Backstrom named to All-Star Game
Posted on January 7th, 2009 – 10:54 AMBy Michael Russo
Have you ever been entranced in your work, just in the zone, unaware of all your surroundings and then suddenly you’re conscious again with the thought, “How the heck did that song get onto my iPod?”
I just lived that moment, but I won’t tell you the song.
In the latest example of don’t believe everything you read, Mikko Koivu wasn’t a lock for the All-Star Game. Actually, Koivu’s snubbing ticked off his Wild teammates today. It was pretty much the talk of the locker room. As one player said to me, “You might have been wrong, but it’s not your fault. You were just using common sense.”
Koivu seemed genuinely disappointed. After all, it’s in Montreal.
Doug Risebrough was extremely displeased Koivu wasn’t going. He said it’s a flawed system where every team must have one representative. He said that just means it’s not a true All-Star Game. He also complained about the press release saying it was in consultation with the league’s GM’s. He said he never got a call, and obviously, neither did all the GM’s he’s talked to that know not to ask for Mikko Koivu in a trade.
Niklas Backstrom was very humbled. He posed for pictures with his All-Star jersey (see below. In fact, Flyers PR took pictures of the beat writers interviewing Backstrom, but maybe I’ll just throw that on my Facebook) 
Lots of funny lines going around. Martin Skoula, one of the Wild’s steadiest defensemen this season (you heard me), told Backstrom that he should just wear the jersey until the All-Star Game “24/7.”
Josh Harding kiddingly asked the trainers for a new stall away from Backstrom. Trainer Tony DaCosta was chirping goalie coach Bob Mason, maybe the proudest guy in the room today, that “Mase wants a jersey with his name on it.”
Backstrom talked a lot about how much he hated hockey in December. He joked that he started to wonder if he should go get a new job or something, but then he talked about how proud he is of the way the team’s playing the past two weeks and how it must continue.
He talked refreshingly about how much he wants to stay in Minnesota. He said if it ain’t broke, why fix it, and how the Wild gave him his first shot and how much he loves playing in front of a full house every night with educated hockey fans and how much he cares about his teammates, etc. This was far from cliched stuff. It actually was goose bump-inducing.
Backstrom is just a great story. Guy comes here two years ago from Finland as a 29-year-old third goalie. Nobody even thought he’d make the team, taking for granted that Harding would be Manny Fernandez’s backup.
But Harding got hurt, then the Wild decided it would be better for Harding’s development if he played everyday in Houston. Backstrom’s first three NHL wins came in relief, and then, Fernandez sprains his knee and the rest is history. Backstrom saved the Wild’s season, shared the Jennings Trophy with Fernandez and is now an All-Star (that’s the quick version of his ride to fame).
And now, Backstrom could hit the motherload this summer as the NHL’s king free agent goalie. Of course, that’s if he’ll get there. Doug Risebrough was as evasive as ever when we grilled him today on Backstrom’s contract situation.
My gut though is that there’s been recent conversation. Backstrom, as of three weeks ago, said the Wild hadn’t contacted his agent. Today he said we had to ask the Wild or his agent, and that he didn’t want to think about his contract situation, which makes you think something’s going on. Also, Risebrough kind of let a little subtle, ”The best thing for me to do is do it in a strategic, quiet manner, so I’m not commenting any further.”
That sounds to me like there’s been conversation. “Do” what? He couldn’t be traded until next month anyway (limited no-trade expires), and I just can’t imagine the Wild’s about to trade Backstrom if it’s in the playoff hunt.
On the flip side, I did ask Risebrough a lot about whether he just feels he can’t justify giving Backstrom $5 or $6 million when most goalies succeed on the Wild, and he basically concurred with that theory, which you’ll read more about in tomorrow’s story.
And then he had this to say, which makes it sound bad: When it was pointed out to him that it’d be a shame to pluck a guy out of Finland, have him turn out so great and then let him go, Risebrough said, “You guys are not catching modern day hockey. That’s the way it is. Ive been telling you for three years, people are going to be gone, and losing people. That’s what happens. I’m not reacting to this specific situation as I am trying to make everybody understand that when we had Fernandez signed, and everybody thought that was it, all of a sudden Backstrom saved our season. And where did he come from? And that’s not to say it’s easy to find people like that. But you have to be constantly investing and trying to find players because the players have a choice.”
I bet now your heads are really spinning.
To say Risebrough’s getting tired of the local beat writers — especially this one — would be an understatement. When he pointed out how it’s good James Sheppard is learning how to deal with criticism from the media, it was pointed out sarcastically, “See, we are useful.” Risebrough said, “I wouldn’t say that. You’re like a bump in the road that we have to maneuver around — a pothole.”
Oh, fun times. I just roll my eyes when the Wild complains about us. Imagine if this team was in a big market like Toronto, or had electronic media show up daily like, say, Boston or Pittsburgh. Think December would have been fun for them? Give me a break.
I’d say we in the financially-struggling newspaper biz spend A TON of money to cover the Wild, and provide the team — and most importantly its fans — a pretty good service. You know what? You’ll miss us if we’re gone. But as Dennis Miller used to say, “That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.”
As for practice, ill-stricken Stephane Veilleux was flying commercially into here from Boston today (perhaps he was de-iced for two hours like one member of the traveling media), so he’s not playing tomorrow against the Flyboys. Derek Boogaard didn’t practice, so he’s out, too. So, same lineup, I’d assume, with Big John Scott playing over Erik Reitz.
Here’s Backstrom’s numbers: Backstrom is sixth in the NHL with a .929 save percentage (first among goalies who have played more than 23 games), fourth with 19 wins, fifth with a 2.14 goals against average (first among goalies who have played more than 23 games) and he’s tied for first with five shutouts.
I’ve got to write now. If later on I see I can’t squeeze all today’s good quotes into the Backstrom story, I’ll throw some DVD extra on here.
And you know what? Because you’ve been so good, if you actually got to the bottom of this blog, just so you have something to make funny of me for, the song was Toto’s Africa. But don’t tell anybody, eh, especially the Wild players.
Russo Radio tonight at 6 p.m. CT on KSTP!!!
Goalie coach Bob Mason and Backstrom — Courtesy of Flyers PR.
297 Responses to "Backstrom named to All-Star Game"
Apparently they don’t want the best 2way player in the All Star game!? That’s too bad for Mikko, cuz he definitely deserves to be there! I’m glad Backstop made it tho! He’s been lights out all year! Re-Sign him already!!
Backstrom was by far this team’s best player throughout the last few months. He only had one bad game and that was against the Avs in early December.
last week we were a team full of holes and were destined to be in last place. now this week we have to keep backstrom at all costs. this place makes me laugh.
Apparently they don’t want the best 2way player in the All Star game!?
what good is a two way player in an all start game? there is ZERO defense played.
None of the holes were really Backstrom’s fault, G*. And to say we’d be winning without him now is naive - we can barely score 2 goals a game.
Can someone explain why Backstrom remains unsigned?
If DR screws this up I have to believe, after the Gaby fiasco (which I don’t blame entirely on him), his job will be in jeapordy if it isn’t already.
what good is a two way player in an all start game? there is ZERO defense played.
G* +2
One for hitting the nail on the head
Bonus point for beating me to it
This team is neither as bad as they looked a few weeks ago, nor as good as they seem to be right now.
Too bad for Koivu. Backstrom is very deserving.
Franchise is a top-O-the-line player, but this Wild team goes nowhere, and gets there real fast, if Backstop isn’t between the pipes. It’s astounding that a team that has scored, what, about a dozen 5-on-5 goals through half a season currently holds a playoff spot. That is because of Backstop.
And to say we’d be winning without him now is naive
who said we’d be winning without him? not me.
backstrom will be in high demand at the deadline. for the good of the franchise, i think it would be wise to seriously consider trading him.
Hey Green, that’s exactly the point i was getting at! It’s all about offense… I personnaly think the All Star game is a joke anyway, but I still think Franchise has played well enuff to be there!
Good for Nik, I don’t mind Mikko getting the rest.
I watch the ASG, but I don’t really have a vested interest in it. I just don’t want anyone to get hurt - especially the goalies.
What All-Star games aren’t jokes?
None of the holes were really Backstrom’s fault
but they might begin to get filled by using the tremedous assets we get in return for him.
i’m not talking a 3rd round pick and a 6 year minor leaguer.
I watch the ASG
i went to the one here. wasn’t that exciting but maybe that was because i was sitting in the upper level.
Since the ASG is all about offense, why do they even have good goaltenders?
Couldn’t they just have the tandem from the team with the worst GAA play?
Scoring would be up, no?
Is Saku playing in the ASG? Maybe he petitioned the league to keep Mikko at home since Montreal is hosting?
Your opinion is noted, G*. And sorry I put words in your mouth.
