except for Skooba, you’d be looking at IJ, Schutltz, Kimmie J, Skooba and Zids. Cuma, you have to believe is gonna get a real, long look at making the club. There’s 6. If they retain Fozzie that’s 7. So now you’re down to Scott and Reitz, provided the team doesn’t resign MAB or bring anyone else in.
I don’t think Fozzie will be in a Wild sweater this season, but should he be, yeah, presumably Reitz draws the short straw. Particularly seeing the ice time he’s getting (or not, as it were).
He’s just lucky there have been enough injuries that he’s not been making too much popcorn this season. When everyone was healthy and Burns went back to D, that was clearly the direction things were going.
If you are talking about the future of Reitz when Foster comes back instead of why need Scott in the next 2-3 weeks, then I would sit Foster more and play Reitz.
Reitz - more physical, willing to drop the gloves, played more, and equally as defensive.
Foster - booming shot and equally as defensive as Reitz if gets back to his level pre-injury.
Yeah, Reitz over Foster. After the season, toss a coin for either one.
My question about Reitz is about his future with the Wild. Isn’t he gonna be the odd man out when Fozzie is back?
seems logical but no one knows how foster will come back. Last year or maybe the year before, after he took a huge hit i think vs the oil and looked to hurt his back, he never wanted to engage. then he took a puck to the voice box and it just looked like he was always looking over his shoulder. I don’t think you can play like that. I don’t mean be reckless but you can’t play like Daigle, in constant fear of getting touched.
so until that is answered, hopefully before the season is up be it here or in houston, that will make the decision.
I still think the numbers point to Reitz making popcorn ALOT next year and filling in when there is injuries. Granted, the way this team suffers injuries, he could see 50+ games. But I still think Cuma is a good bet to see significant ice time next year, in addition to the obvious suspects (IJ, Schutltz, Zids and Kimmie J). And, as much as Skooba gets roasted here, although not nearly as much this season, JL flat out LOVES this guy, so you would expect the Wild to retain him. Just seems as though the numbers are gonna hurt Reitz.
Reitz is RFA. Not sure if he has arbitration rights. He’d probably be cheap but still need to make a decision on him.
Yes to the arbitration rights.
Brunch