I don’t think anyone was saying don’t re-sign him.
I think folks were resigned to the chance that DR might trade him because no talks have started, which is what it is starting to look like. If that is the case, then maybe like you posted earlier we might get a consistent 25+ goal scorer.
Since the ASG is all about offense, why do they even have good goaltenders?
Couldn’t they just have the tandem from the team with the worst GAA play?
Scoring would be up, no?
hmm…that’s a good point. I, for one, would probably volunteer to haul my gear to Montreal for the game and jump between the pipes….you know, if it would promote more scoring, which, as we all know, is what sells the game.
What can I say, I’m a giver.
LMAO.. I think thats a great idea..
Put the goalies with the lowest GAA in the league in the ASG. Makes perfect sense for Bettman, a guy who wants more scoring..
Let AO and Malkin tear up Jonas Hiller or Dipietro… haha.. I would get a kick out of it ans maybe even watch.. :O
Nah.. on second thought, I still wouldn’t.
trading backstop and maybe filling some holes in return would only leave the wild with one GAPING hole: goaltender. i’m not convinced harding can carry this team between the pipes. i don’t know much about schaefer or the other guy, but losing backstrom without acquiring someone else would be worse for this team. just my 2 cents.
but losing backstrom without acquiring someone else
yeah, but what if we did acquire someone else in the Backstrom deal? Or in a separate deal?
*cough*karilehtonen*cough*
lehtonen is having a horrible season on a horrible team. he’s not the answer here either.
IMO, if DR trades backs, i don’t see him getting another goalie. he’ll want to through harding in there and bring up schaefer.
if things go sour for the wild they better bring in some form of other entertainment such as:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/pgStory?contentId=8938700#sport=NHL&photo=8938634
trading backstop and maybe filling some holes in return would only leave the wild with one GAPING hole: goaltender
then you pick your hole. I think the wild have enough in the system to be above average in goal. I don’t think they have much in the system to help with offense.
How do Tkachuk and/or Modano beat out Koivu? I wish people would get there based on play not by their name. Koivu has more points and a better +/- than both of them.
DR’s recent history doesn’t support the “getting someone for Backstrom” theory. At least not anyone of value.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
funny how auto msg from strib update new threads when we’re already here!
Whom else was going to go from Dallas? Gotta have one, you may as well send the guy with the “Name”. Although, I think Franchise is more deserving that KahChuck (?).
NETminder1, the LA icegirl wins hands down for 1 reason only - no argument - it’s the hockey skates.
You guys who want to trade Backstrom are NUTS! We’d only get rental value for him, and as good as he is, the rest of the league does not view him as an elite goaltender such that they’d sell the farm for him. And if it’s draft picks you want out of the deal, you’re forgetting that THIS TEAM CAN’T DRAFT!!!
lehtonen is having a horrible season on a horrible team. he’s not the answer here either.
first, Lehtonen was injured for a while so he’s spent some time recovering from that. (which does raise the red flag of his history of injuries in the NHL so far, so do with that as you please.)
Second, he was a great goalie in Chicago (AHL), and IS on a crappy team.
Third, that combined with the idea that we make goalies’ lives/jobs easier by playing the way we do, makes me hopeful that he would enjoy some salad years in our system.
Fourth, keep in mind, he’d come in here as, at best, a 1A to Harding.
Whom else was going to go from Dallas?
Sean Avery, I’ve heard he’s not busy that weekend.
I think trading Backs is shortsighted. I think top notch goaltending is crucial to advancing in the playoffs and while the wild still need to work on getting there that is the real goal: getting past the first round.
Yes the wild need help on offense but it seems unlikely to me that they will get good value for a deadline trade of Nik if he is a pending UFA, whereas with Gaby gone there will be a lot of cap space to try to bring in some FA help on offense during the offseason.
Who is the Blues best player? There is got to be one. Berglund is likely to be a Young Star.
They have plenty of centers with Datsyuk, Toews, Modano, and Thorton. It became a numbers game.
Mikko is a great player but personally, I think they got it right with Backstrom over Mikko. Backstrom has just been outstanding. He’s won several games for us.
Is the “one player from every team” still in effect? I thought they killed that a couple years ago? Or was that baseball?? I’m confused (obviously.)
Mike Madono and not Mikko? Good thing the all star game si such a joke. The voting for starting lineup is rigged, the player selection requires every team to be represented and players like Mikko get passed over.
Sad.
Here is what you do you trade Backs for a high end prospect and a 1st rounder, Than when he hits the free agent market swoop him back up because lets face it it would be a bad choice for him to resign right now anyway there is too much money out there in the free agent market for him.
The Wild might have lots of cap space to go after an elite player but will they sign here? There are doubts that DR can sign an elite player here. He’s only tried it once (Hossa) but the doubts are still there.
If you trade for one, they come here and they might like it here and then re-sign here.
I WAS RIGHT ON LAST WEEK WHEN I SAID THE WILD WOULD WIN 4 GAMES IN A ROW AND IF NOT FOR A STUPID OVERTURNED CALL AGAINST THE LEAGUES PRETTY BOYS (THE DEAD WINGS ) I WOULD BE PERFECT
THIS TEAM WILL DO GREAT DOWN THE STRETCH AND MAYBE EVEN COME BACK AND WIN THE DIVISION
NiNY:
It looks like from the roster that every team has at least one player in the ASG.
decaf, mark, decaf.
or at least the Western Conference’s roster.
WATCHING ON VS LAST NIGHT WAS A JOKE
THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED IN THE BRUINS THE WHOLE GAME AND IT S A EASTERN CHANNEL
TEAMS LIKE THE RANGERS PENGUINS AND ALL OF THEM SO CALLED GREAT TEAMS GET ALL THE TALK IF I WASRUNNING VS I WOULD SHOW THE WESTERN MORE AND TO HELL WITH THE EAST
HEY NICK IN NEW YORK YOUR TEAM REALLY SNEEDS TO PLAY BETTER
RANGERS VS WILD I WOULD TAKE THE WILD ALL NIGHT LONG
instead, you’re apparently running a Starbucks.
MORE RANTING
THE LEAGUE SO WANTS THE WINGS,DUCKS,PENGUINS AND SO ON TO DO WELL WHAT A FRICKING JOKE
NOPE NO STARBUCKS HERE MY FRIEND
AND BY THE WAY HOW ARE THE RANGERS DOING( REALLY COULD CARE LESS BUT HAD TO ASK)
Mark Wild using all caps: -1
Mikko was snubbed. The time off will be good. The “one player per team” is an unofficial rule per the NHL XM 204 radio guys talking earlier today. It really only still applies to the host team which is why Kuba made the ASG when we hosted.
mark:
Please tone down with the caps, man. Its hurting my eyes. Thanks.
THE WILD WILL WIN THE CUP THIS YEAR
GAURANTEED
Mark, apparently the ’subtle’ hints about using all capitals is slipping by. Also, I don’t think Nick’s team is the Rangers. Yes, he happens to live in NY, but I do believe he’s a Wild fan. His presence here and his blog (about the Wild) is a pretty good clue.
hf89dete, your post seems to contridict itself. you say you need a good goaltender to advance in the playoffs and then say no one will give up much to rent a goalie.
why wouldn’t, chicago, detroit, vancouver if loungo doesn’t rebound, pay top dollar to rent a goalie that can steal them games in the playoffs?
new jersey, washington. pittsburgh…o wait, they may not make the playoffs.
if backstrom is playing like he is now at the deadline, i see no reason the wild wouldn’t get a better offer than atlanta got for hossa. and if that offer comes across the table, I still think for the good of the franchise, you make that deal.
Brad May traded to Leafs for a conditional?
Brian Burke’s getting the band back together! He’s on a mission from God!
Cut the CAPS Mark.
While Mikko is deserving, I am not surprised that he didn’t get an All Star nod. As for the business of resigning or trading Backs, I would personally like to see Backs signed. It’s nice to have a level-headed, healthy goalie who can weather those 3rd period Wild possession lapses.
Still, there are questions to ask. What is the real read on Harding? Does the organization still believe that he is the man for the future? Is Lemaire coming back next year, or do we see a new coach and system?
At this point, I would probably both sit down with Backs’ agent to get a strong sense of numbers and term, and I would try to collect an idea of the level of interest from around the league.
He’s on a mission from God!
NiNY +1
That hf89dete post was mine, not sure what happened.
I agree that if you could get good value for Backs at the deadline then perhaps they should consider it, I guess my feeling is most of the strong teams at this point have good goaltending so are not likley to pay a princely sum for a pending UFA. Of those teams you mentioned I think only Vancouver if Luongo doesn’t rebound would be willing to pay a good price.
I assume, though, that keeping this option open is why DR has not tried to sign him as I assume that there would be some trade restrictions in the deal.
A couple thoughts.
If you come right down to it, MLB is the only sport that has a “real” all star game and one worth watching.
No sense in us getting worked up about what might happen. (ie: “DR can’t make trades, DR can’t draft, DR can’t sign players, DR is cheap, DR will over- spend”).
It seems DR is something different to everyone. It is just like Skoula, you cannot just look at the guys mistakes before you judge his competence.
Personally, I am content to let this thing work itself out.
I would rather the team develop its own stars, and find the supporting players that fit in with what we are developing from the market place.
The Wild have some expectations. It seems they demand more accountability from the team and they try to pick guys with good attitudes.
A cranky or disgruntled star from some other team is not always the answer.
Easy on the caps Mark, but yeah, you did make that bold prediction.
Ice: I would like to see the Wild devlope some proven goal scorers, but you can count those players (Gaby) on one hand after a couple of farm accidents. Even Franchise, while the best 2-way player this team has, has never scored more than 20 and is on pace for 22 or 23 this year.
Bummer for Mikko. But what confuses me is… if the league picks them, why do they let fans vote? Or is the vote just for the starting lineup?
OMFG, this is hilarious.
Vote is just for the starters. The Hockey Operations Department of the League, with consultation from team GMs, pick the reserves.
As a first time poster I would just like to say two things in regards to what I have seen in this chat:
1. It’s MODANO not MADONO. That has always driven me nuts in the years since the Stars left town.
2. As for the Avs game in early December IMO it was not Backstrom that was the problem. It was the guys in front of him. He could have sued the team for lack of support that night. Without him it would have been 9 or 10 goals at least.
WildFan: Without Backstop it would have been 31-5. Avs had 31 shots on goal that night. Also, there are far greater tragedies in Russoville than if folks are spelling Madona/Modona/Madano/Modano properly. If something like this has driven you nuts since 1993, please stay away from all sharp implements and loaded firearms. Otherwise, enjoy your blogging here in Russoville 
‘A Swedish meatball would be nice right now.’
Let the Backs issue work itself out? That’s a laugh. DR also let the Rolston thing work itself out and came away with a 4th rounder. DR let the Gaborik thing work itself out and is looking to come away with nothing unless he can trade him for another 4th or lower draft pick. I am not totaling blaming DR on the Gaborik situation but he is half the problem.
DR lets things work itself out for the worse. When he is proactive, he’s much, much better.
Maybe this is old news, but are Gabby and Kariya sharing a room?
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Blues left wing Paul Kariya had left hip surgery on Monday and could miss the rest of the regular season.
“We haven’t ruled him out, but what’s the sense of rushing something as serious as this?” team president John Davidson said Tuesday. “I think he’ll be back to 110 percent, whether it’s late this season or next season. Probably next season.”
Kariya had two goals and 13 points in the Blues’ first 11 games before injuring the hip Nov. 5 against Anaheim.
An MRI had revealed injuries in two spots in the joint area of the left hip.
Davidson said the surgery repaired a torn labrum inside the joint along with “some bone work.”
“He’ll be 100 percent a long time before camp,” Davidson said. “He’ll be back to being Paul Kariya that should be better than he has been for years.”
The 34-year-old Kariya is in the second season of a three-year, $18 million contract.
The surgery was performed in Vail, Colo., and Kariya will stay in Colorado to begin rehab.
msC–hilarious indeed! sean avery is classy….only like that when he talks about skanks!! OMG. LMFAO
Wildfan:
I concede that our defense and our team defense fell down against the Avs game in December. So it wasn’t totally all Backs’ fault. But that was the only game where he allowed more than 4 goals (I think. I haven’t checked yet).
Anyone else notice the irony of wild mark typing in all caps while his user name is all lower case?
that burning bush post was mine. what is up with this blog changing names and emails?
last week we were a team full of holes and were destined to be in last place. now this week we have to keep backstrom at all costs. this place makes me laugh.
The last 4 games have been nice - at least they seem to be playing to their strengths now. They’re not a scoring team, so they had better be super-tight without the puck. It’s their only hope.
I’m still concerned about the future, though. I still don’t see how our current crop of young players (including empty Houston) will take us to contender status and we have no record of attracting top level FAs, whatever the reason. Still seems like a organization that, at best, has leveled in its development and at worst, is beginning to slide.
IceMan, You beat me to it. Baseball has the only All-Star game that is like a real game. And, it is interesting. The rest are just shows for the stars (or in the case of some of this year’s voting those who live in cities where fans voted a lot).
Still not sure I agree with those who want to ship Backs out. I agree we need some scorers and I agree that our system helps a goalie. Just not sure if we want to risk trying someone else when Backs has played so well. But, we are certainly living on the edge as we cannot score. You can only win so many 1-0 or 2-1 games. A lucky bounce here or there and you have lost. I fear reality will set in soon. But still have to commend the team for its hustle the last few games.
Hockeydad: that is ironic. I also found it ironic that a 5-year-old like mark wild could type so accurately. Well done, young man.
Is the “one player from every team” still in effect?
Looking at the roster, I’d say so. And then when you get three players each from two teams as starters, well that kinda screws things up for those who are probably more deserving. I’d say Patrick Marleau belongs there. Marian Hossa too, and to be fair, I’d also say Daniel Sedin probably has a pretty good argument as well.
But whatever. Nothing worth getting worked up over.
HD, Although you may be right, it is not clear yet what we might be able to do with Gaby’s money available. Yes, the track record isn’t great but in reality how many opportunities did we have? Hossa turned down an amazing offer from the Canucks because he wanted a cup. So, we never had a chance.
How did that trading a great goalie work out for Florida? What makes anyone here think DR is going to develop a deal that brings a fantastic group of players/prospects/picks for Backstrom? His track record of trades?
Give me a break. They need to sign Backstrom. This is ridiculous.
+1 maarko
Potato Potahto
Madano Modano
Let’s call the whole thing off.
What is it with the Wild, trading its top goalies? Fernandez (traded for Kalus)and Rolson (traded basically for Demitra) sure look like bad trades in the rearview mirror. Sign Backstrom to a long-term deal. Seems like a no brainer to me.
Well, without trading Roloson, we wouldn’t have gotten Backstrom. So the Roloson trade wasn’t bad.
FYI, Wild.com has a picture of Backstrom holding his ASG jersey.
How did that trading a great goalie work out for Florida?
florida got bertuzzi (after suspension and coming down off roids), bryan allen and auld.
vancouver got bobby lou, krajieck and a 6th rounder.
florida got raped.
and to be clear, it is not my desire to trade backstrom. i’d rather he stay but, if an offer comes across for him it shouldn’t be dismissed.
As for trading Backstrom at the deadline, I wouldn’t be so sure about bringing back too much. Last year, the only goalie trades of much significance were:
Huet for a 2nd
Auld for a 5th and journeyman minor leaguer
Year before that:
Biron for a 2nd
Conklin for a 5th
OK, so no all-stars on the list, but you get the picture. I’d say Huet is somewhere in Backstrom’s ballpark. The Wild got a 1st and conditional third from the Oilers a few years back, but the Oilers, I’d say, were pretty desperate in goal that season. Not that it can’t happen again, but I’d say for a goalie rental the Wild would be looking at maybe a 1st and a prospect.
And yes, the Wild are thin on offense in the system, but they are also thin in goal. After Harding, you’ve got Schaefer and Brust, two AHL journeymen and Khudobin who has spent the better part of the last two seasons in the ECHL.
As for the system making goalies look good, sure, to some extent, but let’s look back to last season when Backstrom was a bit off his game. Y’all remember that? And Harding struggled, too? And as we’ve seen, Manny and Roli have gone on to other teams and played quite well. It’s not just the system. The goalie needs to play well, too, or this team is sunk. So, I’m just not sure if what the Wild get back in a trade would offset the hole created by trading Backstrom.
I don’t think anyone wants to trade Backstrom for any reason other than a confluence of events that lead to trading him being the best option. But none of the opinions I’ve read have anything to do with trading him because he doesn’t help the team.
Blades, its becuase in the Wild system the goalie isn’t as important. They play a shut down defensive game, the goalie isn’t asked but to make a couple saves during the game. there is no need to spend huge money on a goalie, its pointless actually until Lemaire leaves. Harding can come in and do pretty much the same as Backstrom next season and we would be much better suited spending that money on an offensive upgrade.
it is not my desire to trade backstrom. i’d rather he stay but, if an offer comes across for him it shouldn’t be dismissed.
Absolutely G*.
Simple, you trade Backstrom if you think he’s not going to sign an extension.
Problem is, DR won’t get around to that meeting in Finland with him until June and then Backstrom will determine that since UFA status is only 2 weeks away he’ll test the waters.
DR will then pat himself on the back after he masterfully acquires another 4th round pick with the satisfaction of knowing it is another job well done.
This is Groundhog Day is for a Wild fan…
to toivo’s point, the 09 goalie UFA list does have several intriguing names, which would indicate that it might be a buyers market for goalies.
Fernandez
Tim Thomas
Khabibulin
Backstrom
Clemmensen
Gerber
Biron
Nittymaki
Tellqvist
Sabourin
Legace
Kolzig
Labarbera
Sanford
Johnson
…to name a few
roloson was traded for a 1st and a 3rd. what the wild did with them has nothing to do with it.
roloson was 36 or 37 at the time of the deal.
backstrom is 30.
and the 09 RFA list is also interesting:
Lehtonen
Budaj
Hards
Ramo
Pogge
…to name a few
“This team is neither as bad as they looked a few weeks ago, nor as good as they seem to be right now.”
Profound, and probably true. I see us fighting for the #8 playoff spot the rest of the season.
Put me in the camp that wants to trade the Backuum for some offensive forwards (not career grinders). Would you rather win more 1-0 games in 2010, or win some 3-2 games instead?
Back’s I hardly knew ya, but this is a business after all and the pipeline is empty so you are an appreciating asset that can/should be sold.
kj:
Exactly. That’s why DR can’t sit back and wait. The longer he waits the lure of FA becomes stronger for Backstrom. This FA does have a lot more goalies then last FA period but the longer DR let’s it play out, the more expensive Backs become, too.
I hate to say this but if Backstrom leaves, he might be force to sign another goalie who might not be as good at a much higher price.
Sunshine, the team philosophy seems to build from within. So, with that in mind, remember DR went to Trencin last summer to find a meet in the middle place with Gabby. We can assume the meeting went well enough.
We are all guessing but he made what most of us think was a decent offer, but it was rejected. That is not unusual.
So, maybe you go back to the drawing board to try to tweak it. Maybe you do not have any ideas at the time and the numbers represent too wide a gap.
But, we can assume signing a teams star, who has given fans exciting minutes, and who is not so easily replaceable, is still the first choice.
Besides, when other teams are struggling to fit their own rosters together, is not a real good time to trade someone.
If that is what he was trying to do then IMO there is nothing unreasonable about waiting.
But, who anywhere would have foreseen Gabby’s absence? Nobody! So, that is simply bad luck.
Rolston? We assume he was signable last winter but none of us know that. He did not spend much time trying to stay here if you remember.
I liked him just fine, but I do not think we miss him all that much.
His production was never the same after he participated in the Olympics. One really hard slapshot is what he had to contribute.
Would you have wanted him to take up our Cap space for four years? Remember the risk of the entire contract counting against the cap even if he was not able to play?
huet was dumped to washington at deadline and i don’t think they cared what they got in return.
auld was traded in december
Roloson’s vs. Backstrom’s age have nothing to do with it, either. Both are/were UFA’s, so there’s no guarantee of the player staying around longer than that season.
Not often I side with kj’s and sunshine’s DR skepticism, but I am worried that DR will screw this up, too. I’m running out of confidence in his ability to make the right move.
Could anybody have predicted that Gaborik would be injured? Yes. It was foreseeable based on his injury filled past. Now, I know that the Wild have suggested that their offer to him was premised on the belief that the injuries were behind him, they were obviously wrong.
I suspect that DR is waiting because if he signs Backstrom he will not be able to trade him at the deadline if the Wild are out and need some picks/prospects to replenish the system.
That said, I still think signing him is the best move.
FWIW, I thought MTL made a mistake by trading Huet and putting it all on Price when they were having a good season. Price kinda got smoked in the playoffs. I know they figured they had enough depth at G, and figured they could go with Price (maybe visions of Dryden in Gainey’s head) and get what they could for their UFA Huet. Anyway, kinda backfired on them IMO.
Woodcock, realty set in during December. I think a team works its way out of those funks and maybe learns how to score
Toivu at 1:23, I think that was a JL frustration last year. The coach thought defense first and the players thought offense first (and defense should be contributed by someone else). So, I do not think the 2007-08 model of the Wild reflected their realidentity.
Ice:
On the Gaborik situation, I said that DR is half the problem not the whole problem. After the meeting in LA and Grand Forks, DR should have had a good idea that Gaborik wasn’t going to sign or he was asking more than what they have budgeted for the next couple of years and refuse to back down from that amount. If DR knew this, he should have started looking at trade proposals and made a deal. It was clear by the start of the season, that DR had refused to negotiate further — signaling trade.
Yes, no one expected Gaborik’s surgery but people expected that there was a high probability that he might get injured. Most people were right on the money on that.
Rolston — DR could have offered Rolston a contract earlier but he waited until the last moment and lost to FA. Waiting and sitting back doesn’t often work. Proactiveness does.
Their Hockey Operations department is suppose to work out who might become available in FA and what each team can and cannot do. They knew that last year’s FA was thin. They could have done something with Rolston earlier but instead sat back.
I thought MTL made a mistake by trading Huet
very true
Even DR acknowledges he was wrong not to offer Rolston a deal during the season. There shouldn’t be a lot of debate now about whether that was or was not a wise move.
I’m not a skeptic, I am a realist.
realidentity = real identity
(maybe visions of Dryden in Gainey’s head)
or Roy, for that matter…
Ole: That really is an interesting argument. To take it a step further: Perhaps being a goalie for the Wild simply means that if the equipment fits, then you’re the goalie. Kind of the “Johnny Bravo” approach to goaltending.
Backstrom ASG sweater pics added above from The Don.
I am a realist, too. I would love DR to do something amazing but every time I hope for it, I get disappointed.
Pewter, I’d rather win 1-0 than lose 8-7. Scoring doesn’t matter if you can’t close - ask Tampa circa 2005-2007.
I simply can’t imagine that if DR wants to try to re-sign Backstrom that he’d let it play out the same way as he let the Rolston situation play out last summer (read: waiting).
I refuse to believe anyone could be so stupid as to tempt fate so obviously, and in the exact same scenario, but with an even more important part of your team the second time around.
Granted, he’s waited this long, but there’s no way it goes into June.
Sunshine, we as fans “think” lots of things based on assumptions.
But, none of what we think is based on the reality of having insight into the offices of the team. We really do not know the progression of how this played out.
We only know Rolston walked, and Gabby will soon enough. And, it is enough to make us uneasy, and believe there must be a fault.
But, that does not mean the team leadership is really faulty. We will probably never know all of the reasons for the decisions they make.
Suffice to say DR has done enough, that dispite the losses of key guys, the team is essentially in the same competitive place they were last year.
I would say this years team has less skill and more grit.
I am giving DR until the end of this month to start talks. If no talks begin, then I am force to believe that a trade is forthcoming.
NiNY: In regards to Ballgame not talking extension with Backstop until it’s too late, what do you suppose the odds were that Gaby would be able to walk out of the Wild doors with little to zip coming back in return. Don’t underestimate Ballgames “Players should be grateful they have the opportunity to play in Minnesota” mentallity.
IceMan…how much insight do you need to determine that DR has effed up?
I would say this years team has less skill and more grit.
Which part of the plan does this satisfy?
I am giving DR until the end of this month to start talks. If no talks begin, then I am force to believe that a trade is forthcoming.
I don’t disagree, sunshine. But since Backs is a UFA this summer, someone is going to want to have some idea of what he’s looking for…does DR just put his hands over his ears and say (to whomever the other GMs are that are interested in Nik) “LALALALALA, I don’t want to hear how much he’s asking for, LALALALALA”??
That’s not directed AT you, it’s just a rhetorical question. The point being that I would think he has to find out what kind of money Nik’s looking at so he can have some idea of how much to ask for in return.
Don’t underestimate Ballgames “Players should be grateful they have the opportunity to play in Minnesota” mentallity.
That’s certainly fair, Deep.
Again, I’m hoping he really has learned from his past mistakes. There’s a difference between being obtuse and being stupid. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.
I just hope he’s worth it.
Just curious but can someone tell me what Harding’s contract status is?
Ice:
While we the fans don’t know everything we can make good assumptions based on the past. That’s all we can do. Most of our assumptions have been very good.
Most people assumed Gaborik might get injured this season even though he played 77 games last year. Most people assumed correctly. That was why we HOPED that DR would resolve the Gaborik situation before the start of the season. Yes, no one predicted the surgery.
As HD has pointed out, DR himself have regretted not offering Rolston a deal during the year. If DR doesn’t trade Backstrom and let’s it play out, it could turn out to be the Rolston situation all over again. We hope he has learned his lesson and NOT repeat it.
If we’re 7 or 8 weeks from the deadline and Ballgame still has no idea whatsoever what Backstop may want in an extension, or even if he wants to put the talks on hold because he wants to test UFA waters, then we have all underestimated the Wild GM’s blissful ignorance.
Perhaps I should be but I am not overly concerned about Backstrom leaving. I hope he does stay but I think his success is largely a product of our defense.
After the Manny contract I think Smug Doug is a little gun shy on giving $$ to a goalie. My two problems with Backs used to be his glove and shootouts. He has improved so much on shootouts that I really only worry about his weak glove.
sunshine, et al: didn’t Ballgame also come back and state that he regretted not offering a contract to Bruno, loe those many years ago, after he resigned him this summer? Do not underestimate the Wild GM’s blissful ignorance on these matters.
Hards is a RFA after this season.
NiNY:
I know its not directed at me per se. But I don’t care what or how he does it, I just want him to initiate something on the contract talks. Not doing anything means —> listening to trade proposals only.
how do we know DR has no idea what backstop may want in an extension?
just curious.
Dear Flyers PR,
You couldn’t take that picture right after he got out of the shower? Ya know. Bob Mason, All-Star sweater, Backstrom, towel. You get my drift.
Try harder next time.
Sincerely,
Women
I’m jealous that Russo is in the land of Cheesesteaks. Wiz wit, baby!
If we’re 7 or 8 weeks from the deadline and Ballgame still has no idea whatsoever what Backstop may want in an extension, or even if he wants to put the talks on hold because he wants to test UFA waters, then we have all underestimated the Wild GM’s blissful ignorance.
We are. Time to eat the special pudding??
Kind of off topic, but when Gaby had his hip surgery before, did the doctor check out his other hip? He says it’s even worse, so he couldn’t wait for surgery - wouldn’t that imply it was bad before? Couldn’t he have gotten both done at the same time rather than miss 14 weeks in two separate seasons? I guess if you’re getting paid whether or not you work, it doesn’t make much difference how much you miss.
Most people assumed Gaborik might get injured this season even though he played 77 games last year. Most people assumed correctly.
most people assumed that #10 wouldn’t show for the call of the wild thing in october. most people assumed incorrectly.
I can’t say is true or not, but possibly part of the reason why talks have not yet commenced with Backstrom is that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding where the cap is going to be next year and beyond. The Wild are hardly the only team sitting on this decision.
One of the papers reported no more than 2 weeks ago that Backstrom stated that the Wild has not talked to his agent about a new contract.
Now, things could have changed since then but I bet that if no announcement is made before the ASG, we know that Russo and Shipley will ask the proverbial question “Have talks begun on a new contract?” to Backs and to DR.
Hey, I was one of those who said he would show up at the Unplugged. I was right.
fair enough. just wanted it clarified since there is a lot of assuming going on around here.
G*: That’s my point. Ballgame better have an idea, prior to the deadline, what Backstop wants in an extension, if he is looking to resign here. If he doesn’t, then he has no choice but to ship him, unless he’s prepared to cough up $6 million + per season once the bidding war starts July 1.
NiNY: That’s exactly what I meant. Meaning, if Ballgame hasn’t even started the process of finding out from Backstop or his agent what the goalie’s plans may be regarding future employment, that he needs to begin such talks, pronto. Don’t forget, we’ve already been through the “These negotiations are complicated and are an arduous process” nonsense before. Being proactive doesn’t seem to be one of Ballgame’s qualities.
if he is looking to resign here.
to me, this isn’t good enough. If a GM asks you (or your agent) “are you willing to re-sign here” and you (or your agent) say anything other than “Yes” then you are (or your agent is) a moron.
If he’s going to try to re-sign him, then do it. Don’t F around.
Heather:
DR in his press call on Friday said that the Vail specialist did take a look at that hip in May but determined there was no deficiency and did not require surgery.
Here is the link:
http://downloads.wild.nhl.com/podcasts/PONDCAST_1049_DOUGR.MP3
Heather:
DR in his press call on Friday said that the Vail specialist did take a look at that hip in May but determined there was no deficiency and did not require surgery.
I was heather again.
I fixed it before I posted.
You may ask what it is like being heather.
You may ask.
NiNY: I agree. I just want Ballgame to have an idea of Backstop’s plans, either way. If he goes to to the goalie/agent and he is told “Nik really wants to see what his value is this summer”, then fine. You start entertaining offers to move him March 4. I just don’t want to read any more quotes from Wild management about how they tried to sell player “A” on “playing in front of a sold out crowd every night, blah, blah, blah.”
I am waiting moderation so..
heather - to answer your question. It was looked at but the doctor found no deficiency so no surgery required. DR made that statement in his press call which is available here
http://downloads.wild.nhl.com/podcasts/PONDCAST_1049_DOUGR.MP3
specialist is now a red flag for moderation?
Sl0t and now the word $peciali$t are moderation words.
RE: this notion of “we fans are working off of assumptions and don’t know what goes on inside, etc.”
Sure, some assumptions are made based on incomplete information. But there is information available to us. Some of it is good, and some bad. Some people can look at it critically and analyze it better than others. It’s not that different from picking stocks, really. And some people can get it right based on that incomplete information because they’re processing it correctly.
Anyway, I’m not saying one view is right and one is wrong on any particular subject here. I’m just saying this idea that “we don’t know the details of what happened,” while true, doesn’t mean that we can’t form a good analysis. If that statement holds, then that’s basically going to be a permanent Get out of Jail Free card for DR & Co. We could look at the Gilmore trade and say, “Sure, it didn’t work out so well, but we don’t know how it all went down, so it’s possible that it’s really wasn’t the catastrophic blunder it appears to be on the surface.
I don’t think Hards is ready to be #1 yet. Re-sign Backs to a 2 year (Hards playing a bit more next year) then in the final year move the two into a platoon type situation. After that see how the boys feel and look. I need to go back to work before the boss catches me slackin’.
Then whoever predicted he’d be injured again knew what they were talking about - it’s obviously something he’s doing. If it progresses from no deficiency to worse than the other within such a short time, it must be because of the way it’s being used.
specialist? Really
DB, the reason that DR regretted not giving Bruno a contract wasn’t because he somehow miscalculated his value or put the wrong deal on the table. He, like many, thought in the “new” post-lockout NHL that Brunette would be ineffective. So, he dind’t offer him any contract. I agreed. But, DR was wrong. As to Gaby we can debate forever but remember he only missed 5 games last year and we all thought the “problems” were fixed. So not only did many not imagine he would have hip surgery I think the general belief was that now he could play a full season. Certainly DR thought that or he wouldn’t have offered what he offered.
Again, I’m hoping he really has learned from his past mistakes. There’s a difference between being obtuse and being stupid. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Obtuse and stupid are synonyms.
My point is that he’s still going to be injured in the future - if he’s still using it incorrectly. You can fix the symptoms all you want, but until you cure the underlying problem (which isn’t hip deficiency - that’s a symptom), you’ll still have problems. So yay that he’ll be gone from us.
Maybe ignorant instead of obtuse?
Obtuse and stupid are synonyms.
ha…mea culpa.
Okay, then there’s a difference between being arrogant and stupid. 
wood: we could go round and round on the Gaby situation, but I am low on Advil. 
I’m just hoping that Ballgame has something worked out in regards to Backstop prior to 3 pm on march 4 (I am thinking that is the exact deadline, but could be wrong).
I think of being obtuse as being willfully stupid. Whereas stupid is just stupid. But maybe I’m being obtuse.
Some props to hand out:
1) Ms.C - The Mats Sundin animated things is hysterical…I can’t quit laughing. Thanks for finding that.
2) NINY - Great Blues Bros. reference.
3) Netminder1 - Great hookup with the ice girl photos. Can we trade Nordy for a six-pack of those?
My 2 cents on the goalie situation. While no one wants to see Backstrom leave, he is an asset that can be highly leveraged at the trade deadline, on a team that doesn’t have a lot of tradeable assets. I sensed that last Saturday’s start against the Red Wings was sort of an “audition” for Harding, to see if he could handle a big game against one of the top teams. And since he passed - and has been a pretty solid goalie most of his time here - I think it’s likely Backs will be traded, and also likely he’ll be packaged with the “pig in a poke” that is Gabby.
I don’t want to see either of them leave, but I think that’s the path we’re on.
Closed circuit to NINY - I’m looking at attending a Devils game and an Islanders game end of this month. What’s your e-mail so I can pick your brain a bit?
Goalieguy: Problem with the “packaging” is that you cannot trade players that are on IR. So, unless Gaby is taken off prior to March 4, a package deal cannot happen.
goalieguy, yes, i forgot to mention that they should get rid of nordy for the ice girls. if there’s a concern for younger fans, well…they gotta start somewhere!!
damn it boogs-u need to play the flyers
That’s BS if anybody is saying that Mikko is not an amazing offensive player. I understand that defense is not a priority, but Mikko has carried this team (no matter how poorly they have played). He has had a hand in 38.1% of the teams goals, which is better than anybody in the Western Conference other than Ryan Getzlaf (39.6%). All though he might not have the sexy name that Toews, Modano or Tkachuk might have, he has proven to be a top tier player (heck, Hejduk has only 29 points in 40 games as opposed to Mikko’s 37 in 39 games, Dustin Brown has only 26 in 39 games). It is a complete fallacy to believe that he is not one of the top offensive players in the West. Quite frankly, it’s a crime to ignore Mikko.
When 1 player from every team goes to the game, some deserving players will be left off.
Sunshine, I do not disagree that DR needs to be lining up his ducks, either trade or sign Backstrom.
No doubt his stock in trade is high right now.
But, some of this is contingent upon … what are the Wild doing on the ice? And, what is next years cap likely to be?
Greenstar, that is exactly my point. I am not necessarily a DR apologist, but he gets lots of criticism for things we do not know whether are true or not! How do we know what is going on out the back window of the Ivory Tower at Wild offices.
So, I think it is really hard to make decisions.
Russo’s chipper today. Strong coffee in Philly (to cover up the smell). Nice update above.
Toto? Oh you know if Burnzie’s getting through those big books of his, he’s getting to the bottom of that blog.
I’m sad to hear that Mikko was so disappointed but I guess I wouldn’t really believe him anyway if he were saying, “Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
I think of being obtuse as being willfully stupid. Whereas stupid is just stupid. But maybe I’m being obtuse.
I confess - I sorta did, too. I thought of obtuse as being unwilling (as in stubborn) to learn or understand something.
The use of the word was one of my favorite scenes in Shawshank Redemption.
“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had”
Just because poor Russo probably has this song stuck in his head, that and I’m evil… like the fruits of the devil… Go forth and sing Toto songs mwahahahahahahahaha….
DB - I understand, but it’s also true that taking a player off the IR is just an administrative move. As long as the team receiving the player understands the situation, and the player agrees, you can simply take the player off IR and make the deal. There’s no rule that says an injured player has to play a game before he’s tradeable.
But it has also been kicked around that Gaby could be put on LTIR, so as to free up money for Ballgame to bring in another Chris Simon blockbuster-type player at the deadline. If Gaby goes on LTIR, he cannot be packaged. Although you are correct, in that taking a player off regular IR is something that is easily accomplished.
Russo has some great additions, above. Here is something repeated about BAcks.
“”"He talked refreshingly about how much he wants to stay in Minnesota. He said if it ain’t broke, why fix it, and how the Wild gave him his first shot and how much he loves playing in front of a full house every night with educated hockey fans and how much he cares about his teammates, etc. This was far from cliched stuff. It actually was goose bump-inducing.
Backstrom is just a great story. Guy comes here two years ago from Finland as a 29-year-old third goalie. Nobody even thought he’d make the team, taking for granted that Harding would be Manny Fernandez’s backup.
But Harding got hurt, then the Wild decided it would be better for Harding’s development if he played everyday in Houston. Backstrom’s first three NHL wins came in relief, and then, Fernandez sprains his knee and the rest is history. Backstrom saved the Wild’s season, shared the Jennings Trophy with Fernandez and is now an All-Star (that’s the quick version of his ride to fame).
And now, Backstrom could hit the motherload this summer as the NHL’s king free agent goalie. Of course, that’s if he’ll get there. Doug Risebrough was as evasive as ever when we grilled him today on Backstrom’s contract situation.
My gut though is that there’s been recent conversation. Backstrom, as of three weeks ago, said the Wild hadn’t contacted his agent. Today he said we had to ask the Wild or his agent, and that he didn’t want to think about his contract situation, which makes you think something’s going on. Also, Risebrough kind of let a little subtle, ”The best thing for me to do is do it in a strategic, quiet manner, so I’m not commenting any further.””"”
There is nothing in the CBA that prevents a team from trading a player on IR or LTIR as long as the accepting team’s doctors get an opportunity to review the medical information and do a physical. If they are satisfied with the information and still want to go forth with it, then a trade can happen.
I thought Jose Theodore was on IR when he was traded from the Canadiens to the Avs. Was Bertuzzi on IR when he was traded, too?
Would you rather keep Risebrough or Russo in Minny??
That Hockeydad post at 3:34 is me sunshine. Sorry.
Can we just lock Backstrom up and call it a day? I bet if pushed, he’d sign for around 5 million/year. We can handle that much for a goalie that really works well in our system.
That means we trade Harding. That’s fine. Package him with Pouliot and maybe Bergeron and see what other teams offer back.
He shall be henceforth known as:
Michael “POTHOLE” Russo
LMAO
Personally, I want to keep both Russo and DR.
Russo:
Keep up the good work - you will be around a lot longer than ‘ol Doogie.
Right now I want the Wild to keep Backstorm. I’m afraid that DR would screw up any kind of trade.
(singing very loudly)
“I bless the rains down in Africa”
My boss is very suspicous as to why I’m now singing Toto songs.
Hey, if we want to get more than one Wild player into the ASG, more folks got to start voting and voting often. I did my part, though I did cast more votes for Backstrom, as I felt he has been the Wild’s best player and deserves to be in at the ASG.
Just a little extra fuel for the Manny-hating fire that ignited yesterday. Here’s his quote from today’s Boston Globe:
“Personally, I wouldn’t pay to see a game like that,” said Fernandez (23 saves), who lost on home ice for the first time this season (9-1-0). “It gets frustrating. We’re used to a different game here.”
The little twerp didn’t mind building his stats behind the Wild’s defense, and now he bitches about the way we play? What a jerk.
Yay for Nik!
He’s been outstanding, even when the rest of the team is acting brainless. He’s a nice down-to-earth guy, and does his job well.
(Unlike a certain prima donna useless “star” we’re currently saddled with.)
What a jerk. That was a fast, good skating game. But both goalies played well as did both teams.
I, too, have been shocked and horrified at what has come on my iPod during a shuffle: Menudo, Men at Work, New Kids on the Block… Although the time Vanilla Ice came on was pretty sweet… 
I hate when Baby Got Back comes on my iPod. It was in a mix my friend gave me and I keep forgetting to just delete it. I don’t mind the song so much as background noise, but I feel kinda violated when I hear it with my earbuds in.
Manny is making me appreciate Petr Kalus all of a sudden… looking like a good trade now.
Does anyone else imagine Russo in a bath with candles all around, singing “Africa”? (a la Scrubs - Zach Braff)
Sundin debuts tonight, finally. Canucks vs. Oilers. Now we shall see….
Um, well, no - at least I hadn’t until you brought it up, Heather…
A comment better left for your therapist, Heather….
“Rosanna” > “Africa”
Oh my!
“Rosanna” > “Africa”
Ahh… late night “Hits from the ___” infomercials!
Goalieguy: click on my name, you can find my email that way.
Great stuff above, Russo. Funny that a guy that played in Montreal and Calgary would have such a problem with the media, but that’s just our Dougie, I guess.
Ruutu bites a guy and gets a 2 game suspension.
Avery makes a high school aged joke and gets 6 and anger management?
I’m not defending Avery, but WTF!?
Sunshine is correct. The fans need to vote often for Koivu. He missing the all start game (lower case without him) will get fixed if we do.
Think back to Roloson going to the Oil … part of that was because Manny did not want him around. Maybe even had issues with Jamie Mac in the first year for all I know.
“Africa” > Manny
Gunslinger,
I think, in large part, it’s because Avery’s comments became news beyond hockey and gives the league a bad image. Biting a guy isn’t going to make the Huffintong Post, if you know what I’m saying.
And if Risebrough isn’t happy with Russo that probably means he’s doing his job pretty well.
My work team in Austin actually asked me about the biting thing just now after our meeting. They saw it on ESPN. I reminded them that ESPN only ever shows hockey when there’s a dismemberment of some sort.
Though my dad asked me about Avery, but he reads the Dallas paper. I told him Avery didn’t say anything everybody wasn’t already thinking.
I think Josh Harding can easily be the #1 guy for the Wild next season. He is a talented goaltender and has the perfect frame.
In addition, Backstrom, Fernandez and Roloson all had GAAs of 2.47 or better and save percetanges of .914 or better with Minnesota. Either the Wild have had a string of luck finding solid goaltending or it has something to do with the style of play.
Now I’ll admit Backstrom appears to be better than Manny or Roli were while with the Wild. But you could also argue the Wild’s team defense has been the best it ever has been.
I think the smart thing to do is trade Backstrom. The Wild need draft picks and/or established scorers. Josh Harding is more than capable of posting solid numbers.
I predict Backstrom is traded and in three years the Wild fans will be begging the GM to re-sign Harding.
More to the point, I think the biting does more to harm the league’s reputation because it’s so bizarre and kinda gruesome.
Obnoxious athletes of every sport are saying/doing inappropriate things off the playing field rather frequently, which is why Avery’s antics didn’t even phase me in terms of the image of the league.
I guess Mason should be feeling pretty good that 2 of his 5 goalies made their respective all star games. Looks like Dimples didn’t make the ECHL one, though his partner did. Hmm.
While I think the goalie position so far has been a product of the system, I would like to point out that:
a. Backstrom is REALLY good, and has saved our team time and time again when the system breaks down.
b.Manny is #2 in the league in GAA, and #5 in Save % according to the numbers on ESPN. And that is in the “open East”
c. Next year does not equal a Jacques Lemaire system. We don’t know if he will be here or not. So, if re-signed, we could see some different stats from Backs, but I think not, because…
d. Backstrom is REALLY good.
I remember at the beginning of the season, Backstrom was interviewed and said that he’d been working a lot on his game so he’d be signed long term, since he loved Minnesota so much. Now it looks like he may have worked himself into a trade, which I think is sad - if someone truly loves it here AND benefits the team, they should be able to come up with a deal.
Avery’s a tool, he got more because this was not the first time he’s acted/spoken out in his hoser-ness. I’m not possitive what Ruutu’s history is but Avery has a long history of doing/saying stupid things. At least that’s my take on it all. 10 more min and I’m free.
BG - getting toward the MLK time - “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty I am free at last!”
Boston is very good defensively, don’t overlook that point.
Also, I admit Backstrom is really good. But I think Josh Harding can give the Wild nearly as good goaltending next season and he is only 24/25 years old.
It is about the only spot the Wild’s franchise has depth. Look at it from a business perspective.
I’m off like a prom dress - talk to you all later!
Well, if Backs really wants to stay, there is a price at which he’s too good a value to trade, right?
Biting a guy isn’t going to make the Huffintong Post, if you know what I’m saying.
Looks like it did!
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28532210/
Last year, we lost a couple of games because of inconsistent goaltending. Not this year. Backstrom has saved this team so many times this season. Even during that losing streak, he gave the team every chance to come back and win games, but they just couldn’t do it.
I think Mikko is doing fine job, don’t get me wrong but Backstrom has been just tremendous. I freely admit that I probably overrate him but he’s carried this team. He was the first to call out the guys, too.
He deserves a good contract. I don’t know if I would give him $6 million but $4.5 -$5 million/ yr for 3 years sounds about right.
$4.5 -$5 million/ yr for 3 years sounds about right.
+1
I understand the sentiment that maybe we can trade a valuable asset to a team who really needs a goalie for a greater value, i.e. get several good players/picks/prospects.
But I think that pipe dream is just that - a dream. DR has shown no ability, in any of his jobs, to pull off that type of blockbuster.
The Wild has one All Star. One. Trade him? I say no, build around him. Do the Devils shop Brodeur every year to bring in a “bunch of good players”?
If you find a good player like Backs, you’d better hang onto him if you can. Especially if he’s a goalie - and not a flake to boot.
If he doesn’t want to sign, or wants to test the market, that’s one thing. But as Russo has implied there are no talks - to not even talk to his agent is moronic.
Whatever Backstrom wants I would give it to him and throw an extra $5 million in for good measure. If he is gone after this year, Ballgame better be right behind him…
Risebrough is a clown.
His…
Assessment of the Backstrom situation.
handling of the Gaborik deal(he isn’t gonna sign? then trade him before the season, oh I don’t know in case he gets injured again,
his apparent pettiness with matters as unimportant as parking access.
Good for him and bad for us that he didn’t get the Toronto job.
I can’t even fathom how we would handle that microscope.
If they don’t resign Backstrom (they are fools) if they decide not to and don’t trade him for something significant this season I think the front office incompetence might finally begin to affect fans.
Ruutu has a reputation with Wild fans as being a jerk, a somewhat less offensive than Matt Cooke.
However, I am not sure if any of you stuck their finger in my mouth in an aggessive gesture that I would not bite it. So, maybe it is the context. Also, Peters did not show anyone his finger afterwards did he? Was their blood on the ice? Was Peters trying to garner sympathy?
Read Russo’s additional comments above Markko and Don. From his comments we might infer there are quite talks.
And what else does ‘Russo Radio’ run to come out of commercial break and into the segment with?
You guessed it…’Africa’, by Toto.
Good to know he has a wide musical taste!
what an absolute fraud the AS system is. Not only should Mikko be there, he should be starting. Scotty N, Giguere, Hejduk, Tkachuk, Luongo, all have no business being there. Kipper and D Sedin are huge snubs.
It really is quite shocking to look at the Wild’s goal totals, both for and against. I mean we all know they’re not scoring, nor giving up much, but just how much different from the rest of the league they are is pretty glaring.
A Wild game averages 4.7 goals. The league average is 5.8 goals a game. On the high end is Toronto at 6.6 g/gm, and at the low end above the Wild is L.A. with 5.2. If you rank each team between the Leafs and Kings, the biggest gap between is 0.18 (rounded) between Pittsburgh at 6.07 and San Jose at 5.90. The gap beween the Wild and Kings is by far the biggest at 0.51. There’s just no other team that’s remotely like the Wild.
I know I’m a nerd and all, but I find this pretty fascinating.
Would somebody please just fire that dumb ass GM….PLEASE!!!!
Only 1 rule
DR should not, under any circumstance be allowed to make any trades.
He can mess up any ……..
There’s just no other team that’s remotely like the Wild.
amen.
I would guess that the Wild parlays their goals into more wins than any other team, too, but I’m not sure how I’d show that statistically.
And just a follow up to that. Since the lockout, the lowest ranked team in terms of GF to win the cup was the Ducks at #7 in 2007. If you go back pre-lockout a few years, there was NJ in 2003 at #14.
Going back to the 2000-01 season there have been–ranking(freq):
2(1)
3(3)
4(1)
7(1)
14(1)
The Wild are currently #27!
The Wild are third in goal/win ration behind San Jose and the Rangers.
Forgot about the Rangers…but I’m curious about the Sharks? I would have thought they’d have a much higher number of goals scored/wins ratio.
Whoever was saying earlier that the team isn’t cured was so right. I mean, it’s nice to enjoy the big wins and feeling good, but the reality is, this team doesn’t have the chops to score like they’ll need to to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. And since the last couple of months of the NW division plays almost like the playoffs, that’s bad news.
But it’s bad news I’m happy to ignore for now.
Good stuff though, toivo. I like stats but I don’t have much of a head for figuring out what’s relevant.
Stats make my head hurt. I just go by whether the boys are playing well or not. Watching Habs/Rangers on NHL Network. Go my Eastern Boys Go!
I should say Wins per Goals For ratio.
You gotta remember that the Sharks(29) have 9 more wins than the Wild(20). Boston is 4th (29) and the Caps are 5th (27).
So, in other words, winning more games certainly helps this ratio quite a bit!
And I agree, ms.c. They are playing better, but I think the reality is that if they expect to go anywhere they’re going to have to start scoring more. I’m not expecting any 6 goal explosions, but they’ve really got to start scoring more. Right now they’re on an 88 pt pace, which isn’t going to cut it. I can’t help but think that there’s been a few points that got away because they just couldn’t tie the game up in the third, yet it happens to them from time to time, e.g. Detroit. I think a little more offense would go a long way there.
Band,
I can’t help it. I’m a nerd. It helps me put things into perspective.
They remind me of the Aeros last season. The goalies couldn’t let more than 1 goal in or it was pretty much a lost cause. Preferably 0 goals… It’s tough tough way to go thru a season, I can tell you.
Yeesh, speaking of which, Aeros are getting shut out 3-0 in Bridgeport. SHUTOUT!!!! (Sorry, just trying to jinx the other goalie.)
I hate writing about losses. Geez, they look tired. I wonder if a little too much fun was had in the Big Apple the last couple of days.
No problem toivo, it’s just stats involve math, and math is hard for us pretty people.
They have a SHUTOUT MsC? (Hope that helps our boys) Can they maintain their SHUTOUT?
Crap. Noreau hit from behind. He’s up but that’s really not what the Aeros need right now.
WOO! Rosy with a PP goal to kill the goose egg! Phew.
WOW! Now a goal from Hammy! God this team is effing weird.
Thanks for the assist there, BG!
Man, 3-2 looks so much better than 3-0.
OMFG!!! They tied it up!
Glad us saying SHUTOUT a few times helped MsC.
Well, the hoser who boarded Noreau earned his team a 5 minute PK, and they scored 3 PP goals in like 2:23 or something. Crazy. I hope Noreau is okay, but geez, way to make lemons out of lemonade, boys.
Honest to god, this is the weirdest hockey team. At least they’re inspiring my mid-season review.
I mean lemonade out of lemons. It’s when they GIVE UP leads that they’re doing the reverse.
So now that Burke added Brad May does he go for Ruutu and Bertuzzi next? We get to see Mr. May on Jan 27.
Lack of goal scoring does not necessarily doom the Wild Toivo, but there is not much room for error. The team must excel on defense every game to have a chance to win.
That also means Backs is much more important to the Wild unless …
He seems to like it here, and his teammates always seem to have a great deal of respect for him and the job he does.
In proposing trading a goalie, I like Harding too. He has a great attitude for a guy who is riding the pine. It would be a shame to trade him.
But, on the other hand, if Backs is going to have the job for the foreseeable future, then it is tough for Harding not to get his chance at the #1 job.
I wwould rather think of Schaeffer as possible trade material.
Didn’t we draft a big goalie who is still playing in the Finnish leagues?
Well, they lost in the shootout (shocker) but they shouldn’t have even gotten the loser point they got, so I’m not too upset.
Loser point is ok when they come back like that MsC. Hope Noreau is ok. Never good when you get hit from behind.
Have you willed the Aero’s a W Mis-Conduct?
For all the complaining about DR here, has anyone ever noticed lots of Twin fans believe Twins management are incompetent? Viking fans believe their management is incompetent? TWolf fans feel the same way (they have some proof). Lion fans (I agree).
He was back playing in OT, BG, so I think he’s alright. Must have been a helluva hit though becuase the guy got 5 min boarding and a game Ms.Conduct (he wishes!) for it.
I’ll take credit, Iceman, though I should have will the shootout win. The shots they took were ones I could have stopped. Lazy shootout for the Aeros. Maybe they subconciously knew they didn’t deserve a win for spending the first 58:28 in the hole.
Glad he seems ok. Poor boys probably going to be sore in the morning.
Yeah, they have tomorrow off, so hopefully he’ll feel okay for the 3 in 3 this weekend.
i think this is the longest blog on here i’ve ever read!!
That is a great song you have to admit.
I bless the rains down in Africa!!!
it was fine when russo posted about that song…but dammit, NOW it’s stuck in my head! i guess i better listen to some J. Geils Band then.
Oh man, Souray just took Ohlund down with one punch. That was sweet.
Yes it was. Nice to see Ohlund go down.
if we can sign backs to a 4 mil-5mil a year deal…long term, then I say do it… Considering top goaltenders are asking for around 8-9 mil a year, I’d say we would be doing all right.
I still say kimmy is perfect trade bait to bring in some new (young) scoring depth. With our surplus of defesemen, we could probobly trade two of them…
obviously I still am riding that bowmeester bandwagon for next year, until the time comes and we don’t sign him of course…..
Hopefully we can get a couple good drafts here to help our cause…..It sounds like houston is pretty dry (ms. C I am sure will tell us exactly how dry it is down there. I haven’t seen them at all so I don’t know first hand)
Houston is pretty short on NHL-ready guys. Mostly because you all have picked us clean. I mean, AHL teams aren’t really meant to provide an ENDLESS supply of healthy bodies.
DAMMIT, friggin’ Burrows.
IceMan, if the Wild are still ranked around 27th in scoring at the end of the season, they’re not going anywhere. I can almost guarantee that.
To lose Backstorm would be a sin,Every last beat writer radio or TV voice will say goalies are most important and not easy to come by (ask the senators) Every GM and Coach standard line build from the goal out. And I think Dougie’s has some extra money now at the end of the season, sorry that was my groin muscle causing me to write that last line. I dont see them spending money on the front end.
Hmm. Both my teams are in Pennsylvania tonight.
Oh Fudge! Come on Roloson!
Sundin would like a Swedish meatball about now. Skank!
uh, msC, he never called anyone a skank. he never said that.
But I heard him. We all heard him.
buuuutttt…he never said that! that was freakin hilarious.
That reminds me, I need to send that to someone.
scoring does need to improve….from what I have wattched this year (not nearly enough because of work/no more sattilite/cable), there are no finishers on the team…except for maybe nolan. everyone else are either playmakers (koivu/Butch/Brunette) or defense first players (mittens (was there ever a good nickname for him?), Nolan/Belanger/Sheppard/Vellieux).
Top that off with the extreme thinness….we have Kolanos/Gilles/Poulliot/Weller/Clutterbuck all of which should be helping out the Aeros
(although kolanos is earning his keep here, and Clutterbuck has cemented himself up here…you were right on him ms c.!)
that goallie list of free agents was pretty thin next year….so unless DR is willing to go after K.L. from atl, or whichever boston goalie is free, I say stick with backy, unless he pulls a gabby and demands like 7 mil…….
(come to think of it, pulling a gabby should actually be if he pulled a groin!)
At least our d is really deep….how about skoula…..maybe next year he is our second all star with koivu…..ha now that would me wierd!
I’m always right, b*tches!
(Okay, I’m hardly ever right.)
And trust me, Pouliot is helping the Aeros plenty by not being on the team. Couldn’t agree more about Gillies though. I sure wish that age thing wasn’t there so we’d have a crack at him.
be
age thing????
Is anybody else watching the Edmonton feed of the Oilers game? That guy in the pond hockey commercial is Grade A creepy. And since when are there refs in pond hockey?
Anyway…
Age thing… you can’t come out of Juniors to play in the AHL if you’re under 20 years old (well, you have to turn 20 in the year you start in the AHL, so you can turn 20 in December and still go to the AHL). I think Gillies turns 20 in Jan or Feb, sometime soon.
ty for the info….I had no idea about that, that certainly explains why he didn’t start down there!
Well since kolanos is playing so well, you may end up seeing him shortly!
heres to hoping we trade a defensiveman shortly so we can send him down on his 20th birthday.
Now I am just hoping for a random young forward to be sent through the waiver wire!
I understand the scoring issue Toivo.
Ah poop. Stupid nucks.
I know sin pretty well Marty, not signing Backs may be a mistake but it can’t compete with sin.
I have been busy at work so I can’t just sit there and read and then when I get home, I can’t look at the PC for atleast 3 hours unless it is my email. But I just read the first comments and I’m not not really caught off guard and I read the last and I’m not caught off guard.
I guess I just know Russoville, don’t even need to be here to know the comments.
I think if we can get GOAL SCORING value for Backs, trade him while he is hot.
Harding ain’t too bad and we got a couple in the pipeline.
But Backs seems to like it here and might take a discount. I’d take that and trade Harding. Whatever works out best. I trust DR.
Sorry for the unreadable post above. I was in a hurry.
DD, I just skim for my name. At least your process is faster and less self-absorbed than mine.
What are the chances some named All-Star doesn’t play and Mikko gets named as an alternate?
Marleau probably has even more of an argument than Mikko.
Burke must have some sort of man-crush on Brad May - from Vancouver to Anaheim to Toronto…
If you think Mikko’s one of the best 2-way centers in the league; wait until you see Jeff Carter tonight.
Brad May has something on Delta.
Kinda like like when Joe McGrath talks about the guy in the penalty box…
Brad from PA…
Jeff Carter is ok, but he plays for the Flyers so that immediately disqualifies him from our ‘best’ list…
Not to pick nits, but did anybody else notice that in today’s Strib hard copy that Russo spelled the name of Backstop’s agent differently two times in a span of 3 words. Yikes.
Oh lawd, I forgot about Flyer Fan! It’s gonna be a fun day.
I’m sure it’s his editors fault, DB.
I noticed it is also like that in the online version. Baizley and Baisley.
Also, the Wild runs through the East better than X-lax through a marathon runner. Wild win 3-2 in a shootout tonight.
not to set the bar too low, but between the law of averages and, well, my fairly low expectations… getting a loser point out of this game would be A-okay with me.
NiNY: Only if you’re a Flyers’ fan. Wild win this game in a shootout.
Man, Nick. Conceding the fight before it starts? I dunno.
I’m kinda looking forward to this one just because I almost never get to watch the Flyers and strangely, they’re a team I could be a fan of. They kinda have an old school aesthetic that I dig.
Russo, pick me up one of those old school Hextall shirts there, will ya? I bet their shop has them. Hmm. *scheming on how to make that happen*
I’m not saying we’re GOING to lose, I’m just saying that if we come away with 1 point I will be satisfied.
PS: Russoville, if you haven’t read Ms.C’s blog about Kolanos, go read it.
Because I’m not shy, I’ll make it easy for you.
I love the stuff Puck Daddy comes up with. This post on an interview with Ovie is hilarious.
food
Nick in New York…
As a Flyers fan, with the they are playing right and how banged up they are; I’d be happy with a point, as well.
